McLaren News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 22, 2021

The New McLaren GT Ride-On: The Talk of the Playground

Now your child can be the one on the playground with a McLaren GT. For most car enthusiasts, the passion for anything automotive started at a young age with dream car posters and hot wheels. With new improvements in technology and design, the inlet to the car world starts with a vehicle of your own, long before the age to drive. McLaren Automotive is proud to help deliver that passion with its all-new line of ride-on cars for kids. The McLaren GT makes up the new fleet, displayed in six factory McLaren colors. The new Ride-On has an impressive list of standard options including authentic McLaren design detailing. Working dihedral doors make for the ultimate entrance and getaway and a functional storage compartment is ideal for stowing any junior driving essentials. Just like the real thing, the GT Ride-On has workable dashboard controls with a key start that activates McLaren engine sounds. Tiny journeys can also be accompanied by music, played through an infotainment system that can access files from a USB device or SD card with the optional MP4 display screen. Junior drivers will get a thrill from the working accelerator with revving sound and brake pedal with brake light function as they speed off on their mini McLaren GT adventures. Set to be the most thrilling toy of 2021, the McLaren GT Ride-On is priced from $230.00 to $330.00, depending on the options selected, and is available to order now from selected global toy retailers. Shop The McLaren Store Media/Information Source: McLaren Automotive

By Edward Jones – July 12, 2021

Watch the $2.2 Million McLaren Elva's Scary Drive at Good...

The hill climb turned into a slip and slide. It's sad, but the Goodwood Festival of Speed is over but that doesn't mean we can't look back at the happenings. One of the most exciting moments had to be when a McLaren Elva, worth around $2.2 million, flew through the hill climb course even though it was soaking wet. Kenny Bräck was the driver of the hypercar and the wet tarmac didn't stop him from hammering the Elva through every corner and straight. If you watch the video up above, you can see the Elva get incredibly squirrely throughout the entire hill climb but it manages to make it to the finish line without incident. the best part? The smiles on the passenger and driver when they finally cross the finish line and realize how insane that drive was. See All McLarens For Sale Source: YouTube/Goodwood Road & Racing

By Edward Jones – May 29, 2021

Kid-Genius Mike Wimmer Celebrates Graduation With Epic Su...

A surprise photoshoot for a grand celebration. On May 28th, 12-year-old Mike Wimmer graduated from Concord Academy High School as Valedictorian with a 5.45 GPA. Just a week earlier on May 21st, he graduated with a 4.0 GPA from Rowan-Cabarrus Community Collection. Mike managed to complete both his Junior and Senior years of high school alongside and a two-year college associate degree all in the span of 12 months. To celebrate his graduation, McLaren Charlotte surprised him with an epic photoshoot alongside two Mclaren 720S supercars. Mike has had a passion for cars from a very early age with the movie "Cars" being the main source of it. At the age of 4, he could identify any exotic car put in front of him. And his favorite vacation is to go to IMSA Sportscar endurance races and hang out in the paddock and garage with the teams. As you can see, he's a die-hard automotive enthusiast who most definitely deserved this photoshoot. While he may not be able to drive the McLarens, he plans on taking his driver's license test in a supercar. With plenty of practice from SIM racing, he will most certainly ace the test. He plans on purchasing his first car with cash and is looking at either a Corvette ZR1, McLaren 720S or 765LT. We definitely think he'll do just that. To help pay for those purchases, Mike is already underway creating new businesses. One of them is Reflect Social, which seeks to combine "popular social media platforms with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, providing a new dynamic social experience." Be sure to follow Mike on Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date on his incredible journey. Photo Credit: Mitch Harwood

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2021

Go For A Ride in a McLaren Senna Down Rodeo Drive

A jaunt through Beverly Hills in a hypercar. Rodeo Drive and Sunset Boulevard are some of the most famous roads in the country, making them hotspots for owners of supercars to strut their rides. Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills took a $1.3 million McLaren Senna down the streets to show the world what it's like. Not only is it a treat to be able to see the Senna on the road, but the backdrop of these famous streets is also perfect. Granted, the Senna would most definitely be able to truly show itself off when on a track. Check out the video down below and be sure to click the button to see Marshall Goldman Beverly Hill's current inventory. View Inventory

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2021

The McLaren Elva is Now Available With a Windshield

For those who prefer something a bit more physical. McLaren Automotive has just announced that the Elva will now be available with a physical windscreen, as opposed to a barrier of air thanks to the Active Air Management System (AAMS). The windshield is also being introduced because some states in the USA require windshields. McLaren notes that this version is starting production very soon. One of the drawbacks to this version is that the will be a little bit of added weight, but it's just 44 lbs. McLaren hasn't finalized acceleration figures for this new variant, but the original windshield-less version can run 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 6.8 seconds. Just 149 examples of the Elva will be created and the first deliveries of the windshield Elva are expected to happen at the end of the year. See All McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren

By Edward Jones – May 26, 2021

Watch an IndyCar Star Rip a McLaren 620R Around Willow Sp...

Add "Driving a McLaren at Willow Springs" to your bucket list. Right after celebrating his first victory in the NTT IndyCar Series, Pato O'Ward was taken to the famous Willow Springs Raceway in California. The reason behind the trip? To absolutely rip a McLaren 620R around the track. He was able to take advantage of the street-legal race car's twin-turbo V8 which produces a monstrous 611 bhp and 457 lb-ft of torque. Those power figures make the 620R the most powerful Sports Series model ever created. What's more, the 620R features aerodynamics components found on the 570S GT4, as well as many other upgrades that make it a monster on the track. See it in action for yourself in the video up above. If you're looking for a McLaren to add to your garage, click the button below to see what's available. See All McLaren 620Rs For Sale Source: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 19, 2021

Watch Daniel Ricciardo Prep For F1 Monaco In His McLaren ...

Daniel Ricciardo is more than ready for race weekend. As we approach the iconic Monaco F1 race, McLaren F1 team driver Daniel Ricciardo continues to study the urban track. In his most recent YouTube video in presented by GoPro, Daniel takes out his personal light blue McLaren 675LT to break down the circuit turn by turn. The excitement on Daniel’s face is priceless as he explains the secrecy behind the supercar while raced with a competing manufacturer. With Daniel’s new role as a driver for McLaren, he’s able to enjoy the milestone supercar without conflict. Throughout the video, race enthusiasts get a small taste of what goes through an F1 drivers’ mind while traveling at high speeds through the tight streets of Monaco. If the beginning of race week in Monaco begins with Daniel Ricciardo unveiling his personal McLaren 675LT, we cannot wait to see what the weekend has to offer. For more McLaren news, Check out This Winning Lewis Hamilton Race-Winning Car Is Set To Be Auctioned Off

By Edward Jones – April 29, 2021

Custom Painted McLaren 765LT for Sale

An ode to a classic artform. Pinstriping is an artform that may not be as popular as it once was, but it's important to both the automotive and custom world. The most famous pinstripe artist of them all has to be Von Dutch, who once painted a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with flames. While this may have seemed blasphemous to some, this 300SL Gullwing is one of the most famous custom cars ever. What we have here is a similar story where an exotic car is painted with flames that you'd traditionally find on a hot rod. The artist behind the flames and pinstripes on this 765LT is Dave Shuten, the Lead Builder at the Galpin Speed Shop. His creation was featured on the cover of Road & Track, and now it's for sale at EUROCAR. You can learn all about the car and how it came to be in the video up above. To learn more, click the button below to view this car's listing. View Listing

By Edward Jones – April 28, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021: Midnight Purple McLaren Senna from Marsh...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - For sheer electrifying performance, this 2019 McLaren Senna is absolutely without peer, a completely bespoke automobile of uncanny capability. The Senna lives up to both its revered namesake and its lofty position as the crown jewel in McLaren’s Ultimate Series portfolio of exclusive hyper-performance automobiles. The Senna’s magic begins with its featherweight carbon fiber MonoCage III chassis, enveloped in carbon fiber body structures designed to optimize passive aerodynamics in concert with such active devices as the massive articulated rear wing and dual aeroblades within the front fenders that are designed to apply balancing front downforce as speeds climb. And climb they do; the Senna’s midmounted powerplant is an untethered wonder. Designated M840TR 90, it’s an all-aluminum DOHC 4.0L V-8 with dual twin-scroll turbochargers and dry-sump oiling delivering 789 HP and 590 lb-ft of torque through a 7-speed dual-clutch SSG automatic transmission that together rocket the Senna to 60 MPH in a scant 2.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 211 MPH. Electrohydraulic rack-and-pinion steering, carbon ceramic disc brakes with forged monobloc 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, and an all-encompassing active suspension system are influenced by the driver’s choice of three powertrain modes affecting ride height and spring rates, braking and cornering, an astounding developmental breakthrough in driver/machine integration. More advanced technology is seen in the Senna’s twin-hinge dihedral doors, Gorilla Glass windows, Bowers and Wilkins seven-speaker audio system, front and rear parking sensors, back-up camera and McLaren track telemetry system. Presenting in impeccable as-new condition with just 186 miles, this 2019 McLaren Senna is loaded with special custom appointments and finishes courtesy of McLaren’s Special Operations department, where McLaren customers’ dreams are fulfilled. In this case, it’s a marriage of special one-off Midnight Purple paint with matching Mauvine Purple Visible Carbon Fiber (VCF) interior surfaces, Mauvine Blue brake calipers, satin-finish carbon fiber aeroblades and door sills, Carbon Black Alcantara steering wheel, Dark Stealth exhaust heat shield and 19- and 20-inch Matte Dark Stealth center-lock ultra-lightweight wheels with Midnight Purple centers. This is a truly remarkable machine of unmatched pedigree and performance. This McLaren Senna will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2021 event, which runs May 14-22. View Listing

By Edward Jones – April 26, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021: McLaren P1 from Marshall Goldman Collect...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Just as the McLaren F1 road car redefined cutting-edge performance in the 1990s, so has the 2014 P1 offered here set new standards, having been boldly described in company literature as “the most exciting, capable, technologically advanced and dynamically accomplished super sports car ever made.” That is as unequivocal a statement as has ever been made by any automobile manufacturer since Errett Lobban Cord introduced the Duesenberg Model J, but the 2014 P1 offered here at no reserve from the Marshall Goldman Collection more than lives up to that promise. Constructed around an intricately woven one-piece carbon fiber MonoCage, the P1 comprises a bundle of interconnected systems following modern Formula 1 practice. Its aerodynamics generate the highest downforce of any production road car to its time, complementing that with RaceActive chassis control to modulate the all-independent wishbone suspension and an adjustable rear wing to maintain dynamic balance under any conditions. Its hybrid twin-turbocharged DOHC 3.8L V-8 generates 727 HP, with a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor within the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission adding 177 HP for a sum of 903 HP and more than 700 lb-ft of torque. At the other end of the performance spectrum are F1-grade silicon-carbide-coated carbon ceramic disc brakes capable of stopping the P1 from 120 MPH in just 380 feet. Chassis No. 325 of 375 P1s produced, this 2014 McLaren P1 received the full treatment from McLaren Special Operations, who handcrafted its bespoke interior and exterior finishings. Its Brodger Fire Brown paint, specially developed by MSO, is contrasted by the car’s semi-gloss carbon fiber bodywork and orange accents on the brake calipers, rear wing struts and “P1” rear badge; the same satin body finish appears on the mirror arms and the lightweight aluminum wheels. The theme repeats inside with Highland Hare Brown leather and Alcantara upholstery on the dash, steering wheel and touring seats contrasted by orange stitching and satin-finish orange control dials. This exquisitely tailored McLaren hypercar comes complete with a battery charger, car cover, books, original paint and leather samples, P1 book and service records. This McLaren P1 will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2021 event, which runs May 14-22. View Listing

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