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 Edward Jones – December 20, 2018

One-Off McLaren P1 GTR Designed to Honor Ayrton Senna

McLaren Special Operations has just unveiled a very special edition of the McLaren P1 GTR. This specific example of the race car was a bespoke commission designed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna clinching his maiden Formula 1 World Championship. The customer who ordered this P1 GTR is actually a McLaren collector who says he was inspired by Ayrton Senna at a young age. His idea behind the commission was to create a tribute that "echoed the Brazilian's trademark perfectionism," according to McLaren Automotive. McLaren P1 GTR VIN #01 For Sale Its exterior livery is meant to mirror the Marlboro design from Senna's race car. In the front is the Senna Brand Trademark on the massive front splitter, as well as in the air intake and on each door. McLaren notes that more than 800 hours when into painting and getting the car to have the perfect livery to celebrate Senna. McLaren has also made a few other modifications to the car that aren't standard on P1 GTRs. There are new aero features that increase downforce to around 1763 lbs. These include the new front dive planes, the air front splitter, new Gurney flap, a 24ct gold heatshield and more. Deadmau5 Takes Delivery of New McLaren Senna The owner has named it "Beco," which comes from the nickname that was given to Ayrton by his parents. Don't worry, because the Senna family gave him the full blessing to name the car this way. "This project has been a labour of love for MSO; with extensive engine and aerodynamic enhancements in addition to the distinctive cosmetic treatment this car has received, this is certainly a landmark achievement.” - Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2018

Why You Should Buy a McLaren P1

Hybrid supercars are state of the art, and McLaren beat everyone else to the punch. Their P1 began production in 2013 and literally shocked the world with its potent power. They were the first to realize that electric power can be more than just a means to save gasoline.Normal hybrids have electric motors and batteries that are better suited to golf carts than automobiles, but McLaren paired their 3.8L V8 with twin turbochargers to make 727 hp along with enough voltage to add another 176 hp. This potent combination allows the supercar to beat the best cars in the world while burning less fuel than the competition. Since the electric drive makes almost 200 lb-ft of torque, the P1 can be driven on battery alone if you require a stealthy exit.After a full day of electric cruising, you could potentially use the V8 to charge the system. The batteries reach a full charge in 2 hours--- just in time to swap the street tires for a set of race slicks and hit the track. Like all their predecessors, the P1 has no sway bars. The computer takes care of roll control, keeping you flat in the corners in order to lap your competition. The MP4 and 650S also use this system so if you haven’t driven a recent McLaren, you will be amazed at how each corner of the car stays planted to the pavement. Documentaries from the 50’s told us that this technology was coming, but once again McLaren did it first.McLaren P1 SpecsThere's always a price to be paid by early adopters, but the only real problem was the limited production. Only 375 cars were built, so if you take yours out on the weekend you probably won’t see another one. The supercar has a standard EV charging port so if you stay out of the accelerator you won’t need to awaken the V8. Should you need to overtake the fastest production cars ever made, the P1 is the most sensible choice. You'll be at 60 mph in well under 3 seconds and on your way to a top speed of 220 mph. You don’t need to be Italian or German to have this much fun. Building world dominating race car is still McLaren’s top priority, but we're glad they chose to share some of that technology in their street-legal cars.These cars may be rare, but selling exotic cars is what we love to do. Take a look at these McLarens and tell us which one you would buy. As always, stay tuned to Autofluence for your next car.View All McLaren P1s For Sale Volcano Yellow McLaren P1 View Price and Details White McLaren P1 View Price and Details Carbon Black McLaren P1 View Price and Details Volcano Orange McLaren P1 View Price and Details Satin Ice Silver McLaren P1 View Price and Details Dark Palladium Grey McLaren P1 View Price and Details Tell us which one you want in the comments below, and stay with us for all your McLaren news.

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2018

Three McLaren P1s Attack Alpine Airfield

To us, a McLaren P1 is a bit useless if it never goes outside. That's why we applaud the attendees of this year's SupercarOwnersCircle for gathering together for some high-speed fun. Uploaded to YouTube by Niklas97, this event was one for the record books.Why You Should Buy a McLaren P1Not only were there numerous Porsches & German attendees, but it was also a rare moment to have three examples of the McLaren P1 at the same location. Only 375 examples of the English hypercar were produced, so seeing one in public is next to impossible. Powered by a 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8, the P1 makes use of a hybrid drive to achieve 903 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. These figures represent total output of the engine and the battery, so the latter must be fully charged to achieve this.Ferrari FXX K vs. McLaren P1 GTR at MonzaTo see who had the most voltage available, the three cars lined up for a top speed run. With fluids and a driver, the weight approaches 3,500 lbs. Even so, it is able to reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, and by 6.8 seconds you will smash 124 mph. Four seconds is all it takes to double your ground speed. It would be neat to see if the SR-71 is capable of this because the numbers are simply stunning, that is until you reach 217 mph and the party is over. Tell us which car you would drive in the comments below and stay with us for all your McLaren updates.Browse McLaren P1 For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 05, 2017

2015 McLaren P1 in “Volcano Yellow” - Chassis #318

McLaren Newport Beach is known around the world for providing our clients with the most exclusive and well-sorted vehicles in the United States. Shown to the public for the first time is this ultra-low mileage 2015 McLaren P1 painted in stunning Volcano Yellow. This P1 came to them from a collector who kept this P1 hypercar in the original plastic since taking delivery back in 2015. The vehicle has never been titled, nor registered, and will be delivered on original MCO which means the next owner will officially be the first owner on paper. This may very well be the lowest mileage P1 currently in the United States! The remaining balance of the manufacturer's unlimited mileage warranty remains on chassis #318 until May of 2018. The optional equipment includes: carbon fiber front bumper, carbon fiber LTR ducts, carbon fiber exterior mirrors, carbon fiber door inserts, carbon fiber rocker panels, carbon fiber roof snorkel, carbon fiber rear clam insert, carbon fiber rear bumper, carbon fiber rear wing, stealth package, Yellow brake calipers, stealth finish on wheels, parking sensors, & Meridian sound system. This P1 is as new as they come! Purchase will include: all the original books, tools, keys, and accessories. McLaren Newport Beach accepts trade-in vehicles of all makes and models, and has custom lease programs available to qualified buyers. Please call them at 949-574-5200, or stop by their world famous showroom located on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, California. View Price and Listing

By Edward Jones – May 10, 2017

Onboard a McLaren P1 LM Smashing a Goodwood Hillclimb Record

There are only a few cars that are more extreme than the McLaren P1, with the P1 LM being one of them. This hypercar is a road-going version of the P1 GTR, a transformation that was completed by Lanzante, a British automotive company. The conversion from the P1 GTR to the P1 LM involved a litany of operations, including swapping out the exhaust and bolts, removing the air-jack system, and more.Recently, at the Festival of SPeed's Supercar Shootout held at Goodwood's Hillclimb, Kenny Brack drove the McLaren P1 LM like a mad man. Ultimately, he broke the track's record and recorded the fastest time set by a road legal car during the shootout. You can view his entire run from onboard the car by clicking play below.McLaren P1 LM's Record-Setting Goodwood Hillclimb Run

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 17, 2016

MSO to Display Carbon Fiber-bodied McLaren P1 and New Mod...

Behold the carbon fiber masterpiece. At this year's Geneva Motor Show, McLaren is set to pull out all the stops and show off some really special designs courtesy of the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) team. For the first time since it debuted to McLaren P1 owners earlier this year, the carbon fiber body conversion, created by MSO will be revealed for public view at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. Tinted in a "Lio Blue" bespoke lacquer, the carbon fiber body is hand-laid and includes upgrades like a gloss black finish for the wheels, and carbon black Alcantara trim with contrast blue stitching for the interior. The body conversion is a carbon fiber tribute to the recently retired track car.Also making it's public appearance at the Geneva Motor show is the 675LT Spider, which has a limited production of only 500 examples worldwide. The Spider is McLaren's fully street legal, track-ready supercar and is already sold out. MSO fashioned the 675LT in a Ceramic Gray finish with a retractable carbon fiber hardtop and front wings complete with carbon fiber louvres. For the interior, expect "black Alcantara trimmed racing seats" that include contrasting Xenon Yellow stitching and gold detailing throughout.McLaren will have the full Sports Series and Ultimate Series, including a still-to-be-announced addition, on display and will be located at Stand 6040 in Hall 6 and the Geneva Motor Show. This year will be the largest McLaren showing at the Geneva Auto Show to date. Check out the gallery of the P1 and the 675LT Spider below. What do you think of the designs? Let us know in the comments below.McLaren P1 For Sale McLaren 675LT Spider For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2015

Our Top Favorite 10 McLaren P1 Moments So Far

Now that McLaren P1 production has ended, we'd like to take this time to look at some of our favorite moments we've had so far with the hypercar.It's been up against other hypercars like the Ferrari LaFerrari and Porsche 918 Spyder, and has been customized in countless amounts of ways. We've seen celebrities show them off and we've seen them sold.Check out the list below to see the top 10 favorite P1 moments we've had so far, and let us know yours in the comments below.DRIVER’S SEAT: C.J. WILSON ON HIS MCLAREN P1 ROAD TRIP TAKING A P1 TO PICK UP A 918 SPYDER AND LAFERRARI MCLAREN P1 SUNSET CRUISE BY MCLAREN NEWPORT BEACH EVERY ANGLE OF THE P1 GTR AT MCLAREN NEWPORT BEACH PRIVATE PARTY DEADMAU5 HAS MCLAREN P1 FINALLY DELIVERED 202 MPH MCLAREN P1 GTR TEST DRIVE MAN BUYS AND IMMEDIATELY RACES PORSCHE 918 SPYDER, CARRERA GT AND MCLAREN P1 DEFINITIVE LAFERRARI VS P1 VS 918 SPYDER 0-186 MPH DRAG RACE LAFERRARI, P1, 918, VEYRON AND HUAYRA DRAG RACES AND FINAL RESULTS CHRIS HARRIS’ LAFERRARI, 918 AND P1 ULTIMATE HYPERCAR TEST AND REVIEW

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2015

McLaren P1 Production Officially Ends

It's a very sad day, as McLaren P1 production has officially ended, according to a press released issued just today by the English automaker."The McLaren P1™ has achieved more than we ever expected of it since it was first previewed little over three years ago, both as a new generation of supercar, and in enhancing the McLaren brand globally," said Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, in the press release.The 375th and final McLaren P1 is finished all in a pearlescent orange, which was accomplished with what McLaren is calling a "unique tinting process." This choice of color is special because it is reminiscent of the used on the final F1 road car, chassis #075. In fact, McLaren says in the press release that this final F1 actually inspired the famous color known as "Volcano Orange."Contrasting with the bright orange is the visible carbon fiber on the splitter, diffuser and side skirts. First and Last McLaren P1"As the direct ancestor to the fabled McLaren F1 – and the first in a new breed of hybrid-powered supercars – it had big shoes to fill, and it has more than succeeded," said Flewitt. "It has established itself as a true contender, proving to be more than a worthy rival on both road and track against long established rivals. It has done a fantastic job of becoming the halo product for the McLaren Automotive brand as we have grown the business into the three tiered, profitable outfit that we are today."In the image above is the last P1 (orange) and the very first P1 (Ice Silver). It's hard to think that it's been over two years since McLaren rolled the first P1 off the production line in the summer of 2013. Since then, we've seen the car take on the Ferrari LaFerrari, Porsche 918 Spyder and various other high-end exotics. I'll be the first to say that this is just the start of memories that will be made by the P1.We can't wait to see what McLaren has in store for us next. In the meantime, click the button below to see our top 10 McLaren P1 moments so far.Top 10 P1 Moments(Source: McLaren Automotive)

By Edward Jones – October 29, 2015

Uber Will Pick You Up in a McLaren P1

Right now is the best time to have Uber pick you up if you happen to be in Manhattan.Uber announced Oct.27 that they teamed up with the National Geographic Channel to give customers rides in some of the "world's most cutting-edge alternative energy vehicles." This partnership was created to celebrate Nat Geo's new series "Breakthrough," a show that studies scientific breakthroughs in various fields.(Also Read: Ride along in the McLaren P1 GTR’s Passenger Seat)The vehicles they chose include the McLaren P1, Lexus CTh, Porsche Cayenne Biodiesel, Tesla Model S, Hyundai Tuscon Hydrogen Fuel Cell and more.How do you get picked up in one of these cars?Open the Uber app in Manhattan and enter the promo code "BREAKTHROUGH" in the promotions menu option. Then, request the "BREAKTHROUGH" option in the bottom slider. If one of the cars is available, they'll pick you up. Best part: your trip fare is free.This promotion ends at 7 pm on Oct. 30.McLarens For Sale(via Uber) More McLaren Automotive News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 27, 2015

Ride along in the McLaren P1 GTR's Passenger Seat

Editor's note: it was brought to our attention that the hour long video was, in fact, a well-edited loop of another video. The original video, added to YouTube Oct. 11 by Alexander West, has replaced the hour-long upload from Testarossa Power.The P1 is McLaren Automotive's flagship supercar. At 903 hp and 664 lb-ft, it's one of the most powerful road-legal cars out there, and also one of the most exclusive.Its price was set at $1.15 million and production limited to 375 examples when the P1 was released in 2014, meaning there are a few people on this planet that can acquire one for their collection. Later in 2014, McLaren Automotive announced another model that even fewer will be able to experience - the P1 GTR.(See Also: Chicane Grey McLaren 675LT at McLaren Newport Beach)Exclusively built for the track and only available to current P1 owners, the McLaren P1 GTR is an even-more-powerful and lightweight P1, with performance increased to 986 hp. But this beautiful thing that is the internet has made it possible to virtually experience the P1 GTR for yourself.On Oct. 11, YouTube channel Alexander West shared a video entirely from the cockpit of a P1 GTR. It's a video you'll want to put on full screen with the volume turned all the way up. Get cozy in your seat and prepare for an experience that will only leave you wanting more.When you're finished with your virtual ride along, find a P1 for your collection from our exclusive listings below.P1s For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More McLaren News

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