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 – October 19, 2015

Entirely Orange McLaren P1 is a Sight to Behold

There's no way you'll be able to miss this orange McLaren P1 in daytime or nighttime.The McLaren P1 has been seen in just about every color of the rainbow since it started being delivered to customers in 2013. From Deadmau5's blue P1, to a purple one in Scotland, McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has shown off their ability to create a model personalized exactly to the owners' tastes.AutomotiveMike captured one very special P1 during the Modena Motorsport Trackdays back in June and just uploaded a fantastic video of the car Oct. 18.Its all-orange body is quite the sight, making the hypercar resemble a more aerodynamic and faster relative of the orange. But, there's one little detail that gets me about this P1, and it's the little kiwi on its side sill. This little detail is an homage to the legendary Bruce McLaren, who was born in Auckland, New Zealand.Check out the car for yourself in the video below, and let us know what you think about the vibrant paint job in the comments.P1s For Sale (Source: YouTube) More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 06, 2015

McLaren P1 in Alaskan Diamond White at McLaren Newport Beach

Currently, at McLaren Newport Beach, there is a rare opportunity worth taking advantage of. With only 920 miles on its odometer is a McLaren P1 in Alaskan Diamond White, covered in carbon fiber and waiting for a new owner.A creation from McLaren's Special Operations (MSO) division, this P1 features black Alcantara and leather with red contrast stitching in the interior, with the P1 logo stitched boldly into the headrest of each seat. The exterior is clean, sleek and stunning, with red brake calipers tying the interior's red accents to the exterior's display.Of course, it isn't just the appeal of a visually stunning car that makes this offer so special. Under the hood is McLaren's potent twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 combined with an electric motor creates a total of 903 hp, making a limited top speed of 217 mph and a 0-62 mph acceleration time of 2.8 seconds possible.Tie in the fact that this is one of the 375 examples created, all of which have already been sold, and that the odometer lists a scant 902 miles, and this listing is declared rare, indeed.(See Also: Iconic 1997 Lamborghini Diablo SV)Take a moment to browse the photos of this P1 below, and when you're finished, hit the button to visit the listing and see how you can make it yours.Buy NowGallery (Source: McLaren Newport Beach) See More Listings For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2015

202 mph McLaren P1 GTR Test Drive

A normal test drive in a car typically consists of a jaunt through pedestrian roads. A test drive in a McLaren P1 GTR is anything but just a "jaunt."In a video uploaded by Driving Pants Productions on July 6, we get to see what it's like to take the P1 GTR for a test drive. For this instance, which the video description says was one of the very first drives in the supercar, they put the car through its paces on a racetrack in southern France.(Related: Ferrari FXX-K, 599XX & FXX Revving Battle)At one point, during a straight stretch of raceway, the driver hits 325 km/h, which equals outs to 202 mph. Now that is one extreme test drive for an extreme car.Check out the video below to see it all happen.(Source: YouTube) See More McLaren News

By Edward Jones – June 26, 2015

McLaren P1 "Alain Prost Edition"

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, there will be a special McLaren P1 honoring Alain Prost, a four-time Formula 1 champion.Detailed in a press release issued by McLaren June 24, this special model was customized by MSO, the automaker's subdivision dedicated to creating personalized vehicles for their customers.(Related: Satin Pearl White McLaren P1 Sold by McLaren Newport Beach)The shades used in the car's livery, white, blue and red, match the French livery of the helmet the famous driver wore.Alongside this P1 at Goodwood will be a number of McLaren models on display. This includes one of the rarest F1 GTs, chassis #58F1GT, which is one of only three examples crafted to homologate the F1 GTR 'Longtail' for GT racing.Gallery (Source: McLaren) More McLaren News

By Edward Jones – June 24, 2015

Satin Pearl White McLaren P1 Sold by McLaren Newport Beach

McLaren Newport Beach have delivered yet another P1 to one of their clients. This time, it's a Satin Pearl White example with red trimming.The California dealership has had McLaren models go through their showroom left and right. Below are some of the new models we have covered that McLaren Newport Beach has had on their dealership floor. McLaren 650S “Le Mans Edition” at McLaren Newport Beach McLaren 675LT In Detail at McLaren Newport Beach Every Angle of the P1 GTR at McLaren Newport Beach Private Party Only Tarocco Orange Pearl P1 in US For Sale at McLaren Newport Beach McLaren 570S Unveiling at McLaren Newport Beach McLaren Newport Beach Delivers “Fire Black” McLaren P1 Two McLaren P1s For Sale at McLaren Newport Beach McLaren Newport Beach Delivers 8th McLaren P1 McLaren Newport Beach Receives Alaskan Diamond White P1 Azure Blue McLaren P1 Arrives at Newport McLaren McLaren P1s in Supernova Silver and Tarocco Orange Detail Galleries Azure Blue McLaren P1 Photoshoot That's a lot of McLarens. Be sure to check out the latest P1 to roll through the dealership by viewing the gallery below and stay with us for more from McLaren Newport Beach.Gallery

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2015

McLaren P1 & P1 GTR on SPA-Francorchamps

Since every street legal supercar needs a track-only variant, McLaren Automotive is almost ready to begin production on the P1 GTR. Final track testing is underway, and one fan with a keen eye has caught the prototype tearing up Spa with a few of their lesser models.Back on April 24, YouTube user yd222 filmed a camouflaged 675 LT along with the GTR at the SPA-Francorchamps track, and June 13 they shared another video from the same spot, where they caught two black P1s making hot laps along with the GTR.It has been twenty years since the last Mclaren GTR (the track version of the F1), and it dominated the 1995 running of LeMans. If you already own a P1, you can be one of only 35 individuals to order this new track terror, but if you aren’t eligible stay tuned to Autofluence for more Mclaren updates and video.P1s For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 09, 2015

McLaren P1: Giovanna Edition by Thomas Vont

It's a P1 already made famous by its appearance on the cover of our June 2015 issue, but there's nothing quite like seeing its carbon-fiber-filled beauty up close.Thomas Vont, the photographer behind the shot, shared a little information with us about his experience during the shoot, as well as a few angles of the car not seen on our cover.With a Nikon D5200 sporting an 18-105 mm lens, he captured the Giovanna Edition P1 in all its sleek, silver glory. As we described in the UnCOVERed article for the issue, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions wrapped this particular P1 in their Giovanna Edition Supreme Wrapping Film™."They had asked me specifically for a photo that represents something worthy of a magazine cover which also puts a good amount of emphasis on the wheels," Vont told us about the shoot, and the final product does highlight those wheels quite beautifully. To see the final result and pick up a copy of this issue for yourself, hit the button below and order for yourself, a friend or family member today. To see more of Thomas Vont's photography, be sure to visit his Facebook page or Flickr page. Buy This Issue Now Gallery See More Photographer's Perspectives

By Caitlin Duffy – June 04, 2015

Black & Red McLaren P1 from MSO

Since the first introduction of its specs and performance figures in 2013, the McLaren P1 has inspired an entirely new type of supercar enthusiast.For two years, P1s have been appearing all over the globe with unique paint colors, interior details and more, none of which could have been completed without the McLaren Special Operations (MSO) division.Take a moment to browse our selections of McLaren P1s for sale at the button below after taking a closer look at this particular example, and be sure to stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.P1s For Sale (Source: Facebook, McLaren Automotive) See More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 27, 2015

Purple McLaren P1 is Third in Scotland

Though Scotland, by land mass, may not be one of the largest countries in the world, it certainly has a large demand for stunning vehicles and powerful supercars.McLaren Glasgow recently received delivery of the country's third P1, and as GT Scotland tells us in a May 25 post to their Facebook page, this particular example is finished in a stunning purple MSO paint with an orange pinstripe along the side.The calipers match the stripe detail, adding the impression of movement and heat even when this supercar is completely stopped and stable. But that's not the only touch that makes this particular P1 more unique than most."The signature on the engine cover is from Frank Stephenson, the lead designer on the P1 project," describes the gallery's caption. "I can't wait to see this out in the sunlight!"(See Also: Gulf Livery McLaren 12C Spider For Sale)Take a look at this stunning Scottish P1 in the photos below, then browse through our exclusive selection of P1s for sale to find the ultimate McLaren for your garage.P1s For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook) See More McLaren News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 07, 2015

Only Tarocco Orange Pearl P1 in US For Sale at McLaren Ne...

Though McLaren Automotive has released a nearly unprecedented number of new exotics this year, broadening their model range further than ever anticipated, there is still one that sits supreme at the top: the P1.Its power and styling are unparalleled by anything short of the P1 GTR, yet its driving style and interior are comfortable enough for daily use. With a quick visit to our website or to McLaren Newport Beach's storefront, you can bring one of these supercars home with you.In a stunning Tarocco Orange Pearl paint color, this particular P1 is chassis number 225 of 375 in existence world-wide. Currently, its the only P1 in the United States sporting this color, and it comes with a healthy dose of carbon fiber accents. The front and rear bumpers, LTR vents, roof snorkel, door inserts, stealth wheels, brake calipers and more all feature the beautiful material, and an upgraded Meridien sound system completes the experience. McLaren is a manufacturer that offers more than just beauty and power in their vehicles; through remaining an independent manufacturer, they are able to test and produce new technologies at rates unmatched by other marques. A look into their headquarters May 6 gives us a peek at that rate of innovation and explains where much of their expertise is derived from. (See Also: Deadmau5's P1 & 650S for Gumball Spotted Taking Off)Take a look at the full detail gallery below and imagine yourself sitting in the driver's seat of this stunning vehicle, then hit the button to visit the listing and find out more about making this car yours. Pricing is available from the sales experts at McLaren Newport Beach upon request.View Listing Gallery See More McLaren News

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