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 Andrew Nabors – November 11, 2020

2021 McLaren Speedtail Arrives At McLaren Tampa Bay

How could they possibly build a successor to the Senna? That is what we asked ourselves when we learned the details of the fourth car in McLaren's Super Series. Now that a 2021 Mclaren Speedtail has arrived at McLaren Tampa Bay, I think it needs a proper review by Yours, Truly. Only 106 examples are being built for the world, with each one packing 1,035 horsepower. Perhaps the highest performance ever offered by a 4-liter V8, the parallel hybrid system can add 310 horsepower at the push of a button. You will reach 186 mph in under 12 seconds with a top speed of 250! So if you happen to find yourself on the Gulf Coast, be safe until the storm clears and then stop by to see if this supercar is worthy of your collection. Click the button to browse their inventory and stay with us for all your McLaren news. READ: MCLAREN SPEEDTAIL SPECS Browse Inventory At Dimmitt Automotive https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdLNahjY_-/

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2020

McLaren Speedtail Secrets Revealed

Ever since Bruce McLaren dropped a Big Block Chevy into a featherweight chassis, there was not much to hide. That peinciple carries through even today, with McLaren showing the world how they engineer and build amazing cars. To put all your cards on the table, they strike fear into every competitor. That's why the McLaren Speedtail secrets were revealed in their latest press release. Look outside to the transformer that feeds your home. It is a closed cylinder filled with peanut oil, designed to last for 50 years or more. While every other hybrid car uses a dedicated cooling system for the battery, McLaren chose another path. Instead of a typical boxy battery, the Speedtail has a cylinder of small cells filled with oil to keep them cool. READ: MCLAREN SPEEDTAIL PRICE & SPECS This allows it to have four times the battery density of the P1. It is rated at 270 kilowatts, or 362 horsepower at the DC motor. While everyone else uses 3-phase AC motors, this is the reason Thomas Edison fired Nikola Tesla. Every time electricity changes form, you loose some in the process. Therefore, McLaren has the world's most efficient DC battery, so they improved upon a DC motor from Formula E. Not only does this save weight, an all-DC car is lighter, cooler, and faster charging. The 4-liter V8 offers 747 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. With a full charge, you will have 1,055 horsepower and 848 lb-ft. Enough to reach 186 mph in 13 seconds. Click the button below to find our dealer near you for all the electrifying details. Find Your McLaren Speedtail Here

By Andrew Nabors – February 04, 2020

McLaren Speedtail Review by Chris Harris

Our favorite English automotive presenter recently had the ride of a lifetime. As the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1, P1, and the Senna, it marks their fourth example of the "Ultimate Series". Only 106 examples will be made, with deliveries slated for the end of this month. Offering 1,055 horsepower and 848 lb-ft of torque, here is the McLaren Speedtail review by Chris Harris. Browse All McLaren For Sale " width="680"> Related: McLaren Speedtail Completes High-Speed Testing at Kennedy Space Center

By Edward Jones – January 02, 2020

McLaren Speedtail Finishes Top Speed Testing at Kennedy S...

McLaren Automotive has announced that the high-speed validation program for the new Hyper-GT prototype 'XP2' (Speedtail) has officially ended. The high-speed tests took place at the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds, located at Kennedy Space Center. Kenny Brack, McLaren's chief test driver, managed to take the Speedtail up to its top speed of 250 mph more than 30 times. This kind of speed in a straight line was only possible because of the Proving Grounds' 3-mile long, 100-yard wide runway. “It’s fitting that the Speedtail’s high-speed test program concluded with multiple maximum-speed runs at a location so strongly associated with pushing the boundaries of extreme performance and engineering excellence,” commented McLaren Automotive CEO, Mike Flewitt. “The Speedtail is a truly extraordinary car that epitomizes McLaren’s pioneering spirit and perfectly illustrates our determination to continue to set new benchmarks for supercar and hypercar performance.” SEE ALL MCLAREN SPEEDTAIL FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2019

McLaren Speedtail Takes "Best of Show" at Chantilly Arts ...

On the grounds of Chateau de Chantilly, the historic building in Chantilly, France, the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille was held on June 30, 2019. This event gave the public the first time to see the McLaren Speedtail since its unveiling. McLaren managed to also take home the "Best of Show" for this year's event, thanks to the Speedtail they presented. This example was finished in a Saragon Quartz body with an Oxblood aniline leather and nubuck interior. McLaren also brought out an example of their new GT model, finished in Burnished Copper with Gloss Black diamond-cut alloy wheels. The event last for just one day, but that entire day was filled with supercars, hypercars, classic cars and more. While the cars were a sight to see, the scenery added to the lavishness of the event. See All McLarens For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 02, 2019

McLaren Speedtail Gets Three Collections to Make Customiz...

Dropping seven figures on a car should mean that you're getting a lot out of the purchase. For the McLaren Speedtail, McLaren is giving owners quite a bit. Not only will they be receiving the fastest McLaren ever, but also the chance to customize their car to the most minute details. For the 106 Speedtail deposit holders, their journey to owning their new Hyper GT model has only just begun. It all started with a chunk of change, but will result in owning the wildest McLaren creation yet. Before they get their hands on it, they need to customize the car. While they will surely spend a long time configuring their Speedtail, McLaren has created three different collection that aim to help the customization process a bit simpler. Each collection was curated by McLaren's Colour and Material design team. The idea was to create collections that have different vibes that would fit different customer personalities. It seems they were aiming for these three themes in the collections: sophisticateed, striking and sporty. There's the Urbane collection that has a more "discerning and refined feel" with a sophisticated look. It features "calm" paint finishes and "cool" interior hues. Next up is the Visionary collection. McLaren says this collection includes a purposeful look with both striking and opulent touches. Then there's the Dynamic collection that revolves around one thing: sporty. McLaren created this one for those looking to be bold and make statements. Expect the first McLaren Speedtail deliveries in early 2020. "Whilst only 106 customer cars will be built, it is important that each one is unique, so this tailored collection is quite simply, like no other – as is the McLaren Speedtail itself.” - Jo Lewis, McLaren Automotive, Head of Colour and Material Design

By Edward Jones – November 05, 2018

Hear What the McLaren Speedtail Sounds Like

The McLaren Speedtail has finally been unveiled after being teased for what seems like forever. In the grand scheme of things, we've really been waiting for this car ever since the F1 had its production run end. Nevertheless, it's here and we're excited. McLaren has stated that the car can hit a top speed of 250 mph and run 0 to 186 mph in 12.8 seconds. We know that there's 1,035 horsepower coming from the engine that's making these speeds possible. However, we don't know the exact specification of the engine. What we do know is that it's a hybrid powertrain, but the exact electric motors and engine are still unknown. Giving us a hint as to what is powering the car is a video from McLaren Newport Beach that features the car's engine sound. What do you guys think will be powering the Speedtail? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below. Also Check Out: McLaren Announces 720S Track Pack Pricing See All McLaren P1s For Sale Stunning Senna Delivered at McLaren Newport Beach!

By Andrew Nabors – October 26, 2018

McLaren Speedtail: This is it, the Fastest McLaren Ever!

Just in time for the weekend, McLaren has released an amazing successor to the legendary F1. Undeniably one of the greatest streetcars every made, the McLaren F1 Long Tail combined the best aerodynamics of the era with a unique cockpit layout. The same is shown in their latest press release with the driver seated amidships with passengers on either side. Placing the driver at the car's center of rotation (Z-Axis) means that no matter how hard you are cornering, your body won't feel it.Great Deals On New & Pre-Owned McLarensWhen you drift, your body is pushed into the door or center console. Both you and your car don't like the imbalance, so center seating solves this problem. The first of 18 new models under their Track 25 plan, only 106 examples will be built. To surpass the McLaren P1, it blends a twin turbo V8 and hybrid drive for a whopping 1,035 horsepower. It goes 0-60 in an instant and 0-186 mph happens in only 12.8 seconds! For a comparison, the P1 took 16.5 seconds to reach the same speed. CEO Mike Flewitt says: “McLaren has never built a vehicle like the Speedtail before. As our first ‘Hyper-GT’, the Speedtail is the ultimate McLaren road car; a fusion of art and science that combines an astonishing maximum speed with an iconic central-driving position and a truly pioneering approach to bespoke personalization. A ground-breaking hybrid powertrain sits within a lightweight carbon fibre body reminiscent of sleek ‘streamliners’ that once set world speed records, while the luxurious three-seat cockpit offers a sublime combination of an incredible driving experience, unmatched individualism and innovative materials never seen before in a road-going vehicle.” Specs Price: $2.25 Million Horsepower: 1,035 0-186 mph: 12.8 seconds Top Speed: 250 mph Weight: 3,153 lbs It beats the McLaren F1 by 7 mph at top speed thanks to several innovations. The side mirrors are gone, they are replaced with cameras that retract into the body. Because the windshield is integrated into the roof, it allows for 360-degree visibility. The upper edges of the door glass, the portholes in the roof of the doors, and the quarter panel windows can be blacked out instantly thanks to electro-chromatics. The glass darkens at your command to keep glare out of your eyes. A new Velocity Active Chassis Control drops 1.4" for top speed. It leaves the highest spot of the body only 3.7 feet from the ground. View All McLarens For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2018

McLaren Speedtail Reveal Date, Price & More Announced

McLaren Automotive has finally set a release date and more details regarding the upcoming Hyper-GT car known as the Speedtail. First off, the car will be unveiled on October 26, 2018, at 8am EST on the Cars.McLaren.com website. That means we're not far off from the reveal of the wildest car the British automaker has created.On top of the reveal date, McLaren announced a few other details, as well as the teaser pictured above. As for its power, its hybrid powertrain will be pushing out over 986 horsepower. When the Speedtail is revealed, McLaren will confirm its top speed. They note it will have a maximum speed that's higher than any car they've created thus far.Restored McLaren F1 Revealed Alongside New Certification ServiceThe McLaren Speedtail is the first of the 18 new models in the company's Track25 business plan. Only 106 examples of the car will be produced and the entire production run was allocated before the project was officially announced in November 2016. Production on the car will begin at the end of 2019. Each vehicle was reserved at £1.75million (roughly $2.3 million USD) plus taxes. View McLarens For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 25, 2018

McLaren Speedtail Will Be the World's First Hyper-GT

Up until now, we've called the upcoming McLaren Hyper-GT model "BP23." This was just a codename. Now, we know what the next model in the Ultimate Series will be called: McLaren Speedtail.McLaren says that they have informed all 106 clients that reserved the hybrid model when it was BP23 that it will be called Speedtail. Each of the 106 Speedtail created will be personalized to the customer's liking through MSO's abilities, meaning no two will be the same.Official: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ AnnouncedThe Speedtail is being touted as the fastest McLaren yet, being able to break the 243 mph barrier set by the F1. McLaren also says that the Speedtail will be the most luxurious model they've created as well.The Speedtail is designed with a three-seat cockpit design, with the driver being centrally located. Sound familiar? Yup, that's the same layout that we saw in the legendary F1.McLaren notes that the entire allocation of Speedtails was spoken for before the car was even officially announced back in November 2016. Those who reserved one have had to wait a while, but production is set to begin by the end of next year and the car will get a public reveal before 2018's end.

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