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 – February 13, 2020

See the McLaren Senna's Standing-Mile Top Speed Run

The McLaren Senna supercar recently visited the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds which uses the Space Florida shuttle landing facility runway at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was here that the Senna was pushed to the limit for a standing mile run. For the test, the weather was perfect for a Florida winter. And by that, we mean it was in the 80s in the afternoon and humidity wasn't over 80 percent. You can see the run down below for yourself. It's quite the sprint and the video shows you just how quickly the Senna can accelerate. ALL MCLAREN SENNA FOR SALE " width="680">

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 – December 18, 2019

See the McLaren Senna Break the Hockenheim Lap Record

Great news, everyone. The McLaren Senna has smashed the lap record at the Hockenheim GP, beating out cars like the Manthey-Porsche GT2 RS MR, Ferrari 488 Pista and Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. YouTube channel "sport auto" recently uploaded a video of the Senna breaking the record with their test driver Christian Gebhardt behind the wheel. The time it put down was 1 minute 40 seconds and 79 milliseconds. In second place is the Manthey-Porsche GT2 RS MR with a time of 1:43.5. That's a solid gap. Check it out down below. SEE ALL MCLAREN SENNAS FOR SALE " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2019

2020 McLaren 600LT Hot Laps at COTA

Just outside of Austin's City Limits is the Circuit of the Americas. A World-Class motoring mecca that hosts Formula 1 and all lesser series. Everything is bigger in Texas, so the latest McLaren 600LT for sale has room to flex in front of the crowds. To show us what it is capable of, Lando Norris is about to take you on the ride of a lifetime. Let's watch him drive a 2020 McLaren 600LT hot lap at COTA. Related: McLaren 600LT Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2019

McLaren GT Launch Mode Outruns Almost Everything

Dr. Wernher von Braun developed the V2 rocket to hit London from Germany before the transistor was invented. As it was one of the most heinous weapons of WWII, he and his rocketeers made sure most of them were duds. PRO TIP: if you are losing a war, don't fuel your rockets with moonshine! Many V2 rockets were launched near empty. After being hired by NASA, the Saturn V that took us to the moon was also his creation. As good as his Saturn V was, it seems that the English have won the battle for a perfect launch. In the latest upload from Motorsport Magazine, the McLaren GT Launch Mode outruns almost anything. Browse McLaren GT For Sale Back to the Apollo program, a moon launch took 13 seconds to leave the tower at a speed of 60 mph. For comparison, the McLaren GT takes 17 seconds to reach 143 mph, and it is much more affordable than a rocket. There is only 1 Saturn rocket on the market, and it is free if you can move it from the Marshall Space Flight Center. However, our dealers have a full lineup of new McLarens that are much more practical. Click the button above to find one near you and stay with us for the world's fastest cars for sale. " width="680"> Related: How To Configure Your McLaren GT McLaren GT by MSO Heading to Pebble Beach

By Andrew Nabors – September 13, 2019

McLaren North America Leaves NYC for new Dallas HQ

"The sage in bloom is the perfect perfume, deep in the heart of Texas." Perhaps Bing Crosby was on to something. The Lone Star State was the only independent county to ever join the U.S., so it makes sense for an English supercar manufacturer to be based there. After careful demographic studies, McLaren North America is leaving New York City for a new HQ outside Dallas. Find Your McLaren Here! New York City has no car culture and the rent is a little steep. Another consideration is that an East Coast office gets expensive when N.Y. to L.A. flights start adding up. A quick glance at our website reveals that they have 27 dealers in the U.S. Dallas is the magnetic center for McLaren, so they chose to build a high-tech 30,000 square-foot Headquarters in Coppell, Texas. Their goal is a 3-hour flight to dealers and customers, even though it might take longer to reach Fort Worth in heavy trafffic... McLaren 720S Price, Specs, Photos & Review Since they returned in 2011, McLaren have sold over 7,000 cars to us Yankees. Their Track25 plan has 14 new models arriving by 2025, so this move was a smart decision. I may be slightly biased, but the South has much to offer. Mercedes-Benz builds several models in Alabama, all BMW X models are built in South Carolina, and Porsche's Atlanta facility will take your breath away. Houston is home to NASA, and even SpaceX built the Star Hopper on Padre Island. Tell us what you think of the move in the comments below, and click the button above to find a McLaren near you. " width="680"> Related: McLaren 600LT Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2019

McLaren 720S Coupe & Spider Receive MSO Longtail Spoiler

We like big spoilers and we can not lie. They are the most critical part of the car at high speeds, forcing the car into the pavement and giving the driver confidence. McLaren's Longtail models utilize massive carbon fiber spoilers, and the 720S crowd must have felt left out. Rejoice, my friends, because the McLaren 720S Coupe and Spider have received the MSO Longtail spoiler. While it has been an MSO option, some buyers omit diving into the MSO program because once you start adding options, it is hard to stop. That is why MSO is offering this spoiler as a retrofit to all 720S Coupes and Spiders. The ratio between downforce and drag is known as aerodynamic efficiency and this one part is twice as efficient as the entire McLaren 650S. When deployed, the spoiler moves between 70% and 80% depending on speed and braking. Drag reduction mode backs it off to 30% for straight-line acceleration. Tap the brake pedal and it goes 100% vertical to add 20% more stopping power. Our dealers have all the information on this upgrade, and if you haven't experienced the perfection of the 720S, click the link below and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680"> Related: McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review McLaren 720S Scorches the 'Ring

By Andrew Nabors – August 22, 2019

McLaren GT Luggage Set by MSO

As we were watching the cars roll onto the Concept Lawn at Pebble Beach, the McLaren GT took our breath away. This comfortable Grand Tourer has all the power McLaren is known for, along with a comfortable interior and room for a road trip. To make the best use of the car's unique cargo areas, here is the McLaren GT Luggage Set by MSO. We didn't realize so much could fit in the car when it was unpacked. The set consists of four pieces: a garment case, weekend bag, cabin bag, and a full-size golf bag. Each piece is made by hand in Italy from the same Semi-Aniline leather and stitching that adorns the car's interior. Stitching and piping have been matched to the two interior options: Pioneer or Luxe. Initially the set will be available in Namaka Blue, Burnished Copper, and Veridian Green. U.S. Pricing is as follows: McLaren GT luggage - Garment case | $2,300 Dimensions: 23” x 22.2” x 4.7” Volume: 1.39cu.ft Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, features two external pockets and bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips, soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo and includes metal clothes hanger To be placed: on top of other luggage without restricting the view from the rear of the car Black Pioneer: offering black leather with barolo pioneer stitching and barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping McLaren GT luggage – Weekend bag | $2,500 Dimensions: 20.2” x 8.2” x 11.4” Volume: 1.1cu.ft Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, complemented by 38 degrees styled integrated pocket, a folded leather handle and carry strap, features two external pockets, bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips and soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo To be placed: greatest versatility with the rear luggage being able to accommodate several in combination with the cabin bag and will also fit in front luggage space Black Pioneer: offering black leather with Barolo pioneer stitching and Barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping McLaren GT luggage - Cabin bag | $3,800 Dimensions (including wheels): 14.1” x 21.6” x 7.8” Volume: 1.38 cu.ft Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, a three-piece telescopic handle, a document pocket, top and side folded leather handles, features one internal pocket, bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips and soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo To be placed: rear luggage space of the McLaren GT, with up to two bags fitting alongside other pieces Black Pioneer: offering black leather with Barolo pioneer stitching and Barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping McLaren GT - Full-size golf bag | $6,800 Dimensions: 9.4” x 47.2” x 9-12.6” Volume: 2.31-3.2cu.in Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, accommodating a full set of golf clubs with several, front-facing pockets, handle for short-distance lifting and carrying, features a securable rain hood and integrated security straps, features four external pockets, bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips and soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo, four central dividers for a full set of clubs To be placed: rear load space of the McLaren GT Black Pioneer: offering black leather with Barolo pioneer stitching and Barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping Of course, you will need a McLaren GT to go along with this set, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. They have great incentives on the 720S Spider, so stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680"> Related: New McLaren GT by MSO Heading to Pebble Beach How to Configure Your McLaren GT

By Andrew Nabors – May 16, 2019

New McLaren GT in Detail by Carfection

Yesterday McLaren unveiled their latest model. The GT does not fall into their Sports or Super Series because it is truly unique. Comfort and civility were their goals, and it is safe to say this car is about to change the world. To see what makes it so unique, here is the new McLaren GT in detail by Carfection. First, they needed ample cargo space. This was achieved by developing a new intake and exhaust for the 4.0L V8. By using a flat intake and moving the turbos outboard, it is almost 5" lower than the Senna. This allows for a set of golf clubs and a soft bag. Up front is the spacious trunk that can hold even more. Inside, every switch and button is machined from billet alloy. Leather is found almost everywhere, and it is Semi- Aniline from Bridge of Weir. You have a real cup holder and your drink will not be spilled. That's because the Proactive Damping Control is a learning system. It adjusts for different road types in milliseconds. Because it is over 15 feet long, only the Speedtail casts a longer shadow. Tell us what you think of the latest McLaren in the comments below, and click the link to find a dealer near you. Browse McLaren For Sale Related: Meet the new McLaren GT McLaren Automotive Celebrates 20,000 Cars

By Edward Jones – May 06, 2019

McLaren Senna Dyno Testing Video From Hennessey Performance

More and more new McLaren Sennas are being delivered with each passing day. This means that we're starting to get all sorts of lovely Senna content from people around the globe. One video that was just uploaded to YouTube that we suspected was coming is one from Hennessey Performance. It shows the McLaren Senna undergoing dyno testing at their headquarters. The results of the test were a bit surprising. Hennessey recorded 724.13 whp and 627.95 lb-ft of torque. This is interesting because McLaren states that the power output of the supercar is 789 bhp and 590 lb-ft. So there's a decrease in horsepower but an increase in torque. Be sure to check out the video for yourself by clicking play up above. It's not often you get to see a car like the McLaren Senna on a dyno. see all mclarens for sale Also Check Out: Hennessey Corvette ZR1 Breaks 1/4 Mile Record Hennessey Performance McLaren 720S Shakedown Testing McLaren Senna HPE1000 from Hennessey Performance

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