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 – 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 Andrew Nabors – May 03, 2017

McLaren 720S Review Compilation

McLaren's latest efforts seem to defy the styling and ergonomics of their recent history. When I first saw the McLaren 720S in Amelia Island, it took a few seconds to realize what it was. From the 12C to 675LT, the shared components and common foundations have been seen by some as mere variations on a theme. You might agree if you haven't had an opportunity to get behind the wheel, but now the game has changed.Also Check Out: Velocity Motors Ferrari Collection For SaleGoing back to the drawing board, McLaren sought to handle aerodynamic issues with innovation. Inlets under the headlights utilize high-pressure air that usually creates excess drag, and force it into the radiator. From there it exits behind the front wheels to enter a slipstream created by the flared rocker panels. Flowing like a sine wave, it funnels into the rear quarter panels to cool the new engine. The 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 has more stroke than the 3.8-liter predecessor, so it offers much more torque at a lower rpm. The new chassis is much stronger, which has allowed for an unobstructed view. Glass surrounds the cockpit, including the tops of the doors.Multiple YouTube reviews of the 720S have been uploaded, with many of them being included below. Let us know what you think of the new McLaren in the comments below. The 720S will be arriving soon, so our McLaren dealers need to make space. Stay with us for more McLaren updates.

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2017

McLaren's Rebirth: The Story of the MP4-12C

Fueled by what McLaren has learned on the Formula One circuit, the MP4-12C was the fourth road car to carry the McLaren name–behind the one-off M6 GT in 1968. Next was the infamous million-dollar F1 supercar in 1998, and the Mercedes-Benz built SLR in the early 2000s.The 12C was their first car to be designed and built entirely in-house. It led a three-model range when McLaren Automotive ventured out with its own line of exotic offerings to attract buyers from Lamborghini and Ferrari. The British car company hopes to sway interest from the Italians with its own notoriety and with performance numbers that will surpass that of its competitors. To accomplish the second part, McLaren started with an extremely lightweight and incredibly strong carbon tub that wraps around and protects the passengers. The McLaren-built V-8 engine utilizes a pair of turbochargers to lay down more power than its F1 rival’s 458 Italia. McLaren says the MP4-12C can accelerate zero-to-60 mph in less than three seconds and on to 124 mph in less than 10 seconds. These impressive numbers have sent shivers across the industry. A fast-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission transfers that horsepower to the rear wheels. A Proactive Chassis Control system allows the owner to dial-in suspension tuning to one of three settings: Normal, Sport, and Track. A McLaren-developed Brake Steer function decelerates certain wheels—like the inside rear wheel in corners—to help reduce understeer and increase the car’s overall handling prowess. To give you an idea of how well all these technologies work together, the MP4-12C currently holds the second best lap time on the Top Gear test track. This puts it ahead of the best from Ferrari and Lamborghini and even the Veyron SS. It only lags behind the Ariel Atom V-8, which is more track toy than the production car. In all, the new 12C has the name, styling, and specs to put fear in the hearts of some well-known Italian brands by selling well. That’s good because McLaren set a lofty goal to sell 1,000 cars annually as it rapidly establishes a dealer network. LIST PRICE: $231,400 (estimated) ENGINE: 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 HORSEPOWER: 592 hp @ 7,000 rpm TORQUE: 442 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm TRANSMISSION: 7-speed DCT 0–60: Less than three seconds TOP SPEED: 200 mph (estimated)

By Edward Jones – March 22, 2017

First Look at the McLaren F1 "Hyper-GT" Successor

The McLaren F1 will finally have a true successor, thanks to the English automaker's upcoming "Hyper-GT" car, codenamed BP23. While it has not been given a true name yet, McLaren does have a bit to say about the car.that this will be the most aerodynamic road-going model that they have ever created.First off, McLaren does note that this will be the most aerodynamic road-going model that they have ever created. To give us an idea of how the aerodynamic will look, they have released a teaser image of the car. This image can be seen above.McLaren Special Operations (MSO) will be creating BP23, with development already underway. Even though the car hasn't even started being produced, all 106 examples of the car have already been pre-sold. Why 106? This is the same number of McLaren F1s that were created back in the day.Expect the first McLaren BP23 examples to be delivered in 2019.All McLaren For Sale Related Video:

By Edward Jones – February 01, 2017

Drifting the McLaren 675LT Looks Insanely Fun

We all drive our cars every day to and from work, driving in straight lines and taking turns properly. Sometimes it's just nice to take your car out to a track and drift it around like a madman. Especially if the car you drive is a dang McLaren 675LT.(How the McLaren F1 Became the World's Fastest Car)DRIVETRIBE's Jethro Bovingdon took a 675LT out to the track for some sideways action. He noted in a new video that the car has "brilliant balance" and "so much power." How much power? How about a devilish 666 bhp and 516 lb-ft of torque, thanks to the award-winning 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine.Check out the video below to see Bovingdon thrash the 675LT Spider, but prepare to be jealous.All McLaren 675LT For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2016

How to Design Your Own McLaren 570S

One of my favorite aspects about racing video games is that fact that I can customize my own vehicle. Whether it's a supercar or SUV, it's always fun to design and drive your own virtual car. But, what's more fun than that is designing and driving your own real supercar. And, thanks to online configurators, that is possible. DON'T MISS: McLaren 570S Prices and Complete Specs McLaren's configurator for the 570S is a perfect example of being able to customize your own supercar. From the paint to the trim, just about everything can be customized within this configurator. Looking to customize your McLaren 570S even further? That's where MSO will come in and get the job done. So how does one configure a 570S? Here's the step-by-step process. Sell My McLaren: Get a Cash Offer Configure Your McLaren 570S Paint There are loads of colors to choose from. Personally, I went with Fire Black. Wheels and Brakes Within the Wheels and Brakes section, you can change the shoes of the 570S. You can select the wheels, wheel finish, brakes and calipers (as well as the caliper finish) and tires. Exterior The Exterior section is where you can change just about every bit of trim on the outside of the 570S. For me, it's carbon fiber everything. Interior You're going to spend a lot of time inside your 570S, so you might as well get it to your liking. Luckily, McLaren provides a vast array of options for your to choose from when it comes to the cabin of the 570S. Entertainment In Entertainment, you can select the audio system of the car and opt for the McLaren Track Telemetry options. If you plan on hitting the track, as you should, the Telemetry App is a must have. Safety and Security If you're going to buy a new 570S, you might as well protect. It's within the Safety and Security section that you can select which options will help you protect your car, like a Volumetric Alarm and Parking Sensors. Practical Just about everything in this section I checked off, except for an ashtray. In the Practical section is where you'll find all the extra that will make driving your 570S even more convenient than before. As mentioned before, McLaren MSO branch will take your 570S to the next level through customization. However, you will need to consult MSO in order to get the custom designs you desire. However, the time spent working with MSO to design a perfect 570S is well worth the time. You're Done! You did it! Now you can download a PDF that describes your 570S that you just built. You can also choose to Register Your Interest or find your closest McLaren Retailer to inquire further.

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2016

McLaren P14 Spied on the Road

The McLaren 650S has already been out two years and it seems a replacement is in the world: the P14. This new model has been regarded as a junior P1 and will more than likely see a debut in the coming months, but nothing is truly certain as of right now.(Related - Five Things Not to Hate About the McLaren 650S)What IS certain is the fact that Petrol Ped has witnessed the P14 on the road for himself. While on a drive in the U.K., he spotted a heavily camouflaged car and sent pictures of the car across his social platforms, asking what it was. The response was that this is indeed the undisclosed P14.Along with the P14, will we also see the launch of the successor to the F1 next year? Only time will tell, but it looks like next year is going to be a great year in the supercar world.All McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2016

Five Things Not to Hate About the McLaren 650S

Back in January of this year, Vehicle Virgins posted " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> about the five things they hate about the new McLaren 650S. In response to this video, the.leviathan has uploaded a video of the five things he does NOT hate about his own 650S. I always love some friendly banter.(Related - Dad Not Impressed With Son's McLaren 650S)In the new video, the.leviathan goes over the five points made by Vehicle Virgins and gives his rebuttal. It's worth checking out, because the.leviathan has owned his 650S for quite some time and has had the chance to find the things he likes and dislikes about the car.(Also Check Out - Is This the World’s Most Expensive Paint Job?)Here are some quick specs on the car. The 650S can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds and can reach 124 mph in 8.4 seconds. A standing quarter mile will be accomplished in 10.5 seconds, and it will top out at 207 mph. The 650S is also a full second quicker than the McLaren F1 road car when accelerating from 0 to 124 mph.McLaren 650S Price, Specs, PhotosBe sure to check out both of the videos and see what you think about the car.All McLaren 650S Spider For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 28, 2016

Battle of the McLarens: 675LT vs 650S Spider

In another unlikely comparison, our friends at DragTimes have brought together the best of Britain for a heads-up shootout. With a combined value of over $700,000, these two McLarens represent the state of the art in big power from small V8 engines. Both cars share a similar architecture, with the 675LT focused on downforce thanks to its long tail. Both cars are powered by a 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 that sends power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed DCT.(Related - McLaren Officially Announces World's First Hyper-GT Car, F1 Successor)The 650S is a hardtop convertible, which imposes a weight penalty with the associated hydraulic hardware. Weight reduction was one of the main goals of the 675LT, so the wheels, brakes and even window glass went on a diet. Revised turbos offer 25 more hp and 15 more lb-ft of torque, and a full titanium exhaust saves a few more pounds versus stainless on the 650S. Both cars are on street tires, so they avoid the water box for an optimal launch. A series of roll races unlocks trap speeds above 150 mph, which makes these cars capable of 11 second times. But given the abuse that hard launches put on the drivetrain, both owners resist the urge for a holeshot. The results speak for themselves, so tell us if the difference in performance is justified by the difference in price. Stay with us for more drag racing action here on Autofluence.650S Spider For Sale|675LT For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2016

Dad Not Impressed With Son's McLaren 650S

Some love cars, some hate them and some are indifferent. If you're reading this, odds are you're a fan of 'em. However, if you're the father of our friend the.leviathan, you could really care less about a supercar like the McLaren 650S.(Related - McLaren 650S: Top 5 Driving Features)In his latest video, the.leviathan takes his father out for a joy ride in his new 650S. While he tells his pops that he won't go fast, it's hard to not push the pedal down when you're in a car packing 641 hp. Needless to say, dad was not impressed with the sense of speed. While most of us would've been giddy about going fast in a McLaren, he was completely stone-faced.Click play on the video below to see his dad's hilariously calm reaction to the McLaren 650S.All McLaren 650S Spider For Sale

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