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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 03, 2022

A 1-of-15 2021 McLaren Sabre Is Heading To Auction At Mec...

One of 15 US-homologated McLaren Sabres is crossing the block very soon. The McLaren Sabre is quite a unique McLaren, let alone a unique car. As part of McLaren’s Ultimate Series, the car represents McLaren’s highest echelon of performance, technology, innovation, and most of all, rarity. It’s the most powerful non-hybrid McLaren to date, with its twin-turbo V8 engine producing 824 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque, and because that immense power helps bring the car to a blindingly fast 218 mph, it’s also the fastest two-seat McLaren ever, because the F1 and Speedtail have 3 seats. Only 15 exist, and its rarity and performance combine to make it one of the most desirable McLarens ever created. MUST READ: McLaren x APL Release The Automotive-Inspired HySpeed Sneaker Collection One of these incredible McLaren Sabres is going to be available to purchase at Mecum Auctions’ Monterey sale on Friday, August 19, and it’s truly the opportunity of a lifetime. Its stunning and unique bodywork which was done as a commission from MSO features an exterior done in Liquid Argentum with Gloss Visual carbon fiber on the quarters and other pieces of the car. McLaren’s signature Liquid Papaya color finds itself in accents on the exterior, along with Volcano Orange brake calipers. The interior features a Volcano Orange driver's seat and a contrasting black passenger seat with embroidered MSO logos and Liquid Papaya accents. Satin Visual carbon fiber can be found throughout the interior, as well. With this car auctioning in less than two weeks, everything about it is a reason to place a bid on this incredible machine. View All McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 02, 2022

McLaren x APL Release The Automotive-Inspired HySpeed Sne...

For the first time, luxury supercar maker McLaren Automotive is collaborating with APL to unveil an entirely new silhouette. With the perfect blend of design and performance to take on any road or circuit, McLaren Automotive implements the same forward-thinking into its line of luxury lifestyle products. Surrounding itself with other industry leaders, McLaren collaborates with other brand professionals to help diversify its portfolio outside of supercar manufacturing and Formula 1. The team at McLaren Automotive is proud to take its next venture with the footwear specialists at Athletic Propulsion Labs, featuring a limited-edition sneaker collection that boasts vibrant colors and leading technology. Inspired by the vehicles that make up McLaren’s fleet, the McLaren HySpeed is designed as an all-purpose performance sneaker that marks the supercar manufacturer's first footwear collaboration. MUST-READ: Discover The New Mercedes-AMG GT Speaker By iXOOST The all-new HySpeed presents a low-cut silhouette that highlights APL’s patented Load ’N Launch technology, adopting aspects from the McLaren Speedtail’s lightweight construction. The APL x McLaren HySpeed features a three-piece segmented midsole with APL FutureFoam pods in the front and rear, connected by a full-length lightweight carbon fiber plate. An all-new nitrogen-infused midsole compound is engineered for supreme responsiveness and energy-rich compression. The shoe also includes a microfiber heel with extended wings and an advanced fitment system, with three-piece cushion heel padding and APL’s signature Souffle Sockliner. The outsole also references design details of McLaren’s supercars, featuring a tread pattern inspired by performance tires that are designed for speed and grip. The APL x McLaren collaboration comes in White/McLaren Orange, White/Black/Ombre, Rose Dust/Creme, Energy/Metallic Silver, and McLaren Orange is available for men and women for $450. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and releases. Source: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 18, 2022

Check The Spec: 2020 McLaren Speedtail Finished in MSO Be...

A chance to own 1 of the 106 McLaren Speedtail examples. News of the electrified McLaren Speedtail first shocked the automotive world in October 2018 as the brand’s most advanced limited-production hypercar. The highly-exclusive McLaren first began its production by hand-selecting preferred clients and qualified buyers for the 106-chassis awaiting assembly. The hypercar professionals at Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills are proud to feature this magnificent 2020 McLaren Speedtail #91 as part of its inventory of classic and modern collector-grade vehicles. MSO Bespoke Graphite Exterior Finish duPont REGISTRY The elongated body of the McLaren Speedtail offers incredible aerodynamics and even includes a Velocity Mode setting that makes three fundamental changes to its appearance. The exterior features a beautiful Bespoke/Heritage Graphite finish from the creative team at McLaren Special Operations (MSO), which also incorporates gloss carbon fiber exterior components to achieve its lightweight design. With aerodynamics at the focus of the Speedtail, the build showcases its attention to detail with aero disk front wheels and retractable side mirrors. The lightweight wheels pair perfectly with special bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tires and McLaren performance brakes to help control its 250mph+ top speed. The timeless exterior of the Speedtail blends modern styling with historic accents from icons like the McLaren F1. McLaren Orange and Carbon Black 3-Seat Interior Layout duPont REGISTRY Behind the dihedral doors of the McLaren Speedtail lies a comfortable high-tech interior that features the same unique three-seat configuration from the F1. While the passenger sport-style seats present a modest carbon black design, the center driver set uses McLaren's famous Orange color code as its inspiration. The technologically advanced dash layout uses a series of LCD screens to operate functions like the control unit, side mirrors, and entertainment options. The Speedtail’s dash design also incorporates the factory orange color scheme to pay homage to the historic lineage of McLaren. The interior layout highlights the use of lightweight carbon fiber as the main material that makes up the tub of the McLaren Speedtail. All-in-all the driver-oriented interior offers a minimal look that lets its performance do all the talking. Combined 1,035-Horsepower and 848-ft lbs of Torque duPont REGISTRY At the pinnacle of McLaren engineering, the Speedtail features a hybrid powertrain that offers unmatched performance. The 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 includes an additional battery borrowed from the McLaren Formula E division, which makes an astonishing 312-horsepower by itself. With a combined 1,035-horsepower and 848-ft lbs of torque, the Speedtail launches from 0-60mph in only 2.9-seconds with help from a state-of-the-art 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. This 2020 McLaren Speedtail from Marshall Goldman is currently available on duPont REGISTRY with 722-miles for $3,185,900. View the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec specials. VIEW VEHICLE LISTING

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 18, 2022

NOVITEC Upgrades the McLaren 765LT Spider For Mind-Blowin...

The McLaren 765LT Spider gets an extra dose of the things that make it great. The McLaren 765LT Spider begs the question: What’s not to want about an open-top, high-performance supercar? Built with McLaren’s knowledge of the track and the legacy of its long-tailed racing machines, the 765LT Spider is ready to deliver quite the unforgettable open-air driving experience, and while it’s an incredible supercar as it is, NOVITEC is known for creating performance cars that are the best of the best with its signature upgrades, tweaks, and cosmetic additions. MUST READ: McLaren Financial Services Launches To Make Buying Or Leasing A New McLaren Easier With NOVITEC’s upgraded electronics and exhaust system, the 765LT Spider’s power grows to an impressive 855 horsepower and 662 lb/ft of torque. As a bonus, the exhaust system makes the sound of the McLaren 765LT Spider even more sonorous. NOVITEC also adds aerodynamics components throughout the car with exposed carbon fiber for an edgy, sporty look as well as an upgraded suspension system for additional dynamic performance. The wheels NOVITEC provides for the 765LT Spider were developed in collaboration with aftermarket wheel manufacturer Vossen. In continuation with the unique, track-ready look the NOVITEC McLaren 765LT Spider boasts, the wheels sport 20-inch diameters at the front and 21-inch diameters at the back and are wrapped in high-performance tires. With a 0-60 time of fewer than 2.5 seconds, and a top speed of over 205 mph, the McLaren 765LT Spider delivers once-in-a-lifetime levels of performance with NOVITEC’s help. View All McLaren 765LT Spiders For Sale Source: NOVITEC

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 05, 2022

McLaren Financial Services Launches To Make Buying Or Lea...

McLaren, the Americas and Chase unlock a new way to finance or lease your dream McLaren. McLaren Financial services, a new program in which Chase provides McLaren customers with new leasing and financing options for McLarens is launching, and it means that getting behind the wheel of a McLaren is easier than ever before. With a completely new microsite, McLaren customers will be able to access their account where statements can be viewed, payments can be made, and everything about their McLaren’s lease or loan is organized and available to access from virtually anywhere. MUST READ: Check Out This New Two-Tone McLaren 765LT Spider Customized By MSO Bespoke The newest McLaren car that will be available to purchase through McLaren Financial Services is McLaren’s new Artura, with an incredible hybrid powertrain, track-ready performance, mind-blowing throttle response, and 11 miles of purely electric driving range. If you’ve been wanting to own and drive a McLaren, this new partnership with Chase makes that dream much easier to make a reality, with advice and support available for customers and customizable lease and finance contracts as well. View All McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 30, 2022

Check Out This New Two-Tone McLaren 765LT Spider Customiz...

A Mclaren customized by MSO Bespoke is art on wheels. MSO Bespoke is McLaren’s division that specializes in making the wildest dreams of McLaren clients come true. What you’re able to specify on an MSO Bespoke-customized car is virtually limitless, and it means that you’re able to have a stunning supercar that’s truly yours in every way. From paint colors to graphics, from stitching to upholstery, MSO Bespoke is dedicated to realizing your vision for a unique McLaren. At McLaren Houston, a customer recently took delivery of an incredible MSO Bespoke-customized 765LT Spider, which features a unique two-tone paint job. MUST READ: The GearBox: A Hybrid Hypercar Look Split down the middle with a hexagonal honeycomb pattern, the car’s right side is finished in McLaren’s classic Papaya Spark color, while the left side is finished in Cosmos Black. The two-tone scheme with the honeycomb split is called the MSO Bespoke Dyad theme, and it makes for quite the striking look on what is already an incredibly gorgeous supercar. Combine that with the McLaren 765LT Spider’s 755 horsepower, 590 lb/ft of torque, sub-3-second 0-60 time, and 205-mph top speed, and you have a car that’s showstopping standing still, let alone in motion. View All McLaren 765LTs For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by McLaren Houston (@mclarenhou) Source: Instagram/McLaren Houston

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 21, 2022

McLaren Announces The New Artura GT4 Will Debut At The Go...

A new McLaren has been announced, and it’s purpose-built for the place where McLarens truly come alive. McLaren is a brand born on the racetrack, and that racing heritage shows with everything the brand does. The dynamics and power of McLaren’s supercars are made for tight corners, long straightaways, and everything in between. The new Artura, McLaren’s latest supercar, has now gotten the customer racing treatment with the announcement of the new McLaren Artura GT4, which will make its official debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. MUST READ: The Petersen Automotive Museum’s New Exhibition Celebrates McLaren’s Racing Success Based on the High Performance Hybrid Artura, the new car features a V6 rather than the previous GT4’s V8, which is more powerful and efficient than its predecessor, and the car itself is 220 pounds lighter than its predecessor, as well. While the roadgoing Artura is a hybrid, GT4 requirements do not permit hybrid powertrains, but the twin-turbocharged V6 produces plenty of power on its own, and 286 pounds of weight are saved with the lack of hybrid components. Due to the lack of hybrid components, which provided the reverse gear for the roadgoing Artura’s 8-speed transmission, the transmission in the race car is changed to a 7-speed with improved ratios, and a reverse gear. The debut of the car is going to happen in true McLaren spirit, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed complete with hillclimb action, driven by McLaren factory driver Rob Bell, who won last year’s Timed Shootout Final with the McLaren 720S GT3X. Source: McLaren

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 08, 2022

The Petersen Automotive Museum's New Exhibition Celebrate...

The Petersen Automotive Museum celebrates the fruits of McLaren’s labor, specifically papayas. Steeped in motorsport history, British brand McLaren has become a well-known name on the road and the track, but its roots are firmly planted in the racetrack, and the race cars of McLaren are the pinnacle of the brand’s abilities and efforts, and they’ve created a legacy of over half a century with victories, engineering, and spirit that informs and guides the brand to this day. With an incredible lineup of supercars, and status as the second most successful F1 team ever, McLaren’s race cars are worthy of quite a bit of celebration. MUST READ: The McLaren Artura Makes Its European Debut With An Honorary Lap At The Monaco Grand Prix The Petersen Automotive Museum is celebrating McLaren’s racing history with a special exhibition dedicated to McLaren race cars opening on June 18 to the public. It’s called “The Color of Success: McLaren’s Papaya Livery,” and it focuses on the famous orange color that has adorned McLaren race cars for decades. It’s going to be held on the second floor of the museum in the Charles Nearburg Family Gallery, and it will feature McLaren race cars that span nearly the brand’s entire history, from the 1967 McLaren M6A, the first car to ever feature the Papaya livery, to the 2018 McLaren MCL33 Formula 1 race car. One of the most interesting cars that will be on display is one of just 3 McLaren M6 GTs, a model meant to be McLaren’s first road car before Bruce McLaren’s death in 1970. Though Bruce McLaren never saw the M6 GT on the road, the legacy of the brand he created is something he would undoubtedly be proud of, and this exhibit shows just how much McLaren has achieved. View All McLarens For Sale Source: Petersen Automotive Museum

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 31, 2022

The McLaren Artura Makes Its European Debut With An Honor...

McLaren’s first series-production hybrid supercar shows off its racing heritage at one of racing’s most important places. Monaco is one of the world’s most legendary locations when it comes to cars and racing. It’s where legacies are forged and the most experienced motorsport drivers, brands, and teams are put to the ultimate test. McLaren is a brand that has motorsport running through its veins, and the McLaren Artura, McLaren’s first series-production High-Performance Hybrid supercar, combines the heritage, innovation, and legacy of McLaren’s race cars, the McLaren P1 hybrid hypercar, and McLaren’s other supercars. MUST READ: Final McLaren Senna XP Revealed by McLaren Beverly Hills and Driven by Pato O’Ward The Artura has made its debut in mainland Europe at Monaco for the Monaco Grand Prix weekend by taking an honorary lap around the legendary track, showing off its hybrid performance and racing-ready dynamics, and it was driven by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and H.S.H Hereditary Prince Jacuqes and finished in the iconic McLaren Orange color. With a debut European appearance at Monaco, the McLaren Artura shows invariably that it’s a celebration of the past, present, and future of motorsport. View All McLaren Arturas For Sale Source: McLaren

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2022

Watch Over $200 Million Worth of McLaren F1s Take a Ferry...

This has to be the most expensive ferry crossing to ever happen. The McLaren F1 has continued to stay in the limelight even years after its production ended for many good reasons. First up is the fact that legendary designer Gordon Murray was the brilliant mind behind the F1. Next is the record the XP5 prototype set for being the world's fastest production car back in 1998 with a top speed of 240.1 mph. I could honestly go on for days as for reasons why the McLaren F1 has gone down in history as a true automotive icon, but there's something better you need to check out. If you look up above, you'll see a video from TheTFJJ where he encountered what may be the most epic ferry crossing to ever take place. On the ferry was an insane collection of McLaren F1s, with examples of the F1 GTR and F1 GTR Longtail mixed in. According to TheTFJJ, the amount of cars on the ferry equated to over $200 million and I can't argue with that figure as the value of the F1 is well up there. Click play up above to see the wild footage for yourself. View All McLarens For Sale

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