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 07, 2019

New McLaren GT's Release Date Announced

The new McLaren GT car is almost here and I can now say that because the English automaker has announced when they'll be unveiling the car. In a press release issued by McLaren, they note that they will be unveiling the new McLaren Grand Tourer on May 15, 2019, at 8 A.M. EST. McLaren says that their new GT will "redefine the rules of the Grand Tourer segment." It will be the fourth car to be introduced under the McLaren Automotive Track25 business plan. To see the unveiling, you can watch it here when the time comes. see all mclarens for sale " width="680">

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

By Andrew Nabors – May 02, 2019

McLaren Senna Real World Review by Carfection

Yesterday marked 25 years since we lost Ayrton Senna. His triumphs for McLaren's F1 team inspired them to build a car in his honor, but is it a track-only machine? Our questions have been answered by this McLaren Senna Real World Review by Carfection. Normally, race-ready cars don't work well on the street. You find yourself dodging potholes and parking a mile away from the store. Nevertheless, Henry and his team decide to travel the same roads that Ayrton did, traveling to Donington Park Raceway. Once there, the car was used to replicate Senna's amazing lap from 1993. Tell us the wildest car you ever drove on public streets in the comments below, and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale Related: McLaren Senna Price, Specs, Photos & Review McLaren Senna GTR Overview Filmed at Goodwood

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2019

Why You Should Buy A McLaren 600LT

Every car generates a massive low-pressure area behind it when moving fast. This vacuum is why drafting works so well in races. But if you find yourself alone on the Mulsanne straight, it helps if your tail is longer than the competition. McLaren discovered this on in 1997 by adding 25" to the F1. The F1 LongTail had much less drag than its predecessors, making it a dominant force in the FIA GT series. And now the McLaren 600LT is the latest model to bring back the longer than normal tail. And this is why you should buy the 600LT. Back in 2016, engineers were looking to push the 650S into uncharted territory. Taking a page from two decades earlier, the 675LT was the most driver-focused model to-date. It shared the same 'Super Series' hydraulic suspension as the P1. Because it was part of the Super Series, both the coupe and 675LT spider versions were aimed at collectors. This one-year model has appreciated far beyond what many would spend for a daily driver. " width="680"> That is why you should buy a McLaren 600LT. Making history, it is the first Longtail in the 'Sports Series'. This means it does without the heavy active hydraulic systems found on their upper-level cars. Surprisingly, it does have traditional power steering to offer more feedback than the competition. What it does have are more options than any other McLaren model. Not only does the tail help with drag, the exhaust tips are aimed directly at the low-pressure zone. This turns them into flamethrowers at full throttle, and they might even add a few lbs of thrust at the same time. The 3.8L twin-turbo V8 offers 592 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Given the curb weight of 2,994 lbs with 19 gallons of fuel, this car accelerates as fast as any of its big brothers. First McLaren 600LT Delivered to Hennessey Performance Because the 600LT is aimed at daily drivers, McLaren has three unique interior packages. You can have any color combination your heart desires, but the three pre-configured are Jet Black/Carmine Red, Jet Black and Scoria Grey, and Jet Black/Midnight Blue. They can be had in all leather, all Alcantara, or your choice of each. Colors for the body and the brake calipers are just as wild. Don't order silver, you're better than that! Wheels make a major statement, so which of these would you choose? And if you want an aggressive body, McLaren offers no less than 3 MSO visual carbon fiber packages. If you want the ultimate track machine, the MSO Clubsport or Clubsport Pro deletes the comfortable seats and interior trim with carbon fiber buckets and the bare carbon fiber of the MonoCage. It is not for the feint of heart. The 600LT is a blank canvas and you are the artist. We have barely mentioned McLaren Special Operations whose bespoke builds will blow your mind. Your local showroom is ready to answer your questions, so click the link below for an experience unlike any other. Find Your McLaren Dealer Here view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2019

McLaren Special Operations Explains Their Paint Process

Two-tone paint was killed by bean counters at the end of the last century. If you want something truly custom, you will either need a cheesy wrap job or a skilled artist. Painting a car by hand is something only reserved for the best cars in production, and that is why McLaren Special Operations explained their paint process. A stunning McLaren 720S Spider was chosen to receive a blend of cerulean blue, black, and their new meteorite gray. The video makes it look easy, but there must have been many late nights of color-sanding and buffing. What makes this blend so unique is their technique named Coriolis. Inspired by the Earth's gyroscopic influence on wind and water, it took 260 hours to finish this car. To get this result from modern water-based paint is amazing, especially considering it is being applied to carbon fiber. If you deserve a car unlike any other, click the link below to find a McLaren dealer near you. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale Related: McLaren Speedtail Price, Specs, Photos & Review Jason Statham's New McLaren 720S

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2019

McLaren Senna Model is $13,000, Has Remote for Lights and...

Many people out there may not be able to buy a McLaren Senna due to price and availability. However, there is the impeccable 1:8 McLaren Senna model from Amalgam Collection. If you read the title, you know that this is model is quite pricey, coming in with a price tag of $13,444. For this price, though, you get the finest model you'll find of the Senna supercar. The team at Amalgam Collection spent hundreds of hours designing this model and their efforts were not in vain. Every detail of this model mirrors its full-size counterpart, it's as if they just took a shrink ray to the real Senna. In fact, this model comes with a remote that activates the various light functions on the model and even open or close the electronic doors. That's some serious detail. For more information, click here. Source

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2019

McLaren Senna GTR Overview Filmed at Goodwood

It must be a fun experience to be a McLaren engineer. First you build the world's most potent production cars, then you are allowed to transform them into track-only superstars. Two versions of their latest achievement were on display last weekend. We have seen a few examples of the Senna, and we are acquainted with its abilities. But did you realize they took it to another level? If you wonder how to improve upon perfection, a McLaren Senna GTR overview was filmed at Goodwood. Their goal was to increase downforce and decrease aerodynamic drag. Even a challenge that complicated was not compromised. Instead, they went back to the drawing board and created a wider and longer body. A street-legal Senna lies under the flared fenders and massive spoilers. The rear of the car is longer to house a massive diffuser. It also places the rear spoiler in an optimal location to decrease drag. Without catalytic converters, the 4.0L V8 makes 814 horsepower & 590 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, there are no plans to make them street legal, but we do have the first P1 GTR that is street legal and waiting for you. Browse All McLaren For Sale Related: McLaren Senna Price, Specs, Photos & Review McLaren Senna GTR Track Debut

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2019

See The McLaren Senna GTR Track Debut for the First Time

As promised the McLaren Senna GTR track debut is finally here. This happened during the 2019 Goodwood Members’ Meeting. During the track debut, the Senna GTR was driven by Bruno Senna, the nephew of the man who the car was named after, Ayrton Senna. The Goodwood Road & Racing YouTube channel uploaded a video of the Senna GTR on the track and even interviewed Bruno regarding the new McLaren track car. As for the Senna GTR, it's McLaren's most extreme track car yet. Its power comes from a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces a staggering 813 bhp. With a lightest dry weight of just 2,619 lbs, the Senna GTR comes with a solid power-to-weight ratio.

By Edward Jones – April 03, 2019

Upcoming McLaren 'Grand Tourer': Best Look Yet

The new McLaren 'Grand Tourer' was first teased back on March 5th under heavy camo. Now, McLaren is back again with even more teases, but these new images give us a better look at the fourth model in their Track25 business plan. In the images found in this post, you can see that the additional body panels were removed. This allows us all to see the car's exterior design for the first time. A camo livery still resides on the car's exterior, but McLaren promises that they will take the livery off in May. Can we wait a couple more months? Sure, but it's going to be tough. Validation tests are currently being run on the car, which includes a 1,000-mile drive from McLaren's development base in Woking, United Kingdom to Barcelona, Spain and then back to Woking. This test will include two occupants with a full set of luggage. Mike Flewitt, the McLaren CEO, says that their new Grand Tourer will have "competition levels of performance from a twin-turbo V8 engine with continent-crossing capability and a level of agility never experienced before in the luxury Grand Tourer segment." Power for the car will be provided by a twin-turbo V8 engine. view all mclarens for sale Also Check Out: McLaren Senna 0-183 MPH Test Run McLaren 600LT Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – April 02, 2019

McLaren Senna GTR Making Debut at Goodwood Soon

The new McLaren Senna GTR will be making its debut at the upcoming Goodwood Members' Meeting on April 6, 2019. Meant to recreate the same vibe set by the original BARC Meetings at Goodwood in the 1950s and 1960s, the Goodwood Members' Meeting is two days of automotive heaven. Historic and modern cars are on hand, putting on displays both on and off the track. This includes cars that have never seen track time before, like the Senna GTR which will be making its track debut as well. McLaren will also be displaying their McLaren Senna built out of 500,000 LEGO bricks at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. For more information on the Members' Meeting, click here. view all mclaren up for sale " width="680">

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