McLaren News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2018

McLaren Senna Crashes Hard: Rest In Pieces

Be happy that today is Friday and Christmas is coming soon. Be sad that the world has lost another McLaren Senna. Life isn't fair sometimes. McLaren have repeatedly stated they will only build 500 examples of this amazing supercar. Perhaps the recent news of other McLaren Senna crashes will prompt them to replace these before the line is shut down. Exotic Cars For Sale In the old days, a hit this hard would warp every panel of steel, leaving the car a total loss. But thanks to McLaren's modular construction, the carbon fiber Monocage III cockpit is likely salvageable. The front subframe is a toast but the factory might have a few extra pieces in their inventory. If you want the same screaming 4.0-liter engine in a more subdued body, our dealers have great offers on McLaren 720S for sale. Click the link below and stay with us for all your McLaren news. mclaren Senna for sale Related: How to Detail a McLaren Senna McLaren Newport Beach; The Senna In Detail

By Edward Jones – December 12, 2018

McLaren "Racing Through the Ages" Collection Revealed

McLaren and McLaren Special Operations (MSO) have unveiled the new "Racing Through the Ages" collection. This new collection was put together in cooperation with McLaren Beverly Hills, who debuted the collection at their "Evening with MSO" event on December 11. This new collection was created to celebrate the English automaker's famous racing heritage. There are three different themes in the collection that were meant to commemorate specific feats in McLaren's racing history. They include: Muriwai: Celebrates Bruce McLaren's early racing in New Zealand. Bruce McLaren took part in his first race when he was just 15-years-old. The name comes from the name of the house he chose for the house he built in Woking. Papaya Spark: Chosen to commemorate the famous orange color used in Formula One cars in the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, many McLaren race cars have had successes in orange liveries. Sarthe Grey: Commemorates McLaren's 1995 Le Mans victory, which was the only time a manufacturer won Le Mans during their debut. The two cars in this theme were meant to emulate F1 GTR #01. There are a total of six cars in the collection and two models, the 570s Coupe and 570S Spider. Each car comes with a rear wing, GT4 racing stripe, the MSO Designed Black Pack, 10-Spoke wheels in Gloss Black and the MSO Defined Titanium SuperSports Exhaust. Inside are a few special touches as well, like the GT4 stripe on the backrest of the seat, McLaren Orange 12 o'clock mark on the steering wheel and a dedication plate that reads "1 of 6 - RACING THROUGH THE AGES." Also Check Out: OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is the Supercar of Phones McLaren 720S Spider Unveiled With Stunning Details McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – December 11, 2018

OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is the Supercar of Phones

Technology is advancing every single day, and with these new advancements come faster speed in sleeker forms. The new OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition phone is a great example of just how far along we've come in terms of mobile phones. OnePlus and McLaren teamed up to create this phone, which is the mobile phone company's fastest yet. I'll break down just how fast this phone really is. First, a full charge can come in just 20 minutes, thanks to OnePlus' Warp Charge 30 charging standard. Also adding speed is the massive amount of memory: 10 GB of RAM. And all that memory will be needed because this phone is capable of high-end gaming and filming 4K at 60 fps. The OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition phone comes with a primarily black appearance that has Papaya Orange trim around the bottom edge. That's right, it has trim like a 720S supercar would! On the backside, you'll see that McLaren added their touch of carbon fiber. Nice. Interested? This phone will be available in the USA on December 13 with a price of $699. shop oneplus.com

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2018

McLaren 720S Configurator is Now Live

The McLaren 720S Spider was just announced not too long ago and the configurator for the new supercar is already live. If you work at a desk or like to spend free time on a computer, these configurators are a great way to build the car of your dreams. The best part is that if you plan on buying the car, you either send in your interest in the car or download the PDF of your spec so you can take it into a dealer. Here's a breakdown of the McLaren 720S Spider. How Much is a McLaren 720S? FIND OUT HERE Specification: Here you can pick between a base 720s, 720S Luxury or 720S Performance. Paint: This is where all the different paint options are. They include Standard, Special, Elite and MSO Defined paints. Wheels & Brakes: Pick you wheel, wheel finish, brakes, brake caliper color and tire type. Exterior: There are SO many exterior options to pick from, you just have to see it to believe it. Interior: Just like the exterior, the interior is full of options to pick from, like the seats, interior color and even the gear shift paddles. Entertainment: Pick your sound system and what kind of Mclaren Track Telemetry you want. Safety & Security: Add on extra camera to the car and even pack your car with the ever-so-useful Vehicle Lift system. Practical: Need a car cover, fire extinguisher or even MSO Defined Keys? You can select them in this section. Summary: See the finished product and choose if you want to download a PDF, share it with friends or find out how to register your interest in a McLaren 720S Spider. build your mclaren 720s spider now

By Andrew Nabors – December 10, 2018

McLaren 720S Spider Unveiled With Stunning Details

If you want to build anticipation for the summer's hottest convertible, follow the leader. McLaren's latest drop-top hit our inbox like a ton of bricks, but the new 720S Spider is actually lighter than most coupes. Starting with the already potent 720S, they developed an all-new type of carbon fiber roof. The "RHT" or retractable hardtop will open or close in 11 seconds up to 31 mph. An optional glass insert is electrochromatic, going from clear to dark at the flick of a switch. Adding the necessary electronics for the roof and its fancy glass add weight, right? Well, McLaren builds every car as a spider, so the roof adds additional stiffness to the new Monocage II-S. The new chassis incorporates room for the top mechanism without sacrificing strength or weight. The new car is only 4% heavier, with a dry weight of 2,937 lbs, their press release claims it is 194 lbs lighter than its closest competitor. Ford GT vs McLaren 720S What hasn't changed is the performance of their 4.0-liter twin turbo V8. It offers 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 202 mph with the top down. Leaping to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds you will be at 124 mph in only 7.8 ticks. You will pass the quarter-mile in 10.4, only 0.1 seconds behind the coupe. Leaving the top up will allow it to reach the same 212 mph as the coupe. Our dealers View McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2018

McLaren 570S is Now in Rocket League

So this is what it's like when worlds collide, huh? No, I'm not referencing the song by Powerman 5000. What I'm trying to say is that I love when my love of cars and video games collide and it just happened thanks to a new DLC from Rocket League called the McLaren 570S Car Pack. This pack includes the 570S Battle-Car, as well as two Player Banners. Now, Rocket League players will get the chance to rocket a true English sportscar from each end of the arenas. The pack can be purchased now in-game for just $1.99. If you've never played Rocket League and you happen to enjoy cars, it's worth a try. The premise of the game is that you're in control of a car that races across a field to hit a ball into a goal. It sounds simple, but as soon as you start seeing other cars flip into the air for precise goals, you know there's a lot to learn. Still, it's an incredibly fun game to play if you're looking for something either competitive or casual. And it doesn't matter what console you have because it's available on the Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC. buy rocket league " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 27, 2018

How to Detail a McLaren Senna

Before your take delivery of your stunning new Senna, our friends at McLaren Newport Beach has something to consider. The best way to ensure your car's finish will stay factory fresh is with protective film. Working with Ceramic Pro, their full-body protection starts with a cleaning and polishing of the clear coat. This might seem like madness to disturb the clear of a new car, but their proprietary coating ensures the ceramic film will offer years of spotless cruising. McLaren Newport is also an industry leader by doing it all in-house. No lot lizards looking to make an extra dollar, these specialists are trained professionals who take pride in their work. Of course their services are not limited to their main brands, so your car could probably use their protection. Click the link below to browse their inventory and stay with us for all your McLaren news. McLaren Newport Beach Inventory Related: Stunning Senna Delivered at McLaren Newport Beach

By Andrew Nabors – November 26, 2018

McLaren 720S GT3 to Make Debut in Bahrain

The fastest cars in the Middle East are heading to Bahrain. The annual GT Festival kicks off on Friday, just in time for the Gulf 12 Hours of Abu Dhabi. Even though Winter has arrived early, McLaren is bringing some serious heat to the Yas Marina circuit. It will be the first outing for the 720S GT3. This hardcore racer is the first car built and engineered by their in-house motorsport department. Heading up their efforts is Dan Walmsley, who said in the press release: “We’re looking forward to demonstrating the 720S GT3 at the Bahrain GT Festival, and really thrilled to be competing in the Gulf 12 Hours, which will end an exciting year for the motorsport team. The 720S GT3 is the first race car designed and built by McLaren Automotive and the development team has worked tirelessly to deliver the gruelling test programme we devised for the car. We’re sure we’ll have plenty to learn during the race, and we’ll continue with testing after the event. This is an important product for McLaren Automotive, and therefore we have committed to ensuring that our customers receive a product worthy of carrying the iconic brand" McLaren 720S Fully Revealed! The stage is set for final testing, which will ensure the car receives homologation for the 2019 season. It will be interesting to see how this new 720S fits into their GT3 program, with the Senna GT3 and the 650S GT3 teams pushing for a podium finish. If you have been curious about the 720S click the link below and stay with us for all your McLaren updates. View All McLaren 720S For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 26, 2018

New McLaren 600LT and 720S Drag Race

Hennessey Performance were the first customer in the United States to take delivery of the new McLaren 600LT. This is an exciting notion because it means the famous Texas-based tuner will surely be working on some upgrades for the already potent car. Also, Hennessey isn't shy to test the power of their cars on the drag strip and they do a good job at filming the outings. For example, they've already taken their new 600LT out to the Pennzoil Proving Ground for a race against the 720S supercar. The race happened thanks to McLaren Houston, who brought the 720S over from their dealership. In the video above, you see the two McLaren racing in both a drag race and roll race, with one car being the victor in both races. Check it out for yourself by clicking play! Related: McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review 10 Second Quarter Mile Cars McLaren Introduces “Albert”, the 1st Speedtail Prototype

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2018

McLaren 720S Spider Reveal in December

The McLaren 720S model was unveiled over a year ago on March 7, 2017. It was a pretty nice birthday present for me, as I'm seriously in love with the styling and power the 720S holds. Since its unveiling, the 720S has been one of McLaren's most popular cars, and it's for good reason. Like I said, it's both gorgeous and houses a twin-turbo V8 capable of 710 bhp and 568 lb-ft of torque. Now, McLaren is ready to drop the top on the 720S as they begin teasing the new 720S Spider model. McLaren has started posting media of the assumed 720S Spider. The first round of teases were an image (see above) and a video. " width="680"> In the description of the video, it reads: "At McLaren, we refuse to accept what’s gone before. We find a different way. A better way. To discover new ideas. It’s why we push further. Look beyond convention. And how we see past it – to where others don’t. McLaren. Some see more 08. 12. 18" While that's all a bit cryptic, we can know that we will be seeing the new model on December 12, 2018. And as a bonus, I've lightened the teaser image so you can get a glimpse of the hard top. Also Check Out: McLaren Unveils the Menacing MSO 720S Stealth McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review McLaren Speedtail: This is it, the Fastest McLaren Ever!

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