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 – November 09, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT by MSO Looks Amazing While Fully Exposed

Since when do customers enjoy paying more for less? While this might seem counter-intuitive, the 2021 McLaren 765LT by MSO looks amazing while fully exposed. That's because it allows everyone to see the amazing beauty of book-matched carbon fiber. Uploaded to their social media accounts this morning, we've learned that going without paint and primer saves almost 26 lbs. 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered To The Collection By DragTimes But like every exposed piece of carbon fiber, the time needed to prepare and apply the UV-blocking clear coat requires help from McLaren Special Operations. Only 765 examples are planned, with each packing 765 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Going naked allows this one to be over 200 lbs lighter than the 720S, with a curb weight just above 2,900 lbs. It is a fitting end to the 720 series so you need to move before they are all gone. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 05, 2020

Jenson Button Returns to McLaren for Upcoming Race

Jenson Button is quite familiar with the McLaren brand after having raced for them for seven years in Formula 1. While his last race in a McLaren was back at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, he's now returning to the driver's seat. This time, however, he'll be racing in a McLaren 720S GT3 at the Silverstone 500 race. Button will be racing as part of the Jenson Team Rocket RJN alongside Buncombe. If you'd like to see your favorite Formula 1 driver take to the circuit again, the race will be happening this weekend, November 7-8. "“This will be my first taste of a GT3 car but I’m really looking forward to it," says Button. "It will be lovely to join our team and lining-up in the McLaren 720S with my best buddy Chris Buncombe." While you may not be able to partake in this race alongside Button in a 720S GT3, you can still get behind the wheel of a street-legal McLaren 720S. Click the button below to see all of the examples we currently have for sale.. See All McLaren 720S For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2020

The 1st 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered in the United States

McLaren Charlotte has just received what is the very first customer example of the 2021 McLaren 765LT to land on the shores of the United States. Loaded with features, this example of McLaren's latest supercar is a jaw-droppingly beautiful car. The exterior of this 765LT is finished in Fistral Blue, a selection from the MSO Defined palette that costs over $9,000. Fans of the famous Gulf Livery will love the sight of this blue being contrasted by the McLaren Orange on the brake calipers and even the orange seatbelts. Just about everything else that isn't blue on the supercar's exterior is visible carbon fiber thanks to the addition of the Carbon Fiber Exterior Upgrade packs. Inside, the cabin of this 2021 765LT is loaded with options, much like the exterior. The Black Alcantara and McLaren Orange stitching match the exterior's color scheme. Other options include vehicle lift system, 12-Speaker audio system, electric and heated memory seats, 360-degree park assists and more. As mentioned before, this 765LT belongs to a customer so it's already been spoken for. That being said, you can still contact them if your interested in picking a new McLaren up for yourself. For that, click the button below. View McLaren Charlotte Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2020

2021 McLaren Elva Gulf Unveiled At Goodwood

No matter what your plans are for the weekend, cancel them. Starting now, cars from around the world are converging in the English countryside. In the first (and best) press releases of the day, we learned that the 2021 McLaren Elva Gulf has been unveiled at Goodwood House. While we have seen this iconic livery on Roadsters and Coupes, this is the first time Gulf Oil has officially licensed their colors for a speedster. Without a windshield, the blue and orange can be seen for miles. We find it completely appropriate because this 2-seater offers 804 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a 4-liter V8. Since it only weighs 2,641 lbs, the paint will have a hard time hanging on. We're looking forward to seeing it in action this weekend, so be sure to tune in to Goodwood on YouTube. Browse McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2020

2020 McLaren Senna vs. 720S by DragTimes

No matter the situation, its always good to have that one friend. The person who knows a guy. It is insurance for any event to keep him or her around. Thankfully, we got a guy. His name is Brooks and he has made a career filming the world's most exotic cars in action. What's more, he has a guy. When people ask him where they can buy the cars he films, he tells them to come here. Word of mouth is the best endorsement, so we are indebted to him and his team. Therefore, we have their latest upload ready for the weekend, so let's watch a 2020 McLaren Senna versus a 720S by DragTimes. You won't find two dozen Sennas anywhere else, so click the button to find yours! Browse McLaren Senna For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 06, 2020

2021 McLaren High-Performance Hybrid Supercar Enters Fina...

Yesterday we shared a Ferrari prototype that has been testing V6 power with the latest in hybrid assistance. Over the next model year we will see V6 hybrids replace the V8 thanks to major leaps in battery technology. That is why the 2021 high performance hybrid supercar has entered final testing. In a press release this morning, they offered a few details of the new model. Is This a Hybrid Ferrari V6 Spotted on the Streets? First, it wont be a successor to the P1. Their new V6 engine is optimized to be a generator for the hybrid system, giving it the EV range of a current-generation electric car. The new carbon fiber structure replaces the monocell and monocage with the McLaren Carbon Lightweight Architecture. It is optimized for future developents in propulsion along with being stronger than its predecessors. Speaking of them, this new high-performance hybrid (HPH) will replace the Sports Series (570S, 570GT, etc). It will be placed between the McLaren GT and the 720S in their lineup. The Sports Series has been their bread & butter over the years, so it will be given a proper farewell with a limited run. Based on the 570S GT4, the 620R will be the end of the line. 2015 McLaren P1 Price, Specs, Photos & Review The HPH has been envisioned, developed, and it will be produced at the McLaren Composites Technology Centre in Sheffield. CEO Mike Flewitt says: This all-new McLaren supercar is the distillation of everything we have done to date; all that we have learned and achieved, This is a new kind of McLaren for a new era, an extraordinary drivers’ car that offers blistering performance as well as an all-electric range capable of covering most urban journeys. We see this new McLaren as a true ‘next generation’ supercar and cannot wait to show it to customers.” Browse McLaren For Sale Twin-turbo V6 engines with massive electrical capacity are about to eclipse the "Holy Trinity" of 5 years ago. Considering the Koenigsegg 2-liter making 600 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, get ready for another hypercar battle royale. In the meantime we have several Sennas and P1 to choose from, so click the button to find yours.

By Andrew Nabors – October 01, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Arrives With Unique Pirelli Rubber

You can incredible power and sophistication, but your car is only as good as the tires allow it to be. With 765 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the latest English supercar needs straight-line traction along with the flexibility to hold a corner. So that is why the 2021 McLaren 765LT will arrive with unique Pirelli rubber. See How Fast the McLaren 765LT Hits 150 MPH Early on in the car's development, McLaren engineers reached out to Pirelli to see if their best could be improved upon. After extensive simulations, they developed a unique tread pattern to optimize the contact patch. These unique P Zero Trofeo R are distinguished by the "MC" on the sidewall. They allow the 765LT to go faster around a test track than any previous McLaren. For drivers who don't race their cars, normal P Zeros are also an option. All incorporate PNCS- Pirelli Noise Cancelling System that negates much of the road noise associated with high-performance tires. Click the button to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2020

See How Fast the McLaren 765LT Hits 150 MPH

The new McLaren 765LT is a mean machine that deserves to be taken seriously. With 755 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque and a body that screams "aerodynamics," it's like a rocket through any straight or corner. Matson Watson recently took a McLaren 765LT out for a test spin to see how it performs. The most interesting part of his test-drive video, found below, is when he launched it down a straight. He managed to make the English supercar hit 150 mph in under 10 seconds. I reckon that would make the 765LT quite the formidable quarter-mile opponent. Click play below to see the action for yourself. See All McLarens For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Production & Performance Specs Unveiled

For those of us lucky to secure an allocation, this car is going to destroy all preconceived notions of what the brand is capable of. That's because the 2021 McLaren 765LT production and performance specs were in our inbox this morning. Their latest press release starts by confirming that all 765 cars have been sold, and production will be starting in a few days. While it has all the trademark aspects of its LongTail predecessors, this car will be the first to be comprised of body panels from the McLaren Composites Technology Center. It is there that the future of McLaren will be in lighter and stronger carbon fiber. Of course the 765LT is longer and a little wider due to the aerodynamic enhancements, and yet it is 77 lbs lighter than the 720S. Having 765 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque allow it to reach 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. You will be at 124 mph in 7 seconds and blasting through the quarter-mile in 9.9 ticks. Those numbers speak for themselves, and the 765LT will command respect from all enthusiasts. As soon as we get our hands on one we will have a proper review for you. Until then, click the button for great offers from our dealers and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 22, 2020

McLaren Senna LM Debuts In The U.S.

Earlier this month I told you that something special was en route from England. From the skilled technicians at McLaren Special Operations, a special car was built to celebrate winning LeMans in 1995. To celebrate the Silver Anniversary of that historic win, the McLaren Senna LM has crossed the pond and arrived at McLaren North Jersey. Built to resemble the McLaren F1 LM, this Senna offers the same 814 horsepower found in the Senna GTR. To achieve this, the heads were ported by hand, a lost art in this world of mass-production. Unique aerodynamic bits offer more downforce to equal the immense power, and OZ Racing supplied their lightest forged wheels. No detail was overlooked, as the exhaust is plated in satin gold and the pedals are nitride-hardened titanium. McLaren North Jersey along with McLaren Orlando have committed to building five examples, so perhaps you need a new centerpiece for your collection. Click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse Inventory at McLaren Orlando

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