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 – September 18, 2020

5 Custom McLaren Senna GTR LMs Honor F1 GTR Race Cars

McLaren has just unveiled five stunning examples of the Senna GTR that honor the five F1 GTRs that finished 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 13th in the 1995 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each of these Sennas were commissioned by customers and feature hand-painted liveries that took more than 800 hours each. In order to ensure each livery was faithful, McLaren received special permissions from brand owners and by Le Mans organizer the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO). The results are absolutely stunning. But it's not just the liveries that make these Senna GTR LMs so special. Each of these race cars has new features and technical enhancements that allow it to sit above the Senna GTR they are based on. For example, McLaren's engineers re-calibrated the powertrain to increase its power output by 20 horsepower. There are also the new special LM twin-exit exhaust pipes, bespoke five-spoke wheels by OZ Racing, gold accents and more. Ansar Ali, Managing Director of McLaren Special Operations, said: “The McLaren Senna GTR LM project has been a labor of love for nearly two years; we have gone to great lengths not only to perfect the engineering aspects of the cars, but also to gain co-operation from brand holders and partners to maximize authenticity.” You can view each of these McLaren Senna GTR LMs in the galleries down below. See All McLaren Sennas for Sale McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/1 - The Ueno Clinic car McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/6 - The Harrods car McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/2 - The Gulf car McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/7 - The Jacadi Car McLaren Senna GTR LM 825/5 - The Cesar car

By Edward Jones – September 14, 2020

Pre-Owned McLarens Are Selling Fast in 2020

This year has been a rough one due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. For McLaren North America, however, they are having seeing an incredible uptick in sales. In total, McLaren North America has sold 580 Certified Pre-Owned vehicles so far this year, an 11 percent increase when compared to August 2019. This sales figure is actually their best-ever in terms of year-to-date pre-owned vehicle sales. There were 50 cars sold in the Canada, while 530 were sold in the United States. The draw of the McLaren Certified Pre-Owned cars is pretty easy to see. Each car comes with a minimum one-year Certified Warranty after passing a comprehensive multi-point examination completed by McLaren-trained technicians. These pre-owned McLarens must also go through all servicing and maintenance that would be due within three months of its handover to the dealership and they have to be fitted with McLaren Genuine Parts as well. "Our mission is not only to build the best sports cars in the world, but also to offer the best ownership experience," says Tony Joseph, President McLaren North America. "McLaren Certified delivers that commitment on pre-owned McLaren cars from our retailers through the promise of quality and exclusivity with full factory support." See All McLarens for Sale

By Edward Jones – September 11, 2020

See 10-year-old's Winning McLaren Design

Mclaren Automotive and CBBC's Blue Peter have awarded 10-year-old Alex as the winner of their recent 'Supercar of the Future' competition. For his supercar's design, Alex drew his inspiration from nature and used advanced materials that could be grown on a tree. The judges loved his future-focused, sustainable design elements and crowned him the winner. After his win, McLaren's Design Director Rob Melville and his team worked with Alex to turn his sketches into a large-scale model along with virtual renders. On top of this winning the orange Blue Peter badge and getting to work with McLaren's design team, he received a VIP trip to the McLaren Production Center in Woking. It was here that brand ambassador Amanda McLaren welcomed him and showed him around the facility. But it doesn't stop there. Alex also was taken around the Top Gear track by The Stig himself in a McLaren 720S. But wait, there's more! There's also a new paint called 'Alex Leaf Green' that McLaren customers can choose from when ordering cars. Alex definitely had an incredible time and deserved the win! "I hope the supercar of the future competition inspires others to be creative and to really push the boundaries of what we think is possible. Supercars are a very tangible expression of how art and science combine and produce innovation so some of the ideas we’re working on – and that Alex has come up with – will help create breakthroughs and future transport solutions that we can all benefit from in the future." - Rob Melville, Design Director, McLaren Automotive See All McLarens for Sale

By Edward Jones – September 04, 2020

McLaren Dallas Debuts the Incredible Elva Roadster

The McLaren Elva Roadster has made a debut at McLaren Dallas during an exclusive event at Avondale's Premier Collection. While the guests sipped on fine cocktails and enjoyed small bites, the sheet on the new Elva Roadster was removed. Only 149 examples of this new hypercar will be created with just about 30 expected to come to the United States. In fact, McLaren Dallas has already taken orders on the Elva. “Rooted in the open-air sports cars designed by Bruce McLaren in the 1960s, the modern Elva is an engineering masterpiece,” said Heath Strayhan, General Manager of Premier Collection. “The Elva has no windshield, roof or windows, connecting the driver to the road in a bold fashion. McLaren’s unique Active Air Management System channels high speed air through the cars bonnet, up and over the cabin, creating a bubble that keeps passengers comfortable even at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour.” Check out the images below of the event and click the button below to see the inventory at McLaren Dallas. View Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – August 25, 2020

McLaren Unveils Lighter & Stronger Hybrid Chassis

Engineers in Sheffield have been burning the candle at both ends. Because McLaren is transforming to a hybrid and electric lineup, CEO Mike Flewitt asked them for no compromises. So a logical starting point is their renowned carbon fiber chassis. Reducing weight was a major concern as their upcoming models will have several times more battery capacity as the 2015 McLaren P1 for sale. It will be capable of hybrid or EV power, and it has a modular layout to fit rear or AWD cars. Here is what Mr. Flewitt had to say:“The new ground-breaking vehicle architecture is every bit as revolutionary as the MonoCell chassis we introduced with the company’s first car, the 12C, when we first embarked on making production vehicles a decade ago.“This new, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre chassis boasts greater structural integrity and higher levels of quality than ever before with our new MCTC facility quickly becoming recognized as a global center of excellence in composite materials science and manufacturing. You Can Buy an Electric McLaren Senna for Your Kid “Our advanced expertize in lightweight composites processes and manufacturing combined with our experience in cutting-edge battery technology and high-performance hybrid propulsion systems means we are ideally placed to deliver to customers levels of electrified high-performance motoring that until now have simply been unattainable.”The first car on this chassis is well into development and we will see it early next year. Until then, check out great incentives on 2020 models from our dealers and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 14, 2020

2020 McLaren GT MPG Test by Supercars in Seconds

Supercars are usually very thirsty for premium fuel. However, with the right combination of transmission and differential ratios, it is possible to cruise efficiently. Officially rated at 22 mpg on the highway, here is a 2020 McLaren GT MPG test by Supercars in Seconds. Our friend Matthew Jones is the General Manager of McLaren Tampa Bay, and he knows every detail of each model. The McLaren GT was a departure from all-out performance in order to offer the ultimate Grand Tourer. With ample room for a weekend getaway, it has storage behind the seats and under the hood. The 4.0-liter is rated at 612 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, so how does it perform when the turbos are at idle. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and click the button to browse their inventory. Browse Inventory " width="680">

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2020

McLaren North America's 7,500th Car Delivered is a Speedt...

McLaren Automotive has delivered their 7,500th car to their US market, a major milestone for the automaker. McLaren North America first came around in December 2011, and since then they have been delivering sports cars, supercars, and hypercars to customers across the nation. Now, their 7,500th car has been delivered and it was none other than the new Speedtail hypercar. This new model has a combined 1,055 bhp and 848 lb-ft of torque that comes from its hybrid heart, and it can sprint from 0 to 186 mph in under 13 seconds. The United States is more than happy to have this new resident. "We are proud of what the brand has become in a relatively short period of time. When you consider the acclaimed performance cars we have brought to market in less than ten years, we have established McLaren as one of the most exciting brands and a formidable competitor in the supercar segment,” says McLaren North America President, Tony Joseph. See All McLarens for Sale

By Edward Jones – August 11, 2020

A Look at One of the Rare McLaren 675LT Prototypes

When McLaren was testing the 675LT, they created a total of eight pre-production prototypes. Unfortunately, three of those were destroyed, leaving just five to be used for validation testing. We recently had the opportunity to see one of these five McLaren 675LT prototype vehicles and it was just right around the corner from our headquarters here in Florida. After McLaren finished testing the pre-production 675LTs, they took them back to the factory and completely rebuilt them. The five examples were then sold to five fortunate people. Our local friend invited us down to check his example out, which is #PP457. It’s finished in Chicane Grey with orange trim and an orange/black interior. The color combo is fantastic, especially the use of orange, which is a perfect choice for any McLaren. It also boasts an amazing carbon fiber package that takes this rare 675LT to another level. There are also a few options that are very hard to find on any other example of the 675LT. Check it out for yourself in the gallery below. Also, click the button to see all of the McLaren 675LTs for sale now. All McLaren 675LTs for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

McLaren Elva Envisioned With new Aesthetic Profiles by it...

Robert Melville is the Director of Design at McLaren, so he is undoubtedly proud of the Elva. Their proprietary software to see a finished car in the virtual realm is their "Visualization Tool". It is powered by a stack of high-end graphics cards used by the top PC gamers. It allows him and his team to examine the car as a whole, or every detail down to the seat stitching. Browse McLaren For Sale Removing the body allows engineers to see the chassis, drivetrain, and even the brake rotors. This leads to weight reduction in every possible component. I can't match his eloquence, so after the video tell us your ideal Elva then see what our dealers have to offer by clicking the button.

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

2021 McLaren GT Upgraded by NOVITEC

Selling cars to a global audience, the McLaren GT has to be conservative in order to appeal to the masses. However, should you want to reveal the true nature of your new supercar, Novitec has a comprehensive set of upgrades. Starting with staggered 20/21" wheels, they added a host of carbon fiber aerodynamic upgrades. New springs lower the car by 1" to sit flush on the forged Vossen wheels. McLaren GT Price, Specs, Review & Photos Their exhaust system is complete from turbos to tailpipes with high-flow cats for an aggressive soundtrack. What you will hear is 707 horsepower and 527 lb-ft of torque in the ultimate English Grand Tourer. It leaps to 62 mph in 3 seconds on its way to 207 mph. Our dealers will be happy to divulge the finer details of the McLaren GT, so click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Novitec news. Browse McLaren GT For Sale

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