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 – September 27, 2019

McLaren 720S Apex Collection by MSO

You can't deny that the McLaren 720S is a beast on the streets and on the track. The dual-purpose supercar has seen action on Europe's historic Grand Prix circuits, so a celebration is in order. The McLaren 720S Apex Collection by MSO pays homage to 5 famous tracks. The 15 cars consist of: Apex Great Britain: 2 right-hand drive, and one left-hand drive celebrating Silverstone Apex Germany: 1 RHD and 2 LHD celebrating Hockenheimring. Apex France: 1 RHD and 2 LHD celebrating Circuit Paul Richard Apex Belgium: 1 RHD and 2 LHD celebrating Spa Francorchamps Apex Italy: 1 RHD and 2 LHD celebrating Monza Browse all McLaren 720S For Sale All 15 cars will receive an F1 Paddock Pass, and they are eligible to run in the Pirelli Hot Laps experience. Each example will hopefully find its way to a collector in the country it represents, and sadly none are slated to reach the U.S. Our dealers have several examples of 720S Coupes and Spiders to choose from, and they can have MSO customize it to your heart's content. That's why you should stay with us for all your McLaren news. " width="680"> Related: McLaren 720S Price, Specs, Photos & Review McLaren 720S Coupe & Spider Receive MSO Longtail Spoiler

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2019

McLaren GT Launch Mode Outruns Almost Everything

Dr. Wernher von Braun developed the V2 rocket to hit London from Germany before the transistor was invented. As it was one of the most heinous weapons of WWII, he and his rocketeers made sure most of them were duds. PRO TIP: if you are losing a war, don't fuel your rockets with moonshine! Many V2 rockets were launched near empty. After being hired by NASA, the Saturn V that took us to the moon was also his creation. As good as his Saturn V was, it seems that the English have won the battle for a perfect launch. In the latest upload from Motorsport Magazine, the McLaren GT Launch Mode outruns almost anything. Browse McLaren GT For Sale Back to the Apollo program, a moon launch took 13 seconds to leave the tower at a speed of 60 mph. For comparison, the McLaren GT takes 17 seconds to reach 143 mph, and it is much more affordable than a rocket. There is only 1 Saturn rocket on the market, and it is free if you can move it from the Marshall Space Flight Center. However, our dealers have a full lineup of new McLarens that are much more practical. Click the button above to find one near you and stay with us for the world's fastest cars for sale. " width="680"> Related: How To Configure Your McLaren GT McLaren GT by MSO Heading to Pebble Beach

By Andrew Nabors – September 13, 2019

McLaren North America Leaves NYC for new Dallas HQ

"The sage in bloom is the perfect perfume, deep in the heart of Texas." Perhaps Bing Crosby was on to something. The Lone Star State was the only independent county to ever join the U.S., so it makes sense for an English supercar manufacturer to be based there. After careful demographic studies, McLaren North America is leaving New York City for a new HQ outside Dallas. Find Your McLaren Here! New York City has no car culture and the rent is a little steep. Another consideration is that an East Coast office gets expensive when N.Y. to L.A. flights start adding up. A quick glance at our website reveals that they have 27 dealers in the U.S. Dallas is the magnetic center for McLaren, so they chose to build a high-tech 30,000 square-foot Headquarters in Coppell, Texas. Their goal is a 3-hour flight to dealers and customers, even though it might take longer to reach Fort Worth in heavy trafffic... McLaren 720S Price, Specs, Photos & Review Since they returned in 2011, McLaren have sold over 7,000 cars to us Yankees. Their Track25 plan has 14 new models arriving by 2025, so this move was a smart decision. I may be slightly biased, but the South has much to offer. Mercedes-Benz builds several models in Alabama, all BMW X models are built in South Carolina, and Porsche's Atlanta facility will take your breath away. Houston is home to NASA, and even SpaceX built the Star Hopper on Padre Island. Tell us what you think of the move in the comments below, and click the button above to find a McLaren near you. " width="680"> Related: McLaren 600LT Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – August 30, 2019

Fully-Restored McLaren F1 #063 to Debut in England

McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has done it again and brought back a McLaren F1 to its original glory. The F1 in questions is chassis #063, a supercar that's benefited from the new McLaren F1 Certification program. It took the took at MSO 18 months to restore this F1. The process started with the body and drivetrain being stripped out, then came the interior, which was re-trimmed in the original Semi-Aniline leather. For the body, MSO repainted #063 in the original Magnesium Silver paint, a process that took almost 900 hours. As for the engine that was pulled out, it was completely rebuilt. McLaren will premiere McLaren F1 #063 at the Hampton Court Concours d’Elegance in outside of London, England on September 6-8. see all mclarens for sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2019

McLaren 720S Coupe & Spider Receive MSO Longtail Spoiler

We like big spoilers and we can not lie. They are the most critical part of the car at high speeds, forcing the car into the pavement and giving the driver confidence. McLaren's Longtail models utilize massive carbon fiber spoilers, and the 720S crowd must have felt left out. Rejoice, my friends, because the McLaren 720S Coupe and Spider have received the MSO Longtail spoiler. While it has been an MSO option, some buyers omit diving into the MSO program because once you start adding options, it is hard to stop. That is why MSO is offering this spoiler as a retrofit to all 720S Coupes and Spiders. The ratio between downforce and drag is known as aerodynamic efficiency and this one part is twice as efficient as the entire McLaren 650S. When deployed, the spoiler moves between 70% and 80% depending on speed and braking. Drag reduction mode backs it off to 30% for straight-line acceleration. Tap the brake pedal and it goes 100% vertical to add 20% more stopping power. Our dealers have all the information on this upgrade, and if you haven't experienced the perfection of the 720S, click the link below and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680"> Related: McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review McLaren 720S Scorches the 'Ring

By Andrew Nabors – August 22, 2019

McLaren GT Luggage Set by MSO

As we were watching the cars roll onto the Concept Lawn at Pebble Beach, the McLaren GT took our breath away. This comfortable Grand Tourer has all the power McLaren is known for, along with a comfortable interior and room for a road trip. To make the best use of the car's unique cargo areas, here is the McLaren GT Luggage Set by MSO. We didn't realize so much could fit in the car when it was unpacked. The set consists of four pieces: a garment case, weekend bag, cabin bag, and a full-size golf bag. Each piece is made by hand in Italy from the same Semi-Aniline leather and stitching that adorns the car's interior. Stitching and piping have been matched to the two interior options: Pioneer or Luxe. Initially the set will be available in Namaka Blue, Burnished Copper, and Veridian Green. U.S. Pricing is as follows: McLaren GT luggage - Garment case | $2,300 Dimensions: 23” x 22.2” x 4.7” Volume: 1.39cu.ft Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, features two external pockets and bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips, soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo and includes metal clothes hanger To be placed: on top of other luggage without restricting the view from the rear of the car Black Pioneer: offering black leather with barolo pioneer stitching and barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping McLaren GT luggage – Weekend bag | $2,500 Dimensions: 20.2” x 8.2” x 11.4” Volume: 1.1cu.ft Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, complemented by 38 degrees styled integrated pocket, a folded leather handle and carry strap, features two external pockets, bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips and soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo To be placed: greatest versatility with the rear luggage being able to accommodate several in combination with the cabin bag and will also fit in front luggage space Black Pioneer: offering black leather with Barolo pioneer stitching and Barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping McLaren GT luggage - Cabin bag | $3,800 Dimensions (including wheels): 14.1” x 21.6” x 7.8” Volume: 1.38 cu.ft Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, a three-piece telescopic handle, a document pocket, top and side folded leather handles, features one internal pocket, bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips and soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo To be placed: rear luggage space of the McLaren GT, with up to two bags fitting alongside other pieces Black Pioneer: offering black leather with Barolo pioneer stitching and Barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping McLaren GT - Full-size golf bag | $6,800 Dimensions: 9.4” x 47.2” x 9-12.6” Volume: 2.31-3.2cu.in Specification: semi-aniline leather with patterns stitching, accommodating a full set of golf clubs with several, front-facing pockets, handle for short-distance lifting and carrying, features a securable rain hood and integrated security straps, features four external pockets, bespoke McLaren GT aluminum zips and soft grey lining featuring the McLaren logo, four central dividers for a full set of clubs To be placed: rear load space of the McLaren GT Black Pioneer: offering black leather with Barolo pioneer stitching and Barolo piping Black Luxe: offering black leather with black luxe stitching and black piping Porcelain Luxe: offering porcelain leather with porcelain luxe stitching and porcelain piping Of course, you will need a McLaren GT to go along with this set, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. They have great incentives on the 720S Spider, so stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680"> Related: New McLaren GT by MSO Heading to Pebble Beach How to Configure Your McLaren GT

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2019

McLaren F1 ''LM-Specification" Becomes Most Valuable McLa...

RM Sotheby's has auctioned off the world's most valuable McLaren ever sold at auction during their Monterey event. The car? The 1994 McLaren F1 'LM-Specification." This specific McLaren is only one of two F1s that had been upgraded to the Le Mans specification, is powered by the GTR engine and has the additional high-downforce package. It's also series no. 018. When it crossed the block, it showed just 21,500 km on its odometer, equating to roughly 13,359 miles. How much did it sell for? $19.8 million. Bidding took place between four different bidders and the bidding lasted for a total of four-and-a-half minutes. The buyer was a private collector located in the U.S. see all mclarens for sale " width="680"> Also Check Out: New McLaren Ultimate Series Model Announced in Pebble Beach McLaren Speedtail Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – August 16, 2019

New McLaren Ultimate Series Model Announced in Pebble Beach

McLaren Automotive has announced a new entry in their Ultimate Series at the Pebble Beach Concours during Monterey Car Week 2019. The full design of the new model hasn't been revealed yet, but McLaren customers were able to see a design rendering. One design aspect that McLaren did divulge was that it is a roadster. Utilizing McLaren's carbon fiber construction, the British automaker says this will be their lightest car ever produced. Taking advantage of the weight advantage is a version of the same twin-turbo V8 engine found in the Senna. The unnamed model will be limited to just 399 examples and will be priced between the Senna ($958,966) and Speedtail (around $2.5 million). see all mclarens for sale Also Check Out: New McLaren GT by MSO Heading to Pebble Beach McLaren Speedtail Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – August 14, 2019

New McLaren GT by MSO Heading to Pebble Beach

A new McLaren GT by MSO will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, right on the Concept Car Lawn, on Sunday, August 18. This one-off example of the GT is full of options that MSO has in store for the new model. This includes the new MSO Defined Flux Silver paint, MSO Bespoke Sating Graphite paint on the aero components, Gloss Black Diamond Cut wheels and a lot more. There's even an MSO Painted Key Back that goes along with this car. Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations, had this to say about MSO's capabilities with the GT: "We believe that the McLaren GT has class-leading elegance and sophistication, and is the perfect car to further personalize, whether it be through an MSO Defined or MSO Bespoke option, or alternatively, a unique, customer-inspired design that MSO delivers a stunning interpretation of.” see all mclarens for sale Also Check Out: McLaren Senna Price, Specs, Photos & Review Jason Statham Pulls Up to “Hobbs & Shaw” London Premier in McLaren Senna What it Takes to be a Bugatti Test Driver

By Edward Jones – August 08, 2019

This Custom LEGO Technic McLaren 720S is a Creative Mast...

Just about every department store in the world has one aisle that's dedicated to the global phenomenon known as LEGO. In these aisles are boxes of LEGO bricks that can be put together to match the creation on the outside of the box. This is all done with the help of an instruction booklet, of course. Building these kits is both satisfying and an incredibly fun task that people of all ages can partake in. However, the real beauty of the LEGO brick comes to the surface when builders use their creativity and ingenuity to construct a creation born of their own imagination. If you need an example of what an expert LEGO builder can do, check out the video up above by the YouTube Channel "Charbel's LEGO TECHNIC Creations." His creation is a 1:8 McLaren 720S model that's loaded with genius features. If you're not in the mood to build your own creation, LEGO has plenty of kits that can help spark your creativity. There are kits of the Bugatti Chiron, James Bond Aston Martin DB5, Ford Mustang and many others. Click here to check them all out. SEE ALL MCLAREN 720S FOR SALE

McLaren News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe