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 Gabriel Vega – August 06, 2021

Don't Want to Wait for the McLaren 765LT Spider? Here Is ...

Last week, McLaren announced the most powerful convertible supercar the world has ever seen with the 765LT Spider. Developing 765 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque from its twin-turbo V8 engine, the Spider, can hit 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. However, if you want one of these crazy machines, you'll have to wait a while since the model has yet to begin production officially. If you want crazy levels of performance today, you should look at the McLaren 765LT Coupe. Developing the same 765 hp output as the Spider, the coupe can hit 60 mph in 2.7 seconds, making it the quicker of the pair. This is possible because the coupe is 108 lb lighter than its drop-top sibling. As a result, if you want to go as fast as physically possible, you'll need the coupe. McLaren Automotive McLaren Automotive Aside from not having to wait, the coupe gives you the added structural rigidity that comes with having a fixed roof, along with greater protection in case of a rollover accident. From an aesthetics perspective, there's a case to be made that the coupe is the sleeker of the two options. In total, McLaren produced 765 Coupe models, most of which sold out instantly. However, several of these cars are now available on duPont REGISTRY. A quick search reveals at least nine examples currently available for sale, ranging from $519,990 to $579,950. There's even one with just 30 miles on the clock. Check them out below. View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing View Price and Listing See McLaren 765LT's For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 29, 2021

Custom Painted McLaren 765LT for Sale

An ode to a classic artform. Pinstriping is an artform that may not be as popular as it once was, but it's important to both the automotive and custom world. The most famous pinstripe artist of them all has to be Von Dutch, who once painted a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with flames. While this may have seemed blasphemous to some, this 300SL Gullwing is one of the most famous custom cars ever. What we have here is a similar story where an exotic car is painted with flames that you'd traditionally find on a hot rod. The artist behind the flames and pinstripes on this 765LT is Dave Shuten, the Lead Builder at the Galpin Speed Shop. His creation was featured on the cover of Road & Track, and now it's for sale at EUROCAR. You can learn all about the car and how it came to be in the video up above. To learn more, click the button below to view this car's listing. View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 16, 2021

One-of-a-Kind "Tiffany Blue" McLaren Senna for Sale

When it comes to McLaren Special Operations, there are no limitations. Their ability to create truly unique and personalized vehicles is quite extraordinary. Case in point, this 2019 McLaren Senna that's for sale at McLaren Newport Beach. Finished in a custom "Tiffany Blue" paint with satin carbon fiber and a matching interior, this Senna is unique, to say the least. Other features include the Gloss Black 9-Spoke wheels, painted calipers, 6-point harness in black, Bowers & Wilkins 7-Speaker audio system, Gorilla Glass for the upper doors and lower panel, and much more. It's currently listed for sale with a price of $1.399 million and just 921 miles on its odometer. If you're looking for a head-turner, this Senna is for you. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2021

McLaren Senna GTR Can-Am #3 of 3 For Sale

Undefeated is how the world remembers Bruce McLaren. Winning every race in the Canadian-American Challenge is how the 1969 season immortalized him and his team. To pay homage to their efforts, McLaren Special Operations built three examples of the Senna in exacting detail. They represent three examples of the McLaren M8D, a supercar ahead of its time. Being the last of this trio, Car #3 represents the full potential of MSO. They are the only street-legal McLaren Senna GTRs ever built, and cars #1 and #2 are at home in exquisite collections. Saving the best for last, this is the only car to have a hand-painted 50th-anniversary logo. It signifies how far the brand has evolved in a half-century. The carbon fiber body is covered in McLaren Orange and emblazoned with the Speedy Kiwi in prominent and hidden areas. Vinyl decals are ok for lesser machines, so the Kiwis and the Canadian Flag were also painted by hand. Zircon was used for the brightwork along with Liquid Silver in all the right places. Nothing was overlooked, as the exhaust, heat extractors, wheels, and even the gas pedal are unique to this car. Before leaving the factory they bestowed it with the 25 horsepower upgrade. Since then it has only accrued 44 miles, and Bruce would not approve of such a machine sitting idle. Perhaps for a perfect finishing touch, the rear spoiler has the same color scheme as the M8D, with etched Can-Am logos through the white endplates. View Price & Listing

By Andrew Nabors – November 11, 2020

2021 McLaren Speedtail Arrives At McLaren Tampa Bay

How could they possibly build a successor to the Senna? That is what we asked ourselves when we learned the details of the fourth car in McLaren's Super Series. Now that a 2021 Mclaren Speedtail has arrived at McLaren Tampa Bay, I think it needs a proper review by Yours, Truly. Only 106 examples are being built for the world, with each one packing 1,035 horsepower. Perhaps the highest performance ever offered by a 4-liter V8, the parallel hybrid system can add 310 horsepower at the push of a button. You will reach 186 mph in under 12 seconds with a top speed of 250! So if you happen to find yourself on the Gulf Coast, be safe until the storm clears and then stop by to see if this supercar is worthy of your collection. Click the button to browse their inventory and stay with us for all your McLaren news. READ: MCLAREN SPEEDTAIL SPECS Browse Inventory At Dimmitt Automotive https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdLNahjY_-/

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2020

Watch the McLaren 600LT Launch Control in Action

Do you ever wonder what slow cars see when they get left in the dust? Our local hero Matthew Jones has answered that question by mounting a rear-facing camera to a McLaren 600LT. This 2019 example was traded in with only 2,239 miles, so it needs a good home. Officially, McLaren rates the car at 592 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque, but they are not ashamed to test their engines in the worst possible conditions. Therefore, the 600LT offers more power than cars twice its price, with a soundtrack that can't be beaten. " width="680"> View Listing He is also the General Manager of McLaren Tampa Bay at Dimmitt Luxury cars. This beast is for sale, or he can order you a new model built to your specification. Know full well that the tires he used for this film will be replaced with new rubber to keep you safe. You won't find a 600LT with these pricey options anywhere else, so stay with us for more great uploads from "Supercars in Seconds".

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2020

2015 McLaren P1 GTR #01 For Sale

When the McLaren P1 was announced, a few enthusiasts wondered how it would handle a race track. In stock form it offered 903 horsepower and 723 lb-ft of torque. However, a small team inside McLaren set about building the ultimate example. The P1 GTR was a combined effort between McLaren's Formula 1 teams and the production car engineers. Channeling the same focus used to win LeMans in '95, they offered a hybrid of battery power and a 4-liter twin-turbo V8. It is rated at 1,000 horsepower while weight was reduced by 110 lbs. The adjustable suspension was removed to offer 10% more downforce, acting on a curb weight of 3,175 lbs. As the most famous McLaren in modern history, the owner brought it to our Cars & Coffee and showed us the intricate details. As a witness, I would not pass up such an opportunity. It was such a sensation we shot it as our cover car for September of 2018. Every P1 GTR was built by hand, and this is the first example. Only 27 cars were made street-legal, again this is the first. It is titled and registered in Montana, and is for sale by our friends at McLaren Newport Beach. With only 1,284 miles, it has decades of life ahead of it. If you need the perfect centerpiece to your McLaren Mancave, click the button below for all the details. Must Read: McLaren P1 Price & Specs View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2020

2012 McLaren MP4-12C For Sale

If you’re in the market for a supercar that stands out from most exotic beasts out there, the 2012 McLaren MP4-12C is U.K.’s McLaren Automotive’s stellar street-legal contender. Considered by some as “Ferraris’ Worst Nightmare,” the McLaren’s compact 3.8L V8 twin-turbocharged engine makes it a worthy player for those road-ready enthusiasts. This pearl white 2-seat coupe packs a punch. With a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it leaps from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds, with top speed at 205 miles per hour, horsepower at 592 at 7000-rpm, and torque at 443 at 3,000-rpm. The MP4-12C’s impressive design includes upward-opening doors, a leather interior trim, a tilt steering wheel, carbon fiber wrapped wheels, HID headlights, rear spoiler, dual power seats, and a touch screen monitor. This vehicle also features power windows, fog lights, power-folding exterior mirrors, and a rear spoiler. A pleasant drive for those who have a need for speed, this McLaren MP4-12C is up for the task. With a combined fuel economy of 18 MPG, wheelbase at 105.1 inches, and overall length at 177.5 inches, it has only 26,841 miles. Click the button below to see more pictures and call 352-356-4492 today to schedule your test drive. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2019

Black Diamond 2019 McLaren Senna For Sale

We were sad to learn that McLaren was only building 500 examples of the 2019 Senna. This gorgeous and powerful car is an homage to Ayrton Senna, a racing legend whose life was cut short by tragedy on the track. It is worthy of the name since it outperforms the P1 Hypercar without the hybrid technology. This beast uses twin-turbos and a 4.0L V8 to offer 789 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. With a curb weight of 3,030 lbs, you will reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. If you want to scare your passenger, 124 mph arrives in 6.8 seconds. If you have a set of drag radials, you will enjoy consistent quarter-mile times in the high 9's. Bold styling was needed to offer more downforce than any other street-legal McLaren. Each car was pre-sold to McLaren's best customers, and no two cars are alike. That is thanks to the team at McLaren Special Operations. Their goal is to transform your dreams into reality, and they put a tremendous amount of time and effort into this car. View this car's Listing It all starts with an MSO bespoke Black Diamond paint for the body, while the calipers, center-lock nuts, and the door struts are red. This supercar has every option checked off. This includes the car cover, battery charger, fire extinguisher, and a two-tone interior. Inside, you'll be immersed in a Carbon Black Alcantara and Red perforated leather interior. Even the seatbelts are red, which you can see through the Gorilla Glass portholes in the doors. Other options the many Senna owners didn't opt for include the Telemetry System, ultra-light 9-spoke forged wheels, and the 7-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system. The car was treated to a full vinyl clear bra when it arrived, and it has only been driven 68 miles since it was assembled. The tires, interior, and exterior have no signs of wear. Drake Beaudry is the owner of Lupo Motors, and he specializes in the collector quality inventory. One-owner cars are what they do, so you deserve to give this Senna a proper home. We only ask that you drive it, Ayrton wouldn't want this car hidden from the world. Click the link below for all the details, and stay with us for more amazing cars from Lupo Motors. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – July 22, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Vehicle Spotlight Series ||4|| 2020 McLar...

Nobody expected this one. Inspired by McLaren's other LongTail supercars, the 600LT was the first such design in their Sports Series. Think of it as a baby brother to the 675LT, the previous flagship of the Super Series. It comes down to personal preference, as the 600LT is more affordable and lighter than its larger siblings. For the 4th installment of our Vehicle Spotlight Series, our next-door neighbors at McLaren Tampa Bay (Dimmitt Automotive Group) allowed us to get up and personal with one of the final convertible examples. To build the best LongTail, McLaren used the 570S Spider as a starting point. Shaving 212 lbs even with the eponymous extended body was quite an achievement. With a dry weight of 2,859 lbs, it is one of the lightest production convertibles on the market. Their proven 3.8L V8 uses twin turbos to offer 592 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque between 5,500 to 6,500 rpm. https://www.instagram.com/p/B0OFdUunbIG/ It will safely rev to 8,500 rpm to transform into a flame-throwing beast. As far as horsepower and torque numbers are concerned, McLaren tests their engines in brutal conditions. The actual output has been proven to be higher by every measure. From the car's introduction, production of the 600LT Spider was capped at one model year. Only McLaren's most exclusive dealers were alotted the chance to order one, so we're lucky to be able to share this with you. View This McLaren's Price & Listing

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