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 – March 11, 2021

Hennessey 765LT vs Shmee's Shelby GT500

Just when you thought the world was getting back to normal, a Texas Tuner in an English supercar lined up against an Englishman in a Mustang. In an epic transatlantic battle, let's watch a Hennessey McLaren 765LT race Shmee's Shelby GT500. Our friend Tim Burton is on an epic tour of the U.S. and collaborating with the most popular automotive channels. His new GT500 looks amazing, but it's 1,220 lbs heavier than the McLaren. Both cars have boosted V8 power and dual-clutch transmissions, and that's where the similarities end. Hennessey is able to unlock 1,000 horsepower from any 765LT, and their Mustang mods are legendary. Tell us which car you would drive in the comments below and stay with us for all your Hennessey news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – March 05, 2021

Hennessey 765LT Arrives With 1,000 Horsepower

Relentless testing is how they offer such potent cars, and it also allows the Hennessey 765LT to arrive with 1,000 horsepower. The prototype made use of new downpipes that remove a chokepoint after the turbos. They spool up much faster to reach 60 mph in 2.1 seconds. Even with a full tank, the 765LT is just under 3,000 lbs. This gives it a better power-to-weight ratio than an F-22 Raptor. It is their fastest and most powerful McLaren ever offered, and the comprehensive package is only $24,950. Perfection can always be improved on, so click the button to learn more. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2021

McLaren 765LT Dyno Testing By Hennessey Performance

Only 765 examples of the latest Long Tail are being offered, and this one is not like the others. To see what the car is capable of before digging in, let's watch the McLaren 765LT dyno testing by Hennessey Performance. To keep the beast on the rollers required every strap in the shop, and McLarens demand a unique procedure. The car is constantly thinking of your safety, so if the front tires are not at the same speed as the rear, the stability system locks the brakes. So the latest AWD model from Dynojet turns the front wheels while also placing a load on the powertrain. Locked in 5th gear and running VP Racing Fuel it made over 747 horsepower at the wheels. Once again, McLaren has sandbagged the world by making much more power than they advertise, and we've seen it across their lineup. What will it make once John and his team are done? You will see it here first! Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 28, 2021

McLaren 765LT vs 720S At Hennessey Performance

A sprawling facility west of Houston is where amazing cars are born. With their own private motorsports park, let's watch the McLaren 765LT vs McLaren 720S at Hennessey Performance cars. Chief Test Driver Alex Roys along with his wife Emma Hennessey Roys are responsible for videos and social media for the brand. Behind the wheel of a new 720S for sale, they experience what the final McLaren Super Series is capable of. Based on the 720S, the LongTail has closer ratios in the transmission and 45 more horsepower. Being 176 lbs less, the 765LT is the clear winner. However, only 765 examples were built. Click the button below to see what Hennessey Performance can do to your McLaren. McLaren 720S Horsepower & Specs Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2019

Hennessey McLaren 720S HPE900 Sounds Ready for a Fight

Have you ever overheard someone say: "My car is fast enough". This could be a symptom of mental illness because the only humans ever satisfied with the performance of their machines are the pilots of the SR-71 Blackbird. I've had a few spins in McLaren's latest Super Series, and it doesn't disappoint. But after the new wears off, your answer can be found west of Houston. That's because the Hennessey McLaren 720S HPE900 Sounds ready for a fight. Something is different about the 4.0L V8 found in the Senna and the 720S. It either has a different firing order or maybe a flat-plane crankshaft. Either way, it's too quiet in factory form. So the team at Hennessey Performance started with high-flow intakes. These feed into modified turbos and then into larger intercoolers. More boost means more power, and a less-restrictive exhaust allows for instant response. Hennessey HPE1000 Corvette is a Supercharged Beast The secret sauce lies in the tuning. After extensive evaluation, John probably optimized the ignition curve and eliminated the silly boost-by-gear programming. The end result is 809 horsepower at the rear wheels along with 627 lb-ft of torque. That is a gain of 133 horsepower at the ground, not too shabby considering it includes a 3-year warranty and an aggressive soundtrack. Don't be shamed by a Senna, click the link below for all the info. View Details Related: McLaren 600LT vs Hennessey HPE1000 Jeep Trackhawk

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By Andrew Nabors – January 28, 2019

What Is Hennessey Performance Doing to This McLaren 600LT?

We try not to dive into conspiracies here, but there have been several sightings of a black blur. Truckers heading west on Interstate 10 have been overtaken at triple-digit speeds. Some say it isn't real, but they all agree on the exhaust flames. Back in November, our friend John Hennessey took delivery of the first McLaren 600LT. So, What is Hennessey Performance doing to this McLaren 600LT? Maybe he wants a new daily driver? Wrong! This beast makes 592 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. In the hands of his skilled engine builders, we could easily see 800. Not only was this the first 600LT in the US, it arrived with the latest version of the McLaren 3.8L V8. With all the advancements learned from the 12C until now, we bet it is capable of incredible boost. So tell us what you think this car will make, and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates. View All Hennessey Performance Builds For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2018

First McLaren 600LT Delivered to Hennessey Performance

Houston, we are go for launch! This is the one we've been waiting for. If you assumed the first McLaren 600LT would arrive in South Florida or SoCal, you would be mistaken. The 1st US delivery of their latest Sports Series has arrived in Sealy, Texas. The first production car to have exhaust tips designed as flame-throwers is now in the custody of someone who can't resist the urge to squeeze more power out of it. Once its broken in, it will offer 592 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. While that is what McLaren claims, they always test their cars in the harshest of conditions. While we would like to tell you what John and his team have in-store for this machine, but that would spoil the fun. If you don't like the idea of modifying McLaren's latest cars, our dealers will be happy to find a new one for you. But if you want enough power to take on the world, stay tuned for updates from Hennessey Performance. Related: Hennessey Announces 1,200 HP Hellcat Redeye Meet The Hennessey Velociraptor V8 Hennessey Trackhawk- World's Fastest SUV

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