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

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 14, 2022

McLaren Opens A New 31,000 Square-Foot Headquarters In Texas

McLaren proves everything is bigger in Texas. That includes the British supercar brand’s new headquarters. Based in Coppell, Texas, McLaren, The Americas has just opened a new 31,000 square-foot headquarters in the town, with Nicolas Brown, President of McLaren, The Americas, and the Mayor of Coppell, Wes Mays kicking off the celebrations. The new headquarters is located within a three-hour flight of most of McLaren’s retail partners, and with on-site training facilities, a new workshop, as well as an MSO Brand Center for bespoke configuration sessions, McLaren’s new headquarters allows the brand to grow and change for an exciting future. MUST READ: The McLaren Senna Sets A Street-Legal Production Car Lap Record At Interlagos 50 Texan McLaren owners were in attendance for the inaugural celebration for the new headquarters, and they got to tour the new facility, designed with racing workshops as the inspiration, where polished and light-colored surfaces give a high-tech feel to the space. The facilities McLaren owners toured included: the office area, a presentation area and showroom for McLaren supercars, the MSO Brand Center for bespoke configuration, the workshop featuring four lifts, aircraft-grade lighting, fast charging stations, tire mounting and balancing equipment, and a photography booth for cars. With a large and magnificent new headquarters, McLaren, The Americas is ready to enjoy even more success in the future. View All McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 10, 2022

The McLaren Senna Sets A Street-Legal Production Car Lap ...

The Senna achieves a great feat in its namesake’s home country. More commonly known as the Interlagos track, the Autódromo José Carlos Pace is one of the most famous and challenging racing circuits in Brazil, and McLaren’s Senna has set the record as the fastest street-legal production car around the track. The record was set by Ricardo Mauricio, who was able to take on the near 2.7-mile course in just 1:37.856 during a UK Motors Academy Porto Seguros event, which was organized by McLaren’s Brazilian importer. MUST READ: The GearBox: McLaren Materials The car’s eponymous late and legendary F1 driver, Ayrton Senna, is Brazilian, so the achievement attains additional meaning and gravity as it was made in the home country of the man that it was named after, inspired by, and dedicated to. With just 500 units produced of the original McLaren Senna, the car is one of the most track-focused and uncompromising performance from McLaren, with its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 capable of 789 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. It gets from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds and climbs to a top speed of 208 mph. That power, as well as its lightweight design and advanced active aerodynamics, helped it take on the track with incredible speed in original condition to break the lap record for street-legal production cars on the track. In addition, the Senna also took on the incredibly-famous WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in just 1:27.62. View All McLaren Sennas For Sale Source: McLaren

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By Tyler Rampersaud – October 21, 2022

McLaren & The Coppell, Texas Kaleidoscope Festival Host A...

McLaren celebrates its American hometown. McLaren is a British brand, but here in the states, the city of Coppell, Texas is its home. The city recently held “Kaleidoscope, A Celebration of Art and Culture,” and being a festival that celebrated art, culture, and music that drew over 1,000 people to McLaren’s American home, the brand simply had to participate, with the luxurious McLaren GT at the center of the festivities. The car, McLaren’s offering with the most everyday drivability, was the canvas of a wrap contest, where Coppell community members were asked to submit artwork, with the winning design realized on the McLaren GT. MUST READ: These Are The Top McLaren-Inspired Gifts That Should Be On Your Holiday Wish List The design that was chosen, done by Maheshika Ratnayake, was inspired by the festival’s name, featuring a full spectrum of colors blending into each other. With its 4.0-liter V8 producing 612 horsepower and 465 lb/ft of torque, lightweight engineering, and active damping suspension, the McLaren GT might be softer and more comfortable than the brand’s other offerings, but it is still as capable, fast, beautiful, and impressive as any McLaren should be, and its amazing custom wrap for Coppell’s Kaleidoscope festival made it even better. View All McLaren GTs For Sale Source: McLaren

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 19, 2022

McLaren Orlando Becomes An Official McLaren Motorsport Re...

This is great news for racing enthusiasts everywhere. As a brand, McLaren is fairly new to the world of road cars, and until the groundbreaking McLaren F1, the brand spent its time exclusively on the track. Racing is McLaren’s bread and butter, and now even more customers are able to experience it as McLaren Orlando is now announced as an official member of the McLaren Motorsport Retail network. MUST READ: McLaren Automotive x TUMI Add New Luxury Luggage Sets To Its Collection, Available Now What does it mean to be an official McLaren Motorsport Retailer? McLaren Motorsport Retailers are authorized to sell McLaren Motorsport products and services. These include McLaren’s incredible race cars, which currently include the new McLaren Artura GT4. In this ability, McLaren Orlando joins a list of only 6 other dealerships in North America that are able to provide customer racers with these cars. How do I get a McLaren race car? Customers in North America are able to register interest in the new McLaren Artura GT4. To do so, all you have to do is contact or visit one of the 7 North American McLaren Motorsport Retailers: McLaren Beverly Hills, McLaren Houston, McLaren Newport Beach, McLaren Philadelphia, McLaren San Francisco, McLaren Toronto, and now McLaren Orlando, and register interest in the race car. With a new Motorsport Retailer in the Southeast, you’ll be on your way soon to being at the wheel of a McLaren on the track. View McLaren Orlando's Inventory Source: McLaren

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By Jordan Aquistapace – October 13, 2022

McLaren Automotive x TUMI Add New Luxury Luggage Sets To ...

The new colorway responds to the core McLaren DNA. Pushing the boundaries of technical innovation, McLaren Automotive continues to hold a top position in the supercar industry with models like Artura and 765LT. From road to track, the professionals at McLaren focus on engineering a versatile platform that delivers the ultimate driving experience. McLaren is proud to highlight its luxury lifestyle sector through an ongoing capsule collection with the leading international travel and lifestyle brand Tumi. McLaren Automotive x Tumi is excited to expand its lineup with new luxury luggage sets and accessories. MUST-READ: The Best McLarens You Can Buy Today Built on similar values of innovation, technology, and design, the dynamic duo chose popular pieces from the current collection and upgraded their construction using flexible carbon fiber CX6. Along with a new lightweight design and style, a new sleek charcoal carbon fiber colorway presents a motorsport-inspired finish. The latest collection adds the Aero International Expandable four-wheel carry-on in Carbon and molded Carbon Fibre with Tegris side panels alongside the Velocity backpack, Torque Sling, and Quantum Duffel, complete with leather trim detailing. The new pieces from the McLaren x Tumi Collection are now available through Tumi’s website, starting at $995. View all current McLaren models on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and lifestyle news. VIEW ALL MCLAREN FOR SALE Source: McLaren

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2022

McLaren P1 Floats Out Of Garage During Flood Caused By Hu...

Not something the owner expected to see. Here in Florida, Hurricane Ian has passed but it leaves a path of destruction that stretches across the state. The worst of the destruction can be found just south of us around Fort Meyers where the eye wall of the hurricane slammed onto the shore. Not only did the storm bring winds that reached 150 mph, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit Florida, but it brought over 10 ft of storm surge to the coastal areas. This storm surge seemed to have reached Instagram user @lambo9286 and their garage which housed a Rolls-Royce and McLaren P1. On their Instagram account, they posted images of the P1 and Rolls-Royce together in a flooded garage, as well as a post of the P1 in the street surrounded by a couple feet of water. They note that the P1 and Rolls-Royce managed to escape the garage and float their way into the street. While we're glad to see that the owner is safe, seeing these cars in this state is a sad sight as they clearly loved them, posting many amazing photos of them. In fact, they even used the P1 as the car of choice to pick up some hurricane supplies. You can see images of the damage down below and be sure to follow the account as they do post some incredible exotic cars on a consistent basis. It should also be noted that it seems as though the McLaren P1 was acquired around a week before this all happened. Following this hurricane, there are thousands in need of rescue or a place to stay. Worse yet, there is a fear that the death toll could rise to startling numbers in the coming days. According to a local official, fatalities could be in the hundreds. If you would like to help, you can donate to the American Red Cross by clicking here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286)

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 28, 2022

McLaren F1 Preps For The Singapore GP With A New OKX Cybe...

Tune into this weekend's action-packed Singapore GP to see McLaren's new race car livery. Leading up to this weekend’s Formula 1 action, the performance team at McLaren F1 are proud to showcase a vibrant new race car livery in collaboration with OKX. OKX is an innovative cryptocurrency exchange with advanced financial services, relying on blockchain technology to provide everything you need for wise trading and investment. The new racing livery takes on a crypt-inspired design, incorporating head-turning graphics for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix. Taking the seat of McLaren’s two race cars will be Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo, who both have their eyes set on victory alongside a grid full of other eager competitors. As part of the partnership, the two drivers have been reimagined as cyberpunk characters through detailed mock-ups. MUST-READ: The Best McLarens You Can Buy Today In traditional McLaren F1 fashion, the team is proud to announce the release of its new apparel and accessories collection to celebrate Formula 1’s next stop on its world tour. The new collection mimics the design characteristics of the OKX x McLaren F1 livery, featuring a distinctive OKX cyberpunk icon on each piece within the lineup. Fans are able to choose from an array of styles to help cheer Lando Norris, Daniel Ricciardo, and McLaren F1 on to victory. Shop the all-new McLaren F1 x OKX Cyberpunk Collection by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and McLaren news. SHOP NOW Source: McLaren F1

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 07, 2022

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS x McLaren Introduce A Drivable New Mc...

A new PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS experience is hitting the road. The gaming world is now home to one to a collaboration with one of the world’s most iconic performance brands: McLaren. Now available in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS is McLaren’s dynamic grand tourer and most luxurious model, the McLaren GT. Billed by the brand as the lightest and quickest accelerating grand tourer from the British racing brand, the GT uses its 4-liter V8 and light weight to deliver incredible performance while still being pleasurable and comfortable to drive, and now, that experience is available and customizable within the PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS game. MUST READ: McLaren Automotive x Race Service Announce The McLaren F1 GTR Chassis 01R Capsule Collection Players will be able to customize their GT, choosing from eleven colors, two sets of wheels, and also varying brake caliper colors for the GT’s carbon ceramic brakes. Collecting new McLaren Tokens, available to use for a limited time only, will allow players to customize McLaren GT cars to obtain a personalized, exclusive appearance for their car. The luxurious, dynamic driving experience of McLaren is just around the corner from entering the world of PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS. View All McLaren GTs For Sale Source: PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 31, 2022

Discover The New 1,434-Piece LEGO McLaren F1 Race Car Bui...

This McLaren F1 replica offers adult LEGO builders the opportunity to become immersed in their passion. As Formula One racing continues to grow in popularity, newcomers are exposed to trials and tribulations that each team battles each week during the season. Engineered to perform under the most challenging condition, Formula 1 race cars embody innovative technology and performance that is lightyears ahead of regular automotive production. The creative professionals at LEGO are proud to bring F1 to its collection of automotive-inspired build sets with the all-new McLaren Formula 1 Race Car. As part of its newest collaboration with McLaren F1, the LEGO release presents the ultimate challenge of building your very own F1 race car from the comfort of any home or office. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now Fans of McLaren and F1 racing will enjoy crafting the meticulously detailed model, which the LEGO Technic designers have worked closely on with the designers at McLaren Racing. Made for expert builders that appreciate a challenge, the 1,434-piece set includes features like the V6 cylinder engine with moving pistons, steering, suspension, and differential for precision cornering. Celebrate your dedication by displaying the small-scale McLaren F1 race car by adding sponsor stickers like those seen on real race cars. The all-new LEGO McLaren F1 Race Car is currently available for $199.99 by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and automotive news. SHOP NOW LEGO Source: LEGO

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 26, 2022

McLaren Automotive x Race Service Announce The McLaren F1...

Available in extremely limited quantities, the clothing collection pays tribute to arguably the most iconic supercar in history. Built off its historic and successful involvement in motorsports, McLaren Automotive incorporates decades of knowledge and engineering into its now modern-day fleet of supercars. While pushing toward the future with high expectations, the brand continues to pay homage to the classic race cars and events that help shape the brand into what it has become today. McLaren Automotive is proud to be teaming up with the team at Race Service on a collaboration collection celebrating one of the most iconic race chassis in motorsport history. The highly-anticipated collection release is focused solely around the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR chassis 01R. MUST-READ: Watch Over $200 Million Worth of McLaren F1s Take a Ferry Together The release features two exclusive pieces that showcase period-correct graphics and 1990s McLaren logos. Every detail of the winning McLaren F1 GTR is portrayed on a premium black t-shirt and hoodie, which are only available in limited quantities. The collection commemorates the craftsmanship of early McLaren race cars and their ability to withstand the abuse of iconic endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The limited-edition McLaren Automotive x Race Service ‘01R’ Capsule Collection will be available on Race Service’s webstore at 6 pm CEST. View all current McLaren inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL MCLAREN FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by RACE SERVICE (@race.service) Source: Race Service

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