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 – November 17, 2020

2021 McLaren 620R By Novitec Is Unchained Aggression

No matter where we have been in the past few years, a McLaren 570 was part of our display. The perfect blend of composites and practicality has allowed it to develop into a Spider, GT, and a LongTail. Now that the program is coming to an end, our friends in Germany have transformed it into a beast for the streets. If you can handle it, the 2021 McLaren 620R by NOVITEC is unchained aggression. 2021 McLaren 620R Represents The End Of An Era Starting with a new soundtrack, the turbos sing a song of power for all to hear. Along with their intake revisions, you will have 711 horsepower. Where this car really shines is how much torque is offered at any rpm. Even at moderate boost, you will have 524 lb-ft while cruising. Not only will you have brutal launches, with a curb weight under 3,100 lbs you will have incredible passing power above triple-digit speeds. Forged MC3 (Vossen) wheels have center-locks in 20" & 21", and they are wider (315/30) than the factory rollers. Of course, their suspension and aerodynamics are optional, so click the button below to find your 620R and then allow Novitec to see it to fruition. Browse McLaren 620R For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

Ken Block's Hoonicorn Mustang vs. McLaren Senna Merlin

Forza Motorsports is among the most popular racing games of all time. Seeking to show the public what you might encounter while playing, get ready to watch Ken Block's Hoonicorn Mustang take on a McLaren Senna Merlin. The brutal Ford is the star of a new series: Hoonicorn vs. The World. This AWD pony is a tube-frame race car built around a 1,400 horsepower twin-turbo V8. Hoonigan Reveals Travis Pastrana’s Subaru WRX Livery The English opponent is a McLaren Senna Merlin. The name is a reference to the wizard of King Arthur's court, and the color is Sourcerer's Black. Darren Townsend is renowned as the best painter at McLaren Special Operations, so the sticker price is $1.15 million. It is rear-wheel drive with half the horsepower, but the McLaren is also street legal and a bit more practical. This comparison comes down to launch technique and gear ratios, so tell us your thoughts in the comments below. Although only 500 Sennas were built, we have the largest offering of them anywhere on Earth. So click the button below to find yours and stay with us for more Hoonigan uploads. Browse McLaren Senna For Sale " width="680"> Featured Image Source: Hoonigan/Facebook

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

McLaren 765LT Arrival & Inspection at McLaren Tampa Bay

You've been good all year, so tell Santa what you really want. As the 720S family heads into retirement, engineers pulled out all the stops to build a track-focused beast, so here is the McLaren 765LT arrival and inspection at McLaren Tampa Bay. Our friend Matthew Jones is the Sales Manager and videographer, offering insights with his Supercars in Seconds YouTube series. Thanks to his all-access credentials, he can take us over and under the finer details of each McLaren. Watch The McLaren Speedtail Delivery by McLaren Tampa Bay For a fitting farewell, only 765 cars will be made; each with forged internals, more boost, and a fuel pump borrowed from NASA. You will reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds thanks to 765 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque and 176 fewer pounds than the 720S. Allow Mr. Jones to extol the car's highlights then click the button to see all of Dimmitt Automotive's Holliday incentives. Stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse Inventory at McLaren Tampa Bay " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 13, 2020

Watch The McLaren Speedtail Delivery by McLaren Tampa Bay

Once a car leaves the factory it can experience many trials and tribulations before it reaches the dealer. While this is an acceptable risk for many automakers, there are ways to expedite the process. Because everyone involved wants to see a happy customer, so let's watch a McLaren Speedtail delivery by McLaren Tampa Bay. READ: MCLAREN SPEEDTAIL PRICE AND SPECS Aside from being the General Manager of Florida's leading McLaren franchise, Matthew Jones also offers insights into other brands. In the latest upload, we see a sturdy shipping container arrive from an overnight flight across the Atlantic. Nestled inside is a 4-liter V8, twin turbos, and a 308 horsepower hybrid system. Only 106 examples will be produced, each with 1,036 horsepower and 848 lb-ft of torque. Although each car has already been sold, McLaren Tampa Bay has a complete lineup of the Sports and Super Series cars. Click the button below for year-end incentives and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse Inventory at McLaren Tampa Bay

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 – November 10, 2020

McLaren Senna GTR at McDonald's by Novitec

We enjoy presenting you with the most stylish and practical collaborations in fashion and luxury lifestyle. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision when buying or selling incredible cars, so how does McLaren's limited production race car deal with the elusive McRib. To see how well it deals with a drive-through, here is a McLaren Senna GTR at McDonalds by Novitec. Novitec Ferrari 812 Superfast N-Largo Exposed Carbon Is 1 of 1 Engineers at Novitec Group are not afraid to upgrade anything they encounter. From building a 1 of 1 exposed carbon Ferrari 812 Superfast to a new Huracan Evo for sale, they refine suspension, style, and aerodynamics to reveal each car's true potential. While the Senna GTR might be considered off-limits by English motoring enthusiasts, that doesn't mean they can't show us how practical it can be. As the custodians for the first street-legal McLaren P1 GTR for sale, we have had similar experiences in showing it across the country. If you want to know what sets McLaren apart from the others, click the button below to start your journey and stay with us for all your Novitec news. Browse McLaren Senna For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT by MSO Looks Amazing While Fully Exposed

Since when do customers enjoy paying more for less? While this might seem counter-intuitive, the 2021 McLaren 765LT by MSO looks amazing while fully exposed. That's because it allows everyone to see the amazing beauty of book-matched carbon fiber. Uploaded to their social media accounts this morning, we've learned that going without paint and primer saves almost 26 lbs. 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered To The Collection By DragTimes But like every exposed piece of carbon fiber, the time needed to prepare and apply the UV-blocking clear coat requires help from McLaren Special Operations. Only 765 examples are planned, with each packing 765 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Going naked allows this one to be over 200 lbs lighter than the 720S, with a curb weight just above 2,900 lbs. It is a fitting end to the 720 series so you need to move before they are all gone. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 05, 2020

Jenson Button Returns to McLaren for Upcoming Race

Jenson Button is quite familiar with the McLaren brand after having raced for them for seven years in Formula 1. While his last race in a McLaren was back at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix, he's now returning to the driver's seat. This time, however, he'll be racing in a McLaren 720S GT3 at the Silverstone 500 race. Button will be racing as part of the Jenson Team Rocket RJN alongside Buncombe. If you'd like to see your favorite Formula 1 driver take to the circuit again, the race will be happening this weekend, November 7-8. "“This will be my first taste of a GT3 car but I’m really looking forward to it," says Button. "It will be lovely to join our team and lining-up in the McLaren 720S with my best buddy Chris Buncombe." While you may not be able to partake in this race alongside Button in a 720S GT3, you can still get behind the wheel of a street-legal McLaren 720S. Click the button below to see all of the examples we currently have for sale.. See All McLaren 720S For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2020

The 1st 2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered in the United States

McLaren Charlotte has just received what is the very first customer example of the 2021 McLaren 765LT to land on the shores of the United States. Loaded with features, this example of McLaren's latest supercar is a jaw-droppingly beautiful car. The exterior of this 765LT is finished in Fistral Blue, a selection from the MSO Defined palette that costs over $9,000. Fans of the famous Gulf Livery will love the sight of this blue being contrasted by the McLaren Orange on the brake calipers and even the orange seatbelts. Just about everything else that isn't blue on the supercar's exterior is visible carbon fiber thanks to the addition of the Carbon Fiber Exterior Upgrade packs. Inside, the cabin of this 2021 765LT is loaded with options, much like the exterior. The Black Alcantara and McLaren Orange stitching match the exterior's color scheme. Other options include vehicle lift system, 12-Speaker audio system, electric and heated memory seats, 360-degree park assists and more. As mentioned before, this 765LT belongs to a customer so it's already been spoken for. That being said, you can still contact them if your interested in picking a new McLaren up for yourself. For that, click the button below. View McLaren Charlotte Inventory

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By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2020

2021 McLaren Elva Gulf Unveiled At Goodwood

No matter what your plans are for the weekend, cancel them. Starting now, cars from around the world are converging in the English countryside. In the first (and best) press releases of the day, we learned that the 2021 McLaren Elva Gulf has been unveiled at Goodwood House. While we have seen this iconic livery on Roadsters and Coupes, this is the first time Gulf Oil has officially licensed their colors for a speedster. Without a windshield, the blue and orange can be seen for miles. We find it completely appropriate because this 2-seater offers 804 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a 4-liter V8. Since it only weighs 2,641 lbs, the paint will have a hard time hanging on. We're looking forward to seeing it in action this weekend, so be sure to tune in to Goodwood on YouTube. Browse McLaren For Sale

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