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 Edward Jones – December 06, 2019

McLaren Beverly Hills Offers Three McLaren Senna XP Exclu...

Press Release - Beverly Hills, CA - December 3rd, 2019 - Luxury dealership McLaren Beverly Hills is gearing up to release three one-of-a-kind McLaren Senna XP cars. The McLaren Senna is the most track-focused road car McLaren has ever built, and consistently sets the fastest lap times of any McLaren to date. The XP cars, which were commissioned by the dealer from McLaren Special Operations (MSO), are unique to McLaren Beverly Hills. VIEW MCLAREN BEVERLY HILLS' INVENTORY Only 500 examples of the McLaren Senna were made available globally during the car’s limited production run, and all were snapped up by enthusiasts before production even began in 2018. McLaren’s XP cars are even rarer, being traditionally the factory experimental prototypes and initial test cars, and then re-built to individual customer specifications after the model program is completed. The Beverly Hills XP vehicles are inspired by three of the most remarkable achievements in the career of iconic F1 pilot Ayrton Senna, one of McLaren’s greatest racing drivers. Each car features a fully exposed gloss carbon body with unique paintwork detailing matching the hosting countries’ colors of that Grand Prix. The flags of these countries are hand-painted on the rear wing, which together with the exquisite detail airbrushed onto the interior extended carbon fiber sills, shows the racing exploits of the great man. These features and the fully bespoke interiors in matching tinted gloss carbon fiber took the craftsmen and women at MSO in Woking, UK 780 hours to create. The finishing touches are bespoke brake calipers, a steering wheel with special 12 o’clock marker, an etched accelerator pedal, headrests embroidered with the nation flag and name of theme and a special 1 of 1 dedication plaque, signifying that this is a truly unique car. Master of Monaco celebrates Senna’s six wins, five of which were consecutive victories, at the iconic street circuit between 1989 and 1993. Considered by most as requiring more concentration over a single lap than any other circuit, the drivers get closer to the barriers at Monaco than at any other Grand Prix. In 1988, Ayrton qualified on pole by over 2 seconds driving what he later said was “well over something conscious”. Lap of the Gods pays respect to one of Ayrton’s greatest victories, when at Donington Park in the UK during the 1993 season, he came from 5th place on the grid to lead the race in the wet and changing conditions by the end of the first lap. Ayrton solidified his status and went to finish in first place over 1 minute ahead of second place. This incredible drive by Ayrton is widely regarded as the best opening-lap charge in F1 history, and rightfully so. Home Victory (vitória em casa, the Portuguese translation of Home Victory) pays homage to Ayrton’s home country of Brazil and his first home win in 1991. Against all odds, Ayrton won the Interlagos race with only 6th gear remaining through the final laps; with competitors catching up to him, his superhuman effort and great luck led him to victory in the emotional race. “I only returned to reality when I saw the finish line” he stated. “Then I felt happy to be alive, to be in Interlagos, in my homeland, and with my happy compatriots. It wasn’t the greatest victory of my life, but one where I gave everything I had.” These extraordinary cars are exclusive to O’Gara Coach and McLaren Beverly Hills and each has an MSRP of $1,435,328. They will be displayed at O’Gara Coach’s upcoming Sunset GT in Sunset Plaza on December 8th for the Southern California car community to enjoy and view up close. VIEW MCLAREN BEVERLY HILLS' INVENTORY I4mages by Robert Grubbs

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 Edward Jones – June 24, 2019

Jet Black McLaren Senna for Sale

The McLaren Senna was revealed all the way back on December 10, 2017, but we're now able to write about a used one that's up for sale. This particular Senna for sale comes from McLaren Philadelphia, who is offering it with just 231 miles on its odometer. It comes with a Jet Black exterior finished with a yellow trim found on the aerodynamic components. Inside is a black interior that's filled with carbon fiber. McLaren Philadelphia notes that this particular Senna is full of options. This includes the six-point harness, Bowers & Wilkins 7-speaker audio system, McLaren Track Telemetry, bespoke floor mats, bespoke brake caliper color and much more. Seriously, there are a ton of options. As for what kind of power you're getting when you buy this Senna, you're getting a lot. Powering the Senna is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 789 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. That's enough power for sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.8 seconds. Better yet, this car will perform like a surgical knife around a track. It's precision handling and 1,764 lbs of downforce at 155 mph make it a track monster. If you're looking for the ultimate McLaren for the track, you've found it. For more information, like price and more images, click the button below. view this car's price and more info

By Edward Jones – May 06, 2019

McLaren Senna Dyno Testing Video From Hennessey Performance

More and more new McLaren Sennas are being delivered with each passing day. This means that we're starting to get all sorts of lovely Senna content from people around the globe. One video that was just uploaded to YouTube that we suspected was coming is one from Hennessey Performance. It shows the McLaren Senna undergoing dyno testing at their headquarters. The results of the test were a bit surprising. Hennessey recorded 724.13 whp and 627.95 lb-ft of torque. This is interesting because McLaren states that the power output of the supercar is 789 bhp and 590 lb-ft. So there's a decrease in horsepower but an increase in torque. Be sure to check out the video for yourself by clicking play up above. It's not often you get to see a car like the McLaren Senna on a dyno. see all mclarens for sale Also Check Out: Hennessey Corvette ZR1 Breaks 1/4 Mile Record Hennessey Performance McLaren 720S Shakedown Testing McLaren Senna HPE1000 from Hennessey Performance

By Andrew Nabors – May 02, 2019

McLaren Senna Real World Review by Carfection

Yesterday marked 25 years since we lost Ayrton Senna. His triumphs for McLaren's F1 team inspired them to build a car in his honor, but is it a track-only machine? Our questions have been answered by this McLaren Senna Real World Review by Carfection. Normally, race-ready cars don't work well on the street. You find yourself dodging potholes and parking a mile away from the store. Nevertheless, Henry and his team decide to travel the same roads that Ayrton did, traveling to Donington Park Raceway. Once there, the car was used to replicate Senna's amazing lap from 1993. Tell us the wildest car you ever drove on public streets in the comments below, and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale Related: McLaren Senna Price, Specs, Photos & Review McLaren Senna GTR Overview Filmed at Goodwood

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2019

McLaren Senna Model is $13,000, Has Remote for Lights and...

Many people out there may not be able to buy a McLaren Senna due to price and availability. However, there is the impeccable 1:8 McLaren Senna model from Amalgam Collection. If you read the title, you know that this is model is quite pricey, coming in with a price tag of $13,444. For this price, though, you get the finest model you'll find of the Senna supercar. The team at Amalgam Collection spent hundreds of hours designing this model and their efforts were not in vain. Every detail of this model mirrors its full-size counterpart, it's as if they just took a shrink ray to the real Senna. In fact, this model comes with a remote that activates the various light functions on the model and even open or close the electronic doors. That's some serious detail. For more information, click here. Source

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2019

McLaren Senna GTR Overview Filmed at Goodwood

It must be a fun experience to be a McLaren engineer. First you build the world's most potent production cars, then you are allowed to transform them into track-only superstars. Two versions of their latest achievement were on display last weekend. We have seen a few examples of the Senna, and we are acquainted with its abilities. But did you realize they took it to another level? If you wonder how to improve upon perfection, a McLaren Senna GTR overview was filmed at Goodwood. Their goal was to increase downforce and decrease aerodynamic drag. Even a challenge that complicated was not compromised. Instead, they went back to the drawing board and created a wider and longer body. A street-legal Senna lies under the flared fenders and massive spoilers. The rear of the car is longer to house a massive diffuser. It also places the rear spoiler in an optimal location to decrease drag. Without catalytic converters, the 4.0L V8 makes 814 horsepower & 590 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, there are no plans to make them street legal, but we do have the first P1 GTR that is street legal and waiting for you. Browse All McLaren For Sale Related: McLaren Senna Price, Specs, Photos & Review McLaren Senna GTR Track Debut

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2019

See The McLaren Senna GTR Track Debut for the First Time

As promised the McLaren Senna GTR track debut is finally here. This happened during the 2019 Goodwood Members’ Meeting. During the track debut, the Senna GTR was driven by Bruno Senna, the nephew of the man who the car was named after, Ayrton Senna. The Goodwood Road & Racing YouTube channel uploaded a video of the Senna GTR on the track and even interviewed Bruno regarding the new McLaren track car. As for the Senna GTR, it's McLaren's most extreme track car yet. Its power comes from a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces a staggering 813 bhp. With a lightest dry weight of just 2,619 lbs, the Senna GTR comes with a solid power-to-weight ratio.

By Edward Jones – April 02, 2019

McLaren Senna GTR Making Debut at Goodwood Soon

The new McLaren Senna GTR will be making its debut at the upcoming Goodwood Members' Meeting on April 6, 2019. Meant to recreate the same vibe set by the original BARC Meetings at Goodwood in the 1950s and 1960s, the Goodwood Members' Meeting is two days of automotive heaven. Historic and modern cars are on hand, putting on displays both on and off the track. This includes cars that have never seen track time before, like the Senna GTR which will be making its track debut as well. McLaren will also be displaying their McLaren Senna built out of 500,000 LEGO bricks at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. For more information on the Members' Meeting, click here. view all mclaren up for sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2019

McLaren Senna 0-183 MPH Test Run

If you have enough currency to afford a new McLaren Senna, you probably know how to enjoy the finer things in life. It is unfortunate that many supercar owners never push their cars to the limit, so the public is forced to live vicariously through videos and the best car magazine of all time. As such, our friends at Motorsport Magazine decided to film a McLaren Senna 0-183 MPH test run at Lurcy-Lévis. The French test track includes a 1 kilometer straight for just such a test. Breaking in a new car should be done carefully to make sure the piston rings and valvetrain find there forever homes. This car only had 3,133 miles at the time of filming, so there is no turning back now. Needless to say, this was done on a closed course with a professional driver. It goes to show you just how capable the Senna is, so maybe you think you can handle it. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Shop McLaren For Sale Related: McLaren Senna GTR Unveiled McLaren Senna Breaks Records on The Grand Tour

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