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 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 – August 14, 2020

2020 McLaren GT MPG Test by Supercars in Seconds

Supercars are usually very thirsty for premium fuel. However, with the right combination of transmission and differential ratios, it is possible to cruise efficiently. Officially rated at 22 mpg on the highway, here is a 2020 McLaren GT MPG test by Supercars in Seconds. Our friend Matthew Jones is the General Manager of McLaren Tampa Bay, and he knows every detail of each model. The McLaren GT was a departure from all-out performance in order to offer the ultimate Grand Tourer. With ample room for a weekend getaway, it has storage behind the seats and under the hood. The 4.0-liter is rated at 612 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, so how does it perform when the turbos are at idle. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and click the button to browse their inventory. Browse Inventory " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

McLaren Elva Envisioned With new Aesthetic Profiles by it...

Robert Melville is the Director of Design at McLaren, so he is undoubtedly proud of the Elva. Their proprietary software to see a finished car in the virtual realm is their "Visualization Tool". It is powered by a stack of high-end graphics cards used by the top PC gamers. It allows him and his team to examine the car as a whole, or every detail down to the seat stitching. Browse McLaren For Sale Removing the body allows engineers to see the chassis, drivetrain, and even the brake rotors. This leads to weight reduction in every possible component. I can't match his eloquence, so after the video tell us your ideal Elva then see what our dealers have to offer by clicking the button.

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2020

McLaren Senna Flies Through Nurburgring at Insane Pace

The McLaren Senna is a purpose-built car meant to be driven aggressively around race tracks. Plain and simple. Just take one good look at it and you'll know that the Senna means business in regards to lap times. YouTuber Misha Charoudin recently had the chance to sit passenger in a beautiful green Senna while the driver ruthlessly raced it around Nurburgring. As Charoudin puts it, it was a "full send" and we'd have to agree. The driver reach blistering speeds through "Green Hell," passed a ton of cars and carved through corners effortlessly. Check out the video below to see the Senna driven the way it was meant to be. See All McLaren Sennas for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 22, 2020

McLaren San Diego Hosts Coffee & Parris With Dan Lanzante

Zoom has made social distancing easy, especially for people like us who enjoy car meets. To show the world how McLaren keeps in touch with customers and dealers, the O'Gara Collective has uploaded an informative call between racer & brand ambassodor Parris Mullins and McLaren F1 legend Dan Lanzante. He is the only authorized person to convert McLaren's P1 GTR and other racing models to be street legal. Needless to say, both celebrities have stories to tell, so sit back and enjoy this meeting of McLaren masters. O'Gara has all the new & pre-owned McLarens you need in your life, so click the button below and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse Inventory " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2020

McLaren Speedtail Secrets Revealed

Ever since Bruce McLaren dropped a Big Block Chevy into a featherweight chassis, there was not much to hide. That peinciple carries through even today, with McLaren showing the world how they engineer and build amazing cars. To put all your cards on the table, they strike fear into every competitor. That's why the McLaren Speedtail secrets were revealed in their latest press release. Look outside to the transformer that feeds your home. It is a closed cylinder filled with peanut oil, designed to last for 50 years or more. While every other hybrid car uses a dedicated cooling system for the battery, McLaren chose another path. Instead of a typical boxy battery, the Speedtail has a cylinder of small cells filled with oil to keep them cool. READ: MCLAREN SPEEDTAIL PRICE & SPECS This allows it to have four times the battery density of the P1. It is rated at 270 kilowatts, or 362 horsepower at the DC motor. While everyone else uses 3-phase AC motors, this is the reason Thomas Edison fired Nikola Tesla. Every time electricity changes form, you loose some in the process. Therefore, McLaren has the world's most efficient DC battery, so they improved upon a DC motor from Formula E. Not only does this save weight, an all-DC car is lighter, cooler, and faster charging. The 4-liter V8 offers 747 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. With a full charge, you will have 1,055 horsepower and 848 lb-ft. Enough to reach 186 mph in 13 seconds. Click the button below to find our dealer near you for all the electrifying details. Find Your McLaren Speedtail Here

By Andrew Nabors – April 21, 2020

McLaren 765LT Design Details Revealed

Aside from our YouTube page, you should subscribe to McLaren to enjoy their Tech Club. Every few weeks a famous presenter explains technical and styling highlights from their lineup. This week, Design Director Rob Melville exposes details of the McLaren 675LT. While it takes inspiration from the 720S, he and his team have endowed it with enough innovation to become its own model. Only 765 examples will be produced, so it will undoubtedly be one of the top 50 best sports cars of all time. So click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2020

McLaren Tech Club Unveils Intricate Details of Each Model

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13. When the service module exploded, NASA didn't ask for help from governments or universities. They pulled every engineer who built the machine together, and saved the lives of our Astronauts. Most exotic car owners don't bother with the tiny details of their cars. Every McLaren is born from countless hours of sweat, simulation, trial, and relentless testing. That is how they make sure you get more than you paid for. It is clearly evident in each car, so we're thankful the new McLaren Tech Club unveils intricate details of each model. In a new video series, you will learn from the engineers themselves. Instead of a dry lecture from a white-collar professor, the wizards from Woking are proud to answer your questions. Tell us what you would like to know in the questions below, and click the button for great offers from our dealers. Browse All McLaren For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2020

McLaren Elva Active Air Management Explained

Although the windshield is optional, you won't need goggles to drive the new McLaren Roadster. In their latest Facebook upload, we've learned how driver and passenger can be comfortable at high speeds. It is almost like Lamborghini's ALA system in reverse, so let's watch the McLaren Elva Active Air Management explained. Essentially redirecting high-pressure air from the nose, a duct in the hood aims it into the slipspstream. The result is an area of low pressure inside the cockpit. Free of wind noise and turbulence, the system is pure genius. Of course there is a switch to turn if off for a true motoring experience. For al the details click the button below to find our dealer near you. " width="680"> Browse All McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 10, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Proves Less is More

Ordering a car with every option is a life goal for many. However, if you demand the ultimate performance from your car, how much luxury do you really need? That is the question being answered here, as the 2021 McLaren 765LT proves less is more. McLaren 765LT Revealed: The Latest Longtail is Here Starting with the solid foundations of the 720S, engineers sculpted a longer and wider body to offer 25% more downforce. Then it was time for a diet. Starting with carpet, the new 765LT can be ordered without audio, air conditioning, and power seats. We saw the prototype on Sunday at the Amelia Island Concours, and it is the epitome of analog motoring. Tipping the scales at 2,709 lbs when dry, it has an incredible 622 horsepower per ton. The latest LongTail will arrive this fall, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. Browse All McLaren For Sale " width="680"> Related: McLaren 720S Spider Price, Specs, Photos & Review

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