McLaren News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – March 09, 2021

Why You Should Buy a McLaren Artura

Aside from great looks and a catchy name, allow us to explain why you should buy a McLaren Artura. Staying ahead of the world in street-legal technology, we have to applaud the brand for offering every technical detail of their new supercar. We now live in an age where hybrid technology is very potent. I have driven the McLaren P1, LaFerrari, and the Porsche 918; and they simply make more power than you could ever use on the street. That's why this new V6 makes so much sense. Separating the cylinder heads by 120 degrees essentially flattens the engine, keeping weight very low in the chassis. It also a six cylinders at 120 degree also makes it perfectly balanced. The latest in battery technology offers nearly 20 miles of electric cruising, and 50 mpg. More than just offering an amazing car, it is backed by a 10 year body warranty, 6 year battery, and 5 years of roadside. The cherry on top is that the most popular options are no-cost. The Practicality Pack combines front lift, power heated mirrors, park assist, and soft close. Android and CarPlay are also standard, all for $225,000. Competitors are hard at work trying to get their six-cylinder supercars to make sense, but they won't be nearly this affordable. Tell us what you think of the Artura in the comments below. Shop McLaren Images (C) McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2019

Why You Should Buy A McLaren 600LT

Every car generates a massive low-pressure area behind it when moving fast. This vacuum is why drafting works so well in races. But if you find yourself alone on the Mulsanne straight, it helps if your tail is longer than the competition. McLaren discovered this on in 1997 by adding 25" to the F1. The F1 LongTail had much less drag than its predecessors, making it a dominant force in the FIA GT series. And now the McLaren 600LT is the latest model to bring back the longer than normal tail. And this is why you should buy the 600LT. Back in 2016, engineers were looking to push the 650S into uncharted territory. Taking a page from two decades earlier, the 675LT was the most driver-focused model to-date. It shared the same 'Super Series' hydraulic suspension as the P1. Because it was part of the Super Series, both the coupe and 675LT spider versions were aimed at collectors. This one-year model has appreciated far beyond what many would spend for a daily driver. " width="680"> That is why you should buy a McLaren 600LT. Making history, it is the first Longtail in the 'Sports Series'. This means it does without the heavy active hydraulic systems found on their upper-level cars. Surprisingly, it does have traditional power steering to offer more feedback than the competition. What it does have are more options than any other McLaren model. Not only does the tail help with drag, the exhaust tips are aimed directly at the low-pressure zone. This turns them into flamethrowers at full throttle, and they might even add a few lbs of thrust at the same time. The 3.8L twin-turbo V8 offers 592 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Given the curb weight of 2,994 lbs with 19 gallons of fuel, this car accelerates as fast as any of its big brothers. First McLaren 600LT Delivered to Hennessey Performance Because the 600LT is aimed at daily drivers, McLaren has three unique interior packages. You can have any color combination your heart desires, but the three pre-configured are Jet Black/Carmine Red, Jet Black and Scoria Grey, and Jet Black/Midnight Blue. They can be had in all leather, all Alcantara, or your choice of each. Colors for the body and the brake calipers are just as wild. Don't order silver, you're better than that! Wheels make a major statement, so which of these would you choose? And if you want an aggressive body, McLaren offers no less than 3 MSO visual carbon fiber packages. If you want the ultimate track machine, the MSO Clubsport or Clubsport Pro deletes the comfortable seats and interior trim with carbon fiber buckets and the bare carbon fiber of the MonoCage. It is not for the feint of heart. The 600LT is a blank canvas and you are the artist. We have barely mentioned McLaren Special Operations whose bespoke builds will blow your mind. Your local showroom is ready to answer your questions, so click the link below for an experience unlike any other. Find Your McLaren Dealer Here view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing view this car's price and listing

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2018

Why You Should Buy a McLaren P1

Hybrid supercars are state of the art, and McLaren beat everyone else to the punch. Their P1 began production in 2013 and literally shocked the world with its potent power. They were the first to realize that electric power can be more than just a means to save gasoline.Normal hybrids have electric motors and batteries that are better suited to golf carts than automobiles, but McLaren paired their 3.8L V8 with twin turbochargers to make 727 hp along with enough voltage to add another 176 hp. This potent combination allows the supercar to beat the best cars in the world while burning less fuel than the competition. Since the electric drive makes almost 200 lb-ft of torque, the P1 can be driven on battery alone if you require a stealthy exit.After a full day of electric cruising, you could potentially use the V8 to charge the system. The batteries reach a full charge in 2 hours--- just in time to swap the street tires for a set of race slicks and hit the track. Like all their predecessors, the P1 has no sway bars. The computer takes care of roll control, keeping you flat in the corners in order to lap your competition. The MP4 and 650S also use this system so if you haven’t driven a recent McLaren, you will be amazed at how each corner of the car stays planted to the pavement. Documentaries from the 50’s told us that this technology was coming, but once again McLaren did it first.McLaren P1 SpecsThere's always a price to be paid by early adopters, but the only real problem was the limited production. Only 375 cars were built, so if you take yours out on the weekend you probably won’t see another one. The supercar has a standard EV charging port so if you stay out of the accelerator you won’t need to awaken the V8. Should you need to overtake the fastest production cars ever made, the P1 is the most sensible choice. You'll be at 60 mph in well under 3 seconds and on your way to a top speed of 220 mph. You don’t need to be Italian or German to have this much fun. Building world dominating race car is still McLaren’s top priority, but we're glad they chose to share some of that technology in their street-legal cars.These cars may be rare, but selling exotic cars is what we love to do. Take a look at these McLarens and tell us which one you would buy. As always, stay tuned to Autofluence for your next car.View All McLaren P1s For Sale Volcano Yellow McLaren P1 View Price and Details White McLaren P1 View Price and Details Carbon Black McLaren P1 View Price and Details Volcano Orange McLaren P1 View Price and Details Satin Ice Silver McLaren P1 View Price and Details Dark Palladium Grey McLaren P1 View Price and Details Tell us which one you want in the comments below, and stay with us for all your McLaren news.

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