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

Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz news fromduPont REGISTRY News, updated daily, covering the S-Class, the Maybach range, the AMG models, the G-Class and the electric line-up. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, bespoke builds and the auction results that set collector values. Mercedes-Benz competes across more segments than almost any rival, so the news here runs unusually wide. Our marketplace supplies the part most publications leave out entirely. A great many of these cars are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts a review and a real asking price side by side. For Mercedes-Benz news today, and the luxury car market news around it, start here.

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2019

Mercedes-Benz: 60 Years of Crash Tests

Celebrating attributes like performance and style is trivial when compared to safety. Since September 10, 1959, one company has sacrificed over 14,000 cars in the name of safety. So let's look back at Mercedes-Benz through 60 years of crash tests. After the war, Germany was expanding the Autobahn with unrestricted speeds. The problem is that they did not have on-ramps. Many Autobahn entrances were simple right-hand turns. Browse All Mercedes-Benz For Sale This caused unfortunate drivers to get smashed before they could get up to speed. So here's to Mercedes-Benz for pioneering several safety systems. After all, it is hard to have repeat business if the customer dies.

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By Edward Jones – October 23, 2019

New Mercedes-Benz Zetros Off-Roader is a Behemoth

The typical Mercedes-Benz vehicle that you'll see is a luxury vehicle or SUV on the road. However, Mercedes has a long history of creating massive off-roading SUVs that are purpose-built. Take, for example, the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz Zetros. The new Zetros is an off-road SUV is built to carry goods in the roughest terrain you could think of. To do this, the Zetros utilizes a permanent all-wheel-drive system that has 510 horsepower and 1770 lb-ft of torque pumping through it thanks to a new, more powerful engine. Other changes from its previous version include a new radiator, instrument panel and easier cab access. see all mercedes for sale

AMG Driving Academy startet mit neuem Winter Sporting Programm in die Saison 2020: Adrenalin pur auf Schnee und Eis in Schwedisch LapplandAMG Driving Academy to start the 2020 season with a new Winter Sporting Programme: Sheer adrenalin on snow and ice i

By Andrew Nabors – September 12, 2019

AMG Driving Academy is Aimed at Swedish Lapland

Even though we are looking down the barrel at three Atlantic disturbances, the first snow has dusted Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming. No matter your view on climate change, driving on ice is fun once learned. In order to hone your cold-weather responses, the AMG Driving Academy is aimed at Swedish Lapland. Browse AMG GT For Sale Once the lakes freeze over around Arjeplog, the AMG instructors will carve several courses across the 3.6 million square feet. That is 47 soccer fields of courses named after famous tracks. Beginners will start in the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S. Then it is on to the C 63 S Coupe for twin-turbo V8 training. The AMG GT S will be fun on the ice, and the experience culminates in the AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+. To make sure your Golf is on-point, Robert Baker will be on hand as the only Golf Pro above the Arctic Circle. Hot laps with DTM drivers Benard Schnieder and Maro Engel will provide expert instruction throughout the week. To see if you might be up for it, click the link above to find an AMG GT S near you and get behind the wheel. Trust me, you won't regret it. Your Mercedes-AMG dealer has all the info on this year's trip, so get your tickets booked for this limited event. Stay with us for all your AMG news. Related: Bugatti Chiron Snow Drifting is the Ultimate Winter Experience Linkin Park Tears the AMG GT S Through Snow

By Andrew Nabors – September 10, 2019

Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS Unveiled in Frankfurt

With the European Union pushing for environmental sustainability, Mercedes-Benz is blazing a new trail with their latest concept. The idea of an electric sedan is not new, but you need to arrive in style if you are late to the party. That's why the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS was unveiled in Frankfurt this morning. Browse Mercedes-Benz For Sale The press release is more existential than Carl Sagan, so perhaps this is nothing but a big tease. Starting at the front, the grille is an LED screen with free-floating signals and a 3D Mercedes-Benz star. The interior is awash in DINAMICA fiber which is made from recycled plastic ocean waste. A few trees were cut down for the interior trim accents, with the interior themed to resemble a nautical cockpit. A 100 kWh battery powers two electric motors for All Wheel Drive. They have a combined output of 469 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. It leaps to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 124 mph. Intelligent programming of the brakes and battery offer a range of 435 miles, in theory. The problem with sustainable cars is the energy required to make the materials. Much like the ill-fated BMW i3, processing recycled materials generates more carbon than if it was gas-powered. We honestly hope Mercedes-Benz can push a more conventional electric sedan to market, so stay with us for more coverage of the Frankfurt auto show. Related: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet Revealed Land Rover Defender 110 Has Arrived

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2019

2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ Sedan Teased Ahead of Frankfurt

The Porsche Taycan's has been revealed but one of its competitors, the Mercedes-Benz EQ, is waiting until the Frankfurt Auto Show which opens this weekend to show off its production form. Although pre-production prototypes have been released, the real 2020 Mercedes-Benz EQ Sedan has been teased ahead of Frankfurt. The production model is covered to keep us guessing, and we feel that it will share influences from the EQC Undercover sedan in Frankfurt: Mercedes-Benz EQC SUV from earlier this year: They are likely to use the same powertrain, so this sleek sedan will probably arrive with 402 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. High-voltage DC charging is standard equipment, so range will not be an issue. Tell us what you think of an electric Mercedes-Benz Sedan in the comments below and stay with us for all your MB news. Browse Luxury Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2019

Mercedes-AMG Unveils 2021 GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé

Don't let the images fool you, this 4-door hatchback crossover is a " Coupé ". Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have adopted the terminology to apply to any model without upper window frames on the doors. Nevertheless, this is still a crossover SUV. To return fire at the latest Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the 2021 GLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé ahead of the Frankfurt Auto Show. Because everyone associates AMG's 63 series as all-out performance, think of AMG 53 models as sporty with a hint of efficiency. With an all-new 3.0L straight-six engine, it combines twin-turbos with an "EQ Boost". This uses the alternator to add 22 horsepower & 184 lb-ft from a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It may not seem like much, but 22 horsepower adds up in city driving. The total output is 457 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque- not too shabby! The best feature is that this electric boost is integrated into a new Stop & Go Assist. It uses the lane keep assist and collision avoidance to maintain the same distance to the car in front of you, without any input from the driver. Using their latest AWD system (4MATIC+) it will be a safe & practical family car. We're waiting on the upcoming GLE 63, which will offer the 4.0L twin-turbo V8. Stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news, and click the link below to find a GLE near you. Browse Mercedes-AMG GLE For Sale " width="680"> Related: Mercedes-AMG G63 Price & Specs Revealed Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe Specs, Photos, Price & Review

Mercedes-AMG GT Familie und AMG GT R PRO Presse Fahrvorstellung. Hockenheimring 2019 //Mercedes-AMG GT Family and AMG GT R PRO Press Test Drive. Hockenheimring 2019

By Edward Jones – July 17, 2019

2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Price Announced

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro price has been announced, as well as a few of the updates we'll be seeing for the new model year. For the new AMG GT R Pro's price, it will start at a cool $199,650, not including the $995 destination and delivery charge. That puts the sports car under the 2019 AMG S 65 Coupe's price of $241,450, but above the 2019 AMG GT R's price of $159,350. Mercedes also noted a few of the updated that we'll be seeing on the 2020 AMG GT models. This includes a new side skirt, rear diffuser insert, tailpipe design and more for the exterior. Inside, a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch multimedia display are standard and include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Expect the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro to hit dealerships in the U.S. by late 2019. see all AMG GT's for sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2019

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Will Arrive With 382 Horsepower!

Usually, July 4th is devoid of automotive news, but not this year. In order to dominate the sport compact market, Mercedes-AMG loaded their smallest sedan and hatch with unprecedented power. In a press release last night, we've learned that the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 will arrive with 382 horsepower. To accomplish this, they have raised the bar for 4-cylinder engines. Hot aluminum is poured into a chilled mold, making for a very dense & strong bottom end. Forged internals with low-friction coatings allows it to easily hit 7,200 rpm. Each piston ring is fit by hand, as part of the "One Man, One Engine" program. The turbocharger is one of the pair found on the AMG GT S sedan, and it forces 30 lbs of boost into the cylinders. This produces 354 lb-ft of torque between 4,750 and 5,000 rpm. Because of this brutal power, engineers decided to stiffen the chassis in every area. Shear plates and a strut brace will keep the ride smooth, even in drift mode. The AWD models (4MATIC+) have electronic variable rear differentials. With a clutch pack for each rear axle, you will be able to hold the perfect line through the corners. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below to find a CLA near you! Find a Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 Near You Related: 2020 Mercedes-Benz New Model Launch Schedule Mercedes-AMG C63R by RENNtech

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2019

Mercedes-Benz Unveils the GLB

If you are in the market for a new family hauler, allow us to introduce something new. Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the GLB as a new compact crossover. It is a budget-minded machine without standard content you would expect. Options like 4MATIC all wheel drive and adjustable suspension are how Mercedes-Benz will compete with a lower base price. It is larger than the GLA and smaller than the GLC, and it has MacPherson strut suspension. Under the hood is a 1.991-liter four-cylinder. It offers 221 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque in the new GLB 250. Hopefully, AMG will step in and cure this lack of power because it is not enough to move three rows of humans. It will make a find commuting appliance if you don't need acceleration, so click the link below for great deals on the GLC and our dealers will have all the information. Browse Mercedes-Benz GLC For Sale 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe & SUV Revealed

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By Andrew Nabors – June 06, 2019

2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake Unveiled

Don't call it a wagon or a 5-door crossover, because this combines the best features of both. Earlier this morning the 2020 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Shooting Brake was unveiled. It is the 5th model in the A-Class lineup, and it packs a punch. The 2.0L turbo four sends 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. The 4MATIC system can send all the power where it is needed at an instant. To keep the turbo spinning, engineers shortened the gear ratios inside the 7-speed dual clutch transmission. It would be fun to have to have a pure RWD experience, but only 50% of torque can be sent rearward. Although they see it as a benefit, the ignition pauses for a split second during shifts to prevent wear on the clutches. Search Our Entire Inventory of Exotic Cars Despite these compromises, the Shooting Brake will be popular thanks to the styling and versatility. The longer roof adds stiffness to the rear chassis, and it offers more cargo room for family outings. Because the rear is stronger than the sedan, engineers also added a shear plate and chassis braces to the front suspension. The result is a comfortable ride with incredible handling. The press release didn't mention if it would be sold in the U.S., so our dealers can answer that question for you. Click the link below to find a CLA near you and stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG CLA For Sale Related: Brabus 800 Revealed Dr. Z Retires From Mercedes-Benz

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