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

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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 – May 14, 2021

Why Mercedes-AMG Wheels Are A Great Upgrade

Light, strong, stylish, you can have it all! A few decades ago, two Mercedes-Benz engineers decided to go racing. Mr. A & Mr. G saw the defiiciencies in production wheels, so new rolling stock was one of the first upgrades offered by AMG. Now that their aftermarket shop is fully integrated into the parent company, our dealers offer several upgrade sets for your car. The latest episode of Inside AMG shows the world how beautiful forged aluminum can be. Even their cast wheels are lighter than aftermarket options, and having less un-sprung weight offers much more comfort and grip. The cast ones are flow-formed while hot, a process that tempers the alloy while reducing the wall thickness. Black, silver, machined, there are several finishes and designs to choose from, so click the button to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale Image (C) Daimler

By Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2020

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Price & Specs Revealed

No matter how you measure improvement, it costs a fortune to go faster around the Nurburgring. You don't have to spend near that to enjoy the record holder because the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series price & specs were just revealed. 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Sets New Sedan Record At Nürburgring Aimed at U.S. buyers, their latest press release hails from Atlanta instead of Affalterbach. In it we have the confirmation of the most powerful AMG V8 ever offered. Their first production flat-plane crank offers 720 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. It allows for a sustained top speed of 202 mph while the ball-bearing suspension refuses to flinch. The car's aerodynamics and cooling systems are nearly identical to the GT3 and GT4 programs so you might expect a steep price. However, the fastest production car around the Green Hell can be yours for $325,000. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 11, 2020

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Sets New Sedan Record At Nürbur...

As you read this please consider what is happening around the world. Engineers and drivers of the world's fastest production cars have been smacked by news from the Nordschleife, as the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S has set a new sedan record at Nürburgring. Unless you are part of their team, you have been ordered to focus on electric cars and less on motorsports. But records are meant to be broken. That's why they have been chasing it for almost a year. Watch the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series in Action With the engine and transmission offering unflinching resolve, they spent many long days perfecting the suspension, All Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Steering systems. This allowed 630 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque to keep the car at the edge of taking flight. Therefore a new AMG Aerodynamics package was developed to increase stability while lowering drag. Waiting for perfect weather, test driver Demian Schaffert chose to attack the track with ambient temperatures hovering around 44.6 degrees. Crossing the finish line in 7:23.009, he beat his previous record (in the first AMG GT 63 Sedan) by 2.3 seconds. Compared to other lap times it is deep into supercar territory, flanked by the 911 Carrera GTS and the Dodge Viper ACR. It will be a long time before another sedan goes faster, so this car demands respect in any situation. The AMG GT 63 S is not a limited run nor is it priced into oblivion. That's why you should click the button below and stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT 63 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2020

2021 BRABUS Rocket 900 Price & Specs Revealed

Yesterday we received a few camouflaged teasers. All we could tell is that BRABUS has been up to something big. Exactly one year ago they released an 800 horsepower version of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S sedan. It was a smash it thanks to 738 lb-ft of torque along with the finest leather you will ever touch. The new 2021 BRABUS Rocket Widebody has been revealed as a finely sculpted masterpiece. Saving the best for Friday, BRABUS just sent us all the data on their latest supercar. First off, only 10 will be made. The exclusivity is due to their hand-built stroker engine. After receiving new 4.0-liter V8s from AMG, BRABUS' master engine builders craft a forged 4.5-liter using their own crank, rods, pistons, etc. Because the car retains the 4MATIC AWD system, it needs meaty tires. The fronts are 295/30/21 and the rears are 335/25/22 Pirelli P-Zero. That's 12" of rubber on each rear wheel- Fruit by the foot! " width="680"> On top of each engine is a plaque from the builder, with a dyno graph engraved into titanium. It displays 900 horsepower and 921 lb-ft of torque. Because they don't want to snap the rear axles, torque is electronically limited to 775. Not only does this allow the transmission to live a happy life, but an under-stressed engine also hasn't a worry in the world. Top speed is limited to 205 mph. All ten cars will have the BRABUS Masterpiece leather interior, double-stitched by hand in a diamond quilted pattern. This goes for the seats, doors, floors, floor mats, and everything else. Because they reserve Rocket name for unprecedented performance, we have a suspicion this car is not for amateurs. Their forged one-piece 21" wheels have carbon fiber air deflectors that we've seen on hypercars like the McLaren Speedtail. Combined with the massive cooling intakes, this car will undoubtedly be impressive. You will reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds on your way to 186 mph in 23 seconds. The car is 1" lower and 3" wider for better aerodynamics, so reserve yours now before these 10 become centerpieces for BRABUS fans around the world. Pricing starts around $515,000, or the equivalent of €435,800. Click the button below to learn more. Browse BRABUS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 07, 2020

Inside AMG: Testing At The 'Ring

Behing every Mercedes-AMG model is a dedicated team of engineers. With a large workshop located next to the Nurburgring, they are able to test new models from the prototype phase to production ready. With Felix Schönhofer as our host, lets look inside AMG testing at the 'Ring. Take a moment to think about all the details of the latest AMG GT R Pro. Every driving mode requires hours of track time, in every type of weather. Items as trivial as running lights to the tie rods must be tested. During each run, the cars are heavily monitored for fuel mileage, exhaust pollution, sound, and optimal driver comfort. If you haven't experienced the latest Mercedes-AMG GT, click the button to find one near you and stay with us for all your AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2020

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe & Roadster Receive Nice Upgrades

Once you have driven one, every other car feels like an imitation. While there is nothing to complain about inside our out, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe & Roadster have received nice upgrades. Their latest press release begins with a new "Stealth Edition". It combines the AMG Night Package with black calipers, black chrome grille, black headlight bezels, and matte black Y-spoke wheels. It can be ordered in 3 paint colors: gloss black, obsidian black metallic, selenite grey metallic or designo graphite grey magno. Inside you are treated to AMG performance seats along with piano black trim and Dinamica microfiber. " width="680"> While the new edition is purely aesthetic, all AMG GT models will arrive with 54 more horsepower. Now with 523 hp on-tap, you will reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. If you like torque, it has 494 lb-ft from 2,100 to 5,250 rpm. This allows the Coupe to reach 194 mph while the roadster is 1 mph slower. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 03, 2020

Watch the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series in Action

Owning a car with over 700 horsepower is an exercise in restraint. Sure, you want to drive it every day, but life gets in the way. Therefore, the engineers in Affalterbach would like a minute of your time. They build supercars that can be driven in traffic, to run errands, or destroy everyone else on the track. So turn up your audio and let's watch the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series in action. Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Shown in Exclusive Magma Beam Before you is the most powerful V8 they have ever offered. It makes 590 lb-ft of torque across most of the tachometer. This allows it to reach 62 mph in 3.7 seconds. This is their first version of the 4-liter twin turbo with a flat-plane crank. Much like the Shelby GT350 and every Ferrari, the engine is essentially two inline four-cylinders sharing a crankshaft. This allows for 8,000 rpm, which allows for massive turbos to make big boost. Essentially the same formula Ferrari uses for the F8 Tributo, and what you will see next year in the Corvette Z06. Click the button below for all the details from our dealers and stay with us for all your AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale https://www.facebook.com/MercedesAMG/videos/599329010735921

By Andrew Nabors – July 27, 2020

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Shown in Exclusive Magma Beam

Perhaps there is a reason Ferrari has used flat-plane crankshafts for decades. Treating a V8 as two 4-cylinders does away with heavy counterweights and allows for reliability past 9,000 rpm. Ford realized this when they began engineering the GT350, and Chevrolet C8.R took first and second at Sebring last weekend. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the latest supercar to ditch the traditional cross-plane architecture, and it is the most powerful AMG model ever. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale What a flat-plane does do is move a ton more air than its predecessor. This is perfect for turbochargers, as the higher exhaust volume can be translated in higher boost pressure. Such is the case with the latest Black Series, as it offers 720 horsepower, and a whopping 590 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. It reaches 124 mph in 9 seconds, so it deserves its own exclusive paint colors. Pricing starts at $389,900, so click the link below to find our authorized Mercedes AMG dealers below.

By Edward Jones – July 15, 2020

Meet the Extreme 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

After a long period of waiting, the new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series has officially been unveiled in full and it was easily worth the wait. Before this article goes any further, we let everyone know that the new AMG GT Black Series is powered by the most powerful AMG V8 series engine of all time. So, what does that translate to? 720 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Aiding the engine with this power is the new flat-plane crankshaft. The new GT Black Series is simply a beast. The entire Black Series family. Mated to the powerful biturbo 4.0-liter V8 engine is a modified AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed transmission that routes the power to the rear wheels. Mercedes notes that the GT Black Series will run from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in under nine seconds. Its top speed is set at 202 mph. This is a true Mercedes-Benz supercar. With great power comes great aerodynamics, right? When it comes to AMG, the answer is a resounding yes, especially with this new Black Series model. The GT Black Series has an exterior that's all about aerodynamics, from the front to the rear. Upfront is a large radiator air inlet, which was inspired by the AMG GT3 racing car. Below that radiator inlet is a carbon-fiber front splitter with two manually adjustable settings: Street and Race. On the new carbon fiber hood are two exhaust air opening that help increase downforce, reduce air resistance and cool the engine. The most noticeable aero component has to be the two-stage rear spoiler. Both of the spoiler blades are crafted out of carbon fiber, and can be mechanically adjusted for specific track conditions. Other notable features of the body and underpinnings include the AMG coil-over suspension, aerodynamic underbody panels, carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber dual adjustable sway bar and more. As for the inside, AMG has equipped the GT Black Series with sporty components without sacrificing luxury. The exclusive nappa leather and DINAMICA microfiber come in a black tone that's contrasted by orange topstitching. The standard seats found in the USA-version of this car are the AMG Performance seats. Information and media is all displayed on a 10.25 multimedia display that has three AMG-specific graphic styles: Classic, Sporty or Supersport. When the Supersport theme is selected, a central rev counter and additional information is shown on the display. A specific release date or price for the new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series has yet to be announced. See All AMG GTs for sale

By Edward Jones – July 14, 2020

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Horsepower Confirmed

Not too long ago, Mercedes-AMG posted a teaser video for the new AMG GT Black Series but there was no information regarding the sports car to go along with it. Thankfully, Mercedes-AMG has dropped one important specification about the new Black Series and that is its horsepower. According to Daimler, the new 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series will have 730 horsepower on tap. That power figure crushes the previous Black Series models. The one model that comes close in terms in horsepower is the SL 65 AMG Black Series, which had 661 horsepower. While this may be one specification about the AMG GT Black Series, we'll be learning more when it's unveiled in full tomorrow, July 15, 2020, at 8AM EST. You can view it here. View Mercedes-Benz of Easton Inventory

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