Mercedes-Benz 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

A gray BRABUS-modified Mercedes-AMG G 63 SUV is parked on a snowy lot near a dealership with a red Reina sign in the background, ready for sale.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 30, 2025

BRABUS-Customized 2021 Mercedes-AMG G 63 For Sale

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class is one of the world’s most iconic and recognizable luxury SUVs, with incredible off-road capabilities and a silhouette that has earned a defining status when it comes to automotive luxury. However, one of the most ubiquitous customization firms when it comes to the G-Wagon and any Mercedes-Benz model is BRABUS, and over the years, its customizations for the G-Wagon have elevated the vehicle’s existed luxury panache and transformed it into an even more unique head-turner. View Price & Listing This 2021 Mercedes-AMG G 63 with various customizations from BRABUS is currently available for sale At Reina International Auto in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Featuring BRABUS’s Widestar package, the vehicle has a wider stance than the standard vehicle, with eye-catching elements throughout the body kit in a sleek Designo Graphite Metallic color. Meanwhile, the interior of the luxury performance SUV features red and black leather upholstery, complementing the sleek exterior color with a vibrant hue that matches the iconic aesthetic of BRABUS-customized vehicles. With its various BRABUS customizations, this 2021 Mercedes-AMG G 63 for sale with the BRABUS Widestar package is an opportunity to own an extra iconic and head-turning rendition of one of the world’s favorite luxury performance SUVs.

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 22, 2021

BRABUS Announces The All-New 800 SUV Coupé Based On The G...

The new BRABUS 800 SUV Coupé can keep up with any supercar on tracks or open roads. While the performance-focused vehicles produced by Mercedes-AMG come with enough power to set lap times, some believe that the limits could be pushed even further. The professionals at BRABUS are the brains behind this thought, engineering AMG models with visual and performance upgrades to unleash its maximum capabilities. The newest vehicle to receive the BRABUS treatment is the Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupé 4MATIC, featuring an astonishing upgraded twin-turbocharged 8-cylinder engine that produces 800-horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. Likewise part of this transformation is the plug-and-play BRABUS PowerXtra auxiliary control unit, which is adapted to the engine electronics of the GLE 63 S. It provides the engine with new mapping for injection, boost pressure control, and ignition. MUST-READ: New BRABUS 900 Rocket Edition Revealed With Supercar Power Alongside the added performance, the exterior of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is redesigned to present a more aggressive styling for the new super SUV. All components sport an exposed-carbon finish with a choice of high-gloss or matte sealer. A series of air ducts and diffusers allow for optimum cooling and aerodynamics to achieve the perfect balance at high speeds. Of course, BRABUS also offers BRABUS Monoblock alloys in different designs and with diameters from 22 to 24 inches for the GLE 63 Coupe. BRABUS enjoys world renown in the area of interior design as well. The company upholstery shop creates exclusive BRABUS fine leather appointments for the BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe by request, tailored to the customer’s personal preferences. The process is especially soft and breathable leather as well as Alcantara in any desired color meticulously by hand. The selection of upholstery designs with precise quilting and perforations is just as extensive. The precious wood and carbon BRABUS interior sets also offer maximum individuality in terms of colors and surface finishes. The BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe can be ordered as a complete car. Alternatively, any GLE 63 S can be converted to this specification all at once or in stages. Media/Information Source: BRABUS

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 Edward Jones – November 12, 2015

Brabus Tunes Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S to 700 hp

Mercedes-Benz's new GLE 63 S Coupe is already a potent vehicle, capable of producing 577 hp from its 5.5-liter biturbo V8. But, that wasn't enough for Brabus, who upped the car's power all the way to 700 hp. Revealed in a press release from Brabus and set to be at the Dubai International Motor Show 2015, the 700 Coupe takes advantage of the new B63S-700 performance kit, which adds an additional 115 hp to the SUV's specs. This kit includes special gold heat reflection sheathing, new turbochargers, intake charge-air pipes and more. When at a dead stop, this quick SUV will rocket to 62 mph from a standstill in just 4 seconds. Aside from the lightning-quick acceleration, the top speed has been improved up to 186 mph. As with most current Brabus models, the 700 Coupe includes an exhaust that offers a "Coming Home" option. When selected, this option will shush the exhaust for a more subtle sound. When not selected, the sporty sounds of the exhaust can be heard all around. Along with the technical upgrades, there are plenty of visual additions, including the carbon fiber exterior pieces, Monoblock Y "Platinum Edition" forged wheels and the lowered ride height, thanks to the Airmatic air suspension. Inside is a lush cabin filled with leather, which can be customized to the customer's liking. For the example being shown at the Dubai International Motor Show, Brabus chose an azure-blue Mastik leather for the interior. While the GLE has just hit the roads, it wasn't too soon for Brabus to take the SUV to the next level. GLEs For Sale Gallery (via BRABUS) More Aftermarket News

By Edward Jones – June 12, 2015

BRABUS Refines the Mercedes-Maybach S600, Ups power to 90...

The new Mercedes-Maybach S600 is a spacious vehicle that epitomizes luxury and performance. But the performance Mercedes-Maybach provided just wasn't enough for BRABUS.In a Facebook post made by BRABUS today, they detailed their take on the S600.Utilizing the BRABUS Rocket 900's twin-turbo 6.3-liter V12 engine, the power of the S600 is ramped up from 523 hp to 900 hp with 1,106 lb-ft of torque. This allows the 214.7-inch long car to hit a top speed of 217+ mph.(Related: The 500 hp BRABUS PowerXtra B50 Hybrid Unveiled)Like all BRABUS vehicles, this one also comes with added luxury. The BRABUS Monoblock "PLATINUM EDITION" 21-inch forged wheels add flavor to the car's exterior. On its inside, Alcantara, precious wood and carbon fiber abound, along with the BRABUS "iBusiness" high-tech multimedia system.Stay with us for more BRABUS news just like this.Gallery (Source: Facebook) Click Here For More Aftermarket News

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2015

BRABUS Rocket 900 on the Dyno

Back in March our friends at Brabus announced their intentions to unleash their engineers upon the new Mercedes-Benz S65. What resulted was christened the Brabus Rocket 900. You can read the full rundown of this powerhouse in our March 2 article, but, in short, by stroking the V12 from 6.0-liter to 6.3-liter and installing leviathan turbochargers, they created a 900 hp monster with 1,106 lb-ft of torque.That level of power will shatter any transmission, so careful tuning is required to keep the 7 speed automatic alive. In a video uploaded to their YouTube page May 20, the Rocket 900 can be seen running through the gears on their chassis dyno. Like a madman in a straightjacket, the Rocket is barely restrained by the hold-downs.(See Also: CEO On-The-Go: LCW Automotive's 2015 Escalade ESV CEO)For the production versions, torque is dialed back to a “reasonable” 884 lb-ft. For approximately $390,000, you will have the most powerful production sedan ever built.Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article stated the original engine size was a 5.5-liter. It has since been edited to reflect the accurate size of 6.0-liters.Gallery (Source: YouTube) See More Aftermarket News

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