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

New 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 Unveiled

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 20, 2026

2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 Revealed

A name with decades of history in the luxury automotive world, Maybach’s current lineup is one of the world’s most celebrated families of ultra-luxurious vehicles. Going beyond the classic luxury sedans the Maybach name was well known for, the Mercedes-Maybach lineup now includes electric models, SUVs, and convertibles. One of the most iconic modern Maybachs is the Mercedes-Maybach GLS, the Maybach variant of the flagship Mercedes-Benz SUV that first debuted in 2019. A new generation of the GLS has arrived, and a V8-powered AMG variant has also been revealed. However, a new Mercedes-Maybach GLS has just been announced, giving a new generation to one of the most iconic nameplates in the modern Maybach era. The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is the new flagship ultra-luxury SUV from Maybach, and it features the latest technology and design updates of the latest Mercedes-Benz GLS generation, along with all of the touches and features that make it worthy of its Maybach name. The exterior design of the new 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 has been thoroughly revised, starting with a dedicated Maybach grille with an illuminated surround and an illuminated Maybach wordmark. The Mercedes-Benz star can also be illuminated as an option, and rose gold details enhance the headlights. Other tweaks include optional 23-inch wheels with a floating Mercedes-Benz star, illuminated running boards that project the Maybach emblem onto the ground, and more. <- Gallery -> Meanwhile, personalization potential is expanded for the new Maybach GLS, with a new Dark Petrol and Verde Silver Metallic two-tone paint finish joining the palette, and a new Beech Brown and Macchiato Beige Maybach Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery joining the list of available interior options. The interior also features newly available trim options in Natural Grain Brown Walnut Wood and High Gloss Silver Metallic Mixed Fabric, while the front seats boast a new vibration massage program. In addition to that, the rear executive seats feature a massage program that extends to the calf rests, a first for the Maybach GLS. The latest Mercedes-Benz technology is used to its fullest in the new 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680, including MB.OS and the latest generation of MBUX, which features Maybach-specific displays, Zero Layer interaction, an MBUX Virtual Assistant powered by AI, and the capability to receive over-the-air updates. Another one of the new flagship Maybach SUV’s other technology updates is an AIRMATIC air suspension with intelligent damper control, as well as optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL that Mercedes-Benz says analyzes and adapts to the environment 1,000 times a second, making virtually instantaneous adjustments to ensure a confident and comfortable ride. The driving experience is further enhanced with a suite of driver assistance systems, utilizing ten exterior cameras, several sensors, and powerful computing technology. The optional MB.DRIVE ASSIST PRO will soon offer a “CITY PRO” feature that promises to offer a point-to-point driving experience, even in heavy traffic. At the new 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680’s heart is a new electrified twin-turbo V8 engine, the M 177 Evo. On tap is 603 horsepower and 627 lb/ft of torque, and the engine has been updated to ensure smooth power delivery and refinement along with its impressive brawn. With 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, the engine’s performance is enhanced by additional power delivery and enhanced coasting, recuperation, and start/stop functionality. Along with the new engine, the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach GLS features a steering system with a more direct ratio, bringing added engagement and precision to the driving experience. A celebrated luxury flagship SUV for the past seven years, the new Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 is the evolution of a growing icon, with more technology, design features, and personalization packed into the ultra-luxurious yet versatile SUV, set to arrive at US Mercedes-Benz dealerships later in 2026. View All Mercedes-Maybach GLS For Sale Image Source: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-AMG Unveils The New 2027 GLE 63 S & The New GLS 63

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 15, 2026

New 2027 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S & GLS 63 Revealed

AMG has become synonymous with a signature combination of automotive luxury and performance, and some of the most popular creations from the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz are SUVs. The Mercedes-AMG SUV lineup consists of several models, ranging from compact, nimble vehicles to larger, V8-powered icons, and two popular Mercedes-AMG nameplates have returned, with a revised powertrain and several other tweaks throughout. Those are the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63. Updated for the 2027 model year, the iconic GLE and the large, sumptuous GLS have both been given the latest iterations of an AMG makeover, with a revised powertrain under the hood. The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that lies at the heart of both models is the M177 EVO, which features a new flat-plane crankshaft, reducing rotating mass, allowing the engine to rev more easily, ensuring precise response, and laying the groundwork for a new generation of V8 engines that improves both power and efficiency. In both vehicles, the engine musters 603 horsepower and 627 lb/ft of torque, and it also uses mild hybrid technology to provide an assisting 23 horsepower and 151 lb/ft of torque, contributing to the engine’s total power and torque numbers. With that power, the GLE 63 S is able to get from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, while the GLS 63 manages to make it from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. Both vehicles have an electronically limited top speed of 174 mph. While your foot is on the pedal, the sound experience of the engine is enhanced and adaptable thanks to an AMG Performance exhaust system with configurable valves. <- Gallery -> The front ends of both vehicles have been redesigned to evolve their aggressive, performance-oriented design, and other design tweaks include a unique selection of 22 and 23-inch wheels, and Nappa leather interiors including in unique colors like MANUFAKTUR Yacht Blue. MANUFAKTUR also offers various striking paint color options for the latest AMG models, which can be paired with the AMG Night Package for added flair in the exterior design. Also contributing to the performance of the latest Mercedes-AMG SUVs is AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension, which comes as standard and adjusts ride height for off-road driving, as well as for performance at higher speeds, and it teams up with active roll stabilization to inspire confidence and ensure precise handling. A locking rear differential works to improve the agility, turning two celebrated SUV models into supercar-like performers, and with AMG DYNAMIC SELECT, available with the push of a button, drivers can access several programs that adapt the car to a wide variety of situations. Modes include Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Trail, Slippery, and an Individual mode that can be customized by the driver. With an updated approach to its design, a revised V8 engine, and personalization-focused luxury, the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S and GLS 63 are two new performance luxury SUV icons with cherished nameplates. View All Mercedes-Benz For Sale Image Source: Mercedes-Benz

The New 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS Features Updated Styling, New Tech

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 31, 2026

New 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS Revealed

Mercedes-Benz has recently updated some of the most important models in its lineup, including the S-Class and its Maybach counterpart, the GLE, the GLC, and more. The GLS, which Mercedes-Benz dubs “the S-Class of SUVs,” is now part of that cohort. For the 2027 model year, the new Mercedes-Benz GLS has been thoroughly updated to maintain its status as one of the brand’s luxury flagship SUVs. Visually, the design has been revised, with a new grille, new taillights with an integrated star design, along with a new illuminated standing star. Meanwhile, new interior finishes and colors, along with design tweaks inside enhance the flagship luxury character of the GLS, and three rows of power-adjustable seats offer comfort for six or even seven occupants. However, the major changes to the new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS have taken place beneath the sheet metal. The introduction of the new MB.OS computing system to the flagship SUV model has given it more advanced technological capabilities than ever before, and drivers can experience that not only in the driving characteristics and features of the vehicle, but also through the new MBUX Superscreen that combines three 12.3-inch glass displays across the width of the dashboard. <- Gallery -> The new GLE also features an available Rear Seat Entertainment system and the Executive Rear Seat Package Plus that employs two 11.6-inch displays, offering comfort and personalized entertainment for rear-seat passengers. Improving the ride quality, as well as Noise, Vibrations, and Harshness in the new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS was also a priority. A new range of powertrains has been introduced to this end, including the GLS 450 with a 3.0-liter inline six, and the GLS 580, which has a 4.0-liter V8 under the hood. AIRMATIC air suspension in the new Mercedes-Benz GLS features a new cloud-based damper regulation, which can anticipate a bump and adjust the damping proactively, providing some of the most advanced and superior ride comfort seen in a Mercedes-Benz yet. With new technology, improved engineering, refined styling, and more opulent luxury, the new 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS is a true flagship luxury SUV, exemplifying the best that the brand has to offer after an incredible 140 years since the beginning of what would become Mercedes-Benz and the entire automotive industry. View All Mercedes-Benz GLS Image Source: Mercedes-Benz

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