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.

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By Caitlin Duffy – September 11, 2015

Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 Laureus Edition Track Runs

Though spotting an exotic car anywhere in the world is an exciting moment, there's nothing quite like seeing one in its natural habitat, hugging the corners of the track and flying down straightaways as fast as they can.MDKSuperCars spotted just such a moment not long ago, and shared a video of a particularly special Mercedes SLS on YouTube Sept. 9. The Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 Laureus Edition was a significant creation from Mercedes-Benz for a few reasons. Created in a special livery and shared with the world in a press release April 14, it was both the 100th SLS AMG GT3 created and an impressive donation to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.An anonymous donor purchased the GT3 Laureus Edition as a special edition for the Foundation, and as the release describes, "with a significant bonus-donation, he fully dedicates the car to the purpose of Laureus." In total, €250,000 was donated to the Laureus Foundation, and the car was dedicated for use by the Laureus Foundation at future charitable events.Of course, to keep a car like that in running order, it has to be used occasionally and properly. So a few runs out on the track are sincerely a necessity to the engine's health. No surprise, then, that it was out and about for a beautiful drive.(See Also: 1,000 hp MANSORY Black Edition S63 Coupe)Check out the video above, see the photos from this special edition's handover at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai below and find your own SLS AMG from our exclusive listings.SLS AMGs For SaleGallery (Source: YouTube, Mercedes-Benz) See More Mercedes-Benz News

Special Model Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé Edition 1 and the Mercede

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2015

Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe Edition 1: Inspired by Motorsport

If you ever want to see what happens when Germany’s finest creations are unleashed on each other, tune in to the next televised race of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM). The German Touring Car Championship has been the driving force behind Mercedes-AMG’s commitment to quality and power that translates into more hand built V8 twin turbo models than any other manufacturer. Special Model Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé Edition 1, designo Magno Selenite Grey with yellow film coatingTo celebrate the return of the C 63 coupe and its upcoming DTM season, a press release issued today outlines the new Edition 1 packages for both the C 63 and the C 63 S coupes. Buyers who opt for the S-model will receive Magno Selenite Grey Matte with yellow accents.As an homage to the C63 DTM race car, yellow can be found on the wheel lips, rocker panels, hood and trunk lid. The lightweight forged wheels measure 9” x 19” for the front and 10.5” x 20” in the rear, and their split 5-spoke design can’t hide the big carbon ceramic brakes.Changes to the base model C63 Coupe are not as striking, with accents in graphite and all production colors available. For a more individualized look, the AMG Night Package adds gloss black body accents along with a bright chrome front grille.(See Also: Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet & S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet)Both flavors of the new C63 Coupe Edition will be potent, with the 4.0-liter V8 producing 476 hp for the C 63 and 510 hp for the C 63 S. Expect to see a thorough review once we have access to one, but in the meantime here are a few fine examples of the previous generation for sale. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Mercedes-AMG updates.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale Gallery (Source: Daimler/Mercedes-AMG) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Caitlin Duffy – September 02, 2015

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet & S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet

It's been 44 years since Mercedes-Benz produced a model bearing the S-Class Cabriolet name, but it's back for 2016 and looking more beautiful and sleek than ever. Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Cabrio ( A 217 ) 2015.S 500, Selenitgrau, Interieur: Leder porzellan/tiefseeblauIn addition to releasing full photos of the S-Class Cabriolet today, Mercedes-Benz also announced that the new S 63 4MATIC Cabriolet will also appear at the Frankfurt International Auto Show, which begins Sept. 17. The S-Class Cabriolet's return was first announced Aug. 25, but this is the first official mention of another Cabriolet's introduction.The arrival of these two models marks the first time in nearly half a century that an open-top four-seat model exists in the S-Class range, and each makes an irrefutable argument for their presence.Not much information was shared about the anticipated price or performance figures of the S-Class Cabriolet, but it is set to feature some of Mercedes-Benz's newest and best technology. Particularly noteworthy is the intelligent climate control system. With most convertibles, it's common to require separate climate settings for when the top is closed or open. On the new Cabriolet, 12 sensors and 18 actuators keep track of the sun's strength, while a dewpoint sensor checks for humidity, and the climate control settings are automatically adjusted accordingly.The S 63 4MATIC had more information shared about its performance numbers, which make this seem like it'll be one of the best open top cars for a Sunday cruise that Mercedes-Benz has ever crafted. A 5.5-liter V8 birturbo engine creates 585 hp and 663 lb-ft, pushing its 0-62 mph acceleration time down to 3.9 seconds.(See Also: New BRABUS 600 Based on C63 AMG)Check out the photos of these two new releases below and the video above, and stay with us for information, including pricing, as it is released. If you can't quite wait for the early 2016 release of these models, find yourself a Mercedes-Benz today from our exclusive listings.Mercedes-Benzs For SaleGallery (Source: Mercedes-Benz, YouTube) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Edward Jones – August 31, 2015

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR SS - Hear Its Engine Start Up and Rev

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Super Sport was one of the iconic cars of the 1990s that you more than likely dreamed about or had a poster of. This model first started its life as the CLK GTR, a sports car that was homologated for road use, unlike the track-specific version. This car was powered by a 6.9-liter V12 engine that produced 604 hp and 572 lb-ft of torque. Only 25 of these were delivered to customers, starting in 1997.(Also Read: It’s Official: The New Ford GT Race Car Sounds Amazing)To up the ante on the CLK GTR, the Super Sport version was introduced. This variant sported a newer 7.3-liter V12 that pumped out 655 hp and 580 lb-ft of torque. Only two of these were created and now, thanks to a video uploaded to YouTube by BrianZuk Aug. 27, we get to see one of them in action.According to the video, BrianZuk reports that the car in the video is, in fact, one of the two CLK GTR SS models. He spotted it on the streets of Monterey, California, a place where cars like these are familiar.This video gives you a great chance to see and hear an incredibly rare car start up and rev its powerful V12 engine. Check out the video below to see it in action.(Source: YouTube) See More Mercedes-Benz News, Pics and Videos

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By Caitlin Duffy – August 31, 2015

2016 Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM Race Car Sketches Released

The 2015 racing season has yet to come to a close, but Mercedes-AMG is already looking toward and preparing for the 2016 circuits.The 2015 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) season kicked off on May 2 at the Hockenheimring, the same location where the series will end on Oct. 18. With nine races in total for this series, and only three left in 2015, it's quickly drawing to a close, and as an Aug. 29 press release from Daimler acknowledges, it's time to start considering next year's races.The Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe is set to be the basis of this design, as the C-Class has a history of succeeding in this race series. As the release tells us, the AMG Mercedes C-Class secured 85 victories in 159 races, making it the most successful car in DTM history.(See Also: Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Returns After 44 Years)Stay with us to learn more about this upcoming design as it is released, and find your own road legal AMG creation at the link below.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale Gallery (Source: Daimler Media) See More Mercedes-Benz News

By Edward Jones – August 25, 2015

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet Returns After 44 Years

Back in 1961, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet came into the world as an elegant, open-top four-seater. It was in production up until 1971, the year when the German marque put the luxury cabriolet into hibernation.Today, 44 years later, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new S-Class Cabriolet to the world in a press release."After 44 years we can again offer friends of our company an open variant of the S‑Class. The new S-Class Cabriolet symbolises our passion for individual and timelessly exclusive mobility, which we share with our customers," said Ola Källenius, Board Member of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales.(Related: 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S Coupe Revleaed)The press release introducing the car is low on details, but it does tell us that it will come with the AIRCAP enhanced automatic wind protection system, AIRSCARF heating system for your neck, heated armrests, rear seat heating and intelligent fully automatic climate control. Mercedes seems to be pulling out all the stops to ensure the passenger's comfort level in all temperatures.They only included one picture of the car in the press release, but they plan on giving the S-Class Cabriolet a full debut at the 2015 International Motorshow in Frankfurt, which starts Sept. 17. Be sure to check back with us for more information on the car as we draw closer to the Frankfurt auto show.Mercedes' For Sale(Source: Mercedes-Benz) See More Mercedes-Benz News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – August 20, 2015

2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S Coupe

Late yesterday, August 19, Germany launched another Autobahn monster: the long-awaited 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe.I'll go ahead and dive right into the juicy details that were unveiled in the press release.Powering the new AMG C63 Coupe is a 4.0-liter V8 engine equipped with two turbochargers. Power released by the engine ranges from 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque in standard trim, to 503 hp and 516 lb-ft in the C63 S trim.Performance numbers are equally as exciting, as this new coupe is anything but a slouch. The standard C63 rockets from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, while the S shaves of one-tenth of a second for its 0-60 sprint. Top speeds for the standard and S trim are 155 mph and 180 mph, respectively.To ensure you hear every ounce of power coming from the V8, Mercedes-Benz has installed a model-specific exhaust system that houses "flap technology." These flaps are connected to the C63's modes and, depending on which mode is selected, they can close or open up for either a discreet exhaust note or an earth-shattering one.Unfortunately, the details we can't dive into are the prices, which have not been announced yet. So, be sure to check back with us for more information on Mercedes-Benz's latest coupe as the information is released.C63 AMGs For SaleGallery (Source: Mercedes-Benz) See More Mercedes-Benz News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – August 18, 2015

Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe Teaser Video

First, we saw hints of "something fast." Next, we learned the name and saw its full body, though still cloaked in camo.Today, we get to see it without the camo, in stunning white: the Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe.We're drawing closer to its Sept. 17 release at the Frankfurt International Auto Show, and to keep the anticipation building, Mercedes-AMG shared a video today on YouTube of this new creation tearing around a track."The ultimate adrenaline rush in a finely harmonized package," describes the caption. Designed from the ground up by AMG and fitted with a V8 biturbo, there are no doubts that this new iteration of the C63 S is bound to be a beast.(See Also: The Only Lotec Mercedes-Benz C1000 is For Sale)Check out the video above, and if you don't want to wait to acquire your own new Mercedes-AMG creation, find one from our exclusive listings at the button below.View Listings (Source: YouTube) See More Mercedes-Benz News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – August 14, 2015

The Only Lotec Mercedes-Benz C1000 is for Sale

Have you ever heard of the 1995 Lotec Mercedes-Benz C1000? If you haven't, I won't hold it against you, because there was only one ever produced. And that one example is currently for sale at Lamborghini Carolinas.The car was built after an oil tycoon from the United Arab Emirates wanted to create the world's fastest street-legal car. He hired Lotec, a German company, to build the car. After working together with Mercedes-Benz for five years, the C1000 was created.It comes packing a Mercedes-Benz-sourced twin-turbo 5.6-liter V8 engine and a Hewland 5-speed manual transmission. Push this engine to the limit and it will rocket from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, and will keep you planted until it hits its top speed of 268 mph.(Related: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren: Carbon-Fiber’s First Victory)This car is a piece of automotive history and can be yours. Click the button below to see its price.View Price and InfoGallery (Source: Lamborghini Carolinas) More Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse Coupé (C 205) 2015Mercedes-Benz C-Class

By Caitlin Duffy – August 14, 2015

2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe Introduced

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been the marque's most successful model lineup to date, and is being credited as the major reason why the marque had already delivered 1 million new vehicles in 2015 by the end of July. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé C 300, selenit grey, leather cranberry redIt's also one of the marque's most attainable models, as well as varied - when Mercedes-Benz released the pricing of their 2017 model year vehicles June 15, there were seven C-Class models mentioned, three of which were completely new. But they left one more off of the list that we've just learned of today: the C-Class Coupe.A press release issued today by the German luxury manufacturer tells us that this new addition to the segment will be arriving in December of this year, bringing an interior on par with the C-Class Saloon to the sportiness of a light, two-door car. It's that perfect mix between the luxury of maturity and the excitement of youth."Although it exudes athletic and youthful charm, it has grown in maturity," describes the release, going on to tell us that sport seats covered in your choice of materials brings together the best of both worlds.(See Also: Mercedes-Benz Delivers 1 Million Cars in 2015, Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover Release Quarterly Reports)Power available for this classy coupe ranges depending on the engine option; the C 180 sports a 1.6-liter four-cylinder creating 156 hp; a 2.0-liter creating 184 hp resides in the C 200; in the C 250, it's 211 hp; and the top-tier offering, the C300, creates 245 hp. Or, if a diesel option is more your style, you can opt for 180 hp or 204 hp from the enhanced four-cylinder.Check out the photos of this new coupe below, and stay with us for details as pricing and other information is released. If December is too long to wait for your new Mercedes-Benz, take a moment to browse our exclusive listings at the button below.Mercedes-Benzs For SaleGallery (Source: Daimler Media) See More Mercedes-Benz News

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