Motorcycles

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

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2015

Yamaha's MWT-9 Bike Has Two Front Wheels, is a "Cornering...

Leaning three-wheel scooters have become popular, while motorcycle versions have been around for some years in the form of concepts. But, one specific concept bike that Yamaha unveiled at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show looks to make leaning three-wheel motorcycles a real thing.Unveiled Oct. 28 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and in a press release, was the MWT-9 experimental bike. This bike "proposes a new type of category in the realm of sport riding," according to the release.The two wheels up front were designed for optimal cornering, allowing the driver to lean into turns without having to worry about losing control. Riders on a bike like this will be able to benefit from the stability of a three-wheeler, while also having a mean 3-cylinder 849 cm3 engine to tap into.Motorcycle purists will more than certainly have some things to say about a bike of this kind, so let us know what you think in the comments below.(via Yamaha, YouTube) More Motorcycle News

By Caitlin Duffy – September 23, 2015

2016 Ducati Diavel Carbon Released

Beginning in October, Ducati enthusiasts will have the chance to make a new version of the Italian motorcycle manufacturer's Diavel part of their collection.Introduced in a Sept. 21 press release is the Diavel Carbon for 2016, which brings a new aesthetic and refined power to one of their most popular creations. Asphalt Grey is the color of choice for its body, with red stripes and Dark Chrome paint accenting the design lights and visible carbon found throughout."The Diavel is a unique, different, innovative and brave bike," described the release. "Strengthened by a style that has literally won over the world’s motorcycle community, it has opened new horizons for the Ducati brand."It's capable of creating 162 hp and weighs just 452 pounds, allowing for an exhilarating combination of power and weight that can rocket this motorcycle forward at high rates of speed. It features the latest generation of Ducati's Testastretta 11° Dual Spark engine, as well as an anti-lock braking system, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Riding Modes and, of course, typical Ducati agility.If the Asphalt Grey color scheme isn't quite your taste, there's also a Dark Stealth version that will be available, which is completely black with a matte black tank, black frame and black wheels. Check out the photos of this new monster, and find your own Ducati from our exclusive listings.Ducatis For Sale (Source: Ducati) See More Motorcycle News

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2015

Mercedes-AMG and MV Agusta AMG GT S Bike

Automotive manufacturer Mercedes-AMG and motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta have teamed up to create a high-performance bike designed after the Mercedes-AMG GT.The bike was unveiled at the IAA 2015 in Frankfurt, with pictures of it posted on the Mercedes-AMG Facebook page yesterday, Sept. 20, and on MV Agusta's page Sept. 15 and 17.(See Also: 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Gets More Power and Speed)As for the bike's model, it is an MV Agusta F3 800. However, the two manufacturers designed a special theme for the bike. The main focus of the bike is the "AMG solarbeam" finish, which is one of the paint finishes available for the AMG GT sports car. Also featured on the bike are black accents, as well as AMG logos.The F3 800 bike is powered by a 3-cylinder inline engine that produces 148 hp and 64 lb-ft of torque. This power and a lightweight aluminum alloy frame is enough for the sportbike to reach a top speed of 167 mph.Production details this bike are uncertain, but we will update this article as any news arises.AMG GTs For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook, Mercedes-AMG, MV Agusta) See More Mercedes-Benz News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2015

Going Where No Bike Has Gone Before: Surfing on Dirtbike ...

Robbie Maddison, an Australian dirtbike stunt rider, recently went surfing on a modified dirtbike. Yes, you read that correctly: he surfed a wave on a two-wheeled vehicle that was never meant to ride across water. What's more, he did it in Tahiti, home to some of nastiest waves in the world.(Related: Ferraris vs. a Snowmobile at Modball Rally 2015)The bike he's riding was specially modified with new tires and special plates that allow him to glide across the water. Starting off from the beach, he makes his way out to the breaking waves, where he finally gets to surf down the face of a wave. What's scary to think about is if he slows down or stops at any point in time, his bike is going down. This is one serious stunt.Check out the video below, uploaded by DC Shoes on August 2, to see it all happen.(Source: YouTube, DC Shoes) See More Motorcycle News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – May 19, 2015

World's Fastest Hyperbike (Kawasaki H2R) vs Veyron, 12C a...

Super Street recently got their hands on the first ever Kawasaki H2R in the United States, and they certainly put it to good use. At an airstrip event, they pitted this hyperbike against a McLaren 12C, a a 1,350 hp Nissan GT-R and aBugatti Veyron with a 1,200 Super Sport tune.(Related: 218 mph Porsche 918 Spyder Chasing a Koenigsegg Agera R on Autobahn)Here's a little background information on the H2R: it comes with a $50,000 price tag, is powered by a liquid-cooled supercharged inline-four- engine, can produce 300 hp and only weighs 476 lbs. That power to weight ratio makes this the fastest production hyperbike ever, according to Super Street's article published on May 18.Below are the races in the order that they happened. Check them out the videos to see the winner of each and get ready to have your mind blown.Race 1: H2R vs 12C Trap Speed: H2R - 192 mph, 12C - 162 mph 12Cs For Sale Race 2: H2R vs. Bugatti Veyron Trap Speed: H2R - 194.5 mph, Veyron - 180 mph Veyrons For Sale Race 3: H2R vs 1,350 hp Nissan GT-R Trap Speed: H2R - 204 mph, GT-R - 208 mph GT-Rs For Sale As you can see, the H2R handled the competition quite well, beating the 12C and Veyron, but barely losing to the GT-R. But, to be fair, that was no ordinary GT-R. It's nice to see some two-wheel competition for our favorite cars out on the streets. Stay with us for more videos just like this.(Source: Super Street, YouTube) See More Automotive Videos

By Edward Jones – May 06, 2015

Alfa Romeo Spirito Motorcycle Concept

Alfa Romeo is not necessarily known for creating motorcycles, but why shouldn't they be? That is why CG Artist Mehmet Doruk Erdem created the Alfo Romeo Spirito.This concept motorcycle is his vision of what he thinks could be Alfa Romeo's new motorcycle. Its design looks as though it was pulled out of the famous Japanese animated film "Akira." The front end of the bike is long and sleek, meaning the rider would have to lean forward quite a bit. But, this is all for the sake of aerodynamics, which this bike would be well tuned for.And, with that long front end, there is plenty of room for a large engine. Maybe the 4C's turbocharged inline-four?Of course, this is simply a rendering, but we cannot help but be taken aback by the vision held within this rendering.Alfa Romeos For SaleGallery (Source: Behance.net via designboom.com)

By Edward Jones – March 26, 2015

Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon's Bike

If the name Daryl Dixon is familiar to you, it's more than likely that you're a fan of AMC's hit television show "The Walking Dead." Daryl is one of the main characters on the show, often seen wielding a crossbow and his instinct for survival. Recently, in the fifth season, Daryl was seen driving around a new post-apocalyptic motorcycle. Now, you can own this very bike.The bike was crafted by Classified Moto, who built a custom Yamaha XV920R for the actor who plays Daryl, Norman Reedus. When the show was in need of a new bike to for the character, Reedus knew exactly who to call. Shortly thereafter, the creative man behind the show, Scott M. Gimple, and Classified Moto agreed on a new bike to replace Daryl's lost bike.Classified Moto crafted two of the bikes, which were used for production purposes. According to the company's website, "We've got love for all things post-apocalyptic and have been avid fans of the show from the get-go. So when Scott said he wanted us to build a bike to replace Daryl Dixon’s lost chopper, we thought we had died, then turned, then died again, then gone to heaven."(See Also: 2015 BMW M5 “30 Jahre M5″ For Sale)The bike is, according to their website, a Level 2 Commission. This includes their front end conversion and full Classified aesthetic treatment. Prices for this type of commission start around $16,000, but can vary depending on variables such as the cost of the donor bike and specific modifications. If you're interested in making this bike yours, be sure to contact Classified Moto to learn more.If you're a fan of The Walking Dead looking for a new bike, Classified Moto can aid you in your search.View Motorcycles For SaleGallery (Source: Classified Moto via HypeBeast.com) See More Motorcycles

By Caitlin Duffy – March 12, 2015

1907 Harley-Davidson Estimated to Sell for $1 Million at ...

Anyone interested in the world of motorcycles knows that nothing can come close to the reputation of Harley-Davidson. It's the manufacturer responsible for the American motorcycle, the one that tears up roads from underneath Hell's Angels and Wall Street executives alike.At the E.J. Cole Collection Auction, hosted by Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas March 20 and 21, you can now have a chance to own an iconic piece of an icon, if you have $1 million to spare. Among the 220 historic motorcycles collected over 50 years by Cole is a 1907 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank, one of 150 manufactured that year, and one of the first 207 Harley-Davidson bikes ever produced. Its estimated price reflects its rarity and vintage as well; Mecum has the estimated highest bid falling between $800,000 and $1 million. Browse All Motorcycle Listings (Source: Mecum Auctions, Facebook, YouTube) See More Motorcycle News

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