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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 – June 06, 2017

Nashville Predators Themed Nissan GT-R "Predzilla" Donate...

While the Nashville Predators are locked in a fierce Stanley Cup Finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Nissan has gone and done something very special with one of the competing teams.With Nashville being home to Nissan North America headquarters, it's only fitting that the automaker teamed up with the Predators by donating a very special GT-R to the Nashville Predators Foundation. The Japanese supercar that was donated was dubbed "Predzilla" and features a fitting livery."Nissan is proud to call the great city of Nashville home for our North American headquarters – and we are thrilled that our hometown Predators have come so far this season," said José Muñoz, Chief Performance Officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.; Chairman, Nissan North America, Inc. "This supercar is dedicated to Nashville and Predators fans all over the world. We hope it raises a lot of awareness and funds for the work of the Predators Foundation."Also Check Out - Porsche 993 Carrera & Cabriolet- An Introduction The Predators Foundation aims to better the city's community through resources and financial support that is donated to local youth-oriented organizations. Since its inception in September 1998, they have awarded almost $5 million to the community and $1 million of that was donated during the 2016-17 season.So, what's going to happen to the Predzilla? It's currently being auctioned. If you're interested in placing a bid, you can text "Nissan" to 52182 or visit www.Nissan.gesture.com. Coming along with the car are two 2017-18 season tickets and a parking pass for your new GT-R.

By Nick Hall – April 25, 2017

What Makes the Nissan GT-R Perfect for Aftermarket Tuning

The Nissan GT-R is a sporting icon in stock form and has humbled everything from supercars to superbikes on the dragstrip, race track and public road. But it is also a near-perfect car for aftermarket tuning and some relatively simple tweaks can turn a stunning machine into an absolute weapon.NISMO, Alpha Performance, COBB Tuning, AMS and more have a range of packages, depending on your needs and there are 2000bhp GT-Rs out in the wild. But what makes them so attractive to tuners?First, there’s the legacy. The Skyline that it replaced is a legend in the tuning community and established Nissan as a firm favorite with tuning fans around the world.Then there is the engine. The 3.6-liter twin turbo pumps out 565bhp in stock form and that takes it to 60ph in less than 3 seconds, but the block can handle much more. A simple remap can boost the turbo pressure and liberate hundreds more horses, or you can upgrade the turbos and peripherals for Bugatti Chiron-style power from a car that cost little more than $100,000.Unleashing more power is one thing, controlling it is quite another. But the GT-R comes with one of the slickest four-wheel-drive systems in the automotive world and it’s more than capable of handling the additional thrust.It’s a simple task to switch out the brakes and, as the base car weighs in at a hefty 3,836lb, there is ample opportunity for the dedicated tuner to strip out the excess baggage.So, the GT-R is a great car, but for many it’s just the start and it might just be the perfect car for the aftermarket tuning brigade.View All Nissan GT-Rs For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 17, 2016

Teen Buys Nissan Skyline R33, Crashes it an Hour Later

As I write this, I drink my cup of coffee and pour a little bit out for this poor Nissan Skyline R33. According to 7 News Perth, the car had recently been purchased by a 17-year-old, who I assume was pretty excited to own such an iconic Japanese car. Maybe he became a little too excited, because somehow, we're not sure how it happened, but his car ended up in the side of the house.Worst part? The accident happened just an hour after he had purchased it. (Related - Ten of the Luckiest Nurburgring Drivers and Their Near-Crashes)The accident happened in Darch, a suburb of Western Australia. According to the news source's Facebook page, "he and his mates in the car are ok." Yeah, but the car...the poor car. The owner was probably hoping his first bill for the car would be for a set of modifications, but instead it's going to be for a repair bill.Nissan GTR For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 25, 2016

Old Meets New: Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 vs 2017 GT-R

If turbochargers and all-wheel drive are part of your daily life, get ready to smile. The Nissan Skyline GT-R has been immortalized by video games and the Fast & Furious movie franchise. Built from 1999 to 2002 the R34 body style was the car's 5th generation, and the last to feature an inline six engine. The 2.6L is officially rated at 280 hp and 293 lb-ft of torque, and it sent power to all wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. Our federal government won't allow them to be legally imported until 2024 because of safety and emissions laws, but hopefully they will reconsider the 25-year ban once this insane election is over with. Capable of incredible power levels with only minor modifications, they are sought after by enthusiasts around the world.(Also Check Out - Nissan Enters New Realm with GT-R Drone) Nissan's latest GT-R (R35) has been with us since 2007 and it has undergone an extensive refresh for 2017. To see how far Nissan's top model compares to its predecessor, Auto Express has reviewed the finer points of each car. Both cars are AWD, but that's where the similarities end. The R35 offers near perfect balance by having its dual clutch transmission rear mounted, but having two driveshafts adds weight. The 3.8L V6 makes 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque, and even more in the NISMO edition. Power isn't everything, so watch how these two respond to a wet English road. Tell us which generation is your favorite in the comments below.View Nissan GT-R For Sale

Nissan creates GT-R drone: 0-100 km/h in just 1.3 seconds

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 23, 2016

Nissan Enters New Realm with GT-R Drone

Nissan's premier model, the Nissan GT-R, is nothing short of innovation. With a newly designed body and performance enhancements, the 2017 model is a force of automotive power to be reckoned with. Keeping up with this race car on the track is a true feat. In order to ensure the best footage and coverage of the Nissan GT-R on the track, the Japanese automaker created a new GT-R drone.(Also Read: Gold Engraved Nissan GT-R Costs Over $1 Million)This race-specification drone can hit 0-60 mph in a mere 1.3 seconds, making it more than capable to keep up with its automotive counterpart on the track. The new piece of technology is fitted with 2000kV motors hits a top speed of 114 mph. Though the GT-R drone tops out about 81 mph before the GT-R automobile, its impressive acceleration allows it to pull in some pretty amazing footage of the GT-R race car in action.In fact, footage of both GT-Rs on the track is available. Check out the video below, of Nissan NISMO driver Ricardo Sanchez speeding down the track while James Bowles, champion drone pilot maneuvers the GT-R drone.Nissan GT-R for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2016

Gold Engraved Nissan GT-R Costs Over $1 Million

Ah, the Nissan R35 GT-R, a revival of one of the automaker's finest creation. I remember seeing the car at the Tampa Auto Show years back and being taken aback by just how aggressive looking the car was. What I didn't know was that its power and transmission were just as impressive. Now, imagine how taken aback I would've been if that GT-R was this one, created by Kuhl Racing. My jaw would most likely have detached from my head.According to Uptrend, it took over six months to create this GT-R. The process started with a fiberglass bodykit, which was then hand engraved all over. Once the engraving was completed, the car was given a gold finish. All of the work Kuhl put into the GT-R resulted in one of the most extravagant vehicles you'll ever see. But, as with all things extravagant, it doesn't come cheap; the price tag for the car is set at around $1 million.What do you guys think about the car? Is it too much? Is it the best looking GT-R you've seen? Let me know in the comments below.Nissan GT-Rs For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2016

Who's Faster: Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS in Drag Race

It's a battle of AWD and RWD in this drag race between the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Nissan GT-R.After watching the video below, by EVO I asked three of my coworkers who would win in a race between a 911 GT3 RS and GT-R. Each of them voted for the Japanese sports car, most likely because of how well-known the car's acceleration is.(Related: Lamborghini Huracan vs McLaren 650S Spyder All-Out Street Drag Race)And, it's a fair assumption for sure. The GT-R used in the video was the Track Edition, packing 542 bhp and 466 lb-ft of torque. This power, on top of its AWD system and rapid transmission makes the car a competitor on just about all levels. As for the 911 GT3 RS, 492 bhp and 339 lb-ft of torque is sent to the rear wheels. Sure, the GT-R has the 911 on horsepower, but the German sports car ends up with a better power-to-weight ratio.So, who do you think would win? Check out the video below.Nissan GTR For Sale | Porsche GT3 RS For Sale For Sale DON'T MISS: Porsche 911 GT3 RS COMPLETE SPECS & REVIEW

By Caitlin Duffy – October 27, 2015

Nissan GT-R NISMO Attack Package Available for US Customers

Beginning Nov. 3, when the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center open and SEMA 2015 kicks off, Nissan customers in the United States will have access to a new option for their GT-R NISMOs: the Attack Package. Nissan GT-R NISMOIt's the same package and options that helped the GT-R make it around the Nürburingring in 7 minutes, 8.769 seconds, and as an Oct. 26 press release from Nissan tells us, this is "the fastest recorded time for a volume production vehicle" at the time it was completed.And now GT-R NISMO customers in the United States will have access to the same tech that made one of the world's most difficult tracks look like an easy drive around the block. A full set of dedicated parts were created specifically for this time attack challenge, with each serving a distinct purpose. Downforce is increased, suspension is stronger and full bucket seats ensure that the driver can "maintain the optimal driving position even under powerful g-force."A video shared to YouTube Nov. 19, 2013 by Nissan gives us a look at this package as it first took on the Nürburgring, when three GT-Rs fitted with the package and covered in camo took turns testing their 600 hp around the track's curves. You can check this video out below.Sales of this package will go through Steve Millen Sportsparts Inc., who has been chosen as the official installer and certified sales agency by Nissan. Those who are interested in this package can learn more at at www.Stillen.com. Find your own Godzilla for your collection and for this insane package from our exclusive listings at the button below.GT-Rs For Sale(Source: Nissan, YouTube) See More Nissan News

By Edward Jones – September 25, 2015

2016 Nissan GT-R Premium Review

When the argument of "best bang for your buck" comes up in the sports car world today, the 2016 Nissan GT-R is always in the discussion. Its base price starts at $101,770, which is a six-figure price nonetheless, but it can outperform many cars that are far more costly with little to no modifications.(What's different from 2015 to 2016: recalibrated suspension, new front and rear designs wit LED lighting, carbon fiber instrument panel and standard Bose Active Noise Cancellation system.)Our time behind the wheel of the 2016 GT-R really gave us a chance to see just how much bang it really has.From the outside, there's no mistaking a GT-R, from its angular teardrop headlights, to the iconic circle taillights. Over the years, the R35 has received few exterior updates, and in 2016 it retains most of the design aspects it has always had; not that that's a bad thing. In fact, everywhere you go in the GT-R, you'll draw eyes from admirers of the Japanese sports car.Inside, the GT-R is most definitely a sports car. In the front were heated seats, with eight points of adjustment for the driver and four for the passenger. In the rear were two rather small seats that you wouldn't want to put an adult into. Overall, the cabin of the GT-R was efficient, which was expected, because this car is all about the drive itself.Under the hood is a twin turbo 3.8-liter V6 that generates 545 hp and 463 lb-ft of torque. This power is utilized ever so beautifully through an all-wheel drive system and a lightning-quick dual-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission. And, even though this is a V6, don't think it doesn't make a loud statement; it has a great exhaust note at idle and when performing.When you ask this car to go, it goes. To say it accelerates quickly is an understatement, and that's without the launch control. When I hit the gas using launch control, the GT-R shot forward like a rocket. As it flew down the road in a straight line, the transmission shifted gears at 0.15 seconds in R-Mode, according to Nissan.On sharp corners, the GT-R was nimble enough. But, its large size made it a bit more difficult when compared to most sports cars, which are typically smaller in size.What's most interesting about the GT-R, even with all of this performance, is that it was a great daily driver. I'd been told before that the car was almost unmanageable on the daily road, but I was as comfortable as ever. It just so happened to be that I could accelerate in this car from 0-60 mph in under three seconds.Overall, the 2016 Nissan GT-R is one of the finest sports cars out in the world today. Its price-performance ratio is fantastic, especially when compared to some of its competitors. That being said, it's been refined over the years to be an acceptable car for daily driving.The model test was the Premium version, which is the base model. Other editions for the 2016 model year include the 45th Anniversary Gold Edition, Black Edition and NISMO.GT-Rs For SaleGallery

By Edward Jones – August 11, 2015

Nissan GT-R Nismo vs Nissan Juke-R 2.0

With 600 hp coming from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive, the Nissan GT-R NISMO is an absolute monster when it comes to accelerating. But, did you know that Nissan has also put this engine into their Juke, resulting in the Juke-R 2.0?If you didn't know about the Juke-R 2.0, you now do. And, what's more, you now get to see it take on its counterpart, the GT-R NISMO. In a video published Aug. 7 by Autocar, the two cars go head-to-head at the Silverstone Circuit in England. Driving the Juke-R 2.0 is Matt Prior of Autocar, while Nissan GT Academy winner Jann Mardenborough is driving the GT-R NISMO.Check out the video below to see which of these cars put the powerful V6 engine to best use.Nissan GT-Rs For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Nissan News, Pics and Videos

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