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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 Caitlin Duffy – October 05, 2015

Nissan Vision Gran Turismo Concept to Appear at Tokyo Mot...

Nissan first introduced their Vision Gran Turismo concept for the Gran Turismo video game series in the summer of 2014, but for fall 2015, we're going to see an updated real-world version of this digital beast. Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo, a concept supercar developed in conjunction with Polyphony Digital Inc., the creators of the racing video game Gran Turismo for PlayStation, is certain to further increase Nissan's sizable presence in the game and beyond.A press release from the Japanese manufacturer issued today announced the three major staples of their booth at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, scheduled for Oct. 30 through Nov. 8. A total of 20 vehicles will be on display, but there's little doubt that the Vision GT will capture the most attention.First introduced in June 2014, the Vision Gran Turismo Concept is a 2+2 virtual supercar with four-wheel drive, and the version to appear at the Tokyo show will feature Fire Knight red as its body color. There's a lot of emphasis put on the possibility of this design making its way into production models down the line, and it's not surprising; having the ability to be completely creative in designing this concept certainly allowed Nissan's team to come up with some fresh ideas for existing models.A video shared to YouTube June 26, 2014 by Nissan Newsroom, which you can watch above, gave a full look into the design processes behind this crazy concept. An international team came together and utilized the top technologies available to them to craft this machine, with an appearance based "half in emotion and half in aerodynamics."Other concepts to appear at the Nissan booth include the Gripz concept, an hybrid sports crossover, and the Teatro for Dayz. The Teatro for Dayz has been catching quite a bit of attention thanks to its millennial-focused design; it's certainly not a car for those concerned with driving performance, and, instead, focuses heavily on passenger experience. From concept to interior and exterior design, Teatro for Dayz is simple: a clean canvas. When the car is in drive mode, meters, controls and maps appear on a pure white instrument panel. When parked, Teatro for Dayz transforms into an entirely new device. The entire interior, starting with the instrument panel, becomes a live display for a generation wired for connectivity.Its smooth white surfaces are completely customizable, from seats to exterior designs, and even the dashboard, all based on user settings from a synced phone. It's a glimpse at what Nissan thinks the next generation of development will focus on - interactive environments that get you from "a" to "b" safely.Check out the photos of these concepts below, and stay with us for more news as the Tokyo Motor Show draws closer.Nissans For SaleGallery (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

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2015

AMS Alpha Omega Nissan GT-R Hits Quarter Mile in 7.4 Seconds

Every time we watch a video from AMS Performance, we find ourselves comparing their Alpha Omega Nissan GT-R’s quarter-mile times to some of the fastest cars in the world. As we covered April 14, their Alpha 20 completed a quarter mile in just 7.94 seconds at 190 mph during TX2K15, making it one of the fastest street cars in the world. They must have made a few significant modifications in the meantime, because they were able to crush their previous record at a tuning session held at Milan Dragway back on the first of July. In a YouTube video uploaded by That Racing Channel July 9, you can watch the consistent AWD launches and progressively faster times with each pass, dropping to 7.48 seconds at 192.97 mph - the new quarter mile record for a GT-R. Without the parachute and the roll cage, you would be hard pressed to believe this car is capable of reaching 193 mph in only 1,320 feet, but somehow they are able to produce all this with just 4.0-liters of displacement. Their previous attempts had reached the limits of the factory cast aluminum 3.8-liter engine block, so they machined a new 4.0-liter from a solid billet. (See Also: Nissan Juke RS NISMO Sets Fastest Two-Wheeled Mile Record) This level of innovation requires dedication and the results are in the time slips. Will we see a GT-R hit a 6.99 second quarter mile? Tell us what you think in the comments below. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more wild drag racing action, and find your own GT-R to take to the drag strip at the button below. GT-Rs For Sale Editor’s Note: Do not attempt to recreate anything seen in the video above unless on a closed course under professional supervision, as seen in the video above. Autofluence and duPont REGISTRY do not condone any illegal activities on the roadway, and remind you to always obey local traffic laws. (Source: That Racing Channel & YouTube) See More Nissan News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 29, 2015

Nissan Juke RS NISMO Sets Fastest Two-Wheeled Mile Record

It's one thing to set a record for the fastest mile. It's another thing to set a record for the fastest mile on two wheels in a four-wheeled vehicle. WEST SUSSEX, England (June 26, 2015) – Stuntman Terry Grant has broken his own world record for the fastest mile traveled on two wheels in a four-wheeled vehicle – the sporty incarnation of Nissan's JUKE, the NISMO RS.And it's an unheard of thing to set that record twice, especially when the second vehicle is a crossover SUV. But that's exactly what Terry Grant did at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.(Related: Aston Martin Vulcan’s Lap Around Goodwood and Burnouts)In just two minutes and ten seconds, professional stuntman Terry Grant completed a full mile on two wheels in the Nissan JUKE NISMO RS, the 215 hp, 210 lb-ft crossover sport utility vehicle imbued with NISMO performance qualities. As a June 26 press release from Nissan tells us, a full 45 seconds were shaved off of Grant's existing two-wheeled mile record, which was completed in the JUKE's predecessor at Goodwood 2011.The full mile can be viewed in the video above, added to YouTube June 26 by Goodwood Road & Racing, along with track-side commentary about the feat. The record was set on the first of Grant's 6 allowed attempts, setting a high tone for the weekend's events.Check out the video of this seemingly gravity-defying stunt, and find yourself the perfect Nissan from our exclusive listings below.Nissans For Sale Editor's Note: Do not attempt to recreate or reenact anything seen in the video above unless on a closed course and under the supervision of professionals. The editors at the duPont REGISTRY do not condone any illegal activity on the roadway, and remind you to always obey local traffic laws.Gallery (Source: YouTube, Nissan) See More Nissan News

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2015

2,000 hp AMS GT-R vs Twin-Turbo Lamborghini and More

We didn’t think it would be possible for AMS Performance to leave King of the Streets undefeated again, but for a second year in a row their Alpha Omega 2,000 hp GT-R wiped the floor with the competition.In a video uploaded June 17 to 1320 Video’s YouTube page, you can watch the Alpha successfully overtaking each car at the event. They bored and stroked the V6 from 3.8-liters to 4.0-liters and boosted it well beyond previous limits.This Texas event is by invitation only and features some of the fastest street cars on earth. If your car doesn’t have a parachute or a roll cage, you probably won’t be receiving an invitation. So stay tuned to Autofluence for more AMS Performance videos.(Source: YouTube) See More Automotive Videos

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2015

Racing Nissan GT-R Video Gives 360° View of Le Mans

"One day the internet will be three dimensional."We’ve been hearing this for years. With Facebook set to launch the Oculus Rift early next year, 3-D videos will hopefully gain traction with race teams. It looks like Nissan is one of the first, with a wild 360° ride around Le Mans (no funny glasses required).(Related: McLaren 650S Races Lamborghini Aventador Over 190 mph)In a video uploaded to their Nismo TV YouTube page today, they chose two 2015 Nissan GT-Rs to show off a new type of video. For Chrome fans only, you are able to pan and tilt your point of view using the d-pad in the upper left corner. Watch as a GT-R battle against its NISMO sibling in weather that’s less than ideal for racing. All-wheel-drive and 360 degrees of action make this one of the most incredible videos we have seen lately.(Source: YouTube) Click Here For More Nissan News

By Andrew Nabors – May 04, 2015

2015 Nissan 370Z Nismo Review

If you ask anyone to describe a Japanese GT car, their inevitable answer will sound a lot like Nissan’s Z car. What began as the Datsun 240Z in 1969 has evolved into the refined and capable 370Z for 2015. Their Nismo Tech edition combines potent and popular options into a track capable daily driver. Here are our thoughts after a week with this new Nissan.The first 350Z debuted in 2002 and was heavily revised into the 370Z for 2009. Similar in size and shape, this new car shares almost nothing with previous versions. Chassis and suspensions were heavily revised with forged aluminum arms and knuckles, and it made for a comfortable cruiser. For those who demand more of their daily driver, Nissan’s in-house motorsports division, Nismo, has pushed the 370Z to its limits. The 2015 Nissan 370Z NISMO features exterior, interior and performance refinements, along with an expanded model selection that includes both 6-speed manual and 7-speed automatic transmissions and a new 370Z NISMO Tech grade.By pushing this coupe to its limits, Nismo has built a world-class GT car. All options were included in this model, with pricing starting at $47,725. This price positions it well above domestic V8 powered coupes, but still less than the Lexus RC-F. If you have never experienced a Z car in Nismo trim, you won’t regret it. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Nissan updates.(Image Source: Nissan) See More Nissan News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 06, 2013

Top 10: 0-60 in Under 4 Seconds For Less Than $100k

Believe it or not, 0-60 in under 4 seconds and $100k is a possibility in today’s world. For less than the price of a small home, you too can own your very own supercar, primed and ready to give your friends whiplash as they watch you weave down your avenue or way. Best for country living and long stretches of highway, there are plenty of places in this country to take one of these for its proper exercise. Just be sure to always comply with local traffic laws; or if temptation succeeds, at least don’t blame us. It’s not my foot on the pedal.Which of these cars would you like to see parked in your driveway? Got any places to take it for a proper spin? Tell us in the comments below!2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 0-60: 3.9 seconds Price: $54,350 Engine: Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 Horsepower: 580 hp 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (Z51 Package) 0-60: 3.9 seconds Price: $54,795 Engine: 6.2-liter V8 Horsepower: 460 hp 2013 Lotus Exige S Roadster 0-60: 3.8 seconds Price: $79,000 Engine: Supercharged 3.5-liter V6 Horsepower: 345 hp 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 0-60: 3.5 seconds Price: $54,995 Engine: Supercharged 5.8-liter V8 Horsepower: 662 hp 2013 SRT Viper (3.5 seconds) 0-60: 3.5 seconds Price: $99,995 Engine: 8.4-liter V10 Horsepower: 640 hp 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe 0-60: 4 seconds Price: $64,515 Engine: Supercharged 6.2-liter V8 Horsepower: 556 hp 2009 Ariel Atom 3 0-60: 2.9 seconds Price: $83,000 Engine: Supercharged inline-4 Horsepower: 300 hp 2013 Caterham 7 Superlight R500 0-60: 2.88 seconds Price: $61,057 Engine: 2.0-liter Ford Duratec Horsepower: 263 bhp 2012 Nissan GT-R 0-60: 2.8 seconds Price: $89,950 Engine: Twin-turbo V6 Horsepower: 530 hp 2000 Ultima GTR 720 0-60: 2.7 seconds Price: $99,645 Engine: V8 Horsepower: 720 hp

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