Porsche News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Andrew Nabors – March 10, 2021

Mecum Glendale Preview: 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster With 3...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Throw a thesaurus at any 911 and it will give you a hint of its abilities. If you need to interrupt a conversation about GT2 vs Turbo S, mention a Speedster. Porsche has only bestowed the name on five models since 1948, and it evokes notions of 2 seats and no compromises. As a fitting end to the 991-series, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur reserved the final 1,948 bodies from the assembly line. Knowing full well that even the base-model Carrera would be adopting turbos, they planned a naturally-aspirated Grand Finale. The 4-liter from the GT3 RS was blessed with individual throttle bodies. Unrestricted by a long plenum, the injector pressure was bumped 25% for instant response and clean running. The exhaust system is also unique, tuned to evoke the best notes from Porsche's past. Nothing about the powertrain could be adopted for mass-production, so a Speedster is the only way you can experience it. Like the engine, almost nothing else is shared with production cars. The long decklid was sculpted to keep the cockpit free of turbulence, and the windshield was cut down by 50mm. This might seem inconsequential, but because it has to support the car in a roll-over, engineers reinforced every seam in the body to tune out cowl flex. If you want an electric differential and PDK transmission go somewhere else. This car has a six-speed and a locking rear that are fed 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel steering is tuned specifically for this car, moving the Z-axis closer to the center of mass. Speaking of weight, a manual cloth top is folded under the deck lid, and it is just one of many ways Porsche achieved 3,320 lbs at the curb. This example was ordered with every possible option from Weissach seats to a speedometer that reaches 225 mph. What truly sets it apart is Signal Yellow. This bright deviation from the "approved colors" is a throwback to the 70s. It added nearly $13,000 to the invoice and it would look great in any collection. Safety laws make it very unlikely that the Speedster will ever return, so don't miss this opportunity. This vehicle will be auctioned off at Mecum Auctions' Glendale 2021 event (March 18-20). View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2020

2019 Porsche Speedster Heading to Mecum Auctions Indianap...

Sequence Build No. 1,373 out of a total limited production output of just 1,948 examples, this 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster is in “as-new” condition with just 113 original miles. Optioned with the Heritage Design Package, a $24,510 extra, it features two-tone leather interior appointment, black brake calipers with white “PORSCHE” script, gold “SPEEDSTER” badging, classic Porsche crests and silver-colored wheels. Although it shares the Speedster namesake with the four previous generations that exemplified the minimalist sports car ethos, the 2019 Speedster is a far more radical and testosterone-infused machine. Beneath the classic Speedster wide body with a low, raked-back windshield, a double-bubble rear decklid and aggressively designed front and rear fascia is a competition-proven chassis, drivetrain, suspension and braking system sourced directly from the GT3 Touring model. The engine is a naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-6 producing 502 HP with some additional bits taken from the GT3 R including individual throttle bodies, a high-pressure injection system and a lightweight exhaust. The Speedster is offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual gearbox (PDK is not an option) sourced from the 911R. The suspension rides on a staggered set of center-lock wheels, 21-inch rear and 20-inch front, mounted on steamroller-sized low aspect ratio Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The GT3 Touring suspension used on the Speedster is a more compliant setup than that of its razor-edged GT3 RS brethren. Hence, the ride is firm but supple while delivering massive cornering grip. It is generously equipped with automatic climate control, Bose surround sound, Sport Chrono Package, rearview camera, Porsche Torque Vectoring, Porsche Stability Management, Porsche Active Suspension Management, carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber composite bucket seats, front axle lift system, online navigation, Porsche embossed crest in the headrests and power locks, windows and mirrors. Click the button below to view the details and stay with us for complete coverage of all Mecum Auctions. With only 113 miles on the odometer, this car will be part of Mecum's Indy Auction, July 10th to 18th at the Indiana State Fairgrounds- Click the button below to learn more View Listing About Mecum Auctions - Nobody sells more than Mecum. Nobody. The Mecum Auction Company is the world leader of collector car, vintage and antique motorcycle, and Road Art sales, hosting auctions throughout the United States. The company has been specializing in the sale of collector cars for more than 30 years, now offering more than 20,000 lots per year and averaging more than one auction each month.

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2018

Limited Edition Gunther Werks’ 400R Enters Production

Gunther Werks, a company dedicated to remastering the iconic Porsche® 993, today announced production of its bespoke 400R vehicles has begun at the company’s Southern California facility. The first three vehicles will be delivered in Q3 of 2018 with additional cars being delivered by year’s end as production ramps up.More than 45 employees work diligently to assemble each Gunther Werks 400R by hand, including some of the leading Porsche experts in the world. The production team boasts more than 15 years of carbon fiber and composite experience, 30 years of Porsche engine building mastery and 20 years of suspension tuning knowledge.“I wanted to add something unique to my collection where I could be involved in the design process from start to finish,” said a prominent car collector and Gunther Werks customer known as @Dan_am_i on Instagram. “The fact that only 25 will be built and each one is guaranteed to be unique really piqued my interest. Once I met the team and saw the facility firsthand I knew I was making the right decision. My 400R will be something special, so keep your eyes open for the debut.”For more information on Gunther Werks and the 400R program please visit GuntherWerks.com or follow the team on Facebook and Instagram.Visit GuntherWerks.com

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2016

duPont REGISTRY Porsche Accessory Selection

Winter time is here and that means it's time to get your friends, family and yourself some gifts. If you're a Porsche fan, you're in luck, because what we have in this article are a few items that will be perfect for fans of the German automaker.(Also Read - Porsche Necessities for Owners and Fans)Looking for something for the office? The Porsche 911 Office Chair will make anyone the envy of any company. Want to stream Christmas carols over Bluetooth in your classic Porsche? The Classic Radio Navigation System is the answer. Need to kit out your Porsche for the winter? The Tequipment Finder will help you search for the perfect accessories for your vehicle.Check out the picks below and use the Tequipment Finder to see just how impressive Porsche's accessory selection truly is.The Porsche 911 Office Chair You commanded the road on your way into work. Command the day from your 911 Office Chair from the Porsche Driver’s Selection Masterpiece Collection. This chair is the same, original four-way Plus sports seat that is featured in the current Porsche 911 Carrera automobile. It includes adjustable armrests, continuous seat height adjustment, electrical backrest adjuster, surface and armrests made of Porsche original Black vehicle interior leather and more.The 911 Office Chair's ergonomic construction is designed to keep you as comfortable after 8 hours in the office as you would be on an 8 hour drive.View Price and Learn MoreClassic Radio Navigation System The new Classic Radio Navigation System features iPhone, iPod, USB and AUX interfaces, allowing you to control external music sources from the display. Bluetooth functionality means that you can make calls directly from your vehicle.The Classic Radio Navigation System is available for all Classic models with DIN1 slot, from the 911 F to the 911 (Type 993), as well as for four and eight-cylinder vehicles, excluding the 356The unit features seamless dashboard fit with two different knob designs to suit vintage vehicle designs. Operating logic is based on the current Porsche Communication Management (PCM) and has a user-friendly 3.5-inch touchscreen.FM and AM radio reception is enhanced through factory-fitted antennas and the country-specific navigation has been tested through test drives in both Canada and the USA. 4x45 watt output delivers full sound. The original factory-fitted sound system with amplifier can also be installed directly or through an adapter lead - available for order with part number 91164220901.Learn MorePorsche Winter Accessories Your Porsche was made to be driven year-round, and winter is no exception. Protect your Porsche interior and exterior surfaces this winter with cargo liners, car covers and all-weather floor mats from Porsche Tequipment.To find these and other Porsche Tequipment winter products, click here for the Porsche Tequipment Finder.

By Edward Jones – November 28, 2016

Porsche Necessities for Owners and Fans

Are you a Porsche fan or owner, or know one? If so, then we have a couple of items that are perfect for you and the fan in your life.Whether you're looking to spruce up your garage with one of the coolest speakers we've ever seen or want to put some life back into your car, these items will get the job done. Check them out below and be sure to visit Porsche's Tequipment Accessory Finder to find the perfect accessory for your Porsche model.911 Soundbar For those who can't get enough of the melodies of the racetrack, Porsche's engineers have developed a very special masterpiece: the 911 Soundbar. Similar to the Porsche 911 GT3, the muffler plays an essential role in generating in this unit. But unlike a car, the rear section and tailpipes on the 911 Soundbar are used as resonators instead of silencers for deeper, higher, and quantitatively louder sound threshold for music, podcasts, and other audio.Click here to order.Design: 2.1 Virtual Surround System 200 watts system output DTS TruSurround™ Bluetooth® interface for wireless audio transmission from tablet or smartphone Virtual surround and stereo sound Made in Germany Part Number: WAP 050 111 0G Dimensions: Total weight: 19 kg / 41.8 lbs 74 x 28 x 32 cm / 29” x 11” x 12.5” MSRP: $3499.99Porsche Classic Car Care Set The Porsche Classic Car Care Set cleans, preserves and protects your Porsche vehicle’s exterior surfaces for all Porsche paint generations. The high-quality, hard-wearing leather & hounds-tooth pattern bag echoes the first Porsche 911 seat covers. Its foam inserts cushion and keep the set’s 17 car care products in place.Each car care product in this set was tested at Porsche's development center in Weissach under the toughest conditions for material compatibility and meets the exact requirements of your Porsche vehicle, no matter the model year.Place your order at your Certified Porsche Classic Partner or authorized Porsche dealer.Part Number PCG90101040 MSRP: $485.00Porsche Tequipment Accessories Finder At Porsche, we realize perfection is not an absolute. In many ways, it is defined by personal preference, where a small detail or critical enhancement can transform ‘a Porsche’ into ‘your Porsche.’ Explore Tequipment accessories available for your Porsche vehicle with the Tequipment Finder, the online catalog for Porsche Tequipment vehicle accessories. Then place your order through your authorized Porsche dealer. Installation at your authorized Porsche dealership is completed by factory-trained Porsche technicians, preserving the original vehicle warranty. All this to say: just because a thing is perfect, doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.Click here for the Tequipment Finder. Porsche. There is no substitute.

By Andrew Nabors – August 01, 2016

One Owner 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Evo to Appear at Monterey

In order for automakers to compete in GT racing, several examples of the race cars had to be built for public sale. During the mid 90's, it was a time of big changes for race cars and more specifically GT cars. For instance, all-wheel drive was banned in order to keep Audi from dominating the winner's circle. Because of this, Porsche was forced to delete the front driveshafts and differential from their 911 Turbo. Going back to the drawing board they installed a larger fuel cell up front, using more fuel to offset the weight of the front running gear. This is where the story of the Porsche 911 GT2 Evo began. Designed to race in the GT1 class, the FIA had no restrictions on forced induction or aerodynamics. Using lessons learned from the RSR and previous racing models, they dialed up the downforce to a figurative "11" with bolt-on fender flares and a giant rear spoiler. Porsche engineers knew this was the twilight for the air-cooled flat six engine, so they dispensed with the turbos normally found on production cars. This, and along with a larger intercooler, the new units pushed the 3.6L engine up to 600 hp. While the power can be found, the Burmester audio, or air conditioning, is missing. However, you will find a fire suppression system in lieu of a passenger seat. Porsche only built eleven examples of the 911 GT2 Evo, and they are among the fastest street-legal cars in the world. This example of the 911 GT2 Evo is making an appearance at Monterey, and it needs to be seen. With only 7,000 kilometers (4,349 miles) on the odometer, this example has not seen much action. Many Porsche-philes consider the 993 series as the last true 911, with the GT2 Evo being the end of an era. As a time capsule from 1996, it's sure to command everyone's attention at Mecum Auctions' upcoming Monterey event. For more information, be sure to visit the vehicle's lot by clicking the button below. Learn More

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 22, 2016

Only Carbon Exposed Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach in the U....

The Porsche 918 Spyder stands apart as an automotive masterpiece thanks to its seamless merge of race-car performance and environmentally friendly fuel economy. Add the highly sought after Weissach package and an exposed carbon finish, and this 918 becomes one of the most exclusive available.In fact, this particular Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach is the only example without paint available in the United States. Instead, the car is fashioned in a matte black, factory wrap which allows the carbon fiber elements to shine through. Just as impressive as the finish are the specifications. The $84,000 Weissach Package consists of a multitude of deletions and substitutions that remove a total 90 pounds of weight from the vehicle.The Porsche 918 Spyder features a plug-in hybrid rocket that utilizes a bespoke 608-horsepower 4.6-liter direct fuel injected V-8 engine, which pushes 887 total horsepower with the ability to reach speeds of 217 mph. Sail from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds, all while maintaining an unprecedented fuel range of 67 miles to the gallon.As if these features weren't enough, this particular 918 comes equipped with a Burmester High-End Surround Sound System, 2-zone climate control, Porsche Universal Charger, 25-foot vehicle cable, a set of Schroth Racing Belts and Porsche duffle bag. For the discerning collector looking to add a true masterpiece to his collection, the Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach fits the bill.The Porsche 918 Spyder is offered by Mecum Auctions and will be available at the Monterey event located at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in gorgeous Monterey, California on August 18-20, 2016 at Lot S112. Click here to learn more.Learn More

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2015

"Acid Green" Porsche 918 Spyder Looking for New Owner

Now that the Porsche 918 Spyder is no longer being produced, it's going to become an even hotter commodity than it was before. This fact also makes examples like this one even more highly sought after.Finished in an electric "Acid Green" paint contrasted against its "Authentic Mocha Brown" interior, this 918 Spyder is a rarity. In fact, it's only 1-of-2 known Weissach Package 918 Spyders in this color and 1-of-1 in the United States. Needless to say, this 918 Spyder has a pedigree that stands out among the rest.The car is currently being offered on duPontREGISTRY.com with only 8.3 factory miles, making it a brand-new example.For those unfamiliar with Porsche's latest hypercar, it's a hybrid powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine and two electric motors. This setup provides the car with 887 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. These specs are good for a 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds and a 9.9 seconds quarter-mile at 146 mph.Porsche For SaleThis is, without a doubt, the most extreme car the German automaker has ever produced. And now, a rare example of it can be yours. Click the button below to see its price and more info.View Price and Info Gallery Photos by: Bart Cepek Post sponsored by the seller See More Hyper and Supercars For Sale

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