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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 – November 13, 2015

Dubai Police Add Porsche 918 Spyder to Fleet

The Dubai Police supercar fleet is easily the most impressive collection of law enforcement vehicles. It includes cars like the Aston Martin One-77, BMW i8, Bugatti Veyron, 7, Lamborghini Aventador, Lykan Hypersport and many more.Now, the Dubai Police have added the Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid hypercar to their fleet, according to posts made to their official Twitter and Facebook accounts early this morning.Not only was the 918 Spyder added to the collection because of its incredible power, but also because it's "environmentally friendly." As the Facebook caption describes, it was unveiled at the Dubai Motor Show, and has been completely fitted with the latest in technology and cameras, and are linked to the command centers of the Dubai Police.This 918 joins an impressive task force in one of the world's wealthiest cities as the second hybrid supercar.Gallery (via Facebook, Twitter) See More Porsche News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 12, 2015

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Goes Off the Track

Mark Webber can do a lot of things.The racing driver from Australia started his career with motorcycles, then moved to karts by the age of 14. It wasn't long after that when began racing in grand prix competitions, and as his website tells us, the king of Aussie Grit was bound for the UK to begin a professional racing career by 1996, at the age of 20.After racing with Red Bull, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Porsche, it's pretty safe to assume that he can take any car handed to him and whip it around a track faster than you can blink. But, in a video shared today by Porsche, we see that there's something he can't do with a car.With Webber behind the wheel, we see a 911 GT3 Cup car flying around corners and curves, before eventually flying off the track. What could happen that prevents someone with such experience from keeping the race car's 460 hp under complete control?Find out in the video below, then find your own Porsche 911 to follow Webber's advice in.911 GT3s For Sale (via YouTube, MarkWebber.com)

By Caitlin Duffy – November 09, 2015

1994 Porsche 911 3.6 Turbo S Flatnose For Sale

In 1993, Porsche decided to create a special limited edition of the 911, one to mark the transition from the 993 to the 964 series. It was a quick run - just 93 examples were created worldwide, bringing the 1994 Porsche 911 3.6 Turbo S Flatnose to life. Customers were required to put down a $20,000 deposit with only a picture of a prototype available, but it was worth it. Of those 93, just 39 were crafted for the United States. View Price, Specs and More Photos This particular example is 1 of those 39 - and it's in incredible condition. This model was designed and created by the VRS Department, which currently goes by the name of Porsche Exclusive, and was the last Porsche model to truly be completely, start to finish, crafted by hand. Fully loaded with a 5-speed transmission, sunroof and even the original cellular phone console, you're hard-pressed to find another one of these 911s with every feature. All books are included, as is the original window sticker. Find out more at the button below. Buy Now Gallery

By Caitlin Duffy – November 09, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder with Weissach Package in Gulf Livery F...

Though it's been more than 40 years since the blue and orange Gulf livery was seen on Steve McQueen's 1971 Le Mans race car, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder is bringing the iconic colors onto a road car of today. Featuring the Weissach package, this hybrid has 887 hp under the hood and a Nürburgring Nordschleiffe time of 6 minutes 57 seconds - and it's one of two 918s to sport these period correct colors. The Best Gulf Oil Livery Cars The marque's customization department, Porsche Exclusive, ensured that this 918 Spyder's Gulf livery was created accurately, covering even the most minute details in the correct shades of blue and orange. The calipers were repainted by hand to better match the exterior, the upholstery was custom stitched, the key fob sports Gulf colors and the carbon fiber floor mats feature matching piping. And these are just the first few details that make this Spyder so stunning. Learn more at the button below, and contact the seller to make this Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid yours today. Buy Now Gallery

By Edward Jones – November 02, 2015

6 Porsche GT3 RS' at The Auto Gallery Porsche

To entertain track day enthusiasts, Porsche created the 911 GT3 RS. Since 1999, these GT cars have been providing countless laps of hardcore performance on the circuits.That said, these Porsches are uncommon and a sight that needs to be seen by any enthusiast, especially the latest 991 GT3 RS model. This is what makes the gathering of six of these race cars at Porsche Auto Gallery in Woodland Hills, California so special - double the amount of GT3 RS' they had in September.The six Porsches consisted of two model years, five from 2016 and one from 2011. The color of finishes are a bright array of hues, including Lava Orange, Ultra Violet and White.Also joining in are three 2016 Porsche Cayman GT4s, in Black and Carmine Red, and a car-show-winning 1964 356C in Irish Green.In an email from the dealership, they noted that they had "well over 2 million worth of inventory all in one showroom." Now that is one serious selection of Porsches.To view Porsche Auto Gallery's inventory, be sure to click the button below.Dealer Inventory (via Porsche Auto Gallery) More Exotic Car Dealer News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 02, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder Launch Control Accelerations

Shift-S3ctor has been gaining a reputation for putting together some of the West Coast's best high-horsepower racing events, with the country's finest supercars turning out to test their stuff at Airstrip Attacks up and down the Pacific.(See Also: 918 Spyder, Veyron & 3 Koenigseggs Tear Down the Autobahn)At a 2015 California Airstrip Attack, a Porsche 918 Spyder sporting Martini Racing Livery had a chance to test out its launch control and top speeds, all with BrianZuk there to catch it on camera. A video shared to YouTube Nov. 1 gives us a good look at a few of its runs. As the video's caption tells us, it was able to hit 173 mph in the half-mile.Turn your speakers up and enjoy the sweet sounds of the video below, and when you're finished, find your own 918 to test at an Airstrip Attack from our exclusive listings.Sale (via YouTube) See More Porsche News

By Andrew Nabors – October 28, 2015

Porsche Macan GTS Unveiled for 2017

We have always liked Porsche’s GTS models. With all of the fancy suspension and brakes of their more expensive models, they are a sensible choice between the standard and turbo trim levels. That is why we were happy to see a press release and YouTube video released by Porsche earlier today outlining the 2017 Macan GTS. This new model is easily recognizable thanks to gloss and matte black trim and wheels. A GTS-specific interior offers leather upholstery with Alcantara backrests. For $67,200 your GTS will arrive with Apple CarPlay capabilities and eight speakers. The 3.0L V6 has been tuned to deliver 360 hp (20 more than the Macan S), but the real treat is having 369 lb-ft of torque available from 1650 to 4000 rpm. This much torque available to all wheels will make the GTS a perfect fit between Macan S and Turbo. Borrowing larger brakes from the Turbo, the stability and suspension are specifically calibrated for a 10mm lower ride height. If you need a Crossover than can reach 60 mph in only 4.8 seconds, perhaps a GTS is in your future. Macans For Sale Gallery More Porsche News

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2015

Over Thirteen Porsche 918s Take Over Laguna Seca

Rennsport Reunion is what Porsche call's "the world's largest gathering of Porsche racecars, renowned driver, and Porsche collector cars," on their website. And, if you were at the September 25-27th event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, you'd see just how true their claim is.At the Rennsport Reunion V, over 1,000 Porsches showed up, as did legendary drivers Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx, Hurley Haywood, and many more.Of the 1,000 German sports cars that showed up, around 13-20 of them were the brand's new hypercar: the 918 Spyder.(Also Read: P1 vs. LaFerrari vs. 918 Spyder Hot Laps: Part 1)Effspot was in attendance at the event and happened to film 13 of the 20 918's that were scattered around the event, according to the description of his video uploaded on September 29. If you were to add up the horsepower of just the 13 hypercars, that would amount to 11,531 hp. What's more, there was a wide variety of finishes being represented, including colors like Acid Green, Viper Green, Black, White, Voodoo Blue and more.See them now by watching the video below.918s For Sale (Source: YouTube) More Porsche News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 07, 2015

New Porsche 911 Targa 4 & Carrera 4 Models Introduced

Another round of updates have come to Porsche's most popular model ever, preparing the 911 series for 2016 in a more than proper fashion. The Porsche Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 Clubsport will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The 911 Targa 4 and Carrera 4 models were fully unveiled to the world today in a press release, video and series of photos posted across Porsche's digital channels, from Facebook, to their online newsroom. The two are touted as being "more efficient and with greater sprinting power," showing further refinement of their turbocharged engines and design. Ride height has been lowered by an additional 10 millimeters and fuel consumption is reduced by up to 12 percent in both the Carrera and the Targa. Despite the decrease, power from the turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine is increased to 370 hp and 331 lb-ft, while the Carrera 4 S and Targa 4 S can each expect 420 hp and 369 lb-ft. With electro-hydraulically controlled all-wheel-drive and the optional PDK and Sport Chrono packages, the Carrera 4 is capable of reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 4.1 seconds, while the Carrera 4 S can reach that speed in 3.8 seconds. The Targa 4 and Targa 4 S can achieve those speeds on 4.3 seconds and 4.0 seconds, respectively. These models will be available to German customers beginning at the end of January 2016, with the following prices set: 911 Carrera 4 | €103,983 ($117,099 USD) 911 Carrera 4S | €118,144 ($133,047 USD) 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet | €117,073 ($131,841 USD) 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet | €131,234 ($147,788 USD) 911 Targa 4 | €117,073 ($131,841 USD) 911 Targa 4S | €131,234 ($147,788 USD) A YouTube video shares insight into the impressive hum of these newly refined engines, while a gallery shared on the marque's Facebook page provides a closer look at the details of the updated Targa 4. Check the video out above and the photos below. Gallery (Source: Porsche, YouTube, Facebook) See More Porsche News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Set to Debut at LAAS

Earlier this year, Porsche introduced the newest Cayman GT4 to much fanfare, offering a sporty and stylish way to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds. Now, ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show, they're announcing a new take on the Cayman: the Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The Porsche Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 Clubsport will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Though no photos or renderings have yet been shared, a press release issued by the marque today announced the upcoming debut. Prepared exclusively for track use, this new Clubsport variant will weigh in at a scant 2,866 pounds. The full list of details won't be released until the Nov. 18 debut, but Porsche did share some enticing information. 385 hp will be created by the mid-engine racer, thanks to a 3.8-liter flat-six. The suspension strut font axle system is the same found on the 911 GT3 Cup, and shift paddles will control the double clutch transmission. The Porsche Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 Clubsport will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. If you're interested in finding out how one of these Clubsport models can become yours, be aware that they are not street legal, and so will not be sold at any Porsche dealerships. Rather, interested racing teams can contact Porsche Motorsport in Weissach, Germany, or Porsche Motorsport North America in Santa Ana, California. (See Also: Porsche 918 Spyder vs. Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition: Launch Control Drag Race) In the meantime, find a street legal version of the Cayman for your collection from our exclusive listings at the button below. Porsche Caymans For Sale (Source: Porsche) See More Porsche News

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