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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 – September 27, 2017

The New Porsche 911 GT2 RS Has Smashed the Nurburgring Re...

You read the title correctly: the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is now the fastest road-going car around the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit.See the On-Board Video of the Record Lap BelowWhen putting together our 2018 Exotic Car Buyer's Guide issue, we had an internal discussion about what car should be the "Track Car of the Year." I opted for the Lamborghini Huracan Performante, considering it was the fastest car around the Nurburgring. One employee, we'll call him Nick because that's his real name, kept on saying it needed to be the new GT2 RS. Nick insisted that the GT2 RS could be the Performante around Nurburgring.Well, here we are with an official release from Porsche saying that the 2018 911 GT2 RS has completed the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 6 minutes and 47.2 seconds. That's just under 5 seconds quicker than the Performante (6:52.01). What's more, Porsche ran the circuit with two different cars and two different drivers, and each lap was consistent with the last. Eugen Oberkamm (Director Motorsport – Development Complete Vehicle), Andreas Preuninger (Director GT Model Line), Lars Kern (Porsche Test Driver) and Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser (Vice President Motorsport and GT-Cars) after the record lap at the Nurburgring Nordschleife.Congratulations to Porsche and the drivers, Lars Kern and Nick Tandy.P.S. - We picked the right car for "Track Car of the Year," and I admit I was wrong. But I couldn't be more happy with being wrong.

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2017

Revealed: 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Tu...

The new Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo design gives the four-door sports car a rejuvenated look that I cannot wait to see on the road. And, honestly, all it really took was the slight redesign to the rear. Now, I'm even more hyped for the new styling with the addition of the 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.Powering the new hybrid four-door Porsche is a 550 horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and 136 horsepower electric motor. The total output of the system is rated at a meaty 680 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid tech that Porsche used for the new Panamera was derived from the 918 Spyder, their hypercar model. While this new Panamera won't reach hypercar numbers, it still exceeds expectations: 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, 11.6 quarter-mile, and a top speed of 192 mph. Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport TurismoThe 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is available for ordering now and will hit markets in Spring 2018, It comes with a base MSRP of $188,400, not including the $1,050 delivery, processing, and handling fee. Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2017

2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Runs a Reported Nurburgring Time ...

The new 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is the most powerful 911 that Porsche has ever created. When compared to the 2011 911 GT2 RS, the 2018 model has 80 more horsepower and 37 more lb-ft of torque. The result is an astonishing 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque (911 Turbo S comes with 580 hp and .553 lb-ft).With this power, YouTube channel EMS Nordschleife TV is saying the car ran the Nurburgring Nordschleife in less than 7 minutes. If true, the 911 GT2 RS would be joining a handful of other cars that have completed the lap in under 7 minutes. This include the Lamborghini Aventador SV (6:59.73), Porsche 918 Spyder (6:57), and Lamborghini Huracan Performante (fastest at 6:52.01).We'll keep you updated when the official Nurburgring numbers are released.

By Andrew Nabors – August 30, 2017

Porsche Unveils New 2019 Cayenne

Only a few times in automotive history has one model saved a brand. The Cayenne was met with mixed emotions at when it arrived in 2002, but since then no less than 760,000 examples have been sold. Porsche needed something new to entice buyers into the showroom at the turn of the century. The Boxster and Cayman were not in danger, but people viewed the brand as a sports car company. The Cayenne redefined the luxury SUV. Last night at the Porsche Museum, Dr. Porsche and his team took the cover off Cayenne's third generation.Chairman of the Executive Board Oliver Blume had this to say "We have completely redeveloped our successful model. It has been visibly and tangibly improved and perfected in all respects. The Cayenne has also been digitalised and networked throughout to give it a forward-thinking design". The scene was host to dancers, a laser light show, and the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra.Cayenne borrows styling from the 911. It arrives with staggered tire sizes, rear wheel steering, and AWD as standard equipment. Two twin turbo V6 engines will be initially available. The base model will offer 340 hp and the Cayenne S will have 440 hp. Both are bolted to an 8-speed Tiptronic S automatic.For incredible comfort on or off road, it has triple-chamber air suspension and Porsche 4D Chassis Control. Even with all the new parts, it weighs in at 143 lbs less than current examples thanks to clever engineering. The first production example will remain on display as part of a special display entitled "New tracks. Every destination. Always Porsche." The exhibit is planned to run until February 25th, to showcase the history of the Cayenne. No mention of a V8 was made, so if you need a great deal on a powerful Porsche, check out our Cayennes for sale and stay with us for all your Porsche news.

By Edward Jones – August 14, 2017

Porsche 911 Turbo S With Paint Worth Over $90k: Most Expe...

When Instagram user @ptsrs posted a picture of a green Porsche 911 Turbo S (991.2) and said it had a paint job worth close to six figures, many didn't believe him. This is why he posted a a second picture that included a build sheet showing the paint's cost (€82,645.50/$97,335).The paint is called "Phyton Green "Chromoflair"" and it is just as incredible as its price tag. The car was on display at the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur at the Nurburgring.Around the end of last year I covered another car, a McLaren 675LT Spider, that had a $60,000 and asked if it was the world's most expensive paint job. Well, now i can easily say that it was not the most expensive, as this Porsche's paint price blows the McLaren's out of the water.https://www.instagram.com/p/BXqbBQyANba/

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2017

The Intricate Final Touches of the Porsche 911 Turbo S Ex...

The new Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series is without a doubt one of the German automaker's finest creations. In fact, this exact model is the most powerful 911 Turbo S, which is an achievement when you consider just how quick the 911 Turbo S really is.This new model features a long list of modifications that make it faster and more unique that any other. For example, here are just a few standard features that the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series comes with: 20-inch center lock wheels, active sports chassis,the Sport Chrono package and model-specific badging.Those tasked with installing the final touches, like the aforementioned badging, are some of Porsche's finest craftsman and take pride in their work. In a new video from Porsche, we get to see one of these craftsmen performing the final touches on the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. CLick play on the video below to see them for yourself, and get a good look at just how intricate the work really is.

By Edward Jones – August 02, 2017

Golfer Gets Hole-In-One, Wins a Porsche

Sinking a hole-in-one may be an easy feat when you're at the mini-putt course. On a real gold course, however, sinking a ball off of the tee ground isn't easy... but don't tell Marcel Siem.At the 17th hole of the Porsche European Open in Hamburg on Saturday, July 29, 2017, Siem chose his 7 iron to take on the 170-yard, par 3 hole. His choice of club, his swing, power and everything had to be perfect in order to sing a hole-in-one. Thankfully, Siem knew what he was doing and swung the perfect swing and sunk the ball with one stroke.His achievement may have been enough, but this feat also scored him a brand-new Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. “Today’s hole in one was my third on the European Tour,” said Siem. “So far, I'd had a handshake and a bottle of champagne - and now, finally, something useful.”The new Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo has 550 hp on tap and comes in with some new exterior changes. By far, the most noticeable change made to the Sport Turismo model is the redesigned rear. Starting at the B-pillars, the Porsche has changed the shape of the car’s rear with a more pronounced shoulder, elongated window line and an adaptive spoiler.

By Andrew Nabors – July 27, 2017

2018 Porsche GT3 Tests New Dunlop Tires by Being Pushed t...

If you like to make power without turbochargers, Porsche's new 911 GT3 is a naturally aspirated monster. The 4.0 liter flat-six is essentially the same engine found in the 2016 GT3 RS and 911R. It may not be as wild as the RS model, but it does offer a manual transmission. To see if the new car is worthy of performance tires, Dunlop invited Archie Hamilton Racing to take a few laps on their test track. Goodyear and Dunlop use the Mireval Proving Grounds to ensure their tires are up to any challenge.We had a 2016 GT3 RS in our showroom for a year, and you can't deny that it is a street legal race car. In order to appeal to a wider audience, the new GT3 has comfortable seats, more insulation, and real interior door handles instead of pull straps. The GT3 is a daily driver while the RS will always be an automotive axe murderer. The predecessor left the factory wearing Michelin PS Cup 2 tires which are as close to racing rubber as you can legally get. That is why Dunlop bet everything on their new Sport Maxx Race 2. After extensive testing on the 'Ring by Porsche, they have become the factory supplier for the new GT3. It sends 500 horsepower to the rear wheels only, which produces a top speed of 198 mph. If you are undecided over the new GT3 or a pre-owned GT3 RS for sale, our dealers will be happy to find the right car for you.

By Andrew Nabors – July 18, 2017

Walter Röhrl Attacks Goodwood in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS

Italy has Valentino Balboni, and Germany has Walter Röhrl. If you have a fast car that is capable of record breaking, hand it over to test drivers and you will have an award. Walter has smashed records from the 'Ring to Pike's Peak, with Nikki Lauda calling him a "Genius on wheels". As Porsche's Chief Test Driver, he has tamed such beasts as the Carrera GT and the 918 Spyder. Giving him the keys to the new Porsche 911 GT2 RS is analogous to Lancelot grasping Excalibur for the first time.Also Check Out: Porsche GT2 RS Donuts & Massive BurnoutThe master of Group B drifting, it would be incredible to see tire smoke billowing up the hill. But Porsche wants us to forget the reputation of the widowmaker. Sending 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels is no easy task, so shifts must be timed perfectly along with a nimble right foot. Keeping the turbos spooled is easier with the PDK 7 speed transmission. Hopefully the exhaust becomes more aggressive after break-in because it would be nice to hear the turbos sing. If you don't need all that power, our dealers have a nice selection of 997 series GT2 and GT2 RS for sale. Stay with us for all your Porsche news and reviews.

By Edward Jones – July 07, 2017

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Configurator is Now Online

Now that the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS has been revealed, it's time to build your own. Yes, Porsche has launched the official configurator for the car so that you can spend some time building your dream German supercar.In this new configurator you'll be allowed to modify a long list of options for the 911 GT2 RS. This includes the exterior color, wheels, wheel color, wheel accessories, interior and a long list of Individual Options. One of the most important choices you'll make will be the exterior color. As of right now, Porsche is allowing you configure with four standard colors (Black, White, Guards Red and Racing Yellow) and four special colors (GT Silver Metallic, Crayon, Lava Orange and Miami Blue). Click the button below to see the colors for yourself!Configure Your 911 GT2 RS

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