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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 Andrew Nabors – June 27, 2019

2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Cabriolet For Sale

How much horsepower can a convertible handle? If you are Porsche, the answer is always more. Exclusive Manufaktur is unlike anything else in the automotive world. Instead of adding badges and nice leather to a regular production 911, the Exclusive department builds cars by hand. Only 500 coupes were produced, but a few customers demanded more. So here is a 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Cabriolet for Sale. Our friends at Braman Porsche of West Palm Beach always have a direct line to Zuffenhausen, so they were able to order this stunning white example. Only 200 Cabriolets will be made, and each one will arrive with hand-stitched seats. Each car has numbered badges made of white gold. They are cast by hand by Porsche's goldsmiths. From the wheels to the rear bonnet, most of the body is carbon fiber. It is hand-laid and book-matched down the car's center line. All soft-touch materials like leather and carpets are of a better quality than a "normal" Turbo S, and that leads us to the engine. Engineers used a healthy amount of secret sauce to unlock 607 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It is sent to all wheels by a revised 7-speed PDK transmission. Thanks to the aforementioned carbon fiber, the lighter body allows the more powerful engine to offer incredible performance. You will be a 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, and 124 mph arrives in 9.6.... Only 200 examples are being built for the world, so we're not sure how many have been allocated for the U.S. Our friends at Braman Porsche of West Palm Beach have all the details, so click the link below for all the specs. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 07, 2019

Porsche 911 GT3 or 911 GT3 RS: Why To Buy

Don't let the name fool you, Porsche isn't trying to confuse anyone. Growing up around Camaros, I thought RS stood for rarely starts. But in Germany its a suffix for Renn Sport, or "Racing". It is our job to help you find the car of your dreams, so let's look at the Porsche 911 GT3 vs the used 911 GT3 RS: why to buy! Starting with the common ground, they are both examples of the Porsche 911. That means they are powered by a flat six-cylinder engine. It is mounted behind the rear wheels for optimal grip. Aside from having the same rear quarter panels, that is about all these two share. Porsche 911 GT3 As the name implies, this car uses technology from GT3 racing. It starts with a 4.0L engine rated at 500 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. This can be sent to a 7-speed PDK or 6-speed manual transmission. The automatic will launch you to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. Wheels measure in a 20", wearing 245/35 tires up front and 305/30 on the rear. Although it is not really a secret, you can also have the same performance in a discreet manner. The Porsche 911 GT3 Touring looks like a 911 Carrera S until you get close. It is a wolf in sheep's clothing! Browse Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale Porsche 911 GT3 RS If you have an additional $43,900, Porsche will sell you a 911 GT3 RS. For that additional sum, you will receive the best suspension ever offered by this manufacturer. Instead of progressive coil springs, each main coil has a helper coil inside. Not only does this allow the unsprung mass to react more quickly, it offers better weight transfer while cornering. To preserve the alignment, every suspension part is connected to the chassis with ball joints. Eliminating the rubber bushings offers years of confident cornering. Next they went deep into the engine to find 20 more horsepower and 7 more lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, this is more than the 6-speed manual could handle, so the 7-speed PDK is the only transmission offered. Options like Air Conditioning, carpet and radio can be omitted if you need to save a few dollars. The roof, fenders, and hood are carbon fiber. The reduction in weight allows 60 mph to arrive in 3 seconds flat. Larger spoilers on both ends hurt the top speed, knocking it down to only 193 mph. Increased downforce requires more rubber on the road. It comes in the form of 265/35/20 tires on the front and 325/30/21 on the rear. It also receives a roll cage on the assembly line, so it arrives ready to race. It can be yours for $187,500. Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale In summary, the first is a street car with racing heritage, the second is a race car that is also street legal. Every Porsche 911 is a correct choice, so it comes down to your personal preferences. Drive them both and let us know which one you choose. Stay with us for all your Porsche news. " width="680"> Related: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 05, 2019

Porsche 911 RSR Lego Build In Action

Many of us can't afford a full-size Porsche race car. That's why our friends in Denmark have developed a somewhat smaller example. If you enjoy a challenge, this is the Porsche 911 RSR LEGO build in action. In their latest YouTube upload, our friend Tim Burton (Shmee150) attempted to assemble the new Lego kit in a precarious situation. The 911 RSR is a track-only version of the GT3 RS, built to compete in LM GTE and GTLM classes. It is a carbon fiber masterpiece that will do battle at LeMans next weekend. Considering the strength of its one-piece design, it would be nice to compare it to a full-size Lego version. For the time being, the closest we can get is a new Porsche GT3 RS, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS for sale Related: McLaren Senna by Lego Lego BMW M1 Needs Our Support

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2019

VW I.D. R Sets Record Lap at Nurburgring

It was around this time last year when something wild appeared at Pike's Peak. Volkswagen revealed an electric supercar to enter the historic race. Not only was it the fastest electric car, it was the fastest automobile to ever climb the mountain. Twelve months later, and they did it again. This time choosing to fight on their home turf, the VW I.D. R has set a record lap at the 'Ring. Veteran racer Romain Dumas has won the 24 Hours of Nürburgring four times was chosen to get back in the driver's seat. Because the car was set up to run in thin air, all the wild aerodynamics were removed to decrease drag. A unique aero package was developed to allow a higher top speed while retaining grip in the corners. Their efforts paid off in a blistering lap time of 6.05.336. It covered the 16.12 mile course 35 seconds faster than the previous record holder. Knocking a race-prepped Porsche 911 GT2 RS out of the top spot was no easy task. That's why the I.D. R was blessed with 671 horsepower, 479 lb-ft of torque, and AWD. The real advantage is that torque is available all the time. Considering the weight is under 2,500 lbs, we are looking at the future. Don't worry, we have plenty of Porsche GT2 RS models to choose from, so click the link below and stay with us for all your VW news. Porsche 911 GT2 RS FOr Sale Related: VW I.D. R Sets New Record at Pike's Peak See the Historic VW I.D. R Pike's Peak Run

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2019

2020 Porsche Speedster Reviewed by Carfection

Sardinia looks like an amazing place to live, so you wouldn't want to drive a boring car on these winding roads. Stuttgart has turned out several Speedsters over the past 70 years, and their latest offers more than any of its predecessors. That's why Henry Catchpole and his team decided give us all the details. If you want a Porsche 911 unlike any other, here is the 2020 Porsche Speedster reviewed by Carfection. History will look at the 991 series Porsche GT3 as a prolific automobile. It spawned the latest GT3 Touring, GT3 RS, and the Speedster will be the end of this generation. Essentially a GT3 Touring with the roof removed, it arrives with the same 503 horsepower flat-six, rear steering, PCCB brakes, and a six-speed manual transmission. 2019 Porsche Concept Previous Speedsters have had no roof, or a flimsy cloth targa, but this one is a game-changer. Under the carbon fiber deck lid is a manual cloth top. The only electronics involved are the latches, and this is appealing thanks to the loss of the electro-hydraulic system. This masterpiece is a proper farewell to the 991 series Porsche 911, so click the link below to find out dealer near you. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 22, 2019

1350 HP Nissan GT-R vs 1200 HP Porsche 911 Turbo S

Some folks will tell you that it takes no skill to drag race an AWD car. This couldn't be more from the truth. Even though they have more traction, leaving the line at the wrong RPM could hurt your chances, or destroy your drivetrain. Because Russia makes up 1/5 of the Earth's surface, they are not limited to 1/4 mile racing. That's why Dragtimesinfo just uploaded a 1350 HP Nissan GT-R versus a 1200 HP Porsche 911 Turbo S. They are both AWD, and both use twin turbo 3.8L six cylinder engines. But the way the power is routed is another story. Nissan mounts their V6 in a traditional spot under the hood. From there, a torque tube connects the crankshaft to a six-speed dual clutch automatic. The front wheels are powered by another shaft sending power rear to front. Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition Revealed Porsche's 911 has always had its flat-six mounted behind the rear wheels, and it is bolted to a 7-speed dual clutch. The rear axles come directly out of the gearbox, and the front wheels are powered by a torque tube. My Russian is a little rusty, so I don't know if their horsepower was measured at the crank or the wheels. But it honestly doesn't matter when you are in the 4-digit range. Does GT-R mean Get Transmission Replaced, or will it serve a heap of Gapplesause to the Turbo S? Tell us which car you would own in the comments below, and stay with us for all your 1/2 mile action! Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale Related: Porsche 911 GT2 RS vs Lamborghini Huracan Performante Ferrari 488 GTB vs Audi R8 V10 Plus & 715 HP Corvette Z06

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2019

Porsche Celebrates Air-Cooled Classics at Luftgekühlt 6

Watch your step if you are visiting Universal Studios Hollywood. That's because there might be a few drops of oil on the Backlot. This historic movie set was the scene of the world's most prized machines. So take a glimpse at how Porsche celebrates air-cooled classics at Luftgekühlt 6. Everything from early 356 to 993 were celebrated. Several 912 and 914 models were chosen to attend, and classic 911 rally cars looked ready for the desert. Stars of the show included a black 959, 935, Speedsters, and an award-winning 962. And about the oil drops, all great cars either leak oil or burn it. If they dont, you aren't driving hard enough. Stay with us for all your Porsche news, and click the link below to find a classic 911 near you. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale Related: Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & Review Porsche 964 Specs, Photos, Price & Review

By Andrew Nabors – May 07, 2019

2020 Porsche 911 Speedster in Action

Do you like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS? Apparently most of the world does because our dealers can't keep them on the lot. We have mentioned that Porsche is slowly moving the 911 models onto the new 992 chassis. They are starting at the bottom and working their way up, so the final 991 series will essentially be a GT3 RS convertible. The press release included a starting price of $274,500, and our dealers are ready for your order. It incorporates the six-speed manual from the GT3 Touring along with rear steering and all the performance systems. The engine has individual throttle bodies for instant response, sending 510 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. In keeping with the 70th anniversary of the first Speedster, only 1,948 examples will be built. If you want the same car as a coupe, the GT3 Touring is a six-speed and the GT3 RS is a street legal race car. Click the link below to find yours, and stay with us for all your Porsche 911 news. Browse Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale Related: Byers Porsche Races to Victory Lane with the duPont REGISTRY Porsche 911 GT2 RS vs Lamborghini Huracan Performante on the 'Ring

By Andrew Nabors – May 06, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS vs Lamborghini Huracan Performante on ...

If you saw a sign reading "Touristenfarthen" you might be anticipating acid reflux. But some German words simply don't translate well. What it means is a chance to battle your friends and several slow cars on the Nurburgring. In a video uploaded by "Sebastian Vittel" we see a Porsche 911 GT2 RS vs a Lamborghini Huracan Performante on the 'Ring. Fighting for Italy, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante sends 630 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. The camera car is a Porsche 911 GT2 RS with an empty water injection tank. This probably limited horsepower to 580 as a protection method by the computer. Since they are corporate cousins, both have the same rear-steering system along with similar dual-clutch transmissions. Tell us which car you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for all your track action. Find Your Porsche 911 GT2 RS Here!

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Smashes Lap Record at Road America

Two months ago, Porsche decided to attack Road Atlanta. Not only is Atlanta the home of Porsche North America, it is a challenging track. After setting a new lap time for production cars, they decided on an encore performance. Heading North, the car and crew were happy to find perfect conditions. With daytime highs barely reaching 50 degrees, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS Smashed the Lap Record at Road America. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin is home to a 4-mile track that has not changed since opening in 1956. Road America hosts several IMSA WeatherTech events along with driver training and World Superbike events. Since the average daily temperature is still in the 40's, the massive turbos of the GT2 RS can compress much more oxygen. They needed a driver who really knows the course, so David Donohue volunteered. McLaren 600LT vs Porsche 911 GT2 RS Drag Race He is the son of Porsche legend Mark Donohue and an accomplished winner in his own right. After only 1 warm up lap, he set a new time to beat: 2:15.17. Congrats to Porsche for another new record. If you think you can tame the beast, click the link below and find a GT2 RS for you. Porsche 911 GT2 RS FOr Sale Related: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Scorches Road Atlanta

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