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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 – March 28, 2019

Porsche 911 GT3 R Tire Test by Richard Hammond

If you want to drive a race car on the street, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the only solution. But many enthusiasts forget that Porsche still builds 911 race cars. If you want to compete in the GT3 series, you will need countless hours of track time and an incredible car. We see both of those in Drivetribe's latest upload, as Falken Tire's 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 R is tested by Richard Hammond. As one of the stars of "The Grand Tour", the accident-prone Englishman needs to steer clear of potential adversity. That's why Falken fitted their car with new rubber and let him loose in Portugal. The 991 Series GT3 R uses the same 4.0L engine found on the street legal GT3 RS, but every other component is made for competition. From a sequential transmission to massive 15" iron rotors, it is built for dominance & endurance. The glass is all polycarbonate and the body is carbon fiber. This allows the 500 horsepower monster to easily push 2,689 lbs around the track. Sequential transmissions sound great on video, but their scream is echoed throughout the cockpit. If you think you have what it takes, get acquainted with a GT3 RS first. You won't regret it! Shop Porsche 911 GT3 RS Related: The Grand Tour is Ditching the Studio in Season 4 How to Drive a Porsche 911 GT3 RS Faster Than Ever

By Andrew Nabors – March 27, 2019

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Smashes Lap Record at Road Atlanta

Not far from Porsche's North American headquarters is one of the best tracks in the world. Road Atlanta has everything a driver could ask for, so it makes a great place to show off your most powerful machines. In a video just uploaded to YouTube, a Porsche 911 GT2 RS smashes the lap record at Road Atlanta. The time it put down was 1 minute and 24.88 seconds, beating the previous record set by a Corvette ZR1 last year (1:26.45). Not only do we see brake, throttle, and acceleration, & the steering angle is on display. Because the car has 690 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, the driver is forced into a drift. A quick application of opposite steering prevents spinning out, but there is another system helping him out. Each rear tire can steer independently to keep the beast pointed in the right direction. Randy Pobst is one of the best drivers in the world, so watch the master in action and click the link below to experience one for yourself! Shop Porsche GT2 RS Related: Porsche 911 GT3 Touring by Exclusive Manufaktur RWB Porsche 993 Cruising Down Under

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2019

Porsche 911 GT3 Touring by Exclusive Manufaktur

If you need to feel the pulse of Porsche purists, the Porsche Club of America is the world's largest single marque car club. In this month's PCA Spotlight video, they explain how your dreams can become a reality. This is the story of a Porsche 911 GT3 Touring by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. Jorge Carnicero is a member of the Potomac Region of the PCA, and he envisioned a 911 GT3 Touring in Espresso. Special orders like this can take up to a year, but the wait is worth it. Instead of carbon fiber interior trim, he chose Espresso leather and dark wood. Luxor Beige contrast stitching and a unique embossed center console will also be seen in the Exclusive book that comes with the car. The finishing touch is the door pull straps from the GT3 RS. If you want a 911 unlike any other, click the link below to begin the process. Shop Porsche 911 GT3 Related: Porsche Employees Receive $11,000 Bonus 992 Series Porsche 911 Cabriolet Packs an Ingenious Convertible Top

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2019

Porsche Employees Receive $11,000 Bonus

Thanks to their quality work and attention to detail, Porsche employees awoke with a smile. When all the data from 2018 was compiled, their net operating profit saw a 4% gain over 2017. To keep up with increased demand, their workforce was expanded by 9%, to 32,325 employees. While the new hires weren't included, 25,000 Porsche employees received an $11,000 bonus. A press release this morning says that €9,000 ($10,220) is in cash, and €700 ($794) has been deposited into their pension funds. To put this into perspective, Porsche's profits of $4.88 Billion are less than half that of GM, who posted $10.8 Billion for 2018. But instead of profit sharing, GM cut 4,000 salaried employees last month. Porsche does it right. Check Out The 2020 Porsche 911 Cabriolet! If you don't believe us, our friends at Jalopnik and Carscoops are reporting that one more 911 GT2 RS is being assembled for a Brazilian customer. The transport ship sunk taking 2,000 Porsches, Audis and others to Davy Jones' locker. While the Stuttgart factory is busy cranking out the 992 series 911, the notion that they will build one more 991.2 is unprecedented in the automotive world. To see what makes them so popular, click the link below to find our dealer near you. Shop Porsche 911 Turbo " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 14, 2019

The New Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet's Top is an Enginee...

Owning a convertible can be very rewarding. Cars like the Mazda Miata embrace simplicity, as it can be easily dropped with one latch. On the other hand, the complex systems of the R8 Spyder and the Huracan Spyder have multiple electrical and hydraulic systems. Engineers at Stuttgart opted for a clean-sheet design for the new 911. Their latest press release shows the new Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet's convertible top is an engineering masterpiece. Instead of multiple folding sections, the section above the cockpit is a rigid magnesium frame. Not only does it copy the roofline of the coupe, it does without multiple bows and hinges. When opening, it moves rear in a linear action to cover the rear glass, almost identical to folding hardtops found on the competitors. Instead of multiple actuators, each part of the top is spring loaded and hinged to one hydraulic cylinder. Not only does this save weight, it will be reliable for years. It is stronger, lighter, and much better insulated than any other soft top, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. Shop Porsche 911 " width="680"> Related: Porsche 911 Adaptive Aerodynamics Explained Porsche 911 Isn't Afraid of Rain

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2019

1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S With 88 Original Miles Heading t...

Heading to RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction, March 8, 2019, is a 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S that's virtually brand-new. This example of the last air-cooled 911 has just 88 original miles on its odometer and is in pristine quality. The original owner had the 911 Turbo S finished in a vibrant Speed Yellow paint with a matching black and yellow interior that looks like nobody has sat in. This Porsche 911 truly looks like it had been kept in a time capsule since it rolled off of the production line. It comes with its original owner's manual, factory literature, window sticker, tool set, air compressor, jack, spare keys and spare wheel. When this Porsche is delivered to whoever places the final bid, it will be like the original delivery that happened in 1997 because it comes with everything and looks like it did over two decades ago. RM Sotheby's notes: "As one of only 183 produced for the U.S. market, this exceedingly low-mileage Porsche 911 is sure to be one of, if not the most original Turbo S in existence." For more information, be sure to click the button below. learn more about this porsche!

By Andrew Nabors – February 26, 2019

RWB Porsche 993 Cruising Down Under

In an ideal world, all Porsche 993 series 911s would be transformed into RWB masterpieces. Rauh-Welt Begriff is a Porsche tuning company based in Japan. It was founded by Akira Nakai to built the ultimate examples of the Porsche 993. They are incredibly rare, which is why this footage is of an RWB Porsche 993 cruising in Australia knocked our socks off. The German translation is Rough World Concept, and each build is given its own name. Nakai San must choose your car for the project, and he has rejected many prominent Porsche owners. This car is "Chigiri" or 'The Promise'. Owned by @c.santoso, it was filmed in 4k by THE-LOWDOWN. If you happen to be in Melbourne, keep an eye out for this gorgeous machine. Shop Porsche 993 Series 911 For Sale Related: Porsche 993 Specs, Price, Photos & Review RWB 993 Porsche Photoshoot

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2019

TECHART GTstreet RS Unveiled Ahead of Geneva 2019

Does the Porsche 911 Turbo S leave you wanting more? It is hard to improve upon perfection, but our friends at TECHART have something special in the works. A press release early this morning shows something unprecedented. TECHART have unveiled the GTstreet RS ahead of the Geneva motor show. It is based on the 991.2 series 911 Turbo S, and production will be limited to 10 examples. It is inspired by their previous supercar, the GTstreet R. Using a proven formula of body upgrades and boost, it will arrive covered in forged carbon fiber. Inside you are treated to Alcantara and virgin wool. That is, the wool from a baby sheep's first shearing. It is the softest natural material which makes a perfect contrast to the Alcantara. The natural and synthetic materials offer years of durability along with fire resistance. The only flames near this car will be coming from the exhaust. TECHART have developed their on variable geometry turbos. By changing the size ratio between the hot and cold sides, they have unlocked 770 horsepower and 678 lb-ft of torque. This level of power demands respect, and it also includes nice ammenities. Handmade leather luggage and a helmet bag are customized for each owner. If you need to reach 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, you will be at 124 mph in only 8.1 ticks. The top speed is north of 211 mph, which will allow you to enter the Silver State Classic and bring home 1st place. If you don't need this level of excitement, our dealers have great offers on "normal" Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S models. Click the link below and stay with us for all your TECHART updates. Shop Porsche 911 Turbo S Related: TECHART GTstreet R Cabriolet First TECHART GTstreet R in the USA

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2019

Porsche 911 Adaptive Aerodynamics Explained

Before the sound barrier was broken, engineers viewed aerodynamics as annoying. It was unpredictable because computer technology was not up to the task. But there are certain visionaries who can "see" the air. General Yeager, Dale Earnhardt Sr, and Ferry Porsche knew how to use aerodynamics to their advantage. That is why the Porsche 911 Adaptive Aerodynamics are years ahead of their competitors. Porsche pushed the industry into the modern era with the powered rear spoiler in 1989. The 964 series 911 had a tail that was either up or down depending on speed. This tradition evolved into include the front spoiler on the Turbo S models. But the new Porsche 911 is the first to offer active and variable surfaces instead of simply open or closed. It is similar to how their Italian cousins at Lamborghini use the ALA system on the Aventador SVJ and the Huracan Performante. The future is now, so if you want the best 911 yet, click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Shop all Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 20, 2019

RUF CTR Anniversary & All New RUF GT Heading to Geneva

This year marks the 89th anniversary of the Geneva Motor Show. It also marks 8 decades since Alois Ruf opened a service station in Germany. To celebrate the occasion, the RUF CTR Anniversary and the all-new RUF GT are en-route to Switzerland. We first saw the RUF 911 Turbo CTR as a prototype back in 2017. A lucky buyer will receive the first production example at the show. For a quick refresher, it was unveiled in 2017 as the 30th anniversary of the RUF Turbo CTR, and it offers 700 horsepower from a 3.6L twin turbo. The car only weighs 2,640 lbs, so it has a top speed of 223 mph. Next to it will be the new RUF GT. It is based on the 991 chassis and uses the twin turbo 3.0L from the Carrera. Removing all non-essential weight, it is only 3,197 lbs. It sends 515 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. This allows 0-62 mph to arrive in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 199 mph. We will have pictures after the unveiling, so click the link below to find a Porsche 911 for you. Shop All Porshe 911 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Insane RUF CTR3 Caught on the Street RUF: Germany's Greatest Porsche Tuner

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