Porsche News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2018

Porsche 911 Speedster Concept is Heading to Production

Porsche is going ahead with production of the 911 Speedster concept that they unveiled not too long ago. The car is coming in as a limited production model, with only 1,948 examples planned to be produced. That number may look oddly specific, but it's a reference to June 8, 1948, the day when the Porsche 356 "Number 1" received its operating license.Porsche will be offering new Heritage Design Packages for the new 911 Speedster and will be the first car from them to do so. Porsche says this new accessory line will allow "for an even higher degree of personalization for the 911."A quick comparison between the 911 Speedster concept car and the production version will show that the technology and body components between the two are identical. Both have bodies based on the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and have a chassis borrowed from the 911 GT3. Powering the Speedster is a naturally-aspirated flat-six engine that produces 500 horsepower.

By Andrew Nabors – September 13, 2018

2016 Porsche 911R Meets Jigsaw to make a 3D Puzzle

Making puzzles was once a form of art that took years to master. Porsche has spent over half a century mastering their 911, and for many, it represents the ultimate puzzle. How the car outdoes itself with each new generation. So in a press release this morning, we've learned the details of a new 3D puzzle based on the 911R.Why You Should Buy A Porsche 911RCollaborating with the toymakers of Ravensburg, the 911R is now available in a slightly smaller size with some assembly required. After scanning the car into the virtual world, designers were able to cut it into complex pieces before the first molds were cast. The end result is 108 pieces that make for family fun and a great gift for the Holiday season. Click the link below to find your 911R and stay with us for all your Porsche news.Browse Porsche 911R For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Porsche Classic Unveils Project Gold

It is hard to believe the 993 series Porsche 911 is now 20 years old. But the frenzy surrounding the last air-cooled cars is hotter than ever. So the team that built the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series realized they had a few gallons of Golden Yellow Metallic paint left over. Instead of wasting it, they joined forces with coworkers at Porsche Classic.Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & ReviewThis collaboration has been teased for weeks, and it was finally revealed in a press release early this morning. Project Gold is a new 993 Series 911 Turbo S. Porsche Classic has over 52,000 parts on the shelf to keep your classic 911 on the road, and that includes body panels. This car required 6,500 individual components, and it can be yours. It will arrive in the US for RennSport Reunion at Laguna Seca on September 27th.From there it will probably travel around the country until it lands at Porche Headquarters in Atlanta. RM Sotheby's will be auctioning 70 pristine Porsches as part of the 70th Anniversary Celebration on October 27th. This car will be on the auction block, even though Porsche says it is not legal to drive. Since it doesn't meet modern crash or emissions laws, the closest you will get is to find a legal 993 Turbo S is by clicking the link below. We will be there in Atlanta, so stop by for a copy of the world's best car magazine.Browse Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2018

2016 Porsche 911 R Could Be Yours!

Don't let anyone tell you the manual transmission is dead. Porsche purists rebuked the 991 series GT3 RS for not offering three pedals, and the factory responded with the Porsche 911 R for sale. This retro-inspired ride was limited production because it was only offered as a six-speed manual. Air conditioning and audio were optional, making it one of the lightest cars in recent history. The secret is that it shares the engine and suspension from the GT3 RS. Doing without the wild aerodynamic features and the roll cage makes it a wolf in sheep's clothing. A lightweight flywheel and short throw shifter are flawless. Who needs a radio when you have 500 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of naturally aspirated fun? Porsche wanted owners to fall in love with driving again, so every option carried a hefty price. This is the most extreme example we have encountered. Not only did the owner opt for audio, it is Bose instead of Burmeister. The standard houndstooth cloth was too mundane, so this car has $28,000 in custom tailoring. Also onboard is the front axle lift system, A/C, and the Sport Chrono package. Push it as hard as you want into a corner, and the rear wheel steering will hold your line. It is a faithful homage to the 1967 Porsche 911 R, with unprecedented technology and performance. Over $60,000 in options and only 180 miles make it a perfect investment so it will be a primetime feature next Saturday at Mecum's Monterey Auction. Make sure you are registered to bid and tune in to their live YouTube stream. We'll be there, so stay with us for all your Mecum coverage. View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2018

What is Porsche's "Project Gold"?

Of all the innovators and skilled workers at Porsche's Stuttgart factory, there is one aspect you won't find in any employee: Idle Hands. Porsche Classic is up to something big. In a teaser uploaded to YouTube this morning we see the body of a 993 Turbo being dipped to prevent rust. So what's the big deal?Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & ReviewThis isn't just any 993 that was sitting in the museum, it's all new. In a press release also earlier today, we've learned that it took 18 months to get here. You can't deny all the prices of air-cooled turbos have skyrocketed in the last decade, so perhaps the factory is tired of seeing 20-year old examples selling for more than a new Porsche 911 Turbo S.RWB 993 Porsche Photoshoot by Marcel LechThe upcoming 992 Series 911 will be a Swiss Army Knife. It will be the basis for all Porsche 911 variants for the immediate future, and we have no doubt it will have mindblowing improvements. Two decades of advances make the 993 series look like a rusty razor in comparison. But some of us like the traditional ways. Consider how expensive and popular the RWB and Singer 911 restorations are. If Porsche is truly building new examples of the 993 Turbo, it will shake up the automotive industry and the aftermarket. We didn't mean to wreck your concentration, but this is unprecedented. We sell more new and classic Porsches than anyone else, so click the link below and have a great weekend!Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 02, 2018

Jerry Seinfeld Buys Porsche Werks 911 RSR

Porsche had a problem in the early 70's. Their 917 was banned for being so dominant. So they went back to the drawing board for a new race car. Using the shell of a normal 911, the Werks racing department installed a roll cage and deleted many of the accessories along with insulation. The result was the 1974 and 1975 Porsche 911 RSR. Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Returns July 6th Power comes from a 3.0L flat six and a giant turbo. Conservatively rated at 330 hp, it was cast from aluminum rather than magnesium for durability. Each cylinder had twin spark plugs and Porsche Werks offered aggressive cams to bump the power to 345 hp. Only a handful were built. Mostly for the Werks drivers, and some were purchased by privateer teams once the program was announced. Jerry Seinfeld’s 911 GT3 RS Is 1 of 1 Needless to say these factory-built race cars are rare, and that's why our friend Jerry Seinfeld had to have one. In an Instagram Post yesterday, the famous comedian & actor uploaded his new acquisition. We saw it in 2012 at the Gooding auction on Amelia Island, and this car is perfect in every aspect. Since 1985, we have been your source for rare & collectible Porsches, so click the link below to find the perfect one for your collection. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale Just arrived in US. 1 of 31. So excited. A post shared by Jerry Seinfeld (@jerryseinfeld) on Jun 30, 2018 at 9:19pm PDT

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2018

2020 Porsche 911 Turbo S Caught Testing

Something new is being cooked up in Stuttgart. The recipe includes a flat-six engine, carbon fiber, and a heaping helping of horsepower. Model year 2019 will be the Grand Finale for the 991 generation of the Porsche 911. Logically, the next generation car is the 992 chassis, and it appears to be in the final stages of development. We say that because a YouTube video uploaded by Automotive Mike shows a test car wearing almost no camouflage. Although it doesn't really need to, because the 911 has stayed true to its heritage since the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963. The motor pool is a week of hot laps at the Nurburgring. It is a chance for Teutonic Test machines to be pushed to their limits. As such, we see Audis along with a Bugatti Chiron testing alongside other models in the VW Group's portfolio. As their most expensive model, the Turbo S Cabriolet is easily identified by the large intakes and the chin spoiler. Most of the significant changes will be under the skin so it will be interesting to see how they surpass the incredible chassis of the current series. Our guess is more composites and perhaps a spaceframe instead of the unibody. But as soon as we have more details, you will see them first here on Autofluence. Browse Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=_hWiZmrBlWM

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2018

How To Drive a Porsche 911 GT3 RS Faster Than Ever

How many laps of the 'Ring did it take for Porsche to tune the 2019 GT3 RS? We don't know, but the time spent building this car has surely paid off. If you opt for the Weissach package, the rubber suspension joints are replaced by steel ball joints. You will have a massive rear spoiler and more downforce than many race cars.Porsche Explains the Lizard Green Paint on the 911 GT3 RSSome of the components are actually shared with the GT3 R, which is raced around the world. Nothing was left on the table. The new 4.0-liter engine has solid lifters, which eliminates valve float at a screaming 9,000 rpm. A thicker forged crankshaft and titanium rods allow it to make 520 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to lap the historic track in 6.56.4. It is faster than your car, your friend's LS-swap, and even the Porsche 918 Spyder. So if you want to experience it, our dealers will get yours on the way. Stay with us for all your Porsche news.Browse Porsche GT3 RS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 08, 2018

Porsche is Celebrating 70 Years With New 911 Speedster

When Jerry Seinfeld announced the new season of his show, it reminded us that he owns one of the original Porsche 356 models built in Gmund, Austria. The aluminum bodies were hammered and formed by the survivors of a decade of violence. Beating their swords into plowshares paid for the release of Dr. Porsche from a French POW prison, and he was amazed at what his son had built.Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Returns July 6thThe Porsche 356 Speedster was essentially a gorgeous body on the chassis of their Volkswagen Beetle. Seventy years later, the Porsche 911 is at the forefront of automotive engineering and build quality. These two cars couldn't be farther apart by any measure. "Pollie" is Mr. duPont's 356 Speedster, and it was the first 356 I had driven. Of course, it stays in like-new condition, so it is as close as anyone will get to a time machine. But there is something in the way it communicates with the driver. It corners like nothing else from the old days. It is nimble, and the carburetors offer instant power.So, Porsche has decided to give themselves something amazing. The 911 Speedster Concept bridges the gap between old and new. Starting with a new 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet, the rear seats are deleted and the convertible top is replaced by a carbon fiber tonneau cover. Keeping with the 356 theme, you won't find air conditioning, audio, or an automatic transmission. The fuel filler is dead center of the front end, and the classic Talbot mirrors are a gorgeous touch.Power comes from the 911 GT3 RS, with over 500 hp at only 9,000 rpm. This is sent to 21" Fuchs replica wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. We would sell a pile of kidneys to get this concept into production, and we're sure you agree. But this is just the start of their 70th Anniversary, so stay with us for all your Porsche updates.Find Your Porsche 911 For Sale Here The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept forges a link between the very first Porsche 356 ‘No. 1’ Roadster and the Porsche cars of today. More: newsroom.porsche.com // article: The Porsche 911 Speedster Concept: open-top and pure #porsche #porschenews #porschenewsroom #911speedsterconcept #911speedster #concept #911 #porsche911speedster #porsche911 #porsche70yrs #sports #cars #sportscars #sport #car #sportscar #opentop #pure #356no1 #details #wheel #interior #porschelife #porschepix A post shared by Porsche Newsroom (@porsche_newsroom) on Jun 8, 2018 at 11:59am PDT

By Andrew Nabors – May 25, 2018

Porsche Explains the Lizard Green Paint on the 911 GT3 RS

No decision is arbitrary when it comes to Porsche's pride & joy. Even the smallest change invokes a discussion amongst the management, so they decided to let us in on how a new color was chosen for the 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Barbara Sika and Daniela Milošević are the ladies in charge of Porsche's paint shop.Because the GT3 RS is so polarizing, Barbara said: “The 911 GT3 RS pushes the limits of what’s technically possible, so it also needs a cutting-edge color". Daniela followed her with: "We match the color precisely to the character of the car. The color should be like a superb article of clothing that perfectly highlights the car’s qualities."Barbara also pointed out that Lizard Green extroverted, and we couldn't agree more. The brilliant shade is found on the seats, roll cage, and even the seat belts. That's why it has been chosen as a "Communication Color". The press release says we will see this car in many brochures, videos, and social media in the near future. If you need more green in your life, click the link below to find your GT3 RS and have a great weekend!Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale

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