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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 – April 11, 2019

Porsche 917 vs the Concorde

Two of the world's fastest machines were launched 50 years ago. A joint-venture between France and England resulted in the fastest airliner of all time. Meanwhile, a secret team in Stuttgart had finished their first prototype race car. Five decades later, the pilots of these incredible machines met to compare their careers. This is the story of the Porsche 917 vs the Concorde. Because the Ford GT dominated the world in 1967 and '68, Porsche threw down and gave Hans Mezger a blank check to built a 1st place supercar. Development of the Concorde was subsidized by the French and U.K. governments with the same goal: make it the fastest in the world. Porsche brought the first 917 to a Concorde on display to compare these pioneering machines. The British Airways pilot mentions the speed record of 2:52.59 from London to NYC. I don't know what record they claim to have, since the SR-71 Blackbird did the same run under 2 hours. As groundbreaking as the Porsche 917 was, Ford beat them to first place in 1969, giving the Ford GT a record of 3-0 at LeMans. The 917 took home the trophy in 1971, making Hans Mezger and his team responsible for Porsche 911 performance for the next 3 decades. Finding a Porsche 917 will be difficult, so we have several Ford GTs for sale. Click the link below and get ready to break your own speed records. Find Your Ford GT Here Related: Porsche 917 Concept Revealed Porsche 917 Goes Flat Out

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2019

2020 Porsche 911: Less Steel & More Composites

If you have ever driven a vintage Porsche 911, you can easily feel how light it is. Through the years, safety and entertainment systems have added incredible weight. Models like the Turbo S have to deal with 600 horsepower and All Wheel Drive, so it takes incredible strength to hold the car together. But the new 8th generation car was an opportunity for a diet. In a press release this morning, we see the 2020 Porsche 911 has less steel and more composites. Starting with the A-pillars, a complex blend of fiberglass and other materials replace the tubular steel. The plastics are surrounded by sheet metal made of Boron Steel for a weight savings of 6 lbs. That might not seem like much, but since it is the highest part of the body, it lowers the center of gravity by a nice percentage. Of course this is just one example. Our dealers have more information on the new 992 than we could ever type, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Find Your New Porsche 911 Here Related: 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Wet Weather Testing Porsche 911 GT3 R Tire Test by Richard Hammond

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2019

Porsche Posts Strong First Quarter Deliveries in the U.S.

If you are in the market for a new Porsche, you are not alone. Despite drops in several regions, Porsche has posted strong first quarter deliveries in the U.S. In a press release last night, total sales for Q1 were 55,700 vehicles. In total, this number is a decrease of 12% from last year, and much of it was forced by European legislation. The EU has mandated new particulate filters on all direct-injection engines, and the scramble to add them delayed the new 992 Series Porsche 911 along with deliveries of other models. Because the filters are not needed for US-spec cars, we saw a jump of 8%. America as a whole is up 7% while Europe took a hit of 32%. Even Germany is down by 28% thanks to the new regulations. Cayenne and Macan sales are still far above the cars, and the new 911 is outshining the 718 Series. It is nice to see that we were the first to receive the 8th generation, and our dealers can't keep them in stock.They expect to finish the year slightly ahead of 2018, betting on the 911 and Cayenne Coupe introductions. September will see the launch of the Taycan, guiding the brand into an optimistic future. Find your new Porsche 911 Here " width="680"> Related: Porsche Posts Record U.S. Sales in March 2019 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Wet Weather Testing

By Andrew Nabors – April 02, 2019

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Wet Weather Testing

You have probably learned by now that Porsche engineers leave nothing to chance. Because their customers aren't scared of bad weather, the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S wet weather testing was a critical part of the new 992 series development. It must be nice to have a closed course capable of flooding on a sunny day. They could have just waited a few months and shipped them here to Florida for a proper test of Wet Mode. So far, Spring has brought morning showers, which makes my morning commute in a CTS-V much like tap dancing in a minefield. #facepalm It is easy to see the differences between the 911 Carrera S and the 911 Carrera 4S, as the latter is All Wheel Drive. Both cars have microphones tuned to listen for rain behind each wheel, and Wet Mode changes several systems at an instant. Porsche Stability Management and Porsche Traction Management are given free reign to open the aerodynamics for more downforce. The brake calipers are held closer to the rotor to keep them dry, and the computers slow down the connection between your right foot and the engine's response. This is just another reason why the 2020 Porsche 911 is better than your car, so click the link below to find one for yourself. Find Your Porsche 911 Here! Related: Porsche 911 GT2 RS Smashes Lap Record at Road Atlanta Porsche 911 GT3 Touring by Exclusive Manufaktur

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2019

Porsche Officially Updates Their Crest with QR Code

Since 1952, every Porsche model has worn the company crest. The original 48 cars built in a sawmill (356 Pre-A) wore it on the steering wheel. It incorporates the flag of Württemberg, an ancient German Kingdom on the border of Austria and Switzerland. Porsche's headquarters lies in Stuttgart, the capital of Württemberg since 1,251. The city has formed the center of the crest since the brand's beginning, they decided it is time for a change. Starting with the introduction of the Taycan, Porsche's "QREST" will incorporate a QR Code. Click the link below for all the information and tell us what you think in the comments below. Porsche QREST Press Release Obviously this is an April Fool's joke, but what if... " width="680"> Related: Porsche 911 GT3 R Tire Test by Richard Hammond Porsche Taycan is Almost Ready for Launch

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2019

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid

If you are in the market for a German sedan, get ready to take notes. Our friends at Autocar just uploaded a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid. If you are reading this, you are probably experienced in one (if not both) of these brands. Each car took years to develop only to arrive when SUVs are hot again. So lets take a quick glance at their specs. Both cars are powered by twin turbo 4.0L V8 engines. Mercedes offers 630 horsepower and 640 lb-ft of torque. Porsche has 677 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. But that is only available on a full charge. The 14 kWh battery allows for 30 miles of electric cruising and less harmful emissions. Both cars are All Wheel Drive, and they both have great styling. The major difference is in price. The base price of the Mercedes is $136,500, but the Porsche is $50,000 more. Spending that much more for electric assist seems silly given the price of a Tesla Model 3. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and have a great weekend. Shop Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Sounds Ready to Race Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid by Carfection

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

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By Andrew Nabors – March 28, 2019

Porsche Taycan is Almost Ready for Launch

Entering a new realm of the automotive world has to be done correctly or it will fail. That is why engineers at Porsche have had their first electric vehicle in testing for years. What began as the Mission E was a warning shot to the industry. Their plans for an 800-Volt charging network along with a 300-mile range are revolutionary, and they are about to become a reality. In a press release this morning, we've learned the Porsche Taycan is almost ready for launch. Lithium Ion batteries have a narrow heat range for optimal performance. That is why the Taycan is being tested on ice in Scandinavia. Simultaneously, teams in Dubai and South Africa are performing the hot weather runs. Prototypes have seen action in over 30 countries, with temperatures ranging from -31 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Over 3.7 Million miles have included 1.2 Million of endurance runs around the clock. Over 100,000 tests of the charging system included all standard AC or DC protocols. Porsche Cayenne For Sale Over 20,000 deposits are already on the books, and each customer will reach 62 mph in under 3.5 seconds. The nominal range is 310 miles, and an 800-Volt charge adds 62 miles of range in 4 minutes. If you want to experience the best blend of gas and electric, the Porsche Panamera E Hybrid will blow your mind. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Shop Panamera E-Hybrid " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan Will Include 3 Years of Free Charging All-Electric Porsche Taycan Price Estimated

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

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