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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 – September 03, 2019

Porsche Taycan: 0-90-0 on the USS Hornet

Porsche has every electric carmaker in its sights. So they chose the deck of a famous Aircraft Carrier to fire a warning shot in California. This historic ship was commissioned in 1943 with orders for Japan. After participating in the Mariana Turkey Shoot, she led two Escort Carriers in attacks along the Japanese mainland. With so much history on this flight deck, the Porsche Taycan went 0-90-0 on the USS Hornet. She was retired in 1970 after a long and lucky career, and now she is a museum at the Alameda Navy Base. Situated across the bay from San Francisco, this run serves to put fear in the Silicon Valley startups. Putting pressure on Tesla was inevitable, and Porsche has the full backing of VW group to take on Elon. As the most anticipated luxury cars for sale, the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-tron are coming and nobody can stop them. Tell us what you think of them in the comments below, and check out the performance of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid in the link below. Browse Porsche Panamera For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan Sets new 'Ring Record Porsche Taycan Reveales its Digital & Sustainable Interior

By Andrew Nabors – August 29, 2019

Porsche Unveils 2021 Macan Turbo

This war is really heating up. Yesterday Mercedes-AMG unveiled the 2021 GLE 53. Stuttgart does not take threats lightly, and this morning we see their response. Porsche has unveiled the 2021 Macan Turbo as a direct competitor. Not only are they similar in size, both use 3-liter six-cylinder engines with turbos. The 1st generation Macan Turbo was no slouch, Mr. duPont had one for a few years. It changed my mind on what Porsche's V6 is capable of. Because their engineers rarely sleep, the new 2.9L V6 moves the turbos into the V, like most other German models. Although it is 20% smaller in displacement, this little guy makes 10% more power than the previous Macan Turbo. Taking a cue from GM's latest 3.6, the exhaust manifold is now cast into the cylinder head. This allows a cool & dense flow directly into the turbos. What does this all mean? You will have 440 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available at only 1,800 rpm, and goes all the way to 5,600! It will be a very quick family hauler, so Porsche raised the bar for brakes. All four rotors are coated in several layers of tungsten carbide. So the rotors will probably last the life of the car. Porsche says the best benefit is 90% less brake dust-who gets to measure brake dust percentages? Of course, the carbon-ceramic PCCB rotors are optional, as is Air Suspension. Other goodies include a 14-speaker BOSE system, 18-way seats, and a WiFi hotspot. I have never considered a Porsche SUV, but this one really piques my interest. If you feel the same way, click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Macan For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 26, 2019

Porsche Taycan Sets new 'Ring Record

This is the one we've been waiting for. In order to prove the virility of their upcoming electric sedan, the Porsche Taycan has set a new 'Ring record. Production will begin in a few weeks, so this is also a brilliant marketing move by Stuttgart. Their previous test at Nardo involved 26 consecutive runs from 0-186 mph, before running 2,128 miles in 24 hours. Development on the Taycan involved simulator runs of the historic track, and it gave engineers a rough idea of what to expect. Nothing beats real-world experience, and driver Lars Kern did several laps of the 12.8-mile track. After some final tuning and a full charge, he lapped the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7:42. This makes it the fastest electric sedan to take on the Green Hell, and they have footage to prove it. While the Taycan is still in final development, our dealers have great offers on the new 992-Series 911. Click the link below to find yours after watching this blistering lap. Find Your Porsche 911 Here " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 23, 2019

Porsche Taycan Reveals its Digital & Sustainable Interior

Porsche's first battery-powered EV is almost ready for launch. It looks and performs unlike any Porsche before it, so it needed an interior just as impressive. Taking a page from the past, they used the dash of the first Porsche 911 as a starting point. While 1963 controls and gauges are not an option, the shapes are just as pleasing. Starting with the instrument cluster, it is a 16.8" curved screen without a cowling. Placing the screen in the open is just one way the Porsche Taycan reveals its digital & sustainable interior. Sitting amidships under the windshield is the familiar chronograph with an LED time display. The central dash has a 10.9" touchscreen, and it can be optioned with a passenger display for side-seat drivers. Ahead of the cup holders, the center console rises to an 8.4" touchscreen. It uses haptic feedback to keep your eyes on the road. Even the A/C vents are digital, and they are capable of direct or diffused airflow thanks to Porsche "Virtual Airflow Control". The sustainable portion of the interior comes from 2 choices. Leather isn't a limited resource, so it would be our choice. The other material offered is "Race-Tex" microfiber made from recycled polyester. Until the Taycan arrives, Porsche has another electric option. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is more fun than a barrel of monkeys. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Cayenne Turbo For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan Endurance Racing at Nardo Ring Porsche Taycan Trio Attacks the Hoover Dam

By Andrew Nabors – August 21, 2019

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid Sets Unusual Lap Record

Hot laps on asphalt are fun to watch, but what happens when the pavement ends? To show us just how capable their new SUV truly is, Porsche traveled to the middle of the Baltic Sea. A massive motorsports facility is under construction on the Swedish island of Gotland, and only half of it has been paved. That is how the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid set an unusual lap record The facility bills itself as the first Sustainable track, using wind power for electricity. The new Cayenne Hybrid also uses high voltage to offer 676 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. It uses the same 400v system as its cousin the Audi E-Tron, and it represents the future of high-performance SUVs. Being able to cruise at 83 mph on battery alone for 26 miles is a nice achievement. So how does this power reach the ground when the pavement ends? Listen to the driver's excitement and hold on for a wild ride! Click the link below to find a new Cayenne near you. Browse Porsche Cayenne Turbo For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is Fast & Efficient

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2019

Porsche Taycan Endurance Testing at Nardò Ring

It takes a leap of faith to enter a new market. A purely electric luxury sedan will face competition from the (Redacted) Model S, and that is why the Porsche Taycan is endurance testing at the Nardò Ring. Volkswagen Group has owned the historic proving grounds for several years, and it has allowed them to dial in their Lamborghini, Bentley, and Audi models. It is also where the Porsche 919 Hybrid proved that 800-volt charging could lead to three wins at LeMans. With the launch of the Taycan planned for early September, they had to make sure every aspect is proven. With track temperatures reaching 129 degrees, they covered 2,128 miles in 24 hours. This potent machine had an average speed between 121 to 134 mph. The driver was treated to the latest version of Apple Music. It is the first fully-integrated streaming service offered by Apple, and it includes six months of free music along with three years of internet & data connectivity. Tell us your thoughts about this new Porsche in the comments below, and click the link to experience the new Porsche 911. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan Trio Attacks the Hoover Dam Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood

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By Andrew Nabors – August 13, 2019

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is Fast & Efficient

Porsche is on a high voltage mission to incorporate hybrid and battery technologies across its lineup. If you thought the Cayenne was fast on gas, imagine a plug-in hybrid helping it along. That is what was revealed this morning, as the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is fast & efficient. Plug it in overnight, and you will have the ability to reach 83 mph on battery power alone. It packs a 14.1 kWh battery under the floor, and a 7.2 kW onboard charger. If you need a quick charge, it is capable of handling 400 volts AC at 16 amps, the same protocol as its cousin: The Audi e-tron. High voltage charging takes 2.4 hours or six hours from your home 240v system. The genius here is integrating the electric motor inside the transmission. With a full charge you will have 676 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. If you need to be silent, you can cruise on battery for 26 miles. Other standard features include active sway bars, air suspension, and electric Air Conditioning. You can have the car cool and ready to go using the Porsche Connect App. The styling and interior upgrades aren't limited to the V8 Hybrid, Porsche has also released a new V6 turbo Cayenne Coupe. It has 455 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from a smooth & silent 3.0L V6. It can reach 60 mph with the SportChrono package. Both models get USB-C ports, wireless charging and the infotainment has been upgraded to support wireless Apple CarPlay. Click the link below to order your new Cayenne, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Cayenne Turbo For Sale " width="680"> Related: 2019 Porsche Cayenne Price, Specs, Photos & Review 2018 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Specs, Price, Review, & Photos

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2019

Singer Celebrates 10th Anniversary at Monterey

As you are reading this, over 25 Porsches 911 are en-route to California. Working with our friends at Petrolicious, the goal is to capture amazing footage of these immaculate Porsche 964 models. Named in honor of Porsche Engineer Norbert Singer. Founded by Rob Dickinson, you might recognize his cousin Bruce Dickinson as the frontman for Iron Maiden. Although Bruce always needs more cowbell, his brother prefers carbon fiber. This allows them to specialize in the 1989-1994 (Type 964) models. When Singer is done restoring your 964, it will be stronger, lighter, and faster. The last bit relies on Williams Engineering to supply an incredible flat-six. Rob refers to his creations as "re-imagined" version of a Targa or 964 Coupe. Congratulations on a decade of building amazing cars, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. If you would like your own, click the link below for a great deal on a Porsche 964 Browse Porsche 964 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Singer DLS Unveiled at Goodwood Jay Leno's Collection

By Andrew Nabors – August 07, 2019

Porsche Celebrates 20 Years of the 911 GT3

Something incredible happened in May of 1999. While I was sipping on Surge at Band Camp, Porsche unveiled the first 911 GT3. They were assembled at the Weissach plant to meet homologation rules for racing. It spawned the first GT3 R and the GT3 RSR, both became dominant forces on tracks around the world. They learned a great deal in only a few years, and the engine was upgraded with the VarioCam system in 2003. It offered 381 horsepower from a flat-six at a time when V8 engines were barely making over 400 hp. On to 2006, and power was again increased to 415 hp and coincided with the introduction of Porsche Active Suspension Management. A new 3.8L engine was introduced in 2009, offering 435 horsepower with incredible aerodynamics. For the 50th Anniversary of the 911, the 5th generation of the GT3 arrived with 475 horsepower and the PDK transmission. While the manual transmission was lost, the car gained rear-wheel steering to lap the 'Ring in 7:25. Over 30 seconds faster than the first GT3, it proved that Porsche builds the best naturally aspirated engine. The current generation GT3 debuted in 2017 with a 4.0L engine and 500 horsepower. The manual transmission returned, and buyers had a new option. For those who wanted the power and performance without the wild body, the GT3 Touring hides all the goodies in a disguise of a normal Carrera. You won't notice until you are very close, and by then it is flying past you. Although the press release didn't mention it, the gaps in GT3 production usually coincide with the release of a 911 GT3 RS, 911 GT2, or 911 GT2 RS for sale if you are an adrenaline junkie. Click the link below to find a 911 GT3 near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Find Your Porsche 911 GT3 Here! " width="680"> Related: 2018 Porsche GT3 Specs, Photos, Price & Review Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs, Prices, Photos & Review

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By Andrew Nabors – August 06, 2019

Porsche Targets China for Counterfeit Parts

If your company has one of the most recognized brands in the world, the Chinese have you in their sights. Thanks to the wonderful communist ideologies, it is ok to steal and reproduce any intellectual property that can make a profit. Not only does this lower the perceived value of the brand, but there are also serious implications for safety. That's why Porsche has targeted China for counterfeit parts. In a press release this morning, Porsche introduced its Brand Protection Team to the world. Their careers revolve around exposing fake Porsche parts and accessories. A majority of this junk originates in Shenzen, so they assist Chinese authorities in raiding these operations several times a year. The fight is also being waged online, as Porsche purchased over 200,000 bogus items last year. By constantly monitoring eBay and Alibaba, they spent over $67,000,000 on worthless fakes. These items range from center caps and clothing to wheels and suspension parts. Check out the bogus label! This is where it gets serious. Tie rods, control arms, wheels, and airbags are critical to your safety. But because Porsche genuine parts are engineered to such high standards, the copycats have found that sleazy shops will buy the junk and charge customers full price for factory parts. Thankfully, rural China lacks the technology or education to replicate even the most simple of items. Poorly printed labels and a cheap price are dead giveaways, and the frauds are so bold that some have swapped the horse in the Porsche crest to a sheep. It is nice that China placates Porsche with these "raids", but the culture encourages fake goods as a way of life. Nothing You See Here Is A Genuine Porsche Part It is not just automotive, China has attempted to copy Russian and American fighter planes. However, attempting to make a reliable jet engine means their fighters are capable of flying for minutes at a time. The Chinese Navy's diesel submarines use poor copies of American diesel engines, and they can easily be heard idling in port by sonar stations in California. GM decided to build four-cylinder engines for the Chevy Equinox and the Buick Envision, and their pistons detonate if you sneeze hard enough. To solve this problem on our end, we beg you to only have your Porsche serviced at the dealer. No matter how old it is, Porsche has parts for their earliest models. In addition, they have great deals on the remaining 991 Series 911 models. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Unveils GT4 Clubsport Collection Porsche GT2 RS 997 vs 991.2

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