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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 Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Set to Debut at LAAS

Earlier this year, Porsche introduced the newest Cayman GT4 to much fanfare, offering a sporty and stylish way to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.1 seconds. Now, ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show, they're announcing a new take on the Cayman: the Cayman GT4 Clubsport. The Porsche Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 Clubsport will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Though no photos or renderings have yet been shared, a press release issued by the marque today announced the upcoming debut. Prepared exclusively for track use, this new Clubsport variant will weigh in at a scant 2,866 pounds. The full list of details won't be released until the Nov. 18 debut, but Porsche did share some enticing information. 385 hp will be created by the mid-engine racer, thanks to a 3.8-liter flat-six. The suspension strut font axle system is the same found on the 911 GT3 Cup, and shift paddles will control the double clutch transmission. The Porsche Cayman GT4. The Cayman GT4 Clubsport will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. If you're interested in finding out how one of these Clubsport models can become yours, be aware that they are not street legal, and so will not be sold at any Porsche dealerships. Rather, interested racing teams can contact Porsche Motorsport in Weissach, Germany, or Porsche Motorsport North America in Santa Ana, California. (See Also: Porsche 918 Spyder vs. Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition: Launch Control Drag Race) In the meantime, find a street legal version of the Cayman for your collection from our exclusive listings at the button below. Porsche Caymans For Sale (Source: Porsche) See More Porsche News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 05, 2015

Porsche 959 30th Anniversary Exhibit at Porsche Museum

The Porsche 959 has been remembered as one of the most important cars to come from Porsche's production facility for its notoriety, popularity, design, engineering and pure performance. It was a model so popular that legislation was crafted around it so that Bill Gates could enjoy one in the United States, and to this day its power stands out in its class. It was first introduced as a concept car in 1983, and its world premier as a production model was in 1985 at the IAA. Production began in 1986, and ran until 1989, with just 337 examples being created in that time. Now, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the 959's production, the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, has a new exhibit dedicated to the model. The marque shared a few photos on its Facebook page Oct. 3 sharing a look at the exhibit, which features both road and race versions of the 959. "For many car enthusiasts, the Porsche 959 belongs to the most fascinating sports car of the last century," describes the gallery's caption. "For the 30th anniversary, we’re celebrating this unique car with a special exhibition at the Porsche Museum." (See Also: New Porsche Cayman Black Edition is All-Black) Check out the photos of this exhibition below, and learn more about visiting the museum to see them for yourself on Porsche's website. In the mean time, find your own Porsche from our exclusive listings. Porsches For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook, Porsche) See More Porsche News

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2015

New Porsche Cayman Black Edition is All-Black

Porsche has given their Cayman an all-black treatment with the new Black Edition package for the sports car.Unveiled in a press release issued today, the Cayman Black Edition is the latest all-black series in Porsche's lineup, following the 911 Carrera and Boxster variants.What sets this edition apart from the rest is its obvious focus on a consistent appearance. It's exterior? Black. Interior? Black partial leather. In fact, the 20-inch Carrera Classic wheels and interior details seem to be the only major components of the car that aren't black.The Cayman Black Edition comes standard with features like the Sport Design steering wheel, rain sensor, Porsche Communication management (PCM) with navigation module, automatic "anti-dazzle" mirrors, heated seats and bi-xenon headlights.(See Also: Porsche 930: Raw Power for a 911)Sales for this model start today. Porsche's website states that the manual version comes with an MSRP of $59,200, while the PDK equipped version has an MSRP of $62,400.Porsche Caymans For SaleGallery (Source: Porsche) See More Porsche News, Pics and Videos

By Andrew Nabors – September 30, 2015

Porsche 930: Raw Power for a 911

In honor of the last day of September, we offer you Porsche’s 930. This is the classic 911 Turbo introduced in 1975 that lasted until 1989. Find your long lost mix tapes for your Blankpunt stereo, and charge your Motorola bag phone, because it's time for a history lesson.In order for Porsche’s flat six cylinder to keep up with its V8 and V12 competitors, experiments in turbocharging began in the late 1960s. To homologate the technology used on their race cars, the 930 featured many changes from the base 911. With over 100 horsepower more than the base model Carreras, they earned a reputation for being too strong for an inexperienced driver to handle.(See Also: Sueprcar Drag Races: Porsche 991 Turbo S vs. Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Huracan & More)Early turbos offered tremendous gains in power, but without computer control, the power arrived all at once. This caused instant wheelspin and made the cars notoriously hard to control. For an additional fee, Porsche offered a “Flachbau” or Slant Nose. Being among the most collectible Porsches of all time, they added pop-up headlights and an aerodynamically optimized the front end.For 1989, the final year of the 930 offered a new 5-speed transmission with closer ratios than those in the obsolete four speed. Without all the modern safety and stability systems, the 930 is a light and powerful car that still scares professional drivers. If you think you are up to the challenge, the 930 has been the backbone of our magazine since 1985. With more variety to choose from than any other source, here is your next car.View All 930 Generation 911s1985 Porsche 911 Turbo Flat Nose Cabriolet $175,000 Buy Now 1988 Porsche 930 $150,000 Buy Now 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo $189,900 Buy Now 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo $195,900 Buy Now 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo RSR/ D-Zug Projekt Mjølner $114,950 Buy Now 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo $199,750 Buy Now 1983 Porsche 911 Turbo $299,750 Buy Now See More Listings For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – September 29, 2015

Supercar Drag Races: Porsche 991 Turbo S vs. Ferrari 458,...

It may have been a grey day with a significantly slick track of asphalt, but that couldn't stop these supercar owners from taking their cars and testing them against any and all contenders who were up for the challenge.Porsche 911 Turbo For SaleFerrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, even Nissan and Chevrolet - nearly all of the major manufacturers had at least one representative out for this day of races, and JWT Supercars was on hand to capture the action and share it on YouTube. Uploaded today, his video shows us the prep room, a few quick races and then a Porsche 911 ending its day with a launch down a tree-lined road. Each race saw either a 991 Turbo S or 991 Turbo S Cabrioelt up against one contender or another, and in most all cases except for a few, Stuttgart's engineering comes out on top. Check out the video above to see which cars took down the 911's 991 generation, and find your own 911 from our exclusive listings below. Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Porsche News

By Edward Jones – September 28, 2015

Porsche Mission E Concept Interior Video

During the IAA 2015, Porsche unveiled the Mission E concept car, a fully electric vehicle from the German automaker. The Mission E represents a new direction for Porsche, a direction aimed towards electric power and new design cues.Today, Porsche uploaded a video to YouTube that gives us a closer look into the concept's cabin. In the video, we are presented with a number of new features that separate the car from the rest of Porsche's lineup.Suicide-style doors open to an interior that is driver-oriented, thanks to the detached instrument cluster, touchpad above the gear selector and long media display screen that extends from the center of the center tunnel to the passenger's door. Also, there are four individual seats for the driver and passengers, something you don't see quite often.Check out the video below to see the interior in motion for yourself.(Source: YouTube) See More Porsche News, Videos and Pics

By Edward Jones – September 28, 2015

2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Trio at The Auto Gallery

Last week, on Sept. 23, The Auto Gallery in Woodlands Hills, California had the pleasure of presenting three 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS' to the public.The cars were finished in Lava Orange, Ultraviolet and White. Unfortunately, each was already sold, but even though they were already spoken for, The Auto Gallery invited the public to see the three together in their showroom. What they were offering was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see three brand new 911 GT3 RS' of different colors in the same place.Housing a 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine, this track-ready sports car packs 500 hp and 338 lb-ft of torque. This is enough juice to get the car from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. It can also run a quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds.Dealer InventoryGallery

By Edward Jones – September 28, 2015

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition Debuted

The Rennsport Reunion is an event that gathers the most prolific Porsche race cars, drivers and collector cars. Hosted by Porsche Cars North America, this is the event to attend if you are a true Porsche fan. And, to give the attendees/fans a special treat, the German automaker unveiled the special Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition at the event and in a Sept. 25 press release.This model honors the fifth Rennsport Reunion, held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Only 25 examples will be created by Porsche Exclusive, who built the edition around the 911 Carrera GTS.(See Also: Porsche 917 Goes Flat Out, Prepares for Rennsport Reunion V)Porsche Exclusive finished the car in a custom "Fashion Grey" color, which is contrasted by black and red decals. They have also installed high-gloss black 20-inch Sport Classic wheels. Inside the cabin is a dashboard with carbon fiber trimming, along with Carmin Red stitching on the upholstery.To signify the car's limited edition status are the illuminated door-sill guards, an embossed Rennsport Reunion V logo on the center compartment lid and a key pouch with "911 Carrera GTS Rennsport Reunion Edition" lettering.A 3.8-liter flat-six engine creates 430 hp for the car, which is mated to a manual transmission. Yes, Porsche offers this car exclusively with a manual transmission, and I couldn't be happier about this. The car is capable of a 0-60 mph time of just 4.2 seconds and will top out at 190 mph.It's available now and comes with a $148,335 price tag, not including the $995 destination charge.911 Carrera GTS Listings Gallery (Source: Porsche Cars North America) See More Porsche News, Pics and Videos

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By Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

One-Off Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet by Jonathan Matas...

There are many things that make the Porsche 911 Carrera S a desirable car, but few have ever guaranteed that you'll help a charity when you purchase it, and fewer still have done that while being completely aesthetically unique. This particular 2007 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is just that - something that will help a cause, and a moving work of art. Jonathan Matas, an artist from Northern California popular among residents of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, named it the "Document of Energy: The immeasurable display of Phenomena" after spending some time on its exterior."Matas' artwork is inspired by his meditation practice and often has themes highlighting the ever changing boundaries between what is real and what is illusory," describes the website explaining how the car came to be, "hinting at the processes through which humans give the world meaning and reality's ultimately non-dualistic nature."The car's owner first came to Matas, who's work includes murals throughout California and Mark Zuckerburg's laptop cover, to purchase a painting. He arrived in the 911, and though he didn't have a painting when he left, the two had a plan - Matas would paint the exterior of the Porsche and the two would sell it together. Upon its sale, 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Watsi, an organization that connects donors directly to patients in need of funding for life changing healthcare.Check out the creation of this unique vehicle in the video above, added to YouTube by Matas 911 Sept. 19, and learn how you can make this Carrera yours at the button below.Buy NowGallery See More Cars For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – September 24, 2015

Porsche CEO Matthias Müller to Replace Martin Winterkorn ...

Update Sept. 25, 2015: In a press release issued today, Volkswagen Group has confirmed that Matthias Müller has been appointed to the position of CEO."Matthias Müller is a person of great strategic, entrepreneurial and social competence," stated Berthold Huber, interim Chairman of the SUpervisory Board of Volkswagen AG, in the release. "He knows the Group and its brands well and can immediately engage in his new task with full energy. We expressly value his critical and constructive approach."----------With the recently announced discovery of defeat devices altering the emissions levels of certain Volkswagen vehicles, the German auto company has been thrown into some intense turmoil over the past few days.In a statement Sept. 23, Volkswagen's CEO, Dr. Martin Winterkorn, announced that he would be stepping down from his position in the wake of the scandal, and Reuters reports that Matthias Müller, current CEO of Porsche, will likely be taking over the position."As CEO I accept responsibility for the irregularities that have been found in diesel engines and have therefore requested the Supervisory Board to agree on terminating my function as CEO of the Volkswagen Group," Winterkorn stated. "I am doing this in the interests of the company even though I am not aware of any wrongdoing on my part." Dr. Martin WinterkornAs many as 11 million vehicles have the software installed worldwide, with up to 500,000 being recalled in the United States alone, as the New York Times reported Sept. 22. Volkswagen could be facing fines of up to $18 billion, and the company's stock prices have already plummeted, losing as much as 50 percent of its value.Reuters reported in an article today that sources close to the matter stated that Müller "is backed by a majority on VW's 20-member supervisory board, which will endorse him as new CEO at a meeting on Friday."Müller has worked within Volkswagen for nearly 40 years, and it's believed that his experience and success at Porsche set him up to be able to navigate one of the largest scandals to hit a major manufacturer in recent times. As the environmental impact of the high emissions levels is being assessed, Müller's history of overseeing green projects, such as the Mission-E Concept and 918 Spyder, will undoubtedly serve the company's image well.(See Also: Connected Cars Coming to Tampa with $17 Million Investment from USDOT)Interestingly enough, this is not the first time Müller has eyed the position of CEO at Volkswagen - a March 24 article from Autoblog tells that Müller was named as a possible successor to the position after Winterkorn's retirement. This wasn't planned to occur for at least a few more years - Winterkorn's contract was set to expire at the end of 2016, though it was thought he might have extended that date to 2018.If you've recently purchased a diesel vehicle from Volkswagen or Audi, be sure to check and see if yours is one of the cars impacted by this recall; the EPA lists the following diesel vehicles as having the defeat device software installed:Jetta (MY 2009 – 2015) Jetta Sportwagen (MY 2009-2014) Beetle (MY 2012 – 2015) Beetle Convertible (MY 2012-2015) Audi A3 (MY 2010 – 2015) Golf (MY 2010 – 2015) Golf Sportwagen (MY 2015) Passat (MY 2012-2015)Stay with us for more updates from the automotive industry as they emerge.(Source: Porsche, Volkswagen, Reuters, Autoblog, The New York Times, EPA) See More Industry Reports

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