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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 BradN – March 04, 2020

Most Unique Porsche 911's For Sale: March 2020

2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S 3.8 TECHART GT STREET R :: $249,500 720 hp Burmester audio Widened, matt carbon fiber hood, wing & mirrors View listing 1990 Porsche 911 Singer :: $899,900 2,100 miles 6-Speed G50 gearbox 4.0 liter Ed Pink engine with 390HP View listing 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster :: $389,900 31 Miles Heritage Design Edition: Originally $24,510 view listing 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series $298,150 500 unit production run. Cab & Coupe 607 hp view listing 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo :: $229,900 9,783 miles Original MSRP was $114,326 18-inch Turbo Twist wheel view listing 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RS Carrera RS 3.8 One of only 55 street-legal examples Rare example painted in black believed one of 5 Documented maintenance from new View listing 2008 Porsche 911 GT2 :: $195,000 'Widowmaker' in Top Specification One of 194 Imported to the USA Superbly Original and Unmolested view listing 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo :: $189,900 19,295 miles Matching numbers 930 Turbo Carrera view listing 1989 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet RUF BTR$329,900 9,760- miles Single owner Rare 930 Turbo Cabriolet RUF BTR RUF’s six-speed gearbox view listing 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport $575,000 71 of only 200 examples built 0 miles 700 hp view listing 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS :: $458,900 2051 miles 6-speed manual 19 inch GT3 center-lock wheels Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes View listing 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS :: $419,900 883 miles 1 of 132 US Spec 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS's 6-speed manual view listing 1997 Porsche 911 RUF Turbo 2 owner car 6-speed manual RM Sothebys' Palm Beach event, 20 - 21 March 2020 view listing view all Porsche 911's for sale

By Edward Jones – March 03, 2020

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe and Cabriolet Revealed

Engine: Twin-Turbocharged 3.8-liter boxer engineHorsepower: 640 hpTorque: 590 lb-ft0 to 60 mph: 2.6 seconds (Coupe)Top Speed: 205 mphPrice: $203,500 (Coupe), $216,300 (Cabriolet) The wait is over. Ever since the new 992 generation of the Porsche 911 was revealed, we've been waiting for the turbocharged version. Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing the new 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe and Cabriolet. Let's start off with what we all have been wanting to know. Power. The new 911 Turbo S is powered by a new 3.8-liter boxer engine with two VTG turbochargers. This heart pumps out 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 60 hp and 37 lb-ft of torque over the previous generation. So what about acceleration? It's better than ever. Porsche says the new 911 Turbo S will run from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds (2.7 seconds for the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet). That's 0.2 seconds faster than the previous model. Porsche also notes that the 911 Turbo S Coupe will run a standing quarter-mile in 10.5 seconds and hit a top speed of 205 mph. Now, onto everything else. For the body, it's now 1.8 inches wider up front and overall width is increased by 0.78 inches for a total of 74.8 inches. How about those wheels? For the first time, the 911 Turbo S uses staggered centerlock wheels with 20-inch wheels in the front and 21-inch rear wheels. Porsche is introducing two new factory options for the 2021 Turbo S models. The first is the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Sport suspension. This suspension system lowers the right heigh by 0.39 inches. The second option is the Sport Exhaust System with adjustable exhaust flaps and oval tailpipes. The new 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S models will be available to order soon and will reach the U.S. in late 2020. The 911 Turbo S price is set at $203,500, while the Cabriolet is priced at $216,300 (both prices exclude the $1,350 in delivery fees).

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2020

New Porsche 911 Turbo S Will Be Unveiled on Livestream

Now that the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show has been canceled, we're left wondering how the unveiling will happen. For Porsche, they have just announced their plans for their new flagship 911 reveal, which is presumed to be the 911 Turbo S. The presentation of the new flagship 911 Series model will happen on March 3 at 10:10 CET (4:10 AM EST). Mark Webber, former Formula 1 driver and Porsche brand ambassador, will be the presenter of the unveiling. You will be able to watch it here.

By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2020

Mark Webber Hot Laps Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 at Estoril

Heel-toe shifting is becoming a lost art. This is how our grandparents had to drive, using your right foot to brake and your toes to blip the gas pedal. Gradually, American cars adopted heavy flywheels that eliminated the shuffle at the expense of double-clutching instead. Only the world's best drivers can execute both methods in a twinkling of an eye, so watch Mark Webber hot lap the new 718 GTS 4.0 at Estoril. While many people hoped the 4.0L would be the same 500 horsepower monster from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS for sale, that one wouldn't fit. So engineers used the architecture of the 718 Series flat-four and added a pair of cylinders. This mid-engined monster offers 400 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed manual. Tell us your thoughts on Heel/Toe vs double clutching in the comments below. Browse All Porsche 718 Cayman GTS For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Unveils 718 Series GTS 4.0 Boxster & Cayman

By Andrew Nabors – February 24, 2020

Fingerprint Your new Porsche 911

Losing your car in a parking lot can be a hassle. Customizing it is one way, so the Exclusive Maufaktur Division has taken it to the next level. If you truly want your car to be unlike any other, you can now fingerprint your new Porsche 911 for sale. After scanning your finger of choice (we know which one some of you will use), Porsche will scale up the image and paint it on the hood. Not only does this truly make your car 1 of 1, we suspect many owners will keep the hood when it comes time to part ways. Vice President of Individualization Alexander Fabig says: “Individuality is very important for Porsche customers. And no design can be more personal than your own fingerprint". Regretfully, my fingerprints are on file with the FBI and Interpol, so my new Porsche 911 will arrive with teardrops under the headlights. However, should you be interested in this program, all of our Porsche Dealers have a direct line to the Exclusive Maufaktur shop in Zuffenhausen. Click the link below to find your local dealer and stay with us for all Porsche news. Browse All New Porsche 911 For Sale Related: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs, Prices, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – February 20, 2020

Porsche Taycan: Mission Accomplished

Get ready for a heartwarming story from the frozen north. In the latest episode of 911 Magazine, we learn the details of their all-electric sedan. In all honesty, no manufacturer has been so bold as to show the inner workings of their motors. This is what sets them apart from lesser competitors, so let's watch Porsche Taycan: Mission Accomplished. Browse All Porsche Taycan For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan Turbo Road Trip: Niagara Falls to Manhattan

By Andrew Nabors – February 19, 2020

Porsche Racing Experience Level 2 has full Factory Support

It is a long and winding road that leads to becoming a professional racer. As part of their Level 1 Experience, veteran Porsche racers weed out the inept from the promising, giving the best drivers an opportunity to advance. Porsche Racing Experience Level 2 has full factory support. Each driver is evaluated against the instructors and also against other competitors. This is where factory instructors compare skills and intuition that can't be quantified. Much like scouting in professional sports, they know who has it and who doesn't. Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos & Review Learning to master a powerful rear-engine race car is one of the hardest in motorsports, and that is why you should click the button below to learn more from our dealers. Stay with us for all your Porsche Racing Experience updates. Browse New Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 12, 2020

2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Clubsport For Sale

It takes years, or even decades to become a Porsche VIP customer. Only a handful of people around the globe are offered their most exclusive cars. Their business strategy is obviously successful, and it inspired two entrepreneurs to create duPont Registry, 35 years ago. View Price & Features Because powerful Porsches are our bread & butter, we have a rare opportunity for you. While the 992 series 911 was well into development, a small team at Weissach decided to pull out all the stops. They envisioned a GT2 RS on a serious diet and with brutal power. One that has forged control arms at all corners, and ball joints instead of bushings. As talented as they are, the master craftspeople in Stuttgart build street cars, not race cars. Flying under the radar, development began at Porsche Motorsport in Weissach. After building unique molds by hand, they crafted a roof, hood, doors, decklid, bumpers, and many interior panels. Each of the 200 examples were built by hand by racers and engineers at their facility adjacent to the track. Porsche 911 For Sale By Owner Without regard to civilized traffic, a new exhaust was designed without mufflers to drop more weight. Inside, the gauges were dropped in favor of a full-color Cosworth display. Under the bonnet, the battery was swapped from AGM to lithium-ion for even more weight-savings. What you see here is a Porsche 911 with a dry weight under 3,000 lbs. While this fact alone would make it fast, their greatest achievement was behind the rear wheels. The 3.8L was treated to massive solid-roller cams and forged internals. It uses the same recipe as the 911 GT3 Cup, but built for boost. As the first Porsche to include water injection, it offers 553 lb-ft of torque and 700 horsepower to the rear wheels. Because it has such a potent power-to-weight ratio, several sanctioning bodies have mandated restrictor plates for competition. It has never been raced, with 0 miles on the odometer. The original owner opted for the Spares Package which includes a set of wheels, tires, and brakes. Perfect for track days, it is also welcomed at Porsche Clubsport, Werks Reunions, and Das Renn Treffen. It is doubtful that Porsche will build something like this again. The GT2 RS Clubsport combines the precision of a scalpel with the power of a howitzer, and that's why it deserves to be in your collection. Click Here to View Price & Specs

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2020

Jay Leno Drives Porsche Taycan Turbo S

A decade in development was worth the wait. After carefully studying their target market and building an innovative electric drivetrain, this is the one you have been waiting for. To see how it compares to other electric sedans, let's watch Jay Leno drive the new Porsche Taycan Turbo S. The question on everyone's mind is "Why does it need a 2-speed transmission on the rear motor?" Because Porsche partnered with Rivian to build the world's most efficient automotive electric motor, the automatic transmission has a low and high gear. Cars that make incredible torque used 2-speed automatics for decades. Corvette had one from 1953 to 1967. Porsche uses a dog-box 1st gear for incredible strength and a wet clutch for 2nd. This optimizes the engine rpm and saves battery power. For Eco mode, the rear gearbox goes neutral and the motor is off. This offers the most city range, as the Taycan is capable of front-wheel drive. Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection Porsche didn't build the Taycan to fill a gap in their lineup, they built it to be their fastest-accelerating car of all time, and force the industry to catch up. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse All Porsche Taycan For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 10, 2020

Porsche 911 Magazine: Time Travel in a Speedster

Science has proven that a Mediterranean diet is one key to longevity. Nowhere is this more evident than on the island of Sardinia. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes and separated from mainland Europe, Sardinians are removed from the stresses and contaminants of modern society. In an effort to unlock how so many natives pass the century mark, Photographer Luigi Corda set out to capture the stories of the 100+ year-olds. It is the final story in the current issue of Porsche 911 Magazine: Time Travel in a Speedster. Having the opportunity to drive Speedsters of several generations, they are guaranteed to make you feel young again. It is a 4.0L, six-speed masterpiece. Your feet have 3 pedals to choose from, with 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque. They are a limited series and destined to be the centerpiece of any 911 collection. So click the button below and find yours before they're all gone. Browse all Porsche 911 Speedster For Sale

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