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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 05, 2021

Top 5 Porsche Nicknames

What do you call your Porsche? The first stop of your German vacation must be the Porsche Museum. Of all the cars on display in Zuffenhausen, the most loved ones have received names by their caretakers. So let's examine the Top 5 Porsche nicknames. The name of a car is a term of endearment. From Grandma to Moby Dick, these machines exemplify what makes the brand loved around the world. What we experienced over April Fool's day is proof that Germans have a sense of humor, so tell us what you call your new Porsche in the comments below! Sell My Porsche: Get a Cash Offer Image (C) Porsche

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2021

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Debuts Paint-to-Sample Patina

Its Time For A Tetanus Shot! Growing up on the beach, rust and I have been feuding since before I could drive. Corroded Carreras are a common sight here in Florida, so someone chose to replicate the look in their latest build. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has debuted a Paint-to-Sample patina for cars that need to look the part. It is true that the factory will build a car exactly to your liking. So to show the world what they are capable of, the skilled painters replicated rust with an airbrush above the car's base coat. The effects were then covered in a matte-finish clear to protect their work. Normally such work doesn't warrant a video, but their YouTube channel is blowing up with the audacity of the work. Should you choose to set your new Porsche apart from all the rest, it will add a few thousand dollars to the window sticker. Perhaps the best aspect of this project is how many Automotive Journalists fell for it. Porsche has trolled the world on April Fools Day, so who says Germans have a punctuated sense of humor? Bravo Porsche! We hope your are ready for more tomfoolery today, to get your laughs right here! Shop Porsche Images (C) Porsche Cars North America

By Andrew Nabors – March 31, 2021

2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Price & Specs Revealed

Android Auto meets the manual transmission A story that began 22 years ago has now entered a new chapter. Next year's Porsche 911 lineup has been blessed with several nice upgrades, with the GT3 returning to rule them all. Starting with new infotainment, a 10.9" screen integrates comfort, communications, and most car functions into an intuitive system that debuted on the Taycan. ParkAssist is a new option for PDK cars that is accessed from your smartphone. Your car will crank up and pull out of a parking spot awaiting you. Ferdinand could have never predicted this! Now we come to the star of the show. Carpe Secundum is Latin for "seize the moment". It is the headline of the new GT3's landing page and a great call to action. Time is precious, especially when it comes to breaking records at the 'Ring. That's why they started with a massive swan-neck rear spoiler. Carbon fiber can be found all around, with scoops and intakes that walk a fine line between cooling and downforce. The aforementioned screen allows for a new Track Display to focus important information in the driver's line of sight. As before, manual transmission cars have locking differentials and PDK cars get an electronic diff. The 4-liter flat-six has individual throttles and variable intake resonators to offer 346 lb-ft at almost every rpm. Having 502 horsepower without turbos is a testament to precision, and the first service isn't needed until 10,000 miles. You can't ask for more in a modern supercar, and it all starts at only $161,100. Mine will be Paint To Sample with the six-speed, so tell us how you would spec yours in the comments below. Browse Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale Images (C) Porsche Cars North America

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2021

Master the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport at Porsche Track Expe...

You will never reach the limits of your Porsche on public roads. So, in order to drive your car as Ferdinand intended, you should master the 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport at the Porsche Track Experience. Factory drivers and technicians are on-site with several flavors of the Cayman. After a few instructional laps, you will be unleashed to push the mid-engine masterpiece harder than you ever thought possible. After this, you will graduate to the new 911 GT3 Cup in a similar spec to the cars that dominated Sebring this year. Both cars have incredible power from their flat-six engines but they do it in opposite ways. The Cayman GT4 carries its engine just behind the seats while the 911 carries on the traditional rear-engine chassis. Our dealers have all the details on this year's track days, so click the button to learn more. Shop Porsche Image (C) Porsche Cars North America

By Andrew Nabors – March 24, 2021

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Makes Your Dreams A Reality

If you can dream it, they will build it by hand Dreaming about cars can inspire greatness in anyone, so stop and think about the details of your ideal daily driver. Normal cars are built by robots. They are cold, transportation appliances that say nothing about you. You need a car that expresses your inner desires. One that rewards you with tactile and visual perfection. That is why Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur makes your dreams a reality. Outside the normal assembly process, Porsche has always kept a workshop of master craftspeople. You will see a line item on the window sticker that says: Sonderwunsch (special wishes). These represent the efforts of men and women who have spent decades as apprentices to learn leather, wood, and metalwork. Their most recent creations have been the Turbo S Exclusive Series and the Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition, but the fruits of their labor can be experienced in the new Taycan. Tell us about your ideal 911 in the comments below. Browse Porsche For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 24, 2021

Porsche Shows How Impactful Updates For Electric Cars Can Be

Porsche is proving how meaningful and impactful updates to electric cars can be with their latest announcement. Porsche has just announced a very comprehensive software update for the model year 2020 Taycan and it includes quite a few enhancements that were introduced in the M/Y 2021 Taycan variants. The update includes a more in-depth navigation system, simplified charging station search, the ability to pre-select state of charge during DC fast charging, the ability to reduce the maximum DC charging power, wireless Apple CarPlay, and ambient lighting that can change color depending on the music currently playing. While these updates may not seem like a lot to some, they really are quite impactful. The charging updates will give owners more control over how their car charges, optimizing the battery's service life and performance, as well as making charging easier. If you use Apple CarPlay, you know how big of a deal making the feature wireless is. With both functional and quality-of-life changes, these updates really make a difference. It's nice to see Porsche showing previous model years of the Taycan love and updating them with newfound features. If you'd like to purchase one for yourself, be sure to click the button below. See All Taycans For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2021

Porsche Celebrates 100 Sebring Wins

They are running out of room in the trophy case! While we were enjoying Cars & Coffee with our fans, the world's toughest 12-hour race started only an hour south of us. Sunday morning was a battle royale, ending the same way it did last year. Although Cadillac won the Prototype Class, both GT classes had 911s in first place. GT LeMans saw the Weathertech 911 RSR-19 lead the way, while GT Daytona saw the first win for the 911 GT3R. The BMW M8 GTE of Team RLL put the #3 of Team Corvette into the grass, shaking up the field with 8 minutes left on the clock. This race marks the 4th consecutive win for Porsche in GTLM along with being their 100th victory at the historic track. The 911 GT3R is a precise as a scalpel, and our Porsche Motorsport dealers are ready to get you on the track. Tell us what you thought of the race as the teams prepare for Mid-Ohio. View All Porsche 911 For Sale Image (C) IMSA

By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2021

Fast Financials: Porsche is Unstoppable

Normal automakers are cooking up dozens of excuses for their 2020 performance, but Porsche is unstoppable. Driven by the incredible 992-series 911 and the Taycan's popularity, the value of the brand surpassed 2019's numbers by $119 million dollars. This puts a total value at $34 billion, and it justifies Porsche as being the cornerstone of the VW empire. “The financial year 2020 was successful for Porsche – despite challenging circumstances,”- Chairman Oliver Blume Deliveries of 272,000 cars was only down 3% despite being shutdown during the outbreak. They saw a 14.6% return on sales to yield an operating profit of 4.99 billion. With more than 20,000 Taycans delivered, Porsche has opened a door to electric car enthusiasts who would have never considered the brand before. Covid forced all automakers into a precarious situation, but Porsche saw it as an opportunity to trim some fat. Without losing any of their 36,000 employees, they eliminated waste by improving logistics and cancelling corporate expenditures that no longer made sense. Every worker received a Christmas bonus of $9,332 for helping make that a reality. "Profitability Programme 2025" is a plan to grow the business by 11.8 billion over the next four years, and you will see it happen here. Stay with us for all your industry insights. Browse Porsche For Sale Images (C) Porsche A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – March 17, 2021

Bill & Ted's Ultimate Porsche Taycan Adventure

Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are back in action again. The famous metalhead slackers who always seem to find adventure have been challenged to see how far a Porsche Taycan for sale can go on a single charge. Their journey takes them from the Central Valley then over to the Pacific Coast Highway. This scenic drive along the ocean offers amazing curves when it's not packed with tourists. Spots around the famous Bixby Bridge in Big Sur have also been the backdrop for many famous car commercials. Range anxiety was a term once lauded by those who feared taking a long trip and being marooned with a dead battery. Every Porsche Taycan for sale has independent cooling circuits for the battery pack and the engine, and the computer is constantly making changes to keep them optimized. Officially rated at 201 miles, it can be quick-charged from 5% to 80% in under 23 minutes. Where will your Taycan take you? See All Porsche Taycan For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 17, 2021

Watch The New Porsche x Olivier Rousteing "Drive Defined"...

The artistic image that Porsche portrays through its vehicles derives from continuously pushing the boundaries of the automotive world, just as Creative Director Olivier Rousteing does with luxury brand Balmain. The two brands are proud to announce a collaboration video series called “Drive Defined”, which focuses on Rousteing’s exceptional personal story. Olivier Rousteing was born in 1985 in a confidential birth and was later adopted from an orphanage. He grew up in Bordeaux, and then attended the fashion school École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode (ESMOD) in Paris. In 2011, he started work as Creative Director at Balmain at the age of just 25. In a world that structures itself on ever-changing trends, the video series documents the overlap between the automotive and fashion world’s need to adapt and think outside the box. The new Drive Defined video series will be published on Porsche’s social media channels and Olivier Rousteing’s Instagram channel between the middle of March and the end of April. Watch a preview of the Drive Defined by clicking the video link above. Fore more Porsche news, Check out Porsche Museum Presents: 25 Years of Boxster History

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