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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 – July 29, 2019

Porsche 935 Wins Back-to-Back at Spa

Teams came from around the world to race at Spa over the weekend. The main event was the 24 Hours of Spa, which saw first and second place clinched by a Porsche 911 GT3 R. But aside from the main race, Porsche Motorsport also held a pair of 30-minute races for their fastest cars. The GT2 Supersportscar Weekend welcomed Porsche 911 GT2 cars for a high-horsepower shootout, so it is no surprise who won. On Friday and Saturday, Norwegian Racer Egidio Perfetti in his Porsche 935 won back-to-back at Spa. The field consisted of 15 cars, three were the new 935, and the others were 911 GT2 RS Clubsports. Of course, the 935 is favored to win against the GT2 RS, because it uses the same powertrain and the ultimate in aerodynamics. Only 77 examples are being produced, which means something like this might not happen again soon. If you aren't among the lucky few to purchase one, the factory has an alternative. The artists at Porsche Driver's Selection have crafted a 1:18 scale model of the 935. Finished in Martini livery, it is correct in every detail and available from your dealer. Congrats to Team Mentos Racing on their fresh wins, and click the link below to find our Porsche dealer near you. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2019

Porsche Mission E Stars in PLAYMOBIL: The Movie

As the predecessor to the upcoming Taycan, the Porsche Mission E was both a prototype and design study. It captures the attention of young people and adults, as Stuttgart's first entry into all-electric sedans. If you want a preview of its abilities, the Porsche Mission E Stars in PLAYMOBIL: The Movie which opens August 30th. In their latest press release, Porsche celebrates their collaboration with the German Toymaker. Kjell Gruner, Chief of Porsche Marketing says: “Porsche was Playmobil's first licensed product. Since then we have brought out a carefully designed new set every year, each of which has been enthusiastically received by children, teenagers, and their parents”. Although the hero Rex Dasher will be driving a smaller version, the full-size Mission E is a glimpse of the future in the real-world. After wowing spectators at Formula E races, the Taycan will arrive in 2020 with three years of free charging from Electrify America. It can also be juiced by the 800-volt stations at every Porsche Dealer. This will get your battery to 80% in 15 minutes, a claim no other manufacturer comes close to. Expect a range between 280 and 300 miles, and a price starting in the mid-'80s. See it on the Big Screen August 30th and stay with us for all your Porsche news. In the meantime, check out these great deals on the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid from our dealers below. Browse Porsche Panamera For Sale Related: Porsche Taycan Trio Attacks the Hoover Dam Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2019

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S on the A...

This is the showdown we've been waiting for. Two of Germany's fastest sedans launched on the world's most famous highway. Our friends at AutoTopNL wanted to see how fast both cars reached 180 mph, so here is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S versus a Porsche Panamera Turbo S on the Autobahn. Representing Affalterbach is the most powerful AMG sedan. It is rated at 639 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. The Panamera Turbo S offers 671 horsepower and also makes 627 lb-ft of torque. Having identical torque numbers isn't a coincidence. It translates to 850 Newton-Meters in metric, and that is a figure that many exotic cars use as a benchmark. Both cars have 4.0L V8 engines and AWD. Tell us who wins on styling, interior layout and exhaust sound in the comments below and stay with us for more wild Autobahn action. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 For Sale vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S For Sale Related: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid Revealed: Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid Sport Turismo

By Andrew Nabors – July 16, 2019

Porsche Taycan Trio Attacks the Hoover Dam

When building a new electric car it is important to make sure the car is ready for the world. Porsche wants the world to be ready for their new sedan, so a Porsche Taycan Trio attacked the Hoover Dam. Using power from their 90 kWh batteries, the cars power a projector to illuminate the historic structure. Compared to the 90 kWh found in the Taycan, the dam has an annual output of 4.5 billion kWh. It powers much of Nevada, Arizona, and California using a combination of gravity and the Colorado River. With a range of 310 miles, the Porsche Taycan could take you from the shores of Lake Meade, through Las Vegas, and end up in L.A. with power to spare. Owners will have 3 years of free charging at Electrify America stations, or the 800-volt quick chargers being installed at Porsche & Audi dealers. Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood Along with the new Audi E-tron, we are looking forward to a high-voltage future. In the meantime, production of the GT2 RS is coming to an end. The 992 Series 911 is ramping up production, but we won't see the Targa, Turbo, or GT cars for awhile. Click the link below to find the final GT2 RS for you. Find Your Porsche 911 GT2 RS Here! Related: Porsche Taycan Is Almost Ready For Launch Spider-Man Shows Off Audi E-tron Concept in Science Fair

By Andrew Nabors – June 18, 2019

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder Unveiled

Just when you thought the GT4 was destined for the history books, they are back with a vengeance. In a press release last night, our perceptions of the current-generation Boxster and Cayman were blown away. That is because the 2020 Porsche 718 Series GT4 was unveiled with six-cylinder power. Until now, the fastest versions were the Cayman S and Boxster S. They used a 2.5L turbo four to offer 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. Those are great numbers, but we yearned for more. So the new cars will arrive with an all-new 4.0L flat six. It would have been easy to borrow the 520 horsepower beast from the 911 GT3 RS, but Porsche decided to bore and stroke the 3.0L engine found in the 911 Carrera. Shift Your Own Gears Bolted to a six-speed manual, it offers 414 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It can rev to 8,000 rpm with smooth & linear power delivery. For the first time, Porsche flat six has the ability to shut down 3 cylinders while cruising. It is also their cleanest engine thanks to new fuel injection mapping. Instead of one pulse, each injector fires 5 times per compression to optimize the burn. For the finer details, the Cayman GT4 offers 50% more downforce or about 26 additional lbs at 124 mph. The chassis has some of the same ball joint suspension mounts as the 911 RS models along with a re-tuned Porsche Active Suspension Management system. An optional Clubsport package includes beefy sway bars, fire extinguisher, and a six-point racing harness. Don't Call It A Boxster! The convertible version of the Cayman GT4 is now known as the 718 Spyder. Inspired by the 550 Spyder, it is the ultimate lightweight roadster. A manual top can be dropped in seconds, and it has a dry weight of 3,130 lbs. It reaches 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and 124 mph in only 13.8 ticks. Does this foretell the end of the Boxster, it is a name that feels stuck in the '90s, so perhaps it is time to say goodbye. Both the 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder are available for order, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. Browse Porsche 718 Cayman For Sale " width="680"> Related: New Porsche Sports Apparel Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs, Prices, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2019

Emory Motorsports Unveils Porsche 356 RSR

What would happen if Porsche had access to modern technology back in 1960? That is what Rod Emory asked when he embarked on this mission. What began as a sketch in 2012 has come to fruition, as Emory Motorsports Porsche 356 RSR. Their goal was to combine the wild looks of the 935 race cars, envisioning what a Porsche Werks 356 would look like. Artist Greg Macey shared the illustrations on Instagram, where the caught the attention of MOMO CEO Henrique Cisneros. He told them to make it a reality, so Emory found a rusty 1960 365B coupe that was going to be scrapped. Porsche 356 Price & Specs A new body was hand-made from aluminum. It rides on a 1990 Carrera 2 chassis, and power comes from a 2.4L flat-four. It makes 400 horsepower at 17.5 lbs of boost and sends it to the rear wheels through a G50 5-speed transmission. Momo provided a distressed steering wheel to match the time period, along with seats, racing harnesses, and a beech wood shift knob. This retro build will undoubtedly inspire others, so click the link below to find a 356 near you and stay with us for more updates from Emory Motorsports. Browse Porsche 356 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 05, 2019

Porsche 911 RSR Lego Build In Action

Many of us can't afford a full-size Porsche race car. That's why our friends in Denmark have developed a somewhat smaller example. If you enjoy a challenge, this is the Porsche 911 RSR LEGO build in action. In their latest YouTube upload, our friend Tim Burton (Shmee150) attempted to assemble the new Lego kit in a precarious situation. The 911 RSR is a track-only version of the GT3 RS, built to compete in LM GTE and GTLM classes. It is a carbon fiber masterpiece that will do battle at LeMans next weekend. Considering the strength of its one-piece design, it would be nice to compare it to a full-size Lego version. For the time being, the closest we can get is a new Porsche GT3 RS, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS for sale Related: McLaren Senna by Lego Lego BMW M1 Needs Our Support

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2019

VW I.D. R Sets Record Lap at Nurburgring

It was around this time last year when something wild appeared at Pike's Peak. Volkswagen revealed an electric supercar to enter the historic race. Not only was it the fastest electric car, it was the fastest automobile to ever climb the mountain. Twelve months later, and they did it again. This time choosing to fight on their home turf, the VW I.D. R has set a record lap at the 'Ring. Veteran racer Romain Dumas has won the 24 Hours of Nürburgring four times was chosen to get back in the driver's seat. Because the car was set up to run in thin air, all the wild aerodynamics were removed to decrease drag. A unique aero package was developed to allow a higher top speed while retaining grip in the corners. Their efforts paid off in a blistering lap time of 6.05.336. It covered the 16.12 mile course 35 seconds faster than the previous record holder. Knocking a race-prepped Porsche 911 GT2 RS out of the top spot was no easy task. That's why the I.D. R was blessed with 671 horsepower, 479 lb-ft of torque, and AWD. The real advantage is that torque is available all the time. Considering the weight is under 2,500 lbs, we are looking at the future. Don't worry, we have plenty of Porsche GT2 RS models to choose from, so click the link below and stay with us for all your VW news. Porsche 911 GT2 RS FOr Sale Related: VW I.D. R Sets New Record at Pike's Peak See the Historic VW I.D. R Pike's Peak Run

By Andrew Nabors – May 30, 2019

Porsche Canada's New Parts Warehouse Test Track

Porsche fans north of the border are enjoying the last grasps of Spring, as Florida is already approaching the high 90's. To make sure Canadian customers have convenient service, Porsche Canada's new parts warehouse test track is a great way to celebrate the new facility. Located at the Heartland Town Centre in Mississauga, it is 175,000 square feet of Porsche parts. Considering they sold 8,904 cars last year, the need for parts and restoration will only grow larger. Shelving and deliveries will arrive in October, so they decided to Christen the building in the best way possible. A 718 Series GTS Boxster and Cayman carved their own racetrack across the concrete slab. You haven't lived until you have mastered the art of indoor drifting, but my coworkers and I would never attempt such antics. Congrats to Porsche Cars Canada for adding jobs to the Toronto area, and offering great performance at an unbeatable price. Click the link below to find a 718 Cayman near you and stay with us for all your Porsche updates. Browse Porsche 718 Cayman For Sale Related: New Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Gets Official Unveiling See 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Hit Top Speed

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2019

2020 Porsche Speedster Reviewed by Carfection

Sardinia looks like an amazing place to live, so you wouldn't want to drive a boring car on these winding roads. Stuttgart has turned out several Speedsters over the past 70 years, and their latest offers more than any of its predecessors. That's why Henry Catchpole and his team decided give us all the details. If you want a Porsche 911 unlike any other, here is the 2020 Porsche Speedster reviewed by Carfection. History will look at the 991 series Porsche GT3 as a prolific automobile. It spawned the latest GT3 Touring, GT3 RS, and the Speedster will be the end of this generation. Essentially a GT3 Touring with the roof removed, it arrives with the same 503 horsepower flat-six, rear steering, PCCB brakes, and a six-speed manual transmission. 2019 Porsche Concept Previous Speedsters have had no roof, or a flimsy cloth targa, but this one is a game-changer. Under the carbon fiber deck lid is a manual cloth top. The only electronics involved are the latches, and this is appealing thanks to the loss of the electro-hydraulic system. This masterpiece is a proper farewell to the 991 series Porsche 911, so click the link below to find out dealer near you. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale

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