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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 Edward Jones – January 17, 2019

Chris Harris' 2020 Porsche 911 (992) Review

Chris Harris points out in his latest below that new 2020 Porsche 911 models don't come out too often, and he's 100 percent correct. That's what makes the unveiling of the new 992 generation a big deal. (Scroll Down For Video) This is why Harris took a good chunk of time to review the 2020 Porsche 911 (992). In this video review, he tests out the 911 Carrera S. One of his major points that he makes out is that the new 992 generation really feels like 991+ or just a heavily facelifted take on the 991. Still, he does go on to point out differences between the two generation and what makes this new 911 better or worse. Check it all out in the video below. Also, see if you can catch his cheeky joke about his recent GT3 Touring crash. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 15, 2019

Porsche Lays Out 2018 Sales Figures in Infographic

Porsche had a record-breaking year in 2018 thanks to their stellar sales. Within their sales report, there was a lot to ingest, so the German automaker was kind enough to break it down in an neat infographic. You can check it all out below! If you want the nitty-gritty details, check out our Porsche 2018 Sales article.

By Andrew Nabors – January 09, 2019

Porsche Previews the new 911 Cabriolet

Almost every day Porsche unveils new details of the 992 series 911. Yesterday we shared their Top 5 Interior Features, and today we have a quick preview of the new 911 Cabriolet. Uploaded to YouTube last night, we see a new Carrera S coupe and then the first glimpse of the 992 series convertible. Porsche 918 Spyder Price, Specs & Review This film coincided with a press release outlining the details of this new model. Initially, the convertible will be offered on the Carrera S and Carrera 4S if you want AWD. Their 3.0L turbocharged flat-six offers 443 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque across a broad RPM range. A new 8-speed PDK transmission allows the Carrera S to reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, and the Carrera 4S scorches the pavement in only 3.6. Both times are from cars equipped with the optional SportChrono package, so make sure to include it when placing your order! Some cars simply don't look good as drop-tops. That's why Porsche has spent countless hours to make sure the lines of the Cabriolet are just as appealing as its hardtop sibling. One thing the new Cabriolet does accentuate is the flared fenders at each corner. The wheels are 20 x 8.5" front and 21 x 11.5" rear, so does this mean the end of narrow-body 911 models? We may have the answer soon. Click the link below to find the closest Porsche 911 dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View All Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2019

2020 Porsche 911: Top 5 Interior Features of the new 992

If you haven't seen inside the new Porsche 911, prepare to be amazed. The latest installment of Porsche Top 5 was uploaded to youtube earlier today, and it offers a stunning view inside the 992. Ivo Van Hulten is Porsche's Director of Interior Design, and here are his 5 favorite interior details. Having the necessary information can make or break a victory. That is why the new 911 has a central tachometer flanked by configurable displays. A 10.9" touchscreen is easy to reach and navigate, and four buttons below it are a far cry from the previous generation. To keep the controls close at hand, Ivo and his team offset the center console towards the driver. It rises from between the seats to meet the center vents, then it takes a sharp plunge into the firewall. The shapes are geometric, but their edges are smooth and rounded. Top 5 Most Expensive Porsches Ever Sold This leads into #3, the 3D horizontal trim that makes the interior appear larger than it is. A ledge protruding from the dash is a blank canvas, and it will be home to open-pore wood, machined aluminum, and of course, carbon fiber. Number two is the instrument cluster, which is almost completely digital. The tachometer refuses to relinquish the needle, and it is clearly seen even with the steering wheel at full lock. While it is an analog reading, the tach is purely digital. 2020 Porsche 911: Top 5 Exterior Features of the New 992 This leads us to #1. Mr. Van Hulten says the 992 series 911 has the perfect blend of digital and analog display. This can be seen in the Sport Chronometer, the shifter, and several other controls that offer haptic feedback. If you are interested, our local dealer can be found at http://dupontregistry.com or click the link below to find a 911 for sale near you. Stay with us for all your Porsche news! View All Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2019

Porsche 2018 Sales: Record Year in U.S.

It is time for a celebration in Atlanta. But instead of 400 cases of Coors, we suppose Porsche North America is having Hefeweizen und Strudel. That's because Porsche's 2018 sales figures point to another record-year for the automaker. Their latest press release shows model-year 2018 saw a 3.2% sales increase. A total of 57,202 deliveries marks nine years of growth. As the 7th consecutive year of improvement, they offer up sales of each model. Leading the way is the Macan. This compact SUV is smaller than the Panamera, and if offers tremendous abilities at an affordable price. 23,500 examples make for 9.7% growth. In the second year of its new body style, 8,042 Panamera deliveries accounted for double-digit percentage growth. As the last year of the 991.2 chassis, the 911 family saw a 7.6% increase to 9,647. This was thanks to unprecedented sales of the GT2 and GT3 performance models. The Porsche Macan was their best-selling model in 2018. Full-size SUVs are the hottest industry segment, so December was dominated by the Cayenne. Introduction of the Cayenne S and Turbo. Buyers demanded 1,383 examples of Cayenne, a stark contrast to 940 from December 2017. Last but not least, Porsche Certified Pre-Owned sales saw a 20.7% jump to 23,046 deliveries. Our dealers need to make room for 2020 models, so click the link below for great incentives and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View All Porsche For Sale Model December Sales Year-To Date 2018 2017 2018 2017 ALL 911 789 773 9,647 8,970 ALL 718 237 301 5,276 5,087 ALL PANAMERA 332 455 8,042 6,731 ALL CAYENNE 1,383 940 10,733 13,203 ALL MACAN 1,345 1,444 23,504 21,429 GRAND TOTALS 4,086 3,913 57,202 55,420

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2019

New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Gets Official Unveiling

Three years ago when I first drove a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport it put a smile on my face. Now We have a new reason for celebration. Porsche has unveiled a new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport as the ultimate track machine. In a press release last night, we've learned it will arrive with a 3.8L flat six making 425 horsepower. Not only does it borrow a de-tuned engine from the 911 GT3, the front suspension and the quick-release steering wheel are also found in the 911 GT3 R race car. Another wild development is in the light body panels. Parts like the rear spoiler and the doors are made from natural sources. Hemp infused with flax has the same characteristics as carbon fiber and Porsche chose them because they are byproducts that would normally be disposed of. This allows it to weigh only 2,910 lbs, complete with a roll cage and Air Conditioning. Buyers can choose from 2 versions. The "Trackday" is for entry-level drivers. The suspension is not adjustable and it has a 21 gallon fuel cell. "Competition" cars have 3-way adjustable shocks and a brake bias valve on the dash. It also sports a 30 gallon fuel cell and air jacks at all corners. Also built in is a Halon fire suppression system with automatic activation. Porsche & Puma Join Forces The only transmission is a 6-speed PDK which can easily handle the 313 lb-ft of torque. A mechanical locking rear differential is optimized for the car's weight and power, and the entire car has been FIA certified. The 12.5 compression ratio needs a minimum of 98 octane to prevent knock, so we hope it is able to meet US emissions laws. If you want to reserve yours please click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View All Porsche 718 Cayman For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2019

Puma and Porsche Motorsport Enter Multi-Year Partnership

Puma is set to equip all 24 of the Porsche Works Drivers, Juniors, Young Professionals and pit crews of the Porsche factory teams with fireproof motorsport clothing. The Porsche Formula E team and all factory GT racing activities will also be equipped with Puma gear as well. These new threads for the Porsche teams comes after Puma and Porsche Motorsport entered a multi-year partnership that started on January 1, 2019. "Puma has a long and successful tradition in motorsport. We are pleased to welcome Puma as a new partner of the Porsche Motorsport Teams," says Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. "The innovation and creativity of Puma, one of the world's leading sports lifestyle companies, fits in with our team and our brand." Check This Out - Two New Sneakers in PUMA x Hot Wheels Collection As part of this partnership, Puma has also acquired the rights to create Porsche Motorsport replica and fan wear gear. Yes, this means we'll be seeing a ton of Porsche x Puma gear in the near future. Check the Puma shop down below to check out all of their current gear. shop puma now Related: OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is the Supercar of Phones CXC Simulations Motion Pro II: Race Anything, Anywhere melin x Daniel Ricciardo: The Endurance Hat

By Andrew Nabors – January 02, 2019

2020 Porsche 911: Top 5 Exterior Features of the new 992

We hope you are ready for this: a new year has yielded a new 2020 Porsche 911. The 992 series remains true to form, even at a distance. This is something that can't be said of any other competitor. It was probably a challenge, as designers have been forced to integrate new technologies and upgrades within the given parameters. As always, their efforts have resulted in a stunning new version of our favorite rear-engine friend. In the latest episode of Porsche Top 5, Director of Exterior Design Peter Varga has compiled the top 5 exterior features of the 992 series Porsche 911. His favorite aspects start with the new 3rd brake light. It has been integrated into the rear grille and it commands attention from traffic behind you. The new body also carefully sculpted to make the car appear lower. While ride height has not been changed much, the 3D trickery used here make it resemble a body-dropped race car. Tell us your favorite part of the new car in the comments below, and click the link to find a new Porsche 911 near you! View All Porsche 911 For Sale Related: Porsche Looks Forward to 2019 Porsche 918 Spyder Price & Specs

By Andrew Nabors – December 27, 2018

Porsche Looks Forward to 2019

Our friends in Stuttgart made major moves this year. From the introduction of the 992 series Porsche 911 to the shocking Taycan, here are our top Porsche stories. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/2020-porsche-911-992-price-specs-photos-and-review/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/porsche-911-gt2-rs-mr-shatters-ring-record-time/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/news/porsche-classics-project-gold-sells-for-3-million/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/porsche-mission-e-cross-turismo-is-heading-to-production/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/porsche-911-speedster-production/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/new-porsche-935/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/porsche-sets-new-record-time-at-the-ring/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/porsche-911-speedster-70th-anniversary/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/porsche/2019-11-gt3-rs-laps-nurburgring/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/news/porsche-officially-unveils-2019-gt3-rs/ Tell us your favorite Porsche story in the comments below and we'll see you in 2019. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 19, 2018

Porsche 718 T Series Boxster & Cayman Revealed

Following the success of the Porsche 911 T, they have unleashed the same upgrades for the 718 Series Boxster and Cayman. Less is more when it comes to weight. So their first area of attack was to ditch the audio system. The giant screen is a distraction anyway, but it can be ordered as a no-cost option. Next up was the heavy PDK transmission. It can also be ordered if you don't want the thrill of a six-speed with a factory short shifter. The Porsche Active Suspension Management is standard, riding almost an inch lower than the base models. It is the first time this system has been combined with the 2.0L turbo engine. You will have 295 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque in a 2,970 lb car. This exciting power-to-weight ratio is heightened by Porsche Torque Vectoring and a mechanical locking differential. Porsche has been known to increase the price for special editions, so we're glad the press release mentions they will be 10% less expensive than a regular production Boxster or Cayman. Click the links below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View Porsche Cayman For Sale View Porsche Boxster For Sale " width="680"> Related: Top 5 Porsche Secret Prototypes Dr. Wolfgang's Favorite Porsches

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