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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 – December 23, 2020

This Porsche Carrera GT Has Been Rebuilt 78 Times

When it comes to being a Master Technician, the Porsche Academy demands the best from every graduate. To ensure their ability to take on any task, this Porsche Carrera GT has been rebuilt 78 times. Teams of four band together as a rite of passage before they earn their degree. Taking the car completely apart gives each student an appreciation for the car and the engineering behind it. Porsche Carrera GT Specs, Price, Review and Photos This 4-day class covers aspects from clutch replacement to body panels and even removal of the V10 engine. Thankfully, the Carrera GT has proven to be one of the most reliable supercars of all time, and it is reflected in the price. If your collection needs the perfect Porsche, click the button below to find one near you. Browse Porsche Carrera GT For Sale Images(C) Porsche North America

By Andrew Nabors – November 25, 2020

Jay Leno Drives His Porsche Carrera GT

Once a successor is announced, many supercars plummet in value. Porsche purists prevent this with each new generation, and that is why we are glad that Jay Leno drives his Porsche Carrera GT. While he has shown clips on Jay Leno's Garage and on the Tonight Show, our favorite comedian has finally filmed a proper review. Porsche Carrera GT Specs, Price, Review and Photos Knowing full well that it would be the last analog Porsche, Mr. Leno purchased this 2004 model new, intending on preserving it for posterity. After spinning a prototype at Talladega, his insights on the car were used as testimony for the Grand Jury in Paul Walker's wrongful death lawsuit. A few short trips behind the wheel have left me with the same assumptions. The Carrera GT was designed by the world's most talented drivers, and it offers no apologies. No stability or taction systems will save you, so plan your turns and throttle inputs far in advance. Respect the car or live in fear, because nothing will ever compare to the Carrera GT. Browse Porsche Carrera GT For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2019

Rubystone Red Porsche Carrera GT For Sale

Please don't adjust your display. This Carrera GT can be seen for miles thanks to its unique paint. What you see here began life in 2005, and it lived most of its life in GT Silver Metallic. Porsche built a large majority of them in silver, but the Carrera GT was also available in Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, and Seal Grey. Only 664 cars were built for the US, and a few owners have opted for a color change to make their cars even more impressive. Rubystone Red is the name of this paint and it dates back to 1991, first seen on the 964 RS. It is a shade that remains in your retinas for years, so the owner decided to go all-in. A full service included a new clutch, brake flush, and new tires only 400 miles ago. Once the maintenance was done, the car was sanded and professionally repainted. No detail was overlooked, as even the seat inserts were treated with loving care. Every surface was color-sanded and buffed to a shine that is deeper than Porsche's factory finishes. With only 3,190 miles on the clock you will have years of fun in this screaming V10 supercar. iLusso only sells the rarest & highest quality collectibles on the market, so click the link below for all the details. Click Here for Price & Specs Related: iLusso Orange County: Dedicated to Supercars

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2019

Porsche Carrera GT Reconstructed in Spectacular Fashion

The Porsche Carrera GT is truly an iconic car. The timing of its release put the Carrera GT as one of the wildest new automobiles revealed in the new millennium and it was regarded as the successor to the incredible 959 supercar. With such prestige, it's no wonder that owners of the car tend to keep them in such pristine condition. One owner, in particular, went to an extreme when it came to the upkeep of his Carrera GT. Porsche Classic was commissioned by a collector in the United States to completely rework his Carrera GT. Essentially, it was a complete reconstruction of the vehicle, with the car being entirely disassembled, every part checked and either refurbished or replaced. On the outside, the collector had Porsche Classic finished the Carrera GT in a deep Oak Green Metallic paint. When applied, it was the first time this specific paint had appeared since the 1970s and it was never available for the Carrera GT. Five-spoke magnesium wheels were fitted and painted in gold, creating a beautiful gold/green scheme. Why the Porsche Carrera GT Sounds so Good Porsche's utilization of carbon fiber in the Carrera GT led Porsche Classic to a very special task. “Because the coating on older carbon fibre parts tends to yellow and fade, we spent 350 hours manually sanding and recoating all the carbon fiber components, including the monocoque,” explains Uwe Makrutzki, Manager of Porsche Classic Factory Restorations in Stuttgart. That's a lot of work. Now that the car is complete, Porsche Cars North America is going to display the car at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta to a group of 100 selected guests. Porsche Carrera GT view all porsche carrera gt for sale Porsche Carrera GT Specs, Price, Review and Photos

By Andrew Nabors – December 18, 2017

Why the Porsche Carrera GT Sounds so Good

Most of us can identify a car's brand by the soundtrack from the exhaust pipes. Everyone likes to make power in a different way, and there is no wrong answer when it comes to sound. But the Porsche Carrera GT is an outlier in every way. It sounds like no other street-legal car because the engine was not designed to be civilized.What it’s Like to Drive the Porsche Carrera GTBehind the cockpit is a V10 that sounds like something from Formula1, because it is. Porsche engineers worked with the Footwork F1 team to build an amazing engine, but it was shelved for years in order to focus on the development of the Cayenne. The SUV was (and is) a great profit center for the brand, so they decided to build a car to handle the wild engine. The aluminum block and heads are loaded with titanium rods and composite cylinder liners.The Carrera GT: Own Porsche Supercar HistoryThe forged crank had a 68* firing order instead of 72* (720 degrees between 10 cylinders would be internally balanced). It yielded a rev-happy beast with the scream of an F1 car. Maximum horsepower was 605 at 8,000 rpm. In order for the engine to rev quickly, a composite clutch was used to save weight. It is tricky to drive at first and we guarantee you will stall a few times. It happens to everyone, so if you are looking for a truly unique experience, check out the video from Supercar Advocates below and stay with us for all your Porsche news & reviews. Browse Porsche Carrera GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 21, 2015

Man Buys and Immediately Races Porsche 918 Spyder, Carrer...

The word "epic" can be thrown around quite often in the exotic and super car world, but this story is most deserving of the adjective.A man simply known as Sandro in a video uploaded Aug. 14 by Pfaff Automotive Partners recently acquired three very special vehicles: a Porsche 918 Spyder, Carrera GT and a McLaren P1. These are three of just a handful of hyper and supercars that exist in the world, and they were all delivered to him on the same day.But, the location of the delivery is really the best part of this story. These cars were delivered to the Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, where Sandro flew in via helicopter to receive them.(Also Read: Steven Spielberg is Selling his $185, 282 ft Million Mega Yacht)While some will buy these cars and only take them out for a stroll every once in a while, Sandro wasted no time and immediately took them out onto the track.Check out the video below to see the delivery of the three supercars for yourself and let us know in the comments below which you'd like to take around the track.(Source: YouTube) See More Porsche News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – June 11, 2015

The Carrera GT: Own Porsche Supercar History

Porsche has long been renowned for its impressive abilities in crafting powerful and sleek cars for the road and the track, but a few of their production models stand out far beyond the rest for their ability to conquer both.From 1986-89, the 959 reigned supreme in the world of luxury performance cars. Its twin-turbocharged flat six engine was capable of reaching 195 mph, making it the fastest car of its time. But it wasn't until nearly 20 years later that another supercar came from the marque: the Carrera GT.(See Also: Only LaFerrari For Sale in the U.S. at Naples Motorsports)From 2004 to 2007, the two door stunner utilized a 5.7-liter V10 originally crafted for a Le Mans prototype. 1,300 of the planned 1,500 made it to production and sale, with an original MSRP of $448,000 USD. Of course, today they are worth much, much more.Check out our listings of Carrera GTs below, and find the perfect one of these Porsche powerhouses for your collection.Woodland Hills, California | Call for Price Buy Now Lake Park, Florida | Call for Price Buy Now Las Vegas, Nevada | $795,000 Buy Now Bakersfield, California | $819,000 Buy Now Shenandoah, Texas: $847,750 Buy Now Salem, New Hampshire | $895,000 Buy Now North Miami Beach, Florida | $949,950 Buy Now Springfield, Illinois | $1,099,900 Buy Now

By Edward Jones – May 28, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder vs Carrera: Witness The Hybrid Power

One popular topic of debate amongst automotive enthusiasts revolves around whether they prefer a naturally aspirated engine by itself, one that is accompanied by an electric motor or an electric motor by itself.Two cars that demonstrate the hybrid versus naturally aspirated conversation are the Porsche 918 Spyder and Carrera GT. The Carrera GT originally started production in 2004, while the 918 Spyder has just ended a production run that started in 2013.(Related: Bugatti Veyron Races an Aventador, 900 hp 911 Turbo S and Gallardo Superleggera)The 918 comes with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that works in cooperation with two electric motors for a total output of 889 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. For the Carrera GT, a 5.7-liter V10 provides 612 hp and 435 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, these stats show a matchup that puts the 918 Spyder on top. But if you can't take it from the numbers, check out the video below to see the two cars duke it out, uploaded by Exclusivos no Brasil to YouTube May 26.Check it out and let us know your opinions on the engine you prefer in the comments below.Porsches For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Automotive Videos

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