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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 – May 08, 2019

Porsche 718 T Brings Bauhaus to America

Before the rise of the Third Reich, Germany was the birthplace of the Bauhaus. It was an art movement that combined skilled crafts and modern designs to shake up conventional themes. It produced many amazing works of architecture before the Nazis outlawed them for going against the status quo. In their latest upload, we see how the Porsche 718 T is bringing Bauhaus to America. An interview with Professor Fahim Mohammadi was filmed along with a new 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman T. It is easy to see how the 718 T models focus on driving more than entertainment. Both the Cayman T and Boxster T have optional infotainment and air conditioning. Standard equipment includes a 300 horsepower turbocharged flat-four, bolted to a six-speed manual. A 7-speed PDK is optional, but they are inefficient on engines this small. Porsche is offering a pure driving experience with 0-60 times under 5 seconds. Click the link below to find a Cayman near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Porsche 718 Cayman For Sale Related: New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport Porsche 718 T Series Boxster & Cayman Revealed

By Andrew Nabors – January 21, 2019

Porsche Cayman GT4 Rallye Unveiled at the Ice Races

This year's rally season looks hotter than ever. That's because Porsche has unveiled the new Cayman GT4 Rallye at the Ice Races this weekend. Last week we told you about Porsche's resurrection of the Ice Race in the Austrian Village of Zell am See. We figured it would be a showcase for current and classic models, but this one caught everyone off guard. Based on the new Cayman GT4 Clubsport that was unveiled earlier this month, this hardcore racer will pack a de-tuned 911 GT3 engine. The 3.8L flat-six makes 425 horsepower with a focus on long-term race reliability. Instead of carbon fiber, Porsche has made another industry first by developing body panels made of natural fibers. This allows the car to be light, strong, and promote the use of sustainable materials New Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport In contrast to the street-legal version, the Cayman GT4 Rallye adheres to all FIA R-GT rules. This means it is able to compete in World Rally Championship events and several other classes. Our dealers are taking orders, so click the link below for all the details on the 2020 Porsche Cayman GT4 Rallye View ALL Cayman For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport Rallye Surprises Everyone

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 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

By Andrew Nabors – October 15, 2018

Jay Leno Drives West Coast Customs' Porsche 356

What if you could own & drive a classic Porsche 356 without the quirks associated with old cars? That is what motivated West Coast Customs to build a modern interpretation of a 1959 model. In the latest upload to Jay Leno's Garage, CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus allowed Jay and us to experience something amazing.How Many Cars in Jay Leno's Collection!?!Starting with a rustbucket 1959 Porsche, they were commissioned by its owner to fit the classic body onto the chassis of a late-model Cayman. Nothing lined up, which led the team to chop, channel, & modify the classic car to fit the modern dimensions. The Cayman is much wider, so every piece of metal had to be modified.The mid-engine layout allowed his team to build a decent-sized trunk behind the powertrain in addition to the front trunk. If you look closely you will see a separation along the beltline. The hardtop has all new glass and it is removable to transform into a roadster. With all the luxuries of a 2008 Cayman or Boxster, this custom is the best of both worlds. Stay with us for all your classic Porsches and more updates from Jay Leno's Garage.

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2018

Porsche Embraces Japan's Songs of the Road

If you happen to drive a Porsche 718 Cayman to the Observatory in Takayama Japan, don't be surprised by the familiar tunes coming from your tires. In a Porsche press release, they investigate the social impact of this unique program.Sell Your Exotic Car with duPont REGISTRYMusical roads are nothing new, but Civil Engineer Shizuo Shinoda discovered they had many benefits. On the northern island of Hokkaido, tractors and farm implements damaged his drive to work, and the ruts reminded him of a familiar tune. So he began working with the Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute to study further uses for musical asphalt.The first observation is that drivers simply enjoy the melodies. Several roads in Gunma Prefecture have famous tunes. From "When you wish upon a star" to "Take me home, country roads", are joined by many traditional Japanese tunes. The real genius is that the songs are only played in the correct key if you are driving the speed limit.Another noted effect is keeping drivers alert. This has led to more ambitious projects like a road in Akitakata. Driving there, your right tires play the rhythm while your lefts play the chorus. Properly tuning the roads has been an advunture unto itself. Residents of Kita-Karuizawa complained in July of 2012 that the tunes could be heard for almost 1/3 of a mile.There is probably more to this story, perhaps the melodies won't play on American or Italian rubber. Nitto and Toyo are both excellent brands so it could be time for an upgrade. If you want to test this for yourself, the 718 Cayman would be the most fun, as the firm suspension bushings will allow the sounds to enter the cabin. But if you are like us, the throaty exhaust might cause us to exceed the 40 kmh speed limit. Some songs are better in fast forward, so tell us what you would drive in the comments below.Browse Porsche 718 Cayman For Sale P.S. Florida's roads are designed to sound and feel like the Western Front, which might account for some of the road rage.

By Andrew Nabors – May 08, 2018

See 2019 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Hit Top Speed

Every time a new Porsche is introduced, we imagine hitting the Autobahn with a full tank. These finely tuned machines will cruise at triple digits without breaking a sweat, so we're curious about the abilities of the new 718 Series GTS. The Boxster GTS and Cayman GTS are two of the best values in the world of exotic cars for sale. With 365 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, these twins offer more power than a 930 turbo along with a mid-mounted engine. Having the center of mass in close proximity to the center of rotation, the 718 GTS is also able to carve corners with ease. Before his untimely passing, our friend Bodo Buschmann at TECHART had finalized a power kit that adds 50 hp and adds more torque. Until we get our hands on it, let's see what AutoTopNL has done with a stock Cayman GTS. If you haven't experienced the latest Porsche Cayman, click the link below and stay with us for more Autobahn action. Browse Porsche 718 Cayman GTS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 24, 2018

Porsche Engineers Explain 718 Series GTS Cayman & Boxster

If you are looking for the best combination of track day winner and daily driver, the new GTS is the ultimate Boxster or Cayman. The siblings are so potent that Porsche's engineers decided to explain the upgrades in detail.Top 10 Reasons Why To Buy Porsche 918 SpyderFor a quick refresher, the base models are powered by 2.0L turbocharged flat fours that offer 296 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The S models up the ante with 2.5 liters with 345 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. For the new GTS, they revised the intake with a larger turbo, throttle body, and other associated parts.This has allowed the GTS to arrive with 365 horsepower. The real advantage is in torque. In the S models, torque arrived slowly at lower engine speeds. But the GTS has 371 lb-ft available from 1,900 rpm all the way to 5 grand. How they extract V8 levels of power from a four-cylinder is just one of the reasons Porsche stays at the top of their game. The Cayman GTS is capable of reaching 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, this is approaching the level of a base model 911 Carrera...Standard equipment on the GTS includes the iconic blacked out headlights and taillights, along with unique front and rear bumpers. The Sport Chrono system links to your smartphone to record telemetry from your laps, and it even controls the active motor mounts. The best part of the 718 GTS is the availability of a manual transmission and a base price under $80,000. If you demand the very best from your Porsche, tell us which one you would own in the comments below.Cayman S For SaleBoxster S For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&amp=&v=2PckgiN_b98

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

Third Generation Porsche 718 Cayman Hits Production

As of now, thanks to the successful production of the 718 Cayman, production of all two-door sports cars will occur at the Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen. Before this, many of these cars were produced in Osnabrück at a Volkswagen plant, but Porsche's Zuffenhausen headquarters successfully completed production of the 911 line in 2015 and the 718 Boxter in spring 2016 proving the headquarters and it's staff have the ability, knowhow and stamina to product the sports car lines.This is of great importance to Porsche, because Zuffenhausen represents a 75 year history for Porsche, making the location of prime importance to the car maker. In a press release, Executive Board Member for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG stated:"The production launch of the Cayman successor models was executed to our full satisfaction.After the successful launches of the new 911 at the end of last year and of the new 718 Boxster in spring 2016, the team in Zuffenhausen also handled this production launch impeccably. This is further proof that our employees work with perfection and passion on a daily basis to enable a very special Porsche experience for our customers."Since all two-door Porsches will be produced at the same location, daily production is set to hit around 240 cars per day by August of this year.

By Andrew Nabors – December 10, 2015

2017 Porsche Boxster and Cayman Are Now the 718 Model Series

Big changes are coming to Porsche’s smallest models. In a press release dated December 10th, the future of the Boxster and Cayman is clearly defined. In a nod to one of their famous race cars of 1957, both cars are being marketed as the 718 Series.For the 2017 model year, the 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman will grow even closer in styling and also in power. With Porsche’s recent racing successes utilizing four-cylinder power, both cars will feature new turbocharged four-cylinder engines.More information is to follow, as both cars will be released over the upcoming year. As soon as more details become available, you will see them here on Autofluence.Boxsters For Sale Caymans For Sale (Source: Porsche AG)

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