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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 09, 2019

Lamborghini La Jolla: Iridescent Wrapped 2018 Porsche 911...

It is safe to say that many exotic cars are overpowered. Sure, it is nice to have over 500 horsepower, but most modern cars will simply spin their tires or invoke the traction control system. But what if we told you about something unconventional? A car that can transform 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque into instant acceleration. Ferdinand Porsche realized that mounting the engine behind the rear wheels forced the tires into the pavement. For the past seven decades, Porsche has built rear-engine cars with ever-increasing power. Such is the case with the latest 911 GT2 RS. Tuned by their racing division at Weissach, the suspension uses ball joints instead of bushings. The front luggage compartment holds a tank of water at the bottom. Not only does this add front grip, but the water is also sprayed on to the intercoolers and evaporates to cool the intake. This cool air is then routed to twin expansion tanks above each cylinder head. Each pair of intake valves receives the perfect amount of air to maintain a standing wave behind the throttle body. Along with variable-geometry turbochargers, it allows the 3.8L flat-six to offer maximum torque from 2,500 rpm to 5,250 rpm. Given that a majority of the body panels are carbon fiber, this immense power in such a light package (3,240 lbs) is a recipe for unprecedented acceleration. If you enjoy scaring your passenger, 62 mph arrives in 2.8 seconds. Your speedometer will hit the Century mark in 5.8 seconds, and it keeps on pushing you to 211 mph. Having this level of power in reserve, you can leap from 50-75 mph in 1.5 seconds. Pushing the limits of engine and suspension design, the GT2 RS is where other manufacturers will be in 20 years from now. The future can be yours, so click the link below for a great deal. This 1-owner car has only been driven 2,865 miles and it has no signs of wear inside or out. It has been professionally wrapped in iridescent vinyl to protect the black paint underneath. Tell us what you think of this masterpiece in the comments below, and stay with us for more great inventory from Lamborghini La Jolla. View Price & Listing " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 27, 2019

2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Cabriolet For Sale

How much horsepower can a convertible handle? If you are Porsche, the answer is always more. Exclusive Manufaktur is unlike anything else in the automotive world. Instead of adding badges and nice leather to a regular production 911, the Exclusive department builds cars by hand. Only 500 coupes were produced, but a few customers demanded more. So here is a 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series Cabriolet for Sale. Our friends at Braman Porsche of West Palm Beach always have a direct line to Zuffenhausen, so they were able to order this stunning white example. Only 200 Cabriolets will be made, and each one will arrive with hand-stitched seats. Each car has numbered badges made of white gold. They are cast by hand by Porsche's goldsmiths. From the wheels to the rear bonnet, most of the body is carbon fiber. It is hand-laid and book-matched down the car's center line. All soft-touch materials like leather and carpets are of a better quality than a "normal" Turbo S, and that leads us to the engine. Engineers used a healthy amount of secret sauce to unlock 607 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It is sent to all wheels by a revised 7-speed PDK transmission. Thanks to the aforementioned carbon fiber, the lighter body allows the more powerful engine to offer incredible performance. You will be a 60 mph in 2.4 seconds, and 124 mph arrives in 9.6.... Only 200 examples are being built for the world, so we're not sure how many have been allocated for the U.S. Our friends at Braman Porsche of West Palm Beach have all the details, so click the link below for all the specs. View Listing

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 Andrew Nabors – December 08, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder: One-of-a-kind Twin to the World Recor...

During the morning of September 4, 2013, Marc Lieb piloted a Porsche 918 Spyder around Nurburgring and recorded the circuit's new record lap time of 6'57". The car he drove had exposed carbon fiber instead of a paint finish, with a wrap applied on top, which offered weight savings and a spectacular exterior.Today, CNC Motors of Ontario, California, has the twin to that record-breaking car up for sale.At first glance we were taken aback by the matte black wrap. Then we learned this car was ordered sans pigment, like the record car, and a wrap was applied at the factory to protect the bare carbon fiber. The result is weight savings of 14 lbs when compared to a painted Spyder. To shed pounds even further, the car was ordered with nomex-covered racing seats and the Weissach Package.The focus of the Weissach package was weight reduction, and it makes use of titanium and ceramics to replace traditional alloys to create a curb weight just over 3,600 lbs.This car was also tested by none other than Hurley Haywood, American's most famous automotive endurance racer. Mr. Haywood can attest that this car is the real deal, and it needs a new home.For more info, including price, click the button below.View Listing and Price Gallery

By Caitlin Duffy – November 09, 2015

1994 Porsche 911 3.6 Turbo S Flatnose For Sale

In 1993, Porsche decided to create a special limited edition of the 911, one to mark the transition from the 993 to the 964 series. It was a quick run - just 93 examples were created worldwide, bringing the 1994 Porsche 911 3.6 Turbo S Flatnose to life. Customers were required to put down a $20,000 deposit with only a picture of a prototype available, but it was worth it. Of those 93, just 39 were crafted for the United States. View Price, Specs and More Photos This particular example is 1 of those 39 - and it's in incredible condition. This model was designed and created by the VRS Department, which currently goes by the name of Porsche Exclusive, and was the last Porsche model to truly be completely, start to finish, crafted by hand. Fully loaded with a 5-speed transmission, sunroof and even the original cellular phone console, you're hard-pressed to find another one of these 911s with every feature. All books are included, as is the original window sticker. Find out more at the button below. Buy Now Gallery

By Caitlin Duffy – November 09, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder with Weissach Package in Gulf Livery F...

Though it's been more than 40 years since the blue and orange Gulf livery was seen on Steve McQueen's 1971 Le Mans race car, a 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder is bringing the iconic colors onto a road car of today. Featuring the Weissach package, this hybrid has 887 hp under the hood and a Nürburgring Nordschleiffe time of 6 minutes 57 seconds - and it's one of two 918s to sport these period correct colors. The Best Gulf Oil Livery Cars The marque's customization department, Porsche Exclusive, ensured that this 918 Spyder's Gulf livery was created accurately, covering even the most minute details in the correct shades of blue and orange. The calipers were repainted by hand to better match the exterior, the upholstery was custom stitched, the key fob sports Gulf colors and the carbon fiber floor mats feature matching piping. And these are just the first few details that make this Spyder so stunning. Learn more at the button below, and contact the seller to make this Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid yours today. Buy Now Gallery

By Andrew Nabors – September 30, 2015

Porsche 930: Raw Power for a 911

In honor of the last day of September, we offer you Porsche’s 930. This is the classic 911 Turbo introduced in 1975 that lasted until 1989. Find your long lost mix tapes for your Blankpunt stereo, and charge your Motorola bag phone, because it's time for a history lesson.In order for Porsche’s flat six cylinder to keep up with its V8 and V12 competitors, experiments in turbocharging began in the late 1960s. To homologate the technology used on their race cars, the 930 featured many changes from the base 911. With over 100 horsepower more than the base model Carreras, they earned a reputation for being too strong for an inexperienced driver to handle.(See Also: Sueprcar Drag Races: Porsche 991 Turbo S vs. Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Huracan & More)Early turbos offered tremendous gains in power, but without computer control, the power arrived all at once. This caused instant wheelspin and made the cars notoriously hard to control. For an additional fee, Porsche offered a “Flachbau” or Slant Nose. Being among the most collectible Porsches of all time, they added pop-up headlights and an aerodynamically optimized the front end.For 1989, the final year of the 930 offered a new 5-speed transmission with closer ratios than those in the obsolete four speed. Without all the modern safety and stability systems, the 930 is a light and powerful car that still scares professional drivers. If you think you are up to the challenge, the 930 has been the backbone of our magazine since 1985. With more variety to choose from than any other source, here is your next car.View All 930 Generation 911s1985 Porsche 911 Turbo Flat Nose Cabriolet $175,000 Buy Now 1988 Porsche 930 $150,000 Buy Now 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo $189,900 Buy Now 1988 Porsche 911 Turbo $195,900 Buy Now 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo RSR/ D-Zug Projekt Mjølner $114,950 Buy Now 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo $199,750 Buy Now 1983 Porsche 911 Turbo $299,750 Buy Now See More Listings For Sale

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By Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

One-Off Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet by Jonathan Matas...

There are many things that make the Porsche 911 Carrera S a desirable car, but few have ever guaranteed that you'll help a charity when you purchase it, and fewer still have done that while being completely aesthetically unique. This particular 2007 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is just that - something that will help a cause, and a moving work of art. Jonathan Matas, an artist from Northern California popular among residents of San Francisco and Silicon Valley, named it the "Document of Energy: The immeasurable display of Phenomena" after spending some time on its exterior."Matas' artwork is inspired by his meditation practice and often has themes highlighting the ever changing boundaries between what is real and what is illusory," describes the website explaining how the car came to be, "hinting at the processes through which humans give the world meaning and reality's ultimately non-dualistic nature."The car's owner first came to Matas, who's work includes murals throughout California and Mark Zuckerburg's laptop cover, to purchase a painting. He arrived in the 911, and though he didn't have a painting when he left, the two had a plan - Matas would paint the exterior of the Porsche and the two would sell it together. Upon its sale, 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Watsi, an organization that connects donors directly to patients in need of funding for life changing healthcare.Check out the creation of this unique vehicle in the video above, added to YouTube by Matas 911 Sept. 19, and learn how you can make this Carrera yours at the button below.Buy NowGallery See More Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2015

"Acid Green" Porsche 918 Spyder Looking for New Owner

Now that the Porsche 918 Spyder is no longer being produced, it's going to become an even hotter commodity than it was before. This fact also makes examples like this one even more highly sought after.Finished in an electric "Acid Green" paint contrasted against its "Authentic Mocha Brown" interior, this 918 Spyder is a rarity. In fact, it's only 1-of-2 known Weissach Package 918 Spyders in this color and 1-of-1 in the United States. Needless to say, this 918 Spyder has a pedigree that stands out among the rest.The car is currently being offered on duPontREGISTRY.com with only 8.3 factory miles, making it a brand-new example.For those unfamiliar with Porsche's latest hypercar, it's a hybrid powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine and two electric motors. This setup provides the car with 887 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. These specs are good for a 0-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds and a 9.9 seconds quarter-mile at 146 mph.Porsche For SaleThis is, without a doubt, the most extreme car the German automaker has ever produced. And now, a rare example of it can be yours. Click the button below to see its price and more info.View Price and Info Gallery Photos by: Bart Cepek Post sponsored by the seller See More Hyper and Supercars For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – July 22, 2015

1986 Porsche 930 Turbo D-Zug Projekt Mjølner For Sale

Update 7/22/15: The price of the car has been reduced to $109,000.There is little denying the power and prowess of the 1986 Porsche 930, or its importance in the continuation of Porsche's success around the world, and particularly in the American and Japanese markets. But that's not to say it can't be improved upon.Available for purchase from D-Zug now is their Projekt Mjølner, an unmistakable one-off powerhouse built from the ground up and named for Norse god Thor's hammer. Based on the 930's chassis, this 2 door coupe with just 29,000 on the odometer is in perfect show condition, and ready to take on any track or road you throw at it.Based in Wilmington, North Carolina, D-Zug is the product of the passion for Porsche racing exhibited by two people. Justin Broughton and Pete Koch are the masterminds behind D-Zug, with the mission of taking the best of Porsche's racing heritage and combining it to create immensely powerful cars reminiscent of, in their opinion, Porsche's golden days. They've combined pieces from different Porsches in Projekt Mjølner and their other creations, and they take an incredibly large amount of pride on ensuring the quality of their builds, no matter what.Of course, with a Porsche as unique as Projekt Mjølner, there's no way around a lot of time at rallies and car shows. The body is impressive; in addition to the 930 chassis, it features Porsche motorsport 3.0 RSR front fenders, early 935/76 quarter panels and a Porsche 2.1 turbo RSR front bumper. But, most noticeable is the Porsche 935/76 rear wing that almost outsizes the rest of the vehicle.(See Also: Ultimate Car Enthusiast's Estate For Sale in Pennsylvania) But a rear wing that size is absolutely necessary for keeping this beast on the ground once its engine opens up. The original 3.3-liter flat six engine has been increased to 3.5-liters and completely refitted with a score of new parts, including Garrett gt-30 turbochargers. All of this is mated to a rebuilt Porsche 930 four-speed gearbox with a D-Zug 935 shifter, making it capable of creating 607 rwhp and 544 lb-ft.Check out the gallery below to get a good look at this stunning one-off, and then visit the listing to learn more about the full details and price.View Listing Price Gallery See More Porsche News

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