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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 – June 15, 2021

The New Porsche Panamera: The Most Customizable Yet

Presented by Porsche Cars North America - Being able to customize a new car is very important for customers and that's why Porsche has made the new Panamera their most customizable example yet. From the interior to the exterior, those ordering a new Panamera can truly make their example a unique creation. Thanks to Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the new Panamera has a long list of customizable options. Starting with the exterior, there are many aspects that can be customized to give the Panamera a jaw-dropping appearance. When it comes to the paint finish, Porsche has a library of paints that can be picked from, as well as the ability to accomplish a custom color finish. Another option that's important to many are the wheels. Thankfully, there are plenty to choose from, including the 21-inch Panamera SportDesign wheels. The SportDesign Package is now available with carbon fiber components that give the Panamera an even sportier look than before. Inside, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur can give the Panamera's cabin a complete makeover through available options. From the leather to trim materials, there's just so much to choose from when customizing the new Panamera's interior. Just a few examples of options include the illuminated carbon fiber door sill guards, heated GT Sport steering wheel, extended dashboard trim in leather with deviated stitching, and more. As always, customers can pick and choose colors for their interior materials to make it their own. Porsche has truly allowed new Panamera owners to make their new luxury automobile their own. Those interested in purchasing a Panamera ought to know that Porsche's abilities really allow them to create the Porsche of their dreams. And, please, feel free to dream big because the combinations are as infinite as your imagination. Learn More About The New Panamera

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 07, 2021

Marcus Armitage Wins The 2021 Porsche European Open

A tournament filled with drives, putts, and Porsches. Throughout the professional golf season, we have seen manufacturers sponsoring events with competitors arriving at the course in some of the most exclusive models. Porsche knows this all too well, especially after wrapping up the 2021 Porsche European Open. The tournament concluded with Marcus Armitage winning with a score of eight under par. Throughout the weekend Porsche models like the Taycan Turbo S were placed throughout the landscape for all to enjoy. The highlight of the Porsche European Open sat on the 17th in the form of an all-new Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo presented in a vibrant green paint color. Proudly presented on the “Hole-in-One Prize” podium, each professional took a shot at the par 3 hole in hopes of winning Porsche’s newest model. Porsche continues to diversify its adventures by incorporating its versatile lineup of performance vehicles in all areas of sport and lifestyle. Keep your eyes peeled for more Porsche appearances throughout the professional golf season. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale Porsche For more Porsche news, Check out The Top Discovered on dR This Week

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2021

Porsche Shows Excitement For FRIENDS: The Reunion

From the tv set to the track, Porsche stays in the lead. Porsche continues to act as the fun and versatile car brand, taking to social media to recognize its media appearances throughout the years. After the announcement of the new FRIENDS Reunion, Porsche was quick to respond as it recent Instagram post that reads “Could We BE any more excited about the FRIENDS Reunion”. Porsche posted a photo of its iconic car cover partially uncovered to reveal only a stack of moving boxes, which is meant to signify the brand's involvement in Episode 5 from Season 6 titled “The One with Joey’s Porsche”. The episode features the 996 911 Turbo Convertible, in which Joey Tribbiani finds a set of lost keys in New York City’s Central Park. As the show reached numerous milestones, Porsche models were featured throughout the series. Look out for Porsche models in the new FRIENDS Reunion set to release today. View All Porsche 911 Turbo For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CPXLlDTrKvI/ For more Porsche news, Check out The GearBox: The Electrified Taycan Turbo S Ensemble

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2021

The New Porsche Panamera: An Interior Designed With Purpose

Presented by Porsche Cars North America - With four doors that open up to a spacious interior, the new Porsche Panamera has a cabin that's more than noteworthy. Porsche is not an automaker that will skimp on the details and luxury, and the new Panamera is a perfect example of such attention. When designing the new Panamera's interior, every inch of material, every piece of fabric, and every stitch found within the cabin is painstakingly considered. Just like the exterior, every component found inside of the Panamera was picked and placed with purpose. What's more, much of the Panamera has been crafted by hand thanks to Porsche's renowned craftspeople. This dedication to craftsmanship is found from the cockpit to the dash and even the embossing on the headrests. All of these details combine to create a setting that's undeniably perfect. Being on the cutting edge in regards to automotive technology, Porsche has also equipped the new Panamera's interior with the necessary components for a more connected drive than ever before. To connect the driver to the road, there are systems like Porsche InnoDrive, which adds new innovative functions to the Adaptive Cruise Control. There's also a Head-Up Display that projects all relevant vehicle information in the driver's field of vision so they can always keep their eyes on the road ahead. Porsche has also included technology that connects the driver to their everyday life and passions, like Porsche Connect and Apple Music. The new Porsche Panamera is just another gleaming example of the automaker's commitment to creating with intention and not just for the sake of embellishment. By blending both purpose and style, Porsche has given the new Panamera an interior that's truly exemplary. To learn more, be sure to click the button below to visit Porsche's website. Learn More About The New Panamera

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 19, 2021

The New PUMA Motorsport x Porsche Legacy Hoops Collection...

From the track to the court, PUMA has you covered. The PUMA brand continues to diversify its product line through an array of different athletic avenues, whether it's on the Monaco F1 Circuit or at the three-point line at a Charlotte Hornets NBA court. The athletic powerhouse is once again teaming up with the industry leaders at Porsche on a new athletic collection, for the basketball court. PUMA Hoops x Porsche is proud to announce the release of the Porsche Legacy Hoops Collection alongside Charlotte Hornets point guard Terry Rozier. The collection features head-to-toe products and accessories manufactured to perform at the highest levels using premium materials and state-of-the-art performance technology. In great Porsche fashion, the new lineup takes on a black and yellow colorway, matching the head-during yellow Porsche 911 designed in PUMA logos. Alongside the apparel and accessories, the PUMA Porsche Legacy Hoops Collection features two new basketball-focused shoes presented in a yellow silhouette with black accents. The new PUMA Motorsport x Porsche Hoops Collection is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Now Media/Information Source:PUMA For more PUMA news, Check out The Top Porsche-Inspired PUMA Motorsport Footwear Available Now

By Andrew Nabors – May 10, 2021

Porsche Begins Testing The 2023 Macan EV

It's coming sooner than your think! With the unprecedented successes of the Porsche Taycan lineup, engineers in Stuttgart have embarked on a 1.8 million-mile adventure. Prototypes of the 2023 Macan EV have been hiding in plain sight, wearing V6 badges until now. No less than 20 virtual examples have been simulated day and night. This allows them to express their confidence in the upcoming Crossover. Aimed squarely at Tesla, testing will take place in the Arctic and in the tropics. With the same integrated heating and cooling systems as the Taycan, their goal is to keep the batteries and motors between 70 and 160 degrees (F). The inevitable top dog will be a dual-motor model with AWD. And since battery technology is ever-increasing, the Macan EV will keep Porsche far ahead of everyone else. Tell us what you would like to see obnaoard when it arrives, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Macan For Sale Images (C) Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 03, 2021

TECHART GrandGT Performance and Styling for the Porsche P...

With the TECHART GrandGT customization options, the Leonberg-based premium refinement company presents a workout program for the Porsche Panamera models, increasing performance by up to 180 hp and 111 ft-lbs for the Porsche Panamera GTS and 90 hp and 96 ft-lbs meters for the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. The TECHART Powerkit delivers an impressive new total output of 720 hp and 700 ft-lbs for the Panamera Turbo S. A powerful design and an 80 mm wider track width characterize the athletic look of the GrandGT exterior styling. With the thrilling TECHART Aerokit, the design of the Panamera models is significantly sharpened compared to the production vehicles. With the wheel designs Formula VI, Formula V and Daytona II, Panamera enthusiasts can choose from three spectacular 22-inch TECHART forged wheels. In the interior, the TECHART Saddlery refines the Panamera models individually according to customer requirements, in a highly luxurious or sporty trim, from the headliner to the footwell. Discover the new TECHART GrandGT models by clicking the link below for more information. Visit TECHART Media/Product Information Source: TECHART For more Porsche new, Check out EveryDrive Carry: 911 GT2 RS Gear

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2021

Porsche Taycan Electrifies Sydney Harbour

High voltage luxury arrives down under Australia's power grid is more efficient than the U.S. Cars of from Porsche or Audi can be recharged at any Electrify America station, or any public EV charger. But our grid vibrates at 60hz thanks to Nikola Tesla. Australia's grid buzzes at 50hz, in keeping with Europe. This took a little more time to build a chargine infrastrucure since all the parts need to come from Germany. You wont need to recharge as much, because Bill Nye explained Taycan's regen braking. In a press release this morning, we're happy to announce that all Taycan models are available down under. While it might be a tad early to cross the outback, the East Coast abounds with charge points. Tell us which Taycan you would choose for an Australian vacation and click the button to experience one for yourself. Shop Porsche Taycan

By Edward Jones – April 28, 2021

The New Porsche Panamera: Faster and More Thrilling Than ...

Presented by Porsche Cars North America - Every vehicle that Porsche has produced aims to give the driver an exhilarating drive through speed, handling and a little touch of magic. When the Panamera was first unveiled, many doubted its ability to be an agile and quick car considering the addition of two more doors but those critics couldn't be more wrong. Porsche's engineers have created a model that offers an additional two seats and doors without compromising the drive that the legendary automaker is known for. With the new 2021 Porsche Panamera, the sedan has been taken to another level that's downright unprecedented. To make the new 2021 Panamera the ultimate driver's sedan, Porsche's engineers made a litany of improvements. First up is its handling. The Adaptive Air Suspension including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which actively adjusts the damping depending on the road conditions and driving style, has been updated. By updating this system's calibration, Porsche has increased the new Panamera's ride quality even further than before. Porsche has also recalibrated the new Panamera's steering so it now offers sharper feedback and increased responsiveness, which will make cornering a blast. Of course, handling is nothing without power. For that, the new 2021 Panamera models have several new powertrains available. For the Turbo S model, it's now powered by an uprated twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. That's enough power for a 0 to 60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds when Launch Control is utilized. For the Panamera GTS, its heart is a twin-turbo V8 that produces 473 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque, a 20 hp increase when compared to the previous model. Those looking for something a bit more electric, Porsche has also introduced the new Panamera 4S E-Hybrid. This new hybrid sports sedan has an electric motor that's paired with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 engine for a total of 552 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Porsche notes that power is enough for a 0 to 60 mph time of just 3.5 seconds when Launch Control is active. More recently, Porsche has unveiled the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid that ups the ante with a twin-turbo V8 engine mated to an electric motor for an astonishing 689 hp and 642 lb-ft of torque. As you can see, there are plenty of Panamera models for everyone's taste and that isn't even all of the variants. By being faster and more agile than before, the new Panamera offers its driver an experience that's unlike anything else. The days of thrilling drives being offered by only two-door vehicles are no more and the 2021 Panamera proves just that. Through decades of experience, Porsche has created a masterpiece with the Panamera and it just keeps getting better. Learn More About The New Panamera

By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2021

Porsche Taycan Regenerative Braking Explained by Bill Nye

Science ride from the Science Guy Professor Nye has a hot line to our cerebral cortex. It is there that we recall his lessons from our youth, making sense of electromagnetism. Well Porsche saw fit for him to reprise his role, and their latest upload explains the incredible brakes of the Taycan. The brakes on your car transform speed into heat and dust. Not only does this waste all of your kinetic energy, it also makes your wheels filthy. Almost every electric car has an inverter that is capable of turning the electric motors into generators. This (AC/DC) box normally puts a load of 80 kw on the wheels, but Porsche saw fit to offer 265 kW of stopping power. Tapping the brake pedal puts 355 horsepower back into the motors, charging the batteries in the process. Your car can't do this, and its just one of thousands of details that make the Taycan the only logical choice. Click the button to find out more. Browse Porsche Taycan For Sale

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