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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

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By Andrew Nabors – September 26, 2019

Why Porsche is the Ultimate Mountain Machine

Ferdinand Porsche was born in Bohemia in 1875. This northern vestige of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was ethnically German, but a problem existed when traveling: The Alps. At the dawn of the automotive age, no car was capable of overcoming the altitude, so he devised a brilliant solution. This is why Porsche is the ultimate mountain machine. Browse All Porsche For Sale Going uphill, a rear-wheel-drive car is fighting itself. Having the engine upfront is like Sisyphus wearing slippery shoes. True genius was reversing the layout. Placing the engine behind the rear wheels forces them into the ground. Not only does it work great on flat land, point the nose up and the effect is magnified. Click Here To Buy From the Beetle to the 356 and the 911, they really shine going skyward. A rear-engine car has more grip going uphill than any other situation, so your right foot responds with glee. Add in the latest advances in All-Wheel Drive and Rear Wheel Steering and you have a recipe for high-altitude happiness. Click the button above for an amazing book by Stefan Bogner & Jan Karl Baedeker. "Porsche Drive" features incredible views from 15 famous Alpine passes. The final part of the trilogy will be published on October 10th, so click the link above for the first book and stay with us for all your Porsche news. " width="680"> Related: Porsche Ice Races Return To Austria Dr. Wolfgang Porsche's Five Favorite Cars

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2019

Jay Leno Drives a Bisimoto 911 Turbo

Many Porsche purists will tell you there is only one way to build a classic 930. Bisi Ezerioha is an engineer who emigrated from Nigeria. He is not your typical Porsche enthusiast, having realized the limitations of the original drivetrain. His innovative approach will undoubtedly inspire others, so that's why Jay Leno drove a Bisimoto 911 Turbo. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale Making big power with the 1st generation turbo engine is easy. Slap a big turbo and intercooler and call it a day. His goal was modern drivability and cleaner emissions offered by a late-model engine. The answer was found in the form of a 3.6-liter from a 996 series 911. It began production in 2001 as a de-tuned version of the 911 GT1, the same engine that won LeMans. As an engineer, Bisi understands the abilities of the PDK transmission, so he sourced one from a 997 (2004 to 2012). The car makes 850 horsepower on low boost, and it runs on a modern Can-Bus system of his own design. No burning oil or leaky pushrod tubes, this is the dawn of a new era in 930 restorations. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 20, 2019

Porsche 918 Weissach for Sale at Braman Porsche

If a perfect Porsche exists, it is in West Palm Beach. Our friends at Braman Porsche led the nation in sales of the Porsche 918, and their inventory speaks for itself. Not just in new cars, but pristine pre-owned examples that will leave you speechless. Such is the case with this 918 Spyder. Whoever ordered knew all the right boxes to check. View Price & Specs Starting with the most obvious, it has the Weissach package. This one option was $84,000, and it trades steel and aluminum for titanium in the chassis connections. It is 90 lbs lighter than other 918 Spyders, even with the additional carbon fiber spoilers. This car is #438 of 918, and that is reflected on the build plate and on the speedometer when started. No expense was spared, as the cup holder and fire extinguisher are both onboard. This car is among the most well-equipped examples we have seen on the market, so the price is only going to go up from here. Standard equipment includes 887 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque from a 4.6 liter V8 and a 6.8 kWh hybrid system. An electric motor powers the front wheels and charges the battery when braking. Porsche claims 12 miles of electric range, but it can go further in silent mode if you are careful on the throttle. When the V8 awakens you will reach 60 mph in 2.2 seconds, and 180 mph in 17.5. Click the button above for all the details, and stay with us for more amazing Porsches from Braman Motors. All images (C) Braman Motors

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By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2019

Porsche & Coca Cola Join Forces at Petit LeMans

Stuttgart and Atlanta might be far apart on paper, but their collaborations have yielded amazing results on the track. That is why Porsche & Coca Cola have joined forces for the Petit LeMans. As the final race of the IMSA season, Petit LeMans will be held at Road Atlanta on the first weekend in October. Porsche's North American Headquarters is a massive tourist venue for the city, so it will be amazing to see the 911 RSR decked out in a Coca Cola livery. Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale With origins in the '80s, Coke sponsored Bob Akin Motor Racing in the original 935. Hans Stuck came onboard in 1986 to drive the Coke 962 and won the 12 Hours of Sebring. Coca Cola was and is a major supporter of Road Atlanta, and both brands see it as their home track. This race will be the conclusion of IMSA's 50th anniversary season, and it will also be the Swan Song for the 991-based RSR. Essentially a race-prepped version of the GT3 RS, it doesn't take much to get the street-legal version ready for endurance racing. Let's hope for a dry & safe race as we look forward to Porsche on the podium again. " width="680"> Related: Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs, Prices, Photos & Review Jay Leno Drives 1993 Porsche Schuppan 962CR

By Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2019

Porsche 918 vs Bugatti Chiron & McLaren 720S in Switzerland

Racing at high altitude was once a fool's errand. Before hybrids and modern turbos, the carburetor was the great equalizer of such events. Even Ferdinand Porsche supercharged his Volkswagen Beetle to travel between his home in Austria & the factory in Stuttgart. So we think he would be happy to see a Porsche 918 & Bugatti Chiron take on a McLaren 720S in Switzerland. Browse Hypercars for Sale Andermatt is a village surrounded on 3 sides by vertical walls of granite. With a mean altitude around 5,000 feet, the turbocharger and hybrid systems are almost more important than the gasoline that powers them. As you might know, the Porsche 918 and the Bugatti Chiron represent the engineering ambitions of the Volkswagen Group. How do they compare to an intrepid English supercar? The McLaren 720S can hold its own against most production cars, so tell us which one you would drive in the comments below. " width="680"> Related: Porsche 918 Spyder Price, Specs, Photos & Review Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ Limited to 30 Examples

By Edward Jones – September 11, 2019

Live Look at the New Porsches at Frankfurt Motor Show 2019

Porsche has arrived at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 with a number of new models. From the Taycan to the new 911 Carrera 4, their booth is quite extraordinary. We made it across the pond and over to the show just so we could bring some live photos and coverage for you. Check out what they brought down below. see all porsches for sale Porsche Taycan Porsche brought two examples of the new Taycan to the show, a Taycan Turbo S and Taycan Turbo. The Taycan Turbo was represented in a brilliant red finish, while the Taycan Turbo S was fashioned onto an LED display while finished in white. learn more about the porsche taycan Porsche 911 Carrera 4 The new 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet models that were just revealed made their way to Frankfurt. These new all-wheel-drive models are powered by the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six engine found in the other 2020 911 Carrera models. see all porsche 911's for sale Porsche Cayenne Coupe and E-Hybrid Porsche's Cayenne range is growing by the day and they brought some of their latest variants out for the crowd at Frankfurt. Want a Cayenne but need more of a sporty style? Go for the Coupe. Want a Cayenne but also want incredible gas mileage? Go for the E-Hybrid variants. see all porsche cayennes for sale Porsche 718 Models The new Porsche 718s are getting better and better each year. Take the Cayman GT4, for example. This sports car is possibly one of the greatest out there and worth a look for prospective buyers. There's also the 718 Spyder, which you'll notice doesn't include the name "Boxster." This model is perfect for those sporty top-down drives. see all porsche 718 Caymans for sale

By Edward Jones – September 10, 2019

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet Revealed

The new 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet models have finally been revealed. These new al-wheel drive models are powered by the same twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six engine found in the other 2020 911 Carrera models. see all porsche 911's for sale Porsche notes that the new 911 Carrera 4 models will be able to lay down 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. When equipped with the 8-speed PDK transmission, they will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. If the options Sport Chrono Package is equipped, that acceleration time is dropped to 3.8 seconds. This is a 0.1-second improvement over the previous 911 Carrera 4 Coupe. The 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet are current up for order now. Prices are as follows: $104,700 MSRP for the 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and $117,500 for the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. These prices do not include the $1,350 delivery fee. Also Check Out: Porsche Taycan Turbo & Turbo S Unveiled at Niagara Falls Porsche Taycan: 0-90-0 on the USS Hornet

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By Andrew Nabors – September 06, 2019

Porsche Taycan Turbo Road Trip: Niagara Falls to Manhattan

Porsche does not waste time when it comes to unveilings. They save precious time for the details and build quality of their lineup. To show the world what their new electric sedan is capable of, the Porsche Taycan Turbo was Niagara Falls to Manhattan. Covering 408 miles, they stopped for a high voltage charge at an Electrify America station in Bloomsburg, PA. It took the battery from 14% to 85% in 24 minutes, enough for the remaining 158 miles into NYC. Stefan Weckbach is VP of the Taycan Product Line, and he said: " “It’s fantastic to see the Taycan take to the road in its final form for the first time, and to demonstrate its ability to cover big miles in complete comfort." "Of course, many owners will use their Taycan the way a Porsche is designed to be used - to be driven hard. The car is more than up to this challenge. At the moment, this is the one and only Taycan undisguised and on the road in the US. I can’t wait for it to reach customer’s hands and for many more to hit the roads around the world." If you want a powerful Porsche sedan with battery power, click the link below for great offers on the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid For Sale Related: Porsche Taycan Configurator Reveals Interesting Options

By Andrew Nabors – September 05, 2019

Porsche Taycan Configurator Reveals Interesting Options

Several of us have been wondering what the ultimate electric Porsche would look like. To give you an idea of what is available, the Porsche Taycan configurator has revealed interesting options. Like we mentioned yesterday, the Taycan has been introduced in 2 trim levels: Turbo and Turbo S. It might seem silly to slap a turbo badge on an electric car, but their performance is what you would expect from a traditional Porsche Turbo or Turbo S model. We chose the Turbo S because it has more power and more possibilities for customization. Porsche Taycan Price, Horsepower, & Specs Before we dig into the details, the Taycan Turbo S arrives with 750 horsepower (in overboost mode) and 774 lb-ft of torque. Without any options, it carries an MSRP of $185,000. Not bad for 300-mile range and this level of power. So we decided to trick it out in duPont REGISTRY style: All the way! Premium Package $4,360 Sport Design Package $5,660 Power Mirrors $330 Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control $3,950 Porsche Carbon Brakes $900 LED Headlights $580 Adaptive Cruise Control $3,610 Night Vision $2,420 Carmine Red Paint $3,150 21" Exclusive Design Wheels $4,510 Carmine Red Interior Accents $360 Two Key Fobs in Body Color $540 Red Seatbelts $660 Sport Chrono Dial in Body Color $420 Rear Seats (Yes they are an option) $480 4-Zone Climate Control $990 Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps $1,360 Puddle Lamps $330 Embroidered Center Console Lid $450 Leather Pouch for Owners Manual $560 Personalized Illuminated Sill Plates $4,060 Passenger display $1,180 Burmester Audio $5,810 Onboard Battery Charger (Really) $460 Luggage Set $6,323 So somehow we went from this: To this: For $242,303, you can enjoy Porsche's first electric car. Tell us what you think in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Taycan news. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2019

Porsche Taycan Turbo & Turbo S Unveiled at Niagara Falls

Just a few minutes ago, Porsche unveiled their first electric sedan against the backdrop of Niagara Falls. The hydroelectric power station was engineered by Nikola Tesla, and it has been producing carbon-free electricity since 1895. Aiming a new electric car at a Tesla landmark is not a coincidence. That is because Porsche is going after Elon with the full backing of the massive Volkswagen Group. There are two models of Taycan to choose from: Taycan Turbo, and Taycan Turbo S. No, there is not a turbo nor an engine to mount it to. Instead, both models use permanently excited electric motors front and rear. A 93.4 kWh battery can distribute torque front to rear at an instant. The front motor has an 8:1 gear reduction and the rear motor has a 2-speed automatic transmission. This eases the load on both motors, and delivers a range of 280 miles. Other goodies include rear-wheel steering, active aerodynamics, and the ability to use 800-volt chargers located across the country. Electrify America is a charging company owned by Porsche, and their high-voltage DC network will work with other makes and models. In addition, every Porsche dealer has at least one 800v charge spot. Now let's break down what separates these two models. Model: Taycan Turbo Taycan Turbo S Horsepower 616 616 Overboost Horsepower 670 750 Torque 626 774 0-60 3.0 2.6 Front Brake Rotors 16.3" 16.5" Price (U.S. Dollars) $153,510 $187,610 The press release states both cars have a drag coeficcient of 0.22, making them incredibly efficient. As we told you earlier this year, both models come with 3 years of free charging from Electrify America and your local dealer. Looking at the massive dimensions of the brake rotors, both models have 10-piston front calipers. Not that you need them, as 90% of brake force (265 kW) is captured by the motors and sent back into the battery. Of course, it has a list of Porsche acronyms for all the advanced chassis, suspension, and safety systems, just know both cars arrive fully loaded. The unveiling was hosted by Mark Webber, who shocked the world with a blistering run in the Taycan Turbo S at Goodwood this year. If you still need a V8 in your life, our dealers have several Panamera Turbo S E-hybrids to choose from, so click the link below after watching this epic reveal. Stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid For Sale " width="680">

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