Porsche News

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 – July 09, 2019

Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood

Nothing has intrigued the automotive world more than the notion of an electric Porsche. History repeats itself in that Ferdinand Porsche's first car was the Lohner-Porsche electromobile in 1900. Twelve decades later, their new electric supercar is poised to change the world. In a press release yesterday, they celebrate that the Porsche Taycan was driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood. With an extensive Formula 1 career under his belt, he said "The Taycan's power delivery is awesome". You might remember back to 2017 when he was chosen to send the Porsche 911 GT2 RS up the historic hill. We know that car is fast, and he said "I took part in this event in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS two years ago, so I already knew that it all comes down to power and traction. But, even for a thoroughbred racing driver like me, it is amazing how the Taycan – even though it’s still a prototype – accelerates off the start and out of the corners." Goodwood is the 2nd of the Taycan's Triple Demo Run. With a goal of three continents in three weeks, the first run took place in Shanghai last week. It will culminate at the Formula E Championship, July 13-14th in NYC. It will use a 90 kWh battery to send 800 volts to all corners. This equated to 596 horsepower at all wheels, and torque that overpowers conventional dynos. It will truly change the market for luxury electric cars, so stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale Related: Porsche Taycan is Almost Ready for Launch Porsche Taycan Will Include Three Years of free Charging

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2019

Porsche 911 RSR GTE Unveiled at Goodwood

Every time the FIA changes the rules for the GTE class, some manufacturers struggle to keep up. That's not the case with Porsche. They enjoy a challenge, so they were forced back to the drawing board to build a better race car. We're glad they stepped up because the 2019 Porsche 911 RSR GTE was unveiled at Goodwood. If you didn't notice, the 911 RSR won the manufacturers' and drivers' World Championships by dominating such tracks as LeMans, Sebring, and Road Atlanta. Much like Team Corvette from a few years ago, you are bound to be hit by restrictions if you win that often. This is known as the Balance of Performance, and the FIA uses added weight and intake restrictions to even the playing field. Because a smaller intake will be mandated, Porsche has bored & stroked the 4.0L engine to 4.194L It is the largest flat-six ever offered in a Werks car, and their goal is 515 horsepower (depending on restrictor size).

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By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2019

Magnus Walker's Slantnose 911

Regret after selling a car is just part of our hobby. Sometimes we acquire too many projects, which takes attention away from family and friends. No matter what the case, it is always rewarding to find the car that you had to part ways with. Such is the case with Magnus Walker's Slantnose 911. A slantnose was the ultimate " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> of the 1980s. It was an option package on the 911 Turbo, and highly desirable today. In addition to the factory-built cars, there were aftermarket kits to transform almost any 911 into a 'Flachbau’ (slantnose) . In the latest upload from Porsche Newsroom, we learned the Urban Outlaw's first 911 was a 1974 slantnose conversion. He sold the car in 2000, and the memory of that gorgeous machine was burned into his mind. Finding one in great condition means spending a ton of money, so he has been traveling the world with one goal in mind. Even considering the aftermarket kits, these cars are becoming very hard to find. Just when he was on the verge of giving up, he found another 1974 conversion in Los Angeles, not far from his home. This retro ride has massive Group 5 headlights and a 935-inspired widebody kit. Eventually, it will receive a 500 horsepower turbo motor, and a vintage livery appropriate to the era. Click the link below to find your long lost 911, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680"> Related: See the Bare Porsche 935 in All of Its Carbon Fiber Glory 2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder Unveiled

By Edward Jones – June 27, 2019

See the Bare Porsche 935 in All of Its Carbon Fiber Glory

There's no doubt in my mind that the new Porsche 935 is one of my favorite cars this year so far. It combines the technology and power of modern Porsches with the unique styling that made the 935 stands out on the track. Part of the technological aspect that makes the new 935 so special is its body. Even though the new 935 is based on the 911 GT2 RS, it has a new body. Instead of the aluminum and steel body found on the GT2 RS, the 935's body has been replaced using some carbon fiber composite parts. The result of this is a car that weighs just around 3,040 lbs. Porsche recently showed off the bare body of the new 935 in an Instagram gallery. In the gallery, you see carbon fiber composite that makes up the body panels. Honestly, I would forgo any livery and drive it like this. It just looks so mean! Alright, I'd probably matte or gloss coat the entire thing, but the all-black visual is something else. See All Porsches For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/BzLYE9EoQRc/ Source: Instagram

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 – June 18, 2019

2020 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder Unveiled

Just when you thought the GT4 was destined for the history books, they are back with a vengeance. In a press release last night, our perceptions of the current-generation Boxster and Cayman were blown away. That is because the 2020 Porsche 718 Series GT4 was unveiled with six-cylinder power. Until now, the fastest versions were the Cayman S and Boxster S. They used a 2.5L turbo four to offer 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. Those are great numbers, but we yearned for more. So the new cars will arrive with an all-new 4.0L flat six. It would have been easy to borrow the 520 horsepower beast from the 911 GT3 RS, but Porsche decided to bore and stroke the 3.0L engine found in the 911 Carrera. Shift Your Own Gears Bolted to a six-speed manual, it offers 414 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It can rev to 8,000 rpm with smooth & linear power delivery. For the first time, Porsche flat six has the ability to shut down 3 cylinders while cruising. It is also their cleanest engine thanks to new fuel injection mapping. Instead of one pulse, each injector fires 5 times per compression to optimize the burn. For the finer details, the Cayman GT4 offers 50% more downforce or about 26 additional lbs at 124 mph. The chassis has some of the same ball joint suspension mounts as the 911 RS models along with a re-tuned Porsche Active Suspension Management system. An optional Clubsport package includes beefy sway bars, fire extinguisher, and a six-point racing harness. Don't Call It A Boxster! The convertible version of the Cayman GT4 is now known as the 718 Spyder. Inspired by the 550 Spyder, it is the ultimate lightweight roadster. A manual top can be dropped in seconds, and it has a dry weight of 3,130 lbs. It reaches 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and 124 mph in only 13.8 ticks. Does this foretell the end of the Boxster, it is a name that feels stuck in the '90s, so perhaps it is time to say goodbye. Both the 718 Cayman GT4 and the 718 Spyder are available for order, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. Browse Porsche 718 Cayman For Sale " width="680"> Related: New Porsche Sports Apparel Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs, Prices, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2019

Gemballa Teases New Supercar

https://www.instagram.com/p/BymwY56itnP/ If a Porsche Carrera GT is too tame for your daily drive, our friends at Gemballa will build you a Mirage GT. Because they have been building customized Porsches since 1981, they know how to make cars gorgeous and fast. That's why we're glad Gemballa has teased a new supercar. Their first round of fundraising is now in full swing, and we hope the new project becomes fully funded. A rising tide raises all ships, so it will force the competition back to the drawing board. Check out what they did to a limited run of Panameras in the video below, and stay with us for all your Gemballa news. " width="680"> Related: Gemballa Unveils Beastly GTR 8XX EVO-R BITURBO Ben Chen and his Gemballa Mirage GT

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2019

Porsche 918 Spyder: Weissach Package Explained

The Porsche 918 Spyder made history with its lap around the legendary Nürburgring track. Equipped with only a skilled driver and the Weissach Package, it etched in a jaw-dropping time of 6 minutes 57 seconds. It set a new record for street-legal cars while setting the bar for the upcoming McLaren P1 and Ferrari LaFerrari. Luckily for all of us automotive aficionados, the 918 Spyder is now available to the public with the Weissach Package. The 918 is the Frankenstein monster of Porsches. It is the first of the known “big three” hybrid supercars to surface on the market, and it easily impressed the world with its technology. Two electric motors pair up with a 4.6-liter V8, and together they produce 887 horsepower. This power projects the hybrid from 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, and from 0-100 mph in a knuckle-whitening 4.9 seconds. Source: Porsche Cars North America The combination of strength and electrical power bring forth a racecar that could convince spectators it was built from nine separate machines and a bolt of lightning. The most challenging racetracks in the world become a work of ease even for the inexperienced driver as the 918 dominates every corner and hurls down the straightaways. However, understanding the supercar may have you a bit baffled. Many wondered, “How did they create a hybrid faster than a traditional supercar?” The answer is in the motors; one electric motor is fixed comfortably on the front axle, producing 129 horsepower, and another electric motor on the rear axle adds an additional 156 horsepower. This gives the driver impeccable control over acceleration and perfectly balanced power to all four wheels. In plain terms, you will never lose power, even when the V8 engine is at low idle. The energy is propelled directly to the wheels, projecting the 918 gracefully around every corner. The V8 engine is another story. Porsche created a powerhouse that could sustain high-rev output like an F1 racecar without compromising street-legality guidelines. Source: Porsche Cars North America READ: PORSCHE 918 SPYDER SPECS, PRICES, PHOTOS & REVIEW The high-revving engine weighs in at a low 300 pounds and is positioned low on the chassis for a precise center of gravity. The dry-sump lubrication with a separate oil tank, aluminum pumps, and titanium connecting rods equal an even lighter ride, sparing no expense for performance. Inside of the hybrid, you will find a clean-cut cabin completely designed for keeping your attention forward. Every detail of the 918 cabin offers superb quality. The driver is gifted with a multifunction steering wheel, a center console with a seven-inch display, and a Porsche application for your smartphone that tracks information relevant to your next drive, including the battery charge. After bringing so much to the table, the world couldn’t envision the possibility of Porsche having anything additional to offer. That’s when they announced that the Weissach Package would be made available for the 918 Spyder, making the legendary Nürburgring track performance available to consumers. The Weissach Package is a weight-reducing package that shaves off 90 pounds to bring the total weight of the supercar to 3,602 pounds. This makes it 0.1 seconds faster from 0-60 mph, even quicker than the Ferrari LaFerrari. The top speed is still electronically controlled at 214 mph, but that’s okay; this is a monster built for conquering the loops and curves of a track, not for running in straight lines. The 918 Spyder with the Weissach Package is, without a doubt, the most brilliant machine to ever leave Germany. Sell My Porsche 918: Get a Cash Offer All Porsche 918 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2019

Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe in Action

Stuttgart is wasting no time in expanding their SUV lineup. As such, we were blessed to find a new Porsche teaser on Instagram. Instead of another V6 family wagon, we see the new Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe in Action. A quick glance at Porsche USA reveals the menacing details. Under the hood is a twin-turbo 4.0L V8. It is a de-tuned version of the same monster found in the Lamborghini Urus, and it offers 541 horsepower to all wheels. But this unlikely beast also provides 568 lb-ft of torque between 1,960 and 4,500 rpm. The aim is to give SUV buyers incredible power and a fastback roof. It launches to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph. Another nice ability is being able to tow 7,700 lbs, so it could pull your GT2 RS inside a very nice trailer with ease. Or, you could be sensible and cut the mufflers off, add boost, and take everyone's money at the midnight drags. Find Your Porsche Cayenne For Sale Here https://www.instagram.com/p/BynMhlMDV4x/ Related: Porsche Cayenne Coupe Arriving in 2020 Porsche Cayenne & Macan Take a Road Trip in Thailand

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