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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 – October 05, 2020

2021 Porsche Panamera Models Are Made For Dreamers

To those among us that laugh at a 40-hour week, it is time to reward yourself. For those who face adversity and fight for what they believe in, the 2021 Porsche Panamera models are made for dreamers. With most of the car being all-new for the 2021 model year, you have two choices. First, the traditional sedan shares unmistakable styling with the current-generation 911. 2021 Porsche Panamera Powertrain Details Explained Big brother is the Panamera Sport Turismo. It has a high roof with a liftgate to haul your family or a lot of cargo in-style. Once you decide on the body, the engine choices are quite spectacular. The base model cars offer 325 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque from a 3-liter V6. Adding hybrid power, the 4S E-Hybrid offers 552 horsepower and 553 lb-ft by combining high-voltage with the same V6. The mid-range V8 in the GTS has 473 and 457 lb-ft, while the top-dog Turbo S is rated at 620 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. Each car is built with the same precision and the latest in safety gear, so click the button below to find one for yourself. Browse New Porsche Panamera For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 13, 2018

2016 Porsche 911R Meets Jigsaw to make a 3D Puzzle

Making puzzles was once a form of art that took years to master. Porsche has spent over half a century mastering their 911, and for many, it represents the ultimate puzzle. How the car outdoes itself with each new generation. So in a press release this morning, we've learned the details of a new 3D puzzle based on the 911R.Why You Should Buy A Porsche 911RCollaborating with the toymakers of Ravensburg, the 911R is now available in a slightly smaller size with some assembly required. After scanning the car into the virtual world, designers were able to cut it into complex pieces before the first molds were cast. The end result is 108 pieces that make for family fun and a great gift for the Holiday season. Click the link below to find your 911R and stay with us for all your Porsche news.Browse Porsche 911R For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Porsche Classic Unveils Project Gold

It is hard to believe the 993 series Porsche 911 is now 20 years old. But the frenzy surrounding the last air-cooled cars is hotter than ever. So the team that built the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series realized they had a few gallons of Golden Yellow Metallic paint left over. Instead of wasting it, they joined forces with coworkers at Porsche Classic.Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & ReviewThis collaboration has been teased for weeks, and it was finally revealed in a press release early this morning. Project Gold is a new 993 Series 911 Turbo S. Porsche Classic has over 52,000 parts on the shelf to keep your classic 911 on the road, and that includes body panels. This car required 6,500 individual components, and it can be yours. It will arrive in the US for RennSport Reunion at Laguna Seca on September 27th.From there it will probably travel around the country until it lands at Porche Headquarters in Atlanta. RM Sotheby's will be auctioning 70 pristine Porsches as part of the 70th Anniversary Celebration on October 27th. This car will be on the auction block, even though Porsche says it is not legal to drive. Since it doesn't meet modern crash or emissions laws, the closest you will get is to find a legal 993 Turbo S is by clicking the link below. We will be there in Atlanta, so stop by for a copy of the world's best car magazine.Browse Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2018

What is Porsche's "Project Gold"?

Of all the innovators and skilled workers at Porsche's Stuttgart factory, there is one aspect you won't find in any employee: Idle Hands. Porsche Classic is up to something big. In a teaser uploaded to YouTube this morning we see the body of a 993 Turbo being dipped to prevent rust. So what's the big deal?Porsche 993 Specs, Photos, Prices & ReviewThis isn't just any 993 that was sitting in the museum, it's all new. In a press release also earlier today, we've learned that it took 18 months to get here. You can't deny all the prices of air-cooled turbos have skyrocketed in the last decade, so perhaps the factory is tired of seeing 20-year old examples selling for more than a new Porsche 911 Turbo S.RWB 993 Porsche Photoshoot by Marcel LechThe upcoming 992 Series 911 will be a Swiss Army Knife. It will be the basis for all Porsche 911 variants for the immediate future, and we have no doubt it will have mindblowing improvements. Two decades of advances make the 993 series look like a rusty razor in comparison. But some of us like the traditional ways. Consider how expensive and popular the RWB and Singer 911 restorations are. If Porsche is truly building new examples of the 993 Turbo, it will shake up the automotive industry and the aftermarket. We didn't mean to wreck your concentration, but this is unprecedented. We sell more new and classic Porsches than anyone else, so click the link below and have a great weekend!Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2018

2020 Porsche Taycan: 600 Horsepower Confirmed

Porsche has been in development of the Mission E concept for years, and recently we learned its name: Taycan. In a press release this morning, the finer details of this super SUV were made known. The most shocking news is that Porsche has raised the bar by building the Taycan around an 800-volt battery and drive system. It can also be charged at Audi dealers who are building their 400-volt network. Working with Ford, BMW, and Mercedes are developing "Ionity" fast charging parks. They will have multiple chargers and a nice place to stretch your legs.New chargers are being installed at every Porsche dealer, and a full charge will offer 310 miles of range. Porsche includes the regular 110V home charger, and the 240v can be easily wired into your home panel. It has two electric motors mounted on the front and rear axles. These proprietary designs are AC synchronous for long life and instant torque.Porsche made the windings square instead of round, allowing for more coils in a smaller case. They also purchased a portion of Rimac, to be a supplier for their electric future. This is the same technology used in their 919 Hybrid and the VW I. D. R Pike's Peak. You will be at 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and 124 mph arrives in less than a dozen ticks. If electric is not quite your thing, our dealers are starting to receive the 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, so get your twin turbos in gear and check out the fastest production 911 ever built!Browse Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Sale Tested for perfection!

By Andrew Nabors – July 25, 2018

Porsche Unveils 2019 Macan in Shanghai

If you don't need the size and space of the Cayenne, Porsche's new 2019 Macan will be an unprecedented success. We first saw it in 2014, and it was ahead of its time. But Porsche keeps their lineup on the cutting edge. That's why the second generation Macan arrives with plenty of upgrades. LED headlights are now standard, and the 3D taillights allow it to be unmistakable, even at a distance.2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos, & ReviewInside, the dash and instrument cluster are all new. The A/C vents are now more direct, flowing more air and being more ergonomic will keep you from being distracted while driving. Before the air reaches the vents it now goes through an ionizer to remove the odors of an active family. A new version of Porsche Communication Management is shown on an 11" touchscreen. The Porsche GT steering wheel has finally made it into their SUV lineup, and it offers stress relief along with an elegant design.Traffic-Jam Assist is their name for adaptive cruise control. It slows to a stop and returns to cruising speed without wearing out your fancy footwear. The chassis was reinforced to handle the strains of 21" wheels, which will be offered in several designs. Your engine choices will be a few flavors of V6, with the Macan Turbo returning next year. Our dealers have great incentives on 2018 examples, so click the link below to find yours.Browse Porsche Macan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 29, 2018

Porsche Sets New Record Time at the 'Ring

Porsche is retiring the 919 Hybrid Evo, so they have been taking it on a tribute tour around the world. What started on the streets of New York City had a stop at Spa, where it ran a faster lap than Lewis Hamilton's track record. Other stops along the way have let Porsche fans get one final glimpse at this winner before it goes into their museum.Porsche 919 Hybrid Parades Around NYCKnowing full well it would be the last time to lap the historic track, driver Timo Bernhard had one goal: keep the right pedal on the floor. The press release this morning stunned us because he followed orders. The result is a lap time of 5.19.55.... He destroyed every prior record for the 12.9 mile Nordschleife (North Loop). The previous record of 6.11.13 was set in 1983 by Stefan Bellof in 1983. The closest we can get to driving the 919 Hybrid is the 918 Spyder, so check out these listings from our dealers in the link below.Browse Porsche 918 Spyder For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2018

Porsche Embraces Japan's Songs of the Road

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

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2018

Seven Decades & Seven Iconic Porsches

When Porsche does anything, it is well planned and it grabs the attention of the motoring world. That is why their 70th Anniversary Celebration shows no signs of slowing down. For this week's YouTube upload, they pulled their most significant achievement from each decade to remind of how far they have come.First up was the racing version of the 356. For the 1951 season, they cut out all non-essential weight to build the 356 SL. The "Sport Light" cars were dominant at LeMans along with the brutal Liège-Rome-Liège rally. From Belgium to Italy and back on war-ravaged roads must have been an adventure, but they took home the trophy.The next big achievement was the first 911 in 1964. It was originally to be named 901, but they found out a competitor had trademarked all 3-digit numbers with 0 in the center spot. Think about that one and tell us who it is in the comments below. Next is the 917K, the star of the Steve McQueen film "LeMans". The air-cooled flat-12 makes a symphony, unlike any other supercar.1988 Porsche 959 Komfort Coupe Up For AuctionFor the 80's the Porsche 959 was the world's fastest production car. The widebody twin turbo AWD monster was illegal in the US for stupid reasons, but that didn't stop Bill Gates and other celebrities to have them imported under the "Show & Display" law. The next major milestones are the Boxster in 1996, then the Cayenne in 2002. Finally, the 918 Spyder was the first production car to break the 7-minute barrier at the 'Ring. Tell us your favorite Porsche and stay with us for more anniversary coverage.Pick Your Porsche Here!

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2018

Porsche Unveils 911 GT3 R For Flat-Six Friday

It's hard to improve on perfection, but the fine folks in Stuttgart have unleashed something wild in a press release this morning. If your old race car is beaten up and tired, Porsche has a new GT3 car with all the FIA sanctioned goodies included.Starting with a light shell of aluminum and steel, a full roll cage and one racing seat. Carbon fiber makes up much of the exterior. The big news is that Porsche is building many extra examples of the body parts because they know how we drive on a track. After all, a little contact is good sportsmanship. The price of repairs is what kills many GT3 teams, so Porsche is committed to lowering the cost of regular maintenance parts also.Behind the cockpit lies a 4.0 liter flat-six that shares much with the street-legal version in the 2019 GT3 RS. But since it doesn't have to deal with emissions laws, it arrives with big cams and each cylinder has its own throttle. No intake manifold means instant revs. The exhaust is simply a tuned header with no cats or muffler. This yields 550 horsepower and an amazing sound. I wouldn't mind swapping this into a 997 to build the ultimate sleeper.Shifting is done by a six-speed sequential gearbox. You also have 31.7 gallons of fuel to keep your pit crew happy. Oh, and it better be race fuel because 98 octane is the minimum. Which one of you is going to buy a pre-owned 911 and try to get this car titled? If you have such an idea, tell us in the comments below and have a great weekend!Browse Porsche 911 For Sale

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