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 Edward Jones – April 25, 2019

Porsche Panamera Celebrates 10th Anniversary

It may not seem like it, but the Porsche Panamera has been around for ten years. The Gran Turismo was first unveiled all the way back in April 2009 and it's been a popular model since then. Porsche notes that they first planned to produce only 20,000 examples of the Panamera per year, but more than 235,000 cars have been delivered in the past ten years. To allow the world to celebrate the Panamera's achievements in an easily digestable form, Porsche created an infographic. In this infographic, found below are a ton of achievements and milestones of the Panamera over the past decade. Check it out and also see all of the Panameras for sale on duPontREGISTRY.com by clicking the button below. see all panameras for sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 12, 2019

Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid Sport Turismo Overview ...

If the Porsche GT2 RS doesn't meet your goals as a daily driver, perhaps a sedan is what you need. The Porsche Panamera has been polarizing since it arrived 8 years ago. While many owners are completely satisfied with the twin turbo V6 models, people like us need more. That is why Porsche engineers in Stuttgart gave it a high voltage upgrade. Their 4.0L V8 delivers 550 horsepower, and it is coupled to a beastly hybrid system. Capable of 14-mile of electric cruising, it boosts the car's total output to 671 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. Rated at 90 MPGe, it can also leap to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds (with the Sport Chrono package). Henry Catchpole puts this into words like no one else, so tell us what you think of his observations. Then click the link below to find our Porsche dealer near you. Shop Porsche Panamera For Sale Related: Jerry Seinfeld Tests & Reviews GT3 RS Porsche Taycan Will Include 3 Years of Free Charging

By Edward Jones – November 27, 2018

TECHART Boosts the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid's Po...

TECHART is taking their expertise and using it to upgrade the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid's power and style, thanks to their new power kit and GrandGT styling package. The power kit is being unveiled before its debut at the Essen Motor Show 2018 (December 1-9). The new power kit for the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid increases the car's power from 680 horsepower to 770 hp, and 627 lb-ft of torque to 723 lb-ft. This power can carry the car from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and to a top speed of 196 mph. TECHART also has an exhaust system for the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid model that gives it a deeper V8 sound. On top of the power kit, literally, is the TECHART GrandGT styling packages that gives the car a whole new look. This styling package includes a carbon fiber hood, front fascia, extended wheel arches, side skirts, rear apron and more. There's also the new 22-inch Formula V wheels from TECHART that blend perfectly with the styling package. And, as always, TECHART's interior capabilities are just about limitless when it comes to design. Be sure to visit TECHART.de to learn more. Also Check Out: See the Moment Stephen Curry’s Porsche Gets Smashed in an Accident Hidden Porsche Workshop is Heaven on Earth 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos, & Review

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2018

New Porsche Panamera GTS and GTS Sport Turismo Revealed

Two new models have been revealed by Porsche, the Panamera GTS and Panamera GTS Sport Turismo. Porsche notes that these new models will be sitting between the Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbos.Powering these new models is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. The total output of this engine is rated at 453 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 13 horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque over the previous Panamera GTS. This engine is mated to an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, allowing it to run from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speeds are as follows: 181 mph for the Panamera GTs and 179 mph for the Panamera GTS Sport Turismo.Porsche Carrera GT Specs, Price, Review and Photos View All Porsches For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2018

Porsche Hints At New Front Engine Sports Car

Sales of the Porsche 911 were booming in the early '70s, but the boss had always longed for a proper Grand Touring car. Ferdinand Porsche assembled a team to study the idea of building a balanced coupe with the engine mounted up front. This would be a first for the brand, so they decided to tell us how the Porsche 928 was born in a press release.To achieve perfect weight distribution, engineers decided the 4.5 liter V8 would be balanced by mounting the transmission at the rear. Combining the differential with the transmission, the innovation was known as the Weissach Axle. The rear suspension geometry was so ahead of its time, that Porsche Suspension Manager Manfred Harrer said it is a "revolution in suspension that’s still the basis of our work today". The Panamera uses the same configuration. The engine and transmission were connected by a torque tube. This rigid structure housed the driveshaft and also formed the basis of a solid chassis. While Porsche claims the 928 was the first car to have this style of drivetrain, they seem to have overlooked the 1961 Pontiac Tempest. Photo credit GM & Motor Trend (May 1961 issue)John DeLorean was Pontiac's Chief Engineer and he designed the first production car with a rear-mounted transmission. Instead of a solid driveshaft, he used a torsion bar that stored energy between the engine and the gearbox. This car was so far ahead of its time, it has handling comparable to modern cars. We'll cover it another day. When GM found out what he was doing, the first-gen Tempest was seen as too expensive and it was canned in 1963.When John DeLorean Ruled the StreetsPorsche did unveil a host of new technology on the 928. The first prototypes suffered from snap-oversteer if you let off the gas pedal while cornering. To solve this, they developed progressive rate bushings. They are now standard across the automotive industry, but it allowed the 928's rear wheels to keep their composure in all situations.Lamborghini Marzal in Public for 1st Time Since 1967This has saved countless lives over the last 40 years. It even gave the axle its own acronym based on the Weissach development center. They named the axle: Winkel einstellende, Selbst stabilisierende Ausgleichs-Charakteristik (angle-adjusting, self-stabilizing equalization characteristic). So why is Porsche reminding us of something 4 decades old? Perhaps it is the same reason their cousins at Lamborghini keep reminding us of the Espada. Something amazing is in the works, and it will be a potent front engine-rear transaxle GT car. Tell us what you think it will be in the comments below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 928 For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2017

Revealed: 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Tu...

The new Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo design gives the four-door sports car a rejuvenated look that I cannot wait to see on the road. And, honestly, all it really took was the slight redesign to the rear. Now, I'm even more hyped for the new styling with the addition of the 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo.Powering the new hybrid four-door Porsche is a 550 horsepower 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and 136 horsepower electric motor. The total output of the system is rated at a meaty 680 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid tech that Porsche used for the new Panamera was derived from the 918 Spyder, their hypercar model. While this new Panamera won't reach hypercar numbers, it still exceeds expectations: 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, 11.6 quarter-mile, and a top speed of 192 mph. Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport TurismoThe 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo is available for ordering now and will hit markets in Spring 2018, It comes with a base MSRP of $188,400, not including the $1,050 delivery, processing, and handling fee. Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

By Edward Jones – August 02, 2017

Golfer Gets Hole-In-One, Wins a Porsche

Sinking a hole-in-one may be an easy feat when you're at the mini-putt course. On a real gold course, however, sinking a ball off of the tee ground isn't easy... but don't tell Marcel Siem.At the 17th hole of the Porsche European Open in Hamburg on Saturday, July 29, 2017, Siem chose his 7 iron to take on the 170-yard, par 3 hole. His choice of club, his swing, power and everything had to be perfect in order to sing a hole-in-one. Thankfully, Siem knew what he was doing and swung the perfect swing and sunk the ball with one stroke.His achievement may have been enough, but this feat also scored him a brand-new Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. “Today’s hole in one was my third on the European Tour,” said Siem. “So far, I'd had a handshake and a bottle of champagne - and now, finally, something useful.”The new Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo has 550 hp on tap and comes in with some new exterior changes. By far, the most noticeable change made to the Sport Turismo model is the redesigned rear. Starting at the B-pillars, the Porsche has changed the shape of the car’s rear with a more pronounced shoulder, elongated window line and an adaptive spoiler.

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2017

Porsche Panamera: Faces of Courage

If you haven't experienced the new Porsche Panamera, it is a bold leap forward in design. The market for luxury sedans is brutal to new models, and the original Panamera was a leap of faith back in 2010. But instead of succumbing to the unfounded criticisms of the competition, it has been a smashing success for Stuttgart. Porsche listens to their fans, so the 2017 Panamera has arrived slightly wider and longer to house the revised interior. Gone is the array of buttons and controls for all the vehicle systems. In its place is a large touchscreen. Only Porsche could turn a cup holder into a work of art, and their function alone is worth a trip to your local dealer.On the outside, the lines of the rear hatch are now recessed, so it looks like a trunk until you see it open. The three-piece rear spoiler deploys in elegant fashion, and the taillight design is straight from the 911. The hybrid version wasn't well promoted in the first generation because it was a test of the market. Now that electric sedans are becoming common, the Panamera S E-Hybrid will be a 2018 model with incredible attributes. Styling up front is inspired by the 918 and recent 911 models, making it unlike anything else on the road. If you need a 680 horspower sedan with 626 lb-ft of torque, the Panamera Turbo S e-hybrid has all the power you need, with the ability to cruise on electricity. It takes courage to go against the status quo, so check out the new Porsche Panamera and stay with us for all your Porsche news.

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2017

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo Revealed: Most Innovative Yet

The Porsche Panamera has always been a favorite of mine. And now, the new Panamera Sport Turismo has taken the crown as one of my favorite Porsches. Unveiled today, the new Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo extends the range with new power and design that sets it apart from the rest.By far, the most noticeable change made to the Sport Turismo model is the redesigned rear. Starting at the B-pillars, the Porsche has changed the shape of the car's rear with a more pronounced shoulder, elongated window line and an adaptive spoiler. Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo Panamera Turbo Sport TurismoThis spoiler adjusts itself according to the car's speed. When traveling under 105 mph, the spoiler retracts to an angle of minus seven degrees. This reduces drag and "optimizes fuel consumption." If the car is going over 105 mph, the spoiler moves to an angle of plus one degree, which helps with driving stability and lateral dynamics. However, if the driver selects the Sport or Sport Plus driving modes, the spoiler will change to this degree when going over 56 mph. Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport TurismoInside, the Panamera Sport Turismo is the first in the lineup to feature three rear seats. Customers can still order a 2+2 setup with electronically adjustable individual seats in the rear. Also, Porsche raised the roof line of the car, making it easier for those passengers or driver to enter or exit the car. Interior Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo Interior Panamera Turbo Sport TurismoAt launch, Europe will have five different engine variants available for the Panamera Sport Turismo. This includes the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo (330 hp), Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (462 hp) Panamera 4S Sport Turismo (440 hp) Panamera 4S Diesel Sport Turismo (422 hp) and Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo (550 hp). It will be launching October 7, 2017, but no word has been given about a North American launch.Sports Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2016

Spotted: Porsche Panamera...Hearse?

On my way home I drive by a rather large and occupied, for lack of a better word, cemetery. About once per week traffic slows down to make way for a hearse heading towards this cemetary, and that hearse is typically a nondescript black car. But, for someone, somewhere, there's a Porsche Panamera hearse that's going to take them to their final resting place.AutoMoto.it posted seven photos of a Panamera hearse to their Facebook page with the description: "For one last trip... At Maximum Power!"Now, this brings up an important question: which car would you have as your hearse? For me, I'd like it to be a Lamborghini Countach, my childhood dream car, but I can't even fathom the amount of engineering that would go into such a modification. What's yours? Let us know in the comments below.Porsche Panameras For Sale

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