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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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 08, 2016

Watch this Singer Porsche 911 Hit 176.2 at Sun Valley Roa...

Singer Design is known for their ability to take an already stellar classic car and giving it an extra edge. Specializing in the Porsche 911, Singer Design meticulously and perfectly restores 911s to their rightful glory. Porsche 911s come to Singer Design tired and often rundown, looking for a little hope, and they leave infused with a new breath of life. One Porsche 911 designed by the boutique restoration company exhibited a new lease on life when it hit an amazing 176.2 on the track at the 2016 Sun Valley Road Rally.(Also Watch - Bugatti Veyron Vitesse "Hellbug" Hits 230 mph on Highway)Named "The Florida Car," the stunning, hand-crafted Porsche decked out in a sea foam finish sailed down the straightaway, clocking in two separate times at 175 mph and 176.2 mph. Check out the classic in the video below.Classic Porsche 911s for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 01, 2016

One Owner 1996 Porsche 911 GT2 Evo to Appear at Monterey

In order for automakers to compete in GT racing, several examples of the race cars had to be built for public sale. During the mid 90's, it was a time of big changes for race cars and more specifically GT cars. For instance, all-wheel drive was banned in order to keep Audi from dominating the winner's circle. Because of this, Porsche was forced to delete the front driveshafts and differential from their 911 Turbo. Going back to the drawing board they installed a larger fuel cell up front, using more fuel to offset the weight of the front running gear. This is where the story of the Porsche 911 GT2 Evo began. Designed to race in the GT1 class, the FIA had no restrictions on forced induction or aerodynamics. Using lessons learned from the RSR and previous racing models, they dialed up the downforce to a figurative "11" with bolt-on fender flares and a giant rear spoiler. Porsche engineers knew this was the twilight for the air-cooled flat six engine, so they dispensed with the turbos normally found on production cars. This, and along with a larger intercooler, the new units pushed the 3.6L engine up to 600 hp. While the power can be found, the Burmester audio, or air conditioning, is missing. However, you will find a fire suppression system in lieu of a passenger seat. Porsche only built eleven examples of the 911 GT2 Evo, and they are among the fastest street-legal cars in the world. This example of the 911 GT2 Evo is making an appearance at Monterey, and it needs to be seen. With only 7,000 kilometers (4,349 miles) on the odometer, this example has not seen much action. Many Porsche-philes consider the 993 series as the last true 911, with the GT2 Evo being the end of an era. As a time capsule from 1996, it's sure to command everyone's attention at Mecum Auctions' upcoming Monterey event. For more information, be sure to visit the vehicle's lot by clicking the button below. Learn More

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 22, 2016

Only Carbon Exposed Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach in the U....

The Porsche 918 Spyder stands apart as an automotive masterpiece thanks to its seamless merge of race-car performance and environmentally friendly fuel economy. Add the highly sought after Weissach package and an exposed carbon finish, and this 918 becomes one of the most exclusive available.In fact, this particular Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach is the only example without paint available in the United States. Instead, the car is fashioned in a matte black, factory wrap which allows the carbon fiber elements to shine through. Just as impressive as the finish are the specifications. The $84,000 Weissach Package consists of a multitude of deletions and substitutions that remove a total 90 pounds of weight from the vehicle.The Porsche 918 Spyder features a plug-in hybrid rocket that utilizes a bespoke 608-horsepower 4.6-liter direct fuel injected V-8 engine, which pushes 887 total horsepower with the ability to reach speeds of 217 mph. Sail from 0-60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds, all while maintaining an unprecedented fuel range of 67 miles to the gallon.As if these features weren't enough, this particular 918 comes equipped with a Burmester High-End Surround Sound System, 2-zone climate control, Porsche Universal Charger, 25-foot vehicle cable, a set of Schroth Racing Belts and Porsche duffle bag. For the discerning collector looking to add a true masterpiece to his collection, the Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach fits the bill.The Porsche 918 Spyder is offered by Mecum Auctions and will be available at the Monterey event located at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in gorgeous Monterey, California on August 18-20, 2016 at Lot S112. Click here to learn more.Learn More

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2016

The New Porsche 911 R Pushes 200 mph on Autobahn

What's cooler than learning about the new Porsche 911 R? Seeing it go flat out on one of the holiest roads in the world, the Autobahn. The 911 R was only unveiled at the beginning of March as a model that keeps racing tradition alive. Porsche made this possible through a lightweight construction that they call "systematic" and high-level performance that focuses on driver experience. Now that it's been a couple of months and a lucky have had the chance to experience the car, does it stand up to the task? 2016 Porsche 911 R Specs Price: $184,900 MSRP (excludes $1050 destination charge) Engine: 4-liter flat 6 Horsepower: 500 hp 0–60: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 200 mph Transmission: 6-speed manual EVO recently took a 911 R to see if the claimed top speed was true. Where else would be better to test this out than on the Autobahn, in the home country of the car itself? Click play on the button below to see the 911 R insane and scary run. Porsches For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

Third Generation Porsche 718 Cayman Hits Production

As of now, thanks to the successful production of the 718 Cayman, production of all two-door sports cars will occur at the Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen. Before this, many of these cars were produced in Osnabrück at a Volkswagen plant, but Porsche's Zuffenhausen headquarters successfully completed production of the 911 line in 2015 and the 718 Boxter in spring 2016 proving the headquarters and it's staff have the ability, knowhow and stamina to product the sports car lines.This is of great importance to Porsche, because Zuffenhausen represents a 75 year history for Porsche, making the location of prime importance to the car maker. In a press release, Executive Board Member for Production and Logistics at Porsche AG stated:"The production launch of the Cayman successor models was executed to our full satisfaction.After the successful launches of the new 911 at the end of last year and of the new 718 Boxster in spring 2016, the team in Zuffenhausen also handled this production launch impeccably. This is further proof that our employees work with perfection and passion on a daily basis to enable a very special Porsche experience for our customers."Since all two-door Porsches will be produced at the same location, daily production is set to hit around 240 cars per day by August of this year.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 01, 2016

Vintage Porsche Owners: The Classic Radio Navigation is N...

Built in navigation has taken the car industry by storm and offers drivers a safer, more effective way to get to their destinations. Gone are the days of maps and staring at your phone as it lists out directions to you.But what if you own an ultra-fabulous vintage Porsche? Once upon a time, navigation wasn't even an option for vintage car owners, but Porsche is changing the game. Introducing the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System. According to a company press release, vintage Porsche owners in the United States and Canada now have the option to have their vehicles fitted with the new, navigation-ready radios. The system is perfectly suited for the vintage model Porches with a complimenting style and features. The radio navigation system has Bluetooth capability, so it can be connected to any smart phone, and it also offers precision navigation on it's own. What's more, the radio offers two USB ports and radio tuning to find all your favorite stations.This system is exclusively designed for the Porsche Classic sports cars to ensure connectivity and reception jive well with the vehicles.Porches 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

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2016

Jet Black 911 S Cabriolet by Porsche Exclusive

Most luxury car manufacturers have branch companies that are dedicated to personalizing cars to their customers' needs. Ferrari has Tailor Made, Bentley has Mulliner, McLaren has MSO and Porsche has Porsche Exclusive.The latest example from Porsche Exclusive is this 911 Carrera S Cabriolet. Finished in a Jet Black paint, its exterior is dark and sleek, accented by the red of the calipers and rear lights. Inside, Porsche Exclusive laid the cabin with a lush brown leather, accented by the browns of the fine wood trim. Other additions include the Sport Chrono stopwatch instrument dial, the Porsche logo on the storage compartment, model designation on the doors and more.Check out the images below to see the car in all of its entirety.Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolets For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 03, 2016

Porsche 911 (993) GT2 Driven and Reviewed by Charles Morgan

Back in the early 90's--1993 to be more exact--Porsche graced the world with their 911 (993) GT2 model. This road-going car had the heart of a GT2 race car, but it was legal to drive them on the road. It was, and is, regarded by many as one of the finest Porsches ever made. Charles Morgan, grandson of the founder of Morgan Cars, is one of those supporters, and in a video released by Carfection, he regards it as the "greatest Porsche of all-time." In the video, he gets the chance to drive a special example of the 911 (993) Gt2 that was made as a homologation special to race in the GT2 class, according to the car's owner, Nick Ramsey. You can see it all for yourself in the video below. Which Porsche do you regard as the greatest of all? Let your voice be heard in the comments below. Porsche 911 GT2s For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – January 28, 2016

2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Agility, Speed, Sport

Thanks to a host of sneak-peek photos and the general buzz that surrounds a Porsche new release, 911 aficionados waited with (im)patient anticipation for the reveal of the 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. With the rise of 911 racing, Porsche addicts have high hopes that the 911 GT3 RS would serve as the best 911 model available. Still, anxious questions and rumors surrounded the release, but Porsche quieted all woes once the supercar was revealed, and it’s everything we expected.Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs 4-liter 6-cylinder 500-hp, 338 lb.-ft. of torque 0-62 mph in 3.1 seconds (est) top speed- 196 mph (est) Under the HoodAt the intersection of sports car and race car sits the 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS with maxed-out street-legal motorsport technology. Thanks to a 4-liter 6-cylinder engine which brings in 500-hp and 338 lb.-ft. of torque, the engine boasts the most power in the Porsche 911 family--thanks in part to direct fuel injection and stellar natural aspiration. Porsche incorporated functions like “Pit Speed”—speed limits—to give drivers an extra edge in control and handling without compromising the speed capability and driving dynamics All of this power results in a quarter mile time of 11.2 seconds and a 0-60 acceleration in 3.1 seconds. While top speed hasn't been released as of yet, the GT3 RS should at least match the GT3's 195-mph. Porsche incorporated functions like “Pit Speed”—speed limits—to give drivers an extra edge in control and handling without compromising the speed capability and driving dynamics. Exterior DesignIn an effort to make the 911 GT3 RS an expert in agility and speed, Porsche compiled the lightest of materials—magnesium and carbon fiber—for the supercar's body composition. The roof and engine lids feature the magnesium component. In addition, the seats, trunk lid and front fenders are made of carbon fiber. The combination of these materials brings the weight of the 911 GT3 RS 22 pounds under that of the 911 GT3. The magnesium roof lowers the car’s center of gravity closer to the ground for optimal lateral dynamics. Wide tires—the widesst in the 911 family—translate into excellent steering response and less slowdown within the turns. In an effort to make the 911 GT3 RS an expert in agility and speed, Porsche compiled the lightest of materials—magnesium and carbon fiber—for the supercar's body composition. Potential owners have three exterior color options for this track-ready supercar: Lava Orange, Ultraviolet and White.Interior DesignPorsche took the best elements from the interior of the GT3 and combined them with some exclusive new features to create the interior of the GT3 RS. From the 991 GT3 family come the dashboard and part-TFT instrument cluster as well as the center console spine. New features include the Alcantara-clad steering wheel and a newly designed seat. In the spirit of sports cars everywhere, the RS features two deceptively comfortable, fixed-back bucket seats. In the spirit of sports cars everywhere, the RS features two deceptively comfortable, fixed-back bucket seats. TechnologyExclusive to the Cayman GT4, 911 GT3 and 911 GT4 RS is the Porsche Track Precision app, which is a part of the Sport Chrono Package. The app offers drivers an array of functions for track driving including video recording, analysis and precision speed and handling data. Drivers can add tracks to the app and save and analyze data. According to Porsche: allows the driver to perform a detailed and objective analysis of their lap times and driving style using synchronised data and video recordings. To do so, it utilises precise vehicle data from an auxiliary control unit in the vehicle as well as the smartphone’s high-resolution camera and GPS signals. The app can be downloaded via iTunes or Google Play.The Porsche 911 GT3 RS proves worthy of its price tag. Dealers are set to take orders now for delivery in July, 2016. The 911GT3 RS price starts at $175,900 in the United States.Porsche GT3 RS For Sale

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