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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 Edward Jones – August 13, 2020

New Porsche Panamera Sets Lap Record on the Nurburgring

Porsche hasn't even premiered their new Panamera yet and it's already set a new record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The record broken was for production cars in the "executive cars" category which is defined by the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Germany. Driving the car to its record time was test drive Lars Kern and the car itself was a slightly camouflaged version of the upcoming new Porsche Panamera. His record time? A wild 7:29.81. This time was actually 13 seconds faster than the previous model. "The enhancements made to the chassis and the powertrain of the new Panamera were always noticeable during this lap on what is recognized as the most demanding race track in the world," says Kern. "In the Hatzenbach or also Bergwerk and Kesselchen sections in particular, the new setup of the electromechanical roll stabilization system PDCC remains consistently effective and provides the Panamera with incredible stability in spite of the bumpy track surface" See All Panameras for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 11, 2020

Watch the Evolution of Porsche's Supercars

To enter a street-legal car in a world-famous race, you must sell a few to the public. Every famous manufacturer had homologation cars, from the Corvette Z06 to the Ferrari GTO (Gran Turismo Omolegato). These cars were usually more subtle, with better street manners for a weekend cruise. Knowing their customers, Porsche chose the opposite approach. They sold track-ready supercars to whoever wanted them. In their latest upload, let's look at these mean machines. How Porsche Perfected 3D Printed Pistons From the lessons learned on the 1964 Carrera GTS, Hans Mezger and his team decided to offer a Porsche 911 with a massive turbocharger. Built from 1975 till today, the 911 Turbo has stayed among the world's fastest cars. The 959 debuted technology the world had never seen and the 911 GT1 was built to battle the CLK-GTR. Next was the 2005 Porsche Carrera GT, a naturally-aspirated V10 powerhouse. Using electricity for boost, the 918 Spyder has 22 miles of battery range. Finally, the latest 911 GT2 RS offers nearly 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Browse Porsche For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2020

How Porsche Perfected 3D Printed Pistons

Engine builders have sworn by Mahle pistons since 1927. They have been inside Porsche's most famous and powerful race cars, (including the 911 GT2 RS and now they have challenged everything we thought we knew about engine technology. In Porsche's latest upload, we see Mahle working with Trumpf to 3D print the world's most advanced pistons. The laser adds a thin layer with each pass, allowing for an internal oil passage to cool the ring lands. Once finished, technicians at Zeiss scrutinize each one before delivery. Although the boss for the wrist pin looks small, the reduced weight allows for higher RPM. While this process is too expensive for normal cars, it is just another way Porsche offers their customers the latest and greatest technology available. Click the link below to find yours! Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2020

Porsche Wants You to Design Your Watch

Porsche Design offers the latest in European accessories. And now they are giving you the freedom to personalize your timepiece. Although the configurator is in German only, we happen to know where you can find someone to help. Your local Porsche dealer has at least a few employees that would be happy to translate, and they might even spec out a matching new 2021 Porsche 911 while you are deciding on over 1.5 million possibilities. Here is how it begins: Case & Bezel The programme is built upon the Chronotimer Series 1. The high-quality case is extremely lightweight, hypoallergenic and highly durable, thanks to the use of the high-tech material titanium. The surface is finished in glass bead blasted titanium or classic black – just like the bezel which can also be configured in the 'tachymeter’ or 'timer’ variants. Dial & Hands The dial is visually and functionally inspired by the rev counter of the Porsche 911 and, as is customary for Porsche Design, reduced to the essentials: white hands and indices on a matt black background which are optimally readable through 7-layer anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Strap & Stitching The titanium bracelet is available with a surface finish in either black or titanium or as a soft leather strap, with over 14 different color options to match the color palette of the 911 interior. With colored contrasting stitching in over 19 different color options in genuine Porsche vehicle thread, you can give the strap that final flourish. Rotor & Movement A total of six design variants are available for the winding rotor of the mechanical, in-house Porsche Design Chronograph calibre with COSC certification: the characteristic PD icon rotor in classic black or five designs derived from the 911 wheel range. The wheel center is adorned with the Porsche Crest and 24 different paintwork options from the 911 color program are available for the winding rotor. Engraving If desired, the back of the titanium case of the custom-built chronograph can be personalized to your preference with the most modern and precise laser engraving. A maximum of twelve characters provides ample space for a name, license plate number or the vehicle ID number of your sports car. Click the button below for all the details from Porsche Design, and stay with us for all your Porsche accessories. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2020

Porsche & Michelin Simulate Tire Testing for Real-World R...

Even before the internet, Michelin was using the latest in computer power to simulate the grip and resilience. This is done to make sure every new 2020 Porsche for sale receives the best tires available. Once installed at their Weissach test center, Werks Drivers and Michelin engineers confirm their abilities in all types of terrain. Now with the popularity of sim racing, both brands can make Porsche's virtual racers even more confident. Coming from the Corvette Aftermarket, one of the first modifications I sold to every new car owner was a set of Michelins. Chevrolet finally realized this and made them standard equipment on the previous-generation Stingray. Nothing is more important than what connects your car to the road, so click the button below to find a 2020 Porsche 911 for sale and stay with us for all your automotive news. Browse 2020 Porsche 911 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 27, 2020

Mark Webber Delivers Driving Insights to Celebrity Chef J...

If you are looking for an amazing meal in Adelaide, Chef Jock Zonfrillo blends contemporary Australian with a bit of his Scottish heritage. Respecting the new 911 for being a lean & gorgeous presentation, Porsche Master Driver Mark Webber decided to show him what its capable of. The Bend Motorsports Park offers something for everyone, as its multiple configurations are perfect for Supercar, Australian LeMans, MotoGP, and even the Boy Scout Jamboree. Find Your New Porsche 911 Here If you don't want to head down under, we highly recommend a Porsche Driving Experience. Located in L.A. or at the headquarters in Atlanta, they are the best way to get the most our your 2021 Porsche 911 for sale. Click the button above to find yours and stay with us for all your Porsche news.

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By Andrew Nabors – July 22, 2020

Delta 4x4 Teases Their 2021 Porsche 911 Rally Car

Rallies are one of the hardest forms of racing. From bruised egos to destroyed cars, it is not a sport for the feint of heart. Our friends at Wide Open Baja can get you addicted to the sport by going airborne in Mexico, and their most powerful cars use Porsche engines. The Porsche family have long been fans of rally races because the 911 is quite capable when going off-road. That's why Delta 4x4 has teased their 2021 Porsche 911 Rally Car. As the leader in Germany's 4x4 aftermarket, they have been overlanding long before Americans discovered it. Revealed: 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo With the engine behind the rear wheels, the Porsche 911 is no stranger to trails less traveled, but would you do this to a 2021 Porsche 911 for sale? Of course you would! The hardest decision would be Coupe, Convertible, Targa, Turbo, or Turbo S. The last one is the most obvious, it sends 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Click the button below to find your new Porsche 911 for sale and stay with us for updates on Delta's latest builds. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2020

Revealed: 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo

After the unveiling of the new 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S earlier this year, the new 2021 911 Turbo Coupe and Cabriolet models have been revealed in full. The next-gen 911 Turbos will now see an increase of 32 horsepower over its predecessor for a total of 572 hp with 553 lb-ft of torque. Its acceleration is also stated to be 2.7 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the previous generation. When it comes to the cabriolet, the 0 to 60 mph time is 2.8 seconds. The top speed is rated at 198 mph. Porsche notes that these power figures put the 2021 911 Turbo on par with the 2019 911 Turbo S. Where does this added power come from? A lot of the enhancements that make it all possible for the 911 Turbo are also found in the 2021 911 Turbo S. This includes the engine's displacement of 3,745 cc, symettrical VTG turbochargers, new air cooling system and piezo fuel injectors. To handle the power, Porsche has a few upgrades for the 2021 911 Turbo. The track-width, for instance, has been increased in both the front and rear when compared to the previous generation. In the front, there's an additional 1.65 inches of track width, while the rear sees an extra 0.39 inches. This is further complemented by the new 20-inch 255/35 tires. Two different and new suspension options can be picked for the 2021 911 Turbo. While the standard suspension is an improvement of the previous iteration, the new and optional PASM Sport Suspension allows the car to ride 0.39 inches lower. Another new options for the new Porsche is the Sport Exhaust system, which can be optioned for the very first time in the 911 Turbo. The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbos are available to be ordered now and are expected to be delivered in early 2021. The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe price is $183,600 and the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is priced at $183,600. These prices do not include the $1,350 delivery fee. See All 911 Turbos for Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 16, 2020

Porsche's New 3D-Printed Pistons Add Horsepower

In recent years, the technology of 3D printing has made digital design and physical modeling seamless, allowing for design, simulation, modeling, and testing to happen with a fraction of the hassle. Porsche have used this technology to produce spare parts for older models, and for things like the seats of the 718, but now they are using it to innovate by producing the pistons for the new 911 GT2 RS with a 3D printer. To do this they are working with partners Mahle and Trumpf, German parts manufacturer and mechanical engineering firm respectively, and what it means for Porsche is the elimination of the need for molds and hard and fast processes for the production of one single part. That way, they can redesign and change pistons without disrupting any other parts of their process, and said process is optimized for efficiency by artificial intelligence. 3D printing is a technology that has already proved its potential for Porsche, let alone for the automotive industry at large, and it’s incredibly exciting that now it gets a chance to contribute to making some of the most incredible cars in the world faster, stronger, and further ahead of the curve.

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2020

Highly Optioned 2002 Porsche 911 GT2 For Sale

Last month we lost a legend. Hans Mezger was Porsche's Chief Engineer, and he passed away of natural causes at the age of 90. During his reign at Stuttgart, he designed the first flat-six engine for the 1963 Porsche 901, the model that evolved into the 911. From there he oversaw it evolve from carburetors and air-cooling to twin-turbos and full water jackets. The 996 series 911 was forced to abandon his air-cooled design to meet emissions laws, so he literally went back to the drawing board. The last air-cooled Porsche was the 993 series that concluded in 1998. Development of the Carrera engine was well underway in the mid-90s, with Hans utilizing some of the water cooling principles he pioneered on the TAG twin-turbo V6 that dominated Formula 1. While the Carrera debut went without a hitch, things get tricky when boost is introduced. That's why he spent over two years perfecting the 996 GT2's 3.6 to make sure it was a beast with no leaks. Due to the complexities in sending 456 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, only 303 examples of the 996 Series GT2 made it to the U.S. between '02 and '05. Needless to say, this car is rare, but it was also ordered by a Porsche collector with all options and Special Wishes. The gauge needles are machined aluminum, the Sport Seats are painted to match, and the pillars are covered in leather. If the color is appealing, you might want to know this is the ONLY GT2 ever ordered in Adriatic Blue. This is a fleeting opportunity to own one of Mezger's final masterpieces, and it deserves to be the centerpiece of your collection. Because Bruce Canepa specializes in classic Porsches, his team has all the details and service records, so click the link below to view our listing and stay with us for more amazing finds from Canepa Motorsports. View Listing

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