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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 – April 09, 2020

Porsche Taycan Wins Big at "World Car of the Year" Awards

Porsche just took home a sweet double victory during the World Car of the Year Award 2020 and it was all thanks to their new Taycan. Their new all-electric sports car took home both the World Luxury Car and World Performance Car of the Year awards. This award comes after 86 international motor journalists looked over 50 cars and voted for these awards, so these awards had to be quite unanimous. "This double win in the categories World Performance Car and World Luxury Car underlines what we wanted to achieve when we developed the Taycan," said Michael Steiner, a Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development. "We wanted to create a driver-focused, fully electric sports car that can take on any Performance Car." Want to get behind the wheel of your own award-winning Porsche? Click the button below to see all Porsche Taycans for sale. Porsche Taycans for Sale

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2020

Porsche Employees Get Big Bonus for Successful 2019

Porsche has just announced a big bonus for their employees as a "thank you" for a very successful 2019. The bonus consists of two separate components, a 9000 euro bonus (around $9,800 USD) and 700 euro (around $761 USD) contribution to the Porsche VarioRente or individual pension plan. Porsche is also encouraging employees to make voluntary donations to charitable organizations. The Executive Board at Porsche is also donating half a million euros privately as well. On top of this charitable donation, Porsche AG has also increased their donation volume by five million euros and their doubling their food donation money to local food banks to 200,000 euros. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board at Porsche AG said: "Solidarity in our society is more important than ever. Industry, politics and society: we will overcome the Corona crisis together. Porsche is taking on social responsibility. This is our fundamental philosophy and our understanding of sustainable action". See All Porsches for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 08, 2020

Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Stars in Bad Boys For Life

What happens when you combine Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, and Miami? It is a recipe for action and comedy, but it needs one more ingredient: a fast car. That is why the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S stars in Bad Boys For Life. As a native Floridian, I have always questioned the need for All Wheel Drive for a daily driver. That being said, Police and First Responders need vehicles capable of performance in any situation. Every film in this franchise should be mandatory viewing while we're stuck inside. Turn up the volume and listen to the twin-turbo 3-liter flat-six. It sends 443 horsepower and 390 lb-ft to all wheels. The best feature is that it is offered in coupe or convertible with a six-speed manual or PDK automatic. Click the button below to find one from our dealers and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 Carrera 4S For Sale " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors – April 07, 2020

1991 Singer Malibu Porsche 911 For Sale

Offered by RM Sotheby's Private Sales Singer build no. 71, known as “Malibu” Reimagined in 2016; only 1,400 miles since Finished in breathtaking Mintarrini over Tan leather with Alabaster stitching Exceptional specification, including the unrestricted 4.0-liter engine Optioned with Öhlins suspension and Recaro Sport seats Undoubtedly the most desirable reborn, reimagined, and redesigned 911 By RM Sotheby's-Arguably the world’s most beloved sports car, the Porsche 911 has endured over 50 years of production with eight distinct generations and over one million cars produced. Capable of everything from tackling the daily commute to running errands, spirited Sunday drives, or taking victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porschephiles would argue that there is no challenge that a 911 cannot best. It is an icon of automotive design and engineering and has consistently been the industry standard of performance. Over the years, countless 911s have been modified and upgraded by their enthusiast owners and aftermarket tuners to create their vision of the perfect 911, but perhaps no company has come as close to perfection as Singer Vehicle Design. Founded in Los Angeles in 2009 by Rob Dickinson, a die-hard 911 enthusiast and former lead singer for the rock band Catherine Wheel, Singer sought to create the ultimate air-cooled 911. Starting with a 964-generation car and combining the greatest aspects of the 911 from across all eras, Singer painstakingly “reimagines” the car to craft the equivalent of a “greatest hits” album of Porsche’s most iconic model. Perhaps Singer themselves say it best, in that they aim to achieve a 911 with “the delicacy of the ’63 original, the race-bred chic of the ’70s, the solidity of the ’80s, and the sophistication of the ’90s…reimagined in a singular jewellike car.” Owners are given the choice between either a coupe or Targa body style, rear- or four-wheel-drive drivetrain, and a 3.6-, 3.8-, or 4.0-liter engine. The 911s are completely disassembled and taken back to bare metal, with carbon-fiber panels replacing the original, including the front and rear fenders, bumpers, bonnet, and engine decklid. From there, the sky is the limit when it comes to customization. Each Singer-built 911 is a bespoke creation, tailored to the taste of its owner, with no two cars alike. Dubbed the “Malibu” by Singer, this Porsche 911 boasts a beautiful and well-thought-out specification. At its heart lies Singer’s ultimate, unrestricted 4.0-liter flat six-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The 4.0-liter engine produces 390 bhp at a redline of 7,200 rpm and 315 foot-pounds of torque. Built by Ed Pink Racing Engines, retaining the 964 block, it utilizes numerous bespoke internal components, including pistons, cylinders and cylinder heads, crankshaft, cams, connecting rods, oil pump, throttle bodies, and intake systems. According to Singer, those cars equipped with the 4.0-liter can sprint to 60 mph from a standstill in less than 3.3 seconds, leading to 100 mph in just 8.2 seconds. The Malibu is finished in breathtaking Mintarrini, complemented by Fuchs-style wheels over red brake calipers. Singer’s larger-size steel Brembo brakes are fitted, along with an Öhlins adjustable suspension. Importantly, the car also features the optional exposed center-fill fuel cap and oil filler, an homage to the 1972 911s. Importantly, the car is also fitted with a lightweight carbon-fiber roof. Inside, both driver and passenger enjoy the optional four-way Recaro Sport seats trimmed in Tan leather with Alabaster stitching beneath the Ivory headliner. Furthermore, the transmission tunnel and the interior doorsills are finished to match the exterior color. The 911 is also outfitted with air-conditioning, upgraded Becker stereo with iPod connect, and subwoofer. It presently shows only 1,400 miles on its odometer since its rebuild by Singer in 2016. Today Singer has reimagined more than 100 cars, and it speaks to the company’s attention to detail, philosophy, and the overall quality that so few examples become available on the secondhand market. These are treasured Porsches that are often driven, enjoyed, and kept by the individuals lucky enough to commission them new. This rare opportunity to purchase such a 911 reimagined by Singer should not be passed by, and especially not one built to such a lovely specification as the Malibu. This example is available for inspection in the U.S. and will be sold with a U.S. title. Click the button below for more information. View Details

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2020

Porsche Fights Back With Corona Crisis Team

Great leaders must instill faith and confidence in their employees. That is why CEO Oliver Blume has created a dedicated team to monitor the impact of the virus across all parts of the business. This is how Porsche fights back with a corona crisis team.Florian Haacke, Head of Corporate Security at Porsche AG, and Dr. Daniel Mauss, Head of Health Management hold daily meetings at 8 A.M. to discuss worker safety, product chain disruptions and operations at each Porsche facility. Representatives from Human Resources, the Works Council, Corporate Communications, Production, Development and Finance have already made over 100 proactive decisions on worker safety and cash flow. Every employee has access to a hotline and a dedicated mailbox for virus questions. Florian Haacke said "In such a phase, it is most important that our colleagues do not feel left alone with their questions and concerns. In particular for our teams in corporate security and company medicine, who are working around the clock answering questions. We are pleased that this work is being acknowledged by the Porsche workforce and also by the Executive Board". We hope other automakers are being as proactive. Stay with us for all your Porsche news. " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 02, 2020

Porsche Ice Stories Takes the Taycan Above the Arctic Circle

The Porsche Taycan has proven itself for being incredibly powerful while still remaining energy conscious. The world has seen the serious numbers that the Taycan is responsible for; 0-60 mph in 2.66 seconds (Turbo S Model), all while maintaining a 192-mile range on its battery. What we have not seen is how it will perform in the mountains during harsh snow conditions. These are conditions snowkite enthusiast Anssi Pesonen is more than familiar with on a day to day basis. Porsche’s new YouTube video features Pesonen and Porsche Works Driver Richard Lietz putting the Taycan to the test at the Porsche Ice Experience track. Click Below to check out the Porsche Taycan in action and check in for more news from Porsche! See Porsche Taycans for Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2020

Canepa Rebuilds 1,500 Horsepower 917 Engine

Endurance racing in the late ’60s was a show of force by the big automakers. When Porsche wanted to win at all costs, they turned to their brightest engineer: Hans Mezger. While a V8 or V10 would have been easier, he chose to combine two flat-6 engines into one of the world’s most complex race engines. Aside from Mr. Mezger, only a handful of Porsche technicians are capable of working on such a beast. Some of them happen to work at the same shop, so let’s watch the team at Canepa rebuild a 1,500 horsepower twin-turbocharged 917/30 engine. The Porsche 917/30 was found in storage and was then purchased by owner Rob Kauffman and had Canepa undertake a complete restoration which was completed in 2017. We saw it win Best of Show Concours de Sport the Amelia Island Concours this year, so take a trip back to when Canepa was restoring one of the most powerful race engines of all time. Browse All Inventory at Canepa https://vimeo.com/403007377 P.S. Don't try this at home

By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2020

New Porsche 911 Turbo S Active Aero in Action

Fast cars with limited downforce are merely meant to be seen. Engineers in Stuttgart build cars to drive, so they spent many late nights 3D modeling and wind tunnel testing. That's why were excited to see the new Porsche 911 Turbo S active aero in action. What began with the whale tails of the disco-era evolved into a powered rear spoiler. A powered front spoiler arrived for the 997 series. These movable parts had 2 settings: on and off. Now that the 992 series has lower drag than its predecessors, the new Porsche 911 Turbo S is constantly adjusting the movable surfaces depending on speed and driving mode. This is just another way Porsche stays ahead of the competition, so stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 27, 2020

Porsche Increases Donations and Relief Efforts by 5 Milli...

In the latest press release from Porsche CEO Oliver Blume answered a few questions from his team. In his own words: "I'm in the office. I think it's important that I'm on site as the CEO, and that people know where to find me when they need me. Of course, most meetings and discussions are now taking place via video conferencing and calls. At the same time, there are mandatory activities that have to be carried out at Porsche – in compliance with all safety measures." "The most important thing for us is that the supply chains can be rebuilt as soon as possible. We are less dependent on China than we are on our European neighbours. In this respect, I hope that we as a society will manage to contain the coronavirus and that we will then receive a signal at European level as to when we can all restart production." Can you help with procurement of materials? "We are currently clarifying with the state government which components are required. They range from protective goggles to respiratory masks. For highly specialised medical products, you have to comply with the legal requirements and certifications. Here, the lead must lie with the medical technology specialists, who could then delegate orders to the automotive industry." "Our 3D printers are available in any case. As a first step, we have already forwarded protective clothing from our stocks to the state government. And together with our parent company, Volkswagen, we are participating in the procurement of further equipment on a large scale, especially from China. We must also ensure that we look beyond the medical sector and recognise where our help is needed." "We are supporting the food banks at our locations this year with 200,000 euros. In addition, we have made an offer to certain charitable organisations to provide vehicles with drivers, perhaps where there is a bottleneck in the transport of relief supplies or people. We have also increased donations from Porsche AG by five million Euros. This amount will be used to support local organisations and people who are in need as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Our employees also help personally and voluntarily with the charitable organisations at our locations."

By Edward Jones – March 27, 2020

"ENDURANCE" Movie Released for Free: Documentary about th...

Oh, you're bored? You need something to do? AND you're a fan of motorsports? That's absolutely crazy because what we have here is a solution to yur boredom. Porsche has just released the full movie of "ENDURANCE," a documentary about the Porsche GT team at two of the toughest GT races in the world. If you didn't guess already, these races are the 24h of Le Mans and the 24h of the Nürburgring. Because these races span for 24 hours, there's plenty of room for drama and excitement. Just click play below and enjoy a beautiful documentary about two of the most demanding races in the world. And yes, that image up there is of the crazy three-wide pass in the grass.

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