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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 – September 28, 2018

Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI is Underway

The Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI is underway and it's already making waves. During the kickoff day of the event, the German automaker decided to blow us all away and debut a new 935 model. On top of that, the 911 Speedster Concept made it's U.S. debut at the event. But Rennsport Reunion isn't just about new cars. In fact, there are hundreds of championship-winning and classic Porsche race cars in attendance and dozens of legendary race car drivers.“For us, Rennsport is a giant family reunion,” said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA. “We are always thrilled when we get to celebrate our rich history and tradition alongside those who make the Porsche brand what it is -- our car owners, fans, and drivers.”For those attending the event at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, there's a lot in store for you. Fans of motorsport will be delighted to know that Porsche will be holding multiple autograph sessions, as well as on-stage interviews with drivers and Porsche executives. Porsche also notes that there will be plenty of games, giveaways and meet-and-greets.Porsche Rennsport Reunion VI will be running until September 30. View All Porsche for Sale

By Edward Jones – September 27, 2018

New Porsche 935 Unveiled as a Limited Production Model

Fans of the classic Porsche 935 can rejoice because a new version of the iconic car has been released. The car's design was inspired by the 935/78 "Moby Dick" that was in production in the late 1970's and early 1980's. “This spectacular car is a birthday present from Porsche Motorsport to fans all over the world,” says Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars. “Because the car isn’t homologated, engineers and designers didn’t have to follow the usual rules and thus had freedom in the development.” As for the foundation of the car, it's based on the incredibly capable 911 GT2 RS sports car. Unlike the 911 GT2 RS, however, this new race car has a long and sweeping body that's filled with details many enthusiasts would appreciate. Porsche notes that the capped rims "echo" the ones found on the 935/78. But it's not just 935 that this car salutes. In the rear are lights from the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car. Underneath those lights are exhaust pipes that are reminiscent of the 908 from 1968. Even the cabin has touches from well-known race cars, like the gearshift knob that has a laminated wood design similar to the 917, 909 Bergspyder and Carrera GT cars. For power, the new 935 relies on a twin-turbo 3.8-liter six-cylinder that Porsche says is largely identical to the engine found in the 911 GT2 RS. This engine can put out a 700 horsepower, just like the aforementioned GT2 RS. Mated to its engine is a seven-speed PDK gearbox transmission. Porsche will be created 77 examples of the new 935 and will come with a price tag of €701,948, which equates to roughly $817,000 USD.

By Andrew Nabors – September 13, 2018

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

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

By Edward Jones – September 06, 2018

Porsche Rolls 9.5-Times in Scary Nurburgring Crash, Drive...

Nurburgring is without a doubt one of the most famous places to race in the world. The most well-known portion of the Nurburgring is Nordschleife, which consists of 73 turns, massive differences in elevation and long spans of straight roads. Nordschleife's variations make it a difficult road and because of this, there are many spin-outs and crashes that happen all of the time.Recently, John Shoffner of J2 Racing was taking on Nordschleife in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car for the VLN Endurance Championship. When he was coming around a corner, he lost control and his car was launched into the guardrails while it rolled 9.5-times. Eventually, the Porsche stopped rolling and it landed on its roof. You can view the video of this crash by Eifeler888 below.Fortunately, John is okay. He was taken to intensive care at a hospital, but J2 Racing has said he was released from IC the following day but was to remain in the hospital for monitoring. They also note he's feeling "ok, with no pain."We wish John Shoffner a speedy recovery and hope he gets back behind the wheel soon!

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Porsche Classic Unveils Project Gold

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

By Andrew Nabors – August 21, 2018

Jay Leno Drives 1993 Porsche Schuppan 962CR With 1 Mile o...

Carbon fiber can be found in every aspect of modern life, but it was very exotic in 1993. With the introduction of Jaguar's XJR15, Porsche found themselves between a rock and a hard place. They were struggling in sales because they only offered the 911 and the 968. Emissions laws put the air-cooled engine on death row, so Porsche was fighting an uphill battle.Nevertheless, they would not allow their competitors to field a new supercar without offering something better. So they turned to their factory driver Vern Schuppan for help. He won LeMans in 1983 behind the wheel of a 956, and he was in the process of building his own supercar. Porsche decided to fully support his efforts, and the result is the Porsche Schuppan 962CR.Highest Torque Production Cars- Check Out The ListWith the support of Japanese investors, he hired Michael Simcoe to design the body. Back then he was a designer at Holden, but he is now GM's VP of Global Design. For power, Porsche delivered a 3.2-liter flat-six with giant turbos. Air-cooled cylinders and water cooled heads allowed it to make 850 horsepower, so the headed to LeMans.LeBron James' Car Collection Will Blow Your Mind!Sadly the investors got cold feet and backed out before the cars met the homologation rules, but the owner of this car was smart to preserve it with only 1 mile on the odometer. Street legal 962s are among the rarest Porsches for sale, so we suggest a new GT2 RS instead. Better performance along with A/C and a warranty? Click the link below to see great offers from our dealers.Browse Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2018

2016 Porsche 911 R Could Be Yours!

Don't let anyone tell you the manual transmission is dead. Porsche purists rebuked the 991 series GT3 RS for not offering three pedals, and the factory responded with the Porsche 911 R for sale. This retro-inspired ride was limited production because it was only offered as a six-speed manual. Air conditioning and audio were optional, making it one of the lightest cars in recent history. The secret is that it shares the engine and suspension from the GT3 RS. Doing without the wild aerodynamic features and the roll cage makes it a wolf in sheep's clothing. A lightweight flywheel and short throw shifter are flawless. Who needs a radio when you have 500 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of naturally aspirated fun? Porsche wanted owners to fall in love with driving again, so every option carried a hefty price. This is the most extreme example we have encountered. Not only did the owner opt for audio, it is Bose instead of Burmeister. The standard houndstooth cloth was too mundane, so this car has $28,000 in custom tailoring. Also onboard is the front axle lift system, A/C, and the Sport Chrono package. Push it as hard as you want into a corner, and the rear wheel steering will hold your line. It is a faithful homage to the 1967 Porsche 911 R, with unprecedented technology and performance. Over $60,000 in options and only 180 miles make it a perfect investment so it will be a primetime feature next Saturday at Mecum's Monterey Auction. Make sure you are registered to bid and tune in to their live YouTube stream. We'll be there, so stay with us for all your Mecum coverage. View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2018

What is Porsche's "Project Gold"?

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

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2018

2020 Porsche Taycan: 600 Horsepower Confirmed

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

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