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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

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By Andrew Nabors – April 13, 2020

Porsche Exchange COVID-19 Update

Although essential businesses like us will remain open, our friends at the Porsche Exchange have made some changes in operations to keep customers and employees safe. Starting with the bad news, the wash rack is closed. Complimentary car washes are suspended until further notice. The service department will remain open, but please call ahead if possible. The hours of operation Monday-Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Parts Department and Accessory Sales are closed. However, you can still order by phone and pick up at the dealership. Also closed is the showroom. You may speak to a sales associate after scheduling a meeting, they are available 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday-Friday, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 5 PM. Test drives will be limited to one per day, and all purchase or lease documents can be completed online. Once everything is processed, your new Porsche will be delivered to your driveway and your trade will be exchanged. We applaud our dealers for taking such proactive measures. That's why you should click the button below to find your Porsche and enjoy a hassle-free transaction. Browse Inventory Contact The Porsche Exchange Website: https://www.4porsche.com/Phone: 888-607-7998Address: 2300 Skokie Valley Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2020

Porsche Connect Helps You Find Your Car

We will soon be back at work, juggling our time between the office, errands, and home. With all that fun comes the notion of forgetting where you parked. This has happened to everyone at some point, so Porsche has solved the problem with their latest app. Porsche Connect helps you find your car. In addition to this, there are several subscription plans available. They range from roadside assistance to a 24/7 concierge. Our dealers have all the info so click the button below to learn more. Find Your Porsche Dealer " width="680">

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">

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 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 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.

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2020

Porsche Active Suspension Management in Action

Ever since Dr. Ferdinand Porsche decided on a rear-engine chassis, he knew a unique suspension system would be needed. When the 911 Turbo was introduced, novice drivers gave it the nickname of "widowmaker" due to the car wanting to spin out in hard corners. While the answer was to keep the skinny pedal on the floor, it was too scary for all but the world's best drivers. The new Porsche 911 Turbo S for sale has the most advanced components available, so let's watch the Porsche Active Suspension Management in action. First off, the shocks are adjustable. So then engineers added helper springs that can change the car's corner weight bias at an instant. Riding 10mm lower than a standard Porsche 911 Carrera, the system also controls rear wheel steering. It can change the toe angle of each rear wheel independently which is genius in its own right. Their ace in the hole are the swaybars. Instead of a traditional bar connecting the left and right sides, PASM has the ability to divorce left from right for a comfortable highway cruise. Reading the road ahead, it can also apply opposing spring tension to force the car to lean into the corner. This eliminates body roll and any centrifugal forces on the passengers. PASM is years ahead of everyone else and it is offered across Porsche's lineup. Click the link below to find one for yourself. Browse All Porsche For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2020

Porsche Birthday Party: Behind the Scenes

I have always wonderd how birthdays are celebrated in other nations. Especially if three siblings share the same date, the logistics must be intense. Thankfully, Porsche answered my question. In their most recent upload, let's watch a Porsche Birthday Party: Behind the Scenes. Carefully moved out of the Porsche Museum, the 718 RS 60 Spyder, 993-Series 911 Turbo and 918 Spyder are treated to a photoshoot for their 60th, 25th and 10th anniversaries. This stunning video uses the perfect filters to accentuate the lines of these historic cars, so tell us which one is your favorite in the comments below. Browse All Porsche For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 16, 2020

New 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Highlights

For the first time in recent history, Stuttgart has released the top-level 911 before the turbo version. Because this one has everything you could ask for, here are the highlights of the new 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S. First off, it offers 650 horsepower, the most for any regular production 911. With 590 lb-ft of torque at all wheels, several new systems keep you save. Porsche InnoDrive uses HD maps stored onboard along with mobile data communications. Laser, radar and video sensors track the corners, bank angle and potholes to adjust all four corners in advance. Along with adaptive cruise, it also predicts your right foot by automatically downshifting. This invokes engine braking and prepares for boost out of the corner. 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe & Cabriolet Revealed This car is so far ahead of the 991 series, we will chip away at its advancements in posts that are easy to read at a glance. The best way to get a feel for the new car is to drive one, so click the link below to find one at our dealer near you. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2020

Porsche 911 Magazine: Taycan Development History

Like many Porsche enthusiasts, we want to know every detail of how their electric sedan came to fruition. Dr. Stefan Weckbach is their product line director, and he has a story to tell. Instead of jumping into the electric car market, engineers spent years hammering out every detail. In the latest upload from Porsche 911 Magazine, here is the Taycan development history. Browse Porsche Taycan For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan: Mission Accomplished

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