Radical Motorsport

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 Tyler Rampersaud – January 29, 2025

Radical Motorsports Celebrates 28th Anniversary & 3,000th...

A racing icon reaches an important milestone. Radical Motorsport is celebrated for its uncanny ability to create ultra-lightweight, incredible agile cars that are made for pure track performance. Originally founded in 1997, the manufacturer is celebrating its 28th anniversary, and it reached another milestone at the same time, by manufacturing its 3,000th car. Specifically, the 3,000th car manufactured by Radical Motorsports is an example of Radical’s SR3, which was delivered to a longtime Radical customer and a Radical Cup UK racing driver, John Hewitt. To celebrate the momentous occasion, Radical outfitted the special vehicle with a one-off configuration to commemorate the 3,000th Radical Motorsports car. The chassis of the one-off vehicle is powder coated in bronze with matching bronze wheels and decals as an homage to Radical’s racing legacy. Along with manufacturing its 3,000th car, over the past 28 years as of January 28, Radical Motorsports has expanded to represent over 20 countries with more than 30 dealerships in its network. With a growing racing legacy and multiple milestones reached in its history, Radical Motorsports’ 3,000th car manufactured is a truly celebratory moment. View All Radicals For Sale Image Source: Radical Motorsports

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 03, 2024

Radical Motorsport Reveals New Bespoke Ruby SR3 XXR

Bespoke exclusivity meets the thrill of purpose-built race cars. When it comes to aesthetics, race cars are typically utilitarian, made to be fitted with liveries and battle it out on the circuit. However, Radical Motorsport, the manufacturer of ultra-light racing machines, also offers a spectrum of colors for its bodywork, with seven colors and an eighth option, allowing clients to specify bespoke colors for their cars. This eighth option was what Alex Bukhanstov, back-to-back Gulf Radical Cup Champion, chose for his car, and the result is stunning. Deciding on a rich “Ruby” shade, the result is the new bespoke Ruby Radical SR3 XXR, the only example of the SR3 XXR finished in the color, although Radical can offer it to be applied to future cars. Bukhanstov ordered the car in preparation for the 2024/25 racing season, in which he will be defending his title for the third year in a row. The paint was specially created with pigments in the gel coat layer, providing rich color and a glossy finish that will surely last. In addition, the hard-wearing paint is made specifically for intense race track demands and resists chipping even better than typical car paint. Forging a legacy of victory, Alex Bukhanstov decided to imbue his new Radical SR3 XXR with his unique personality by having it painted in a new bespoke Ruby color, and the result is one of the most beautiful race cars to hit the circuit. View All Radical SR3 XXRs For Sale Image Source: Radical Motorsport

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 21, 2022

The New Radical SR3 XXR Lightweight Is A Track Driver's D...

Improvements on the legendary SR3 formula enables drivers to lap faster, harder, and for longer. Any car enthusiast can agree that the ultimate dream is to own a race car, experiencing the thrill of racing on smoothly-paved tracks all around the world. While potions as a Formula One driver are few and far to come by, the team at Radical Motorsport is here to help with open-cockpit race cars that are available to the public. Radical Motorsport is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary with the release of its all-new SR3 XXR Lightweight. Launched with more power and precision, the SR3 XXR offers state-of-the-art improvements that shave lap times and increase reliability for longer track days. Exterior upgrades for the SR3 XXR Lightweight include a redesigned LED lighting system, LMP-inspired central ‘shark fin’ tail, and new lightweight motorsport wheels. Customers will also have the option to add a carbon fiber front and rear splitter for enhanced aerodynamics. MUST-READ: Best 2022 Exotic Cars For Sale Today Inside the open cockpit lies a two-seater configuration, retaining Le Mans-style steering wheel technology. The multifunctional steering wheel incorporates a built-in LCD display, which is fully customizable with hundreds of data feed combinations. Improve lap times by diving into data logging and other performance review options. When optioning out a Radical SR3 XXR, clients can choose from a 1340cc or 1500cc four-cylinder hand-built RPE racing spec engine. Each is driven through a quick-shifting six-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifters. With horsepower output ranging from 232 hp to 350 hp, the new Radical SR3 XXR Lightweight is the perfect way to start your recreational racing career. View all current supercars and hypercars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Supercars and Hypercars For Sale Source: Radical Motorsport

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 14, 2022

Radical Teases A New 850-Horsepower Track Car Codenamed "...

This new Radical will truly live up to its name. Known for making cars that are designed to dominate the track, Radical Motorsport has spent 25 years creating its lightweight and powerful racing machines. Looking to celebrate the important anniversary, Radical is set to introduce a new model, currently codenamed Project 25, which is going to go into production in the fourth quarter of next year. The new model will serve as Radical’s flagship, with a closed-cockpit configuration that sports two seats, inspired by Radical’s RXC coupe. Most excitingly, Radical says that the car’s twin-turbocharged V6 engine will boast an incredible 850 horsepower. MUST READ: Emerson Fittipaldi, Jenson Button, And All 8 Lotus Type 72s Celebrated The New Lotus Evija Fittipaldi The car will have an incredibly limited run of just 25 examples worldwide, with pricing to be announced and deliveries set to take place at the end of 2023. VIP guests at Racial’s World Finals in Las Vegas on November 13 were able to preview the car at the event, and could register their interest either through a dealer or through a new Radical microsite: www.wemakeracers.com, set up specifically for the new upcoming Project 25. After a quarter-century of motorsport excellence, Radical has even bigger plans for the future. Source: Radical Motorsport

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