Rimac

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 – November 18, 2021

Rimac Nevera Goes Offroading Before Being Crashed

Going out with a bang. Before an automobile model is put into production, the automaker must put examples of it through plenty of tests, and that includes a lot of crash tests. Yes, that includes hypercar makers like Rimac Automobili. In fact, Rimac uploaded a video of a pre-series Nevera that has been used in reviews, tests, drag races, and more, and this example is set to be used in crash tests. While it's sad to learn that a practically complete example of the Nevera will be crashed, it has at least made its way around the world and Rimac is sending it off in a special way. Knowing that this specific Nevera will be crashed, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, Mate Rimac, took it out for some off-roading at the future Rimac Campus in Zagreb, Croatia. Check out the antics in the video up above, and stay tuned because Rimac put a "To Be Continued" screen on the video. Maybe that means we'll be seeing the crash of this beautiful Nevera. In the meantime, you can see this Nevera even more in the links down below. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/rimac/rimac-nevera-hypercar-drag-races-a-tesla-model-s-plaid/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/rimac/nevera/rimac-nevera-drag-races-ferrari-f12tdf/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/rimac/see-the-rimac-nevera-break-the-quarter-mile-production-car-record/

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2021

Rimac Nevera Hypercar Drag Races a Tesla Model S Plaid

The drag race we've been waiting for. As electric cars become more mainstream, we're going to start seeing more and more standout models in terms of performance. What we have here are two electric cars that are groundbreaking in their own rights. First up is the Tesla Model S Plaid, an electric sedan that has an MSRP of $124,000 as well as unrelenting acceleration. Next is the Rimac Nevera, a $2.4 million hypercar that packs 1,914 horsepower and has also raised the bar for what an all-electric hypercar should be. DragTimes recently filmed these two electric cars drag racing each other and the results were expected. That being said, it's still so much fun to see these two electric powerhouses take on each other at the drag strip. Be sure to click play up above to see the two cars race and the impending results. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – August 16, 2021

See the Rimac Nevera Break the Quarter-Mile Production Ca...

The record-setting run was the 11th of the day. The Rimac Nevera made its American debut at ‘The Quail: a Motorsports Gathering’ in California over the weekend, but it made a very important stop at the Famoso Raceway beforehand. During its stop, the Nevera was able to set the 1/4-mile world record for a production car. With an incredible time of 8.582 seconds at 167.51 mph, the Nevera proved itself before showing off to the crowd during Monterey Car Week. The record run was the 11th of the day and Rimac notes that each run was done in quick succession without performance degradation occurring in between runs. With 1,914 horsepower that's produced by four separate electric motors, it makes perfect sense that the Nevera is able to run a quarter-mile in such a time. However, Rimac says that the Nevera's performance can be unlocked even further through software updates. You can view the record-breaking run courtesy of DragTimes in the video up above. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/magazine/discover-the-cover/discover-the-cover-august-2021-rimac-nevera/

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2021

Ferrari SF90 vs Rimac Nevera Hypercar Drag Race

The Nevera said: "See ya later." The recently unveiled Rimac Nevera all-electric hypercar was just unveiled and it's already picking fights on the drag strip. Mat Watson recently took a Ferrari SF90 Stradale out to drag race against a Nevera and uploaded the event to the carwow YouTube channel. While Watson was driving the SF90, Mate Rimac, the founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili, was behind the wheel of the Nevera. To put things into perspective, the SF90 has 986 horsepower on tap while the Nevera's four electric motors provide 1,914 horsepower. As you can see, there's quite a difference in power between the two. The power difference grows even larger with torque, as the SF90 has 590 lb-ft while the Nevera has 1,740 lb-ft. You can see the drag and roll races in the video up above. See All Ferraris For Sale Source: YouTube/carwow

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2021

Rimac Nevera All-Electric Hypercar Unveiled With Absurd A...

Named after a fast and lightning-filled Mediterranean storm. Rimac Automobili has just pulled back the sheets on their new Nevera hypercar and it's absolutely magnificent. Mate Rimac, the Founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili, had this to say regarding the new Nevera: "This is it. This is the car I had in mind when I embarked on the ‘impossible’ journey ten years ago." Well, it's here and the Nevera is mindblowing. The Rimac Nevera is a production version of the well-known C_Two concept car. This new all-electric hypercar is powered by four electric motors that produce an astonishing 1914 horsepower and 1740 lb-ft of torque. That power is good for a top speed of 258 mph and a 0 to 60 mph time of 1.85 seconds. A quarter-mile sprint can also be accomplished in just 8.6 seconds. Rimac also notes that the Nevera has a range of 340-miles with a 0-80 percent charge time of just 19 minutes. Alongside the incredible electric power, the Nevera boasts many other features that are more than noteworthy. One of the most exciting features has to be the world's first AI driving coach. This system will use 12 ultrasonic sensors, 13 cameras, 6 radars and the NIVIDIA Pegasus operating system to provide the driver will real-time visual and audio guidance at a select race circuit. When it comes to style, Rimac says that each customer will be invited to Croatia where they will work with the team to design their Nevera. With a wide range of bespoke trims and material options, Rimac is certain that no two examples of the Nevera will have the same spec. The Rimac Nevera will have a price tag of 2 million Euros, or about $2.44 million USD. Production will be limited to just 150 examples. View Rimac Concept One For Sale. See All Rimacs For Sale Source: Rimac Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2021

How Fast Is The Rimac C_Two?

Hang On! Testing is nearly complete on the prototype cars. Mate Rimac and his team have gone throush the painstaking process of crash testing and homologating the Concept_2 around the world, so how fast is it? In his latest upload, the boss reflects on where it all started. Two decades ago, Rimac Automobili started as a few friends who built an electric E30 M3. Their first production car, the Concept_One is an impressive machine, saving the life of James May in an Alpine accident. It so impressed the Porsche family that they purchased nearly a quarter of the business. As such, the Taycan uses several Rimac patents. Now, after brutal testing around the world, the C_Two production starts this fall. With the impending debut of the C_Two, lets see just how brutal it can be. Would you drive a car that can do this? Click the button to see what Rimac is all about. Browse Rimac For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2021

Rimac Previews Their Massive New Headquarters

50 acres of Croatian innovation Last month Porsche announced what we already knew. Thanks to a massive influx of cash and resources, Stuttgart now owns 24% of Rimac Automobili. This collaboration has already yielded the Taycan along with more power for the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. With Rimac poised to shakeup the automotive world, their new headquarters was previewed in a press release this morning. At 49.9 acres they will have ample room for growing brand. Slated for completion in 2023, Mate Rimac and his employees won't have to drive far from their homes in Zagreb. The lot is split by two buildings, one for R&D and the other is a new assembly line. A major consideration was to not impact the natural setting of the land, so the architects took a holistic approach to keep Mother Nature as happy as possible. This starts with an organic farm for the employee kitchen, a dormitory, test track, and relaxation spots to nurture employee creativity and keep stress to a minimum. “We have now reached a point where we need to build our long-term home in Croatia, and that’s exactly what the Rimac Campus is. Having outgrown our existing facilities, we’re now creating a space that best reflects our brand and our ambitions, working with world-leading architects to build a campus that sits comfortably within the natural beauty of Croatia while also bringing every aspect of Rimac into one place. The top priority of the project was to create the best possible working environment for our employees and to allow visitors and the public to enjoy the space and mix with Rimac employees. The campus is our springboard to the growth plans we have over the next decade and beyond, strengthening us as niche hypercar maker, a leading Tier 1 supplier of electric performance technology to the world’s largest automotive manufacturers and an early mover in the worlds of autonomy and mobility.” Click the button to see what separates Rimac from all lesser cars and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Rimac For Sale Images (C) Rimac Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2021

Rimac C_Two Endures Extreme Weather Testing

Wind tunnels are a great way to refine your aerodynamics, so why not add a few more variables while you're in there? The upcoming Rimac C-Two endures extreme weather testing because they want to give the world an incredible electric hypercar. To do so, their test chamber combines wind with humidity and temperature to simulate harsh conditions. Extended runs from -4 to 118 degrees allow the engineers to test every system and component to its limit. Porsche recently upped their ownership to 24% with a healthy investment. This will undoubtedly allow Mate Rimac and his team to deliver an amazing finished product. Tell us your bad weather supercar stories in the comments below and stay with us for all your Rimac updates. Shop Rimac Images (C) Rimac Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – February 04, 2021

Rimac C_Two Is Tuned For Street & Track

Squeamish folks, please look away, what you are about to see is how the Rimac C_Two is tuned for street and track. KW Suspension was kind to open their doors for this shakedown. Once inside, the production-ready models endured every frequency to simulate road conditions. While cobblestones and potholes are unavoidable, the world has been waiting to see how it performs on a closed circuit. Using the latest 4-post frame shaker, they stress the chassis to the same constant bending motions that a track imposes. Your supercar didn't go through nearly as much scrutiny, so Rimac is the only logical upgrade. This was a welcomed update because we witnessed the final aerodynamic testing. Rimac C_One For Sale Image (C) Rimac Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – January 29, 2021

Rimac C_Two Completes Final Aerodynamic Testing

Three generations of development have led here. As the Rimac C_Two completes final aerodynamic testing, Mate Rimac explains the trials and tribulations along the way. His latest press release describes the balancing act between the car's efficiency, cooling the radiators, and the programming of the active aero systems. Four movable surfaces are always seeking to control airflow above and below the car, keeping you glued to the road without wasting electrical power. Efficiency has been increased 34% since testing began, so keep up the good work! Nico Rosberg offers clever insights on prototype development. Rimac For Sale Image (C) Rimac Automobili

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