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 Andrew Nabors – December 22, 2020

Rimac C_Two Pre-Series Production Begins

Another milestone has been passed as the world awaits a new electric hypercar. Now that crash testing is over and the assembly line is primed, the Rimac C_Two pre-series production begins. Earlier this year their employees assembled a dozen cars that would meet an untimely fate in order to prove the safety of the design. Rimac C_Two Completes Electromagnetic Testing Each car in that first run took the equivalent of four months to assemble. By analyzing the movement of each worker and each step in the process, these six new cars will be done in eight weeks. Because every component is built in-house, items like the engines, batteries, and electronics are staged around each chassis using just-in-time inventory. The assembly workers are cross-trained at each station, ensuring the best in quality control. " width="680"> These six cars are viewed as production units, and they will be used to test panel gaps, trim finishes, and every aspect that could annoy a discerning customer. Attention to detail is how Rimac has become an EV component supplier to the world's largest automakers, and we are about to witness a new generation of electric cars. Stay with us for all your Rimac news. Browse Rimac For Sale Images(C) Rimac Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – December 04, 2020

Rimac C_Two Completes Electromagnetic Testing

Move a magnet across a coil of wire and you will generate a bit of electricity. That process is amplified by orders of magnitude when electric cars drive past metal objects, so that is why the Rimac C_Two has completed electromagnetic testing. Nico Rosberg’s First Drive Of Rimac C_Two Thankfully humans are blind to most of the electromagnetic spectrum. If we weren't, our modern lives would be downright scary attempting to navigate all the energy around us. Every generator or electric motor makes noise that could interfere with communications, safety equipment, and even pacemakers depending on the strength of the field. " width="680"> The team locked a production-ready car inside what is essentially a giant microwave. Blasting it with pulses from 20 MHz to 20 GHz, items like the climate control, audio system, and the complex power distribution network were proven to be resilient. When you consider the Rimac C_Two uses four motors at 720 volts, this is the equivalent of thousands of hours of reliability in real-world settings. If you didn't want a new Rimac, now you can justify needing one to your significant other. As soon as deliveries begin you will see them here, so stay with us for all your Rimac news. Browse Rimac For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 20, 2020

Nico Rosberg Builds New Rimac C_Two

From one garage to eight facilities, a lot can happen in 10 years. What began as an idea with friends has grown into a global leader in EV technology, and that is why Nico Rosberg was able to build a new Rimac C_Two. His latest upload is a neat look at what it takes to change the world. To offer a comparison between their latest builds and a "normal" electric car, the crew decided to take a spin in a new Porsche Taycan for sale. Because Mate Rimac builds such potent motors, Porsche purchased over 15% of the company. Rimac motors and batteries are the bases for the Taycan, and they will also be utilized across the Volkswagen lineup. What you might not realize is that Rimac also provides engineering solutions for the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the Koenigsegg Regera. Only 150 examples of the C_Two will be built, but you can experience the same dedication and performance in the Taycan, so click the button below and stay with us for all your Rimac news. Rimac For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 22, 2020

Rimac C_Two: Will it Drift?

Mate Rimac is leading the world when it comes to high-performance electric cars. His innovations in battery and motor technology impressed Porsche enough to buy almost 16% of his company. In return, he has helped develop the 2020 Porsche Taycan into a true Tesla rival. He thinks outside the box, just like Nikola Tesla, and both men were born in Croatia. In his most recent upload, we witness the age-old debate among supercar engineers: More Power vs Stronger Parts. Running their electric motors at 90% of capacity will ensure a long life, but the top priority for the boss is: Will it drift? Well, since each wheel has its own motor, we think 1,888 horsepower can probably drift. With a range of 402 miles, it can do just about anything you desire, so stay with us for all your Rimac updates. Browse Supercars For Sale

By Edward Jones – May 05, 2020

Meet Rimac's Hypercar Test Driver: The Best Job Ever

Rimac Automobili has come a long way since its inception in 2009. From their prototype BMW cars to the Concept_One and C-Two, and growing to over 250 employees, they have been through a lot. Even with the addition of so many employees, there is still one man at the company who has what may be the best job ever. In the video below, you'll meet Miroslav "Mrgud" Zrnčević, Rimac Automobili's Test & Development Driver. In the video, he's introduced and interviewed by Mate Rimac, CEO of Rimac Automobili, while driving around in one of the prototypes for the C-Two. There's a lot of very interesting insight into what it takes to be a test driver for a company making groundbreaking cars like Rimac. Check it out for yourself down below! Source: YouTube

By Andrew Nabors – February 26, 2020

Rimac C_Two Is Almost Ready

Nikola Tesla was born in Croatia in 1856, and 132 years later, another electrical genius was born a few miles away. Mate Rimac's contributions to electric cars will live on far beyond our lives, and the Rimac C_Two is almost ready for production. While his factories are working around the clock to supply the Porsche Taycan powertrain, let's see how the C_Two is being finalized. Browse All Sports Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 19, 2019

Rimac C_Two Torque Vectoring in Action

Many manufacturers tout the benefits of sending torque where it is needed. Audi pioneered the technology in their quattro system nearly 3 decades, and Subaru has gained a loyal following thanks to great offroad performance. But now they are all back at the drawing board, as we see the Rimac C_Two torque vectoring in action. Instead of using mechanical or electronic differentials, Rimac does it with software. Each wheel has its own electric motor that instantly reacts. The notion of incredible grip caught the eyes of engineers at Stuttgart, so Porsche has purchased a decent stake in the company. With 1,914 horsepower and 1,697 lb-ft of torque at all wheels, we can barely wait to drive one. Stay with us for all your Rimac updates. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche 911 Turbo S Price, Specs, photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – September 25, 2019

Rimac C_Two Crash Testing Shows Incredible Details

Sacrifices must be made to build a new car. It is easy for Chevy or Ford to write off a dozen examples to prove their safety, but smaller companies have much higher costs to deal with. Mate Rimac and his engineers are almost ready for production, as the Rimac C_Two crash testing shows incredible details. Before any parts were made, their supercomputers were crunching numbers around the clock. Even the best virtual testing can't replicate real-world variables. The front subframe is meant to compress like an accordion to dissipate energy. Watching it spread apart took them back to the drawing board. Rimac C_Two Crash Testing With Help From Porsche Porsche's investment in 15.5% has allowed them to pick up the pace, so we're excited to see the C_Two is nearing production. Tell us what you think of it in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Rimac news. " width="680"> Related: Rimac C_Two Makes Debut at Petersen Automotive Museum

By Andrew Nabors – September 06, 2019

Rimac C_Two Crash Testing With Help From Porsche

The anticipation surrounding Rimac's 2nd model is palpable. As they are finalizing the car, the Rimac C_Two crash tests are getting help from Porsche. The launch of the Taycan has been shocking the world of electric cars, and it wouldn't have been possible without engineering and parts from Rimac. Porsche purchased 10% of the company in June of 2018, and now with the Taycan Turbos traveling across the U.S. Porsche announced an increase in their partnership. In a press release this morning, Porsche revealed their stake in Rimac is up to 15.5%. It could be a repeat strategy they used in 2005. Porsche bought stock in their parent company little-by-little. When the investors announced their intentions to buy VW Group, it turned into a family feud. Mate Rimac has no reason to turn down this investment, in fact, he has welcomed this German-Croatian partnership. It has allowed the C_Two to offer almost 2,000 horsepower with a top speed of 256 mph. The war of high-voltage rides is heating up, so stay with us for all your Rimac news. Browse Hypercars For Sale " width="680"> Related: Rimac C_Two Makes Debut at Petersen Automotive Museum Rimac C_Two Promises the Most Insane 0-60 Time Yet

By Edward Jones – August 21, 2018

Rimac C_Two Makes Debut at Petersen Automotive Museum

In March 2018, Rimac Automobili unveiled the C_Two to the world. This new model is what the company is calling "the next generation hypercar," following in the footsteps of the Concept_One. Rimac took time before the Monterey Car Week to debut the C_Two at the Peterson Automotive Museum, an event that acted as the car's west coast launch.The Petersen Automotive Museum is, without a doubt, one of the greatest automotive museums in the world. Because of its magnitude, the museum was a perfect spot for the car's west coast debut. Guests were presented with a C_Two finished in a gorgeous blue finish and new wheels. I'm sure guests also loved the surprise in the trunk. Rimac had the trunk of this specific car tailored to fit two champagne bottles and crystal flutes. Now that's a perfect bespoke feature to show off during a celebration of the car.Foreign Cars That Are Illegal in USA During the Monterey Car Week, Rimac will also be hosting private previews at their estate. Additionally, they will be attending The Quail - A Motorsport Gathering on Friday, August 24. If you're in California for the Monterey Car Week, be sure to check out the Rimac C_Two and say "Hi" if you spot the duPont REGISTRY Team!Hottest Exotic Cars for Sale

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