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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 – December 16, 2021

The Ford Shelby GT500KR Returns to Celebrate Company's 60...

The legend is back for the third time in history. Shelby American has announced that the Shelby GT500KR will be returning as the company celebrates its 60th anniversary. This new model will be based around the 2020-22 Shelby GT500 but it will host a bevy of upgrades. For starters, the power for the GT500KR is upped by 140+ horsepower, bringing the total power up to over 900 horsepower. Upgrades include the Shelby by Whipple supercharger system, recalibrated suspension, adjustable front and rear springs, Shelby one-piece forged aluminum wheels, Shelby carbon fiber hood, carbon fiber front splitter and rear diffuser, leather seat covers, and, honestly, a lot more. Altogether, the new Shelby GT500KR is an absolute beast of a muscle car and it will surely be a sought-after collector's item but it will be a rare one. Shelby American has announced that there will be 180 examples built, 60 for each model year. For more information, visit Shelby.com. Source: Shelby American

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2021

2021 Shelby Super Snake Speedster Arrives With 825 Horsep...

Carroll Shelby took on projects that Ford couldn't or wouldn't do because their engineers are focused on typical consumers. We're glad his company has never done anything mediocre, and that's why the 2021 Shelby Super Snake Speedster arrives with 825 horsepower. The old man would be 98 years old this year, so only 98 speedsters will be offered. The aluminum fenders are hammered by hand, and you won't find Leather this supple in any production Ford. Under the hood is a polished Whipplecharger, and Penske Racing suspension keeps it glued in the corners. Big brakes peek out from behind forged monoblock wheels, and they are cooled by ducts in the front bumper. The Shelby Extreme cooling system was developed and perfected at their headquarters in Las Vegas, and it is standard equipment on each car. Available with automatic or manual gearboxes, pricing starts at $133,785. This is quite affordable for any car that reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, so click the button to learn more from our dealers. See All Shelby Mustang Super Snake For Sale Images (C) Shelby American

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2021

Hennessey Unleashes Venom 1000 Shelby GT500

Making big power without breaking the law is getting harder each day. With ever-tightening pollution laws, manufacturers are forced to encrypt engine software and put hurdles in the path of the aftermarket. It takes reverse engineering and dedication to make new cars faster, and that is how Hennessey has unleashed the Venom 1000 Shelby GT500. Gas prices are creeping back up, so let's help American farmers. E-85 is moonshine with a splash of 93 octane to keep us from drinking it. Aside from keeping your intake clean, it quenches the heat generated by a supercharger. So after a new fuel system, the blower receives a healthy intercooler upgrade. The hub, pulleys and drive belts are all upgraded to push more boost, and a catch can is added to the PCV. Being able to distinguish between 93 octanes and ethanol, you will have 1,000 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. Each car is tuned on the street for 200 miles and backed by a 3-year/36k warranty. Click the button for all the details and stay with us for more wild Hennessey builds. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2021

Hennessey Shelby GT350R Customer Testimonial

Adding boost above 8,000 rpm is a recipe for incredible power, and it is the impetus for an unsolicited Hennessey Shelby GT350R customer testimonial. Ford and Shelby took a page from Ferrari's playbook to build the GT350. The first American V8 to use a flat-plane crankshaft makes its power with engine speed instead of low-end grunt. In stock form, the experience of shifting at screaming rpm is a delight. John Hennessey and his team decided to make the most of the engine's incredible airflow with a belt-driven intake and a full-stainless exhaust. Their 3-liter supercharger is geared to make meaty boost at higher revs, so it transforms 526 horsepower into 858 with 673 lb-ft of torque. 200 miles of shakedown testing and tuning on the street is how they offer a 2-year/24k warranty, and it also allows a Charger Hellcat to roast the Demon! Learn More Image (C) Hennessey Performance Engineering

By Edward Jones – January 01, 2021

Carroll Shelby's Personal 427 Cobra Being Auctioned by Me...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - One of the crown jewels of Carroll Shelby’s personal collection, this 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra, CSX3178, was owned by Carroll Shelby from the day it was assembled in March 1966 until his passing in May 2012. One of just five 427 Cobras finished in gorgeous Charcoal Gray, the car arrived at Shelby’s LAX facility with a black interior and without an engine and transmission, like all Cobra did. The Shelby American work order specifying “Build 427 Street Cobra CSX3178” was opened on January 7, 1966, and closed on March 3, when it was shipped to Carroll Shelby’s Dallas home sporting a 427 with dual quads and a 4-speed Toploader transmission. In 1972, Carroll Shelby’s friend and renowned Cobra specialist Mike McCluskey restored CSX3178, repainting it in Guardsman Blue with a gold nose. At some point in CSX3178’s life, Carroll Shelby felt he needed more horsepower and installed an aluminum-head 427 side-oiler engine with an automatic transmission. In 2002, the home crew at Shelby American in Las Vegas, Nevada, repainted Carroll Shelby’s famous Cobra in red. In 2016, the car was purchased from Carroll Shelby’s estate by the consigner, at which time it became the subject of a complete concours restoration by renowned Cobra restorers Legendary Motorcar Company, which returned it to its original Charcoal paint color and its original 427 configuration with a 4-speed. Carroll Shelby’s lifelong personal 427 Cobra is the big brother of CSX2000, the original small-block Cobra. CSX2000 recently sold for almost $14 million. CSX3178 occupies a hallowed place in Cobra history, and it is the only 427 Cobra Carroll Shelby owned from new until his passing. Imagine sitting in the seat that Carroll Shelby sat in for all those years and all of the conversations he had with his famous passengers (friends and racers)—if only this car could talk. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own Carroll Shelby’s lifelong personal 427 Cobra, and CSX3178 occupies a hallowed place in Cobra history as perhaps the most significant of all. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – November 23, 2020

Shelby Mustang GT350 Autobahn Attack

Murfreesboro to Memphis at midnight is a great way to experience Tennessee. Not that I have ever attempted such an irresponsible adventure, but it would be a blast in a Shelby Mustang. With the ability to reach 9,000 rpm in the blink of an eye, the only legal way to have such fun would be a Shelby Mustang GT350 Autobahn attack. That is precisely what happened over the weekend in Germany. 2020 Shelby Mustang GT350 & GT350R Officially Discontinued Our friends at AutoTopNL have a soft spot for American iron, especially when it involves European technology. Not only does the GT350 represent the first American to have a flat-plane V8, but the power it offers from 4,000 to 8,000 rpm is also more addictive than opiates. This is the last model year for the GT350 so our dealers ordered them with every option. Click the button below to own a naturally-aspirated supercar and stay with us for all your Shelby news. Browse Shelby GT350 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 13, 2020

2019 Supercharged Shelby GT-H Mustang For Sale

Rental cars are not race cars....If you believe that, you should probably stop reading now. If you thought modern rental cars are slow, imagine renting one in 1965. That's why Carroll Shelby and Hertz joined forces to create the 1966 Shelby GT-H. This high-performance Mustang was legal to race in many events, so it became known as the "Rent-A-Racer". The problem is that Ford engines look mostly the same, so many rental cars were returned with base-model engines after a weekend's worth of work. The program was revived after 40 years, with supercharged examples available for special order. This new 2019 packs every luxury option available on a Mustang GT and adds a 700 horsepower supercharged 5.0-liter. The transmission is a six-speed manual with a Hurst shifter. Other goodies include a 3.73 Torsen differential, B&O 12-speaker surround sound, and magnetic suspension. This combination won't happen again anytime soon, so click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more great deals from Wayne Akers Ford. View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 18, 2020

0% Interest on Shelby American Mustangs and Shelby F-150 ...

Do you need to add some more muscle to your life? Well, drop the weights and get yourself some keys to a new Shelby American Mustang or Shelby F-150 Truck. And right now is actually the best time to buy one of these powerful vehicles. Several of our favored Ford Dealer partners are offering qualified buyers 0% financing for up to 84 months for a limited time (ends May 31, 2020). Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport The following Shelby American Mustangs and F-150 trucks qualify for the Ford Credit program: ⦁ 2019 - 2020 Shelby Super Snake Mustang⦁ 2020 - Carroll Shelby Signature Series Mustang⦁ 2019 - 2020 Shelby GT Mustang⦁ 2019 - 2020 Shelby F-150⦁ 2019 - 2020 Shelby F-150 Super Snake⦁ 2020 - Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport These Shelby American authorized Ford dealerships around the country will work with customers on these financing programs. They can also help provide a "no physical contact" sales and delivery process. These dealerships include Brown Lee Ford, Elder Ford of Tampa, Ken Grody Ford and Pierre Ford. For more information, be sure to contact one of these favored Ford dealers. Carroll Shelby Signature Series Mustang

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2020

Mecum to Preview Unprecedented Shelby Collection on NBCSN

John Atzbach spent most of his life hunting and selling the works of Carl Faberge. Needless to say, he knows the value of artwork along with the attention to detail it requires. That is what captured his attention about Carroll Shelby's creations. Admiring all things Shelby with the same respect as Faberge, he amassed a collection that will leave you speechless. That's why you must tune in at 4 p.m. ET, as Mecum will preview this unprecedented Shelby collection on NBCSN. The press release mentions priceless examples, such as: a 1965 GT350 R-Model, a Paxton-supercharged 1965 GT350 Prototype, the first production 1966 and 1967 GT350s by serial number and the first 1966 GT350 convertible of just four produced. Click the button below to view the collection, and tell us your favorite car in the comments below. View Collection " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 08, 2020

2020 Shelby Super Snake Sport F-150 For Sale

Carroll Shelby was an early pioneer in high-performance street trucks, beginning with his first production version almost 30 years ago. With the tremendous demand for the off-road-focused Shelby F-150, fans of the classic Ford Lightning and the first-generation Shelby F-150 Super Snake clamored for a new generation muscle truck from Shelby. To complement the well-received off-road focused Shelby F-150, Shelby American is offering a limited run of F-150 Super Snake Sport trucks, designed for performance street duty. The Shelby F-150 Super Snake Sport features a Shelby-specific lowered suspension, 770 horsepower, aggressive exhaust note, custom Shelby wheels, and bigger brakes. The exterior has a meaner and more aero-inspired look, while the interior has stylish Shelby amenities. The Shelby American team collaborated with Ford Performance and other partners to create the ultimate “super truck”. During Shelby American tests, the truck went from 0-60 mph in just 3.45 seconds and reach 100 mph in a blazingly fast 8.3 seconds. The mighty 770 horsepower V8 easily motivates this well-optioned Ford F-150. If you want a powerful, capable, and collectible truck, Brown Lee Ford sells more Shelby cars and trucks than any other Ford dealer. Contact Brock Patterson by calling (888)348-5653 or emailing brock.patterson@brownleeford.com View Details " width="680"> Contact Brown Lee Ford Website: https://www.brownleeford.com/Phone: (888)348-5653Address: 5917 Manchester Highway, Morrison, TN 37357

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