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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 – November 25, 2019

Tesla Cybertruck Preorders hit 200k Mark

If you think the Tesla Cybertruck is not to your liking, there are apparently 200,000 out there that do. According to a recent Elon Musk tweet, found below, it appears as though the Cybertruck has 200k preorder so far. "Well, it's only $100 to preorder the truck." I hear you, but 200,000 preorders times $100 deposits equal $20,000,000 in Tesla's pocket. That's insane. When the preorder number was at 146,000, Elon Musk tweeted that 42% chose the dual-motor setup, 41% went with the tri-motor and 17% for the single motor. The saga of the Tesla Cybertruck has only just begun, but it's already as interesting as ever. SEE ALL TESLAS FOR SALE https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1198788116372344832

By Andrew Nabors – November 22, 2019

Tesla Cybertruck Unveiled by Elon in L.A.

If you must know one fact about Elon Musk, his ability to keep projects hidden is unparalleled. That's why the world was shocked when the Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled last night in L.A. Having nearly perfected the latest techniques in stainless fabrication, the Cybertruck will arrive with a cold-rolled exoskeleton. Capable of shrugging off 9mm rounds, he had a strongman attempt to tarnish it with a sledgehammer. As listed on Tesla's media site, the Cybertruck will feature the following: Range: 500+ miles 0-60 mph acceleration: <2.9 seconds Towing capacity: More than 14,000 lbs Payload: Up to 3,500 lbs Vault length: 6.5 feet Storage capacity: 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage including the vault, frunk, and sail pillars. Suspension: 4” in either direction Touchscreen size: 17” Body: Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless steel. If there was something better, we’d use it. Seating capacity: Up to six adults Charging: Can be charged at home, at Destination Charging locations, and with our network of more than 14,000 Superchargers, including on our newest V3 technology, which is helpful for long hauls and towing It is worthy to note that the styling makes it appear larger than it actually is. Their benchmark for width and length was the Ford F-150. Three powertrains consist of a rear motor, dual motor (front and rear) and tri-motor. Hopefully, the latter will be able to supplement all four wheels, as this would be another game-changer for the industry. " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Drag Race Inside Tesla's Crash Facility

By Edward Jones – October 17, 2019

Woah: Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Drag Race

When Porsche Taycan was announced, the first thing that came to mind was the Tesla Model S P100D. Both of these models are electric vehicles that tout extreme acceleration and luxury. But which one would win out in a drag race? To test that was Vox auto mobil, a German TV show. They tested both the acceleration of both cars and even put them through a moose test as well. In the end, the car that took the drag race win was quite surprising. In the comments of the video found up above, there was a lot of exasperation. It seems the comparison between these two cars is going to bring out a lot of hype from Porsche and Tesla fans. see all porsches for sale

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2019

Inside Tesla's Inhouse Crash Testing Facility

Tesla Motors create some of the safest vehicles on the road today. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 has been awarded the 2019 Tp Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Another interesting tidbit about Teslas and crashes is that Folksam, a Swedish insurance company, couldn't put a Tesla on their annual study on their country's safest cars. Why? They just don't crash enough. Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really Fast While they may be safe, Tesla still has to crash test their cars. In a recent video from the electric vehicle company, they gave us a tour of their crash test facility and even show off some of the vehicles being given a crash treatment. Check it out up above. see all teslas for sale Also Check Out: TeslaCam Records Crash, Proves Driver Wrong Tesla’s New Software Update Includes Smart Summon, Caraoke, ‘Cuphead’ and More Tesla Model S “Plaid” Laps Laguna Seca in Record Time

By Edward Jones – September 27, 2019

Tesla's New Software Update Includes Smart Summon, Caraok...

Want to know what's great about software? It can always be updated. Overv at Tesla, they take advantage of the fact that their cars can be improved via updates at any given time. Their latest update is a testament to how much work they're putting into these updates and how far along they've come. Included in this week's update (Version 10.0), is a very long list of features that have been added. see all teslas for sale Here's a quick breakdown: Tesla Theater - Watch Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and more while the car is parked. Smart Summon - Exactly what you think it is: customers who have the "Full Self-Driving Capability" or "Enhanced Autopilot" can summon their car right to them in a parking lot. "Car-aoke" - In the mood to belt some tunes? This is literally karaoke built into a Tesla. Restaurants & Destinations - There are two new navigation features, "I'm Feeling Lucky" and "I'm Feeling Hungry" which will take you to a point of interest within your car's range. Music & Podcasts - Added Spotify Premium account access. Tesla Arcade - Tesla has added the incredible game 'Cuphead' to the Tesla Arcade. If you're looking for a tough yet rewarding experience, this game is for you. Security & Convenience - Video clips taken by "Sentry Mode" will be stored on a separate folder. There are a few new UI improvements as well. Streaming Media & Browser Support Coming to all Model 3 Vehicles - Tesla has enabled browser access on all Model 3 vehicles. Wow. That's a lot. You can learn more about each feature by reading Tesla's blog.

By Andrew Nabors – September 12, 2019

Tesla Model S "Plaid" Laps Laguna Seca in Record Time

Elon Musk is apparently preparing for a run at the 'Ring, at least according to Tesla's tweets. In a video uploaded last night, we saw the Tesla Model S Plaid lapping Laguna Seca in record time. This test mule is running a special tune to push the Model S to its limits. It appears as if the work paid off, in that Elon says the lap time of 1:36.555 is 1 second faster than the previous sedan lap record. Brose All Teslas For Sale Another "shocking" tweet was from Mr. Musk's personal page. He confirmed the Model S seen at the 'Ring is a 7-seat model. Essentially it is the same P100d equipped with the "Plaid" drivetrain and the optional rear jump seats. A rear-facing view of the Nordschleife would be fun, but sitting atop a 100 kWh battery might be disconcerting to the uninitiated. Hopefully, this is a test mule for the 2nd-generation Tesla Roadster, so stay with us for all your Tesla updates. https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1171953646898012160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1171953646898012160&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motor1.com%2Fnews%2F370347%2Fmodel-s-seven-seats-nurburgring%2F Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really Fast McLaren 720S Races Tesla Model S P100D

By Edward Jones – June 03, 2019

Tesla Pickup Truck Will Cost Less Than $50k According to ...

One characteristic of Teslas that has held back many from purchasing in the past is the price. That has changed since the introduction of the Model 3, with its low introductory price and lease options. Many thought that the upcoming Tesla pickup truck would have a high MSRP, but Elon Musk seems to have put a kibosh on that with his recent appearance on the "Ride the Lightning" podcast. In the podcast, he notes that he's aiming for the price of the Tesla truck to start less than $50,000. There will be versions that are more expensive, of course, but they want a starting price to be set under the $50k mark. He also notes that the truck will have a "sci-fi" look to it and will be unlike any normal truck. Musk even went as far as to say that the goal is for the truck to be better than a Ford F-150 and a better sports car than a Porsche 911. Listen to the entire podcast by clicking here. Am I excited? You bet. See All Teslas For Sale Source: Ride the Lightning Podcast via electrek.coFeatured Image Source: Twitter

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2019

Tesla Model Y Unveiled as a Potent Electric Crossover

It took great sacrifice and ingenuity to get the Tesla Model 3 production up to speed. That included building a 2nd assembly line in the parking lot and input from the workers on how to improve their process. Using the same architecture as the Model 3, the Tesla Model Y was unveiled last night as a potent electric crossover. Starting inside, it offers seating for 7 adults thanks to an optional 3rd row. With 2nd and 3rd rows folded, you will have 66 cu ft of cargo capacity. A new 15" screen operates faster with higher resolution than other models. You will have 4 flavors to choose from. The performance model has dual motors and 20" wheels for a 3.5 second 0-60. The downside is a 280 mile range. Its counterpart is the Long Range AWD. It reaches 60 mph in 4.8 on 18" or 19" wheels. Top speed is limited to 135 mph compared to 150 mph on the performance. The long range RWD has the big battery and one motor for a 300 mile range and 5.5 second 0-60 time. Finally, the Standard Range base model reaches 60 in 5.9 seconds, with a range of 230 miles. Top speed is also limited to 120 mph. Production will begin early next year on the long range and performance models, and the standard model will arrive in 2021. Shop Tesla For Sale Related: Tesla Model 3 Standard Starts at $35,000 Tesla Unveils Dog Mode to Protect Your Pets

By Andrew Nabors – March 01, 2019

Tesla Model 3 Standard Price Starts at $35,000

Every time Elon Musk tweets, a host of haters try to rain on his parade. When the Tesla Model 3 first arrived, the factory couldn't keep up with demand. The solution was to build a giant tent in the parking lot and extend the assembly line. He hinted that the price would eventually drop once all the bugs were figured out. So yesterday the Tesla Model 3 Standard price of $35,000 shocked the world. It arrives with 220 miles of range, a cloth interior, and the same 5-Star safety rating that has made the Model 3 so popular. The Standard Range Plus starts at $37,000 and 20 additional miles along with an upgraded interior. Those prices are for black cars only, paint options start at $1,500. All of the hardware for autopilot is built in, but it costs $3,000 or $5,000 depending on the model. We used their configurator to learn that the panoramic roof is standard on both, as is Bluetooth and a 4 speaker audio. All Tesla models come with a tax credit of $3,750, and many of us prefer manual seats, well done Elon! Click the link below to find a Tesla near you. Shop Tesla For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 14, 2019

Tesla's Unveils Dog Mode to Protect Your Pets

The best copilots often have four legs. Leaving your fur baby in a locked car can cause a commotion from concerned citizens, so Tesla Dog Mode has arrived to protect your pets. Chilly dogs and hot dogs are not happy when left alone. So Elon answered a Tweet with a software update. After setting the desired temperature, the central display screen alerts the public that the climate control is on, and that the owner will be back shortly. Every dog has its day, and it could be everyday thanks to Tesla. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Tesla updates. browse All Teslas For Sale https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1095885520058515456 Related: Tesla Opens Merchandise Store on Amazon Tesla Drops Prices on All Models for 2019

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