Tesla

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 – March 23, 2018

Slo-Mo Tesla Model S Launch is Hypnotic

Drag racing and electric cars were once mutually exclusive, but Tesla has changed that forever. Owners of the top-level Model S are endowed with 778 horsepower and 734 lb-ft of torque. However, if you choose to enable Ludicrous Mode, our friends at DragTimes achieved 920 lb-ft and 588 horsepower at all wheels.Tesla Model S vs Model X Ludicrous Mode Drag RaceMore torque than several Nascars is how these silent beasts are able to shame almost any muscle car at the drag strip. We're not sure how many runs the 100kWh battery is capable of, but not having to deal with wheel spin is worth it. If you are wondering why the Camaro SS in the right lane didn't launch, this is Bracket Racing. Each driver races against his best time, and the win goes to the most consistent car. So the Camaro's green light is delayed so both cars will cross the finish line close to each other. Tell us your favorite Tesla story in the comments below and have a great weekend!Browse Tesla For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2018

NASA: Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster is Officially a Celestia...

If you haven't heard about Tesla's recent Falcon Heavy launch, you're absolutely missing out. Not only was it a tremendous success for the future of space exploration, they launched Elon Musk's personal Tesla Roadster into space. I'm not saying that launched it into the sky for it to fall back down. No, the car is currently floating around somewhere in between Mars and Earth. In fact, the electric car is so far gone into space that NASA has officially declared it a celestial object.New Tesla Roadster: Quickest Car in the WorldWhat's a celestial object? I'll save you the Google search and tell you that it's a "structure that exists in the observable universe." Along with the title, NASA has entered the Roadster into their HORIZONS Web-Interface. Within this system, you can get the ephemerides for the object (an ephemeris is a data file that gives the calculated position of a specific celestial object). With this information, you can theoretically track the exact location of the Tesla within the solar system.Now that the Tesla was launched into space, does that make it the fastest car ever? I mean, it did reach speeds of over 16,000 mph on its way out to space...

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2017

Tesla to Make Supertruck to Rival F-150?

We all knew that Tesla would be unveiling a semi-truck. However, they surprised us with the unveiling of the new Roadster, the fact that the new BAMF semi-truck will go 0-60 mph in 5 seconds and, apparently, a new civilian truck that will be a competitor to trucks like the Ford F-150.While the exact details are currently unknown, Elon Musk said during the unveiling of the BAMF that they had" created a pickup truck version of the Tesla Semi." He also went on to say that this truck could carry another pickup truck and would only require a normal driver's license for operation.As I stated before, the exacts on this truck are unknown as of right now, but I would suspect that more news will be coming in the near future. And if the 0-60 time of the BAMF is any indicator, the pickup truck will hit supercar-like acceleration numbers.

By Andrew Nabors – October 03, 2017

Easter Eggs Hidden in Tesla Model 3

A growing trend in automotive design is to hide unique features in small details or in the software. Chevrolet does this with the Corvette by etching the cross-flags logo into the headlights, rear window defogger, and a few other locations. Take a close look at a Jeep and you will find silhouettes of the original Willys from WWII. Tesla chooses to make us smile with childhood memories and nerdy fun aimed directly at their target audience.Also Check Out: Base Model Tesla Destroys Competition At Drag StripBefore Tesla Tampa was opened, we stored a dozen Model S sedans in our showroom. Aside from the tremendous torque that burned our carpet, we discovered the lane-keeping display was able to show the car on Rainbow Road, the hardest track from Nintendo's Mario Kart. Two months ago at our Cars & Coffee show, one of our fans arrived in a new Model X. The rear doors and battery range is nice, but the real treat is dance mode. It uses the rock-orchestra soundtrack that is synchronized to the lights and doors. Now that the Model 3 is in production, it was inevitable that customers would discover its funny bone. In a video uploaded to Green Car Reports by Steve Jurvetson, he shows us three features every car should have. Watch the video and then tell us about hidden parts of your car in the comments below.

By Edward Jones – January 17, 2017

Tesla Model S Race Car Goes 0-60 MPH in 2 Seconds...

Recently, I covered DragTimes test of the Tesla Model S and its new Ludicrous+ Mode. This mode allows the car to run 0-60 mph in just 2.4 seconds. Now, I've learned about a Model S that's built for racing and can rocket from 0-60 mph in just 2 seconds.(Also Check Out - Faraday Future Finally Reveals the FF 91, Faster Than Tesla)This Model S was built to race in the Electric GT Championship and was unveiled at the Autosport International show, according to CarScoops. This racing series will comprise of identical Model S race cars, each housing 778 horsepower and that insane acceleration. What everyone seems to be pointing out about this car is that it can run 0-60 mph half-of-a-second faster than the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar. Impressive? You bet.Check it out in action in the video below and get ready to see some insane Model S race cars taking to the circuit. This is one race you won't need earplugs for.All Tesla Model S For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 01, 2016

Revealed: Tesla Model 3 - Specs, Price and Pics

All of the Model 3 anticipation is finally over. Tesla is known for a cult following, and many turned out for the unveiling of the Model 3 last night. To great applause, the brand's first affordable, high-volume model rolled out on stage for their official debut.Tesla Model 3 Specs 0-60: <6 seconds 215 mile range Supercharging Capabilities 5-star safety rating During the unveiling, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, revealed a five-star safety rated, 0-60 in under six seconds, electric sedan. Even the base Model 3 will have these features. They will also have autopilot options and a range of 215 miles (or better). Tesla's newest sedan is also designed to seat five adults in comfort and the roof is, as Musk describes it, "One continuous pane of glass" giving it more space and an incredible view no matter which seat you're in. Supercharging capability is also standard among all Tesla 3 models. Superchargers are charging stations Tesla has built across the world, which means your Tesla 3 can go anywhere, anytime.So what about price? The Tesla Model 3 will start at $35,000, which after federal and state tax credits, could be lowered to $28,000. Musk asserts that production will begin in 2017 and deliveries will start at the end of 2017. He also stated that at the time of the unveiling, 115,000 Model 3s had already been reserved.Learn more about production, buying capability and all things Model 3 in the video below. What do you think? Will you be reserving a Tesla Model 3?

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By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 31, 2016

Tesla Model 3 Buyer's Line Looks Like an Apple iPhone Launch

It's official. The Tesla Model 3 is officially on sale, and people are lining up around the globe to reserve theirs. Tesla recently uploaded a gallery of photos on Facebook and the lines are literally wrapping around buildings. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've seen lines like this before, but only in really extreme cases: Black Friday. iPhone launches. Tesla is definitely making waves with the Model 3.Social media users are uploading their own photos and videos of their reservation. One user even referred to the experience as "smoothest line/reservation experience I've ever had."https://twitter.com/TeslaMotors/status/715607806053785600Check out this video of a line of people waiting in Bellvue...https://twitter.com/TeslaMotors/status/715556538149015556Looks like Tesla fans are really turning out to make their reservations for the Tesla Model 3. So what about you? Are you reserving one? Would you like to? Let us know in the comments below.Teslas For Sale

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 27, 2015

Tesla Dashboard Design Concept Simplifies & Streamlines

When Tesla first introduced the Model S and its massive center dashboard, its design was instantly likened to that of Apple's iPad. Sleek, modern and easy to use, it was unlike anything drivers had experienced in a car. (Top: Tesla's current design) (Bottom: Huang's redesigned dashboard)But it has been a few years, and though the California based manufacturer is working on a redesign, Alex Huang of Y Media Labs was tired of waiting."The current dashboard UI was quite revolutionary when it first came out, but it’s definitely showing its age with its skeumorphic visual cues," described Huang. "Buttons looks like physical buttons, while icons are given embossed 3D treatments."So, he came up with his own redesign, moving the layout away from something resembling the physical dashboard drivers are used to and closer to the simplified circles of a touch-screen phone. With particular focus on making it easy to use third party apps, Huang's design offers a different take on Tesla's original idea.(See Also: Tesla Autopilot Coming for Model S & Model X This Week)Check out the photos of the redesigned user interface below, and let us know in the comments if you'd prefer to use a dashboard designed by Huang or the one Tesla has stuck with all these years.Model S Listings For Sale Gallery (Source: Y Media Labs) See More Tesla News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 12, 2015

Tesla Autopilot Coming for Model S & Model X This Week

The future is almost here; in fact, it'll be here on Thursday.In a late night tweet on Saturday, Oct. 10, Elon Musk announced to the world that Tesla cars, beginning this week, will be able to drive themselves.It's been quite a bit of time since Tesla first told the world this software would become available. A March press conference saw the announcement of the marque's 7.0 software release, which is about to be responsible for making both Model S and Model X vehicles the first cars to ever offer an autopilot feature.Of course, when first discussing what this feature would include, it was made evident that it's not a completely autonomous drive. Rather, options will include autonomous parking and highway driving, but details about what else it includes are scarce. There are no mentions of the scheduled release on the manufacturer's website, and updates from Musk have come primarily in the form of tweets.(See Also: Porsche CEO Matthias Müller to Replace Martin Winterkorn as VW CEO)In responding to questions from Twitter users, Musk informed the world that the main changes will be the user interface, and this software update will be rolled out worldwide over the course of five days. The autonomous parking feature for 7.0 will not be available if the driver is out of the car but will be available in 7.1. Some exciting news this week: Tesla Version 7 software with Autopilot goes to wide release on Thursday! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 11, 2015 Of course, this does present some possible challenges; as of now, there are only a few states in the United States that have laws allowing self-driving cars to operate on roadways. The legislation surrounding autonomous vehicles has yet to catch up to technological developments, and it's not clear if the highway autopilot is entirely legal. The Tesla Model XHowever, self-driving cars have never been declared illegal, and the National Highway and Transporation Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a statement in 2013 that, essentially, stated they do not want to be a roadblock to technology that could potentially increase safety on the roads. As you can see, this places Tesla's 7.0 software in an undeniable legal grey zone.Stay with us for updates from Tesla as we draw closer to this software update's rollout, and find your own Tesla to test this feature out in from our exclusive listings.Teslas For Sale(Source: Tesla, Twitter, NHTSA) See More Industry Reports

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2015

Tesla Model S vs Australian V8 Supercar

Watching the electric Tesla Model S P85D take on cars of the gasoline-powered kind is both exciting and confusing. You see, we've always thought that cars with big and loud engines, with or without turbochargers or superchargers, are supreme. But, Tesla has completely changed our preconceived notions with their Model S, and now the Model X.The Model S is a quiet and spacious sedan, perfect for a family. It boasts groundbreaking technology in both its cabin and drivetrain. If you were to spot at it on the street without knowing what it's capable of, you'd think it's just your average four-door car. But, we all know now that it's a new breed of automobiles, able to take down some of the mightiest supercars in a drag race.With its electric motor, the Model S P85D's electric power plant can create 691 hp and a reported " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> of torque. This power allows the electric sedan to complete a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.1 seconds.To show off what the Model S is capable of, CarAdvice.com.au pitted the Model S P85D against the Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore V8 Supercar and Walkinshaw Performance W507 HSV GTS. This battle of the loud and track-focused cars versus the quiet and comfortable sedan was uploaded to YouTube Oct. 5 for the world to see. Does the Model S P85D take down the V8 Supercar and the W507 HSV GTS? Find out by watching the video below.Model S Listings (Source: YouTube) See More Tesla Motors News, Photos and Videos

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