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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 02, 2014

Top 10 Classic and Exotic Cars That Should Be Brought Back

As years pass, new models enter lineups, and well-known models leave them. While some models are left behind for good reason, others leave us with a hole in our heart that cannot be filled until it is brought back. Recently, we have seen an influx of re-introduced muscle cars, such as the Ford Shelby GT350 Mustang and Dodge Challenger. (See Also: Top 10 Italian Exotic Cars of this Millennium) But, there are still plenty of retro cars out there that we would love to see back in their respective lineups. Everyone has their own personal lists of which classic and exotic cars should be brought back, and today we are here to present ours. Here are our top 10 classic and exotic cars that should be brought back. 10. Audi Sport quattro Audi Sport quattro Rallye, Audi Sport quattro In the days of Group B rally racing, the Audi Sport quattro was a monster. Now, rally fans and automotive enthusiasts have longed for a revival of the quattro. Fortunately, Audi has introduced a quattro concept that looks promising. Audi For Sale 9. Chevy El Camino 1967 Chevrolet El Camino SS Whether you love it or hate it, the El Camino is an unmistakable vehicle. Its truck/car hybrid makeup is one that is still around today, but typically in countries other than the United States. While the El Camino is more than likely not suited for today's market, there are a large number of hardcore enthusiasts that would love to have the El Camino back. 8. Toyota Supra Toyota Supra Turbo More than likely if you were an automotive enthusiast in the 1990s, you had a poster of the Toyota Supra hanging up on your wall. Toyota created something special with the Supra that they have no been able to recreate since they did away with the model. Hopefully, the FT-1 will hit production, as it looks to be the spiritual successor to the Supra. 7. Jaguar E-Type Jaguar E-Types Yes, we have the Jaguar F-TYPE, and, yes, it is an incredible car, but it's no E-Type. There is something about the smooth lines of the E-Type that make it one of England's signature automobiles. While the E-Type may never find it's way back into Jaguar's lineup again, they have created a limited run of six Lightweight E-Types that originally never made it to production. 6. Shelby Mustang GT350 Ford GT350 Prototype The Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 was possibly one most important Mustangs, as it was the start of Shelby's involvement in upgrading the line. It has been decades since we've seen a true GT350, as the 2011 version was a post-title upgrade available from Shelby. However, if you ask nicely enough, they will deliver. Coming soon to a dealership near you is the brand-new Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. 5. De Tomaso Pantera 1974 De Tomaso Pantera (Source: Hemmings.com) Often pitted against the Lamborghini Jalpa, the De Tomaso Pantera was, and is, a fantastic car. Powered by a 5.8-liter V8 sourced from Ford, the Pantera was an Italian sports car that had an astounding 20 year long run. The De Tomaso company has been under fire after the man who bought the company in 2009, Gian Mario Rossignolo, was arrested for a misuse of government funds. Considering this, another Pantera may be impossible, but we can always dream of a revival. 4. Tesla Roadster Tesla Roadsters With Tesla riding the wave of success from their Model S, it's only a matter of time until the company introduces a sportier model back into their line up. The Roadster was a great car that showed exactly what an electric sports car was capable of. Indeed, the Model S is quick, but with Tesla being in a better spot than they were years ago when the Roadster was introduced, we can't help but wonder about the possibilities of a new Tesla sports car. 3. Aston Martin One-77 Aston Martin One-77 Limited to only 77 examples, the Aston Martin One-77 was a very rare beast. This hypercar was powered by a 7.3-liter V12 engine and had a top speed of 220 mph, making it the fastest Aston Martin ever. Production of the car only ended in 2012, but the absence of a hypercar like the One-77 in Aston Martin's lineup has left us with an empty feeling. 2. BMW M1 BMW M1 The M1 was the first mid-engined BMW to be mass produced. It housed a 3.5-liter inline-six cylinder engine. It put BMW into the exotic scene that featured cars such as the Lamborghini Countach, and excelled on the racetrack. The i8 is a good start, but a return of the M1 badge would be even greater. 1. Maserati MC12 Maserati MC12 Maserati has been seeing great success with the entry-level-priced Ghibli, and they plan on introducing more models into their lineup. On the opposite side of the spectrum from the Ghibli is the MC12, which has not been produced in almost a decade. To complement the Ghibli, why not bring back the 6.-liter V12 monster? Imagine a world where the MC12 roams the current championship circuits. That's a world we want to live in.

By Caitlin Duffy – November 12, 2014

Top 10 Italian Exotic Cars of this Millennium

2014 is drawing to an end, and it’s hard to believe that almost 15 years has passed since the beginning of this millennium. Of course, a lot can change in 15 years, and a lot has changed. Particularly in the world of supercars, and especially in Italy.Sportscars For SaleCheck out the top 10 Italian supercars to come from Italy since the turn of the century, and keep an eye on us for more in the future. It’s only a matter of time before a new Italian street hero comes along and gives these 10 a run for their money. Pagani Huayra Photo by: Marcel Lech Photography730 hp, 740 lb-ft, 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds Top Speed 231 mphPagani Zonda Revolucion Source: Pagani788 hp, 538 lb-ft 0-60 mph in 2.6 seconds Top Speed 217 mphLamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Photo by: Derek Walker700 hp, 507 lb-ft 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds Top Speed 217 mphFerrari 458 Speciale Source: Ferrari596 hp, 398 lb-ft 0-62 mph 3.0 seconds Top Speed 201 mphFerrari Enzo Photo by: Fusion Luxury Motors659 hp, 485 lb-ft 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds Top Speed 218 mphFerrari LaFerrari Source: Ferrari963 hp, 663 lb-ft 0-62 mph in under 3 seconds Top Speed 217+ mphMaserati MC12 Source: Maserati / YouTube632 hp, 481 lb-ft 0-60 mph in 3.5 Top Speed of 205 mphLamborghini Veneno / Roadster Source: Lamborghini739 hp, 507 lb-ft 0-62 mph in 2.9 Top Speed 221 mphLamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce Source: Lamborghini661 hp, 490 lb-ft 0-62 mph in 2.9 Top Speed 212 mphFerrari 599XX Evolution Pack Source: Ferrari750 hp, 516 lb-ft(See Also: Top 10 Fastest Hybrid and Electric Cars)

By Edward Jones – November 11, 2014

Top 10 Most Expensive Guitars at Sweetwater.com

Sound is very important to automotive enthusiasts. Whether we are listening to our music on a finely tuned audio system inside our cars, or drowning out the world with the sound of our car's exhaust system, we are highly aware of sound quality and its necessity.With such a passion for sound, it's no wonder that many automotive enthusiasts also enjoy creating their own music, and that many musicians enjoy their cars. Famous musicians have shown their love for the automobile, such as Elvis Presley with his BMW507, Deadmau5 and his newly ordered McLaren P1 and Jamiroquai through his green LaFerrari.And while we may focus primarily the finer aspects of the automotive industry, it's about time we look at the music industry. Below are ten of the most expensive guitars at Sweetwater.com, seller of music instruments and pro audio.1) Gibson Custom Collector's Choice #9 Vic DaPra 1959 Les Paul Les Paul (9-0850) aka "Believer Burst" Buy Now - $13,5000 2) Gibson Custom Southern Rock Tribute 1959 Les Paul - Reverseburst, Aged/Signed Buy Now - $13,333 3) Gibson Custom Duane Allman Cherry Sunburst '59 Les Paul - Washed Cherry - Aged Buy Now - $10,999 4) PRS Private Stock Brazilian Custom 24 - Black Cherry Glow Buy Now - $10,719 5) Taylor Grand Auditorium Custom 6 & 12-string Sister Set - AA Walnut Buy Now - $10,581 6) Gibson Custom Joe Bonamassa "Skinnerburst" 1959 Les Paul Standard - Dirty Lemon, Aged Buy Now - $13,332 7) PRS Private Stock Paul's Guitar LTD - Purple Mist Buy Now - $10,000 8) PRS Private Stock Custom 24 - Black Cherry Glow Buy Now - $9,359 9) PRS Private Stock Custom 24 - Goldstorm Buy Now - $9,359 10) PRS Private Stock Violin II with 24 frets - Tiger Eye Buy Now - $9,289 Sponsored by:

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2012

Top 5 Odd One-Off Cars

Cars have one purpose: to get us from point A, to point B. Even though they have a set job, they don't have a set appearance. Sometimes automakers hit the mark, and sometimes they miss it. Sometimes they create vehicles that leave we wondering, "what the hell is that?" Here are the top 5 cars that leave me guessing. 1. The Nissan DeltaWingA track car that looks like it was designed by Bruce Wayne. This vehicle is one of the oddest cars I've seen on the racetrack, yet it is extraordinarily efficient. It has gone through a series of crashes on the circuit, but it always seems to bounce back. 2. The Helicron No.1This car was made back when it was okay to have a huge propeller that could cut a head off in a jiffy strapped to the front of your car. It was made in 1932 to be exact. The propeller on the front of the car is what powered the vehicle, and its rear wheels steered it. 3. Fiat Panda Monster TruckFiat teamed up with Mercurio Cinematografica to create this monster. It is a cross-breed between a Panda 4x4 and a Jeep CJ7. They created it for an ad campaign that Fiat is currently running. 4. The Dream Car 123This is a homemade electric vehicle that can reach speeds of up to 40 mph and is powered by 80 lead-acid batteries that run four independent motors. This car is able to complete a 360 degree turn on a dime! 5. 2012 ETVPowered by a 2.0-liter supercharged Chevy engine, this car is ridiculous looking. It needs no description, because the exterior says it all.

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