Toyota

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

Tacoma X Runner Concept Toyota SEMA 2023 Hi Res Hero

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 31, 2023

Toyota Revives Street Truck Craze With Its X-Runner Conce...

Toyota unveils the X-Runner Concept, a modernized street truck based on the 2024 Tacoma, at the 2023 SEMA Show. At a time when rugged, lifted vehicles are stealing the spotlight, Toyota is making waves by reviving the street truck phenomena. Unveiled at the 2023 SEMA Show, Toyota's all-new X-Runner Concept is a modernized take based on the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma. Developed through a collaborative effort between Toyota’s Engineering teams and the Calty Design Studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the concept aims to explore the untapped market potential for street trucks. Adam Rabinowitz, chief designer at Toyota's Calty Design Research, explained that the X-Runner Concept serves as a "curiosity check" to gauge market interest. It's inspired by consumer enthusiasm for the 2024 Tacoma and designed to illustrate the diverse capabilities of Toyota’s new TGNA-F product platform. Powered by a modified i-FORCE 3.4L twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the X-Runner Concept boasts a staggering 421 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of peak torque. Complementing its powertrain is a Tundra solid axle with an electronic locking differential and a custom side exhaust. Additionally, similar engine upgrades will be available for new Tundra models starting next year as part of a TRD Performance Package. The design also makes a strong statement. Featuring Tacoma XB LED Projector headlights with "X-Runner" laser ablation lenses and aero-fairings that functionally cool the brakes, the concept is a showstopper. To achieve that quintessential street stance, the team employed a Tundra air-suspension system and stiffened springs, optimized with custom-valved Bilstein shocks. If the X-Runner Concept is any indication, street trucks might just be making a comeback. With a perfect blend of performance and aesthetic sophistication, Toyota's newest venture proves that the automotive giant is still pushing the boundaries, on and off the road. View all Toyota models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Toyota For Sale Source: Toyota

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 18, 2023

Toyota Reveals The 2024 GR Supra With A 45th Anniversary ...

The new sports machine pays homage to the honored legacy of the Supra name.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 01, 2023

Toyota Reveals The 2024 Land Cruiser, Reviving A Legend

The legendary Land Cruiser is back.

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2021

Toyota Gazoo Racing Unveils GR010 Hybrid

Usually, street-legal cars spawn racing models after the public can buy them at dealers. However, Toyota Gazoo Racing has unveiled the GR010 Hybrid that will yield a new hypercar for us to enjoy. " width="680"> In the latest press release from their World Endurance Championship team, we have learned they are starting with a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that offers 680 horsepower. All teams must use the same 272 horsepower hybrid unit that maintains an even balance of performance. Until its little brother arrives, click the button below to find a Supra near you. Browse Toyota Supra For Sale Images (C) Toyota Gazoo Racing

By Andrew Nabors – February 13, 2020

2021 Toyota Supra Unveiled in Daytona

As NASCAR teams prepare for tonight's Twin 150 races, the 2021 Toyota Supra was unveiled in Daytona. Learning from the 2020 models, engineers have revised the chassis tuning and given the 3.0L engine more power. The 6" screen has been discontinued, as all new Toyota Supra for sale will feature the larger 8.8" touchscreen. The first 1,000 cars for the new model year will be A91 editions. Paint choices are limited to Nocturnal or Refraction, it will be home to several new carbon fiber parts. Engineers revised the intake and exhaust manifolds to offer 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Surprisingly, they dropped the compression ratio from 11 to 10.2. 1998 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review Acceleration is up by all measures, with 0-60 arriving in 3.9 instead of 4.1 seconds. New strut-tower braces keep hold the front end geometry in hard corners, and the electric power steering now has more feedback. 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review The most unprecedented news is a new turbo-four cylinder base model. The Supra 2.0 offers 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It uses smaller brakes, an open differential, manual seats, and non-adjustable suspension. With a curb weight of 3,181 lbs, it will be a fun and affordable alternative. Click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Supra news. Browse All Toyota Supra For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 11, 2020

2021 Toyota GR Supra to be Unveiled in Daytona

Speedweeks is here, and we are two days away from the NASCAR Twin 150-mile races that will set the starting order for the 62nd Daytona 500. This pair of nail-biting races start at 7 p.m., but they will be preceded by something new & fierce. That's because the new 2021 Toyota GR Supra will be unveiled in Daytona at 3 p.m. A live stream from Toyota will begin shortly before 3 p.m. on the 13th. In case work gets in the way, we will upload it ASAP. Stay with us for all your Supra news and click the button below to find yours. Browse All Toyota Supra For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 29, 2019

2021 Toyota Supra GT4 Will Arrive Ready to Race

This is the one you've been waiting for. Before he took control of the family business, Akio Toyoda and his team raced the Supra around the world. Although it was two decades ago, the wait has been worth it. That is because the 2021 Toyota Supra GT4 will arrive ready to race. In a press release by Toyota Gazoo Racing, we've learned that it will meet all FIA regulations while offering 430 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This is made possible by Magneti Marelli engine controllers, Akrapovic exhaust, and some Toyota secret sauce. Browse Toyota Supra For Sale A planned price of $194,323 includes a full roll cage, telemetry, and KW adjustable suspension. With a race weight just under 3,000 lbs it will be a victorious return of the Supra to racing around the world. Tell us if this price appeals to you, or if you would build your own from a production car. Click the button above to find your Toyota Supra for sale and stay with us for all your Supra news. Related: 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review 1998 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2019

2020 Toyota Supra #1 Delivered to John Staluppi

As one of the most prominent car dealers in the Nation, our friend John Staluppi has an amazing inventory. After getting his start at a Chevrolet dealer, he had the foresight to begin importing Japanese cars. His empire now consists of the 3rd largest privately-owned dealer group in the U.S. That is how he was able to place the winning bid on the first production Supra. And in a press release earlier today, we learned that the 2020 Toyota Supra #1 was delivered to John Staluppi. Earlier this year, we watched him outbid everyone else at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. The hammer fell at $2.1 Million, with proceeds going to charity. It is probably en-route to his Cars of Dreams Museum in North Palm Beach, Florida. It will arrive wearing a VIN ending in 20201 to signify the first production car. Also included is a racing suit, valve cover, and photo signed by Akio Toyoda. Congratulations John, from all of us at the duPont REGISTRY. Browse ToyoTa Supra For Sale " width="680">

2020_Supra_LaunchEdition_01_DA98A3EF24330A1E359D4DA496D4CF667DC03BAE

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2019

2020 Toyota Supra Launch Edition & Pricing

Yesterday we were glad to see the return of the Toyota Supra. Since it left the US in 1998, even bad examples have skyrocketed in value. If you need a new Japanese halo car, their latest press release outlines the 2020 Toyota Supra Launch Edition along with pricing. Initially the car will arrive in 2 trim levels: 3.0 and 3.0 Premium. The first has a retail price $49,990. The 3.0 will offer the same 335 horsepower straight six BMW engine that offers 365 lb-ft of torque. Also shared is the adaptive suspension, electronic rear differential and launch control. Where it differs is in the infotainment department. A 6.5" display is controlled by a wheel on the center console. The Alcantara seats will hold you in place as you attack the corners. If you need premium audio, a 12-speaker JBL system will be an additional $2,460. If you need all the gadgets, the 3.0 Premium comes standard with the aforementioned JBL audio along with an 8.8" touch screen to control all systems. Other goodies include heated leather seats, full-color Heads Up Display, wireless phone charging, and a navigation system. The first 1,500 cars built for the US market will be Launch Editions. Based on the 3.0 Premium package, they are available to order in Absolute Zero White, Nocturnal Black, or Renaissance Red 2.0. A carbon fiber dash plaque display's the car's number on the dash with a signature from Akio Toyoda. The 2-tone leather interiors and matte black wheels of the Launch Edition are also exclusive, and it all adds up to only $55,250. Sadly, a manual transmission is one option that we deeply miss. But the new paddle-shift 8-speed automatic was tested on tracks around the world. Our dealers can lead you through the process of ordering a new Supra, but they also have a few well-preserved MKIV cars you might like. So click the link below for more information. View All Toyota Supra For Sale " width="680"> Related: Say Hello to the 2020 Toyota Supra Watch the Toyota Supra at Goodwood

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 06, 2016

Toyota Looks To Bring Back Supra With New Trademark

Last week, Toyota trademarked a name you might recognize. According to supramkv.com the "Supra" name was trademarked with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) on Friday, June 3.Usually, when a company trademarks a name, it means they're going to release a corresponding product. Though it might just be speculation, could the trademarking of the Supra name mean Toyota is bringing back the model?While nothing has been confirmed, rumors are swirling that Toyota is said to be working on a new sports car with styling consistent with the FT-1 Concept. In addition, Toyota is rumored to be working with some hybrid tech as well, and now they've trademarked the Supra name in Europe as well. When all this information collides, looks like Toyota could be bringing back an FT-1 Concept style Supra!Stay tuned. We'll reveal details as they are released.

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