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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 Tyler Rampersaud – February 20, 2024

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Starts At $55,950

Toyota’s legendary off-roader is here again. Many enthusiasts lamented the discontinuation of the Toyota Land Cruiser a few years ago. While it wasn’t the most popular luxury SUV in the U.S. market, it boasted incredible off-roading ability, and carried a decades-long legacy of excellence. However, the Land Cruiser is back, and the next chapter of its legend is ready to be written. Its design is somewhat of a departure from the Land Cruiser that was recently discontinued, opting for a turbocharged, hybrid, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 326 horsepower and 465 lb/ft of torque, instead of the V8 engine of the previous generation. Smaller also, and with full-time four-wheel drive, it’s also more focused on off-roading like the historic Land Cruiser models it pays homage to, rather than the larger, luxurious versions. A locking rear differential, off-road cruise control, downhill assist, and a multi-terrain monitor that displays upcoming obstacles on the touchscreen, make it a modernized revitalization of a true off-road legend. However, luxury isn’t an afterthought, either. An available 14-speaker JBL audio system, available leather seats, and more creature comforts throughout, the new Land Cruiser also captures the premium feel of previous generations. For enthusiasts who dearly missed the Land Cruiser being a part of Toyota’s lineup, their concerns will be quelled soon, as the 2024 Land Cruiser is set to be in dealer showrooms this spring, with a starting MSRP of $55,950. For off-road enthusiasts everywhere, Toyota is weeks away from writing the next chapter of one of its greatest legends. View All Toyota Land Cruisers For Sale Image Source: Toyota

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 Tyler Rampersaud – September 07, 2022

The New Manual Transmission Toyota GR Supra Is For Sale A...

Something’s shifting at Toyota dealerships. For many drivers across the country, left feet and right hands that have been left unoccupied for so long can rejoice because Toyota has kept the manual transmission alive with the new Toyota GR Supra available with the stick shift many automotive purists know and love. The manual transmission is available for the GR Supra 3.0, 3.0 Premium, as well as the A91-MT Edition, limited to just 500 units here in the States. The six-speed manual transmission offers a driving feel and performance that truly honors the heritage of the Supra name, and Supra fans will be done justice with its classic performance and style. 2022 Toyota GR Supra 3.0 Review: Underappreciated Overachiever Toyota estimates that the manual transmission-equipped Supra is able to hit 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and with 382 horsepower and 367 lb/ft of torque, the car is sure to be a quick, dynamic, and addicting machine to be behind the wheel of, and a pure and classic definition of a driver’s car in a time when the definition of a driver’s car is so rapidly and significantly changing. View All Toyota Supras For Sale Source: Toyota

2023 Supra MT 3.0 MatteWhite 002 scaled 1

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 28, 2022

The New 2023 Toyota GR Supra Will Be Available With A Man...

For 2023, the new Supra gets a new pedal. That’s right. At long last, the Toyota Supra is finally going to be available with a manual transmission, along with lots of other updates, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra makes one of the most important returns to form that it can for purists, enthusiasts, and the enormous population of Supra fans everywhere. The manual transmission is going to be available on models with the 3.0-liter engine because the 6-speed transmission with “intelligent Manual Transmission” or iMT technology was specifically designed for the 3.0-liter engine’s 382 horsepower. To honor the introduction of the manual transmission, a limited edition A91-MT model will be made only for the 2023 model year, available in Matte White and CU Later Gray, with an exclusive Cognac Leather interior. Only 500 A91-MT Supras will be made. MUST READ: The Best Manual Transmission Cars You Can Buy Today The iMT Technology allows the Supra to automatically optimize torque during upshifts, and consistently perform during downshifts, however, whether iMT is active or not is something that the driver is able to configure. Other updates for the model include the introduction of a new exterior color, Stratosphere Blue, as well as new steering and suspension tuning for the 3.0 model, as well as a function called Hairpin+, which adds more fun to taking tight uphill bends. If Toyota didn’t make it clear already, we know for sure now that Supra is more than just a name. View All Supras For Sale Source: Toyota

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 17, 2022

Toyota Gazoo Racing Unveils Its All-New GR GT3 Concept Ra...

Toyota sets its eyes on a perfect lap time with the upcoming GR GT3. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing motorsport division specializes in offering track-inspired performance throughout its lineup of modified factory chassis. With more customers participating in GT3 motorsport programs, Toyota Gazoo Racing is proud to promote its “driver first” car development with a race-inspired concept that boasts design, performance, and technology. MUST-READ: Top Exotic Cars For Sale by Owner of the Week The all-new Toyota GR GT3 Concept features an elongated body style that screams aerodynamics, from its low-profile front splitter to the enormous gooseneck carbon fiber rear wing. Although performance and technology specifics have not yet been released, it’s safe to say that the announcement of a Toyota GT3 vehicle release will cause high anticipation for any collector, owner, and enthusiast of the brand. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming release information on the all-new Toyota Gazoo Racing GR GT3 racecar. Click the link below to view all current Toyota models for sale on duPont REGISTRY. View All Toyota For Sale Toyota Source: Toyota

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2021

Watch STI Build the Ultimate Subaru BRZ

Did you expect anything less? Deep inside Subaru lies a dedicated team of engineers. Never content to allow a boring WRX or BRZ hang around their shop, they decided to work their magic on a new Subaru BRX for sale. This collaboration between Subaru and Toyota began with Scion. Toyota did the heavy engineering while Subaru supplied their latest flat-four cylinder engine. Most recently, Akio Toyoda forbid the launch of the GT86 to give it a unique personality compared to the BRZ, so Subaru has responded by allowing STI to work their magic. Either car is a great decision if you want a light coupe with incredible grip. Tell us which car you would choose in the comments below

By Andrew Nabors – April 05, 2021

2022 Toyota GR 86 Makes Driving Great Again

Low center of gravity and only 2,780 lbs! Colin Chapman always tried to add lightness wherever he could. Toyota is taking a page from his playbook with their new coupe. Getting back to their roots, the 2022 Toyota GR 86 makes driving great again. Subaru's continued support has yielded a new BRZ as a corporate cousin. Both cars sport a flat 2.4-liter and six-speed manual transmission. Although you only have 235 horsepower, riding on 215mm tires will make the experience as fun as a track day. Being able to run Subaru's flat engine keeps the center of gravity only inches off of the pavement. You will carve into each corner with confidence and it's fuel-efficient too. Click the button for all the details Shop Toyota image (C) Toyota USA

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

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