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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 – March 06, 2017

Ferrari 458 Speciale Crashes During Wet Track Day

Update: Looks like the video has been made private. I'll update this article if it's reuploaded. Near Marseille, France is a track called the Circuit Paul Ricard. This track measures in at 19,229 feet long with a massive straight interrupted by an S-curve and a shape that's quite elongated. Recently, a car styling company was out on this circuit in their BMW M3 (E92) when a Ferrari 458 Speciale came zooming past them. Then, all hell broke loose.With 597 hp on tap, thanks to a 4.5-liter V8 engine, the 458 Speciale has some serious power in its wheels. If not kept in check during unfavorable conditions, spinouts can happen. Unfortunately for one driver on the Circuit Paul Ricard, this is exactly what happened.After passing the BMW, which was recording their lap, the black 458 Speciale spun out and hit a wall. There was no word as to the driver's status, but it didn't seem like a life-threatening accident. Albeit, it may have been a Ferrari ending accident. Check the crash out in the video below.Ferrari 458 Speciale For SaleView All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 23, 2016

Ferrari Driver Sets Record on Crazy Mountainside Roadway

In China, Tianmen Mountain is home of one of the most dangerous roadways. The 6.8 mile drive sits at a crazy elevation, and is home to 99 turns, most of which require the driver to complete a 180-degree turn to get through. The winding roadway is definitely not for the faint of heart or the novice driver. In the video below Italian race car driver, Fabio Barone Mihaela, takes on the daunting task of racing from the top of the mountain to the bottom where a crowd awaits in a Ferrari 458.(Related - What to Wear When You Drive: Bianco Avus Ferrari 488 GTB)Zipping through the turns and gunning it on the straightaways, Mihaela makes the drive look near effortless. He braved hairpin turns (30 of them) and edge of the mountain turns like the pro he is, and he made it to the end of the course in 10 minutes and 31 seconds. Thanks to some modifications made to his vehicle, Mihaela was able to achieve greater speeds than he would have normally. Check out the video below for the full effect.View All Ferrari 458 For SaleView All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

By Edward Jones – August 08, 2016

Classic Mercedes-Benz Drives Onto Ferrari 458 Speciale

When driving around exotic cars, you always run the risk of being involved in a very expensive accident. Whether you're on the road with them or in a parking lot, it always pays to look twice and be more cautious than normal. Unfortunately, a driver of a Mercedes-Benz 380SL Roadster at a car show in Great Falls, Virginia ended up on top of a Ferrari 458 Speciale.We're not exactly sure what happened, but it looks like the driver of the Mercedes was backing into a spot by way of parallel parking. And then, some way or another, too much gas was given and then back end of the German classic made its way on top of the Italian supercar. Honestly, I feel bad for both parties in this situation. The driver of the Mercedes made a mistake that anyone could make, while the owner of the Ferrari now has to deal with a repair.(Also Check Out - Audi R8 Almost Crashes at the Ring With Epic Save)In the video below, by Maryland & Virginia Cars, we see the aftermath of the accident. Upon seeing what had happened to his car, the owner of the Ferrari was more than displeased (NSFW language), while the driver of the Mercedes was visibly shaking. At least we can be thankful that nobody was hurt during the accident.While the damage done to the 458 Speciale does not look extensive, there will surely be an expensive repair bill coming. Let this serve as a reminder to always keep an extra eye out when driving around expensive cars and be as cautious as possible.View 458 Speciales For Sale View All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

By Edward Jones – February 25, 2016

Ferrari 458 vs Lamborghini Huracan Rev Battle

The Ferrari vs Lamborghini battle has been going on for ages, and every person has their say on the matter. This rivalry is why we see so many videos of models from the two automakers being compared against each other.The latest video comes from NM2255, who recorded a Ferrari 458 Italia and a Lamborghini Huracan facing off in a rev battle. From the 458 we hear the power from the 4.5-liter V8 being poured out of the three exhaust tips. Beside it, the Huracan treats us all to the sounds of it 5.2-liter V10, courtesy of its quad-exhaust setup.Check out the video below and let us know which car you think sounded better in the comments below. Ferrari 458s For Sale | Lamborghini Huracans For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2015

Santa in Ferrari 458 Hands Out Gifts to Kids

For those who celebrate Christmas, this time of the year can be both stressful and exciting.It can be stressful because we tend to find ourselves in a craze, worrying about the presents you want to buy and making sure everyone around you has a great holiday.But, it can be very exciting.Every year, millions of people get excited for Christmas because this holiday always brings those fond childhood memories of getting gifts, hanging up ornaments or even getting to see Santa.It's these memories that need to be fueling our passion for Christmas, not the thought of buying endless amounts of gifts. And it seems like the YouTube channel RichKidsTV took a break from their prank videos to make some memories for unsuspecting kids.In a video uploaded on December 14, they drove around town in a Ferrari 458 Italia with Santa behind the wheel. And, with as many gifts as they could fit in the 458's front boot, they handed out presents to kids they passed by.Even if you're not a fan of their channel, you have to admit that it's nice to see the looks on the kids faces when Santa pulls up in a Ferrari and hands them a gift out of nowhere.Just imagine if you were a kid and Santa not only pulled up in a 458, but gave you a gift out of it. That's a memory you'd probably never forget. And we appreciate these guys for taking a moment to make some memories for kids during the holidays.Remember to take some time out of your day this Christmas to give, whether it's to someone in need, someone you love or someone you don't even know at all. These acts of giving are how you can not only create special memories for yourself, but for those around you.Ferrari 458s For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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