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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 Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

Porsche Supercars Cruise Across Southern Germany

We are blessed to have amazing roads in all 50 states, but they don't compare to the history of driving in Deutschland. The ancient Kingdom of Bavaria comprises one-fifth of Germany, and it borders the Porsche family's Austrian hometown of Zell am See. The Black Forest was home to fierce tribes who kept Rome from expanding, and Lake Constance provides a picturesque border with Switzerland. These narrow, winding highways are why Porsche places such an emphasis on handling. In this latest shoot for CURVES Magazin, these Porsche supercars consist of the Carrera GT, Cayman GT4, 918 Spyder, and a 911 Turbo. Tell us your favorite in the comments below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2019

Porsche Top 5: 919 Hybrid Evo Features

Historians will look back at the Porsche 919 as truly revolutionary. Built to dominate the LeMans Prototype Class, it uses a V4 engine with a massive turbo that initially offered 500PS, or 493 horsepower. Lessons learned on and off the track eventually took the engine to 710 horsepower. By adding a 440 horsepower electric motor on the front end, total output was 1,160 horsepower! Another wild innovation was the hydraulic system. In addition to supporting the suspension, the high pressure actuators allowed the 919 to lean into each corner. It also offered precise control of the front and rear spoilers. Because the car corners with immense grip, they also used the same circuit to feed a beefy power steering system. The attributes of this car were taken from the development of the Porsche 918 Spyder, and it will probable influence whatever is coming next. Tell us your favorite feature of the 919 and stay with us for all your Porsche news. View All Porsche 918 Spyders For Sale Related: Porsche 919 EVO vs 911 GT2 RS on the Ring Porsche 919 EVO Attacks NYC

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2018

Porsche 918 vs LaFerrari in Father vs Son Drag Race

Most people buy hypercars and never push them to their limits. That can't be said of this Father vs Son drag race from the Turnpike Racing League. A Porsche 918 Spyder and a Ferrari LaFerrari represent five million dollars at the starting line. The 918 Spyder is given a head start because it is simply a faster car. Instead of heads-up racing where both cars leave together, this is a bracket race.The object is to cross the finish line at the same time, so that's why the 918 Spyder was given a head start. The reason why is obvious, the Porsche's 9.71 is over a second faster than the LaFerrari's 10.73. The Porsche makes 887 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque. The Ferrari has 949 horsepower but only 664 lb-ft of torque. As Mr. Shelby always said: "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races". And the other advantage for the Porsche is AWD. It has twin electric motors up front, each sending 82 horsepower to their own wheel. Both are destined to increase in value, so find yours in the links below.Porsche 918 Spyder For SaleFerrari LaFerrari For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=144&v=k5pYYXlP3_k

By Andrew Nabors – October 20, 2017

Porsche 918 Spyder & 911 R Having Fun At Thermal Club

If you are looking to have some fun in the desert, The Thermal Club is a private world-class motorsports resort in Coachella, California. Several manufacturers use if for testing, so you might run into upcoming models with unique camouflage. HRE Wheels likes to push their latest designs to their limits in the real world. Computer modeling only goes so far in wheel design. To make sure their products are the best in the world, they partner with customers to prove them on the track.Nineteen Porsche 918s Attack The AlpsIt could have been mere coincidence, but their film crew came across a matching pair of Porsches. The 918 Spyder and a 911 R were doing their best to get kicked out. Blasting by the hotel in the morning looks like a scene from Vanishing Point. As the weather has finally changed here in Florida, we look forward to playing with our cars this weekend. So take delight in the video below and join us at Cars & Coffee tomorrow morning at our headquarters. Have a great weekend!.

By Andrew Nabors – August 08, 2017

Nineteen Porsche 918 Spyders Attack the Alps

The hills are alive, with the sound of Porsches. A play on words from "The Sound of Music" the Alps make a perfect setting for beautiful films. Steep mountain roads are the perfect place to show off a hypercar, so Porsche gathered 19 lucky owners to attack 25 scenic Alpine Passes. In the year 218 BC, Hannibal crossed the same mountains with soldiers and a herd of elephants heading for Rome. But the invasion proved to be too much for men and beasts, and only 1 animal survived the warPerhaps horses would have been a better choice. That's why Porsche's forces consist of 16,853 horsepower. The 918 Spyder is the state of the art in AWD V8 Hypercars. Its twin-turbo 4.6-liter engine doesn't get tired at high altitudes, and the electric motors are easily charged on the downhill runs. No incline is too steep for 944 lb-ft of torque, so Porsche used this incredible gathering to film one of the best advertisements they've done in a while. Only 918 examples were produced, so the odds of this happening again are slim. An Alpine adventure is the best way to beat this relentless summer weather, so turn up your audio and listen to Porsche's hypercar in action. We have 918 Spyders for sale, so take a look at our listings and stay with us for all your Porsche updates.

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2017

Hot Laps At LeMans in a Porsche 919 Hybrid

After Cars & Coffee this Saturday, we will be glued to coverage of the 85th running of LeMans. The brutal 24-hour race pushes drivers and machines to their limits, and last year it was dominated by the Porsche 919 Hybrid. It is either a logical evolution of the 918 Spyder, or else the Spyder evolved from racing, but that is a chicken vs egg story for another day. If you would like to get familiarized with the track before the race, LeMans Winner Marc Lieb will take you on a virtual lap of the track.Also Check Out: Porsche 918 Spyder For SaleIf you are wondering why the car is relatively quiet inside, its because the 919 Hybrid uses a turbocharged V4 instead of a V8. Racing in the class known as LeMans Prototype (LMP), the cars have to be small and light so a V8 is out of the question. The four-cylinder is boosted to 500 horsepower for the rear wheels. That's not enough to win the race, so the turbos are also generators that power a 400 horsepower electric motor on the front end. A featherweight with 900 horsepower must be a blast to drive, so find 3D goggles and get ready for a wild ride. Stay with us for all your Porsche news and LeMans updates.

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2016

Porsche 918 Spyder vs London Police

With over 20 miles of electric cruising range, Porsche's 918 Spyder has the ability to sneak up on you. But if you wrap it in a green and black livery, don't expect to fly under the radar in any urban setting. JWT Supercars is an English YouTube page devoted to catching exotics in action, and they spotted a bright green 918 under inspection from London's finest. We have no idea why a Kuwait license plate would rouse the suspicions of the constables, but perhaps the microscopic front plate is against city rules.(Related - Man Hits 88 MPH in His DeLorean: Gets Ticket Instead of Traveling Through Time)For all of our fans who live in states that require a front-facing license plate, you can empathize with this owner. Parking against the flow of traffic, the presumptive owner is overheard discussing his options with Metro Police Constables. London has a congestion tax for drivers who enter the city, and it is based on automatic plate recognition. The foreign plate is probably not in their system, which flags every car who is not in the system. It costs £11.50 daily to enter the city during weekdays, and the tax helps provide maintenance to the ancient roads. It seems like a relative bargain compared to the NJ Turnpike or Florida's SunPass network, but the UK subsidizes their roads through other means. If you own a 918 Spyder you probably have the means to pay any fine, but if you haven't added one to your collection please take a look at the listings from our dealers below. Stay with us for more candid supercar footage.All Porsche 918 Spyder For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 12, 2016

How to Store the Roofs of the Porsche Carrera GT and 918 ...

Unlike the conventional convertible, targa-top and some hard-top vehicles can't become top with just the push of a button. No, instead you usually have to exit the vehicle, remove the top and store the panel somewhere. For the Porsche Carrera GT and 918 Spyder, that somewhere is found in their small front boot.(Related: New Hybrid Porsche Panamera Model Revealed)To show everyone how you actually store the tops on these cars, Speedracer38 uploaded a video to YouTube, which can be viewed below. In the video we see the entire removal and storage process for the Carrera GT. Essentially, it's as easy as popping off the panels and fitting them in their respective spots up front. As for the 918 Spyder, we only see where where and how the panels are stored, minus the initial removal process. Check out the video below, because you never know when you might need this bit of info in the back of your pocket! n]

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 06, 2016

Who Wins? The Porsche 918 Spyder or an Airplane?

Generally, determining the winner of a race between a car and a plane is a no-brainer, but when pitting a Porsche 918 Spyder against a Zivko Edge 540 V3 aircraft, the outcome isn't so clear. The guys at GRIP - Das Motormagazin wanted to see which vehicle would win, so they pulled the 918 Spyder out to the Zweibrucken airport for a ride down the straightaway against the aircraft.(Electric Hypercar Crushes LaFerrari and Tesla Model S in Race)Driven by Matthias Malmedie, the German television show's test driver, the 918 Spyder sails down the runway reaching over 186 mph thanks to its hybrid engine, which pumps out an unprecedented 887 horsepower and 940 lb-ft of torque.So, who do you think won? Check out the video below to find out!

By Edward Jones – February 04, 2016

Porsche 918 Spyder RSR Races Stunt Plane and Hits 170 mph...

There's no doubting the Porsche 918 Spyder's power. It comes with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that's coupled with an electric powertrain, resulting in a power output of 887 hp and 944 lb-ft of torque. Impressive.But does this power translate into performance? I think we all know the answer to that question by now.Showing the car's true power are the two videos found below of the 918 Spyder RSR displaying its true power. The first video is of this 918 racing against a stunt plane. Honestly, it's one heck of a video when the race actually happens, which is towards the end. The second video shows the driver taking the 918 for a few runs on the highway, stating a speed of 170 mph (we do not the condone the act of speeding on public roads; always follow your local traffic laws).Porsche For Sale

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