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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 – July 26, 2017

Ford GT vs Camaro ZL1 At Mid Ohio

Being stuck behind a V6 in the fast lane is what living in Florida is all about. We didn't know it was a national problem until Luke McGrew uploaded his track footage to YouTube. From one Camaro owner to another, I feel his frustrations. But the car he was tailgating was no ordinary machine. The new Ford GT is a twin-turbo V6 that won LeMans in 2016. The carbon fiber chassis is motivated by 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. Following close behind was Luke in his 2017 Camaro ZL1. It borrows the supercharged 6.2 liter V8 from the Z06 Corvette. It offers 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.Also Check Out: Ken Block Tests New Ford GTThe Ford GT looks to be at a disadvantage in power, but the Camaro loaded with the 10-speed automatic weighs in at 4,100 lbs. The Ford GT is around 500 lbs lighter, and probably a bit more slippery thanks to its smaller size. Each car also makes power in different ways. Ford's EcoBoost engines need to rev in order to spool the turbos, but Chevy's belt-driven intake manifold has available boost at all times. The Ford owner had to pay a premium to get his car this early, as supplier issues are slowing down production. Both drivers need an award for taking their new cars to the track instead of lining up on the street. A little courtesy goes a long way, so always remember to let the faster cars pass you. Ok Ford fans and Camaro comrades, tell us what happened at the end and stay with us for more supercars in action.2004-2006 Ford GT Prices, Specs & Review

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2017

Look Inside the New Ford GT Order Kit

The team at Turn 10 Studios recently visited the Ford GT factory to get a glimpse of how their new American supercar would be made. However, before they even knew how their GT would look, they took delivery of an epic order kit for the car.In the kit is just about everything a Ford GT buyer needs to chose from when ordering their car. Molds painted in the various exterior colors are stacked, giving a perfect representation of how the finished product would look. Wheels with interchangeable brake calipers are also included, which look like they would be perfect for a high-end model car. Ford also has pads of interior materials, including the Competition and Heritage Edition palettes.As soon as Turn 10 Studios gets their hands on their Ford GT, we'll be sure to share it with you all.

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2017

Ken Block Tests the New 2017 Ford GT

Being one of the most prolific Ford drivers in recent history, Ken Block was invited to join last year's winning team at the 24 Hours of LeMans. The new Ford GT dominated LeMans last year, and they were poised to do so again this year. But the GTE class had brutal acts of attrition thanks to the Balance Of Performance rules, and Aston Martin won the day with Ford taking home 2nd place. As a Brand Ambassador and wheelman for Ford Performance, Ken Block took an early morning lap of the track in a prototype.Probably used to test suspensions and engine calibration, he was limited from going wide open by the engineers. They have probably seen his Gymkhana film series in which purpose-built Fords are subjected to nonstop abuse, and it might be too much to ask of the rare GT. We don't know the exact differences between the production car and the GTE racer, but the throaty exhaust is eerily reminiscent of another EcoBoost V6 found in Hennessey's Velociraptor 600. If you want to try this yourself, take a look at these Ford GTs for sale and dust off your helmet. Hopefully, this is a preview of the next Gymkhana, so stay with us for all your Ford Performance news.

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2017

See How the 2017 Ford GT is Made

Building any car is a complicated and difficult task, but even more so when the car is hand-built and a rolling work of art. For the new 2017 Ford GT, there are many builders working throughout the day to create the new-age American supercar.To give us a glimpse at what it takes to build the new Ford GT, Turn 10 Studios visited and filmed their visit to the factory where the supercar is being built. In the video, found below, you'll be walked through just about every stage of the car's production process. Two of the most interesting things mentioned in the video is the way the Heritage Edition is painted and the "monsoon test" that each car undergoes before it's shipped of to its respective customer.It takes a lot of work to build the Ford GT, but I'd sure like to shake each worker's hand and thank them for creating what is now my dream car.

By Andrew Nabors – May 16, 2017

John Cena Shows Off his Low Mileage Ford GT

If you are looking for a supercar for sale, there is no reason to not consider a pre-owned Ford GT. They are over-engineered from in every sense of the word, and nothing in the body or engine is irreplaceable. A local celebrity near Tampa, Florida who has a fine taste in automobiles is WWE Superstar John Cena. The Bella Twins are also hometown heroes, and John recently announced his engagement to Nikki Bella. Her YouTube uploads are a sneak peak behind the curtains of pro-wrestling, and it's nice to know that some celebrities know how to deal with being famous.04-06 Ford GT Horsepower, Prices & SpecsMr. Cena is passionate about his car collection, and it looks like he is meticulous when it comes to the details. He ordered his 2005 Ford GT with three of the four options that were made available originally. It has forged wheels, red calipers, and the McIntosh audio system, but stripes are nowhere to be found. The GT is devoid of graphics to keep it a mystery at a distance. It also makes the car incredibly rare to collectors. Like every other Ford fan, he is patiently waiting for the new Ford GT, so maybe this pristine example will head for the auction block. If you are looking for a nice used Ford GT, you could always challenge him to a Smackdown....Or you could save your life and find one from our dealers. Stay with us for the next installment of John Cena: Auto Geek.

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2017

Ford GT Sets New Top Speed Record at Texas Mile at 293.6 MPH

Top Speed racing pushes production cars faster than anyone intended, and they are gaining popularity around the world. One of the biggest gatherings takes place in Victoria, Texas and its known as the Texas Mile. Victoria Regional Airport was originally Foster AFB and it has a 1.7-mile runway that was used for pilot training. Last week a Heritage Edition Ford GT arrived with serious horsepower. Built by M2K Motorsports, it had previously reached 280 mph but they wanted more. Mike Kojima of MotoIQ was allowed unprecedented access to the car, and its details will take your breath away. via FacebookThe 5.4-liter engine retains the stock displacement, but that's about it. Starting at the top, Wilson fabricated a massive intake manifold with built in heat exchangers. Each cylinder is topped by twin 220-pound injectors....My injectors are 28.6 pounds so I had to pause for a minute. Giant injectors are needed because the car is running straight Methanol for fuel. One of the most dangerous liquids in racing, even a small amount can cause permanent blindness and neuro damage. It also burns with an invisible flame, so spilling it is not advised. Twin 85mm turbos feed 45 psi of boost to an engine with 13:1 compression.Ferraris For Sale Near Dallas via FacebookThis might seem like a recipe for destruction, but Methanol gets very cold when injected, so you can run as much compression as your crank will handle. To make sure the intake air is cold, the heat exchanger is fed by 40 gallons of ice water from a tank where the passenger seat once was. The factory dry sump oiling system was retained, but it now has 18 quarts to keep the bearings happy. Twin 66 mm wastegates are controlled by pressurized C02 from an onboard tank. What does this all add up to? As far as horsepower and torque, an accurate reading can't be made because no chassis dyno can handle it. The only aspect not disclosed is the differential ratio. Listen closely to the anti-lag system at launch. The car makes so much power that the twin 75 mm throttles can not be opened fully in first gear.First Gen Ford GT Horsepower & Complete SpecsWe congratulate M2K on this historic run, and in pushing the limits of street-legal cars. If you would like to attempt this in your Ford GT we have several to choose from. It will probably be a few years until someone does this to the new GT, so stay with us for more top speed news.

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2017

Ford GT Spins Out and Crashes Shooting for 200 mph

Update 3/1/2017 - Well, guys, it looks like the video has been taken down. If another one comes online, I'll be sure to switch it out. 2004-2006 Ford GT Prices, Specs & ReviewWhen you're looking to go up to 200 mph, there is always a chance that something catastrophic will happen. Most cars aren't meant to go anywhere near that speeds, while some are created with that rate of speed in mind. Originally, the Ford GT was released in 2005 with a top speed of around 205 mph. With this high top speed, it's safe to say Ford wasn't expecting too many owners to really hit that rate of speed. That being said, there are always a few that will reach for the stars.Related - Ford GT's Power Finally Revealed, Becomes Fastest Production Ford EverAt the recent Shifts3ctor California Airstrip Attack, a Ford GT driver was looking to reach 200 mph. This specific GT is referred to as "Black Mamba" and is actually a 1,500 bhp twin-turbo monster. Unfortunately, during one of his runs, he lost control and spun off of the track. During his spin out, the car smashed into a few objects, leaving the car damaged. Thankfully, the driver was uninjured. You can check out the spinout in the video below. Skip to 3:31 for the actual incident.Ford GT For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2015

Ford GT's Aerodynamics and Design Explained

If you need another reason to lust after the new Ford GT, some of the finer details of the body styling have been released.In a video uploaded December 1st to the Ford Performance YouTube page, Garen Nicoghosian, exterior design manager at Ford Motor Company, and Bernie Marcus, aerodynamicist, highlight how the design department worked together with engineering to build the latest American Supercar."When you start talking about the design of the Ford GT, it's never just "let's just sketch somethin' cool,"" said Nicoghosian in the video. "It's a celebration of material. It's a celebration of performance, of iconic style, of heritage, of the future of the company. And the role you play as the designer in a design team with a set of surfaces that are not just pleasing to look at, but deliver on all of these, that's a pretty sizeable challenge."Ford GTs For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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