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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 – 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 – May 15, 2017

Over $300 Million in Ferraris in One Place

If you are an Italian enthusiast who wasn't able to attend this year's Ferrari Cavalcade Classiche, Marchettino captured some amazing footage to fill the void. This year's event was attended by 70 owners from around the world. Many historically significant cars that attended included the second production model ever made, the 1947 Ferrari 125S owned by Jim Glickenhaus. As a perfect contrast, it wasn't far away from the latest LaFerrari Aperta. A tour of the museum was followed by a few parade laps around Fiorano, with the powerful V12s begging to run free.We thought we had seen everything at the Mondiali in Daytona, but nothing beats a homecoming of heroes. With pristine examples of the Ferrari 250, 275, 365, some Berlinettas, Barchettas and Spiders, this gathering had something for everyone. Marchettino estimates over 3 Million Euros worth of cars were in attendance, and our estimates are even higher. The logistics of moving so many priceless cars can be stressful, so we hope everyone made it home without a scratch. He has high-quality microphones, so turn up your speakers for this one. If you want in on the action, check out our pre-owned Ferrari for sale, & stay with us for more Ferrari Footage.

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2016

LaFerrari Aperta Launch Video is a Masterpiece

With the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta being just unveiled, the Italian brand has already produced and released one of the most fantastic release videos they've ever done.In this new video, we have our first chance to hear and see the LaFerrari Aperta in action. Granted, it sounds just like the coupe version of the LaFerrari. Driving the car for this video is none other than Ferrari racer Sebastian Vettel. As he drives it through the roads, he sees the LaFerrari Aperta reflecting in windows as F1 cars, 330 P4 and other iconic models, signifying the hypercar's true heritage.Check out the amazing video below and get ready to see the LaFerrari Aperta in real life very soon.View LaFerrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2016

LaFerrari vs KTM SuperDuke Tug-Of-War

Being challenged to a bout tug-of-war is the modern equivalent of a duel. Two gentlemen who agree to disagree, see no other way to settle their dispute than a test of tires and traction. For the owner of a LaFerrari, the dispute left him no other choice but to fabricate a trailer hitch and affix a chrome shin-destroyer ball. His opponent also chose rear wheel drive, in the form of a KTM SuperDuke. But having only one rear wheel could be a disadvantage.(Also Read: What 0-215 mph in a LaFerrari Looks Like)By the numbers, LaFerrari might have an advantage. Assuming a fully charged battery, it brings 950 hp and 664 lb-ft to the fight. On the other end of the rope is a new KTM 1290 SuperDuke R. It may look like an Enduro, but their latest Naked model has 1301cc V-twin sending 170 hp to a single sided swing arm. With 107 lb-ft of torque this two-wheeler is no slouch. Spinning tires are the great equalizer in these contests, because when both sides are smoking the challenge could go either way. Rear brake rotors and pads for the LaFerrari might cost more than a trailer hitch, so if you are in the market for a pre-owned example, avoid ones with the towing package.LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2015

Chris Harris' LaFerrari, 918 and P1 Ultimate Hypercar Tes...

Just this week, we've seen the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder in a 0-186 drag race and in another drag race including the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport and Pagani Huayra.Now, today, I bring to you an almost hour-long video from Chris Harris on Cars that pits the 918, LaFerrari and P1 against each other at the Portimao circuit in Portugal. Joining him are Tiff Needell of Fifth Gear and British racing driver Marino Franchitti.Honestly, I could talk about this video for hours and how it is such a fine piece of film. But, I'll just leave you with this: click the play button below and watch it now.You won't regret it. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2015

LaFerrari, P1, 918, Veyron and Huayra Drag Races and Fina...

Over the past weeks, Salomondrin has been releasing a videos series that pits the Bugatti Veyron, Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, Pagani Huayra and Porsche 918 Spyder against each other.The first video covered the preparation needed for the race. In the second video, they raced the cars at The Thermal Club's private track. Now, we finally have the final video in the three-part series. You can view this video below (NSFW language).In the video, we now get to see which of the five cars can win in a drag race. The cars went against each other in an elimination-style bracket, with the Veyron Super Sport being the final matchup. The results? Not terribly surprising.What was definitely surprising were the finals results of the lap times recorded in the second video.It's sad to see this series come to a close, but in the video's description he does note that Ferrari's "Big 5" will be the next. Stay with us to check out the video when it's released. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – November 19, 2015

Definitive LaFerrari vs P1 vs 918 Spyder 0-186 mph Drag Race

Accelerating from 0-186 mph is no joke, but the holy trinity of hypercars, the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder, handle this high-speed acceleration with ease.TheSupercarDriver has been testing the three cars in a three-part series, in order to see which would be crowned the champion. The first video tested the cars' ability to race around UK’s Silverstone National Circuit. In the second video, their 1/4 times were tested at the Santa Pod Raceway in Bedfordshire, England.Now, we have the third video, where we get to see which of the three hypercars can accelerate from 0-186 mph quickest. The video, uploaded on November 18, shows the cars at the Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome in Leicestershire, UK.Check out the video above to see how they perform for yourself. All I'll say is that one of them was in a league of its own. P1's For Sale (via YouTube)

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