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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 – December 20, 2018

Lamborghini Urus vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo S POV Race

What are your considerations in shopping for a super SUV? If you want V8 power with twin turbos, the Lamborghini Urus is the hottest model on the market. But it shares a majority of its parts with the Porsche Cayenne and the Bentley Bentayga. While they are each assembled in their own plants, they are all corporate cousins in the VW Group. Fastest SUVs In The World Also shared among them is engine technology. Bentley advertises the 4.0-liter Bentayga V8 at 540 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo is rated at 550 horsepower and 570 lb-ft. Nothing too shocking here. But when they decided to build a Lamborghini SUV, engineers gave it a new top end. Revised cylinder heads, cams and a bit of secret sauce help the Urus to offer 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. For those outside the US, look for an Audi RS Q8 with the same specs. To see how that translates to acceleration, our friends at AutoTopNL put them to the test. It might seem like a Camaro vs Firebird debate, so you tell us which one you would choose in the comments below. Related: View All Lamborghini Urus For Sale View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale View All Bentley Bentayga For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 19, 2018

2018 Ford GT vs Lamborghini Aventador Race in the 1/4 Mile

It isn't smart to take a new Ford GT to the track. That's why our friend Brooks from DragTimes has made sure his car is properly broken in. He has been teasing us with this run for months, and unlike other owners, he puts miles on his cars. Palm Beach International Raceway is a perfect venue despite Florida's persistent humidity. Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile Cars The crew from DragTimes decided to fully document the run, so the car was fitted with telemetry from VBOX. It will allow them to see 0-60, 0-100 MPH, and even 100-200 KPH. A friend with a Lamborghini Aventador came along, but he resisted the urge to use "Thrust Mode" in order to preserve the single-clutch transmission. With a fully prepped track, the Ford GT's launch control offered a conservative 60' time of 1.78, not bad for street legal tires! The Aventador's roll racing shows just how capable a V12 can be against a twin turbo V6, so tell us what you think of this action in the comments below and stay with us for all your DragTimes updates! Related: Great Incentives on 2018 Lamborghini Aventadors 2018 Ford GT Price, Specs & Review

By Edward Jones – December 11, 2018

See How Fast the New Ferrari 812 Superfast Can Hit 200 MPH

The New Ferrari 812 Superfast is a wicked front-engined supercar that sits as the successor to the F12berlinetta. It's powered by a massive 6.5-liter V12 engine that can push out 789 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated engine the Italian automaker has ever produced. When the 812 Superfast was released, Ferrari touted that it could rocket from 0 to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. Generally speaking, running 0 to 60 mph in under three seconds is a feat that definitely should be touted. But how long does it take for the 812 Superfast to reach a speed of say... 200 mph? To test this, Auto Bild Sportscars took an 812 Superfast to a testing facility and launched the Italian berlinetta down a straightaway. The result is pretty astonishing. Check it out for yourself by clicking play on the video below. View Ferrari 812 Superfasts For Sale Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs

By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2018

Lamborghini Races Against 1,000 HP Sleeper BMW

Owning a fast car can feel like a nice achievement in life. That is until you get passed by a 30-year-old beater making 1,000 horsepower. BMW's E21 chassis was the 3 Series from 1975 to 1983. The engines were indestructible, but the bodies were prone to serious rust problems. Cash 4 Clunkers killed off the remaining examples so you will be hard pressed to see a running example in the US. They weren't exactly fast in factory form, which makes them great for building a brutal sleeper. GTBoard.com came across just such a car, making a reported 1,000 horsepower to the rear wheels. If you have considered building one, check out these pre-owned BMW 3 Series. The best way to test that claim is rolling up on a used Lamborghini LP-700 Aventador for a high-speed run. You might think that any car with four-digit power would walk away from any street car, but usually ridiculous turbos are needed to make such power. Much like single turbo Supra builds, straight six engines are hard pressed to get a big turbo moving. So, it allows an AWD V12 supercar to walk away without much effort. However, never underestimate the potential of a $30,000 engine in a cheap car. Since Lamborghini only builds naturally aspirated cars, the differential ratio is optimized to make power in every gear. But the BMW was engineered during the fuel crises of the 70's, and it was geared to save fuel at all times. Hopefully, the owner modified the rear axle to handle all the new power, but it definitely has the wrong gears. Making 1,000 horsepower is irrelevant if it only arrives above 150 mph. A win is a win, but getting dragged like a garden hose is not a fun way to lose. Tell us which car you would daily drive and stay with us for more high-speed action. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2018

Porsche 911 GT3 Crashes Hard Going 152 MPH at Nürburgring

Have you ever pushed your Porsche 911 too hard? The helpless feeling that comes after you've lost control is usually stopped by drifting along with the spin, unless you are going 152 mph. Such was the case with a recent Porsche GT3 and its owner at Touristenfahrten 2018. Everyone wants a 996-series GT3 (1999-2005) because they are easily converted from street-legal to hardcore track monster. The undulating pavement of the Old North Loop makes even the best cars go airborne. Being that the driver stripped out most of the interior, we are probably riding in a 2,800-lb car with at least 400 horsepower. Our friends at TOP Nürburgring Videos allowed us to ride along as the driver was startled by a caution flag. Applying the brakes while it was airborne caused the unfortunate car to land with the rear wheels locked up. Thankfully the incredible engineering of the 911 and the latest in safety gear allowed him to walk away. Once you are past the limit, always take your hands off the wheel. Going this fast will transform a steering wheel into a meat grinder. Tell us about your worst crash in the comments below, and find a Porsche GT3 near you!. View All Porsche GT3 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2018

Lamborghini Urus vs Tesla Model X P100D Results in New Wo...

Even the fastest production muscle cars considered 13 seconds to be blistering in the old days. Now we live in an age where 12's are embarrassing. So what happens when the world's fastest SUVs line up at Palm Beach International Raceway? Our friend Brooks is able to find the latest exotic cars for sale, and he was able to arrange this world-record attempt. The electrical powerhouse arrived in the form of Tesla's most potent Model X. It has 588 horsepower and a whopping 920 lb-ft of torque from 0-130 mph. Batteries aren't light, so it tips the scales at 5,700 lbs. An Italian opponent is the Lamborghini Urus. It uses a 4.0-liter V8 and twin turbos to make 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. With a curb weight of 4,850 lbs, they ditched the floor mats and made sure the fuel level was low. Tell us which one you would drive in the comments below, and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Related: Lamborghini Urus Screams Through the Netherlands Tesla Model X vs Ferrari 812 Superfast

By Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2018

3500 Horsepower Nissan GT-R: World's Most Powerful

Why has the Nissan GT-R been in production for 11 years? Because the aftermarket keeps pushing them into uncharted territory. Extreme Turbo Systems is based in Vancouver, Washington and they have unleashed a 3,500 horsepower GT-R on the world. While we don't know the specific details of the build, their video speaks for itself. Nissan GT-R50 Will Be $1 Million Most GT-R tuners delete the AWD system to save weight, but at these power levels it doesn't matter. Pushing enough boost to blow the intake pipe off, the dyno shows over 3,000 horsepower to all wheels. This allowed the car to pull a wheelie almost to the 60' mark. The 1/8th mile disappeared in 4.5 seconds at 172 mph. But he stayed on the throttle for a 6.88 @ 222.9 mph. (Article Originally Published on Aug 1, 2018) What we have here is a six-cylinder street-legal Nissan that is capable of outrunning many NHRA Pro-Stock record holders. The problem is in downforce, as you see the car get loose on shutdown. Going faster than a NASCAR restrictor-plate car, the driver is lucky it didn't go airborne. Congrats to the team, and click the link below to find your GT-R. Browse Nissan GT-R For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 29, 2018

See the Entire Evolution of Lamborghini Models

Lamborghini was founded back in 1963 to compete with sports car companies like Ferrari. Since then, the Italian automaker has released a lengthy list of models that have been automotive icons. In a new video from the YouTube channel Cars Evolution, we see the evolution of Lamborghini models take place right before our very eyes. The video goes through the first model, the 350 GT and ends with the newly released Urus SUV. As the video takes you through each model, you'll learn interesting facts, like that the Jarama was the last front V12 GT made by Lamborghini or that the LM002 SUV had the same 5.2-liter V12 that the Countach used. It's a very educational video and a must-watch for all Lamborghini fans. Check it out below! Top 5 Celebrity Car Collections

By Andrew Nabors – November 20, 2018

Barn Find Hunter Uncovers $4,000,000 Of Classics

Life happens, and sometimes it forces car enthusiasts to put their collections aside. Time moves on, and even the most coveted classics are abandoned. Barn Find Hunter is a YouTube Series that scours the country looking for lost exotics. Going by local rumors and hearsay, they discovered a treasure trove hidden in the hills of North Carolina. In a garage slated to be demolished, a friend of the owner informs them it hasn't been opened since 1991. Inside they find a Triumph TR6 next to a V8-powered Morgan. These are rare, but they don't compare to an original 427 Shelby Cobra. It might look identical to the 289 versions, but we learn Mr. Shelby scaled up the design by using 4" chassis tubing instead of 3". This was done to handle the weight of the big block engine, which is actually a 428. That is a story for another day, and we're sure we'll see this 19,000-mile Cobra again. Great Deals On Ferrari 458 For Sale The star of this collection was the silver Ferrari, covered in years of dust and mouse poo. The 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/2 was ordered with the single overhead cam engine, which was less expensive and easier to maintain than the race-spec GTB/4, which sported dual overhead cams. Ordered with blue vinyl instead of leather, it also sports alloy wheels instead of the optional Borrani wires. A glimpse of the odometer is breathtaking, as this 50-year-old car has only been driven 13,000 miles. The hottest trend in the auction world is to sell cars like this as-is, the dirtier the better. Tell us about your barn find stories in the comments below and stay with us for more great exotic cars for sale. Browse Classic Cars For Sale Originally Published on January 30,2018

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2018

Sad: Watch a Ferrari 458 Get Crushed

Having something you love ripped away from you and then ripped apart is not an enjoyable event. For one YouTube user, Zahid Khan, this is exactly what happened but that "something" happened to be his prized Ferrari 458 Spider. Khan uploaded a video to YouTube of his 458 Spider being ripped apart after police seized his car. He says in the video's description that the car was crushed" unlawfully" and the video of the destruction was released one year after the fact. The video's description tells a story that's quite complicated regarding the seizing and destruction of the car, and it also proclaims that police went behind his back and had the car destroyed days for a hearing regarding the matter. A commenter on the video does seem to shed some light on the matter, noting that Ferrari North Europe has been tweeting about the matter (an unverified Twitter account). Apparently, this Twitter account says that "the car was written off, after a previous serious accident. It should never have been allowed back on the road. Police rightfully crushed it." This account also says that the most recent owner "drove it illegally on false plates." There has no official word from Ferrari regarding the matter. However, this looks more like an issue between the insurance company and police, rather than the automaker. For that, West Midlands Police, according to Birminghammail.co.uk, said that the car was crushed because it had no valid insurance and was classified as a Category B vehicle. For those unaware, a Category B vehicle is one that is unroadworthy. " width="680"> Originally Published on March 20, 2018

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