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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 – October 22, 2018

Jaguar F-Type SVR vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon

If you have the ability to send power to all wheels, why not put it to work? Say what you want about AWD fans, the only downside is tire wear and less mileage. For a quick refresher, the differences between 4WD and AWD are in having multiple range transfer cases along with many 4WD models being able to cruise in 2WD mode. This has pushed AWD technology into the forefront, with such novelties as electronic differentials and torque vectoring allowing more grip than anyone thought possible. When it comes to racing, that extra traction goes a long way. So, the folks at carwow decided to compare a Jaguar F-Type SVR against the latest Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagen. Fighting for England, the Jaguar arrives with a supercharged 5.0-liter making 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The opponent is a Teutonic Twin-Turbo with 4.0-liters. It offers 612 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, but with the added weight of an E-Class wagon to deal with. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and stay with us for all your exotic car updates. View All Mercedes For Sale View All Jaguar For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 22, 2018

Best Wrecks and Saves of Nurburgring in Last 3 Months

If your car and abilities have outgrown your local track, perhaps it's time to consider a trip to the Nürburgring. Sometimes a German translation is simply funny, and the Touristenfahrten is no exception. With cameras placed at the most challenging point of the 'Green Hell', the crew from TOP Nürburgring Videos recorded the most sensational compilation over the last 3 months. This footage speaks for itself, but there are a few conclusions we can make: New Tires Are A Must Check Your Suspension Bushings Check Them Again Buy A Rollback & Move To Germany! Crashes are an inevitable scenario in our hobby. The final destination for many of these will be the crusher, so get ready to cringe as these exotics are smashed. Racing is a great way to enhance your skills, so click the link below to find your new ride and stay with us for all your 'Ring footage.View Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 19, 2018

Nissan GT-R Nismo and Porsche 911 GT3 RS Compared in Race

We've seen some unlikely comparisons, but this one is among the best. The BBC program 5th gear delights in pushing the latest supercars to their limits, but this race will surprise you. Germany and Japan went head-to-head on a wet Welsh track. The first is the lastest naturally-aspirated Porsche. The 911 GT3 RS has 520 horsepower sent to the rear wheels for $187,500. Nissan's latest GT-R Nismo is 600 horsepower beast with a sticker price of $175,490. It has a potent AWD system which makes it 485 lbs heavier than the Porsche.Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo is Heading to ProductionWith less than $10,000 difference, every other attribute is the opposite. From a twin turbo 3.8-liter mounted up front, the Porsche has a 4.0-liter flat six that is naturally aspirated and mounted behind the rear wheels. Porsche's transaxle is mounted directly to the engine, while Nissan uses a torque tube to the rear-mounted transmission a driveshaft to power the front wheels. What does this mean on a drizzly day? Watch the video below to find out. View Porsche GT3 RS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 18, 2018

Porsche 911 GT2 RS in 4K by Carfection

Years from now, we will look back at Henry Catchpole as one of the greatest automotive personalities. His Carfection films are more than just a review. He digs deep into the emotions released by the experience while telling the story of each car. This week he chose to take on the greatest Porsche so far, the 991.2 series GT2 RS.Porsche GT2 RS Price, Specs & ReviewHaving driven the GT3 RS, he instantly makes note of the additional 88 lbs of weight. Engineers dialed in more suspension to compensate, but many parts are shared between the two. Most importantly are the control arms and rear-steering. They have no rubber bushings, and the ball joints transmit all the right vibes into the cockpit. The Weissach package includes 21" mag wheels, a titanium roll cage, and it borrows the comfortable racing seats from the 918 Spyder. I had no idea Porsche is using water injection to cool the intake, and the front-mounted reservoir is a work of art. With almost 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, it could be easy to lose your composure in front of the camera, but this car speaks for itself. If you think you can handle it, click the link below and stay with us for all your Carfection uploads.View Porsche GT2 RS For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2018

See How the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ's Insane Aero System

Lamborghini's ALA 2.0 (Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva) is the latest iteration of their aerodynamics system. This new system was used in the Aventador SVJ in order to make it more competent on the track and it seemed to have worked quite well. How do I know? How about the fact that it's the quickest car around Nurburgring. While Lamborghini has mentioned this new system in the past, we haven't had a good chance to see how it really works. Thankfully, Lamborghini is in the business of showing off and put out a video (found below) that gives us the secrets of how this new system works.After watching the video, I can easily say that Lamborghini's aero engineers are serious about taking their cars to the next level. The new ALA 2.0 has a clear centerpiece and it's the rear active aero that's located under the rear wing, smack dab in the middle. It has two flaps that can open up independently depending on the situation. Seriously, just watch the video below and check out how crazy this new system is. View All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 15, 2018

Loud Nissan GT-R Gets Banned from Nurburgring

The Nurburgring is a special place on Earth where cars of all size, shapes and power can come together to unleash their inner beasts. Two such cars that were recently taking on "Green Hell" included a Porsche 911 GT2 RS and a heavily-modified Nissan GT-R that can throw down 760 horsepower. I should mention that the 911 GT2 RS is the second fastest car around Nurburgring, being bested recently by the new Lamborghini Aventador SVJ's lap time.A video (found below) shows the aforementioned 911 GT2 RS chasing the modified GT-R around the lengthy track. The two weave by cars and fly around corners in almost unison, but the Porsche never makes it in front of the Nissan. It's a really great video to watch, especially if you need to relax for a few minutes.However, it wasn't too relaxing for the driver of the GT-R after a couple of laps. According to the YouTube channel that uploaded the video, the GT-R was banned from Nurburgring on account of being too loud (134 dB). View 911 GT2 RS For Sale 911 GT2 RS Specs

By Edward Jones – October 11, 2018

Ken Block's New Gymkhana Show Gets a Trailer

The Gymkhana videos on YouTube have become more popular with every new entry that's released. Each one shows of Ken Block's drifting mastery in unique ways, like drifting on a barge or flying through old movie sets. Now, a new Amazon Prime Video show called "The Gymkhana Files" will delve into the Gymkhana videos. In this new series, viewers and fans get a chance to see what it takes to make a Gymkhana video.Gymkhana Seven: Wild in the Streets of Los AngelesAmazon Prime Video has put out a new trailer that gives us a taste of what to expect in the upcoming series. The trailer shows interviews with the crew and some wild behind-the-scenes footage. It also shows what it takes to make a viral video like Gymkhana while simultaneously chasing first place in the World Rallycross Championship."The Gymkhana Files" will be airing on Prime Video on November 16th.Get Amazon Prime

By Edward Jones – October 11, 2018

SUV vs Supercar: Tesla Model X Races Ferrari 812 Superfast

For some reason, every time I see a "Tesla vs supercar" video, I expect the Tesla to win. And that's probably because there are so many videos on YouTube of Teslas doing that very thing. It's become a trend to show off the electric cars taking down what is known of as supercars. I'll admit, it's entertaining to watch a four-door sedan or SUV take down an exotic car in a drag race. So when DragTimes uploads a video of a Ferrari 812 Superfast taking on a Tesla Model X P100D, for some reason, I just expected the Model X to win and surprise me. Well, not today.In the race below, the Model X was just no match for the 812 Superfast's incredibly powerful V12 engine. The Model X SUV may have had the holeshot at the beginning, but once the Ferrari got going, it just kept accelerating at a crazy rate. The performance of both cars can easily be explained by the power output of each vehicle. For example, the Model X P100D packs 588 hp and 920 lb-ft of torque. With that much torque, it makes sense it would get the holeshot. However, its horsepower pales in comparison to the 812 Superfast's 790 horsepower.McLaren 720S Supercar Races Tesla Model S P100DThis video is just a lesson that Teslas won't always beat their competition. That being said, the Model X did manage to lay down a quarter-mile time of 11.341 @ 117.48 mph, which is incredible for a stock SUV that weighs over 5,000 lbs. View Ferrari 812 Superfasts For Sale View Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs

By Edward Jones – October 10, 2018

Wild Drone Video of Corvette Drifting Took Serious Skill

Owning a drone, I know that flying them can be difficult at first; there's definitely a steep learning curve when it comes to maneuvering a drone for the right shots. So when I see a skilled drone pilot in action, I realize that I still have so much to learn. Take this video from HeatWaveVisual, for instance. Not only is the drone flying absolutely incredible, but the drifting action of the 1,060 horsepower Corvette is also top-tier.In the video, we get a chance to follow the Corvette through winding mountain roads, thanks to the skilled flying of the drone pilot. The pilot manages to bring in the drone for some close-up shots of the drifting action while the car is moving at a decent rate of speed.If you've ever fancied yourself a flyer of drones, you need to check out this video. It's a great showcase on what kind of crazy footage can be captured through the eyes of a proficient drone pilot.Shop DJI Drones Now

By Edward Jones – October 10, 2018

Electric Audi Race Car Sets World Record for Fastest Car ...

Not too long ago I wrote about the Schaeffler 4ePerformance Concept. This car was created by Shaeffler Group, an engineering partner and supplier for automobile manufacturers, as well as a sponsor of the Audi Sport ABT Formula E team. The concept race car is powered by four Formula E motors that were borrowed from the ABT Schaeffler FE01 Formula E racing car. The result is 1,183.5 horsepower that can be commanded at a moments notice, making this a lightning-quick car.The driver of the car, Daniel Abbot, a professional Formula E racing driver, knows that this concept car is quick when going forward. But what about in reverse? Abbot and his team decided to see just how fast they could take the car in reverse down a long stretch of tarmac. Funny enough they ended up setting a new world record. For reference, the previous record for the fastest car in reverse was set by a Nissan leaf at Goodwood that hit 92 mph. Abbot crushed that record. Check out the new record down below!I should note I haven't seen official word from the Guinness Book of World Records regarding the new record. View Audis For Sale

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