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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 Edward Jones – October 11, 2016

Nitrous-Injected Lamborghini Huracan Flies Down Drag Strip

"I need NOS. I need NOS. My car topped out at 140 mph this morning...I need one of these, one of the big ones. Actually, you know let's make it two." - Brian O'Conner, lover of the tuna fish sandwich and played by Paul Walker.Many were introduced to nitrous oxide injected cars thanks to Fast and Furious. And though many weren't able to inject their cars with nitrous oxide back in the day, they were able to do it virtually through Need for Speed: Underground.(See More FL2K Videos)But for those who have had the chance to drive a car that gets a little extra pep via nitrous shots know that they can throw you back into your seat. But what about when you put nitrous into a car that's already remarkably fast like the Lamborghini Huracan? In the video below you'll get to see a nitrous inject Huracan take on a Ford Lightning at the recent FL2K event. Click play to watch it, and try and guess the Huracan's nitrous shot for the chance to win a DragTimes shirt.Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 07, 2016

Facelifted 2017 Lamborghini Aventador Spied During Tests

While Lamborghini may not release new cars all of the time, aside from variants like the SuperVeloce, they at least do a great job at revitalizing their lineup with facelifts. The latest model that looks to be getting a facelift is the Aventador, per a video released by Supercarsfromeu.(Related - Xbox One Mustang, Lamborghini Centenario and Audi R8 Consoles)In this video we get a sneak peek at a new build of the Aventador as it tears up Nurburgring Nordschleife. If the build in the video is the real deal, expect the main changes to be made in the front and rear fascias. However, there may be some changes being made in the engine bay, which could spell out more power and a more capable Lamborghini.But, this is all speculation now so stay tuned for more info as it's released.View All Aventador For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2016

Teaching Mom How to Burnout in 1970 Oldsmobile 442

This mom's son posted this video on Reddit.com/r/cars last night, showing everyone how he taught his mom to burnout in her "new to her" 1970 Oldsmobile 442. That's one awesome mom.(Also Watch - Koenigsegg Regera Does 1,500 HP Burnout)He tries his hardest to show her how it's done, but she never truly got the hang of it. Some burnouts start with a little wheelspin, while others resulted in just a normal takeoff-- you've got to start somewhere! However, because of this, it also makes for a pretty darn entertaining and funny video. Check out the lesson below and give props to the awesome relationship this mom and son have.View All 442s For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2016

Chris Harris Reviews Porsche 911 R vs Aston Martin V12 Va...

Alright, I get it, a lot of you don't like Top Gear since Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond left. But, drop that train of thought for just a couple of seconds and think back to the time when Chris Harris was one of THE automotive YouTubers. Remember when we all used to enjoy all of his videos? Well, you still can enjoy him on YouTube, but now he has a bigger budget and they're being posted by the Top Gear channel. This is Chris Harris Drives.(Related - Chris Harris and Rory Reid Join Matt LeBlanc as Top Gear Hosts)In his latest video, Harris warms up his left foot for some three-pedal action with the Porsche 911 R and Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. The two cars each feature a manual gearbox, which is, unfortunately, a rarity in the year 2016. He takes the cars through some gorgeous back roads and out for some laps at the Anglesey Circuit. Which car did he like better: the V12 tourer or the flat-six German sports car? Click play on the video below to find out.View 911 R For Sale | View V12 Vantage S For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 05, 2016

Ducati and Lamborghini Celebrate Italian Heritage

Back on September, Lamborghini, Ducati and the Italian Air Force teamed up to celebrate "Passioni Tricolori," or Tricolour Passion if you're not familiar with the Italian language. At the event the three Italian forces combined for one at spectacular land and sea show, displaying what Italy is capable of.(Related - Driving $2 Million Worth of V12 Lamborghinis with Brett David of Prestige Imports)Lamborghini was on hand with their Aventador and Huracan Avio models, while the Ducati Desmosedici GP bikes rode alongside them. While these bikes and cars were laying down rubber, the Italian National Aerobatics Team performed stunts above them.Check out the video below to see the incredible event go down.View All Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 05, 2016

BMW M5 Races Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifolgio on Autobahn

Here in America, we dream of driving on the Autobahn and taking our cars to their limits. Why? Because in the States there's no span of road quite like Autobahn-- beautiful, spacious and with no speed limits (granted, some stretches of the road actually do have speed restrictions). For this reason, I'm envious of AutoTopNL, a YouTube channel that constantly uploads videos of them taking our dream cars to their limits on the Autobahn.(Related - Lamborghini Huracan Going 212 mph on the Autobahn)In their latest video, the channel took the BMW M5 (F10) out for a spin against the new Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. I'm no exactly sure just how fast they ended up going, but both cars have the ability to hit some high speeds. However, in the second video found below, they did attempt to hit the top speed of the Giulia, which is 190 mph.Check both videos out and remember to always follow your local traffic laws. These videos were filmed on the Autobahn, not your local road.View All BMW M5 For Sale | View All Alfa Romeo Giulia For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 05, 2016

2016 McLaren P1 GTR In-Depth Review and Start Up

If there is one guy on the internet that whose reviews I can watch over and over again, it has to be Saabkyle04. Each of his reviews are incredibly informative and in-depth, giving insight to cars you either want to buy or cars you dream to buy. His latest review has to be in the "cars you dream to buy" category.I'm talkin' about the McLaren P1 GTR.This hyper race car will most certainly go down in the automotive history books, just like its predecessors. McLaren has pushed the boundaries with this car, as they did with the F1 GTR. Because of the car's pedigree, it makes sense that SaabKyle04's review of the P1 GTR is quite lengthy and worth watching all the way through. Check it out by clicking play below, and do yourself a favor by subscribing to his channel.View All McLaren P1s For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2016

Ten of the Luckiest Nurburgring Drivers and Their Near-Cr...

The Nurburgring is known for many things, including historic races, record lap times and, of course, crashes. Now, I've seen all sorts of incidents at the "Green Hell," some that end in a broken down car and some that end with a driver thanking the gods he didn't crash.Today, we're going to look at a compilation of near-misses at Nurburgring, curated by AA Nordschleife Media. In the video, found below, you'll see cars of all types, mostly BMWs, doing the best they can to stay away from the walls.Click play on the video below to see just how lucky these drivers truly are.View Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2016

Koenigsegg Agera R vs Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse ...

Hypercar drag races will never get old. It doesn't matter which cars or racing, why they are driving, or who's driving. As long as the cars have over 1,000 hp, the race will be epic. One YouTube channel who specializes in races of the hypercar kind is GTBOARD.com. And their latest video shows off one of these videos. (Related - Ferrari 599 GTB vs Koenigsegg Agera R Drag Race) Uploaded today, this video pits the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse against the Koenigsegg Agera R. The two cars are similar in horsepower, with the Agera R having 1,140 hp on tap and the Grand Sport Vitesse sporting 1,200 hp. But, which car will run down the line quicker? To find out, click play below. View All Koenigsegg For Sale | View All Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 03, 2016

Nine Supecars Create Epic Half Mile Drag Race

If you live your life a quarter-mile at a time, you should probably stop reading. Half-mile and standing mile events are gaining popularity as an alternative to the traditional 1,320 ft of entertainment. To see how the word's fastest cars perform at triple-digit speeds, The Supercar Driver took advantage of a sunny day in England. We thought we had seen the world's greatest drag race last week, but this new format is fun to watch.Eight contenders were matched into pairs as evenly as possible, with each duo running a best out of three to eliminate driver error. More of a real-world test, battles like these are punishing to brakes and cooling systems with these back to back runs. The lineup was organized by TSD member MrJWW, and doesn't disappoint. A Porsche GT3 RS showed up to compete. McLaren was the only double team with the 570S and 675LT. Italy was represented by an F12berlinetta, LamborghiniA Porsche GT3 RS showed up to compete. McLaren was the only double team with the 570 S and 675 LT. Italy was represented by a Ferrari F12berlinetta, Lamborghini Huracan and Aventador SV. Only 100 examples of the Aston Martin GT12 were produced, but it still made an appearance and the vicious Vantage sounds imposing. Last but not least the Mercedes-AMG GT S was unassuming and surprising.Tell us if you like this format in the comments below and stay with us for more footage from the Supercar Driver.View All Exotic Car For Sale

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