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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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 07, 2016

Tesla Model S and BMW i8 Face Off on Autobahn

When testing out the speed and acceleration of a vehicle, the Autobahn is the perfect place to do so. In the video below, AutoTopNL decided to pitch the BMW i8 against the Tesla Model S in Ludicrous mode.The electric and hybrid motors go head to head to see which one accelerates faster and which one has a higher top speed. If you could guess, which one do you think accelerates to top speed faster? Here are the specs on each vehicle.Tesla Model S P90 D Specs Engine: Electric Horsepower: 469 or 539 (Ludicrous) 0-60: 3.3 seconds or 3.0 seconds (Ludicrous) Top Speed: 145 mph BMW i8 Specs Engine: 1.5-liter 3-cylinder Horsepower: 362 combined 0-60: 4.4 seconds Top Speed: 145 mph The Tesla Model S is known for its unprecedented performance among electric motors, but can it beat out a hybrid when put to the test? Check out the full video below and let us know what you think. Did you guess correctly as to which would win? Tesla Model S For SaleBMW i8 For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

Decorate Your Donut with... A 370Z? #NationalDonutDay

It's National Donut Day and naturally, we have the delectable treat on our minds.Donut decorating can be a fun past time with limitless possibilities. Frosting, sprinkles, designs, you dream it and you can do it. But how about decorating your donut with your car? Yeah, I thought that sounded a little off key too, but Nissan and Donut Media is here to show you how it's done.Check out this super fun video below to see just how you can decorate your donut with the help of your vehicle. Of course, this video was produced in a controlled environment with professional drivers, so we don't recommend you try this at home.Which car would you use to decorate your donut? And what's your go-to donut? Let us know in the comments!370Zs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 02, 2016

Eleanor and All Her Glory Makes a YouTube Appearance

First and foremost, congratulations to Supercar Driver on your 75,000 YouTube subscribers, and thank you, for bringing Eleanor Mustang back into the lime light. As a thank you to their subscriber base, Supercar Driver posted a video of the iconic 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 to YouTube earlier this week. Any car aficionado knows Eleanor by sight and sound thanks to the 2000 film, Gone in 60 Seconds, starring Nicholas Cage and Angelina Jolie. What's more, Supercar Driver gave us a peak into their filming day with Eleanor. Check out the photos below. Supercar Driver's own racing driver, Oliver Webb, is the proud owner of Eleanor and gives viewers an exclusive look. Click below to enjoy a full five minutes of engine sounds, revving, driving and an inside peak under the hood of this incredible American muscle car. We're pretty sure the background music will send you right back to your teenage days watching and re-watching Eleanor in action.

By Edward Jones – April 18, 2016

Insane: Damien Walters Backflips Over Formula E Racecar

Damien Walters is an English gymnast who you've probably seen in movies, but you may not recognize him. Aside from running his own gym and recording his freerunning for YouTube, he's also a stuntman that's worked in films, such as "Kingsman: The Secret Service", "Skyfall", "Captain America: The First Avenger" and many more. Even with such an extensive background, his latest stunt was still insane.The FIA Formula E Championship decided they wanted someone to backflip over one of their electric race cars, and who better than Damien Walters. They, of course, filmed the stunt and uploaded it online so the world could see it happen. What's even cooler is that they filmed the stunt with a 360-degree camera, both from the side and from the perspective of the stunt driver, Alistair Whitton.Check out the video below to see one of the craziest videos you'll see all week.

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2016

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Blades Edition: Inspired By Flight

Five lucky Aston Martin owners have taken delivery of the most beautiful V8 Vantage S models we have ever seen. The Blades are a British Aerobatic team regarded as the best civilian aviators in the world. To showcase the abilities of Aston Martin's Q customization department, each V8 Vantage S was built to replicate one of the five stunt planes flown by The Blades. In a YouTube video uploaded earlier this morning, it is easy to see how potent the Vantage S really is.Aston Martin spared no expense for the new owners, as they were given training in an F1 simulator along with flight instruction in the team's chase helicopter. With each car serialized to a plane's tail number and the pilot's name on the rocker panel, they attacked the tarmac in a battle of air vs land. The V8 Vantage S has no problem outrunning performance tuned aircraft, but it makes for great entertainment.It looks as if there is no limit to what Aston Martin's Q division can accomplish, so stay tuned to Autofluence for more Aston Martin news.V8 Vantages For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2016

Top Gear's Wagon Drags: RS6 vs E63

Wagon enthusiasts are in a class all their own. Having the practicality of a sedan along with extra cargo room makes for a perfect daily driver. With the recent demise of Cadillac's CTS-V wagon, Audi and Mercedes-AMG are the last real contenders in the overpowered wagon wars. In a YouTube video uploaded yesterday, Top Gear lined up a new RS6 Avant against an E63 AMG.Here in the US, the E63 is sold as AWD only, but in Europe it is an option. Of course the Audi has a traction advantage, but the results of this race might surprise you. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more drag racing action.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 14, 2016

Aston Martin Dangles Over the City

We're pretty used to Aston Martins flying down the track, but in the air? Not something we expected. Apparently, Aston Martin and a London-based real estate firm solidified a partnership, and to show the world, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage GTE race car was lifted onto the roof of a building, which just so happens to be a city skyscraper.In this short and sweet video, check out this Aston Martin racecar hover higher and higher over the London skyline. I was gritting my teeth the entire way up! How about you?

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 07, 2016

Who Wins in this Triple Race? McLaren 675 vs 911 Carrera ...

When racing vehicles, typically, one would expect them to be somewhat evenly matched, but Top Gear decided to spice things up a bit.They pitted a McLaren 675LT, a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and a VW Golf R. Let's just check out the specs for a second:McLaren 675LT 0-60 mph in 2.9 seconds 0-100 mph in 5.6 seconds 1/4 mile in 10.4 seconds VW Golf R 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds 0-100 mph in 11.1 seconds 1/4 mile in 13.1 seconds Porsche 911 Carrera GTS 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds 0-100 mph in 8.7 seconds 1/4 mile in 11-9 seconds Given these stats, it seems pretty easy to determine who won the race, but nonetheless, the video is still pretty entertaining to watch. Check out the Top Gear race in full in the video below. Did the car you thought would win take the number one spot?McLaren 675LTs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 07, 2016

Driving a Tesla... With Your Mind?

We all know the Tesla is the epitome of innovation in the world of electric cars. With the New Tesla Model 3 offering over 200 miles on one charge, and the incredible power of the Model S, it's clear Tesla knows what they're doing when it comes to creating a great product. So naturally, the next step is driving using mind-control only.Okay, maybe not. But the people over at Touch Titans wanted to test out driving a Tesla through mind control. Though driving the vehicle through mind control might be a little far off, the guys definitely make a start. Check out the video below. What do you think? Are mind-controlled vehicles in the near future?Teslas For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2016

Supra and Corvette Drift Battle Is Snowy Epicness

Driving at a high rate of speed on a snow-covered road is treacherous enough. But to do so while getting sideways? That's for the professionals.In a video uploaded by Sergey Kabrgin, we see two individuals who were feeling a bit adventurous in their Toyota Supra and Chevrolet Corvette respectively. They decided it would be best to take their adventurism to a Russian forest that had recently been blanketed in snow. The Supra in the video looks like it was heavily modded and was built for drifting, but the Corvette and it's rear-wheel drive setup is definitely not a car most would peg for a drifter.Check out the video below to see the two cars goes the distance in a sideways manner.Corvettes For Sale

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