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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 27, 2018

Porsche Panamera Turbo vs Turbo S on the Autobahn

Porsche builds their sedan in a few distinct flavors. The latest Panamera Turbo offers 550 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque from a twin turbo 4.0L V8. But it is only the middle option in the lineup. If you want the ultimate, the Panamera Turbo S couples that engine to a version of the electric drive found in the 918 Spyder. This results in 680 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. So how would they compare in an open stretch of the world's fastest highway?TECHART GrandGT Takes Porsche Panamera to New LevelsOur friends at AutoTopNL decided to run them back to back, with cameras aimed at the instrument cluster. The Turbo is rated to reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 189 mph. Big brother can reach 62 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 192. While it might seem close on paper, the Turbo S is an E-Hybrid, and it offers 20 miles of pure electric cruising. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and choose the Turbo that is right for you!Browse Porsche Panamera For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2018

Reviewed: Porsche Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo

Germans have always considered themselves to be wagon masters, which is why many enthusiasts will buy a 3 Series Touring or an S4 Avant before considering a newer car. Perhaps that is why Porsche is betting we are willing to hand over $180,000 for the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. Doug DeMuro knows a thing or two about cars, so he decided to see just how special this new model is.Sedans and coupes are losing ground thanks to booming SUV sales, and this battle has allowed wagons to make a quiet comeback. America has a love/hate relationship with wagons, with examples like the Cadillac CTS-V and Dodge Magnum SRT8 rocketing in value since their demise.TECHART GrandGT Takes Porsche Panamera to New LevelsPorsche took the roofline and extended it rearward. This gives you more abilitity to carry taller cargo. The load floor is also lower so you won't have to lift your goods over the trunk lip. The Sport Turismo is also the first Panamera to have 5 seats, as the rear bench has room for a modest human in the middle. No fancy skylight for the rear passengers will keep it from being a shaggin wagon.The 550 horsepower twin-turbo V8 will make it a bragging wagon, as you leap to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. You will also have 567 lb-ft of torque at all wheels, this thing is bonkers! The front brake rotors are 10mm smaller than the Bugatti Chiron, measuring in at only 16.1 inches! Every other technical detail is mindblowing, so click the link below to find a dealer nearest you, and stay with us for more updates on this mean machine.Browse Porsche Panamera For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 15, 2018

Porsche Valet Prank With Pro Racing Driver

YouTube has become a breeding ground for prank videos and many companies have hopped onto the trend. Porsche recently posted a video of a prank of their own. The setup was simple: when people come back to the valet for their car, they're presented with a new Porsche Panamera instead of their own car. From there, the guests can then go for a test drive in the Panamera. Simple enough, right?Top 5 Attributes of the Porsche 911 GT2 RSWell, there's a twist. When one gentleman comes to pick up his car, instead of hopping into the back of the Panamera, he gets into the driver's seat. From there, the four-door Porsche rips away and starts pulling off some sideways stunts. This obviously scares the director as he supposedly does not know that the man behind the wheel is actually Jack Ickx, a very accomplished race car driver. Click play below and see the prank for yourself below, and let us know whether you think it's fake or real in the comments below. The massive camera filming the prank doesn't bode well for authenticity.

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2018

Porsche Panamera Turbo S Takes On 7 Competitors

Sometimes owners of fast cars want to race everyone just to see how they stack up. The owner of, what looks like, a first-generation Porsche Panamera Turbo S seemed to be on a hunt for such prey at a recent drag racing event in Germany.The cars the Panamera went up against included a Mercedes-AMG E63S, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, BMW X6M and more. Even if the car is a few years old, it stacks up incredibly well against the competition. Check out the video below to see the races for yourself and see who came out on the top of the food chain.Father Surprises 14-Year-Old with Lamborghini Race Car

By Andrew Nabors – January 18, 2018

Porsche Panamera Perfect For Winter Surfing

Surfing is part of life here in Florida. But when the thermometer goes negative we find other ways to stay active. Mark Boyd is a professional surfer who doesn't let the weather bother him. He chooses to surf in on the most unforgiving waters of the North Sea. Being a Scotsman, he knows a thing or two about harsh weather so Porsche decided to let him test the abilities of the new Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo.Top 10 Fastest Cars In the 1/4 MileIn a press release this morning, Porsche tells a story of surfing and of perseverance. The Turbo Sport Turismo is lighter than the Turbo S E-Hybrid, which allows it to reach 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. The hatchback design is perfect for hauling your surfboard along with everything you need for a perfect beach day. The twin turbo 4.0 liter V8 sends 550 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque to all wheels through a dual-clutch transmission.Even with massive 315/35 rear tires, it is able to offer 25 mpg. With the second row folded you will have 49 cubic feet of cargo space, which more than many crossovers have to offer. As far as the gorgeous styling, it looks eerily similar to the Audi RS7, but that's probably just a coincidence...We can't wait to get our hands on the Turbo S E-Hybrid wagon, so stay with us for all your Porsche news & reviews.Peruse Porsche Panamera For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 28, 2017

Porsche Driver Surprises and Scares Car Sharers in Paris

At this point, most of us have all tried ride sharing at some point. It's a simple utility that allows you to get a car ride from an app on your phone, making it an easy way to get around.Porsche decided to take their hand at car sharing with Romain Dumas behind the wheel of a Porsche Panamera Turbo. Who is Romain Dumas? Oh, you know, just a Porsche Words Driver and FIA WEC champion.When the ride sharers were waiting to be picked up, they were surprised to see that the car they had requested was incorrect and it was a Panamera Turbo that would be driving them. They were even more surprised when Dumas took them onto a race track and scared the pants off of them. Check it out in the video below. Sure, it may be staged, but it was still hilarious.What's next, a surprise ride around Nurburgring in a new 911? I'll volunteer as tribute.

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2016

2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo Is Now The World's Fastest Lu...

Porsche has just officially unveiled the brand new 2017 Panamera model and now we've come to find out that the luxury sedan has already broken records.(Also Read: First Production Bugatti Chiron Lap Around Nurburgring, Hits 200 MPH)In a video uploaded by Porsche, we get to see the 2017 Panamera Turbo's lap around Nurburgring. With 550 hp worth of motivation from a biturbo V8 engine, the sedan lapped around the famous "Green Hell" in just 7 minutes and 38 seconds. For comparison purposes, thanks to NurburgringLapTimes.com, here are some cars that lapped Nurburgring at the same time or slower than the Panamera Turbo. Lexus LFA - 7:38:00 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - 7:39:00 Ferrari F430 Scuderia - 7:39:00 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV - 7:42:00 As you can see, the Panamera Turbo sits above some pretty serious cars. Now, click play below to see the luxury sedan's record lap.View Panameras For Sale

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