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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 – August 13, 2020

RM Sotheby's Online Only Monterey Preview Compilation

Taking precautionary measures is paramount to staying healthy these days. That's why this weekend will see fast-paced bidding on 100 of the world's best cars. What normally would take place at the Portola Hotel is now being done online, thanks to RM Sotheby's new & lightning fast servers. Bidding opened on Monday at 1 PM, and it will end sharply on Saturday at 2 PM (EDT). With that in mind, they grouped all the videos into the RM Sotheby's Online Only Monterey Preview Compilation. Click the button below to view the lots and stay with us for all your RM Sotheby's news. View Catalog & Current Bids " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

Porsche Supercars Cruise Across Southern Germany

We are blessed to have amazing roads in all 50 states, but they don't compare to the history of driving in Deutschland. The ancient Kingdom of Bavaria comprises one-fifth of Germany, and it borders the Porsche family's Austrian hometown of Zell am See. The Black Forest was home to fierce tribes who kept Rome from expanding, and Lake Constance provides a picturesque border with Switzerland. These narrow, winding highways are why Porsche places such an emphasis on handling. In this latest shoot for CURVES Magazin, these Porsche supercars consist of the Carrera GT, Cayman GT4, 918 Spyder, and a 911 Turbo. Tell us your favorite in the comments below and stay with us for all your Porsche news. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – January 24, 2020

See How the Ferrari SF90 Stradale is Made

When the Ferrari SF90 Stradale was announced last year, it took our breaths away. This new model is set to be the Italian automaker's most powerful model yet and it's powered by a V8 engine. In fact, this is the first time their flagship model is powered by a V8 engine. How does the SF90 Stradale generate a total of 986 horsepower? Electric power. Ferrari just released a video showing off how they put together this new hybrid hypercar. From the engine assembly to the upholstery shop, they show off a lot of incredible behind-the-scenes footage. You can check it out for yourself down below. SEE ALL FERRARIS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2019

VINwiki Finds Seized Supercars in Brazil

Our friend Ed Bolian created VINwiki to track and share the history of the world's greatest cars. Much like us, once he achieved a global audience he began to receive leads on amazing automobiles in unusual circumstances. Such was the case when VINwiki found siezed supercars in Brazil. In his latest upload, we learn the story of an unscrupulous criminal who tried to illegally import US-spec cars without following proper procedures. The group consists of a Paint-To-Simple Porsche Carrera GT, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, and the images show a Corvette and other toys. The genius who tried to import them was also involved in money laundering, so he was given a lenient sentence of 50 year in Brazil's comfortable correctional institutes. If he is still alive, he will never see his cars again because the government wasted no time in seizing them. That was back in 2012, and the cars have been stored in a warehouse outside of São Paulo. Tired of taking up space, the owner of the facility reportedly offered to sell each car for storage fees, but without titles. An option would be to take them apart and ship them to the U.S., or bring them here whole and place a Mechanic's Lien on them. Being a Native Floridian, it used to be easy to get a title with a Georgia Bill of Sale, not that I have ever done so... Needless to say, it will take some negotiation with the Brazilian authorities and a few logistical hurdles to bring these cars home. So one of you will probably be able to do this. My Portugese is a little rusty, so someone please translate this and share it, you could be sitting on a gold mine!. Stay with us for all your VINwiki updates. Related: 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six-Speed History by VINwiki VINwiki: How to Import Your Dream Car

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2019

Lamborghini Connects Humans to Huracans

If you remember your first experience in a Murcielago or a Gallardo, it was probably confusing. Italian supercars traditionally had controls that are not intuitive. They were fast and gorgeous, so many manufacturers were guilty of placing important controls in unlikely areas. Those days are over, because Lamborghini has connected humans to Huracans. It wasn't until the arrival of the Aventador that Lamborghini offered a symmetrical center console with a logical layout. Then came the Centenario. This limited edition supercar was the celebration of Mr. Lamborghini's 100th birthday. He would be happy to see the first integration of a touchscreen to control the car's systems. Lamborghini Huracan Evo Price, Specs, Photos & Review The HMI, or Human-Machine Interface is now standard equipment on the Huracan Evo, and it allows the driver or passenger to easily access every system. From displaying the torque bias to Apple CarPlay, it is placed at an ergonomic angle. Yes, this is long overdue, but the experience is not unlike drone racing. So check out the wild similarities in their latest upload, then click the link below to find a Huracan near you. Find Your Lamborghini Huracan Here Related: Huracan Evo Spyder Revealed Ahead of Geneva

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 – June 27, 2018

McLaren Senna On-Track Review by Carfection

The Formula 1 Grand Prix of Portugal was held at the Autódromo do Estoril up until 1996. And it was also the track where Ayrton Senna took home his first F1 trophy in 1985. To see how McLaren's latest supercar handles the famous track, Henry Catchpole and the Carfection team were allowed to hot lap the McLaren Senna. Deadmau5 is Getting a McLaren Senna Limited to only 500 examples, the Senna delivers 789 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. Lighter and faster than the 720S or the P1, it laps the track six seconds faster than its predecessors. It has over 1,700 lbs of downforce thanks to active aero features inside the front grille and the massive rear spoiler. If you don't need a 5 point harness or a Hans device, the 720S is a sensible choice. So click the link below to inquire about the Senna and stay with us for all your McLaren updates. Browse McLaren 720S For Sale

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 Edward Jones – April 26, 2017

Over $83 Million in Aston Martin Unleashed at a Factory

When you buy a new house or building, you always need to properly break it in. Typically, most people have housewarming parties, but Aston Martin does something completely different.To celebrate the luxury automaker's second manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom, more specifically their new St Athan Plant, Aston Martin decided to get £65 million in cars (roughly $83 million USD) together for a film. In the film, seen below, Aston Martin Racing’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) drivers, Darren Turner and Nicki Thiim, and their Chief Engineer Matt Becker got behind the wheel of some of these cars and drove shed some their tires' rubber onto the factory floor.Cars in the video include some of their most iconic vehicles, like the One-77, Vulcan, multiple generations of Vantages, and the upcoming DBX SUV and Valkyrie supercar. Click play on the video below to see these cars driven like never before.Aston Martins For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 13, 2017

Tesla Model S P100D's 0-60 mph in 2.4 Seconds - Tested

With the Tesla P100D the Ludicrous+ mode is available. The rumor is that this mode will allow the car to run 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds, but that's a rumor. To put this rumor to the test, DragTimes took their Model S out, with the mode enabled.In order to really test it, Brooks from DragTimes found a dry road to unleash the electric monster and hooked up his VBox to accurately measure the sprint.After the sprint and reading the results, Tesla's claim seems to have been true. Brooks' Model S ran from 0-60 mph in just 2.465 seconds in a distance of 124.531 ft. That's...insanely impressive. Check out the video below to see the car in action for yourself.All Tesla Model S For Sale

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