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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 – April 21, 2021

Inside An Incredible Collection At IKONICK Miami

Mike Supercars TopSpeed is at it again We've seen his handiwork filming the wildest cars in South Florida, and now Mike takes us behind the scenes at an incredible collection of artwork and cars at IKONICK Motors Miami. Words can't do justice to this because every supercar and classic is included. That means a Porsche GT3 RS of every color alongside a dozen 918 Spyders. A full lineup of Panteras, Koenigseggs, Bugattis, and more are surrounded by large sculptures and metalwork. A big thanks to Mike and Brett David (Prestige Imports) for making this possible, so click the button to find your next daily driver. Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 04, 2021

Will Ferrell Attacks Norway For The Big Game

The land once ruled by Odin and his son Thor are now dominated by electricity. Because they are leading the world in EV sales, Will Ferrell will attack Norway for the Big Game. In their most recent press release, General Motors has promised 20 new electric models by 2023, dropping $27 billion to become an all-electric automaker. With 51% of new car sales being hybrid or EV, Norway leads the world leaving gasoline behind. The Cadillac Lyriq and the Hummer EV will debut their new Ultium battery technology, with a whopping 200 kWh capacity. The world might not be ready for a high-voltage Corvette, but the E-Ray isn't far off. Famous actors often have amazing cars, so check out our Top 5 Celebrity Car Collections. Image (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2021

Sir Lewis Hamilton Knighted By Queen Elizabeth

As a cornerstone of her New Year's Honors, Sir Lewis Hamilton has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Inspiring a generation of future racers, he secured a 7th F1 World Championship back in November. With 94 wins and counting, he has tied Michael Schumacher and placed the Union Jack at the forefront of racing. Bloomberg also reminds us that he is the only F1 champion of African descent, and he has used his fame to draw attention to minority issues. We congratulate Sir Lewis on achieving incredible success, and many more wins to come. " width="680">

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 – February 23, 2018

Ken Blocks Chases Booze-Smuggling Top Gear Crew

Back in the day during prohibition, smugglers needed that extra bit of power in order to run away from the police. For that, their cars were powered by big V8 engines that would provide them with the necessary amount of horsepower and torque. Heck, the roots of NASCAR trace all the way back to those same bootleggers racing each other to see who was the quickest.Top Gear Picks 7 Finalists for "Performance Car of the Year"Now, in 2018, prohibition has been gone for quite a while and alcohol doesn't need to be smuggled in. Still, V8 engined-cars still exist and they come in many different kinds of cars. To showcase this, Top Gear's first episode in upcoming Season 25 takes the trio with taking V8 cars on a blitz to escape the police. A V8 engine may be under the hood of these cars, but a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, Jaguar F-Type and McLaren 570S are much different than the souped-up V8 of the bootlegging days. Also, they aren't outrunning any normal police officer. For that role, they chose the sideways madman known as Ken Block.Check out the preview below and get ready for Top Gear Season 25 to start on February 25 (Sunday).

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2017

Taking Bruce's Winning 1967 McLaren M6A Out on the Track

Fifty years ago, Bruce McLaren and his team built an amazing machine. The McLaren M6A was designed to dominate the Can-Am racing series. It used a fuel injected Chevy big block and aerodynamics way ahead of their time to keep everyone in the rear view. Most production cars and race cars had 4-speed transmissions up until the 1990's, but Bruce was an innovator. The M6A's 5-speed gearbox was built with close ratios to keep the big Chevy at maximum torque.A Minute Of Noise To Remember Bruce McLarenWhat did all those features add up to? The 1967 M6A only lost 1 race in the 1967 season. Other drivers probably had the same feeling a modern racer does when a used P1 shows up at the track. McLaren Automotive knows they owe it all to their founder, and that he would be happy watching his cars in action. So for the 50th Anniversary of winning the championship, Richard Meaden from Motorsport Magazine got behind the wheel.Floyd Mayweather Buys Bugatti ChironIn a YouTube video uploaded last night, watch and listen to this piece of history as it laps Donington Park. If you want a similar experience, we suggest finding a nice pre-owned McLaren, and then remove all exhaust after the turbos. Flip the downpipes 180 degrees and aim them at the sky. The first person to install hater pipes on their McLaren is getting a free 1-year subscription to our magazine, 2 years if it's a 720S! Stay with us for all your McLaren news.View McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2017

CJ Wilson Talks Porsche Racing at LeMans

Of all the interviews we watched during the 24 Hours of LeMans, none was as inspiring as C.J. Wilson. As an MLB All-Star Pitcher he knows the importance of practice, so he relates the importance of simulators in modern motorsports. In an interview with Porsche TV, he stated his intentions to slowly transition from the Porche GT3 Cup into more Pro-Am competitions. Sabine Schmitz asked when he knew it was time to focus on his racing, his answer of 5 surgeries would be enough for anyone to change their career. Racing for Porsche of Fresno, he has also become a brand ambassador for Porsche Motorsport.As a Porsche Development driver, he mentions the motivation of Patrick Dempsey among others. His notions that racing simulators help achieve the perfect line have been echoed by drivers in other series. His videos draw insightful parallels between race cars and their street-legal counterparts. Porsche allowed him to explain the Cayman GT4 and how close it is to a track car and it was a "hit" for the brand. Going from a GT series car into a prototype is a life goal for many drivers, so we hope he sheds light on the transition.Having an all-access pass to the pits and garage, he was awestruck at Porsche's attention to detail. Who knew they baked the tires in an oven to make sure they were ready for abuse? That is just one of the ways Porsche Motorsport brought home the trophy in their 19th LeMans victory. To follow CJ's Career, stay tuned to Porsche of Fresno and Autofluence for all the updates.

By Edward Jones – April 07, 2017

Vice President of Google Shows Off and Races His Viper ACR

Many may think the Vice President of Google is probably just a rich executive with no time for things like racing cars. That couldn't be farther from the truth.In reality, Benjamin Sloss, the Vice President of Google, is a massive car fanatic. In fact, we've covered his previous cars, like his incredible Ferraris and the fact that he and his wife take them out to the track quite often.Aside from his Ferraris, Sloss also owns a one-of-one Dodge Viper ACR. In a video by Dodge, they spent some time with Sloss as he took the Viper ACR around Laguna Seca for the very first time. After driving the car, it seemed as though the car exceeded his expectations as a track car. Better yet, because this car is street legal, he was able to take his unique race car to work at Google the very next day. Check out the video below to learn more about Benjamin Sloss and his Dodge Viper ACR.

By Edward Jones – March 20, 2017

Pink Floyd's Nick Mason Crashes his McLaren F1 GTR

Please try to not cry, but Nick Mason has crashed his McLaren F1 GTR. Alright, you're allowed to shed a couple of tears, because I sure did.During last weekend at the 75th Goodwood Members' Meeting, a few classic GT cars took to the track for some laps. While this was meant to be a sort of exposition, that doesn't mean that the drivers weren't pushing their cars as they should be. Mason, for example, was out in his McLaren F1 GTR.Related - "The Professor" Becomes Most Expensive McLaren P1 EverWhile taking laps, it looks like Mason slid off of the track and drove directly into a wall. After a few spins and broken pieces of the car's body flying off, the F1 GTR came to a halt. Thankfully, Mason was not hurt in the accident, but the F1 GTR certainly was.We all may be upset about such a tragedy happening to a car like the McLaren F1 GTR. However, I commend Mason for at least taking a car like the F1 GTR out and actually tracking it. While most owners of an F1 might garage it for years on end, Mason, being an experienced driver, knows that cars like this need to be taken out and driven the way they were built to.Used McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 25, 2017

C.J. Wilson Tears Up a Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The world of professional sports and racing have many parallels. Both require determination and endurance which is why many athletes enjoy having well-engineered cars in their collection. To elaborate on his devotion to Porsche, MLB Pitcher C.J. Wilson explains how determination and innovation lead to success. He admits he wasn't the biggest or strongest competitor on the field, but with attention to the details, he found ways to succeed. Porsche's endurance racing efforts have used similar strategies to get podium finishes, finding areas for improvement that other teams have overlooked.(Related - Driver's Seat: C.J. Wilson On His McLaren P1 Road Trip)As the owner of CJ Wilson Racing, he is fielding two Porsche Cayman GT4s in the Grand Sport division of the Continental SportsCar Challenge. A glance of his Twitter page reveals that he is happy with the results from early testing, and looking forward to Friday's BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona. As a 4 hour prelude to this weekend's Rolex 24, it will be a brutal test of man and machine. Porsche wants us to know they are ready for battle, so they asked CJ to explain his love of the brand. He looks at home behind the wheel of a 911 GT3 RS in a YouTube video uploaded yesterday. A grueling workout routine is how he became a two-time All Star. Relentless refinement is how the GT3 RS makes 500 hp without turbos. We wish him well in Friday's race, so stay with us for complete coverage of Daytona Speedweeks 2017. All Porsche GT3 RS For Sale

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