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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 – May 18, 2018

DragTimes: McLaren 720S vs Ferrari 488GTB

Here is the one you have been waiting for. Two of the world's most potent exotic cars for sale lining up for a heads-up 1/4 mile shootout. Our friend Brooks is the owner of DragTimes.com, and his films are the ultimate resource in supercar acceleration tests.The latest from England is the McLaren 720S. It uses a twin turbo 4.0 liter V8 to make 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The Italian opponent is the latest Ferrari 488GTB, and it has 660 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. It is only 61 lbs heavier than the McLaren, so the only real difference is the Englishman has 50 more horsepower.This footage confirms what we've been suspecting. The McLaren's transmission and differential ratios allow for maximum acceleration at highway speeds. The Ferrari is geared to jump out of the hole and provide a smooth power curve. But when a 720S goes beyond 80 mph, it enters "Beast Mode". McLaren and Ferrari have different ideas on differential gears, and that makes all the difference at the drag strip. Reeling in your opponent at the top end is one of the best feelings in the world, so play it safe and keep the racing at the track. Stay with us for all your DragTimes footage.Ferrari 488 GTB For Sale McLaren 720S

By Andrew Nabors – April 02, 2018

Ferrari FXX K vs FXX K Evo At Road Atlanta

In the world of hypercars, only one group of owners could respond to a LaFerrari owner with "Cool story bro." That's because members of Ferrari's Corse Clienti spend their weekends on the track, behind the wheel of the Ferrari FXX K.Ferrari's XX series has been the playground of their most wealthy clients. While they are privately owned, the manufacturer handles transport and maintenance on them so that the owners can enjoy tracks around the world without any of the hassles that we common folk might deal with.What began as a program to see just how capable the LaFerrari would be on track, the FXX K prototype made 1,036 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Strictly intended as a race car, the V12 engine lost all of its emissions control hardware, and it was fitted with giant camshafts. The hybrid system was also updated, making 188 hp, around 20 more than the LaFerrari.Ferrari FXX-K EVOs Hit the Track for the 1st TimeAs the successor to the 599XX, only 40 cars were built between 2015 and 2017. Each racecar has data and telemetry recorders for the owner, but the data is also reviewed by engineers after the race. After compiling the numbers from the world's most famous tracks, they found a few areas for improvement.Ferrari 599 GTB For SaleInnovation never stops in Maranello, so the FXX K Evo was unveiled at Ferrari Finali Mondiali in Florence last year. A host of aero upgrades offer 23% more downforce, which is a whopping 75% more than the LaFerrari. It is also 198 lbs lighter, but they won't tell us how they did it.Sad: Hard to Watch this Ferrari FXX Evo’s Brutal CrashThe number of changes is clearly evident in the giant rear spoiler and the front splitter. We don't know how many have been produced so far, but seeing three in one place is unreal. But Speedracer 38 was able to capture this footage at Road Atlanta a few weeks back, so prepare to smile. The 599XX Evo is no slouch, and it's great to see these cars together in action. If you think you have what it takes, start practicing in your LaFerrari and stay with us for all your XX action!Browse LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2018

Visiting a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati Graveyard

After an accident or unfortunate mechanical failure, cars are then taken to their final resting place. Whether it's a Toyota Prius or Ferrari F430, every car can be parted out and disassembled once it's no longer driveable. For Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Maseratis, Ferrparts takes them all in and disassembles them for parts. The result is an exotic car graveyard filled with pieces of metal that once made of some of the finest automobiles on the planet.JR Garage recently visited Ferrparts to see what they're all about, and it looks like they weren't disappointed. Outside of the building is torn apart cars that are waiting to be broken down, while inside of the building is filled with various parts from exotic cars. Christian of JR Garage pointed out something that I was thinking about as well: each of these cars has their own story. Seriously, if cars could talk this place could sell audio books for years to come. Check it out for yourself in the video below.How to Sell My Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2018

Monday Motivation: 780 HP Ferrari 488 GTB vs 802 HP Audi R8

We pride ourselves on bringing you the most unlikely comparisons in exotic cars for sale. Top speed runs are all the rage these days, but outside of a race track, they are only legal on the Autobahn. So our friends at AutoTopNL found two of the fastest cars in Europe for a proper showdown.In a YouTube video uploaded on Saturday, we see a 780 horsepower Ferrari 488 GTB take on an Audi R8 tuned to 802 horsepower. In a proper use of the scientific method, the cars were tested together and also separately to showcase their abilities. Fighting for Deutschland, the home field advantage would seem to go to the R8. It packs a 5.2 liter V10 coupled to the quattro AWD system. The Italian Stallion is the latest from Maranello, with a 3.9 liter V8 coupled to twin turbos behind the cockpit.Browse Ferrari 458 Italia For SaleBoth cars are modified, but the extent of the upgrades are unknown. What is clearly evident is the aerodynamic abilities at top speed. Audi and Ferrari have a very different view on differential gearing, which can make or break your acceleration on the highway. The dash cams tell a story of boost vs displacement, so tell us which car you would own and stay with us for more fast-paced footage here on Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – November 03, 2017

Rude Awakening from a Ferrari's Fiery Exhaust

We've all done it, awoke somebody in their deep sleep only to have them freak out as soon as they come to. Usually, you do this by saying their name or giving them a light pat. For Mark Trueno of Dream Racing, his friends woke him up with a Ferrari 458 GT and its fiery exhaust.Ultimate Buyers Guide to the Ferrari F430In the video below, Trueno's "friends" slowly push the Ferrari right up to where he's sleeping, whispering along the way. Then, the car is starting up and immediately revved up, shooting flames out of the exhaust and right at the napping team member. His reaction was definitely warranted, although many would've been a bit more angry at the situation. What would you have done if you were in this situation?https://www.facebook.com/streetfx/videos/10160046618105112/

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2017

Ferrari Portofino: Lighter & Stronger

When Ferrari introduced the California in 2008, its naturally aspirated 4.3 liter V8 was perfectly matched to the car. It made 453 horsepower and 358 lb-ft of torque. While those are not insignificant, the weight and flexibility of the hardtop convertible were limiting its appeal. It was not until the arrival of the California T that the twin-turbo V8 finally pushed the chassis to its limits.Essentially the same engine found in the 488 GTB and Spider, engineers had to dial it back to keep the California in one piece. Everyone was quick to look at the new Portofino as a reskinned California, but Ferrari is asking the world to look closer. It has been a decade since the California chassis was finalized. And in that time, automakers have made incredible advancements in metallurgy and engineering.Check Out Liberty Walk's Ferrari 488 Wide Body We were shocked to learn that Rolls-Royce is leaving the unibody in the dust, as all their new models will be a spaceframe design. Ferrari stunned us all be declaring the Portofino to be 176 lbs lighter and 35% stronger. Those numbers were first published by Autocar, who says the A-pillar is now one-piece instead of 21 pieces in the predecessor. Of course, these numbers don't mean anything until you get behind the wheel, so click the link below to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your Ferrari updates.View Ferrari For Sale https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=ztl1umKKgBk

By Andrew Nabors – August 03, 2017

Ferrari FXX K vs McLaren P1 GTR at Monza

Track days and hypercars seem like a logical recipe for fun. Cars like the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari combine powerful engines with hybrid systems to make the ultimate street machine. Being street legal can be a hindrance for those who want all-out performance, so that was the motivation behind the McLaren P1 GTR and the Ferrari FXX K. The team at McLaren Special Operations decided to strip away the pleasantries of the P1, mainly consisting of the active suspension, active aero, upholstery, and insulation. What emerged is a 986 hp monster with 737 lb-ft of torque that weighs only 3,174 lbs.Also Check Out: McLaren P1 GTR For Sale In The USFerrari's XX program began with the FXX, a track-only version of the Enzo. As a logical successor, the FXX K is a LaFerrari on steroids. K is for the Kers system, which is Ferrari's hybrid system. It uses two motor/generators and a 6.3 liter V12 to make 1,036 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Officially, only 40 examples of each car were produced, which places each one among the rarest sports cars for sale. It would be amazing to see them battle it out at a famous track like Monza, but it's highly doubtful either would agree to such a contest. Nevertheless, a fan who goes by 19Bozzy92 on YouTube filmed both cars at Monza during different events. Turn up your audio and listen to dual clutch transmissions trying to keep up with a demanding track and thousands of horsepower. Tell us who you think would win and stay with us for all your hypercar updates.

By Andrew Nabors – July 06, 2017

Brutal Launch Control In A Ferrari 812 Superfast

Leaving in style is sometimes the best reason for going anywhere. Maybe that is why Ferrari has engineered such a potent launch control system on the new 812 Superfast. Even bad cars have some form of traction system, using throttle of ignition timing to keep the wheels from spinning. But launch control is another story. Trying to send anything over 400 horsepower to the pavement with street tires can be a recipe for burning rubber. For cars without all-wheel drive, the trick is in holding the engine at the right RPM. If it's too low you will bog the launch and embarrass yourself. Revving too high and you will smoke them.Ferrari has made sure the new 812 Superfast can make an exit. Engineers in Maranello are obsessed with traction, which is why launching a used F12berlinetta scared me like nothing else. But the new car has a 6.5 liter V12 instead of 6.3, which offers 789 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque. No turbos to spool, or superchargers to whine, it is all motor all the time. A manual transmission would not live very long at these power levels, so the only gearbox offered is a 7-speed dual clutch. The factory claims it is capable of reaching 62 MPH in only 2.9 seconds, and one lucky driver took us along for the ride. In a video uploaded by Motorsport Magazine, the incredible acceleration can be witnessed. Rolling into the skinny pedal at 3,000 rpm, it looks like 2nd gear arrives before 60 mph. If money wasn't a consideration I would attempt to foot-brake it with drag radials, but maybe that is a goal for retirement. You can't deny the abilities of Ferrari's latest flagship, so turn up the audio and listen to a proper exit. Stay with us for all your Ferrari updates.View Ferrari Inventory at duPontREGISTRY.com

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2017

Rumored Ferrari 488 GTO Spied Testing on the Nurburgring

There have only been three GTO models in Ferrari's history: the 250 GTO, 288 GTO and 599 GTO. Now, it's rumored that Ferrari will be adding the 488 GTO to that list, a successor to the 458 Speciale.Supercarsfromeu recently captured a 488 model testing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and according to him this was actually the 2019 Ferrari 488 GTO. While many have thought that the new 488 GTO will have a KERS system like that of the LaFerrari, Autocar notes that this is most likely not the case. Instead, it will be built around the 488 GTB platform and be a more track-focused model. To make it more track focused, we anticipate the removal of non-essentials, upgraded components and an increase in engine power.It is expected that Ferrari will reveal the new 488 model either later this year or next year.

By Edward Jones – May 31, 2017

Porsche 911 Turbo S Demolishes Ferrari F430 Scuderia in Race

Do you want to see an Italian sports car take on a German sports car? Of course you do! That's why GTBOARD.com uploaded the video found below of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia taking on a Porsche 911 Turbo S (991).At the heart of the F430 Scud is a naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V8 that can provide the rear wheels with 483 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. Not bad for the Ferrari. On the other hand, or lane, there's the 911 Turbo S that has a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine that pumps out 652 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, the Porsche has the upper-hand, especially when you take into account that the Turbo S has all-wheel drive. Although, AWD would definitely provide a greater leg up from a dig, as opposed to a roll.President Trump's F430If you want to see a brutal defeat, click play down below to see just what happens when these two meet up.

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