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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 16, 2017

John Cena Shows Off his Low Mileage Ford GT

If you are looking for a supercar for sale, there is no reason to not consider a pre-owned Ford GT. They are over-engineered from in every sense of the word, and nothing in the body or engine is irreplaceable. A local celebrity near Tampa, Florida who has a fine taste in automobiles is WWE Superstar John Cena. The Bella Twins are also hometown heroes, and John recently announced his engagement to Nikki Bella. Her YouTube uploads are a sneak peak behind the curtains of pro-wrestling, and it's nice to know that some celebrities know how to deal with being famous.04-06 Ford GT Horsepower, Prices & SpecsMr. Cena is passionate about his car collection, and it looks like he is meticulous when it comes to the details. He ordered his 2005 Ford GT with three of the four options that were made available originally. It has forged wheels, red calipers, and the McIntosh audio system, but stripes are nowhere to be found. The GT is devoid of graphics to keep it a mystery at a distance. It also makes the car incredibly rare to collectors. Like every other Ford fan, he is patiently waiting for the new Ford GT, so maybe this pristine example will head for the auction block. If you are looking for a nice used Ford GT, you could always challenge him to a Smackdown....Or you could save your life and find one from our dealers. Stay with us for the next installment of John Cena: Auto Geek.

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2017

Ford GT Sets New Top Speed Record at Texas Mile at 293.6 MPH

Top Speed racing pushes production cars faster than anyone intended, and they are gaining popularity around the world. One of the biggest gatherings takes place in Victoria, Texas and its known as the Texas Mile. Victoria Regional Airport was originally Foster AFB and it has a 1.7-mile runway that was used for pilot training. Last week a Heritage Edition Ford GT arrived with serious horsepower. Built by M2K Motorsports, it had previously reached 280 mph but they wanted more. Mike Kojima of MotoIQ was allowed unprecedented access to the car, and its details will take your breath away. via FacebookThe 5.4-liter engine retains the stock displacement, but that's about it. Starting at the top, Wilson fabricated a massive intake manifold with built in heat exchangers. Each cylinder is topped by twin 220-pound injectors....My injectors are 28.6 pounds so I had to pause for a minute. Giant injectors are needed because the car is running straight Methanol for fuel. One of the most dangerous liquids in racing, even a small amount can cause permanent blindness and neuro damage. It also burns with an invisible flame, so spilling it is not advised. Twin 85mm turbos feed 45 psi of boost to an engine with 13:1 compression.Ferraris For Sale Near Dallas via FacebookThis might seem like a recipe for destruction, but Methanol gets very cold when injected, so you can run as much compression as your crank will handle. To make sure the intake air is cold, the heat exchanger is fed by 40 gallons of ice water from a tank where the passenger seat once was. The factory dry sump oiling system was retained, but it now has 18 quarts to keep the bearings happy. Twin 66 mm wastegates are controlled by pressurized C02 from an onboard tank. What does this all add up to? As far as horsepower and torque, an accurate reading can't be made because no chassis dyno can handle it. The only aspect not disclosed is the differential ratio. Listen closely to the anti-lag system at launch. The car makes so much power that the twin 75 mm throttles can not be opened fully in first gear.First Gen Ford GT Horsepower & Complete SpecsWe congratulate M2K on this historic run, and in pushing the limits of street-legal cars. If you would like to attempt this in your Ford GT we have several to choose from. It will probably be a few years until someone does this to the new GT, so stay with us for more top speed news.

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2017

Ford GT Spins Out and Crashes Shooting for 200 mph

Update 3/1/2017 - Well, guys, it looks like the video has been taken down. If another one comes online, I'll be sure to switch it out. 2004-2006 Ford GT Prices, Specs & ReviewWhen you're looking to go up to 200 mph, there is always a chance that something catastrophic will happen. Most cars aren't meant to go anywhere near that speeds, while some are created with that rate of speed in mind. Originally, the Ford GT was released in 2005 with a top speed of around 205 mph. With this high top speed, it's safe to say Ford wasn't expecting too many owners to really hit that rate of speed. That being said, there are always a few that will reach for the stars.Related - Ford GT's Power Finally Revealed, Becomes Fastest Production Ford EverAt the recent Shifts3ctor California Airstrip Attack, a Ford GT driver was looking to reach 200 mph. This specific GT is referred to as "Black Mamba" and is actually a 1,500 bhp twin-turbo monster. Unfortunately, during one of his runs, he lost control and spun off of the track. During his spin out, the car smashed into a few objects, leaving the car damaged. Thankfully, the driver was uninjured. You can check out the spinout in the video below. Skip to 3:31 for the actual incident.Ford GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 22, 2016

American Street Battle: Z06 vs Hellcat vs GT500

Somewhere, on some road, three forces of American power came together to see which patriot would come out on top. The forces included a 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and a 2014 Ford Mustang GT500. Each car is completely stock and equipped with a manual transmission. For comparison's sake, here is a quick breakdown of the cars. Z06: 6.2-liter supercharged V8 (650 hp) Hellcat: 6.2-liter supercharged V8 (707 hp) GT500: 5.8-liter supercharged V8 (662 hp) From the numbers alone, the Hellcat reigns supreme in the horsepower category and is regarded as the most powerful American production coupe ever. But, can it hold up against the other two? The video below shows the three rolling up against each other on a road in an undisclosed location. Click play below to see who comes out on top.Editor's Note: We do not condone street racing or the actions performed in the video below. Always follow your local traffic laws.

By Edward Jones – July 07, 2016

America vs Germany: Ford Mustang GT vs BMW M2

"American brawn meets European precision," notes the announcer in EVO's latest video that pits the Ford Mustang 5.0 GT against the BMW M2.American brawn = 5.0-liter V8 engine (410 bhp and 391 lb-ft of torque) and a six-speed transmissionEuropean precision = Twin-turbo 3.0-liter 6-cylinder (365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque) and an M Double-Clutch transmissionSure, one quick peek at those specs and it's obvious that the Mustang GT is home to more power than the M2. But, what I didn't include is the weight of both cars, which can make or break drag races. For the Mustang GT, it reads 3,772 lbs when it steps on a scale. As for the M2, it weighs in at 3,351, significantly lower than the Mustang. Is this difference in power enough to give the M2 an edge in a race from a dig? Click play below to find out.Mustangs For Sale | M2s For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2015

Epic Lamborghini Murcielago and Ford Mustang Drift Battle

I know some people get made at how often the term "epic" is used, but this #battledrift video...this video is epic.I'll break it down.First off, you have Vaughn Gittin Jr., his 505 hp Ford Mustang RTR and, of course, his amazing drifting skills.Then you have Daigo Saito, his 650 hp Liberty Walk Lamborghini Murcielago that has been modified for drifting and, like Gittin Jr., his amazing drifting skills. To round this video off, you have the amazing scenery of Japan. This could either be the bright neon lights of their dekotora (the extravagantly modified trucks of Japan), or the mountainside forests.When you put all of this together, you get one amazing video that will have you watching it over and over again. Check it out below to see exactly what I'm talking about. (Source: YouTube)

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2015

Ford GT's Aerodynamics and Design Explained

If you need another reason to lust after the new Ford GT, some of the finer details of the body styling have been released.In a video uploaded December 1st to the Ford Performance YouTube page, Garen Nicoghosian, exterior design manager at Ford Motor Company, and Bernie Marcus, aerodynamicist, highlight how the design department worked together with engineering to build the latest American Supercar."When you start talking about the design of the Ford GT, it's never just "let's just sketch somethin' cool,"" said Nicoghosian in the video. "It's a celebration of material. It's a celebration of performance, of iconic style, of heritage, of the future of the company. And the role you play as the designer in a design team with a set of surfaces that are not just pleasing to look at, but deliver on all of these, that's a pretty sizeable challenge."Ford GTs For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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