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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 13, 2020

McLaren GT Arrives With Innovative Interior Materials

Racing and running errands seem to be mutually exclusive, yet many automakers offer the same interior for both purposes. That is why a proper Grand Tourer needs to be unique. The masters at McLaren never fail to exceed expectations, and that is why the McLaren GT will arrive with innovative interior materials. After careful study of their existing leather and fabric, they decided something new was needed. The GT will be the first civilian automotive use of "SuperFabric". It was designed for military applications, blending traditional weaving with tiny synthetic reinforcements. This allows the cargo area to be light while resisting scrapes and scuffs from your McLaren luggage. Upfront, both occupants are treated to Nappa leather, no surprise there. But if you demand the best, optional upgrades include soft grain luxury leather, microfiber, or the exclusive hides from Scotland's Bridge of Weir. McLaren Special Operations can even appoint your ride with cashmere in Dove Grey or Jet Black. As always, our dealers have all the info so you know the drill. Click the button below and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Find Your McLaren Here

By Edward Jones – January 02, 2020

See the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 Race a 2018 Ford GT

If you're looking for American power in the form of a car, Ford has plenty of options for you. Two of their most powerful models are the Mustang Shelby GT500 and GT, with one being a raw muscle car and the other a Le Mans car built for the road. DragTimes recently had the chance to test these two cars against each other. While Brooks of DragTimes has his own GT supercar, the Shelby GT500 came from Ken of Palm Beach Dyno who just took delivery of the sinister Mustang. Check out the video down below where they give a solid comparison between the two monster Fords. SEE ALL FORD GT'S FOR SALE SEE ALL SHELBY GT500'S FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – December 19, 2018

2018 Ford GT vs Lamborghini Aventador Race in the 1/4 Mile

It isn't smart to take a new Ford GT to the track. That's why our friend Brooks from DragTimes has made sure his car is properly broken in. He has been teasing us with this run for months, and unlike other owners, he puts miles on his cars. Palm Beach International Raceway is a perfect venue despite Florida's persistent humidity. Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile Cars The crew from DragTimes decided to fully document the run, so the car was fitted with telemetry from VBOX. It will allow them to see 0-60, 0-100 MPH, and even 100-200 KPH. A friend with a Lamborghini Aventador came along, but he resisted the urge to use "Thrust Mode" in order to preserve the single-clutch transmission. With a fully prepped track, the Ford GT's launch control offered a conservative 60' time of 1.78, not bad for street legal tires! The Aventador's roll racing shows just how capable a V12 can be against a twin turbo V6, so tell us what you think of this action in the comments below and stay with us for all your DragTimes updates! Related: Great Incentives on 2018 Lamborghini Aventadors 2018 Ford GT Price, Specs & Review

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2018

1000 HP Hennessey Jeep vs Ford GT Race Ends in Surprise

What happens when an aerodynamic supercar lines up against a Jeep Grand Cherokee? These notions normally keep us awake at night, so thankfully Hennessey Performance Engineering has the answer. In order to show the potency of their 1,000 horsepower Jeep Trackhawk, they chose Mr. Hennessey's Ford GT as a worthy opponent. The 3.5-liter twin turbo V6 makes 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. The left lane is filled by an imposing Jeep, with the heart of a Hellcat under the hood.2018 Dodge Demon Price & SpecsHennessey knows how to make big power from the supercharged 6.2-liter, but the weight and aerodynamics offer diminishing returns at triple-digit speeds. On the dyno, it makes 1,012 horsepower and 969 lb-ft of torque. The supercharger measures in at 4.5 liters and it is set at 14 lbs. Limiting boost to 1 Bar saves on drivetrain life since the Jeep retains its AWD system. Tell us which one you would daily drive in the comments below, and click the link for great deals on this game-changing Jeep.Browse Jeep Grand Cherokee For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=ijaUf3Q_VMY

By Andrew Nabors – August 30, 2018

Corvette ZR1 vs Ford GT in All-American Drag Race

This one was inevitable, and we figured it would be our friends at Dragtimes would make it happen. In their latest upload, Brooks in his yellow Ford GT challenge a new Corvette ZR1. Palm Beach International Raceway usually gets an afternoon shower this time of year, but last weekend was calm and clear.2018 Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & ReviewChevrolet's latest Corvette prevails, at least on paper. It offers 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. The opponent wearing the Blue Oval has 647 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque. The weight difference is marginal, with Ford beating Chevy by 200 lbs. Since both cars were designed to run above 200 mph, a series of roll races will show you who wins the aerodynamic battle. In V-Max mode, the GT drops 2" and retracts the spoilers. The Corvette ZR1 has the "high wing", which is great for road courses. But at high speeds, it acts like a parachute, not ideal for drag racing. Tell us which one would win from a dig, and which one you would drive in the comments below.Browse Chevy Corvette ZR1 For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 22, 2018

Is the Ford GT Racing for a Nurburgring Record?

Breaking the Nurburgring Nordschleife record is something all automakers with fast cars look to do. Now, it looks like Ford and their GT supercar may be the latest company aiming to break the famed lap time record.As of recent, the 'Ring record torch was passed from the Lamborghini Huracan Performante to the Porsche 911 GT2 RS and, most recently, the Aventador SVJ with a time of 6:44.97. Could the GT break the new Lamborghini supercar's time? The Ford GT specs are definitely impressive. Powering the American supercar is a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that pushes out an impressive 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. That kind of power is enough to launch the GT from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.John Cena Settles Ford GT LawsuitSo, why do we think the car may be searching for a new record? YouTube channel cvdzijden recently filmed the GT taking laps around the famous circuit. Now, what I see in the video is a helmeted driver taking the corners very quickly and accelerating out of them like a madman. I'm not sure who exactly the driver is, but they seem like they're driving with a very specific purpose. Check it out for yourself by clicking play below.

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2018

2018 Ford GT Delivered to Brooks Weisblat from DragTimes

Our friend Brooks Weisblat has great taste in cars, but he might need to expand his garage thanks to the addition of a new Ford GT. In a YouTube video uploaded yesterday, he and his team had a BBQ at Autonation Ford of Miami. His blog says he was able to witness the car emerging from Stage 7 factory in Toronto. While they weren't allowed behind the scenes, his GT Concierge took a few shots of the assembly process. Your Concierge is assigned by Ford to handle your car from order to delivery. As such, he arrived at DragTimes HQ along with the custom-built Reliable Carriers trailer. Ford worked with reliable to build 5 special trailers that are the exclusive haulers of the GT. Much in the same way John Hennessey's car was delivered, Brooks also mentions future videos showing the process in detail. Have a great weekend Ford fans, and click the link below to find your Ford GT. Ford GT For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2018

Ford GT: Everything You Need To Know

If you haven't noticed Donut Media, their style of informative YouTube videos is unique and exciting. This week they chose to take on one of the most famous cars ever built: Ford GT. Henry Ford II was looking for a way to enter the sports car market without having to build one from scratch. He had a great idea to buy Ferrari, but Enzo refused at the last minute.Incensed by the public rebuking, Ford decided to beat Enzo at his own game. The Ford GT was born to win. The first examples were built by Lola and powered by the small block 289. They were slow and unreliable. So Ford hired Carroll Shelby to fix the problems, and he did so with a 427 big block. Adding 7 liters of American to anything makes for a winning car, so the Ford GT finished 1-2-3 and LeMans in 1966.Ford Suing John Cena for Selling his Ford GTIt was resurrected in 2004 with a supercharged 5.4 liter, and production lasted until 2006. This is the best car I have ever driven. So for the 50th Anniversary of the historic win, the 2016 Ford GT was built to win. The carbon fiber masterpiece is only 3,000 lbs and it packs 647 horsepower from a twin-turbo V6. If you are a blue oval fan who is looking for a supercar, we have several to choose from. Tell us which Ford GT is your favorite and stay with us for all your Ford updates.The New Ford GT Engine is a V6 - Check Out the Specs Here

By Andrew Nabors – January 25, 2018

Ford GT Sets New Lap Record at VIR

Many legends exist about Virginia International Raceway. No, it wasn't plotted by Washington or Jefferson. It is not a Native American burial ground. It is simply one of the best tracks in the world. With long straights and demanding off-camber turns, you really need to bring a world-class supercar (like the new Ford GT) if you want to get the most from your visit.Our friends at Car & Driver asked Ford to test the car back in may, but it wasn't quite ready. But once it was, they recorded a blistering time of 2:43.0. This lap beats the Porsche 918 by only a tenth of a second, but it was 4 mph faster at the entry of the climbing esses.https://www.instagram.com/p/BeT9_6ihYXK/In race mode, the advanced suspension relies on torsion bars for incredible grip. Even with the latest in technology, good old-fashioned understeer arrived at 3:42. Check out the wild footage below, and tell us where you would drive your Ford GT in the comments below.Browse Ford GT For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2017

Top Gear: Chris Harris Drives the Ford GT

American Supercars face many hurdles when appealing to a European audience. Top Gear has been notorious for demeaning our products as savage and unrefined. But the new Ford GT was built to dominate every track in the world, so what does Chris Harris think of it? In a YouTube video uploaded over the weekend, he pushes the car to its limits on a wet track, so you might be surprised at his conclusions.Jay Leno Reviews His Ford GTWe've touched on the car's finer points before, so it's nice to hear them explained in action. Multimatic is a Canadian engineering firm responsible for turning the design into reality. Their most prolific achievement in recent years has been the DSSV, or Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve. This fancy shock absorber has several rates for compression and rebound, which makes for a comfortable street car. But in race mode, the Ford GT switches over to a torsion bar at each corner. Having two separate suspension systems on each corner is just one of the ways this car was able to win LeMans. Tell us what you think of it in the comments below and stay with us for all of your Ford GT updates.Ford GT For SaleNew Ford GT Prices & Specs

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