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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 Edward Jones – July 27, 2018

4,000 Horsepower Corvette Takes Flight, Sticks the Landing

One of the most important things in drag racing, next to having a lot of power, is being able to keep your car on the ground. When you're going fast enough in a light car, air can catch underneath the car, allowing it to take flight. For Daniel Pharris, this unfortunately happened.Pharris was racing a twin-turbo Corvette that was pumping out around 4,000 horsepower at the Tulsa Raceway Park when it happened. During his run, the car's nose slowly crept up until the front wheels were taken off of the ground. Eventually, his entire car was in the air as it literally flew down the drag strip.Related - A Mid-Engine Corvette May Be ComingEventually, the car landed back on the strip-- the crowd was lucky as it could have flown off of the track. After a few moments of panic, Pharris emerged from the car unscathed, but most certainly shaken. Urban Hillbilly Videos, who uploaded the video below, pointed out that if the front clip had not have peeled off during mid-flight, things could've been worse.Check out the Corvette's flight in the video below.

By Andrew Nabors – July 25, 2018

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Teased With Active Aero

Is it just me or is it getting hot in here? By here, we mean the Nürburgring. Because Lamborghini just uploaded another nail-biting clip of the 2020 Aventador SVJ. It was only a matter of time before the patented aerodynamics used on the Huracan Performante could be adapted to their flagship model. Even with heavy camouflage, we see the intake for the hollow rear spoiler right behind the engine. Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Price, Specs, Photos & Review The massive rear spoiler is perforated along is trailing edge, filling the vacuum that all cars create at high speeds. It is the same principle as drafting, but you don't have to deal with someone riding your bumper looking for a win. Many supercars have exhaust pipes aimed into the void, but moving high-pressure air to a low-pressure area slashes the car's coefficient of drag. The front end will also have the same system, allowing air to pass under the floor or up through vents ahead of the radiators. Could they have broken the 'Ring Record? They have done it before, so stay with us for all your Aventador updates. If you are looking for a comfy ride, the Aventador S is a perfect blend of street and track performance, so click the link below to learn more.

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2018

Mid-Engine Corvettes Caught In Colorado

High altitude testing has been part of GM engineering since the early 50's. Carbureted cars tended to flood out and foul their spark plugs because they couldn't adjust to the lack of air. Zora-Arkus Duntov set a speed record up Pike's Peak when testing Chevrolet's new 1957 Fuel Injection system. It looks like history repeats itself as one Colorado car spotter encountered a new 2019 Corvette ZR1 coupe. It was running as a blocker to keep prying eyes from getting close to two new mid-engine prototypes. Driving on highway 91 between Leadville and Interstate 70 offers high altitudes and long straights, perfect for testing away from prying eyes. Thank you to Coloradocarsdogsanddrones for chasing them down.A Mid Engine Corvette May Be Coming Many have speculated that it would be a new Cadillac supercar, but comparing it to a ZR1 pretty much confirms this is the C8 Corvette. Last year, the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, KY shut down for a week while GM spent nearly $300 Million upgrading the facility. We know this involved moving the performance engine build center from Detroit to Kentucky, but it also could mean a new assembly line. From what suppliers have told us, don't be shocked if this mid-engine monster has a carbon fiber chassis and possibly AWD. If you happen to see one, let us know and we might share your uploads. Stay with us for all your Chevrolet news. Looking For A New Corvette Stingray?

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2018

W Motors Fenyr Supersport In Action

If you ever needed to crash through tall buildings, the Lykan Hypersport was seen as a star on the Big Screen. W Motors came out of nowhere to challenge the world, and now they've done it again. In a YouTube upload by Mr. JWW, we've learned the details of W Motors Fenyr Supersport. For the ultimate in power, RUF supplies their 800 hp twin turbo 3.8L flat-six along with a revised Porsche 7-speed PDK.You will have 723 lb-ft of torque and the wildest rear-hinged doors of any production car. To make sure each example is perfect, W Motors has contracted production to Magna-Steyr of Graz, Austria. The same company that has built the Mercedes-Benz G Wagen, E-Class, Aston-Martin Rapide. Much like its predecessor, only 25 cars will be built and each one will have a base price of $1.4 Million. As soon as the concept moves to production you will see it here. Stay with us for all your W Motors updates.Looking For Something Exotic?

By Andrew Nabors – July 20, 2018

Porsche 911 GT2 RS Sets Record at The Bend Motorsport Park

An hour outside of Adelaide is the small Australian town of Tailem Bend. This hamlet on the River Murray has seen over $100million AUD invested in a new race track. Bend Motorsports Park is a new 4.7-mile track that needed a benchmark for lap times. Starting at the top of the list of Nurburgring record holders, Porsche accepted their invitation with a 911 GT2 RS.2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS Specs, Price, Photos, & ReviewIt's winter in the southern hemisphere, with high temperatures in the low 60's, perfect for a twin turbo supercar. The press release says Australian racing veteran Warren Luff was chosen to drive the latest 'Widow Maker'. We've never seen Porsche use this nickname officially, but it is nice to see they embrace the popular automotive culture. The reason for the nickname is because it sends 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.Much like the 930 series, only the best drivers can push it to the limit safely. But drivers can sleep easy knowing that rear steering and traction control keep the GT2 RS under control. Our dealers are starting to get them on the lot, so click the link below if you think you can handle it.Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=1gYsttWHFjM

By Andrew Nabors – July 20, 2018

Hennessey HPE 1000 Charger vs Corvette Z06

Ok, we know what you are thinking: Unfair Fight! One car has 1,000 horsepower, the other has 650. Both have supercharged 6.2L V8 engines, but that is all they have in common. If you want a Hellcat that leaves Demons in the dust, both the Challenger and Charger can be boosted to 1,012 hp and 969 lb-ft of torque. The Corvette is 1,000 lbs lighter, so how do they compare at the Hennessey Performance Lonestar Motorsports Park?Hennessey Jeep Runs 0-60 in Under 3 Seconds…What?Chevrolet uses a 1.7L supercharger in the Z06 and a 2.65L in the Corvette ZR1. John Hennessey and his team use a 4.5L blower at only 14 lbs of boost. Think about having a supercharger that has more displacement than most production engines, 4.5 + 6.2 = FAST. The HPE 1000 reaches 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and it offers consistent 9 second quarter miles. A sedan with trap speeds over 140 mph would be a riot on the street. The build also includes their own stainless headers and exhaust, a new fuel system, and 200 miles of wideband tuning. All this is done without a custom camshaft or ported heads, so imagine what that would do to this setup. The Corvette is there for its transformation, so stay with us to see how it moves once they are done with it.Find Your Hellcat Here!https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=8FUbjDF5Hu0

By Edward Jones – July 11, 2018

McLaren 720S Supercar Races Tesla Model S P100D

There's no denying the fact that the McLaren 720S and Tesla Model S P100D are two completely different vehicles. Just by looking at the two, you can see that one is clearly a supercar built for speed while the other is a... sedan. But that sedan hides an electric system that can rocket it from a standstill at supercar-like speeds.Brooks from DragTimes has become a huge hit on YouTube thanks to his drag race videos that typically include his Tesla, McLaren and Ford GT. His latest video involves a P100D and his 720S, both taking on each other at a drag strip. It should be mentioned that because the Tesla is an electric car, its charge percentage does affect its acceleration. In this video, the Model S is holding a 65% charge against a 720S that doesn't rely on a charge, only a gas tank with fuel in it. Check the video below to see the two in action (races start around 3 minutes in).Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron in Multi-Million Dollar Drag Race Porsche 918 vs LaFerrari in Father vs Son Drag Race

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2018

Porsche 919 EVO vs 911 GT2 RS Nurburgring Comparison

Do you prefer to have fun in a street legal supercar? If so, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS is for you. It uses a 3.8L flat-six with two healthy turbos to offer 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. They dispense with entertainment or insulation along with the AWD system. Our dealers are beginning to receive them if you need a new centerpiece for your collection.Porsche 919 Hybrid Parades Around NYCOthers like to live dangerously. This is why the Porsche 919 Hybrid exists. It uses a turbocharged 2.0L V4 to power a hybrid battery drive. With 17 first-place wins and 43 podium finishes, the 919 program proved the veracity of small gas engines combined with the latest in battery technology. But Porsche is retiring this model to make way for their Formula E program. The #919tribute tour has been from Spa to Manhattan and of course, the Nurburgring. If you are curious how the LeMans winner compares with the street legal 911, GommeBlog.it synchronized their laps of the famous track. The difference in lap times is less than it takes to read this post, so tell us which car you would choose in the comments below.Browse Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&amp=&v=MvE_UtNp1QE

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2018

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Destroys Nurburgring Record

One of the true tests that every supercar must face is a Nurburgring Nordschleife lap. For years, automakers have been testing their cars on this track, tuning them along the way with the hopes to set new lap time records. Lamborghini has been hard at work testing their upcoming Huracan Performante at the "Green Hell," and it looks like their hard work has paid off. In a new video from the Italian automaker, they show, from start to finish, the new supercar's Nurburgring Nordschleife lap in its entirety. It took the Huracan Performante only 6:52.01 to make it from the starting line to the finish line. TO put this into perspective, the Porsche 918 Spyder's lap time was 6:57 and the Aventador SV did it in 6:59.71. That's a HUGE difference in time. You can see the lap by clicking play below. Lamborghini Huracan 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

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