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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 – June 27, 2018

Porsche Panamera Turbo vs Turbo S on the Autobahn

Porsche builds their sedan in a few distinct flavors. The latest Panamera Turbo offers 550 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque from a twin turbo 4.0L V8. But it is only the middle option in the lineup. If you want the ultimate, the Panamera Turbo S couples that engine to a version of the electric drive found in the 918 Spyder. This results in 680 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. So how would they compare in an open stretch of the world's fastest highway?TECHART GrandGT Takes Porsche Panamera to New LevelsOur friends at AutoTopNL decided to run them back to back, with cameras aimed at the instrument cluster. The Turbo is rated to reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds with a top speed of 189 mph. Big brother can reach 62 mph in 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 192. While it might seem close on paper, the Turbo S is an E-Hybrid, and it offers 20 miles of pure electric cruising. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and choose the Turbo that is right for you!Browse Porsche Panamera For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2018

2011 Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 Destroyed In Transport

If you have ever shipped a car, you know how many variables can go wrong. For every reputable carrier, there are a dozen sleazy haulers who can't even figure out a manual transmission. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 was and is Porsche's premier naturally aspirated track car. Back in 2011, the 3.8 liter made 450 horsepower, which is impressive even by today's standards. 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 for Sale But engineers decided it wasn't enough, and they bored & stroked the flat-six to 4.0 liters. The result was 493 horsepower. This was stretching the limits of technology at the time, so only 600 examples of the GT3 RS 4.0 were built. Since then, collectors have fought over them. Accidents happen, so what you are about to see might make you cry. In the latest upload from VINwiki, an owner tells us what happened to his car in on the way to its new owner. Tell us your car transport stories in the comments below and have a great weekend! Browse Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 19, 2018

Brabham BT62 Opens Up During Tests

The Brabham name is on the return thanks to their new BT62 supercar under Brabham Automotive. Recently, the automaker was testing the BT62 at The Bend Motorsport Park in Australia. Brabham Automotive released a video of the car's testing session which features their Managing Director, David Braham, behind the wheel.“The BT62 is incredibly responsive and rewarding to drive, and as a result, it’s very easy to feel at one with the car," said David Braham. "The steering is very direct and does exactly what you want it to do. There’s a very wide window of grip and the confidence that the car gives you as a driver, even in the wet, is outstanding.”The Brabham BT62 comes with aerodynamic components that create 2,645 lbs of downforce-- that's more than the weight of the car (2,142 lbs). Combine that weight and downforce with the power output of 700 horsepower and you have the recipe for a true supercar.Brabham Automotive will be starting the next testing phase later this month at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal.Exotic Cars for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2018

Real 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Becomes Remote Controlled

If you didn't have an RC car as a kid you missed out on some major fun. For one Dutch computer engineer, he decided to relive his childhood by building his own remote control car. But instead of starting with a kit or a model car, he decided to use a black 2006 Corvette. One of my previous rides was a 2007 Corvette Indy Pace Car, so I was intrigued at how he managed to automate a mostly analog machine.Bjorn Harms was inspired by Doc Brown's remote-controlled DeLorean in Back to the Future. It took him a year just to build the controller. After 3 months of bench testing, it took another 3 months to make it safe. This includes a dead-man switch, so if the car loses connection with the controller it hits the brakes. He values the RC system at 3,500 Euros and the car at 30,000, which translates to $39,500. It is for sale to help fund his next build, or you can find a more affordable Chevrolet Corvette in the link below and do it yourself.Browse Corvettes For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=69&v=g3ruVMeQ2Ss

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2018

Hellcat-Powered Jeep Trackhawk Races Cadillac ATS-V

In a normal world, who bring a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Cadillac sedan to the drag strip? Well, the world of horsepower is anything but normal. That is why the Wheels YouTube channel uploaded this unlikely comparison. We have had both the coupe and sedan version of the Cadillac ATS-V for a week of review, and the car is as brutal as its big brother CTS-V.The white Cadillac looks unassuming except for the Weld Drag Star wheels out back. It certainly needs them because the 3.6 liter V6 makes 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. Our local LS tuner Jeremy Formato got his wife's car into the low 9-second range with basic mods and a tune. The opponent is a Jeep? Yes the gearheads at SRT somehow shoved the Hellcat's supercharged 6.2 liter V8 into a Grand Cherokee, and they christened it the Trackhawk. It is All Wheel Drive with no less than 707 horsepower and 645 lb-ft of torque. Tell us who you think should have won in the comments below and stay with us for more drag racing action.Cadillac ATS For SaleJeep Grand Cherokee For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2018

Porsche 918 vs LaFerrari in Father vs Son Drag Race

Most people buy hypercars and never push them to their limits. That can't be said of this Father vs Son drag race from the Turnpike Racing League. A Porsche 918 Spyder and a Ferrari LaFerrari represent five million dollars at the starting line. The 918 Spyder is given a head start because it is simply a faster car. Instead of heads-up racing where both cars leave together, this is a bracket race.The object is to cross the finish line at the same time, so that's why the 918 Spyder was given a head start. The reason why is obvious, the Porsche's 9.71 is over a second faster than the LaFerrari's 10.73. The Porsche makes 887 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque. The Ferrari has 949 horsepower but only 664 lb-ft of torque. As Mr. Shelby always said: "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races". And the other advantage for the Porsche is AWD. It has twin electric motors up front, each sending 82 horsepower to their own wheel. Both are destined to increase in value, so find yours in the links below.Porsche 918 Spyder For SaleFerrari LaFerrari For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=144&v=k5pYYXlP3_k

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2018

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron in Multi-Million Dollar Drag Race

There is no greater thrill in drag racing that lining up next to a slow car. But when it comes to Bugatti, their products are anything but slow. So this is the race we've been waiting for. The Veyron was the culmination of years of engineering and design. It captured everyone's attention when it arrived in 2005. A sixteen-cylinder engine with four turbos was tuned to make 1,001 horsepower and 920 lb-ft of torque. After a decade of innovation and continual improvements, Bugatti reached the limits of what the Veyron could handle.So a successor was designed to have even more power and performance. Instead of using four equally-sized turbos, each bank of 8 cylinders fed a sequential setup. Not only does this prevent turbo lag, it also allows for higher sustained boost. All of the updates allow the car to offer 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. So the Chiron would be the obvious winner on paper, but many other variables come into play at these power levels. Events like these are what has made the Driving Force Club a popular venue to watch supercars in action.LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron is a Thing of BeautyBased in the NYV-tristate area, they hold 35-50 events annually, with all proceeds going to Children's hospitals in and around the Big Apple. Membership is by invitation only, so stay with us for more uploads because you might spot a few familiar faces. If you want to experience a Bugatti for yourself click the link below and have a great week!Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2018

Ferrari GTC4Lusso vs. E63S AMG vs. Panamera Turbo

If you haven't heard, Ford has announced the end of sedan production. The average consumer is not interested in a sedan, because crossovers and SUVs are the prevailing trend.But for people like us, a proper luxury car with incredible power is the best of both worlds. Give us a few turbos and All Wheel Drive, and we'll sell a kidney for a new daily driver. So our friends at DragTimes Russia decided to compare the hottest AWD 4-seaters to help us make an informed purchase.DragTimes: What’s Underneath A Ford GT?The trifecta begins with a Ferrari GTC4Lusso. A hot hatchback from Maranello, this plush 4-seater is powered by their 6.3-liter V12 masterpiece. It offers 681 horsepower and 514 lb-ft of torque, which is shared between a front transaxle and a rear mounted 7-speed dual clutch. Similar in operation to the Ferrari FF, the system has been upgraded with rear wheel steering.Browse Ferrari GTC4Lusso For SaleUp next is a Mercedes-Benz E63S AMG. The Meanest E Class to date, it packs a 4.0 liter V8 and twin turbos to make 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft. Maximum torque arrives at only 2,500 rpm, and it is sent to the intuitive 4MATIC+ All Wheel Drive system.Browse Mercedes-AMG E63 For SaleLast but not least is the Porsche Panamera Turbo. Also sporting a 4.0 liter V8 with twin turbos, it is rated at 550 horsepower and 567 lb-ft of torque. Much like the AMG, it also arrives with air suspension, a dual clutch transmission, and All Wheel Drive.Find Your Perfect Porsche Panamera HereOur dealers have great incentives on 2018 models because the 19's keep coming in. So tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and stay with us for more DragTimes action!

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2018

Carfection: The Ultimate Color For A McLaren

No other automaker cares as much for their heritage as McLaren. So in order to honor the memory of their founder, McLaren Special Operations has developed a new color: Muriwai White. The name carries a great significance, so Carfection filmed this new " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> cruising the Isle of Wight.From his first racing win to his tragic death, Bruce McLaren's career was only 12 years. In that time, he bridged the gap between Automotive Engineer and Race Winner. The company he founded was a racing team. By the time had won several trophies in the Can-Am series and many Grand Prix events, he and his crew were ready for a bigger challenge.In order to race in Group 4, the FIA mandated 50 street-legal cars must be sold to homologate the design. The race car was named the M6A, and the production version was the M6GT. The first production street legal McLaren was a beast. Powered by a fuel-injected Chevrolet Big Block, it was and is a force to be reckoned with. But McLaren lacked the funds to build them, so only a few examples were completed.McLaren Special Operations Delivers 10 Wild 570S CoupesWe're glad Carfection reminded us the McLaren F1 was not their first streetcar; but what is the significance of the new color? Bruce McLaren and his family lived in the village of Walton-on-Thames, in a home he named "Muriwai House". It is a white house with blue doors, and it inspired MSO to create the new color. But Muriwai is not just a house, it was the city in New Zealand that he won his first race. At the age of 15, Bruce was on his way to England to make history. If you are enchanted by the pale blue hue, click the link below to find our McLaren dealer nearest you. And stay with us for more great uploads from Carfection.Browse McLaren 570S Spiders For Sale

By Edward Jones – May 30, 2018

Most Epic Hypercar Drag Races Include Porsche 911 GT1 vs ...

Sometimes you need to just sit back and watch hypercars race down a straight line. Whether it's hypercars of the 80's, 90's or 2000s, they're all entertaining to watch. That's why I'm here to present you with what may be one of the best hypercar drag race videos I've seen.Epic Showdown: McLaren 720S vs Lamborghini HuracanIn the video by TheTFJJ, there is an unbelievable list of cars taking down a drag strip. They include the classic Porsche 911 GT1, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, Ferrari FXX K, Koenigsegg CCX, McLaren 720S, McLaren P1, Maserati MC12, and even an insanely rare Ferrari F12 TRS. This is about as crazy as drag races can get. Click play below to see them for yourself.

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