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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 – April 17, 2018

Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs Tesla Model S P100D

Two cars with patented technology meet on a desolate highway in Mexico. It sounds like an unlikely scenario but stay with us. Lamborghini's Huracan Performante channels air through a hollow rear spoiler to cheat the wind. Tesla's Model S P100D channels 100 kWh of power to electric motors at the front and rear. In "Ludicrous Mode" it has laid waste to cars several times its price, at the expense of generating more carbon emissions from the nation's power grid.Drag Race: Tesla Model S P85D Ludicrous Mode vs. Lamborghini HuracanLamborghini believes in old-fashioned naturally aspirated power. When combined with the latest in aerodynamics it allowed the Huracan Performante to clock a record time at the 'Ring. So Dragtimes decided to compare these unlikely contenders in a series of races. For full disclosure, the Italian carries a price tag of $336,000, if you can find a dealer able to order one. It sends 630 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque to all wheels.Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs. Base Huracan: Who’s Faster?The Tesla Model S P100D is $150,000, and its combined output from both motors is 920 lb-ft of torque and 588 horsepower. Contrary to most electric cars, Tesla builds a gear-reduction into their differentials. Their cars are geared to maximize battery range in city driving. It puts the most power to the ground under 60 mph, while the Performante comes alive above 100. Comparing these two cars in any way is like apples to oranges, but it is fun to watch nonetheless.Lamborghini Huracan Performante For SaleP.S. Don't try this on any public roads, you will endanger yourself and everyone around you!https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=JPs2CoX_aHw

By Edward Jones – April 16, 2018

Saleen S302 Mustang Races a Fighter Jet

We've all had friends brag about racing other cars, which is cool and all. But how many of your friends say they raced a fighter jet? For that, there's the event called "Supercars vs. Fighter Jets," which is put on by Precision Exotics. YouTube channel autoedit was recently testing the new Supercharged Saleen Anniversary Edition S302 Mustang when they received a call saying they could attend the event. Of course, they took the opportunity and went to the Fox Field airstrip in the Mojave Desert to see how the 'Stang stacked up against a Lockheed T-33 Shoot Star Jet. Powering the Saleen Mustang is a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that pumps out a mean 730 horsepower. As for the transmission, the one being raced against the jet was equipped with a 6-speed MT-82 manual transmission. However, the 10-speed automatic transmission is offered as an option. Does this powerful Mustang have enough to stand up to a real-life fighter jet? Click play below.

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2018

Which Porsche 911 Is Right For You: RWD vs AWD

YouTube sensation Nick Murray offers advice on a wide range of topics, but his automotive insights are the most popular. In an attempt to answer one of the most perplexing questions of 2018, he created a video with the differences of the latest Porsche 911. Over 20 flavors of 911 are currently being produced, but each one can be distilled down to All Wheel Drive, or Rear Wheel Drive. Nick chose the former for his Porsche daily driver, but his friend has a nearly identical 911 Carrera in RWD.The differences appear small to the casual driver, but they make a world of difference in the long run. For full disclosure, we are located in Florida so winter weather is not normally a consideration. If you intend on driving your 911 in all weather conditions, your choices are learning to drift or languish in the safety of AWD. But there are more aspects to consider than simply the driveline. Carrera 4 owners are given the widebody treatment which includes rocker panel ground effects, a full-width rear brake light, one additional gallon of gas, and 110 lbs of additional curb weight. Powering all four wheels incurs one less mile per gallon and a slightly smaller trunk along with lopping 5 mph from the top speed. The price difference between Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 models is around $7,000 in this situation, but our dealers have great incentives on each as we head into summer. Tell us which layout works for you, and stay with us for all your Porsche 911 news.

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2018

Bugatti Veyron Spins $150,000 Donuts

You and your tires share a close relationship. They keep you safe, but in the world of hypercars, they should be scared of your right foot. New tire day is like Christmas to us because the best way to celebrate the end of an era is to vaporize your old tires. This is an easy task for Rear Wheel Drive cars, but who in their right mind would do it in a Bugatti Veyron?When Bugatti first introduced it, the Veyron's capabilities awed the world. Of course, maintenance would be expensive, but they took it to an obscene level. The most expensive tires ever made could only be mounted to the wheels at the factory in Molshieim. That is because the rubber is glued to the wheels with a special epoxy. For many, this crossed the line between regular service and downright inconvenience. Perhaps that is why the Chiron has a conventional wheel/tire setup.Fastest Quarter-Mile Production CarSo if you combine the cost of shipping your stock wheels back to France, and buying new wheels & tires in the meantime, you will be $150,000 out of pocket. Daily Driven Exotics came across this situation, and what you are about to see is the most expensive tire destruction ever filmed.Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2018

Porsche 911: PDK vs Manual Transmission

No matter how much praise you give Porsche's PDK transmission, at the end of the day it's still an automatic. The acronym stands for Porsche Doppelkupplung, or dual-clutch. Essentially two manual transmissions sharing the same space, even and odd-numbered gears have separate input shafts for quick shifting. By having the next gear already engaged, the only action needed to shift is to change which shaft is receiving the engine's power. It can be done almost instantly, which is a far cry from the single clutch automatics that were used from the 90's until now. The main disadvantage to having such a high-performance gearbox is weight and cost of repair. Having two manual transmissions along with hydraulics and computers is seen as overly complex by some enthusiasts.Also Check Out: Why To Buy An EnzoThose are the traditionalists who prefer a manual transmission. Nick Murray decided to compare both options in his latest YouTube upload, and his conclusions might surprise you. He compared PDK to a seven-speed manual in the latest Porsche 911 (991.2 series), with ample seat time in both. His previous upload compared the AWD to RWD capabilities of the 911, and we recommend it before you buy. His notions of better fuel economy and being better suited to turbochargers can be made by someone who can't or won't bang shift when needed. No-lift shifting is a lost art, but the rewards are glorious. PDK has a coast mode that disengages both clutches, manuals also have this located under your left foot. The notion of being simply faster is also incorrect, as a properly modified automatic will shift faster than any PDK. Each one has its advantages, so tell us which you would drive in the comments below. Stay with us for more Porsche 911 videos.

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2018

Watch: New 2019 Corvette ZR1 vs McLaren 570S

When it comes to taking delivery of your new 2019 Corvette ZR1, you will fall into one of two categories. The first is the owner who will abide by the break-in procedures and go easy for the first 1,000 miles. The second group is those who go hunting for a race while it is still running on factory gas.Chevrolet Begins Corvette ZR1 DeliveriesBy building the fastest & most powerful Corvette, Chevrolet is taking on the world. This means everyone from Alpha Romeo to Zagato, which means McLaren owners need to be ready for racing in Mexico. As their entry-level model, the McLaren 570S arrives with 562 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. It might look unmatched on paper because the 2019 Corvette ZR1 has 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque.The numbers are only the beginning of their differences. McLaren uses a carbon fiber body to support itself, while Corvette rides on an aluminum chassis. McLaren doesn't offer a manual transmission while most ZR1 owners will order three pedals. Chevrolet has priced the ZR1 at $119,995, around $100,000 less than a new McLaren 570S Coupe. Nevertheless, the team from Street Speed 717 decided to see what happens when they meet on the highway. In a YouTube video uploaded last night, we get a glimpse of what the ZR1 will be capable of. That's because the piston rings, bearings, and other critical parts haven't found their forever homes. Tell us what you think of breaking in a new car in the comments below and stay with us for more wild videos.View McLaren 570S For SaleView Corvette ZR1 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2018

Watch: HPE1000 Twin-Turbo GT350 Mustang In Action

No matter where you like your power, Ford builds a Mustang for you. Some of us like to shift above 8,500 rpm, and the GT350 is the first American car to offer a flat-plane V8. With the ability to rev beyond anything else, why not make use of that high rpm to spin a pair of turbos?John Hennessey and his team have already developed two flavors of the GT350. The first is able to make 575 horsepower and 511 lb-ft of torque without adding boost. Next up is the HPE850. It uses a 2.9-liter supercharger at 6 lbs of boost to make 858 horsepower and 673 lb-ft of torque.The only problem with superchargers is that they are great for conventional V8 engines. That is ones that reach max power below 7,000 rpm. They are spun by an engine belt, at a fixed ratio from the crankshaft. He explained this when I drove his HPE1200 Ford GT at the Orange County Auto Show back in 2012. Unless you have a top-fueled dragster, a supercharger is best suited for low-rpm (under 7,000 rpm) boost.Watch Hennessey Take Delivery of His New Ford GTOnce he added turbos to the 2005 Ford GT, they made boost more efficiently than the blower. So his team gutted the supercharger, essentially making it a pretty intake manifold. To unlock the high rpm potential of the GT350, they have added two modest-sized turbos to the already-potent V8. The result is over 1,000 horsepower along with a soundtrack that will make your mouth water. Turn up to volume and get ready for boost. The full details will be coming soon, so tell us what you think the torque number will be and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2018

John Cena Reviews the Mercedes-AMG SLS

AMG started as an aftermarket shop that offered performance upgrades for Mercedes-Benz cars. Their performance was so incredible that Mercedes purchased the company in order to build them in-house. When AMG was given a blank check to build their own supercar, they produced a new version of the iconic SL Gullwing. The Mercedes SLS AMG for sale arrived in 2010 with an aluminum chassis and body. Under the hood is probably the last version of the 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8. The writing was on the wall, as engineers knew smaller turbocharged engines would soon be shared across the lineup. We had a stunning 2012 SLS Roadster in Alubeam Silver in our collection for two years. The power and sound of a high-compression V8 is unlike today's wheezy 4 liter examples. We took it to shows around the state, and it was a blast to drive. The coupe version is no less impressive, and it takes inspiration from the timeless 300SL. John Cena decided to show us the finer details of the SLS. Don't try to compare it to the new AMG GT, they are not in the same ballpark. The SLS Gullwing and Roadster are lighter than the Mercedes-McLaren SLR series, and they have perfect weight distribution thanks to the front/mid-mounted V8. They are an example of full size GT cars that won't be replicated anytime soon. Take a look at our inventory in the link below and stay with us for more of Mr. Cena's automotive commentary. Mercedes SLS AMG For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2018

Jay Leno Drives KITT from Knight Rider

If you aren't old enough to remember BetaMax or Thundercats, you probably don't care about crime-fighting sports cars. David Hasselhoff was the human star of the TV series Knight Rider, and his co-star was a 1982 to '84 Pontiac Trans/Am. "KITT" was keen at apprehending the bad guys' thanks to lasers, cheesy special effects, and an English accent. To see what the car is all about, two collectors stopped by Jay Leno's Garage for a blast from the past. See Leno's Car Collection We would like to think that Hollywood uses powerful cars to keep our attention, but KITT was all HYPE. The "Knight Industries Two Thousand" was driven by Michael Knight (Hasselhoff) and it was slower than Alexa's great-grandfather. While the show built 20 hero cars for filming, they didn't start life as Trans/Am models. They were base-model Firebirds with carbureted 305 (5.0 liter) V8 engines. I have owned 9 examples of third generation F-body (Camaro/Firebird), and these things are terrible by modern standards. Burt Reynolds Introduces The New Bandit Trans-Am But in the 80's, it was ok to have 110 horsepower as long as you had 300 lb-ft of torque. To make them reliable, the 700R4 automatic (which was new in 82) was swapped for the old 3-speed TH350 transmission. I have encountered several survivors from the series, and their owners care nothing for performance. Keeping a TV car in stock condition is ok for collectors, but slow is an understatement. In the 90's there was a company that would convert your Firebird into KITT, so there were many clones on the market until recently. A big thanks to these guys for keeping KITT alive, and for Jay Leno for another great upload. If you have any Third Generation Camaro/Firebird stories, tell us in the comments below and stay with us for more updates from JLG!

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2018

Everything You Need to Know About McLaren Cars

The McLaren race car has been around for decades, but the McLaren road-going car was only introduced in the early 1990's. It all started with Bruce McLaren's dream to create the perfect race car. Thus, McLaren Motor Racing Team was created. Unfortunately, Bruce passed away at an early age and did not get to create the road-going McLaren he dreamt of. Years passed and McLaren's race cars dominated the circuits, but no McLaren was found on the road. That is until the early 1990's when the McLaren F1 was conceived.McLaren 570S Goes 215 MPH on the AutobahnThis is just a taste of what McLaren has gone through over the years. Now, they are one of the greatest automakers in the world thanks to their incredible supercars and hypercars like the 720S and 570GT. Donut Media has a new video (found below) that digs into the history of the McLaren automobile. The best part? The host, James Pumphrey, does it all in front of a P1 on the showroom floor of McLaren Newport Beach. Click play below to learn more about the McLaren company you know and love.

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