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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 – March 12, 2018

McLaren 570S Goes 215 MPH on the Autobahn

Want to know what I like about AutoTopNL? They take some of the raddest cars in the world and make them go super fast, especially on the Autobahn. I mean, if I had that road near me like that, I'd do that same thing. Alas, I live in a congested Florida county and I make do by watching AutoTopNL's videos.Their recent video is a perfect example of what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. In this new video we see a McLaren 570S being taken up to 215.6 mph on the Autobahn. If you're familiar with the 570S, you may know that McLaren has the top speed for the 570S set at 204 mph, but that's for a stock example of the exotic car. The one being driven in the video found below has 676 hp, which is 114 more than stock. Check out the top speed run in the video below to get an idea of how fast this tuned McLaren really is.McLaren's New Hyper-GT to be McLaren's Fastest Ever

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2018

Can the Acura NSX Beat a Tesla SUV?

The new Acura NSX is a remarkable hybrid sports car that has brought a model back to life. The Tesla Model X is a new electric SUV that's unlike any other vehicle on the road, aside from other Tesla models. What do these two have in common? They both have an "X" in their model name...New Tesla Roadster: Quickest Car in the WorldThese two models are so incredibly different, but that's what makes drag racing so much fun. It doesn't matter what car you're in, it's always exciting to see how it stacks up against the different cars of the world. For today, we get to see if the NSX can take down the lightning-quick Model X. The Model X comes bone-stock, as it should, while the NSX has new downpipes installed. Check out the video below to see which of these two come in first place! I will note there was a large discrepancy between the reaction time between the two cars.

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2018

Five Greatest Air-Cooled Porsches

If there is one thing that's synonymous with Porsche, it has to be the air-cooled engine. Porsche was able to push their cars to some crazy limits thanks to their advancements in the air-cooled engine. From race cars to road cars, Porsche installed these typed of engines into multiple models and each is a collector's items today. Electric Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo Revealed Taking a looking back at Porsche's greatest air-cooled models is Patrick Long, a Porsche factory racing driver. From the classic 356 to the 917 race car that dominated Le Mans in 1971. Do you have a favorite air-cooled Porsche? Should Porsche create a throwback air-cooled model in the future? Let us know in the comments below after checking out the video and see which models made the list.

By Edward Jones – March 08, 2018

Hennessey Exorcist Blasts 1/4-Mile Quicker Than a Demon

When Hennessey Performance introduced the Exorcist, their take on the ZL1 Camaro, they aimed their sights directly at the Dodge Demon. The Exorcist comes in with 1,000 bhp and 966 lb-ft of torque, outdoing the Demon's 840hp and 770 lb-ft by a wide margin. So, the Exorcist would outperform the Demon in a quarter-mile, right? Correct. 217 MPH in the Hennessey Performance Exorcist Camaro Hennessey recently took their Exorcist out to the drag strip for some sprints and the results are in. After it ran down the 1/4-mile strip, the Exorcist recorded a time of 9.57 sec. @ 147 mph. That's faster than the Demon's reported 1/4-mile time of 9.65 sec. @ 140+ mph. I should also note that the Exorcist sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 2.1 seconds and 0 to 100 mph in 4.7 seconds. Those numbers are quite unreal. Check out the action for yourself in the video below!

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2018

Visiting a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati Graveyard

After an accident or unfortunate mechanical failure, cars are then taken to their final resting place. Whether it's a Toyota Prius or Ferrari F430, every car can be parted out and disassembled once it's no longer driveable. For Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Maseratis, Ferrparts takes them all in and disassembles them for parts. The result is an exotic car graveyard filled with pieces of metal that once made of some of the finest automobiles on the planet.JR Garage recently visited Ferrparts to see what they're all about, and it looks like they weren't disappointed. Outside of the building is torn apart cars that are waiting to be broken down, while inside of the building is filled with various parts from exotic cars. Christian of JR Garage pointed out something that I was thinking about as well: each of these cars has their own story. Seriously, if cars could talk this place could sell audio books for years to come. Check it out for yourself in the video below.How to Sell My Ferrari

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2018

Spot the Apollo IE in Geneva, Win a Dream Ride

Apollo Automobil isn't bringing their IE to the 2018 Geneva Motor Show this year, but they will be bringing to the town of Geneva in an interesting manner. The automaker has announced that they will be hosting their own event from March 6-8th at an undisclosed location.White Apollo IE Unleashed in Hong KongBut they're doing more than just having their own event. For the first time, Apollo is hosting a photography/spotting contest in Geneva while the IE travels around the city. The contest details are simple, take a photo of the Apollo IE, post it on Facebook, Twitter and/or Instagram using the #FindTheIE hashtag with credit to the photographer. There are, of course, a few rules. All photos must be taken by the entrant. Posting someone else’s work is not allowed. Each person is allowed to submit a maximum of 3 photos. Eligibility: This Campaign is open only to those who are aged 13 and above. All entrants must be following Apollo Automobil on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to be eligible to win. Once submitted, members of Team Apollo will review the pictures after the contest closes at the end of the day on March 19th. Whoever wins first prize will get a dream ride in the Apollo IE and a few other goodies as well. For more information, click the button below.View Contest Details

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2018

Lamborghini Caught Racing Highway Patrol Trooper

A state trooper was recently caught racing a Lamborghini Aventador on a public highway in Florida. A video showing the race has popped up on YouTube that shows a state trooper in a Dodge Charger taking on the Italian supercar and ultimately losing in the race.The original video was uploaded to Instagram by a user who has not commented on where the video was recorded. They also have noted that the original video was recorded three years ago. Florida Highway Patrol has announced that they have opened up an investigation into the matter.Hennessey Cadillac Escalade Races Stock Camaro ZL1 1LEWhat do you guys think about this? Leave your thoughts on the matter in the comments section down below.

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2018

Hennessey Cadillac Escalade Races Stock Camaro ZL1 1LE

A race between a Cadillac Escalade and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE should never be close to even. On one hand, there's a muscle car powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of producing 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Then you have a big luxury SUV. However, this specific Escalade happens to be equipped with Hennessey's HPE800 Supercharged Upgrade. What does that mean? The HPE800 upgrade puts the Escalade's power output up to 805 horsepower and 812 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to power the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Compare that to the ZL1 and it's only 0.2 seconds slower in a 0-60 mph run. That's impressive considering the size of each car. Hennessey Has their Ford GT Heritage Edition Delivered Check out the video below to see each of these vehicles race each other and see who wins in the video below from Hennessey Performance.

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2018

World's Quickest McLaren 720s Thanks to Tune

It has been under a year since McLaren 720S deliveries have started, but we're already starting to see tuning companies bring their work to the supercar. One such example of this is a 720S that was featured on DragTimes latest video.This specific 720S features a tune from DME, downpipes and new exhaust. The result is the quickest 720S that's been recorded on the drag strip.McLaren 720S vs 720 HP Nissan GT-RIn the video below, we see a stock 720S run a 1/4-mile time of 9.92 @ 140.94 mph. Then, the tuned example goes for a run, only to be held back a little bit. After getting it all together, it ran the strip in 9.59 @ 145 mph, making it the quickest 1/4-mile time for a McLaren 720s that we know of. Click below to see the car's rocket-like launch!McLaren 650S for Sale

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2018

Porsche Panamera Turbo S Takes On 7 Competitors

Sometimes owners of fast cars want to race everyone just to see how they stack up. The owner of, what looks like, a first-generation Porsche Panamera Turbo S seemed to be on a hunt for such prey at a recent drag racing event in Germany.The cars the Panamera went up against included a Mercedes-AMG E63S, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, BMW X6M and more. Even if the car is a few years old, it stacks up incredibly well against the competition. Check out the video below to see the races for yourself and see who came out on the top of the food chain.Father Surprises 14-Year-Old with Lamborghini Race Car

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