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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 – August 22, 2017

Tesla Model X Beats Lamborghini, Sets New World Record

Imagine sitting in your Lamborghini Aventador SV at a drag strip and a big SUV pulls up next to you. Surely you'd laugh. Right? Well, not if it was a Tesla Model X, because then you'd have to actually worry about getting beat.Brooks of DragTimes met up with friends at the drag strip, bringing along a Lamborghini Aventador SV, Tesla Model S and Model X. They went into the race looking to put all the vehicles against each other and hopefully set a new world record for the fastest SUV in the world.Tesla Model S vs 1,000 HP Supra: A Tale of Two Kinds of RacesWell, after racing them all against each other, the electric vehicles put on an insanely impressive show and the SUV managed to achieve a new world record. You can view it all in the video below.

By Andrew Nabors – August 18, 2017

Porsche Unveils Carbon Fiber Wheels For 911 Turbo S

When the best just isn't good enough, Porsche finds a way to make the new 911 Turbo S even more potent. Shaving even the slightest weight from your wheels will make your car much more responsive. It takes a significant amount of hp and torque to get them spinning, which is why manufacturers have tried every trick in the book to produce lighter wheels. Chevrolet made a limited run of Corvette wheels from magnesium and swapping them in place of an aluminum wheel felt like adding 100 horsepower to my car. Carbon fiber wheels have made the Ford GT and the GT350 Mustang incredible on the track and street, but Multimatic has closely guarded their production process.Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive: $90,000 PaintLeave it to Porsche to literally reinvent the wheel. After building the world's largest radial loom, the base of their new carbon fiber wheel is woven from 11 miles of carbon fiber thread. It looks like a Stargate, except it's probably more expensive. The aftermarket makes great products, but only Porsche chooses to invest millions of dollars to make wheels that are 20% lighter and 20% stronger than any others. Before they go into the autoclave, each wheel is made of 200 individual pieces of dry carbon. If you are wondering if they will fit on your car, the Porsche 911 Turbo has a bolt pattern of 5x130mm. But the Turbo S has center-lock wheels with one large lug nut. Carbon fiber wheels are the future, but until they are easier to build, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is one of the best ways to experience them. Have a great weekend and stay with us for all your Porsche 911 updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 15, 2017

Pennzoil Shows That the Dodge Demon CAN Drift

If you have the means to purchase the world's fastest production car, please don't use conventional oil. Regular engine oil is refined from dinosaur blood which has been brewing for millennia. Synthetic oils are made in complex labs instead of being pumped from a well. Regular oil is like cholesterol. It builds up crud in all the small passages of your engine, and you're left walking home. You might not think manufacturers would want an engine to sustain years of abuse, but Dodge has partnered with Pennzoil in building the SRT Demon.Pennzoil: The Last ViperSupercharged engines put extreme loads on the crank bearings because they are having to convert 770 lb-ft of torque from a vertical motion into rotational energy. Another point of stress is the massive twisting load the supercharger places on the crank pulley. That's why the Demon's block is not shared with any other model. It doubles the volume of oil to the piston squirters. These nifty spray nozzles shoot upwards into the bottom of the pistons, keeping them cool under pressure and happy to spin to 6,500 rpm. To show off the abilities of the Demon, Pennzoil decided to film another yellow car in action. Their previous films have showcased a professional driver behind the wheel of The Last Viper, and a new Ferrari 488 GTB. The camera's lens is modified by adding two glass plates which are separated by a film of their oil. Made from natural gas and 99.5% pure, it doesn't distort the picture in the slightest. If you aren't interested in demonic possession, our dealers have several Hellcats for sale. Turn up your audio to hear the blower whine and stay with us for more wild Dodge & Pennzoil footage.

By Andrew Nabors – August 11, 2017

Chris Harris Drives Reviews the New Porsche 911 GT3 on To...

A new era of flat-six power is here. Porsche is asking you to forget about the old 3.8, mainly because of its valvetrain issues. The factory has made an unprecedented move and extended the warranty for all 991.1 GT3 cars to 120,000 miles, one of the longest in the industry. Going back to the drawing board, the engine was stroked to 4.0 liters, and it has forged internals along with new cam followers. The oil system is also all new, which makes the 4.0 essentially a new design. Porsche Party?? #GT3RS #911T #356super90 #Porsche #porschedoppelkupplung A post shared by Nick ?? (@stearns_n_stooky) on Aug 10, 2017 at 2:09pm PDT I first experienced the 4.0 in the 911R, and it made such an impression that the boss added a 2016 GT3 RS to the collection downstairs. Without turbos or the front axle, all it needs is a manual transmission to make the ultimate Porsche 911. For the revised 991.2 series, the GT3 has returned, without the race-ready RS edition. Rear wheel steering and the PDK transmission are standard equipment, but it does without the wide body or massive aero package. Chris Harris got his hands on a new GT3 for an upcoming episode of Top Gear, so allow him to explain the finer points of the mean machine. I prefer the RS because of its "go big or go home" styling, but there is no denying the abilities of this new model. Stay with us for all your Porsche news and Top Gear videos.

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2017

How Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series's Handmade Seats...

A seat can make or break your happiness with a car. Everyone has been for a ride in a seat that shouldn't exist, and it makes us wonder how automotive suppliers can still make uncomfortable products in 2017. Back in the 60's, Porsche wanted better the best seats in the industry, so they purchased Reutter Carosserie-Werke. The company that built the bodies of the Porsche 356, their interior department was renamed Recaro and they have built seats for everyone over the years. Yesterday Porsche uploaded another assembly video for the new 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series, and I was taken aback by the signs above each station. Instead of Recaro, the new Porsche 911 seats are a joint venture between Lear Corporation and Porsche.Lear Corp. is an American OEM manufacturer that was founded by Bill Lear. The genius behind 8-track tapes and the Lear Jet, Mr. Lear invented & patented over 120 items that are commonplace in the modern world. Chevrolet and other GM divisions have used Lear interiors for decades, and the quality speaks for itself. It is a strange world we live in, now that Cadillac and Corvette have optional Recaros and the Porsche 911 has Lear as their top-level supplier. the global competition supports comfy butts everywhere. Leather is not an easy material to work with, which is why it takes an artist to get it right. These are just one of the details of why the latest 911 Turbo S is such a work of art. Stay with us for all your Porsche updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 09, 2017

Five Pagani Huayras Invade Greenwich Cars & Coffee

Quality over quantity is why Pagani only builds a few examples of each model. The Huayra had an initial run of only 100 examples, so the chance of seeing more than one at a show is next to none. What began as a small gathering of enthusiasts has grown into one of the biggest events in the Northeast, and if you weren't in Connecticut last weekend you missed a great show. Cars & Coffee Greenwich is drawing spectators and attendees from Newark to New Hampshire and everywhere in between. Greenwich Cars & Coffee Recap In order to keep the show from causing a downtown traffic jam, the organizers set up a VIP area for the most exclusive rides. A car spotter who goes by DoctaM3 was at the VIP entrance to capture them in action. Rolling in first was a Noble M400 followed by a right-hand drive Nissan Skyline. A McLaren 720S with doors riding high was overshadowed by a P1. Not to be outdone by a McLaren Hypercar, its arch-rival the LaFerrari looked brilliant in the morning sun. The stars of the show were five pristine Paganis, which caught everyone by surprise. Of all the cars, my choice would be the Ferrari Daytona Spyder because I love carburetors. Tell us your favorite car in the lineup and stay with us for updates on our massive September Cars & Coffee. Davis Islands, Tampa, Florida on September 16th- Come see us and hang out with the coolest cars in the world.

By Andrew Nabors – August 08, 2017

Nineteen Porsche 918 Spyders Attack the Alps

The hills are alive, with the sound of Porsches. A play on words from "The Sound of Music" the Alps make a perfect setting for beautiful films. Steep mountain roads are the perfect place to show off a hypercar, so Porsche gathered 19 lucky owners to attack 25 scenic Alpine Passes. In the year 218 BC, Hannibal crossed the same mountains with soldiers and a herd of elephants heading for Rome. But the invasion proved to be too much for men and beasts, and only 1 animal survived the warPerhaps horses would have been a better choice. That's why Porsche's forces consist of 16,853 horsepower. The 918 Spyder is the state of the art in AWD V8 Hypercars. Its twin-turbo 4.6-liter engine doesn't get tired at high altitudes, and the electric motors are easily charged on the downhill runs. No incline is too steep for 944 lb-ft of torque, so Porsche used this incredible gathering to film one of the best advertisements they've done in a while. Only 918 examples were produced, so the odds of this happening again are slim. An Alpine adventure is the best way to beat this relentless summer weather, so turn up your audio and listen to Porsche's hypercar in action. We have 918 Spyders for sale, so take a look at our listings and stay with us for all your Porsche updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 07, 2017

McLaren 570S Races to 212 mph on the Autobahn

The Sports Series from McLaren is aimed at a different audience than their Super Series cars. The 570S and 570GT are not as powerful as the 650S or 657LT, but who would pass up the opportunity to drive a carbon fiber super car? The 570S has 562 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, along with the same advanced construction and aerodynamics found on their other cars. The 3.8 liter twin-turbo V8 is detuned in order to not compete with the Super Series cars, which means it won't reach top speed as soon as its bigger brothers. We're talking fractions of a second here, so many have been wonder how it handles a wide open run on the world's fastest highway.Also Check Out: Offroading In two McLaren 570GTsOur friends at AutoTopNL have a knack for filming the fastest cars on earth on the Autobahn, so get ready for a wild ride. McLaren's launch control system works like brake-boosting at the drag strip. Once activated, the computer kills spark to half the cylinders. This holds rpm constant while the turbos spool up. When the brakes are released, all 8 cylinders are engaged at full boost. Hold on, as the driver is pushing this car to its limit. Detuning an engine puts less stress on the internals, and the car handles 7,000 rpm like a walk in the park. The speedometer on the camera can't keep up with acceleration like this. Tell which McLaren Series you would buy, and why in the comments below. Stay with us for more top speed cruising here on Autofluence.

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2017

Massive Mercedes-AMG G63 6x6 Adventures Across the Autobahn

Its Friday, so you know what's coming.... Another great Autobahn cruise by AutoTopNL. This week's feature is the rarest example of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Never challenge AMG to a dare, because they will always call your bluff. We suppose that was the inspiration to borrow the portal axles from the indestructible 6x6 Unimog and stuff them under the twin-turbo G63. Taking the insanity even further, the chassis was stretched and another rear axle was added. Just like it's big brother, the middle axle has input and output yokes, and all three have locking differentials.Also Check Out: Hennessey Reveals VelociRaptor 6x6One of our local fans occasionally brings his to our Cars & Coffee show, and it provokes one of two reactions: "Wow, that is redundant and unnecessary" or "Can I borrow that for a few hours, no questions asked?" Pricing started at over half a million, so you probably won't see one in traffic anytime soon. They caused such a commotion that the same hardcore parts were used to build the 4x4 2, or G Squared SUV. You might think that three axles and six tires would be unwieldy on the highway, so prepare to be amazed. The only issue is tire noise that sounds like the Ride of the Valkyries. Before AMG began using the silly reverse flow 4.0L V8, the G63 was powered by the traditional 5.5 liter with twin turbos. It sent 531 horsepower and 561 lb-ft to all six. Every once in awhile they come up for sale, so stay tuned to our G63 listings and have a great weekend!.

By Andrew Nabors – August 03, 2017

Ferrari FXX K vs McLaren P1 GTR at Monza

Track days and hypercars seem like a logical recipe for fun. Cars like the McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari combine powerful engines with hybrid systems to make the ultimate street machine. Being street legal can be a hindrance for those who want all-out performance, so that was the motivation behind the McLaren P1 GTR and the Ferrari FXX K. The team at McLaren Special Operations decided to strip away the pleasantries of the P1, mainly consisting of the active suspension, active aero, upholstery, and insulation. What emerged is a 986 hp monster with 737 lb-ft of torque that weighs only 3,174 lbs.Also Check Out: McLaren P1 GTR For Sale In The USFerrari's XX program began with the FXX, a track-only version of the Enzo. As a logical successor, the FXX K is a LaFerrari on steroids. K is for the Kers system, which is Ferrari's hybrid system. It uses two motor/generators and a 6.3 liter V12 to make 1,036 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Officially, only 40 examples of each car were produced, which places each one among the rarest sports cars for sale. It would be amazing to see them battle it out at a famous track like Monza, but it's highly doubtful either would agree to such a contest. Nevertheless, a fan who goes by 19Bozzy92 on YouTube filmed both cars at Monza during different events. Turn up your audio and listen to dual clutch transmissions trying to keep up with a demanding track and thousands of horsepower. Tell us who you think would win and stay with us for all your hypercar updates.

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