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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 – July 03, 2017

2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 Drives Itself Off Assenbly Line

An updated Sonderklasse is arriving soon, and the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 is almost autonomous. The lane keeping features of the current generation is more advanced than any of its competitors, so they decided to shock the world. In a YouTube video uploaded earlier this morning, we get a few glimpses of the assembly line. The video is such a game-changer that it was uploaded by parent company Daimler AG instead of the Mercedes brand. Board member Markus Schafer gives us a little insight before jumping in the passenger seat.A few minutes prior, this 2018 S560 was a pile of parts waiting for assembly. An army of robots and workers in white gloves gave life to the machine, and it navigated itself outside to the loading dock. Daimler is hoping to cut down on wasted time by having to shuttle employees back to the assembly line, but this also has bigger implications. One day your new car might arrive at your home directly from the manufacturer. This footage is a shock to every other manufacturer, so as soon as they respond you will see it here first. If you need more automation in your life, the 2017 S-Class will corner, accelerate and brake without much input from the steering wheel. Don't believe us? Check out these listings and experience it for yourself.

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2017

Epic Highlights from Goodwood FoS 2017 Day One

After watching NM2255's video, found below, that features the day one highlights of the Goodwood Festivals of Speed, I can easily say that it's a dream of mine to attend the event. Seriously, all of the world's greatest supercars show up to this event and go absolutely wild on the hillclimb track.This year, an epic group of cars showed up, including the Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro, 2017 Ford GT, Pagani Zonda Oliver Edition, McLaren 720S, Lamborghini Centenario and so many more.The action on the tarmac sure is exciting to watch, but Goodwood also gives vehicles that venture off the beaten path a chance to shine. Yes, there is a dirt track where offroad vehicles can show off what they

By Andrew Nabors – June 30, 2017

Bugatti Brings 9,404 Horsepower to Goodwood

You didn't read a typo. What happened earlier today in England was an impressive display of sixteen-cylinder power. Bugatti chose eight significant examples of the Veyron to show the evolution of the brand. They provide a brilliant contrast to the new Chiron, as it displayed what 1,500 horsepower is capable of. Many enthusiasts will fail to spot the changes made to the Veyron during its reign. A 2005 prototype was the first to arrive. Following close behind was a 2007 Pur Sang, the World Record Edition Super Sport, and the Grand Sport Vitesse.In a YouTube upload late last night, the Chiron makes a few blistering runs for the audience. Excellent camera work shows the latest Bugatti to have more ground clearance than you might expect. The worst feature of supercars is they are usually super low. Four open wastegates make for a unique exhaust note. They are open because the turbos aren't needed at such a leisurely pace. The big sixteen doesn't sound too stressed on this run. It has 500 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm... it could beat you at an idle. If you need more cylinders in your life, we always have several Bugatti Veyrons for sale. Tell us which one you would drive and stay with us for all your Goodwood coverage.

By Andrew Nabors – June 30, 2017

Aston Martin Vulcan AMR Pro In Action for First Time

Wasting time is something Aston-Martin never does. That's why the press release for the new Vulcan AMR Pro was only hours before it was revealed at Goodwood. We summarized the details in the revealing article, but nothing is better than a video. Thanks to TheTFJJ, we have a front-row seat to the action. One of the main contributors to Aston-Martin's LeMans victory was aerodynamic domination. When they realized the Vantage GTE car made 2,289 lbs of downforce, the victory was already won. Only 24 Vulcans were sold, but a test mule must have been kept to validate new advancements for the track.The result of countless hours of research and hot laps have resulted in the Vulcan AMR Pro. At speed, it has 2,950 lbs keeping it glued to the track. Essentially, it's an upgrade package for the existing cars because they don't have any plans to resume production. The notion of sending your centerpiece back to the factory could best be described as plastic surgery because the finished product far outshines the base model. We don't know how much the upgrades will cost, or how many owners have opted for it. Several Vulcans are currently in the workshops of Q by Aston-Martin, so stay with us as they emerge. We'll have more Goodwood coverage this weekend, so stay with us for all your Aston-Martin news.

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2017

Rumored Ferrari 488 GTO Spied Testing on the Nurburgring

There have only been three GTO models in Ferrari's history: the 250 GTO, 288 GTO and 599 GTO. Now, it's rumored that Ferrari will be adding the 488 GTO to that list, a successor to the 458 Speciale.Supercarsfromeu recently captured a 488 model testing on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and according to him this was actually the 2019 Ferrari 488 GTO. While many have thought that the new 488 GTO will have a KERS system like that of the LaFerrari, Autocar notes that this is most likely not the case. Instead, it will be built around the 488 GTB platform and be a more track-focused model. To make it more track focused, we anticipate the removal of non-essentials, upgraded components and an increase in engine power.It is expected that Ferrari will reveal the new 488 model either later this year or next year.

By Edward Jones – June 28, 2017

Pro Racer, Katherine Legge, Spins Up Donuts in a New Acur...

At the recent IMSA Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, Katherine Legge and Andy Lally won first place in the GTD division with a Acura NSX GT3. Unfortunately, for Legge, Lally was the one to do perform the victory donuts.Donut Media wanted to make things right and gave he the chance to spin up her own donuts in a 2017 Acura NSX.This new production model of the NSX is powered by a twin turbocharged V6 engine mated to a nine-speed dualclutch transmission. The NSX also receives power from an all-new, three electric motor Sport Hybrid (SH) system. The front wheels receive power or braking from two electric motors while the third is inside the rear mounted transmission.Click play on the video below to see the new NSX shred some tires.

By Andrew Nabors – June 27, 2017

2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Testing At The 'Ring

Of all the curves in the Nurburgring, none is more punishing than "The Carousel". The banked corner is made of uneven sections of concrete that have seen the death of many lower spoilers. The shocks and springs are tested to full compression, which sends lesser cars into the catch fence. That's why car spotters like to camp near the apex, in hopes of catching something new in action. Such was the case earlier today, when Supercarsfromeu filmed an angry Porsche 911 Turbo. The vents in the rear quarter panels are a dead giveaway and the cartoonish fender flares are attempting to keep massive tires within the body.Europe has ridiculous noise laws, so the tires were louder than the tailpipes. Corvette engineers had to add a pair of improvised pipes to keep the ZR1 from being banned, so we have no idea how a twin-turbo flat six can be muffled. Hopefully, the next 911 Turbo S will be a slightly detuned 911 GT2, because 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft along with AWD would be a fun ride. More power demands a wider tire, but how much is too much? Street legal tires have come a long way, but nothing beats R compound on a hot summer day. Tell us your predictions for the next Turbo S in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Porsche updates.

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2017

Super Sedan Showdown: BMW M6 Gran Coupe vs Mercedes-AMG E63

If you have been considering a fast four-door, Germany is asking for your attention. In a battle as old as time, BMW's M6 and the AMG version of the Mercedes E-Class are among the most powerful cars on the market. Each offers a twin-turbo V8 with an automatic transmission, but only AMG offers the 4matic+ AWD system. It has an electronic center differential and a locking rear for optimal traction at all times.The M6 is rear wheel drive only, so the computer dials back the power to keep the rear tires from evaporating. So which car has the advantage in all-out acceleration? To answer this question, our friends at AutoTopNL filmed the speedometer of both machines. Unrestricted acceleration is still legal on many parts of the Autobahn, so hang on for a wild ride. A side by side comparison of the speedometers leaves no question as to who is faster, but the difference in performance is minimal. Take a look at each run and tell us which one you would choose in the comments below. Stay with us for more top speed action here on Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2017

Supercar Videos of the Day 6/23/2017

As I write this, it's Friday and that means the typical work week is over. And THAT means it's time for the weekend and some good times. To get everyone off on the right foot, I've got a few awesome videos for you all.First up is a "fluffy" Audi RS6 Avant that came straight out of the movie "Dumb and Dumber," granted it's not as cool as their Lamborghini Diablo. Next is a Top Gear video of Chris Harris testing out the all-new and all-insane Ferrari 812 Superfast, which is quite literally super fast. And, lastly, is a video of a brutal Lamborghini Diablo Jota PO taking on the Asama Hill Climb. Props to Mikichan1984 for the video (be sure to check out the channel)."Fluffy" Audi RS6 AvantChris Harris Drives the Ferrari 812 Superfast1995 Lamborghini Diablo Jota in Action

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2017

2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R Black Series Spied!

Just last week I was talking to a coworker about the inevitable possibility of an Mercedes-Benz GT R Black Series. Well, here we are with a video from Supercarsfromeu that shows a new and unrevealed AMG GT R Black Series.This means it's actually happening, and I couldn't be more excited.The video, found below, we see a heavily camouflaged AMG GT R that the YouTuber says is the upcoming Black Series version of the German supercar. The standard AMG GT R has 577 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque on tap, but a Black Series will more than likely have over 600 hp considering the E63 has 603 hp at the ready.However, until the car is revealed, the video below will have to do.

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