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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 – May 31, 2017

Porsche 911 Turbo S Demolishes Ferrari F430 Scuderia in Race

Do you want to see an Italian sports car take on a German sports car? Of course you do! That's why GTBOARD.com uploaded the video found below of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia taking on a Porsche 911 Turbo S (991).At the heart of the F430 Scud is a naturally aspirated 4.3-liter V8 that can provide the rear wheels with 483 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. Not bad for the Ferrari. On the other hand, or lane, there's the 911 Turbo S that has a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine that pumps out 652 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, the Porsche has the upper-hand, especially when you take into account that the Turbo S has all-wheel drive. Although, AWD would definitely provide a greater leg up from a dig, as opposed to a roll.President Trump's F430If you want to see a brutal defeat, click play down below to see just what happens when these two meet up.

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2017

Bugatti Chiron in Exposed Red Carbon Fiber Spotted in Monaco

Along the Mediterranean coast of France exists a playground for the rich & famous. You won't see many Saturns or Pontiacs in Monaco, but you might catch the latest Bugatti in action. This new Bugatti Chiron is a 1,500 horsepower work of art that is a spectacle in the sun. The first footage we see of the car in the sunlight shows the composite weave peaking through a red clear coat. Destined to attract attention everywhere it goes, a few blips of the throttle sound like nothing else on the road.Also Check Out - Official Video of United States' First Lamborghini Centenario DeliveryA four stroke gas engine is balanced with eight cylinders sharing one crankshaft, so a 16 cylinder engine runs very smooth. It won't spin to Formula1 rpm, but it makes up for high revs with incredible power. Four turbochargers allow it to make 1,180 lb-ft at only 2,000 rpm. A Haldex AWD system is similar to what is used on the Aventador, using electronic differentials to instantly change where power is applied. But all the power and technology will rarely be used to their full potential. Given the substantial price of even the cleanest pre-owned Bugatti Veyrons, most examples will be destined to a life of leisure in the world's most exclusive locations. Stay with us for all the latest Chiron cinematography.

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2017

Mesmerizing LEGO Porsche 911 GT3 RS Crash Test

If a German motorist becomes stranded or needs assistance, ADAC (General German Automobile Club) is ready to respond. Similar to our AAA, it is an Auto Club with over 18 million members. They are equipped to be first responders, and also capable of repairs on-site. They also have a large fleet of rescue choppers stationed along the Autobahn in case of an accident. To keep German motorists safe, they also perform their own crash tests to ensure manufacturer's safety ratings. Testing a base model car is usually preferred due to cost and rarity. After all, the chassis and body are normally the same between the various versions.But, that is where Porsche is different. For the high performance 991 series RS, the chassis is reinforced in many areas. Extra welding along the seams and carbon fiber body panels will cause it to react differently than its Carrera cousins. So, ADAC decided that they would test the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but would do so in a different. Instead of ramming a real-life version of the car, they used a scale model with some assembly required. The 2017 LEGO Technic GT3 RS retails for $299.95 and it has many scaled-down components from the production model. This version is the only GT3 RS available with a real manual transmission, as all the full-size cars have the PDK dual-clutch. With details like these, a crash test is a necessity to see how the production car would behave. Even pre-owned Porsche GT3 RS examples are going for record prices, so we're glad LEGO has made them affordable for all. We care about your safety, so stay with us for more crash test footage.

By Andrew Nabors – May 16, 2017

John Cena Shows Off his Low Mileage Ford GT

If you are looking for a supercar for sale, there is no reason to not consider a pre-owned Ford GT. They are over-engineered from in every sense of the word, and nothing in the body or engine is irreplaceable. A local celebrity near Tampa, Florida who has a fine taste in automobiles is WWE Superstar John Cena. The Bella Twins are also hometown heroes, and John recently announced his engagement to Nikki Bella. Her YouTube uploads are a sneak peak behind the curtains of pro-wrestling, and it's nice to know that some celebrities know how to deal with being famous.04-06 Ford GT Horsepower, Prices & SpecsMr. Cena is passionate about his car collection, and it looks like he is meticulous when it comes to the details. He ordered his 2005 Ford GT with three of the four options that were made available originally. It has forged wheels, red calipers, and the McIntosh audio system, but stripes are nowhere to be found. The GT is devoid of graphics to keep it a mystery at a distance. It also makes the car incredibly rare to collectors. Like every other Ford fan, he is patiently waiting for the new Ford GT, so maybe this pristine example will head for the auction block. If you are looking for a nice used Ford GT, you could always challenge him to a Smackdown....Or you could save your life and find one from our dealers. Stay with us for the next installment of John Cena: Auto Geek.

By Andrew Nabors – May 15, 2017

Over $300 Million in Ferraris in One Place

If you are an Italian enthusiast who wasn't able to attend this year's Ferrari Cavalcade Classiche, Marchettino captured some amazing footage to fill the void. This year's event was attended by 70 owners from around the world. Many historically significant cars that attended included the second production model ever made, the 1947 Ferrari 125S owned by Jim Glickenhaus. As a perfect contrast, it wasn't far away from the latest LaFerrari Aperta. A tour of the museum was followed by a few parade laps around Fiorano, with the powerful V12s begging to run free.We thought we had seen everything at the Mondiali in Daytona, but nothing beats a homecoming of heroes. With pristine examples of the Ferrari 250, 275, 365, some Berlinettas, Barchettas and Spiders, this gathering had something for everyone. Marchettino estimates over 3 Million Euros worth of cars were in attendance, and our estimates are even higher. The logistics of moving so many priceless cars can be stressful, so we hope everyone made it home without a scratch. He has high-quality microphones, so turn up your speakers for this one. If you want in on the action, check out our pre-owned Ferrari for sale, & stay with us for more Ferrari Footage.

By Edward Jones – May 15, 2017

Lamborghini and Toyota Supra Race over 200 mph on Highway

Right off of the bat, I'll say that you should always follow your local traffic laws and never try anything like this at home. We do not condone any illegal actions included in this video.Related - Lamborghini Races Against 1,000 HP Sleeper BMWNow, I'm not exactly sure where this video was filmed, but it does show two insane supercars racing each other on what looks like a public highway. On one lane you have the Baltic Toyota Supra, which has 1,150 whp on tap. In the other lane is an Underground Racing Stage 3 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera supercar. This super Italian is capable of producing 1,300 whp. While the Lamborghini may have 150 more horsepower, it still weighs more than the Supra. Could this make for a win against the Superleggera? Click play below to find out.

By Andrew Nabors – May 10, 2017

Porsche 911 GT1 Is Street Legal Madness

A very thin line exists between street cars and race cars. For certain classes of racing, manufacturers are obligated to build street legal examples in order to be eligible to race. Known as "homologation cars" they must conform to some notions of civility, which mostly means lights, turn signals, and seatbelts. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual gathering of all things automotive, and its the best way to see classics in action. En route to the 75th members meeting, Henry Hope-Frost was a lucky hitchhiker who flagged down a stunning Porsche 911 GT1.Also Check Out: An Introduction To 993 Series Porsche 911Built to compete in the FIA GT Championship, Porsche was going up against the McLaren F1 and the CLK-GTR from Mercedes-AMG. The late 90's were a time of aero wars between the brands. Computer simulations were doing the best they could to predict airflow at high speeds, and it led to ridiculous spoilers and ducts of incredible proportions. The GT1 was a tube frame chassis that used production 911 suspension components and a 3.2-liter twin turbo flat six. The street version had to be detuned slightly for European emissions, but it made a shocking 537 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Performace was record setting, even in terms of modern cars. It is capable of reaching 62 mph in 3.9 seconds with a quarter mile in 11.6. We wish the US had the same street-legal standards as England because it would give us an opportunity to see more classics in action. Stay with us for full coverage of Goodwood here on Autofluence.Road-Legal Porsche 911 GT1

By Andrew Nabors – May 09, 2017

How To Build A BMW M2 Drift Machine? LS Swap It

We stumbled across something wild back in August, but we couldn't comprehend it. BMW released the M2 for the European market last year, but it has taken some time for them to reach the US. SpeedHunters went to Latvia to reveal the secrets behind HGK Motorsports and their F22 Eurofighter. As one of the leaders in the drifting scene, their expertise has led to prolific success in fabrication and aftermarket parts.The new BMW M2 has an internal chassis code of F22, and Eurofighter is Europe's front line air defense jet. So if the name is a combination of US and European aircraft, what's under the hood? The following information will cause you to get fighting mad, or fill you with glee. HGK removed the brand new 3.0-liter straight six to lighten the nose. In its place is a 7.6-liter LS V8 from MAST motorsports. Turbos and superchargers are fine for most forms of racing, but drifting requires instant and brutal power. Horace Mast was the firs person to unlock GM's cam phaser tuning a few years ago, and his company has been building incredible LS power. The 466ci beast uses an aluminum block and 305cc LS7 heads to make 820 hp and 678 lb-ft of torque.Also Check Out - Woah: The BMW M8 Supercar is Actually HappeningA sequential transmission is the best way to keep power flowing, and the cooling system was moved to the trunk for protection and weight bias. No expense was spared, as the body was taken down to bare metal in order to improve on perfection. On top of the factory spot welds, each panel was fully stitch welded together for a strong unibody. This was needed to support the wide body fenders and bumper reinforcements. A quick-change differential is the best of both worlds, as long as you like the smell of 90wt. If you would like to do this yourself, our dealers have several M2s to choose from, and if you need a donor engine look for a used Cadillac CTS-V. Stay with us for more wild builds.RAW - HGK BMW F22 Eurofighter Run

By Andrew Nabors – May 09, 2017

Classic Drag Racing: Ferraris vs Lamborghinis (Diablo GT,...

Age can be a major factor in human racing, but Italian exotics seem to stay young forever. You might be quick to disregard a twelve-year-old car if it lines up next to you, but buying a pre-owned exotic is an affordable way to win races. In two videos uploaded by GTBOARD this morning, we see two comparisons of previous models in races filmed a decade ago. Think about what is was like back then. Cars were not weighted down with a dozen airbags and dual clutch transmissions. Launches control was between your ears because it took intuition for a perfect hole shot.The first race features a 2005 Lamborghini Gallardo SE versus a Ferrari F430 Spider. The Gallardo SE was limited to 250 cars in a two-tone paint scheme. The 5.0 liter V10 made 520 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque that was sent to all wheels. Ferrari's F430 Spider was an evolution of the 360 drop-top that used a 4.3 liter V8 to make 490 horsepower and 342 lb-ft of torque. Being at a disadvantage of 30 hp and torque, can the lighter V8 outmaneuver the V10?Lamborghini Gallardo SE vs Ferrari F430 SpiderOnce you reach illegal speeds, mother nature takes over in the form of wind resistance. Convertibles will rarely perform better than coupes, because their tops are formed to fold away on sunny days. This makes for a serious aerodynamic disadvantage, especially when the top deforms at high speeds. In the next event, an incredibly rare Lamborghini Diablo GT takes on a Ferrari 599 GTB. Only 80 examples of the GT were produced, and they used a stroker crankshaft to transform 5.7 liters into 6.0L. Revised engines require all new EPA testing, so the car was never legally imported to the US. It made 575 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque sent through a 5-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels only. The opponent is a Ferrari 599 GTB, also fitted with a naturally aspirated 6.0 liter V12. Horsepower is rated at 612 with 448 lb-ft of torque.Lamborghini Diablo GT vs Ferrari 599 GTBThe runway looks a little wet which probably led both drivers to make conservative starts. Tell us what you think of the outcomes and how the 2nd place cars could gain an upper hand. If you want to dominate your next half-mile event, be sure to check with our dealers for classics at great prices.

By Edward Jones – May 08, 2017

Kick Back and Enjoy Sports Cars and Supercars Spitting Fi...

Do you enjoy watching sports cars and new supercars setting unburnt fuel aflame and shooting flames out of their exhaust? Well, of course you do. This is why YouTube channel Auto Addiction compiled all of their clips of cars spitting flames into one video so we can sit back and enjoy almost four minutes of the act. They note that this video was created to celebrate the accumulation of 80,000 subscribers (congrats!). In the video, you'll see a heaping amount of Japanese import sports cars, other modified foreign cars, race cars and even a Maserati MC12. Click play below to see them for yourself.

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