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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 – February 04, 2021

Will Ferrell Attacks Norway For The Big Game

The land once ruled by Odin and his son Thor are now dominated by electricity. Because they are leading the world in EV sales, Will Ferrell will attack Norway for the Big Game. In their most recent press release, General Motors has promised 20 new electric models by 2023, dropping $27 billion to become an all-electric automaker. With 51% of new car sales being hybrid or EV, Norway leads the world leaving gasoline behind. The Cadillac Lyriq and the Hummer EV will debut their new Ultium battery technology, with a whopping 200 kWh capacity. The world might not be ready for a high-voltage Corvette, but the E-Ray isn't far off. Famous actors often have amazing cars, so check out our Top 5 Celebrity Car Collections. Image (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – January 25, 2021

2021 BMW M3 & M4 Competition Wheels Are A Great Upgrade

You don't need a new BMW for sale to experience great looks and confident cornering. That's because the 2021 BMW M3 and M4 competition wheels are a great upgrade. While the aftermarket has impressive style and wider stance, the engineers in Bavaria know your car better than anyone. Keeping weight to a minimum, your local BMW dealer has several new wheels available. The team at BMW M uploaded a quick glance at them along with explaining the benefits of each. Click the button to find our dealer near you. BMW M3 For Sale BMW M4 For Sale The BMW M team has also explained the cooling system, tire sizes, and weight savings of their best cars. Image (C) BMW USA

By Andrew Nabors – January 18, 2021

BMW Motorrad Unveils Custom R18 "Spirit of Passion"

Instead of being a casualty of 2020, BMW accomplished an unprecdented launch of a new retro cruiser. Now they have inspired the world as BMW Motorrad has unveiled a custom R18 "Spirit of Passion". " width="680"> Only available to their most-valued customers, each example is hand-built by Kingston Custom. Leaving only the frame untouched, this Art Deco machine sports a unique saddle, handlebars, mudguard, and the gorgeous fairing. BMW Motorrad Will Be Unvieling Two New Roadster Inspired Motorcycles All the technology and electronics are smartly hidden from view, leaving the big 1.8-liter exposed for all to see. If you need a new BMW, click the button below and get ready to ride. Browse BMW For Sale Images (C) BMW Motorrad

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By Andrew Nabors – January 05, 2021

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Record Lap Behind The S...

In order to understand what it takes to conquer the 'Ring, let's take a look at the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series record lap behind the scenes. In the latest upload of Inside AMG, Felix returns to shed light on how they shattered the record for production coupes (and sedans). 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Sets New Nürburgring Record Much like we saw earlier from Team Corvette, the Mercedes-AMG team has a dedicated engineering garage at the Nürburgring. With the goal of beating the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, driver Marco Engel was clocked at 6:43.616. This is over a second faster than the Italian, and over 10 ticks faster than the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from 2019. Within a 24-hour period, he also pushed the AMG GT 63 S sedan to the top of the list, knocking the Panamera Turbo S to 2nd place. Browse Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Daimler A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2021

Ken Block's Hoonicorn Mustang vs Chevy Van

For the latest drag race by the Hoonigans, we are delighted to see Ken Block's Hoonicorn Mustang versus a Chevy Van. While the notion of racing a van might seem laughable, this LS-powered beast is their merchandise hauler. As such, it is powered by an LS6 (5.7-liter) V8 making 420 horsepower. Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang Price & Specs If you are new to the undefeated Mustang, it packs 1,200 horsepower, decent aerodynamics, and a fraction of the weight of the opponent. A tube-frame chassis and a twin-turbo Roush V8 make it one of the most potent cars in Forza Racing and in real life, so stay with us for the next episode of Hoonicorn vs The World. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2021

Sir Lewis Hamilton Knighted By Queen Elizabeth

As a cornerstone of her New Year's Honors, Sir Lewis Hamilton has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth. Inspiring a generation of future racers, he secured a 7th F1 World Championship back in November. With 94 wins and counting, he has tied Michael Schumacher and placed the Union Jack at the forefront of racing. Bloomberg also reminds us that he is the only F1 champion of African descent, and he has used his fame to draw attention to minority issues. We congratulate Sir Lewis on achieving incredible success, and many more wins to come. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2020

Watch Volvo Drop Their Cars From a Crane

Volvo is taking their crash tests to a whole new level in order to ensure the safety of their passengers. And when I say new level, I mean it because they're taking their crash tests up into the sky. In recent crash tests, Volvo has hoisted their new vehicles 30-meters up into the air via a crane and dropped them onto the ground below. Not only did this allow Volvo to simulate damage from some of the most extreme scenarios, but it also gave rescue services a chance to prepare for these kinds of crashes. “We have been working closely together with the Swedish rescue services for many years,” says Håkan Gustafson, a senior investigator with the Volvo Cars Traffic Accident Research Team. “That is because we have the same goal: to have safer roads for all. We hope no one ever needs to experience the most severe accidents, but not all accidents can be avoided. So it is vital there are methods to help save lives when the most severe accidents do happen.” From these tests, Volvo will be given extraordarinly helpful crash information. On top of that, the findings of these crashes and the extraction work will all be compiled into a report that will be available to rescue workers for free. See All Volvos For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – September 02, 2020

Watch the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Reveal With us

Here is the future, so are you ready? We will have a full recap later this morning " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

2020 Ferrari 488 Pista vs. 1,100 HP Shelby GT500

Forced induction is the recipe for big power, so what happens when a twin-turbo 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista lines up against a supercharged 2020 Shelby GT500? Mustang fans that follow Stangmode know he has pushed the new GT500 farther than anyone thought possible. The Coyote block is a marvel of modern metallurgy, but it is going up against the pride of Italy. The 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista weighs in at 3,054 lbs and offers 711 horsepower along with 567 lb-ft of torque. Ferrari 488 Pista Price, Specs, Photos & Review In stock form, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is 4,225 lbs. But to reach 1,100 horsepower, upgrades must be made to the primary and secondary cooling systems. The transmission gearing and shift speeds are also favorable to the Mustang, so a rolling race should equalize the odds. Let us know which one you would prefer in the comments below and stay with us for more great Dragtimes uploads. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 26, 2020

2021 Triumph Trident is a Stunning Middleweight Roadster

Visitors to the London Art Museum were greeted by a wild 2-wheeler yesterday. With graceful lines and the perfect rake, the 2021 Triumph Trident is a stunning middleweight roadster. You can definitely tell its British thanks to the minimalist nature along with classic cues. The original Triumph was a staple of late-60's Mods & Rockers. " width="680"> The second generation in the '90s tried to revive the same emotions, but times had changed. Now the 3rd generation is taking the brand into uncharted territory. Their website says we are looking at the future of Triumph and their innovative 3-cylinder engine. They are not dishing out the details just yet, but as soon as they do you will see them here first. Learn More

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