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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 – February 01, 2017

Watch The Stig Rip the Aston Martin Vulcan Around the Tes...

Alright, so we're all pretty upset at that the old Top Gear test track is going to be bulldozed for housing. Why are we upset? Probably because many of us have spent years watching The Stig rip hundreds of sports cars around the track.(How to Get Stuck in an Aston Martin Vulcan)While we won't get to see The Stig drive new cars around the track, we still have hours of footage from the vault that will keep us occupied. For example, Top Gear loaded up a video of our favorite driver taking the Aston Martin Vulcan around the track.This video is bittersweet to watch, considering it reminds us of the old Top Gear, but it's still awesome to see the Vulcan being thrashed through the track.All Aston Martin For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 31, 2017

Bugatti Test Driver Flogs the Chiron

In order to build a better Bugatti, the Chiron has significant improvements over its predecessor. We didn't know the redesign was so intense, but Drivetribe was able to interview Bugatti's Chief Test Driver Loris Bicocchi, who touched on the finer details. A secret to making 1,479 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque is in the sequential pairing of the four turbos. Two operate at low speeds and larger ones are engaged at higher RPM. To cope with the increased performance, the carbon fiber body was reinforced. The AWD system was tuned with more emphasis on the rear axles. While it is constantly vectoring torque for great cornering, the front is limited to 30% of maximum power. Drift mode enabled!(Also Check Out - Bugatti Chiron and Vision GT Sold to this Guy for How Much?)The real treat of this interview was a chance to film the master behind the wheel. Loris has worked for Lamborghini and Pagani, so he knows a thing or two about scaring passengers. Production of the Chiron has been limited so far, probably due to the complexity of the design. But once our dealers begin to receive their allocations, maybe the Veyron will be in your price range. Stay with us for more Bugatti news.All Bugatti Chiron For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 30, 2017

Learn All About the BMW 5 Series - E60

Many manufacturers are focused on the future in order to keep the public on the edge of their seats. But BMW doesn't move forward without considering the successes of the past. It's hard to comprehend how much the 2003-2009 (internally known as E60) generation of the 5 Series changed the world, and its design is nothing short of timeless. No matter what part of the automotive hobby you enjoy, everyone knows someone who has owned an E60. As a logical choice for E46 fans who need more space, the E60 was built in Sedan and Wagon (Touring). The flagship model was the M5, and it was powered by a 500 hp naturally aspirated V10 ax murderer. Worthy of a history lesson on its own, we will cover it another day.(Related - BMW Unveils Their Weirdest Car Yet, And It Drives Itself)In searching for the perfect E60, you have two primary options to consider. Do you like your power in the form of a twin turbocharged 3.0 liter straight six, or from a 4.8 liter V8? Back when most people could still drive stick, a six-speed manual was offered on both the 535 and the 550. Relatively light by contemporary standards, the E60 is a blast to drive. Well optioned examples can be found for a bargain, which is one of the reasons why the aftermarket has embraced them. Many 535 owners have discovered the potential of E85 fuel and are making over 400 hp at the wheels. No less than 25 engine options were produced to meet regulations around the world. If you need a new daily driver, the 5 Series is a safe & smart choice. Our dealers have plenty to choose from, so enjoy the film and take a look at the listings below.Luxury Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 26, 2017

How the McLaren F1 Became the World's Fastest Car

In the 1990's, everyone knew about and loved the McLaren F1. Why? Because it was the most insane car ever, at the time.It all started when the F1 hit a speed of 231 mph in 1993 at the Nardo Ring in Italy. This rate of speed was unheard of at the time and it blew everyone away. However, in 1998, McLaren upped the ante.(Also Check Out - Bruno Senna Drifts McLaren 570S On Ice)With Le Man driver Andy Wallace behind the wheel of an F1 and the instruction to "go fast," he ripped down Volkswagen's 5.4-mile straight at Ehra-Lessien proving grounds. After a few tries and some white knuckles, he managed to hit a speed of 391 kmh. After averaging out the top speed of multiple runs, McLaren recorded an average top speed of 240.1 mph. This top speed would make it the fastest production car of its time and cement the model in automotive history.McLaren has just uploaded a video that shows just how this record was set, with commentary from Wallace himself. Check it out by clicking play below.All McLaren For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 26, 2017

Doug DeMuro Explains Why the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the Ul...

If you like going fast without forced induction, Porsche has a car for you. Every year we see naturally aspirated engines fall by the wayside as turbochargers become more popular. Even the base model 911 could not resist the urge for boost. But many enthusiasts have cried foul after driving the latest examples of turbocharged cars. So Porsche engineers decided to push engine design beyond what we thought possible. Six cylinders that only displace 4.0 liters are making 500 hp. The 911 GT3 RS is the polar opposite of the 911 Turbo S. Both are in the same price range and offer incredible acceleration, but that is where the similarities end. MUST READ: 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Price & Specs Doug DeMuro knows a thing or two about the brand, as he was head of allocations for Porsche North America. If you haven't had a chance to experience a new GT3 RS in person you might not understand how or why Stuttgart put such effort into going against the grain. From the reverse pattern shifter to carbon fiber body panels, any aspect that hurt performance was revised. We had an orange example downstairs for most of 2016 along with a Turbo S Cabriolet, and guess which one stopped people in their tracks? Allow Doug to explain the finer points and check out the listings from our dealers below. All Porsche GT3 RS For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 25, 2017

Whoops - 1,000 HP Hellcat Destroys Axle

Sometimes 1,000 hp is just too much power. Take this Challenger Hellcat, for example. It laid down all four figures of power to its rear wheels, only to have what seems to be the axle be destroyed. Obviously, this Hellcat is anything but stock and I'm interested in seeing what modifications were made by High Horse Performance.(Also Check Out - Shaq's New Police Car is a Freakin' Hellcat)While this Hellcat didn't have a great time at the track, HHP's Charger Hellcat did many to break into the 9's and had some great runs. Check them all out in the video below, courtesy of BigKleib34.All Dodge Challenger Hellcat For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 25, 2017

C.J. Wilson Tears Up a Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The world of professional sports and racing have many parallels. Both require determination and endurance which is why many athletes enjoy having well-engineered cars in their collection. To elaborate on his devotion to Porsche, MLB Pitcher C.J. Wilson explains how determination and innovation lead to success. He admits he wasn't the biggest or strongest competitor on the field, but with attention to the details, he found ways to succeed. Porsche's endurance racing efforts have used similar strategies to get podium finishes, finding areas for improvement that other teams have overlooked.(Related - Driver's Seat: C.J. Wilson On His McLaren P1 Road Trip)As the owner of CJ Wilson Racing, he is fielding two Porsche Cayman GT4s in the Grand Sport division of the Continental SportsCar Challenge. A glance of his Twitter page reveals that he is happy with the results from early testing, and looking forward to Friday's BMW Endurance Challenge at Daytona. As a 4 hour prelude to this weekend's Rolex 24, it will be a brutal test of man and machine. Porsche wants us to know they are ready for battle, so they asked CJ to explain his love of the brand. He looks at home behind the wheel of a 911 GT3 RS in a YouTube video uploaded yesterday. A grueling workout routine is how he became a two-time All Star. Relentless refinement is how the GT3 RS makes 500 hp without turbos. We wish him well in Friday's race, so stay with us for complete coverage of Daytona Speedweeks 2017. All Porsche GT3 RS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 24, 2017

2017 Range Rover Sport SVR: Gripping Acceleration

A thin line exists between powerful advertising and showing off, and sometimes an exceptional vehicle can kill two birds with one stone. With 550 hp, the Range Rover Sport SVR is no slouch on the pavement, reaching 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. Acceleration on asphalt is relatively easy thanks to an advanced 4WD system, but how does it react to adverse conditions? To prove the potency of the Terrain Response 2 system, Land Rover sent it off road. For the control test, Rockingham Motor Speedway in Corby was equipped with timing lights and telemetry that clocked a 4.7 second time.Test #2 was held at Land Rover Experience Center East of England, which is located on 300 acres surrounding Rockingham Castle. Wet grass can feel like ice if you have an open differential. Turning the dial to Grass/Gravel/Snow slows the action of the throttle at launch and during shifts to prevent wheelspin. All four brake rotors are held in order to pre-load the transfer case. This eliminates any slack in the driveline and makes for a perfect launch. The result is 0-62 mph in only 5.5 seconds. A stone quarry was used for the gravel test, which yielded a blistering 5.3 second time. For snow they went to Jaguar Land Rover's arctic proving grounds in Arjeplog, Sweden. On a combined surface of snow and ice the SVR reached 62 mph in 11.3 seconds.A mud run at Land Rover's 4WD proving grounds made use of the mud/ruts setting. Locking the ride height in raised position and locking the differentials, it jumped across the mire in 6.5 seconds. Carmarthen Bay in South Wales provided was chosen for the sand test. Being the home of the world's first land speed record in 1924, the SVR was unleashed on the Pendine Sands. When Sand Mode is selected, throttle input is sharpened to reach wide open throttle much faster. Locking the center differential produced a run of 5.5 seconds to 62 mph. More than simply bragging, Land Rover have built a machine to conquer any terrain. So please take a look at what our dealers have to offer and stay with us for more SVR updates. All Range Rover Sport For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 24, 2017

This is What the New Lamborghini Aventador S Sounds Like

Wondering what the new Lamborghini Aventador S sounds like? Don't worry, we've got you covered.The new Aventador S was unveiled back in December 2016 and it boasts a myriad of new features. This is from our Dec. 18 post regarding the new car: "The Aventador S arrives with 740 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. A top speed of 217 mph is achieved by raising the red line from 8,350 to a screaming 8,500 rpm. The engine enhancements are a logical evolution of their potent V12, but other changes took us by surprise. It will be Lamborghini’s first production car with rear wheel steering. While they didn’t go into specifics on how many degrees the rear wheels will be able to move, it is a clear response to another Italian flagship with a similar system."AUTO BILD uploaded a new video today of the Aventador S being put to the test. Click play below to hear the Aventador S for yourself!All Lamborghini Aventadors For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 24, 2017

Bruno Senna Drifts McLaren 570S On Ice

Frozen precipitation presents several obstacles to competent driving. Rear wheel drive isn't optimal for low traction surfaces, but thanks to the magic of electronics it makes for great fun. As the flagship of their Sports Series, the McLaren 570S is daily driver of the brand. With the ability to reach 124 mph in 9.5 seconds, it offers 562 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from a 3.8 liter twin turbo V8. Since the engine is mid-mounted in front of the rear axles, drivers might not be willing to approach its limits while cornering. In order to properly demonstrate how much grip is available, McLaren invited owners and the press to an Arctic Experience. McLaren on IcePure McLaren is a back to basics approach to driving instructions. At their first arctic outing, the best drivers in the world met with lucky owners in Ivalo, Finland. The list of drivers was impressive, but one name stands out: Bruno Senna. As the nephew of the late Ayrton Senna, he has raced in Formula1 and for Team McLaren in the P1 GTR. To demonstrate his prowess in car control, one lucky participant was allowed to film the experience. In a YouTube video uploaded by Mr JWW, a 570S is flogged across 11 tracks of snow covered tundra. After dialing back the stability controls, Senna rides shotgun as an instructor. Snow eliminates any feedback to the steering wheel which makes it a perfect test bed for drifting. A delicate dance of brakes and throttle are used to rotate through the corners, with beautiful footage from a hovering drone. The event will be running until February 6th, so stay with us for more hot footage from the frozen north. All McLaren 570S For Sale

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