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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 – October 22, 2018

Jaguar F-Type SVR vs Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon

If you have the ability to send power to all wheels, why not put it to work? Say what you want about AWD fans, the only downside is tire wear and less mileage. For a quick refresher, the differences between 4WD and AWD are in having multiple range transfer cases along with many 4WD models being able to cruise in 2WD mode. This has pushed AWD technology into the forefront, with such novelties as electronic differentials and torque vectoring allowing more grip than anyone thought possible. When it comes to racing, that extra traction goes a long way. So, the folks at carwow decided to compare a Jaguar F-Type SVR against the latest Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagen. Fighting for England, the Jaguar arrives with a supercharged 5.0-liter making 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The opponent is a Teutonic Twin-Turbo with 4.0-liters. It offers 612 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, but with the added weight of an E-Class wagon to deal with. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and stay with us for all your exotic car updates. View All Mercedes For Sale View All Jaguar For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 14, 2018

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 Smashes Laguna Seca Record

When it comes to extracting every ounce of power, Motor Trend's Randy Pobst is a legend. Jaguar and Land Rover have been on a horsepower frenzy, stuffing their supercharged V8 into anything with wheels. Their latest creation is set to shake up the world of supercar sedans. We have covered the XE SV before, but this is its first official flogging by us rebellious colonials. 2018 Jaguar XE SV Project 8: Most Powerful of its Kind As a CTS-V owner, I take note of sedan lap times, especially if they fly the Union Jack. Under the hood, the boost has been turned up to make 590 horsepower. But Jaguar says only 300 examples will be made, making them instant collectibles. Every time another automotive journalist says V8 sedans are dead, its up to us to prove them wrong. If you want to be considered for the ultimate XE, click the link below to find our dealer near you and have a great weekend!Browse Jaguar XE For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 04, 2017

Skiing Over 100 mph Behind a Jaguar Sets World Record

It is the fourth of October and snow is already falling out west. If you are waiting for fresh powder, Jaguar is ready to get you there. The XF Sportbrake was unveiled along with the 2018 lineup last week in Detroit. It was chosen to set a new speed record for towing a skier, with Guinness World Records on-hand to officiate the event.Reviewed: 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR ConvertibleThe XF S Sportbrake combines supercharged V6 power and AWD, along with room for your active lifestyle. Olympic Skier Graham Bell decided to hitch a ride, so the Sportbrake was equipped with a tow harness and GPS data logging. Holding on for dear life, Driver and Skier reached a new record speed of 117.4 miles per hour. Once Mr. Bell had thawed out, Guinness Officials presented the team with the award. This is just a small preview of the XF S Sportbrake's abilities, so stay with us for more updates on Jaguar's new models.

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2017

Jaguar XE SV Project 8 In Action, Proves its Worth

Last month we caught a glimpse of something wicked. Jaguar announced they would be cramming the supercharged V8 from the F-Type SVR into the midsized XE sedan. The upcoming Jaguar XE SV Project 8 will be limited to 300 cars, with each one capable of 200 mph. Zero to 60 mph happens in only 3.3 seconds thanks to 600 horsepower under the hood. It will be the first car to roll out the new SVO Technical Center in Warwickshire. The new plant was built at a cost of $25.7 Million, and it will be home to hand-built exotics from Jaguar and Land Rover.Also Check Out: F-Type SVR vs Corvette Z06 Rev BattleThe XE series has always been attractive, but the unassuming engine choices have been lacking a proper V8. We've had the latest F-Type SVR as a press car for the week, and its abilities will scare you. We understand the logic of building an XE supercar, but limiting it to 300 seems nearsighted. All cars will be left-hand drive, and the press release says racing seats will be offered outside North America. So at least we will get a few examples to play with. Carbon fiber body panels and the industry's first ceramic nitride wheel bearings along with other advancements will be launched on the XE SV Project 8, so it's sure to be a hit at the auctions. Pricing starts at $193,280 in the UK, and for information on dealer allotments, please check with our Jaguar dealers for more information. In the meantime, watch and listen to the beast tear up the hill at Shelsley Walsh.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 30, 2016

Michelle Rodriguez Goes for 200 MPH in Jaguar F-Type SVR

Everyone's favorite bad girl actress, Michelle Rodriguez, is known for her driving skills and has shown them off in movies like the Fast & Furious franchise films. In the video below, Rodriguez states she's hit personal top speeds of 140 and 145 mph. She also states she'll attempt 200 mph in the new Jaguar F-Type SVR. Revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the F-Type SVR features a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 and boasts 575 horsepower with a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.So, can she do it? Check out the video below to see if Rodriguez hits her 200 mph goal.Jaguar F-TYPEs For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2016

Jay Leno Admits He Was Wrong About the Jaguar XJ220

Back in 1988, Jaguar showed off a concept known as the the XJ220, a V12-powered supercar that would be produced in a limited number. After a positive reception, the car was put into production, and the production version was revealed in 1991. Unfortunately, to the dismay of many, the V12 powerhouse was dropped for a twin-turbo V6 setup.Jaguar was disappointed by the sales of their new supercar, which was produced only 275 times, despite it being one of the fastest cars of its time. Along with the automaker themselves being disappointed, so was Jay Leno.In his latest video from Jay Leno's Garage, he had the chance to drive the XJ220 for the first time. In the beginning of the video he talks about how he and others were not buying into Jaguar's supercar. However, by the end of the video he's giving the XJ220 only positive praise saying he was wrong about the car. Check out the video below to see what makes him change his mind.Jaguars For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 11, 2015

Jaguar XJ Races the Jetman in the Desert

It's a battle of land versus the sea in a race including a 2016 Jaguar XJR and the Jetman.The race was covered by a press release issued by Jaguar, who filmed the race and uploaded the video to YouTube. In it, we see Formula One racer, Martin Brundle, getting behind the wheel of the XJR and taking it down a long and wide desert road. He eventually reached a top speed of 174 mph during the sprint.Above him was Yves Rossy, the Jetman Dubai pilot. He was able to reach a top speed of 194 mph.As for who won the race, that's for you to find out. Be sure to watch the video below to find out.Jaguars For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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