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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 – January 31, 2020

Jay Leno & Josh Duhamel Drive a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray

No, the headline is not a typo. Before the new Corvette Stingray, its ancestor was the "Sting Ray". Vette nerds like myself know that the name disappeared for 1968 and returned as one word in 1969. We'll save the semantics for another day, so let's watch Jay Leno & Josh Duhamel drive a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray. Not only was it the first Corvette coupe, but the split rear window was also replaced by a one-piece rear glass in 64. The fuel-injected 327 is fast, even by modern standards, and independent suspension made for a comfortable ride. Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection Mr. duPont's 1963 Corvette had power windows, air conditioning, and the "wonderbar" radio, but he declined my offer to payroll deduct it for the next 300 years. Needless to say, the 63 is one of the most desirable cars of all time. Any C2 Corvette is out of my budget, so the C7 is calling my name. Our dealers have hundreds of 2019 models that have to go before the C8 begins production on Monday. Considering inflation since 1953, the fact that dealers are selling Stingrays under $40,000 makes 2019 the most affordable Corvette of all time. Click the button below to find yours, and stay with us for all your Jay Leno updates. Browse all C7 Corvette Stingray For Sale " width="680"> Related: C7 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2019

Jay Leno Drives the 2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible Z51

The new 2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible Z51 recently visited Jay Leno's Garage, giving him a chance to see how the new C8 performed in convertible form. Joining the Corvette was Tadge Jeuchter, the Executive Chief Engineer behind the new Corvette. During the video, found below, the two talk about a lot of the Corvette's finer points. Interested in why the Convertible released so quickly after the Coupe? What is the body made out of? What does the C8 carry over from the C7? The answer to all of those questions and more can be found out by watching the new episode of Jay Leno's Garage down below. SEE ALL CORVETTES FOR SALE " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2018

Jay Leno Drives 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye

We were sad to learn the Dodge Demon would be limited to 3,000 cars. It was a statement to the world that Fiat-Chrysler is committed to keeping the Muscle Car wars alive. It was only offered in 2018, so if you missed the opportunity, Dodge has something for you. The Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye makes use of many of the Demon's parts. Unlike its predecessor, it arrives with sound insulation, carpet, and a full interior. View the Complete List of Jay Leno's Car Collection What it doesn't have is the trans-brake and the race fuel system. The Redeye offers 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque, which is good for consistent 10-second times if you have the right rubber. If you don't need that much power, the "normal" Hellcat has 717 hp, and the RT Scat Pack has 485 hp for under 40,000. Steve Beahm is a 32 year Dodge Veteran, and he allowed Jay Leno to experience the brutal Redeye in person. Tell us what you think of the latest from Dodge and stay with us for all your Mopar updates. Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat Price, Specs & Photos

By Andrew Nabors – May 22, 2018

Jay Leno Drives the 2019 Corvette ZR1

Rumors abound of a secret project at Chevrolet's Bowling Green Assembly Plant. That is because the 2019 Corvette ZR1 has extracted all that can be had from the 7th generation of the Plastic Fantastic. This 212 mph supercar is the fastest & most powerful machine General Motors has ever offered. It arrives with 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque, so Jay Leno decided to give it a spin at GM's Milford Proving Grounds.The Most Expensive Car in Jay Leno's Car Collection?In a recent post on GM Authority, Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter said a return of the ZR1 wasn't planned until the new Corvette arrives. But the engineers kept pushing the limits of their 6.2 liter V8 thanks to improvements in supercharger technology. There is also the underlying issue of a Demon putting Dodge back on top of the horsepower wars. But another clue that something radical is coming is that GM moved the Performance Engine Build Center from Wixom, Michigan to a newly renovated section of the Corvette plant. But certain days of the month, the plant is blacked out and no tours are given. It takes years to build a new Corvette, so in the meantime, you should test drive the new ZR1 for yourself. Tell us which generation of the ZR1 is your favorite in the comments below and stay with us for the latest uploads from Jay Leno's GarageBrowse Corvette ZR1 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2018

Jay Leno Drives KITT from Knight Rider

If you aren't old enough to remember BetaMax or Thundercats, you probably don't care about crime-fighting sports cars. David Hasselhoff was the human star of the TV series Knight Rider, and his co-star was a 1982 to '84 Pontiac Trans/Am. "KITT" was keen at apprehending the bad guys' thanks to lasers, cheesy special effects, and an English accent. To see what the car is all about, two collectors stopped by Jay Leno's Garage for a blast from the past. See Leno's Car Collection We would like to think that Hollywood uses powerful cars to keep our attention, but KITT was all HYPE. The "Knight Industries Two Thousand" was driven by Michael Knight (Hasselhoff) and it was slower than Alexa's great-grandfather. While the show built 20 hero cars for filming, they didn't start life as Trans/Am models. They were base-model Firebirds with carbureted 305 (5.0 liter) V8 engines. I have owned 9 examples of third generation F-body (Camaro/Firebird), and these things are terrible by modern standards. Burt Reynolds Introduces The New Bandit Trans-Am But in the 80's, it was ok to have 110 horsepower as long as you had 300 lb-ft of torque. To make them reliable, the 700R4 automatic (which was new in 82) was swapped for the old 3-speed TH350 transmission. I have encountered several survivors from the series, and their owners care nothing for performance. Keeping a TV car in stock condition is ok for collectors, but slow is an understatement. In the 90's there was a company that would convert your Firebird into KITT, so there were many clones on the market until recently. A big thanks to these guys for keeping KITT alive, and for Jay Leno for another great upload. If you have any Third Generation Camaro/Firebird stories, tell us in the comments below and stay with us for more updates from JLG!

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2017

Icon Derelict 1958 Rolls Royce On Jay Leno's Garage

Owning a classic English car is rewarding when it comes to comfort and build quality. Service and maintenance can be the deal breaker. Much like the Toyota Supra-powered Rolls Royce Phantom, the cost of original parts is why engine swaps are so popular. Johnathan Ward of Icon 4x4 likes to add modern technology to classic cars in their Derelict series. The latest build is a 1958 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I that almost looks original at a distance. In the latest upload from Jay Leno's Garage, it's easy to see how a Corvette Z06 engine and modern chassis make for incredible performance. The 7.0 liter LS7 can be found in the Z06 from 2006 to 2013. It is good for 550 reliable horsepower and torque along with thrifty fuel mileage. Behind that, Icon uses a 4L85E transmission, which is undoubtedly the strongest 4 speed automatic on the market. Art Morrison supplied the suspension, but Icon was forced to integrate a percentage of the original steel to comply with Australia's tax laws. This wild build is destined to go down under, so we're glad Jay was able to film it before it leaves. Would you replace a tired straight six with modern V8 power? Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage. View the Compete Jay Leno Car Collection Here

By Edward Jones – September 25, 2017

Marvelous kode57 Supercar Visits Jay Leno's Garage

Ken Okuyama is credited with designing the Ferrari Enzo and the Maserati Quattroporte, and now the kode57. His new car pays homage to the year 1957, which Okuyama says was an iconic year in automotive manufacturing. See Leno's Classic Car & Exotic Car Collection Jay Leno invited Okuyama and his kode57 to his garage for the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage. The kode57 was designed from the ground-up as a stand-alone model that is completely street legal. Okuyama tells Leno in the new episode that the kode57 sits between a production car, race car and show car. He also says that while the car must look good and drive, it also must perform at full speed. To allow the supercar to perform on the road is all-new suspension and large V12 engine. This powerplant gives the kode57 612 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque to place with. There is also an optional NOVITEC upgrade for the engine that brings the power up to 692 hp and 472 lb-ft. As for what's handling the power, that is left up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Check out the video below to learn more than ever before about the rare and beautiful kode57. If you're interested in purchasing a kode57 for yourself, be sure to contact Fusion Luxury Motors.

By Andrew Nabors – September 20, 2017

Jay Leno Drives the Vanderhall Venice

If you thought 3-wheelers were just for kids, you need to experience the Vanderhall Venice. We were introduced to the brand two years ago, and they sent us a fully loaded Laguna for display in our showroom. At first, we thought it was missing its chain, until we discovered it was Front Wheel Drive. The man behind the machine stopped by Jay Leno's Garage to show the world what they are capable of. Check Out the Leno Car Collection Steve Hall and his team build the Laguna and the Venice in Provo, Utah. It is a 50-state legal example of American ingenuity. Powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged four, it is capable of 40 mpg with responsible driving. It is supplied by GM along with their 6-speed automatic transmission. The Venice lacks the roof and doors of the Laguna, which is how it is able to sell for under $30,000. For 29k and change, you will have 200 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. The inboard suspension uses pushrods and coil-overs that are perfectly tuned to the chassis. We tried to get it out of shape, but both Vanderhall models have grip for days. You will see them at our duPont REGISTRY Live events this fall, so stay with us for all your Vanderhall updates.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 29, 2016

The 1939 Plymouth Radial Air on Jay Leno's Garage

It's graced the cover of Hot Rod magazine. It's become a huge sensation. It's gained notoriety wherever it goes, and now, it has made its way to Jay Leno's Garage. We're talking about the 1939 Plymouth Radial Air. Gary Corns of Colorado Auto & Parts fully restored this now iconic vehicle after it sat in his yard for 30 years.(Related: Go Inside the Aston-Martin DB11 With Jay Leno)He actually purchased an airplane to take parts from to restore the Radial. Leno thought many Colorado's legalization of certain substances made this project come to life, but Corns states the project was a lifelong dream of his. He states it took about a year and a half to complete. He and some friends worked on it on Wednesdays after work. The vehicle is definitely something special and unique, and it's definitely worth a look. Want to learn more? Check out Leno's full review in the video below.

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

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