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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 – 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 Andrew Nabors – April 19, 2017

Lamborghini's Aventador S is Not Afraid of Altitude, Turn...

From pre-historic times until now, the Alps have been Italy's natural barrier against invasion. Training in thin air is a proven technique for success because oxygen is severely limited as altitude increases. That is why Lamborghini's cold weather track is used to test technologies destined for production cars. As part of their Winter Accademia, the "Twelve hours of Livigno" is a great way to learn the abilities of your new Aventador S. Hannibal's invading elephants would have turned back if they saw such a horde of raging bulls guarding the border.With less oxygen at your disposal, the demands of driving a 730 horsepower AWD supercar are exacerbated. Reactions are slower, which pushes drivers to their limits. The Aventador S comes standard with magnetic suspension which adapts to the frozen surface hundreds of times each second. Also new is the four-wheel steering system which allows for smoother transitions in and out of the corners. But all these changes can't overcome the engine's need for oxygen. Just like our bodies, naturally aspirated machines are limited at high altitudes. Turbo and supercharged cars are able to quickly adjust to limited air by dialing up the pressure, but the lack of power helps traction on the frozen surface. Once driver and car are back at sea level, the true potential can be unlocked. We'll cover high altitude performance another day, so stay with us for more wild Lamborghini updates.

By Andrew Nabors – April 17, 2017

Lamborghini Aventador With Capristo Exhaust Shooting Flames

Microphones and speakers will never be able to fully replicate the shrieks of a tuned exotic car. The Lamborghini Aventador is a marvel of engineering but it arrives with a conservative exhaust in order to meet noise regulations. That's why the skilled engineers at Capristo have developed a great set of pipes to make your raging bull even more imposing. By carefully shaping the size and path of the system, Capristo has made a beautiful balance of sound and flow. Keeping the exhaust gas flowing is how unburned fuel is able to reach the tailpipes and ignite in a flash. Environmentalists are quick to cry foul at cars that shoot flames, but burning the fuel is better than sending it airborne.Related - Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Raging TechnologySupercarsfromeu was able to get up close with the latest Capristo system installed on a Lamborghini Aventador and uploaded it to YouTube. The driver (who will remain anonymous) has excellent control of the accelerator which makes us think he is an accomplished flame thrower. Modern cars don't like to dump raw fuel into the engine, but sometimes it is necessary to keep it from over-revving. As the tachometer approaches redline, the computer kills ignition timing to prevent damage. Bouncing from the rev-limiter has its own issues, but we'll save those for another day. Please don't try this at home, especially if your car has catalytic converters. Your engine and your wallet will be happier if you let us keep you entertained instead. Turn up your volume and stay with us for all your Lamborghini action.

By Andrew Nabors – April 14, 2017

Lamborghini Huracan Performante: Raging Technology

The aerodynamic wizards in Sant'Agata have pioneered a new way to manage downforce on the track. The Lamborghini Huracan Performante is a marvel of modern engineering, and their marketing department knows how to keep us begging for more details. In a recent YouTube video, we've learned how the ALA system is constantly working to optimize traction and assist in braking. The Huracan Performante is a 5.2 liter V10 with a car attached to it. Offering 631 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, it makes use of forged carbon fiber spoilers that are computer controlled.Ferrari 308 For SaleThe video shows a blistering lap around the 'Ring, made possible by precise control of the air surrounding the car. Lamborghini have named the system ALA, or "Aerodinamica Lamborghini Attiva". For maximum acceleration, the spoilers are retracted for minimum drag. Under hard braking, the system throws all it can at the slipstream to add 750% more downforce. The most novel feature is unleashed in the corners. To help with lateral grip, "Aerovectoring" creates a difference between left to right sides, placing more weight on the inboard side of the corner. What is not shown in the video is if the system is digital or analog. Sure the spoilers have an open and closed mode, but if they are able to gradually respond to changes it would be a game-changer in the world of production cars. If you are looking for a Huracan for sale, our dealers will be more than happy to help you find your next car. Stay with us for more Perfomante updates!View All Lamborghini News, Articles and Videos

By Edward Jones – April 14, 2017

Up Close and Personal: The Lamborghini Huracan Performante

Lamborghini Newport Beach has had some fun with the new Lamborghini Huracan Performante. In the darkness, the dealership recorded some incredibly detailed footage of the new Italian supercar. In the video, you'll see the car like never before. You'll also be able to hear the car rev up, allowing you to hear just how powerful this car truly is.The new Huracan Performante is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine that has been modified and now creates 640 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. This power and a suite of active aero components grant the car a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of over 202 mph. The exhaust that you'll be hearing in the video is all new from Lamborghini, with tuned runners exiting higher up than before. This allows 70% of maximum torque by 1,000 rpm.View Dealer InventoryView All Lamborghini News, Article and Videos

By Edward Jones – April 03, 2017

Lamborghini Aventador Races Huracan to Prove Which is Fas...

Lamborghini has two main models available right now, the Huracan and Aventador, not including their variants like the SuperVeloce or Performante. The Aventador sits above the Huracan in terms of power and price, but the Huracan is most definitely no slouch.Powering the Aventador is a 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces 690 horsepower and 507 lb-ft of torque. With all-wheel drive at the ready, this supercar will run 0-62 mph in just 3.0 seconds. As for the Huracan, it's powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine that's good for 601 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The Huracan also has an all-wheel drive setup, but will complete the 0-62 mph run in 3.2 seconds.To test these two models, GTBOARD.com pitted an Aventador Roadster against a Huracan coupe on a private drag strip. The two cars lined up against each other and took off from a roll-start. Click play below to see which Lamborghini comes out on top.Lamborghini For Sale - duPont REGISTRY

By Edward Jones – April 03, 2017

Lamborghini Aventador S is a Non-Stop Flamethrower

The new Lamborghini Aventador S is fitted with the base original Aventador's V12 engine but sees its power increased to 740 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque. This power translates into a terrific drive, due in part to the rear wheel steering, a first for a Lamborghini production car.Those of us who don't have the cash to pick up an Aventador S right now may not be able to appreciate the car's drive, but there are other things we will get to experience regarding the supercar. First off is the car's sound, which is incredible when the throttle is open. Needless to say, you can experience the sound of the car's exhaust from miles away. The second thing we can all enjoy are the flames that the Aventador S spits out of its exhaust. Carfection has just uploaded a video that shows just how constant flames appear out of the car's exhaust at night. It's quite the treat to watch.Lamborghini For Sale - duPont REGISTRY

By Andrew Nabors – March 31, 2017

Lamborghinis New and Old Take Off in California

If you need another reason to move to Northern California, they take a civilized approach to enjoying their cars. At a recent meet of the NorCal Lambo club (@NorCaLambo), YouTube sensation Brian Zuk was invited to film the gathering. A host of raging bulls makes for amazing footage, and you will laugh out loud at the one car that is not like the others. That's right, a Ferrari F12berlinetta was either invited to join or being the ultimate troll. Some of the more notable members included the new Aventador SV Roaster & Coupe, Huracan Performante, and several Gallardos, Murcielagos, Diablos and a Miura S.At most automotive events there is always that "one guy" who ruins the show, but it seems that Lamborghini Club knows how to create the perfect gathering. By far the best part of Lamborghini meets is the soundtrack as they leave. A rarified chorus of 10 and 12-cylinder power set amongst the winding roads will be left on repeat for inspiration while we prepare for this weekend's Festivals of Speed (April 2, 2017). If you are a fan of exotics, join us at Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg for a Sunday of Supercars. Stay with us for more Lamborghini footage here on Autofluence.Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2017

Lamborghini Huracan Performante Revving, Blows Our Minds

The new Lamborghini Huracan Performante was only introduced into the world in the beginning of March, but it's already made waves in the automotive industry. One of its greatest feats so far has to be its record-breaking Nurburgring lap time that has many scratching their heads as to how it was possible. However, Lamborghini has come out and stated that they did not cheat during the lap tap and have all the data available.Something else that the Huracan Performante will be known for is its fantastic sound. The Italian supercar's 5.2-liter V10 pumps the sound of its power out of an all-new exhaust system, making for a raw automotive performance. This new exhaust has tuned runners that exit higher up than the base model, allowing for maximum torque at just 1,000 rpm. You can hear it for yourself by clicking the play button below.All Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 22, 2017

Wow: First Customer Lamborghini Centenario Spotted on the...

Customer examples of the Lamborghini Centenario are seemingly underway as there was a white version of the hypercar spotted in Paris. This Centenario was spotted by YouTube channels Goran Supercars and alexsmolik on Monday, March 20, 2017.Related - First Customers Lamborghini Centenario LeakedThe customer that ordered this Centenario opted for a white finish with Italian striping running down the center and blue trim. Goran Supercars happened to catch the car as it was undergoing a quick wash, meaning we get to see what it looks like before and after a thorough washing. However, would you take a car like the Centenario through a drive-thru wash? Some may freak out over such an act.What's the Lamborghini Centenario packing as far as power goes? Each of these Italian hypercars comes with the naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 770 hp, with Lamborghini stating it’s the most powerful engine they’ve ever produced. It can run the 3,351-pound car from 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds and 0-186 mph in 23.5 seconds, with a top speed of over 217 mph. Aiding in the quick acceleration is the permanent four-wheel drive, which includes the new Lamborghini rear-wheel steering system.Supercars For Sale

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