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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 20, 2017

Is This the World's Fastest Lamborghini Huracan?

There are a few set cars that tuners work with specifically for the drag strip. When it comes to Lamborghinis, the Huracan is the supercar of choice. Gosha Turbo Tech in Abu Dhabi has a Huracan of their own that they've been modifying for faster-than-heck drag strip runs and it was just unleashed on the Yas Marina Drag Strip.Related - The True Difference the Lamborghini Huracan's Launch Control MakesThe specifics of what's in this car's engine are unknown, but a pair of turbochargers do peek out from the rear of the car. Altogether, the car has 1,026 hp on tap, which was enough power for a 1/4 mile run of 8.65 seconds @ 161 mph. You can check out this run in the video below (the video is quite long, so if you just want to see this specific run, skip to the end).Lamborghini Huracan 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 Edward Jones – January 24, 2017

Skiing and Snowboarding Behind a Lamborghini

When the snow comes down, sometimes it's hard to take your Lamborghini out. You know, with the roads being all slippery and visibility being low, it can be a drag. But, that didn't stop TheStradman from having what looks like one heck of a good time.(Also Check Out - Snowboarding on Sand Dunes With A Mini Race Car)Upon the mountains, TheStradman attached a rope to his ski storage that's mounted onto his Lamborghini Gallardo. He and his friends then got behind the Italian supercar on skiis, tubes and a snowboard, and were pulled down the mountain. They even took some time to build a jump that they could launch off of.Am I jealous? For sure. But being in Florida, snow is hard to come by.All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 12, 2017

Tubing Behind a Lamborghini Isn't Easy or...Safe

Well, it may not be easy or all that safe, but it sure looks like fun. TheStradman decided be towed around Park City, Utah behind a Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition in a tube.As he was pulled around on top of the snow, he did hid best to not fall while also filming with a GoPro in one hand. Of course, he did take a few spills, but luckily none of them threw him off of the side of the mountain. You've got to give it to him, he did a good job at it.(Related - Kermit the Frog's Epic Lamborghini Aventador SV)The Pirelli Edition of the Aventador was revealed back in 2014 and sports a few modifications that allow it to stand out from other Aventadors. The exterior of the car comes in a two-tone color scheme that is available in two options: matte black with either Giallo Spica, Rosso Mars, Bianco Isis, Nero Aldebaran, Grigio Liqueo or Grigio Ater, or glossy black with Bianco Canopus, Nero Nemesis, Grigio Adamas or Grigio Titans. Whichever scheme picked, the black finish is found on the roof, air intakes, engine hood, pillars and rearview mirrors. The performance figures remain the same as in other examples of the Aventador LP 700-4.All Lamborghini Aventador For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

What it's Like to Join Lamborghini's Driving School

Owning a high-performance car is a great accomplishment. Knowing how to fully utilize its abilities is even better. I have had plenty of seat time in everything from Countach to Aventador, and in all honesty, you will not come near the limits of a late model Lamborghini on public roads.Although Mr. Balboni has retired, you can still learn from the team members of Squadra Corse. The motorsports division of Lamborghini, they are responsible for the Super Trofeo cars and the Blancpain GT Series.(Related - Lamborghini Teases New Engine)In order to see how an owner becomes a racer, Bloomberg got behind the wheel of the $12,000 weekend. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is home to the US program, and it includes everything from wet weather maneuvering to hot laps in a Super Trofeo Huracan. Not only are the participants learning how to extract every ounce of fun from their cars, Squadra pays close attention to talented drivers who could benefit the racing program. Advanced telemetry systems record each lap for review by the instructors in both the Aventador and Huracan. The driver with the fastest lap time is invited to a weekend of racing, complete with a pit crew and arrival by helicopter.If you want to take part in the next class, contact one of our dealers for more information.All Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2016

Battle of Volkswagen's Brands: Lamborghini vs Porsche

Conspiracy theorists, get your tin foil hats prepared. Volkswagen owns Porsche and Audi, and Audi owns Lamborghini. Ownership implies a mutual trust, but some secrets are not shared. All-wheel drive is more than just the ability to power all four wheels, and there are many ways to incorporate it into a supercar.The fist generation of the current 991 series Porsche 911 was released in 2011. As the king of flat sixes, the Turbo S uses twin turbos and a seven-speed PDK transmission to power all wheels. A Haldex center differential has its own computer that has more processing power than your daily driver. It even features a dedicated cooling circuit for instant changes in torque. Armed with the SportChrono package, the six cylinder 3.8 liter Turbo S is rated at 560 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.Used Porsche Cayenne For SaleThe Italian side of the family prefers to mount their engines ahead of the rear wheels, and without forced induction. The Huracan is equipped with a 5.2-liter V10 that is also found in the Audi R8. Horsepower is a whopping 610, but torque is on the short side at 412 lb-ft. Borg-Warner supplies the center differential, adding a touch of Michigan manufacturing to the raging bull.By the numbers it should be a close race, but final drive ratios and aerodynamics are the major players at triple digit speeds. We apologize for the rolling start, but most owners are reluctant to invoke launch mode to protect their rubber. At a recent Swedish drag race, GTBoard.com was on hand to film the battle. You might be surprised at the winner, but tell us if it was a fair fight, and who would win from a holeshot. Stay with us for more half mile racing here on Autofluence.Huracan For Sale|Turbo S For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 05, 2016

BMW Regrets Trying to Race Lamborghini Huracan

Sometimes I come across racing videos that show the underdog taking the win. But sometimes the race goes exactly as planned.In a video uploaded to YouTube today by GTBOARD.com, we get to see what happens when an unfortunate BMW driver takes on a Lamborghini Huracan. The German automobile in question is a BMW M5 (F10) with a few modifications (ECU, downpipes, exhaust). As for the Huracan, no modifications were mentioned.(Also Watch - Not Even Close: Cadillac CTS-V vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS)The two cars lined up on the straight, preparing to race from a roll. Once they hit the starting line, the Huracan takes off and doesn't look back. Some commenters on the video were pointing out that something was off in the race and that the BMW might need a bit more work. Check out the video below and let me know what you think the owner of the M5 should do to his car to make it more competitive against the Huracan.All BMW M5 For Sale | All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 22, 2016

Lamborghini Aventador Shoots Flames Around Monaco

When adding an aftermarket exhaust to a supercar, the goal is to have one of the best sounding cars as possible. However, there are also some awesome side-effects that come from adding certain exhaust systems. For example, this Lamborghini Aventador was turned into a dragon after Capristo exhaust was installed.(Related - The Trump Lamborghini Aventador: Trumpventador)NM2255 caught the dragon in action in Monaco as it was driving through the streets. In the video, you get a chance to see the dragon in action as it spits flames in traffic. Check it out for yourself by clicking the play button below.All Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 01, 2016

Couple Drifts New Modified Huracan Around Lamborghini New...

The first drive after buying a new car can be scary. Think about it, you just dropped a good chunk of money on a vehicle that you're driving right next to other vehicles. One false move from you or someone else and your investment becomes damaged. But for Sam and Stina Hübinettes, they celebrated their new Lamborghini Huracan from Lamborghini Newport Beach in style.(Exotic Cars For Sale)After having their car fitted with a custom hydraulic handbrake, an additional set of rear Wilwood Brake calipers, Vorsteiner Novara Edizione Aero Package, 20-inch Platinum Gunmetal Vorsteiner V-FF 103 Flow Forged Wheels and Nitto Tire NT555 G2 tires, they took it for a drive like none other.While this was most likely not their first drive in the car, they still celebrated the new car on the dealership parking lot like no one else. All across the prestigious dealership's parking lot, the Huracan was taken sideways around other Lamborghinis resting in the lot at the hands both Sam and Stina. What's more, they did it in complete style. Click play on the video below to see it for yourself.Lamborghini Newport Beach Inventory

By Edward Jones – November 01, 2016

Crazy Lamborghini Halloween Run in Tokyo

Tokyo is full of bright lights, culture, history and apparently Lamborghinis.Friend of the blog, effspot, was recently in Tokyo, Japan doing whatever he does (typically finding amazing cars and making me jealous). While in the city, he happened across a gaggle of Lamborghinis that were participating in a Halloween run. Each car was decorated in unbelievable ways that included LED lights, crystals and insanely bright colors.(Related - LED Ferrari 360 Modena Drives through Tokyo)These cars resemble that of bōsōzoku vehicles. The bōsōzoku culture first began with motorcycles, where the owners customized them to become extravagant, extreme and truly one-of-a-kind. Though many bōsōzoku cyclists are still around in Japan, that type of modification has made its way to exotics and supercars. Click play below to see the Lamborghinis in action.All Lamborghini For Sale

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