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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 16, 2016

Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 Shows Ferrari How Snow-Donuts A...

The snow can be quite unforgivable, especially to supercars and sports cars alike. Fortunately, for those who like faster cars four-wheel drive exists, which makes driving through the snow just a tad easier-- even in supercars. In this video, we see the Lamborghini Diablo VT 6.0 show off its four-wheel drive system in a couple of snowy lots. During the video, we see the Diablo spin its tires and perform some donuts, all the while holding some sort of traction. On the other hand, the video shows a Ferrari 355 demonstrate why rear-wheel drive can be so bothersome in the snow. But you don't really need a video to know that. That being said, it's still entertaining to watch. Check out the video below to see the classic Lamborghini in action. Lamborghini Diablos For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 16, 2016

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Rips Up Qatar Highway

Every so often Lamborghini releases a special edition model that breaks away from the norms of their current lineup. Back in 2010, they introduced the Sesto Elemento. Its name was inspired by the massive amount of carbon fiber used throughout the car. "Sesto" is Italian for sixth, and "elemento" is Italian for...element. And, if you look at carbon on the periodic table, you'll see that it's the sixth element.Only a proposed 20 examples of the Sesto Elemento were made, which makes this video that much more special.On the streets of Qatar, a Sesto Elemento put its 5.2-liter V10 engine to work, blasting down the road at some serious speeds. Even though you most likely don't own one of these rare Lamborghinis, it's my responsibility to tell my readers to not attempt to hit speeds like this on a public road and to always follow your local traffic laws. Now that that's out of the way, click play on the button below to see one of the world's rarest and most exotic cars show flex its automotive muscles.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2016

Twin-Turbo LS1 Lamborghini Jalpa Drag Race is Brutal

In the 80's, Lamborghini introduced the Jalpa. This new sports car, created only 410 times, was designed to be more affordable than the Countach of the time, as well as easier to drive. It came with a 3.5-liter V8 engine that produced 255 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque, making it a formidable sports car, but no race car. Enter Jim, the owner of a Jalpa and a man who wanted more out of his 80's sports car. Naturally, he fitted the car with a GM LS1 engine, mated with a supercharger. While this powertrain was allowing the car to run a quarter-mile in 9.7 seconds at 137 mph, it was putting too much pressure on the custom-built Toyota Camry transaxle. So he replaced the supercharger with a pair of Ford XR6 Garrett turbochargers. With this setup, the Jalpa was getting 690 hp sent to its wheels. YouTube channel Fullboost was on hand to see Jim's first time out with his newly modified twin-turbo Jalpa and filmed the runs. You can check out the video below. What do you think about a swap in a car like the Jalpa? Is that automotive blasphemy or ingenuity? Let us know in the comments below. Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 11, 2016

Astro Van Races Lamborghini Gallardo, Shocks The Crowd

You won't find a Chevrolet Astro van among the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and exotic cars we have for sale on duPontREGISTRY.com. But, a Gallardo did find one lined up against it during a drag race.Now, I have no idea what's underneath the Gallardo or the van, but I can tell you that there is some witchcraft under the latter's hood. For comparison's sake, the Gallardo is powered by a V10 engine, while the Astro has a V6 providing power. It goes without saying that the Italian sports car comes with much more of a punch than the van.But, whatever the owner of this van did, whether it be an engine swap or the aforementioned witchcraft, it worked. Check out the video below to see the incredible drag race and resulting times of each car.Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2016

Lamborghini Gallardo Performante Goes Swimming in Lake

With four wheels meant to roll on the ground, it's common knowledge that sports cars and supercars are meant to be driven on the road. But, sometimes, some people want a change of pace.Case in point, this Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Performante driver. He decided to take his supercar down to Lake Bonneville in Utah for a swim in the lake. It seems that a photo shoot was taking place and the drifting of the Gallardo was done for the photos.Being in Lake Bonneville, I can assume that the lake the car was driving in was quite salty, which could do extensive damage to a car, but thankfully they took the cars to a self-serve car wash immediately after for extensive car washes.It seems that this wasn't the first Lamborghini to go swimming. In fact, during the intense floods of California about a month ago, another Lamborghini Gallardo was seen driving through deep waters on the road.What do you guys think about these Lamborghini in the water? Blasphemy or just owners having fun?Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2016

Broncos vs Panthers: Lamborghini Huracan Super Bowl Edition

This Sunday, the Carolina Panthers will face off against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, but you already knew that. The two teams will be vying to become the champions of the NFL.People around the country are getting ready for the big game in their own ways, whether it be playing a video game to determine the winner or even taking two Lamborghini Huracans out on the road, each dressed for the occasion.Our friends at Lamborghini North Los Angeles customized an orange Huracan for the Broncos and a black one for the Panthers. And of course, they took the two around town for the city to see.Check out the video below and let us know who you think will win in the comments below!Lamborghini North Los Angeles Inventory

By Edward Jones – February 04, 2016

How to Unwrap a Lamborghini Aventador

Many people learn about vehicle wraps and wonder how do you wrap a car? or how do you unwrap a car? Essentially, wrapping a car is like putting one big sticker on your car, but that sticker actually consists of a ton of small sticker that are specifically created to fit the vehicle's body. When you have a car with a body as complex as the Lamborghini Aventador, the process of wrapping becomes pretty tedious.Like the wrapping of an Aventador, the unwrapping is time-consuming as well. I'd compare the unwrapping of a car to peeling off a face mask, although you don't use a heat gun to peel off a face mask (and please don't try to).You'll never know what it's like to unwrap a car until you either see it in action or do it for yourself. To save yourself some time, Nue Vue Photography uploaded a video of him helping unwrap a golden Aventador. Check it out below to see the process for yourself.Lamborghini Aventadors For Sale

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By Edward Jones – December 15, 2015

Epic Lamborghini Murcielago and Ford Mustang Drift Battle

I know some people get made at how often the term "epic" is used, but this #battledrift video...this video is epic.I'll break it down.First off, you have Vaughn Gittin Jr., his 505 hp Ford Mustang RTR and, of course, his amazing drifting skills.Then you have Daigo Saito, his 650 hp Liberty Walk Lamborghini Murcielago that has been modified for drifting and, like Gittin Jr., his amazing drifting skills. To round this video off, you have the amazing scenery of Japan. This could either be the bright neon lights of their dekotora (the extravagantly modified trucks of Japan), or the mountainside forests.When you put all of this together, you get one amazing video that will have you watching it over and over again. Check it out below to see exactly what I'm talking about. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2015

Rolling Italian Race: Ferrari 458 vs Lamborghini Aventador

If you're a fan of everything automotive, then you are well aware of the battle between Ferrari and Lamborghini. Not only is this a battle of the fans, it actually started out when Ferruccio Lamborghini thought he could build better cars than what Ferrari was making. That was back in the late 1950's and early 1960's, and the rivalry still stands.YouTube channel GTBOARD.com recently got in on the rivalry and pitted the Lamborghini Aventador against the Ferrari 458 Italia in a rolling drag race.Check out the video below to see which of the two Italians takes the crown.Lamborghinis For Sale Ferraris For Sale (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2015

Nike Surprises High School Team With Aventador and Custom...

For athletes, one of the most important pieces of apparel you'll wear are what's on your feet. I, for one, can attest to that, as I always make sure my cleats are in tip-top shape for when I play soccer (or football, or futbal).One cleat manufacturer that knows the importance of fine footwear is Nike, who just recently surprised the St. Thomas Aquinas' high school football team some great gifts.Yesterday, December 9, a Nike representative pulled up to the high school's football field in a Lamborghini Aventador. The supercar was donning a unique white and gold color scheme, similar to the presents the players would soon get.After the team had calmed down, the representative presented them with the custom Vapor Untouchable 2 cleats that they would be wearing during their state championship game this weekend.You can see the whole spectacle in the video below, uploaded by Miami Herald today. (Source: YouTube, Twitter)

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