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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 – September 04, 2019

McLaren 600LT vs Porsche 911 GT2 RS Drag Race

The McLaren 600LT has many competitors, including the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Lamborghini Huracan Performante and Ferrari 488 Pista. Motoring Magazine recently took the 600LT and 911 GT2 RS out for a drag race to see how they stacked up against each other in a straight line. Could the new English supercar that breathes flames take out the record-breaking Porsche? At the finish line, the race was extraordinarily close but one car was crowned the clear victor. When compared through specifications, the 911 GT2 RS edges out the 600LT in terms of power. On the Porsche side, the 911 GT2 RS packs 690 horsepower, while the 600LT is at 592 hp. The 911 GT2 RS also beats the 600LT's torque numbers with 553 lb-ft against 457 lb-ft. One very important specification that the 600LT wins out on is weight, thanks to its curb weight of 2,994 lbs, which is much lighter than the 911 GT2 RS (3,241 lbs. The 600LT is also cheaper-- $240,000 vs $293,200. Which car out of the two would you take home? see all mclaren 600lt's for sale see all porsche 911 gt2 rs for sale

By Edward Jones – July 26, 2019

The Cannonball Run Crash No One Talks About

Cannonball races are truly an automotive spectacle. It all started in the 1970s as a race from New York City/Darien, Connecticut to Redondo Beach, California. The first race wasn't really a race and only involved one team that included Brock Yates, Brock Yates Jr., Steve Smith and Jim Williams. Better yet, they did the race in a Dodge van. After this race, Yates put together four more races but they included more teams. John Harrison took part in the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Sea in a Lotus Esprit. He happened to be the youngest participant in the run that year. With his young age and readiness to tackle the famous run, he took off in the Esprit, ready to cross the country. He encountered gas troubles during the beginning of the run but came out losing only a little amount of time. However, he had no idea that their car would slam into a guard rail in an unfortunate accident shortly after. You can hear the story of this crash no one talks about in the video up above, courtesy of VINwiki. browse all lotus for sale

By Edward Jones – July 11, 2019

'Bobby vs. Ferrari': The Movie We Need

On November 15, 2019, 'FORD v FERRARI' will be hitting the theaters, giving the world a look into one of the greatest stories in motorsports history. Christian Bale and Matt Damon will be taking on the roles of Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby, respectively. But what about the fictional story of 'Bobby vs. Ferrari'? For that, we turn to Funny or Die, who released a trailer for the faux movie. What Bobby are we talking about? None other than Ricky Bobby, played by Will Ferrell, of course. It looks like Ricky Bobby would be the ace in the hole for Carroll Shelby in this movie. I mean, who wouldn't pick the guy that lived life by the mantra of "if you're not first you're last"? Check out the trailer up above and get excited for a movie that will, unfortunately, never be made. However, you can get ready for 'FORD v FERRARI', which looks to be an incredible film. And be sure to buy your tickets when the drop! see all ferraris for sale

By Edward Jones – June 24, 2019

Tesla Model 3 vs AMG C63 S vs BMW M3 vs Alfa Romeo Giulia...

Everyone always talks about how quick the Tesla Model 3 is. Well, that "quickness" always comes from the Model 3's ability to launch off of the line. But what about when Elon Musk's entry-level is put up against three sports cars in a 1/2-mile drag race? Top Gear did just this with the three cars being the Mercedes-AMG C63 S, BMW M3 and Alfa Romeo Giulia QV. Chris Harris was behind the wheel of the Model 3 for this drag race, and provided commentary in the video up above. I won't give away the final result, but I will say that the entry-level Tesla is truly a remarkable car worth its price. Click the play button up above to see if the Model 3 can take down the three heavy-hitter in the sports car market. See All Tesla For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 07, 2019

Vanderhall Created a Touching Micro-Trilogy Based Around ...

The Vanderhall Carmel is not a car. Let's get that straight. If you don't believe me, Vanderhall's brilliant micro-trilogy on YouTube brings that message home. The microbiology, consisting of three short videos, tells the story of a father and his daughter's boyfriend. Being a father, he's well aware of the boyfriend's intentions to marry his daughter, but he won't let him ask without a little bit a quest. Well, it's actually a literal quest the father sets him out on but at least he lets him take his Vanderhall Carmel as a mode of transportation. While the story is the main focus in these three videos, they do a great job of showing off the details of the Carmel. From the leather upholstery to the Brembo brakes, there are plenty of beautiful shots with the Carmel as the centerpiece. You should definitely give the videos a watch down below and learn more about Vanderhall by clicking the button below. visit vanderhall.com Carmel Episode I: The Quest " width="680"> Carmel Episode II: The Song " width="680"> Carmel Episode III: The Gift " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 05, 2019

2015 Porsche Boxster Bergspyder is Light & Fast

If you want to go faster, you can add horsepower or reduce weight. Until the Cayenne arrived, Porsche's only heavy vehicle was their line of tractors back in the 50's. Colin Chapman was the founder of Lotus, and his recipe was "Simplify, then add lightness". That is what Porsche's Executive Board was considering 5 years ago. Their request came to fruition thanks to the engineers at Weissach. And that is why the 2015 Porsche Boxster Bergspyder is light & fast. Before the current 718 Series Boxster & Cayman went to 4-cylinder power, the 981 Series Boxster & Cayman used flat-six engines that were closely related to the 911 Carrera GTS. The engineers were inspired by the Porsche 910/8 Bergspyder, which debuted in 1968 with a curb weight of 847 lbs. Half a century later it would be hard to reach that target starting with a street-legal car, but they accepted the challenge. A literal translation of Bergspyder is a Spyder built for hill climbs (berg = mountain). To built a modern interpretation, a Boxter lost its windshield, roof, door handles and almost everything else. It gained the 388 horsepower engine from the Cayman GT4. The end result could hit 62 mph in just over 4 seconds and lap the 'Ring in 7:30. The car offered amazing performance because it only weighed 2,422 lbs. It was considered for production, but the lawyers stepped in. The Boxster Bergspyder would not be legal to drive in the developed world, so the prototype was the only example to be built. It has been in storage for a while, so we're glad it will be shown at this year's Gaisberg Hillclimb race. A used Boxster is a great platform to build a race car, so click the link below and get ready for a wild ride! Stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Boxsters For Sale Related: The Five Best Secret Porsche Prototypes Porsche 917 vs the Concorde

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2019

VINwiki Finds Seized Supercars in Brazil

Our friend Ed Bolian created VINwiki to track and share the history of the world's greatest cars. Much like us, once he achieved a global audience he began to receive leads on amazing automobiles in unusual circumstances. Such was the case when VINwiki found siezed supercars in Brazil. In his latest upload, we learn the story of an unscrupulous criminal who tried to illegally import US-spec cars without following proper procedures. The group consists of a Paint-To-Simple Porsche Carrera GT, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, and the images show a Corvette and other toys. The genius who tried to import them was also involved in money laundering, so he was given a lenient sentence of 50 year in Brazil's comfortable correctional institutes. If he is still alive, he will never see his cars again because the government wasted no time in seizing them. That was back in 2012, and the cars have been stored in a warehouse outside of São Paulo. Tired of taking up space, the owner of the facility reportedly offered to sell each car for storage fees, but without titles. An option would be to take them apart and ship them to the U.S., or bring them here whole and place a Mechanic's Lien on them. Being a Native Floridian, it used to be easy to get a title with a Georgia Bill of Sale, not that I have ever done so... Needless to say, it will take some negotiation with the Brazilian authorities and a few logistical hurdles to bring these cars home. So one of you will probably be able to do this. My Portugese is a little rusty, so someone please translate this and share it, you could be sitting on a gold mine!. Stay with us for all your VINwiki updates. Related: 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six-Speed History by VINwiki VINwiki: How to Import Your Dream Car

By Edward Jones – May 10, 2019

Lotus, Audi, Porsche: Who Wins in a Race?

Want to know what a good job would be to have? One that has drag racing cars as daily projects. For Top Gear's Rory Reid, this is a reality and one of their latest videos shows it. In the video, Reid pits three sports cars up against each other. In the race is a Audi RS5, Lotus Exige Cup 430 and Porsche Cayman GTS. Between the cars, there are a lot of differences. The Lotus, for example, is cost double than the others. Also, the Porsche comes in with the least amount of power when compared to the other two. Last but not least, the Audi is the heaviest with a weight of 3,670 lbs. See how they all stack up in the video up above. see all sports cars for sale

By Edward Jones – May 06, 2019

What It's Like Taking Delivery of a One-of-a-Kind McLaren...

Manny Khoshbin recently took delivery of a McLaren Senna that's unlike any other one we've seen thus far. It's finished in special livery that was designed to honor the late Ayrton Senna. The bright orange/red paint on this Senna is that same as the paint used on the Marlboro #12 race car that Ayrton Senna raced. All of this was made possible through McLaren Special Operations' abilities and McLaren Newport Beach, who the car was ordered through. Khoshbin recently posted up a video of his experience while taking delivery of his Senna. It all started with the car being covered up on McLaren Newport Beach's showroom floor. After seeing just how much presence the Senna had, even when covered, Khoshbin couldn't wait any longer and had to see what his one-of-a-kind McLaren looked like. After pulling off the sheets, he was greeted with a supercar finished in bright paint that almost required sunglasses. Check out the full video above and be sure to check out McLaren Newport Beach's inventory by clicking the button below. view mclaren newport beach's inventory Also Check Out: McLaren Senna Price, Specs, Photos & Review McLaren Senna HPE1000 from Hennessey Performance McLaren Senna 0-183 MPH Test Run

By Edward Jones – April 25, 2019

See How Three Paganis Are Delivered by One Truck in Miami

Transporting cars across the country is not a simple task. Transporting three exotic supercars across the country is an even more difficult task. Making the process more feasible and safer are massive transport trucks that can carry multiple cars in an enclosed space that's climate controlled. This is exactly the kind of transport that Prestige Imports used to get three Paganis across the country, from California to Miami, Florida. More specifically, they went with Reliable Carriers. The three supercars that were shipped were the Huayra L'Ultimo, Zonda F and Huayra Vulcan. In order to get all of the Paganis into the truck, a special hydraulic ramp was used to get them from ground-level to the truck. Some of them had to be raised up even higher so they could be stored on the second level. Once they were in place, each car was tied down. To get them off of the truck, each car was simply rolled across the articulating racks and parked onto the lift, which lowered them down to ground level. From there, each Pagani could be driven away. It may look and sound like a simple task, but seeing the process up-close-and-personal gives you a new appreciation for how delicate this process is. Check out the video above from the Mike Supercars TopSpeed YouTube Channel to see the three Paganis being delivered to Prestige Imports. see cars for sale at prestige imports

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