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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 – April 25, 2017

A Ferrari F40 Ride From Petrol Lounge

In a secure location somewhere near Austin, Texas, three automotive enthusiasts have launched a new concept in car storage. Petrol Lounge is home to some of the world's most coveted rides, and they pulled back the curtain for Daniel Hurlbert and his YouTube subscribers. It's not every day that you get to experience a Ferrari F40. The introduction has some of the best cinematography we've seen in awhile, and if you can figure out how he got the flyover shots please tell me. Headphones should be used because he plays with spatial awareness with 3D sound effects.If you prefer to skip to the action, the F40 is awakened at precisely 6:00.A Tesla Model S makes a few silent maneuvers at 9 minutes, followed by a few potent Pontiacs.Wagon lovers will drool at the E63 AMG at 9:30, followed by a GT40 replica at 11:40.The video showcases some of the rarer cars in the collection. Stay with us for more wild collections and helpful advice.Ferrari For Sale Dallas, TX

By Edward Jones – April 24, 2017

Difference Between Spirited and Dangerous Driving

Most automotive enthusiasts and motorheads love going out for a spirited drive. However, some people may see such an experience as dangerous. YouTube channel the.leviathan decided he would weigh in on the topic with a new video.Living in Ontario, he notes that this time of the year is when the driving season kicks off up North. With more drivers hitting the road comes automotive-related incidents. He notes in the video that a recent group of supercar drivers were charged with "stunt driving" during one of their trips. This particular incident has been a hot topic in the automotive world, because many see what they were doing as just spirited driving. Nevertheless, we weren't there, so we can't weigh in on the topic.Also Check Out - Ferrari 458 Speciale Crashes During Wet Track DayIn the.leviathan's eyes, he thinks that spirited driving involves quicker acceleration, faster turns, delayed braking and so forth. However, while being "spirited," he notes that the driver should always follow the speed limit and ensure the safety of yourself and others around you. Once the safety is gone, then the drive turns from spirited to dangerous. Watch the video below to check out his views on different types of driving and let us know what you think in the comments section below.

By Edward Jones – April 21, 2017

Testing Agility: Ferrari vs Porsche

The difference between Ferrari and Porsche reaches far beyond just styling. From their heritage to their powerhouses, the two automakers are vastly different. But, this didn't stop Fifth Gear from seeing if the Porsche 911 GT3 could outperform the Ferrari 458 Speciale.First off, a newer 911 GT3 will sell for around $150,000, while the 458 Speciale will fetch around $410,000. This means that you'd have to spend almost twice as much as the Porsche in order to afford the Ferrari. However, does this difference in price result in a difference in performance?(Also Check Out - Battle of the Chevys: 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Corvette Z06)Fifth Gear's Tiff Needell was behind the wheel of the Italian while Chris Harris was driving the German. They tested each car's agility by driving them through an obstacle course and then seeing which car could stop the quickest. Click play below to see which car wins the battle.All Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale | All Ferrari 458 Speciale For Sale

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 19, 2017

Ferrari FXX K Brakes Get Lit at the Track

While your co-workers lament over the latest automotive news, turn up your volume for an epic soundtrack. At a recent track day in Tuscany, owners of the incredible FXX-K came together at Mugello for a private track day. Only 40 examples were produced so it might not seem logical to abuse them. But Ferrari designed them to dominate every corner they encounter. As the race-bred version of the LaFerrari, it combines a V12 engine with the Hy-Kers energy storage to provide 1,036 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque for blistering acceleration. As part of Ferrari's Corse Clienti program, it allows Ferrari's most privileged customers to showcase the abilities of their cars at a dozen events around the world. Not just for the owner's benefit, performance data is collected and sent back to Maranello to influence the next generation of supercars.Not just for the owner's benefit, performance data is collected and sent back to Maranello to influence the next generation of supercars. The logistics of transporting the cars and renting the track is handled by the manufacturer, so all the owner has to do is show up and drive. The catered meals are undoubtedly impressive, but we hope brake pads are on the list of appetizers. The temperatures needed to make carbon ceramic brakes glow in daylight are hot enough to destroy the suspension's rubber bushings, which is why proper airflow is important. Watch the spoilers do their dance at corner entry and listen to the sounds of twelve cylinder thunder. Big thanks to Marchettino for capturing this event! Stay with us for more wild Ferrari footage.

By Edward Jones – April 18, 2017

Upcoming Aston Martin DB11 S Caught Testing

Rumors have it that Aston Martin will be creating a 2018 DB11 S model to add to their lineup. While there hasn't been official word on this new model, Automotive Mike did happen to spot what he thinks is the DB11.During his routine visit to Nurburgring, Automotive Mike spied an all-black DB11 with a makeshift spoiler and more aggressive front end. He notes that this car will have around 659 horsepower when released, but this is just hearsay.The car itself sounds great, but not too different than the exhaust note of the base DB11. However, the all-black exterior of the car is seriously awesome. Be sure to stay with us for more information on the Aston Martin DB11 S as it is released from the manufacturer.

By Edward Jones – April 18, 2017

Pagani Huayra Roadster Spotted for the First Time in Person

The Pagani Huayra Roadster was revealed back in February, but we're just now starting to get glimpses of the real car on the road. Van Dorp Exclusive Automobiles recently captured the Huayra Roadster doing some flybys, starting up and recorded some overview clips of the car. The Pagani Huayra Roadster is a new supercar that is actually lighter and stronger than its coupe predecessor. This is all thanks to the new composite that Pagani used, called Carbo-Triax. This light weight mixed with the Mercedes-AMG V12 rated at 764 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque create rocket-like acceleration. Click play on the video below to hear and see the new Pagani in action for the first time.

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 Edward Jones – April 17, 2017

Best GT Car Test: DB11 vs 570GT vs Panamera Turbo

Many people have different thoughts on what makes a GT car. First off, there is the differentiation between a GT race car and your typical GT touring car.DRIVETRIBE recently took out an Aston Martin DB11, McLaren 570GT, and Porsche Panamera Turbo in order to see how they stacked up against each other as GT cars. While the DB11 is the typical GT car, with a front-engine layout, two doors, and a supple ride, the other two are definitely unique contenders.The 570GT is without a sports car, but it has GT-like qualities. Its ever-so-smooth ride and luxurious interior make the model much different than the 570S and it's sportier qualities. As for the Panamera Turbo, it offers the front-engine layout but has four doors and a much larger body.Check out the video below to see which of these three would make the best GT car.

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

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