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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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 24, 2016

The Car That Can be Any Car: The Blackbird

Ads of any kind are costly and time-consuming to make. In the automotive industry, this is especially true because of continuous changes to body style and availability. These limitations make keeping up with advertising more difficult for car makers, cutting into their revenue, but the Blackbird is set to change that.The Blackbird, designed by The Mill, is a fully adjustable car rig that can adapt its appearance to virtually any make and model thanks to CGI. The developers are able to change the drive performance and wheels to match any vehicle. This unprecedented development has the ability to change automotive advertising forever. For the first time, car makers won't need the physical car to create an ad or video.The Blackbird can alter its length up to four feet and width up to ten inches. In addition, it can change wheels and alter suspension so it can mimic literally any vehicle whether that vehicle be a 1960 Shelby Mustang or the 2016 Lamborghini Centenario. Pretty crazy, right?Want to learn more about the Blackbird? Check out the full YouTube video from The Mill below.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 23, 2016

How To Do Launch Control In A Lamborghini Huracan

One of the best features of a supercar is launch control. The exhilaration of 0-60 times in three seconds and under is one of the main reasons to own a supercar, and launch control makes it all possible. In the Lamborghini Huracan, launch control is known as "Thrust Mode" and there are a few steps to follow. The guys at DragTimes wanted to make sure novice Lamborghini drivers know what they're doing, so they put a step-by-step together on YouTube. (Also Read: RWD Battle: Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 vs Porsche GT3 RS) How to Put Your Lamborghini Huracan in Thrust Mode Start the Car with the Start Button located on the center console Check out gauges to make sure everything is looking good Use the Paddle Shift to switch to "Drive" Make sure Huracan is in "Corsa Mode" which is located on the steering wheel (click button down twice) Turn ESC off on the center console Hold brake down with your left foot and jam the throttle with your right foot At 4200 RPM the dash will read "Thrust Mode Possible" Let go of the brake and get to it! To check out the full video tutorial and to see Thrust Mode on the Lamborghini Huracan in action, check out the video below. Lamborghini Huracans for Sale https://blog.dupontregistry.com/features/2016-lamborghini-huracan-coupe-specs-review-photos/

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 22, 2016

Video Tour of the New Lamborghini Museum

Lamborghini enthusiast and YouTuber, TheStradman, had a hard time keeping his composure among the other guests at the Lamborghini Museum located in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy. It's easy to understand why. Newly re-envisioned, the Lamborghini Museum includes the exotic car brand's most iconic models, some of which, might not be seen elsewhere.(See Also: Lamborghini Debuts Revamped Lamborghini Museum, Celebrates Miura 50th Anniversary)Join TheStradman on a journey through the Lamborghini museum for a first-hand look at some amazing cars. He starts the tour off with the incredible Lamborghini Veneno, of which only three other examples are in play. The Veneno is valued at an astonishing $4.5 million.For a full tour, check out the video below.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 20, 2016

Tesla Model S Can Float, Video Proof

Everyone driving a traditional car has had that moment of fear driving through a slightly flooded street. Cars on the side of the road with their hazard lights definitely don't ease the mind. There's always the questions of whether or not the car will make it through.In the video below, this tunnel wasn't just slightly flooded. Proper investigation of the other cars in the tunnel proves this street was completely submerged, making it impossible for a standard, gas-powered vehicle to get through. Luckily this driver wasn't in a gas-powered vehicle. His Tesla Model S apparently doubles as a boat, and the driver, amid other stranded vehicles, navigates his way out of the flooded tunnel to the clear street ahead.Even better, Elon Musk took notice. He might not recommend using your Model S as a temporary boating mechanism, but he's not knocking it either:https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/744551674082136066In fact, it looks like the electric car maker is planning on a Bond-style sports sub car in the future. Now that is something to look forward to.https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/744552621072064512Want to see the Model S in floating action? You can check out the full video below.Tesla Model S for Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 17, 2016

Snowboarding on Sand Dunes With A Mini Race Car

For full-time snowboarders, summer might actually be a bit of a drag. The snow has melted in most places, which limits a snowboarder's ability to find sweet spots to shred through sub-zero climates. But that hasn't stopped Polish star snowboarder, Wojtek Pawlusiak.(Related: Nissan GTR Tows Snowboarder Around Snow-Covered Spa-Francorchamps Circuit)Pawluziak teamed up with Red Bull in Abu Dhabi to rip through the dunes of the desert, and it looks like he had just as much fun as he would have in the snow. Pulled by the Dakar rally car driven by pro driver Jakub Przygonski, Pawlusiak looks like he's in his natural element, getting air and doing tricks in the dunes. Check out the full video below:

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2016

LaFerrari vs KTM SuperDuke Tug-Of-War

Being challenged to a bout tug-of-war is the modern equivalent of a duel. Two gentlemen who agree to disagree, see no other way to settle their dispute than a test of tires and traction. For the owner of a LaFerrari, the dispute left him no other choice but to fabricate a trailer hitch and affix a chrome shin-destroyer ball. His opponent also chose rear wheel drive, in the form of a KTM SuperDuke. But having only one rear wheel could be a disadvantage.(Also Read: What 0-215 mph in a LaFerrari Looks Like)By the numbers, LaFerrari might have an advantage. Assuming a fully charged battery, it brings 950 hp and 664 lb-ft to the fight. On the other end of the rope is a new KTM 1290 SuperDuke R. It may look like an Enduro, but their latest Naked model has 1301cc V-twin sending 170 hp to a single sided swing arm. With 107 lb-ft of torque this two-wheeler is no slouch. Spinning tires are the great equalizer in these contests, because when both sides are smoking the challenge could go either way. Rear brake rotors and pads for the LaFerrari might cost more than a trailer hitch, so if you are in the market for a pre-owned example, avoid ones with the towing package.LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 14, 2016

Aston Martin Vulcan and Koenigsegg One:1 Driver Races...H...

Racing video games have been around for ages, giving everyone the chance to test their skills on the virtual track. Games like Forza, Gran Turismo and hardcore simulators have actually bred real-life racers. But how different is virtual racing from the real thing? Castrol USA decided to find out.(Also Read: Koenigsegg One:1 Testing It's Limits On Nurburgring)In the new video titled "Castrol EDGE Clone Rival," they put a supercar in a simulator where he would race the Aston Martin Vulcan and Koenigsegg One:1 around a virtual version of the track in Ascari, Spain. After their laps were recorded, they then sent him off to the real track, with the real cars.How did his real lap times stack up? Check out the videos below.Aston Martin Vulcan For Sale | Koenigseggs For Sale Koenigsegg One:1 Aston Martin Vulcan

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 13, 2016

Non-Car Supercar Driver Compares Ferrari 458, Porsche GT3...

Jason Franske of popular YouTube channel, Engineering Explained has never driven a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche. Lucky for him, that's all about to change. Thanks to Xtreme Xperience, Franske has the opportunity to take a few laps in each of the supercars and compare how they drive.Sports Cars For SaleNote to viewers: Franske is definitely not a professional supercar driver, but his analysis of each vehicle's performance and feel is pretty great. He talks about how each car drives, how he felt behind the wheel and which car was his favorite to drive. Which do you think felt the heaviest on the road? Which does he pick as his favorite to drive? Check out what he thinks about each vehicle in the video below.Ferrari 458 For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 09, 2016

When a Guy in a Lambo is Hungry, He Goes to... McDonalds?

When you gotta eat, you gotta eat. For Lee K of Supercar Advocates, when he's famished, the McDonald's drive thru is the place to go. Hey, to each his own, right?In the video posted below, Lee K talks about his "lifelong dream" of taking a supercar through the McDonald's drive thu. He's a little worried about whether or not he'll be able to reach the window of the drive thru to retrieve his food, but hey, no big deal.Check out this hilarious video, Lee K rolls up to the drive thru window and orders 10 Big Macs 10 Fish Burgers and 10 Large Chips (fries, we're assuming). He spends about $130 total on his lunchtime excursion and runs into a few glitches in the process.Check out the full video below. Would you take your supercar through the Mickey D's drive thru?Lamborghini Aventadors for Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 09, 2016

POV of the Fastest Isle of Man TT Lap, Ever

At this year's Isle of Man TT race, Michael Dunlop had one mission-- to crush lap times. The Isle of Man TT is known for its dangerous course and is even deemed one of the most dangerous courses to date. In fact, each year, racers lose their lives to the course. Michael Dunlop was up for the challenge.(Related: Ducati draXter Concept Bike of the Future)Winning the RST Superbike race, Dunlop clocked the first ever lap time under 17 minutes on the infamous Mountain Course. The second place participant, Ian Hutchinson, was a full 19 seconds behind him. In his fasted lap, Dunlop hit over 133 mph. The video below catalogs over 16 minutes of the race, where you can watch Dunlop's technique as he laps one driver after another, taking the lead and ultimately winning the race.Check out the full video below.Motorcycles for Sale

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