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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 – June 05, 2020

1000 HP Battle: Twin-Turbo Huracan vs SRT Demon

Sometimes it's just nice to sit back and enjoy a battle between two formidable opponents that just so happen to be cars. Today, we're bringing you a video from YouTube channel 6.2hellcat of Dodge SRT Demon taking on a twin-turbo Lamborghini Huracan. This results in a battle of 1,000 horsepower cars that everybody needs to check out. Sure, one of these cars is aftermarket and the other is stock, the horsepower remains the same. There are also plenty of other incredible cars featured in the video like a McLaren 720S and a mean twin-turbo Boss 302 Mustang. Click play down below to check it out for yourself. Also, I would like to remind out readers to always follow your local traffic laws. All Demons for Sale All Huracans for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2020

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition in Action

Never before have they tried to evoke the spirit and enthusiasm behind their first model. By looking back to the 356, Exclusive Manufaktur has allowed us to see the Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition in action. As you probably know, the Exclusive department builds each car by hand. Details as small as the cast-gold badges and the leather dash set it apart from all others. Set to a Rockabilly background, the diner and milkshakes make for pure Americana. To celebrate the Targa's return on the latest 992 chassis, only 992 examples will be produced. As we told you a few days ago, each one will offer 450 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque to all wheels, so click the button below to reserve yours from our dealers. Browse Porsche Targa 4 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 02, 2020

RIP Bruce McLaren: 6/2/1970

Today marks half a century since Heaven gained its fastest Angel. To make sure his latest build was ready to race, Bruce McLaren was testing the M8D when the rear body panels collapsed. As the rear spoiler flew away, the loss in downforce made the car uncontrollable, and he lost the battle at Goodwood Circuit. A Minute Of Noise For Bruce McLaren Earlier today, his daughter Amanda was joined by family and a friends to light 50 candles. The somber and respectful moment was the setting for something new. A massive bronze statue of the company founder was unveiled, with the second M8D alongside. Powered by a 7.6-liter Chevrolet, the M8 Series allowed Team McLaren to dominate Can-Am racing for five consecutive years. In Formula 1 they have amassed 182 wins, 12 Drivers’ Championships and 8 Constructors’ Championships. Life is short and fragile, and Bruce lived every minute doing what he loved. That dedication can be felt and seen in every car that bears his name. By doing so, Bruce isn't gone, he just went to race in a better place.

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2020

Rolls-Royce ‘Inspiring Greatness' With Cory Richards

Rolls-Royce's latest iteration of their 'Inspiring Greatness' series stars none other than award-winning National Geographic photographer and explorer Cory Richards. In the film, found above, you'll find what pushes Richards to embark on his treacherous expeditions and what it means to him. Did you know that Richards is the only American and one of the few people to climb the 8,000-meter peak of Pakistan's Gasherbrum II in winter? Richards also took a Rolls-Royce Cullinan to remote parts of Scotland, the UAE and the US as part of 'The Final Challange." He tested to Cullinan to "the point of destruction," taking it through some treacherous terrains. On what Rolls-Royce means to him, Richards says: “Everything I do is driven by risk-taking. If we don’t take risks, we don’t fail, and when we don’t fail, we don’t learn. Rolls-Royce, to me, occupies a space that I resonate with in terms of perfection, where there is an absolute attention to detail that is unrivalled. There’s a willingness to take time in order to create something that is beyond compare that encourages us to dream about what we can accomplish.” Check out the video for yourself up above. See All Cullinans for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 02, 2020

2021 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition Limited to 992...

With a comprehensive list of amazing features, we have no doubt that the new Porsche 911 Targa for sale will be very successful. Many customers will be happy with the versatility and styling of the Targa 4. But if you want an heirloom worthy of any Concours, the 2021 Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition is limited to 992 examples. As the first Heritage Edition 922 to be based on the 992 chassis, no detail was overlooked. First off, each car will be offered with a matching Porsche Design chronograph. The face evokes the same shape as the exclusive wheels, and the bands are made of the same premium leather found throughout the interior. 2021 Porsche 911 Targa 4 & Targa 4S Unveiled Each car will arrive with 2-tone leather on the dash, doors, pillars, seats, and almost every surface. Bordeaux Red and Atacama Beige hides have been stitched by hand. Courdoroy inserts on the seats and door panels are a throwback to the 356 series while keeping you held in place during spirited driving. The original Porsche 911 badge from 1963 can be found on the hood, steering wheel, keys, and the Carrera Exclusive wheels (20" & 21"). Exterior graphics include white diamonds behind the headlights, prominent roundels on the doors. Inspired by the overwhelming response to the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster, the owner will be able to choose how much historical content that is included. It goes without saying that all optional performance and luxury options offered on the new Targa 4S are standard equipment. You will have 450 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque sent to all wheels. While the press release mentions the 8-speed PDK transmission, we hope the 7-speed manual is also offered. Our dealers have all the info, so click the button below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 Targa For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2020

See the SSC Tuatara Rush from 60 to 120 mph in 2.5 Seconds

The SSC Tuatara is the real deal. We're seeing more and more of this incredible hypercar as SSC and we couldn't be happier about it. This 1750 horsepower hypercar has been talked about for years and we're finally seeing the fruits of SSC's engineering and capabilities. In a recent video from SSC, we get to see just how fast the Tuatara is. While many discuss 0-60 mph speed, they tested the 60 to 120 mph time of the car. They managed to complete that sprint in 2.5 seconds. That's downright insane. We're talking about a rear-wheel-drive car that's being built to be driven every day! This is just the latest from SSC, as we'll most likely be seeing this American hypercar being pushed to its limits. We will also be seeing more of the 100 planned customer examples being delivered in the near future. I, for one, am excited to see every single one I can. SSC Tuatara For Sale Source: Top Gear

By Andrew Nabors – June 01, 2020

Porsche Taycan Soul Journey Day 4: Endurance

Formula E is changing all preconceived notions of racing. With automakers around the world fighting for electric dominance, Porsche has officially thrown their hat into the ring. To announce this big effort, the Porsche Taycan Soul Journey landed in the Arabian Desert for Day 4. Endurance is something that Porsche legend Jacky Ickx knows all too well. Behind the wheel of the 959 Rally Car, he used the first 911 with 4WD to bring home several wins. Meeting Mark Webber, they extol the virtues of the electric Taycan Turbo S. It takes Porsche AWD into the electric market, and we suppose it could have some offroad fun with the right tires. To tackle some of the biggest dunes in the world takes a turbo SUV, so tell us which one of this trio you would drive and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche Taycan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 27, 2020

2021 BMW 5-Series Sedan Unveiled

Every European automaker is scrambling to add hybrid technology to meet impending laws. As Mercedes-Benz has just released an all-new E-Class, the 2021 BMW 5-Series sedan has been unveiled in Munich. It is an update to the 7th generation (G30) platform that premiered in 2017. Starting with the most obvious hardware, the 540i and 540i xDrive have gained a 48-volt hybrid system. It combines start/stop with regenerative braking and 11 extra horsepower in sport mode. The straight-six 3-liter has a meaty turbocharger and offers 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The RWD 540i reaches 60 mph in 4.9 seconds while the AWD 540i xDrive does it in 4.6. Opting for summer tires raises the top speed to 155 mph. Top 50 Best Exotic Cars & Supercars Of All Time The four-cylinder 530i and 530i xDrive have the latest in plug-in hybrid technology. They are a combination of a 181 horsepower 2-liter turbo and a 107 horsepower electric motor/generator. Along with a 12 kWh battery, total output is 288 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Both RWD and AWD can cruise on battery power up to 19 mph, with nearly identical acceleration stats as the 540i. Lastly, it wouldn't be a 5 Series without a V8, so the twin-turbo 4.4-liter offers 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to all wheels in the M550i xDrive. This means the M5 will undoubltedly have incredible power along with the updated styling seen here. Choosing between the straight six and the plug-in four will be tough, so click the button below to drive them both, then tell us which one you prefer in the comments below. Browse 5-Series For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 27, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Engineering Details Explained

If you want the latest and greatest, most automakers save significant changes until a new model is introduced. However Bugatti never stops testing and improving upon their designs. With supercomputer continually crunching the numbers, test drivers and engineers have been looking for every possible way to improve the Chiron. Dedication of this level is not found anywhere else in the automotive world, so here are the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport engineering details explained. In a press release yesterday, they began by mentioning that this car might look like a Chiron. But everything underneath has been scrutinized for weight and performance, to the extent that the Pur Sport is nearly a clean-sheet redesign. 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Road Trip Stefan Ellrott, Head of Development at Bugatti: “The Chiron Pur Sport is much more agile, firm and precise. It’s more hungry for corners, accelerates faster thanks to a shorter gear ratio and offers increased downforce thanks to new aerodynamics.” Engineers tried 17 combinations of caster, camber, shocks and springs. Countless hours on the track yielded a reduction in camber of 2.5 degrees at all corners. This necessitated new bearings (130% stiffer) for the control arms. Upgrades in the chassis' stiffness have allowed the spring rates to be raised from 100 to 166 N/mm on the front and from 150 to 200 N/mm on the rear. New strut mounts hold revised magnetic suspension that makes adjustments every six milliseconds. Top 50 Best Exotic Cars & Supercars Of All Time Finally, transmission and differential gearing is 15% shorter. This makes for blistering acceleration at the expense of limiting top speed. The Pur Sport tops out at 217 mph, but it gets there much faster than its predecessors. To ensure the quality and performance of these upgrades, the prototypes have over 31,000 miles and counting. Chief Engineer Jachin Schwalbe says: "The combination of a firmer chassis, shorter gear ratio, more downforce and the new ESC-Sport+ driving mode is addictive. The Chiron Pur Sport selects the right gear in every situation, no matter how dynamic. It feels like it’s glued to the road. Then you’ve got this tremendous acceleration. The car exceeds the expectations of even the most experienced drivers." Click the button below to find out more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 21, 2020

2021 Porsche 911 Targa Is All You Need

Choosing between coupe and convertible can be tough for many owners. Only Porsche offers the best of both worlds. With the ability to transform from one to the other, the 2021 Porsche Targa is all you need. We went over the specifics of the Targa 4 and Targa 4 S when they were introduced. Both models offer the latest in All Wheel Drive, with the latter sporting a 7-speed manual transmission. The roof mechanism is a symphony of precision that will mesmerize you every time, so click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 Targa For Sale

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