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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 – March 13, 2017

Base Model Tesla Model S Destroys Competition at Drag Strip

Tesla Racing Channel has a well-optioned Model S P100D that they constantly take to the drag strip. While this Model S takes down just about every competitor that goes against in, they wanted to see how a base model example would fair.Luckily, they were able to get their hands on a base model Model S with no options included. This means no high-end audio options, smaller charger, a price of $138,000 and more.When they made it to the track, the two Teslas went head-to-head, showing just how important losing a couple of pounds can be in the world of drag racing. After the all-electric race, the Tesla then went on to take down a Hellcat, custom truck and even launch right in front of a cop. (Warning, some NSFW language)All Tesla For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 13, 2017

Tesla Model S P100D's 0-60 mph in 2.4 Seconds - Tested

With the Tesla P100D the Ludicrous+ mode is available. The rumor is that this mode will allow the car to run 0-60 mph in 2.4 seconds, but that's a rumor. To put this rumor to the test, DragTimes took their Model S out, with the mode enabled.In order to really test it, Brooks from DragTimes found a dry road to unleash the electric monster and hooked up his VBox to accurately measure the sprint.After the sprint and reading the results, Tesla's claim seems to have been true. Brooks' Model S ran from 0-60 mph in just 2.465 seconds in a distance of 124.531 ft. That's...insanely impressive. Check out the video below to see the car in action for yourself.All Tesla Model S For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2016

Tesla Model S P100D: Did it Just Become the Quickest Stoc...

Our friends over at Drag Times took delivery of their Tesla Model S P100D just a few weeks ago, but they haven't been able to push it to its limits until now. Thanks to a very, very brief cool front, Drag Times took the P100D out to Palm Beach International Raceway to see just how fast this new electric sedan could make it down the drag strip.(Related - Mercedes-Benz's Tesla Fighter is Teased)To make sure their Model S was racing at its full potential, they had Florida Drilling come out with 150kW generators on a truck to charge the sedans up to 100% for the races. After a quick charge, the Teslas were at full potential and ready to go.When put to the test, the P100Ds were both consistent and fast as lightning. According to Drag Times, they were able to run them around 10.7-10.8 all night, taking on cars like the Corvette Z06, Challenger Hellcat, Nissan GT-R, Camaro and CTS-V.With a quarter-mile time of 10.76 at 122.36 mph, Drag Times thinks this could be the quickest stock four-door car in the world. What do you guys think? Watch the videos below and let me know in the comments below!All Tesla For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 14, 2016

360º of Tesla P90D vs Lamborghini Aventador Drag Race

Watching a drag race between similar cars is about as fun as watching paint dry. But a race between two opposite ends of the automotive world is guaranteed to be interesting. In a video uploaded last night by hartvoorautosNL, we see a rare encounter between the world's most popular electric sedan and an Italian supercar.(Also Watch - Who's Faster: Nissan GT-R vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS in Drag Race)Tesla empowers the P90D with 713 lb-ft of torque, which is instantly available to all four wheels. The Lamborghini Aventador is also All Wheel Drive with 508 lb-ft, but this power is only found above 5,000 rpm. Tesla has no transmission, so it offers the same power in almost every situation. Lamborghini's 7-speed automatic is geared to unleash the full power of the V12 above 120 mph, a severe disadvantage to drag racing. So what happens when efficient electrons encounter a raging V12? Hopefully, this road was closed, because street racing is wrong in any situation. Always remember to follow your local traffic laws.Aventador For Sale Tesla Model S 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 07, 2016

Tesla Model S and BMW i8 Face Off on Autobahn

When testing out the speed and acceleration of a vehicle, the Autobahn is the perfect place to do so. In the video below, AutoTopNL decided to pitch the BMW i8 against the Tesla Model S in Ludicrous mode.The electric and hybrid motors go head to head to see which one accelerates faster and which one has a higher top speed. If you could guess, which one do you think accelerates to top speed faster? Here are the specs on each vehicle.Tesla Model S P90 D Specs Engine: Electric Horsepower: 469 or 539 (Ludicrous) 0-60: 3.3 seconds or 3.0 seconds (Ludicrous) Top Speed: 145 mph BMW i8 Specs Engine: 1.5-liter 3-cylinder Horsepower: 362 combined 0-60: 4.4 seconds Top Speed: 145 mph The Tesla Model S is known for its unprecedented performance among electric motors, but can it beat out a hybrid when put to the test? Check out the full video below and let us know what you think. Did you guess correctly as to which would win? Tesla Model S For SaleBMW i8 For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 04, 2016

Tesla Model S and Boeing 737 Face Off

Australian airline, Quantas, and Tesla Motors are teaming up to offer their customers the best in "drive innovation and sustainability in the transport industry," and to mark their newfound relationship, they decided to put their modes of transportation to the test on the track. Both brands are known for wanting to protect the environment and for their power. Who do you think wins the race?Check out the video below to see the race in full. We're ready to see what Quantas and Tesla have in store for their customers. Updates to come.Tesla Model S Listings

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 15, 2016

Tesla Model S vs Model X Ludicrous Mode Drag Race

Ever wondered which Tesla vehicle would win in a drag race? Drag Times driver, Brooks, did as well and decided to put the two models to the test. They took a 2016 Tesla Model X P90D Ludicrous in Deep Blue Metallic and a 2015 Tesla Model S P90D Ludicrous out to the track to see how the cars would perform against each other. To make the race more interesting, Brooks had his wife behind the wheel of the Model X, and she's never drag raced before.What they discovered through a series of runs though, was pretty amazing. First and foremost, the races showed that the Model X might have set the record for the fastest electric SUV quarter mile, which would place the Model X in the top of its class. The races were incredibly close-- the Model S won by just .19 of a second in the race where both vehicles had an equal start-- but weight difference (the Model X comes in around 600 lbs heavier than the Model S) shows that the Model X pushes more power than the Model S even though both vehicles are equipped with the same powertrain with dual motors.Check out the series of races below and see how the Model X performed against the Model S.Teslas For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 23, 2015

Tesla Model S Drifting in Complete Silence is...Strange

When a car drifts, you typically hear the throttle bring feathers and a massive exhaust note. For example, if you're drifting Japan's greatest sounding car, you and everyone else around you is going to hear its engine from miles away. But, what happens if the car you're drifting doesn't have a standard gasoline engine, like the Tesla Model S?There's no doubt that Japan is the epicenter for drifting competitions and that's why it comes as no surprise that this video comes from there. MASUDA Channel was recently in Tokyo at a drift competition when a Model S showcased its drifting capabilities for the crowd. Sure, it couldn't drift as well as the famous drifting Lamborghini, but that wasn't what was important.When you watch the video below, you'll be watching an incredibly powerful car drift with absolutely no engine noise. Is it strange? Sure. But, is it bad? Of course not. These electric cars pack so much power that spinning tires are their favorite past time. That is, if traction control gives way.Tesla Model S For Sale

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