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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 – May 16, 2018

The History of Donkervoort by Carfection

Have you ever seen a car so gorgeous you had to own it? That is what happened to a young man named Joop Donkervoort. He saw a Lotus 7 and knew he had to have one. The only problem is that it was not legal in the Netherlands. The Low Countries have strict safety laws, so his only choice was to reverse-engineer the iconic automobile in order to make it comply with their standards.By the time the transformation was over, it was essentially a new car. He christened it the S7, and the Dutch fell in love with it. The idea of a more practical and powerful version was the motivation for the S8. It used a Ford-Cosworth 4 cylinder, it gained a healthy turbo in the S8 AT. They have been building nimble 4 and 5 cylinder cars since 1978, and the D8 GTO is the current flagship. Always a driver's car, they arrive without ABS, stability control, or electronic nannies. So they are illegal in the US if they are 24 years old or newer. Maybe it would be possible under Show & Display, so we'll let you know what we find out. Until then, stay with us for all your exotic car news.How To Sell Your Exotic Car with duPont REGISTRY

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2018

Dodge Demon vs Hellcat 1/4 Mile Shootout

Sibling rivalry is often heated, especially when it comes to the Dodge Challenger Demon and Hellcat. As one of the best-kept secrets in the automotive world, the Challenger Hellcat and the Challenger Demon were developed at the same time. One team was asked to build a 700 horsepower car, and the other was given no restrictions to see how far the 6.2 liter V8 could be pushed.A Hellcat starts around $65,000, and the Demon is $20,000 more. The first has 707 horsepower and the latter is able to make 840 horsepower on race fuel. To make the Dodge Demon reliable at such power levels, it has 50% more oil sent to the piston squirters, and the block is reinforced inside and out. A stronger transmission includes the world's first production trans-brake along with other drag-racing essentials.Hennessey Performance Tests the HPE1000 DemonTo see the differences in action, the YouTube channel Wheels uploaded this battle last night. So far, the fastest Demon time slip is held by Hennessey Performance, but it took them 1,000 horsepower to run a 9.38. That is because the 10-second barrier is hard to reach for street-legal cars. The law of diminishing returns can be seen, in that adding 160 horsepower only counts for half a second for Hennessey Performance. Both of the drivers below deserve props for excellent launches, and the difference at the top end clearly shows the difference in power. Is it worth an extra $20,000? Tell us why or why not in the comments below and stay with us for all your Mopar action!View the Dodge Demon Specs, Prices & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 02, 2017

Hennessey Performance Donut Recipe: Dodge Hellcat & 1,000...

Everybody has that "one friend" who chastises them for eating poorly. This might offend you, but we like Doughnuts. Not just the confectionery treat, we also like to see tires and pavement being punished. The same friend who extols the virtues of paleo food also drives a boring car. Life is too short to not enjoy all it has to offer, so Hennessey Performance have perfected the doughnut. The Dodge Challenger Hellcat comes with a 2.3 liter supercharger that allows the 6.2 liter V8 to make 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque at the engine. While power of that level can sure spin a tire, you know it is capable of much more. After swapping the stock blower for a 4.5 liter and installing new exhaust, the Hellcat HPE1000 puts down 863 hp and 770 lb-ft of torque to the ground. This equates to around 1,000 horsepower at the engine because the automatic transmission becomes a hindrance at these power levels. We warned you about it last week. We told you not to listen with headphones, but you did it anyway. Now you are deaf & the HPE1000 offers no apologies. It shows up to a knife fight with a grenade launcher. It costs much less than dealers are charging for the new Dodge Demon, and it will run 9's all day long. If you have a Challenger, Charger, or Hellcat, Hennessey will transform it into a killer.For more information click here and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates.

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

What it's Like to Join Lamborghini's Driving School

Owning a high-performance car is a great accomplishment. Knowing how to fully utilize its abilities is even better. I have had plenty of seat time in everything from Countach to Aventador, and in all honesty, you will not come near the limits of a late model Lamborghini on public roads.Although Mr. Balboni has retired, you can still learn from the team members of Squadra Corse. The motorsports division of Lamborghini, they are responsible for the Super Trofeo cars and the Blancpain GT Series.(Related - Lamborghini Teases New Engine)In order to see how an owner becomes a racer, Bloomberg got behind the wheel of the $12,000 weekend. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is home to the US program, and it includes everything from wet weather maneuvering to hot laps in a Super Trofeo Huracan. Not only are the participants learning how to extract every ounce of fun from their cars, Squadra pays close attention to talented drivers who could benefit the racing program. Advanced telemetry systems record each lap for review by the instructors in both the Aventador and Huracan. The driver with the fastest lap time is invited to a weekend of racing, complete with a pit crew and arrival by helicopter.If you want to take part in the next class, contact one of our dealers for more information.All Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2016

Lamborghini Veneno and More in Possibly World's Largest H...

One of the benefits of spending buying an expensive supercar or hypercar is that you'll be able to participate in event that consist of other supercars and hypercars. For example, there was a meetup at Shanghai Circuit that had the likes of the Lamborghini Veneno, LaFerrari, McLaren P1, Koenigsegg Agera, Pagani Zonda, Bugatti Veyron and so many more.Seriously, this may be one of the most insane meetups on the planet.Effspot flew out to Shanghai to witness the meetup for himself. He thankfully recorded the entire event and uploaded the video to YouTube. The video is just about 40 minutes long, but it's totally worth it to watch the entire thing, because you're going to see some of the world's most incredible cars. Click play on the video below to see it for yourself, and be warned that there is some NSFW language.Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2016

Chris Harris Reviews Porsche 911 R vs Aston Martin V12 Va...

Alright, I get it, a lot of you don't like Top Gear since Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond left. But, drop that train of thought for just a couple of seconds and think back to the time when Chris Harris was one of THE automotive YouTubers. Remember when we all used to enjoy all of his videos? Well, you still can enjoy him on YouTube, but now he has a bigger budget and they're being posted by the Top Gear channel. This is Chris Harris Drives.(Related - Chris Harris and Rory Reid Join Matt LeBlanc as Top Gear Hosts)In his latest video, Harris warms up his left foot for some three-pedal action with the Porsche 911 R and Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. The two cars each feature a manual gearbox, which is, unfortunately, a rarity in the year 2016. He takes the cars through some gorgeous back roads and out for some laps at the Anglesey Circuit. Which car did he like better: the V12 tourer or the flat-six German sports car? Click play on the video below to find out.View 911 R For Sale | View V12 Vantage S For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 08, 2016

Over Five Epic Minutes of Supercars Starting Up

One of the easiest ways to get a car guy going? Start up sounds. The rumble and vibration reverberating from the eardrums is just something a person in love with cars can't get enough of. Maybe it's because each car has a distinct sound. Maybe it's because the start up alludes to the incredible power and opportunity available at the push of a pedal. The truth is, it's probably a fusion of all of the above.(Also Check Out - Sports Cars and Supercars with Apple CarPlay for Your iPhone 7)YouTube's Automotive Mike knows all about the insane thrill start ups can bring, and he did the auto enthusiast a favor when he put together the video below, which features over five minutes of supercar and sports car start up sounds. Amazing. Included in the video are the start ups from iconic exotic car makers like Koenigsegg, Ferrari, Lamborghini and more.Here's the full list:- Aston Martin DBS- Aston Martin V8 Vantage S- Audi RS6 C7 DTM- Bentley Continental GT Supersport- BMW 335i- BMW M5- Bugatti Veyron- DMC Lamborghini Aventador- Dodge Challenger SRT8 Hellcat- Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale- Ferrari 360 Modena- Ferrari 430 Scuderia- Ferrari 458 Italia- Ferrari 458 Speciale- Ferrari 458 Speciale A- Ferrari Enzo ZXX by Edo Competition- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta- Ferreri F12 Berlinetta Novitec Rosso- Ferrari F40 Barchetta Beurlys- Ferrari LaFerrari- Ford Focus RS- Ford Mustang Shelby GT500- Jaguar F Type R Coupe- Jaguar XK120- Koenigsegg Agera R- Koenigsegg One:1- Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4- Lamborghini Gallardo LP520-4 Spyder- Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4- Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale- Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4- Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster- Lexus LFA- Mazda RX7- McLaren P1- Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe- Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series- Nissan GT-R- Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Package- Porsche 9ff TR1000 996 Turbo- Porsche 991 GT3R- Porsche Carrera GT- Radical RXC V8- Ultima GTR- Zenos E10 SCheck out the video below for your daily dose of engine start-up heaven.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 25, 2016

Aston Martin Teases DB11

In a video that goes briefly scans the heritage of the famed Aston Martin's iconic DB line, viewers catch a short glimpse of how the Aston Martin has evolved over the course of its 100+ year history. The video is filled with bits and pieces of Aston Martin's prestigious history. And then... did you catch that? There's definitely something we've never seen before in the video.Go ahead, go back to 1:04 and hit pause. We do believe that's the long-awaited DB11. Aston Martin continues to tease us. Check out the full video below and make sure to stay tuned for updates on the DB11.Aston Martins For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 05, 2016

Jaden Smith's First Car is the Tesla Model X

The ever popular Jaden Smith is making headlines again, but this time, it isn't for what he's wearing-- it's for what he's driving. Smith just purchased the all new Tesla X, but don't worry about trying to check it out yet-- the car isn't available on the market.Jaden's older brother, Trey, debuted a photo of his younger counterpart posing in front of his newly acquired vehicle on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/p/BBSsH74EAdk/The Tesla X is Tesla Motor's crossover SUV, and Smith is the youngest-- at just 17-years-old-- to own a Tesla. According to Pursuitist, the crossover is set to retail for $80,000. Check out the Tesla X in action in the video below.Teslas For Sale Related Video:

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