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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 – February 28, 2020

See Paganis Race Other Hypercars in Switzerland

Watching hypercars and supercars take on each other in drag races is always entertaining. There's just something about seeing the most extreme vehicles this planet has to offer being pushed to their limits in no holds barred races. YouTube Channel "Gumbal" recently uploaded a video of multiple Paganis racing down a drag strip, along with other supercars and hypercars. (Side Note: Pagani Unveils the 1 of 1 Zonda Venti) Cars in the video include a Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari LaFerrari, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, and a Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster. The video is quite long, but it's filled with some high-speed races at the private Switzerland supercar event. Check it out down below! " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 07, 2019

Oh No: Porsche 911 GT2 RS Crashes Into Pagani Huayra BC

Just imagine. You're driving your beloved Pagani Huayra BC around Monza during a track day, having the time of your life. As you enter Variante del Rettilifilo, the first corner on the track, you look behind you and see a Porsche 911 GT2 RS coming up fast and then BAM. That German supercar slams into the side of your Pagani. Well, if you can't imagine that happening, then click play up above. In the video, uploaded to YouTube Channel "Varryx," you'll see a 911 GT2 RS crashing into a Huayra BC. It's just sad. The details of this crash haven't been released yet, meaning we don't know the condition of the drivers or if there was an exact reason for the 911 GT2 RS speeding into the corner. If we learn any more info, we'll be sure to update this article. see all paganis for sale Related Video: " width="680"> Hat Tip to autoevolution

By Edward Jones – April 25, 2019

See How Three Paganis Are Delivered by One Truck in Miami

Transporting cars across the country is not a simple task. Transporting three exotic supercars across the country is an even more difficult task. Making the process more feasible and safer are massive transport trucks that can carry multiple cars in an enclosed space that's climate controlled. This is exactly the kind of transport that Prestige Imports used to get three Paganis across the country, from California to Miami, Florida. More specifically, they went with Reliable Carriers. The three supercars that were shipped were the Huayra L'Ultimo, Zonda F and Huayra Vulcan. In order to get all of the Paganis into the truck, a special hydraulic ramp was used to get them from ground-level to the truck. Some of them had to be raised up even higher so they could be stored on the second level. Once they were in place, each car was tied down. To get them off of the truck, each car was simply rolled across the articulating racks and parked onto the lift, which lowered them down to ground level. From there, each Pagani could be driven away. It may look and sound like a simple task, but seeing the process up-close-and-personal gives you a new appreciation for how delicate this process is. Check out the video above from the Mike Supercars TopSpeed YouTube Channel to see the three Paganis being delivered to Prestige Imports. see cars for sale at prestige imports

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2019

Seven Years Worth of Pagani Huayra Start-Ups, Revs and Ac...

It may be hard to believe, but the Pagani Huayra made its unveiling all the way back in 2011. Pagani started production on the car just a year later in 2012 and since then, we've been graced with the Huayra's presence ever since. To celebrate the beauty that is the Pagani Huayra, YouTube Channel NM2255 put together a very special video. In the video, he compiled seven years worth (2012-2018) of Huayra sounds. That includes start ups, hard revs, accelerations, fly-bys and more. There are plenty of different Huayra variants in the video as well, like the Roadster, BC, Tempesta and more. Check it out above!

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2018

How Pagani Builds The Huayra Roadster

Your car was built on an assembly line. An invention of Henry Ford, this moving dance of people and tools allows the automakers to meet the demands of the driving public. But before robotic welders and CNC machine tools, cars like the Pagani Huayra were built one at a time, by master coachbuilders.A Bugatti Chiron and Pagani Huayra Sold via BitcoinWhen Lexus built the LFA, they invented a new machine to weave its carbon fiber parts. It is a great car, but something is lost in translation when a human is taken out of the process. That is why Horacio Pagani and his team combine the latest in materials with handbuilt precision. Every Pagani wears a body of Carbotanium. He patented the process of infusing titanium into carbon fiber to build the strongest material ever used in an automobile.To show potential buyers the time and effort involved in building the Huayra Roadster, they uploaded a captivating video to YouTube yesterday. We are taken behind the scenes to see each layer laid by hand. Once the resin is applied, the entire body is vacuum-bagged. This ensures the resin completely permeates the fibers before it is fired in the Autoclave. It takes countless hours to mirror image the weave of the carbon down the body's centerline. It is funny to see the head of the Composites Area is Maurizio Ferrari, and that their workers use Snap-On tools. The torque wrench looks more expensive than a nice daily driver! Tell us what you think of their process in the comments below and stay with us for all your Pagani updates.Browse Pagani Huayra For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 09, 2017

Five Pagani Huayras Invade Greenwich Cars & Coffee

Quality over quantity is why Pagani only builds a few examples of each model. The Huayra had an initial run of only 100 examples, so the chance of seeing more than one at a show is next to none. What began as a small gathering of enthusiasts has grown into one of the biggest events in the Northeast, and if you weren't in Connecticut last weekend you missed a great show. Cars & Coffee Greenwich is drawing spectators and attendees from Newark to New Hampshire and everywhere in between. Greenwich Cars & Coffee Recap In order to keep the show from causing a downtown traffic jam, the organizers set up a VIP area for the most exclusive rides. A car spotter who goes by DoctaM3 was at the VIP entrance to capture them in action. Rolling in first was a Noble M400 followed by a right-hand drive Nissan Skyline. A McLaren 720S with doors riding high was overshadowed by a P1. Not to be outdone by a McLaren Hypercar, its arch-rival the LaFerrari looked brilliant in the morning sun. The stars of the show were five pristine Paganis, which caught everyone by surprise. Of all the cars, my choice would be the Ferrari Daytona Spyder because I love carburetors. Tell us your favorite car in the lineup and stay with us for updates on our massive September Cars & Coffee. Davis Islands, Tampa, Florida on September 16th- Come see us and hang out with the coolest cars in the world.

By Andrew Nabors – August 01, 2017

Pagani Huayra Tempesta Transformation by Pagani Miami

If your Pagani Huayra doesn't stand out at your local Cars & Coffee, we don't suggest modifying it by yourself. Mr. Pagani and his team wanted to give something back to their loyal owners, so the Tempesta Package is a series of upgrades to the Huayra. It can be ordered from the factory or installed at an authorized Pagani service center. The only issue is that only two authorized service centers exist in the Western Hemisphere. One is in Beverley Hills, and the other is Pagani Miami. A division of Prestige Imports, their master technicians give all cars the white glove treatment. Late last year, owner Brett David announced the availability of the Tempesta package for all prospective buyers and Huayra owners. Also Check Out: Breathtaking Supercars Heading to RM Sotheby's Monterey We covered the first transformation back in January, and it sparked comments from around the world. Mike Supercars TopSpeed has a hotline to someone on the inside because he was on the scene again to film another Pagani Huayra being transformed. The parts are shipped from the factory in a well-insulated crate because their contents are worth $181,000. In a quest for increased downforce, the kit contains a new front splitter, rocker panels, and a new rear end. To offset the increased forces, a new Ohlins suspension is included along with new wheels. The 4-way adjustable shocks are tuned to the reduced weight of the wheels, which improves ride quality in every situation. Don't let the camera fool you, this package is not installed in an afternoon. It's a great way to add value because RM Sotheby's is expecting 2.8 Million for a 2014 Tempesta at their Monterey Auction. Stay with us for all your Pagani updates.

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 Edward Jones – April 06, 2017

25 Minutes of the Best Pagani Sounds. Period.

If you've ever heard the sounds of the Mercedes-AMG V12 engines in Pagani hypercars, you still haven't forgotten it. The extreme noise that these cars make can be heard from a long distance away, but no matter how close or far away you are they still sound amazing. Heck, the Zonda R is almost TOO loud.Effspot has put together a 25-minute video of pure Pagani sounds. The clips he used for the video are from all around the world, including the Pagani Raduno, Shanghai Hypercar Meet, and goldRush Rally. If you've ever wanted to just sit back and listen to some of the finest automobiles ever made, the video below is exactly what you're looking for. Supercars For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 21, 2017

When Valet Doesn't Believe Your Pagani Huayra is Actually...

When you drop your car off at the valet, you expect to come back with the ticket and have the car brought to you. What you don't expect is the valet driver doubting your ownership of the car in question. Well, this is what happened to the owner of the Pagani Huayra Carbon Edition in Monaco. YouTube channel Supercarsfromeu was on vacation in Cannes and Monaco when he stumbled upon the hypercar. Apparently, the valet didn't believe that the owner of the car was the actual owner. In order to prove ownership, he had to provide documents. Eventually, the matter was resolved and the Huayra was started with a thunderous exhaust note. You can see the whole ordeal below and hear the fantastic sound of the Pagani Huayra. Exotic Cars For Sale

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