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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 28, 2017

Porsche Driver Surprises and Scares Car Sharers in Paris

At this point, most of us have all tried ride sharing at some point. It's a simple utility that allows you to get a car ride from an app on your phone, making it an easy way to get around.Porsche decided to take their hand at car sharing with Romain Dumas behind the wheel of a Porsche Panamera Turbo. Who is Romain Dumas? Oh, you know, just a Porsche Words Driver and FIA WEC champion.When the ride sharers were waiting to be picked up, they were surprised to see that the car they had requested was incorrect and it was a Panamera Turbo that would be driving them. They were even more surprised when Dumas took them onto a race track and scared the pants off of them. Check it out in the video below. Sure, it may be staged, but it was still hilarious.What's next, a surprise ride around Nurburgring in a new 911? I'll volunteer as tribute.

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2017

The Five Most Memorable Porsche Exclusive Models

Since 1986, Porsche Exclusive has been created some special German cars through extreme personalization. Since their inception, Porsche Exclusive has made bespoke versions of many models, mostly touching the 911 models.In the latest "Porsche Top 5" video, they look at the five most memorable Porsche Exclusive models that they've created over the years. The cars in the video were created with special intentions and in low quantities, making them rarities on the road.Related - Jet Black 911 S Cabriolet by Porsche ExclusiveFor example, at one point the Porsche Speedster was revitalized by Porsche Exclusive. If it weren't for this branch of the German automaker, we might've never seen a new Speedster on the road.Check out the video below to see what Porsche considers the top five most memorable Porsche Exclusive models.All Porsche For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 15, 2017

Top Five Best Porsche Concept Cars

Every year, automakers show off concept cars at auto shows that they hope will garner a positive reaction from show goers. This is because if all goes well, the concept car will morph in a production car that will be sold to the public. However, it can be hit or miss when it comes to concept cars, with some working out and others flopping.Related - Porsche's Top Five Most Epic Track MomentsIn Porsche's latest "Top 5" video, the German automaker looks at their five best concepts that they've created over the decades. This includes the Typ 754 <> from 1959 and the brand-new Mission E concept. Click play below to see the cars for yourself and let me know which was your favorite concept car in the comments below. From this video, mine would have to be the 918 concept, while outside of the video it would most definitely be the Ford GT90.All Porsche For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 14, 2017

Jay Leno Drives Incredible 1985 Porsche Carrera Rally Car

If you a Porsche Purist you might want to avoid this video. One thing we noticed about the Amelia Island Concours is that air-cooled Porsche 911s have come out of the woodwork. Every we looked, the sounds (and smells) of vintage flat six engines were overwhelming. Riding atop the wave of enthusiasm for classic Carreras, one veteran LeMans winner decided to take the path less traveled and transform his daily driver into a rally monster. Like the rally versions of VW Beetles that preceded it, the Porshe 911 is well suited to going offroad. With the engine hanging behind the rear wheels, it keeps the tires planted to terra firma and makes for great fun.Patrick Long decided to build this car in tribute to the famous rallies of East Africa. On a recent upload from Jay Leno's garage, he said the previous owner sold him the car because he was tired of shifting gears. You might be quick to cry foul at such a ludicrous statement, but if you have driven a vintage 911 for any length of time you can relate to the experience. Patrick built the car to raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer and it can handle any terrain. A fabricated roll cage incorporates the coil over shock mounts which takes the loads off of the twisty floor pans. Headers and a locking differential send 200 hp to the ground, so who needs a turbo? We dislike the idea of sacrificing such a classic, but watch it in action and tell us how you would build your rally 911 in the comments below. Stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage.All Porsche 911 For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 10, 2017

Porsche's Top Five Most Epic Track Moments

Automakers, especially ones with motorsport backgrounds, like to prove themselves on the track. One manufacturer, in particular, has an extensive background in a myriad of motorsports: Porsche.Related - Top Five Porsche Racing Technologies Used in Production CarsOver the years, Porsche has conquered many types of circuits, including some off-road ones. In the German brand's latest "Top 5" video, they took a look at their five most thrilling milestones that they've accomplished on the track. From the 959 Paris Dakar to the legendary 956, they go over what they consider to be their greatest milestones.Check out the video below to get a crash-course in some of Porsche's greatest milestones on the track.All Porsche For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2017

Top Five Porsche Racing Technologies Used in Production Cars

Many auto manufacturers, like Porsche, put their latest developed technology into their race cars. This gives them a chance to truly fine tune and get the tech ready for mass production. It's like how a lot of the technology, like the ball point pen, came from space research.In Porsche's latest "Top 5" video, they look at the technologies that were transferred from the racetrack to the street. In the video, Walter Röhrl, a Rallye World Champion, shows us the five technologies. From the 911 GT1 to the 919 Hybrid, there are plenty of little things found in Porsche cars that we take for granted. Take the turbochargers found in Porsche cars, which the German company first used in the 917/10. Now, we have a litany of models in the company's lineup that feature turbochargers, like the GT3 RS.Click play on the video below to see the entire list and get ready for the Top 5 Porsche Milestones next week.Porsche For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2017

Five Things Porsche 911, Boxster and Cayman Owners Should...

When buying a new car, especially a sports car like the Porsche 911, it's nice to learn the ins and outs of the car from someone who already owns one. Nick Murray decided he would do a favor for all 911, Boxster and Cayman owners by creating a video telling owners of these cars what they should know.His first tip is in regards to the parking brake and how to properly set it. Next up is what to do if your battery dies and you need to pop the hood. The problem is that the hood pops electronically and without a battery, what are you to do? He explains how to do it. His last points are what to do with the rear seats, how to stop wear on the bolsters and lastly, he teaches us all about the "cold weather front wheel bump."If you're interested in picking up a Porsche or are just a fan, this was actually a very interesting watch. Click play below to learn it all!Porsche For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2017

Top 5 Wildest Porsche Rear Wings

If your flagship product is rear wheel drive with a rear mounted engine, you need some serious downforce to keep the rubber on the road. Porsche's massive wind tunnel in Weissach is used to refine the latest models. But for a neat comparison, they brought out a few classics to show how effective a rear spoiler can be. Of course, it wouldn't be a Porsche video without ample technical data so each of the top 5 is shown with its drag coefficient. As the foremost authority on Porsche aerodynamics, Norbert Singer touches on the finer points of each car. First up was a Cayman GT4, whose fixed rear wing measures in a 0.32.Next up was a rare 959 which integrates the wing into the rear bodywork. It returned a slippery 0.31 on the drag meter. A blast from the past was the 2.7 RS with a score of 0.40. That might seem uncompetitive in modern terms, but such a wing was needed to offset the rear weight bias. A new Panamera Turbo shows off it's graceful rear wing that rises like a robot from the trunk lid. Last up was the legendary Moby Dick 935. Being as far removed from a production 911 as possible, it still manages a 0.36 in a quest for top speed. No matter what your preference in styling, if you are interested in a Porsche for sale, we are your #1 resource.

By Edward Jones – February 21, 2017

Porsche 911 Turbo S Races an Army Helicopter

It happens all the time, you pull up to a spotlight and some jerk in a helicopter next to you starts revving his engine and challenges you to a race. It's like these helicopter pilots just cruise around looking for races... It's just annoying.Related - Five of the Rarest Porsche Factory Models, EverAuto Moto ran into this race on a drag strip, with the car of choice being a Porsche 911 Turbo S (991). In this car's engine is 560 horsepower, while the Tiger helicopter it was racing was packing 4,450 horsepower.So, who won the race from a dead stop? Click play below to find out for yourself, you won't regret it. Now, what's next? I suggest a Bugatti Chiron against an SR-71 Blackbird, and if I could get an invite to actually see the bird, that'd be great.Porsche For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2017

The Five Best Sounding Porsches, Ever

As part of Porsche's new "Top 5" series, the German brand has decided to look at the five best sounding vehicles they have every created. It seems as though the criteria for this list included how iconic and ferocious the sound of the cars are. Each of the cars included in the video is quite recognizable in their own rights, ranging from some of the classics to modern masterpieces.(Five of the Rarest Porsche Factory Models, Ever)Porsche engines and their exhaust systems have changed a lot over the years and this video does a great job at displaying this. The Porsches of the past didn't have the brutal sounds that they have now. Compare the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 and the Carrera GT, for example. Both of these cars sound completely different in just about every aspect, yet both sound like heaven. Click play on the video below and let me know if you thought there was another Porsche that should've been added to the list in the comments section below. Our publisher, Tom duPont's, favorite sounding Porsche? His own 1961 Super 90 that he's owned for decades.Porsche For Sale

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