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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 – November 17, 2016

Insanely Close Race Between Lamborghini Aventador and Por...

Whenever you have an airstrip and exotic cars, you're going to have a good time, and this race is a perfect example of that. Two slightly modded cars, one a 2015 Lamborghini Aventador and the other a 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S, took to the airstrip to see who could best the other.(Related - Mustang GT500 Takes On Nissan GT-R in Surprising Street Race)Unfortunately, the video or description does not say what was exactly modified in either of these cars, so their power output is unknown. However, the 911 Turbo S comes stock with 580 hp, while the Aventador has 690 hp on tap. If you watch the race, you can get an idea of just how much power was added in each car.Check out the video below and let me know if you thought the result was what you expected!All Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale | All Lamborghini Aventador For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2016

LaFerrari Aperta Launch Video is a Masterpiece

With the Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta being just unveiled, the Italian brand has already produced and released one of the most fantastic release videos they've ever done.In this new video, we have our first chance to hear and see the LaFerrari Aperta in action. Granted, it sounds just like the coupe version of the LaFerrari. Driving the car for this video is none other than Ferrari racer Sebastian Vettel. As he drives it through the roads, he sees the LaFerrari Aperta reflecting in windows as F1 cars, 330 P4 and other iconic models, signifying the hypercar's true heritage.Check out the amazing video below and get ready to see the LaFerrari Aperta in real life very soon.View LaFerrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 28, 2016

Who Wins? Porsche 718 Cayman S vs BMW M2

If you thought small sporty coupes are a dying breed, think again. Germany is offering big performance from their smallest cars, so Autocar decided to put them to the test. BMW's latest M2 is a 2.9-liter single turbo straight six rated at 365 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The opponent is Porsche's new 718 series Cayman S. It's a 2.5-liter turbo four which is mounted right behind the cockpit. It may be lacking by 20 hp and 59 lb-ft of torque, but will the mid-mounted design offer more grip? (Related - Who Wins the World's Greatest Drag Race?) Another variable is added with having to perform shifts at the proper time.You might not believe that both cars have six-speed manual transmissions, no silly paddles here. One of the major difference is in target audience: The M2 has rear seats. They may be small, but insurance premiums and family life are more forgiving in the 2+2 world. Will a flat four beat a straight six? You might be surprised, so make sure to check them out in person at our local dealers.

By Andrew Nabors – September 27, 2016

Carrera GT Spins World's Most Expensive Donut?

If you rarely drive your vintage supercar, chances are your tires are long past their useful life. Several high-profile accidents involving the Carrera GT have caused many to point the blame at driver error or a flawed design, but a few have noted that most weekend cruisers are rolling on expired rubber. So we salute one bold owner who used all of 605 hp to overwhelm the 335/30/20 rear tires. Doughnuts are easy in an automatic car, but the CGT has a very light flywheel for crisp shifting. Another aspect is the price of replacing every moving part.(Related - Get Scary Close To Liberty Walk Ferrari 458 Donuts)At time of publishing, a single Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut retails for $0.99. In comparison, the cheapest rear tire for the Carrera GT is $349.70. A single rear brake rotor is $2,370. A new clutch kit usually runs $13,000, not including the $3,000 throwout bearing. Not omitting the $400 rear brake pads, the potential wear incurred by this demonstration could add up to almost $22,000. Because Porsche over-engineers all of these components, many low mileage cars are still running their original parts. This is why you should own one. Not because it allows you to perform such antics, but because it will keep doing it reliably until you give up.Carrera GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 27, 2016

2018 Toyota Supra Testing on Nurburgring, Exhaust Leaves ...

Fans of the Toyota Supra, like me, have been waiting for the day that the iconic model would go back into production. Well, we're almost at that point in time where we'll see a new Supra, but it seems as though many aren't too pleased when they hear the exhaust of the new car.In a video from YouTube channel cvdzijden we hear the 2018 Supra being pushed pretty hard on a Nurburgring corner. Not too long ago we were presented with a short video of the car pulling our from a building, but this is one of the first times we actually get to see the Supra being driven hard.So, I have to ask the question: what do you guys think of the new 2018 Supra sound? In my opinion, I expected a little bit more 'umph' out of the exhaust. However, it seems as though we're getting more hybrid out of the powertrain than most would've liked.

By Edward Jones – August 12, 2016

Ten Minutes of Hypercars and Supercars Going Nuts

Below is ten minutes of hypercars and supercars going insane, burning out and accelerating like madmen at this year's Goodwood Hillclimb, courtesy of Marchettino. It's a long video, so I'll spare the words. Just click play below and enjoy!Want your own supercar or hypercar? Check out duPontREGISTRY.com to see them all for sale.

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2016

2017 Porsche Panamera Turbo Is Now The World's Fastest Lu...

Porsche has just officially unveiled the brand new 2017 Panamera model and now we've come to find out that the luxury sedan has already broken records.(Also Read: First Production Bugatti Chiron Lap Around Nurburgring, Hits 200 MPH)In a video uploaded by Porsche, we get to see the 2017 Panamera Turbo's lap around Nurburgring. With 550 hp worth of motivation from a biturbo V8 engine, the sedan lapped around the famous "Green Hell" in just 7 minutes and 38 seconds. For comparison purposes, thanks to NurburgringLapTimes.com, here are some cars that lapped Nurburgring at the same time or slower than the Panamera Turbo. Lexus LFA - 7:38:00 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio - 7:39:00 Ferrari F430 Scuderia - 7:39:00 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV - 7:42:00 As you can see, the Panamera Turbo sits above some pretty serious cars. Now, click play below to see the luxury sedan's record lap.View Panameras For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2016

Bugatti Chiron's Startup and Rev: Best Sounding Productio...

Now that the Bugatti Chiron is a day old, if you consider its reveal date its birthday, it's about time we heard it rev to life. Thankfully, GTBOARD.com is at the Geneva Motor Show and uploaded a video of the Chiron starting up and revving its engine.What you're hearing in the video below is a massive turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine, capable of 1,500 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. All of this power flows through a brand new exhaust system. What's remarkable about this exhaust is that it contains catalytic converters that are about six times larger than the ones you'd find in your typical medium-sized cars.The combination of the exhaust and a massive engine, I think, is a sound that trumps the Veyron in every way possible. Click play below to decide for yourself.Bugattis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 29, 2016

New World Record for Nissan GT-R 1/4 Mile

It's official: last Thursday, EKanooRacingTV posted a video of the TI R35 GTR setting a new world record for a Nissan GT-R 1/4 mile drag run. In the video, the car clocks at 204 MPH and completes the 1/4 mile straight line in a mere 7.265 seconds. The previous record was reportedly set at 7.44 seconds.The intensely powerful T1 R35 GTR features all-wheel drive and a twin-turbo engine that puts out 2,276 hp and 1,335 lb-ft of torque. Check out the video below and watch the GTR smoke the old record. Nissan GTRs For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 29, 2016

Meanest and Best Sounding Lamborghini Murcielago...Ever?

The Lamborghini Murcielago has been out of production for a little more than half of a decade. Even though it's not old enough to be a classic, the Murcielago is still one of the finest Lamborghinis ever made. It was produced with a V12 engine that put it at the top of the Italian automaker's lineup, but even with a massive engine, there will always be people out there that will take such a car to the next level.At the latest Shift Sector event, a very insane red Murcielago showed up and stunned the crowd. It was fitted with an aftermarket body kit, absurdly loud exhaust and what I can assume is a long list of other internal modifications.The modified Italian is featured in the videos below as it takes down a half-mile stretch of empty road. Turn your speakers up and click play to hear it in action.Is this the best sounding Murcielago yet?Lamborghini Murcielagos For Sale

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