Virtual Dealership Tour

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 26, 2020

Excell Auto Group Virtual Dealership Tour

Purchasing a new or used car online can be a challenging experience. Here at Excell Auto we believe that buying a car should be simple, fun and pleasurable. Excell Auto is a family owned business for selling exotic, luxury and expensive cars. We have been in the car business for over 40 years. We treat our customer as the main asset of our business. Our goal is to give every customer a satisfactory experience. Excell services covers local and out of state area. Feel free to contact us for more information. Phone: 855-560-0927 Website: excellauto.comAddress:1001 Clint Moore Road - Suite 101 Boca Raton, FL 33487 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 26, 2020

Post Oak Motor Cars Virtual Dealership Tour

A New Experience Awaits You at Post Oak Motor Cars, a Tilman Fertitta company and home to Houston's only authorized Bentley dealership, Texas' only Bugatti and Karma dealership and the Gulf Coast largest authorized Rolls-Royce dealership. We are located in the prestigious Uptown/Galleria area of Houston. We know that our clients live their lives with style, power and purpose, so we are here to create a unique automotive experience unrivaled by any other luxury retailer. As a Tilman Fertitta company, our showroom is part of the all-new Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, the city’s first elite destination for elegant accommodations and high-rise living, masterfully blended with extensive meeting space, designer retail, fine dining at Mastro’s Restaurant and sophisticated amenities all in one tower. Phone: 713-352-7477 Website: postoakmotors.comAddress:1530 West Loop South Houston, TX 77027 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 26, 2020

Ferrari of Tampa Bay Virtual Dealership Tour

Welcome to our latest family endeavor, Ferrari of Tampa Bay, and invite you to enter the Scuderia that Triarsi built. Our 28,000 square foot ultra-modern showroom and engine works was built to fulfill a lifelong dream; to market, to maintain, and to exalt the vehicles of the Cavallino Rampante. This state-of-the-art environment was designed to exhibit the spirit and bravissimo of every race car that comes from Modena and Maranello and is truly a masterwork of function and design. Phone: 888-842-4794 Website: ferraritampabay.comAddress:2420 Tampa Road Palm Harbor, FL 34683 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 26, 2020

Byers Imports Virtual Dealership Tour

Byers Imports in Columbus, OH treats the needs of each individual customer with paramount concern. We know that you have high expectations, and as a car dealer we enjoy the challenge of meeting and exceeding those standards each and every time. Allow us to demonstrate our commitment to excellence! Phone: (888)675-9495 Website: byersimports.comAddress:401 North Hamilton Road Columbus, OH 43213 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 25, 2020

Porsche of South Shore Virtual Dealership Tour

From your first step into the Porsche of South Shore showroom, our staff is committed to working with you in order to exceed your expectations. Located at 185 W Sunrise Hwy Freeport, NY 11520, Porsche of South Shore is a dealership that's built on excellence in customer service. Our staff is committed to quality, working with you in order to establish a level of trust that goes far beyond simply making a sale. Instead, we aim to build a partnership that will result in honest, long-term satisfaction. Phone: (888)717-2079 Website: porscheofsouthshore.comAddress:185 West Sunrise Highway, Freeport, NY 11520 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 25, 2020

Porsche Gold Coast Virtual Dealership Tour

Porsche Gold Coast is committed to maintaining established relationships with its valued clients by continuing to pursue the highest standards set forth by Porsche. With every purchase, inquiry, consideration, and consultation, Porsche Gold Coast is completely engaged in the absolute satisfaction of every client. This is the Porsche philosophy. By recognizing the unique needs of the individual, Porsche Gold Coast can actively guide clients through the purchase process with a level of knowledge and attention most dealerships can only hope for. Phone: (888)904-2057 Website: porschegoldcoast.com/ Address:125 S Service Rd Jericho, NY 11753 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 24, 2020

Curated Virtual Dealership Tour

After 12 years of buying and selling hundreds of vintage Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s, I partnered with Jordi Ricart and Alan Lazowski to prove that the automobile is a viable and consistent alternative investment asset class. Ignoring the noise of speculating dealers, “Broadway” Show auction houses and using reason and passion to build an investment automobile collection portfolio.We are in the constant pursuit of pairing the worlds greatest automobiles with the worlds greatest collections. We buy, trade and sell ONLY very specific cars. Phone: (855)796-7704 Website: wearecurated.com/ Address:2100 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33137 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2020

Ferrari of Long Island Virtual Dealership Tour

At Ferrari of Long Island we have a large showroom of new Ferrari and beautiful pre-owned Ferrari vehicles awaiting our local Rockville Center, Huntington & Great Neck drivers. We also carry a diverse selection of used luxury cars in New York City from other premium and exotic auto manufacturers. At our dealership, we aim to provide the best experience around and to do this we put everything under one roof. Whether you need Ferrari service for a newer vehicle or Vintage Ferrari Service and Restoration in New York, we are your destination in the Manhasset, Glen Cove & Southampton areas. Call us today or come in to 65 South Service Road, Plainview, NY 11803 and experience what it's like to get behind the wheel of a high performance vehicle that is the ultimate dream car. Phone: 888-764-4582Website: ferrarili.comAddress:65 South Service Road Plainview, NY 11803 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2020

Lamborghini Palm Beach Virtual Dealership Tour

There is nothing like the exhilaration and thrill of driving a Lamborghini. It’s that adrenaline-pumping, razor-sharp precision that remains unmatched and it’s addicting. Just imagine if every day could be like that. At Lamborghini Palm Beach we take great pride in helping customers from all over the Palm Beach, FL, area find the perfect exotic. We are a family-owned and operated and remain dedicated to providing world-class customer service and an incredible selection of exotic supercars. Expect nothing but the best from Lamborghini Palm Beach.Here you will find an extensive selection of new Lamborghini supercars straight from the factory, including the Huracan, Aventador S, and Urus. Whether you are looking to buy a brand new model off our lot or want to order yours custom, our highly-trained team of experts will help you every step of the way. At Lamborghini Palm Beach we make it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. It’s that dedication to excellence that continues to make us the No.1 place to purchase a Lamborghini in the Palm Beach, FL, area. Phone: 888-601-4852Website: lamborghinipalmbeach.com/ Address:2345 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33409 View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2020

Speedart Motorsports Virtual Dealership Tour

Speedart Motorsports is based on the simple principle of engaging in the trade of significant automobiles and motorcycles in a transparent and full disclosure manner with the utmost integrity. No antiquated sales tactics here… we are too busy sharing our passion and enthusiasm with like-minded owners as well as sourcing some of the most legendary motorcars ever conceived the world over. After an extended period of planning, designing and construction we are finally proud to open the doors of our beautiful motorsports gallery and we welcome all our friends and clients to experience our hospitality and enjoy some of the most unique automotive exhibits in South Florida. Speedart Motorsports state-of-the-art showroom is centrally located between the Design and Wynwood Art Districts, just a 15-minute drive from the Miami International Airport and South Beach. Phone: (888)776-9046Website: speedartmotorsports.com/Address:3301 NE 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33137 View Inventory

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