Volkswagen

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 Jordan Aquistapace – May 06, 2026

Volkswagen’s Golf R Heads Back to the Nürburgring

Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI Volkswagen pretty much put the hot hatch on the map back in 1975 with the original Golf GTI. The U.S. missed out on that first-gen Mk1, but VW made up for it by bringing the GTI stateside starting with the Mk2, finally giving enthusiasts what they’d been waiting for. Then, in 2002, things took an interesting turn with the Mk4. Volkswagen decided to simplify its performance identity down to a single letter: R. Mk4 Volkswagen Golf R32 That’s when the Golf R32 showed up, packing a naturally aspirated 3.2L VR6 under the hood and pairing it with the Haldex all-wheel-drive system. From there, it set the tone for what would become five generations of Golf R models, each pushing VW’s performance story forward. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of its performance segment, Volkswagen R will be participating in the 2027 24h of Nürburgring. Volkswagen’s vision and strategy for competing in one of the most grueling endurance races is clear as day: take the current Golf R, toughen it up, and build something that can survive 24 hours flat-out on the Nürburgring. That alone speaks volumes. The Nordschleife has a way of exposing weaknesses quickly, and developing a race car around it suggests VW is thinking beyond fast lap times and more about longevity and durability, with eyes set on really working to put itself on the podium.After a few years campaigning the front-wheel-drive GTI Clubsport, moving to an all-wheel-drive Golf R platform is a logical next step that everyone was wishing for. More grip, faster acceleration, and more room to explore what the R badge really stands for when it hits the tarmac and pushes its limits. With Max Kruse Racing and German racing driver Benjamin Leuchter helping fine-tune things, this will become Volkswagen’s true competitor. It’s a continuation of something, just turned up a notch, and all about seeing how far the Golf R can actually go when you give it room to stretch its legs. Source: Volkswagen

A black and white photo shows the original hot hatch, a classic Volkswagen Golf GTI, on the left and a modern Volkswagen GTI on the right, both facing forward in a studio setting.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2026

Volkswagen GTI at 50: How the Original Hot Hatch Changed ...

As the Golf GTI turns 50, Volkswagen celebrates the car that democratized performance and now looks ahead to an electric GTI future. Fifty years ago, Volkswagen quietly lit a fuse that would burn through the automotive world for decades. In 1976, the Golf GTI arrived without supercar theatrics or luxury-car pretension, but it rewrote the rulebook for what a performance car could be. As the Golf GTI celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, it stands as both the world's most successful compact sports car, with more than 2.5 million sold, and a cultural icon that blurred the line between everyday usability and actual driving excitement. Few cars can claim that kind of influence, and fewer still remain relevant half a century later. The original Golf GTI was never meant to be a revolution. Volkswagen planned to build just 5,000 examples, almost as a skunkworks experiment. Instead, dealers sold ten times that number in its first year alone. With 110 horsepower, a curb weight that favored agility over excess, and details like the red grille trim and golf-ball shift knob, the Mk1 GTI was purpose-built for people who actually loved driving. It could carve up a mountain road on Saturday, haul groceries on Sunday, and do it all while returning respectable fuel economy. At 13,850 Deutschmarks ($6,500) in Germany, it undercut many sports cars it could outpace, leading journalists to call it the "democratization of the sports car." That core GTI DNA, lightweight thinking, front-wheel-drive balance, honest performance, has carried through every generation since. The formula has evolved, but the intent never wavered. Fast-forward to 2026 and Volkswagen marks the milestone with the Golf GTI EDITION 50, the most powerful production GTI ever built. With 325 horsepower, it's a clear reminder that the GTI badge still means something in a world crowded with performance trims and inflated horsepower numbers. When enthusiasts say "GTI," they still mean Volkswagen. But the 50th anniversary isn't just about looking back. It's also about a pivot forward. In 2026, Volkswagen will introduce the all-electric ID. Polo GTI, bringing the GTI philosophy into the EV era for the first time. Instant torque and electric drive may change the mechanics, but the goal remains familiar, accessible performance with everyday usability. Fittingly, the anniversary year will also see the GTI celebrated at events like Rétromobile in Paris and the Bremen Classic Motorshow, kicking off the European classic season. Half a century on, the Golf GTI is still setting the pace. All Volkswagen Inventory Source: Volkswagen

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 08, 2022

Volkswagen Reveals The New V.MO Flying Passenger Drone Pr...

The future of Volkswagen may reach new heights. For some, the future of transportation could be in personal aviation, and we might see people take flight every day to get where they want to go, and brands across the automotive industry are exploring the idea of expanding their operations towards the industry of personal aviation. Volkswagen has joined the group with its new prototype, called the V.MO. It’s the result of a Vertical Mobility project launched by Volkswagen Group China in 2020, and it explored ideas that would bring urban mobility into the sky. MUST READ: Officina Amare’s New Bombardier Global 6000 Private Jet Is A Penthouse In A Plane Its nickname is the “Flying Tiger,” with a black and gold livery that commemorate the model launching in the Year of the Tiger. It uses battery technology for emission-free flight and an x-wing design with 8 rotors for vertical flight and 2 propellers for horizontal movement. Later this year, there will be several flight tests conducted to optimize the concept. Once the Volkswagen concept is ready for the public, the electric and automated VTOL craft is said to be able to carry four passengers and luggage at a distance of over 100 miles. Especially in urban areas like those in China where this concept is being developed, this could become a new solution for seamless, enjoyable transportation. Source: Volkswagen

15638 VolkswagenunveilsthestylishID.AEROconcept

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 27, 2022

The New Volkswagen ID. AERO Is VW's Upcoming Flagship Ful...

The announcement of a sedan concept expands Volkswagen’s fully-electric vehicle range. Volkswagen has charged full steam ahead towards electrification, with the announcement of new models that will slingshot the brand into the future, and yet another upcoming fully-electric Volkswagen has just been announced, the ID. AERO, a premium mid-size sedan with 385 miles of range and an incredible drag coefficient of just 0.23. The electric architecture of the car allows for a wheelbase and structure that prioritizes a spacious interior. The model will be sold first in China starting in the second half of 2023, with a global rollout to follow, and it will serve as the flagship model of Volkswagen’s electric vehicle family. MUST READ: Volkswagen Group Will Launch New Scout Electric Trucks And SUVs In The U.S. The sleek, aerodynamic design of the car is complemented by 22-inch wheels, illuminated touch surfaces instead of door handles, Polar Light Blue Metallic paintwork that reveals a golden shimmer in the light, and at nearly 16 feet in length, it’s a luxurious and accommodating vehicle that combines technology, efficiency, and luxury. The production version of the car will come off the assembly line in 2023, and the Emden plant where it will be made will be given the honor of making a huge stride towards electrifying the Volkswagen brand. Source: Volkswagen

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 09, 2022

The New Volkswagen ID. Buzz Is Revealed For Europe, But N...

The hippie van is hipper than ever now. Volkswagen has teased the ID. Buzz for years, with the concept version of the car first being revealed 5 years ago in 2017 in Detroit. And with the ID.4 already on the market, it was only a matter of time before Volkswagen brought out the electric iteration of the worldwide classic T1 Microbus. Today, the ID. Buzz’s production version was officially revealed for the European market, and is set to go on sale in Europe this year. Unfortunately for those in North America, the ID. Buzz will have to wait until next year, and it won’t be available for sale in North America until 2024. However, this news is bittersweet, as the ID. Buzz coming to the North American market will be new in itself, being released as a long-wheelbase passenger model, which will be revealed for North America at the same time as the European market. MUST READ: Volkswagen Celebrates The 20th Anniversary Of The W12 Nardò’s 2002 World Record The electric motor in the ID. Buzz gives a healthy 201 horsepower and 229 lb/ft of torque… to the rear wheels. This in itself is a homage to the original Microbus, which had a rear-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. One of the many benefits the advent of electric vehicles provides is the fact that the powertrain is easier to work with. With the batteries, which carry a great deal of the weight, unlike an engine in a gasoline car, being in the floor of the vehicle as opposed to under a hood in the front, middle, or back of the car, weight distribution is more even, the center of gravity is much lower, and everyday cars like the ID. Buzz no longer have to be relegated to being front-wheel drive the way they did in the past. Among car enthusiasts, much of the skepticism around electric vehicles has been the fear that they will remove the visceral joy in driving, but as we have seen, it’s quite the contrary. Cars like the ID. Buzz get to come equipped with a rear-wheel-drive layout that not only pays homage to its classic predecessor but also makes the same visceral joy of driving even better with the strong torque delivery of electric powertrains. The way it sounds on paper, the ID. Buzz seems like a deceptively exciting car to drive. With an optional 12-inch screen, dual-zone HVAC, vegan leather upholstery, organically-based paint, seating arrangements from 5-7 coming soon, and 100,000 miles of warranty on the battery, the ID. Buzz has vintage charm but lacks vintage impracticality. With its lovable looks, peppy performance, and comprehensive features, the envy towards the European market, who get to have the ID. Buzz this year is very real. But in 2024, we’ll be ready and waiting to have it here. Source: Volkswagen

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2021

Watch the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 GTX Reveal With Us

Gas stations will miss you The Volkswagen ID.4 has already been named World Car of the Year, so now its time to meet the high-performance version. If you need a fun family hauler that won't break the bank, they recently went cross-country for only a few dollars. We'll have all the details after the press release drops. Stay with us for all your VW news. Browse VW ID.4 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 08, 2021

NYC to LA in the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4

Are you ready for Voltswagen? That was the headline of their April Fools prank. With VW committing to an electric future, we were happy to see lesser blogs take the bait and even host their bogus new logo. While this was happening, a new electric ID.4 left Manhattan bound for Redondo Beach. High-voltage transcontinental races are trying hard to replicate the route made famous by Ed Bolian and Gas Monkey Garage, even if the recharging times are not as quick as a pit stop. Nevertheless, the VW team took in the sights across 6,700 miles, stopping 32 times at the VW/Porsche/Audi-owned Electrify America charging stations. Yes, the VW group has peppered the lower 48 with a network of high-voltage stations, and they hope to have 800 locations for a combined 3,500 spots by the end of the year. It will be a nice respite for the upcoming electric Bugatti. If you need a capable crossover, the ID.4 arrives with an 82 kWh battery that offers 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. For comparison, the 2024 Hummer EV has 50x more torque at the ground. It shares the same electrical architecture with the Audi e-tron and the Porsche Taycan with a more affordable price based on having a fraction of the power. It makes up for the lack of oomph with an impressive range of 250 miles, and thanks to their chargers being everywhere it will make for a fun and affordable road trip. The future is here! Shop Volkswagen ID.4 Images (C) Volkswagen

By Andrew Nabors – November 04, 2020

2022 VW Golf R Will Arrive With More Power & 3 Pedals

Volkswagen fans around the world have a reason to celebrate. Not only have they remembered the manual transmission, but they have also squeezed more power from their efficient 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It hit our inbox this morning and we're glad to report that the 2022 VW Golf R will arrive with more power & 3 pedals. Not only does it have variable timing on both cams, but the exhaust side also has variable lift. This allows the turbo to stay on boost no matter the situation. You will have an additional 27 horsepower and 30 lb-ft of torque for a grand total of 315 and 310 sent to all wheels. The 4Motion system is all-new and able to send 100% of power to the wheels on the outside of a corner. Not only does this eliminate understeer, but it also makes the turning radius smaller when maneuvering through parking lots. A new power steering rack uses inputs from the throttle, steering angle, and yaw rate to determine the amount of assistance and feedback. Along with more camber on the front wheels, it will make this Golf a blast in the corners. Tell us your favorite VW memory below and stay with us for all your Volkswagen news. Browse Volkswagen For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 03, 2020

New 2021 VW Arteon Shooting Brake to be Unveiled

Volkswagen is prepping to launch the new 2021 Arteon later this month but they've given us an early glimpse of what to expect (see above). If you're confused about seeing two models, that's because there will actually be two different versions: the classic gran turismo and a new shooting brake. VW says that this will be a major update of the Arteon with a new look and a completely new cockpit. The new Arteons will also feature "Travel Assist" for the very first time. This system will take over steering, acceleration, and braking at speed up to 130 mph. Be sure to check back with us on Jun 24th when the new 2021 VW Arteons are unveiled in full. Source: VW

By Andrew Nabors – May 04, 2020

Three American Giants That Started With one Volkswagen

One entrepreneur starting a business out of their car might seem apocryphal, but it is the essence of the American Dream. Three American giants have nothing in common except for one fact. The owner started with a Volkswagen. Because they are reliable, inexpensive, and easily fixed, let's look at three household brands: Domino's: James Monaghan and his brother Tom bought a small Pizzeria for $900 in 1960. Their only delivery car was a 1959 Beetle, that suffered the harsh winters of Ypsilanti, Michigan. While they have tried to find the original car, a replica sits inside the lobby of their headquarters Nike: As the Greek Goddess of victory, Nike literally supports many world-famous athletes. Before adopting this iconic name, Blue Ribbon Sports was founded by University of Oregon track coach, Bill Bowerman, and Oregon native Phil Knight. Their first employee was Jeff Johnson, who sold their running shoes from the back of his Type 2 VW Microbus. Last year VW presented them with an I.D. Buzz electric van painted to match their original. Ben & Jerry's: Two childhood friends from Vermont decided to take a $5 correspondence course on ice-cream making. Confident they had the abilities, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield began delivering 2.5-gallon tubs of their amazing creations to local restaurants. Delivery, errands, and personal transportation were handled in Ben's VW Type 3 Squareback. The moral of these stories is that small business accounts for much of our nation's prosperity, and VW is proud to offer great cars with incredible value. Click the button below to find your VW and stay with us for more great automotive history. Browse VW For Sale

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