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 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

By Edward Jones – July 08, 2019

VW ID.R Breaks Goodwood Hillclimb Record: Faster Than For...

You may not believe it, but Volkswagen is currently the fastest automaker to make its way up the Goodwood Hillclimb. This is all thanks to their ID.R electric race car, which also set records at Nurburgring and Pikes Peak. Previously, the record was held by Nick Heidfeld, who took the McLaren MP4/13 Formula 1 race car through the course in just 0:41.60 back in 1999. This past week, however, Romain Dumas drove the VW ID.R through the hillclimb in an astonishing time of just 0:39.90. “I am very proud to have set the all-time record in Goodwood with the ID.R. The short hillclimb is a very special challenge. Because the track is so short, I could not afford to make even the slightest mistake, and every aspect of the fine-tuning of the ID.R had to be perfect. That was particularly challenging, as we were not able to test on the route beforehand,” said Romain Dumas, who had previously taken overall victory with the electric record at the same venue in 2018. <

By Andrew Nabors – April 05, 2019

Volkswagen ID.R is Almost Ready for a 'Ring Record

Back in January, we learned that VW engineers had their sights on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The battery powered ID.R had already conquered Pike's Peak, and now it is almost ready for a 'Ring record. In a press release last night, VW Motorsport director Sven Meets said: “Just like Pikes Peak, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife presents a serious challenge for an automobile. We want to show just how much performance potential exists today with electric-powered cars.” Because the car was tuned for high altitude racing, their tech director François-Xavier Demaison has to overcome a few obstacles: "It takes ingenuity to strike the right balance with top speed and the limited electric energy available. So we’re concentrating on the continuing development of the drive technology and battery management. In the thin air of Pikes Peak, which sits 4,302 metres above sea level, we gave the ID. R a very big rear wing to produce the maximum amount of downforce". View All VW For Sale Related: VW ID.R Attacks Pike's Peak Audi Tests e-tron Brakes at Pike's Peak

By Andrew Nabors – January 31, 2019

VW Teases Electric Dune Buggy

As we endure the coldest weather in years, Volkswagen has a plan to fight global warming. Their electric future is based on a modular chassis code named MEB. It will be used as the foundation for many upcoming models, so they took a page from their history books. To show the world how adaptable MEB is, Volkswagen teased an electric dune buggy. Growing up on the beach, dune buggies were everywhere. They were fiberglass bodies built for the VW Beetle chassis. Many poor bugs were reborn thanks to the Myers Manx and other similar kits, and Volkswagen says over 250,000 were sold around the world. It will be formally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, and we hope the crowds go wild. Of course you can always build your own buggy, but you will need a VW to start with. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your electric car news. Browse VW FOr Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan Has Free Charging for 3 years Check out the VWs in Jay Leno's Collection

By Andrew Nabors – January 23, 2019

Volkswagen Plans to Break the Electric Record at the 'Ring

Let's take a look back at the recent Nürburgring lap records. The Lamborghini Huracan Performante ran 6.52.01 in 2016. It was beaten by a Porsche 911 GT2 RS in 2017. And the current record holder is the Aventador SVJ. With such an epic battle between manufacturers, Volkswagen plans to break the electric lap record at the 'Ring. As you probably know VW Group owns Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi, Bentley, and even Ducati. Each one of those brands will retain their historic place in the motoring world, except VW itself. A press release earlier this week announced that VW's lineup will be going all electric. The blistering record set by their ID.R at Pike's Peak was followed by buying a 20% stake in electric supercar builder Rimac. For a quick refresher, the ID.R has AWD thanks to 2 electric motors. It weighs less than 2,500 lbs and offers 670 horsepower. This allowed Romain Dumas to be the first driver to reach the top of the mountain in less than 8 minutes. Since he also has 4 victories at the historic German track, the car is being prepped for another historic run. Volkswagen ID.R Pike's Peak Since it won't be grasping for grip at 14,000 feet, the aerodynamics can be dialed back to a sensible level. The standing electric record was set in 2017, when a NIO EP9 was clocked at 6:45.90. If the ID.R beat over a century of records in Colorado, imagine what it will do with a home field advantage. Much like Ford has done with moving EV design to Michigan Central Station, VW has announced a new headquarters for their electric future. It's not in Berlin, or even in Germany. This massive investment will come to fruition in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This follows the historic partnership between Ford and VW that was announced at the Detroit Auto Show. The high-voltage future looks promising, so stay with us for all your electric supercar news. View All Volkswagen For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2018

Wild Bumblebee Chase Scene in New Clip from Upcoming Movie

Transfomers has been a smashing success at the Box Office, and the latest installment will pay tribute to the original animated series. Instead of a Camaro, our favorite Autobot will be based on a VW Beetle. This isn't a product placement by VW, as they are ending production of the Beetle for the 2019 Model Year. Instead, the film pays homage to the original animated series from the 80's. The new film is set in 1987 in a small California beach town. Charlie Watson just turned 18 years old and she begins restoring a derelict yellow Beetle. The antagonist is Agent Burns from Sector 7 who is played by our friend John Cena. Peter Cullen has been the voice of Optimus Prime for almost 4 decades, so we're glad he is back in command. The film opens December 20th and we won't spoil the plot, so click the link below to find a VW near you. View All VW For Sale Related: World's Fastest Beetle Goes 200 MPH View All Shelby Cobras For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 03, 2018

Reviewed: 2018 VW Jetta TSI

Guess who turns 40 in 2019? The Jetta has been a critical part of Volkswagen's success around the world. Everyone has a memory or at least an opinion of the compact sedan, so we decided to try one out. Our test subject is a 2018 Jetta TSI. It offers 150 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The top-level GLI models are offered with a six-speed manual, but our car was only blessed with 5 gears. An automatic would be boring, and this 5-speed box is great on gas. After a week with this car, we had mixed feelings around the office. The trunk space and interior layout make the best use of the compact size. You will have room for 4 adults and their belongings. With a full load, you won't be able to reach 60 mph in under 8 seconds, which makes highway on-ramps a little disconcerting. But the other side of the power equation is the window sticker. You can have a decent daily driver for under $20,000. That includes power windows and A/C, the latter also cuts into acceleration times. The Jetta does without fancy suspension or noise insulation offered on the Audi A3, even though they share the same platform. Assembled in Puebla, Mexico, the Jetta does offer great build quality. Panel gaps are better than Korean or Japanese economy cars, and the doors feel much more solid than you would expect. Driving is fun if you enjoy shifting, but the clutch is numb thanks to its long travel. The wide-ratio gears force you to shift at just the right time. If not, you will fall out of boost. This situation requires a downshift that is annoying after a long day. These quirks are easily overlooked once you feel how solid the car is, and notice the airbags surrounding you. Undoubtedly the safest car in this price range, it makes a great lease option for college students and young families. Could it have more power? Sure, all cars do. But power isn't the point here. The Jetta is a no-frills commuter that won't break the bank. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your new car reviews. View All Volkswagen For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 06, 2018

See the Historic VW I.D. R Pike's Peak Run (RIP Headphones)

Electric cars don't make much noise right? Well turn up your volume and listen to this high-voltage run by the Volkswagen I.D. R Pike's Peak. Not only did it shatter the record for climbing the mountain, it made the world rethink their notions of an electric race car. The audio was recorded onboard so that the helicopter's noise wouldn't interfere. Listen closely and you will hear the tires trying to cope with the intense torque of this machine.VW Unveils Electric I.D. R Pike’s PeakYou won't hear any downshifts, because the differential is geared perfectly for the average length of the straight sections. And watching this car come out of every corner like an ACME rocket is simply stunning. Listen to the future because its coming sooner than you think!Browse VW For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=CwZbvPY_4aE

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2018

VW I.D. R Sets New Record at Pike's Peak

It took countless hours of testing and engineering, but Volkswagen has set a new record in the "Race To The Clouds". A few weeks ago we were stunned to learn the details of VW's purpose-built race car. The battery-powered I.D. R Pike's Peak was built to conquer the mountain. It did so with spoilers and aerodynamics that would be ridiculous at low altitude.But the starting line is at 9,390 feet. After 156 turns and over 12 miles, you arrive at the summit. It is a staggering14,110 feet above sea level. At this height, the old carbureted cars would run so rich they arrived crawling to the top. In the turbocharged era, a turbo that lags at the starting line could not provide any boost at the finish.So VW's electric machine is not hindered by oxygen. It needs the large spoilers to make use of what little air is available, and it allowed them to reach the top in only 7.57.148. This is a new overall record, and it proves their dedication to an electric future. Congrats to the team and stay with us for all your VW news.Browse Volkswagen For Sale

By Dylan Orluck – June 10, 2018

2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

The all-new Volkswagen Golf GTI has an updated look for 2018, but to the untrained eye it looks relatively similar. Volkswagen made an unbelievable car right out of the box this year. In previous models, you would need to upgrade to the performance pack for more horsepower. Now the base model GTI comes out of the factory with 220 horsepower and 258lb-ft of torque. The same 2.0 liter four cylinder TSI motor that has been used in the past is in the new model and can be paired with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) transmission or a six-speed manual. The car feels tight and the steering is direct and it handles well. What more could ask for in a “hot hatch”? As you step inside the vehicle you’ll notice a display that's larger than that of previous models, leather seats and an automatic transmission which allows push to start to be an option. The interior of the car is very spacious and having Apple CarPlay is a nice touch. Every aspect of the car has a quality feel to it. On the base model the plaid-cloth seats are still standard. Additional options include, panoramic sunroof, Fender sound system, navigation and dynamic chassis control. Overall the GTI is a perfect daily driver, it is quick, roomy, comfortable and handles very well. Volkswagen has been making the GTI since the 70’s and they sure know what they’re doing.

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