Why To Buy

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 – October 19, 2018

Why You Should Buy A Ferrari 812 Superfast

Stop for a minute and think back to a missed opportunity. Did you pass up a numbers-matching Dino because they were everywhere? Did you sell your GTB/4 before they became collectible? Time waits for no car, especially fast ones. Not only will the new Ferrari 812 Superfast reward you with performance, it actually has FAST in its name. Ferrari didn't run out of names, they simply surmised the greatest attribute of their latest supercar.Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs, Price, Photos & ReviewIt all started with a need to surpass the F12berlinetta in every way. This required a new engine. The 6.5-liter uses titanium rods and solid tappets to reach 8,500 rpm. Instead of a 2-stage intake manifold, each cylinder has its own intake runner that actively changes length based on torque and rpm. This allows it to make 530 lb-ft of torque, 80% of which is available at only 3,500 rpm. Not only is this unprecedented in the world of Ferrari, but it also makes the 789 horsepower engine the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in a street legal car. The wild compression ratio of 13.6:1 also allows it to be clean-burning and low emissions.In the old days, the struggle was keeping the engine in its narrow powerband by constantly shifting and dealing with common Italian idiosyncrasies. The 812 Superfast offers a linear power curve all the way to redline, with amazing audio and climate control. If you haven't been behind the wheel with a Scuderia Shield, your Superfast is waiting for you. View Ferrari 812 Superfast For Sale View This Car's Listing View This Car's Listing View This Car's Listing View This Car's Listing View This Car's Listing Source: Article Images via Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – September 20, 2018

Why You Should Buy A LaFerrari

If you sold your Enzo for a nice profit, this post isn't for you. But if you missed the opportunity to purchase Ferrari's previous supercar, we have a treat for you. Investing in exotic cars can be hit or miss unless Ferrari is concerned. What began with the 288 GTO is an unstoppable force. Intentionally limiting the production numbers of the world's most desired automobiles is a surefire way to preserve the value of the brand. The LaFerrari will stand as the state of the art in hybrid hypercars for the foreseeable future.It was the first Ferrari halo car to be designed in-house, without influence from Pininfarina. It began as a series of ideas to address the weaker points of the Enzo-based FXX. Power comes from a 6.2-liter evolution of the same naturally aspirated V12, but that is where the similarities end. Ferrari's first hybrid model, it uses two electric motors rated at 120 KW to supplement the 789 horsepower V12. At your disposal will be 663 lb-ft of torque and 950 horsepower.If the power and rarity don't entice you, look at auction results from Ferrari's other halo cars. Those who were savvy enough to store an Enzo away for a rainy day have reaped a windfall. We don't advocate gambling unless the game is rigged, and the LaFerrari is hotter than loaded dice. Playing in this realm has a high entry cost, but shared amongst a few Ferrari fans, it would be a nice way to make money in a few years. Do it for the environment. The LaFerrari is capable of electric cruising, and thanks to supplemental power from the batteries it produces less pollution than your car. Each one is also unique. Unlike the Enzo, the LaFerrari offered far more options than just exterior color. Dealers customized each example with carbon fiber inside and out, along with luggage and other bespoke content. The sports exhaust system is more expensive than a Corvette Stingray.Listen up all you futures traders and doomsday preppers, your efforts are in vain. Join forces for the sake of Scuderia shields and strike while the iron is hot. One day, all cars will have this level of efficiency, but until then you shouldn't deprive yourself of the future. We are the only resource that has five examples to choose from, so tell us which one you would choose in the comments below.View Laferrari Specs, Price, Photos & Review View All LaFerraris for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2018

Why You Should Buy A Ferrari F12tdf

You shouldn't buy a car simply because it exists; you should do your research to see if it's right for you. Normal automakers heavily investigate their target audience to make sure a car will be a success. Ferrari does conduct market research, but their primary focus has always been on racing. For the past seven decades, they have figured out how to make their cars more potent on the track and on the streets to build the ultimate automobile.#TheDriver, Ferrari California T HS and Dream On!The F12tdf is the logical evolution of the F12berlinetta. The Tour de France might be associated with bicycle racing, but it once was a brutal car race across the country. Testing driver and machine to their limits, the reward for one wrong turn was often fatal. Those are the odds that Enzo liked. If the deck is stacked against you, go all in. He did, and it allowed the 1956 Ferrari 250 GT to become immortalized on the world stage.Giallo Triplo Strato Ferrari F12tdf for Sale Ferrari of Long Island For Sale - $1,199,000Inspired by the 250 GT, the F12tdf brings race-proven technology to the street. The logical starting point was under the hood. All the suspension and software improvements are a waste without more power. Taking the big V12 back to basics, a new intake manifold was designed. The big & heavy resonators in front of the engine were replaced by variable length runners. While every other supercar must make due with two position intakes, the F12tdf keeps all 12 intake trumpets in constant motion. This extracts every ounce of power from the engine at all times.Blu Scozia Ferrari F12tdf for Sale Ferrari Maserati of Newport Beach For Sale - $1,299,000Such precise intake control requires no play in the valvetrain, so both camshafts have solid lifters. With more lift and duration, the engine makes 769 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque. Over 80% of the torque is available at only 2,500 rpm, a beast in any gear. Speaking of them, the gear ratios are 6% shorter to keep rpm from dropping between shifts. Upshifts are 30% faster and downshift speed is increased by 40%.Rosso Corsa Ferrari F12tdf for Sale Ferrari Maserati of Seattle For Sale - $1,280,000The F12berlinetta and the F12tdf look longer than most supercars because of their design. In fact, the wheelbase is only 107". Handling and turning abilities were not an issue, but Ferrari improved them anyway. By equipping the F12tdf with rear steering, it allows the car to corner like a go-kart. The Virtual Short Wheelbase is the product of the rear wheels moving the axis of rotation forward.Tailor Made Ferrari F12tdf for Sale For Sale - $1,499,000While the big engine and fancy steering are better felt than seen, the wild aerodynamics are in your face 24/7. Extensive computer modeling and wind tunnel testing have culminated in a body that produces 87% more downforce than the F12berlinetta. All these advancements combined to allow the F12tdf to lap the Fiorano test track almost 4 seconds faster than the Enzo. More speed is useless without safety, so the giant one-piece brake calipers were borrowed from the LaFerrari. Only 799 cars were built, and our dealers have several to choose from. The state of the art in supercars can be yours, so click the links below and get ready to race.View All F12tdfs

By Andrew Nabors – July 11, 2016

Why You Should Buy A Ferrari 458

If you are in need of a sensible & fun investment for a daily driver, have you considered the Ferrari 458? With a production run from 2010 to 2015, it served as a mid-level offering, in between the F12 Berlinetta and the California. It's probably the last Ferrari V8 to be naturally aspirated, so if you have an aversion to turbochargers, this is the car for you.Small engines with turbos are now a dominant trend in the industry thanks to emissions and fuel economy regulations. But forced induction is not a replacement for displacement. The 458 packs a 4.5L V8 which can rev to a screaming 9,000 rpm. Sometimes nostalgia should have precedence over technology, and in a few years we will be longing for traditional V8 power.Ferrari 458 Variants: 458 Italia 458 Spider 458 Speciale 458 Speciale Aperta 458 Challenge 458 Italia GT2 458 Italia GT3 458 Italia Grand-Am 458 MM Speciale (One-off) View the Ferrari 458 Italia Specs More than just great looks and a perfect engine, the 458 is also great on the track. Several racing variants have competed in GTE and GT3 classes with great success. Built on a light and strong aluminum space frame, all you need are sticky tires and a helmet. Carbon ceramic brakes, magnetic suspension, and an electronic differential are just a few of the options that will keep you ahead of your competitors. The most coveted examples are the 458 Speciale and 458 Challenge cars, but they are rarely seen in public. Unloading a 458 Challenge Car at duPont REGISTRYNow that early production examples have been around for a few years, the aftermarket industry has opened the floodgates on performance. Companies like Hennessey Performance and Underground Racing have unlocked the engine computer for more ignition timing, and exhaust experts like Tubi and Novitec offer significant horsepower gains. One of the final production 458 Speciale ApertasA quick glance at the listings on our main site offers the main reason why the 458 is such a solid choice. Several examples of the 458 have odometer readings higher than what's in your garage. You need not fear daily driving this masterpiece, because all 458 models from 2012 to present are covered under a 7-year warranty. This is a testament to the solid engineering that underpins the car, as the only cost you will incur will be fuel.View All Ferrari 458 For Sale View All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

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