The McLaren P1 is one of the worlds most technologically advanced cars. Utilising banned science from the world of Formula One and the legendary McLaren teams racing know-how, this machine is rumoured to have lapped “the green hell” in just over 6 minutes and 30 seconds. 903BHP, 0-62MPH 2.8 seconds, all coming from a 3.8 litre twin-turbo V8! Very few people have been lucky enough to drive the P1, but from what we have read, they have all come away impressed. Autocar got the keys and as well as assessing its performance, decided to have a bit of sideways fun. Enjoy one of the first times the McLaren P1 goes drifting!
In the next episode of Drive’s “Inside Quattro” we journey into the factory and see how the brands flagship model is born. Have you ever wondered how to build an Audi R8 V10 Plus? Delving deep into the manufacturing process this program shows how one of the most capable supercars is brought to life, from subframe to final sign off. This rare insight is something of a treat for real petrol heads, so enjoy!
If you missed the first instalment of Inside Quattro where its illustrious history was highlighted, you can check it out HERE.
There have been rumblings for a while now that Ferrari may well be preparing for a LeMans comeback. Strange prototype LaFerrari’s have been spotted out on the road with what sounds like turbocharged engines and with Luca di Montezemolo displaying a clear interest in endurance racing, fuel has been added to the fire. Today some intriguing spy shots may have given us the final pieces of the puzzle, or have they started a new one entirely?
Italian website Auto Sprint published a picture of what appears to be a disguised racing spec LaFerrari. Now this could well be a LeMans racer, be we think that if Ferrari were to return to the sport they would do so in top class LMP1 cars. We think that this car is in fact the successor to the Ferrari FXX. The XX program allows wealthy individuals to become part of the Scuderia’s testing team by racing their track only extreme prancing horse whilst the boys in red collect data. The FXX was based upon the Ferrari Enzo but that machine is a bit outdated, I can’t believe I just said that, and no longer king of the hill. This LaFerrari based car (LaFerrari XX?) is clearly not for road use. I guess we shall have to wait and see what Ferrari have for us at Geneva.
So much for unlucky number 13… 2013 has been, in my opinion, one of the most exciting years in the automobiles history! Once in a decade launches such as the Porsche 918, LaFerrari and McLaren P1 all came at once to create a world war of performance. Loyalists from all brands will forever argue on forums about which is the best, but one thing we can all agree upon is that they are each technologically beautiful. 2013 also saw the rebirth of an old petrol head favourite, the Porsche 911 GT3, BMW showed to the world their next-generation M3 accompanied by the M4 Coupe, Oh, and just before the year was out Lamborghini surprised us with the Gallardo’s replacement named Huracan. It wasn’t all just about supercars through, we saw many rising stars from other segments. Ford’s Fiesta ST is the hot-hatch pick of the bunch right now and won our overall “Car of the Year” award, the all-new Mazda 3 proved to be more than a match for the other established kings of hill in the family hatchback segment, as well as Mini taking to the stage to showoff their new hatchback. Those are just a few of the many great models from 2013.
For us, 2013 saw the introduction of our brand new website and all of its shiny new features. We like it and hope you do too! As always we have endeavoured to report on even more of the worlds biggest automotive stories, attend more launches and be even more daring with big features. In particular we hope you enjoyed our content generated from us getting the keys to a 1966 Jaguar E-Type and 1961 Aston Martin DB4. A lot of hard work goes into keeping Inside Lane ticking over, but us boys love what we do and shall continue throughout 2014.
Last but not least comes the moment to thank those around us. Firstly, family and friends who have supported us so well throughout both the good and some of the more trying times. A mammoth thanks to all of the car manufacturers PR teams who work so very hard behind the scenes inviting us to launches and ensuring we get the machines for you guys and girls to read about. Also we need to thank you, the readers. Without you we wouldn’t have a job and it is your enthusiasm and our shared passion for cars that gives us the drive to do what we do.
700HP, 0-62MPH in 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 217MPH. Those are just three outputs from the biblical Lamborghini Aventador supercar. But what ingredients actually go into making this recipe a reality? The Italian V12 flagship has introduced Lamborghini, and indeed the world, to many new technologies in terms of manufacturing for production automobiles. This documentary from National Geographic was broadcast earlier this year, something I missed when it was on TV. Taking you through the companies history and the legendary forefathers to the Aventador, we thought this program was too good to miss!
Yesterday we showed you leaked images of what could be the Lamborghini Gallardo’s 2014 replacement. Today we know for a fact that the car you saw is the Italians new model. How? Lamborghini have given us all an early Christmas gift by unveiling the Lamborghini Huracan well before its debut at the 2014 Geneva motor show.
Powered by naturally aspirated 5.2 litre V10 engine, the Huracan produces 602BHP making this raging bull capable of a 0-62MPH time of 3.2 seconds. Sending those ponies to all four wheels, 0-124MPH is completed in 9.9 seconds and the cars top speed is rated at 201MPH. Aiming to be just as successful as the Gallardo it replaces, the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 is as striking to look at as its bigger brother, the Aventador. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the next-gen Audi R8 is to share the same platform.
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a fantastic machine that has gone on to become not only Lamborghini’s most successful model, but also one of the most successful supercars of all time. With production ending a few weeks ago and unit 14,022 on its way to a new home, attention turns to the baby bulls replacement. Automotive website Autofilou has managed to get hold of what appears to be a leaked image of this next-generation Gallardo.
Though Lamborghini obviously will not confirm if this is the new 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo at this time, the car matches previous spy images and proportions to the atom. Personally I’m convinced that this picture has come from behind corporate doors. To share its platform with the all-new Audi R8, this Lamborghini is longer and wider than the Gallardo it replaces. Powered by a 5.2 litre V10, the aggressively styled machine is likely to make its debut at the Geneva motor show in 2014.
He is making a list and checking it twice. He’s going to find out who’s been naughty or nice. Well, this year I think my name is on Father Christmas’ nice list and for being such a good boy I am going to ask for something a bit special. After thinking long and hard about what I would like the keys to, I came to the conservative conclusion of a Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. I say conservative as other cars that came to mind were the likes of McLaren’s P1 and the Porsche 918. Considering those two cost the thick end of £1,000,000 Santa can save a few pennies with my £240,000 gift.
If you think about it, the Ferrari is also a gift that offers value for money. 12 cylinders in comparison to the McLaren’s 8. It’s bigger than a Porsche 918 and more practical. All-in-all I think I’ve justified the F12 to the jolly fat guy, my only other real predicament is what colour to buy it in. I have seen the car in a rather devilish metallic grey, but then it also looks good in black. However, I think much like every first time Ferrari owner I shall ask for my prancing horse in red.
Personally, I think that after Santa’s little Italian elves have put my toy together and the big man has seen it, he will probably put his reindeer on notice. 730BHP VS nine mammals that are likely to take your eye out with their antlers? No contest.
So, you have decided to purchase an exciting new supercar that is soon to fill your life with excitement and gain you entry to an exclusive club. But what if one day you take your shiny new toy down to Monaco for the day and find yourself in a car park with two other identical cars? Not a good feeling if you have just spent the thick end of £200,000. However, if you are a McLaren customer their special operations department might just have something for you.
Formed to make sure that every customisation desire of any customer is fulfilled, McLaren Special Operations has just unveiled a new concept car named the MSO. Think of it as a showcase of what McLaren can do for you providing that you have the bank balance to float your dreams. Featuring a unique air brake, grills and roof mounted air intake, this model is also lighter thanks to the heavy use of carbon fibre. The interior is also bespoke and matches the exterior colour.
The McLaren P1 is an astonishing engineering masterpiece. Utilising the most cutting edge technologies the world has to offer, this car aims to be the fastest road car on any track. However, the daddy of them all is the Nürburgring and there is a very good reason as to why it is known as “the green hell.” This challenging circuit tests both man and machine to the limit and McLaren being a Formula One team are no strangers to pushing the envelope. In this extremely evocative video the British brand shows the P1 at work, something that will leave you in awe. Although McLaren have yet to publish the official lap time, no doubt to keep it away from Ferrari until LaFerrari takes to the ‘ring, we are told that it is well under 7 minutes.
