Opinion: McLaren W1 & Ferrari F80 do not tickle my fancy

McLaren and Ferrari not too long ago revealed their subsequent technology hypercars, changing the P1 and LaFerrari, respectively. These are thrilling instances for fans like us, as moments like these don’t come typically. It’s been greater than a decade for the reason that P1 and LaFerrari first went into manufacturing. It’s time for the brand new boys to take over.

With the joy surrounding the launch of the McLaren W1 and Ferrari F80 steadily subsiding, we thought we’d take a better have a look at what every hypercar has to supply, what the neighborhood has to say, and extra importantly, are they worthy successors to the hypercar icons.

Let’s begin with the W1, because it was revealed previous to the F80. We weren’t too impressed after we first noticed the photographs of the McLaren W1. Frankly, the design is in every single place, with little connection between the entrance and the rear. The entrance fascia reminds us of the Lykan Hypersport with its sharp edges and horizontal strains, whereas the rear is curvy and virtually just like the P1. Then there’s the facet profile, which seems to have been impressed by the Senna – one of many worst McLaren designs.

Total, the W1 seems too generic, with the one attention-grabbing bit being the rear wing. One other criticism is that it doesn’t seem to have the presence {that a} top-tier hypercar ought to. However extra importantly, it’s lacking the purity of design that the P1 had. That being stated, we’re glad that McLaren caught with the V8 hybrid powertrain, promising hair-raising efficiency.

The W1 seems too generic and is lacking the purity of design that the P1 had.

The Ferrari F80 desires to be a race automotive for the street. The design was clearly impressed by the Le Mans-winning 499P and that’s not a foul factor. Nonetheless, it’s definitely missing the appeal of the LaFerrari. The Enzo was a step up from the F50 by way of its design, and so was the LaFerrari, which in our opinion nonetheless seems attractive. In actual fact, each the P1 and LaFerrari have aged nicely.

Let’s now deal with the elephant within the room. Sure, we’re speaking in regards to the black band. It doesn’t look half dangerous on the 12Cilindri as its design relies on the 365 GTB/4. Nonetheless, it seems misplaced on the F80, and also you don’t get an choice to match it with the physique colour both. So, if you happen to hate it, simply as we do, you’ll have to go along with a darkish/black or carbon exterior end.

The F80 lacks the appeal of the LaFerrari and even the Enzo.

Then there’s the engine – a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 in a flagship hypercar? Sure, it has 1200 hp, and it’ll do 0-62 mph in virtually the identical time as a Components 1 pit cease. Nonetheless, we’ve now reached a degree the place figures like particular output or quarter-mile instances aren’t every part. Whether or not it’s a Ferrari, McLaren, or Porsche, there’s little question a new-gen flagship with all the newest tech shall be faster than the one it replaces. In the end, it’s the driving expertise that issues. A flagship Ferrari shouldn’t simply shove you into the seat with every dab of the best foot but in addition tickle all of your senses. The nice-old V12 was definitely able to it and is one thing we all the time affiliate with a top-tier Ferrari.

Ferrari will produce 799 F80s. That’s 200 models greater than the LaFerrari, and every with a price ticket of round $4 million earlier than choices – for a V6, actually? McLaren, alternatively, is constructing 399 examples of the W1 with a base worth of $2.6 million. It’s lighter than the F80 and likewise faster on paper.

In conclusion, the McLaren W1 seems overdesigned in some components, whereas bland in others, and is healthier worth than the Ferrari. The F80 would’ve been a terrific addition to the Icona Collection, however we’re struggling to see it as a LaFerrari alternative. Going by the overall sentiment, we would even see LaFerraris and Daytona SP3s go up in worth.

Let’s know your ideas on the new-gen hypercars from McLaren and Ferrari.