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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

An ultra-rare Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta, a white convertible sports car with yellow brake calipers, is parked on a paved surface in front of a gray paneled wall.

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 23, 2025

Ultra-Rare 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta For Sale

Ferrari is, of course, known for making some of the world’s greatest supercars, hypercars, and performance cars. However, over nearly 80 years of history, Ferrari has emerged with a few vehicles that have stood out as some of the most uniquely excellent cars not only of the automotive industry in their time, but even among Ferrari’s lineup throughout history. One of the most significant modern ones is the Ferrari 458 Speciale, the rare variant of the 458 Italia supercar that helped define Ferrari’s presence in the late 2000s and early 2010s with improved performance and a further distilled racing focus. View Listing & Financing The Ferrari 458 Speciale featured more aggressive aerodynamics than the standard 458, and the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 that Ferrari built. That engine would also be the last mid-mounted naturally aspirated V8 in a Ferrari, making the 458 Speciale a rare masterpiece and the end of an era for the Prancing Horse. In addition to that, an even rarer and more exclusive version of the Speciale is the 458 Speciale Aperta, an open-top variant of the 458 Speicale. In a rare opportunity, an example of the 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta is available for sale now at Prancing Horse of Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s listed on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985. This 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale for sale is one of just 499 examples produced, and it’s finished in a stunning Bianco Avus color with a Blu Sterling livery. With options like the adaptive front light system and carbon fiber racing seats, along with many more, it’s one of the most desirable examples of the ultra-rare open-top supercar on the market. Inside, navy blue leather upholstery with white Ferrari logos on the headrests and center stripes on the seats resembling the Italian flag are added touches of exclusivity and excellent craftsmanship. With incredible power, performance, legacy, and rarity, discerning Ferrari collectors will relish the opportunity to own this 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta for sale. If you’re interested, click the button to view the price and listing of this special roadster.

A red Ferrari 458 convertible sports car is shown from the rear three-quarter view against a plain, light gray background—an iconic example for those seeking the best Ferrari among cars for sale.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2025

The Best Ferrari 458 Cars For Sale

It’s already becoming a modern classic, and it’s destined for a future as a true automotive treasure. The Ferrari 458, despite only roughly a decade having passed since the end of its production, is already one of the most celebrated supercars from the Prancing Horse’s modern era. Thanks to its naturally aspirated V8 engine and its gorgeous looks that went on to inspire a generation of Ferrari’s design language, the 458 is already becoming a vehicle worthy of placement in elite luxury and exotic car collections, but it will stand out even more in the future as an automotive masterpiece, especially in a changing landscape of performance cars with electrification and smaller engines. As one of the most significant Ferraris of recent memory, the best time to get your hands on a Ferrari 458 of any variant is as soon as possible. As the source for supercars since 1985, duPont REGISTRY is the perfect place to search for your dream Ferrari 458 for sale, with a multitude of luxury and exotic cars for sale listed. Below are some of our favorite examples of the Ferrari 458 for sale today, and you can click the button below to view all Ferrari 458 cars for sale. View All Ferrari 458s For Sale 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider View Listing & Financing 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia View Listing 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale View Listing 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider View Listing 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta View Listing & Financing 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale View Listing & Financing 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider View Listing & Financing 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider View Listing & Financing 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia View Listing & Financing 2012 Ferrari 458 Challenge View Listing & Financing When was the Ferrari 458 made? The Ferrari 458 was introduced in 2009, and production of the Ferrari 458 concluded in 2018. It replaced the F430, and the 488 GTB was its successor. What variants of the Ferrari 458 were made? The Ferrari 458 Italia was the coupe and debut version of the 458. After that came the 458 Spider, a hard-top convertible. There are also racing variants of the 458, including the 458 Challenge for customer racers, and the track-focused 458 Speciale and the open top 458 Speciale A, one of the most special modern naturally aspirated Ferrari supercars. What are the Ferrari 458 Speciale and the Ferrari 458 Speciale A? The Ferrari 458 Speciale is a variant of the 458 that features increased power, more aggressive aerodynamics, and revised solutions for performance. Not only is it faster, it’s more exclusive and one of the most desirable collector-grade modern Ferraris. What makes the Ferrari 458 special? The Ferrari 458 is special because it is the last mid-engined Ferrari supercar to feature a naturally aspirated V8 engine. It, and especially the rare Speciale variants, represent the end of an era for Ferrari, and one of the peaks of its naturally aspirated performance engineering.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 20, 2024

Legendary 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale For Sale

The Ferrari 458 Speciale is one of Ferrari’s greatest modern masterpieces. It’s a racing-oriented evolution of the legendary 458 Italia, with Ferrari’s last naturally-aspirated V8 engine and enhanced dynamics made for on-track domination. One of Ferrari’s most exclusive recent marvels, it’s also one of the most collectible supercars that Ferrari has made in the 21st century, and while it’s difficult to find a Ferrari 458 Speciale for sale, duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985, is the place to look for a Ferrari 458 Speciale for sale. View Listing & Financing One incredible example is this one, a 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale for sale at Ferrari of Salt Lake City. It is finished in a gorgeous Rosso F1 2007 Livrea NART exterior color and paired with Nero Daytona and Canna di Fucile accents. Inside, you’ll find a luxurious interior with black Alcantara and red stitching, other Red contrasting details, Prancing Horse embroidery, and exposed carbon fiber throughout. In total, the car features nearly $100,000 in optional extras. It’s an incredible example of one of Ferrari’s best supercars and is available for sale. It’s also available to finance thanks to duPont REGISTRY’s new dR Finance, powered by Westlake Financial, which provides flexible financing options and spread-out payments to get you behind the wheel of your dream Ferrari 458 Speciale for sale before you know it. To view the price, listing and get pre-qualified for financing on this 2014 Ferrari 458 Speciale for sale, click the button.

By Caitlin Duffy – April 11, 2017

458 Speciale Aperta vs. i8, GT-R Drag Races with Revs

Demand for the Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta was high when it was announced only 499 examples would be created, but that was in October of 2014, and their desirability has only increased since then.A drop top version of the 458 Speciale, with "Aperta" translating to "open" from Italian, it features Ferrari's naturally-aspirated V8 engine capable of 596 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. It takes three seconds flat for this powerful convertible to accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph, and a Fiorano lap only took 1'23"5, the same time as the hardtop 458 Speciale and a hair faster than the Enzo's time of 1'24"90.So is it any wonder that the video above, added to YouTube by JWT Supercars May 29, shows us the 458 Speciale Aperta in an impressive bout of quick drag races and performing a concert for all those around?(See Also: Ferrari Trio Worth $7+ Million at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale)Beginning with its arrival at the event, the video captures the 458 Aperta at a driving event on a closed roadway, taking on the i8, a GT-R and more, then ends with a solid minute of orchestral engine notes. Check it out above, and when you've fallen fully in love, take a moment to browse our listings of Ferrari 458 for sale to find the newest member of your car collection.Ferrari 458 Spiders For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2016

One-Off Ferrari 458 MM Speciale Goes Hard At Goodwood

When most people get a one-off car made for them, like the Ferrari 458 MM Speciale, the car itself tends to be pampered and rest in a garage. But for the owner of the 458 MM Speciale, they'd rather drive the car the way it was meant to be driven.(Also Read This - Ferrari 488 Challenge Car Spied On Track)In a video uploaded by Marchettino, we see footage from the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed of the 458 MM Speciale being whipped around the track. This one-off model was built around the 458 Speciale but is completely bespoke. In our unveiling article, we note that the car was designed with the 458 Speciale and 1984 GTO in mind.It features heavily modified "aerodynamic solutions," which really just means different body lines and vents. Inside, the cockpit is just as personalized as the exterior.View All Ferraris For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2014

Ferrari 458 Italia in Satin Orange on Lexani Wheels

Satin finishes seem to be all the rage right now and this Ferrari 458 Italia is a perfect example of why. The Italian sports car is covered in a stylish satin orange wrap, which is complemented by a set of Lexani Forged Concave Forged LZ-101 wheels. (Must Read: Lamborghini Reventon and Huracán by Marcel Lech) These wheels are 21" x 9" in the front with 245/30-21 tires, and 22" x 12" in the rear with 335/25-22 wheels. And, thanks to Lexani's ability to finish their wheels in more than 1,000 OEM colors, these wheels match the orange wrap perfectly. Adding to the car's overall appearance is a Novitec Sport Spring Kit, which lowers the car by 30mm. See the car for yourself in the images below and the video above, uploaded by Lexani to YouTube Sept. 29. Gallery (Source: Lexani Forged Wheels)

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