Aftermarket

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 Khris Bharath – September 15, 2026

Ferrari 812 Superfast Becomes Fifth Mansory-Built Car to Join Dubai Police’s Patrol Fleet

Dubai Police has officially unveiled a custom Ferrari 812 Superfast built by Mansory at the Dubai World Trade Centre, adding a fifth Mansory-built vehicle to its luxury patrol fleet. The car debuted on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market 2026. With Mansory's signature Stallone treatment engineered for Ferrari’s front-engined V12 flagships, the 812 receives an aggressive front splitter, extended side skirts, a deep rear diffuser, and an enormous fixed rear wing. Black multi-spoke wheels, vivid yellow brake calipers, and yellow accents throughout the aero package contrast against Dubai Police's now-famous white and green livery. As for performance, the car’s naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 produces up to 800 horsepower, allowing it to get from 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds, with a top speed rated at 214 mph. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kourosh Mansory (@_kourosh_mansory) From the outset, Dubai Police's exotic patrol fleet was never intended to replace the conventional vehicles (led by the 300-Series Land Cruiser) handling everyday police work across the Emirate of Dubai. Instead, cars like the 812 Superfast maintain a highly visible police presence around upscale neighborhoods of the city like Downtown Dubai, JBR, and other major tourist destinations, while giving officers another way to engage with residents and visitors. There is another carefully chosen detail on this particular Ferrari: its three-digit Dubai Police plate reads ‘812,’ matching the model designation. Low-digit registration numbers carry considerable prestige across the United Arab Emirates, where shorter combinations can command extraordinary prices at auction. The market has produced several eight-figure results, including the No. 1 plate that reportedly brought around $14.3 million in 2008.As for Dubai’s vast exotic car fleet, it dates back to 2013 when a Lamborghini Aventador became one of its earliest additions. That fleet has since grown to include everything from hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron and the Porsche 918 Spyder to SUVs and 4x4s like the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, the Lotus Eletre, the Beast Patrol, and so many more. Mansory's involvement represents a newer chapter, beginning with a Mercedes-AMG G63 in 2024, distinguished by the tuner's signature widebody treatment and mechanical upgrades. Other builds that followed were all-V12 powered: a 1-of-1 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a Ferrari Purosangue Pugnator, and a Lamborghini Revuelto. During our exclusive interview with Mr. Kourosh Mansory for the cover story of the December 2025 edition, he revealed that more surprise projects with Dubai Police were already in development. With the 812 Superfast now joining the fleet, at least one of those surprises has officially broken cover. For clients in the United States, Limited Spec Automotive serves as the exclusive MANSORY USA dealer. View All Ferrari 812 Superfast for Sale View All Mansory Cars For Sale Images: @_kourosh_mansory, Khris Bharath

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 25, 2023

Watch The 1-of-3 Novitec N-Largo S Ferrari 812 Superfast ...

Novitec celebrates the majesty of the V12 engine. When it comes to customizing excellent exotic cars, Novitec is a preeminent name. One of it’s most incredible creations is the N-Largo S version of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, an already incredible grand touring Ferrari that boasts a front-mounted V12 with immense power and thrilling performance. Today’s automotive industry sees less and less of engnes like the V12, but car enthusiasts around the world simply can’t forget just how thrilling a V12-powered car is, and the N-Largo S Ferrari 812 is one of the greatest examples of that thrill. Novitec limited the N-Largo S Ferrari 812 to just 3 examples, and they are special for more than just their rarity. With a special Novitec exhaust system, the V12 engine note becomes the centerpiece of the car, with a roar reminiscent of the V12-powered race cars of the past. In addition, performance and aerodynamic upgrades from Novitec result in a 0-60 time of under 2.8 seconds, and a top speed of 214 mph. In a new YouTube video from Novitec Group, the 812 N-Largo S is shown off and celebrated as one of the last 3 N-Largo models with a naturally aspirated V12. With lowered ride height, a black-on-black configuration, and an edgier body kit, the N-Largo S has an intimidating presence compared to the standard 812 Superfast, with the custom wheels making an important contribution to that look. However, the most spectacular place to show the abilities of a car like the Ferrari 812 Superfast Novitec N-Largo S is in a place where the exhaust note could be best heard, and the driver chose to rev the engine and launch at full throttle in a tunnel, making pure music to any car enthusiast’s ears. The V12 is starting to sadly fade away from the automotive industry, but it still remains one of the greatest engines in the performance world, and with the incredible 1-of-3 Novitec N-Largo S version of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, Novitec proves that at its highest degree. View All Ferrari 812 Superfasts For Sale Source: Novitec via YouTube

By Edward Jones – January 22, 2019

Novitec's Ferrari 812 Superfast is Flawless

Novitec's new Ferrari 812 Superfast is here and it's just right. The famous aftermarket company has upgraded the important features of the new Italian supercar, turning it into an even more refined vehicle. How's that even possible? Here's how. It all starts with the exterior. Novitec has created new body components for the 812 Superfast that add function and flair. This includes the new front spoiler lip, rear spoiler lip, carbon fiber rear fascia, rocker panels, carbon air outlets on the hood, carbon side mirror caps, and more. Then there's the Novitec forged wheels that are 21-inches in the front and 22-inches in the rear. Lowering the car was also on Novitec's list for the new 812 Superfast. The new sport springs lower the car by 1.37-inches. Novitec also offers a front lift system that raises the front by 1.57-inches when needed. As for performance, Novitec's engineers are hard at work. Unfortunately, they haven't released any upgrades for the 812's 6.5-liter V12. They do, however, offer a "performance-optimizing" option that consists of a new high-performance exhaust system with 4.33-inch tailpipes. These systems can be finished in either polished or matte stainless steel. view all ferrari 812 superfast's for sale Also Check Out: Jason Statham’s 2014 Ferrari F12berlinetta For Sale Ferrari F355s For Sale Ferrari F355 Specs Price and Photos

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