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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

Singer To Headline 2026 Goodwood Festival Of Speed Central Feature

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 19, 2026

Singer Headlines 2026 Goodwood FoS Central Feature

Each year, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the world’s most highly anticipated automotive events, with vehicles of all kinds taking on the iconic hill climb, and premieres and showcases of the latest and greatest in the automotive industry. The Festival of Speed is an event that is impossible to miss for enthusiasts, whether in person or through online recaps. This year, none other than Singer Vehicle Design will have the esteemed privilege of headlining the Central Feature display at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Known for its restomodded Porsche 911s that combine the classic charm of the 964 generation with bespoke design, high-tech features, luxurious appointments, and compelling purist performance, Singer’s Reimagined Porsche 911s have become collector-grade masterpieces across the globe. The firm was founded in 2009, and since then, its various programs, like the DLS, Classic Turbo, DLS Turbo, and the recent Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer all showcase its unique ability to combine vintage approaches with modern engineering excellence, which is why Singer will be displayed prominently in front of Goodwood House at this year’s Festival of Speed. Beyond just the Central Feature, Singer will also be present at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in the form of its stand, in front of the Stable Yard, as well as at the Supercar Paddock, and in action on the hill climb track. Showcasing its evolution from 2009 to now, Singer is bringing iconic California engineering to England for the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a big way for 2026. View All Porsche 911 Reimagined By Singer For Sale Image Source: Goodwood

Two classic Porsche 911 cars, reimagined by a California-based singer, sit side by side—one yellow, one light blue—unveiled as the latest Carrera Coupes at Goodwood against a hazy sky backdrop.

By Khris Bharath – July 09, 2025

California-Based Singer Unveils Latest Reimagined Porsche...

California-based restomod specialists, Singer Vehicle Design, who also operate out of the U.K., will mark its 10th year anniversary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with a dynamic global debut of its latest creation: the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer. Two distinct builds in Touring and Sports configuration, will showcase some of Singer’s most advanced technologies through its restoration services. One of the cars will take on the legendary hill climb, while the other will be on static display at the Singer stand. Singer founder Rob Dickinson called Goodwood “the perfect place to celebrate” the brand’s achievements and ongoing homage to Porsche’s air-cooled legacy. Built around the Type-964 monocoque made between 1989 and 1994, each car is disassembled down to the bare metal before receiving comprehensive structural reinforcements, co-developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies. These composite and steel upgrades significantly enhance the chassis rigidity of the nearly three-decade-old platform, optimizing it for modern-day duties, both for the road and on the race track. The carbon-fiber bodywork draws inspiration from the wide-body 911 Carreras of the 1980s, more specifically, the ‘Super Sport Equipment’ (SSE)cars. Modern aer touches include a deep front splitter, functional intake ducts, and either a fixed or active rear wing. You can also opt for interchangeable front and rear bodywork sets with a custom flight case. At the heart of the build lies a new 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six engine, which produces 420 horsepower and revs to an impressive 8,000 rpm. Jointly developed with engine maestros Cosworth, it is Singer’s first to incorporate variable valve timing, water-cooled heads, and air-cooled cylinders, which are all drawing on tech from the company’s immensely successful DLS Turbo program. The high-revving unit pairs with a six-speed manual transmission that sends power exclusively to the rear wheels. An optional exposed shift mechanism and titanium exhaust are also available. Suspension is handled by four-way electronically adjustable dampers with a nose-lift system, while carbon ceramic brakes and 18-inch center-lock wheels provide modern dynamic capabilities. Michelin Pilot Sport tires and selectable drive modes, including Road, Sport, Track, and Weather, ensure grip and adaptability. Stepping inside, each car is highly customizable. Singer has introduced stitched and burnished leather seams, a process that requires 400 hours. One debut car in Celeste Passalacqua pairs its exterior with Mars Pink velvet corduroy, while the other, in Giallo Segnale, features Interferenza cloth and a rear cross-brace. Both include modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and air conditioning. Only 100 examples of the 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer will be commissioned, and prices will depend on the exact customer specifications. With over 500 restorations completed to date since the company’s founding in 2009, Singer continues to build on its tradition of keeping the spirit of analog driving alive in the fast-evolving and highly competitive Porsche restomod scene. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Singer Vehicle Design

By duPont REGISTRY – October 26, 2022

Overfinch To Make 3 Debuts At Fort Lauderdale Internation...

Presented by Overfinch. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show has recorded notable debuts for a range of luxury yachts in the past 62 editions. For FLIBS 22, Overfinch have announced their own debut: showcasing the Heritage collection for the very first time at a North America exhibition. 1989 Land Rover Defender 90 Soft Top Remastered by Overfinch View Listing Overfinch Heritage is the company’s ‘restomod’ division, dedicated to restoring classic Land Rovers whilst reinventing them for today’s customers. The result is a collection of unique vehicles that combine timeless design and aesthetic appeal with modern performance and convenience. 1991 Land Rover Defender 110 Station Wagon Remastered by Overfinch Heritage View Listing According to Alex Sloane, VP of Overfinch North America: “FLIBS is a long-standing favorite amongst our customers. It’s a show that celebrates the luxury lifestyle: ‘from sunglasses to superyachts and everything in between’. We’re thrilled to be part of the event again: only this year we’ve decided to focus on our Heritage division and exhibit some truly exceptional vehicles.” 1992 Land Rover Defender 110 Soft Top Remastered by Overfinch Heritage View Listing Expect to see a selection of Overfinch’s classic Defender range when the show hits town on 10/26. Complete with V8 engine upgrades and luxury finishes, these vehicles are fully restored and remastered examples from the home of Land Rover tuning. Overfinch Heritage will be located at Booth 1021 at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center. Visit Overfinch.com

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2020

Formula 1 Launches Virtual Grand Prix Series

With the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix, an unnamed team member has tested positive for the virus. In order to keep the action going, the next race in Bahrain will take place online. This is a new era for motorsports as Formula 1 launches their virtual Grand Prix Series. Drivers will compete on the official F1 2019 PC game, developed by Codemasters. The race has been cut in half to only 28 laps, and it will be hosted by Gfinity Esports Arena starting at 4PM Eastern Time on Sunday. " width="680"> Exotic Cars For Sale

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