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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

By duPont REGISTRY – March 03, 2026

duPont REGISTRY Group Elevates Luxury Vehicle Intelligence

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG), the world's leadingecosystem for the high-end automotive lifestyle, today announced that duPontREGISTRY Garage has expanded its functionality to include financial charts, armingbuyers and sellers with the latest data and insights to transact at the pace of themarket. The ultimate vehicle management platform for luxury car owners and enthusiasts,duPont REGISTRY Garage allows users to view line charts, market distribution chartsand, for the first time in the auto markets, candlestick charts to inform their buy/selldecisions. The market distribution chart, for example, illustrates how a vehicle’s value hasfluctuated over time with points representing actual VIN numbers and purchase prices.“Luxury vehicles are no longer just passion assets - they’re dynamic marketinstruments,” said Eric Gilbert, Head of Digital Design at duPont REGISTRY Group. “Bybringing real-time financial visualization and VIN-level transaction data into duPontREGISTRY Garage, we’re giving buyers and sellers the intelligence they need to actconfidently, decisively, and in step with the market.” duPont REGISTRY Garage houses a comprehensive suite of tools that combine AI,proprietary data and expert curation, to deliver unmatched insights to the globalcommunity of luxury vehicle enthusiasts and collectors. Imagined and built by car collectors and enthusiasts, duPont REGISTRY Garagefeatures a smart garage dashboard to help collectors chronicle the digital history oftheir vehicles, analyze the market and valuation trends, and explore rare vehicles tobuild a dream garage. duPont REGISTRY Garage expands duPont REGISTRY Group’s end-to-end offering forluxury collectors, providing a centralized hub for managing vehicles, tracking financialperformance, and engaging with fellow enthusiasts. Fully integrated with the Group’smedia, marketplace, auctions, and live experiences, Garage enhances the ownershipjourney across every touchpoint. duPont REGISTRY Garage is now available in the Apple App Store and Google PlayStore. About duPont REGISTRY Group: duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG) is the world’s leading luxury automotive ecosystem,encapsulating the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotivelifestyle. For more than 40 years, DRG has served as a trusted source for the vibrantglobal community of members looking to buy and sell luxury vehicles. Using datainsights and advanced technology to build a seamless and scalable digitalmarketplace, duPont REGISTRY Group facilitates billions of dollars in transactions andredefines how enthusiasts and collectors engage within the luxury automotive world.Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Elferspot, Cars on 5th, Canossa Events,Cavallino, Supercar Owners Circle, Petrolicious, Retromobile USA, FerrariChat, andSotheby's Motorsport. For more information, visit www.duPontREGISTRYGroup.com. Contacts Cristina Cheever, cristina.cheever@dupontregistrygroup.com

duPont REGISTRY Group Appoints Cristina Cheever as Chief Marketing Officer

By duPont REGISTRY – February 24, 2026

duPont REGISTRY Group Appoints Cristina Cheever as CMO

Miami, FL – February 24, 2026 – duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG), the world's leading ecosystem for the high-end automotive lifestyle, today announced the appointment of Cristina Cheever as Chief Marketing Officer. Cheever brings a distinguished track record of elevating world‑class luxury and automotive brands and will lead the Group’s global marketing strategy as the company accelerates its evolution into the premier ecosystem for the ultra‑luxury automotive lifestyle. “Adding Cristina to our leadership team marks an important step forward,” said Antoine Tessier, CEO of duPont REGISTRY Group. “As we continue to scale duPont REGISTRY Group as the ultimate destination for collectors, enthusiasts, and partners, her ability to elevate iconic heritage brands will be instrumental in bridging our storied past with a tech‑driven future.” Cheever joins duPont REGISTRY Group from Robb Report, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Live Media and RR1, the brand’s ultra-high-net-worth private membership platform. She is recognized for building high-touch experiential and partnership-driven strategies for HNW and UHNW audiences, shaping modern luxury through omnichannel brand experiences that resonate with the world’s most discerning consumers. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at Porsche Cars North America and Aston Martin, giving her deep insight into the intersection of luxury, performance engineering, and automotive culture. In her new role, Cheever will oversee the Group’s global marketing strategy across its full portfolio. She will also lead efforts to strengthen overall awareness of duPont REGISTRY Group among investors, partners, and top industry talents as the organization continues to scale. “I’m honored to join duPont REGISTRY Group at such a pivotal moment in its evolution,” said Cheever. “The brand carries an extraordinary legacy and an unparalleled connection to the global collector community. I’m excited to work alongside this talented team to build what’s next—elevating the experience, deepening engagement, and shaping a modern, tech-forward ecosystem that reflects the future of the ultra-luxury automotive lifestyle.” Today’s announcement comes on the heels of DRG’s latest capital raise, its most recent acquisition of Elferspot, the leading international marketplace for Porsche Sports car, the launch of duPont REGISTRY Live, an auction platform for exotic, luxury and classic automobiles as well as duPont REGISTRY Garage, a vehicle management platform with market analysis and vehicle valuation trends. About duPont REGISTRY Group: duPont REGISTRY Group (DRG) is the world’s leading luxury automotive ecosystem, encapsulating the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. For more than 40 years, DRG has served as a trusted source for the vibrant global community of members looking to buy and sell luxury vehicles. Using data insights and advanced technology to build a seamless and scalable digital marketplace, duPont REGISTRY Group facilitates billions of dollars in transactions and redefines how enthusiasts and collectors engage within the luxury automotive world. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Elferspot, Canossa Events, Cavallino, Supercar Owners Circle, Petrolicious, Retromobile USA, FerrariChat, Cars on 5th and Sotheby's Motorsport. For more information, visit www.duPontREGISTRYGroup.com. Contacts Suzanne Ciechalski, sciechalski@soleburystrat.com

By duPont REGISTRY – June 12, 2024

duPont REGISTRY Introduces dR Finance: A Premier Financin...

– duPont REGISTRY, the leading marketplace for exotic and luxury automobiles with 120,000 listings every year worth a total of $25B in GMV, is proud to announce the launch of dR Finance, a bespoke financial service tailored specifically for clients and dealerships in the realm of luxury cars and exotics. With a commitment to providing unparalleled service and expertise, dR Finance is poised to revolutionize the way enthusiasts acquire their dream vehicles. Whether you're in the market for a rare supercar or a classic luxury sedan, our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to crafting customized financing solutions to suit your unique needs and preferences. "60% of exotic and luxury car transactions are financed or leased; duPont REGISTRY is thrilled to introduce dR Finance as the latest addition to our suite of premier services for our clients and dealership." said Antoine TESSIER, CEO of duPont REGISTRY Group. "We understand that acquiring a luxury vehicle is more than just a transaction – it's an experience. With dR Finance, we aim to enhance that experience by offering flexible financing options and personalized service every step of the way." Through a partnership with Westlake Financial, dR Finance will create personalized offers to any cars on our platform. Our dealerships will benefit from pre-qualified clients and a white-glove service. “Thanks to the data and expertise provided by duPont REGISTRY in exotic and luxury cars, we developed a new product tailored to their clientele, with an average GMV of $200K and above.” says Ian Anderson, Group President of Westlake Financial. “We are excited about this partnership and the benefits it will bring to all highline vehicle enthusiasts.” dR Finance caters to a diverse range of luxury car brands (Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Maserati, Aston Martin, McLaren, Bugatti and much more), ensuring that every enthusiast can turn their automotive dreams into reality. For more information about dR Finance and how to elevate your luxury car buying experience, visit dupontregistry.com/finance. Visit dR Finance Now About duPont REGISTRY Group: The heart of the Driven Lifestyle division, the duPont REGISTRY Group is the world’s leading luxury ecosystem, encapsulating the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. Built by some of the biggest names in the luxury automotive space, duPont REGISTRY Group represents a vibrant community of members worldwide nurtured over nearly four decades. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Sotheby’s Motorsport, Canossa Events, Cavallino, Petrolicious and FerrariChat. About Westlake Technology Holdings: About Westlake Technology Holdings: Westlake Technology Holdings is an auto and finance technology company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA with approximately $22 billion in assets under management. Westlake Financial (“Westlake”) originates indirect automotive retail installment contracts through a nationwide network of new and used automotive and power sports dealers. Westlake also offers credit facilities and commercial real estate loans through Westlake Capital Finance (WCF); portfolio servicing through Westlake Portfolio Management (WPM); floor plan lines of credit are provided through its Westlake Flooring Services division, www.WestlakeFlooringServices.com; shared cash flow auto lending through Westlake’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Funding Inc., a Nevada based auto lender; indirect automotive leasing for credit unions through Westlake’s subsidiary, Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA); dealer leads and direct-to-consumer auto loans are offered through Westlake Direct; consumer installment loans are offered through Westlake’s wholly-owned subsidiary LoanCenter, www.loancenter.com; and commercial real estate lending is offered through Westlake Capital Finance.

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