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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

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By Jordan Aquistapace – June 22, 2024

Celebrity Cybertrucks: Who's Driving Tesla's First-Ever E...

From A-list celebs to music moguls, they're all loving the Tesla Cybertruck. With so much hype built around the Tesla Cybertrucks for sale and its highly-anticipated release after years of waiting, it's only fair to say that you'd expect some A-list celebrity names on the list of early production deliveries. Before we start to argue on the basis of their buys, it is refreshing to know that those Cybertrucks were purchased with the intent of driving instead of trying to make a nice profit on the secondary market like most. The Tesla Cybertruck introduces a diverse target market that spans from young, tech-driven individuals with a knack for gadgets to reality show superstars with a taste for the finer things in life. Noticing the variety of owners since Tesla began deliveries on the Cybertruck, we at duPont REGISTRY decided to do a deep dive into the top celebrities who are already enjoying Cybertruck ownership. Whether it's Kim K pulling up on Rodeo Drive for a shopping spree or rapper Rick Ross pulling up to his private jet, it's clear that the Tesla Cybertruck has taken the automotive world by storm. As the first wave of Cybertrucks begins to be delivered, the market is bustling with a community of buyers eager to get their hands on Tesla’s new EV truck. Check out all the celebs who own Tesla's first-ever EV pickup truck and view all Cybertrucks currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Tesla Cybertrucks For Sale Kim Kardashian @kimkardashian Instagram Katy Perry @katyperry X Rick Ross @richforever Instagram French Montana @frenchmontana Instagram Pharrell Williams @roxanar_pr Instagram Lady Gaga @whoopsee.it Instagram Jay-Z & Beyoncé @kodaklens Instagram Key Glock @keyglock Instagram Justin & Hailey Bieber @Juliano/X17online Theo Von " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> Serena Williams @dame/BACKGRID Spike Lee @officialspikelee Instagram Adin Ross " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> Buy Searching for a Tesla to buy? duPont REGISTRY has hundreds of Tesla for sale right now, including some of the rarest Cybertrucks ever created. To view them all, click the button below to shop all Tesla Cybertrucks for sale. Shop Best Cybertrucks For Sale Sell Do you own a Tesla Cybertruck and are interested in selling it? duPont REGISTRY is the number 1 source for private sellers to list and or sell their Tesla. Click the button below to view listing options. Learn How To Sell Your Cybertruck

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 24, 2023

Tesla's New $300 Cybertruck Inspired Wireless Charging Pl...

As you wait for your Telsa Cybertruck allocation, decorate your home or office with this sleek and stylish charging pad.

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2021

Fast Financials: Buy Your Tesla With Bitcoin

Last month the auto industry laughed at Elon Musk for allowing Tesla to purchase $1.5 billion in Bitcoin. Many have speculated that this one move did more to legitimize the currency than any other event, and the value speaks for itself. With the markets in turmoil and oil on the rise, crypto seems to have been a great investment. That's because he most recent tweet makes it easier to get in a new car. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1374617643446063105 This was followed by him explaining that Tesla doesn't need to convert your coins to cash, as their internal software is open-source and it operates Bitcoin nodes directly. Thanks to the visibility of blockchain transactions, Tesla can hang on to these coins until the perfect time to cash out. Who knows, perhaps this is a highpoint for the currency, in which case it would make sense to jump in an electric car before you are left holding the bag. Tell us your thoughts on Tesla in the comments below. Shop Tesla Bitcoin Chart by TradingView Image (C) Startech

By Andrew Nabors – February 08, 2021

Fast Financials 2021: Tesla Pushes Bitcoin To New Heights

While SpaceX Starship SN10 began fuel tests, Elon Musk announced big news for cryptocurrency. In our latest Fast Financials for 2021, Tesla has pushed Bitcoin to new heights. Reuters broke the news this morning that Tesla Motors had purchased $1.5 billion in Bitcoin. Given the current trends, this is a great investment. It coincides with their announcement that the brand will begin accepting it for payment. Over the past few hours, the price of one coin has surpassed $44,000. The tail wags the dog, as Tesla's investment was the impetus for today's rally. Click the button to find your Tesla and tell us your Bitcoin experience in the comments below. Browse Tesla For Sale Bitcoin Chart by TradingView Image (C) Tesla. Ticker (C) Tradingview.com

By Andrew Nabors – January 04, 2021

Fast Financials 2020 Q4: Tesla Fully Charged

With nearly half a million deliveries in 2020, let's take a look at Tesla Fully Charged. Their Q4 press release hit our inbox last night, and the numbers are as impressive as ever. To make the accounting process easier, the four models are grouped by their platform. Production of the Model S and Model X reached 54,805, while the smaller Model 3 and Model Y topped a staggering 454,932 cars. EveryDrive Carry: Charged Up With The Tesla Model 3 That's right, they built 509,737 cars last year while also contributing to Covid relief efforts. With such a "S3XY" lineup, our dealers have great offers waiting for you. To watch how the market reacts to this strong news, TradingView provides the best real-time tracking. Stay with us for all your industry news. Browse Telsa For Sale TSLA Chart by TradingView Image (C) Startech.de

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2020

STARTECH Will Give Your Tesla Model 3 a Makeover

Do you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain? Let's hope you don't have a new Tesla Model 3. It seems as if the rear bumpers are falling off when exposed to precipitation, but fear not. Our friends at STARTECH are about to make your Model 3 standout from the crowd. From the factory, the entry-level Tesla has styling that is conservative to say the least. Being the American division of BRABUS, they have already reverse-engineered the Model 3 to give it improved aerodynamics and an aggressive look. Starting with a drop, their coil springs are wound progressively to lower your car 30mm, or just over an inch at all around. This allows their 20" Monostar wheels to handle staggered 245 & 285 tires neatly inside the fenders. Learn More https://www.facebook.com/startechusa/videos/3583124471716371 Each part of their body kit is available separately if you don't want the full conversion. Going all in you will have new front and rear bumpers, 3-piece rear spoiler, LED center brake light, vented rocker panels, rear diffuser, and they will even color match your window stainless and door handles. Click the button above to find a STARTECH shop near you, and tell them where you saw this. You won't be disappointed, so stay with us for all your STARTECH news.

By Andrew Nabors – May 26, 2020

Tesla Cybertruck Test Drive by Jay Leno & Elon Musk

Being the highest-rated late night host in history has its perks, and our friend Jay Leno has parlayed his love of cars into CNBC's highest-rated primetime show. To preview the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, he gets behind the wheel of the Tesla Cybertruck along with its creator: Elon Musk. View Jay Leno's Collection Not only is Tesla finalizing their Semi Tractor, work continues on the tunneling projects of "The Boring Company." Even though Musk states the Cybertruck is 5% larger than the production model, it has no issues traversing the subterranean transport system. It will be offered with 1, 2 or 3 motor configurations, with an armored exoskeleton of cold-rolled stainless. Facing the heat from Rivian, Hummer, and Ford's electric F-150, the market for electric pickups is heating up. P.S. Elon's other venture (SpaceX) is about to launch the first Astronauts from the U.S. since the Shuttle was retired nearly a decade ago. Good luck and Godspeed to the crew and SpaceX personnel.

By Andrew Nabors – July 07, 2018

Tesla Model 3 Performance: Skidpad Drifting

Somehow we always find new ways to leave work on Friday. Either this is an instrumented test of the Tesla Model 3 Performance edition, or it is Elon Musk celebrating. He set a goal for his employees to build 5,000 examples of the new Model 3 by July 1st, and working 24/7 they did it. A few of those cars were the Model 3 Performance, which has AWD thanks to motors on both axles.Tesla Model X Tows Boeing 787 For Guinness World RecordFeatured on electrek.co, the motors for the performance edition are picked by hand, after going through twice the burn-in procedure used on the normal Model 3. The manufacturer rates the 0-60 time at 3.5 seconds with a top speed limited at 155 mph. The car is around 1,000 lbs lighter than a Model S P100D, so it should make for a nimble & fun family sedan. If you don't want to wait, our dealers have great offers on pre-owned Model S and Model X examples. Stay with us for all your Tesla updates.Browse Tesla For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2017

New Tesla Roadster: Quickest Car in the World

"What if Tesla created another Roadster? How fast would it be?" I've asked myself that question before and now I can finally answer it.Elon Musk has announced a new generation of the Tesla Roadster, one that will be the fastest production car in the entire world. The new Roadster comes with a new design and a power pack that consists of a 200 kWh lithium-ion battery pack capable of 620 miles worth of range. Sure, I could talk about the new style, but it truly speaks for itself. What I will talk about is how mind-numbingly fast the new Roadster is. All Tesla Model S for SaleWith two electric motors up front and one in the rear, the Roadster comes with all-wheel drive. The amount of power being provided to all four wheels is where this car becomes absurd: 7,375.6 lb-ft of torque. No, that's not a typo. Seven thousand three hundred and seventy-five. That is enough power to rocket the small Roadster from 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds. Don't believe me? Check out the clip below.Tesla Model X Released: World's Quickest SUVThat's not a small remote-controlled car, that's the new Tesla Roadster showing off that it's the real deal. Going even further down into the rabbit hole of absurdity, the Roadster is stated to be able to squash the Dodge Demon's quarter-mile time by running it in 8.8 seconds. "Well, yeah, it's quick, but it surely can't have a high top speed." That's where you're wrong, thoughts inside of my brain when I was learning about this car this morning. Tesla is putting the Roadster's top speed at over 250 mph.All of these numbers point to a hypercar worth well over one million dollars, right? Again, Tesla is completely screwing with my brain because you can get all of these performance figures for a base price of $200,000. Want one? You better put down a reservation payment of $50,000. You can also opt for one of the 1,000 the Founders Series models ($250,000), which requires you to pay the full price for its reservation.

By Edward Jones – February 08, 2017

Tesla Model S P100D Sets New and Insane Record

We all talk about hypercars and how quick they are, but it's been proven once again that the Tesla Model S P100D is an absolutely insane vehicle with a 0-60 mph time worthy of world records. And it does it all with four doors.Motor Trend recently tested the P100D with the Ludicrous Mode engaged and have set an insane new record. According to their blog post, no car during their testing has ever gone 0-60 mph faster than 2.3 seconds. That is, until they tested this Tesla with latest firmware (v8.0 release 2.52.22).(Related - Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really Fast)When tested, they recorded the Model S P100D's 0-60 time at an unbelievable 2.275 seconds! I think the correct term to call this feat would be ludicrous.Motor Trend noted that this car's acceleration when in Ludicrous Mode "snaps your body in a manner that is utterly impossible to replicate in any other street-legal production car on normal tires and dry asphalt at a mid-$100,000 price point." For a four-door sedan with ample storage space, that's downright impressive.Tesla Model S For Sale Related Video:

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