Articles

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 Sponsored Article – August 22, 2024

Introducing Dan D'Agostino's Momentum MxV Integrated Ampl...

The Momentum MxV Integrated Amplifier achieves a level of performance and refinement that was never possible in an integrated component.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 21, 2024

Best McLaren 765LTs For Sale Right Now

McLaren’s racing heritage culminates in this.

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 19, 2024

RM Sotheby's $5.5M Ferrari F50 Sale At Monterey Sets A Ne...

RM Sotheby's makes waves in Monterey! To say that Monterey Car Week 2024 was a hit would be a complete and utter understatement. First-ever world premiers and record-setting auctions took place throughout the week of fuel-driven festivities. On the topic of high-end, collector-grade car auction sales, the professionals at RM Sotheby's knocked it out of the park with a new world-record-setting Ferrari F50 sale during the second night of its flagship Monterey Auction. The 1995 Ferrari F50 took the stage in Northern California and drove bidding to a whopping $5,505,000. With a starting bid of $2.5 million, the price continued to skyrocket as an intense battle of bidding took place amongst an excited crowd of collectors and enthusiasts. The massive seven-figure sale now puts this example at the top of the list of the most expensive Ferrari F50s ever sold at auction. The Ferrari F50 stands out as one of the Italian marque's 'Big Five,' which also includes the 288 GTO, F40, Enzo, and LaFerrari. While the F50 now shines as one of the most coveted collector cars in the world, it hasn't always received the recognition it deserves. Since Ferrari's release of the 349 cars in July of 1997, the list of owners featured familiar celebrity names like Mike Tyson, Rod Stewart, 50 Cent, Ferrari Collector David Lee, and many more. The Ferrari F50 features a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V12 engine derived from Formula 1 technology, delivering an impressive 513 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. Paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, the F50 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and achieves a top speed of 202 mph. With RM Sotheby's setting the bar with its World Record Ferrari F50 sale, we can't wait to see what the next example brings to the auction block. View all Ferraris for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Ferraris For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) Source: RM Sotheby's

An image of a Porsche 911 Speedster in a warehouse.

By Gabriel Vega – August 16, 2024

Unveiled: 993 Porsche 911 Speedster by Sonderwunsch

Look through Porsche's back catalog, and you'll find a gap that opened up in the late 90s. While the German brand debuted the 911 Speedster with the G-series cars, followed by the 964-gen take of the same body style, the succeeding 993 never received this unique open-top treatment in a true production form. To date, just two genuine 993 Speedsters exist, built as one-offs by the carmaker, one of which currently sits in its museum. However, today, it announces the completion of a third example, executed by its Sonderwunsch department. Unveiled at this year's The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, this unique machine belongs to collector Luca Trazzi, a Milan-based designer. According to Porsche, Trazzi approached its special wishes team with hopes of converting a 1994 911 Carrera Cabriolet into a proper Speedster, complete with its two-seat layout, shortened windshield, and unique rear cowling. Mechanically, this Speedster is more akin to the many of its chassis, steering, and braking components with the 993-gen 911 Carrera RS. Crucially, its engine has been upgraded to match the specifications of the one originally fitted to the RS with a displacement of 3.8 liters while generating around 300 horsepower. Stylistically, Trazzi had quite a bit of input in creating his one-off Speedster, taking around three years to complete it. He worked directly with the Sonderwunsch department while gaining access to company archives from which he could draw inspiration. This is evident in 993 Turbo inspired elements like its front splitter, side skirts, and rear quarter panels. Its seats wear a checkered pattern, harking back to older 911s while incorporating contemporary materials such as carbon fiber across its cabin. Although technically the third factory built the 993-gen 911 Speedster, this example is the sportiest and most thorough commission to date. The first was completed in 1995 for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, pairing a base Carrera body with a Triptronic transmission. The second came to life in 2001 based on the 4S variant, widened fenders included, which currently lives with a private customer. While this latest 993 is a one-off creation, it does signal a growing willingness by both Porsche and its Sonderwunsch department to build more special vehicles, and given how extensive the development of this car was, it wouldn't be surprising to see more one-offs soon.

By duPont REGISTRY – August 16, 2024

Touring Superleggera Unveils the Veloce12: Design and Per...

Touring Superleggera, the renowned Milanese coachbuilder, has once again captivated the automotive world with the introduction of its latest creation: the Veloce12 (Veloce Twelve). This masterpiece embodies the essence of analog driving while showcasing a breathtaking design that encapsulates the spirit of Pure Italianità. Touring Superleggera has a rich history of producing coachbuilt automotive gems based on modern grand tourers, such as the Berlinetta Lusso. However, the Veloce12 marks a bold new direction for the company, unveiled to an eager audience at The Quail. This latest offering draws its foundation from the legendary Ferrari 550 Maranello, promising to deliver an unparalleled analog driving experience combined with the signature craftsmanship and Italian elegance that has defined Touring for nearly a century. Under the guidance of CEO Markus Tellenbach, who has a deep personal connection to the Ferrari 550, the Veloce12 was brought to life. “The Veloce12 is a bold step forward for our brand,” says Markus. “While it draws inspiration from our iconic models, it is unmistakably timeless. We intentionally honored our rich heritage, but we also embraced modern innovation to create a vehicle that represents the most exclusive grand touring experience. The Veloce12 embodies the spirit of Touring Superleggera in every detail. It advances our legacy by pushing the boundaries of design and performance while maintaining the elegance and sophistication that define our cars." Designed by Matteo Gentile, Touring’s Head of Design, the Veloce12’s carbon fiber bodywork is a harmonious blend of historical inspiration and natural beauty. The flowing lines and curves, reminiscent of a white shark, enhance and optimize the donor car with modern construction techniques, along with precision engineering. In fact, the Veloce12 isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s designed to offer a deeply engaging driving experience. At its heart lies the naturally aspirated 5.5-litre F133 V12 engine, which has been meticulously rebuilt, ensuring unbridled performance. With a new Supersprint exhaust system and an enhanced cooling setup, the Veloce12 delivers 503 horsepower—a 25 hp increase over the original donor car. While the power boost is modest, it aligns with Tellenbach’s vision for the Veloce12: an analog driving experience that engages all the driver’s senses without compromising on-road usability. The car’s performance stats benefit from a PWR system increasing 30% cooling efficiency, and with a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph, the Veloce12 is complemented by bespoke Brembo brakes and a Tractive suspension system. The interior of the Veloce12 encapsulates Italian craftsmanship and Pure Italianità!, offering a luxurious and tactile environment for the driver. Precision-machined metal controls, handcrafted Italian leather, and a gated manual shifter take center stage, replacing the dated elements of the mid-90s. As with all Touring creations, each Veloce12 interior will be tailored to the owner’s specifications, ensuring a unique and personalized driving sanctuary. Limited to just 30 units, the Veloce12 is set to enter production in early 2025, with each vehicle requiring over 5000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. Priced at 690,000 euros plus the donor car, the Veloce12 is not about chasing hypercar performance figures but about preserving the lost art of pure driving pleasure—a quality that is increasingly rare in today’s automotive landscape. Learn More

An image of a RUF Rodeo parked outdoors.

By Gabriel Vega – August 16, 2024

Unveiled: The 2025 RUF Rodeo

RUF is the latest automaker to enter the high-end off-roading scene, spearheaded by the Porsche 911 Dakar and the Lamborghini Sterrato. The German brand unveiled its Rodeo concept in 2020, showcasing what an all-terrain take on its cars could look like. Now, it unveils its production-ready creation, the aptly named 2025 RUF Rodeo. Alongside its online debut, the RUF Rodeo makes its first physical appearance at this year's The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. At its heart sits the carmaker's in-house developed turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six pushing out 610 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. In the Rodeo's case, that power meets the road via a six-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differentials on each axle, and an in-house developed all-wheel drive system. Its suspension incorporates double wishbones front and rear, pushrod-actuated coilovers, and electronically adjustable dampers. The result is a ride height that increases by 9.5 inches. Like the SCR, the Rodeo sports center-lock wheels are now wrapped in 235/15 Goodyear all-terrain tires while retaining the carbon-ceramic braking system. Unique to this latest off-roader is the use of a carbon-fiber monocoque and bodywork. As such, its curb weight is only 2,756 pounds despite all its included hardware. Like the 2020 concept that inspired it, the RUF Rodeo wears an aesthetic heavily inspired by the Western US. According to the carmaker, the Ralph Lauren Ranch served up plenty of inspiration. As such, this motif is displayed in its interior by including bright colors and patterns. Unique to this off-roader is a touch display mounted in its center console, allowing quick control of its all-wheel drive system. As is typical with the storied German brand, it hasn't disclosed how much this latest off-roader will cost or how many it plans to produce. However, it's certainly bound to be a rare machine.

By duPont REGISTRY – August 12, 2024

Touring Superleggera to Debut New Grand Tourer: A Celebra...

Renowned for their unparalleled artistry and innovative design, Touring Superleggera is set to debut a new coachbuilt grand tourer at The Quail on August 16 th starting 9am (pacific time) —an automotive masterpiece that promises driving analogue pleasure, pure performance and a celebration of Pure Italianità! Imagine the golden era of grand tourers—a time when elegance and distinction turned every journey into an adventure, when cars spoke with soul and purpose rather than shouting for attention. Touring Superleggera has captured this spirit since 1926, crafting vehicles that merge the artistry of design with pure, exhilarating performance. Their upcoming model continues this legacy, embodying a perfect blend of luxury, precision engineering, and a deep connection between man and machine. This new grand tourer is designed to rekindle the magic of history’s most iconic grand touring cars. Reflecting Touring’s signature blend of design excellence and meticulous craftsmanship, the vehicle draws inspiration from nature, specifically the form and dynamism of the white shark. The result is a carbon-fiber body that seamlessly fuses organic shapes with athletic, captivating lines, ensuring a road presence that is as striking as it is unique. This is the essence of Touring Superleggera, a brand that has always been synonymous with Pure Italianità! —capturing the very spirit of Italian craftsmanship and culture, translated in design artistry and pure performance. As a celebration of 98 years of design excellence, this model will proudly bear the original Touring logo from the 1930s. This emblem, a symbol of the company’s golden age, pays homage to the innovations that solidified Touring Superleggera as one of the world’s premier coachbuilders. With 11 outright wins at the Mille Miglia and victories at Grand Prix and Le Mans, Touring’s legacy is unmatched, and this new model marks the beginning of a new chapter —one that honors the past while looking boldly to the future. As the countdown to August 16th continues, anticipation builds for what promises to be an unforgettable revelation. Touring Superleggera’s new grand tourer encapsulates the enduring legacy of Pure Italianità, delivering an unparalleled driving experience that celebrates the art of Italian design and the pure pleasure of driving.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 12, 2024

How To Buy The Philipp Plein x Mansory G-Wagon

These G-Wagons were designed with an expert in all things over the top in mind.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 07, 2024

Nilu27 Reveals The New 1,000HP Manual V12 NILU Hypercar

A new hypercar manufacturer emerges. Sasha Selipanov is an automotive designer known for working with some of the industry’s most respected and long-standing names: Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, and more. However, his latest endeavor is to create a new hypercar manufacturer: Nilu27. Intending to create a hypercar that appeals to automotive purists, Nilu27 has finally emerged with its debut offering, the NILU hypercar. In keeping with the brand’s purist philosophy, the new NILU is inspired by the F1 and Le Mans race cars of the 1960s, with other guiding influences in the design including Bauhaus “form follows function,” classic Italian design, American muscle, and more. New Zealand’s Hartley Engines partnered with the brand to provide the NILU with a 6.5-liter V12 engine and aiming to be the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated hypercar, the NILU will deliver over 1,000 horsepower. All that power will be sent through a seven-speed CIMA manual transmission, making the NILU a true enthusiast-focused masterpiece. Futuristic technology is also involved in the purist hypercar design of the NILU. The NILU comprises a carbon fiber monocoque, a 3D printed exhaust system, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and more. The new hypercar will see its prototypes and the first batch of customer cars assembled by Aria Group in Irvine, California. The initial Nilu27 NILU supercar will only see 15 examples made, while Nilu27 is developing a street-homologated version limited to 54 units. As the highly anticipated Monterey Car Week approaches, the NILU will debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on the ramp and will be displayed at the Concept Lawn on August 18th. Finance A Luxury or Exotic Car For Sale Image Source: Nilu27

By Gabriel Vega – August 07, 2024

Unveiled: Rolls-Royce Spectre Semaphore

As deliveries of the Rolls-Royce Spectre ramp up across the globe, it was only a matter of time until we British carmaker began applying its bespoke touch to its first electric vehicle. The result is what the brand calls the Spectre Semaphore, a one-off commission it plans to physically debut during this year's The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on August 16th. As its name suggests, this Spectre wears a Semaphore Yellow finish, a unique shade developed just for it. Its hood wears a contrasting gray hue depicting what RR calls a "Marbled Paint Spill" motif. It's said to be inspired by the California coastline and its many mountain ranges and beaches. Although the design appears only on its hood, the British carmaker claims it took over 160 hours of development work to complete. Matching this exterior finish is a two-tone Lemon and Citrine Yellow interior contrasted only by a black leather steering wheel and upper dashboard section. This color combination makes its way onto this car's digital instrument cluster, with its center dial displaying a yellow shade. Its dashboard incorporates an equally unique painted wood set, color-matched with grey accents and Cashmere Gray paint. Screenshot Although Rolls-Royce plans to physically showcase the car later this month, it has not only unveiled it online ahead of the famed event but has also stated that it's the only one planned for production. However, unlike most bespoke RR builds, this one wasn't designed by a particular owner. It was developed by the carmaker and is available for sale in the US via the brand's dealerships. As you might expect for a one-of-one build, the carmaker has not publically announced how much it costs.

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe