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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 Tyler Rampersaud – May 25, 2023

Bentley Brings A Sheepdog-Wrapped Bentayga To Goodwoof

Bentley celebrates man’s best friend with a very unique livery.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 07, 2023

The First Bespoke Bentley Bentayga EWB Auctioned For $1 M...

Bentley’s new flagship arrives for a cause. The luxury automotive world has changed. While the pinnacle of luxury driving had in the past came in the form of limousine-like sedans with impressive length, immense power, and peerless comfort, style, and luxury. However, the tastes of many car buyers have shifted to favor SUVs, and luxury SUVs are a larger segment than they have ever been before, and for many brands, including Bentley, serve as the flagship models, symbols of what a manufacturer can do when it pulls all the stops. The new Bentley Bentayga EWB, with its optional Airline Seat and technologies and features that are at an incredibly luxurious level, replaces the Mulsanne as Bentley’s uncompromising top-of-the-shelf model, and at Florida’s Naples Winter Wine Festival, the world’s first bespoke example of this incredible SUV was auctioned off for $1 million in order to benefit charity, namely the Naples Children & Education Foundation. MUST READ: 2023 Bentley Flying Spur S V8 Review: A Driver’s Luxury Sedan Being a bespoke model, the specific Bentayga on auction has a bold and unique configuration, created as a result of a collaboration between Mulliner and Bentley Naples. The exterior paint is done in a Snow Quartz color, which is pearlescent and comprised of three layers. Black accents provide an interesting contrast, and it gets even better in the interior. Finished in a similar Mulliner White and Beluga Black, the interior also features details finished in a stunning Amethyst color. The SUV is also equipped with Bentley’s famous new Airline Seat option, and the auction winners didn’t get just the Bentayga, but also an amazing Bentley brand experience, with a driving excursion through England and Scotland over four nights and five days. This incredible auction put an amazing vehicle together with an amazing configuration and an amazing cause. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – January 18, 2021

What Makes The Bentley V8 So Amazing?

Because it can be found across four brands and a dozen models, lets see what makes the Bentley V8 so amazing. Their latest press release dives deep into racing and gearhead technology, so we have distilled the finer points of this smooth operator. 2021 Bentley Bentayga V8 Wins Luxury SUV Of The Year With a vision for the future, Audi and Bentley worked together for a clean-sheet design in 2011. By reversing the cylinder heads, the turbos are inside the valley. This allows them to spool instantly, and lowers dirty exhaust when warming up. Computer-controlled wastegates and dual-scroll turbines allow it to offer 568 lb-ft of torque at only 2,000 rpm. 2021 Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible vs W12 Coupe Easily capable of 700 horsepower, it is safely tuned to 641 in the new Lamborghini Urus. It can also be found in the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne. Audi offers several flavors in the SQ7, SQ8, A8, S8, and Bentley fields it in the Bentayga V8 and Continental GT V8. The cylinders are lined in steel for decades of life, so you can't go wrong with any of these fine automobiles. Stay with us for all your exotic car news. Browse Bentley V8 For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – March 20, 2018

Bentley's Fingerprint Scanner for Car Storage

Having peace of mind knowing that your valuables are safe is always important. For that, Bentley's Mulliner has created a new fingerprint sensor for their aluminum storage unit that's found in the Bentayga's cabin. This box is a perfect place to store those valuables when out and about, because there's no need for you to carry around a key or remember a code. All you need to do is make sure you don't lose your fingers! This aluminum storage unit also comes with two USB ports and an auxiliary socket that can be used to charge your devices that are located inside or outside the unit.Prized 1949 Bentley Race Car to be Auctioned

By Edward Jones – March 08, 2018

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid: First of its Kind

Bentley has just announced the new Bentayga Hybrid as the "world's first luxury hybrid model" at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. This new model is the first of many electrified Bentleys to come, with the ultimate goal being full-electrification.“The Bentayga Hybrid is our first step on the road to electrification, combining traditional Bentley values with the very latest technologies," says Adrian Hallmark, the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors. "It gives customers the best of both worlds – engaging, effortless performance on the open road and silent, emission-free driving in the city, which will become increasingly important with the ever-changing regulations around the world.2019 Bentley Bentayga: 10 Facts You Should Know

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By Edward Jones – March 01, 2018

Bentley Bentayga Mulliner: "Inspired by the Sport of Kings"

Bentley and The Jockey Club have an ongoing partnership that has resulted in the creation of a very special Bentayga. Called the Bentayga by Mulliner, Inspired by The Festival™, this SUV is a complete one-off commission that will never be replicated. In the press release for the one-off luxury SUV, Bentley notes that this Bentayga drew inspiration from the world of equestrian sport.This Bentayga has an exterior finished in "Spruce" paint that is Bentley's take on the classic British Racing Green paint. Small amounts of black are introduced to the body through the Blackline Specification features and 21-inch black wheels. Inside the cabin is bespoke tweed with Cumbrian Green and Saddle leather, as well as light blue contrast stitching on the doors and seats. To top it all off is a golden horse graphic on the passenger-side veneer.2019 Bentley Bentayga: 10 Facts You Should Know “The Cheltenham Festival is widely recognised as one of the finest horseracing events in the world, and The Festival’s unique sense of occasion is a perfect showcase for the world’s most exclusive SUV, the Bentayga," says Uday Senapati, Mulliner’s Head of Technical Operations. "The Mulliner team has been deeply inspired by the equestrian lifestyle, and this has encouraged us to use new materials and techniques for the first time on a Bentley in developing this one-off commission.”Used Bentley Coupe

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2017

Bentley Bentayga Mulliner: The Ultimate Luxury SUV

The new Bentley Bentayga may already be one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market, but now it may have just cemented its place in the top ranks with the new Mulliner edition.Today, Bentley unveiled the new Bentayga Mulliner, which they have coined as "the ultimate luxury SUV." Mulliner, Bentley's own in-house personalization division, took their craftsmanship to the luxury SUV and have created a new flagship model.New on this model are a massive list of exquisite features. On the outside is a new Duo Tone paintwork, 22-inch Paragon even-spoke wheels with floating wheel centers, bright chrome lower bumper grilles, unique exterior badge and more.Related - Bentley Reveals Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner Inside the Bentley Bentayga Mulliner, luxury is more present than ever before. The star of the cabin is the new Mulliner Bottle Cooler in the rear. This has an illuminated chilling cabinet with bespoke Cumbria Crystal flutes. Bentley has also made the new Ombré Burr Walnut Veneer exclusive to the Bentayga Mulliner.Bentley will produce the Bentayga Mulliner in very limited numbers and will be available to order in Spring 2017.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 21, 2016

Bentley Introduces Diesel Bentayga

First, Bentley set the bar when they introduced their first SUV: the Bentayga. Then, they defied odds with the 2016 Bentayga's specs: 600 horsepower. Two stellar engine options: 6.0-liter W12 or 4.0-liter twin turbo V8. A 0-60 sprint in 4 seconds flat. Now, they are making headway again by offering the Bentayga in diesel.The Bentayga Diesel marks a new precedent for the brand, as this is Bentley's first diesel model to be offered. Bentley is describing the new Bentayga Diesel as, "the world's fastest and most powerful luxury diesel SUV," and the specs are impressive. Equipped with a, "technologically advanced, triple-charged, 4.0-litre, 32-valve V8 engine," the SUV is capable of 429 bhp and 664 lb-ft of torque. The result is a 0-60 sprint in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph. The technologically advanced model is the most environmentally friendly of the Bentley brand with the lowest CO2 emissions of any model.(Related - Bentley Introduces 200+ MPH Flying Spur W12 S) These modifications do not take away from the modern British luxury Bentley is known for, though. The Bentayga Diesel still offers a smooth, dynamic driving experience. Additionally, the diesel edition still offers the iconic luxury interior that defines Bentley, offering a mixture of high-quality wood veneers and innovative metal finishes. Technology is in abundance as well with a touch screen, eight-inch infotainment system in the dash and removable Android tablets for the rear passengers. The Bentayga Diesel will also offer customers an array of sound system options.The new model will be available in early 2017 in Europe and then make its way to Russia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan during the remainder of the year. At this time, no U.S. release information has been provided. View Bentley Bentayga For Sale

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