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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 – November 02, 2023

duPont REGISTRY Group Partners with Hagerty to Launch Lux...

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--duPont REGISTRY Group, Driven Lifestyle's luxury ecosystem for the high-end automotive lifestyle, announces today the launch of duPont REGISTRY Insurance, a licensed insurance agency. The new luxury automotive insurance division offers the highest quality coverage and white glove service for high-end car owners through products offered by Hagerty (NYSE: HGTY). As the latest offering in the duPont REGISTRY Group portfolio, duPont REGISTRY Insurance serves the insurance needs of the collector car market. Customers can take advantage of highly competitive insurance premium rates through the company’s relationship with Hagerty and additional exclusive benefits. “More Americans than ever are purchasing high-end cars, and many of these owners have experienced the challenges of insuring these types of vehicles. Insurance coverage can be hard to find, costly and riddled with inadequate customer service that doesn’t understand the high-end car market or the experience these customers expect,” says Antoine Tessier, CEO of duPont REGISTRY Group. “No one in the space knows this market or how to deliver the elevated experiences that high-net consumers expect as well as we do. duPont REGISTRY Insurance was created to provide white glove concierge service to our customers and other high-end car enthusiasts. The team will help them lock in the best coverage with the most competitive rates in the country while offering unmatched support for their driven lifestyle.” In partnership with Hagerty, duPont REGISTRY Insurance has access to insurance coverage nationwide. Additional benefits include a free subscription to duPont REGISTRY magazine, free listings on duPontREGISTRY.com for vehicles insured by duPont REGISTRY Insurance, and more. “We’re excited to work with duPont REGISTRY and its elite clientele,” shares Derek Prechtl, Hagerty’s Senior Vice President of Sales, North America. “Properly insuring and valuing high-worth cars requires specialized knowledge. We have the data, expertise and world-class customer service these owners deserve.” “Owners of exotic and high-end cars are not looking for the quickest insurance option. They seek reliable, transparent and high-touch experiences, and this relationship was built to deliver just that,” adds Tessier. For additional information on duPont REGISTRY Insurance, visit insurance.dupontregistry.com. About duPont REGISTRY Group At the heart of Driven Lifestyle division lies the duPont REGISTRY Group, the world’s leading luxury ecosystem that encapsulates 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 hundreds of thousands of members nurtured for nearly four decades. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Sotheby’s Motorsport, Canossa Events, Cavallino and FerrariChat.

By Motorsport Network – November 01, 2023

Motorsport Network Appoints Mike Spinelli, Travis Okulski...

NEW YORK, November 1, 2023 – Motorsport Network, the leading independent global digital media platform in motorsport and automotive, today announced the hiring of Mike Spinelli as Head of Content and Travis Okulski as Editorial Director, Automotive. Spinelli will work on brand extensions across the Motorsport Network portfolio, including Motorsport.com and Autosport, while Okulski will focus on Motor1, InsideEVs, and RideApart. Both hires come as part of the recent acquisition and investment in Motorsport Network by GMF Capital to expand the presence and scope of these titles. Spinelli brings more than two decades of automotive and motorsports media experience to the role. He was the founding editor of Jalopnik, editor in chief of 0-60 magazine, and co-founder of the /DRIVE YouTube channel, as well as a writer, producer and host of automotive videos on YouTube and cable TV, including the show /DRIVE on NBC Sports. Most recently, he was writer and story editor for the IMSA GTP docuseries, Win the Weekend. Travis Okulski “I’m truly energized by the entire Motorsport Network team,” Spinelli said. “We have a once-in-a-career opportunity to revitalize the mission of motorsports and automotive media, while sharing our access, knowledge, and obsessions with a dynamic and expanding community of fans and enthusiasts. It's a thrilling time to cover this particular surface area of sports and technology." Okulski has spent the last decade in automotive media. He started Business Insider’s automotive coverage and had stints as editor in chief at both Jalopnik and Road & Track, where he oversaw a total revamp of America’s longest running sports car magazine. Most recently, he was Road & Track’s editor at large, focusing on print and web feature stories. “I’m stoked for the opportunity to join Motorsport Network and lead such highly regarded titles,” said Okulski. “I’m looking forward to growing and developing these brands into must-read destinations for longtime and brand new car enthusiasts alike as well as creating valuable resources for car shoppers.” About Motorsport Network: With 40 million-plus monthly unique users and an active social media community of more than 15 million followers, Motorsport Network is the world’s largest independent motorsport and automotive media platform. The nearly 50 flagship digital properties include prominent automotive industry brands Motor1.com, InsideEVs, andRideApart, as well as leading racing properties such as Motorsport.com, Autosport, Motorsport-Total, and GPOne.

By Motorsport Network – September 15, 2023

Motorsport Network’s Driven Lifestyle Introduces New Luxu...

MIAMI (Sept. 15, 2023) – Driven Lifestyle, whose mission is to connect millions of ardent fans, car enthusiasts, and stakeholders through an integrated ecosystem of trusted brands and immersive experiences, announced today the launch of the duPont REGISTRY Group. The duPont REGISTRY Group was established to invest in and create culture, community and commerce at the intersection of technology, media and automotive. Luxury Lifestyle Veteran Tapped as Chairman Leading the duPont REGISTRY Group as Chairman is former Worldwide President of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Christian Clerc, who joins the company following a more than 20-year career with the iconic luxury hotel brand. Clerc brings decades of experience working with high-net-worth clientele, developing, cultivating and delivering extraordinary experiences around the world. The duPont REGISTRY Group, an omnichannel approach to the high-end car lifestyle, offers a platform for seamless transactions, immersive experiences, and a vibrant community of luxury automotive enthusiasts. Today, its portfolio includes the duPont REGISTRY, Sotheby’s Motorsport, Canossa Events, Cavallino and FerrariChat. “With the creation of the duPont REGISTRY Group, there is no better combination of brands to serve the global luxury automotive marketplace,” shared Clerc. “Integrating iconic and trusted properties allows us to deliver a sophisticated yet accessible experience form high-end car enthusiasts. I’m honored to be a part of creating the duPont REGISTRY Group and look forward to leveraging my luxury lifestyle experience to serve the highly engaged and passionate high-end automotive enthusiasts around the globe.” The duPont REGISTRY Group Portfolio of Luxury Automotive Brands The duPont REGISTRY Group houses some of the biggest names in the luxury automotive space and represents a vibrant community of hundreds of thousands of members nurtured over nearly two decades. Brands include: duPont REGISTRY – an iconic high-end vehicle marketplace with a legacy spanning nearly 40 years. Renowned as the premier marketplace for high-end vehicles, it has expanded its focus within the duPont REGISTRY Group to embrace every facet of buying, selling, and enjoying these premium vehicles. Sotheby's Motorsport–an online automotive auction destination focused on 21st-century sports, exotic and luxury vehicles. In partnership with RM Sotheby’s, Sotheby’s Motorsport provides buyers and sellers with a trusted, high-touch experience to ensure a successful transaction. Canossa Events– the world’s premier high-end racing and driving event provider renowned for organizing more than 250 worldwide marquee experiences annually for car enthusiasts. Events include captivating driving tours, world-renowned Concours events like the Cavallino Classic Concorso d’Eleganza, the world’s top event dedicated to Ferrari classics, and excursions in amazing destinations. FerrariChat – the biggest online Ferrari community in the world, with more than 200,000 registered users and over 12 million posts. Driven Lifestyle is a strategic portfolio focused on the high-end automotive lifestyle. It reaches more than 62 million active users each month across 15 different languages. It has become a global market leader in media and technology, making connections among the millions of passionate racing and automotive fans with its network of industry players and stakeholders. Key pillars include the duPont REGISTRY Group, media and eCommerce and interactive entertainment. Through this division, Motorsport Network redefines how high-end automotive enthusiasts interact with their passion. ### About Driven Lifestyle Driven Lifestyle, a division of Motorsport Network, is a strategic portfolio focused on the high-end automotive lifestyle. It reaches more than 62 million active users each month across 15 different languages. It has become a global market leader in media and technology, connecting millions of passionate racing and automotive fans with its network of industry players and stakeholders. Key pillars include the duPont REGISTRY Group, media and eCommerce and interactive entertainment. About the duPont REGISTRY Group The duPont REGISTRY Group is the world’s leading luxury ecosystem that encapsulates the culture, community and commerce of the high-end automotive lifestyle. Built by some of the biggest names in the luxury automotive space, the duPont REGISTRY Group represents a vibrant community of hundreds of thousands of members nurtured over nearly two decades. Its portfolio includes duPont REGISTRY, Sotheby’s Motorsport, Canossa Events, Cavallino and FerrariChat.

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