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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

Close-up of a Lexus F Sport engine, with an inset image showing the front wheel and side view of a white Lexus sports car—showcasing the Ultimate Edition: Last-Surviving V8 Compact Luxury Sedan updated for 2025.

By Khris Bharath – May 20, 2025

Ultimate Edition: Last-Surviving V8 Compact Luxury Sedan ...

When it comes to luxury sedans, the V8 isn’t dead just yet, at least not at Lexus. While most of the competition has turned the page on this enthusiast favorite format, Lexus has diligently hung on to this tried and tested V8 rear-wheel drive formula with the Lexus IS, and to celebrate what could be its final iteration (we hope not), the Japanese luxury automaker has announced the 2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edtition. Limited to just 500 examples for North America, this special edition comes with some exclusive cosmetic and performance upgrades over the standard model. 2025 Lexus IS 500 Ultimate Edition The exterior has been finished in a freshly introduced F-SPORT-exclusive color called Wind, which is a slick light gray metallic shade that contrasts against light-weight 19-inch forged BBS matte black wheels. One of the most significant performance upgrades is to the brakes, with stopping power coming from six-piston Brembo brake callipers paired with 380 mm vented discs. Inside, the cabin gets some sporty touches in the form of circuit red and black trim, red seatbelts, NuLuxe and Ultrasuede seats, and a dimple-textured leather steering wheel, inspired by the V10-powered LFA supercar. You also get laser-etched red details in the analog clock, and a serialized console badge conveys this car’s significance. On the tech front, you get an Ultimate Edition-exclusive startup animation every time you fire up that V8. Speaking of the engine, under the hood, you still get the snarly naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 that puts out 472 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque, with power going exclusively to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Beyond its big power, you also get a whole host of safety equipment, part of Lexus’ Safety System 2.5+, that includes everything from adaptive cruise control, roadside recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and automatic high-beams. Set to go on sale this fall, there’s no word on pricing just yet, but expect this limited-run model to cost more than the IS 500 F Sport Performance, which currently retails for $65,095. So there you have it, a quick update on the Lexus IS, a compact sedan that first launched nearly 25 years ago as an alternative to the Germans. The IS 500 has held on to the muscle car recipe with its V8 rear-wheel drive formula, and while a stick has never been offered, it could have made a perfect swan song on this Ultimate Edition, if this is indeed the end of the line. View All Lexus IS 500s For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 24, 2023

Lexus Highlights All The New Adventurous Features On The ...

The 2024 Lexus LX 600 is not your average luxury SUV. The latest iteration manages to turn heads in the automotive world by fusing the best of both worlds: elegant luxury and robust performance. The LX 600 embraces Lexus' hallmark of comfort and high-tech design while taking off-road capabilities to the next level. Sporting a high-output, high-torque 3.4L V6 twin-turbocharged engine, the LX 600 produces power for roads and trails. With a substantial output of 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, the Lexus SUV ensures control in both on-road and off-road scenarios. This is possible thanks to its Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system and Electric Power Steering (EPS), allowing for precision and stability. The LX 600's spacious and luxurious interior reflects ultimate comfort, featuring the Lexus Interface with a dual display configuration. Drivers are greeted with a 12.3-inch upper screen and a 7-inch lower screen, offering an array of views and controls designed to elevate the driving experience. The advanced tech also includes Multi-Terrain Select, enabling drivers to choose among six different modes for optimum performance based on road conditions. Built on the GA-F platform, the LX 600 boasts an enhanced body for a smoother ride and superior comfort. It offers meticulous control during turns and accelerations using its front high-mounted double wishbone suspension and optimized coil springs. This level of comfort and control extends to off-road conditions, thanks to its long suspension stroke and Active Height Control system. In a nutshell, the 2024 Lexus LX 600 offers an exceptional driving experience, whether you’re on a cross-country road trip or traversing an off-road trail. With sales set to kick off by the end of 2023, the all-new Lexus LX 600 is one ride you won’t want to miss. View all Lexus models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lexus For Sale Source: Lexus

2022 LS 500h Lexus Teammate 001 600x396 1

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2021

2022 Lexus LS 500h to Debut Lexus Teammate Driver Assistants

Lexus looks to a symbiotic future Something new appeared in 1989. A full-size Japanese luxury car built to take on the world's best. Since then, each new generation of the Lexus LS has brought innovations far ahead of their time. Get ready to be just as amazed, because the 2022 Lexus LS 500h will debut Lexus Driver Assistants. Your two virtual safekeepers are Advanced Drive and Advanced Park. The former offers Level 2 autonomy, taking over acceleration, braking, and steering on limited-access highways. It sounds nearly identical as Cadillac's Supercruise, a system that takes the fatigue out of commuting. While you must keep your eyes on the road, you can enjoy the periphery without the need to make constant inputs. Advanced Park is an upgrade to an already-capale system. In my college years I moonlighted at Lexus of Winter Park. When the first LS 600 arrived in 2006, we were in awe of a luxury hybrid than can park itself. Any LS is a great decision as their reliability and refinement is top-notch. So click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Lexus updates. Browse Lexus LS For Sale Images (C) Toyota

By Edward Jones – October 29, 2020

Very Rare 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Serie...

If you're looking for a very limited automobile, then you have to check this one out. What we have here is a 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series, a limited edition model that had only 100 units created. The LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series is so special that when an example, not this specific one, was sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2020 Scottsdale event, it garnered a $2 million bid. If that's not enough, this model was also duPont REGISTRY's August 2020 cover car. So, what makes the 2021 LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series so special? There's quite a bit. First up is the exclusive Structural Blue paint that's matched with a Bespoke Amalfi White semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior. Inside, there are carbon fiber door sill plates with the Inspiration Series logo adorning them. There's also a serialized number on the door jamb. Other touches include the Climate Concierge with Upper Body heating, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, Cold Area Package, SmartAccess Card key, and two-piece Zero Haliburton luggage set custom-designed for Lexus. This example of the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series is for sale by its private owner and is essentially brand-new-- it's still in "the wrapper" from the factory and has not been driven. For more information, be sure to click the button below to view its listing on duPontREGISTRY.com. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – October 01, 2020

2021 Lexus IS Offers More Safety & Improved Handling

While other models have come and gone, two decades of satisfied customers keep coming back for the latest model. To give them the best bargain in compact luxury, the 2021 Lexus IS offers more safety and improved handling. All New 2021 Lexus IS Arrives This Fall Starting at the bottom, the chassis has more welds and thicker steel. This translates to crisp steering, less body roll, and a more comfortable ride. Changes in spring rates and the shock valves were validated in the virtual world as the first car developed at the new Tech Center in Shimoyama. This facility allows the boss to directly interact with engineers. Like his father and grandfather, Akio Toyoda is hands-on when it comes to even the smallest details. He has raced on tracks around the world, and his input led the team to start at the front bumper, then the core support, and up the windshield pillars with stronger steel. This allowed them to cut un-sprung weight by 20%. This makes it the strongest, safest and most comfortable IS ever offered. " width="680"> The IS 350 offers 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This allows it to reach 60 mph in 5.7 seconds while remaining as quiet as a library inside. With such speed, the Pre-Collision System, Front Collision Warning, and Automatic Braking parameters have been dialed up. The radar has a higher resolution to protect pedestrians and bikers even in dense fog. Click the button for all the details and stay with us for all your Lexus news. Browse Lexus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2020

2021 Lexus RC Black Line Is the Perfect Blend of Performa...

Sport Coupes are generally not known for plush amenities. That is why the 2021 Lexus RC Black Line Is the Perfect Blend of Performance and Luxury. Their latest Black Line edition carries on with limited production and Zero-Halliburton luggage. Available on the RC 300 and RC 350, Black Line takes their F-Sport package to a new level. Lexus Black Line Special Edition Models are Ninja-Like Starting with triple LED headlights, you will also have 19" wheels in "Black Sputtering Chrome". Exterior colors are limited to Ultra White or Cloudburst Grey, and the interior is awash in Black Nuluxe with silver stitching. Like the other Black Line models, the steering wheel and many interior trim pieces are made of Ash Wood. The RC 300 has a 2-liter turbo that offers 241 horsepower. Big brother RC 350 makes 311 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6, along with 280 lb-ft of torque. AWD models have six-speed automatics while Rear-Wheel-Drive gets an 8-speed. Of course, every Lexus RC is loaded with the latest in safety and connectivity at a price that beats their competitors by a wide margin. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and have a great weekend! Browse Lexus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 25, 2020

Lexus GX Gains Plush Amenities & Technology

Innovation never stops at Lexus. It seems as if engineers lose sleep over even the smallest details; and that is why the new Lexus GX 460 is gaining plush amenities and technology. Starting off with comfort, the windshield and all side glass is now sound insulated. A new Premium plus package includes Amazon Alexa, a heated wood steering wheel, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system with 4 USB ports. Their flagship 7-passenger SUV retains the 4.6-liter V8 rated at 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. This gives it a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs thanks to the standard Trailer Sway Control system. Gray Sapele wood and brushed aluminum coddle you while a 3-zone climate control keeps the family happy. The latest is safety includes pre-collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure alert, intelligent high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. " width="680"> One option you must have is KDSS, it incorporates a sway-bar disconnect with hydraulic accumulators at each corner. They are linked to constantly move fluid to keep the SUV level on steep terrain. It is not unlike what McLaren does for their Super Series cars. A full-time 4WD system uses a TORSEN center differential to lock the power output at 40:60 front to rear. If you need more, it can be locked at 50:50 and you can select 3:1 low range in the transfer case. This enables crawl control to maintain a climb up aggressive grades. The front and rear differentials are "Virtually Locked by the computer modulating the brake calipers, this saves fuel in every situation by not having lockers inside the ring gears. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Lexus news. Learn More

2021_Lexus_ES_Black_Line_SE_001-1536x1097

By Andrew Nabors – August 21, 2020

2021 Lexus ES 350 Black Line Arrives With Halliburton Lug...

Last month our friends at Lexus gave us a preview of the new NX Black Line, and it amazed everyone. With such an overwhelming response, the 2021 ES 350 Black Line will arrive with the same set of matching Zero-Halliburton luggage. Available in Blue Mica, Obsidian, and Ultra White, it is the only ES to offer a 2-tone leather interior with gray contrast stitching. Lexus LC 500 Convertible: More Than a Beautiful Machine It rides on their new global GA-K chassis that allows the car to be 2.6" longer 0.2" lower and almost 2" wider. Desinged to offer the strongest and most comfrotable ride, the chassis has several overlapping layers of high strength steel and twice the number of laser welds as its predecessor. The strut towers are reinforced below and above, with a brace across the engine bay. It has also gained 2 degrees of positive caster for straight line comfort. " width="680"> Their venerable 3.5-liter V6 has gained port injection to keep the combustion chambers clean and cool. New cam phasers allow it to run on the Atkinson Cycle when cruising, making for an impressive 32 mpg on the highway. It offers 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque to an 8-speed automatic. The ES is the car that started it all, so we're glad it has returned with all the comfort, safety and practicality you deserve. Click the link below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Lexus news. Learn More

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2019

Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept Hints Towards Brand's Future

The new Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept has been revealed and it gives us all a glimpse into the automaker's future. This new concept car was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show 2019. Lexus notes that the exterior "foreshadows the Lexus Electrified vehicles towards 2030." There's a lot of technology packed into this concept that makes it a true futuristic concept. For example, the seats have very precise electric motors that can provide instant adjustments to posture that's just not possible with modern cars. Also, as with more concept cars we've seen as of late, the LF-30 is an autonomous vehicle. Most interesting is the Lexus Airporter support drone. This drone is autonomous and can accomplish tasks like transporting baggage. You can learn more about this car here. see all lexus for sale

By Edward Jones – March 14, 2018

Lexus Black Line Special Edition Models are Ninja-Like

Lexus has launched a new special line of cars, the RC F Sport Black Line Special Edition models. These cars come with two exterior paint colors: Caviar and Atomic Silver. Both paints have a gloss finish, which contrasts with the matte black wheels and orange or black brake calipers. Inside is an equally black cabin with orange stitching that provides little lines of brightness in an otherwise dark area. The Black Line Special Edition models also come with an exclusive wood-trimmed steering wheel that was created by a Japanese calligraphy shop. Inside the wood-trimming are shades of black, continuing the models' theme. Lexus models that can be ordered as a Black Line Special Edition include the RC 300 and RC 350. Below is the MSRP for the RC 300/350 F Sport Black Line models. RC 300 - $51,730 RC 300AWD - $53,755 RC 350 - $54,660 RC 350 AWD - $56,120 Lexus & Marvel Unveil Two "Black Panther" Inspired Cars

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