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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

A digital sketch of a sleek sports car, featuring the rear with lights, and a race car displaying number 53—could this hint at the F1 GTR Reborn? Lanzante 95-59 to break cover at Goodwood.

By Khris Bharath – June 20, 2025

F1 GTR Reborn? Lanzante 95-59 To Break Cover At Goodwood

We’re just three weeks away from the 2025 edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and British racing specialist Lanzante is preparing to unveil its most ambitious project to date. A carbon-fiber clad tribute, that is a reincarnation of McLaren’s victorious Le Mans-winning racer from 1995. Dubbed the 95-59, where 95 refers to the year and 59, for the black and silver chassis #59 McLaren F1 GTR piloted by Yannick Dalmas, Masanori Sekiya, and JJ Lehto, the very car that was entered by none other than Lanzante. Thirty years on, and they’re rewriting history once again with this upcoming supercar. We first saw sketches of the 59-95 back in March this year, but a new teaser reveals more details like the floating rear wing, sleek LED tailights, and a central exhaust. Penned by former McLaren designer Paul Howse, who also worked on the P1, 720S, and the Sabra, expect that same aggressive motorsport DNA to carry through into the 95-59 that will be finished in the same Ueno Gray color, as the Le Mans winning car from ‘95. Rumored to be built upon the Speedatil, the car is said to feature a central driving position with room for two passengers. While specifications are still under wraps for now, the most likely candidate has got to be McLaren’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, possibly tuned by Cosworth. Unlike many boutique supercars and hypercars, Lanzante insists that the 95-59 will be usable in the real world with luggage space and long-range cruising capabilities. Besides Lanzante, earlier this month, McLaren itself also marked the 30th anniversary of their historic Le Mans victory with a special limited-run 720S Le Mans Edition. The British sports car maker will also return to the top tier of endurance racing in the hypercar class in 2027. As for the Lanzante 95-59, just 59 examples will be built, and come July 10 at 11:00 am GMT, the wraps will come off at Goodwood. Watch this space. View All McLarens For Sale Source: Lanzante / Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 25, 2025

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Unleash your Style in the Fast Lane: Experience the Perfect Fusion of Speed and Fashion with McLaren x K-Swiss Sneakers.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 21, 2024

Best McLaren 765LTs For Sale Right Now

McLaren’s racing heritage culminates in this.

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2025 McLaren Trophy America Brings Pro-Am Racing To The U.S.

In 2023, McLaren Motorsport hosted its inaugural Trophy Europe season, a championship featuring 17 cars and 33 drivers competing in 10 races throughout the old continent. The British carmaker has announced its plans to expand to the U.S., with the McLaren Trophy America Championship set to take place next year. This announcement comes as the brand's motorsport division gears up to host its second season, which will kick off on May 17th in Italy's Misano World Circuit. Photographer: Adam Pigott Like its European counterpart, McLaren Trophy America is a Pro-Am series in which an amateur driver is paired with a pro racer. However, the carmaker has emphasized focusing on the former and developing their skills on the track. The Trophy championship's overall goal is to be accessible to drivers of various skill levels while offering direct support for easy servicing the cars scheduled to compete. The first of the two cars eligible to compete is the McLaren Artura Trophy. Based on the Artura GT4, the Trophy benefits from higher downforce elements like a larger rear wing, allowing it to achieve lap times similar to those of a GT3 car. It also carries major components from the road car, like its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 minus its hybrid system. This results in a 577 horsepower output. Given its GT4 origins, the Trophy is built to be easily converted to meet GT4 specifications should owners want to compete in both series. Photographer: Dan Bathie The second car eligible to race is the 570S Trophy, which, like its successor, is developed around the GT4 race car, just with a higher downforce package. However, it produces 533 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 sourced from its road-going counterpart. McLaren Customer Racing will support it and the Artura Trophy with replacement parts and available technical help at each round. The inaugural McLaren America Trophy comprises ten races spread over five weekends. Each round will consist of two 50-minute races, one run on Saturday and the other on Sunday, including mandatory pit stops for diver changes. As of writing, McLaren has yet to unveil its racing calendar or where the races will occur. Photographer: Dan Bathie The format for each racing weekend is as follows. Friday consists of two 60-minute free practice sessions. Saturday consists of a 15-minute qualifying session followed by the first 50-minute race. Sunday mirrors the day prior and hosts the second race. Alongside the factory parts and technical support, McLaren plans to offer a race center at each round where drivers can host guests or take breaks between events over the race weekend. Expect the British carmaker to unveil further details about its upcoming championship later this year.

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 25, 2023

2022 McLaren 765LT In "Velocity" Gradient Listed For Sale

A head-turning spec adds to the allure of this supercar masterpiece.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 22, 2023

TUMI x McLaren Add Two New Suitcases To Its Luxury Travel...

Since announcing its partnership in 2019, TUMI remains the Official Luggage Partner for McLaren Automotive and the McLaren F1 Team. The collaboration has welcomed a successful collection of luggage and accessories, featuring the same lightweight materials and Papaya Orange colorways as McLaren supercars and hypercars. TUMI has once again upped the ante, revealing two new innovative suitcases to their automotive-inspired lineup. The new TUMI x McLaren offerings include the Aero Rolling Trunk and Aero Extended Trip Packing Case, blending the pinnacle of supercar design with travel-centric functionality. Kickstarting this gear revolution is the Aero Rolling Trunk, incorporating CX6 carbon fiber detailing that echoes McLaren's own engineering finesse. Crafted from ultra-durable materials like Tegris and equipped with an aero-inspired molded front panel. The rolling luggage trunk also includes organizational shelving and Papaya highlights, adding a McLaren signature touch. The Aero Extended Trip Packing Case is next up on the list of new releases. This spacious suitcase comes with features designed for the long haul or group travels, incorporating compression straps styled after McLaren's five-point harness, a McLaren buckle, and CX6 carbon fiber highlights make this case the perfect choice for any avid car enthusiast. Shop these two new releases and the entire TUMI x McLaren Collection by clicking the link below. Shop The TUMI x McLaren Collection Source: McLaren