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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 Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2019

2021 McLaren 620R is Street-Legal Perfection

We had a chance to showcase the McLaren 570S GT4 several times. Our friends at McLaren Philadephia service and deliver these race cars to teams around the nation. If there could be one improvement on this hardcore track machine, it would be a VIN and title. The factory has heard our pleas, so the 2021 McLaren 620R is street-legal perfection. Life imitates are, which imitates life. What we have here is a legal version of a race car based on the 570S. Instead of active aerodynamics, your dealer can dial in the spoilers and double-adjustable coil-over shocks. This cuts 13 lbs from the suspension along. The engine remains race-tuned, offering 610 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Browse All McLaren 570S For Sale U.S. buyers can even add a gloss carbon roof and intake scoop from MSO. If you want to reach 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. this is for you. Being capable of consistent low 10's in the 1/4 mile, this is the one we've been waiting for. Only 350 cars are planned, so click the button above to find our dealer near you. " width="680"> Related: McLaren 570S Spider: Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2019

McLaren Unveils Stylish new Eyewear

A brand as distinctive as McLaren should offer accessories for all drivers. The only thing better than being seen in a McLaren is seeing the road ahead of you. That's why McLaren has unveiled stylish new eyewear. To make sure they introduced frames in contemporary styles, they partnered with French optical designers at L’Amy Group. Prices range from $323 to $2008, with several colors of Leica sunglass lenses. Also available are clear lenses that your local Optometrist can machine to your prescription. The upper-end models invoke the first use of 3D printed titanium temples and a few examples of drill-mounts lenses. The latter gives the lens a floating look and prevents driving distraction. The press release didn't mention which U.S. retailers will offer them, so take a look at these great deals on the 570S Spider & stay with us for all your McLaren news. Browse McLaren 570S Spider For Sale Related: McLarens, Assemble: $60+ Million Lineup of McLarens Together For The First Time

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2019

How to Configure Your McLaren GT

This one is truly a game-changer. We've seen every configurator since Al Gore invented the internet, and nothing compares to what you are about to see. So, without further adieu, here is how to configure your McLaren GT. Their latest car is offered in three flavors: Standard, Pioneer, and Luxe. It is hard to believe, but standard comes with manual seats and steering column. Needless to say, NOPE. Pioneer trim considers Alcantara an upgrade, and it comes with power heated seats along with ambient lighting. I like hides and I can not lie, so the Luxe package has Softgrain Aniline leather everywhere, and adds machined aluminum accents in all the right places. Next up are two styles of wheels, a classic silver 5-spoke, or the stunning 15 spoke. We chose the latter with a diamond-cut/gloss black finish. After that was the carbon fiber exterior pack (how should that be optional). Now its on to the glass. the twin roof panels and the rear pillars can be clear, tinted or electrochromatic. The third is an MSO option, and it gives you the choice of clear or dark at an instant. If you are wondering about the paint, Burton Blue is an MSO color that really highlights the curves in the body. McLaren offers no less than 30 paint choices, or MSO can match any sample you send them. On the inside, the Luxe Interior offers several solid colors and combinations. We chose Porcelain & Ink Blue. Sandstone carpet was a tough decision, but it will look great with the sun coming through the roof. Also, don't buy a McLaren without the carbon fiber interior, they really know how to do it right. Finally, you need the optional fitted luggage. It is designed to compliment your lifestyle and fully utilize the front and rear cargo areas. Only so much can be anticipated over the internet, so that's why our dealers are the best resource to spec your car. Click the link below to find a dealer near you, and stay with us for all your McLaren news. Find Your McLaren Here " width="680"> Related: New McLaren GT in Detail by Carfection Meet the new McLaren GT

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2019

McLaren Senna by Lego is Their First Interactive Collabor...

Lego's full-scale examples of production cars have been life-size models with intricate details. But the latest creation from the Danish toy company incorporates functional details. The McLaren Senna by Lego is their first interactive collaboration, and it has infotainment and several interior parts from the real car. This will allow kids of all ages to get behind the wheel, turn on the headlights, and operate the touchscreen. Surrounded by almost a half-million bricks, you will realize the time and effort that has gone into this build. Several teams of 10 builders spent 2,725 hours building the car. The design started with a laser scan of a new Senna, then it took 4,935 hours to translate it into Lego bricks. This amounts to the time it would take to build 9 real McLaren Senna models, which are 1,102 lbs lighter than the Lego versions. Of course, it is a great promo for Lego's latest Speed Champions Edition. Your own Senna will be 5" long and composed of 219 pieces. Or check out our dealers to find a real McLaren for yourself. Shop McLaren For Sale https://www.facebook.com/mclarenautomotive/videos/410479129517973/ Related: McLaren Senna GTR Unveiled McLaren Senna 0-183 MPH Test Run

By Andrew Nabors – January 28, 2019

McLaren Senna Breaks Records on The Grand Tour

We've been patiently waiting for Amazon to upload the 3rd series of The Grand Tour. Starting with the fastest McLaren to-date, Jeremy Clarkson chose to put it to the test. After a high-speed runway launch, he deemed it too fast for their small test track. Therefore he handed the keys to their expert driver Abbie Eaton. She pushed the machine to its limits to show the McLaren Senna Breaking Records on The Grand Tour. As a perfect homage to Ayrton Senna, this beast is powered by a twin-turbo 4L V8 making 789 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Because they test their cars under the meanest conditions, these ratings are conservative to say the least. Our dealers have all the info on this supercar, so click the link below to find a McLaren near you. View All McLaren For Sale https://www.facebook.com/thegrandtour/videos/376050253183955/ Related: Howard Panes' Vibrant McLaren Senna is a Must-see McLaren Senna by LEGO Speed Champions

By Andrew Nabors – January 09, 2019

McLaren Teases Longtail, Could Be New 600LT Spider

Last year McLaren Automotive made a bold statement. Their Track-22 business plan evolved into Track-25, which is a clear message to the automotive world. It represents the goal of introducing a myriad of new models by model-year 2025. The Speedtail is a long-awaited successor to the F1 and the P1, and this morning we have seen a glimpse of the next new car which just may be the new 600LT Spider. McLaren 2018 Sales: Another Record Year! In their latest press release, McLaren has teased a new Longtail. It will be formally unveiled next Wednesday (January 16th) at 8AM EST. The 5th McLaren to carry the Longtail name, it will be a track-focused supercar. It will surpass the 600LT, which has served the flagship of their "Sports Series". It has top-mounted exhaust tips that erupt into flamethrowers at wide open throttle. McLaren 2018: A Year of Dominance The press release mentions less weight and more power, so you might think it will be a new member of their Super Series. But after we scrutinized the video and the single image, it looks to be a 600LT Spider. We're certainly ok with that, because putting the top down on 591 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque will be exhilarating. If you can't wait a week for all the details, our dealers have several 600LT coupes in stock. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your McLaren news. View All McLarens FOr Sale Also Check Out: Check Out The Sultan of Brunei's Collection!

By Andrew Nabors – December 26, 2018

McLaren 2018: A Year of Dominance

Many enthusiast figured McLaren would return with a bang and then flicker away. But the quality and performance of their car shows no signs of faltering. Customers who started with the 12C have continued up the line as the abilities and customizations reached new levels. So how did Mclaren do in 2018? Tell us after reading these stories. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/mclaren/mclaren-720s-spider-unveiled/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/mclaren/mclaren-speedtail-price-specs-pics/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/mclaren/mclaren-bc-03-bespoke-hypercar/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/for-sale/mclaren-p1-gtr-01-for-sale/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/celebrity-cars/michael-fux-delivered-first-mclaren-senna/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/industry-reports/mclaren-2025-hybrid-18-cars/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/mclaren/mclaren-600lt-revealed/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/mclaren/5000-mclaren-cars-delivered/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/dealer-news/mclaren-newport-beach-presents-mso-x/ https://blog.dupontregistry.com/mclaren/mclaren-p1-gtr-mso-ayrton-senna-beco/ Which McLaren suits your needs & desires? Tell us which one and why in the comments below and we'll see you in 2019. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 27, 2018

Novitec Unveils the N-Largo McLaren 720S

If you have been good all year, Santa might leave you a wild upgrade package for your McLaren 720S. Our friends at Novitec are never first to market when a new car arrives. That's because they take time to style and engineer each of their N-Largo series to perfection. Because the McLaren is such a unique car to begin with, they turned to Vittorio Strossek for a striking design. This is not a dry-carbon DIY kit. Each Novitec panel has OEM quality fit and finish. They have to be so in order to withstand the incredible power. If you opt for Stage 2 power, it comes with all-new exhaust and a proprietary engine tune. The twin 95mm pipes are available in polished stainless or matte black. But if you need the ultimate in weight savings they will fabricate it from Inconel. Sports Cars For Sale Your car will be 2.3" wider up front and 5.1" on the rear. It allows the massive MC2 forged wheels to fit inside the body. Vossen developed them for Novitec with the rears measuring 21"x 12"! They will have to deal with 806 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque. You will reach 62 mph in 2.7 seconds and 124 mph arrives in only 7.5 ticks. You will need a McLaren 720S to start with, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Novitec news. View All mcLaren 720S For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 14, 2018

McLaren 720S Specs, Price, Photos & Review

Well, it's finally happened after multiple leaks: the McLaren 720S specs have been revealed. The McLaren 720S comes in as the second-generation Super Series supercar that outperforms the 650S and 650S Spider in just about every facet. First off, I'll get right to the engine. It's powered by a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. With this much power, along with a dry weight of just 2,828 lbs, the 720S has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.251 horsepower per 1 lbs. With this power and lightweight, the 720S will rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and 0-124 mph in 7.8 seconds. Top speed is also set at 212 mph. “Super Series is the core of the McLaren business and personifies the blend of extreme performance, crafted luxury and unparalleled driver involvement that is the McLaren heartland. This is the first time we have replaced a product family and the new 720S is absolutely true to McLaren’s pioneering spirit in being a revolutionary leap forwards, both for our brand and the supercar segment.” - Mike Flewitt, Chief Executive Officer, McLaren Automotive Helping with the light properties of the new 720S supercar is the McLaren Monocage II. This carbon fiber "tub" and upper structure provide superior rigidity without sacrificing in the weight department. Additionally, McLaren also uses aluminum alloys in the chassis and some body panels for weight reduction purposes as well. " width="680"> One of my personal favorite aspects of the car has to be the Folding Driver Display, which can transform in order to provide the driver with two different instrument displays. The standard display shows what you'd expect, giving a full readout of instruments, while the "streamlined version" only provides the necessities in a slim strip. " width="680"> The new McLaren 720S will be available in three different specs: Standard, Performance, and Luxury. The start price is set at £208,600 (~ $254,000 USD) and deliveries started in May 2017. All McLaren For Sale McLaren 720S Specs 0 to 60 mph: 2.8 seconds0-124 mph: 7.8 secondsWeight: 2,828 lbsEngin: twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 Horsepower: 710 hpTorque: 568 lb-ft torqueTop speed: 212 mph

By Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2018

McLaren Introduces "Albert", the 1st Speedtail Prototype

Before any new McLaren reaches the dealer, it is perfected by rigorous testing around the world. American prototypes usually have silly names, but McLaren took a page from the history books. The first test mules for the F1 were named Edward and Albert, names associated with Victorian nobility. We've now learned that testing for the new McLaren Speedtail on closed courses is already underway thanks to the prototype named "Albert." Albert faces a year of sustained top speed runs, scorching desert and freezing cold. The world's first flexible carbon ailerons will be cycled until failure, no matter how long it takes. A few early prototypes were disguised as 720S to fool the public, and they have probably met a tragic ending. Check Out Jay Leno's Collection! Much of the car has been proven in lengthy simulations. This ensures that Chief Test Driver Kenny Bräck will be able to make the most of 1,035 horsepower. Ben Gulliver is Head of Vehicle Development, and he said: “The start of real-world testing represents a major step in the development of the McLaren Speedtail. As the first fully representative prototype, ‘Albert’ will build on the invaluable work still being put in by earlier development cars, allowing us to sign-off vehicle attributes including chassis dynamics; brake performance; damper tuning; tires; NVH and aspects of ergonomics and comfort. With a huge amount achieved already, the McLaren Speedtail is well on the way to fulfilling its destiny as the greatest McLaren road car ever.” Pricing is listed at £1.75 million, or$ 2.28 Million USD. Only 106 cars will be produced with deliveries aimed at early 2020. Of course every example has been allotted to its prospective owner, but they are probably going to be the most anticipated car in years. Stay with us for all your McLaren Speedtail updates. Related: View All McLaren 720S For Sale McLaren 720S Spins Out! Here Is What The McLaren Speedtail Sounds Like

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