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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 22, 2023

This Late Fashion Designer's Rolls-Royce Is Up For Sale

This car is an iconic combination of fashion and automotive excellence.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 06, 2023

Rolls-Royce x Iris van Herpen Reveal The New Phantom Synt...

This is where cars meet couture.

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2020

Rolls-Royce Bespoke Transforms Your Dreams Into Reality

When ordering your new Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale, you will be presented with more options than you ever thought possible. Leather, stitching and paint are all well and good, but what if you want to make your car truly unique? Realizing the dashboard is a blank canvas, Rolls-Royce Bespoke can transform your dreams into reality. Artist Thorsten Frank is gifted with the ability to transform your ideas into reality. Using the latest in 3D printing, a substrate is made of stainless, then a team of artisans cover it in any precious metal or gemstones. One commission even involved feathers of a pet falcon arranged in a Native American motif. If you can dream it they can build it, so click the button below to order your new Phantom from our dealers. Browse All Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2018

Rolls-Royce Hosts Inaugural Cars & Cognac Meet

If the letters VSOP mean nothing to you, you should probably disregard this post. But if you fancy the finer things in life, Rolls-Royce held the first Cars & Cognac meet last Friday. In a press release this morning, they dish out the details of this new event.An evening of fine dining at the Soho Farmhouse Private Members Club included a new Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge. It was fitted with a new aero cowling and was a nice contrast to another Dawn from the Adamas Collection. Taking center stage was a new Phantom fitted with a unique picnic hamper. In it was a cognac sommelier with tasting practices and notes.Rolls-Royce Unveils The Adamas CollectionRolls-Royce Regional Director Julian Jenkins said: "The ‘cars and cognac’ meet demonstrated the wonderful spirit of our customers as well as their deep passion for the brand. This evening was reflective of the rich dialogue between Rolls-Royce and its patrons; a truly unique and extremely rare relationship, one which we are privileged to nurture." Guests could either stay at the club after the event or choose to have a chauffeur drive them home in a new Rolls-Royce. Our fans will probably stick to coffee, so join us this Saturday for Cars & Coffee here at duPont REGISTRY.Browse Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 05, 2017

Rolls Royce Phantom II: Chauffeur Not Included

Next to a $50-mill Gulfstream V jet, a Rolls-Royce Phantom still provides the most luxurious, most hedonistic, most decadent means of wafting from A to B. Since its debut in 2003, apart from one or two minor wrinkles, the Phantom sedan has remained just about perfect. So it’s appreciated that for 2013, those minor wrinkles have been spray-starched and ironed out with the arrival of Phantom Series II. Of course, we’re talking evolution not a revolution here - revolution is not the way Rolls-Royce rolls. But the styling and mechanical tweaks are just enough to keep the Phantom at the pinnacle of the list of the world’s One-Percentiles as their luxury ride of choice. The most obvious change comes at that majestic front end. Gone are those much-maligned porthole-like headlights in favor of new slim ’n slender rectangular LED units that now match the style of the larger driving lights above. Those, coupled with a new, slightly more rounded bumper design, new, sleeker-looking forged 21-inch alloys, plus a subtle, yet significant change to the frame of that Greek Temple-esque grille - it’s now formed from a single piece of stainless steel—show the neighbors you’ve upgraded to the latest model. Inside changes are fewer but equally welcome. A big criticism of the Phantom has been the overly small nav screen. That gets ditched in favor of a Cinemascope-like 8.8-inch monitor and array of new cameras to show pretty much a 360-degree view of the lurking paparazzi. And back in 2003, a six-speed automatic was the bee’s knees. But since then the world has moved on. Hence this new Rolls-Royce Phantom gets the latest eight-speed from ZF, which adds to the refinement and responsiveness to the driving experience. Talking of driving experience, for those few who pilot their own Phantom, there’s now the offer of an optional Dynamic Package. It adds additional strengthening crossbars to the aluminum spaceframe, stiffens the suspension, recalibrates the transmission for quicker responses, and even adds a thicker rim for the wheel. Do we hear the name Bentley here? It’s hardly necessary. For its size, the Phantom is amazingly agile and athletic. That big 6.7-liter BMW-sourced V-12 has the thrust of that aforementioned Gulfstream on takeoff—standstill to 60 is covered in under six seconds - while the steering is surprisingly precise and involving. And braking power is quite sensational. And we haven’t even talked about the stretch-out comfort, the refinement, the craftsmanship, the utter sybaritic joy of being transported in this remarkable machine. Best car in the world? Yep, we’d go with that. LIST PRICE: $403,970 sedan, $475,295 extended wheelbase ENGINE: 6.7-liter V-12 HORSEPOWER: 453 hp @ 5,350 rpm TORQUE: 531 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic 0–60: 5.8 seconds TOP SPEED: 149 mph (limited) WEIGHT: 5,644 lbs LENGTH: 179 inches (estimated) TIRES: Front: 255/50R-21, Rear: 285/45R-21 PRO: Subtle upgrades reaffirm its unrivaled status CON: Now tough to be seen driving last year’s model

By Andrew Nabors – January 31, 2017

Rolls-Royce Says Goodbye to the Phantom VII

Nine decades of luxury and refinement have produced one of the world's greatest automobiles. The seventh generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom was the first model overseen by BMW. It brought the brand into the modern era when it was introduced in 2003. Built in short and extended wheelbase versions, it also spawned a convertible in the Drophead Coupe. Much has changed in the past 13 years, so it is with a heavy hear that we must announce the end. The final Phantom VII was a fitting tribute, being a custom ordered limousine. A press release earlier this morning outlines the history of the model along with the inspiration for the final build.Rolls-Royce For SaleInspired by the golden age of ocean liners, the nautical theme is evident inside and out. Powder blue leather has tone on tone embroidery. Clocks on the dash and partition were styled to match the chronometers of 30's era ships. The bezels have 24 hour markings in the same fashion as HG Wells' time machine. Work is now underway on preparing the machine tools and master coachbuilders for the 8th generation Phantom. Expected to arrive as a 2018 model, it will be built of aluminum instead of steel. Stay with us for all your Rolls-Royce news, and check out the great listings from our dealers below.All Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 23, 2016

Revealed: Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Beve...

Known for it's star-studded resident's roster, gorgeous sunsets and insanely beautiful people, impressing in Beverly Hills is a task in itself, but Rolls-Royce took on the challenge with their Bespoke Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe- Beverly Hills Edition.On display for the first time at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills Edition Phantom Drophead Coupe features a stunning Orange Metallic finish capable of rivaling even the most pristine sunset. All four wheels are adorned with matching Orange Metallic wheel centers which encase the iconic Rolls-Royce emblem, and the interior features complementing black leather with hand-stitched leather contrasts in Mandarin and stunning polished Piano Black veneers to finish it off.(Related: Rolls-Royce Creates Bespoke Picnic Hamper for Phantom Zenith Collection) This stunning example is adorned with the luxury trimmings like hand-stitched Rolls-Royce emblems in the headrests and a specialty door sill marking its exclusivity. Many things won't turn a single head in Beverly Hills, but we're pretty sure this Phantom might just do the trick.Phantom Drophead Coupes for Sale

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