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

Aston Martin News

Aston Martin news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, auction results and current market values. Our coverage runs across the Vantage, the DB12 and the DBX707, alongside landmark engineering projects such as the Valkyrie and Valhalla. We also follow the earlier cars that established the marque's name for British craftsmanship. Reporting comes from first-drive access and from the auction floors where these cars change hands. One thing separates this from other luxury sports car news. Many of the Aston Martins covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so the story and the asking price appear together. For Aston Martin news today, and the performance car news around it, start below.

By Edward Jones – November 23, 2015

Only Aston Martin Vulcan in USA and Where to See It

Halley’s Comet and Comet Hale-Bopp are both “once-in-a-lifetime” events. This time, we are going to keep it more grounded.There is only one Aston Martin Vulcan in the USA and you will have one chance over two days to see it, only at Cleveland Motorsports.Cleveland Motorsports is the Midwest’s premier luxury and sports vehicle auto dealership, and events like the Black Friday Vulcan Experience keep it that way. The event will take place Black Friday Weekend (November 27th through 28th) at the North Olmsted-based luxury dealership. General Manager Michael Thomas will be on hand to discuss Aston Martin and the Vulcan model throughout the weekend.The Aston Martin Vulcan, specifically created as a track-only supercar, performs with an unbelievable 800-plus horsepower from a 7-liter V12 engine. This noticeable upgrade from the Aston Martin One-77 features specifications that far outclass the current FIA GTE competition.The Vulcan, named after the Roman god of fire, will be quite a hot commodity; only 24 vehicles are expected to be made at a $2.3 million price point, but only one will be near you.Head to Cleveland Motorsports in North Olmsted, OH on Friday, November 27th and Saturday, November 28th to catch a glimpse of automotive history.View Inventory Article provided by Cleveland Motorsports

By Caitlin Duffy – November 12, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan's VMax Run, On-Board Air Jacks

The Vulcan has been active over the past few days, and as a video from Aston Martin and Tweet from Aston Martin's Director of Special Projects and Motorsport show, it's living up to its Roman name.At the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show, guests were treated to a display of the Vulcan's on-board air jacks, a feature that assists in track-side maintenance of the supercar at races. The 811 hp racer houses a 7.0-liter V12 under its hood, meaning it's capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph. When you hit those speeds, there's bound to be some damage to tires after a few laps, making quick and easy changes all the more important. Vulcan Vmax sign off at Nardo Italy. 204mph/328kmh & enough downforce to stick to the ceiling (in theory!) #Vulcan pic.twitter.com/VW9iRogny3 — David King (@dking17) November 12, 2015 Of course, they had to test out that top speed at least a few times. In a Tweet earlier today, David King, Director of Special Projects and Motorsport show, shared a photo of the Vulcan. In a run around the Nardo Ring in Italy, King says the Vulcan hit a top speed of 204 mph, with, in theory, "enough downforce to stick to the ceiling."We'll have to wait and see if there's any on-board footage of this Vmax run; we hope it comes soon. In the mean time, check out the air jacks below, then find your own Aston Martin from our exclusive listings.Aston Martins For Sale (via Twitter, YouTube) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 10, 2015

50 Aston Martins Gather for "DB10: Built for Bond" Premier

On a rainy Sunday evening this past Nov. 8, a massive group of cars gathered for a drive-in movie screening. But this wasn't just your ordinary drive-in show.The cars were 50 different Aston Martins, the screen was against the stunning Blenheim Palace and the gathering celebrated a car crafted for England's greatest spy. It was the kind of a movie night that's unlikely to ever occur again.The one-hour documentary "DB10: Built for Bond" premiered that Sunday night, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of James Bond's latest ride from the British marque. As a Nov. 9 release and Facebook post from Aston Martin both describe, a reception was held in the Palaces' Great Hall prior to the screening, where Mark Higgins, the stunt driver for the DB10, answered a few questions about his experience.The DB10 was crafted specifically for "Spectre," the latest Bond film that premiered in the United States Nov. 6. It's the 24th Bond film to be produced and released, and the 12th to feature an Aston Martin as Bond's go-to car. Only 10 examples of this car were created, each of which is currently on a tour of Aston Martin showrooms across the United Kingdom.Check out the DB10 in either both "Spectre" and "DB10: Built for Bond," and find your own Aston Martin to enjoy from our exclusive listings at the button below.Aston Martins For Sale Gallery (via Aston Martin, Facebook) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 21, 2015

Aston Martin Introduces Electric RapidE Concept

The car industry's shift toward sustainable energy sources is picking up speed at an ever growing pace, and Aston Martin has introduced their electric vehicle: the RapidE concept car.The British marque announced this commitment to developing a zero emissions vehicle during a visit from Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As a press release and video issued today by Aston Martin describes, the electric Rapide S is on display outside of London's Lancaster House, where the royal meeting took place.“The exciting RapidE concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low- and zero-emission sports cars,” stated Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer in the release. The initiative comes as part of the British GREAT campaign, an effort to "showcase the best of what the UK has to offer" to the world in the hopes of attracting new business, investments, students and visitors.Research into the EV's development will come from a joint effort by Aston Martin and ChinaEquity, a Chinese investment group, marking a point of success for the campaign. President Xi is currently on a four day visit to the United Kingdom; as the BBC reported Oct. 20, his visit is part of an initiative to strengthen ties between the two countries. During a state banquet, "the Queen hailed the 'milestone' visit of President Xi and declared Anglo-Chinese ties were being taken to 'ambitious new heights'," described the BBC.(See Also: V8 Engine Drag Race: AMG GT vs 458 Italia and Vantage)Should development between ChinaEquity and Aston Martin be successful, it's expected that the RapidE electric vehicle could plausibly come to market within the next two years.Stay with us for more updates on this electric vehicle as they are released, and in the meantime, find one of Aston Martin's fuel-powered models from our exclusive listings below.Aston Martins For Sale (Source: Aston Martin, YouTube, BBC) See More Aston Martin News

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2015

Breathtaking Sounds of the Aston Martin Vulcan's V12 Engi...

Aston Martin, I beg of you, please produce more hypercars like the Vulcan.Why? For starters, it comes with a massive, naturally-aspirated, 7.0-liter V12 engine that produces over 811 hp, and it sounds downright ferocious when unleashed on the track.Don't believe me? Thankfully, Marchettino filmed a Vulcan taking on the Misano World Circuit during the Ultracar Sports Club track event. In the video, uploaded Oct. 13, the sounds of the Vulcan's V12 are on full display. Not only do we get to hear the engine at idle, but also when it's ripping down the straight of the circuit.And by ripping, I mean flying at full-throttle; the sense of speed in this video is unreal.You can see it below for yourself to get why the Vulcan should be more than a project car by Aston Martin.Aston Martin Listings (Source: YouTube) Aston Martin Videos, News and Pics

By Caitlin Duffy – October 12, 2015

Aston Martin DB10 Goes on Tour

Update 10/26/2015: Though earlier reports indicated that 7 of the 10 DB10s created for "Spectre" had been destroyed, we have just learned that is not the case. PR Manager for the DB10 tour Mark White has informed us that all 10 are, in fact, still intact, and have not been destroyed.The Aston Martin DB10 may have only been created as a car for the silver screen, but enthusiasts in the United Kingdom just might have a chance to see the Bond car in person before year's end.Since Sept. 24, the DB10 has been visiting Aston Martin dealerships for an invitation-only tour of exclusive events, joined by the DB5 and DB9 GT. A gallery shared on the marque's Facebook page today gives us a look at one of these evenings, held Oct. 1 at Aston Martin Cheltenham.(See Also: Aston Martin Vulcan Meets Vulcan V Bomber Jet)Only 10 examples of the DB10 were created, each for the upcoming James Bond film, "Spectre." It's the latest iteration of Aston Martin's support for the British super spy, who first drove the DB5 in the 1964 film "Goldfinger." Of the 10 DB10s made, only 3 remain - 7 were destroyed in the filming of the movie, contributing to the overall total of $36 million for cars destroyed while filming.Aston Martin's website lists the full set of dates and locations for these events. Another 16 will be held between now and Dec. 10, with the next one scheduled for tomorrow, Oct. 13, in Welwyn.If you can't make it out to one of these dealerships before the end of the year to see the DB10 for yourself, you can see it tearing through Europe on screen beginning Oct. 26 in the UK and Nov. 6 in the US. Or, find your own Aston Martin from our exclusive listings at the button below.Aston Martins For SaleGallery (Source: Aston Martin, Facebook, YouTube) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 05, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan Meets Vulcan V Bomber Jet

The Vulcan moniker is officially transitioning from the sky to the ground, but before passing the torch, the two feats of engineering had a day on the airstrip together.The Vulcan XH558 is the last airworthy Avro Vulcan still in operation, marking the end of an era for British engineering. It'll be flying its final flight this October, and as an Oct. 2 press release from Aston Martin shares, one of its final fly-by moments was at the Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, England, with the Aston Martin Vulcan sitting on the tarmac.“Clearly the Avro Vulcan provided the inspiration for the naming of our most extreme sports car," Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer, said in the release, "and I’m delighted that we have been able to unite the ‘two Vulcans’ and deliver our own tribute to this world-renowned aeronautical phenomenon.”The Vulcan XH558 is currently operated by the charitable trust Vulcan To The Sky, but when it's retired at the end of this month, the 1950s British V bomber will become the centerpeice in Robin Hood Airport's educational Vulcan Aviation Academy & Heritage Center. The Aston Martin Vulcan is a fitting creation to carry on the the Vulcan name. The 811+ hp race car is limited to just 24 examples, making it both extraordinarily powerful and rare. It signals the beginning of a new design and engineering era for the marque, much like how the Vulcan bomber signaled a new era of aeronautical engineering. Operated by the Royal Air Force between 1956 and 1984, it was the first successful delta wing strategic bomber. As Vulcan To The Sky's website describes, its design lead to the creation of the space shuttle and Concorde. (See Also: 5 Best Winter Driving Academies for 2015-2016)A video shared to YouTube by Aston Martin the same day they issued the release shows the moment the Vulcan passed by the Vulcan, in a striking black and white appearance. Check it out above, then find your own Aston Martin from our exclusive listings.Aston Martins For SaleGallery (Source: Aston Martin, YouTube, Vulcan To The Sky) See More Aston Martin News

By Edward Jones – September 15, 2015

Aston Martin DB11 Nameplate Announced

The nameplate for the new Aston Martin has just been unveiled in a press release, and it's the DB11.While the press release revealing the car's model name was very vague, it does tell us a few important facts. Most importantly, the Aston Martin DB11 will be unveiled next year. Unfortunately, it did not state a quarter, month or season for the time of unveiling.(See Also: BMW M6 Coupe Competition Edition Revealed)The press release also goes on to say that the name of the car, borrowing the "DB" of models such as the DB5 and DB9, points to the "start of an exciting period of dynamic product development by the company.""Not only is it a sign of our intention to continue the long line of iconic sports cars that bear the ‘DB’ moniker – the very bloodline of our brand – but it also shows the world our ambitious plan in action," said Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin CEO, in the press release. "The coming years will see Aston Martin transform not only its entire range of models but also its scale and global presence, and the new DB11 will be central to that success."Stay with us for more information on the DB11 as it is released.DB9s For Sale(Source: Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – September 11, 2015

Aston Martin DB10 with a James Bond Stunt Driver at the W...

We found out in December of last year that Aston Martin was back with another new creation for England's greatest fictional spy, Agent 007. Since then, we've seen peeks at it tearing through European streets for brief seconds at a time, but today we get to see it have a little fun.Mark Higgins is one of the stunt drivers responsible for the insane automotive feats found in "Spectre," the new James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig and set to be released Nov. 6. He's become intricately familiar with the workings of the Aston Martin DB10, and in a video shared by the marque on YouTube today, we get just over a minute of Higgins burning rubber and hitting immaculate circular drifts."The DB10 was developed specifically for Spectre and just ten examples have been built," described a press release issued today by the British luxury manufacturer. "The exclusive sports car celebrates Aston Martin’s half century association with James Bond, which started with the iconic DB5."(See Also: "Strictly Limited" Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition)As we found out April 30, the DB10 will be joined by the Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR and Land Rover Defender Big Foot, as well as the Jaguar C-X75 concept. The Jaguar will be the ride of choice for the movie's Bond villain Mr. Hinx, played by Dave Bautista.Check out the video of the DB10 tearing up Bond's insignia above, and find your own Aston Martin from our exclusive listings below.Aston Martins For Sale(Source: Aston Martin, YouTube) See More Aston Martin News

By Edward Jones – September 02, 2015

"Strictly Limited" Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition

Do you love the world's most famous spy, James Bond, and his taste in cars? Well, now you can drive like him in the newly unveiled Aston Martin DB9 GT Bond Edition. This strictly limited edition, meant to celebrate the upcoming movie "Spectre," comes to us in a press release issued today by the English automaker.“Aston Martin and James Bond are intrinsically linked in the minds of many of our enthusiasts and, indeed, owners, worldwide," said Dr. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin CEO, in the press release. “In the run-up to the launch of the new film, Spectre, which sees Bond behind the wheel of the DB10, we are very happy to be able to celebrate the partnership with this superb limited edition DB9 GT collector’s item.” (Also Read: New BRABUS 600 Based on the C63 AMG)To distinguish this DB9 from the rest of its family are interior and exterior additions that are mostly 007-centric. On the outside is a body finished in a unique Spectre Silver paint that is adorned by sterling silver Ason Martin badges. Discreet 007 Bond Edition badging can also be found on its exterior.Inside, the appropriate DB9 GT Bond Edition badging continues with numbered sill plaques, embroidery on the rear seat divider and a special Bond Edition start-up screen on the infotainment center.While you won't find machine guns and missiles under its hood, you will find a 6.0-liter V12 engine that's capable of 539 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. Mated to this massive engine is a rear-mounted Touchtronic II six-speed transmission, which will launch the car from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, topping out at 183 mph.If the car isn't enough, Aston Martin is also offering a slew of Bond-themed accessories that complement the car. This includes an Omega Seamaster Aqua 150m James Bond Limited Edition watch with a unique Aston Martin strap.Only 150 examples of the DB9 GT Bond Edition will be created, each priced at £165,000 (approx. $252,ooo USD at today's exchange rate).DB9s For Sale(Source: Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News, Pics and Videos

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