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 Khris Bharath – June 09, 2026

Aston Martin and Curv Racing Simulators Launch Limited-Run AMR-C01-R Hypercar Edition

Following the original AMR-C01-R, limited to 50 units, Aston Martin and Curv Racing Simulators have revealed the AMR-C01-R Hypercar Edition, a limited-edition racing simulator tying the release directly to the Aston Martin Valkyries competing at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, capped at 24 examples. "When we started developing the Hypercar Edition, the focus was on the driving position, steering feel, and racing experience. Those details are what make a simulator believable. We wanted it to feel as close as possible to sitting in the Valkyrie Hypercar." - Darren Turner, Founder of Curv Racing Simulators. Two liveries are available, each mirroring an actual Le Mans entry. Number 007 wears Aston Martin Podium Green with yellow accent pinstriping along the carbon-fiber monocoque body. Number 009 replaces the yellow with red. Both sit extremely low to the ground in a reclined driving position that replicates the Valkyrie's ergonomics rather than a conventional gaming setup, with an immersive curved 49-inch display wrapping significantly around the driver's field of view on NVIDIA RTX graphics. The centerpiece of this edition is new: a bespoke Aston Martin Valkyrie steering wheel built to order with multicolored rotary switches, a live digital telemetry display, and the Aston Martin wings badge at the center. Each wheel can be personalized with bespoke side and rotary color configurations. The entire rig is hand-built in the United Kingdom within a sculpted carbon-fiber monocoque whose form references the Valkyrie's aerodynamic language directly. <- Gallery -> "The Aston Martin Valkyrie is one of the most extreme and uncompromising Aston Martins ever created, and that character translates naturally into the Curv Racing Simulator Hypercar Edition. Influenced directly by the Le Mans race cars, while retaining the sculptural form and proportion that sit at the heart of Aston Martin design. This is pure excitement and emotion." - Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin. The AMR-C01-R Hypercar Edition is available to order now, and is priced at £58,750 plus taxes, which works out to ~$78,750 at current exchange rates. View All Aston Martins For Sale Images: Aston Martin

Two people stand in front of a green draped background; one wears a black hoodie and skirt, while the other sports a green jacket, pants, and cap from the PUMA Motorsport F1 Team Collection.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 20, 2025

How to Buy: The PUMA Motorsport x Aston Martin Aramco F1 ...

Aston Martin F1's paddock just got a whole new look. They say if you look good, you play good, and in Formula 1, that's more than just a saying. From the drivers and engineers to the crew in the paddock, performance wear is a mindset. Precision tailoring, technical fabrics, and fuel-inspired designs all mirror the same pursuit of perfection that plays out on track. It's an approach that the professionals at PUMA Motorsport have mastered since their start in 2001, alongside the Jordan Grand Prix team. Today, PUMA Motorsports prides itself on being the sole apparel, footwear, and accessories partner of Formula 1 and teams like Aston Martin Aramco, Scuderia Ferrari, and Williams Racing. PUMA and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team have teamed up once again, this time with a collection dubbed "Engineered for the Everyday." It's a lineup that pulls inspiration from the rhythm of the racetrack but is grounded in the realities of daily life. The idea is to capture that shared sense of precision and motion that defines both brands. The cuts are clean, the fabrics move naturally, and the designs borrow just enough from the team's F1 identity without leaning into costume territory. The Replica Collection offers fans an authentic link to the team, reimagined through wearable pieces beyond race weekends. The collection carries that same mindset into casual wear. The Tech Jacket and relaxed-fit Pants look built for motion but don't feel overdesigned. The hoodies and jerseys, in Aston Martin green or classic black, give a nod to team spirit. And then there's the Inverse sneaker, which might be the purest expression of this collaboration. The collection is now available at PUMA stores, online at PUMA.com, and select retailers globally. Shop PUMA Motorsport x Aston Martin F1 Our Top Picks PUMA x ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO F1 TEAM Trucker Hat Shop Now PUMA x ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO F1 TEAM Inverse Sneakers Shop Now PUMA x ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO F1 TEAM Replica Team Tee Shop Now PUMA x ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO F1 TEAM PUMATech Jacket Shop Now PUMA x ASTON MARTIN ARAMCO F1 TEAM Motorsport Jersey Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 21, 2024

How To Buy: The First-Ever BOSS x Aston Martin Capsule Co...

BOSS collaborates with Aston Martin for the first time! As part of an exciting new fashion-forward collaboration, BOSS has partnered with Aston Martin to launch their first-ever capsule collection, just in time for Fall/Winter 2024. The fuel-driven partnership combines BOSS's luxury fashion with Aston Martin's performance-focused design, resulting in a collection that embodies both brands' DNA and heritage. Drawing inspiration from Aston Martin's iconic cars and BOSS's timeless style, the collection offers a 24/7 lifestyle wardrobe crafted from premium materials. The influence of Aston Martin is clear in every piece, from the quilted leather accents reminiscent of its interiors to the use of lightweight, performance fabrics like carbon fiber taped seams. The collection's tailored outerwear pieces, made from superfine merino-wool jersey and a carbon-fiber and cotton denim blend, come in a refined color palette of white, pale gray, opal green, and dark mink. Fronting the campaign is none other than Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team driver Fernando Alonso, who brings his vibrant style and intensity to the collection. As a BOSS brand ambassador, Alonso perfectly represents the "Be Your Own BOSS" ethos, making him the ideal face for Aston Martin's new collaboration. The BOSS x Aston Martin collection is available now on boss.com and in BOSS stores. Shop the all-new BOSS x Aston Martin Capsule Collection by clicking the link below. Shop All BOSS x Aston Martin Source: BOSS/Aston Marton

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 02, 2023

Bowmore x Aston Martin Release An Exclusive 22-Year Singl...

For decades, both Bowmore and Aston Martin have strived to craft, create and curate, bringing beautiful whiskies and breathtaking cars to life. As Aston Martin transitions from a world-renowned automaker into a luxury lifestyle brand, creative collaborations shape its DNA into a household name for those looking for the finer things in life. Bridging the gap between two distinctive worlds, Aston Martin and Bowmore continue to develop high-class aged scotch whiskey through a shared passion for pushing the boundaries of excellence. Bowmore x Aston Martin is proud to release the Master’s Selection Edition Two, an islet single malt whiskey meticulously aged for 22 years and beautifully crafted in the spirit of unity between both brands. MUST-READ: Discover Aston Martin x Bowmore’s $75,000 ARC-52 Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Limited to Only 100-Bottles The Master Selection 22-Year presents notes of heather honey, vanilla, and subtle cherries, while the taste itself remains rich and sweet with malty spicy notes of vanilla fudge. The Single Malt finishes with a sweet and woody taste of licorice sticks to deliver the perfect spice. Each bottle comes encased in a collectible display box that includes written descriptions from Bowmore’s Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and Master Blender Ron Walsh. The new Bowmore x Aston Martin Master’s Selection Edition Two single malt scotch whiskey is currently available by clicking on the link below. Shop Now Source: Bowmore

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 15, 2022

LEGO x James Bond 007 Debut A Life Size 357,954-Piece Ast...

Take a look at the super-sized James Bond minifigure and Blofeld’s cat, or get behind the wheel of a life-sized 007 Aston Martin DB5. In the world of Hollywood films, the James Bond 007 series stands out as one of the most thrilling and action-packed motion pictures in history. The super secret lifestyle of James Bond quickly captured the attention of millions, portraying a luxurious life of high-tech gadgets and performance cars. While the Aston Martin brand carries a significant amount of weight as a household name, the U.K. automotive manufacturer gained even more traction with the world’s best secret agent behind the wheel. The creative team at LEGO is proud to celebrate 60 years of James Bond 007 at the newly refurbished LEGO flagship store in London. With its first appearance as James Bond’s car of choice, the Aston Martin DB5 takes on an incognito appearance with tons of hidden features. MUST-READ: Aston Martin Is Revealing Two New Models At The 2022 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Making LEGO and James Bond’s respective 90th and 60th anniversaries, the new exhibit displays life-size build replicas of 007 icons like the Aston Martin DB5. The incredibly meticulous build features a 357,954-piece construction and 2,286-pound total weight, which took more than 1,366 hours (or 57 days) to piece together. The build includes actual movie characteristics like an authentic rotating license plate, functional headlights, and other illuminating instruments. As part of James Bond’s 60th-anniversary celebrations, LEGO has released a new 007 Aston Martin DB5 Speed Champions model. View all current Aston Martin DB5 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and supercar news. VIEW ALL ASTON MARTIN DB5 FOR SALE Source: James Bond 007

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 23, 2022

Discover Aston Martin x Bowmore's $75,000 ARC-52 Islay Si...

The luxury beverage that incorporates inspiration from luxury British supercars. Expressing a sense of elegance and performance within its fleet of luxury vehicles, Aston Martin presents the same perfect balance that goes into a fine bottle of a single malt scotch whiskey. The idea is more than just a coincidence, being that Aston Martin currently holds an ongoing partnership with Bowmore Distillery. Since the relationship began in late November 2019, Aston Matin x Bowmore have released two special collaboration scotch and whiskey bottles. The dynamic duo is back with an aged recipe that blends both of the two categories, introducing the new limited-edition ARC-52 by Aston Martin x Bowmore. MUST-READ: Aston Martin Preps For Take Off With The New Airbus ACH130 Aston Martin Edition ARC-52 brings together the deeply intriguing spirit of Bowmore and the ground-breaking visionary style of Aston Martin, resulting in a mature 52 year old Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. The spirit pushes the limits of maturation whilst the decanter showcases cutting edge design and technology. The design of the bottle represents a futuristic take on whisky vessel design, merging natural and man-made shapes that balances on two points. The new limited-edition Bowmore x Aston Martin ARC-52 is limited to only 100-bottles and is currently available through an authorized retailer with a suggested retail price of $75,000. View all of the current Aston Martin models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and Aston Martin news. VIEW ALL ASTON MARTIN FOR SALE Source: Bowmore

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 08, 2021

Aston Martin x Bowmore Announce Its Limited-Edition Maste...

Aston Martin teams up with Bowers on a limited luxury single-malt whiskey. While modern-day supercars boast state-of-the-art design and performance, the recipe for creating the perfect performing vehicle requires a balance of multiple aspects. It’s what helps highlight the similarities between the automotive world and a multitude of different industries. Aston Martin is proud to announce its most recent collaboration with the Scottish whiskey specialists at Bowmore Distillery, featuring a limited-edition single malt whiskey release. The Aston Martin x Bowmore Masters’ Selection combines the mastery of Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer and Bowmore’s Master Whisky Blender. Aston Martin achieves creating the perfect supercar using the ‘Golden Ratio’, a perfect pairing of design, performance, and technology implemented into each chassis. MUST-READ: Aston Martin Completes The First Valkyrie Customer Car The Golden Ratio is now being adopted for the first time by Bowmore with its new 21-year old single malt whiskey collaboration. For this single malt, a powerful and complex yet sweet warming, the creators seem, on the face, to have created absolute contrast but in reality, they have captured perfect balance and proportion. With a clear nod to Aston Martin in the very creation of this Bowmore whisky, it exudes sophistication and complexity which is truly considered yet promises a thrilling taste experience. Bowmore Masters’ Selection is available in key global markets including the UK, Germany, Canada, USA, and China at an RSP of US$300 (ex VAT/duty) from November onwards. View all the current Aston Martin examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Aston Martin For Sale Source: Aston Martin Lagonda

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2021

Meet the Aston Martin DB5 Junior: The Perfect Little Spy Car

For all of the aspiring agents out there. Aston Martin, The Little Car Company, and EON have announced the new Aston Martin DB5 Junior, a wonderful recreation of the classic spy car. While it may be a two-thirds-scale version of the original, it's still very true to the original. To create it, the original Aston Martin DB5 was 3D-scanned so that the team could ensure this little version would be a perfect interpretation. While it may be smaller, it still packs gadgets like simulated Gatling guns, a cycling digital number plate, and even a smoke screen. Each of these gadgets can be controlled via the hidden gadget panel. Powering the little DB5 is an electric powertrain that has a range of up to 80 miles, which is good enough for a tiny escape. The range of the battery can be checked on the battery meter that replaces the fuel gauge on the dashboard. Speaking of the interior, it looks stunning, featuring Smiths instruments and comfortable seats for two. The pricing for the No Time To Die editions of the DB5 Junior is set at £90,000 (~$123,000 USD) and just 125 examples will be created. You can learn more via 007junior.com. Source: The Little Car Company

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2021

Hackett London Continues Aston Martin Partnership, Launch...

Aston Martin has announced that Hackett London has renewed their long-term partnership up until 2024. Aston Martin and Hackett London are continuing their partnership which started all the way back in 2004. What's more, this partnership now includes the Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team. That means Hackett London will be the official travel wear and officewear supplier for the team and will even outfit Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll. To start off this new chapter between the two brands, Hackett London is launching the Aston Martin Racing by Hackett collection for Spring Summer 2021. This collection will include a range of men's clothing that revolves around a passion for the automotive world and motorsports. Items within the collection include polos, gilets, windbreakers, sweat pants and more. The Spring Summer 2021 Aston Martin Racing by Hackett collection is available now at Hackett.com. Also be sure to check out the new Porsche 911 GT3 apparel collection.

By Edward Jones – November 27, 2019

Aston Martin and Bowmore to Create Limited Edition Whisky

Whisky aficionados rejoice as Aston Martin has announced that Bowmore® Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky is going to be their exclusive spirits partner. If you're unfamiliar with Bowmore, they are the oldest distillery on Islay, an island in Scotland that's known for its whisky. Together, these two brands will release rare whisky bottlings that fans of both brands will love. There will also be exclusive events and experiences that will bring this partnership to fans around the world. We'll be sure to bring you more information regarding this partnership as more information is released. SEE ALL ASTON MARTINS FOR SALE

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