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 Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2020

Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage Twins Revealed

The team at R-Reforged has been hard at work recreating the most popular English-Italian supercars. Now after years in the making, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage Twins have been revealed. Offered as a pair of coupe and roadster, only 19 sets will be produced. The prototypes seen in the press release this morning are better than anyone could have expected. First Pair of Zagato Heritage Twins Begin Production While the gorgeous lines are true to Zagato's original work, dynamic upgrades are found underneath. Technically the first pair, these two cars were spec'ed by Andrea and Marella Zagato. A new splitter and active rear spoiler make them much more stable than their predecessors. The engine has improvements to cam timing and exhaust to offer 600 horsepower, and the bodies are completely carbon fiber. The ultimate V12 Vantage can be yours, so click the button below for all the details and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2020

Aston Martin Residences in Miami Hosts Unveiling of First...

The new Aston Martin DBX is not only the first SUV from the British manufacturer, but also the very first model to be made at the new manufacturing facility in St Athan in Wales. With such a prestigious new model from the iconic automaker, the DBX deserves its fanfare. To give the first North American audience an exciting glimpse, the first customer DBX was unveiled at Aston Martin Residences in Miami by Alejandro Aljanati, CMO of G&G Business Developments, and Nicolette Brent, UK Consul General for Florida on November 24th. The unveiling at Aston Martin Residences was the chosen venue to announce that owners of the exclusive Signature condos will choose between either a DBX Riverwalk Edition or DB11 Riverwalk Edition to complement their new home. The DBX is finished in a Jet Black paint and rides on 22-inch wheels. Inside is an Obsidian Black interior, with Piano Black Wood Veneer and contrast Satin Chrome detailing. Aston Martin Residences in Miami is a 66-floor luxury residential development that will redefine the Miami skyline. Set for completion in 2022, more than 60% of the 391 homes have been sold to date. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Visit AstonMartinResidences.com

By Andrew Nabors – November 23, 2020

First Pair of Zagato Heritage Twins Begin Production

Don't dwell on missed oppotunities. If an English exotics with a taste of Italy appeal to your finer sensibilities, the first pair of Zagato Heritage Twins have entered production. Because they are busy building the future of the brand, Aston Martin has allowed R-Reforged to improve upon perfection. Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Twins Back for a Limited Run All 38 cars will benefit from comprehensive improvements. Starting with the engine and ending at the lug nuts, the coupe and speedster are more powerful and more capable. Each pair is built to order, and as production progresses the owners will receive tailored gifts to signify milestones in the process. Only 4 examples of the V12 Zagato have made it to the U.S. since 2011, so now is your chance. Click the button to find our Aston Martin dealer near you for all the information. Browse Aston Martin V12 Vantage For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 23, 2020

Aston Martin Vantage Legacy Collection Can Be Yours

A decade of dominance in motorsports is not an easy task. If you appreciate the time an effort of their creations, the Aston Martin Vantage Legacy Collection can be yours. From 2009 to 2018, the Vantage GT4, GT3, and GTE teams battled every other manufacturer on tracks around the world. While it would be amazing to own the actual cars, the same workers responsible for them have built exact replicas using original tooling. All three are being offered together, and splitting them up is not an option. This trio is FIA-compliant for their respective classes. Arriving ready to race, you will have polycarbonate windows, air jacks, fire supression and full instrumentation. Both V8 engines and the V12 in the GT3 are race-prepped, with the most aggressive intake and exhaust systems allowed in their class. While this collection would be perfect in a museum, it would be a shame to let them collect dust. If you have a need for speed, click the button below to find our Aston Martin dealer near you and they will have all the details on this unprecedented opportunity. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 02, 2020

Aston Martin Creating Luxury Homes in New York City That ...

New York, get ready because there are about to be five new luxury homes that will be highly sought after. These new homes are coming into existence thanks to a collaboration between Aston Martin, architect Sir David Adjaye and Lightstone. "This is a fascinating project for the Aston Martin design team to work on and a great opportunity to collaborate with Sir David," says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer. "It is our first real estate project in New York City but our second collaboration in real estate design after the Aston Martin Residences in Miami." These five homes will be located on the 59th and 60th floors of 130 William and will come fully furnished. Each of these homes will include a large outdoor loggia, a feature that's rare with New York City residences. Furniture and materials for the interiors will come from the Aston Martin Home Collection by the Italian manufacturer Formitalia, each of them curated by Marek Reichman and Sir David Adjaye. When purchasing one of these homes, buyers have the ability to turn one of the rooms into either a racing simulator room, office and library space or bedroom. If the racing simulator option is picked, the tech will come from Curv Racing Simulators who has collaborated with Aston Martin for special simulator setups. As for pricing of the homes, here's the breakdown: $11,500,000 for PH60A, $10,500,000 for PH60B, and three loggia residences L59A, L59B and L59C, priced from $3,985,000, $5,985,000 and $10,000,000. Along with the purchase of one of these homes comes the 130 William Adjaye Special Edition Aston Martin DBX. This marks the first time that Aston Martin has teamed up with an architect for a signature vehicle. Another first is the inclusion of real stone accents, grey “Pietra D’Avola” marble inlays. The interior also has Q by Aston Martin Parliament Green leatherwork, Parliament Green trim, a bespoke exterior color inspired by 130 William's exterior, Satin Walnut wood, and black, bronze, anodized aluminum and real stone details. See All Aston Martins For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 02, 2020

Aston Martin to Receive Electric and Hybrid Tech From Mer...

After announcing the Mercedes-Benz AG will be one of Aston Martin's largest shareholders (maximum 20%), we're now learning of the fruits of this partnership. In a press release from Aston Martin, details were given as to what is in the agreement between the two brands. One highlight is that Mercedes-Benz will be giving Aston Martin access to their powertrain architectures, including hybrid and electric vehicles, for vehicles to be launched from now until 2027. This shows that Aston Martin is going full-steam-ahead with creating an electric or hybrid model and now we know to expect something by 2026 at the latest. Could it be a new electric DB? Electric hypercar? Who knows, but I'm excited. Another interesting note from the press release that I found, which is unrelated to the Mercedes partnership, is in regards to the Valkyrie hypercar. Aston Martin says that they are set to start delivering the Valkyrie next year. It's been a long time coming, so I'm most definitely excited to see the Valkyrie at the big events next year. See All Aston Martins For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 01, 2020

Aston Martin Designs Sylvan Rock Mansion With S3 Architec...

Aston Martin is notorious for producing a line-up of supercars capable of both turning heads and setting lap times. However, the British auto manufacturer is also known to take part in real estate design. The first two projects being a Miami penthouse and an Aston Martin auto gallery. Aston Martin and S3 Architecture have announced the Sylvan Rock project, a breathtaking residential estate located in the Hudson Valley of New York. The 5,983-square foot home will be constructed on a 55-acre lot secluded in the woods, 2 hours from Manhattan. Sylvan Rock feature a dark geometric design that features an open glass structure to compliment the four-bedroom home. The interior amenities include a three-car auto gallery style garage, a lounge, and a wine cellar. The exterior of the property houses three guest pods and a modern style treehouse designed to match the aesthetics of the main home. Sylvan Rock will begin construction in 2021 and will be listed through Corcoran Country Living for $7.7 million dollars. A true work of art that would leave anyone breathless traveling up the 2,000-foot driveway. Click the link below to learn more about Sylvan Rock by Aston Martin x S3 Architecture. Visit Sylvan Rock

By Andrew Nabors – September 22, 2020

Aston Martin Announces Attractive Pricing for 2021 DBX an...

Covid has hit all automakers right where it counts. While some manufacturers have suspended production of their high-end models, Aston Martin has announced attractive pricing for the 2021 DBX and the 2021 Vantage for sale. In a report by CNET, the brand's first SUV has been trimmed by $13,000 and the Vantage is now $14,000 more affordable. Both are built by hand using the latest in materials and engineering. I wish the same strategy was applied to the DBS Superleggera, as it is among the best cars I have driven. If you have been contemplating an English luxury car, strike while the iron is hot. Click the button to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2020

Aston Martin Wins LeMans & Manufacturers' Trophy

Our hats are off to the drivers and crewmembers of AMR. If you missed the live stream over the weekend, Aston Martin won LeMans along with the Manufacturers' Championship trophy. Even with one race remaining this season, Aston Martin's 1-2 finish for both Vantage GTE teams earned enough points to win the Manufacturer's Championship. " width="680"> Team TF Sports was head by Aston Martin Works drivers Jonny Adam and Charlie Eastwood took 2nd place while Alex Lynn and Maxime Martin hammered car #97 to 1st place. Tobias Moers, Aston Martin CEO, commented: “I am extremely proud of everyone who has played a part in this momentous victory today. To win both GTE classes and the WEC Manufacturer’s title is testimony to the quality of both the team, the Vantage GTE and the Vantage road car that is the basis of the race car.” If you are curious as to how the Vantage is so potent, click the button below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2020

Aston Martin Victor Unveiled at Hampton Court Concours d'...

We hope the weather holds off in London this weekend. The best cars in the United Kingdom have been joined by the latest from English automakers. Not to be outdone by any other make, the Aston Martin Victor has been unveiled at Hampton Court Concours d'Elegance as a one-off creation. It has only been uncovered for a few hours and the automotive world is truly in awe of what Aston Martin has accomplished. Q by Aston Martin was responsible for the Victor and its proved itself to be their most ambitious creation yet. The design was inspired by the V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 80s, as well as the 70s DBS V8. On the body, Q by Aston Martin applied the 'Pentland Green' paint which is joined by satin carbon fiber components. For the lightning, they borrowed technology from the Valkyrie hypercar. Inside, the Victor's cabin featured the Forest Green and Conker Bridge of Weir leathers. These high-grade leathers are joined by the visible carbon fiber of the chassis. Q by Aston Martin also included anodized aluminum and polished titanium hardware, as well as solid walnut features to add an extra touch of finesse. Based on the carbon fiber chassis of the One:77, its naturally-aspirated 7.3-liter V12 sends 836 horsepower and 606 lb-ft of torque to a six-speed manual transmission. That engine actually came from One-77, but it has been rebuilt and retuned thanks to Cosworth. While it shares the inboard suspension and Brembo ceramic brakes as the One:77, this gorgeous coupe stands alone as a statement of what they are capable of. A twin-disk clutch was needed to handle the incredible power. It makes 836 horsepower without turbos or a supercharger. Just incredible engineering to their venerable V12. If you think they should build a few more examples of this masterpiece and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

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