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 – September 19, 2018

Aston Martin DBZ Centenary Collection Includes $7.9 Milli...

If you are looking for the ultimate in Italian style, Zagato is celebrating 100 years in the business. For over 58 of those years they have collaborated with Aston Martin to combine English supercars along with Italian DNA. In a press release this morning, we've learned the details of their 100th anniversary. The guests of honor will be 19 pairs of the DBZ Centenary Collection.Check Out The Sultan of Brunei's Collection!It is comprised of a DB4 GT Zagato Continuation alongside a DBS GT Zagato. The first is a faithful resurrection of the classic DB4, using the latest in technology to replicate the original design while retaining David Brown's traditional coachbuilding assembly techniques. Under the hood is a 380 horsepower version of the Marek straight-six, sending power to a limited-slip differential through a 4-speed manual transmission.The other half of this equation is the new DBS GT Zagato. Based on the new DBS Superleggera, it combines the most potent series-production car with a traditional double-bubble roof. Only one teaser shot and an illustration were included with the release, but we're sure we'll see more of it soon. Other Zagato hallmarks will be seen inside and out, and like the DB4, only 19 will be produced. They won't be sold individually, and pricing for each pair is £6m (not including taxes). This translates to $7.88 Million and change, so we hope at least one pair makes it to the US.Browse Aston Martins For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 12, 2018

Rapide E: Aston-Martin's First Electric Car

We heard rumors last year that the Rapide S was not available for order. Aston Martin's sleek sedan was put on hiatus to our dealers. While they could have dropped in the same AMG V8 used in the latest Vantage, they chose a path of high voltage. In a press release this morning, we have learned the shocking details of the new Rapide E.Check out the Sultan of Brunei's CollectionIn a limited run of 155 cars, they have partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering for the all-electric drive. Two electric motors offer a combined output of 601 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. It uses an 800v battery, which is capable of quick charging at 400v stations. The 5,600 individual cells are packed into a shape that is close to that of the Aston Martin 6-liter V12 it replaces.Both electric motors and their reduction gears take the place of the gas tank and the rear transaxle, so the Rapide E retains its perfect weight distribution. Their goal is over 200 miles of range with 0-60 under 4 seconds. Click the link below to find the last remaining V12 models and ask our dealers about their battery-powered future.Browse Aston Martin Rapide For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2018

Aston Martin's New Plant Ready for SUV in 2019

Aston Martin's plans for creating the new Lagonda SUV in 2019 look to be on track. The English automaker announced that the third and final stage of preparation for their assembly plant in St. Athan, South Wales is underway.(Lagonda Vision Concept pictured above)The new assembly plant was converted out of three hangars that were used as a former Ministry of Defence site. This new facility will create 750 jobs to the area, 150 of which have already been filled as part of the preparation processes. It's at this location that Aston Martin's first SUV, the Lagonda, will be created in late 2019. Aston Martin's new car assembly plant at St Athan, in South Wales.“We are delighted at the progress being made at the St Athan site," says Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin President and Chief Executive Officer. "The team have done a fantastic job in advancing the facility and I was incredibly proud to chair our first Board meeting at the new plant. Wales has a long history of engineering excellence and the Board is delighted that it will play such an important part in Aston Martin’s development.”The Lagonda will be just one of the new Aston Martin models in the company's Second Century Plan.

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2018

Aston Martin's New Autonomous Luxury Aircraft Concept

You may think driving an Aston Martin is cool, which it is, but what about flying an Aston Martin? To help us find an answer, Aston Martin has revealed the Volante Vision Concept, a luxury concept aircraft. This new concept was created in cooperation with Cranfield University, Cranfield Aerospace Solution, and Rolls-Royce.Up to three adults can fit comfortably inside the Volante Vision Concept, which was designed as a near future study concept aircraft. It can fly autonomously through the utilization of a hybrid engine. One of the most noteworthy aspects about this aircraft is that it can take off and land vertically. With these vertical capabilities and hybrid engine, this aircraft is perfect for city air travel.Project Neptune: An Aston Martin Submarine

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2018

Aston Martin Unleashed A V8 Cygnet At Goodwood

Yes, you read that correctly. As if we needed another example of their abilities, the master coachbuilders at Q by Aston Martin have shoved a V8 into their smallest car. The Cygnet is a city car, the likes of Smart or Mini. It is only sold in a few markets where cars are taxed by weight and engine size. So normally, the Cygnet is a Toyota iQ with amazing leather and a wild 97 horsepower.As such, the public didn't truly accept the 1.3L Cygnet with open arms. It was a limited run project, but since it wears the Aston Martin badge, it is subject to any modifications the Q division can dream of. Now that V8 engines are supplied by Mercedes-AMG, a leftover 4.7L from the previous Vantage needed a forever home.Aston Martin Launches New 2018 Vantage ConfiguratorIn a press release this morning, we've learned that a curious Cygnet owner asked what Q could do for him, and as always, they answered with "Anything". So the car was stripped down to the cockpit and rebuilt on a tube-frame chassis. To this, the front and rear suspensions from the previous Vantage were attached. I guess you could still call the transmission rear-mounted, but the torque tube is only a few inches long. The diamond cut 19 x 9.5" rear wheels have 430 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque sent to 275/35 Bridgestone tires.Every aspect of this build is FIA compliant, down to the fire suppression system. It has two USB ports, Air Conditioning and Recaro seats covered in Alcantara. It reaches 60 mph in 4.2 seconds with a top speed of 170 mph. With a full tank, it weighs 3,031 lbs, with a center of gravity that is on-par with many race cars. Would you daily drive it? Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news.Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=15&v=dzM9A_HkNL8

By Andrew Nabors – July 06, 2018

Two Special DB11 Commissions From Aston Martin

When it comes to ordering a DB11, Aston Martin dealers are given a blank canvas. That is because Q by Aston Martin can build anything a customer desires. With all the news surrounding the new Vantage and AMR models, the master coachbuilders at Q decided to show everyone their capabilities. The English automaker sent us the press release on the 4th of July, describing the inspiration for both builds.2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera RevealedThe Henley Royal Regatta DB11 Volante celebrates the famous rowing race on the River Thames. It is a successor to last year's Henley Royal Regatta DB11 Coupe and finished in a striking White Stone finish. The interior is finished in Red Oxide Caithness leather. Carbon fiber accents and crossed oar motifs in stainless steel are accompanied by hand-painted examples of the rowing club's logo.DB11 Henley Royal Regatta For the 20th Anniversary of Classic Driver's website, the other car is the DB11 Classic Driver Edition. Working with Classic Driver's lead designer Benjamin Knapp Voith, it incorporates the green and grey themes of their site. Only 20 examples will be offered in coupe and Volante. We at duPont REGISTRY would just like to point out that duPontREGISTRY.com predates ClassicDriver.com by 3 years.Browse DB11 For Sale DB11 Classic Driver

By Andrew Nabors – June 28, 2018

Configure Your Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Yesterday Aston Martin confirmed the rumors. Their latest supercar is the DBS Superleggera and it packs a powerful punch. The styling is a bold move from their traditional look, so the model was added to their configurator to help you build your new car. Riding on 21" forged wheels, your color choices are Dark Alchemy, Modern Minimalist, Distilled Energy, and Dynamic Futurist. Of course, those are just the first designer specifications off of the drawing board. Because each Aston Martin is built by hand they can paint it to any color your heart desires. We took some inspiration from our Red & Black logo, so here is the duPont REGISTRY DBS Superleggera:Starting with the mirrors and the roof, gloss carbon fiber is a no-brainer. Then when it comes to the hood and fender vents, carbon all the way. Under the hood, everyone needs 24k gold to insulate the paint from the beastly turbos. Inside, you guessed it- black & red contrast leather. That includes the steering wheel, headliner, everywhere. You have 5 options for the 21" forged wheels, but the twisted Y-spoke in contrast gloss/matte black looks imposing in front of black calipers.No prices for the extras yet, so we're going to let you know when they are uploaded.A special order might put your delivery date into next year. So if you can't wait, our dealers have several DB11 examples to choose from. They can also tell you more about the ordering process, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates.Browse Aston Martin DB11 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2018

2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Revealed

This is the one we've been waiting for. The 2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera has been released, and it's the star of the latest film by cinematographer Nick Night. He is an avid collector of all things Aston Martin, so the factory invited him to oversee this launch. In the 3pm press release, we learned that he asked Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman what the car's most important attribute is, and the answer was "Speed"!2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Caught TestingTorque is such an important feature of the DBS Superleggera, it’s the delivery of the power that throws you back into your seat as you accelerate,’ said Reichman, ‘this power is what defines the DBS Superleggera. This car is about bold, athletic muscularity." It was accompanied by a simultaneous release that has all the details of the new car.Touring was a coachbuilder in Italy that first coined the Superleggera name in 1967. Literally translated as Super Light, their name was found on the DB4, DB5, and the DB6 Mark 1 made David Brown's sports cars untouchable. The original DBS was the successor to the DB6, but it had grown larger than the previous cars, and it didn't wear the Superleggera badge. But it was the first Aston Martin to have a V8, which changed everyone's perceptions of the brand.This new model is destined to do the same, thanks to a carbon fiber body and a big V12. The 5.2-liter engine is joined by twin turbos to offer 664 lb-ft of torque and 715 horsepower. You will be at 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, and 100 mph in 6.4 seconds. As a display of the brutal torque, the car can leap from 50 to 100 mph in 4.2 seconds while locked in 4th gear. Downshifting is for the weak.Mounted behind the centerline of the front wheels, it places the center of mass near the driver. Almost 400 lbs of downforce are used to keep it glued to the track. Like the DB11 and the Vantage, a rear-mounted ZF 8-speed automatic is coupled to a 2.91 differential. This efficient combination offers near-perfect weight distribution and almost 23 miles per gallon. Maximum torque is available from 1,800 to 5,000 rpm, which will make for brutal acceleration. If you don't need a rocketship, the DB11 can be had with a 600 horsepower version of this V12 or a 4.0L AMG V8. Click the link below to find our dealer nearest you and stay with us for more updates on the DBS Superleggera.Browse Aston-Martin DB11 For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=DrUAHyMWd5c

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2018

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 & GT4 Unveiled At LeMans

If you enjoy endurance racing, Aston Martin just revealed their lineup for LeMans. Their latest Vantage has arrived in two flavors. The Vantage GT3 is running its first shakedown laps later today, with their veteran driver Ross Gunn behind the wheel. It is an evolution of the Vantage GTE, two of which will be seen in the GTE Pro class.With a dry weight of 2,745 lbs, the Vantage GT3 is rated at 535 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The press release also says it is powered by the Mercedes-AMG 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 found in the production Vantage. This makes us wonder what the Balance of Performance rules will compare between Aston Martin and the Mercedes-Benz teams.Surprise: 2018 Aston Martin Vantage GTE Race Car RevealedIf you are lucky enough to be invited to the Aston Martin Paddock, you will see the Vantage GT4 on display. It is not racing this weekend, as it is still being finalized. Engineers have a deadline of March 1st 2019 so it will be shown to potential buyers who don't have the deep pockets needed for GT3. To clarify this, a GT4 car is much closer to a street car, and therefore it is a much more affordable way to go racing. Good luck from us to everyone at Aston Martin Racing. May the wind be at your back, and your finish end with a trophy. Stay with us for all your LeMans and Vantage updates.Find Your Aston Martin Vantage Here!

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2018

Aston Martin Unveils the Rapide AMR

If you are in the market for a fast luxury sedan, Aston Martin needs a few minutes of your time. That's because they have borrowed the 603 horsepower V12 from the Vantage GT12 and dropped it into their 4-door. In a press release this morning, we learn the Rapide AMR will be limited to 210 examples and offered in three versions: Standard, Silhouette, and Signature.CEO Andy Palmer said: "AMR takes technology and inspiration from our motorsport programme to amplify the sporting prowess in our road cars which is clear to see in the Rapide AMR, Aston Martin’s most extreme, 4-door sports car. With enhanced performance, sharper dynamics and more powerful design language, Aston Martin has taken Rapide to new and exciting extremes.”Bespoke Aston Martin Rapide S from Dom PérignonIt is the first Rapide to reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, along with a top speed of 205 mph. A car this capable needs powerful brakes, so it also arrives with 15.7" rotors. The 21" wheels are unique to this model. It is nearly identical to the concept shown at Geneva last year, with carbon fiber in all the right places. Under the carbon fiber hood is ample room for the V12, so AMR developed longer intake runners. This pushes torque up to 465 lb-ft....more than enough to scare your in-laws! Of course, if you don't need that much power, the Rapide and Rapide S are both excellent choices. So click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin newsBrowse Aston Martin Rapide For Sale

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