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 – October 07, 2019

First Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Unveiled in Red and Gold

The new Aston Martin DBZ GT Continuation has finally been unveiled after its announcement back in 2018. This model can only be bought when paired with the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation as the DBZ Centenary Collection. The Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato can come finished in the beautiful Supernova Red paint, a color that's reserved just for the DBS GT Zagato ‘Centenary Specification’. Contrasting against the red paint are the Satin Black and Gold 3D-machined wheels that are remarkably beautiful. Luxury Cars for Sale Inside, the cabin is more than just lavish. Aston Martin is giving customers the choice between three different material ranges for the interior: Carbon, Aluminum and the Gold PVD of the 'Centenary Specification'. The English automaker also gives customers the ability to further customize their DBS GT Zagato through the 'Q by Aston Martin' service. Expect to see all DB4 GT Zagato Continuation cars to be delivered by the end of 2019. see all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valhalla Put Through Paces on T...

Beautiful footage of both the Aston Martin Valhalla supercar and Valkyrie hypercar taking on Silverstone has been uploaded to YouTube and it's worth the watch. The video, found down below, shows the two cars being tested around the official Aston Martin development facility at Silverstone. Behind the wheel is none other than the British marque's High Performance Test Driver, Chris Goodwin. But when will be able to start seeing these two cars on the track, driven by customers? Aston Martin notes that Valkyrie will start being delivered later this year. Yes, it's almost the Valkyrie's time to shine. As for the Valhalla, a delivery window hasn't been announced just yet. see all aston martins for sale " width="680"> Also Check Out: Aston Martin Will Make Super Custom Garages for Clients Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs, and Pics

By Edward Jones – August 16, 2019

1965 Aston Martin DB5 "Bond Car" Sells for Big Money

RM Sotheby's has auctioned off one of the three surviving 1965 Aston Martin DB5 cars seen in the "Goldfinger" film. The car went across the block at their "An Evening with Aston Martin" event in Monterey, where it sold for an astonishing $6,385,000. This price makes it the most valuable DB5 ever sold at an auction. Bidding took place between six parties and it lasted four-and-a-half minutes. "It was an honor to offer the iconic James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 alongside our partners at Aston Martin Works and Aston Martin Lagonda," said Barney Ruprecht, Car Specialist at RM Sotheby’s. "We are beyond thrilled with tonight’s fantastic result and proud to have set a new record for the most valuable DB5 sold at auction. Beyond this new auction record, the enormous amount of interest in the car and excitement surrounding it ahead of the auction solidifies its status as the "most famous car in the world," along with the hobby’s great respect for the Aston Martin brand." RM Sotheby's Monterey sale is set to continue through August 17. For more information, click the button below. learn more

By Edward Jones – August 16, 2019

Aston Martin Will Make Super Custom Garages for Clients

Aston Martin is taking their design expertise to clients in a completely new way. The newly announced Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs services will help clients create the space for the car they've dreamt about. Aston Martin notes that this can range from a garage to a "complete, luxury retreat." The example presented at Pebble Beach is a truly stunning one at that. A "subterranean" circular space houses the likes of the Aston Martin Valhalla and DBS. The goal of Aston Martin Automotive Galleries and Lairs is to create a space where the car is the star, but there are amenities and luxury abound. “Imagine a home or luxury retreat built around your car,” said Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. “Picture creating the ultimate space to showcase your own automotive works of art. This is now achievable with this new offering. For the car enthusiast the garage is as important as the rest of the house and a bespoke auto gallery designed by Aston Martin that either focuses on showing off the car or is part of a larger, integrated entertainment space with simulators and such like, takes Aston Martin ownership to the next level.” see all aston martins for sale Also Check Out: Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs, and Pics Aston Martin Residences are Rising in Miami

By Edward Jones – August 11, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs, and Pics

Aston Martin Valkyrie Price Automakers have two choices when it comes to pricing a hypercar. Considering the time and effort that goes into development, the Aston Martin Valkyrie price of $3,200,000 is a fraction of what it really costs. Since it will be amortized among 150 examples, it will allow the brand to experience the trials and tribulations of this market. Of course, each example will be sold, but even the most loyal customers are on a waiting list. One day we will be happy to list an Aston Martin Valkyrie for sale, as it has the potential to shake up an industry. Aston Martin Valkyrie Review In order to get a feel for the car, we must first address the elephant in the room. The Aston Martin Valkyrie was not built completely in-house. It began life as the AM-RB 001. This cryptic designation is the first collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull. The former wanted a street legal hypercar, so they turned to the wizards at Red Bull Racing for a helping hand. The car uses F1 suspension and a one-piece carbon fiber body. Both of which are produced by Multimatic, a leader in composite construction. Because the car is capable of cornering at 3.5G, so Aston Martin have built a simulator to allow owners to experience a fraction of its abilities. For a proper Aston Martin Valkyrie review, be sure to download it as an expansion pack for your favorite racing game. The only missing part will be the Aston Martin Valkyrie horsepower of 1,130 hp. Aston Martin Valkyrie Specs It is so different than anything else on the road, let's break down the Aston Martin Valkyrie specs. Powered by an all-new Cosworth V12, the Aston Martin Valkyrie top speed is 250 mph. This is only achieved by the 4,000 lbs of downforce keeping you safe. Price: $3,200,000 Engine: 6.5L Cosworth V12 Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Horsepower: 1,130 hp (With Kers) Torque: 663 lb-ft (With Kers) 0-60 mph: 2.5s 1/4 mile: TBD Top Speed: 250 mph Aston Martin Valkyrie Engine Don't let anyone tell you the V12 is dead. Aston Martin asked Cosworth to design a new 6.5L naturally aspirated beast. Their expertise in racing meant dispensing with timing belts or even a chain. That's because the valve timing must be precise at 11,000 rpm. So all four cams are gear driven from the crankshaft on the back of the engine. The valvetrain wasn't moved for reliability, but the simple fact that cam gears spinning at those speeds would make the cockpit noise unbearable. The change also allows the block to be the central element of the rear suspension. Fully dressed, the Aston Martin Valkyrie engine tips the scales at 454 lbs, which is less than most V8 engines. One issue will be the Aston Martin Valkyrie mpg, as 6.5L at 11,000 rpm will be thirsty. Aston Martin Valkyrie Transmission A normal dual-clutch transmission would not be capable of shifting past 10,000 rpm. Not only was that one constraint, but the 7-speed gearbox also has an electric motor. It is a Kers unit that is capable of adding 160 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque to the input shaft. Needless to say, Ricardo was the only manufacturer to answer the call. Like the engine, the transmission is also a stressed member of the suspension. This further added complexity in maintaining the case geometry. With even and odd numbered gears on their own shafts, the stress on the gearbox changes sides with each shift. Perhaps a 6-speed manual would have been easier. Aston Martin Valkyrie Interior When it comes to extreme interiors, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is at the top. Both carbon fiber seats are bolted in place to add rigidity and reduce weight. Traditional mirrors are replaced by display screens, and the steering wheel has digital information in your line of sight. The seats are prepped for 5-point harnesses, but they arrive with lap and shoulder belts from the factory. Some of the more outrageous features might need to be revised to become street legal. (Also Check Out: Aston Martin DB11 Chases Down Vulcan) Aston Martin Valkyrie Brakes From what we know so far, the massive rotors and calipers for the Valkyrie are the results of cooperation between Alcon and Surface Transforms. The one-piece calipers were machined with only a slight air gap to the 20" front and 21" rear wheels. Of course, the stability systems will involve control of the calipers. Brake vectoring is also involved, to keep the Valkyrie glued in the corners. (Related: Meet the Pinnacle Aston Martin: The Vantage GT12 Roadster) Aston Martin Valkyrie Standout Features Extolling the virtues of such a unique automobile, here are our choices for the Valkyrie's standout features. It is the first Aston Martin to incorporate a KERS system. It can be used to boost power at an instant. The design of the body also stands out. The F1 front suspension is essentially an open wheel car obscured by fenders. Air is channeled from the fenders into a central tunnel. This is how it achieves 4,000 lbs of downforce at 250 mph. Finally, Aston Martin has warned anyone who intends on selling the Valkyrie for a profit. Flippers will be banned from the VIP list and never allowed to purchase another Aston Martin. Shop Aston Martin Vulcan " width="680"> Related: Full Aston Martin Valkyrie Power Figures Revealed Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack & Option List

By Edward Jones – August 09, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Commissioned by House of Bijan

Heading to the Monterey Car Week is a special edition Aston Martin DBS Superleggera that was commissioned by iconic fashion designer House of Bijan. This special edition DBS was made possible thanks to 'Q by Aston Martin', the bespoke branch of the English automaker. As for what makes this car special, we don't know all of the details. However, the pictures that were uploaded to Twitter tell us quite a bit. The most noticeable bit feature of the special edition DBS Superleggera is the yellow paint, a color which Bijan is known for using. There's also the Bijan name printed along the underside of the rear wing. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until Monterey Car Week to learn everything about this car, so check back with us next week! see all dbs superleggers for sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2019

Aston Martin Residences are Rising in Miami

If you are in the market for a great investment, check out what's happening at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way. With the foundations complete, the Aston Martin Residences are rising in Miami. With a target of early 2022, over 14,000 cubic yards of concrete have already been poured. The project is a collaboration between G&G Business Developments and Aston Martin's Design Team. In a press release this morning, the ground floor is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Rising 66 floors above street level, the Residences range in size from 700 to 19,000 square feet. It will be the tallest residential building outside of NYC, and a new icon of the South Florida skyline. Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said: "One of the greatest joys of design is seeing your work come to life. As this is Aston Martin’s first foray into real estate we are especially keen to see the tower start to take shape". Over 50% of the properties have already been sold, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $50 Million. You can't roll up here in a Saturn or Pontiac, so we recommend the latest Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. Click the link below to find a dealer near you, and ask them about your new Miami abode. Browse Aston Martin DBS Superleggera For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 15, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes its Public Debut at Silverstone

Even though it seems like it's already happened before, the Aston Martin Valkyrie made its public debut at the 2019 British Grand Prix over the weekend. The British hypercar was not only shown off statically to the crowd attending the race, but it also hit the track for its first public track demonstration. Yes, you read that right: Aston Martin actually took the Valkyrie out for some track time. " width="680"> Chris Goodwin, the Aston Martin High Performance Test Driver, was the man behind the wheel of the hypercar for its maiden lap. Aston Martin noted that this demo was not about lap times, but more about giving the crowd a glimpse of what's to come. Goodwin had this to say after completing the lap around Silverstone: "I’ve driven this car around Silverstone for countless hours on the simulator at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s HQ and in many other sportscars throughout my career, but to drive Aston Martin Valkyrie here today feels exceptionally special." Also, I have to mention how crazy this livery is for the Valkyrie. I hope this isn't the last we see of this design. I'm looking at you, buyers of the Valkyrie. see all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – July 09, 2019

See the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato's Final Look

Aston Martin has finally revealed what the production version of the new DBS GT Zagato will look like. This new luxury car will be paired with the DB4 GT Zagato continuation model to complete the DBZ Centenary Collection. This new collection was designed to celebrate 100 years of Bentley Motors in the most exclusive way possible -- only 19 sets of the collection will be created. For the DBZ GT Zagato, Aston Martin starts the build around the DBS Superleggera. Of course, this car is very much different when compared to the DBS Superleggera. For instance, the front end of the car has been designed to essentially "breathe." By that, I mean that the 108 carbon fiber pieces in the grille remain flush with the car's body until the car is started up. When the engine comes to life, these pieces move to allow air to reach the twin-turbo V12 engine. Expect the Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato to hit production in 2020. see all aston martins for sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2019

Aston Martin Builds 1st Cars From New Plant

Things are looking up for Aston Martin. Their partnership with Mercedes-AMG shows no signs of weakening, and their second assembly plant is about to shock the world. When we hear that Aston Martin has built the first cars from their new plant, we figured it would be an AMR. But their latest press release shows the first prototypes of the DBX. As the first SUV from this historic brand, nothing can be left to chance. Chassis and power train validation began last year, with test mules attacking the Welsh countryside. The site has also been named the home of Aston Martin electrification, and they aim to create 3,000 new jobs when full-scale production begins. Rumors abound that the DBX will arrive with the AMG 4.0L V8, so we hope they leave room for the big V12. Tell us what you think of an Aston Martin SUV in the comments below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale Related: Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato Continuation will Launch at LeMans New James Bond Inspired Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Revealed

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