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 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 – May 26, 2022

Aston Martin Preps For Take Off With The New Airbus ACH13...

The new Aston Martin that requires a pilot's license. As automotive enthusiasts, we find our true passions through supercars and hypercars, with a close appreciation for anything that focuses efforts on luxury and performance. Whether an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera or a high-end personal aircraft, each showcases its areas of expertise in unique ways. It’s a similar way of thinking for the team at Aston Martin, who look for new creative ways to diversify its portfolio of brand collaborations. Aston Martin is excited to take its efforts to the sky with its new partnership with the aerospace professionals at Airbus. Aston Martin x Airbus is proud to debut the all-new ACH130 Aston Martin Edition, a stylish special edition corporate helicopter that possesses performance and pleasures from bespoke luxury cars. MUST-READ: The Aston Martin Valkyrie Takes On A Rainy Track At Mugello The dynamic duo works together to highlight Airbus Corporate Helicopters’ key values of excellence, quality, and service, with Aston Martin’s commitment to beauty, handcrafting, and automotive art. Available in four external liveries with complementary interiors, the helicopters are embellished with Aston Martin signature elements, starting with the iconic Aston Martin wings, which are embossed onto luxury leather features, tastefully positioned throughout the cabin. Although specifics and pricing have yet to be released, we are sure that there will be plenty of Airbus ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopters taking to the sky very soon. View all of the current Aston Martin models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury aviation news and Aston Martin release. View All Aston Martin For Sale Source: Aston Martin

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 Andrew Nabors – August 06, 2020

Aston Martin & Bowmore Unveil DB5 1964 Single Malt Scotch

Bowmore has been making world-renowned whiskey for over 240 years. But in 1964 they were forced to replace their ancient boiler with a modern one. Another momentus event happened that year, the Aston Martin DB5 was driven by Agent 007 in Goldfinger. As the master coachbuilders assembled each example by hand, the new upgraded distillery began brewing "Black Bowmore". It has been described as a rich and decadent single malt. Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger Continuation #1 Completed Only 25 bottles will be offered, each made by hand. The wood presentation box is also handmade, with calfskin leather and nickel-plated brass hardware. Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “This exciting new association with Bowmore gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate a vital part of our star-studded history by combining the unrivalled appeal of the iconic DB5 with the cultured flavours of this world-renowned single malt.” Browse Aston Martin For Sale Just like the latest supercars from Aston Martin, this scotch will only increase in value. It has been aged 31 years to reach 100-proof in Spanish Sherry casks. The suggested retail price is $65,685, so click the button to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news.

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

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