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 – July 29, 2021

Santan Dave and Stormzy Takeover Aston Martin Headquarters

All for the recent "Clash" music video. If you happened upon the recent "Clash" music video from Santan Dave and Stormzy, you may have noticed the filming location. Why? Because it was filmed at Aston Martin facilities in Gaydon and Silverstone. At the headquarters in Gaydon, the two rappers walk through the customer inspection line. Then, they travel to their Silverstone facility where they take the wheel of both a DBS and V12 Speedster. Santan Dave said: “I’m extremely grateful to Aston Martin who couldn’t have been more of a pleasure to collaborate with on this video. It’s only right to showcase such an iconic British brand and such beautiful design alongside this moment.” You can see the music video for yourself up above by clicking play. See All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Andrew Nabors – April 02, 2021

Sebastian Vettel Embraces a New Beginning With the Aston ...

Formula 1 fans have another reason to celebrate Six decades ago Aston Martin decided to abandon their F1 program. Now with a resurgence in their sales and popularity, Sebastian Vettel is embracing a new beginning with the Aston Martin DBX. The most practical model they have ever offered is arguably the most fun. We see the 4x World Champion traversing the frozen north, allowing the 4-liter V8 to make use of the cool air. Many enthusiasts don't realize why the DBX sounds so familiar until they pop the hood. The twin-turbo masterpiece is built by hand at Mercedes-AMG. It is a cousin to what's offered in every new G63 for sale, and it has been tuned to offer 542 horsepower and 516 torque. Because that torque is offered from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm, the DBX is brute strength wearing velvet gloves. Aston Martin has entered a new market and knocked the ball out of the park. Even if you aren't looking for a new family hauler you are doing yourself a disservice by not experiencing one. So click the button for the ride of a lifetime. Browse Aston Martin DBX For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

007 Limited Edition Aston Martins Celebrate the Latest Ja...

We are patiently waiting for November, for the 25th James Bond film to be released. To celebrate their long history with the franchise, a series of 007 Limited Editions are being prepared to celebrate "No Time To Die". EON Productions produces each film, and their collaboration has yielded 007 versions of the Vantage and DBS Superleggera. Available to order at your local dealer, both cars are built by Aston Martin's Q division. The Vantage 007 is inspired by the first V8 that debuted in the Living Daylights in 1987. The original car will also be seen in the upcoming film. Details include a dashed yellow diffuser inspired by the hazard stripes on the film car’s rockets. The Vantage 007 Edition can even be delivered with a set of The Living Daylights inspired limited edition skis and ski rack – referencing the ‘winterised’ V8 saloon from the film. Aston Martin & Bowmore Unveil DB5 1964 Single Malt Scotch The paint is Cumberland Grey while the interior will be presented in obsidian black leather and dark chrome with 007 brandings applied on the center console of cars equipped with a manual gearbox. The sun visors of all the cars will carry another subtle film reference in the shape of an embroidered radio station frequency – 96.60 (FM) – which 007 buffs will know was the Russian police frequency Bond used to aid his escape in The Living Daylights. If you need the ultimate power, the 007 Edition DBS Superleggera offers 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Only 25 examples will be build, each in Ceramic Grey. The body accents are black-tinted carbon and 007 references and Easter Eggs can be found inside and out. Pricing for the Vantage will start at $210,798 and the DBS will be $365,329. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 27, 2020

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 by Carfection

When it comes to Agent 007, we must take the good with the bad. The 25th film in the series has been delayed by the virus, which will allow editors to offer a cinematic masterpiece. Daniel Craig has said numerous times that this is his final appearance, which is a blow to many fans. However, his automotive counterpart is ready and willing to serve Queen and Country. As such, Henry Catchpole was able to get behind the wheel of this iconic Aston Martin DB5. Mark Higgins is one of the best stunt drivers in the industry, so let's see how these gentleman push the limits of the classic Aston Martin. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for more Bond updates. Browse Aston Martin For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – December 04, 2019

First James Bond 'No Time To Die' Trailer is Here

The very first trailer for the upcoming James Bond film, 'No Time To Die', is finally here. Yet, it comes to us in a bit of a somber way as it looks to be the last time we will see Daniel Craig as the famous spy. In the trailer, found below, we get a taste of the automotive action that Bond films are known for. His vehicle of choice in the trailer is the Aston Martin DB5, but there will be more Aston Martin cars in this film. For the plot, it takes Bond away from a relaxing life in Jamaica as he's thrust into a treacherous mission to rescue a scientist. Just wait until you see the new villian. Check it out below! SEE ALL ASTON MARTINS FOR SALE " width="680">

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 Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2018

Jay Leno Drives 2019 Aston Martin Vantage

Are you looking for a nimble V8 luxury car that is smaller than a Porsche 911? The new Aston Martin Vantage is smaller than it appears. In the latest upload from Jay Leno's Garage, he touches on the finer points of the 2019 model. They needed the best V8 available, and it sparked a collaboration between Mercedes-AMG. Aston Martin builds their own version of the 4-liter twin turbo, making 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque. This is sent to the rear 8-speed transmission by a carbon fiber torque tube. Placing the wheels at the very corners of the body allows the car to look larger than it is. Along with an all-new aluminum chassis, it allows the Vantage to weigh-in at only 3,300 lbs. For $150,000 you will have a great power-to-weight ratio along with English luxury and German reliability. Click the link below to find out more and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates. Related: Aston Martin Begins Production of 2019 Vantage Check Out Jay Leno's Collection! Sultan of Brunei Has 7,000 Cars!

By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2018

Aston Martin Valkyrie With Moon Dust Paint Is 1 of 1

If you are a successful entrepreneur, you deserve the finer things in life. If your collection of supercars needs a new centerpiece, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is a fine choice. But for one discerning collector, he wanted something out of this world.Delivery of Kris Singh’s New Pagani Huayra BC Macchina VolanteOur friend Kris Singh is an avid collector of supercars. His recent visit to Aston Martin included a meeting with Miles Nurnberger, their Design Chief. Wednesday was the first Super Moon of 2018, so naturally, their lunar conversation involved the design of the Valkyrie. Being that it would be amazing with Earth in the background, Kris had an idea. Aston Martin is no stranger to metallic paints, but instead of metal flake, Chris will be providing moon dust.Lamborghini Veneno Delivered to U.S.The brave Apollo astronauts risked it all to bring back samples of the lunar surface to help advance scientific causes. Even if you are naive enough to believe it was a hoax, moon rocks occasionally fall to earth as meteorites. The moon is a punching bag for asteroids, and it the scars on its surface are proof that it protects us from the big hits. Often times it gets a brutal beating that is hard enough to spray us with debris. Moon meteors are rare, so that makes them incredibly expensive.Wednesday's Super Moon had tinges of crimson, so Kris named the color Karosserie Lunar Red. The brilliant finish will have polished crystals of feldspar, which makes up much of the moon's surface. It will also ensure the Valkyrie will be the only one of its kind, and it will probably sell for a stellar price one day. This seems like a much better idea than sending a Tesla Roadster to Mars, so as soon as we have updates, you will see them here first. Have a great weekend everyone.Aston Martin For Sale Aston Martin For Sale (on Earth) BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! My visit to Aston Martin was very inspiring. A few weeks ago @milesnurnberger had commented to me that a spec we were discussing reminded him of a Space Ship. I immediately responded, “The Valkyrie makes a Space Ship look like a Car!” ?? That got me thinking... How do I raise the bar of my spec to be worthy of Valkyrie level? ? If ever there was a machine that could grip the ground and rip around the craters of the Moon like it’s on rails, it would be the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Unfortunately, science won’t allow me to be the first person to drive on the Moon (gravity is still an issue, they say), but nothing is stopping me from bringing the Moon to my Valkyrie!! ? I have sourced, gotten proper verification, and purchased an actual Rock from the Moon which will be ground to dust and used as a key ingredient in Karosserie Lunar Red which will be the color of my Aston Martin Valkyrie. This will be the first car ever to feature a paint formula that includes actual ingredients from #SPACE !!! Thank You to everyone at @astonmartinlagonda, @redbullracing and Karosserie in Wayne, PA. More renderings will be released in the coming weeks and months. We will also document and share some of the process of making actual Moon Rock part of this very special color being developed exclusively for the most special car of my lifetime: The Aston Martin Valkyrie. ??? Thanks to ?@marcovanoverbeeke? for helping refine my spec and providing me with renderings and thanks to ?@capitolsunset? for setting the mood of the image on the Moon. More to come!! #ToTheMoonAndBack #? ??? ______________________________________________________ #AstonMartin #Valkyrie #AstonMartinValkyrie #Moon #MoonRock #KarosserieLunarRed #KrisSingh #Red #BloodRedMoon #ToTheMoonAndBack #ComingSoon #2019 #RaiseTheBar #NASA #RedBull #RedBullRacing #AdrianNewey #MarekReichman #MilesNurnberger #AndyPalmer #AstonMartinRules #GameChanger #LunarRed #F1 #Redhead #RedWillNeverBeTheSame #TheRedOfAllReds #BLESSED ______________________________________________________ PS - No information or details regarding my source, purchase price, weight of the Moon Rock, or other, will be shared. A post shared by Kris Singh (@lamborghiniks) on Feb 1, 2018 at 4:48am PST

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