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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 01, 2016

Revealed: Aston Martin DB11 at Geneva Motor Show

Recently, Aston Martin released a video showcasing their iconic brand throughout it's 103-year history. In that video, we're pretty sure they hinted at the long awaited DB11, and it appears as though we were right. The inaugural example of Aston Martin's 'Second Century' lineup, the DB11, has officially been unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show."DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history," states the brand in a press release. This is thanks to a new 5.2-liter V12 engine twin turbo and a bonded aluminum body. Aston Martin DB11 Specs Price: $211,995 MSRP Engine: 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 Horsepower: 600 bhp 0–60: 3.9 seconds Transmission: 8-speed automatic ZF Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Andy Palmer describes the DB11:DB11 is the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology throughout. A brand new bonded aluminium platform, clever aerodynamics, a new characterful twin-turbo V12 and class-leading infotainment systems are just a few aspects which make this the sports car that will proudly spearhead Aston Martin’s second century plan.Check out the video of the DB11 below. What do you think of the DB11? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more coverage of the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 29, 2016

2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT12: Price, Specs, Review and ...

2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Specs Price: $385,000 Engine: 5.9-liter V12 Horsepower: 600 hp 0–60: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 185 mph Transmission: automated manual Sportshift III Torque: 461 lb-ft ReviewUnveiled at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Vantage GT12 is the fastest, most powerful, road-going Aston Martin to be produced in 2016. This special edition Vantage coupe will be produced in an exclusive production run of 100 race-inspired units.Featuring a modified version of the Vantage V12 S’ 5.9-liter V12, the GT12’s drivetrain produces 600 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque, launching it from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 185 mph. Although the GT12’s top speed is significantly lower than the Vantage V12 S’ 205 miles per hour, this track-day focused Aston Martin makes up for it in the corners. With extreme aerodynamics, upgraded Brembo brakes and a number of weight saving modifications, the GT12 weighs in 330 pounds lighter than the Vantage V12 S and should grip the tarmac with a vengeance. The price for this special edition Aston Martin comes in at $385,000, but may shift in the future as certain examples come up for resale; all of the 100 GT12s were sold to private parties prior to its unveiling.Aston Martin Vantage For Sale Buy Your Issue Now

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2016

Woman Wins Aston Martin Vantage GT on The Price Is Right

If you've ever stayed at home from work or school, odds are you've watched The Price Is Right at least once in your life. The prizes on the game show are all over the place; one day a contestant could win a refrigerator, and the next day the grand prize is a car. Luckily for Francesca Penko, she was picked when the grand prize was a 2016 Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT Coupe. Yeah, a $120,265 car is way better than a fridge.Better yet, she actually pushed her luck and won the car.This car is a part of the show's Dream Car Week and according to Jalopnik, the other cars being featured are a BMW 320i, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes 550 4Matic Coupe, Porsche Panamera and a Tesla Model S.Check out the video below to see how it all played out. It's like a dream come true!Aston Martin For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2016

Six Aston Martins Race Together in Abu Dhabi

Last week, six owners of the absurdly exclusive Aston Martin Vulcan came together at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi for an extremely special occasion. Each of the drivers had a week with an elite team of racing drivers, lead by Aston Martin Racing works' driver Darren Turner, in order to learn the finer points of driving the extreme English supercar.“Aston Martin Vulcan is a very special car and that is why we have developed a unique ownership programme. It includes specialist training so customers can drive in the way it was intended," said David King, Aston Martin Director of Special Projects and Motorsport. "It has been great to see the first customer’s reactions after unleashing their very own Aston Martin Vulcan on the Grand Prix circuit here in Abu Dhabi.”Something pointed out in Aston Martin's press release regarding the event was that this was the first time these drivers had the chance to driver their own Vulcans. Before this point in time, they had only ridden passengers with Darren Turner at the wheel.With only 24 Vulcans planning to be built in total, this gathering means Yas Marina housed one-fourth of all potential Vulcans at one time. Will we see something like this again? I certainly hope so. There's nothing like a handful of 7.0-liter V12 supercars lapping a circuit together.Aston Martin Vulcan For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 08, 2016

2016 Aston Martin DB9 Volante: Price, Specs, Review and P...

2016 Aston Martin DB9 Volante Specs Price: $203,295 Engine: 6.0-liter V12 Horsepower: 517 hp 0–60: 4.5 seconds Top Speed: 183 mph Transmission: 6-speed automatic A genuine work of elegance, the Aston Martin DB9 Volante reflects the refinement of its manufacturer. A 6.0-liter handcrafted V12 rests peacefully in its engine bay patiently waiting for 517 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque to be unleashed. Smooth aesthetics, inside and out, lead the eye from front to back to enjoy the quality of detail. This masterpiece is a driver-oriented work of luxury capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds. This masterpiece is a driver-oriented work of luxury capable of 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds. It’s fitted with a hand-stitched leather and an intuitive interior design, and all cluster controls are found in the cockpit’s central panel. It welcomes drivers to experience the comfort and deep historic roots of Aston Martin Buy Your Issue Now

By Edward Jones – January 29, 2016

How the Aston Martin Vulcan is Built

Developed as a track-only vehicle, the Aston Martin Vulcan is the English automaker's most aggressive model ever. It's home to an array of carbon fiber body panels, a sleek body and a monstrous 7.0-liter V12 engine, all of which combine to create the beast that is the Vulcan.For all of the carbon fiber, mechanics, and styling that have gone into the Vulcan, you'd expect it to be made in a surgery room. And, with that notion, you'd be pretty close to correct.In a video uploaded by Carfection, we get to see the Vulcan throughout multiple stages of its build process in a manufacturing plant that looks so clean, you'd think you could eat off of the floors.If you happen to be interested in buying a Vulcan after watching the video below, don't worry. We have one for sale.Aston Martin Vulcan For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – January 29, 2016

2016 Aston Martin DB9 GT: Price, Specs, Review and Photos

2016 Aston Martin DB9 GT Specs Price: $199,950 Engine: 6.0-liter V12 Horsepower: 540 bhp 0–62: 4.5 seconds Top Speed: 183 mph Transmission: 6-speed automatic Review The engineers at Aston-Martin have pushed their 6.0-liter engine into uncharted territory. The mid-mounted V12 has been upgraded to produce 540 horsepower and 457 pound-feet, making it “the most potent DB9 yet devised,” as their press release described. Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes only 4.5 seconds, while a top speed of 183 mph can be reached. The mid-mounted V12 has been upgraded to produce 540 horsepower and 457 pound-feet, making it “the most potent DB9 yet devised" The DB9 GT has received the new touch-sensitive AMi II infotainment system. Exterior updates include a black painted splitter and diffuser, new treatments for the headlights and tail lights, black anodized brake calipers and 20-inch alloy wheels. GT badges can be found throughout, including on the headrests. Aston Martin DB9s For Sale Sell My Aston Martin DB9 Buy Your Issue Now

By Edward Jones – December 21, 2015

First Aston Martin DB10 in the US Arrives at Dimmitt

After our December 2015 Cars & Coffee event on the 19th, guests were invited to Dimmitt Automotive Group, just minutes away from our headquarters. There, they were greeted with a special treat: the Aston Martin DB10.This car was designed for the latest James Bond movie, "Spectre." Ten examples of this car were created in total, making its appearance quite the rare one. In fact, this looks to be the first time the DB10 has been shown publicly in the United States.“The DB10 was developed specifically for Spectre and just ten examples have been built,” described Aston Martin in a press release issued on September 11. “The exclusive sports car celebrates Aston Martin’s half century association with James Bond, which started with the iconic DB5.”Aston Martin also notes that the DB10 gives us a glimpse of what is to come from the English automaker.Check out the video below to see and head the car in action.Dimmitt's Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2015

Listen to the Aston Martin Vulcan Being Unleashed

Vulcans are a logical race, but even Leonard Nimoy would be astounded at the power and soundtrack from Aston Martin's latest V12-powered car: the Vulcan.Aston Martin uploaded YouTube videos showing the Vulcan in action, and the big 7.0-liter V12 doesn't disappoint.It comes with a massive, naturally-aspirated, 7.0-liter V12 engine that produces over 811 hp, and it sounds downright ferocious when unleashed on the track.Watch below as the Vulcan uses the naturally aspirated 12-cylinder to wreak havoc on this unsuspecting track. For more angry Aston-Martins, check Autofluence daily. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan Lands in the United States, Takes Ove...

The state of Ohio had a special British visitor of the hyper kind last week, courtesy of Cleveland Motorsports. Donning a fiery exterior, the Aston Martin Vulcan took over the streets around the dealership, showing passersby what the English automaker is capable of.On top of roaming the streets, the Cleveland Motorsports also allowed guests to take a look at the car for themselves, up close. It's a rare occurrence to see the car, let alone be photographed with it, but the dealership created special moments for many automotive enthusiasts.Along with the Vulcan, guests were treated to other Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and Maserati models. Check out the images below to see the car for yourself, even if you weren't able to make it to their showroom.View InventoryGallery (Source: Cleveland Motorsports)

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