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 Caitlin Duffy – July 23, 2015

50th Anniversary Collection 007 SpyCar For Sale

As a tribute to 50 years of James Bond, which ultimately created the 50th anniversary collection, a group of private collectors came together to create the 007 SpyCar. A working example of the famed spy's classic Aston Martin, this one-of-fifty replica is now also a once-in-a-lifetime ownership opportunity courtesy of Axis Auto.In their decision making, the Aston Martin used in the movie “Die Another Day” was their first choice. They soon realized that if they wanted to add all the James Bond gadgets, this would not be possible. They used the Aston Martin body, but with Ford running gear throughout the car.This particular replica comes fully loaded with all the James Bond special features, including rockets and machine guns that come out of the front grill, two cannons that come out of retractable hood grills, an in-dash bar that opens to reveal a chilled bottle of champagne with two glasses and a rear revolving licence plate that hold two personalized licence plates. There are two options for controlling these features; one is a secret panel hidden in the dash, and the second is a handheld remote for controlling them outside of the car. *Remember, never drink and drive. Save the champagne for when you've arrived at your destination.In 1994 Ford acquired 96 percent of Aston Martin, at which point Ford began investing in the manufacturing of its newest venture. They first opened 2 new factories, one in Bloxam in 1994, and another in Gaydon in 2003. From their, Ford ramped up the efficiency of Aston Martin, as well as produced some of Aston Martin’s most successful cars to date, including the DB7, DB9, the Vantage, the Vanquish and the DBS, which was featured in the movies “Casino Royal” and “Quantum of Solace.”As mentioned in a press release from Ford, “Ford vehicles have been featured in James Bond films more than any other auto makers, making the association the longest in cinematic history”. So, when the script for the James Bond film, “Die Another Day,” MGM pictures and Eon productions called on its long-time association with Ford to outfit these characters with the right vehicles. Once again, Ford’s crown jewel brand, Aston Martin, was cast.The James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan personally signed a photo that was inlayed into a stunning framed poster. This car also comes with a numbered plaque personally signed by all the people involved in the build of the 007 Spy Car.The creation of this limited edition required over 45,000 hours in R&D and over 2,500 hours per car to manufacture, and this one is the #44 of the 50 in the collection. Take a moment to see the full list of features and photos of this rare offering below, then head over to the listing on duPontREGISTRY.com to make it yours. For inquiries, be sure to contact (604) 200-3688 or visit AxisAuto.ca.Buy Now• Custom-built engine to 007SpyCar specs: 90° V8; cast iron block Aluminum heads• Vortech Supercharger with 8.0 psi Boost• Engine Has Been Custom Tuned for Maximum HP• Diablo Hand Held InTune I1000 Tuner• Vehicle has be Dyno Tested to confirm HP & Torque• Displacement: 4605 cc• Power 450 BHP at 5500 RPM• Torque 390 lbs. at 4200 RPM• Redline 5750 RPM• Valve Train SOHC, 2 Valve per Cylinder• Bore & Stroke 91.4 mm / 91.4 mm• Compression Ratio 9.4:1• Fuel Premium Un-leaded 91-96 Octane• Transmission 4R70W Custom Built to 007SpyCar exacting Specs• Able to with stand up to 500 HP• 4 Speed Automatic W/Overdrive• OD Carbon Fiber Band, HD Converter• Oversized Servo• TransAction Shift Kit• 2 Extra Clutches• Spiral “Plus” Ring Kit and Pressure Solenoid Final Drive 3.55:1• Suspension• Front KW Adjustable Coil Over Strut• On Lower A-Arms With a Stabilizer Bar with Urethane Bushings• Suspension Rear Live-Axle With Coil Springs On Lower Arm Horizontal Axle Damper• Stabilizer Bar and KW Shocks• Rear End: 8.8 in. Traction-Lock (Limited Slip) Rear Axle (Differential) 3.27 Gear Ratio.Gallery (Text provided by: Axis Autos)

By Caitlin Duffy – July 16, 2015

Bespoke Aston Martin Rapide S from Dom Pérignon

In another show of their prolific ability to create an incredible and bespoke vehicle, Aston Martin has partnered with famed champagne creator Dom Pérignon to create a unique Rapide S.Aston Martin Milan shared a gallery of the customized vehicle, announcing its introduction to the world this month during a tour of Italian resorts and restaurants, on their Facebook page July 13. In the trunk of the vehicle is a stunning, handcrafted, removable carrying case, perfectly designed to contain three bottles of Dom Pérignon's special batch Deuxième Plénitude champagne, along with two glasses.The exterior of the Rapide S is a stunning black with chrome details and subtle but bright red calipers, while the interior is a blend of dark brown and burgundy leathers. After the exclusive tour introducing this model, the gallery's caption tells us this bespoke creation will become a new option for clients of Aston Martin Milan.(See Also: Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing Reported to Create New Supercar)Take a moment to see this Rapide S in closer detail in the gallery below, and when you're finished, find your own Aston Martin from our exclusive listings.Aston Martins For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook via GTspirit) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 07, 2015

Aston Martin, Red Bull Racing Reported to Create New Supe...

A collaboration between Red Bull and Aston Martin might be in the works, with the potential to create a new kind of supercar that could set a new bar for the industry.Reports have come in to Autocar that an ultra-high-performance road car could come from Adrian Newey, Formula 1 Designer for Red Bull Racing, and Aston Martin's design team, with a July 6 article marking the potential sale launch for 2018. Though it could utilize some features developed through construction of the Vulcan, this new project will be a completely unique endeavor.(See Also: Aston Martin Vulcan's Lap Around Goodwood and Burnouts)"Reports suggest it could be a track-only machine, as with the other extreme hypercars," explains Autocar's take on the information. "However, there are conflicting suggestions that Newey wants to make it road legal, in order to leave a legacy akin to Gordon Murray’s with the McLaren F1 road car." While the new project could incorporate aspects of the Aston Martin Vulcan, reports say the two will remain very separate.Of course all reports at this time are from anonymous sources or remain unconfirmed, except for statements made at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Christian Horner, Team Principal of Red Bull Racing's Formula 1 team, confirmed to Autocar at the event that Newey is working on his legacy project, with a chance that it could become a road car model. Horner also confirmed that there are talks of projects between Aston Martin and Red Bull, though did not say which specifically.Stay with us to learn more as information is released about this potential new vehicle, and in the meantime, find an example of Aston Martin's design prowess from our exclusive listings below.Aston Martins For Sale(Source: Autocar) See More Aston Martin News

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan's Lap Around Goodwood and Burnouts

Over the weekend, the Aston Martin Vulcan was unleashed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2015. This event takes place at the Goodwood House in West Sussex, England where cars from around the world and from every generation partake in the annual hill climb.(Related: Koenigsegg Regera & One:1 Driving at Goodwood)The Vulcan put on a great show while completing the hill climb, giving spectators a chance to witness the raw power that its 7.0-liter V12 engine can produce. How much power were they seeing? 811 hp.Below is a video of the Vulcan taking on the hill climb, uploaded to YouTube June 27, performing burnouts and spitting flames along the way. Clearly, the new supercar wasn't out to set track records, but instead put on a great show. See what I mean by watching the video below.(Source: YouTube) More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 26, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan Burnout at Goodwood

The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicked off yesterday, June 24, to a score of displays and unveilings from the world's top automotive manufacturers. Aston Martin is in attendance with their largest presence at the festival yet, which includes the insane Vulcan.First introduced to the world Feb. 24, the Vulcan packs 811 hp under the hood, all generated by the company's most potent 7.0-liter V12 engine yet. Combined with rear wheel drive and front-mid engine placement, this track car can lay some serious rubber to the asphalt. So, of course, Aston Martin had to demonstrate.(Related: Fastest Mercedes-AMG GT S Ever: 10-second 1/4 Mile)Listen to the engine heat up, watch the rubber start to burn and imagine the smell as you watch the Vulcan launch forward in the video below, added to YouTube this morning by Aston Martin. It's the Vulcan burning out and launching, and it's a more exhilarating way to wake up than a cup of coffee.A few photos posted to the marque's Facebook page show the Vulcan sitting in its display spot at Goodwood's Supercar Paddock, waiting with a few other Aston Martins for the show to begin. As mentioned in a June 18 press release, the Vantage GT12, Lagonda Taraf super saloon, V12 Vantage S Roadster, Rapide S and more are all on display with them.Check out our exclusive Aston Martin listings to find one of their luxurious models for your own collection.Aston Martins For Sale Bonus Video Gallery (Source: Facebook, YouTube, Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 24, 2015

2016 Aston Martin DB9 GT Unveiled

When Justin Bell described the DB9 Carbon Edition for our 2015 Exotic Car Buyers Guide, he was impressed by the agility and contemporary style of a model that's been around for nearly a decade."Everything about a modern-day Aston Martin is current and cutting edge," he described before going on to describe its V12's agility, thanks to 510 hp and 457 lb-ft. "The DB9 really is perfect for blasting down long, open, fast stretches of road in luxury. And yet it will not let you down when more active driving is required."We can't wait to find out how he enjoys the upgraded V12 of the new DB9 GT, unveiled today by Aston Martin in a press release. The all-alloy, quad overhead cam, 48-valve, mid-mounted V12 has been upgraded to produce 540 hp, making it "the most potent DB9 yet devised," as the release describes.Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph is accomplished in 4.5 seconds, while a top speed of 183 mph can be reached. But the new performance numbers aren't the only updated pieces of the DB9 GT. It has received the new touch-sensitive AMi II infotainment system with a revised, more user-friendly menu structure.Exterior updates come in the form of a black painted splitter and diffuser, new treatments for the headlights and tail lights, black anodized brake calipers and 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels. GT badges can be found around the exterior and interior, including on the headrests, and in the coupes, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel.In addition to introducing the DB9, new color, trim and equipment options are also available for the Vantage and Rapid S models in 2016. The two models will also see the addition of the new AMi II, as are Vivid Red, Royal Mint, Black Damson and Bronze Metallic leather palettes.(See Also: Detail Shots of Q by Aston Martin's "One of Seven" Series)Take a moment to browse through the images of this new Bond-worthy vehicle and its updated brethren in the gallery below, and when you're finished, find some of the DB9's predecessors in our exclusive Aston Martin listings.Aston Martin Listings Gallery (Source: Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 11, 2015

Detail Shots of Q by Aston Martin's "One of Seven" Series

Not long ago, on June 2, it was revealed to the world that seven bespoke examples of the Aston Martin Vanquish had been ordered by Marcus Storck, founder and head of Storck Bicycles.Dubbed the "One of Seven" series from Q by Aston Martin, Storck and six other enthusiasts are the lucky recipients of these models, but a few photos posted to the marque's Facebook page on June 10 give us a closer look at the details.Among the bespoke features are the satin Jet Black paint finish, diamond quilted seats and machined carbon fiber badges. The exterior is crafted from interwoven layers of carbon fiber, which required a new step in the manufacturing process.Take a moment to check out the detailed photos below, then browse our exclusive listings of Aston Martin vehicles, and find the ideal model for your collection.Aston Martins For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 08, 2015

Aston Martin Art Car for 24 Hours of Le Mans Revealed

It's a mobile optical illusion, and it looks so fast that it just might win the world's oldest active endurance race without even moving.Aston Martin has pulled back the veil on their newest Art Car design just a few days ahead of the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and as we can see in their press release, issued today, it's a stunning design courtesy of German artist and sculptor Tobias Rehberger. 2015 World Endurance Championship.Round 3, Le Mans 24 Hours.Le Mans, France.7th - 15th June 2015Photo: Drew GibsonWhat do you think of this design? Let us know in the comments below, then take a moment to browse our listings of Aston Martin Vantages to see if there's one that you would like turned into your very own art car.(Source: Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2015

7 Bespoke Aston Martin Vanquish Models Ordered By Collector

Markus Storck, founder and head of Storck Bicycles, has ordered seven bespoke examples of the Aston Martin Vanquish. This news comes from a press release issued by Aston Martin yesterday, June 1.Storck commissioned Q by Aston Martin to create these specially developed "One of Seven" Vanquish models for himself and six other sports car enthusiasts.(Related: Glow-in-the-Dark Aston Martin DBS for Gumball 3000)These Vanquish models boast a number of bespoke features. Their exteriors utilize an exclusive finish consisting of multiple layers of carbon fiber that are interwoven to provide a smooth finish. This process required the team at Aston Martin to actually develop an entirely new addition to their manufacturing process. Other features include a satin Jet Black paint finish, diamond quilting on the seats, machined carbon fiber badges, "One of Seven" logos in the headrests and gloss black trimming.The first example of these models was delivered to Storck at an event held at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, England. Stay with us for more information on these incredible Aston Martin models and up-to-date news on the British automaker.(Source: Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 26, 2015

Glow-in-the-Dark Aston Martin DBS for Gumball 3000

Though a healthy amount of attention has been paid to Deadmau5 and Jon Olsson's customized cars for this year's Gumball 3000 Rally, there are dozens of other teams and cars traveling with them from Stockholm to Las Vegas, including one that will put on its best show after the sun goes down.Acting as the official car for Team 46 is a completely glow-in-the-dark Aston Martin DBS. Unveiled on the Gumball 3000 website May 17, the iridescent blue is courtesy of a unique UV coating that absorbs UV radiation from the sunlight during the day, then becomes self-illuminating at night. Nevana Designs is the company behind this glowing paint, which was originally developed by Hamish Scott for the STARPATH project, which aimed to eliminate the need for electricity to light up walkways at night. (See Also: Aston Martin & Quintessence Yachts Introduce the AM37 Yacht) The first two days of the Rally has already been completed, with the full line of cars departing Stockholm May 24 and Oslo May 25. Today they are leaving Copenhagen with a top secret checkpoint in Germany and then a night's stay in Amsterdam. Tomorrow, May 27, they fly from Amsterdam to Reno on Gumball Airlines, when the American portion of the rally begins. Be sure to follow updates from the road on Gumball 3000's Facebook page, then browse through our exclusive listings of classic, exotic and luxury cars for sale to find your perfect ride for Gumball 3000 2016. Browse Listings (Source: Gumball3000.com, NevanaDesigns.com) See More Aston Martin News

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