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 Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2020

Aston Martin Victor Unveiled at Hampton Court Concours d'...

We hope the weather holds off in London this weekend. The best cars in the United Kingdom have been joined by the latest from English automakers. Not to be outdone by any other make, the Aston Martin Victor has been unveiled at Hampton Court Concours d'Elegance as a one-off creation. It has only been uncovered for a few hours and the automotive world is truly in awe of what Aston Martin has accomplished. Q by Aston Martin was responsible for the Victor and its proved itself to be their most ambitious creation yet. The design was inspired by the V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 80s, as well as the 70s DBS V8. On the body, Q by Aston Martin applied the 'Pentland Green' paint which is joined by satin carbon fiber components. For the lightning, they borrowed technology from the Valkyrie hypercar. Inside, the Victor's cabin featured the Forest Green and Conker Bridge of Weir leathers. These high-grade leathers are joined by the visible carbon fiber of the chassis. Q by Aston Martin also included anodized aluminum and polished titanium hardware, as well as solid walnut features to add an extra touch of finesse. Based on the carbon fiber chassis of the One:77, its naturally-aspirated 7.3-liter V12 sends 836 horsepower and 606 lb-ft of torque to a six-speed manual transmission. That engine actually came from One-77, but it has been rebuilt and retuned thanks to Cosworth. While it shares the inboard suspension and Brembo ceramic brakes as the One:77, this gorgeous coupe stands alone as a statement of what they are capable of. A twin-disk clutch was needed to handle the incredible power. It makes 836 horsepower without turbos or a supercharger. Just incredible engineering to their venerable V12. If you think they should build a few more examples of this masterpiece and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2020

Aston Martin Announces 2021 V12 Speedster

With Daytona Speedweeks ramping up, it is a time to celebrate cars that have changed the sport of motor racing. The year was 1959 and the race was the 24 hours of LeMans. The Aston Martin DBR1 took home the trophy for Queen & Country. To remind the world of what they are capable of, Aston Martin has announced the 2021 V12 Speedster. Limited to only 88 cars, this open-cockpit rocket also has influences from the CC100 Speedster Concept seen below. Under the bonnet, you will find their 5.2L twin-turbo V12. Browse All Aston Martin for sale The press release predicts an output of 690 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Essentially a de-tuned engine from the DBS Superleggera, power was dialed back to keep this featherweight safe on the street. Your local dealer is ready to order yours, so act fast. Click the button above to find out more and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. " width="680"> Related: Jay Leno Drives the Aston Martin DB11 AMR Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs & Pics

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2019

Aston Martin Builds 1st Cars From New Plant

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

By Edward Jones – March 06, 2019

Aston Martin Lagonda All-Terrain Concept Previews a Produ...

In Geneva, the Aston Martin Lagonda All-Terrain was unveiled as the English automaker's next step towards a production luxury SUV. Aston Martin notes that while it may be a concept car, it is a "new future study" that includes design language that could possibly be seen in production Lagonda models. For that, we'll have to wait until 2022, the year when Aston Martin plans production on the SUV. The new Lagonda brand is aiming to be the world's first zero emission luxury brand. Andy Palmer, Aston Martin's President and Group Chief Executive Officer said: "The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept adds a hugely exciting sense of adventure to the unique brand of luxury, emission-free vehicles that Lagonda is planning to produce. This is a car that would be at home whisking someone straight from a glamorous red carpet event to a remote scientific research lab." Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept Revealed Aston Martin AM-RB 003 Hypercar is Here

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2019

Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept Revealed: Preview to...

On the same day that Aston Martin unveiled their AM-RB 003 hypercar, the English automaker has revealed yet another car. Welcome into the world the Aston Martin Vision Concept. Alright, so it may be a concept but they do say that it's a preview of their first series production supercar. “Firstly, what a pleasure to revive the Vanquish name. Synonymous with our series production flagships, it felt entirely appropriate to attach it to such a significant car," says Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO. "The Vanquish Vision Concept marks another pivotal moment in Aston Martin’s history, and another critical step in delivering the Second Century Plan. Our first series production rear mid-engined supercar will be a transformational moment for the brand, for it is the car that will propel Aston Martin into a sector of the market traditionally seen as the heartland of luxury sports cars.” There are no specific details on the new Vanquish Vision Concept, but we do know that it does feature Aston Martin's new V6 engine, which is debuting in the AM-RB 003 as a hybrid-turbo setup. More technical specs will be revealed as the development of the car progresses. We do, however, know that it will have a bonded aluminum chassis. Aston Martin points out that this is a departure from the carbon fiber construction of the Valkyrie and AM-RB 003. view all vanquish's for sale

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2019

Aston Martin AM-RB 003 Hypercar is Here

Introducing the new Aston Martin AM-RB 003, a new model that's coming in as the third mid-engined from the English automaker. Its name may not be final, but it does tell us that Red Bull Advanced Technologies are involved in the creation of the car (just like the Valkyrie). Aston Martin says that the AM-RB 003 will feature a new hybrid turbo V6 engine that will put out undefined amounts of power. That being said, it will be a road-going car but it will still be filled with F1 technology. Even with such groundbreaking tech installed, Aston Martin will be pushing out 500 examples of the car to customers. When noting the production amount, they use the term "coupe," so the possibility of a convertible variant is there. If there's one thing that should definitely be pointed out about the AM -RB 003 is that its the first car to utilize FlexFoil, developed by FlexSys Inc. This is how Aston Martin explains this new technology: "The system allows for the car’s downforce to be changed without changing the physical angle of the entire element, resulting in a seamless design with high performance, improved efficiency and reduced wind noise." It should also be pointed out that FlexFoil his also NASA-validated. Some may note that the AM-RB 003 is similar to the Valkyrie, and there are some similarities. But there are also plenty of differences between the two that allow this new model to stand out on its own. For example, the size of the cockpit has been increased and the center console's size was increased to provide more space between the driver and passenger. Aston Martin also installed LMP1-style doors that open forwards. The pricing and exact specifications of the Aston Martin AM-RB 003 have yet to be revealed, but the automaker notes they'll release all the information as the development progresses. see all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2019

Aston Martin '003' Hypercar Confirmed

If you're paying attention to the automotive world, then you've seen that Aston Martin is on an absolute roll. Now, the English automaker is continuing the roll with the announcement of the Aston Martin '003' hypercar, which has just been confirmed. This new hypercar comes in right after the stupendous Valkyrie and Valkyrie AMR Pro models, which were 001 and 002, respectively, in the hypercar numbering system that Aston Martin has created. Hypercar 003 will be powered by a turbocharged hybrid engine and has DNA that is "deeply rooted in concepts and technology currently being developed for those revolutionary road and track-only machines," according to Aston Martin. What's more, 003 is going to be a road car and it will have space for luggage. Gasp! But it doesn't stop there, as Aston Martin says it will be fully homologated in all markets with the option for both left and right-hand drive models. The Aston Martin '003' hypercar will be limited to 500 coupe examples and the first ones will arrive to the market in late 2021. Yes, they specifically noted that they would be "coupes," so a roadster or convertible variant is likely. view all aston martin vulcans for sale Related Video: " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 06, 2019

Aston Martin Lagonda All-Terrain Concept Debut Date Revealed

Aston Martin will be bringing a very special model to the 89th Geneva International Motor show that the public has not seen before: the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept. This new model's unveiling comes after the Lagonda Vision Concept's reveal at last year's Geneva Motor Show and the launch of Lagonda as Aston Martin's luxury zero emission brand. The unveiling will give the world the first glimpse into the first production model from Lagonda. Joining the Lagonda Vision Concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show will be the Vantage, DB11 AMR and DBS Superleggera. If you're interested in seeing them for yourself, you can visit Aston martin Lagonda's stand at Hall 2, stand #2229 at the event, which runs from March 5 to March 17. view all aston martins for sale

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 21, 2015

Aston Martin Introduces Electric RapidE Concept

The car industry's shift toward sustainable energy sources is picking up speed at an ever growing pace, and Aston Martin has introduced their electric vehicle: the RapidE concept car.The British marque announced this commitment to developing a zero emissions vehicle during a visit from Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge, and Chinese President Xi Jinping. As a press release and video issued today by Aston Martin describes, the electric Rapide S is on display outside of London's Lancaster House, where the royal meeting took place.“The exciting RapidE concept tangibly demonstrates the capability and ambition of Aston Martin towards developing low- and zero-emission sports cars,” stated Aston Martin CEO Dr. Andy Palmer in the release. The initiative comes as part of the British GREAT campaign, an effort to "showcase the best of what the UK has to offer" to the world in the hopes of attracting new business, investments, students and visitors.Research into the EV's development will come from a joint effort by Aston Martin and ChinaEquity, a Chinese investment group, marking a point of success for the campaign. President Xi is currently on a four day visit to the United Kingdom; as the BBC reported Oct. 20, his visit is part of an initiative to strengthen ties between the two countries. During a state banquet, "the Queen hailed the 'milestone' visit of President Xi and declared Anglo-Chinese ties were being taken to 'ambitious new heights'," described the BBC.(See Also: V8 Engine Drag Race: AMG GT vs 458 Italia and Vantage)Should development between ChinaEquity and Aston Martin be successful, it's expected that the RapidE electric vehicle could plausibly come to market within the next two years.Stay with us for more updates on this electric vehicle as they are released, and in the meantime, find one of Aston Martin's fuel-powered models from our exclusive listings below.Aston Martins For Sale (Source: Aston Martin, YouTube, BBC) See More Aston Martin News

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