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.

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By Tyler Rampersaud – April 23, 2024

Miller Motorcars Shows Off New Bespoke Aston Martin DBS 7...

Unique finishes enhance the exclusivity of this masterpiece. For years, the performance, sound, and joy of the V12 engine have been central to many Aston Martin performance car models, and as it goes away, one of the ways Aston Martin paid it homage and sent it off was the glorious DBS 770 Ultimate, a pinnacle expression of its twin-turbocharged V12 performance with 759 horsepower and performance-oriented enhancements throughout. With a production run of just 300 DBS 770 Ultimate Coupes, the stunning commemorative model is one of Aston Martin’s most exclusive high-performance creations. However, Miller Motorcars showed off an example in a new Instagram post that takes that very exclusivity to the next level. With a fully bespoke configuration courtesy of Aston Martin’s Q division, this ultra-exclusive DBS 770 Ultimate stands out as a collector-grade performance masterpiece that’s ready to be celebrated as a triumphant moment in automotive history for years to come. Aluminite Silver adorns the exterior, providing a beautiful neutral canvas for a blue, white, and red livery that reminds onlookers of Aston Martin’s home country of the United Kingdom. The Aston Martin wing logo is reminiscent of the Union Jack, while subtle blue, white, and red stripes sit in the center of the spoiler and bumpers. Inside, Aurora Blue leather provides the basis for the opulently customized interior, which is paired with red stitching, seatbelts, and accents, and contrasting white leather with exquisite diamond quilting. With a rare production run to begin with, and a stunning bespoke configuration, this Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Coupe is nothing short of automotive excellence manifested. View All Vehicles For Sale From Miller Motorcars View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miller Motorcars (@millermotorcars)

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 09, 2023

1-of-190 2023 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante Liste...

Aston Martin’s ultimate open-top grand tourer can be yours. Aston Martin holds a special place in the automotive industry. Its cars feature a unique combination of British elegance, luxury, style, and brash performance to make cars that enthusiasts admire all over the world. However, the historic manufacturer is at a turning point, and its iconic twin-turbocharged V12 engine is being sent off with a ceremonious pair of models: the DBS 770 Ultimate and the DBS 770 Ultimate Volante. The two cars feature the pinnacle version of the celebrated 5.2-liter V12 engine, which boasts an incredible power output of 759 horsepower. However, this stunning open-top piece of luxury performance machinery isn’t easy to get your hands on, as only 190 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante convertibles will be made. Fortunately, duPont REGISTRY has been the source for supercars since 1985, and specializes in showcasing incredible collector cars like this 2023 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante for sale, which is at Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lovers of timeless British sports cars will recognize that the configuration of this performance masterpiece features a modernized version of the classic green over tan color scheme, with a light, muted matte green finish on the exterior that’s complemented by futuristic accent touches like carbon fiber and a black hood, along with an interior upholstered in classic tan leather. With this modern yet instantly recognizable configuration, this rare Aston Martin masterpiece will fit seamlessly into any collection of exotic, luxury, or performance cars. If you’re interested in having this 2023 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Volante in your garage, view the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Holman Motorcars of Fort Lauderdale

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 03, 2023

1-of-300 2023 Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate Listed For Sale

This Aston Martin for sale is a piece of performance car history. Aston Martin is known and celebrated around the world for its unparalleled grand tourers. With luxurious appointments, stunning and instantly recognizable design, and of course world-class power and performance, Aston Martins are the perfect cars for cruising and going for exhilarating drives as well. However, Aston Martin has reached a turning point as a brand, as its iconic V12 engine is soon to be retired, and the DBS 770 is one of the final cars to feature it. Aston Martin ensured that the DBS 770 Ultimate would be one of the best V12-powered Aston Martins ever, with 759 horsepower and the title of the fastest Aston Martin DBS yet. However, owning the DBS in the pinnacle position isn’t easy, as Aston Martin limited production of the high-performance luxury coupe to only 300 units. However, when it comes to finding cars that are rare, exclusive, and highly sought after, duPont REGISTRY is the place to search. As the source for supercars since 1985, duPont REGISTRY specializes in cars like the Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate, and this example is listed for sale at O’Gara Coach Beverly Hills Aston Martin in Beverly Hills, California. It’s finished in a sleek China Grey exterior paintwork, which features accents and detailing in an eye-catching orange. Exposed carbon fiber pieces add a motorsport-inspired edge to the car, as well. Open the doors, and you’ll be greeted by an interior elegantly upholstered in black leather, along with red stitching that includes Aston Martin logo embroidery on the seats, as well as more carbon fiber accents, giving a suggestion of the immensely powerful 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine that lies under the hood. If you’re interested in owning this masterpiece and one of Aston Martin’s greatest rarities yet, view the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: O'Gara Coach Aston Martin Beverly Hills

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By Tyler Rampersaud – April 19, 2023

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Coupe vs. Volante: Which Is...

This is just one example of the great car enthusiast debate: coupe or convertible?

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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

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By Edward Jones – November 26, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Concorde Special Edition An...

The new Aston Martin Wings Series has a new addition called the DBS Superleggera Concorde Special Edition. Aston Martin created this car as a celebration of the Concorde supersonic passenger jet, which took its first flight 50 years ago. Only 10 examples of this model will be created, each being completely personalized at the hands of Q by Aston Martin. There are a few features that come standard that make the DBS Superleggera Concorde Special Edition a standout model. Exterior features include the Bespoke aluminum side strakes, a British Airways color scheme, black-tinted carbon fiber roof, British Airways ‘Speedmarque’ logo on the front wings, and even authentic jet black painted Civil Aviation Authority aircraft identifier numbers. Inside are even more exclusive touches, like the Concorde logo on the front seats, Machmeter graphic embroidery on the driver's sun visor and more. As mentioned before, only 10 examples will be created and they are available to purchase through Aston Martin Bristol. SEE ALL DBS SUPERLEGGERAS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – October 18, 2019

Get an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Designed by Daniel C...

James Bond has been driving Aston Martins for years. Now, you can drive just like Bond in a car that was actually designed by the international spy himself. Okay, this car was designed by Daniel Craig who has played Bond in multiple movies. Neiman Marcus, has introduced their 2019 Fantasy Gifts and they include an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera that was designed Daniel Craig. It comes in a stunning "inky blue" exterior and, of course, it packs a beastly 5.2-liter twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 engine. Paired with the purchase of this Aston Martin is a limited edition Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. This watch features "No Time To Die" engraving to celebrate the upcoming Bond film. You can learn more about this perfect combo by clicking here. see all aston martins for sale Also Check Out: James Bond 25 “No Time To Die”: All Aston Martin Cars Announced First Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Unveiled in Red and Gold

By Edward Jones – August 09, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Commissioned by House of Bijan

Heading to the Monterey Car Week is a special edition Aston Martin DBS Superleggera that was commissioned by iconic fashion designer House of Bijan. This special edition DBS was made possible thanks to 'Q by Aston Martin', the bespoke branch of the English automaker. As for what makes this car special, we don't know all of the details. However, the pictures that were uploaded to Twitter tell us quite a bit. The most noticeable bit feature of the special edition DBS Superleggera is the yellow paint, a color which Bijan is known for using. There's also the Bijan name printed along the underside of the rear wing. Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until Monterey Car Week to learn everything about this car, so check back with us next week! see all dbs superleggers for sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2019

Aston Martin Residences are Rising in Miami

If you are in the market for a great investment, check out what's happening at 300 Biscayne Boulevard Way. With the foundations complete, the Aston Martin Residences are rising in Miami. With a target of early 2022, over 14,000 cubic yards of concrete have already been poured. The project is a collaboration between G&G Business Developments and Aston Martin's Design Team. In a press release this morning, the ground floor is expected to be completed by the end of the month. Rising 66 floors above street level, the Residences range in size from 700 to 19,000 square feet. It will be the tallest residential building outside of NYC, and a new icon of the South Florida skyline. Aston Martin's Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman said: "One of the greatest joys of design is seeing your work come to life. As this is Aston Martin’s first foray into real estate we are especially keen to see the tower start to take shape". Over 50% of the properties have already been sold, with prices ranging from $750,000 to $50 Million. You can't roll up here in a Saturn or Pontiac, so we recommend the latest Aston Martin DBS Superleggera. Click the link below to find a dealer near you, and ask them about your new Miami abode. Browse Aston Martin DBS Superleggera For Sale

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By Edward Jones – May 22, 2019

New James Bond Inspired Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Rev...

The sixth James Bond film, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," may be one that isn't discussed as much as others like "Goldfinger" but it's actually a great film and an important one. Released in 1969, it was the first Bond film to not have Sean Connery as the secret agent star. Now, on its 50th anniversary, Aston Martin is celebrating the classic Bond film with the Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition. Aston Martin chose to paint this special edition car in the same Olive Green color as the 1969 Aston Martin DBS that James Bond drove in the film. On top of the classic paint scheme, the special edition DBS Superleggera also features a suite of exterior components that make it more aggressive looking than ever before. This includes the wild diamond turned and forged wheels, front splitter, bespoke metal grille and more. Inside, the elegance continues with black leather that's contrasted by gray blend Alcantara. These color choices were chosen to mimic the original car DBS. Aston Martin also added red accents that were inspired by the red-trimmed glovebox from the original car. This time, however, there's no telescopic-sight rifle. Only 50 examples of the Aston Martin Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition. Each owner will, get this, have the option to select a bespoke drink case. The retail price of the Her Majesty’s Secret Service DBS Superleggera special edition is set at £300,007 (roughly $379,000 USD). Deliveries will begin starting in Q4 2019. See All Aston Martin DBS Superleggeras for Sale

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