McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Aston Martin News

Aston Martin news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, auction results and current market values. Our coverage runs across the Vantage, the DB12 and the DBX707, alongside landmark engineering projects such as the Valkyrie and Valhalla. We also follow the earlier cars that established the marque's name for British craftsmanship. Reporting comes from first-drive access and from the auction floors where these cars change hands. One thing separates this from other luxury sports car news. Many of the Aston Martins covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so the story and the asking price appear together. For Aston Martin news today, and the performance car news around it, start below.

By Edward Jones – 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

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2019

Aston Martin Rapide E Stuns Spectators in Monaco

Formula E has racing is dominated by the latest in electric technology, so many manufacturers have used the races to showcase their latest models. Such was the case on Saturday, as the Aston Martin Rapide E stunned spectators in Monaco. In their latest press release, we learned that Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner was behind the wheel. Winning LeMans three times gives him the confidence to push this 600 horsepower sedan to its limits. Instead of the traditional V12, you will find a an 800v battery pack. It powers twin rear motors to deliver 700 lb-ft of torque. The capacity of 65 kWh is comparable to the base model Tesla Model S 60, which operates at only 375 volts. Perhaps Aston Martin will have a competitive range thanks to the higher voltage, we will find out when production begins later this year. Only 155 examples will be built, so tell us how much you would pay to have one of the final Rapides in the comments below. Browse Aston Martin Rapide For Sale Related: Aston Martin Rapide E Unveiled at Auto Shanghai Rapide E: Aston Martin's First Electric Car

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2019

Aston Martin Vantage AMR is a 7-Speed Supercar

Aston Martin and ZF have collaborated to built the best 8-speed automatic, but some of us need total control. If you need three pedals and a rewarding experience, the new Aston Martin Vantage AMR is a 7-Speed supercar. We learned that 200 examples will be produced, with 59 cars slated to be the "Vantage 59" edition. They scheduled the reveal ahead of the 6-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps. Taking inspiration from the Vantage GTE race car, the Vantage AMR is 210 lbs lighter. European drivers will enjoy the dogleg 1st gear. It placed 2nd and 3rd opposite each other in the first gate of the shifter. You won't need first gear very often, because the 4.0L twin turbo V8 offers 503 horsepower and 461 lb-ft of torque. All of the torque is available between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. You will reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 195 mph. The limited-slip differential was tuned at Silverstone to offer amazing grip on the track. Aside from the 59 examples of the Vantage 59, the remaining 141 cars will be offered in Sabiro Blue, Onyx Black, China Grey or White Stone. The MSRP in the U.S. has been set at $204,995, and it will quickly sell out on a first-come-first-served basis. Don't miss this opportunity, click the link below to find our dealer near you and get ready to enjoy driving again. Find Your Aston Martin Vantage Here Related: Aston Martin DBS 59 Unveiled to Showcase Racing Heritage Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Twins Resurrected

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2019

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante Configurator is live

Before you assume we built another black and red car, we are not always stuck to our corporate colors. Because Aston Martin color sands and buffs each car to a brilliant shine, we browsed their normal paints for something that would show epic orange peel on a lesser brand. I will show you all the tips and tricks now that the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante configurator is live. Their standard colors are known as the "AM Palette" these were uninspiring for such a stunning design, so we chose to go with their "Q Palette". Anything done by Q carries a cost factor since it is their custom shop, but go big or go home. We chose Zaffre Blue because is has just the right metallic for a sunset ride down the beach. Two choices of carbon fiber are gloss and black tinted. Black covers the book-matched weave of the carbon, so we chose the traditional finish. Next up was a choice of smoked or red taillights. Red is nothing special, but the smoked lenses are clear with red LEDs behind them, and it provides a nice contrast. The next questions involved carbon fiber or mesh for the hood and side louvers...Mesh, really? Of course we went carbon! It went the same way for the mirrors, windshield surround and the door handles. They offer 8 colors for the cloth top, and black was too simple. A unique weave of black & silver almost shines, and it will keep the heat out in the Summer. Five choices of 21" wheels have three shades of 10-spoke and two lightweight twin-spoke designs. Lighter wheels equal a softer ride, so we chose the matte black set with matching center caps and calipers. Aston Martin Unveils the DBS Superleggera Volante Carbon Fiber Badge Pack 3 is the highest level offered, and it included the hood emblem, trunk, DBS script & Superleggera in carbon fiber. Everything under the hood can be left black, but we opted for the carbon fiber engine cover and gold heat insulation. Gold can be found on the engine plaque, oil filler cap, hood, and the dipstick handle. Moving inside, you can choose from all-Alcantara, monotone leather, duo tone leather, or "Q Environment". The last one unlocks a series of custom touches, so why not? Maltese Blue is the primary color, and it is offset by Light Argento Metallic contrasts. The choice between tri-axial and geode quilting can be tough, but the former reminds us of Epcot's Spaceship Earth. Bang & Olufsen audio and machined carbon fiber make for a nice cockpit, and we chose the heated GT steering wheel instead of the aggressive sports wheel. Options we would have liked to see were performance exhaust and cast iron rotors, but Aston Martin does not compromise on performance or civility. Tell us how you would build yours in the comments below, and click the link to order yours now. Find Your Aston Martin DBS Here " width="680"> Related: Aston Martin Volante Vision in Action Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Previewed

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2019

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Twins Resurrected

While they are busy building the Valkyrie and the AM-RB 003 Aston Martin still has time to celebrate Zagato's 100th Anniversary. Sure they could have built a new Vanquish to honor their long collaboration, but they chose a unique path. AF Racing has offered a blast from the past, and the Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato twins are being resurrected. Last built in 2011, AF Racing has an exclusive license to build 19 coupes and 19 speedsters. Dr Andrea Zagato says: "The Aston Martin V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged are an exceptional tribute to our very own heritage. They are the most beautiful retro-future (neo-classic) designed Zagatos to be ever produced." "They combine the best of two automotive worlds: A Speedster in its purest form and the perfectly shaped and astonishing silhouette of the Coupé. A very bespoke and emotional experience as well as an invaluable and special project.” Needless to say, this limited run will cost a small fortune, but these timeless classics will only increase in value. Our dealers have great incentives on new & pre-owned Vantages, so click the like below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Find Your Aston Martin Vantage Here! Related: Aston Martin Celebrates First DB4 Zagato Continuation Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Previewed

By Andrew Nabors – April 19, 2019

Aston Martin DBS 59 Unveiled to Showcase Racing Heritage

Sixty years ago, Aston Martin dominated and won the 24 Hours of LeMans. Their DBR1 yielded a 1-2 finish. To celebrate each hour of the race, 24 examples of the Aston Martin DBS 59 have been unveiled to showcase racing heritage. This unique commission was handled by Q, Aston Martin's custom shop. Before we get to the details, the winning driver in the 1st place car was none other than Carroll Shelby. He had a brilliant racing career before he built the Cobra, but a heart condition forced him to hang up his helmet. The DBS Superleggera is already gorgeous, so Q decided to keep the changes subtle and respectful. First they used an original formula to replicate Aston Martin Racing Green. It offers a nice contrast with the gloss carbon fiber roof. Bronze was chosen for the badges, grille, and brake calipers. Each example is individually numbered, and it is displayed by a roundel on the fender. Left untouched, the 5.2L V12 offers 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. With a top speed of 211 mph, it is several times more powerful than the 1959 DBR1. All 24 examples will be sold in England, but our dealers have several to choose from. Click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Aston Martin DBS Superleggera For Sale " width="680"> Related: Aston Martin Unveils Waldorf Astoria Driving Experience Aston Martin Rapide E Unveiled at Auto Shanghai

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2019

Aston Martin Unveils Waldorf Astoria Driving Experience

Regardless of where you have stayed, everyone has a story of the hotel shuttle. It would be nice for a luxury automaker to join forces with the world's most exclusive resorts, so Aston Martin has unveiled the Waldorf Astoria Driving Experience. This upcoming world tour will allow guests to get behind the wheel, and hopefully influence their next purchase. Here are the dates: Palm Springs: April 5-7 Shanghai: June 22-23 Edinburgh: September 20-21 Atlanta: October 12-13 Las Vegas October 19-10 Dubai: November 2-3 Guests can book the one-hour guided tour through the hotel's concierge, but you better act fast. Both the manufacturer and the hotel chain expect the time slots to fill up quickly. This unprecedented collaboration doesn't include their original hotel on Park Avenue. That is because track 66 of Grand Central has a private elevator for wealthy guests, and the streets of NYC would not be kind to these handmade masterpieces. Click the link below to find an Aston Martin dealer near you, and you won't regret the experience. Find Your Aston Martin Here https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJhiDsn2hx/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=ho3zm7osu9t6

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2019

Aston Martin Rapide E Unveiled at Auto Shanghai

In contrast to luxury marques who jumped into electric cars, Aston Martin decided to take their time. We've seen prototypes over the past few years, and now the car is ready for production. A press release earlier today shows the Aston Martin Rapide E unveiled at Auto Shanghai. China is a booming market for British and American luxury cars, and their air pollution is a major health concern. That's why electric cars are being embraced by the nation. The Rapide made the most sense because the long driveshaft tunnel could easily hold a battery pack. Fully charged to 800 volts, it offers 601 horsepower and 700 lb-ft of torque. Williams Advanced Engineering was brought in to validate their efforts, so you know it will be a fast sedan. They developed a new aero package to optimize air under the car while also cooling the batteries. With a range over 200 miles, it can be charged with home A/C power, 400v, & 800v DC. This limited run of 155 cars will usher in the electric era at Aston Martin, so click the link below to find our dealer near you. Browse Aston Martin Rapide For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2019

Aston Martin Celebrates First DB4 Zagato Continuation

Sir David Brown had a problem. The year was 1960 and his goal was to put his DB4 in first place on tracks around the world. He had purchased Aston Martin and Lagonda shortly after WW2 and transformed them into world class luxury marques. He named the DB series for himself, and the early versions showed great promise. To make sure the 4th example was ready to race, he turned to Zagato for styling and fine tuning. Only 19 examples were build, so Aston Martin is Celebrating the first DB4 Continuation car. In a press release this morning, we see the first completed body of this reborn classic. Aston Martin chose to build a new run of 19 cars using most of the original tooling. Instead of building a wooden buck to shape the body, they scanned an original car to explore its curves in a virtual realm. This allows the coachbuilders to see each panel in detail before work begins. Using hammers and an English wheel, the first body has been built of 1.2 mm aerospace aluminum. Stronger and lighter than the original, these 19 beauties will command a premium price when completed. Kudos to Aston Martin for bringing the past back to life, and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse All Aston Martin For Sale Related: Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs & Pics Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Previewed

By Edward Jones – March 25, 2019

Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato Previewed for First Time

Zagato is about to celebrate their 100th anniversary and is doing so with the DBZ Centenary Collection. This collection includes two cars: a continuation of the DB4 GT Zagato and the newly revealed DBS GT Zagato. The DBS GT Zagato is based on the DBS Superleggera, meaning it will be powered by a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 engine that produces 715 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. One design aspect that will surely catch everyone's eyes is the double-bubble roof (that's fun to say). This design feature spans the full length of the canopy. Separating the roof from the hood is a wrap-around windscreen, a design cue that always looks fantastic. "In the DB4 GT Zagato Continuation we have one of the world’s most beautiful and instantly recognisable pieces of car design," says Marek Reichman, Aston Martin Lagonda’s Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer. "Creating a car fit to stand alongside it was always going to be a formidable challenge, but also a great motivation. Both design teams at Aston Martin and Zagato have together risen to the task magnificently; taking the already fabulous DBS Superleggera and shaping something which retains its identity as an Aston Martin, but expresses itself as only a Zagato can. Sensational-looking and extremely rare, it is the modern incarnation of a timeless icon." Only 19 examples of the DBS GTG Zagato will be created, each of them paired with a DB4 GT Zagato Continuation. Together, the collection will cost £6m (plus taxes), which translates to roughly $7.9 million. view all aston martins for sale

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