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 Jordan Aquistapace – September 27, 2023

Aston Martin Reveals That Production Of The F1-Inspired V...

Aston Martin's Valhalla mid-engine supercar is utilizing Formula 1 technology, slated for production in 2024. The Aston Martin Valhalla is starting to emerge as the road and track weapon it was designed to be, thanks to its strategic use of Formula 1 technology and performance. Unveiled as the brand’s first series production mid-engine supercar, the Valhalla aims to deliver a truly exceptional driving experience. Collaborating closely with the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One team (AMF1), Aston Martin is blending race-proven expertise with its signature luxury to create the ultimate supercar. Marco Mattiacci, Global Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of Aston Martin emphasized the exchange between Aston Martin's road car engineers and AMF1's F1 engineering capabilities focused on three key areas: dynamics, aerodynamics, and materials. The driving dynamics of the Valhalla have been fine-tuned through track-inspired simulations. Astonishingly, 90% of its dynamic features were completed in simulation, with real-world testing reserved for the final development phase. Valhalla’s aerodynamics come directly from F1's book, utilizing an active aerodynamic system to achieve over 1,323 pounds of downforce at 149 mph. In terms of high-tech materials, AMPT and AMF1 have shared their know-how in crafting carbon-fiber structures to create an incredibly stiff, strong, and lightweight chassis for Valhalla. Powering the Valhalla is a bespoke twin-turbo flat-plane V8 engine, assisted by three e-motors, to produce an impressive 998 horsepower through a hybrid all-wheel-drive powertrain. Additionally, the Valhalla is also part of Aston Martin's broader strategy to transition to hybrid and electric vehicles. Scheduled to hit the roads as a running prototype later this year, the Valhalla aims to set a new benchmark in supercar performance when it enters production in 2024. View all Aston Martin models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Aston Martin For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 14, 2023

1-of-40 2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro For Sale

One of just 40 production Valkyrie AMR Pros, the rarest Valkyrie model. Developed as Aston Martin's second wind in the world of motorsport-focused hypercars, the Valkyrie AMR Pro features Red Bull Racing F1-inspired engineering that makes it a track-only model with a completely sold-out 40-unit production life. Being the rarest version of Aston Martin's Valkyrie lineup, the AMR Pro continues to grow in popularity and value amongst the niche market of car collectors willing to spend seven figures on their next track toy. Offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a part of Aston Martin royalty, the professionals at RM Sotheby's Private Sales are pleased to present this 2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro as part of their current inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY. This specific Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro stands out as it comes directly from the first and only owner, who experienced the car once during a single shakedown at the Bahrain International Circuit, to ensure its pristine condition. Starting with its fierce exterior styling, the Valkyrie AMR Pro showcases a stunning blue and gloss carbon finish that highlights its lightweight design. While both Valkyrie models share the same silhouette, the AMR Pro version sports more aggressive elements to enhance downforce, like larger front and rear wings. Step inside the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, and you're immediately enveloped in a cockpit that screams high performance and minimalism. The interior is stripped down to its bare essentials, aimed at reducing weight and maximizing driver focus. Forget about plush leather seats or extravagant infotainment systems; here, you'll find bucket seats molded to the driver, subtle displays, and a racing wheel with critical controls. It's a space designed not for luxury, but for the sheer, unfiltered experience of speed and handling. Under the hood of the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, you'll find a monstrous naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine, developed in partnership with Cosworth to generate over 1,160 horsepower. What's more fascinating is its power-to-weight ratio, which exceeds 1:1, thanks to a weight reduction of 331 lbs compared to the standard Valkyrie. With no battery-electric system to lug around, the AMR Pro boasts astonishing acceleration and a top speed that easily eclipses the 200 mph mark. This immaculate 2022 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro from RM Sotheby's Private Sale is currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Price And Listing Media Source: Robert Lintescu ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 13, 2023

The Aston Martin DB5 Celebrates 60 Years Of Automotive Ex...

As the Aston Martin DB5 hits the 60-year milestone, we dive into its storied past and present, along with its timeless appeal. When it comes to iconic automobiles, few can hold a candle to the Aston Martin DB5. Sixty years ago, Aston Martin introduced the DB5, immediately solidifying its status as one of Britain’s most desirable luxury brands. As Aston Martin celebrates its 60th anniversary, DB5 remains a head-turner, most recently commanding attention at the Goodwood Revival festival in Sussex. Alongside it was the DB12, Aston Martin's latest model, showcasing how the brand's DNA continues to evolve while paying homage to its successful past. Aston Martin’s Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll, a DB5 owner, commended the car for laying the "foundations of our identity as a British luxury brand synonymous with style, performance, and exclusivity." In 1963, Aston Martin was already popular thanks to its DB4, but the DB5 took things to a new level. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the car boasted a range of improvements, most notably a 4.0L engine putting out 282 horsepower. Icons from Sir Paul McCartney to Mick Jagger have been part of the DB5 club. The DB5 is a masterpiece of British engineering, produced in limited numbers (only 887 saloons, to be precise) at Aston Martin’s Newport Pagnell factory. Despite its limited production, the DB5 was instrumental in skyrocketing Aston Martin from a niche British sports car maker to a global automotive superstar. While the DB5 remains a cornerstone in automotive history, Aston Martin isn’t resting there. The all-new DB12, introduced as the world’s first Super Tourer, is proof that the brand is committed to innovation without sacrificing what made it great in the first place. View all Aston Martin models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Aston Martin For Sale Source: Aston Martin