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 – July 06, 2018

Two Special DB11 Commissions From Aston Martin

When it comes to ordering a DB11, Aston Martin dealers are given a blank canvas. That is because Q by Aston Martin can build anything a customer desires. With all the news surrounding the new Vantage and AMR models, the master coachbuilders at Q decided to show everyone their capabilities. The English automaker sent us the press release on the 4th of July, describing the inspiration for both builds.2020 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera RevealedThe Henley Royal Regatta DB11 Volante celebrates the famous rowing race on the River Thames. It is a successor to last year's Henley Royal Regatta DB11 Coupe and finished in a striking White Stone finish. The interior is finished in Red Oxide Caithness leather. Carbon fiber accents and crossed oar motifs in stainless steel are accompanied by hand-painted examples of the rowing club's logo.DB11 Henley Royal Regatta For the 20th Anniversary of Classic Driver's website, the other car is the DB11 Classic Driver Edition. Working with Classic Driver's lead designer Benjamin Knapp Voith, it incorporates the green and grey themes of their site. Only 20 examples will be offered in coupe and Volante. We at duPont REGISTRY would just like to point out that duPontREGISTRY.com predates ClassicDriver.com by 3 years.Browse DB11 For Sale DB11 Classic Driver

By Andrew Nabors – June 28, 2018

Configure Your Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Yesterday Aston Martin confirmed the rumors. Their latest supercar is the DBS Superleggera and it packs a powerful punch. The styling is a bold move from their traditional look, so the model was added to their configurator to help you build your new car. Riding on 21" forged wheels, your color choices are Dark Alchemy, Modern Minimalist, Distilled Energy, and Dynamic Futurist. Of course, those are just the first designer specifications off of the drawing board. Because each Aston Martin is built by hand they can paint it to any color your heart desires. We took some inspiration from our Red & Black logo, so here is the duPont REGISTRY DBS Superleggera:Starting with the mirrors and the roof, gloss carbon fiber is a no-brainer. Then when it comes to the hood and fender vents, carbon all the way. Under the hood, everyone needs 24k gold to insulate the paint from the beastly turbos. Inside, you guessed it- black & red contrast leather. That includes the steering wheel, headliner, everywhere. You have 5 options for the 21" forged wheels, but the twisted Y-spoke in contrast gloss/matte black looks imposing in front of black calipers.No prices for the extras yet, so we're going to let you know when they are uploaded.A special order might put your delivery date into next year. So if you can't wait, our dealers have several DB11 examples to choose from. They can also tell you more about the ordering process, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates.Browse Aston Martin DB11 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2018

Aston Martin Vantage GT3 & GT4 Unveiled At LeMans

If you enjoy endurance racing, Aston Martin just revealed their lineup for LeMans. Their latest Vantage has arrived in two flavors. The Vantage GT3 is running its first shakedown laps later today, with their veteran driver Ross Gunn behind the wheel. It is an evolution of the Vantage GTE, two of which will be seen in the GTE Pro class.With a dry weight of 2,745 lbs, the Vantage GT3 is rated at 535 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The press release also says it is powered by the Mercedes-AMG 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 found in the production Vantage. This makes us wonder what the Balance of Performance rules will compare between Aston Martin and the Mercedes-Benz teams.Surprise: 2018 Aston Martin Vantage GTE Race Car RevealedIf you are lucky enough to be invited to the Aston Martin Paddock, you will see the Vantage GT4 on display. It is not racing this weekend, as it is still being finalized. Engineers have a deadline of March 1st 2019 so it will be shown to potential buyers who don't have the deep pockets needed for GT3. To clarify this, a GT4 car is much closer to a street car, and therefore it is a much more affordable way to go racing. Good luck from us to everyone at Aston Martin Racing. May the wind be at your back, and your finish end with a trophy. Stay with us for all your LeMans and Vantage updates.Find Your Aston Martin Vantage Here!

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2018

Aston Martin Unveils the Rapide AMR

If you are in the market for a fast luxury sedan, Aston Martin needs a few minutes of your time. That's because they have borrowed the 603 horsepower V12 from the Vantage GT12 and dropped it into their 4-door. In a press release this morning, we learn the Rapide AMR will be limited to 210 examples and offered in three versions: Standard, Silhouette, and Signature.CEO Andy Palmer said: "AMR takes technology and inspiration from our motorsport programme to amplify the sporting prowess in our road cars which is clear to see in the Rapide AMR, Aston Martin’s most extreme, 4-door sports car. With enhanced performance, sharper dynamics and more powerful design language, Aston Martin has taken Rapide to new and exciting extremes.”Bespoke Aston Martin Rapide S from Dom PérignonIt is the first Rapide to reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, along with a top speed of 205 mph. A car this capable needs powerful brakes, so it also arrives with 15.7" rotors. The 21" wheels are unique to this model. It is nearly identical to the concept shown at Geneva last year, with carbon fiber in all the right places. Under the carbon fiber hood is ample room for the V12, so AMR developed longer intake runners. This pushes torque up to 465 lb-ft....more than enough to scare your in-laws! Of course, if you don't need that much power, the Rapide and Rapide S are both excellent choices. So click the link below and stay with us for all your Aston Martin newsBrowse Aston Martin Rapide For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 22, 2018

Aston Martin: We're Ready For LeMans

We are less than a month away from one of the biggest races of the year, and Aston Martin is ready to win. The 86th running of the "24 Heures du Mans" will feature fierce competition in all classes, but the biggest rivalries are in GTE. In an email this morning, Aston Martin Racing spilled the beans on their new Vantage GTE. Powered by an AMG 4.0-liter twin turbo V8, it was closely developed alongside the production Vantage. LeMans- 6 Times Longer Than Indy 500Engineering your race car along with the street version is how Team Corvette's C7.R has been so consistent, but the Balance Of Performance regulations have choked with restrictor plates and a 5.5 liter V8 instead of the production 6.2. But Aston Martin will probably get by without restrictions as this is their first outing.The Vantage GTE has Ohlins 5-way adjustable suspension, Alcon brakes, and the bulletproof Xtrac sequential transmission. If you want to join in on the fun, Aston Martin is offering a VIP package to join them. It includes a pit pass, VIP suite access long with food & drink for the weekend. Click the link below to find your Vantage, and ask your local dealer about the VIP details. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2018

Aston Martin Begins Production of 2019 Vantage

Fans of British motoring rejoice! Aston Martin has started building the 2019 Vantage. Because their cars are built by hand, these first cars will be thoroughly scrutinized by engineers and the top brass. Although it shares a few styling cues with its predecessor, their latest model was built from scratch. President and CEO Dr. Andy Palmer said this in the press release: "Today marks an exciting moment for the entire company and an important day in the history of Aston Martin. The outgoing Vantage was the single most successful model in Aston Martin’s history and we believe its successor will surpass that.We will do this by retention of our important existing owners and through the repositioning of the car, create new customers in new countries. The new Vantage ticks all the boxes for a luxury sports car and unashamedly aspires to be the best in its segment. With the imminent launch of the DBS Superleggera, we are on track to replace each of our existing two-door sports car models by the end of this year.”Aston Martin Confirms The Lagonda Vision SUV The new Vantage is the 2nd of 7 new cars to be launched in over the next 7 years. This "Second Century Plan" will make sure the 105-year old brand will remain as relevant as ever. Our dealers are ready to answer your questions, so click the link below and Rule Britania!Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 22, 2017

Aston Martin Launches New 2018 Vantage Configurator

Timing is everything when it comes to the launch of a new car. Aston Martin knows how their customers make a decision. Choosing the proper time to launch the new Vantage was critical to making a statement, and the car is causing a sensation. The new Aston Martin Vantage is the one we've been waiting for. A hand-built masterpiece with a price that won't break the bank. To get a better idea of its possibilities, a Vantage configurator is available to make your dreams closer to reality.Staring at only $150,000, the Vantage enters a highly competitive segment of V8 powered luxury coupes. The value comes from the AMG V8 under the bonnet. The latest 4.0 liter V8 from Mercedes-AMG is a compact powerhouse. The same engine found across the AMG lineup, it offers 503 hp and 505 lb-ft of torque in a light & efficient package. It is mounted lower and farther back than the previous Vantage, and thanks to the rear-mounted automatic transmission, the car is neutrally balanced.Next-Gen 2018 Aston Martin Vantage Is Here! View Vantage For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2017

Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake Fully Revealed

Aston Martin's fourth addition to the new Vanquish Zagato is the unbelievably lovely Shooting Brake variant. The English automaker has recently released new images of the Vanquish Zagato Shooting Brake, giving the world the best look yet at what seems to be the final variant in the Vanquish Zagato lineup.Powering the car, which will be produced just 99 times, is a massive V12 engine (no turbos here) that produces 600 horsepower. Joining the V12, in terms of hardware, is an adaptive suspension system that has shocks and springs that have been optimized for each variant. I can assume that the new Aston Martin Shooting Brake will have its suspension set for a butter-like drive.

By Edward Jones – July 25, 2017

$1.7 Million Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Speedster Spied...

Aston Martin is going ahead with the production of a new Vanquish Zagato Speedster model. The British automaker has already introduced Vanquish Zagato and Vanquish Zagato Volante models, but the Speedster has yet to have been formally revealed. However, Autocar learned about the car through one of their inside sources.Like the other Vanquish Zagato models, the new Speedster will have 592 hp being produced by its 6.0-liter V12 engine. Unlike the other models, this new model will have a new and striking style that's befitting of a speedster-type car.BridgeToGantry recently captured the unrevealed Aston Martin model as it was being tested on Nurburgring. The car has a completely matte black exterior with what looks like silver accents. Joining the Speedster in the video found below is a Vanquish Zagato Volante with a matte black finish and gold accents.

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2017

Aston-Martin Reveals Secrets of the Valkyrie

In an effort to build the ultimate track car, Aston Martin is almost ready to launch the Valkyrie. We've been waiting for the juicy details for some time, and thanks to a press release late last night we can see the finer details. Working with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and AF Racing, the supercar has some amazing features. In the latest version, the front wheels and suspension are housed in pods that are almost disconnected from the bodywork. The giant openings between the wheels and the cockpit generate incredible downforce. The engine intakes obscure any rear view and door mirrors create turbulence. But the driver will have great peripheral vision thanks to HD displays mounted in the A-pillars. It is truly one of the most unique sports cars for sale.The quest for weight savings has resulted in headlights that are 40% lighter than anything they have built before. Even the iconic Aston-Martin badge was acid etched to a thickness of 70 microns, or 30% thinner than a hair. Mounted at the end of the car's spine, the center stop light is a bright LED matrix that is 5.5mm wide and 9.5mm tall. Miles Nurnberger, Director of Exterior Design summarized the latest prototype: "I would say we’re around 95 per cent of the way there with the exterior design. Much of what you see is actually the structure of the car, so this had to be signed-off relatively early in the project. The remaining areas of non-structural bodywork are still subject to evolution and change as Adrian continues to explore way of finding more downforce. The new outlets in the body are a case in point. Ordinarily, the last thing we’d want to do to one of our surfaces is cut a hole in it, but these vents work the front wings so much harder that they’ve found a significant gain in front downforce. The fact that they are so effective gives them their own functional beauty, but we’ve finessed them without impacting on their functionality. That they also serve as windows through which to view the fabulous wing section front wishbones is a welcome bonus!”. This dedication to engineering and performance is a characteristic of every new Aston Martin for sale. So experience one for yourself and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news.

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