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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 24, 2016

Meet the Pinnacle Aston Martin: The Vantage GT12 Roadster

Every now and then, someone comes along with an idea that could make an already superb object even better. The Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Coupe is already a superior vehicle marked with luxury and performance. But, Aston Martin's customers---one in particular--- had a vision for something more.Q by Aston Martin was commissioned to take the Vantage GT12 Coupe and convert it into a roadster, giving the already extreme vehicle another notch of excellence. From start to finish, the Vantage GT12 Roadster was completed within nine months and delivered to its excited new owner. Q by Aston Martin didn't stop at the open-top though. New features on the one-off vehicle include a seven-speed Sportshift III paddle-shift transmission and an exclusive 591 hp 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V12.Additionally, the exterior is fitted with carbon-fiber body panels, bespoke paint and trim. The suspension setup is also one of a kind, "defined by Aston Martin's in-house dynamics experts," which is designed to ensure the performance of the Vantage GT12 Roadster matches that of the Coupe.The project marks the first time a customer was able to completely customize a vehicle from trim to engine thanks to Q by Aston Martin. A service originally set up to help customers customize key cosmetic features, Q by Aston Martin has expanded and adapted to the growing requests of the client base. As stated by Aston Martin's President and CEO:“The Vantage GT12 Roadster is a hugely exciting project. Not just because it’s sensational to look at, but because it vividly demonstrates the expanded capabilities of Q by Aston Martin. By incorporating the exceptional engineering capabilities of Aston Martin Advanced Operations within the Q by Aston Martin bespoke commissioning service we have a truly formidable creative team.” Aston Martin Vantages for Sale

By Edward Jones – April 15, 2016

Revealed: 2017 Aston Martin Vantage GT8 - Lightest, Most ...

Today, Aston Martin has unveiled their lightest and most powerful V8 Vantage ever: the Vantage GT8.Built around the sporting DNA of the V8 Vantage GTE racecar, the new GT8 is a road-ready sports car that's backed by the English brand's powerful 4.7-liter V8. This engine is able to put 440 hp down to the wheels through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed Sportshift II paddle-shift automatic transmission.Saving weight are a few new components, starting off with a new standard-fit lithium ion battery and carbon fiber sport seats. Customers will be able to drop even more weight through the optional carbon fiber roof, polycarbonate rear screen and rear side windows and a titanium exhaust system. Altogether, the savings equal an impressive 220 lbs.“Road cars are our business, but racing is the beating heart of Aston Martin," said Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer. "The Vantage GT8 expresses that combination perfectly: an authentic and unashamedly extreme road car that draws directly from our Le Mans racing program to amplify the inherent dynamism that has long made the Vantage such a fine sports car. Beautifully engineered and set-up to be equally at home on a fabulous road or a demanding race track, the Vantage GT8 is a driver’s car in the truest sense of the word.”Those wanting to pick out a Vantage GT8 will have a few things to consider when kitting theirs out. Standard for the wheels are the new optional five-spoke alloy wheels, with the seven-spoke center-lock magnesium rims being an option. Both wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. When it comes to the finish, there are three optional "Halo" paint schemes: China Grey with Blue, Stratus White with Green and Stirling Green with Lime.Aston Martin notes that the car will have a retail price of £165,000 (~$234,000 USD) and will be limited to just 150 examples. Unfortunately, the car will not be available in North America.Aston Martin V8 Vantages For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2016

2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Gets Manual Transmission

Manual fans rejoice because our favorite type of transmission just got added to the 2017 Aston Martin V12 Vantage S. Yes, you read that correctly: the English automaker will give customers the option to choose either the Sportshift III automatic transmission or an honest seven-speed manual transmission with a dog-leg first gear position.While it's sad that the inclusion of a manual transmission is news to us that enjoy shifting on our own accord, it's still great to see that manufacturers are still looking out for us. With this new transmission Aston Martin is including the AMSHIFT system, which will "blip" the throttle when downshifting. If you've mastered the heel-and-toe technique, you can switch this feature off.Whether you pick the manual transmission or automatic transmission, Aston Martin says that the same performance if guaranteed in both. What kind of performance are we talking about? They state the V12 Vantage S will rocket from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph."Broadening the scope of the V12 Vantage S with a manual transmission option is an indication of our desire to offer the keenest drivers a more analogue and immersive machine to enjoy. I'd like to take this opportunity to reiterate that the manual gearbox remains an integral part of our product plans and will do for many years to come." - Aston Martin CEO, Dr Andy PalmerWhat's more, this option comes as at no cost and will be available to US customers. If you're interested in getting one, I suggest ordering one ASAP, because these are going to go fast and will most certainly be collector's items down the road.Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Listings

By Edward Jones – March 04, 2016

Aston Martin DB11 Configurator Is The Best Way To Spend Y...

Car configurators are always a great way to waste time on a Friday and now you have a brand-new one to play with.The newly unveiled Aston Martin DB11 is just a few days old, yet they've already put out the configurator for the car (link here). At first, I thought I would just be changing the exterior color of the car, but boy was I wrong because I was able to personalize just about every facet of my dream DB11. Once I was finished, I had the option to download my specs, share it or even send it all to a dealer.If you find yourself building a dream DB11, be sure to share it with us by either posting it in the comments below or emailing it to media@dupontregistry.com. We'll pick our five favorite DB11s and give their creators a free one-year subscription to the duPont REGISTRY magazine.Aston Martin DB11 For SaleHere's the breakdown and the DB11 I dream about:Paint Finish: Frosted Glass Blue Wheels: 20-inch 10-spoke directional Gloss Black Diamond Turned Exterior Options: Roof Strake - Gloss Black Roof Panel - Gloss Black Exterior Finisher Pack - Dark Bonnet Blades & Meshes - Dark blades with Black meshes Under Bonnet Pack - Gold Finish Interior: Environment Split - Duotone Environment Seats Split - Monotone Seats Brogueing - Inlay Colour Pure Black Upper Environment Colour - Pure Black Lower Environment Colour - Obsidian Black Semi Aniline Steering Wheel - Matched To Leather Brogue Detailing - Brogue Leather Type - Caithness Seat Quilting - Nexus quilting matched to leather Stitching - Fine stitching matched to leather Headlining & Cantrails - Feature leather - matched to seat Aston Martins For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 01, 2016

Revealed: Aston Martin DB11 at Geneva Motor Show

Recently, Aston Martin released a video showcasing their iconic brand throughout it's 103-year history. In that video, we're pretty sure they hinted at the long awaited DB11, and it appears as though we were right. The inaugural example of Aston Martin's 'Second Century' lineup, the DB11, has officially been unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show."DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin’s history," states the brand in a press release. This is thanks to a new 5.2-liter V12 engine twin turbo and a bonded aluminum body. Aston Martin DB11 Specs Price: $211,995 MSRP Engine: 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V12 Horsepower: 600 bhp 0–60: 3.9 seconds Transmission: 8-speed automatic ZF Aston Martin's CEO, Dr Andy Palmer describes the DB11:DB11 is the absolute embodiment of what an Aston Martin should be and we have worked tirelessly to ensure that DB11 combines both exceptional design with the latest technology throughout. A brand new bonded aluminium platform, clever aerodynamics, a new characterful twin-turbo V12 and class-leading infotainment systems are just a few aspects which make this the sports car that will proudly spearhead Aston Martin’s second century plan.Check out the video of the DB11 below. What do you think of the DB11? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more coverage of the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

By Caitlin Duffy – November 12, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan's VMax Run, On-Board Air Jacks

The Vulcan has been active over the past few days, and as a video from Aston Martin and Tweet from Aston Martin's Director of Special Projects and Motorsport show, it's living up to its Roman name.At the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show, guests were treated to a display of the Vulcan's on-board air jacks, a feature that assists in track-side maintenance of the supercar at races. The 811 hp racer houses a 7.0-liter V12 under its hood, meaning it's capable of speeds in excess of 200 mph. When you hit those speeds, there's bound to be some damage to tires after a few laps, making quick and easy changes all the more important. Vulcan Vmax sign off at Nardo Italy. 204mph/328kmh & enough downforce to stick to the ceiling (in theory!) #Vulcan pic.twitter.com/VW9iRogny3 — David King (@dking17) November 12, 2015 Of course, they had to test out that top speed at least a few times. In a Tweet earlier today, David King, Director of Special Projects and Motorsport show, shared a photo of the Vulcan. In a run around the Nardo Ring in Italy, King says the Vulcan hit a top speed of 204 mph, with, in theory, "enough downforce to stick to the ceiling."We'll have to wait and see if there's any on-board footage of this Vmax run; we hope it comes soon. In the mean time, check out the air jacks below, then find your own Aston Martin from our exclusive listings.Aston Martins For Sale (via Twitter, YouTube) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 10, 2015

50 Aston Martins Gather for "DB10: Built for Bond" Premier

On a rainy Sunday evening this past Nov. 8, a massive group of cars gathered for a drive-in movie screening. But this wasn't just your ordinary drive-in show.The cars were 50 different Aston Martins, the screen was against the stunning Blenheim Palace and the gathering celebrated a car crafted for England's greatest spy. It was the kind of a movie night that's unlikely to ever occur again.The one-hour documentary "DB10: Built for Bond" premiered that Sunday night, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of James Bond's latest ride from the British marque. As a Nov. 9 release and Facebook post from Aston Martin both describe, a reception was held in the Palaces' Great Hall prior to the screening, where Mark Higgins, the stunt driver for the DB10, answered a few questions about his experience.The DB10 was crafted specifically for "Spectre," the latest Bond film that premiered in the United States Nov. 6. It's the 24th Bond film to be produced and released, and the 12th to feature an Aston Martin as Bond's go-to car. Only 10 examples of this car were created, each of which is currently on a tour of Aston Martin showrooms across the United Kingdom.Check out the DB10 in either both "Spectre" and "DB10: Built for Bond," and find your own Aston Martin to enjoy from our exclusive listings at the button below.Aston Martins For Sale Gallery (via Aston Martin, Facebook) See More Aston Martin News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 26, 2015

Aston Martin Vulcan Burnout at Goodwood

The Goodwood Festival of Speed kicked off yesterday, June 24, to a score of displays and unveilings from the world's top automotive manufacturers. Aston Martin is in attendance with their largest presence at the festival yet, which includes the insane Vulcan.First introduced to the world Feb. 24, the Vulcan packs 811 hp under the hood, all generated by the company's most potent 7.0-liter V12 engine yet. Combined with rear wheel drive and front-mid engine placement, this track car can lay some serious rubber to the asphalt. So, of course, Aston Martin had to demonstrate.(Related: Fastest Mercedes-AMG GT S Ever: 10-second 1/4 Mile)Listen to the engine heat up, watch the rubber start to burn and imagine the smell as you watch the Vulcan launch forward in the video below, added to YouTube this morning by Aston Martin. It's the Vulcan burning out and launching, and it's a more exhilarating way to wake up than a cup of coffee.A few photos posted to the marque's Facebook page show the Vulcan sitting in its display spot at Goodwood's Supercar Paddock, waiting with a few other Aston Martins for the show to begin. As mentioned in a June 18 press release, the Vantage GT12, Lagonda Taraf super saloon, V12 Vantage S Roadster, Rapide S and more are all on display with them.Check out our exclusive Aston Martin listings to find one of their luxurious models for your own collection.Aston Martins For Sale Bonus Video Gallery (Source: Facebook, YouTube, Aston Martin) See More Aston Martin News

Aston Martin News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe