McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

Aston Martin News

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

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By Edward Jones – June 24, 2020

See the New Aston Martin Motorcycle Finally In Action

We haven't seen a lot of the AMB 001 motorcycle by Aston Martin and Brough Superior since 2019, but now we know it's undergoing some serious testing. Aston Martin has announced that the AMB 001 prototype is undergoing testing thanks to as part of its development process. This track testing is allowing the team to bench test the engine and fine-tune the chassis. You can actually see the bike tested down below in a video released by Aston Martin. According to the Aston Martin, deliveries of the bike will begin being delivered later this year and only 100 examples of the bike will be created in total. "Everybody involved has managed to make tremendous progress with the development of AMB 001, despite the challenges we have all been facing," said Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. "This special motorcycle is, like our road cars, the result of beautiful design melding with modern technology to produce a bike that any collector will be proud of." See All Aston Martins for Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2020

Aston Martin Speedster Arrives at Miller Motorcars

Back in January, we learned that Aston Martin had committed to building a new flagship supercar. Inspired by the Navy's F/A-18 fighter, the wild concept is the work of their Skunk Works division. 'Q by Aston Martin' has combined their twin-turbo V12 along with aeronautical and historic cues. You and your passenger will enjoy 700 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque, with storage behind the seats for a day bag. Aston Martin V12 Speedster Revealed: Two Seats & 700 Horsepower Skyfall Silver and black will leave you standing still as the beast reaches 62 mph in 3.5 seconds. An 8-speed automatic and limited-slip differential sends power to 21" center-lock wheels if you are among the chosen few. The manufacturer has made it clear that only 88 examples will be produced, so a full-size clay model is on a world tour of Aston Martin's most successful dealers. Our thanks to local supercar spotter Clare Saikia and our friends at Miller Motorcars for showcasing the future of Aston Martin. Click the button below to view their inventory and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Miller Motorcars Inventory " width="680">

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2020

Aston Martin Wins Big in esports Debut

Aston Martin has just had a very successful weekend in the virtual realm as they clinched the Teams' and Drivers' Championship titles in their esports debut.The race was part of the Race All-Star Series which is being promoted by Torque Esports, a Canadian gaming company. Clinching the titles for Aston Martin was none other than Nicki Thiim, Aston Martin Racing and works driver. Racing alongside Thiim was Charlie Eastwood. Thiim actually had a 23-point deficit to Esteban Gutierrez, who was driving for Mercedes AMG. This gap then disappeared after Gutierrez encountered a technical failure at the start of the final race. After this victory, Aston Martin is now looking towards the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Aston Martin's virtual team for this race will consist of Thiim and Eastwood, along with real world British team-mates Darren Turner, Jonny Adam, Alex Lynn, Ross Gunn, Richard Westbrook and Harry Tincknell. You can watch this race on June 13 starting at 9 AM EST. If you'd like to get into some virtual racing action of your own, click the button below to purchase a copy of Assetto Corsa for yourself. Shop Assetto Corsa

By Andrew Nabors – May 27, 2020

How To Draw Your Aston Martin DBX

Master Class is a series of videos unlike any other. Aston Martin has integrated their designers and engineers along with real-world scenarios and lessons. For the 3rd episode, they are tackling the hardest question to-date. Translating their design language to the brand's first SUV was no easy task. That is why Sam Holgate offers his skills to teach us how to draw your Aston Martin DBX. Powered by a Mercedes-AMG 4-liter V8, it sends 542 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque to all wheels via a 9-speed automatic. Other goodies include 48-volt active sway bars, triple-chamber air suspension. If you want the Aston Martin of SUVs, click the button below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse Listings " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 27, 2020

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 by Carfection

When it comes to Agent 007, we must take the good with the bad. The 25th film in the series has been delayed by the virus, which will allow editors to offer a cinematic masterpiece. Daniel Craig has said numerous times that this is his final appearance, which is a blow to many fans. However, his automotive counterpart is ready and willing to serve Queen and Country. As such, Henry Catchpole was able to get behind the wheel of this iconic Aston Martin DB5. Mark Higgins is one of the best stunt drivers in the industry, so let's see how these gentleman push the limits of the classic Aston Martin. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for more Bond updates. Browse Aston Martin For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 26, 2020

Aston Martin Announces Tobias Moers as New CEO

Six years ago Aston Martin had their back against the wall. They needed direction, innovation, and cost savings. That is why they chose Dr. Andy Palmer to lead the brand. Not only did he streamline production and make the company profitable again, but his efforts also gave us the AMR editions and the DBX SUV. Personally inspecting each model as it left the plant, quality is at an all-time high. That is why he decided to step down yesterday, after appointing an automotive genius to succeed him. In a press release this morning, we learned that former head of Mercedes-AMG Tobias Moers is now in the big chair. The AMG division has been supplying engines, transmission, and operating systems for the past 5 years, prompting Mercedes to buy 5% of the company last year. This is a brilliant move to all involved, as Tobias injected AMG DNA to every Mercedes-Benz model. Even the CLA 45 AMG S offers 416 horsepower from their smallest sedan. Dr. Palmer has earned his retirement, and Mr. Moers will build amazing Aston Martins. Click the button below to find our dealer near you, and you won't be disappointed. Browse Aston Martin For Sale

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Heritage TWINS by R-Reforged 1

By Andrew Nabors – April 21, 2020

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato Twins Back for a Limited Run

Life is too short to look back at missed opportunities. When Aston Martin joined forces to build bespoke versions of the Vantage V12, the world asked for more than 150 cars. Eight years later, and your wishes have come true. Design and production have been awarded to the English coachbuilders at R-Reforged. It was in a press release this morning that we learned the Aston Martin Vantage V12 Zagato twins are back for a limited run. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time The team at R-Reforged will use the latest V12 Vantage to craft 19 pairs of Coupe & Speedster. Zagato will handle the styling while R-Reforged will craft new bodies of carbon fiber. With 600 horsepower at their disposal, it will be a fine blend of style and aerodynamics. Some details are historic, such as Bridge of Weir leather and the ability to match the interior and exterior colors to any customer sample. These cars also serve to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Zagato, so don't miss this opportunity at an instant collectible. Click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Aston Martin updates. Browse Aston Martin Vantage For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 10, 2020

Aston Martin Going All-Out on PPE for Frontline Workers

Aston Martin is joining the worldwide effort to provide frontline healthcare workers with the necessary PPE they so desperately need. First, they're working with the Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) to create a new respiratory protection device. This will act as a shield that goes over a patient's upper-body during procedures. Well, they were working on this until they finalized the product which is now being trialed at the Royal London Hospital. Aston Martin is also producing around 150 protective visors each week, through their 3D printing technology. In addition to all of this, the British automaker received a direct request to create protective gowns from hospitals near their headquarters in Warwickshire. They have since submitted a sample gown to the NHS and are aiming to start production next week. Oh, you thought they were done? Not even close. Volunteer technicians and back-office staff at Aston Martin Works are also offering emergency vehicle repairs for free to the NHC staff at the local hospital. Bravo, Aston Martin!

By Andrew Nabors – April 02, 2020

New Aston Martin Factory is Ready for Production

While production is on hold throughout the civilized world, the Aston Martin DBX is poised to be the world's most luxurious SUV. To raise the bar in terms of quality and quantity, the ancient plant at Gaydon was not suitable. So after years of converting an RAF base into an outstanding assembly plant, the new Aston Martin factory is ready for production. Located in St. Athan, Wales, it will be up and running as soon as the virus threat is over. This plant is dedicated to the DBX and has added 750 jobs to the local economy. Their goal is to deliver a hand-built SUV powered by a 542 horsepower 4.0L AMG V8. It sends 616 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Mercedes-AMG also supplies the infotainment systems and the 9-speed transmission, signaling a new age of cooperation between the brands. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. Browse All Aston Martin For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2020

Aston Martin Valkyrie Finally Ventures on the Highway

I love my Chevrolets, but they don't have a Royal Warrant. This proclamation allows a choachbuilder to test and engineer vehicles to the quality of Her Majesty. As such, Aston Martin invoked their accolades to hammer the Valkyrie on English highways. Behind the driver is a Cosworth. Not just any, they were given a blank check to beat their rivals. Red Bull racing inspired them to build a carbon fiber masterpiece. As Cosworth and Rimac joimed forces, we are looking at the most potent V12 hybrid on the market. Given a weight of 2,271 lbs, this is uncharted territory. Tell us what you think of the Valkyie in the comments and stay with us for all our Aston Martin news. Browse All Aston Martin For Sale

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