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 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 Tyler Rampersaud – May 13, 2022

The Aston Martin Valkyrie Takes On A Rainy Track At Mugello

The Aston Martin Valkyrie isn’t afraid of a rainy day. The Mugello Circuit encountered some rain during testing for the Aston Martin Valkyrie, but in this situation, Aston Martin’s incredible new hypercar, used the wet track as an opportunity to show off its confidence and poise. With a mid-engined setup and hybrid powertrain that features an electric motor and a 6.5-liter V12 engine from Cosworth, it’s a stunning race-ready Aston Martin like we’ve never seen before. MUST READ: Girard-Perregaux Releases The Limited-Edition Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin Formula 1 Edition In this video, we get to see (and hear) the Valkyrie do a few laps around the Mugello track with the Cosworth V12 getting up to an incredible 11,000 RPM. With over 1000 horsepower on tap, it takes skilled and careful driving to keep even a well-engineered hypercar like the Valkyrie behaved on a wet track, but it proved that it was able to handle even tricky low-traction surfaces. Thankfully, the track quickly dried up after the rain, and onlookers were able to get a taste of what the Valkyrie was truly capable of, and that’s quite a bit. Source: YouTube/19Bozzy92

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 07, 2022

The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro's Bahrain Debut Is Just...

The Valkyrie AMR Pro is ready to go to customers, and possibly Le Mans as well. Aston Martin’s track-only hypercar made its incredible debut by putting down some very hot laps before the Bahrain Grand Prix. The car is inspired by the past Formula 1 cars that had screaming V12 engines with fully racing-focused weight and dynamics. It’s a hypercar and a race car through and through, limited to a top speed of 223 mph, with 1000 horsepower, and with more downforce than it has weight. MUST READ: Deliveries Begin For The New Aston Martin AMB 001 Motorcycle Its naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine echoes Formula One legacy, rekindling the glory of an engine that is no longer used in the sport, and while the sound of the engine is familiar it never fails to impress, especially at the Bahrain circuit where crowds of F1 fans got to hear a sound that they missed, and see an incredible new car take the track for the first time. As deliveries of the Valkyrie AMR Pro commence, plans for the future of the car are without a doubt going to be exciting. Source: Aston Martin

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2022

The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro Wows At Bahrain Grand Prix

Aston Martin gave F1 fans a little something extra at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Bahrain Grand Prix over the weekend proved to be the perfect spot for Aston Martin to show just what the Valkyrie AMR Pro, its most extreme car yet, was capable of doing. The venue came complete with a crowd full of passionate Formula 1 fans to watch, and with a Cosworth-built, naturally aspirated V12 engine able to rev up to 11,000 rpm, the crowd had little choice but to pay attention. MUST READ: Aston Martin Debuts The New V12 Vantage Final Edition As a matter of fact, the sound of the Valkyrie was something much different on the track during the Grand Prix weekend, because it has been decades since V12 engines graced the Formula 1 championships. The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro is a track-only car, with a 6.5-liter engine producing 1000 horsepower, so the car's runs before the Saturday Qualifying sessions and the Sunday race were no opening act to miss. Tobias Moers, CEO of Aston Martin, claims that the car “is approaching F1 performance levels,” and Dirk Müller, the man behind the wheel, backs this up, saying it is “closer to an F1 car in terms of performance than anything else I have ever driven.” And this performance isn’t just for Aston Martin development drivers to enjoy. The owners of just 40 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pros will all have the opportunity to be a part of a dedicated Aston Martin track experience, which takes them and their cars to incredible FIA circuits around the world to race their cars with trackside support from F1 and endurance racing drivers. The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro makes the wildest racing dreams into reality. Source: Aston Martin

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 20, 2022

Customer-Owned Aston Martin Valkyrie Spotted On Public Ro...

This Valkyrie is no myth. We have all been hearing about the Aston Martin Valkyrie for years now, but we have still yet to have the opportunity to see one out and about… until now. In Munich, Germany, an Aston Martin Valkyrie has finally been seen in full action: no camouflage, no testing, just driving around out on the road. Better yet, it has even been confirmed that the car was delivered and being driven by a customer, rather than by Aston Martin themselves. MUST READ: 2022 Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition Review: A Great New Direction With only 150 Valkyrie’s being built, and each being priced at $3 million, seeing one at play on a public road is no common sight, but it looks beautiful and at home in the daylight and on the street, and sounds even better. Its V12 with a Rimac kinetic energy recovery system got to let out its otherworldly roar for the first time. The Valkyrie is an incredible car, and seeing it being driven in earnest for the first time only makes us want more. Source: Motor1

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2021

Aston Martin Completes The First Valkyrie Customer Car

The Valkyrie is now in full production at Aston Martin’s Gaydon Headquarters. Since its initial debut in March 2020, the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s release continues to add high levels of anticipation for automotive enthusiasts and the lucky owners who secured a chassis. Aston Martin is happy to say that the wait for the limited production hybrid hypercar is over. The brand is proud to announce that the first production customer vehicle is complete and ready for delivery to its new home. The production line for the Valkyrie is now firing on all cylinders at the Aston Martin Gaydon Headquarters. With a total of 2,000 working hours to complete each chassis, the team is looking to start delivering each of the 150 vehicles in the coming weeks. MUST-READ: Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Unveiled: As Close to Driving an F1 Car on the Road As It Gets Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Tobias Moers commented: “It is an immensely proud moment for us to complete our first-ever hypercar. The Aston Martin Valkyrie programme has tested everyone who has worked on it to the limit but the commitment to the dream has produced a truly incredible car, an F1® car for the road. The Valkyrie is born out of the steadfast dedication of a large group of highly skilled engineers and technicians who have worked tirelessly to get Valkyrie to the production stage. I’m sure our customers will be delighted with what they have achieved.” Before each Valkyrie is delivered, it is track-tested at the Aston Martin high-performance facility at the home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone where much of the development of the hypercar has taken place. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming news on the Aston Martin Valkyrie. View all current Aston Martin models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Aston Martin For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Source: Aston Martin

By Edward Jones – August 12, 2021

Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Unveiled: As Close to Drivin...

The most extreme open-air experience Aston Martin offers. After being teased, the new Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider has been unveiled and it promises to provide an experience that's as close to Formula 1 as it gets on the road. Like the original coupe Valkyrie, the Valkyrie Spider is powered by a hybrid V12 powertrain that provides 1139 horsepower. While the powertrain remains the same, the carbon fiber structure, aerodynamics, and active chassis systems have all been revised for the Valkyrie Spider. All of these changes were designed to reduce weight and ensure that the Valkyrie Spider provides optimal aerodynamics. Aston Martin most definitely fulfilled their goals because this hypercar can generate 3,086 lbs of downforce at 149 mph. As for top speed, it can reach over 205 mph with the roof removed and over 217 when the roof is on. The roof itself is a removable carbon fiber panel that latches onto the tub at the rear and to the windshield surround at the front. It also features two polycarbonate roof windows that are hinged on the sides. One other change that you'll notice in the gallery below is that the doors are not front-hinged dihedral ones. If you'd like to see the new Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider for yourself, it will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance by invitation only. See All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Gabriel Vega – August 05, 2021

Aston Martin Has 2 Big Surprises for Pebble Beach Concour...

Get ready for a global reveal and U.S. debut. Over the last 70 years, Aston Martin has given the American market some of the best-looking sports cars we've ever seen. Before James Bond was seen driving around his now-iconic DB5 in 'Goldfinger', Aston Martin had already won the 24 Hours of Le Mans a few years prior. As a result, the British carmaker is no stranger to style or motorsport. To celebrate its 70th anniversary in the American market, Aston Martin has decided to bring two significant surprises to this year's 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The first will be a global reveal, a brand-new model we have never seen before. The second will be the 2023 Aston Martin Valhalla. While this supercar recently made its official debut in Europe, it hasn't been shown in North America. As a quick reminder, the Valhalla utilizes a 4.0-liter V8 engine built by AMG and will be limited to a total production run of 999 units. If you want to see this global debut before the masses, you'll need a VIP ticket to the Aston Martin Club 1913 clubhouse. That's because the British carmaker plans to unveil its new car on August 12th. Aside from its latest models, Aston Martin also plans to display one of its ultra-rare V12 Speedster models as well as a DB5 Goldfinger Continuation model, one of just 25 ever built. If you want to drive around like Bond during this year's Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, make sure to check out duPont REGISTRY's wide selection of available ultra-rare Astons, ranging from a 1964 DB5 for $795,000 to a 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato for $599,999. See All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Edward Jones – June 28, 2021

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro Unveiled As 1,000 HP Race Car

This new hypercar follows no rules. Meet the new Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro, a new hyper race car designed to take on Le Mans 24 Hours. As the name suggests, it's an evolution of the Valkyrie road car but it does not abide by the rules of the road. The body features a slew of aerodynamic components that allow this new hypercar to create twice as much downforce when compared to the road car. Joining the aerodynamics in this new Aston Martin's pursuit for the fastest lap time is a revised powertrain. A modified version of the Cosworth 6.5-liter V12 will be powering the Valkyrie AMR Pro. Aston Martin decided to drop the hybrid system in order to drop the car's overall weight, so this will be a purely naturally-aspirated race car. In total, it will have around 1,000 bhp on tap. When all is said and done, Aston Martin says the new Valkyrie AMR Pro will lap the 24H Le Mans Circuit in just 3 minutes 20 seconds. Testing of the new Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro will begin shortly. Deliveries are set to commence in Q4 2021. Source: Aston Martin

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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