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 Edward Jones – February 18, 2020

3 Aston Martin Valkyries Tested by Formula One Drivers

The Aston Martin Valkyrie is now another step closer to production after three examples have undergone further testing at Silverstone. Driving the test cars was none other than Max Verstappen and Alex Albon, both of whom are racing drivers for Red Bull Racing. As for the Valkyries, these were actually verification prototypes numbers one, two and three. There are a total of eight planned for production and each of them will undergo rigorous testing. The purpose of these cars is to validate specific attributes so Aston Martin can accomplish their goal of creating the "world's fastest ever road-going hypercar." " width="680"> Luxury Sports Cars for Sale Max Verstappen had this to say about the experience: “I was here at Silverstone to watch the first runs of the Aston Martin Valkyrie at the British Grand Prix last year but of course it’s always better to be behind the wheel yourself, and to be one of the first guys to drive an insane car like this was really exciting. It was amazing to get a first taste of it”. Alex Albon was also very excited to get behind the wheel as well: “It was incredibly exciting to have this opportunity to drive the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the first thing that struck me was the visual aspect – it looks awesome! It also really feels like a racing car. Max had a go before me, so the anticipation was building, and to get a chance to drive it was really special." SEE ALL ASTON MARTINS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie and Valhalla Put Through Paces on T...

Beautiful footage of both the Aston Martin Valhalla supercar and Valkyrie hypercar taking on Silverstone has been uploaded to YouTube and it's worth the watch. The video, found down below, shows the two cars being tested around the official Aston Martin development facility at Silverstone. Behind the wheel is none other than the British marque's High Performance Test Driver, Chris Goodwin. But when will be able to start seeing these two cars on the track, driven by customers? Aston Martin notes that Valkyrie will start being delivered later this year. Yes, it's almost the Valkyrie's time to shine. As for the Valhalla, a delivery window hasn't been announced just yet. see all aston martins for sale " width="680"> Also Check Out: Aston Martin Will Make Super Custom Garages for Clients Aston Martin Valkyrie: Price, Specs, and Pics

By Edward Jones – July 15, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes its Public Debut at Silverstone

Even though it seems like it's already happened before, the Aston Martin Valkyrie made its public debut at the 2019 British Grand Prix over the weekend. The British hypercar was not only shown off statically to the crowd attending the race, but it also hit the track for its first public track demonstration. Yes, you read that right: Aston Martin actually took the Valkyrie out for some track time. " width="680"> Chris Goodwin, the Aston Martin High Performance Test Driver, was the man behind the wheel of the hypercar for its maiden lap. Aston Martin noted that this demo was not about lap times, but more about giving the crowd a glimpse of what's to come. Goodwin had this to say after completing the lap around Silverstone: "I’ve driven this car around Silverstone for countless hours on the simulator at Aston Martin Red Bull Racing’s HQ and in many other sportscars throughout my career, but to drive Aston Martin Valkyrie here today feels exceptionally special." Also, I have to mention how crazy this livery is for the Valkyrie. I hope this isn't the last we see of this design. I'm looking at you, buyers of the Valkyrie. see all aston martins for sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2019

Top Gear Explains Aston Martin's Mid Engined Supercars

England's automotive industry was in shambles after WWII. It was 1946 and Sir David Brown saw a classified listing for a luxury car company. The price was £30,000, and the rest is history. From the DB1 to the DB11, Aston Martin has built opulent masterpieces using traditional methods. There is nothing wrong with front engine, RWD V8 and V12 Grand Tourers, but it looks like it is time for a change. If you are curious about where they are heading, Top Gear explains Aston Martin's Mid Engine supercars. Starting on the right, the Vanquish will arrive in 2022 as their first production mid engine hybrid. Using a twin turbo V6 along with a hybrid system, it will compete against the McLaren 720S and the Ferrari F8 Tributo. Next to it is the wild AM-RB-003. Taking lessons learned on the Valkyrie, a new carbon fiber chassis has active suspension and another twin turbo hybrid V6. Using a flexible carbon rear spoiler, it is easy to see who they have in their crosshairs. Tell us what you think of these in the comments below and stay with us for all your Top Gear updates. Shop Aston Martin For Sale Related Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 Screams to 11,000 RPM Aston Martin AM-RB-003 Is Here!

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2019

Full Aston Martin Valkyrie Power Figures Finally Revealed

Regarding the Aston Martin Valkyrie's ppower figures, the English automaker has been remarkably hush-hush. Thankfully, they have opened up and divulged all the details when it comes to how their new hypercar performs. Here's a breakdown of the performance figures that were just unveiled. The 6.5-liter V12 engine delivers 1,000 bhp @ 10,5000 rpm and 546 lb-ft of torque @ 7000 rpm. Full hybrid system delivers 1,160 hp @ 10,5000 rpm and 664 lb-ft of torque @ 6,000 rpm. Can rev up to 11,100 rpm. Those are some serious numbers from the Aston Martin Valkyrie, which is a road-going car. Aston Martin notes that the Valkyrie's ability to rev up to 11,100 rpm is a "world first for a naturally-aspirated, emissions-compliant road car." If you can't wait to see the AstoN Martin Valkyrie, you'll be happy to know that the first prototypes are in build right now. view all aston martins for sale

By Edward Jones – January 23, 2019

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack and Opti...

Coming out of England is news of the new Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack that customers can opt for. This new pack contains track-only components that can be interchanged with the road-legal ones. When equipped, this pack allows the Valkyrie to deliver lap times that around 8 percent quicker than the standard model. There are also three different AMR livery designs available that can be tailored by "Q by Aston Martin - Commission." In this pack is a long list of features. Here's the breakdown: New aerodynamic front clam Second set of exterior body panels Titanium brakes Track-focused suspension Matte black magnesium wheel Carbon-fiber aero-disk set Customers who order this package can also order some gear to make their racing experience the best one out there, including pit garage and race suit accessories. Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Track Performance Pack Road-going Valkyrie hypercars also have a ton of options available. The four different Designer Specification themes are some of the most eye-catching options. These are for customers who would like to keep their Aston Martin hypercar's color scheme similar to what the designer had in mind. Q by Aston Martin Designer Specification - Ultimate They include Slipstream Green, Liquid Petroleum, Ethanol Silver and Maximum Orange. Of course, Aston Martin does offer the Ultimate Personalisation Program that allows owners to work with the Aston Martin Design Team and fully customize their Valkyrie (seen throughout the article). Q by Aston Martin Designer Specification - Mantis Aston Martin has divulged some of the Valkyrie options available to the customers. Here's a taste: Carbon fiber roof and rear engine cover Titanium wings badges Alcantara colors, patterns and finishes for the interior Six colors for the seatbelts Woven leather (similar to the One-77) Different finishes for the steering wheel switches The Gold Pack (24-carat gold leaf under the paint lacquer) Mokume Carbon Fiber Option Pack (Adds carbon fiber accents to exterior and interior) Q by Aston Martin Designer Specification - Spirit “This is simply the best car in the world if you want something bespoke," says Aston Martin's Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Mark Reichman. "Every single element of this hypercar, including its performance, can be personalized." view all aston martins for sale Also Check Out: Aston Martin Valkyrie V12 Screams to 11,000 RPM and Horsepower Revealed 2018 Aston Martin DB11 Specs, Price, Photos & Review Aston Martin DB11s For Sale Finally Hear What the Aston Martin Valkyrie Sounds Like

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2018

Finally Hear What the Aston Martin Valkyrie Sounds Like

The Aston Martin Valkyrie began its life in the media as the AM-RB 001. That "project name" came from the collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull that was need for the car to come about. With the motorsport knowledge that's held between the brains of both companies, the Valkyrie will be more than capable as a hypercar. The naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 is also going to put in the work that's needed to make it a powerhouse. And now, we also now know that this engine is also going to give the Valkyrie a vicious scream that's comparable to an Formula 1 car. The sound of the engine comes from a tweet by Andy Palmer, the President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. Check it out for yourself in the video below.https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/1047394902483644417

By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2018

Aston Martin Valkyrie With Moon Dust Paint Is 1 of 1

If you are a successful entrepreneur, you deserve the finer things in life. If your collection of supercars needs a new centerpiece, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is a fine choice. But for one discerning collector, he wanted something out of this world.Delivery of Kris Singh’s New Pagani Huayra BC Macchina VolanteOur friend Kris Singh is an avid collector of supercars. His recent visit to Aston Martin included a meeting with Miles Nurnberger, their Design Chief. Wednesday was the first Super Moon of 2018, so naturally, their lunar conversation involved the design of the Valkyrie. Being that it would be amazing with Earth in the background, Kris had an idea. Aston Martin is no stranger to metallic paints, but instead of metal flake, Chris will be providing moon dust.Lamborghini Veneno Delivered to U.S.The brave Apollo astronauts risked it all to bring back samples of the lunar surface to help advance scientific causes. Even if you are naive enough to believe it was a hoax, moon rocks occasionally fall to earth as meteorites. The moon is a punching bag for asteroids, and it the scars on its surface are proof that it protects us from the big hits. Often times it gets a brutal beating that is hard enough to spray us with debris. Moon meteors are rare, so that makes them incredibly expensive.Wednesday's Super Moon had tinges of crimson, so Kris named the color Karosserie Lunar Red. The brilliant finish will have polished crystals of feldspar, which makes up much of the moon's surface. It will also ensure the Valkyrie will be the only one of its kind, and it will probably sell for a stellar price one day. This seems like a much better idea than sending a Tesla Roadster to Mars, so as soon as we have updates, you will see them here first. Have a great weekend everyone.Aston Martin For Sale Aston Martin For Sale (on Earth) BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!! My visit to Aston Martin was very inspiring. A few weeks ago @milesnurnberger had commented to me that a spec we were discussing reminded him of a Space Ship. I immediately responded, “The Valkyrie makes a Space Ship look like a Car!” ?? That got me thinking... How do I raise the bar of my spec to be worthy of Valkyrie level? ? If ever there was a machine that could grip the ground and rip around the craters of the Moon like it’s on rails, it would be the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Unfortunately, science won’t allow me to be the first person to drive on the Moon (gravity is still an issue, they say), but nothing is stopping me from bringing the Moon to my Valkyrie!! ? I have sourced, gotten proper verification, and purchased an actual Rock from the Moon which will be ground to dust and used as a key ingredient in Karosserie Lunar Red which will be the color of my Aston Martin Valkyrie. This will be the first car ever to feature a paint formula that includes actual ingredients from #SPACE !!! Thank You to everyone at @astonmartinlagonda, @redbullracing and Karosserie in Wayne, PA. More renderings will be released in the coming weeks and months. We will also document and share some of the process of making actual Moon Rock part of this very special color being developed exclusively for the most special car of my lifetime: The Aston Martin Valkyrie. ??? Thanks to ?@marcovanoverbeeke? for helping refine my spec and providing me with renderings and thanks to ?@capitolsunset? for setting the mood of the image on the Moon. More to come!! #ToTheMoonAndBack #? ??? ______________________________________________________ #AstonMartin #Valkyrie #AstonMartinValkyrie #Moon #MoonRock #KarosserieLunarRed #KrisSingh #Red #BloodRedMoon #ToTheMoonAndBack #ComingSoon #2019 #RaiseTheBar #NASA #RedBull #RedBullRacing #AdrianNewey #MarekReichman #MilesNurnberger #AndyPalmer #AstonMartinRules #GameChanger #LunarRed #F1 #Redhead #RedWillNeverBeTheSame #TheRedOfAllReds #BLESSED ______________________________________________________ PS - No information or details regarding my source, purchase price, weight of the Moon Rock, or other, will be shared. A post shared by Kris Singh (@lamborghiniks) on Feb 1, 2018 at 4:48am PST

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2017

Aston Martin Announces Valkyrie AMR Pro Track Car

The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the English automaker's extraordinarily extreme hypercar that will set a new precedent within the company. Today, Aston Martin has announced a new take on the Valkyrie, one that is more track-focused: the Valkyrie AMR Pro. While the road-going Valkyrie was restrained by the limitations created by making it road-legal, this new AMR Pro breaks free from any limits.Of the changes, the ones you'll see right off the bat are found on the exterior. The new appearance of the Valkyrie AMR Pro is created by a suite of new aerodynamic surfaces. Larger front and rear wings dominate the new hypercar's expression, while more minute modifications can be found across its body.Powering the car is a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter Cosworth V12 engine that has more power and torque than the road-going Valkyrie - exact figures have not been released as of yet. However, Aston Martin has stated that the Valkyrie AMR Pro will reach a top speed close to 250 mph.Coolest Cars in the WorldThose who buy the Valkyrie AMR Pro will go through a rigorous development program that's tailored to their personal abilities. What's more, facilities used by Aston Martin Red BUll Racing's F1 drivers will be available to the new owners of the Valkyrie AMR Pro.Only 25 examples of the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro will be created, but they have all been purchased. Expect deliveries in 2020.

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2017

Aston Martin Valkyrie is Surprisingly Customizable

Aston Martin's new hypercar, the Valkyrie, looks just about as futuristic as you can get. I mean, when we start seeing it on the street, it's going to look like someone drove it right out of a concept car convention. Even if it looks like it should be in Minority Report, it's still being made by Aston Martin, and that means luxury and personalization options are available.Bloomberg is reporting that buyers of the new Valkyrie are going to be given a true red carpet treatment when spec'ing out their hypercar. First, when customers pick on their colors, Aston Martin will send them a 1:18 scale model of the car in the desired colors. This way they can see just how their car would look in the true paint and not in a digital rendering. Customers can repeat this process until they're happy with their choice.Just like other Aston Martins, the customization options span across the Valkyrie. Materials in the cabin are all up for different choices, including the seats, dashboard, headliner and trim. The example that was debuted went for a carbon fiber cabin, but fine leather and Alcantara is more than likely available. On the outside, customers can change the paint, the reflectivity of the panels, and the wheels. For the debut example, the wheels were fitted with carbon fiber disc coverings to reduce drag.Pricing for options aren't available yet, but we'll get them to you as soon as they're released.

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