McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

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

Aston Martin News

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

By Andrew Nabors – November 22, 2017

Aston Martin Launches New 2018 Vantage Configurator

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

By Edward Jones – November 22, 2017

Aston Martin Releases Video Made by Famous Photographer "...

Rankin has been a highlight in the photography world, having published around 30 books and photographed subjects like the Queen of England. Now, he can add the new Aston Martin Vantage to his long list of subjects he has photographed. In a new set of photos, Rankin captures the new Vantage in a way no other human behind a camera could. The idea behind the photoshoot was to capture the car as the "archetypal hunter" and using the ethos of "beautiful won't be tamed." These photos and the video spanned across two shoots and were taken at both the Atlanta Motorsports Park and in Rankin's Studio. You can view the video below by clicking play.All Aston Martins for Sale

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2017

Surprise: 2018 Aston Martin Vantage GTE Race Car Revealed

Right off of the heels of Aston Martin releasing the new 2018 Vantage, the English automaker has also decided to show the world the new Vantage GTE race car. This new race car was developed alongside the road-going Vantage and has already undergone 8,000 miles of testing that includes two tests lasting 30 hours. Looks like it's ready for any 24-hour race. Powering the car is the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine found in its street-legal brethren. However, the powertrain, chassis and aerodynamics have been greatly altered to make it a much more race-ready car. Expect to see the new Vantage GTE taking part in the 2018 WEC.Aston Martins for Sale

By Edward Jones – November 21, 2017

Next-Gen 2018 Aston Martin Vantage is Finally Here

Aston Martin has been teasing the new Vantage for weeks now, but we're finally here with the official unveiling of the new English sportscar. Here are a few highlights: Redesigned interior and exterior Brand-new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine First Aston Martin with an Electronic Rear Differential Top speed of 195 mph Aston Martin Announces Valkyrie AMR Pro Track CarThe new design of the Vantage is quite self-explanatory. Overall, the entirety of the new Vantage is brand-new, giving the model a fresh look that it's been in need of. The interior has also been revamped with new style and, most importantly, Aston Martin has increased the car's headroom. Customers can buy the new Vantage now with an MSRP of $149,995. Deliveries are expected in the second quarter of 2018.

By Andrew Nabors – July 20, 2017

Aston Martin Vantage GT by Justin Bell

By Justin BellIn my transition from full-time racer to TV host, one of my most enjoyable gigs is the Le Mans 24 Hour race in France. During this epic race, my secret pleasure is in supporting the Aston Martin race team as they do battle with the established racing giants. I was very excited to see the Vantage GT launched here in the US. It’s a great street representation of the Vantage GT4 racecar that can be seen across North America during the 2014 season. It has race inspired aerodynamics and styling across the bodywork, and the graphics packages are as cool as you want to make them. To help enthusiasts get into motorsports, check out the exciting news from Aston Martin.Aston Martin Vantage GT Specs: $99,900 Engine: 4.7L V-8 430 hp Torque: 361 foot-pounds 0–60: 4.6 seconds Top Speed: 190 mph Transmission: Six Speed Manual or Automatic Inside it is a little more luxurious than the racing version, but there is a purposeful attitude nevertheless, with sports seats, black-magnesium paddle-shifts and carbon fiber all around you. The Vantage GT is a very sporty Grand Tourer to push hard. It has a tremendously responsive mid-mounted 4.7-liter dry sump V-8 with a cracking exhaust to match. Engineers worked diligently to calibrate the sports suspension and steering, as from corner entry to exit the chassis feels planted. You may not be an Aston Martin factory race driver, but in the Vantage GT, you will feel like one. If you would like to experience one for yourself, check out our inventory of Aston Martin models and stay with us for all your AMR updates. View Aston Martin V8 Vantage For Sale

By Edward Jones – May 17, 2017

Aston Martin Shoots Three-Foot Flames

Cars spitting flames isn't crazy nowadays, but an Aston Martin V8 Vantage shooting three-foot flames is.This insane English Aston Martin sports car was stumbled upon by YouTuber TheCarGuy18 in Belfast. In order to make the flames possible, it has a flame kit that purposefully dumps unburnt fuel into the rear of the exhaust, results in the massive flames. He notes in the description that this was filmed on private property and out of harm's way because frankly, this is a borderline weapon.What do you guys think of this mod? Is it cool, unsafe, or would you install one on your car? Let us know in the comments section below.Aston Martin Flamethrower

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 – April 05, 2016

Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Spied Going Hard on Nurburgring

The Aston Martin Vantage GT12 is set to be the fastest, most powerful road-going car the manufacturer will produce this year. It comes packing a 6.0-liter V12 that's capable of producing 600 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque.The English automaker will only 100 examples of this car, making it a rare sight when seen. That what makes cvdzijden's video, found below, so special.2016 Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Specs Price: $385,000 Engine: 5.9-liter V12 Horsepower: 600 hp 0–60: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 185 mph Transmission: automated manual Sportshift III Torque: 461 lb-ft He was recently visiting Nurburgring when he saw one of the 100 GT12s testing its capabilities in a brutal manner. He recorded the event and uploaded it for us all to enjoy. In the video below you can hear the car and boy does it sound like a dream.Listen to the video below to see what I mean.V12 Vantages For Sale

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