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 – March 20, 2025

Girard-Perregaux Unveils Its New Limited-Edition Aston Ma...

A new F1 season means a new watch from Aston Martin F1. With an exciting start to the 2025 F1 season, the Aston Martin F1 Team is gearing up to have a successful year ahead, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll behind the wheel. Along with an impressive team of drivers and support staff, Aston Martin's partners play a crucial role in its vision for success both on and off the racetrack. Since 2021, Girard-Perregaux has shown its support and shared values with Aston Martin F1 through a collection of luxury watches that embody the same design characteristics and performance as the motorsport legend. Today, Girard-Perregaux is proud to continue that tradition with the release of its seventh collaboration watch, the new limited-edition Laureato Absolute Aston Martin F1 Edition. Limited to just 88 pieces, this 44mm timepiece features a Grade 5 titanium case with a sleek sandblasted finish, giving it a modern, stealthy look. The dial is finished in Aston Martin Racing Green with vibrant lime-green accents, reflecting the marque's iconic F1 livery on its race cars. Powered by the in-house GP03300 caliber, the watch provides precise timekeeping, visible through the sapphire crystal case back. The durable FKM rubber strap and 300m water resistance make it a practical companion for active everyday lifestyles. With a bold design and F1-inspired engineering, the $14,300 Laureato Absolute Aston Martin F1 Edition is perfect for watch enthusiasts and motorsport fans. Shop all the newest release from Girard-Perregaux by clicking the link below. Shop All Girard-Perregaux Watches View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Discovery (@dupontregistry_discovery) Source: Girard-Perregaux

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 15, 2023

Girard-Perregaux's New Laureato Green Ceramic Aston Marti...

As the first Laureato to feature Green Ceramic as its main material, Girard-Perregaux portrays the essence of Aston Martin's historic green.

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 12, 2022

Girard-Perregaux Releases The Limited-Edition Laureato Ab...

The luxury watch made from real F1 race cars. Since its partnership first began in early 2021, Girard-Perregaux and Aston Martin aim to bridge the two luxury worlds together with a collection of exclusive timepieces that incorporate motorsport inspiration. The performance duo has already established itself with the recent Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition and Tourbillon With Three Flying Bridges Aston Martin Edition releases. Girard-Perregaux is proud to unveil the all-new Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin F1 Edition, the first watch to be designed with help from the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team. The Laureato Absolute Chronograph AMF1 Edition features a lightweight 44mm case made using titanium and carbon from two 2021 season Formula One race cars. A sunray ‘Aston Martin Green’ chronograph dial layout showcases a cross-hatching pattern that resembles the grille of an Aston Martin, with subtle hints of Green Emission on the indexes and hands. MUST-READ: Makes And Movements: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera x Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Aston Martin Edition The engine delivering power to the race-inspired watch is Girard-Perregaux’s in-house GP03300-1058 self-winding mechanical movement, operating the chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date functions. With performance and technology as its main focus, the special edition Laureato Absolute holds a lengthy 46-hour power reserve and 100-meter water resistance. The sapphire backcase offers a closer work at the complex movement in action, with a laser-etched ‘Aston Martin’ logo proudly displayed in the center. The outer portion of the backcase reveals engravings that signify Girard-Perreguax’s involvement as The Official Watch Partner of the Aston Martin F1 Team. Continuing its theme of reducing weight and adding comfort, Girard-Perregaux adds a GP rubber alloy strap in Aston Martin Green to the new Laureato Absolute. The mix of rubber and carbon is also extracted from two Formula One race cars from last year’s season, which also features a fabric effect with green contrast stitching. The all-new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute Chronograph Aston Martin Formula 1 Edition is limited to only 306-pieces and is currently available through an authorized dealer for $27,800. Stay tuned into the 2022 Formula 1 Season to see Aston Martin F1 Team drivers Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel rocking the new timepiece. View all of the current Aston Martin models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury watch news and releases. View All Aston Martin For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: Girard-Perregaux

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 28, 2021

Girard-Perregaux Releases The Laureato Chronograph Aston ...

A new performance-focused luxury timepiece crafted by Girard-Perregaux x Aston Martin. While the automotive industry’s influence continues to grow within the watch world, the community of watch collectors and enthusiasts anticipate limited-edition collaboration pieces. Girard-Perregaux’s partnership with the performance professionals at Aston Martin incorporates the best of both worlds when it comes to luxury timepieces and high-end supercars. The dynamic duo is proud to announce its most recent collaboration timepiece, the new Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition. The addition to the Laureato Collection is presented as a 42mm stainless steel chronograph, which pays homage to the wristwatch tool used by early racecar drivers. MUST-READ: Makes And Movements: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera x Girard-Perregaux Tourbillon Aston Martin Edition The vibrant dial design features an Aston Martin Green colorway with a cross-hatching pattern to mimic the front grille of a car. With its added chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date functions, the Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition is the perfect everyday watch for any collector. Driven by Girard-Perregaux’s in-house GP03300 mechanical movement, the chronograph is set to hold an impressive 46-hour power reserve. The transparent back case allows for a closer look at the inner workings of the movement, while the outer portion is engraved to signify the limited edition release from Girard-Perregaux x Aston Martin. Finishing the functional styling of the watch, Girard-Perregaux adds a comfortable stainless steel bracelet with polished center links. The all-new Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition is limited to only 188-pieces for $18,100. View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: Girard-Perregaux

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By Edward Jones – October 25, 2018

Second Tag Heuer and Aston Martin Watch Revealed

The collaborative effort between Aston Martin and Tag Heuer has resulted in another fine watch called the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 Aston Martin Special Edition. This is the second watch to come out since the two luxury brands announced their partnership at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. As you'd expect, this watch was inspired by Aston Martin cars. They say it draws specifically from the colors, shapes, patterns, and materials used in Aston Martin vehicles.As for the specifics of the watch, it has a 45mm solid steel case with a ceramic black brushed tachymeter bezel and Aston Martin engraving. A nice touch is the ability to see the manufacture movement through the dial, which has a pattern similar to the details on the new Vantage. Bentley Renews Breitling Partnership, More Watches Coming“This timepiece is a beautiful reflection of the design language of both Aston Martin and TAG Heuer," says Aston Martin Vice-President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. "The collaboration provided a fascinating opportunity for us to work with the creative talents at TAG Heuer to design a product that truly showcased beautiful bespoke craftsmanship that reflects the importance of peak performance. Each watch will provide its owner with a taste of the Aston Martin luxury lifestyle where there is attention paid to every detail. They will also enjoy the craftsmanship and build quality that is synonymous with the two brands.”The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01 Aston Martin Special Edition is available right now from TAG Heuer retailers for roughly $6,700.Check Out Our 2018 Watch Guide View All Aston Martins For Sale

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