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 – May 26, 2022

Aston Martin Preps For Take Off With The New Airbus ACH13...

The new Aston Martin that requires a pilot's license. As automotive enthusiasts, we find our true passions through supercars and hypercars, with a close appreciation for anything that focuses efforts on luxury and performance. Whether an Aston Martin DBS Superleggera or a high-end personal aircraft, each showcases its areas of expertise in unique ways. It’s a similar way of thinking for the team at Aston Martin, who look for new creative ways to diversify its portfolio of brand collaborations. Aston Martin is excited to take its efforts to the sky with its new partnership with the aerospace professionals at Airbus. Aston Martin x Airbus is proud to debut the all-new ACH130 Aston Martin Edition, a stylish special edition corporate helicopter that possesses performance and pleasures from bespoke luxury cars. MUST-READ: The Aston Martin Valkyrie Takes On A Rainy Track At Mugello The dynamic duo works together to highlight Airbus Corporate Helicopters’ key values of excellence, quality, and service, with Aston Martin’s commitment to beauty, handcrafting, and automotive art. Available in four external liveries with complementary interiors, the helicopters are embellished with Aston Martin signature elements, starting with the iconic Aston Martin wings, which are embossed onto luxury leather features, tastefully positioned throughout the cabin. Although specifics and pricing have yet to be released, we are sure that there will be plenty of Airbus ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopters taking to the sky very soon. 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 aviation news and Aston Martin release. View All Aston Martin For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 24, 2022

The Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Will Debut At The Nürburgrin...

One of the world’s most iconic 24-hour races will serve as the introduction for a new racing Aston Martin. The Aston Martin Vantage is one of the brand’s most iconic sports cars. It’s got dashing looks, British luxury and racing spirit, and a turbocharged 4-liter V8 engine that gives it world-class performance and dynamism. The latest racing version of the car, the Vantage GT3 has been preparing for the infamously challenging 15.8-mile Nordschleife circuit of the Nürburging to compete in the Nürburgring 24-hour race. MUST READ: The Formerly Lost Aston Martin Bulldog Won Coppa d’Oro At Villa d’Este Along with it, two German teams will be entering 3 Vantage GT4s each, with a total of seven Aston Martin Vantage-based race cars on the track for the event. Aston Martin has been a presence at the Nürburgring since 2005 with the Vantage GT4. Placing fourth, the V12 Vantage GT3 gave Aston Martin its best results at the Nürburgring in 2018. Practice begins for the ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring on Friday, May 26, with the race beginning at 4:00 PM CET on Saturday, May 27. It will be available to live stream on both the event’s website and YouTube channel. Source: Aston Martin

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 23, 2022

The Formerly Lost Aston Martin Bulldog Won Coppa d'Oro At...

The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este gives an Aston Martin legend a prestigious award. The Coppa d’Oro is one of the two most prestigious awards that entrants to the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este can win, and it’s voted for by the other entrants to the Concours. This year, the winner of that incredible award is an equally incredible car, the Aston Martin Bulldog, a concept car from 1980 that featured an incredibly futuristic design for the time, a V8 engine, and the goal to reach 200 mph, which is still an incredible speed to reach today, but unthinkable in that time. It only ever made it to 192 mph, though, and financial troubles forced Aston Martin to sell the car to a collector, and it disappeared. MUST READ: The Aston Martin Valkyrie Takes On A Rainy Track At Mugello Two years ago, however, collector Philip Sarofim worked with Richard Gauntlett, the son of the former owner of Aston Martin, to restore the car with the goal of getting it to the originally intended 200 mph. At Villa d’Este, its incredible story and rarity, being the only example of the Bulldog ever built, made it the youngest car to ever win the Coppa d’Oro. The restored Aston Martin Bulldog’s next frontier is the 200 mph top speed, which will be attempted soon at a location and on a date to be announced. The revival of this incredible automotive legend is an amazing next chapter in the Aston Martin Bulldog’s story. View All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Classic Motor Cars

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 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 Tyler Rampersaud – April 22, 2022

Aston Martin's Racing.Green. Strategy Targets Start-To-Fi...

Earth Day makes for a perfect time to start down a serious path to sustainability for Aston Martin. Green has always been a symbol that means it’s time to go. And Aston Martin has decided to use that signal to go green as a brand. The new strategy, called “Racing.Green.” lays out Aston Martin’s journey towards all-round sustainability. The brand aims to achieve net-zero emissions according to the Science Based Targets initiative’s Net-Zero Standard, with goals to make its manufacturing facilities net-zero by 2030, and net-zero emissions across the entire supply chain by 2030. MUST READ: Aston Martin Is Working With Britishvolt To Develop Its First Electric Car By 2025 Since 2019, Aston Martin has used 100% renewable energy in its UK manufacturing facilities, but Racing.Green. takes this effort much further, targeting reduced water consumption, an electrified vehicle lineup starting with the Valhalla plug-in hybrid that will be complete in 2030, leather-free vegan interiors, and other initiatives that holistically improve Aston Martin’s environmental impact. This Earth Day marks the start of a new race for Aston Martin, and knowing the brand, it’s sure to reach the finish line. View All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Aston Martin

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 29, 2022

The Aston Martin Vantage Gets Bulletproofed By AddArmor

Leave it to AddArmor by Quality Coachworks to make an Aston Martin Vantage that’s never disadvantaged. The Aston Martin Vantage is one of the most loved luxury sports cars in the world. With timeless looks, British racing spirit, and pure performance, the Vantage has few aspects that it can improve on. But what about security? Owning an Aston Martin Vantage, you certainly wouldn’t want to risk your car being broken into, stolen, or threatened, and while owning an armored car instead would reduce that risk, what if you could own an armored car that is an Aston Martin Vantage? MUST READ: Deliveries Begin For The New Aston Martin AMB 001 Motorcycle AddArmor has stepped up to this challenge and created an Aston Martin Vantage that is as secure as it is an incredible performance car. With AddArmor’s B4 armoring, the Vantage gets great protection like bulletproof glass, run-flat tire inserts, and kevlar armoring throughout. This lightweight kevlar armoring gives the car impressive added security while only adding 450 pounds to the total weight, keeping the performance at a level that an Aston Martin should deliver. AddArmor can armor just about any vehicle you can think of, from SUVs to supercars, and with Anti-intrusion packages starting at $32,500, it’s better safe than sorry. Source: AddArmor

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 22, 2022

Deliveries Begin For The New Aston Martin AMB 001 Motorcycle

An incredibly unusual and beautiful turbocharged motorcycle comes from the likes of… Aston Martin. Fans of Aston Martin know how well-versed the brand is in making beautiful, luxurious, and fast cars that ooze luxury, sophistication, and incredible performance. Aston Martin knows without a doubt how to combine style and speed on four wheels. But what about two? MUST READ: Indian Motorcycles x Super73 Launch The New eFTR Hooligan 1.2 eBike Enter the AMB 001, created in a collaboration between Aston Martin and Brough Superior, an Aston Martin-branded motorcycle of which only 100 will be made. However, it doesn’t just rely on rarity to be unique, with 180 horsepower, a carbon fiber body and subframe, and a turbocharged engine, which is something nearly unheard-of in the motorcycle world. The unique turbocharged engine provides incredible amounts of torque across much of the RPM range, and at long last, customers of the new AMB 001 motorcycle are enjoying that unique performance out on the road, as testing has been completed and Aston Martin and Brough Superior are now starting to deliver the AMB 001. It might seem crazy, but seeing a two-wheeled Aston Martin on the road is now a very real possibility. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aston Martin (@astonmartinlagonda) 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

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