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 – November 08, 2021

Aston Martin x Bowmore Announce Its Limited-Edition Maste...

Aston Martin teams up with Bowers on a limited luxury single-malt whiskey. While modern-day supercars boast state-of-the-art design and performance, the recipe for creating the perfect performing vehicle requires a balance of multiple aspects. It’s what helps highlight the similarities between the automotive world and a multitude of different industries. Aston Martin is proud to announce its most recent collaboration with the Scottish whiskey specialists at Bowmore Distillery, featuring a limited-edition single malt whiskey release. The Aston Martin x Bowmore Masters’ Selection combines the mastery of Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer and Bowmore’s Master Whisky Blender. Aston Martin achieves creating the perfect supercar using the ‘Golden Ratio’, a perfect pairing of design, performance, and technology implemented into each chassis. MUST-READ: Aston Martin Completes The First Valkyrie Customer Car The Golden Ratio is now being adopted for the first time by Bowmore with its new 21-year old single malt whiskey collaboration. For this single malt, a powerful and complex yet sweet warming, the creators seem, on the face, to have created absolute contrast but in reality, they have captured perfect balance and proportion. With a clear nod to Aston Martin in the very creation of this Bowmore whisky, it exudes sophistication and complexity which is truly considered yet promises a thrilling taste experience. Bowmore Masters’ Selection is available in key global markets including the UK, Germany, Canada, USA, and China at an RSP of US$300 (ex VAT/duty) from November onwards. View all the current Aston Martin examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Aston Martin For Sale Source: Aston Martin Lagonda

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 05, 2021

MANSORY Debuts Its New Aston Martin DBX

It was only a matter of time before the engineers at MANSORY took on the DBX to refine it as part of a complete conversion. The Aston Martin DBX is just one of the new performance-focused SUVs launched by a luxury automotive manufacturer. The DBX provides a supercar-like driving experience with the capability of fitting up to five passengers with more extra storage space. Although the factory design and performance of the Aston Martin DBX stands as an industry leader, the luxury aftermarket specialists at Mansory re-imagined the super SUV with a list of custom modifications. The build is categorized as a complete vehicle conversion, which applies to the exterior, interior, and engine management of the Aston Martin DBX. The exterior is finished in a Black Metallic paint scheme with Lime Green accents to accentuate the aggressive body lines. The aggressive styling comes from a full carbon fiber body kit that includes the front bumper, front lip, hood, fenders, side skirts, rear bumper, rear diffuser, and wing. With a lower ride height from its performance suspension, the DBX features a new wheel design called "DX.5" in 10x24 inch (front) and 12.5x24 inch (rear) dimensions with matching 295/30R24 and 355/25R24 tire sizes. MUST-READ: The All-New Mansory Softkit For The Rolls-Royce Dawn & Wraith The interior is kept entirely in black. The special color “Lime Green" used to accentuate details on the exterior is also found in many places in the interior. The edging of the floor mats, the seats, the center console, the decorative stitching on the dashboard, and the sports airbag steering wheel are all finished in this color. Individually embroidered floor mats, the use of fine visible carbon and the covering of almost all surfaces with the finest leather add further highlights to the masterfully handcrafted interior. The heart of the DBX, its V8 twin-turbo engine, also underwent extensive modifications by the engineers of the Mansory Performance Department. This includes a completely new engine management system, new and larger turbochargers, a sports air filter, and a high-performance sports exhaust system. Thanks to all these changes, the DBX, after its conversion at Mansory, delivers an impressive 800-horsepower and torque of 738- ft. lb. of torque on the rollers of the dynamometer. The all-new Mansory Aston Martin DBX is currently available through the German aftermarket specialists. View all current Aston Martin DBX models available for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Aston Martin DBX For Sale Source: MANSORY

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2021

Aston Martin Completes The First Valkyrie Customer Car

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

By 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

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2021

Lunaz Announces Electric Aston Martin DB6 Cars That Cost ...

Restored classic Aston Martin with reinvented powertrains. Lunaz has announced the production of their new electrified Aston Martin DB6 cars, a new take on the iconic classic cars. Each of these vehicles undergoes an extensive bare-metal restoration and re-engineering process that gives the DB6s concourse-ready quality. Included in this process is the implementation of Lunaz's proprietary modular electric powertrain. This in-house developed electric powertrain has a range of 255 miles and is capable of CCS fast-charging. Those are features you'd never expect in a classic car like the DB6. To give these cars a more modern drive are modifications to the brakes, suspension, and steering. Lunaz also modifies the interior to ensure maximum comfort and includes modern technologies like an A/C system, infotainment system, navigation systems, and Wi-Fi connectivity. These are all features you'd never expect in a classic Aston Martin. Lunaz has not announced the exact price of these electric DB6 cars but does note that it will exceed over $1 million. The first deliveries are expected in the third quarter of 2023. See All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Lunaz

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2021

Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll Pull Off James Bond Stu...

Seb would be the perfect, gentlemanly James Bond. The new James Bond film, "No Time To Die," is set to release on October 8, 2021, and Aston Martin is celebrating the moment in a fitting manner. The automaker has been a part of the Bond films for years, being the secret agent's car of choice many times. Being so prevalent in the Bond universe, they had the Aston Martin Formula 1 drivers, Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll, see if they could cut it as a stunt driver in one of the films. Showing them how it's done in the video up above is Mark Higgins, the stunt driver for the 'No Time To Die.' After giving them prompts on the 007 stunts, the two drivers, plus Martin Brundle of the Sky Sports F1 team, went on to see who could pull them off the best in a modified Aston Martin DB5. While I won't spoil it, they came to the same conclusion that I did before I even watched the video, which was that Vettel would be a great James Bond. Check it out for yourself by clicking play up above. See All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2021

Meet the Aston Martin DB5 Junior: The Perfect Little Spy Car

For all of the aspiring agents out there. Aston Martin, The Little Car Company, and EON have announced the new Aston Martin DB5 Junior, a wonderful recreation of the classic spy car. While it may be a two-thirds-scale version of the original, it's still very true to the original. To create it, the original Aston Martin DB5 was 3D-scanned so that the team could ensure this little version would be a perfect interpretation. While it may be smaller, it still packs gadgets like simulated Gatling guns, a cycling digital number plate, and even a smoke screen. Each of these gadgets can be controlled via the hidden gadget panel. Powering the little DB5 is an electric powertrain that has a range of up to 80 miles, which is good enough for a tiny escape. The range of the battery can be checked on the battery meter that replaces the fuel gauge on the dashboard. Speaking of the interior, it looks stunning, featuring Smiths instruments and comfortable seats for two. The pricing for the No Time To Die editions of the DB5 Junior is set at £90,000 (~$123,000 USD) and just 125 examples will be created. You can learn more via 007junior.com. Source: The Little Car Company

By Edward Jones – September 10, 2021

Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team Gets a 007 Makeover

The name's Vettel, Sebastian Vettel. This Sunday, the Italian GP is taking place at the famed Monza circuit and it will be an exciting one, as it always is in Italy. For the Aston Martin Cognizant F1 Team, they will be arriving with some special touches on the AMR21 race cars and even their paddock. To celebrate the upcoming release of the new James Bond film, 'No Time To Die,' the 007 logo can be found everywhere Aston Martin is. It's an awesome takeover of the Formula 1 team and fitting considering how big of a role Aston Martins have played in James Bond films. Be sure to see it all for yourself during qualifying and the race itself this weekend. See All Aston Martins For Sale Source: @astonmartinf1/Instagram

By Edward Jones – September 01, 2021

Giant "Toy" Aston Martin DB5 Spotted in London For New Ja...

This is a toy that you can actually drive. To celebrate the upcoming James Bond film No Time To Die, Aston Martin launched a new campaign that starred a very large "toy". In reality, it's not a toy but an actual Aston Martin Goldfinger DB5 Continuation model housed inside a giant Corgi scale model box. Corgi first released James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 toy car back in 1965, and it immediately won awards like "Toy of the Year" in the UK. As for the example inside the giant box, it's an actual working model that has a limited production run of 25 examples. It features special gadgets like simulated pop-out machine guns, a retractable bulletproof rear shield, and rotating license plates. Joining the giant toy box were a few other cars that will also be featured in the film. For No Time To Die, there's a blend of classic, modern, and future Aston Martin models, four to be exact. They include the Aston Martin DB5, Aston Martin V8, DBS, and Valhalla. I'm quite excited to see the Valhalla on the big screen! Aston Martin will have the giant Corgi box, DB5 included, on display at The Coaling Jetty, Battersea Power Station until October 1, 2021. And be sure to watch No Time To Die when it releases on October 8, 2021. Aston Martins For Sale Source: Aston Martin

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 30, 2021

Watch Aston Martin x James Bond's License To Thrill Short...

Take a look at some of the most iconic Aston Martin vehicles within the James Bond movie series. The relationship between Aston Martin and James Bond continues to be defined as the perfect pairing, ever since the original 1964 DB5 driven by Sean Connery in Goldfinger. The iconic 007 movie series is responsible for every fan’s want and need for an Aston Martin chassis in their driveway. Aston Martin is proud to relive some of the most iconic vehicles highlighted in the James Bond 007 series through a YouTube video released on the British auto manufacturer’s channel. As a part of driving down memory lane, the short film also introduces the next chapter of James Bond’s next adventure in No Time To Die. Watch License To Thrill, a short film by the professionals at Aston Martin, by clicking the video link above. View All Aston Martin For Sale

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