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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

By Khris Bharath – April 20, 2026

Barrett Jackson 2026 Palm Beach Auction: Top 10 Results & Highlights

Barrett-Jackson closed its 2026 Palm Beach Auction with a result that reset expectations. Over three days, April 16 to 18, the South Florida Fairgrounds hosted 610 vehicles, 1,617 registered bidders, and a 100 percent sell-through. Total vehicle sales crossed $47 million, with overall auction revenue exceeding $48.5 million, with automobilia on its own bringing in $1.5 million, its most successful automobilia auction in the Palm Beach event’s history. We already spotlighted the headline lot yesterday, Lot #747, the 1-of-100 2016 Pagani Huayra, finished in Gray Clement with exposed blue carbon fiber, presented with just 2,331 miles. When the gavel fell, the Italian hypercar fetched $3,190,000, making it the highest-selling vehicle in Palm Beach auction history. It also exceeds the Huayra’s duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value of $2,499,950. The Huayra led a Top 10 dominated by modern European performance. Right behind it was the 2025 Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale, which achieved $1,870,000, followed by a 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista at $819,500. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barrett-Jackson (@barrett_jackson) “Our 2026 Palm Beach auction welcomed a record number of bidders and was one of the most impressive dockets we’ve ever assembled, featuring the perfect blend of classic and contemporary collectible vehicles. Now we’re revving up for our inaugural 2026 Columbus Auction at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds in June.” - Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO, Barrett-Jackson Porsche maintained a strong presence across multiple lots of the 992.1. A 2024 Porsche 911 S/T, limited to just 1,963 examples, sold for $665,500, while three Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach examples traded between $385,000 and $495,000, respectively. A 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series Project One Edition reached $770,000, reinforcing demand for limited production performance models. Offered exclusively to those who were able to secure an allocation for the AMG-One hypercar, only 40 units were produced worldwide, with the U.S. allocation estimated at 25 units. Beyond the headline consignments, a 1951 Chevrolet 3100 restomod brought $330,000, showing continued interest in custom builds. Classic American muscle also remained relevant, with a 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T closing at $368,500. Philanthropy also played a central role at this year’s event, with four charity vehicles generating $1,635,000, including a 2026 GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility at $1,000,000 for the Medal of Honor Foundation. Kyle Busch and his wife, Samantha, announced that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible, Lot #457, will benefit the Samantha and Kyle Busch Bundle of Joy Fund, which supports infertility education and awareness. Barrett-Jackson now shifts focus to its June Columbus debut, carrying momentum from Palm Beach into its next expansion phase. It will be followed by a return to Nevada later this year, with its Las Vegas Auction scheduled for September 10 to 12, 2026, at the West Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. 10. 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T (Lot #758) $368,500 9. 1979 Ferrari 308 GTS Targa “Magnum PI” (Lot #716) $379,000 8. 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach (Lot #745) $385,000 7. 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach (Lot #729) $401,500 6. 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Weissach (Lot #739) $495,000 5. 2024 Porsche 911 S/T (Lot #755) $665,500 4. 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series Project One Edition (Lot #742) $770,000 3. 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista (Lot #756) $819,500 2. 2025 Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale (Lot #751.1) $1,870,000 1. 2016 Pagani Huayra (Lot #747) $3,190,000 View All Exotic and Luxury Cars For Sale Images: Barrett-Jackson

By Khris Bharath – April 19, 2026

$3.19M Pagani Huayra Tops Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026 Auction

The Barrett-Jackson 2026 Palm Beach Auction, held between April 16 and April 18 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, brought together a diverse docket of no-reserve consignments, with hundreds of vehicles selling across the three-day event. Going into the weekend, a 2016 Pagani Huayra (Lot 747) was the headline car. When the gavel fell, the Italian hypercar fetched $3,190,000, making it the highest-selling vehicle in Palm Beach auction history. It also exceeds the Huayra’s duPont REGISTRY Index (dRi) value of $2,499,950. Originally delivered new through Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, Connecticut, this particular example, finished in Gray Clement with exposed blue carbon fiber, was presented with just 2,331 miles and a specification that aligns with the most desirable early Huayra configurations. As with any Pagani, the attention to detail inside is second to none. The tight cockpit features extensive use of carbon fiber elements, bespoke blue leather upholstery, and machined aluminum switchgear arranged around a centrally mounted analog-digital instrument display. Founder Horacio Pagani’s signature on the dash is a highlight. A seven-piece fitted luggage set was also part of the sale. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Barrett-Jackson (@barrett_jackson) Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 paired with a seven-speed sequential manual transmission. The manual-V12 format, of ofcourse, is becoming increasingly rare, and the M158 V12 from Mercedes-AMG puts out 730 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, all with one of the most phenomenal soundtracks in the hypercar space. Other highlights include active aerodynamics, with two flaps each on the front and rear that adjust in real time, gullwing doors, and a lightweight construction with a curb weight under 3,000 pounds. Introduced in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Huayra marked a pivotal shift for Pagani Automobili, and within the brand hierarchy, it sits between the raw, analog Zonda era with more specialized variants that followed, including the Huayra BC, subsequent limited-run derivatives, and the modern-day Utopia. As one of just 100 coupe units produced (this example is #93), the Huayra represents a tightly controlled production run that continues to support long-term value retention. Market performance has stabilized in recent years, with aspects like mileage and specification remaining key market drivers. View All Pagani Huayaras for Sale Images: Barrett-Jackson

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 10, 2025

RealTruck x Dwayne Wade's Custom Ford F-250 "Champions Ed...

A truck built to benefit. With Barrett-Jackson's Palm Beach event just around the corner, car collectors around the world are gearing up to take part in the annual festivities while hoping for the chance to bid on some truly exceptional examples. In addition to a vast lineup of collector cars, trucks, and SUVs, builders like RealTruck will be on-scene to showcase and auction bespoke builds to benefit charitable causes. This year, RealTruck is proud to collaborate on a one-of-one Ford F-250 in collaboration with NBA Hall-of-Famer Dwyane Wade. Dwyane Wade x RealTruck's one-of-a-kind "Champions Edition" Ford F-250 Super Duty, first revealed at SEMA 2024, is rolling across the auction block at Barrett-Jackson on Friday, April 25th. It's a full-on custom build by RealTruck, optioned with details that combine serious off-road performance with nods to Wade's iconic basketball career. From the 6-inch Superlift kit and 37-inch BFGoodrich tires to custom Oracle lighting and Wade's signature lit up in the headliner, it's loaded with style. The truck even features a set of gold wheels with Beijing 2008 Olympic floating center caps, adding a personal touch that makes this build truly bespoke. Underneath the custom features, it's still a capable 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty with a 6.2L V8 and 8-speed automatic, but the real story is what it stands for. All proceeds from the auction, 100% of the hammer price, will benefit the Social Change Fund United, a nonprofit co-founded by Wade to support underrepresented communities of color. That makes this truck both a collector-grade custom and a symbol of something bigger than itself. Whether you're into custom trucks, a fan of Dwyane Wade, or just want to see how cool a charity auction vehicle can get, this "Champions Edition" Ford F-250 checks every box. The auction goes down around 2:30 p.m. EST on April 25, so keep an eye on that Barrett-Jackson livestream. Source: RealTruck

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2020

Barrett-Jackson's First Online Only Auction Starts May 8th

Barrett-Jackson is poised to change how collector car auctions are presented. Here is a press release from a few minutes ago: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – April 20, 2020 – Barrett-Jackson, The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, will bring the Barrett Jackson experience to enthusiasts worldwide with its premiere online only auction beginning on May 8, 2020. Featuring approximately 75 premium, hand-selected collector vehicles and more than 250 pieces of authentic automobilia, the Barrett-Jackson Online Only May 2020 Auction will be run on the industry’s most trusted online auction platform, Proxibid. “Barrett-Jackson was the first collector car auction company to introduce live internet bidding to the industry in the early 1990s,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “Today, that same innovative spirit has led to our new online auction platform that will deliver the same level of trust digitally as we do in person. All of our bidders will be carefully pre-screened and our vehicles reviewed with the same care as at our live events, making our online auctions the perfect extension of the Barrett-Jackson experience.” The Online Only May 2020 Auction will be run on the leading online auction platform, Proxibid, giving bidders and sellers alike secure online transactions and an infrastructure that boasts 99 percent uptime. Barrett-Jackson’s relaunched online auction will connect sellers with pre-screened bidders who have been vetted using bank-level risk mitigation tools. Consignors will have the advantage of being associated with Barrett-Jackson’s international brand, the visibility offered on extensive marketing and advertising platforms, and exposure to the company’s extensive database of car collectors around the world. Mirroring the selection and quality of Barrett-Jackson’s live auctions, the Online Only May 2020 docket will include collector vehicles and genuine automobilia pieces that appeal to collectors of all interests. Included in the collector car auction is an exceptional 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 (preview) in Candy Apple Red that was one of the first 150 examples built, as well as a custom 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe (preview) built by Jeff Hayes Customs and powered by a GM LS3 540hp with a Hot Cam engine. “No other company connects the collector car community like Barrett-Jackson,” said Jackson. “Over the last nearly 50 years, we’ve built a brand that’s come to represent more than just the auction of collector cars. Our relaunched online auction platform is the perfect extension of the Barrett-Jackson experience. It won’t just feature a diverse docket of coveted collector cars you expect from our auctions, it’ll fan the flame of passion we share as enthusiasts.” Barrett-Jackson’s Online Only May 2020 Auction will also feature automobilia with an offering of more than 250 genuine, authentic automotive Americana pieces, the majority sold with No Reserve. Among the most anticipated pieces up for sale include are a number of carefully curated items from the Nicodemus Collection, highlighted by a 14-foot-long 1962 Road Runner Service Stations porcelain with neon service station marquee sign and an iconic 1950s Mobil Oil Pegasus porcelain sign with animated neon (preview). Barrett-Jackson’s online auctions will be offered in addition to the company’s annual live auction events. Click the link to register as a bidder for the Online Only May 2020 Auction. Consignments for all online auctions will be selected by Barrett-Jackson’s team of collector car experts. Both Reserve and No Reserve options are being offered for the May 2020 online auction. Register To Bid Here! https://www.facebook.com/barrettjackson/videos/664310757483055/

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2018

Last Demon and Viper Bring in 7 Figures at Barrett-Jackso...

If you weren't in Connecticut this weekend, you missed out on another great Barrett-Jackson Auction. Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort was the venue for their 3rd annual Northeast event. This year it happened to coincide with a stop on the goldRush Rally, which made Saturday one for the record books.Barrett-Jackson Northeast 2018 PreviewIt started on Thursday with over 450 pieces of automobilia. A Mobil Oil Pegasus neon sign sold for $25,875, while a late 40's Chrysler-Plymouth sign came in 2nd with $23,000. With those out of the way, more than 650 cars and trucks rolled across the auction block. A record price of $92,400 was hammered for a 1973 Dodge Charger, and a 2015 Rolls-Royce Ghost brought $203,500.With the help of Bill Goldberg, Fiat-Chrysler offered the last production Dodge Demon and Dodge Viper. The pair sold for $1 Million, which all went to the United Way. Our red duPont REGISTRY bags were in the hands of all the right people. Both on the auction block and in the staging lanes, we were out in full force. Thanks to Craig & Carolyn Jackson for this enduring partnership. We'll see you all at Barrett-Jackon Vegas on September 27. Click the link below to view the consignments and we'll see you there!Barrett-Jackson Showroom

By Andrew Nabors – January 23, 2018

2017 Ford GT Sells For $2.5 Million At Barrett-Jackson

In order to get a feel for the value of exotic and collectible cars, Barrett-Jackson's Scottsdale Auction sets the pace. As one of the most anticipated cars in recent history, the latest Ford GT has made news for a few reasons. The first is that it uses a twin-turbo V6 instead of a traditional V8. The second source of intrigue is a contract between Ford and their customers.First 2019 Mustang Bullitt Sells Big for CharityIn order to cut out investors looking to make a quick buck by flipping their new car, Ford has first right of refusal. Those who have not heeded this warning have been targeted by Dearborn's legal department. But of course, this doesn't apply to charity. Our friend Ron Pratte is an avid collector of all things automotive, and he chose to donate his 2017 GT last weekend in Scottsdale. Car #23 was ordered in Liquid Blue with a black interior.With only 11 miles on the odometer, it rolled onto the block to benefit the Evernham Family's Racing For A Reason Foundation. They are donating 100% the proceeds to Autism Society of North Carolina, who's IGNITE program helps educate young adults with Autism or Asperger's syndrome. This noble cause launched a frenzy of bidding, with the hammer dropping at $2.5 Million. Kudos to Craig Jackson, Steve Davis, Ron Pratte & Ray Evernham for making this happen. This is the first auction of a 3rd Generation Ford GT, and it looks like they will be just as prolific as their predecessors. Tell us what you would pay to have one in your collection and stay with us for all your auction news.Video of the Auction

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