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

Audi News

Audi news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, technology launches and verified performance figures. Our coverage runs across the RS models and the expanding e-tron range, together with the road cars that sit beneath them. Audi is moving quickly on electrification, and we report each development as it is confirmed. Plenty of publications carry performance car news, but few carry it beside live inventory. Many of the Audis covered here appear on the duPont REGISTRY marketplace, so a review and a genuine asking price sit together. That combination is difficult to find anywhere else in luxury car news. For Audi news today, begin with the stories below.

By Andrew Nabors – February 19, 2019

Audi Sends E-Tron up 85% Gradient on Austrian Ski Slope

We're only months away from the formal release of Audi's electric SUV. To prove how capable it will be, they partnered with Red Bull racing for a wild demonstration. Recalling the quattro commercials from the old days, Audi sent the e-tron up an 85% gradient in Austria. The legendary "Streif" is normally a challenge for the world's best downhill skiers. To allow the new SUV to climb the hill, this was the first e-tron equipped with dual motors. It is the first instance of electric quattro AWD, and it used studded tires to make the climb. Total output of both electric motors was 370kW, and after the reduction gears it translated to 6,579.1 lb-ft of torque. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below to get on the list! Shop Audi For Sale Related: Audi E-Tron GT Concept Audi Tests E-Tron Brake Regeneration At Pike's Peak

By Andrew Nabors – November 29, 2018

Audi E-tron GT Concept: An All-Electric Sports Car With S...

The latest news from the LA Auto Show brings the Audi e-tron closer to reality. This sleek sedan is the e-tron GT, and it previews a production version that will arrive in the next 2 years. In a press release last night we've learned it will have carbon fiber body panels and 590 horsepower. The bold styling has wide rocker panels and a tapered cockpit in contrast to Audi's recent models. Nothing was left to chance, as even the 22" wheels are styled to cool the brakes. The cockpit has a flat floor with ample room front and rear. With a focus on sustainable materials, no animal-based products were used inside or out. To emphasize the utility of an electric vehicle, the battery mounted under the floor allows for 15.9 cubic feet of cargo room with an additional 3.5 under the hood. Having electric motors front and rear, it leaps to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds, and only a dozen ticks to reach 124 mph. 1,012 HP Audi RS6 Goes 203 MPH On The Autobahn The battery is rated at 90 kWh and it offers a range of 248 miles if driven in a sensible manner. But if I had a gorgeous sedan with all wheel steering and a low center of gravity, it would be hard to resist a few spirited maneuvers. Audi was originally planning to use a 400v charging system and Porsche would have 800v chargers. But thankfully Audi has adopted the Porsche system. It allows for an 80% charge in 20 minutes. While we wait for it to reach production. Related: View All Audis For Sale 2019 Audi R8 Is Leaner & Meaner

Audi, Airbus and Italdesign test Flying Taxi Concept

By Edward Jones – November 27, 2018

Audi Has Tested Their Flying Taxi Concept

Audi, Airbus and Italdesign have created and tested their flying and driving prototype called "Pop.Up Next." This concept vehicle is a seriously innovative flying taxis that consists of an autonomous electric car and a passenger drone. Here's how it works: the flight module (drone) carries the passenger module to the ground module (electric car), and placed the passenger module in the ground module. When combined, the passenger and ground module create an autonomous electric car that can take them to their destination. Through this process, passengers can get from point A to point B through the sky and across the ground without ever leaving their vehicle. Not bad. At Drone Week in Amsterdam, Pop.Up Next was tested successfully. Granted, it was a 1:4 scale model that was tested. That being said, it still very promising that they have a working concept of their innovative flying taxi that could possibly change the way we travel forever. Dr. Bernd Martens, Audi board member for sourcing and IT and president of the Audi subsidiary Italdesign, had this to say about flying taxis: “Flying taxis are on the way. We at Audi are convinced of that. More and more people are moving to cities. And more and more people will be mobile thanks to automation. In future senior citizens, children, and people without a driver’s license will want to use convenient robot taxis. If we succeed in making a smart allocation of traffic between roads and airspace, people and cities can benefit in equal measure.” Sell Your Exotic Car with duPont REGISTRY Audi is also testing an new on-demand service in Mexico City and Sao Paulo, thanks to Airbus subsidiary Voom, that consists of helicopter flights and an awaiting Audi on the ground. This will allow them to see how an air-to-ground taxi service would work in the real world. Also Check Out: Audi S4 Races Bugatti Chiron, Surprises Everyone 1,012 HP Audi RS6 Goes 203 MPH on the Autobahn 2019 Audi R8 Gets More Power and Updated Style

Audi designs first concept car for an animated film

By Andrew Nabors – November 02, 2018

Audi Unveils Virtual Concept for an Animated Film

Lance Sterling is the animated super-spy in the upcoming film Spies in Disguise. The latest animation from 20th Century Fox, the star will be voiced by Will Smith. In order to give the hero a proper ride, Audi Design joined forces with Blue Sky Studios Taking inspiration from the R8 e-tron, the virtual supercar was named the RSQ e-tron. There is no denying that Audi is fully committed to an electric future, and the film highlights a fully autonomous 2-seater with all the features a spy would need. Frank Rimili is the Head of Exterior Design at Audi's Studio 3, and in the press release he says "Audi takes a digital, forward-looking approach to the design process, both in developing fictional content and in the production modeling studio. At Audi Design, we combine state-of-the-art digital visualization techniques with handmade precision. These processes enable us to implement futuristic design ideas with the same precision in the development of a fictional virtual concept vehicle such as the RSQ e-tron." Click the link below to find your own Audi R8 and stay with us for all your Audi updates. View All Audi R8 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 24, 2018

2019 Audi R8 Gets More Power and Updated Style

Can you believe the Audi R8 is now a teenager? What began as a limited production mid-engine V8 has evolved into one of their most potent and popular models. To keep it on the cutting edge, a press release this morning outlines a myriad of changes for next year. The 2019 Audi R8 will arrive with 50% of its parts shared with the LMS GT3 cars and 60% of the GT4 race car's components. The engine upgrades come from their cousins at Lamborghini, with the same V10 found in the Huracan LP610-4. Audi R8-Manufactory at „Böllinger Höfe“, near the Neckarsulm production site: The Audi R8 Coupé in the checking and finishing area.It is rated at 612 horsepower without any silly superchargers or turbos. A new dry-sump oil system has multiple scavenging sections along with an integrated oil cooler. It allows the engine to be mounted even lower than before, which translates to 1.5G of cornering grip. The increased power and acceleration are handled by an enhanced stability system. If you want the ultimate daily driver, it can respond quicker in dry, wet, and snow modes. It also shortens your stopping distance from 62 mph by 5 feet, and at 124 mph by a whopping 16.4 feet. This is made possible by the optional carbon rotors, while steel rotors are standard equipment. Why can't all cars have this? Swapping rotors isn't hard, and I want the ability to choose! Of course, the exterior has been sculpted to display a meaner look, and it has come a long way since the unassuming first generation examples. You now have 3 exterior packages to choose from depending on how aggressive and how much carbon fiber you want to play with. The Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Huracan are now virtually identical underneath, so choose the styling that suits your demeanor and stay with us for all your Audi updates! View All Audi R8 For Sale Audi R8 Specs

By Andrew Nabors – October 18, 2018

Audi Unveils the Very Limited 2018 R8 V10 Plus Coupe Comp...

Lamborghini has built a masterpiece with their Huracan Performante. It has redefined what we thought was possible with aerodynamics on a street legal car. But their cousins at Audi wanted in on the fun. So taking lessons learned on the Nurburgring, Audi has built the ultimate R8. Announced in a press release this morning, the new 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus Coupe Competition will be limited to only 10 examples for the US. Starting with the wheels, the forged 20" wheels are styled after the 18" rollers used on the R8 GT4. They save 26.4 lbs over the standard R8 wheels. Even the backing plates for the brake pads were machined from titanium to decrease unsprung weight. All of the aerodynamic upgrades are carbon fiber, and they contribute to twice the downforce of a standard R8 at 93 mph. While it limits the top speed to 196 mph, you will have 551 lbs keeping you glued to the track. All 10 cars will arrive with Suzuka Gray paint, black racing buckets with red contrast stitching, and the full leather Audi Exclusive interior package. If the soundtrack of the brutal V10 is not enough, Bang & Olufsen has delivered 13 speakers with 550 watts of power. The coil-over suspension has 3-way adjustability. This comprehensive supercar will arrive in November with an MSRP of $237,350. If you are curious about a new centerpiece of your Audi collection, click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Audi news. View Audi R8 For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2018

Updated Audi R8 LMS GT3 Race Car Unveiled in Paris

Audi first unveiled the R8 LMS back in 2015 and it has since been revamped multiple times. Well, it's time for another refresh as the automaker reveals a newer version of the R8 LMS GT3 GT3 race car. When developing the car, Audi Sport focused on creating a "better technical base than before."To accomplish this feat, Audi Sport modified the aerodynamics and durability of its transmission. The result is a car that will perform better during varying driving conditions, and one that will have a longer clutch and transmission life. Jay Leno Roasts Rear Wheels in Audi R8 V10 RWS “In developing the evolution of the car, we’ve put even greater focus on our customers and their needs,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. “The pre-design stage for the second evolution of our current model generation centered on many discussions with our teams.”Teams who already own the second-generation Audi R8 LMS GT3 can have their car retrofitted with the new modifications for 28,000 euros (roughly $32,000 USD), plus VAT. Those who are looking to buy on outright will have to shell out 398,000 euros (roughly $460,000 USD), plus VAT. View Audi R8s For Sale Audi R8 LMS GT3 (2019)

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2018

Audi e-tron Unveiled as an All-Electric SUV

This one has been in the works for years, and now it is official. In a press release this morning, we saw the firs production version of the e-tron. Originally it was a version of the A3 Sportback, and we're glad they used a larger chassis. This full-size family hauler uses the transmission tunnel to locate the battery low in the chassis. Space normally occupied by the quattro system now powers electric motors at the front and rear. quattro has entered the electric age with the same agility and torque management as its predecessors. High Performance Audi PB18 e-tron Concept Car Revealed To be the most efficient electric car on the market, over 90% of braking is done by the electric motors. This means you won't be changing pads and rotors during the life of the car. A neat option are the virtual mirrors. Instead of disturbing the airflow across the doors, the virtuals use HD screens on the door panels.The car is poised to take advantage of Audi's 400v charging network, as it has connections for HV DC fast charging. Other goodies include an LTE WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and an easy-to-use MMI interface. Production has already started at their carbon-neutral plant in Brussels, so click the link below to find our dealer near you.Browse Audi R8 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 07, 2018

2019 Audi Q8 Unveiled With US-Spec Trim

The war of luxury SUV's has reached new heights thanks to Audi's new Q8. It was formally launched in a press release by Audi USA last night. The conservative styling of the Q3 and Q7 is gone. They are still viable options for those who want a midsize model, but this Q8 is downright mean looking.Under the hood is an all-new 3.0 liter V6. It uses the same turbo technology as other Audis, with twins nestled in the hot-side, with reverse flow cylinder heads. InteriorIt offers 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic. Standard equipment includes the 48-volt mild hybrid system. It stores energy when braking to help boost acceleration.The Torsen mechanical center differential is locked a 40:60 torque split front to rear. This combines the best in new technology with traditional quattro performance. If you need more information, click the link below and stay with us for all your Audi news.Browse Audi Q7 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2018

Audi PB18 e-tron to be Unveiled at Pebble Beach

We may live to see a future where gas-powered cars are only shown at historic events. That's because Audi has teased us with their latest e-tron concept. The PB18 e-tron is named for Pebble Beach, and it will make its debut at "The Quail" on the evening of August 24. It will also be on display at Laguna Seca the following day, with the culmination being on Sunday on the lawn at Pebble Beach.Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile Cars & Times It looks to have similar proportions to its cousin, the VW I.D. R Pike's Peak, but Audi chose their Malibu Design Loft to finalize the exterior. It could also be the production version of the e-tron Vision Gran Turismo. Either way, it will be shocking! Audi e-tron Vision Gran TurismoIt will be interesting to compare the design and performance to the latest Audi R8 V10 Plus because this could eventually replace it. Audi USA has committed to building a new 400-volt charging network while Porsche is forging ahead with 800-volt systems. Yesterday's press release on their upcoming Taycan hinted at compatibility between both systems, so it looks like nearly every division of VW group is committed to a cleaner future. Stay with us for all your Monterey updates.Great Deals on Audi R8s Here

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