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 Tyler Rampersaud – October 01, 2026

Audi Collaborates With 1 Hotels For The US Grand Prix

The thrill, excitement, and intense rivalry of Formula 1 is coming to Texas for the United States Grand Prix later this month. Held at the Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas, the race brings Lone Star style to the F1 calendar. Audi comes to the race in the midst of its inaugural season in the ultra-prestigious series, and as its first United States Grand Prix approaches, the manufacturer has announced a dining experience for the race weekend in partnership with 1 Hotels and the Michelin-starred SingleThread. From October 22 to 24, the three-night dinner experience is entitled Audi and 1 Hotels Present: Driven by the Journey, An Evening with SingleThread, and it will be hosted in Austin’s newly opened 1 Hotel. The experience features a five-course menu from the three-Michelin-starred California destination was founded by Chef Kyle and Katina Connaughton.With an automotive partnership with Audi, SingleThread is known for its integration of farming, hospitality, and dining. Aligning with the concept behind SingleThread, 1 Hotels combines luxury with sustainable design and a high level of service. The 1 Hotel in Austin is the first 1 Hotels property in Texas, and it is located within the 74-story Waterline, Texas’s tallest tower. Part of an expanded partnership between Audi and 1 Hotels, the race weekend dining experience is complemented by a house-car service and local drives from the hotel that are offered even outside of the race weekend. <- Gallery -> Combining an iconic luxury hotel property with a unique dining experience from a three-Michelin-starred brand, the new Driven by the Journey, An Evening with SingleThread from Audi and 1 Hotels is making Audi’s first United States Grand Prix race weekend an even more special occasion for the four-ringed brand and its guests. Reservations for the luxurious experience are open now. View All Audi For Sale Image Source: Audi

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 09, 2024

Audi Launches Its New $9,500 Electric Mountain Bike

With inspiration from the RS Q e-tron, the electrified bike combines great looks with Audi performance. Designed to tackle any track or adventurous terrain, Audi's lineup of sports cars and SUVs has proved to be the perfect solution for those wanting the best of both worlds. Venturing to more mountainous environments, Audi is proud to take its off-road abilities to two-wheels with its first bicycle release.The all-new Audi Electric Mountain Bike comes as a collaboration release with the Italian e-bike professionals at Fanatic Motors. Performance and progressive technology showcase the electric mountain bike's versatility as a touring bike built for enduro rides and downhill trails. The mountain bike's striking design pulls inspiration from the Audi RS Q e-tron rally car's eye-catching race livery. The partial aluminum carbon lightweight frame construction houses the electric motor powered by a 36-volt lithium-ion battery. With a maximum speed of 15.5mph, the Audi Electric Mountain Bike comes equipped with Off, Eco, Tour, Sport, and Boost assistance modes. A full suspension, wide coarse tread tires, and disc brake system allow riders to take on more challenging situations. The Fantic-powered Audi electric mountain bike will take you to your destination at high speeds. The all-new Audi Electric Mountain Bike is currently available in three sizes (S, M, and L) for $9,500 (excluding tax). View all current Audi models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Audi For Sale Sources: Audi

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2020

Wheels X Wardrobe: The First Winter Tracks

News of the first snowfall has many going into winter mode, whether it be breaking out the insulated clothing or getting the snow tires put on the car. In some areas of the world, the snow leaves no choice but to hang up the exotic car keys. This week’s Wheels X Wardrobe focuses on a luxury vehicle and clothing that can be enjoyed when the temperature drops and the snow falls. The best way to tackle the winter elements is with the all-new 2020 Audi RS6 Avant, the high horsepower all-wheel-drive wagon. The First Winter Tracks Breakdown 2020 Audi RS6 Avant MSRP $109,000 Rolex Submariner No Date 41mm $8,100 Canada Goose Langford Slim Fit Down Parka $1,050 Commes Des Garçons Play Pullover Hoodie $272 A.P.C. David Logo Graphic Tee $115 A.P.C. Petit Standard Stretch Skinny Fit Jeans $220 UGG Fincher Ultra Cozy Socks $20 Vans UltraRange EXO Hi MTW GORE-TEX DW $169.95 Canada Goose Logo Patch Ribbed Beanie $175 Persol PO3225S Sunglasses $367 Canada Goose Northern Liner Gloves $125 Carhartt WIP Wright Water Repellent Duffle Bag $128 Smith Atlus MIPS Helmet $180 Smith 4D Mag Chromapop Goggles $300-$330 Burton Gore-Tex Glove $69.94 Burton Banshey Gore-Tex Anorak Jacket $349.95 Burton Banshey Gore-Tex Pant $259.95 Burton Custom X Camber Snowboard $749 Line Blend Skis 2021 $599.95 Vehicle 2020 Audi RS6 Avant MSRP $109,000 View All Audi RS6 Avant For Sale Watch Rolex Submariner No Date 41mm $8,100 Shop Now Top Canada Goose Logo Patch Ribbed Beanie $175 Shop Now Smith Soundtrack Chromapop Polarized Sunglasses $178.99 Shop Now Canada Goose Langford Slim Fit Down Parka $1,050 Shop Now Canada Goose Northern Liner Gloves $125 Shop Now Comme Des Garçons Play Pullover Hoodie $272 Shop Now A.P.C. David Logo Graphic Tee $115 Shop Now Bottom A.P.C. Petit Standard Stretch Skinny Fit Jeans $220 Shop Now Footwear UGG Fincher Ultra Cozy Socks $20 Shop Now Vans UltraRange EXO Hi MTW GORE-TEX DW $169.95 Shop Now Baggage Carhartt WIP Wright Water Repellent Duffle Bag $128 Shop Now Accessories Smith Atlus MIPS Helmet $180 Shop Now Smith 4D Mag Chromapop Goggles $300 - $330 Shop Now Burton Gore-Tex Glove $69.94 Shop Now Burton Banshey Gore-Tex Anorak Jacket $349.95 Shop Now Burton Banshey Gore-Tex Pant $259.95 Shop Now Burton Custom X Snowboard $749 Shop Now Line Blend Skis 2021 $599.95 Shop Now

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