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 – March 10, 2020

2021 Audi RS 6 Avant is Coming Soon

We have been begging for years and they have finally answered our pleas. Fast wagons are the answer to boring crossovers and boxy SUVs, so we're happy to announce that the 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant is coming soon. Audi has a dedicated fanbase here in the U.S., but due to the costs of federalizing a niche model we have only experienced the Avant in their A and S series over a decade ago. Priced below the Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon, you will have 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft from a twin-turbo 4.0L V8. Other accolades include reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. The cherry on top is a 25th Anniversary Nogaro model finished with Driver Assistance & Sport Exhaust as standard equipment. Pricing starts at $109,000, so click the button below to find our dealer near you. Browse All Audi For Sale " width="680"> Related: 2021 Audi SQ7 Will Arrive With Unprecedented Power & Agility

By Andrew Nabors – January 30, 2020

Audi's "Big Game" Ads Feature Maisie Williams and the e-tron

Football advertising is expensive. Manufacturers spend millions for 30-second spots, and much more at the minute mark. To maximize their return on the investment, many have chosen to leak their commercials a few days early. Such is the case, as Audi's Big Game ad features Maisie Williams and the new e-tron Sportback. Appealing to kids and their parents, she performs a perfect rendition of "Let it go". An excellent co-branding move with Disney, they are asking us to let go of gas, pollution, and the past. Once you drive an e-tron, you will understand why it is the perfect family machine. Click the button below to find one near you and stay with us for a Big Game car commercial recap. Browse All Audi E-tron For Sale " width="680"> Related: Audi e-tron Sportback is Your High-Voltage SUV

„25 years of Audi RS: anniversary package”

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2019

Audi RS: 25 Years of Incredible Performance

Something remarkable arrived in 1994. Engineers in Ingolstadt boosted a 5-cylinder engine to 315 horsepower and bolted it to Quattro all-wheel-drive. The result was the RS 2 Avant, and it was the foundation of a new performance lineup. Fast forward a quarter-century to celebrate Audi RS: 25 years of incredible performance. Foregoing an anglicized translation, the "Anniversary Package 25 Years of RS" is now available on the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe, RS 5 Sportback, RS 6 Avant, RS7 Sportback, and TT RS Coupe. Each example will arrive with matte aluminum and gloss black body trim. Inside the black Valcona leather and blue Alcantara accents are an homage to the first RS cars in '94. Other details can be found in seat embroidery, floor mats, door sills, and puddle lamps with the anniversary logo. Our dealers have great holiday incentives, so click the button below to find one near you. Browse All Audi For Sale " width="680"> Related: Audi R8 V10 Plus Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – November 20, 2019

Audi e-tron Sportback is Your High-Voltage SUV

Life is short, so don't waste time charging your electric car. That is why the latest from Ingolstadt includes a big battery. If you want 277 miles of range and All Wheel Drive, the Audi e-tron Sportback is your high-voltage SUV. As the 2nd e-tron model, it offers better aerodynamics and more power than the e-tron wagon. Much like the Porsche Taycan, it has individual motors front and rear. In normal cruising, they offer a combined 355 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. In Sport Mode, the driver can unlock 402 horsepower and 489 lb-ft for 8 seconds. This allows it to reach 62 mph in 5.7 seconds. Top Speed is limited to 124 mph, and the front motor is only activated in spirited driving events. Browse Audi E-Tron For Sale Wheels range from 19" to 22", and LED matrix headlights are standard equipment. Our dealers have great offers on the e-tron wagon, or you can place your order for the new Sportback. Click the button above to find one near you and stay with us for all your Audi news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2019

Audi R8 RWD is Here to Stay

Nothing beats All Wheel Drive when it comes to grip & performance. No one can deny the potency of the Quattro system, but some of us like to live on the edge. Although they built a limited number of RWS examples, the option evaporated for reasons we can't comprehend. Fear not, as they have heard our pleas: the Audi R8 RWD is here to stay. In a press release this morning, we've learned the juicy details of this new Audi R8 for sale. The GT4 class does not allow All Wheel Drive, so the RWD was developed alongside the new R8 LMS GT4. Power is unchanged, with 540 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque going to the rear wheels. The suspension has been calibrated for a 40:60 weight distribution. Along with a locking differential, it will make for a fun drift machine. Browse All Audi R8 For Sale Styling upgrades all-around set it apart from the Quattro models, and the loss of AWD has cut 143 lbs from the curb weight. The big V10 only has to move 3,516 lbs, and it is offered as a Coupe or Spyder. This is the one we've been waiting for, so click the button above to find our Audi dealer near you! " width="680"> Audi R8 V10 Plus Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2019

2020 Audi R8 Decennium to Debut at New York Auto Show

It seems like only yesterday that Audi shocked the world. With some help from their cousins at Lamborghini, the R8 V10 arrived in 2010. To celebrate a decade of dominance, the 2020 Audi R8 Decennium will debut at the New York Auto Show. Audi has refined the R8 for 2020, with new front and rear aerodynamics, dark headlights, and differences between the two models. R8 V10 Performance Spyder On the 562 horsepower base model V10, the lower body trim is gloss black. The V10 Performance R8 has 602 horsepower along with titanium accents (carbon fiber is optional). Both cars are available in coupe or spyder, and all four variants are capable of 200 mph. The Decennium anniversary model is being limited to only 222 examples for the world, of which only 50 are heading to the U.S. The R8 V10 Performance is the new name for the R8 V10 Plus. It is a German version of the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4, and it is a few thousand less. A normal V10 R8 coupe will have a starting price of $169,900, or roughly $30,000 less expensive than the Huracan RWD. Audi also includes all wheel drive while the base model Lamborghini is rear wheel drive. Audi and Lamborghini have different suspension and exhaust tuning, so our recommendation is to drive them both before making a decision. The V10 engine has proven to be one of the most reliable designs in recent history, so you will be making a wise choice either way. Click the link below to find an R8 near you and stay with us for all your Audi updates. browse All Audi R8 For Sale

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 – 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 – 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

By Andrew Nabors – July 18, 2018

2019 Audi TT Unveiled With Facelift

It has been two decades since Audi introduced their sporty TT, and its third generation is ready for launch. While the first and second generations were essentially 2-door versions of the A4, the TT is going out on its own for 2019. Production has already started at Audi's Hungarian plant. It will be a 2+2 coupe or a 2 seat roadster, but that's about all it shares with its predecessor.New Ducati Panigale Hyperbike Crushes Audi R8In a press release last night, we learned it will arrive with Audi's Virtual Cockpit, Audi Drive Select Dynamic Handling. The S-Line package rides 0.4" lower on magnetic suspension. It also uses the latest quattro AWD that has torque vectoring at each corner. The instrument cluster is now a 12.3" screen with multiple display modes between performance and cruising.You will have 680 watts of Bang & Olufsen audio sent through 14 channels. A dozen mids and tweeters are joined by two subwoofers built into the cockpit structure. The convertible top has several layers of acoustic reflection to keep your music in and the wind out. It will be at our dealers in September, so click the link below for more information and stay with us for all your Audi updates.Browse Audi TT For Sale

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