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 Basem Wasef – July 28, 2026

First Look Analysis: Audi Q9 Takes on the Giants

Challenging foes like the Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover, the new Audi Q9 is a 17 ½-foot-long, 6-foot-tall expression of not-so-quiet luxury that supersedes the Q7 as the most massive model to ever hail from Ingolstadt. The largest Audi in history was penned in the organic design language first seen in the Q6 e-tron, wearing a large imposing grille, gently contoured flanks and a lengthy silhouette resolving into a tall, stacked rear end. “We don’t have many creases any more,” senior designer Gary Telaak remarked truthfully at the Q9’s advanced preview in Munich. In the flesh, the full-sized sport ’ute brings an imposing visual vibe that’s about 75% SUV and 25% van – not quite the sexiest look in its base form, but incrementally more aggressive in S-Line trim and even sharper in SQ9 form. The Q9 gets a 429 horsepower 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, while the gutsier SQ9 version is powered by a 591 hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Helping manage the model’s massive proportions are power operated doors which bring Rolls-Royce-like levels of luxury to the table. The automation comes with typical German over-engineering that incorporates radar sensors to avoid door dings and a smooth shutting process that rolls down the door speed just as it approaches and latches. This level of attention to detail extends to the interior, a spacious cabin framed by a high-tech panoramic roof. In its top trim level, the largest roof in Audi history spans 16 square feet and incorporates a polymer dispersed liquid crystal safety glass designed to block 99.5 percent of UV radiation while being able to selectively turn sections of the surface opaque at the touch of a button. The 84 overhead LEDs can also be programmed to bathe the cabin in tinted light that complements the cabin’s multi-hued themes. Advanced lighting is a recurring theme with the Q9, starting with a complex welcoming floodlighting that unfolds an animated rhombus shape. The system is also functional: if you’re exiting the car and an approaching cyclist or car is detected, the system will project a visual warning onto the ground. The system’s radar sensors are sophisticated enough to prevent the doors from opening or lock them in place when partially open if a collision is imminent. The fancy lighting extends to the headlamps, which introduce Audi’s first Stateside implementation of digital matrix LED technology. The system, which is standard on SQ9 and optional on Q9, actively monitors traffic and illuminates around oncoming vehicles, dimming the lights where necessary so the view ahead is bright. The premium lighting package goes a step further with advanced turn signals that project arrows down onto the road, offering more dimensional visual cues for other drivers as to the intended direction of travel. The system can also project parallel lines ahead onto the road indicating the edges of the vehicle in order to help with alignment through tight spots. The cabin treats 7 passengers across 3 rows or 6 passengers with captain seating to a contemporary space complete with available features like matte open pore veneers and heated door and center armrests. A panoramic series of OLED screens face the front passengers with an 11.9-inch so-called virtual cockpit, a 14.5-inch central screen, and a 12.3-inch passenger display that offers a privacy mode. The setting enables streaming videos just for the passenger while the Q9 is in motion. The Q9’s multimedia system features an embedded ChatGPT model that is programmed to handle general interest queries beyond typical vehicle functions like navigation destinations. Convenience features include two wireless phone chargers that hold phones in place magnetically, while additional USB-C chargers across all three rows offer between 45 and 100 watts of charging power for laptops and tablets. Power folding rear seats enable up to 87.7 cubic feet of storage behind the first row, and the cabin feels spacious and airy with a commanding view thanks to front seats positioned an inch taller than the Q7. The top-tier Bang & Olufsen system features 1,360-watt and 22 speakers with so-called 4D sound, which hides actuators in the front seats. The 4D system enhances low frequency sound sensations by vibrating the front seats, an effect which can be dialed down for subtle backside sensations, or cranked up like premium multimedia seating at a movie theatre. Headrest speakers offer isolated sound for phone calls, navigation directions and surround sound elements. Though the nearly 3-ton Q9 has plenty of mass to contend with, it employs a few tricks to mask its heft dynamically. Available 4-wheel steering helps swing the rear around corners at low speeds while boosting stability at higher velocities. A standard adaptive air suspension system also adjusts automatically for speed, load, and driving conditions. Ride height can be adjusted as much as 3.5 inches, offering easier entrances and exits while also lowering the center of gravity during more spirited driving. A powerful V6 and an even brawnier V8 help the Q9 and SQ9 achieve best-in-class acceleration figures: 0-to-60 mph in 4.9 and 3.8 seconds, respectively. While outright performance won’t be the central focus of the Audi Q9 and SQ9, its dynamic capabilities should offer a compelling complement to its upgraded interior design and upsized road presence. Audi has historically been late to the large vehicle game, like when the A8 arrived on the scene in 1994, decades after BMW’s 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz’s S-Class. While the A8 has since come and gone, all eyes are now on the Q9 in the hotly contested flagship 3-row SUV segment. The market might be habituated to the usual players, but Audi’s $88,995 Q9 and $119,295 SQ9 will make a strong case for the new kids on the block when they arrive in showrooms later this year.

The 2027 Q9 Is Audi’s New Flagship Luxury SUV

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2026

New 2027 Audi Q9 & SQ9 Unveiled

Over twenty years ago, the Pikes Peak Quattro concept previewed what would become a flourishing SUV lineup for the German luxury manufacturer. Named after Audi’s legendary rally presence on the precarious and challenging Pikes Peak hillclimb course, the concept showcased Audi’s luxury, along with spirited performance and all-terrain mettle. Specifically, however, that concept previewed Audi’s first SUV, the Q7. The Q7 was an instant success, and for two decades since its introduction, it has served as one of the flagships of Audi’s SUV lineup. Combining luxury, all-terrain capability, practicality, and engaging driving character, the Q7 exemplified Audi’s elevated luxury in the form of an SUV, and alongside it came models like the Q5, the Q3, the Q8, and more. However, a new SUV flagship is coming to the Audi SUV lineup: the highly anticipated Q9. Introducing new technology and luxury to Audi’s lineup, the Q9 is the brand’s new flagship, getting assigned the number “9” for the first time in the brand’s history. As its name suggests, it’s the largest Audi SUV yet, and along with it, elevated luxury features and design touches elevate Audi’s presence in the luxury automotive market. <- Gallery -> Two interior layouts of the Q9 are available, with seven seats as standard, and a six-seat layout available as an option. Taking on its flagship mantle, the second row features power-adjusting seats, the front seats are optionally available with ventilation and massaging, and the Q9 also features available powered automatic doors. The doors are soft-closing; they can be operated at different points in the vehicle, as well as through the myAudi app, and sensors prevent the doors from opening into traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists. Another interior highlight is the largest panoramic glass roof in an Audi yet, measuring at over 16 square feet, and it can be opened or tilted. Options for the sunroof include personalized ambient lighting, transparency modulation, and, at a later date, dazzling illumination. The exterior features a design that reaffirms and revitalizes Audi’s luxury character. Wheel sizes of up to 23 inches are offered, while advanced lighting technology is a highlight of the new luxury SUV flagship. Its curved OLED taillights are both beautiful and highly functional, paired with available advanced turn signals that project indicators onto the ground for added visibility and safety. Meanwhile, the Digital Matrix LED headlights bring advanced adaptive beam technology to the US market for the first time, optimizing visibility and safety for the driver while reducing glare for others on the road, making the road safer for everyone at night. Another lighting feature in the Q9 Prestige is an LED projected rhombus that welcomes passengers to both the front and rear of the vehicle, which also serves to alert surrounding cyclists and pedestrians that the doors of the vehicle are open. Also enhancing the safety factor of the Audi Q9 is level 2+ partial automated driving, which is available in the US. When equipped, drivers can let go of the wheel and let the car handle steering, acceleration, and braking at speeds of up to 85 mph, with lane changes being executed by activating the turn signal. Other high-tech aspects of the Q9 include an infotainment system that integrates an AI-powered voice assistant, a sound system with 22 speakers and 1,630 watts of output, and an integrated dashcam system that will record videos to a microSD card. Powering the new 2027 Audi A9 is a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 429 horsepower and 442 lb/ft of torque. An Audi staple, permanent Quattro all-wheel drive inspires driving confidence, working with a Tiptronic transmission. Also enhancing the dynamics of the Q9 is standard adaptive air suspension, with adjustable ride height that operates automatically or manually, available all-wheel steering that helps compensate for the Q9’s unprecedented wheelbase. For those that desire a more performance-oriented variant, Audi has also unveiled the new 2027 SQ9, the sportier counterpart to the Q9 luxury SUV flagship. Powering the new 2027 Audi SQ9 is a twin-turbo V8, which boasts 4.0 liters of displacement, 591 horsepower, and 590 lb/ft of torque. With a 0-60 time of just 3.8 seconds, the new SQ9 is the quickest three-row SUV in its class to accelerate to 60 mph, and its Quattro drivetrain features an electronically locking rear differential, as well as a rear-biased architecture, giving the new SQ9 decidedly exciting and performance-oriented dynamics, as well as impressive capability for everyday use. With deliveries in the US for both the Q9 and the SQ9 set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, the Q9 will be manufactured in Bratislava, Slovakia. The starting MSRP for the 2027 Q9 is $87,700, while the SQ9 carries a starting price of $118,000. Bigger and more ambitiously equipped than ever, the new 2027 Audi Q9 and Audi SQ9 are not just a new flagship for the brand, but represent a new attitude for Audi entirely. View All Audi For Sale Image Source: Audi

By Khris Bharath – May 11, 2026

First Look: Audi Unveils Ultra Luxurious Q9 Interior Ahead of July World Premiere

For years, the Audi Q8 has represented the sportier side of Audi’s flagship SUV lineup, while the three-row Audi Q7 served as the brand’s largest family-focused utility vehicle. But despite its practicality, the Q7 remained positioned below full-size rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLS, BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and long-wheelbase versions of the Range Rover. That will soon change with the arrival of the new Audi Q9 Ahead of the model’s official debut on July 29, Audi released an early look inside the Q9, and the details suggest Ingolstadt is targeting the same space occupied by the aforementioned ultra-premium family haulers and executive transport vehicles from across the luxury segment. That intention becomes clear the moment you open the doors, with an extensive suite of flagship-level features to be offered. For the first time on an Audi production vehicle, every door is electrically operated, and they can be opened through the key, the myAudi app, the MMI system, the brake pedal, or even the seatbelt buckle. Surround sensors and obstacle detection can stop the doors automatically if cyclists, walls, or nearby vehicles are detected, a useful addition for tight urban parking garages and crowded school pickup lanes. “With the Q9, ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ is increasingly defined by the in-car experience. Cars have long been much more than just a means of transportation; they are mobile living spaces for our customers.” - Gernot Döllner, CEO, Audi. Inside, the Q9 offers six or seven seat configurations, with the optional six-seat layout transforming the second row into something closer to a private jet cabin, with individual electrically adjustable captain’s chairs featuring active ventilation integrated into both the seat cushions and backrests. Audi says all three second-row seats in the seven-seat configuration can accommodate child seats simultaneously, which is an increasingly important requirement for large families. The panoramic roof alone measures nearly 16 square feet, and its nine independently controlled glass sections can switch from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, eliminating the need for a traditional sunshade. Higher trim levels add 84 integrated LEDs that illuminate the cabin in 30 ambient colors. We've previously seen similar variable light control tech on the Porsche Taycan. Audi has also leaned heavily into sensory technology. The updated high-end Bang & Olufsen 4D audio system combines headrest speakers, surround sound functionality, and seat-mounted actuators that will allow occupants to feel bass and musical rhythm through the seats themselves, for an even more immersive experience while on the move. The system also syncs with the interaction light strip running across the dashboard, matching lighting patterns and colors to album artwork and music playback. Material quality is also a major focus here. Audi confirmed new upholstery options, including alpaca wool blends, Dinamica microfiber, fine Nappa leather, and matte natural wood finishes designed specifically to reduce fingerprints and glare. New colors like Tamarind Brown and Stone Beige further separate the Q9 from Audi’s existing SUV lineup. <- Gallery -> As for practicality and convenience features, the Q9 introduces dual Qi2.2 wireless charging pads, 100-watt USB-C ports, and a new three-dimensional cargo rail system in the trunk that allows luggage and loose items to be secured without sacrificing floor space. The full reveal of the Audi Q9 arrives later this summer, with full specifications, pricing, and additional details set to follow. Watch this space. View All Audis For Sale Images: Audi

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