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 23, 2020

Audi's Coloring Book is fun for all Ages!

It would be presumptuous to wish all Audi showrooms were filled with potential customers. Since proper social distancine is key to to staying healthy, the ingenous workers in Ingolstadt have a way to spend time with family. That's right, the Audi Coloring book is back, and fun for all ages. So many hidden parts and references to the past can be seen on these pages. You might even learn what each of Audi's 4 rings stands for. Download the book here, and show us your drawings in the Facebook comments below. Click the button to find the perfect color for your real Audi, and be safe! Browse All Audi For Sale Here

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 – July 17, 2019

Audi R8 Generations Compared in Epic Testing

It is hard to believe the Audi R8 has been in production for almost 15 years. Under the stunning exterior is an aluminum spaceframe. Initially developed for the Lamborghini Gallardo, the R8 is essentially a cousin of the Italian supercar. The first generation could be had in coupe or spyder, V8 or V10 engines, with a manual transmission option for all models. Given the changes over the years, our friends at carwow decided to film Audi R8 generations compared in epic testing But the V8 was discontinued due to low demand, and the manual transmission was eventually phased out. When the Huracan arrived in 2014, it spawned the 2nd Generation R8 the following year. They are both great cars, so we suggest you drive both to see which car fits your personality. Tell us which one you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for all your Audi updates. Find Your Audi R8 Here Related: 2018 Audi R8 V10 Plus Specs

By Edward Jones – July 05, 2019

Audi R8 LMS GT2 Revealed: Audi's Most Powerful Customer R...

The new Audi R8 LMS GT2 has been revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed as the German automaker's most powerful customer racing car. How powerful is this new Audi race car? It comes in with 640 horsepower pumping out of its V10 heart. Audi notes that this car is perfect for the "gentlemen drivers" and will also be great for track days and events at race resorts around the world. We will be able to see this race car take to the track during the 2020 GT2 season in Europe and North America. Interested in getting yourself into the driver's seat of Audi's most intense customer race car yet? It can be ordered now with a price of 338,000 euros (about $379,000 USD). Deliveries will happen in December 2019, just in time for the 2020 GT2 season. Audi R8 LMS GT2 Audi R8 LMS GT2 Audi R8 LMS GT2 Audi R8 LMS GT2

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 – 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 – June 26, 2018

Jay Leno Roasts Rear Wheels in Audi R8 V10 RWS

Word on the street is that Audi is not planning a 3rd generation of the R8. Perhaps that is why they have built a version for a true performance enthusiast. To see just how potent the new R8 RWS really is, Jay Leno decided to give it a spin. 2018 Audi R8 RWS: Get Ready To Drift! Only 320 examples of the R8 V10 RWS will be sold in the US. It signifies the car's top speed of 320 kph or 199 mph. It offers 532 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels only. The Quattro AWD system was deleted, and the car is 110 lbs lighter than its siblings. Taking so much weight from the front end moved the center of mass to the rear. The RWS has a distribution of 41/59 front to rear, so the suspension was tuned for maximum rear wheel grip. See Lenos Car Collection The forged 20"x11" rear wheels only weigh 26 lbs, so it will be easy to make perfect donuts should the need arise. We don't know why V10 is still in the name, Audi hasn't built a V8 R8 in years. Another option that was lost at the same time was the six-speed manual transmission. This limited edition model is only available in six colors, each with black trim. Click on the link below to get yours reserved and stay with us for more clips from Jay Leno's Garage. Find Your Audi R8 Here!

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2018

2018 Audi R8 RWS: Get Ready To Drift!

Look in the door jamb of an Audi R8, and you will notice something a bit odd. The cars are not technically built by Audi. They are assembled by Audi's supercar division, which was known as quattro Gmbh until now. They were responsible for building the high-performance RS models along with the GT4 race cars. But now they are venturing into the world of Rear Wheel Drive, so the company was renamed Audi Sport. This info comes from our neighbors up north, as Audi of Canada has added the R8 RWS to their lineup before Audi USA.Their first creation was one we've been anticipating for years. The 2018 Audi R8 RWS is the first R8 to not have a front differential. It takes inspiration from its Italian cousin the Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 by sending all the power to the rear wheels only. The V10 makes 532 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. It was detuned to allow for traction, but you still might need drag slicks for a decent holeshot. Pricing will start at $139,950, or only $10k more than the Corvette ZR1. This new R8 is more affordable than many used R8 V10 Plus models so this might be the one for you. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below for more info and stay with us for all your Audi updates.Browse Audi R8 For Sale

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