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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 30, 2024

Audi's Formula 1 Initiative Accelerates With Nico Hülkenb...

Audi's Formula 1 aspirations gain traction as Nico Hülkenberg signs on! Audi's Formula 1 dreams take a decisive step forward with the addition of Nico Hülkenberg as the first driver for their factory team. Hülkenberg's extensive experience in over 200 F1 races makes him a perfect choice as Audi gears up for their eagerly awaited entry into the Formula 1 world. Andreas Seidl, CEO of the future Audi F1 factory team, highlights Hülkenberg's speed, experience, and collaborative approach as key factors in Audi's Formula 1 project. With Hülkenberg onboard, Audi aims to use his expertise to navigate the developmental phase leading up to their debut in 2026. For Hülkenberg, the opportunity to represent Audi in Formula 1 is an example of the brand's dedication and passion to compete alongside other industry giants. As a German manufacturer with a rich racing heritage, Audi's journey into F1 presents an opportunity for Hülkenberg to showcase his talents on a global stage. The selection of Hülkenberg follows Audi's strategic roadmap, which includes the full acquisition of Sauber and the appointment of Oliver Hoffmann as General Representative. With Hoffmann overseeing the development of the power unit and Hülkenberg behind the wheel, Audi's Formula 1 aspirations are set up for success. View all Audi models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Audi For Sale Source: Audi

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 05, 2024

Jon Olsson Debuts His Stealthy Audi RS6 Avant With A Set ...

Audi's fast and functional RS6 Avant gets some F1 love thanks to Jon Olsson. Living as an adrenaline-seeking adventurist for a full-time career, the choice of an everyday driver needs to check off all the boxes for reliability and functionality while providing supercar-inspired performance at the push of the throttle. Swedish professional freeskier Jon Olsson is the perfect example, with an extensive history of ownership that includes heavily modified cars like an Audi RS6 DTM, topless Mercedes-AMG G550 4X4 Squared, Lamborghini Huracán, Rolls-Royce Wraith, 850hp "Safari" Mercedes G-Wagon, and many more. In addition to pumping up the power and transforming looks with wideboy kits and aftermarket wheels, Olsson also made himself famous in the automotive world with his signature snow camouflage wraps. Today, Jon Olsson took to his Instagram page to show off the newest upgrades to the second Audi RS6 Avant that he has owned. Although wheels and tires may traditionally be seen as a simple way to style your car, Jon took things to a whole new level by bringing to life his idea of using F1 wheels on his high-performance station wagon. The inspiration for the ingenious idea came when Jon Olsson saw F1 implement a new and larger wheel design for all competing teams. Sporting the same look and feel as the multi-million dollar race cars, the stealthy RS6 Avant's new wheel setup features a matching black finish with a vibrant highlighter yellow center hub stripe. To help create the ultimate rolling shot, the ultra-lightweight wheels come wrapped in traction-grabbing Pirelli P-Zero tires that work in unison with Audi's sophisticated all-wheel-drive Quattro system. Shocking the car scene with yet another first-ever build, Jon Olsson is going to have a tough time one-upping his menacing Audi RS6 Avant on Formula 1 racing wheels. View all Audi RS6 Avants currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Audi RS6 Avants For Sale Source: @jonolsson1 Instagram

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 18, 2022

Watch The Behind-The-Scenes Process Of Developing Ken Blo...

The Electrikhana film was the culmination of tons of hard work, engineering, and talent. Ken Block is one great driver. However, it took much more than just him and his skills behind the wheel to bring a project like Electrikhana together, and with a new video published by Audi called The journey to Electrikhana, we can have a behind-the-scenes look at everything it took to get to this incredible point with the car, from development to filming, which helps us understand just how great the car, the driver, and the stunts they pulled really were. MUST READ: Watch Ken Block Drift His Audi S1 Hoonitron In Hoonigan’s Electrickhana Las Vegas Video We already know that the development of the Audi S1 Hoonitron was intense and expensive, as the Hoonigan-estimated value of $12 million makes it the most expensive car in Gymkhana history. However, there’s much more to the story than just the cost. It serves as both an Homage to the S1 Quattro that dominated at Pikes Peak in the 1980s and also brings its racing glory, legacy, and performance philosophy into the future. With the short wheelbase and need for the center of gravity to be in the front in order to effectively drift, positioning the battery required a unique solution, and the results were well worth the hard work. What came of it was one of the greatest Gymkhana films yet, and for Ken Block and Audi’s partnership, hopefully, there’s more to come. View All Audis For Sale Source: YouTube/Audi

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 10, 2022

Audi Employees Deliver New Electric Company Cars To The F...

Audi’s partnership with FC Bayern extends to its electric future. Germany’s FC Bayern soccer team has maintained a partnership with Audi for 20 years, and since 2011, the automaker has been a shareholder in the Munich-based team. As the partnership continues to grow and blossom as the team and the Audi brand continue to live out their histories, Audi now involves its rapidly expanding electric lineup of vehicles in the deal, as the new Audi RS e-tron GT, and Audi Q4 e-tron will now be driven by FC Bayern players and officials as company cars. MUST READ: The New Audi Q8 e-tron Is The Brand’s Flagship Electric SUV The handover of the vehicles was quite the event, as 30 Audi employees got to take the 15 vehicles to Munich and deliver them to the team, and in doing so, were treated to a meet and greet with soccer players Oliver Kahn and Andreas Jung. In addition, the employees were given a tour of the training ground. This is part of Audi’s vision of bringing more electric vehicles to the world and transforming the entire automotive and mobility industry, as the current model lineup features 8 electric vehicles. By 2026, Audi looks forward to bringing that number above 20, and only launching new all-electric models to the market. View All Audis For Sale Source: Audi

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 25, 2022

Watch Ken Block Drift His Audi S1 Hoonitron In Hoonigan's...

Driving an entirely bespoke machine developed and built by Audi, Ken Block is electrifying Gymkhana in the first ever Electrikhana! Showcasing his skills behind the wheel of any race car, professional driver Ken Block has created ten wildly successful Gymkhana films with over a billion views on YouTube. Since making the change to Audi as the main sponsor, Block and his team have vigorously worked to unleash their all-electric 1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1 race car on iconic hill climbs like Pikes Peak International. Ken Block and Hoonigan are taking the Audi S1 Hoonitron to the high-stakes playground of Las Vegas for their all-new Electrikhana video. MUST-READ: Ken Block’s New Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron Revives Audi’s Group B Rally Legend Developed with e-tron performance from Formula E, Ken maneuvers the Audi through the closed streets of Sin City with more than 4,425-foot-pounds of torque at his disposal. With a non-traditional electric powertrain, battery whines and tire screeching are the results of the high-speed stunts. The city of Las Vegas provides scenic backgrounds that include multiple Casinos, the Las Vegas Strip, and the Fremont Experience, making this one of the most technically ambitious films for the Hoonigan crew. Watch Ken Block drift the Audi S1 Hoonitron in Hoonigan’s new Electrikhana by clicking on the video link above. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and celebrity car news. View All Audi For Sale Source: Hoonigan

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 21, 2022

The New $12M Electrikhana Audi S1 Hoonitron Is The Most E...

Ken Block’s Gymkhana is entering a shocking new chapter. Rally driver Ken Block’s partnership with Audi has blossomed, being the source of incredible cars and content that show off just how amazing electric cars can be in the world of motorsport. The culmination of it is the upcoming addition to the iconic Gymkhana series, Electrikhana. The star of the video is the new Audi S1 Hoonoitron, a car designed by Audi Sport specifically for the new Gymkhana video, based on the legendary Audi quattro rally car. MUST READ: Watch The Triple F Collection Walk Through Their Spectacular Supercar And Hypercar Garage The car is said to be the most expensive Gymkhana car ever built, as Audi Sport won’t even tell Ken Block or Hoonigan the full total of what the car is worth, with extensive amounts of carbon fiber, design and construction from scratch, and an incredibly advanced powertrain and drivetrain. Hoonigan estimates the value of the car to be a staggering $12 million. With the revolutionary way that electric cars are able to instantly deliver immense amounts of power and torque, the car is going to radically change Gymkhana, and hopefully go on to change the entire world of motorsport, proving the racing potential and prowess of electric power. The new Electrikhana film is coming on October 25th at 6 AM PST. View All Electric Cars For Sale Source: Hoonigan

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By Tyler Rampersaud – August 08, 2022

Ken Block's New Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron Revives ...

Lightning strikes one of Audi’s most iconic creations. Ken Block’s partnership with Audi celebrates his driving prowess and contribution to car culture as well as Audi’s futuristic electric vehicle technology. However, what truly brings them together is a rallying legacy, and in the rally world is where Audi has one of its proudest moments as a brand with the 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1. Now, Audi has reincarnated the ionic car in an all-electric form, as the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron, and it’s ready to debut at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca during Monterey Car Week very soon. MUST READ: After 20 Years and 4 Generations, The Audi RS 6 Still Dominates With Power, Luxury, And Practicality The new car features a dual-motor all-electric powertrain and uses a carbon fiber chassis to not only modernize but futurize the legendary performance of its predecessor. In addition, it incorporates the safety features and standards laid out by the FIA to make it ready to carry on the racing legacy of the Sport quattro, which set the fastest time on gravel at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb ever in 1987 at 10 minutes and 48 seconds, as the road has since been paved and Audi’s incredible victory was similarly set in stone. Plans to create this new S1 were set into motion in December 2021, and the development that would normally take over a year was fast-tracked to happen in just one month. Audi Design in Ingolstadt, Germany styled the car, while Audi Sport in Neckarsulm developed it. Bringing the legend of Audi’s Group B icon into the future, Ken Block will be using the car to make his first “Electrikhana” film, which is coming soon. View All Electric Cars For Sale Source: Audi

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 30, 2022

Ken Block Recruits A New Audi e-tron SUV For Off-Road Adv...

Ken Block’s Audi fleet continues to grow. With his Audi RS e-tron GT, Ken Block has already made quite the stir, showing the electric luxury car’s potential for performance, drifting, snow dominance, and the ultimate cool factor. But being a rally driver, we know Ken Block likes to travel off the beaten path now and then, which is why he’s introducing his new Audi e-tron SUV, which is just as much at home off the road as it is on it. VIDEO REVIEW: Audi RS5 Sportback Ascari Edition With the Ken Block treatment, it has his current signature matte white color, chunky off-road tires with black off-road Rotiform wheels, and a roof rack with space for a bike on top. The e-tron has the potential to go from snow to desert dunes, to the famous Moab, Utah trails, and Ken Block plans to do all of those things. With 490 lb/ft of torque, and 402 horsepower, all coming from a perfectly distributed battery and set of electric motors under the car, the e-tron remains in rear-wheel drive until power is needed in the front wheels, which makes it prepared for various traction situations. Adjustable ride height and a range of 220 miles also make it confident on any terrain. After seeing what his Audi RS e-tron GT was able to do, Ken Block is sure to bring this new Audi e-tron on some serious adventures. All Electric Cars For Sale Source: Hoonigan

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2022

Ken Block Tries His Drifting Skills On His New Audi RS e-...

Call it the electric slide. Ken Block is famous for his drifting ability. His Gymkhana videos and rally career are all examples of his affinity for getting the back end of a car out to do wild drifting tricks. His new Audi RS e-tron GT has thus far proved to be an excellent vehicle with 637 horsepower, Audi’s state-of-the-art Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and unmatched electric torque delivery. In typical Ken Block fashion, however, he wants to see if he can take the Audi RS e-tron GT in a whole new direction: sideways. MUST READ: Ken Block’s New Audi RS e-tron GT Makes Molehills Out of Mountains There are a few obstacles that bar Block from drifting the RS e-tron GT in a typical fashion. The car does not come with a handbrake, meaning that handbrake drifting is not an option. The all-wheel-drive also defies the traditional rear-wheel-drive setup for drifting, and the lack of a gas engine and gearbox makes the throttling technique of drifting much more difficult. However, despite this, thanks to Block’s skill and experience, he was able to get the RS e-tron GT to do some donuts and other dramatic slides, despite the car doing just about everything to stop him. Source: YouTube/Hoonigan

By Edward Jones – July 30, 2021

FC Bayern Players Were Just Gifted Electric Audi e-tron GTs

A total of 15 FC Bayerns players are driving Audi e-tron GTs. There are many perks to being a professional soccer player and it seems that receiving a free car is one of them. Audi and FC Bayern teamed up in September 2020 for a sustainable future and players are now able to show off the fruits of this collaboration. During a handover event at the Driver Experience Center in Neuburg, ten players from FC Bayern were able to experience the new e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT. The players taking part included the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Leroy Sané, Leon Goretzka, and Serge Gnabry. In total, there are now 15 FC Bayern players driving electric Audis like the e-tron GTs and RS e-tron GTs. Want to drive like a professional soccer player? Click the button below to see the Audi e-tron GTs that are currently for sale. See Audi e-tron GTs For Sale Source: Audi

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