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 – September 08, 2015

Audi A8 L Security: Safest Audi Ever

If your daily commute is prone to triangulated crossfire, Audi has implemented a host of upgrades in the A8 L Security to make it one of the safest executive sedans on the market. In a press release issued earlier today, many details of its formidable armor are disclosed. While the formal release will be at the upcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), the finer details are somewhat amazing.In addition to higher strength aluminum alloys in the body, aramid fibers and hot formed steel are used to build a chassis in resistance class VR 9. This surpasses the previous A8 L Security’s VR 7 limits, as it is now capable of handling repeated fire from small arms up to .30 caliber rifles. An emergency oxygen system will engage if outside air is compromised, and all vehicle communications are housed in an armored box in the trunk.(Also Read: 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera & Carrera S Unveiled)The only armored executive sedan built with the quattro AWD drivetrain can send all power to any corner, should the tires become compromised. Even with a built-in fire extinguishing system, it can still carry a payload of over 1,322 lbs; more than enough for your security team.Fully loaded with more armor than you will need, fuel mileage is a very respectable 21.6 mpg. The 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 delivers 435 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, but top speed is limited to 130 mph so as to preserve the ballistic tires. For more updates on armored Audis, stay tuned to Autofluence.A8 Ls For SaleGallery (Source: Audi AG) See More Audi News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – August 21, 2015

2017 Audi R8 Spyder Spotted Testing at Nürburgring

One of Audi's most popular models, the R8, will be returning for 2017, and a spyder version was recently spotted being put through its paces.A video added by MOTOR1 Aug. 20 shows us a heavily camouflaged car taking a few laps around the Nürburgring, and given its size, shape, design lines and, most noticeably, headlights and front grille, there are few questions about which car it is.Aside from the wheels, front windshield and passenger windows, a black soft convertible top is the only thing not wrapped in camo. The angles of the front grille seem softened compared to the 2016 design, and the air vents on the right and left of the front fascia seem to be slightly more spaced out.Check out the video above, and if you can't wait for either the 2016 or 2017 versions of the R8 to come out, find your own today from our exclusive listings at the button below.Audi R8s For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Audi News

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By Caitlin Duffy – August 20, 2015

2018 Audi e-tron quattro Concept Unveiled Ahead of Frankfurt

Audi has released the design plans for the e-tron quattro concept, a fully-electric SUV with a projected range of 310 miles that stands as the first planned competitor to Tesla's Model X. The Audi e-tron quattro concept marks the world premiere of Matrix laser OLED technology at the front of a vehicle and epitomizes “Vorsprung durch Technik” in the field of automotive lighting.The marque revealed their plans in an Aug. 19 press release, stating that the model has been designed from the ground up to be a fully effective, efficient and beautiful electric vehicle. Three electric motors will power this creation, with two on the rear axle and one on the front, and its size will fall between that of the Q5 and Q7.A lithium-ion battery will provide power for an impressive travel distance. The projected range is 310 miles per charge - a hefty claim to make. Tesla's current range for the P85D is just 253 miles per charge, and even with the P90D option selected, that range is only increased by six percent to approximately 268 miles.(See Also: Audi Reports July Sales, YTD Deliveries Break 1 Million)As of right now, this model is projected to enter production in 2018, and more information and details will be available during the Frankfurt International Motor Show, where Audi plans to officially introduce their first all-electric large-series car. Check out the photos of this concept, and find your own Audi to enjoy in the meantime from our exclusive listings below.Audis For SaleGallery (Source: Audi) See More Audi News

AUDI AG: U.S. sales up one-fifth in July

By Caitlin Duffy – August 17, 2015

Audi Reports July Sales, YTD Deliveries Break 1 Million

Audi has joined Mercedes-Benz in the rank of luxury marques with more than 1 million deliveries by the end of July 2015, continuing the pattern of growth seen throughout the high-end automotive market.Though the growth for July itself wasn't incredibly high, ringing in at around a 1.4 percent growth over 2014's numbers, the brand with the four rings tells us in an Aug. 14 press release that approximately 1,048,450 customers have opted for an Audi so far in 2015, a 3.5 percent increase over last year.The United States has remained Audi's largest growing market this year, and July was no exception; sales were up 20.8 percent for July 2015 in the US when compared to 2014's numbers. The Q family has driven most of these sales, accounting for 68 percent of Audis sold in America.(See Also: Mercedes-Benz Delivers 1 Million Cars in 2015, Porsche, Jaguar Land Rover Release Quarterly Reports)Europe remains Audi's largest market, with nearly half a million of their total sales arriving at homes across Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Russia. Check out the table below for a full breakdown of numbers, and help support the marque's growth by finding your own Audi from our exclusive listings.Audis For Sale Sales forAUDI AG In July Cumulative 2015 2014 Change from 2014 2015 2014 Change from 2014 World 146,100 144,015 +1.4% 1,048,450 1,013,372 +3.5% Europe 67,400 63,967 +5.4% 487,300 474,004 +2.8% - Germany 22,960 22,303 +2.9% 170,723 162,306 +5.2% - UK 12,818 11,852 +8.2% 99,194 95,209 +4.2% - France 5,177 4,892 +5.8% 35,830 35,394 +1.2% - Italy 4,862 4,791 +1.5% 32,892 30,770 +6.9% - Spain 4,201 3,422 +22.8% 29,347 26,211 +12.0% - Russia 2,003 2,600 -23.0% 14,158 20,566 -31.2% USA 17,654 14,616 +20.8% 111,269 98,965 +12.4% Mexico 1,158 1,020 +13.5% 7,726 7,225 +6.9% Brazil 1,455 1,048 +38.8% 10,138 7,277 +39.3% China (incl. Hong Kong) 42,267 48,279 -12.5% 316,120 316,945 -0.3% (Source: Audi) See More Industry Reports

By Edward Jones – August 10, 2015

Audi R8 V10 with APR Performance Carbon Fiber Aero Kit

Built on the platform of the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Audi R8 V10 has won over countless customers, enthusiasts and journalists alike. It has subtle, yet beautiful German styling, a comfortable interior, daily-drivable manners and, of course, breathtaking power sourced from a 5.2-liter FSI engine.This example being offered by Taggart Autosport comes with a six-speed R tronic transmission with paddle shifters, carbon fiber sigma package, navigation and the titanium package. To spice up the German sports car even more, it also comes with an added APR Performance Carbon Fiber Aero Kit, making it look identical to the R8 GT3 cars racing around the world.With only 4,800 miles, this R8 V10 comes close to brand new and is sure to go quick. Click the button below for its price, more pics and info.View Price and InfoGallery

By Caitlin Duffy – August 05, 2015

2016 Audi S8 plus Unveiled

Audi has released the details of their 2016 Audi S8 plus, confirming that their top-of-the-line performance sedan is, indeed, even more powerful than anticipated.In a press release today, the marque confirms that the upgraded 4.0 TFSI biturbo V8 is capable of producing 605 hp and 516.3 lb-ft - an incredible amount of power from a sedan capable of being a luxurious daily driver. The design is more aggressive and creates a sportier appearance, the interior is bathed in fine leather and is thinner than ever before.Weight savings come from the use of aluminum almost exclusively in the car's construction. The body is almost entirely aluminum and based on the Audi Space Frame (ASF), weighing a svelte 509.27 pounds. When combined with modified exhaust valves, updated turbochargers and modifications to the special engine control, the S8 plus is able to reach 62 mph in 3.8 seconds.Though a top speed of 189.5 mph is possible, it can only be reached by opting for the dynamic package's governed top speed of 155.3 mph. But, if you live in Germany, that option comes as standard.Darkened tail lights and carbon fiber surround will bring eyes to the rear of the car, while the spoiler can continue the trend, as it's available in either the car's color or carbon fiber. Gloss black coats the Singleframe grille and double bars, while the mirror housings are either gloss black or carbon fiber. Side air inlet flaps and front apron blade are carbon fiber.(See Also: Audi Matrix OLED Headlights Unveiled Ahead of IAA)Available for purchase at the end of November, the Audi S8 plus is priced at €145,200, approximately $157,720 USD with conversion rates at the time of publication. Check out the gallery below to get a good look at this new German beast, or browse our exclusive listings to find one now if November is too far off to wait for.S8s For SaleGallery (Source: Audi) See More Audi News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 29, 2015

Audi Matrix OLED Headlights Unveiled Ahead of IAA

We're a little over a month and a half away from the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, but already manufacturers are teasing the new cars and tech that will be featured.OLEDs are reported to not cast any shadows or require reflectors, nor do they require light guides, making them more lightweight and efficient than past headlight designs.Stay with us to learn more about this advancement in lighting tech, and find your own Audi from our exclusive listings below.Audis For Sale(Source: Audi) See More Audi News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 27, 2015

Audi A8 Edition 21 Celebrates 21 Years of the A8

One of Audi's most popular models has turned 21, and instead of popping a few bottles to celebrate, the marque went another route. The first generation A8Limited to just 121 examples in both standard and Long Wheelbase body styles is the Audi A8 Edition 21, a limited edition run of the A8 introduced by Audi UK in a press release July 24. It's already available for ordering, but all are exclusively available to customers in the United Kingdom.The front and rear bumpers have been redesigned for this exclusive model, as were the side sills, with all three heavily influenced by the design of the S8. The 20-inch double spoke alloy wheels are also exclusive to this model, offering "a titanium-look finish," as the release describes, meant to complement each of the four colors available. The interior is available in two colors, either cognac brown with black contrast stitching or black leather with red contrast stitching.Under the hood is a 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine good for 258 hp and 427 lb-ft. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but a 0-62 mph sprint only takes 5.9 seconds in this stunning limited-edition sedan. Check out the photos below, and if you aren't in the UK and able to order one for yourself, check out our exclusive listings of A8s for sale and find one for your daily drive.A8s For SaleGallery (Source: Audi) See More Audi News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 10, 2015

Meet Robby: Audi's New Piloted Driving Vehicle

"Driving is great, but not every aspect of it. Traffic. Parking. Blind spots. That’s why piloted driving exists—to eliminate the woes of driving, so you can enjoy the fun of it."So describes a July 9 photo caption on Audi's Facebook page, sharing with us a close look at Robby. Robby is Bobby's little brother, and Audi's next step toward adding a piloted driving option for their production vehicles.A red RS 7 with the Audi decal and designs in black visible all over, Robby is described as being capable of reaching 150 mph on a track while perfectly utilizing every ounce of the 560 hp it has available without using too much. The on-board computer required for a car to be capable of these maneuvers used to take up the entirety of the trunk, but today, it's the size of a tablet computer.(See Also: Audi S3 Exclusive Editions Introduced for US Market)Check out the photos to see Robby out and about, and be sure to stay with us for more information about Audi's advancements of piloted driving as they are released. In the mean time, find an Audi that isn't quite capable of this feat yet from our exclusive listings.Audis For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook) See More Audi News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 05, 2015

Audi & TOMS: Providing 55,000 Pairs of Shoes to Children

For those who were thinking about a new Audi this summer, your decision has become much easier to make.A new collaboration has launched between Audi and TOMS, the shoe company known for comfortable and stylish designs, as well as the philanthropic mission at the core of their brand; their Giving Partners Program has brought more than 1 million pairs of shoes to children who needed them in the United States since 2009 alone.Between June 3 and August 4, any new or certified pre-owned Audi that is purchased or leased will include an exclusively designed pair of Toms for the new driver. Announced in a June 3 press release and a video posted to their YouTube account the same day, the shoes are a sleek grey with subtle red accents, and for each pair claimed, one pair will be donated.The exclusive Audi line is available in sizes for men, women, children and babies, but exclusively for customers of the Summer of Audi Sales Event. So, find an Audi for sale from our exclusive listings, watch the video above to get a better feel for the program, check your shoe size and head over to help the world as you collect your new car and new shoes.Audis For SaleGallery (Source: Audi, YouTube) See More Audi News

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