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 Edward Jones – October 03, 2017

You Can Buy the New Audi R8 LMS GT4

Want to start your own racing team? How about picking up a new Audi R8 LMS GT4, because the automaker is now making the race car available for customer sport.The GT4 sports car can deliver up to 495 horsepower and is ready for the track. It comes with a price tag of 198,000 euros, which equates to roughly $232,880 USD with the current rate of exchange at time of publishing this article.Interested? Audi Sport customer racing North America will be handling sales in the USA, but the central point of contact is Hendrik Többe (hendrik.toebbe@audi.de) if you are interested in starting your own racing career.Underground Racing Twin Turbo V10 Audi R8 Lamborghini Huracan Smash Records Audi R8 LMS #82 (International Motorsport), Andrew Bagnall/Matt Halliday; Audi R8 LMS #22 (International Motorsport), Neil Foster/Jonny Reid

By Andrew Nabors – July 27, 2017

Throwback: 2015 Audi R8 LMX Review by Justin Bell

By: Justin BellI am a huge fan of the Audi R8, always have been. For me it is an everyday supercar, not to be confused with ordinary. Out of many of the cars I get to test, the R8 has a duality that is perfect. I can pick up my son in it from school not long after giving myself the gift of a wildly fast blast along the famous Mulholland Drive here in Los Angeles. He can climb in the car with the heat still radiating off the brakes and the smile on my face.The new Audi R8 LMX is a limited edition variant of this Audi flagship model and, as you would expect, it does everything just a bit better. I spoke with my friend Tom Kristensen, nine times Le Mans 24-Hour Winner for Audi, who has driven the R8 LMX at speed. He was enthusiastic about the levels of performance, achievable for each one of the 99 lucky owners that will spend time behind the wheel.The 570-horsepower engine has naturally aspirated power on tap. It’s always a sweet experience, as the seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox allows the car to be ready for action at any time. Being mid-engined and compact with a well-developed chassis, the driver has an impression of total control in whatever situation. If you haven't experienced it for yourself, our dealers have a nice inventory of Audi R8's for sale.For me, Audi obviously has the best four-wheel-drive system out there and it’s almost perfect in the front-rear bias. When driving it hard, you get the best of both worlds. The surefootedness of the four wheels pulls you through the corner, yet it retains the ability to rotate the rear to an angle that feels like a rear-wheel-drive car on the attack. 99 lucky people will buy the Audi R8 LMX, and each of the R8s has real lasers to magnify the high beams. For a better explanation of the technology, here are the Audi R8 LMX Specs and photos. It doesn’t get much better than that. If you would like to experience it for yourself, we have a nice selection of Audi R8 for sale. So stay with us for more Audi R8 reviews.View Audi R8 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2017

Audi Drops the Top On the New R8 Spyder V10 Plus

A week from now will be the longest day of the year, as June 21st is the Summer Solstice. If you plan to enjoy the most daylight of 2017, you should do so in a convertible. Audi think so, which is why they have unveiled a Spyder version of the R8 V10 Plus. The Plus arrived as a coupe last year with cleaner styling and a host of upgrades. More carbon fiber inside and out can be found everywhere from the seats to the spoilers. Power comes from the same 5.2 liter V10 found in the coupe and the Lamborghini Huracan Spyder. Rated at 610 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, it has 60 more horses than the previous V10 Spyder. Magnetic suspension and laser headlights are just a few of the new features that are nice to have, but nothing tops the center differential. It is can divide the engine's power front to rear, or send all of it to either end. It even has a dedicated water cooling system to keep the action going. The press release also states this model completes the R8 lineup for the time being. The V8 model was axed due to low sales, but our dealers have a few pre-owned examples for you to choose from. The other details like brakes, wheels, and tires are shared with the coupe, along with 26 miles per gallon. If you demand more fun & efficiency from your convertible, stay with us for all your Audi updates.

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2017

One of Only 25 Built - 2017 Audi R8 V10 plus exclusive Fo...

It has been several years since Audi pioneered the use of Laser headlights, but the wait is over. Our incredibly fast reacting federal government finally realized that they are not weapons of mass distraction. Fears of blinding oncoming motorists led to a delay in revisiting 50-year-old legislation, which manufacturers and enthusiasts have been asking for since HIDs took over the aftermarket. The innovative high beams are generated by a 450nm laser aimed at a phosphor (a compound that glows when energized by the laser). To celebrate being first to market, Audi has built 25 exclusive examples of the 2017 R8 V10 plus.Also Check Out - Top 10 Reasons Why You Need to Buy a Ferrari 488Each car is finished in Quantum Gray with Titanium-Black trim. Carbon fiber rocker panels and a Solar Orange stripe compliment a black and orange leather interior. A diamond-stitched Alcantara headliner and luggage compartment are unique to these cars, and we're proud to have the first one available. Located in Atlanta, it is still wearing the white plastic protection installed at the factory. With only 34 miles, it is still in new condition. The other 24 cars are probably already spoken for, so don't pass up this rare opportunity. Click here for more information and stay with us for more Audi updates.View Price and ListingAudi R8 For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – November 10, 2015

Audi R8, RS 7 & S8 plus All to Premier at LA Auto Show

It's November, which means the highly anticipated Los Angeles Auto Show (LAAS) is just around the corner. Scheduled for Nov. 20-29, with press days on Nov. 17-19, it's one of the world's largest shows, and an opportunity for manufacturers to share the best of their best to a West Coast audience - an opportunity Audi is taking full advantage of.In a press release today, the German marque announced they'll be arriving in California with a trio of performance cars. Joining the 2016 RS 7 and 2016 S8 is the 2017 R8, the second generation of Audi's flagship supercar and the "pinnacle of performance for any model with the four rings."“The Audi Sport and performance models have always been an essential part of our brand’s character,” said Filip Brabec, Director of Product Management for Audi of America, in the release. “The Audi R8, RS 7 performance and S8 plus represent the maximum of Audi performance, premium design and technology for our customers.”Two powertrain variants are available for the R8, which goes on sale in the spring of 2016. A 5.2-liter V10 will create 540 hp, while the R8 V10 Plus offers up 610 hp to its driver. The base RS 7 creates 560 hp, while performance model will boast a peak of 605 hp. For the S8, you can expect a 4.0T twin turbo V8 "that breaks the 600-hp barrier."Check out the interior and exterior shots of these three models in the gallery below, then find one of their predecessors for your collection from our exclusive listings. Stay with us for more updates as the LAAS draws closer.R8s For Sale RS 7s For Sale S8s For SaleGallery (via Audi) See More Audi News

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2015

Audi R8 GT Spyder vs Koenigsegg One:1 at VMax200

The Audi R8 GT Spyder is definitely no slouch. It houses a 5.2-liter V10 engine that can pump out 525 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. As far as performance goes, it shoots from 0-60 mph in four seconds flat and has a top speed of 194 mph. All of these specs are incredible. But, the Koenigsegg One:1's specs dwarf them.Creating power for the One:1 is a 5.0-liter V8 engine fixed with two turbochargers. This engine creates one megawatt of power, which equates to 1,341 hp, while torque is rated at 1,011 lb-ft. I'll skip its 0-60 mph time and just tell you it can go from 0-186-0 mph in 17.95 seconds. To sum this short paragraph up: the Koenigsegg One:1 is one of the most insane vehicles ever produced.So, why did The BHP Project pit the R8 GT Spyder against the One:1 during VMax200 over the weekend? Because they could. What's more, it was a surprising race, even with their example of the One:1 being fitted with two new turbochargers, which ramp the power up to 1,500 hp.In a video shared to their YouTube channel today, Stuart McKay of The BHP Project launches the R8 against the One:1 and catches the lead - without launch control, mind you. Eventually, the Swedish hypercar's power is too much for the convertible German. To see the race for yourself, check it out above.Another look at McKay's slick launch. (Source: YouTube) See More Koenigsegg Videos

By Edward Jones – September 09, 2015

Sales Open for the Audi R8 LMS GTS Race Car

Back on March 4, Audi's new R8 LMS GTS race car was unveiled for the 2016 GT3 racing season. Today, Audi has announced that customers can begin ordering the race car.Already, the new R8 LMS has proven itself, winning an overall victory at the 24 Hours Nürburgring and two podium places at the Spa 24 Hours.“Due to races like these Audi Sport customer racing has developed the Audi R8 LMS in toughest conditions to the level of readiness for customer use," said Heinz Hollerweger, Managing Director of quattro GmbH, in a press release issued today by Audi. "Concurrently, our engineers successfully completed all tests and trials and determined the final specification.”The car itself comes in weighing 755 lbs lighter than its predecessor thanks to an aluminum chassis and roll bar, putting its total weight at just 2,700 lbs. Taking advantage of this light weight is the V10 engine that produces up to 585 hp, depending on the regulations of the race.If all of this sounds wonderful to you and you are in the mood for some real racing, courtesy of the Germans, the press release states that ordering of the race car is now live. It comes with a €359,000 (plus VAT) price tag (approx. $400,000 USD at today's current exchange rate).R8s For Sale(Source: Audi) 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

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 – May 13, 2015

2016 Audi R8 Ordering Opens for Europe, Pricing Announced

One of the most popular, beautiful and stunning models to come from Audi is preparing to enter its eighth year of production, and European fans of the model can now place their orders.A press release from the marque issued today announces the opening of ordering for the 2016 R8 throughout Europe, with the first deliveries scheduled to occur in fall of this year. With two variants, the R8 and the R8 V10 Plus, this is the most powerful iteration of the model, with improved performance while maintaining the comfort of a daily driver.First launched in 2007, the Audi R8 has gained notoriety for being an easy road-going vehicle with the performance of a track-oriented creation. When they announced the specs for the 2016 model Feb. 18, we were told that the base version's V10 will create 540 hp and 399 lb-ft, while the V10 Plus cranks those numbers up to 610 hp and 412 lb-ft.The V10 Plus is being recognized as the fastest most powerful production vehicle produced by Audi, and is capable of a 0-62 mph acceleration time of just 3.2 seconds.In the release, they also announced the European prices for the R8 and the R8 V10 Plus. Pricing for the base R8 begins at €165,000, or approximately $187,247 USD at the time of publication, while the R8 V10 Plus is priced at €187,400, or $212,668 USD.(See Also: Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Concept Pushes 600 hp)Also introduced this year was the Audi R8 LMS for the 2016 GT3 race season. Unveiled on March 4, the R8 LMS weighs just 2,700 pounds due to an aluminum chassis and roll bar, and not only meets, but exceeds all of the new GT3 safety standards and regulations for next year's season.Be sure to stay with us for more information about ordering for customers in the United States and other markets, then take a moment to find an earlier version of the R8 for your collection from our exclusive listings below.View All R8 Listings Gallery (Source: Audi) See More Audi News

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