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 Tyler Rampersaud – November 29, 2022

The New Audi RS 6 Avant Performance And RS 7 Performance ...

These are the same great cars with even more performance. The Audi RS 7 and RS 6 Avant have remained popular among German performance fans for combining a high level of performance with similarly high levels of luxury and practicality, making for the perfect luxurious and elegant vehicles with everyday usability and high-performance capability. With the new performance editions that are now available for both models, the power and performance go even further than before, and along with it come sleeker looks and other tweaks. MUST READ: Audi Announces Its New Virtual Grandsphere Art Exhibit For 2022 Design Miami Increased performance comes from a power increase in the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine of nearly 30 horsepower, taking the engine from nearly 592 horsepower to 621 horsepower. Along with that, Audi reduced the insulation throughout both vehicles, allowing not only for reduced weight but an even more visceral sound experience when driving, making the 0-60 sprint, which is now under 3.4 seconds for both models, even better. The 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive team up with a new self-locking center differential to make the power delivery of the car even more clever and intelligent for various driving situations, and 22-inch aluminum cast wheels improve the looks and reduce weight to contribute to better performance. With new colors added for the Performance editions of the Audi RS 6 Avant and Audi RS 7, a top speed of 180 mph, available blue interior accents, and a price roughly just under $140,000, the new Audi RS 7 Performance and Audi RS 6 Avant Performance might be able to do it all for a German performance enthusiast. View All Audis For Sale Source: Audi

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 08, 2022

The New 2022 Audi RS 7 Exclusive Edition Is Limited To Ju...

Luxurious, powerful, and exclusive: the new Audi RS 7 exclusive edition is all of that. The RS 7 is Audi’s high-performance luxury Sportback, and it’s loved for its performance potential, elegant looks, and luxurious comfort. Now, Audi has announced a new exclusive edition, limited to 23 examples, for the car that combines the exclusivity of a rare edition with the car’s other factors, and the result is quite the desirable performance Audi. It’s powered by the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that gives the RS 7 591 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque for a 0-60 time of just 3.5 seconds. This special edition of the RS 7 can reach speeds of 190 mph with 17-inch front and 14-inch rear Audi Ceramic brakes that feature blue calipers for the exclusive edition. MUST READ: 2022 Audi e-tron GT Review: Electric Grand Touring Done Right The most noticeable hallmark of the RS 7 exclusive edition is the exclusive look of the car. The Mamba Black pearl effect features undertones of blue for a striking and elegant look, and a carbon optics package along with Audi laser lights complement the futuristic and sophisticated look of the car. The interior continues this, with black leather and Dinamica throughout, and an extended leather package bringing the leather to the door armrests, center console, door panels, and dashboard, all with Sepang blue stitching. All this luxury and exclusivity won’t be easy to get your hands on, however. Not only does the RS 7 exclusive edition have an MSRP of $165,400, but it’s also limited to a small number of 23 units and it will be available late this summer. View All Audis For Sale Source: Audi

„25 years of Audi RS: anniversary package”

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2019

Audi RS: 25 Years of Incredible Performance

Something remarkable arrived in 1994. Engineers in Ingolstadt boosted a 5-cylinder engine to 315 horsepower and bolted it to Quattro all-wheel-drive. The result was the RS 2 Avant, and it was the foundation of a new performance lineup. Fast forward a quarter-century to celebrate Audi RS: 25 years of incredible performance. Foregoing an anglicized translation, the "Anniversary Package 25 Years of RS" is now available on the RS 4 Avant, RS 5 Coupe, RS 5 Sportback, RS 6 Avant, RS7 Sportback, and TT RS Coupe. Each example will arrive with matte aluminum and gloss black body trim. Inside the black Valcona leather and blue Alcantara accents are an homage to the first RS cars in '94. Other details can be found in seat embroidery, floor mats, door sills, and puddle lamps with the anniversary logo. Our dealers have great holiday incentives, so click the button below to find one near you. Browse All Audi For Sale " width="680"> Related: Audi R8 V10 Plus Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 07, 2017

Going Over 200 mph in Audi RS7 on the Autobahn

Our friends at AutoTopNL like to film the fastest cars in Europe, and what better way to prove their abilities than a run on the Autobahn. Germans probably leave work on Friday just like we do, so get ready for triple digit speeds. Audi's RS models are the most powerful cars in their lineup, and the RS7 is probably the fastest hatchback sedan ever built. It packs a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 making 605 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Of course, it has the latest in quattro AWD and an 8 speed automatic. A 3.07 differential is meant for highway brutality as 6th gear is 1:1. The best part of the video happens at top speed, as the speedometer gets confused by a speed it can't comprehend. The owner of this RS7 couldn't resist the urge to keep it stock. It is a show car for MF-RS750, a racing and car show company in Germany. Adding the MF prefix to any car will let the public know it means business, but it might not fare so well at Sunday School. If you would like to experience this yourself, our dealers have several nice examples to choose from. We at the duPont Registry do not endorse or condone breaking the law, so keep your top speed runs in Munich or Mexico. Stay with us for more Autobahn action from AutoTopNL.

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

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 29, 2015

Audi RS7 360° Gif Made From Pumpkin Cameras

There are plenty of ways that you can incorporate a pumpkin into holiday marketing to capture the spirit of Halloween, but Audi just took use of the orange gourd to an entirely new level.In a Tweet and YouTube video shared today, Audi showed off a 360° gif of the RS7. It's grainy, black and white and choppy. But when you consider the fact that these images were captured by pumpkin cameras, this gif becomes pretty impressive. From the race track to the pumpkin patch, #HappyHalloween from #Audi. https://t.co/QtyTTgTH78 — Audi (@Audi) October 29, 2015 Yes, pumpkin cameras. These pictures were captured by cameras made of pumpkins. Through the use of centuries-old tech, Audi's team turned somewhere from 20 to 25 pumpkins into pinhole cameras. I'll admit, I had to turn to Wikipedia for a quick explanation of what a pinhole camera is, since, at 25 years old, I've spent far more time around DSLRs than anything using film.For those who are unfamiliar with pinhole cameras, like I was, you can read the whole article here, but in quick summary it's a light-proof box with one small hole on one side. An image is projected opposite of the small hole onto photographic film, which is then developed in a dark room, just like in the good ol' days. These images can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours to capture.(See Also: 2016 Audi A8 L 4.0T Sport Revealed)So, Audi made these pinhole cameras out of pumpkins. Then they set the pumpkins up in a complete circle around an RS7 on a white backdrop. Then they developed the film, digitized the images and compiled them into an eerie gif for Halloween, served up fresh to you on social media.Check out the video and gif, then find your own Audi for pinhole camera practice from our exclusive listings.Audis For Sale (via YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia) 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

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