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

Bentley News

Bentley news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Continental GT, the Bentayga, the Flying Spur and Mulliner's bespoke commissions. Our reporting takes in model reveals, first drives and the auction results that establish what these cars are worth. Bentley Motors news tends to move slowly and matter for years, so we follow how values hold across a generation. This is where the marketplace becomes useful. Many of the Bentleys covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, placing the reporting and a genuine asking price side by side. For Bentley news today, and the luxury car market news that surrounds it, begin below.

Bentley Batur Convertible #4 Has 4 Unprecedented Mulliner Features

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 15, 2026

Bentley Batur Convertible #4 Uses 3D-Printed Platinum

Wrapping up over two decades of glorious W12 engines for the brand, the Bentley Batur Convertible is the proper end to an era of a unique flagship powertrain. Its twin-turbo W12 is the most powerful iteration of the engine yet, and its limited run of just 16 units globally means that the ultra-luxe masterpiece is reserved for an incredibly exclusive echelon of Bentley collectors. One of those collectors is Sonia Breslow, a discerning Bentley collector whose other cars include a Blower Continuation Series, a Speed Six Continuation Series, and another of Bentley’s limited-production W12 coachbuilds, the Bacalar. For each of her vehicles, Breslow pays attention to the smallest details to make a truly unique and luxurious configuration, and her Batur Convertible, the fourth example out of the 16, represents the ultimate level of craftsmanship that Bentley’s bespoke division, Mulliner, can offer. The car features a tri-tone design, created using colors the customer hand-picked, with a gloss silver line of just 6 millimeters in width emphasizing the “endless bonnet” design feature of the Batur Convertible, a custom ‘Breslow Blue’ for the upper portion of the vehicle, and another custom color, ‘Midnight Breslow Blue,’ on the lower half, on wing mirror accents, wheel accents, and on a bonnet pinstripe. The exterior configuration is finished with a polished titanium exhaust and bright silver grilles. Breslow’s Batur Convertible also features a custom welcome lamp, with the highly advanced welcome lighting technology in the Batur Convertible being used to display a handwritten script of her name on the ground. The interior contrasts with the blue exterior, using tan and caramel leathers to bring warmth to the configuration, with contrast stitching adding a touch of bespoke luxury throughout, and the outline of the Batur Volcano that served as the car’s namesake adorning the floor mats. A reference to early Bentleys is the engine-turned aluminum finish that completes the interior fascia, with a Bentley Rotating Display that features bespoke colored faces on its gauges. 3D-printed platinum is used in the interior, specifically in the center marker on the steering wheel, as well as in the “organ stop” vent controls. Showcasing harmony with the number four, the tri-tone color scheme, the color-matched bespoke roof color, the client-designed welcome lamp, and the 3D-printed platinum all represent four new possibilities for Mulliner. Being car number four in the sixteen-car production run, this Batur Convertible is one of the most luxurious coachbuilds to ever wear Bentley’s pair of wings. View All Bentley For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

A silver convertible sports car with orange and black accents is parked indoors on a gray floor with a green line.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 07, 2025

Bentley Unveils First Customer Batur Convertible

Bentley finally unveils the first Batur Convertible. After over 20 years, Bentley has been waving a somber goodbye to its W12 engine, with production ending in 2024, and the previous flagship powertrain being replaced by Bentley’s 771-horsepower Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain. However, Bentley refused to let the W12 go quietly, instead ceremoniously retiring it with bespoke, limited-edition coachbuilt models that are ultra-exclusive celebrations of the W12’s reign in Bentley’s lineup. The last model in that legacy is the new Bentley Batur convertible, featuring futuristic design language, opulent craftsmanship, and of course, the most powerful iteration of the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine Bentley ever made, with 740 horsepower. The first production example of the Batur Convertible has finally been unveiled, and it shows off the amazing amount of coachbuilding and bespoke ultra-luxury craftsmanship that make it a true collector-grade masterpiece. The exterior of the convertible is finished in Opalite, with a strikingly contrasting racing stripe in Beluga and accents in Mandarin, but it’s the interior that captures the most attention. It features a unique ‘1+1’ configuration, with the driver’s seat being upholstered in Beluga, while the passenger’s side is upholstered in Linen. The stunning bespoke configuration was a result of a close collaboration between Bentley’s Mulliner bespoke department and the client, with Mandarin accents bringing together the two uniquely contrasting sides of the interior. After making its dynamic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Car Zero example of the Batur Convertible, Bentley’s engineering development example, will be present at Monterey Car Week. As only 16 Batur Convertible examples are set to be made, the first one has officially been unveiled, with 15 to go. View All Bentley For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 11, 2025

Bentley Unveils New 'Black Rose' Batur With 3D Printed Ro...

Bentley unveils a stunning variant of its coachbuilt masterpiece. Bentley has officially retired its cherished W12 engine, which for over 20 years represented the pinnacle of its performance and luxury. As an innovative and celebrated powertrain, Bentley gave it a deserving swansong, with limited-edition coachbuilt models showcasing it in its most powerful form in beautifully-crafted, ultra-exclusive vehicles with incredible attention to detail from Mulliner. One of those is the Batur, a grand touring coupe with stunningly futuristic design details and uncompromising luxury, and one of only eighteen examples of the Batur that will be made has been unveiled: ‘The Black Rose.’ Another highlight of The Black Rose Batur’s exclusivity is the fact that it is one of only three right-hand-drive Bentley Baturs that will exist. The car is a special commission, which features a bespoke exterior color which is aptly named Black Rose, with accents done in elegant Rose Gold. Inside, the luxurious interior is upholstered with a color scheme that echoes the exterior, and special touches in the interior include Bentley’s first-ever use of 3D-printed solid 18-karat rose gold, applied in places like the drive mode selector and the “organ stop” dashboard vent controls. The stunning new vehicle is the latest, and one of the greatest examples of Bentley’s coachbuilding and commissioning ability. With the capacity to make cars completely according to a client’s wishes, Bentley’s storied Mulliner bespoke and coachbuilding department went as far as creating an exclusive exterior color and using industry-first, cutting-edge 3D-printed solid gold in the creation of The Black Rose Batur, which stands out as a gorgeous celebration of Bentley’s W12 engine, and of its past, present, and future automotive excellence. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 22, 2023

Bentley Will End W12 Engine Production In April 2024

Bentley kicks off a year-long goodbye.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 16, 2022

How Bentley 3D Prints Gold For The New $2M Bentley Mullin...

Bentley uses futuristic technology to evolve traditional luxury. The new Bentley Mulliner Batur is the second highly exclusive coachbuilt model from the historic luxury brand and its even more historic Mulliner division, described as “the world’s oldest coachbuilder.” Limited to just 18 examples, the Batur and the Bacalar before it are examples of the traditional art of coachbuilding, something that was much more prevalent early in the automotive industry where cars are built in small numbers using traditional techniques, bespoke personalization down to the most minute details, and traditional artisan craftsmanship. While this is all true for the Batur, the art of coachbuilding is also brought into the modern era, with many of the luxurious appointments created using futuristic and sustainable methods, as Bentley as a manufacturer pursues the lofty goals it set out in its Beyond100 strategy. MUST READ: The New Bentley Mulliner Batur Has Started A Year-Long Testing Program One of the most stunning touches in the new W12-powered Batur coupe, which is the most powerful Bentley ever made, is the use of up to 210 grams of yellow gold featured in the interior. Seen in 18-carat details, the gold is 3D printed, which is an industry first. Owners will enjoy one of the most luxurious experiences the automotive industry has to offer with pieces like a gold Charisma Dial and gold Organ Stop vent controls, and the gold is also sustainably sourced from the Jewelry Quarter in Birmingham, UK using recycled jewelry that is ground into a fine powder before being 3D printed. Along with Bentley’s evolving manufacturing processes for sustainability, features like low-carbon leather, and other features, the Batur is a perfect and shining example of how Bentley plans to combine ultimate luxury and ultimate sustainability in the future. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 02, 2022

The New Bentley Mulliner Batur Has Started A Year-Long Te...

Even though only 18 will be made, the Bentley Batur is being painstakingly developed. One of the greatest hallmarks of Bentley’s unparalleled luxury within the automotive industry is the incredible engineering that goes into its creations. The Bentley Mulliner Batur, like the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar before it, is an example of a revival of the traditional and exquisite art of coachbuilding that was more prominent in early automotive history, incredibly rare vehicles that are tailor-made to a highly select number of VIP clients. The new Bentley Mulliner Batur will only have 18 examples in existence, but Bentley has announced that an incredibly thorough development and testing program is in full swing, and the Bentley Mulliner Batur Car #0 responsible for testing is quite the sight on its own. MUST READ: Bentley Brings 18 Cars To Chauffeur Nominees At London’s MOBO Awards Bentley is already on the other side of nearly two years of powertrain development, and because of that, the Batur will be Bentley’s most powerful model yet, promising at least 730 horsepower from its W12 engine. However, still ahead is 120 tests that will be conducted over a period of just over a year. With 800 unique parts, plus the various choices that customers will have for materials and finishes for their individual vehicles, Bentley is making it a point to ensure that the most luxurious aspect of the new Batur is its incredible quality. The Batur Car #0, Bentley’s testing vehicle, is finished in a bold purple called Purple Sector and is undergoing testing throughout Europe and at proving grounds. Currently, it is in the phase of European real-world road testing, on an over-1,500-mile route through Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. After that is finished, it will be tested at proving grounds for handling and durability at speed and in harsh conditions. It then goes on for even more real-world driving tests, and then environmental tests where it will be subjected to the harshest conditions it could possibly endure to make sure it will come out remaining strong. While new technology comes into the picture, the traditional art of coachbuilding honors the same principles of quality and luxury. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 28, 2022

Bentley Motors Showcases The New Batur At Chantilly Arts ...

European debut of breath-taking Bentley Mulliner Batur took place at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. After announcing the date and location of its official European debut, Bentley Motors is proud to attend the Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2022 event with its new limited-production Batur. The prestigious celebration welcomes attendees to the beautiful grounds of historic Château de Chantilly, just north of Paris, France. The grand touring coupe is limited to only 18 examples and is the perfect introduction to the start of Bentley’s design revolution. MUST-READ: Bentley’s New Mulliner Batur Monterey Car Week Debut Starts A Design Revolution For The Brand Alongside the Batur, Bentley also commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Continental by having a post-war 1953 R-Type and 1958 S 1 Continental as part of its display. Bentley’s stunning attraction was designed in collaboration with Paris fashion house Balmain, who provided a male and female model to chaperone the seven-figure Batur in signature tailored suits. Being the perfect place to launch its most powerful vehicle in history, Bentley Motors felt at home for the sixth edition of the exclusive event. View all current Bentley inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL BENTLEY FOR SALE Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 01, 2022

The New Bentley Mulliner Batur's UK Debut Will Be At The ...

The new Bentley Mulliner Batur enjoys a beautiful homecoming. Monterey Car Week is one of if not the most prestigious and anticipated annual luxury, classic, and exotic car event around the globe, and it served as a glorious stage for Bentley to introduce its new coachbuilt and incredibly exclusive Bentley Mulliner Batur grand touring car to the world. With Bentley’s W12 engine that is being phased out as part of Bentley’s Beyond100 efforts to make the switch to being a more environmentally-friendly brand with electric cars, the Batur celebrates the incredible engine by being the most powerful Bentley yet. The 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine produces an incredible 730 horsepower, and while the car celebrates Bentley’s past and present, it also previews the future with a design language that hints at Bentley’s future models. MUST READ: Bentley X The Macallan Reveal A New The Macallan Horizon Single Malt Whisky Only 11 days after its original unveiling in Monterey, the new Bentley Mulliner Batur is getting a very proper homecoming to the UK, with its official UK debut happening at the Hampton Court Palace for the 10th anniversary Concours of Elegance. Along with the new Batur, a total of 50 Bentleys will be judged for the Bentley Trophy at the event, and the tenth-anniversary celebrations include the returns of Best in Show winners from previous events like the 1930 Bentley Speed Six “Blue Train.” Being a Concours of Elegance, Bentley fits right in, and between the new Batur and the myriad of classic Bentleys, it’s going to be quite an event. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 15, 2022

The New Bentley Mulliner Batur Will Feature Available 3D-...

Bentley’s newest exclusive project is going to be its best grand tourer yet. Bentley has announced that it will be introducing the new Bentley Mulliner Batur, the successor to the incredibly successful Bentley Mulliner Bacalar as Bentley’s newest special and exclusive product, and while we know now that the Batur is quite different from the Bacalar in a big way because it has a roof, much of what we’ve come to expect from these special projects not only remains but apparently improves. Bentley announced some details about the upcoming Batur less than a week ahead of its reveal at Monterey Car Week, and what the brand says is that it will be Bentley’s “most extraordinary grand tourer yet.” MUST READ: Bentley Signs Off The Hand-Craftsmanship Process For The New Bentayga EWB Like the Bacalar, the Batur is named after a natural body of water, as Bentley takes its naming inspiration from Mexico to Indonesia. The Eponymous Lake Batur is a crater lake in Bali almost 300 feet deep and it spans a massive area of over 6 square miles. The new Bentley Mulliner Batur also previews the new Bentley design language that will characterize the brand’s transition to electric vehicles and of course, it will feature the very best of Bentley’s unique and bespoke luxury, courtesy of its revered Mulliner division. Bentley’s commitment to sustainability shows through the interior as Bentley has announced that it will offer options including sustainable natural fibers, low-CO2 leather, and even 3D-printed 18K gold. However, the Batur also celebrates the end of the W12 engine as it pursues the same sustainability, and uses the W12 to make more power and torque than ever in the new Batur, along with what Bentley says is its most advanced chassis system ever, with amazing straight-line performance and dynamics. The new Bentley Mulliner Batur, which is being revealed at 8:00 pm PST on Saturday, August 20 at Monterey Car Week in California, is going to be the true definition of a dream grand touring car. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

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