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.

By Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2021

Bentley Continental GT3 is Aiming For Triple Crown Triump...

Can they hold off the Americans again? Who would have thought there would be a Union Jack at the top of a mountain in Colorado? Looking for another victory at this historic event, the Bentley Continental GT3 is aiming for a triple crown triumph at Pike's Peak. What began in 2018, the Bentayga clinched the record for the fastest SUV. With a time of 10:49.902, it climbed 9,390 feet and conquered 156 corners. The racing version of their flagship makes use of a 4-liter V8 to send 550 horsepower to all wheels. It dominated the 12 hours of Bathurst last year, and now its ready to take on the mountain. The race is going down (going up) on June 27th, so click the button to see what makes the Continental unlike anything else and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental For Sale https://www.facebook.com/BentleyMotors/videos/529432418447955 Image and film (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 31, 2021

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid Goes Green for the Shanghai Auto ...

Mulliner pulls out all the stops in their latest commission China sees green as pure. A color for regeneration, hope, and harmony is seen in nearly every aspect, as the exterior is Viridian and the interior is Cumbrian. The customer took a deep dive into the Mulliner Personal Commissioning Guide to find the colors originally first seen on the Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept. The metal flakes are actually amber and gold buried under several coats of clear. The leather is embroidered with over 330 feet of white stitching, a process that takes 44 hours by hand. Perhaps the best feature is the fridge. A new option this year, it has a soft close lid with an illuminated bottle chilling ring. There are literally billions of possible configurations for your Betayga Hybrid, and each one includes a turbocharged 3-liter V6. When the battery is fully charged you will have 443 horsepower and the ability to reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Sipping fuel is another great way to go green, so tell us your ideal spec for the Bentley flagship in the comments below. Browse Bentayga For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2021

Bentley Celebrates 200,000 Cars & Counting

Their Beyond 100 Strategy Is Unstoppable! What began in 1919 is still going strong, as Bentley celebrates 200,000 cars & counting. To mark the occasion, a gorgeous Bentayga Hybrid was joined by the oldest surviving EXP 2 at their historic factory. The modern era began in 2003 with the Continental GT, and since then they have built 155,582 examples of old-world craftsmanship. Registration records show that 84% of cars built for the UK are still on the road, a testament to quality and reliability that is unmatched in the luxury market. The late Ferdinand Piech saw an opportunity to inject the brand with unlimited resources, so Bentley became a part of the Volkswagen empire in 1998. Since then, they have led innovations like the W12 engine that offers 650 horsepower at all wheels in the new Continental GT Speed. No other brand offers such innovative technology along with hand-built perfection. Tell us your best Bentley story in the comments below. Shop Bentley Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2021

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives With More Power ...

Bentley has never built anything like this before! Luxury cars with a dozen cylinders have been overpowered for years. Trying to contain massive torque in a smooth package is now made easier thanks to a proactive chassis, and that is why the Bentley Continental GT Speed arrives with more power and comfort. Their flagship grand tourer is becoming more distinct from the W12 and V8 siblings. In a quest to harness 650 horsepower, the chassis has gained four new technologies. Starting with the center differential, the torque distribution has been recalibrated to send more power to the rear wheels. It is there they encounter Bentley's first electronic limited-slip differential. Predecessors were forced to use the brake calipers to control torque left or right, but now it can be done in a twinkling of an eye. When that refined power reaches the rear wheels, they can turn with or against the fronts using the latest in all-wheel steering. Not only does this cut the turning circle of the big girl, it adds incredible grip at high speeds. Also onboard is the 48-volt active sway bars pioneered on the Bentayga. They can add or pull 959 lb-ft of vertical torque against each hub to keep the car flat in hard corners. Each one of these systems has unique tuning between Comfort and Sport modes, and they represent months of relentless testing by professional drivers and engineers. The largest silicon-carbide rotors they've ever offered are clamped by 10-piston calipers. To put their abilities into perspective, they convert 9,478 BTU of motion into heat. You will have 664 lb-ft of torque across most of the tachometer. It launches you to 60 mph 3.5 seconds on your way to 208 mph. Most of the time you will be cruising on six cylinders, and because the valves and injectors are shut down you won't notice the switch. Power and technology meet old-world leather and wood to become a car that is unmatched by anything else before. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 16, 2021

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives on March 23rd

Of course, they are known for incredible luxury, but their cars are also very quick. In order to keep the competition in the rearview, the new Bentley Continental GT Speed arrives on March 23rd. What we know so far is that it will debut unprecedented chassis technologies and they want us to know it will be the "most capable, performance-focused Bentley yet". To give you a frame of reference, a new Continental GT loaded with a twin-turbo W12 offers 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. My first experience with such a machine was building our booth at a Barrett-Jackson auction. There is nothing small or inconsequential about a Continental. No plastic inside or out is why they weigh-in over 5,300 lbs, but they accelerate like an ACME rocket. It was a 2018 Supersports model that was conservatively rated at 700 horsepower and 750 lb-ft. It was a used car, so I had to make sure the turbos worked! All wheels erupt in smoke as you head for the next county. You too need to have such a machine, so click the button and hang on! See All Bentley Continental For Sale https://www.facebook.com/BentleyMotors/videos/1078812492629886 Image (C) Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – March 10, 2021

A Special Pair of Bentley Continental Fastbacks at Vantag...

Vantage Motorworks, Inc., located in Miami, Florida proudly offers 2 spectacular Bentley Continental H.J. Mulliner Fastbacks. Below is part of the pedigree of these classics, both supplied to the same distinguished original owner. Contact Vantage Motorworks Inc. First launched in 1951 the Bentley Continental was at the very forefront of British engineering. The aluminum construction initially paired with a 4.5L straight-six engine was later increased to 4.9L and able to produce vast amounts of torque. The combination of lightweight design and huge power allowed the luxury 4-seater to reach speeds of up to 120mph and cruise comfortably, figures other manufacturers of the era could only dream of. The interior of the Bentleys was designed to exude luxury, only hinting at their tremendous performance. Even at speed, these vehicles remained stable and quiet; truly the benchmark for high-speed cruising even by today’s standards. As with all restorations by Vantage Motorworks, the history of each car is thoroughly researched and their pedigree documented. The original owner of these 2 important Fastbacks was the legendary automobile enthusiast William Brewster of Stonington, Ct. The Brewster family contained a strong line of automotive enthusiasts, and William Brewster was no different. The son of Frederick Foster Brewster (a bank and public utility executive and 7-time winner of the Astor Cup) the family was also connected with the famous coachbuilding firm of Brewster & Co., which was eventually purchased by Rolls-Royce in the mid-1920s. The entire family traces its roots to Elder William Brewster (Jan. 24, 1566 – Apr. 10, 1644), who came to Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower. In addition to quite a few special Bentleys, William Brewster’s collection also included one of the most famous Model J Duesenbergs in the world; a RHD example bodied by Gurney Nutting for the Maharaja of Holkar. View Current Inventory BC35LC – 1954 Bentley Continental R Type Fastback – From conception, this premium sporting chassis was to be an exclusively coachbuilt car. Over its entire four-year production run, while there were 2,528 Bentley R-Types, there were only 207 R-Type Continental chassis made. BC35LC, one of only 41 left-hand-drive examples erected to H.J. Mulliner design number 7277 was featured at the New York Auto Show in February 1954. BC35LC arrives at Vantage Motorworks at Vantage Motorworks June 2018. A concours quality, no expense spared restoration brings the car back to its original Maroon color. BC96LBG – 1957 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner, is one of only 22 left-hand drive examples erected to H.J. Mulliner design number 7400 and was equipped with the upgraded large valve, large carburetor engine and power steering. The original Bentley tools in their special Mulliner case, correct owner’s handbooks, a rare Continental touring kit and copies of the factory work orders all remain with the car. BC96LBG – work in progress and final photo: Says Richard Gorman, President of Vantage Motorworks “To proudly display them side by side after 6 decades is quite gratifying. It would be great if this remarkable pair remained reunited.” Contact Vantage Motorworks Inc.

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2021

Bentley Bentayga Offers New Options From Mulliner

Being able to meet and surpass customer expectations is why they remain on top. You could compromise with a SUV that meets most of your needs, or be happy that the Bentley Bentayga offers new options from Mulliner. Their custom shop has never denied a request, and that has expanded the availability of leather, wood, and wheels in their Personal Commissioning Guide. Even without tapping Mulliner for your build, the regular production options can build over a billion possible configurations. Now you will have 27 choices for hides and over 100 painted veneers. Exterior colors were expanded by adding 26 new possibilities while retaining the ability to match anything your heart desires. Personalization has been expanded from the sill plates onto the floormats, seats, and the passenger's dashboard. Even the puddle lamps can display an image, graphics, or a logo on the ground in laser-sharp detail. The same process can etch your key fobs with an image or literally anything you want to display. While this process features the latest in CNC work, the artisans still need 44 hours to stich your interior by hand. No other manufacturer comes close to these abilities, so click the button to learn more from our dealers. Shop Bentley Bentayga Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 03, 2021

Bentley Launches Covid Impact Fund

Cheshire County has been hit hard by the outbreak, and that is why Bentley has launched a Covid impact fund. The Cheshire Community Foundation was tapped to help families and small businesses around Crewe. Back when the virus was raging, Bentley protected its workers with measures more strict than their competitors. Ever cognizant that a skilled workforce is priceless in such an automated age, a series of grants will be offered to the local community. From £5,000 to £25,000 ($7,000 to $35,000), the goal is to help offset the negative impact of lockdown. Such philanthropy is not common in the automotive world, and this is just one way Bentley is not like the others. Click the button to see why for yourself and you won't regret it. Shop Bentley Image (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 02, 2021

Electric 1961 Bentley Continental S3 Unveiled by Lunaz

Big automakers face tall hurdles in building electric cars, so the smaller shops are reaping the rewards. This is easily seen in an electric 1961 Bentley Continental S3 unveiled by Lunaz. They are the wizards responsible for electric versions of classic Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, and Land Rovers. No detail is too small, so they chose an impeccable sedan featuring coachwork by Mulliner. This build represents the doubling of their workforce along with moving from 8,000 square feet to over 40,000. They are now accepting commissions for S1, S2, and S3 Continentals, in coupe, sedan, or even convertible bodies. Pricing starts around $487,400, and that includes a restoration down to bare metal and an OEM-style electric powertrain. Of course, you will need a starting point, so click the button to find a Continental in need of high voltage. Bentley Continental For Sale Images (C) Lunaz Design

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 25, 2021

Damson Idris Arrives To The ACS Show By Mr. Porter In A B...

There’s no better feeling than showing up to an event in style, and that is exactly how British actor Damson Idris felt pulling up to the ACS Show in a green Bentley Flying Spur V8. Bentley is proud to support The ACS Show, a new monthly online radio show hosted by Emmanuel Lawal and Ashton Gohil, in partnership with Mr. Porter. The direct correlation between fashion and the automotive world is much greater than most think, using design to help portray the vision while staying unique. Bentley’s vehicle lineup covers a vast variety of driving experiences, from track-focused performance to full-size commuters for the family. Mr. Porter acts under a similar process, providing individuals with luxury apparel and accessories for all individuals. Shop all products from Mr. Porter by clicking the link below. Shop Mr. Porter Image Source: Bentley Media For more Bentley news, Check out Bentley Mulliner Visualizer Is The Ultimate Configurator

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