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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 07, 2026

Bentley Motors Launches Its Exclusive 1919 Collection

Built on a century-old foundation, Bentley Motors leans heavily on heritage and legacy, using its past to influence the future of the brand and the cars that define it. Just three days away from celebrating its 107th anniversary, Bentley is honoring the occasion with its limited-edition 1919 Collection, dreamt up by Bentley External Creative Director Mai Ikuzawa. What makes the capsule collection even more special for enthusiasts is that it will be exclusively available at both the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week.Inspiration for the 1919 Collection hits home for Ikuzawa, connecting enthusiasts through a shared passion for art and motorsports. Her father, Testu Ikuzawa, was both an artist and a racer who competed in European Formula Two for Sir Frank Williams and was among the first Japanese drivers to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.“Bentley pioneered the feeling of community among owners and enthusiasts. If you look back at the days of the original Bentley Boys and pioneering Bentley Girls, you’ll see that customers became part of the brand. It wasn’t just winning the race; it was how you celebrated too. I wanted to honour that spirit in the 1919 Collection and stay true to the authentic stories of true Bentley enthusiasts,” - Mai IkuzawaThe collection itself is made in Japan and crafted from durable, high-quality materials that age better the more you wear them, becoming generational pieces passed down just like a classic 1929 Bentley Blower 4½-litre. The standout piece in the 1919 Collection is the chore coat, a timeless workwear-inspired jacket built from durable cotton oxford that only gets better with age. Finished in classic Bentley Green, it features heritage-inspired embroidery, copper hardware, and subtle nods to the brand's history, including a removable "Full Send" patch. The rest of the collection keeps that same vibe with a heavyweight reverse-weave crewneck, polo shirt, classic tee, six-panel cap, canvas tote, and embroidered keyrings. If you're planning to attend the Goodwood Festival of Speed or Monterey Car Week, be sure to stop by the Bentley stand to see the 1919 Collection in person. Source: Bentley Motors

A person in a beanie and a Capsule Collection Bentley sweater stands beside a blue convertible car in a corrugated metal garage.

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 13, 2024

Bentley Motors x PICANTE Debut ‘The Open Road' Capsule Co...

Bentley Motors and PICANTE unveil seven-piece capsule collection. Incorporating its iconic style and craftsmanship into creative collaborations, Bentley continues to diversify its lifestyle collection as an extension of its lineup of ultra-luxury cars and SUVs. As part of its latest fashion-forward launch, Bentley Motors teamed up with London-based brand, Picante, to debut its exclusive 'The Open Road' capsule collection. Inspired by a shared passion for travel, nostalgia, and the open road, the collection embodies a sense of discovery that comes with luxury travel. The lineup includes seven pieces, from a Glenmerino lambswool knit sweater and beanie to stylish hoodies, tees, and a cap, each crafted with PICANTE’s attention to timeless design. The collection’s highlight, a limited-edition leather bomber jacket, showcases Bentley’s classic diamond-in-diamond quilting and embossed Bentley wings on supple cowhide leather. With only twenty jackets available, each piece is designed to tell a story, passed down through generations, and meant to age beautifully. Each piece incorporates the spirit of Bentley’s heritage while offering the wearer a sense of timeless style that goes wherever they do. "The Open Road Collection" will be available exclusively on PICANTE’s site starting at 1 pm on November 15th. View all Bentleys for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 19, 2024

Discover Bentley's Luxurious New Luggage Collection Inspi...

Bentley unveils a stunning luggage collection inspired by the new Continental GT and GTC. Bentley just unveiled an exclusive luggage collection to celebrate the launch of the new Continental GT and GTC, showcasing the brand's dedication to the finer details in luxury car ownsership. The stylish set includes three essential pieces: a Weekender Bag, a Backpack, and a Wash Bag, all crafted in a chic Gravity Grey that mirrors the new contemporary hide color of the latest grand tourers. The collection stands out with accent stripes in Mandarin, Kingfisher, and Hotspur, inspired by the elegant interiors of Bentley cars and SUVs. Every detail is meticulously designed to express luxury, making it a must-have for travelers. Handmade in Italy, every piece in this collection showcases Bentley’s superior quality, featuring beautiful hand-stitching and contrast edging. Functional elements, such as front buckled pockets, debossed luggage tags, and leather-trimmed compartments, improve the overall look and feel while providing practicality. The luxurious luggage set is available for purchase at shop.bentleymotors.com. Whether you're hitting the road in your new Bentley or just want to travel in style, this collection perfectly complements the driving experience. Elevate your travel game with Bentley’s new luggage, where every journey can be a grand tour. View all Bentley Continental GT and GTCs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley Continental GT & GTCs For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 08, 2023

Bentley Motors Introduces A New Luxurious Automotive-Insp...

Bentley Golf introduces a handcrafted collection of golf equipment, combining luxury aesthetics with high-tech performance. Bentley Motors has once again raised the bar in the fusion of luxury and sport, presenting an exclusive line of bespoke golf equipment that speaks volumes of performance and luxury. The collection, influenced by Bentley's signature automotive designs, is a reflection of sophistication and performance on the golf course. Drawing inspiration from the iconic silhouettes of models like the Continental GT and the Mulsanne, each piece in the Bentley Golf range resonates with the automotive giant's renowned aesthetic. The clubs themselves are crafted with the same precision and care that goes into Bentley's engineering, featuring hand-forged craftsmanship from Ichikawa, Japan, a place with a history of Samurai sword production. This traditional technique, when combined with modern CNC milling, offers exceptional feel, consistency, and performance in golf club manufacturing. Bentley's touch of elegance extends beyond the clubs to the accessories. Golf bags and luggage incorporate Bentley-inspired diamond-quilted leather, mirroring the car's interior and providing a seamless transition from the drive to the driver. Water-resistant materials and meticulously detailed designs ensure that the bags, Tour, Cart, and Stand, carry the brand's legacy of understated luxury. Bentley Golf also offers an array of accessories designed to enhance your game. From compression Golf Balls and branded Golf Tees to a soft cotton Golf Towel, each accessory is crafted to make a style statement. The crowning jewel is the Tech Collection, inspired by the Bentley Continental GT. It features a suite of high-performance golf clubs that marry advanced technology with exceptional craftsmanship. The clubs' aesthetic echoes Bentley’s distinctiveness and includes the famous diamond knurling on grips and faces, ensuring players experience luxury in every swing. View all Bentley luxury cars and SUVs currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bentley Motors (@bentleymotors) Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 19, 2022

Bentley Releases Its Sold Out Bacalar And Continental GT ...

With accurate paint schemes and interior details, these Bentley models are the closest to the real thing. Growing up as car enthusiasts that aspire to own a garage full of supercars and hypercars, the passion began on a much smaller scale with miniature die-cast models. The automotive professionals at Bentley Motor Cars are proud to keep traditions strong by introducing two new exquisitely detailed models of its most recently released limited-production supercars. Bentley’s all-new 1:43 scale models showcase the Continental GT Speed and the limited-edition Bacalar by Mulliner. Offering a more affordable option aside from the real thing, collectors and enthusiasts can proudly display the exclusive models and their incredibly accurate features. MUST-READ: How Bentley 3D Prints Gold For The New $2M Bentley Mulliner Batur The Bentley Continental GT Speed presents a striking Candy Red paint scheme that also includes a carbon fiber Styling Package. Inside, the bright red interior configuration is complete with custom Speed embroidery and diamond quilting design. The more affordable version of the $1.9 million Bentley Bacalar by Mulliner depicts the Yellow Flame exterior of the bespoke Barchetta, matching the launch spec of the 12-chassis release. A wraparound cockpit blends the interior and exterior design, with a sophisticated Grey Tweed and Beluga colorway. Each model comes in chic Bentley boxes and is currently available for $122 on Bentley’s website. View all current Bentley examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 07, 2022

Discover Bentley Motors' New Momentum Unbreakable Eau de ...

Designed for men with a trailblazing spirit, Bentley's Momentum Unbreakable is a new woody, floral and spicy scent. Bottling the essence of luxury automotive design, technology, and performance, Bentley Motors prides itself on creating one-of-a-kind scents that exemplify the brand’s values and high standards. Bentley is proud to take on its next fragrance venture using Dreamwood as the main cutting-edge sustainable natural ingredient. The all-new Bentley Momentum Unbreakable Eau de Parfum bottle is inspired by stone veneer used in Bentley interiors, featuring a customized glass bottle that incorporates actual stone into its design. MUST-READ: Bentley Unveils A New Bespoke Sneaker Collection By ‘The Surgeon’ A material that provides an individual statement of luxury, Bentley’s revolutionary stone veneer interior finish adds elegance by using a natural product formed over 200 million years. The slate and quartzite stone used is sustainably sourced from hand-selected quarries in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, India. The luxurious scent gives off a masculine tone by highlighting rich notes of licorice, dried fruit, and amber. The scent is composed by Grasse-born Master Perfumer Fabrice Pellegrin, who introduced Dreamwood through carbon-neutral biotechnology. The all-new Bentley Momentum Unbreakable Eau de Parfum is currently available for $84.74 on Bentley Motors’ website. View all current Bentley models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 17, 2022

Bentley Unveils A New Bespoke Sneaker Collection By 'The ...

Bentley and famed shoemaker ‘The Surgeon’ collaborate on a multi-faceted project, bespoke adidas Forum Low sneakers. As Bentley Motors continues to diversify its portfolio with luxury lifestyle products and accessories, the brand invites other industry leaders to collaborate on automotive-inspired collections. After recently releasing its winter drop with BOMBER Skis, the luxury manufacturer is back with a new sneaker line with inspiration deriving from models like the Continental GT, Bentayga, and Flying Spur. The new limited-edition run of bespoke sneakers takes shape as Adidas Forum Low silhouettes customized by Dominic ‘The Surgeon’ Ciambrone, one of the most well know sneaker customizers in the scene. The collaboration brings together two icons of design, each known for their blend of craftsmanship and unparalleled style, to create exceptionally unique fashion pieces. MUST-READ: Bentley x BOMBER Skis Hit The Slopes With An Exclusive ICE Edition Winter Collection Each of the exclusive, handcrafted sneakers boasts unique characteristics including Bentley’s signature diamond quilting, cross-stitching found on the steering wheel, and premium hides identical to those used to trim Bentley’s unrivaled interior designs. Dominic and the Bentley Mulliner team worked to create three pairs of sneakers to embody the variety in the Bentley model range. The three models reflect a focus on Performance, Well-Being, and Pinnacle Design, giving each a personality that ties into its design and construction. The idea behind showcasing each sneaker in its own light harnesses the aspects of Bentley Motors and its core values. The all-new Bentley x The Surgeon sneaker collection is limited to only 10-pairs of each version and will be available soon. View all current Bentley models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 16, 2022

Bentley x BOMBER Skis Hit The Slopes With An Exclusive IC...

This line of limited-edition skis and accessories offer unparalleled style and high performance. As winter rolls into full effect, ski mountains all around the country are excited to open their slopes for the start of a promising adventure-packed season. Incorporating automotive influence into the world of extreme winter sports, Bentley Motors is proud to be partnering with the professionals at Bomber Skis on their second collaboration collection. The Bomber for Bentley ICE Edition Collection embodies each brand’s pursuit of performance, precision, and peerless luxury, featuring a line of products and accessories built to take on any ski trail. MUST-READ: Bentley Düsseldorf Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary With The Rare Bentley Mulliner Bacalar On Display The collection reveals two new ski models, a pair of performance poles, and its first-ever lightweight carbon fiber helmet. Conceived by Bentley’s Lifestyle Design Manager Chris Cooke and Bomber’s Italian-based engineers, each featured item receives the same engineering and attention to detail as the U.K. luxury sports cars. The Bomber for Bentley collection also includes two more editions in sleek black, which were first unveiled in 2019. The new limited-edition Bomber for Bentley ICE Edition Collection is currently available starting at $275. View all current Bentley models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2021

Shop The New Bentley Motors Lifestyle Collection For The ...

The Bentley Collection offers new products in time for the festive season - joining iconic and popular pieces from the existing range. With the holidays quickly approaching, automotive brands are working at the bits to prep for the busy season. While most are focusing on getting vehicles on dealership lots, Bentley Motors is directing its resources to the new Lifestyle Collection. The Bentley Lifestyle Collection features an array of luxury products that checks off everyone in the family. Bentley incorporates a line of premium apparel and leather goods including, baggage, luggage tags, wallets, polos, hats, ties, and scarves. MUST-READ: Shop The New Bentley Spring ’21 Accessory Collection For the young automotive enthusiasts of the family, the collection features realistic die-cast models, strollers, and balance bikes. Alongside the perfect picks for the family, the Bentley Collection features the Naim for Bentley Mu-so special edition at-home speaker. This holiday season, Bentley is here to help cross some of the items off your wish list. Shop the new Bentley Lifestyle Collection for the holiday seasons by clicking the link below. Shop The Bentley Lifestyle Collection Media Source: Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – April 30, 2021

Bentley Home Reveals Four New Furniture Designs for 2021

Bentley Home's new furniture designs will add style and elegance to your household. The new Bentley Home 2021 Collection has been revealed and it contains four new furniture designs that are as lavish as you'd expect. These designs include the Aldford Table, the Ramsey Sofa and Loveseat and the Styal Desk. This new collection stars both a new Degradé lacquering technique, as well as the new MARM \ MORE fabric that's made from marble powder. Bentley Home is offering the Degradé lacquer finish in a variety of options, including Deep Ocean, Midnight Walnut, Black Kenya, Dark Shadow, Rust Degradé, Silver Degradé and Bronze Degradé. As for the MARM \ MORE fabric, which is offered in either light grey or natural green. The new Bentley Home 2021 Collection can be view by clicking here.

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