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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 02, 2022

Bentley And SagerStrong Collaborate On A One-Off Continen...

Bentley Americas and the SagerStrong Foundation collaborate on a piece of automotive art. Late legendary sportscaster Craig Sager was known for his bold style and head-turning blazers. His “rose-colored glasses” approach to life was reflected in his style and his personality, and his SagerStrong Foundation founded by him and his wife Stacy to fight against blood cancer reflects his optimism for a brighter future. To celebrate his life and legacy, Bentley Americas partnered with the SagerStrong Foundation in creating a one-off 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible customized by Mulliner and inspired by one of his most iconic moments. MUST READ: Best New 2023 Convertibles The design of the car is inspired by a piece he wore at one of his last major experiences, which was the 2016 ESPYs when he accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. The exterior of the car mimics the pattern of the blazer he wore at the event, using it to highlight the shape of the vehicle. His legacy also lives on in the form of the embroidery of his signature on the seats. To support SagerStrong’s mission, the car will be auctioned to support the foundation early next year, and won’t just be a unique expression of art, pop culture, and automotive excellence, it will also support an amazing cause. View All Bentley Continental GTCs For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 29, 2022

Bentley Eclipsed Its 2021 Operating Profit In Only Six Mo...

The numbers are in, and Bentley’s are quite high. It seems as though the challenges facing the world’s automotive industry have failed in hindering Bentley’s success, as for the first half of 2022, Bentley is looking forward to what may well be its best year ever. With an operating profit for the first six months of this year higher than the record-breaking number the brand achieved during the entire year of 2021, and a significantly higher return on sales, as well as increased sales, it seems as though Bentley is driving in the right direction with its multi-billion dollar investments in sustainability and the brand’s Beyond100 strategy. MUST READ: Bentley Celebrates 20 Years In China With Four New Exclusive Mulliner Models Operating profit for the first six months of this year came in at a staggering €398 million, which is more than double the figure for the same period of 2021, and as a matter of fact, it is greater than 2021’s operating profit figure for the entire year, which was at €389 million, which happened to be the company’s record year. When it comes to operating profit, Bentley has already achieved yet another record-breaking year, and the year is only halfway over. Bentley credits an increased revenue per car, which went up by €27,000 to increased personalization. In turn, return on sales increased by roughly 10 percent, going from 13.4% last year to 23.3%. The most popular model, unsurprisingly in today’s market, was the Bentayga, while the Continental followed close behind, and the Flying Spur came in third. Sales increased everywhere in the world except for China, where lockdowns are still in effect in many places, but with a revenue increase of 29% and an explosive operating profit increase of 124%, Bentley’s astonishing success seems to continue. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2022

Shmee150 Takes The 1-Of-12, $2 Million Bentley Bacalar Fo...

YouTuber Shmee150 experiences one of the world’s most special modern Bentleys. The Bentley Bacalar is a very special car, as only 12 of the stunning roadsters exist in the world, but it’s special for more reasons than just being rare. The Bacalar, while based on the Bentley Continental GT, is a roofless roadster that’s entirely coachbuilt by Bentley’s Mulliner division, and that unique design is a vision of the future of the Bentley brand, with inspiration coming mainly from Bentley’s EXP 100 GT concept car, down to the smallest details like the Riverwood veneer on the dashboard. MUST READ: Bentley Celebrates 20 Years In China With Four New Exclusive Mulliner Models YouTuber Shmee150 got to take this incredibly special car for a drive, and experience for himself the completely bespoke craftsmanship of the car, from the hundreds of thousands of stitches in the interior, the detailed bodywork including the Scarab Green color, stunning sweeping lines, and futuristic yet timelessly beautiful touches. The Riverwood in the dashboard is 5,000 years old. The car is powered by Bentley’s W12 engine, and while powertrains like those are a dying breed, the Bacalar signals a renaissance of the art of coachbuilding. Across the industry, more automotive brands are rolling out highly exclusive and bespoke models that evoke the unmistakable beauty of the coachbuilt cars of old. While the Bentley Bacalar is beautiful to look at and exciting to drive, the most incredible aspect of it is the attention to detail and Mulliner’s dedication to making the car truly and irreplaceably special. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: YouTube/Shmee150

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 18, 2022

Bentley Is the First Company To Recieve South Pole's "Net...

Yet another part of Bentley’s Beyond100 carbon-neutrality goal has been achieved. Plastic isn’t exactly a material that Bentley is known for as a brand, not least for Bentley’s long history and dedication to pure luxury but especially in modern times for the brand’s public commitment to environmental sustainability. However, Bentley does want to be known for using plastic responsibly, sparingly, and sustainably, which is why the company underwent a plastic stewardship assessment and has now been the first company to earn the “Net Zero Plastic to Nature” certification from South Pole, an organization founded in 2006 that guides companies towards sustainability. MUST READ: Bentley Completes The First Phase of “Extraordinary Women” Towards 30% Diverse Management To achieve the certification, Bentley not only had to reduce its plastic usage but also invest in efforts that mitigate said plastic usage, like Neela Saga in India and Second Life in Thailand. Plastic protective pieces on outbound products from Bentley were reduced from 13 to 6, and by removing vinyl wheel protectors and wiper blade covers, 12 tons of plastic were eliminated from Bentley’s waste per year, and where plastic still needs to be used to make sure Bentleys arrive where they’re headed in mint condition, it’s as environmentally friendly as possible. On the production site, the use of plastic shrink-wrap was reduced by 86 percent. Plastic banding used to secure pallets was replaced with an equally-effective cardboard replacement. When it comes to sustainability, Bentley is sure to leave no stone unturned. View All Bentleys For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 15, 2022

Bentley Celebrates 20 Years In China With Four New Exclus...

New Mulliner Bentleys celebrate two decades of Bentley in China. Bentley goes from London to China as the brand celebrates an incredible two decades of its presence in the country. Over 100 years ago in 1919, Bentley Motors was founded by W.O. Bentley in London, and for the past 20 years, Bentley has celebrated success in China. To celebrate, four Mulliner-commissioned models have been created with inspiration coming from different parts of London, each to be produced in 20 examples for Chinese customers to celebrate two decades of Chinese success for Bentley. The four models show off each model in Bentley’s lineup: The Guard, a Continental GT, The Carnaby, a Continental GTC, The Pall Mall, a Flying Spur, and The Saville Row, a Bentayga. MUST READ: Bentley Details What Makes The New Airline Seat Its Best Rear Seat Available The Guard is a Bentley Continental GT that is inspired by the Royal Guards who famously protect London’s Royal Household. Red bodywork with a Beluga roof mimics the uniform, and the gold accents that adorn the interior of the car do the same. The Carnaby, a Bentley Continental GTC, is inspired by Carnaby Street in the Soho district of London. With inspiration coming from the nightlife and lively atmosphere of the area, the car is available in four different colors: Radium, Jetstream II, Orange Flame, and Onyx. The Pall Mall Bentley Flying Spur references something that happened in the same year Bentley introduced itself to China, 2002. In the same year, Bentley also delivered a new State Limousine to Her Majesty The Queen to celebrate her Golden Jubilee. The car is still the official State Limousine of Her Majesty, and The Pall Mall Flying Spur references it with a two-tone paint job of Beluga and Claret, with a beautiful interior that combines blue upholstery and both open-pore and high-gloss Burr Walnut veneer. The Saville Row Bentayga pays homage to the world-famous tailoring capital with its Cumbrian Green paintwork and two-tone interior that references luxurious suiting. All 80 of these stunning Bentleys will be sold exclusively in China to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s presence there, and they show off Mulliner’s incredible level of craftsmanship and the luxury that makes Bentley the brand it is. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 08, 2022

Bentley Completes The First Phase of "Extraordinary Women...

Bentley’s Beyond100 strategy involves bringing women into the automotive world, and Bentley is bringing that to fruition. The Beyond100 plan that Bentley has laid out for a more positive future includes Bentley’s commitment to increasing diversity throughout the company. To this end, Bentley has announced the successful completion of the first phase of the “Extraordinary Women” program, in which 8 female students have been mentored in areas like engineering, business, and design by entrepreneurs, academics, and Bentley experts, visiting Bentley’s Crewe headquarters for a week to learn more about the brand and its careers. MUST READ: The New Bentley Bentayga Belgian Equestrian Collection Honors Show Jumping Tradition The goal of the program is to achieve the Beyond100 benchmark of 30% diverse management by 2025. In the program, students not only learned about Bentley’s products and strategy but also had the opportunity to join panel discussions with Bentley’s senior leadership and pitch ideas to colleagues. Bentley has also announced that the next chapter of Extraordinary Women will be announced soon and introduced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 06, 2022

Bentley Details What Makes The New Airline Seat Its Best ...

Stepping ultimate luxury up to an even higher level is no easy task. Bentley introduced the Bentayga EWB, and along with it, the Azure range of Bentleys that introduces a magnified focus on wellbeing, superior comfort, and relaxation. One of the most fascinating pieces to the puzzle, however, was the introduction of the Airline Seat for the Bentayga EWB, which introduces a level of accommodation never seen before, and is the most luxurious rear-seat accommodation since the discontinued Mulsanne. MUST READ: The Oldest Existing Bentley Celebrates Winning The Isle Of Man TT 100 Years Ago The occupant can choose the desired temperature from one of seven different levels, and in an effort to maintain that temperature, the Airline Seat features the world’s first auto climate sensing system, measuring temperature and humidity with an accuracy of fewer than 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and doing so every 25 milliseconds. With this information, the seat decides where and when to apply ventilation, heat, or both to achieve the perfect temperature. Along with that, the postural adjustment system employs 177 individual pressure changes across six pressure zones to make perfect adjustments to the passenger’s seating position and pressure points, preventing and reducing fatigue and revitalizing the passenger during their journey. Along with the electric footrest, the Airline Seat features 22 ways of adjustment and shows off futuristic technology combined with a timeless dedication to comfort creating pure luxury. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 05, 2022

The New Bentley Bentayga Belgian Equestrian Collection Ho...

A new collection of ten Bentley Bentaygas celebrates the Belgian Equestrian world. The art of equestrian show jumping is prominent in Belgium, and as an elegant, storied, and traditional art in the country, it served as the perfect inspiration for a new edition of the Bentley Bentayga SUV, the Bentley Bentayga Belgian Equestrian Collection. The look of these new Bentaygas, each commissioned and created by Mulliner, references the aesthetics of the equestrian lifestyle and pays homage to the traditions and trappings of the equestrian world. MUST READ: The New Bentley Rotterdam Showroom Opens With A Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition Only 10 Bentayga Belgian Equestrian Collection cars will be made, and each features Spectre paint scheme with 22-inch ten-spoke wheels, along with an interior that features Burnt Oak color, Mandarin stitching, and Herringbone Sand Tweed n the door inserts. The veneer on the passenger’s side of the car displays “Belgian Equestrian Collection” in a metal overlay. The limited-edition, created in collaboration with Stephex, purveyor of the eponymous Brussels Stephex Masters, one of the most famous jumping competitions in the world, and the Bentayga Belgian Equestrian Collection will be on display at the show, which will be held from August 24 to August 28. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 29, 2022

The Oldest Existing Bentley Celebrates Winning The Isle O...

The oldest Bentley ever celebrates an important 100th anniversary. The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is one of the world’s most storied automotive races; its sense of danger and thrill has never failed to impress drivers and racing enthusiasts around the world. It was there that the second Bentley ever made, and the oldest one surviving to this day cemented an epic legacy with a victory in the race. In 1922, the Bentley EXP2, the second development car that would eventually give way to the Bentley 3-Litre, which was produced between 1921 and 1929. MUST READ: Bentley Recreates The Two-Time Le Mans-Winning Speed Six Race Cars 100 years ago, the Bentley EXP2 won the 1922 RAC Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man, and on June 25, 2022, 100 years later, 78 historic Bentleys, led by the legendary EXP2, came together on the Isle of Man to celebrate the centenary of this incredible victory, and in turn, the event became one of the largest gatherings of Bentley 3-Litres ever. The gathering of cars had an estimated combined value of over £40 million and hailing from as far as America, New Zealand, and Switzerland, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event to see the cars together. EXP2 was crucial to helping Bentley become the brand it is today, and 100 years later, it’s still around to see Bentley’s incredible present and future. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 27, 2022

The New Bentley Rotterdam Showroom Opens With A Flying Sp...

Rotterdam becomes home to one of the world’s most legendary luxury automotive brands. Europe’s largest seaport and the Netherlands’ second-largest city is now home to a Bentley showroom. On the second floor of a 3-story building along the A20, Bentley Rotterdam offers a showroom, a service center, easy access to the Rotterdam Carport Hotel, and an area dedicated to Mulliner customization. The star of the show for the opening of Bentley Rotterdam was a special Bentley Flying Spur. This Flying Spur Hybrid Odyssean Edition features an interior with tweed made completely from British wool, open-pore wood trim, and other accents that come together for a modern look with vintage flair. MUST READ: Bentley Will Mint Its First Carbon-Neutral, 208-Example NFT Drop This September Alongside the Flying Spur was another incredibly important Bentley car, an example of the S1 Continental Flying Spur from 1958, which was the first bespoke four-door Continental, and a car that served as an inspiration for the Flying Spur of today. With a focus on sustainability and electrification throughout the Bentley model range, an exciting future in the Netherlands is promised with the brand new Bentley Rotterdam showroom. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

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