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.

Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner Key Case (1)

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2019

Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition Owners Get a Very Special Key

Are you going to be the owner of a new Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner? Then you're going to be getting an incredible key to go with your new limited edition Mulsanne. Bentley has shown off the new key case that accompanies the Mulsanne W.O. Edition. It comes with items meant to celebrate the British automaker's 100th anniversary. Items include a bespoke 1:18 model of W.O.'s personal 8 Liter car (the car that the new limited edition Mulsanne was designed after), a flying "B" paperweight, three keys and a brochure that has never-seen-before images of the 1930 8 Liter. The case itself is crafted out of the same Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Piano Black veneer found in the cabin of the Bentley Mulsanne W.O. Edition by Mulliner. Bentley also engraved the years "1919-2019" on the outside to mark the special occasion. see all bentley mulsannes for sale

By Edward Jones – July 19, 2019

Bentley Flying Spur First Edition Revealed at Elton John ...

The new Bentley Flying Spur First Edition is set to be revealed at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Gala on July 24th. This fundraising charity event will be held at the foundation's inaugural Midsummer Party at Picozzi's Villa Dorane. As for the Flying Spur First Edition, it will be limited to one year exactly of production, making it a hot commodity in the luxury car market. But what makes the First Edition stand out? For starters, there's the obligatory First Edition badging found across the vehicle. One of the more unique badges is the exterior one that has a Union Jack flag with the numeral "I" in the center. Bentley also includes some optional features as standard for the First Edition, like the Bentley Rotating Display. This one is actually pretty unique. It allows the driver to switch between a touchscreen display and three analog dials. see all flying spurs up for sale now

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2019

Bentley EXP 100 GT Unveiled Live

They have come a long way in their first century, so here is their vision for the future. Imagine a car that is a member of the family. That is what we witnessed as the Bentley EXP 100 GT was unveiled live on YouTube. CEO Adrian Hallmark invited the world to view the future of Bentley. This stunning electric concept has the most advanced Artificial Intelligence we've seen. Sensors throughout the cabin monitor your vital signs to predict your mood. The car adjusts accordingly by either going into "cocoon" mode or performance mode. Insulating you from the outside world, cocoon handles the driving while using the latest in sound and visual isolation. Fiber optics are woven throughout the cockpit to provide a relaxing ambiance. But all that can change with a gesture of your hand. You can take command at an instant, and the car's personality changes. Light and sound are allowed in to connect you to the world outside. Another gesture allows the car to take a snapshot of your journey, these memories are stored in the AI system as memories of each experience. Seating can be configured for 2, 3, or 4 passengers, with each having an interactive display. If you rent a Bentley while on vacation, your AI is pre-loaded from the cloud. This car was inspired by customers to attend to every need and incorporate sustainable materials. Therefore, the designers used rescued hardwood and hammered copper for the finer details. Each wheel has its own electric motor, and the battery can be charged to 80% in 15 minutes. This is probably the same 800-volt system developed for the Porsche Taycan, as Volkswagen owns Bentley. The event concluded with Adrian mentioning the imminent adoption of plug-in hybrids followed by pure electric models. Fuel cells were also mentioned, but hydrogen and hardwood is an odd combination. Tell us what you think of this concept in the comments below, and click the button for great deals on the new Continental GT. Bentley Continental GT FOr Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2019

Bentley Continental GT Onboard Video from Pike's Peak

Last week you might have missed the big news. Our friend Rhys Millen set a new production car record. This amazing effort didn't take place at a test track or under ideal conditions. It was the 97th running of America's most brutal hill climb. With no less than 156 corners and climbing 5,000 feet in altitude, let's ride along with the Bentley Continental GT onboard video from Pike's Peak. Beating a record previously held by the Bentayga, the new Continental GT has serious performance hidden under a graceful body. The twin-turbo W12 engine is all-new, and it offers 626 horsepower to all wheels. While that number is not insignificant, it is the torque that launched this big car into the record books. Using electronic wastegates, the turbos allow 664 lb-ft of torque to reach all wheels. Lack of oxygen at 14,000 feet caused many cars to run rich and sputter, but the Bentley used the turbos to overcome this disadvantage. Other goodies include a 48-volt roll control system and less weight than its predecessors. If you want to drive a winner, click the link below for great offers from our dealers. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Related: Bentley Continental GT sets new Pike's Peak Record Time 2018 Bentley Continental Supersports: Price, Specs, & Review

By Edward Jones – July 05, 2019

Bentley Golf Clubs Celebrate Centenary with Carbon Fiber ...

Bentley is continuing their centenary celebration with another unique release. This time, it's the new Centenary Golf collection. This new collection celebrates the English automaker's 100th birthday with limited production and exquisite craftsmanship. The design of these clubs was inspired by the new Continental GT luxury car. Don't believe me? Just check out the diamond knurling and the design lines on the club heads. These clubs have a carbon fiber, titanium and aluminum construction. "Centenary Gold" has also been woven into the carbon fiber, giving off a stylish visual on the club heads. There's also a gold bag that carries over the same carbon fiber and Centenary Gold design as the clubs. Only 100 sets of the Bentley Centenary Golf set will be created, costing £12,000 each (roughly $15,000). They can be ordered now on the Bentley Golf website.

Continental GT Breaks Record at Pikes Peak (1)

By Andrew Nabors – July 01, 2019

Bentley Continental GT Sets New Pike's Peak Record Time

Pike's Peak tops out at over 14,100 feet, so getting to the top is never an easy task. It was an amazing achievement for the Bentayga to break the SUV record last year, and they decided to go for a bigger prize. With Rhys Millen behind the wheel, the 2019 Bentley Continental GT set a new Pike's Peak record time. No, it wasn't a record for luxury coupes or twelve-cylinder engines. Bentley now holds the record for the fastest production car. The fastest car ever was the VW I.D. R, which ran a 7.57.148 on battery power. Their luxury division wasn't far behind, with Millen crossing the line in only 10.18.488. Not only is it 8.4 seconds faster than the old record, but he also averaged 70 mph from start to finish. From someone who lives at sea level, the drive is quite scary once you are above the treeline. It takes a few days to prepare for the lack of oxygen, which has been the cause of many high-altitude incidents. In order to negate this, the Continental GT is all new for 2019, and that includes the twin-turbo 6.0L W12 engine. The intake is more linear and the turbos gained computer-controlled wastegates. The driver was kept level by the new 48-volt roll-control system. It allowed him to make use of 664 lb-ft of torque that's available between 1,350 and 4,500 rpm. It also offers 626 horsepower...simply mind-boggling. If you don't need Thor's Hammer on a daily basis, the 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 has 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. Click the link below to find one near you, and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Related: Bentley Bentayga Specs, Price, Review & Photos Bentley Continental GT Tank

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2019

Bentley to Reveal Autonomous and Electric Grand Tourer Co...

Bentley's 100th birthday is coming up quick. In fact, it's right around the corner and happening on July 10th. To celebrate their centenary, Bentley has been releasing a myriad of new exclusive editions cars and even pens. Now, Bentley Motors has announced that they will be unveiling the "future of grand touring" on their 100th birthday. What do they believe is the future of grand touring? Well, whatever it is, it will be found in the new Bentley EXP 100 GT. This concept car will showcase everything that Bentley has in store for their future models. Included in the car are technologies like autonomous driving and zero emission drivetrains. Be sure to check back with us on July 10th for all of the Bentley centenary news. That's on a Saturday, by the way!

By Edward Jones – June 28, 2019

Bentley x Graf von Faber-Castell Pens Revealed for 100th ...

Bentley Motors is celebrating its 100th anniversary on July 10, 2019, and they're celebrating in many ways. The most recently unveiled form of celebration from the English automaker is a set of limited edition pens created in collaboration with Graf von Faber-Castell. The "Limited Edition Centenary" pens from Graf von Faber-Castell are the second line of pens released since the collaboration between them and Bentley started. There are three pens in this line of Bentley pens, each with a different style of ink distribution: fountain, rollerball and ballpoint. They come in a black color with metal parts. For the fountain pen, the barrel and nib have an anthracite-color PVD coating made out of titanium. Graf von Faber-Castell also included a few distinctive Bentley touches, like the diamond quilt pattern, knurling and Bentley "B" on the top of the cap. Prices are as follows: £530 (~$674 USD) for the fountain pen, £490 (~$623 USD) for the rollerball pen and £450 (~$572 USD) for the ballpoint pen. They will be available on July 1, 2019 on Bentley's online store. See All Bentley For Sale Rollerball Pen Ballpoint Pen Fountain Pen

Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner (1)

By Edward Jones – June 27, 2019

Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mu...

Bentley Motors is once again celebrating their heritage with a new model. Introducing the new Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner. That's quite the name. However, the name makes sense when you learn that this car specifically honors the No. 1 Bentley Blower from 1929. Only 100 examples of this limited edition Bentley will be created. It can be ordered in either Dragon Red II (not to be confused with Dragon Red I) or Beluga. The roof can also come in either Claret of Beluga. Each edition comes with the Centenary Pack, Bentley Black Line Specification and Carbon Body Kit as standard, as well as the painted Number "1" on the grille. Bentley is set to celebrate their centenary on July 10, 2019. Mark your calendars now. See All Bentley Continentals For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2019

2020 Bentley Flying Spur is Automotive Perfection

Launching an all-new car has to be done right. For the 3rd generation of the Flying Spur, Bentley has pulled out all the stops. What has emerged from their headquarters in Crewe is ready to elevate the brand into uncharted territory. Get ready to be amazed, because the 2020 Bentley Flying Spur is Automotive Perfection. Built by hand, it combines the best in old-world skills and the latest in technology. Starting with a new hood emblem, the Flying B disappears when parked. Under the sculpted hood is a revised 6.0L W12 with twin turbos. It sends 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. To keep your tea from spilling, it is the first Bentley to have 3-chamber air suspension at all corners. The chassis is a mix of aluminum and composites, stronger and lighter than its predecessor. Moving the wheels out to the corners, the wheelbase is 130mm longer. All Wheel Steering is also standard, so this will be an incredibly smooth ride. Tell your driver to go wide open and you will be cruising at 207 mph. Reaching 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, the new Flying Spur could also chop down the leader board at the local dragstrip. Of course the interior offers thousands of leather and wood combinations, and the best feature is the instrument cluster. The center dash houses 3 analog gauges and it rotates to reveal an HD display that is configurable by the driver. Tell your manservant to click below to find a Flying Spur near you, and our dealers will answer all of your questions. Stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For sale " width="680"> Related: Bentley Reveals All-New Flying Spur More Bentley Flying Spur Teasers

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