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 – 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 – May 16, 2019

More Bentley Flying Spur Teasers

Last month we saw the first footage of a new Bentley. It has been a long time coming, and it looks to be a clean-sheet redesign. The aforementioned film was just a glimpse of the new hood ornament, and today we received the first interior shots. More Bentley Flying Spur teasers will follow until it arrives, so its time to trade in your old sedan. Starting with the name, this car was once known as the Continental Flying Spur. The prefix was dropped in 2015 because the coupe and convertible have evolved away from their common ancestor. The press release says it will be a combination of Sports Sedan and Luxury Limousine. It will be the first automotive use of 3D textured leather, so this could shake up the luxury market. We will be following it closely, so stay with us for all your Flying Spur updates. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale Related: Bentley Continental GT Tank Next-Generation Bentley Flying Spur Teased

By Andrew Nabors – May 07, 2019

Bentley Unveils Continental GT Convertible Inspired by Ba...

Sometimes a car is just a car, but this one hits a few nerves. Mulliner is Bentley's custom shop, and they will build anything you wish for. Their past works include a Bentayga for Falconry, one for Fly Fishing, and the EXP concept cars. Their latest build is sure to get attention, as Bentley has unveiled a Continental GT convertible inspired by Bavaria. Their latest press release does not mention if this was built for a customer or an employee, but we have a suspicion. Glacier White and Imperial Blue are the colors of the Bavarian flag. They can be found in several places around the car. It will be unveiled at a private event hosted by Bentley of Munich. It might just be a coincidence, but Munich is also home to BMW (Bavarian Motor Works). BMW owns Rolls-Royce, their chief competitor. In fact, the colors mentioned above appear in BMW's logo. Being that Bentley is owned by Volkswagen, are we looking at a proxy war of British luxury playing out in Germany? If we see a Stuttgart edition Wraith, Europe is doomed. In all seriousness they both build amazing automobiles, so click the link below to find a Continental near you. Browse Bentley Continental For Sale Related: Next-Generation Bentley Flying Spur Teased Bentley Unveils Bentayga V8 Design Series

By Andrew Nabors – April 04, 2019

Bentley's Centenary Starts This Weekend at Goodwood

If you happen to be a member of Goodwood, you will have 100 years of British Racing on display. That is because Bentley's Centenary Starts This Weekend at Goodwood. On display will be historic early models alongside the 2003 LeMans Winner. Car #7 is a Bentley Speed 8 that dominated the race to bring home a 1st place trophy. It will be driven twice over the weekend by the winning drivers Guy Smith and Tom Kristensen. Another unprecedented event is the John Duff Trophy Race. Duff was one of the original 'Bentley Boys'. As a gentleman racer, he won LeMans for the team in 1924. As such, 30 early Bentleys will compete for the prize. We hope this becomes an annual event, because these great cars should be seen in their natural habitat. New models like the Bentayga V8 Design Series and the new Continental GT will be on display to show what 100 years of innovation looks like. Click the link below to experience a Bentley for yourself and stay with us for all your Goodwood updates. Browse All Bentleys For Sale Bentley Continental GT is Aiming for Pike's Peak Record New 2020 Bentley Bentayga Speed is Here

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2019

Bentley Unveils Bentayga V8 Design Series

If you demand the best from your luxury SUV, Bentley has unveiled the Bentayga V8 Design Series. Starting with new wheels, the Palladium Grey color was specified by their Mulliner custom division. Floating center caps keep the company's logo vertical at all times. The Blackline package is also standard. It replaces every piece of chrome or stainless with gloss black trim. Another custom touch is a body color lower front bumper. Inside, Mulliner has developed a new Duotone leather interior. In addition to the Beluga black main surfaces, you can choose from Pillar Box Red, Orange, Mulliner White, and Klein Blue. An elegant carbon fiber dash is adorned with a unique Breitling clock. With a face made from Mother of Pearl, it also includes several diamonds as a finishing touch. The drivetrain is unchanged, with the twin turbo 4.0L V8 sending 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. July 10th is the 100th anniversary for Bentley, so expect to see more unique offerings as the event approaches. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below to find a Bentayga near you. View All Bentley Bentayga For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2019

Bentley Continental GT is Aiming for the Record at Pike's...

Zebulon Pike never made it to the top of his mountain, but we're sure he looks down with delight at the annual race to the summit. In a sad coincidence, he was killed by British troops in the war of 1812, and an English car broke the record to the top last year. Now they are looking for a repeat victory, as the Bentley Continental GT is Aiming for the record at Pike's Peak. Last year, they chose a two-time champion, Rhys Millen to drive a new Bentayga. The big W12-powered SUV smashed everyone's expectations. Now it is time for a Command Performance, as that same engine will launch the new Bentley Continental GT 12.46 miles into the sky. It will send 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque around 156 corners and into very thin air. Rhys Millen, Bentley Bentayga at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2018. Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com We hope the turbos can still make boost at 14,115 feet. But even if they struggle, the W12 engine is augmented by a 48v mild hybrid system. The latest Continental GT really outshines its predecessors, so we wish them safety and good luck for the event on June 30th. Click the link below to experience one for yourself and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Shop Bentley Continental GT " width="680"> Related: Bentley Unveils Continental GT V8 Coupe & Convertible Bentley Bentayga Speed is the "World's Fastest SUV"

By Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2019

Bentley Unveils Continental GT V8 Coupe & Convertible

Bentley loves their W12 engine. It is smooth, powerful, and quiet, qualities demanded by their target audience. For years it has powered their most exclusive cars until an unlikely sibling appeared. A twin turbo V8 is a more traditional layout, so it has been a popular addition to the Bentayga and the older Continental GT models. Now that the 3rd generation cars are in full production, Bentley has unveiled the latest Continental GT V8 in Coupe & Convertible. Under the hood is the same 4.0L twin turbo V8 shared with the Bentayga. It also shares many components with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the Lamborghini Urus to offer 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. These are healthy numbers for this hefty ride. They allow the coupe to run 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds, with the drop-top only 0.1 seconds behind. Speaking of the well-insulated top, it can be raised or lowered in 19 seconds up to 30 mph. The only feature we can't abide is cylinder deactivation. Cruising in V4 mode is great for economy cars, so hopefully, the aftermarket can tune it out. Our dealers are taking orders now and deliveries will begin this Fall. Shop Bentley Continental GT " width="680"> Related: Sports Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2018

Bentley Bentayga Breaks SUV Record At Pike's Peak

Every type of automobile is welcomed to participate at the Pike's Peak hill climb. We thought Bentley would bring a Supersports version of their new Continental, but instead, they arrived with a Bentayga. Turning to one of the masters of the mountain, none other than Rhys Millen was chosen for this daunting ascent.He would be at the helm of a 600 horsepower W12 with 664 lb-ft of torque. The adaptive air suspension has multiple chambers at each corner for a smooth ride. To keep it level, the sway bars are coupled to a 48-volt roll-control system. Carbon ceramic brakes kept the big SUV from going over the edge, and only a few small changes had to be made in order to compete.The front seats were replaced with racing buckets, and the rear seats were removed. A fire suppression system and Akrapovic exhaust were the only other changes. Rhys had this to say: "What an incredible machine. To take a luxury SUV with minimal modifications and be able to drive up this course in under 11 minutes is a huge testament to the performance and level of engineering in the Bentayga. I had a great run – the car was planted all the way up and gave me the confidence I needed to push hard. I’m delighted to take the SUV record for Bentley and for everyone that’s been involved in this project.”His record time of 10.49.9 is almost 2 minutes faster than the previous SUV record. At an average speed of 66.5 mph, it pushes SUV performance to a new level. To commemorate the win, Bentley is building 10 Pike's Peak Editions. Mulliner is finishing them in Beluga Black or Radium, with 22" two-tone wheels. The black specification is also standard, replacing all chrome with gloss black. Inside is Key Lime with Beluga Alcantara, making it the most unique Bentayga to date. Bentley Bentayga For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2018

Bentley Unveils 2018 Continental GT3 At Monza

You might not believe it, but Walter Owen Bentley loved to race. His engines allowed motorcycles, aircraft, and his cars to win races around the world. As an engineer, he and his employees obsessed over the smallest details. That's why we think he would approve of the latest Continental GT3. A press release this morning says the second generation of this track-ready luxury coupe will face its first test at Monza this weekend. Six factory drivers will be joined by Team Parker Racing, who is a factory-sponsored crew. No mention of the engine's output or Balance of Performance restrictions was made, so tune in to the race to see how they perform. It was caught testing by 19Bozzy92 and uploaded to YouTube, so check it out below. A street version is probably in the works, so if we hear anything of the new Bentley GT3.R, you will see it first here on Autofluence.

By Andrew Nabors – January 12, 2018

Bentley Unveils New V8 Bentayga

You can't deny the power and smoothness of Bentley's W12 engine. It has been found across their lineup for years, thanks to a solid foundation that harkens back to the Jetta VR6. Having twelve cylinders at your command is nice to have, but it might send the wrong impression to others. That's why Bentley has bestowed the new Bentayga with a 4.0-liter twin turbo V8.Using the same formula that worked so well in the Continental GT, V8 editions of the Bentayga will arrive with blacked out bodywork and carbon fiber interior trim. I had reservations about how the GT would respond with 4 fewer cylinders. Los Gatos Luxury Cars allowed me to drive one for a day, and the V8 gets on power with a quickness. On paper, it has less power, but the lighter crank and rods love to spin up from an idle.STARTECH Bentayga Built – First of its Kind in North AmericaThe press release earlier this morning rates the Bentayga V8 at 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the W12, it has 38 less horsepower and 94 lb-ft fewer torques. You would be hard-pressed to notice a difference unless you are land-speed racing. Bentley has you covered there also. The V8 is the first Bentayga to offer ceramic brakes. The largest brakes ever offered on a production car, the fronts are 17.3" with 14.5" on the rear!Hiding under front calipers are no less than 10 pistons, this one option will make many choose the smaller motor. Other differences include a wood-trimmed steering wheel along with a new shade of leather named "Cricket Ball". Buyers also have 11 wheels to choose from, the most we've seen from any luxury manufacturer. Our dealers have more info, so click the link below and have a great weekend!Browse Bentley Bentaygas For Sale

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