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 – April 14, 2022

The Oldest Bentley T-Series Ever Is Being Fully Restored

Time has little meaning when it comes to a Bentley’s spirit. The Bentley T-Series was one of the brand’s most iconic models, embodying the brand’s dedication to luxury and performance, and most importantly innovative engineering and the exploration of new technology to make the most excellent automotive experience possible. The T-Series, in 1965, featured independent suspension on all four wheels, disc brakes, and a 115 mph top speed. MUST READ: The New Bentley Mulliner Bentayga Space Edition Honors Florida’s Space Coast The very first T-Series had been left in storage for at least 15 years, and even after all that time, the engine and gearbox were in good condition. However, there was still lots of work to be done to restore the car, including both mechanical and cosmetic work. However, the T-Series has begun that restoration, and once complete, the car will be added to Bentley’s Heritage Collection, whose dedication is to preserving the history and beauty of the storied Bentley brand. Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 08, 2022

Bentley Residences Show New Plans For Stunning Amenities

Miami’s skyline is getting the Bentley treatment in 2026. Towering above Sunny Isles Beach, a new real estate opportunity is under construction, one that exemplifies the dreams of luxury-lovers and car enthusiasts: Bentley Residences. The tower will have 216 apartments, all of which feature stunning views, and balcony swimming pools. The tower also features a unique diamond-shaped façade, which echoes the quilted leather and other details in Bentley cars, which is a motif seen throughout the building. MUST READ: The New Bentley Mulliner Bentayga Space Edition Honors Florida’s Space Coast With communal gardens, a games room, a spa, a whisky bar, a cigar lounge, a restaurant, and more, a luxurious and exciting lifestyle is what Bentley Residences has to offer, which reflects the brand’s cars as well. One of the most exciting features is one that seamlessly combines the Bentley driving experience with the living one, an elevator for your car, which allows you to park your car in your apartment and remove any compromises that high-rise living may have brought about before. As the Bentley Residences in Miami near completion, get the Bentley to match by having a look at Bentleys for sale on the duPont REGISTRY. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 17, 2022

The New Bentley Mulliner Bentayga Space Edition Honors Fl...

Bentley celebrates Florida’s Space Coast with a Bentayga that reaches for the stars. One of Bentley Orlando’s clients has requested a car that strikes a chord close to home. That’s because, not far to the east of Bentley Orlando is Florida’s Space Coast, the place where much of the exploration of the expanse beyond our world began. To celebrate the glory of space exploration, the car that was commissioned was a Mulliner Bespoke Bentley Bentayga Speed Space Edition. The exterior color, Cypress, returns after its appearance with the original Continental GT in 2003, as a dark metallic gray with slight green undertones, paired with gloss black accents where there would have been chrome otherwise. Orange Flame paintwork also accents some of the carbon fiber details along the exterior, which is a nod to comet trails in the sky. MUST READ: Bentley Announces 1845% Profit Increase And 5 New Electric Models Starting 2025 The bespoke craftsmanship continues in the interior, with treadplates depicting a solar system, and orange bezels on the gray fascias, matching the exterior. Using the night sky as the inspiration, the trim is done in Beluga and Porpoise, with hints of orange interrupting the dark space. With its 6.0-liter W12 giving 626 horsepower, and the Bentayga Speed boasting a 0-60 time under 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 190 mph, the Bentayga performs like a rocketship, albeit with much more beauty and luxury. Until space travel can catch up, the Bentayga Speed Space Edition might be the way to go. Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 15, 2022

Bentley Announces 1845% Profit Increase And 5 New Electri...

The numbers are in, and Bentley is quite happy with them. And going from 20 million Euros to 389 million Euros in operating profits is definitely something to be happy about. Bentley, as all brands did, was impacted by the pandemic, which meant that profits were low compared to previous years, but managing to turn a profit in a year such as 2020 is a meaningful success for any company. However, Bentley used 2021 not only to survive, but to thrive, and ended the year with explosively grown profits, record sales, and ambitious new plans for the future. MUST READ: The New Bentley Speed Sculpture Unveiled At Bentley Residences Miami With a near 2000% increase in profit, obliterating the brand’s previous record of 170 million Euros, and record sales to the tune of 14,659 cars, Bentley leads in the upper echelon of luxury cars. Bentley credits a fresh model lineup and the Beyond100 strategy with the brand’s carbon-neutrality goals as big factors in its popularity this past year, and to build on that, Bentley plans to release five electric models in five years, starting in 2025, with the goal of carbon-neutrality by 2030. The world is changing, and Bentley is ready to change with it. All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 03, 2022

The New Bentley Speed Sculpture Unveiled At Bentley Resid...

Presented by Bentley Residences - Dezer Development unveiled a 4-ft high, 13ft long, and 7ft wide speed form sculpture at the Bentley Residences Miami, the world’s first Bentley-branded luxury residential property. The Bentley speed form sculpture, which was designed and developed by the Bentley Motors Designers at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England, is a full-scale model of the Bentley speed form and is constructed of a structural steel support frame covered with a polyurethane car structure, covered in fiberglass. The fiberglass was then sanded by Bentley engineers to get the unique shape and lines in the car. The exterior body color, called Miami Bronze, is a unique shade that was mixed in the Bentley paint shop and specifically designed to come to life in the bright Miami climate whilst enhancing the form of the sculpture. Discover Bentley Residences “The Bentley speed form was inspired by the flowing lines and surface definition seen on our luxury cars,” said Chris Cooke, Product and Lifestyle Design Manager, Bentley Motors. “The sculpture was designed to be viewed at eye level to fully appreciate the beauty of the form, reflecting the car’s strength and power in volume whilst celebrating its beauty and elegance within the details of its key lines.” ABOUT BENTLEY RESIDENCES MIAMI: Conceptualized by top U.S property developer, Dezer Development, in partnership with Bentley Motors, Bentley Residences marks the world’s first Bentley-branded luxury residential property, slated to unveil in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida in 2026. Designed by world-renowned architectural firm Sieger Suarez, standing at 749 ft. tall, the 60-story cylindrical skyscraper will be the tallest residential building on a U.S. beachfront, containing a one-of-a-kind collection of 200-plus exquisitely finished apartment units. The Bentley design team has collaborated with Dezer on the interior and exterior of the tower, which boasts a glistening one-of-a-kind diamond-patterned façade, translating Bentley’s luxury design to the residential experience. Designed to inspire new ways to embrace space and connect to the stunning surrounding environment, each 6,000 sq. ft. unit will encompass between 1,150 to 2,000 sqft. of outdoor living space, offering unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterways through the seamlessly implemented floor-to-ceiling glass windows within. Built with luxury car owners in mind, each residence will house an in-unit multi-car garage and patented ‘Dezervator’ drive-in elevator, allowing for cars to be securely stored alongside the apartment on display – the ultimate statement in exclusivity and privacy. Homes will also feature a private balcony pool, sauna, and outdoor shower. Other world-class resort-style amenities include a private restaurant with a resident chef, cinema, whiskey bar, cigar lounge, state-of-the-art fitness facility, pool, spa, cabanas, and beautifully landscaped communal gardens. Construction is slated to begin Q3 2022 with the completion of the tower in 2026. 18401 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160. Discover Bentley Residences " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 28, 2022

Check The Spec: 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 Finished i...

The Bentley that commemorates traditional British design. The process that goes into configuring a modern exotic vehicle offers a blank canvas for owners to incorporate their lifestyle and vision of a dream build. The creative team at Bentley Motors pride themselves on featuring an extensive collection of colors and materials throughout its configuration palette to highlight truly unique examples. The automotive specialists at Desert European Motorcars are happy to showcase this 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 as part of its growing inventory of exotic cars. The exterior of the Continental GT V8 presents a classic British Racing Green finish with gloss black highlights that accentuate the body lines of the convertible. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: 1996 Ferrari F50 Finished in Rosso Corsa Adding to its hints of black, this build includes a matching retractable canvas top and a set of 5-spoke sport-style wheels. The traditional British feel makes its way into the interior layout of the Continental GT V8, where a vibrant Saddle Brown leather design provides a comfortable experience for any driver or passenger. Delivering over 542-horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque is Bentley’s naturally-aspirated 4.0-Liter V8 engine, which is managed by an 8-speed twin-clutch transmission. This 2020 Bentley Continental GT V8 from Desert European Motorcars is currently available with only 1,944-miles for $299,990. Click the link below to view the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear releases and Check The Spec specials. View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 01, 2022

Bentley's Latest Curated Road Trip Goes From Crewe To Sco...

British cross-country driving doesn’t get more luxurious than this. Bentley has announced a new curated road trip, and it’s packed with luxurious experiences from Crewe, where Bentleys are made, all the way to the Macallan estate in Scotland. Each trip is designed to host five couples, and Bentley will run four trips throughout 2022. The price to be on the trip is 11,350 pounds, and that includes food made with sustainable and local ingredients, the cost for experiences and excursions provided along the way, lodging in country houses and luxurious hotels, and most importantly, the use of a brand new Bentley to bring you to each destination. MUST READ: Bentley’s First Electric Car Is Coming In 2025 Starting with a tour of the Crewe factory, guests will get the ultimate Bentley experience, with private meals from renowned chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants, stargazing and other breathtaking wilderness experiences, tours of historical country houses and hotels with extensive collections of antiques and art, a special tour of Macallan’s distillery featuring Bentley and Macallan’s brand partnership, and everything that driving a Bentley has to offer. If this is your dream Bentley getaway, act fast. Only five couples can be accommodated on each of four dates. For more information, click here, but if you want to have a Bentley whether or not you’re on vacation, check out the Bentleys for sale on the duPont REGISTRY by clicking below. Bentleys For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 26, 2022

Bentley's First Electric Car Is Coming In 2025

Bentley plans on making their future British Racing Green. Bentley has announced that its first electric car is going into production and that we will see it in production in 2025, and this comes with other exciting news about the future of the brand that relates to their Beyond100 strategic plan. MUST READ: This British Racing Green Bentley Bentayga S is the Lavish SUV You’ve Been Looking For After over 100 years, Bentley has had to change the way it’s done things before, and today’s world is no exception. In 2020, Bentley announced their Beyond100 plan, which involves a range of efforts aimed at improving Bentley’s sustainability as a brand. Some of these efforts have already started to take shape, with Bentley committing to investing 2.5 billion pounds in sustainability over the next ten years, towards making electric cars in Crewe, England in the “Bentley Dream Factory,” a factory concept that maximizes its priority to the environment. Bentley has announced that by 2030, not only will the brand be carbon-neutral, but it will also feature a lineup of exclusively electric vehicles that are created with minimal environmental impact while remaining the world’s standard for luxury.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 20, 2021

Bentley Celebrates the British Countryside with New Benta...

There isn’t a dreamier car for those who love the great outdoors. Bentley’s in-house coachbuilder, Mulliner, has announced a collection of 11 Bentaygas to be part of the Outdoor Pursuits collection, a group of bespoke Bentaygas that celebrate the outdoor activities of British countryside life. Every feature of these Bentaygas is specifically chosen to reference the British countryside, from the tweed trim to the tan leather, to the little fly-fishing scene in the dashboard, which, depending on your specification, can be a jumping horse, a foxhound, or simply the word “Mulliner.” To complement the look, the recommended colors for these Bentaygas are Havana, Cumbrian Green, and Magnetic, which all look divine set against the backdrop of Britain’s breathtaking landscapes. MUST READ: Bentley Bentayga’s Night Vision Is On a North Pole Mission The Outdoor Pursuits Bentayga comes with other exquisite details as well. The seats are embroidered with a forest motif, and the car comes with a Hunter flask that has been trimmed with leather that matches the interior of the car. The Outdoor Pursuits collection will be sold in the UK, each of the 11 examples to be handcrafted in Crewe. For those of us on our side of the pond, check out the Bentaygas for sale on the duPont REGISTRY by clicking below. Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 13, 2021

Bentley Bentayga's Night Vision Is On a North Pole Mission

The Bentayga’s Night Vision system is put to the test as it’s tasked to find a certain missing reindeer. One of Bentley’s most important clients is set to travel all around the world in just one night, and it’s going to be very soon. There’s a bit of a hangup, however, as one of the reindeer meant to embark on this tour has gone missing. With the Night Vision system that nearly two-thirds of Bentley Bentayga orders are optioned to have, the search is on. Bentley’s Night Vision system operates using an infrared imager that can detect things that are nearly 460 feet ahead with 24 degrees of horizontal range extending beyond the front of the car. And to keep the imager clean and effective, it comes with its own washer to protect it from the elements. The system then displays the image that it finds on the Bentayga’s display unit, and in the event that it detects an animal coming too close, the brake master cylinder is prefilled for a quick stop and avoided collision. With Night Vision-equipped Bentaygas all over the world on the search for the missing reindeer and its remarkably shiny red nose, Bentley and their customers are sure to save the holiday season in no time. If you want to join in on the search, have a look at the Bentaygas available for sale on the duPont REGISTRY below. Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

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