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 Caitlin Duffy – August 03, 2015

Bentley Bentayga Off-Road Testing in Spain

Though we're still waiting for Bentley to release the full details of their new SUV, we've started getting a better look at the Bentayga through videos of its testing process.On July 31, Bentley Motors shared a video from an off-road testing facility in northern Spain, just a quick one minute, 38 second glimpse at the Bentayga's abilities. Paved roads are nowhere to be seen as it reaches the top of a peak, taking on dirt and rocks with ease."The Bentley Bentagya’s performance achieves the optimum balance of handling and efficiency – without a hint of compromise," describes the video's caption. "It's time to see performance through new eyes."We last say the Bentayga testing June 25, when an icy video of its abilities on ice was posted. The Bentayga had taken on Swedish ice fields, hitting high speeds with ease in temperatures below two degrees Fahrenheit.(See Also: Bentley Teases New Fashion Film)Check out the video above, and if the wait for 2016 to buy the Bentayga is too long, find another one of Bentley's masterpieces from our exclusive listings below.Bentleys For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Bentley News

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2015

Bentley Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series Li...

Today, Bentley announced a new limited edition model that fuses together performance and luxury: the Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series.The decision to create these models comes from the Breitling Jet Team performing across the United States and Canada during this summer. To commemorate this tour, Bentley's Mulliner division crafted these luxury automobiles to mimic the stylings of the high-flying jets.(Related: Bentley Bentayga Testing in Sweden)Each car is numbered and corresponds to a specific jet in the fleet. On the carbon fiber panel, an image of the seven planes in their signature "Avenger flight formation" is featured with the corresponding jet highlighting in Breitling Yellow.Other modifications to the cars include hide and thread matched to the Breitling Yellow color, individually numbered tread plates and a series of logos and graphics for the headrests that signify the number of each car and the jet that inspired it.The keys to each car will be handed over to their owner by the pilot of the jet that inspired their specific Bentley. Of course, they only receive those keys after they take a flight in said jet.Only seven of these cars will be created, the same number of Breitling Jets that they take inspiration from.Continentals For SaleGallery (Source: Bentley) More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 25, 2015

Bentley Bentayga Testing in Sweden

With the trend of most luxury manufacturers creating high-end SUVs for their clientele, many marques have proven that their performance and style can easily be translated into a larger size with a higher center of gravity.One such example? The Bentley Bentayga. When first teased Jan. 12 of this year, it was promised the Bentayga would be available for 2016, and as their website for the Bentayga tells us, a brand new W12 TSI engine sits under the hood. A few driver's assist programs are expected to come standard, as will eight unique driving modes to ensure optimal driving on any terrain. Traffic Assist, City Safeguard and Pedestrian Warning will join the Bentley Dynamic Ride System, making for a smart and secure SUV.(Related: Second Vertu for Bentley Phone to be Introduced at Goodwood)Bentley Motors added a video to YouTube June 24 that shares a fuller look at the Bentayga during a few test runs in Sweden. The temperatures are listed as dropping to -16.8 degrees Celsius, or around 2 degrees Fahrenheit for us Americans. The winds in that area reach gusts of 50 mph; combined with the low temperatures, it makes for an ideal location to test the Bentayga's winter driving abilities.Check out the video of this Swedish run above, and to find yourself a Bentley before the Bentayga officially arrives, browse our exclusive listings at the button below.Bentleys For Sale Gallery (Source: Bentley) See More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 25, 2015

Second Vertu for Bentley Phone to be Introduced at Goodwood

The phones created by Vertu are much more than a simple mobile device that connects you to phone calls or messages. It's an impossibly safe data storage device, a personal assistant, concierge, professional camera and holder of music from the London Symphony Orchestra, all while being crafted from the world's finest materials and small enough to fit in your pocket.It only makes sense that an automotive manufacturer that creates luxury models of the same quality caliber would partner with them. Bentley and Vertu formally announced July 7, 2014 that the two had entered a five-year partnership, with plans to create five new phones during that time. Today, a release from Bentley announced the second of those phones, the new Signature for Bentley.Design was inspired by the Bentley Mulsanne Speed, with details like the carbon fiber pillow, polished stainless steel sides detailed with a knurled finish and Beluga Black calf leather, which was sourced from the same tannery that Bentley uses. Tying it all together is the Bentley Flying B Titanium emblem under the key pad.It's much more narrow than the Bentley Signature Touch phone released Oct. 15, 2014, making it perfectly sized to fit in any coat pockets. This new Signature will be officially launched Sept. 18, and when it is available for sale, buyers will find it to be far more customizable. Pricing has yet to be released.As the release states, an online design configurator will be made available, with 2,300 possible combinations. This will allow the phone to better reflect each owner's Bentley, further bringing the driving experience into other aspects of life.(See Also: The Beluga Specification Bentley Flying Spur)It has been made available for pre-order beginning today, the same day it makes its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. To learn more about ordering your own Vertu for Bentley, visit Vertu's website at www.Vertu.com, and find the perfect Bentley for your phone from our exclusive listings below.Bentleys For Sale (Source: Bentley, Vertu) See More Bentley News

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By Caitlin Duffy – June 18, 2015

The Beluga Specification Bentley Flying Spur

With a more aggressive stance, enhanced cabin styling, new 20" alloy wheels and a body-colored lower grille bar, the new Beluga Specification Flying Spur from Bentley is no baby.Piano black veneer, knurled gear shift paddles, contrast stitching and deep pile floor mats are waiting inside this luxurious package, exclusively available for the 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 Flying Spur models. A press release from Bentley today shares these details with us, as well as a way to make this package even more impressive.(See Also: Bentley Continental GT3-R: Racing Luxury for your Daily Drive)Opt to include the Mulliner Driving Specification with the Beluga, and the 20" Black and Bright machined alloy wheels become 21" 6-spoke Extroverts. Diamond quilted hides, drilled alloy pedals and indented headlining are added to the interior, further blending craft and comfort.With 507 hp, this upgraded Flying Spur can still bring Bentley performance to the table; 0-60 mph is possible in 4.9 seconds, all while maintaining a 500 mile single-tank range for fuel. If the Beluga spec isn't quite for you, take a moment and browse our exclusive Flying Spur listings, and find the fit that you prefer.Flying Spurs For Sale (Source: Bentley) See More Bentley News

Bentley Continental GT3RPhotograph: James Lipman // jameslipman.com

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2015

Bentley Continental GT3-R: Racing Luxury for Your Daily D...

If you remove the non-essential luxuries, is it still a Bentley? Of course it is - Bentley performance is fully infused into every fiber of construction. That’s why they decided to take the Continental GT on to the track and into the racing circuit back in 2013.To commemorate Bentley’s return to motorsports, 300 Continental V8 S models are being modified into the GT3-R. Losing cabin insulation and adding carbon-ceramic brakes managed to shed 100 kg, approx. 202.5 pounds, from its weight. Titanium replaces stainless steel in the exhausts, and the rear seats are nowhere to be found.The ride height has been chopped for better cornering, and also made for better looks. The differential ratio has been shortened and the AWD system now has a 60/40 split in favor of the rear. Both of these help the GT3-R reach 60 mph from a standstill in only 3.6 seconds. The 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 now makes 572 hp and 516 lb-ft, which is more than the W12 powered GT was capable of just a few years ago.If you demand that your luxury coupe be capable of hot laps at the world’s most punishing tracks, the hottest Bentley yet is now arriving in the US. Below are the latest listings for this instant collectible. For more Bentley news, stay tuned to Autofluence.Clearwater, Florida View Price & Details Nashville, Tennessee View Price & Details Highlands Ranch, Colorado View Price & Listing West Palm Beach, Florida View Price & Details Chicago, Illinois View Price & Listing (Images via duPontREGISTRY.com listings and Bentley Media) See More Bentley News

By Edward Jones – May 22, 2015

Rare Bentley Continental GT3-R For Sale at Music City Mot...

Bringing English race car heritage to the road is a job for the Bentley Continental GT3-R, arguably the most extreme version of the model to date. It has managed to do so through the implementation of more carbon fiber in the construction process, a titanium exhaust, removal of the rear seats, a lower ride-height and a shortened final drive ratio of the 8-speed Quickshift transmission. This results in a lighter Continental with a lower center of gravity, better handling and a 0-60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds. Photo by: TMash PhotosWhile these models are quite rare to find and buy, Music City Motor Cars in Nashville, Tennessee has a brand-new example up for sale. It comes in a Beluga exterior finish with a green racing stripe following the design lines of the car, and a Beluga interior. For more information on this lsiting, be sure to click the button below.View Price and Listing Gallery by TMash Photos

By Caitlin Duffy – May 15, 2015

Four Bespoke Bentley Driving Jackets Created

If the bespoke tailors of world-famous Savile Row were to create a singular jacket for the ideal Bentley driver, what would it look like?It would likely follow the main design principles behind a Bentley vehicle, ringing true to W.O. Bentley's mission, "To build a good car, a fast car, the best in its class." Luxury, beauty, utility and accessibility would all, presumably, be incorporated into the design, with materials that furthered the image.(See Also: Bentley & Idris Elba Break Historic "Flying Mile" Record)Ranging from blues to grays, these visions were put to paper and then to cloth, and as you can see in the video below, four separate bespoke jackets for that ideal driver came into existence. Added to YouTube May 14, the video shows Bentley's four jackets that they commissioned ahead of the on-going Savile Row Bespoke Showcase in Washington, D.C.Give the video below a watch to see what these stunning creations look like, and then take a moment to browse our exclusive Bentley listings to find the perfect vehicle to match your bespoke Bentley driving jacket.View Bentley Listings (Source: YouTube) See More Bentley News

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2014

Rare Mansory Bentley Continental GTC Speed for Sale

For sale, and highlighted as the "Publisher's Choice" in the September issue of the duPont REGISTRY, is a rare Mansory Bentley Continental GTC Speed. The GTC Speed was originally purchased at Dimmitt Automotive Group in Florida. After purchase, the car was fitted with a limited edition LE Mansory wide body kit by Aspire Autosports, a branch of Dimmitt Automotive Group. This kit is made of carbon fiber pieces that were both hand built and built to order in Germany. Aspire Autosports first painted the Bentley black to check for bodywork issues and then finished it in the stunning Neptune Blue color you see now. The cherry-on-top for is the exposed carbon fiber on the rear tail, which blends in perfectly with the blue finish. Sell My Bentley: Get Your Cash Offer When being built, there was only one change to the kit. Instead of using the Mansory wheels, Aspire opted to fit the car with 22-inch wheels by Vellano. These wheels were custom built to a wider specification in order to fit the wide body kit. Now, after months of preparation, building and a total cost of more than $500,000, this Mansory Bentley Continental GTC Speed is for sale. For more information and contact details, be sure to pick up the upcoming September issue of the duPont REGISTRY when it hits your local and online newsstands. Gallery (Photos courtesy of Tian Kitchen and Dimmitt Automotive Group) See More Exotic Cars for Sale

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