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 – January 16, 2020

Bentley Bentayga Speed Assembly in Detail

Go to any normal SUV factory and their team is tasked with turning out units as fast as possible. This is not the case in Crewe, England. It is there that a team of skilled artisans and master craftspeople spend 16 days to build a masterpiece. Covering 127 working hours, here is the new Bentley Bentayga Speed assembly in detail. No less than 10 hours are spent in the woodshop, where sustainably-sourced trees are transformed into immaculate interior trim. Leather comes from 14 bovines, and the body shell requires 24 hours to ensure proper panel fitment. Once completed, it offers 635 horsepower & 664 lb-ft to all wheels. The attention to detail is why you need a 190 mph SUV. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse all Bentley Bentayga For Sale " width="680"> Related: Bentley Bentayga Specs, Price, Review & Photos

By Andrew Nabors – January 02, 2020

Bentley's Diamond Stitching Surges in Popularity

Quilted leather is unparalleled in looks and comfort. While one or two rows of stitching is pleasing, Bentley's Diamond Stitching has surged in popularity. Their rivals recently revealed a Phantom with over a million stitches, so Bentley's Mulliner custom shop has responded in an exquisite manner. Developed for the new Continental GT series, they have stitched a diamond inside a diamond. Each one requires no-less than 712 stitches each, and the trained eyes and hands of a master craftsperson. Browse All Bentley Continental GT For Sale No ordinary sewing machine was up to the task, so a new CNC mill was built for this task only. In a press release yesterday, this pattern is also being extended to the Flying Spur, and your local dealer has all the details. Click the button above to find a new Continental GT near you and stay with us for all your Bentley news. " width="680"> Related: Bentley Continental Supersports: Price, Specs, & Review

By Andrew Nabors – October 28, 2019

Bentley Centenary Celebration Continues in Manhattan

Frank Sinatra said it best: "If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere". New York has had a love/hate relationship with the auto industry. That's why all the greats use NYC as a benchmark for success. In keeping with that tradition, the Bentley Centenary Celebration continues in Manhattan. To celebrate 100 years of building exquisite cars, 100 amazing cars converged at Brookfield Place for a Centenary Concours. Five simultaneous parades converged at the foot of Fulton Street to celebrate Bentleys of past, present & future. On display were the new Flying Spur, Bentayga Hybrid, and the EXP 100 GT, a glimpse of the future. A Centenary Grand Ball was open to 350 VIP guests and their cars, making for an experience that has raised the bar for all other marques. Click the link below to see what makes Bentley so amazing, and stay with us for more anniversary updates. Browse All Bentleys For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche 919 Hybrid Parades Around NYC Bentley Continental Supersports: Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2019

Bentley Aiming for Record-Breaking Turnout at Salon Privé

Bentley is going all out this year at Blenheim Palace. This year's Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance will be the UK debut of the EXP 100 GT, along with their recently restored 1939 Corniche. Inviting all Bentleys and their owners, Bentley is aiming for a record-breaking turnout at Salon Privé. Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark will lead a team on Saturday. They will judge 50 exceptional Bentleys, both old and new. Also on display will be the EXP 2, the oldest Bentley in existence. The Bentley Drivers' Club will hold their annual rally on Sunday. Their goal is for over 1,000 Bentleys from around the UK to converge on Blenheim, hopefully setting a new world record. The entire 2020 lineup will also be on display for the attendees to interact with. Expect to see early 3-liters and the latest Continental GT in a setting that shows how far they have come. The Bentayga Hybrid will be next to both of the LeMans-winning 2003 Speed 8, who took first and second place. If need to understand why Bentley owners are so loyal, check out the new Continental GT from our dealers and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Find Your Bentley Continental GT Here " width="680"> Related: Mulliner Recreates the 1939 Bentley Corniche Bentley Continental GT Price, Specs, Review & Photos

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 – May 10, 2019

Bentley Continental GT Tank: What the World Didn't Know i...

The Bentley Continental GT is a true luxury vehicle. On the outside, it's sleek and stylish with curves that progress along the entire length of the vehicle. Inside, it's like a mansion on-the-go, filled with plush leather and plenty of amenities to pamper the passengers and driver. But... what if someone were to remove the wheels and fit this English luxury vehicle with some tracks? Well, you'd have the Bentley tank we never knew we needed. YouTube channel AcademeG put together this wonderful Continental GT tank and I can't thank them enough for doing so. Seeing the makeshift tank in action is truly a sight to behold. The YouTube channel has videos detailing the build process, which are in Russian but there are English subtitles available. It's all worth the watch. Again, I want to send a "thank you" to AcademeG for building this inconceivable, yet astounding creation. shop bentleys for sale Also Check Out: Rezvani Tank Military Edition is as Tough as Nails Ripsaw EV2 is a Mean and Luxurious Super Tank Via Road and Track

By Andrew Nabors – January 24, 2019

Bentley Teases Their 100th Anniversary Special Edition

Walter Owen Bentley began building cars in 1919. His goal was "a fast car, a good car, the best in its class". July 10th is the official date of the centenary, so they are cooking up an exquisite special edition. The Bentley 100th Anniversary Special Edition was teased on YouTube, and it leads to a sign-up page to register your interest. It will be formally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5th, but a recent YouTube upload gives us a few hints. We see the painted grille with a white #9. This hints at the EXP concepts we seen in recent years. Four years ago they released the EXP 10 Speed 6 just before Geneva, and 2017 saw the wild EXP 12 Speed 6e. Both are extraordinary in their own right, but this will probably eclipse every concept. Could it be a Bentayga? A hard top Supersports convertible? Click this link to register interest in the celebration, and click below to browse our Bentley dealers. View All Bentleys For Sale Also Check Out: Bentley Unveils Continental GT Convertible 2018 Bentley Mulsanne Speed Specs, Price, Review Bentley Renews Breitling Partnership, More Watches Coming

By Andrew Nabors – December 05, 2018

2019 Bentley Continental GT Makes 204 MPH Look Easy on th...

Have you ever been on a blind date when your guest mentions they hate our hobby? They keep on talking about non-automotive malarkey while you envision driving away as fast as possible. Leaving in style has never looked better than the latest Bentley Continental GT. Grab your leftovers, leave without paying, and run to the embrace of your W12. The all-new design still has 4 rows of 3 cylinders, with each cylinder head covering a six-pack. Twin turbos allow it to offer 626 horsepower and only 664 lb-ft of torque. It will launch the 2-ton 2-door to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. Our friends at AutoTopNL wanted to see just how fast it could go, so hang on. The Continental Supersports had a top speed of 205.4 mph back in 2013, which equals 330 km/h. Tell us what you think of the new model in the comments below and stay with us for all your Autobahn action! View All Bentley Continental GT For Sale Related: Bentley Unveils 2019 Continental GT Convertible Bentley Renews Breitling Partnership

By Andrew Nabors – November 27, 2018

Bentley Unveils Continental GT Convertible

If you find yourself in the crosshairs of Winter, we have something that will remind you of warmer weather. The 3rd generation Continental GT Convertible has your name on it. It is hard to believe what began in 2003. A press release earlier today highlights the grace and power found in their latest achievement. Their first focus was on a new top. By simplifying the power operations, it is the first modern Bentley to use a Z-fold technique. This allows it to offer more insulation along with a 3 dB reduction in road noise compared to its predecessor. This hand-stitched masterpiece is available in no-less than 17 colors, and it operates at up to 30 mph. Sports Cars For Sale Under the hood you will find a new version of an old friend. The W12 engine has been tuned to run on 6 cylinders while cruising, and thanks to the unique firing order you won't notice. Going wide open will summon 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. An 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is spun by a dual-mass flywheel to keep it ready for any situation. Power of this level demands a competent chassis, so engineers added 5% of torsional strength and removed 20% of weight by using high-strength steel in all the right places. Other new luxuries include 3 analog gauges inset into the veneer of the instrument panel. Under them is a 12.3" configurable display that sends audio to a 2,200-watt Naim system with only 18 speakers! Pricing has yet to be released, but our dealers have all the details. Click the link below to find a Continental near you and stay with us for all your Bentley news. View All Bentley Continental For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 17, 2017

Bentley Bentayga is Snow Fun at Pirelli Winter Experience

Switzerland has been a neutral nation since 1815. Since they refuse to take part in armed conflicts, it makes for a perfect testing ground for powerful weapons. It also allows for a neutral meeting between Perelli's German plant workers and the Italian-based corporate chiefs. As part of Pirelli's Winter Experience, a Golf Course near St. Moritz is the setting for evaluating winter versions of the Scorpion and Sottozero tires. While they could have chosen a more plebeian SUV for snow drifts, a new Bentley Bentayga was caught sending 600 horsepower to each tire. The 6.0-liter W12 engine uses twin turbos to produce 664 lb-ft of torque, which is why it needs the best rubber in the world. One lucky participant was YouTube sensation NM2255, who got behind the wheel to punish the snow. Winter Rubber On Displayif you need to keep track of lap times, the optional dash clock is only $160,000. The Bentayga is not inexpensive, but it is well qualified to be here. It arrives from the factory wearing 275/50/20 Pirelli tires; which is what you need if you are two passengers shy of a 3-ton curb weight. We were hoping to see a Lamborghini Urus, but maybe next year. Tell us what you run for winter tires and stay with us for more Bentayga tomfoolery.

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