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 – December 21, 2020

Bentley's "Art In Motion" Heads To Auction

Using the 2021 Bentayga for sale as inspiration, Bentley's "Art In Motion" series heads to auction. As a great way to help those less fortunate, the automaker commissioned three SoCal artists to create what the Bentayga means to them. Each painting was then open for bidding in an auction that ended Sunday night. With all proceeds going to Inner-City Arts, it is a great way to encourage and support creativity among the youth of Los Angeles. We can agree that the Bentayga is inspiring in twelve-cylinder of V8 power, so click the button below for great incentives from our dealers. Browse Bentley Bentayga For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2020

Bentley Shows Stunning Lineup At Goodwood

In keeping with our English theme this morning, Bentley is showing a stunning lineup at Goodwood. When you mention anything Bentley, people assume their twin-turbo twelve cylinder is under the hood. While that is true for the Bentayga Speed, it is flanked by the Continetal and Flying Spur. Both sporting black trim, its a dead giveaway that they are V8 powered. While they lack almost 100 horsepower compared to the W12 models, they are also over 220 lbs lighter. " width="680"> Given the means, I would choose their V8 instead of the 12 because it has been proven under the hoods of the Panamera, Cayenne, several Audis, and even the Lamborghini Urus. Also on display is their wild EXP 100 GT to represent the future of the brand. Our dealers are ready to answer any questions about their 2021 lineup, so click the button and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 31, 2020

Bentley Bentayga Gets Four New Accessory Collections

Bentley has just announced four new accessory collections for their popular Bentayga luxury SUV: Exterior, Interior, Touring and Protection. Each of these were developed by the same engineers who developed the cars themselves. Here's a quick breakdown of each one. Exterior Range: This range enhances the look of the Bentayga's exterior, as well as its sound. The highlight is the Akrapovic exhaust system. Other accessories include the high-gloss carbon fiber mirror cowls and fixed side step option. Interior Range: Designed for comfort, this accessory collection includes leather-trimmed scatter cushions and luggage. Touring Range: If the Touring Range is picked, the Bentayga's boot capacity is expanded to 484 liters and a lockable roof box is added. Options include a load assist tray and two versions of the Bentley Cycle Carrier. Protection Range: Meant for off-roading, this collection adds car covers, heavy-duty interior mats and mud flaps. See All Bentaygas for Sale

By Edward Jones – July 17, 2020

New Bentley Bentayga Four Seat Comfort Spec Announced

According to Bentley, one in every five examples of the previous generation Bentayga was ordered with the four-seat configuration. Because of this, they have revealed the Four Seat Comfort Specification for the new 2021 Bentayga. With this spec, rear passengers are given the ultimate way to travel. With up to 3.9 inches more legroom over the previous generation, their legs can stretch out for a relaxing time. What's more, the seats offer ventilation, massage programs, winged comfort headrests, and an increased maximum recline. In between the rear seats, there's additional storage, as well as two USB charging sockets. To further enhance the experience for the rear passengers, the Four Seat Comfort Specification can be optioned with the Mulliner Console Bottle Cooler. This integrated drink cooler can house a 750ml bottle and two Cumbria crystal flutes.

By Edward Jones – July 08, 2020

New 2021 Bentley Bentayga Configurator Launches Online

Bentley Motors has just added the new 2021 Bentayga to their advanced online configurator, allowing everyone to build the luxury SUV of their dreams. Bentley's online car configurator has been consistently built upon since the automaker starting working with Intel back in 2017. Now, the Bentayga joins Bentley's portfolio of cars on their configurator. You can start your build with either the Bentayga V8 First Edition of the standard Bentayga V8. From there, the options open up. The plethora of paint finishes, veneers, interior options and more will have you spending a good amount of time tweaking your Bentayga into the perfectly personalized SUV. I'm serious when I say you can get lost in this configurator. To build yours, start by clicking here. See All Bentaygas for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2020

Next-Generation Bentley Bentayga SUV Revealed

Bentley Motors has just unveiled the next generation of their popular Bentayga SUV. The new Bentayga has a redesigned front and rear that is more in line with the current Bentley design DNA. this includes the larger grille, new LED matrix headlights, redesign front and rear bumper, and full-width tailgate. Inside, one of the biggest changes is the new center console and steering wheel, as well as the all-new seats that can include ventilation in the rear seats if the five-seat configuration is picked. Legroom has also been increasing by up to 3.9-inches, depending on the configuration. The driver and front passenger of the new Bentayga will be able to take advantage of the new 10.9-inch display edge-to-edge screen. Bentley notes that the new Bentayga will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. As for power, the new Bentayga will be powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 542 bhp and 568 lb-ft of torque. Bentley does note that the new Bentayga V8 will be followed up by a Hybrid variant and "performance-oriented" Speed models. See All Bentaygas for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2020

Bentley Teases the New Bentayga

Bentley Motors has announced that they will be unveiling the new Bentayga on June 30, 2020, at 5PM EST. This new SUV will the very first model under Bentley's new Beyond100 business strategy which is meant to bring the automaker to the top in terms of sustainable luxury mobility. Bentley will be offering a wide range of seating configurations and powertrain options in due time, including a plug-in hybrid. With the new Bentayga, Bentley says they will be raising the bar for the pinnacle SUV benchmark. We can't wait to see what they have in store, so be sure to check back with us for the full reveal when it happens. See All Bentaygas for Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – June 04, 2020

The 20,000th Bentley Bentayga Has Been Created

It seems like just yesterday that the Bentley Bentayga was unveiled, but here we are informing you that the 20,000th example of the luxury SUV has been created. To be more specific,the Bentayga was introduced back in 2016 and since then it has become a star in the luxury SUV market. A team of 230 craftspeople at Bentley's factory in Crewe has been hard at work creating each Bentayga by hand. In total, each Bentayga spends just over 100 hours on the production line being created. That means Bentley, in total, has put over 2,000,000 hours into the production of the Bentayga model. That's a lot. Since its introduction, Bentley has introduced five different variants of the luxury SUV, as well as four different powertrains. This range of options, along with their ability to customize, has allowed Bentley to offer a Bentayga for every customer's needs. Congratulations, Bentley Motors, on the milestone! See All Bentaygas for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2020

Bentley's Styling Spec Adds Personality to Continental GT...

Everything looks better with a sprinkle of carbon fiber. That's why Bentley's Styling Spec adds personality to your Continental GT or Bentayga. Crafted by hand then baked to perfection, these upgrades include a front spoiler, rocker panels, rear diffuser, and a decklid spoiler in glossy 2x2 twill carbon fiber. A 3D printed Bentley Logo adorns each rocker panel, so our advice is to wrap them in protective vinyl for years of enjoyment. Our dealers have access to all Bentley accessories, so click the button below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Find Your Bentley Dealer

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

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