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 Jordan Aquistapace – October 04, 2022

Bentley Beverly Hills Commissions Three Hollywood-Inspire...

The special series includes three unique Continental GTC Speed configurations that take design inspiration from the Golden Age of Hollywood. The history embedded in the streets of Beverly Hills comes with generations of artistic inspiration, thanks to the 1920s and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Celebrating the Art Deco era, the luxury automotive professionals at Bentley Beverly Hills are proud to showcase three magnificent Continental GTC Speed commissions from the designers at Mulliner. The 99-year partnership between Bentley and Mulliner creates an unmatched configuration experience that gives each client complete control when building their dream car. All models include the Styling, Touring, and City packages and to commemorate Hollywood’s golden era, the words ‘The Beverly Hills’ are etched in a 30s font on the illuminated sill plate. MUST-READ: 2023 Bentley Bentayga EWB First Drive Review: More Than Meets The Eye The first Beverly Hills special edition Continental GTC Speed presents a vibrant Jetstream II Blue finish that also makes an appearance on its 22-inch 10-spoke wheels. The interior design layers Linen and Imperial Blue hide in a stunning diamond pattern with white contrast stitching. A high gloss Piano Linen and Imperial Blue dual veneer illuminates the cabin as it stretches across the entire dashboard. The second build features a similar specification as the Jetstream II Blue but instead showcases a pastel tone of Sage Green as its base layer. The dual-tone interior splits between Cumbrian Green and Linen, which translates to the veneer dash and waist rails. Completing the trio of Continental GTC Speeds is a Hollywood Blush Pink model that boasts a pristine Linen interior with Deep Red Cricketball as the secondary contrast. The Beverly Hills Collection shows what can be achieved through the Mulliner personal commissioning process. View all of the current Bentley Continental GTC Speed examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. VIEW ALL BENTLEY GTC SPEED FOR SALE Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 28, 2022

Bentley Motors Showcases The New Batur At Chantilly Arts ...

European debut of breath-taking Bentley Mulliner Batur took place at Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. After announcing the date and location of its official European debut, Bentley Motors is proud to attend the Chantilly Arts & Elegance 2022 event with its new limited-production Batur. The prestigious celebration welcomes attendees to the beautiful grounds of historic Château de Chantilly, just north of Paris, France. The grand touring coupe is limited to only 18 examples and is the perfect introduction to the start of Bentley’s design revolution. MUST-READ: Bentley’s New Mulliner Batur Monterey Car Week Debut Starts A Design Revolution For The Brand Alongside the Batur, Bentley also commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Continental by having a post-war 1953 R-Type and 1958 S 1 Continental as part of its display. Bentley’s stunning attraction was designed in collaboration with Paris fashion house Balmain, who provided a male and female model to chaperone the seven-figure Batur in signature tailored suits. Being the perfect place to launch its most powerful vehicle in history, Bentley Motors felt at home for the sixth edition of the exclusive event. View all current Bentley inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL BENTLEY FOR SALE Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 02, 2022

Bentley And SagerStrong Collaborate On A One-Off Continen...

Bentley Americas and the SagerStrong Foundation collaborate on a piece of automotive art. Late legendary sportscaster Craig Sager was known for his bold style and head-turning blazers. His “rose-colored glasses” approach to life was reflected in his style and his personality, and his SagerStrong Foundation founded by him and his wife Stacy to fight against blood cancer reflects his optimism for a brighter future. To celebrate his life and legacy, Bentley Americas partnered with the SagerStrong Foundation in creating a one-off 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible customized by Mulliner and inspired by one of his most iconic moments. MUST READ: Best New 2023 Convertibles The design of the car is inspired by a piece he wore at one of his last major experiences, which was the 2016 ESPYs when he accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. The exterior of the car mimics the pattern of the blazer he wore at the event, using it to highlight the shape of the vehicle. His legacy also lives on in the form of the embroidery of his signature on the seats. To support SagerStrong’s mission, the car will be auctioned to support the foundation early next year, and won’t just be a unique expression of art, pop culture, and automotive excellence, it will also support an amazing cause. View All Bentley Continental GTCs For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 21, 2022

The New Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Is The Most Power...

Mulliner combines the best of Bentley’s performance and luxury to make the ultimate Continental GT. It’s been called by Bentley the “fastest, most dynamic, and most luxurious member of the Continental range,” and it aims to be the ultimate in the world of two-door luxury grand tourers. Combining the chassis of the GT Speed with the enhanced performance of the W12 engine, this new Continental GT Mulliner is the most powerful Continental GT ever. With an incredible 650 horsepower and 664 lb/ft of torque on tap, you can sit in the lap of absolute luxury while getting from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds and climbing to a soaring top speed of 208 mph. MUST READ: Bentley Reveals Its First-Ever Furniture Collection At Milan Design Week 2022 Everything about the Continental GT Mulliner aims to combine all of the best Bentley has to offer. From the uncompromising luxury of the Azure model to the performance of the Speed model to the artistic flair of Mulliner, the Continental GT Mulliner dominates in luxury, speed, and style. The interior is customizable between multiple color combinations, with 88 wood trims available and nearly 400,000 stitches in the “Diamond in Diamond” quilting, available in a range of thread colors. The diamond-shaped motif continues with a new grille, available in chrome or gloss black. The ultimate Continental GT will make an epic debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to take on the hillclimb with the 3 new Bentley S models, along with the first car in Bentley’s Blower Continuation Series, Blower Car Zero. View All Bentley Continental GTs For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 06, 2022

The New Bentley Continental GT and GTC S Is A Louder, Bol...

The new S range brings out the edgier side of the Bentley Continental. In contrast to the relaxation and comfort-focused Azure range that Bentley has announced, a new performance-focused range with bold looks for the Continental GT and GTC, simply called S. It emphasizes the performance potential of the 4.0-liter V8 engine with various upgrades and tweaks that make it faster, louder, and more fun to drive. The exterior trim on the Continental S is also darker and sportier, with the interior making use of Dinamica and special fluted S design seats, which can be optionally quilted to match the sporty look and feel. MUST READ: Bentley Continental GT Speed Road Trip: LA to Las Vegas Across The Desert The main performance feature is the Sports Exhaust, which comes standard with the Continental S, making the V8 engine note of the Continental GT S and GTC S unmistakably sonorous. Paired with Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system, the Continental GT S and GTC S are some of the most spirited Bentleys yet. However, as Bentleys always have been, both comfort and performance is excellent in the Continental GT and GTC, and the S range offers even more options for Bentley owners to configure their perfect Continental. View All Bentley Continentals For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 01, 2022

Bentley Announces A New Performance-Oriented Range For Co...

While the Azure range highlights Bentley’s relaxing luxury, a new edgy range of Bentleys is on the rise. One of the world’s most legendary automotive brands, Bentley is a double-edged sword, with decades of expertise when it comes to making luxury oases out of automobiles, as well as formidable racing-ready performance machines. Recently, Bentley announced the Azure range of models, Bentleys that focus on wellness, relaxation, and uncompromised luxury, but now, the other side of Bentley is going to have its time in the limelight, as Bentley has announced a new range of performance-focused models. MUST READ: 70-Years of Continental, Bentley’s Ultimate Grand Tourer Announced for the Bentley Continental GT and Continental GTC in time for the model's 70th Anniversary, this new family of Bentleys is said to focus on driving performance and striking visuals. The teaser image Bentley has released thus far shows a glossy black wheel with a red brake caliper behind. The full reveal of this new take on the Bentley Continental GT and GTC will take place at 12:30 BST on June 6, and it promises to make one of the world’s favorite luxury grand tourers louder, faster, and bolder. View All Bentley Continentals For Sale Source: Bentley

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2022

70-Years of Continental, Bentley's Ultimate Grand Tourer

Bentley celebrates the 70th Anniversary of its coveted Continental. During the early years of automotive manufacturing, renowned brands like Bentley Motors began their success with pioneering models that are continuously updated and commemorated for today's market. The Continental proves itself as the pinnacle for the 103-year-old British manufacturer, making its debut as a prototype in August 1952. Bentley is excited to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Continental by reliving the birth of the R-Type Continental known as ‘Olga’, thanks to its OLG490 registration. The development of Bentley’s first Continental came from the minds of Chief Projects Engineer Ivan Evernden and Chief Stylist John Blatchley, using inspiration from two pre-war coachbuilt specials. MUST-READ: Bentley Celebrates 10-Years In The Netherlands With A ‘Unifying’ Spur With a production series of only 208-chassis, the Bentley R-Type Continental is a monumental example for any collector or enthusiast. The sweeping lines that shape its elongated body design continue to act as inspiration for current Continental models. The power of its 4,566cc, six-cylinder in-line engine was raised from 140 to 153-horsepower, and the transmission featured a higher final drive ratio. The prototype averaged 118.75 mph over five laps (with a best lap of just under 120mph) at the banked Montlhèry track near Paris. The Bentley Heritage Collection is proud to feature R-Type Continental chassis BC16C as one of its own. The configuration features an Ivory White exterior finish with a vibrant Red interior, originally ordered by Dr. Rowland Guenin of Switzerland in 1953. To this day, the rich heritage of the Bentley Continental is the reason for its impact on the automotive industry. View all of the current Bentley Continental examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. View All Bentley Continental For Sale Source: Bentley

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 Jordan Aquistapace – November 09, 2021

Bentley Motors Adds Four New 21" Winter Wheel Packages

The winter wheel package offers the simplest method to swap between summer and winter tires. As the winter months begin to approach, luxury and supercar owners are looking to hang up the keys until the next time temperatures start to rise. For Bentley owners, the enjoyment of a luxury driving experience is continued as the fleet of vehicles are prepped to take on whatever winter challenges are thrown their way. Bentley is proud to announce four new 21-inch winter wheel packages available for the Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, and Bentayga. The wheel packages provide the simplest method for swapping between summer and winter tires and help to prolong tire wear while used in their optimum conditions. MUST-READ: Makes And Movements: Ernst Benz Chronoscope x Bentley Continental GT Speed Winter tires are far more effective than summers tires in low temperatures (below 45°F) and ensure maximum available traction and performance on the cold tarmac, snow, and ice. Achieving maximum traction and performance of winter tire designs are dependent on tread pattern, block and groove compound, and tire compound. Bentley’s Pirelli winter tires have been designed specifically to ensure that the car achieves as much traction as possible during the cold winter months and provide a comparable experience to driving on a dry and warm day. View all current Bentley models available for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Media

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives On A Solid Foun...

Biggest brakes of any production car! Four score and seven days ago we told you the new Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible was ready for Summer. Along with the coupe version, the styling, power, and luxury are everything you would expect from the leaders in English luxury. But what sets the GT Speed twins apart from the competition? Under the hand-painted body are the strongest and most advanced chassis and suspension they have ever offered. Let's start with stopping. The new ceramic brakes are 17.4". Not only are those rotors larger than the wheels on my car, but they also cut 73 lbs in un-sprung, rotating weight. This allows the 5,500 lb car to leap to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The top speed of 208 mph is made possible by a dozen cylinders and twin turbos. At your disposal are 659 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It is sent to all wheels with a nominal torque bias of 36% going to the front wheels in Comfort mode. Dial-in Sport mode and the front wheels only receive 28% to allow the meaty rear tires to dig in. They receive power from an electronic differential, and rear-wheel steering will hold almost any corner. Should you enter a drift, the computer cuts torque by 90%, in a twinkling of an eye. With several driving modes to choose from, it can be a daily driver that doubles as a leather-lined track machine. Our dealers have all the details, so click the button and hang on! Browse All Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

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