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 – April 13, 2021

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible Is Ready Fo...

How much power does a convertible need? While their racing division is preparing to conquer Pike's Peak, the drop-top engineers have announced that the 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible is ready for Summer. As the most driver-focused convertible they've ever offered, it starts with the innovative chassis that debuted on the coupe. Without a roof, the team added beefy reinforcements to the windshield frame and suspension mounts to give it the same (if not more) strength as the coupe. The reason for this is under the hood. Any Bentley with Speed in the title is an invitation to hang on. A new flavor of the W12 engine is conservatively rated at 659 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Check out what it is capable of in the GT Speed Coupe! Riding on handsome 22" wheels, you will reach 62 mph in 3.6 seconds on your way to a top speed of 208 mph. Handling is superb thanks to electronic differentials and rear-wheel steering. Inside you have more areas for customizations from their Mulliner bespoke department. The most intriguing among them is the option for machined anodized aluminum trim for the center console. No less than 7 colors of fabric can be had for the roof, including tweed! Several thick layers of sound and heat insulation make up the convertible top, allowing the interior to be as quiet as the last-generation coupe. What is it all worth? Pricing is available from our dealers, so click the button if you need the world's most refined convertible and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2021

2022 Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak Will Attack The M...

Oil companies might want to take notice One of the best attributes of Bentley's high altitude races is how the turbos adjust to thin air. While other manufacturers struggle up the 9,000-ft ascent, Bentley makes it look easy. In the past this meant spewing harmful exhaust directly into the stratosphere once they got above the treeline, but now the English engineers are taking the lead in eco-friendly racing. It is easy for anyone to make renewable fuel, all you need is a still and a few bags of corn. You can make moonshine legally for private consumption, just don't sell it and the Feds will leave you alone. Therefore, your corn liquor, white lightning, or mountain dew makes a great evening spirit and the perfect fuel for turbocharged supercars. Rhys Millen will return to drive the beast up the mountain, and he will be at the helm of a 4-liter V8. It has the largest aerodynamic surfaces Bentley has ever made, along with larger coolers for the water and oil. The turbos dump into stylish sidepipes for the perfect soundtrack. We wish him and everyone at Team Bentley good luck on this, the 99th race at the historic mountain. Tell us your opinion of ethanol as a race fuel in the comments below. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2021

Bentley Continental GT3 is Aiming For Triple Crown Triump...

Can they hold off the Americans again? Who would have thought there would be a Union Jack at the top of a mountain in Colorado? Looking for another victory at this historic event, the Bentley Continental GT3 is aiming for a triple crown triumph at Pike's Peak. What began in 2018, the Bentayga clinched the record for the fastest SUV. With a time of 10:49.902, it climbed 9,390 feet and conquered 156 corners. The racing version of their flagship makes use of a 4-liter V8 to send 550 horsepower to all wheels. It dominated the 12 hours of Bathurst last year, and now its ready to take on the mountain. The race is going down (going up) on June 27th, so click the button to see what makes the Continental unlike anything else and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental For Sale https://www.facebook.com/BentleyMotors/videos/529432418447955 Image and film (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2021

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives With More Power ...

Bentley has never built anything like this before! Luxury cars with a dozen cylinders have been overpowered for years. Trying to contain massive torque in a smooth package is now made easier thanks to a proactive chassis, and that is why the Bentley Continental GT Speed arrives with more power and comfort. Their flagship grand tourer is becoming more distinct from the W12 and V8 siblings. In a quest to harness 650 horsepower, the chassis has gained four new technologies. Starting with the center differential, the torque distribution has been recalibrated to send more power to the rear wheels. It is there they encounter Bentley's first electronic limited-slip differential. Predecessors were forced to use the brake calipers to control torque left or right, but now it can be done in a twinkling of an eye. When that refined power reaches the rear wheels, they can turn with or against the fronts using the latest in all-wheel steering. Not only does this cut the turning circle of the big girl, it adds incredible grip at high speeds. Also onboard is the 48-volt active sway bars pioneered on the Bentayga. They can add or pull 959 lb-ft of vertical torque against each hub to keep the car flat in hard corners. Each one of these systems has unique tuning between Comfort and Sport modes, and they represent months of relentless testing by professional drivers and engineers. The largest silicon-carbide rotors they've ever offered are clamped by 10-piston calipers. To put their abilities into perspective, they convert 9,478 BTU of motion into heat. You will have 664 lb-ft of torque across most of the tachometer. It launches you to 60 mph 3.5 seconds on your way to 208 mph. Most of the time you will be cruising on six cylinders, and because the valves and injectors are shut down you won't notice the switch. Power and technology meet old-world leather and wood to become a car that is unmatched by anything else before. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 16, 2021

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives on March 23rd

Of course, they are known for incredible luxury, but their cars are also very quick. In order to keep the competition in the rearview, the new Bentley Continental GT Speed arrives on March 23rd. What we know so far is that it will debut unprecedented chassis technologies and they want us to know it will be the "most capable, performance-focused Bentley yet". To give you a frame of reference, a new Continental GT loaded with a twin-turbo W12 offers 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. My first experience with such a machine was building our booth at a Barrett-Jackson auction. There is nothing small or inconsequential about a Continental. No plastic inside or out is why they weigh-in over 5,300 lbs, but they accelerate like an ACME rocket. It was a 2018 Supersports model that was conservatively rated at 700 horsepower and 750 lb-ft. It was a used car, so I had to make sure the turbos worked! All wheels erupt in smoke as you head for the next county. You too need to have such a machine, so click the button and hang on! See All Bentley Continental For Sale https://www.facebook.com/BentleyMotors/videos/1078812492629886 Image (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – March 02, 2021

Electric 1961 Bentley Continental S3 Unveiled by Lunaz

Big automakers face tall hurdles in building electric cars, so the smaller shops are reaping the rewards. This is easily seen in an electric 1961 Bentley Continental S3 unveiled by Lunaz. They are the wizards responsible for electric versions of classic Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, and Land Rovers. No detail is too small, so they chose an impeccable sedan featuring coachwork by Mulliner. This build represents the doubling of their workforce along with moving from 8,000 square feet to over 40,000. They are now accepting commissions for S1, S2, and S3 Continentals, in coupe, sedan, or even convertible bodies. Pricing starts around $487,400, and that includes a restoration down to bare metal and an OEM-style electric powertrain. Of course, you will need a starting point, so click the button to find a Continental in need of high voltage. Bentley Continental For Sale Images (C) Lunaz Design

By Andrew Nabors – January 27, 2021

Bentley Celebrates 80,000 Continental GT Individuals & C...

One of our favorite grand tourers is turning 18 years old. So after three generations, Bentley is celebrating 80,000 Continental GT individuals and counting. No two cars are identical because there are 17 billion possible configurations of this amazing car. The press release also mentions a reduction of CO2 pollution of 48% since the car debuted. With a 27% increase in power, this masterpiece has come a long way since 2003. The 80,000th car was built in Right-Hand drive and finished in Orange Flame will hopefully be preserved for posterity, so click the button to find yours. Bentley Continental GT For Sale Could you choose between a V8 or W12 Continental GT? Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – January 11, 2021

2021 Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible vs W12 Coupe

Twelve vs eight is cause for debate, especially in the case of luxury supercars. In order to help you make an informed decision, lets consider a 2021 Bentley Continental GT V8 convertible vs. a W12 coupe. As our resident English car expert, Matthew Jones is a Sales Manager at Dimmitt Luxury Motors. Sell My Bentley Continental GT: Get a Cash Offer For the first time in the car's history, the coupe can be had with a panoramic (fixed) glass roof. The convertible has less trunk room, but the 5-layer cloth top is well insulated from the world outside. Under the hood is the real difference. The W12 engine is the basis for the Bugatti's W16, and it offers 626 horsepower along with 664 lb-ft of torque. Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstacy Explained by Supercars in Seconds Little brother has 4 fewer cylinders with less weight over the front end. Both cars are All-Wheel Drive with twin turbos and the same 8-speed dual-clutch, but the V8 is priced less because it only..has 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. At these power levels it comes down to preference, so click the button for an amazing deal and stay with us for more great footage from Supercars In Seconds. Browse Inventory At Dimmitt Automotive " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 16, 2020

2022 Bentley Bacalar Prototype Testing Begins

A dozen lucky owners are in for a treat. The 2022 Bentley Bacalar prototype testing has begun in order to deliver the ultimate British roadster. This project serves as the first car from Bentley's Mulliner Coachbuilt portfolio. The top brass gave their custom shop a blank check, and work began on "Car Zero". Comprised of 750 unique parts, 40 new carbon fiber bits are found inside and out. Bentley Bacalar Rainbow is a Symbol of Community Support The shakedown procedures have already subjected the car to 20 weeks of flogging. High-speed runs, bumpy roads, hot and cold soak chambers, and the skidpad have been used to find any faults. Now the team has a schedule of simulating how the dozen production cars will be used in the real world. It shares no body panels with their other offerings, and if you need a roof you're out of luck. The twin-turbo W12 offers 650 horsepower and 667 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. The closest Bentley we have to offer is a new Continental GT for sale, so click the button below and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images: (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2020

2021 Bentley Continental GT Pike's Peak Limited Edition A...

Contrary to popular belief, General Pike never reached the top of the mountain named after him. With nearly 5,000 feet between base camp and the summit, it takes a formidable car to reach the top. That's why were are delighted to announce the 2021 Bentley Continental GT Pike's Peak Limited Edition has arrived in the U.S. " width="680"> To celebrate the fastest ascent of the ancient monolith, Bentley's Mulliner division has built 15 stunning examples of the W12-powered Continental GT. Five owners opted for the Mountain Event Livery which is seen below. The body is finished in Radium, gloss black, and carbon fiber. Acid green calipers and Pirelli P Zero "Colour Edition" tires wrap the unique 22" wheels. Graphics and embroidery evoke the details of the run, and "100" badges note that this record took place during their anniversary year. If you need the same power and grace in your daily life, click the button below for all the information and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental For Sale

Bentley News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe