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 – May 07, 2019

Bentley Unveils Continental GT Convertible Inspired by Ba...

Sometimes a car is just a car, but this one hits a few nerves. Mulliner is Bentley's custom shop, and they will build anything you wish for. Their past works include a Bentayga for Falconry, one for Fly Fishing, and the EXP concept cars. Their latest build is sure to get attention, as Bentley has unveiled a Continental GT convertible inspired by Bavaria. Their latest press release does not mention if this was built for a customer or an employee, but we have a suspicion. Glacier White and Imperial Blue are the colors of the Bavarian flag. They can be found in several places around the car. It will be unveiled at a private event hosted by Bentley of Munich. It might just be a coincidence, but Munich is also home to BMW (Bavarian Motor Works). BMW owns Rolls-Royce, their chief competitor. In fact, the colors mentioned above appear in BMW's logo. Being that Bentley is owned by Volkswagen, are we looking at a proxy war of British luxury playing out in Germany? If we see a Stuttgart edition Wraith, Europe is doomed. In all seriousness they both build amazing automobiles, so click the link below to find a Continental near you. Browse Bentley Continental For Sale Related: Next-Generation Bentley Flying Spur Teased Bentley Unveils Bentayga V8 Design Series

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2019

Bentley Continental GT is Aiming for the Record at Pike's...

Zebulon Pike never made it to the top of his mountain, but we're sure he looks down with delight at the annual race to the summit. In a sad coincidence, he was killed by British troops in the war of 1812, and an English car broke the record to the top last year. Now they are looking for a repeat victory, as the Bentley Continental GT is Aiming for the record at Pike's Peak. Last year, they chose a two-time champion, Rhys Millen to drive a new Bentayga. The big W12-powered SUV smashed everyone's expectations. Now it is time for a Command Performance, as that same engine will launch the new Bentley Continental GT 12.46 miles into the sky. It will send 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque around 156 corners and into very thin air. Rhys Millen, Bentley Bentayga at Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2018. Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman.com We hope the turbos can still make boost at 14,115 feet. But even if they struggle, the W12 engine is augmented by a 48v mild hybrid system. The latest Continental GT really outshines its predecessors, so we wish them safety and good luck for the event on June 30th. Click the link below to experience one for yourself and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Shop Bentley Continental GT " width="680"> Related: Bentley Unveils Continental GT V8 Coupe & Convertible Bentley Bentayga Speed is the "World's Fastest SUV"

By Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2019

Bentley Unveils Continental GT V8 Coupe & Convertible

Bentley loves their W12 engine. It is smooth, powerful, and quiet, qualities demanded by their target audience. For years it has powered their most exclusive cars until an unlikely sibling appeared. A twin turbo V8 is a more traditional layout, so it has been a popular addition to the Bentayga and the older Continental GT models. Now that the 3rd generation cars are in full production, Bentley has unveiled the latest Continental GT V8 in Coupe & Convertible. Under the hood is the same 4.0L twin turbo V8 shared with the Bentayga. It also shares many components with the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the Lamborghini Urus to offer 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. These are healthy numbers for this hefty ride. They allow the coupe to run 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds, with the drop-top only 0.1 seconds behind. Speaking of the well-insulated top, it can be raised or lowered in 19 seconds up to 30 mph. The only feature we can't abide is cylinder deactivation. Cruising in V4 mode is great for economy cars, so hopefully, the aftermarket can tune it out. Our dealers are taking orders now and deliveries will begin this Fall. Shop Bentley Continental GT " width="680"> Related: Sports Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2019

Bentley Continental GT #9 Edition by Mulliner Unveiled in...

Congratulations to Bentley for 100 years building amazing cars. They wanted to celebrate the anniversary in style, so the Bentley Continental GT #9 Edition by Mulliner has been unveiled in Geneva. Looking to their past motorsports machines, the supercharged racers are the ones everyone fawns over. So it was decided to pay homage to Sir Henry Ralph Stanley ‘Tim’ Birkin. He was a customer, racer, and investor in the brand's early days. His #9 will be resurrected in a run of 100 cars by their coachbuilders at Mulliner. It will be a prominent feature of the grille along with gold badges. Customers can choose from Viridian Green or Beluga black paint. Inside you can choose from Cumbrian Green or Beluga black 'Heritage Hides'. This leather has increased gloss on the seats, door panels, and a few other areas. The dash is trimmed in machined aluminum, the same low-gloss finish used on the race cars. Other unique features include a clock by British Jaeger, and a wood veneer from Birkin's original seat. It was removed from #9 during restoration, and it gives these new cars a physical connection to their ancestor. The latest Continental GT also uses forced induction, with twin turbos feeding a W12 engine. Sixty mph arrives in 3.6 seconds and you will have a top speed of 207 mph. Click the link below to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Shop Bentley Continental GT Related: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Revealed 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review

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 – September 20, 2018

Bentley Centenary Captured on Historic Polaroids

Next year will mark 100 years of Bentley automobiles. Walter Bentley knew the power of hi-res images so only the best will do for the upcoming celebration. A limited edition Opus book will feature iconic imagery, photos that are captured on an antique Polaroid. The massive 20x24 "Land Camera" was the ultimate point & shoot. As the name implies, it uses photographic plates measuring 20" x 24", offering high-resolution images using traditional apparatus. A press release this morning says it is being used to capture everything from their original models to the latest Continental Supersports. So get ready to be amazed.The name "Land Camera" was probably a reference to the weight, because mounting a 235-lb camera on a boat might capsize the vessel. Three versions of the Opus book will be printed. "Mulliner" and "Centenary" versions will be large print, and the Crewe will be normal.We do mean large, as the first two will have pages over 5 square feet, with centerfolds measuring 6.5 feet wide. Each book is estimated to weigh 66 lbs, so Amazon might hit you with extra shipping. The book will be the ultimate accessory to your collection, so click the link below to find our dealer nearest you.Browse Bentleys For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 21, 2018

Bang & Olufsen and Bentley Create Revolutionary Sound System

The new Bentley Continental GT brings a refreshed look to the model that many have been looking forward to for quite some time. But, it's not just new looks that are coming to the new Continental GT. Inside the revamped model, you'll be greeted with a Bang & Olufsen sound system that's unlike any other. That is if you select it as an option.View All Bentleys for SaleBang & Olufsen integrated their BeoSonic interface within the car, which allows users to essentially "shape" the sound within the car. Bentley notes that the one-touch interface will give the driver control over the 16-speaker system. By moving a digital white marker, the user can select between four different audio spaces: Bright, Energetic, Warm & Relaxed. Within each of these "spaces" are different sound settings that create a desired tailored audio experience.You can see this new audio system in action by check out the video below.Shop Bang & Olufsen

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2018

Bentley Unveils 2018 Continental GT3 At Monza

You might not believe it, but Walter Owen Bentley loved to race. His engines allowed motorcycles, aircraft, and his cars to win races around the world. As an engineer, he and his employees obsessed over the smallest details. That's why we think he would approve of the latest Continental GT3. A press release this morning says the second generation of this track-ready luxury coupe will face its first test at Monza this weekend. Six factory drivers will be joined by Team Parker Racing, who is a factory-sponsored crew. No mention of the engine's output or Balance of Performance restrictions was made, so tune in to the race to see how they perform. It was caught testing by 19Bozzy92 and uploaded to YouTube, so check it out below. A street version is probably in the works, so if we hear anything of the new Bentley GT3.R, you will see it first here on Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2017

Next-Gen 2018 Bentley Continental GT Getting a First Edition

Bentley's next-generation 2018 Continental GT is a true beauty that really pushes the model in a new design direction. The overall DNA of the luxury car didn't change with this new generation, but that's a good thing. Bentley ensured that the new Continental GT would be recognizable even with a thorough makeover.To celebrate their achievement, Bentley has created a First Edition variant of the new Continental GT. Inside the car is a cabin that's been created by the Bentley design team. Bentley notes that the star of the new model's cabin is the Bentley Rotating Display, which gives drivers the ability to swap out between three different fascia panels. Interestingly enough, Bentley is also giving customers the option to opt for a most standard three analog dial instrument panel instead of the 12.3-inch touchscreen.New Bentley is the Hunter's Dream Ride Pricing for the Bentley Continental GT First Edition has not been released as of the time of publishing.Sell Your Exotic Car

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