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.

Bentley Brings Classic & Modern Masterpieces To FAT Ice Race In Montana

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 02, 2026

Bentley Showcases Performance & Heritage At FAT Ice Race

With historic roots in Austria, the FAT Ice Race is a unique automotive event that brings together incredible cars, motorsport and automotive icons, and passionate enthusiasts from all walks of the automotive world. Its second appearance in the United States, and first appearance in Big Sky, Montana, just took place this past weekend. Bentley Motors was one of the manufacturers that had an impressive presence at the event. With over a century of history behind it, Bentley has one of the most impressive legacies in the automotive industry, not only of luxury cars, but also historic motorsport legends, and it brought vehicles to the event, as well as drivers, that helped represent the breadth of its pedigree. The FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana, served as the US debut of the new Bentley Bentayga X Concept, a vision of an off-road-oriented, rugged Bentayga that was initially unveiled at the previous FAT Ice Race held earlier this year in Zell am See, Austria. The modified Bentley Supersports featured in the “FULL SEND” film was present in Montana for the FAT Ice Race, fitted with tire studs and driven by Lia Block on the ice track. The ‘Factory Works’ special edition of the Bentley Speed Six Continuation Series, a recreation of the historic racing legend created with period-appropriate techniques and materials and faithful to original designs, was also on the track. <- Gallery -> The Bentayga X Concept was present in Montana before the race, being showcased at a pre-event ‘Cars and Coffee’ organized by FAT International, and Bentley itself has been to Big Sky, Montana, before. The Bentley Bentayga Speed, on which the new Bentley Bentayga X Concept is based, had a media drive in the gorgeous alpine destination. As Bentley continues to partner with lifestyle and automotive brand FAT International, the next chapter of that collaboration will be a takeover of the FAT Mankei headquarters, located along the scenic Grossglockner Pass in Austria. View All Bentley For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

A group of people stand outside a modern Bentley Motors showroom at Goodwood, with a large screen displaying cars and a suited man, on a sunny day.

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 10, 2025

Bentley Motors Celebrates Big At Goodwood With 30+ Cars A...

With a massive new display and more than 30 cars on-site, Bentley goes all-in at Goodwood. Bentley Motors has long since been a staple symbol of British luxury and performance, with its roots deeply planted in U.K. soil. Events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed feel less like an appearance and more like a homecoming for Bentley, celebrating its legacy in engineering, design, and motorsport that continues to fuel national pride across generations of collectors and motoring enthusiasts. This year, Bentley arrived to the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed with something to prove. The manufacturer rolled in with its largest event display to date, anchored by a new two-story stand and a fleet of more than 30 cars. Among the highlights was the UK debut of the newly updated Bentayga Speed, which took to the hill alongside the coachbuilt Batur Convertible. Five of Bentley's latest models made runs up the hillclimb, while others acted as course cars or chauffeured VIPs. The display itself featured hands-on craftsmanship demonstrations, boutique gear, and a rotating lineup of top-tier examples for visitors. Bentley’s presence at the event feels more like a celebration of where the marque is today, bridging its ultra-luxury heritage and pursuit for performance. The new Bentayga Speed takes center stage among the First Glance cars, while a handful of Speed-series models, including the Continental GT and Flying Spur, showed off newer styling tweaks and upgrades like Akrapovič exhausts and satin-finish paint. The lineup also included a Storm Grey Bentayga S with a paint job that reportedly took over 50 hours to hand-finish. Of course, it wouldn’t be Goodwood without some flair, and Bentley delivered with the return of the Bacalar and a surprise cameo by the rarely seen Speed Six Continuation Series. Even more of an example of Bentley's well-rounded DNA is the Bentayga Black Edition doubling as a course car, fresh off chauffeuring Black Sabbath to their last show. It’s all part of Bentley’s ongoing balancing act of modern luxury, old-world craftsmanship, and enough horsepower to make some noise. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 22, 2022

Bentley's New Mulliner Batur Monterey Car Week Debut Star...

Limited to just 18 series examples, all reserved by Mulliner clients and priced at $1.95m (exc. taxes and options) each. While Bentley Motors withstands its high level of luxury as a pioneer in the industry, the brand delivers its one-of-a-kind driving experience by continuously adapting to its ever-changing environment. Bentley is proud to revolutionize its design with the debut of its all-new Mulliner Batur coachbuilt model, boasting a new design DNA that shows the direction for the manufacturer’s future. The Bentley Mulliner Batur makes its debut during Monterey Car Week 2022, showcasing the limited edition two-door grand touring coupé to all in attendance. With over 250 years of coach-building experience, Bentley incorporates traditional highlights from previous milestone models, while introducing new design cues and materials that help to add to the Mulliner Batur’s overall performance. Limited to only 18-examples, all of which are sold, the Mulliner Batur is named after a beautiful natural body of water in Indonesia and is the successor to the 12 individually specified Bacalar examples. The design of the Batur embraces the elegant and graceful styling of Bentley while implementing stronger and bolder characteristics using sustainable Natural Fiber composite. The exterior of the launch edition features a stunning Bonneville Pearlescent Silver bespoke finish, with 22-inch Black Crystal wheels that are offered in any choice of color. The two-seat interior space of the Batur presents a magnificent combination of Beluga (black), Hotspur (red), and Hyperactive Orange leather. The metallic elements of the interior are a blend of Black Anodised Aluminium and Satin Titanium, completed with a hallmarked 18 karat gold Bentley Dynamic Drive Selector Although the brand focuses on a future filled with EV technology, Bentley fits the Mulliner Batur with an upgraded 6.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged W12 that delivers an incredible 730 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque to its wheels. Along with providing 40% more power at a 25% better fuel economy, the W12 is paired with Bentley’s eight-speed double-clutch transmission and titanium sports exhaust. While the date for production and delivery are still to be announced, we are excited to see the collection of 18 limited edition Bentley Mulliner Baturs and the configurations chosen by the lucky owners. 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 news and Monterey Car Week 2022 releases. VIEW ALL BENTLEY FOR SALE Source: 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 – March 02, 2020

Bentley Mulliner Bacalar Release Date Revealed

Due to the 2020 Geneva International Motor Show being canceled, automakers are having to find other ways to unveil their new models. For the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, which was planned to be released at the show, it will have a livestream on March 3 at 8:30am GMT (3:30 AM EST). You will be able to watch the livestream of the unveiling on their YouTube Channel. So what will we be seeing? The new Bacalar by Bentley Mulliner will be a two-seater Grand Tourer model. There will be what Bentley is calling "sustainable and ethically-sourced" materials used in the creation of this model, similar to the EXP 100 GT. We can't wait to see what this new car by the world's oldest coachbuilder has to offer. See All Bentley Continental GTs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 04, 2019

Bentley's Centenary Starts This Weekend at Goodwood

If you happen to be a member of Goodwood, you will have 100 years of British Racing on display. That is because Bentley's Centenary Starts This Weekend at Goodwood. On display will be historic early models alongside the 2003 LeMans Winner. Car #7 is a Bentley Speed 8 that dominated the race to bring home a 1st place trophy. It will be driven twice over the weekend by the winning drivers Guy Smith and Tom Kristensen. Another unprecedented event is the John Duff Trophy Race. Duff was one of the original 'Bentley Boys'. As a gentleman racer, he won LeMans for the team in 1924. As such, 30 early Bentleys will compete for the prize. We hope this becomes an annual event, because these great cars should be seen in their natural habitat. New models like the Bentayga V8 Design Series and the new Continental GT will be on display to show what 100 years of innovation looks like. Click the link below to experience a Bentley for yourself and stay with us for all your Goodwood updates. Browse All Bentleys For Sale Bentley Continental GT is Aiming for Pike's Peak Record New 2020 Bentley Bentayga Speed is Here

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