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 Khris Bharath – June 02, 2026

2027 Bentley Flying Spur Revives Single Headlamp Design, Unveils Most Powerful S Model Yet

The ultra-luxury sedan market is shrinking, and with Bentley discontinuing the Mulsanne and the W12 engine gone, the Flying Spur now carries the entire British marque’s sedan legacy on its own, competing in a segment being steadily absorbed by luxury SUVs. Announced earlier today, this latest iteration of the fourth-gen Flying Spur introduces the most significant exterior refresh the model has seen in years, brings back the performance-focused S variant, and adds the Naim for Mulliner audio system through the new Virtuoso Collection. The full range spans five variants: Flying Spur, Azure, S, Speed, and the flagship Mulliner. But it is the Flying Spur S that leads the new model that continues to be powered by the brand’s class-leading V8 hybird. Its High Performance Hybrid powertrain produces 671 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque, which Bentley claims is nearly 20 percent more than any previous Flying Spur S. From a standstill, it can hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and tops out at 191 mph. Bentley's Performance Active Chassis combines Active All-Wheel Drive, twin-valve dampers, torque vectoring across all axes, the 48V Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system, and, for the first time on a Flying Spur S, an electronic limited-slip differential. <- Gallery -> The most visually significant exterior change on this fourth-generation model is the move away from the pre-facelift Flying Spur’s distinctive twin oval headlamps to a single "focused eye" unit on each side, a design detail absent from a Bentley sedan since 1962 that brings the Flying Spur's front end in line with the current Continental GT coupe. Each headlamp is an oval form with a sharply defined straight upper edge and crystalline LED detailing inside the housing. The radiator grille now integrates into the front bumper, the wing vent detail has been dropped in favor of a cleaner front wing, and badging now sits further down, behind the front wheel. At the rear, revised tail lamps illuminate to display a sharper Bentley "B" graphic. A new color, Dark Teal, joins a palette now exceeding 80 finishes. Both the Azure and S models can be specified with new 22-inch wheel finishes as an optional extra. Inside, five seat styles are available, each requiring 12 hours of hand craftsmanship. The Touchscreen Remote, a removable wireless rear tablet, gives rear passengers independent control over audio, climate, and massage functions. The Virtuoso Collection's Naim for Mulliner audio system features 21 speakers derived from Focal's Grand Utopia technology, originally developed for the coachbuilt Batur at £25,000 (~$32k). The modern-day Flying Spur was introduced in 2005 and once held the title of fastest sedan in the world during the W12 era. This fourth generation makes that argument on hybrid power alone, and does so convincingly. Bentley has not released U.S. pricing for the refreshed model at the time of publication. However, the outgoing model carried a starting MSRP above $250,000, providing a reasonable baseline for where this generation is likely to land. That positions it above the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 at around $215,000 and below the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge at approximately $380,000. For those who find SUVs too obvious and the sedan market too sparse, the new Flying Spur continues to make a strong case for itself. Customers can configure the car today, with first deliveries scheduled for early Q4 2026 and production beginning at Bentley's Crewe factory in September. View All Bentley Flying Spurs for Sale Images: Bentley

A dark green luxury sedan driving quickly through snow, creating a cloud of snow behind it, with a blurred winter landscape in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 11, 2025

Bentley Flying Spur Speed Sets New Ice Track Record

Bentley’s ultra-luxe performance sedan sets a new record. Bentley’s lineup is rapidly evolving, thanks to the century-old manufacturer’s commitment to its journey towards electrification, and the retirement of its former flagship W12 powertrain in favor of a new hybrid twin-turbo V8 setup that develops unprecedented levels of power and performance. With 771 horsepower, the new Ultra Hybrid Performance Powertrain is responsible for the most powerful generations of the Bentley Flying Spur Speed, and Bentley Continental GT/GTC Speed yet. With that unmatched power, the new Bentley Flying Spur Speed took to the world’s northernmost active racetrack, the Drivecenter Arena in the northern reaches of Sweden only 100 miles from the Arctic Circle, to set a unique new record in the harsh season of winter. Currently covered in snow and ice, the Drivecenter Arena served as the stage for Bentley to set the fastest lap time on the course in winter conditions with its Flying Spur Speed, at 2:58. A foot of ice and snow blanketed the track, but with four-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering expertly harnessing the massive power that the new Flying Spur Speed wields, and the car reached a maximum speed of 120 mph during its record run. Bentley has its own history of ice speed records beyond this one, in 2007 and 2011, but with its Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain and its cutting-edge engineering, the new Flying Spur Speeds new record set on the ice is an important new milestone. View All Bentley Flying Spur For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

A green Bentley Continental GT End of Era Edition luxury sedan parked on a concrete driveway in front of a large window with a black frame.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 10, 2025

1-of-12 Bentley Flying Spur Speed 'End of an Era' Collect...

A chance to own a piece of Bentley history. The saying goes, "All good things must come to an end," and it's been a recurring statement for the automotive world and some of its greatest creations. With the evolution of tech and the industry's push to be more efficient and sustainable, Bentley Motors announced that it would be replacing its legendary W12 engine with a new Hybrid V8 powertrain. To honor the sendoff of the W12 and the nearly 105,000 cars produced, Bentley Motors commissioned a special End of Era Collection featuring 12 of the very last of the marque's 6.0L engines being offered exclusively at Bentley Salt Lake City. The Bentley Salt Lake City team is pleased to showcase this 2024 Bentley Flying Spur Speed 'End of an Era' as part of its inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Working directly with Bentley's in-house Mulliner design department, each End of an Era build comes optioned from the factory with special bespoke treatments. This Bentley Flying Spur Speed comes finished in a heritage-inspired Scarab Green finish with an upgraded Blackline styling trim package. While the rear d-pillar pays homage to Bentley Motors' roots in the U.K. with a special greyscale Union Jack flag badge, the use of gloss black extends to its optioned 22-inch Speed painted wheels and brake calipers. The celebration continues inside with help from Bentley Mulliner, starting with 'End of an Era' carbon fiber treadplate plaques that welcome the driver and passengers into the Flying Spur Speed's completely transformed cabin. Quilted Key Lime accents and contrast stitching add a vibrant touch to the dark leather and Alcantara upholstery that extends throughout its spacious full-length center console, 4-seater configuration. Each headrest also shows off a bespoke 'End of an Era' embroidered logo in Key Lime as a nod to the exclusive W12 collection. Inside, you'll also find Bentley's W12 firing sequence overlaid on the passenger front fascia with the number 5 in red to signify this Flying Spur Speed's production. The Bentley Flying Spur Speed’s W12 engine is getting a well-deserved sendoff, and what a way to bow out. Under the hood sits the legendary 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12, pushing out 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. That means this four-door luxury sedan can sprint from 0–60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 207 mph. Bentley also tuned it with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, so the Flying Spur Speed handles with a surprising level of agility for its size, making the W12’s farewell performance one to remember. View Price & Listing

A person wearing white gloves holds an open box containing several Bentley-branded glass tumblers in front of a parked Bentley Motors Bespoke Sedan.

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 07, 2025

Bentley Motors Delivers The Largest Fleet Of Bespoke Flyi...

A new record for the most bespoke Bentleys ordered at once. Aside from engineering some of the most luxurious cars and SUVs backed by over a century of heritage and expertise as a coachbuilder, Bentley Motors has and continues to shine a light on its artisanal skills through its Mulliner division. Giving clientele complete control throughout its extensive configuration process, the marque ventures outside of its traditional color and material palettes to further personalize cars based on the wants and needs of its owners. And while it's not unheard of for Bentley to produce multiple Mulliner models for its top-tier clients, the brand just blew away any previous records with the news of delivering the largest fleet of bespoke Flying Spurs commissioned by a world-class resort. Announcing its latest global collaboration with China's leading luxury hotel in Macau, The Galaxy Hotel stands out as one of the world's largest Forbes double five-star hotels. The resort prides itself on offering guests elevated ultra-luxury chauffeur-driven experiences, which is why it ordered and configured nine bespoke Bentley Flying Spur Mulliner sedans. The fleet was recently presented as part of a delivery ceremony at the hotel on April 29th, cementing the creative collaboration between The Galaxy Hotel and Bentley's Dream Factory in Crewe. Bentley's new Flying Spur Mulliner takes center stage as its most luxurious sedan yet, now equipped with an Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. This plug-in setup allows for up to 47 miles of all-electric driving. With the ability to operate purely on electric power up to 87 mph, Bentley promises 90% fewer CO2 emissions than the outgoing Flying Spur Speed. This version of the Flying Spur comes finished in Pale Brodgar Mulliner paint, highlighted with subtle bespoke touches like The Galaxy Hotel's emblem hand-painted on the front doors. Even the puddle lamps have been customized to project The Galaxy Hotel's logo, a nod to Bentley's growing partnerships with elite hospitality names. Inside, all four seats are equipped with Bentley's Wellness Seating, which includes automatic climate adjustments and subtle postural movements to increase overall comfort. Bentley's collaboration with high-end luxury hotels continues to grow, following partnerships with The Peninsula London and The Peninsula Hong Kong. Now, The Galaxy Macau Hotel adds to that story by acquiring the largest fleet of Flying Spur Mulliner sedans in one place. View all Bentley Flying Spurs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley Flying Spurs For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 01, 2024

Bentley Reveals New 771HP Hybrid Continental & Flying Spu...

Bentley’s new Mulliner models benefit from hybrid horsepower. Recently, Bentley has retired its iconic W12 engine in favor of a new flagship offering: the Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain, which combines a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with hybrid assist for a total of 771 horsepower and 738 lb/ft of torque. The new pinnacle powertrain has found its way into the new 2025 Bentley Continental GT/GTC Speed, as well as the Bentley Flying Spur Speed sedan, and now, it’s featuring in the new Mulliner variants of these models, as well. Known as Bentley’s bespoke division, Mulliner is a historical name with its roots planted in the world’s oldest coachbuilder. As such, it boasts the ultimate luxury and personalization abilities Bentley has to offer, providing unique configurations, limited-production and one-off models, coach-built masterpieces like the Bacalar and Batur, and even recreations of some of Bentley’s most cherished historic models. The Mulliner trim level offers peak luxury, performance, and personalization potential for Bentley's series production models. Features like the ‘Floating Diamond’ front grille, ‘Harmony’ headlight designs, specific wheels, interior quilting patterns, and more set it apart from other parts of the lineup. With the new Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain, the new crop of Bentley Continental GT/GTC and Flying Spur Mulliner models are Bentley’s most powerful Mulliner models yet. They’ll wield an incredible 771 horsepower while boasting an electric-only range estimated to be up to 50 miles. With that power and innovation, as well as the luxurious personalization of Mulliner’s 101-plus available colors and wide range of finishes, these new Mulliner Bentleys are the ultimate expression of Bentley luxury. View All Bentleys For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 03, 2024

Bentley Announces New 771HP Hybrid Flying Spur For Septem...

Bentley’s next hybrid sensation is coming soon. Earlier this year, Bentley announced the retirement of its flagship powertrain, the twin-turbocharged W12 engine that imbued its most desirable models with robust performance and opulent luxury. However, a new, more powerful, and much more efficient replacement came in its place, the new Bentley Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. Introduced in the new 2025 Bentley Continental GT and GTC Speed, the new setup combines a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with an electric system to produce 771 horsepower and 738 lb/ft of torque. However, the Continental isn’t the only car that will boast Bentley’s new flagship hybrid powerplant. The Flying Spur is coming next, and the new ultra-luxe hybrid performance sedan is set to be revealed in a week, on September 10. With its immense power and innovative approach to performance, Bentley has dubbed the upcoming Flying Spur a “four-door supercar,” and along with boasting its incredible speed, it will be the most efficient four-door Bentley yet. Its total range is over 500 miles, with an all-electric driving range of more than 45 miles. With the new Bentley Continental showing off its incredible hybrid power by reaching its top speed in the Ryfylke undersea tunnel in Norway, the new Flying Spur will be launched with a film that shows off its incredible high-performance abilities as a sumptuous luxury sedan, with various motorsport legends participating in the launch. With the new Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain, Bentley’s iconic Flying Spur is set to become even better. View All Bentleys For Sale

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By Sponsored Article – May 24, 2023

Dark Sapphire 2020 Bentley Continental Flying Spur For Sale

This Bentley Flying Spur for sale by Blue Chip is the offering in stunning Dark Sapphire over Linen with Walnut Accents.

2023 bentley flying spur 350855 2094998708.jpg

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 05, 2023

4 Bespoke Bentley Mulliner Las Olas Flying Spurs At Holma...

These four special-edition Flying Spur examples represent the luxurious beach lifestyle that South Florida has to offer.

By Gabriel Vega – January 30, 2023

2023 Bentley Flying Spur S V8 Review: A Driver's Luxury S...

Meet the 2023 Bentley Flying Spur S, an ultra-luxury sedan that benchmarks just how sporty an over 5,100-lb opulent machine can be.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 24, 2023

Bentley's New Winter Art Exhibit Displays A Hand-Painted ...

Created for the 2022/23 winter season and is the latest from the partnership between Bentley and Bomber. Showcasing its talents on the open road and mountainous winter terrain, Bentley Motors is hitting the slopes with emerging German pop artist Max Mavior to transform a pair of skis into a unique piece of art. Setting up a mobile art exhibit at the vernissage in Kitzbühel, Austria, the 25-year-old artist's use of abstract figures and strong color combinations are envisioned through a pair of performance skis and two of Bentley’s newest models. The skis come from the new Bomber for Bentley ICE Edition Collection, which are limited to only 200 pairs and incorporates cues from the Bentley product range. MUST-READ: Bentley x BOMBER Skis Hit The Slopes With An Exclusive ICE Edition Winter Collection Using bright neon-colored spray cans, markers, and acrylic tubes, Mavior depicts his artistic style on the exclusive skis. The same process is applied to the hoods of a Flying Spur Azure V8 and Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB), shocking bystanders at the scene of someone painting on six-figure exotic vehicles. The timing and inspiration of the Bentley x Bomber Skis art exhibit perfectly coincide with the hosting of the 2023 Hahnenkamm Races, a prestigious downhill ski race held annually since 1931. View all current Bentley models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

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