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 Tyler Rampersaud – June 21, 2022

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

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

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 20, 2022

Bentley Will Announce A New Mulliner Project At The Goodw...

Bentley announces a new chapter for Mulliner that will start at Goodwood. Bentley’s Mulliner division is responsible for bespoke and unique Bentley cars, as well as amazing special projects that pay homage to Bentley’s history and legacy. Building on the success of the Bacalar, as well as the Blower Continuation Series, Bentley has planned to announce through a press conference on June 14, at 1:00 PM BST, a new Mulliner project. The Bentley Mulliner stand at the Goodwood Festival of Speed will be next to the Supercar Paddock, which is near the start line of the iconic track. MUST READ: The New Bentley Flying Spur S Will Debut With A Goodwood Hillclimb The announcement of the new Mulliner project will be made at the Mulliner stand, where the new Bentley S models will be displayed, along with a new Continental GT Mulliner and a celebration of the 40 years of turbocharged Bentleys. The Blower Continuation Series Car Zero will join all these cars at the legendary hillclimb, making for a Goodwood Festival of Speed made more iconic with an extra dose of history and innovation from one of the most iconic British automotive brands. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 13, 2022

The New Bentley Flying Spur S Will Debut With A Goodwood ...

Bentley’s Flying Spur sedan gets the brand’s latest S performance treatment. To serve as a counterpart to the Azure range of relaxation and comfort-focused Bentleys, Bentley has introduced the S range of edgier, performance-oriented models with bold looks and brash sounds, starting with the Continental GT and Continental GTC. Bentley has now introduced the Flying Spur S, a new version of the Flying Spur luxury sedan that highlights the model’s excellent performance potential and gives it a unique, edgy new look. For the first time in Bentley’s S range, the Flying Spur S comes available with both a hybrid V6 and V8 powertrain. With the V8 engine, 543 horsepower and 568 lb/ft of torque get the Flying Spur S from 0-60 in just 4 seconds to a top speed of 198 mph. The hybrid powertrain isn’t sluggish by comparison, however. It boasts 536 horsepower and 553 lb/ft of torque, with the ability to drive 26 miles on electric power alone. MUST READ: The New Bentley Continental GT and GTC S Is A Louder, Bolder Driver’s Bentley This power puts on quite the show as well with the standard redesigned sport exhaust that comes with the Bentley Flying Spur S, and black exterior trim as well as new 22-inch wheels, available in gloss black or Pale Brodgar Satin finish, and signature S-specific red brake calipers give the car a sporty look to match. The car will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed along with the Continental GT S and Continental GTC S to do the iconic hillclimb, and they will all also be on display in the paddock throughout the event. Along with other historic and present Bentleys, and a dedicated parade of Bentleys celebrating 40 years of turbocharged Bentley cars, with the S range being the latest additions to the group. View All Bentley Flying Spurs For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 09, 2022

Bentley Opens A New Dealership In Oslo With A Flying Spur...

Norway’s capital city is now graced with the presence of one of the automotive world’s greatest luxury brands. A new Bentley dealership has officially opened its doors in Oslo, Norway, and Bentley’s presence in the Scandinavian country is something that the brand says aligns with its Beyond100 strategy, as Norway, like Bentley, has prioritized environmental sustainability and the move towards electrification in the automotive world. Christian Gottschalk, the Dealer Principal of Bentley Oslo says that the Beyond100 strategy is important to the Norwegian market and that both Bentley and its Norwegian customers are excited to see the acceleration of the brand’s progress towards electrification. MUST READ: Bentley Announces A New Performance-Oriented Range For Continental GT And GTC This was made clear at the grand opening celebration for Bentley Oslo, as the start of the show was a Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid, the second Bentley model to be electrified and currently the most efficient and economic Bentley ever, in Patina with a Beluga interior. With the same performance capability as the V8 and W12 engines available, the hybrid offers uncompromised luxury, performance, and efficiency. Other cars shown at the opening were a Bentyaga Hybrid and the S1 Continental Flying Spur from 1958, the first bespoke four-door Continental that inspired the look of today’s Flying Spur sedan. With a big opening celebration, Norway’s Bentley fans can look forward to a luxurious and innovative future with the brand right at their doorstep. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 06, 2022

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

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

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 01, 2022

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2022

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 26, 2022

Bentley Celebrates 10-Years In The Netherlands With A 'Un...

Bentley strolls through the dutch streets in a head-turning Flying Spur. Being an industry leader in the British luxury automotive market, Bentley Motors continues to establish a presence in every region around the world. The brand is excited to commemorate its 10th Anniversary in the Netherlands, featuring a one-of-a-kind Bentley ‘Unifying’ Spur making its way through the streets of the Dutch capital. The design team created an automotive artwork that celebrates diversity in all forms, representing the unifying power of humanity. MUST-READ: The New Bentley Azure Range Prioritizes Relaxation, Comfort, And Wellbeing The Bentley Flying Spur is the model embodying these values and was spotted around the Netherlands to celebrate unity, love, diversity, and inclusion as well as the great achievement of the brand in the market. In addition to the head-turning spec, Bentley is planning the grand opening of its new Rotterdam dealership that sits in Europe's largest port city. With Bentley Leusden celebrating 10-years as the first Netherlands location, the dealership is displaying a timeline and ten unique art pieces to highlight the special occasion. View all of the current Bentley models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and supercar news. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 24, 2022

The New Bentley Azure Range Prioritizes Relaxation, Comfo...

These new cars are designed to do what a Bentley does best: make you feel pampered. When you think about it in its most basic form, the greatest luxury is simply the feeling of relaxation and satisfaction. Feeling comfortable and carefree is the kind of luxury that most people in the world can agree upon wanting to experience, and it’s that luxury that Bentley aims to provide with its new Azure range. Available for Bentley’s entire model lineup, the Azure range focuses on comfort and well-being for Bentley drivers, and it achieves this by designing everything in the car with the goal of reducing stress and promoting relaxation. MUST READ: The New Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure First Edition Maximizes Luxury This new Azure range serves as a counterpart to Bentley Speed, a range that highlights the highest performance potential of Bentley cars, and brings into the limelight Bentley’s other specialty: timeless, uncompromising luxury. Developed with the help of neuroscientists and other wellness experts, the Bentley Azure range's features like 22-way adjustable seats with adaptive heating and ventilation and a massage function that aims to optimize the body’s posture, a suspension system that prioritizes comfort, and a host of safety features that reassure the driver of confidence in various conditions, Bentley’s Azure range aims at a goal that seems simple: to be the nicest cars to drive. Everything from the functions that prevent fatigue to promote safe driving to the curation of interior design elements to create a relaxing environment was carefully chosen and designed to make the Bentley Azure experience the most relaxing and comforting one to have behind the wheel of a car. If driving a Bentley wasn’t already one of the most enjoyable experiences in the world, it most definitely is now. View All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 19, 2022

The New Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure First Edition Maximize...

The Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure knows how to make an entrance. The new Bentley Bentayga EWB not only lengthens the luxury SUV, but it also seriously dials up the luxury factor of the vehicle, and for the first 12 months of EWB orders, a Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure First Edition is going to take that idea even further, and prove that when it comes to the Bentley Bentayga EWB, the early bird gets the worm. That’s because the Azure First Edition of the Bentayga EWB gets all the features of the Azure, and then some. Bentley’s new Diamond Illumination comes standard with the First Edition, featuring LED lighting situated under perforations in the leather on the door panels that creates a completely unique and stunning ambient lighting setup for the interior. MUST READ: Bentley’s Bespoke Mulliner Division is Up 200% Since 2020 Along with this, the First Edition features First Edition embroidery and badging, as well as eye-catching 22-inch wheels. With things like jeweled fuel filler caps and a 1720-watt, 20-speaker sound system by Naim for Bentley, there’s no stone left unturned when it comes to making the Bentayga EWB Azure First Edition an incredible luxury experience. As with any Bentley, configuration features a wide range of options for customers, with a total of over five dozen paint colors to choose from, optional two-tone upholstery, and veneer choices that include wood, carbon fiber, aluminum, and more. A Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure First Edition is a luxury SUV that simultaneously impresses anyone and matches your personal tastes. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley

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