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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 26, 2021

Bentley Mulliner Unveils A New 22-Inch Carbon Fiber Wheel...

The sport-driven Bentley Bentayga just got sportier with a new set of wheels. As luxury SUV models continue to get more versatile, examples like the Bentley Bentayga incorporate the functionality of a full-size vehicle with the styling and performance of a modern-day supercar. Bentley is proud to announce the newest performance option for the Bentayga, a set of 22-inch carbon fiber wheels developed by the professionals at Mulliner. The most apparent feature of the new wheel option is its sleek new design and 13-pound weight savings per wheel. Each set provides safety and reliability aspects for the Bentley Bentayga. MUST-READ: 1000th Bespoke Bentley Mulliner Commission Unveiled The tight cross-weave of the carbon fiber structure minimizes dispersing air loss and reduces tire wear due to the stiffness of the wheel. The Bentayga's performance also receives an increase in steering agility and more responsive braking with the new lightweight design. The new 22-inch carbon fiber wheel is the perfect complement to Bentley’s existing carbon fiber products. Including the highly sought-after Styling Specification, which adds a carbon front splitter, sill extensions, and rear diffuser, to the Bentayga, and the option of high gloss carbon fiber veneer to the interior. The all-new carbon fiber wheel option from Bentley Mulliner will be available to order in late 2021. Click the link below to view all Bentley Bentayga examples for sale through duPont REGISTRY. View All Bentley Bentayga For Sale Media/Info Source: Bentley

By Edward Jones – July 09, 2021

1000th Bespoke Bentley Mulliner Commission Unveiled

That's 1000 bespoke creations since 2014. Bentley Mulliner was officially formed as a dedicated design team back in 2014, which honestly isn't too long ago. Still, they are now celebrating their 1000th bespoke commission since their formation. This milestone commission was for a European customer who wanted two very specific features for the interior of his Bentayga. First up is the inclusion of Olive Ash, a veneer that's typically associated with the Mulsanne. The second request was a contrast twin stitch added to the upper areas of the seats and door trims. Bentley Mulliner, as usual, followed through brilliantly and created a one-of-a-kind luxury automobile. You can check it out for yourself in the images featured in this article. Source: Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2021

New Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid Unveiled

Deliveries are expected before the end of 2021. The new Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid has been added to the automaker's hybrid range. With the Beyond100 strategy, Bentley is aiming to become an end-to-end carbon neutral company. It's models like the new Flying Spur Hybrid that are acting as stepping stones towards their goal of electrification. Powering the new model is a 2.9-liter V6 engine that works in cooperation with an electric motor. The total output is set to be 536 bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque, which is actually 95 bhp more than the Bentayga Hybrid. With that power, Bentley says the new Flying Spur Hybrid will sprtint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Being an electrified model, it comes with a few features that a standard ICE car couldn't be equipped with. This includes the three new E modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. These modes will allow drivers to manually manage battery usage during a drive, although there is the ability to let the car handle it automatically. One big plus-side to many drivers worldwide is the fact that the new Flying Spur Hybrid can grant them greater access to ULEV zones. A price has not been noted as of yet, but Bentley says that customers can place orders from the summer onwards and deliveries will begin before the end of 2021. See All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2021

Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak Proves to Be Fastest R...

Bentley does it again with yet another incredible showing at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. We've all been waiting for the brutal-looking Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak to take on the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and now we have the results. The Continental GT3 Pikes Peak, driven by Rhys Millen, managed to finished 2nd in Time Attack I class and 4th overall when all was said and done. These results made the British race car the fastest renewably fueled car, and it also managed to beat out all-electric cars that were entered. Unfortunately, the hill climb course was cut short due to snow and ice near the summit. Because of this, the course finished at 12,780 feet, as opposed to the normal 14,115-foot summit. Paul Williams, Bentley's Director of Motorsport, had this to say about their showing at the 2021 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb: “We know we had the pace today both to win our class, and to break the Time Attack 1 record. The weather sadly wasn’t with us though, with the shortened course meaning our assault on the record was never a possibility. While that’s a bitter pill to swallow, I’m proud to have entered such a strong renewably-powered racecar – the fastest at the event - and equally proud of the team that’s delivered this project. This is the first step on Bentley’s renewable fuel journey, and there will be many more opportunities to come. Perhaps we’ll even come back to Pikes Peak next year…” See All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – June 09, 2021

Luxury Yacht Gets Interior From Bentley Motors to Match Car

Identical interiors on land and sea. Bentley Motors recently teamed up with Contest Yachts, a Dutch yacht builder, for a one-off project that you have to see. It all started when the owner of a Continental GT V8 coupe wanted the interior of his 18-meter Contest 59 CS yacht to match the car. The interior of the Continental GT V8 has an interior with Hotspur red leather with Linen beige hide and diamond-in-diamond stitching. Bentley went to work taking this interior design and translating it for use in the yacht. As you can see in the gallery below, the two interiors are identical in style, proving that Bentley really put in the work to make the owner's dream a reality. "This project was an opportunity for Bentley Design Services to showcase some of their many skills in a truly unique collaboration," said Brett Boydell, Head of Bentley Design Collaborations. "Bentley cars embrace qualities of craftsmanship and styling that are only achieved at the highest level of nautical design." See All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – May 25, 2021

Bentley Bentayga S Revealed: More Agile Than Ever

The Bentayga S introduces better agility for the luxury SUV model. Bentley Motors has just introduced the new Bentayga S, a stunning luxury SUV that builds upon an already fantastic model. Powering the new model is Bentley's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, which produces 542 bhp and 568 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to launch the Bentayga S from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Bentley also notes that the Bentayga S has a range of 406 miles, which is plenty of mileage for most. To make the Bentayga S more agile, Bentley added in a few optimizations, like the Bentley Dynamic Ride being included as standard, an enhanced SPORT mode, and the recalibration of the Torque Vectoring by Brake system. Defining the Bentayga S and its appearance are its new black exterior brightware, black door mirrors, black-painted side sills, dark-tinted headlights and taillights, high-gloss black bumper grilles, and a larger rear spoiler. There are also new 22-inch wheels that are available in silver (standard), full gloss black (optional), and bright polished (optional). Inside is a new fluted seat design that customers can pick for the four, five and seven seat configurations. Even guests inside will know the significance of the model thanks to the embroidered 'S' motif on the seat backrests. A release date or pricing has not been announced as of yet. See All Bentaygas For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – May 17, 2021

24 Classic Bentleys Gather to Celebrate 100th Anniversary...

A centennial celebration. It was 100 years ago on May 16, 1921 that the first race win for a Bentley automobile occurred. The race took place at the Brooklands circuit and the car was the EXP2, the second Bentley built by W.O. Bentley himself and currently the oldest Bentley in the world. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the win, EXP2 was joined alongside 24 3-liters at the Brooklands circuit where it took the checkered flag. Putting on the event was the Bentley Drivers' Club. The chairman of the club, Richard Parkinson, had this to say regarding the celebration: "Motorsport success is a huge part of Bentley’s heritage, as it is for the Bentley Drivers Club. We were therefore determined to mark the centenary of the first Bentley racing win on 16 May 1921 at Brooklands on the very same date this year with the actual car, EXP2 itself, kindly provided by Bentley Motors." 3-liter Bentleys are quite expensive, so this was most definitely a multi-million dollar gathering of classic British cars. What's more, the vehicles that showed up for the gathering are so incredibly unique. If you check out the image below, you can see just how varied the collection of Bentleys really was. If you'd like to get a Bentley for yourself, click the button below to see what's currently for sale. See All Bentleys For Sale Source: Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives On A Solid Foun...

Biggest brakes of any production car! Four score and seven days ago we told you the new Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible was ready for Summer. Along with the coupe version, the styling, power, and luxury are everything you would expect from the leaders in English luxury. But what sets the GT Speed twins apart from the competition? Under the hand-painted body are the strongest and most advanced chassis and suspension they have ever offered. Let's start with stopping. The new ceramic brakes are 17.4". Not only are those rotors larger than the wheels on my car, but they also cut 73 lbs in un-sprung, rotating weight. This allows the 5,500 lb car to leap to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The top speed of 208 mph is made possible by a dozen cylinders and twin turbos. At your disposal are 659 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It is sent to all wheels with a nominal torque bias of 36% going to the front wheels in Comfort mode. Dial-in Sport mode and the front wheels only receive 28% to allow the meaty rear tires to dig in. They receive power from an electronic differential, and rear-wheel steering will hold almost any corner. Should you enter a drift, the computer cuts torque by 90%, in a twinkling of an eye. With several driving modes to choose from, it can be a daily driver that doubles as a leather-lined track machine. Our dealers have all the details, so click the button and hang on! Browse All Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Edward Jones – April 30, 2021

Bentley Home Reveals Four New Furniture Designs for 2021

Bentley Home's new furniture designs will add style and elegance to your household. The new Bentley Home 2021 Collection has been revealed and it contains four new furniture designs that are as lavish as you'd expect. These designs include the Aldford Table, the Ramsey Sofa and Loveseat and the Styal Desk. This new collection stars both a new Degradé lacquering technique, as well as the new MARM \ MORE fabric that's made from marble powder. Bentley Home is offering the Degradé lacquer finish in a variety of options, including Deep Ocean, Midnight Walnut, Black Kenya, Dark Shadow, Rust Degradé, Silver Degradé and Bronze Degradé. As for the MARM \ MORE fabric, which is offered in either light grey or natural green. The new Bentley Home 2021 Collection can be view by clicking here.

By Andrew Nabors – April 13, 2021

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

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

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