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 Edward Jones – March 04, 2020

New Breitling and Bentley Mulliner Watch Debuted

The latest watch to come out of the 17-year partnership between Breitling and Bentley is here. Introducing the new Breitling Premier Bentley Mulliner timepiece. Celebrating the longest partnership between an automaker and watch brand, this new watch was inspired by the interior of the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible. The silver dial of the watch mimics the dashboard clock from the Continental GT Mulliner Convertible and its blue alligator leather strap echos the Imperial Blue leather interior of the car as well. For movement, it relies on the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, which comes with a remarkable power reserve of around 70 hours. Only 100 examples of this watch will be created. For the Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Bentley Mulliner Limited Edition with a folding clasp, the price is set at $8650. With a tang-type buckle, the price drops to $8,350. For more information, click here. 20200219_BREITLING_BENTLEY8408K_POST.jpg

By Edward Jones – March 03, 2020

Bentley Mulliner Bacalar Revealed: Limited to 12 Examples

Engine: Twin-Turbocharged W12 TSITransmission: Dual-Clutch Eight-SpeedHorsepower: 650 bhpTorque: 667 lb-ftProduction Run: 12 Examples Introducing the new Bentley Mulliner Bacalar, an extraordinarily exclusive two-seater that emits luxury from every facet. Limited to just 12 examples, the Bacalar will be very hard to find out in the wild. It will be even harder to get your hands on because all 12 examples have been spoken for. Each of the twelve examples will be handcrafted in Bentley Mulliner's headquarters in Crewe and will be personalized to the customer's preference. For its overall appearance, it has a "Barchetta" design-- open-top with a wrap-around cockpit. The front of the Bacalar has a very unique appearance that's highlighted by the headlights. These headlights have a circular portion and horizontal portion that's unlike anything we've seen in a production Bentley. However, these headlights are clearly inspired by the EXP 100 GT concept car. See All Bentley Continental GTs For Sale Another aspect borrowed from the EXP 100 GT is the sustainable materials Bentley Mulliner is using for the Bacalar's construction. This includes wood from fallen trees that have been preserved in peat bods, lakes and rivers, as well as paint with sustainable characteristics and sustainable wool. Yes, you read that correctly, sustainable paint. The pigment used in the paint is made through a synthetic process that uses rice husk ash, a byproduct of the rice industry. By using this material, they're reducing the amount of rice husk put into landfills. Now, onto the engine. Bentley Mulliner has placed a twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine under the front hood. This engine is rated for 650 bhp. In the press release detailing the Bacalar, acceleration or a top speed were not mentioned. The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is a true luxury automobile that brings the historic coachbuilder back into the world of bespoke coachbuilding. It's a car that needs to be seen by all, so do yourself a favor and check out all of the images in this article.

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 Edward Jones – February 27, 2020

New Bentley Golf Tech Collection Revealed

Bentley Golf has just announced a new Tech Collection that includes a line of clubs inspired by the new Continental GT. Each of the clubs are constructed out of high-end materials that make them both sturdy and stylish. (Side Note: New Bentley Mulliner Bacalar Teaser Released: It’s a Two-Seater) For the irons, they're faces are made of titnaium with carbon fiber backs. When it comes to your extremely short game, there's the putter made of high-density steel, super-soft aluminum and carbon fiber. For those long drives, Bentley Golf has new woods in this Tech Collection. These woods have a design that's inspired by the haunches of the Continental GT. Bentley Golf also used 'B' screws for the woods as well. "The design of the Tech Collection pulls inspiration from the brand’s past, present and future," says Chris Cooke, a Bentley Designer. "These elements come together to create a range that reflects Bentley’s philosophy of unrivalled design and exceptional craftsmanship." If you want to see more, be sure to visit BentleyGolf.com.

By Edward Jones – February 26, 2020

New Bentley Mulliner Bacalar Teaser Released: It's a Two-...

The new Bentley Mulliner Bacalar has been teased yet again through an image released by the English automaker. This new image shows off the two seats in the car's cockpit, and that's it. (Side Note: Custom Sports Cars for Sale) Did you catch that? There will only be two seats in this new model. This fact makes the Bacalar the second two-seater from Bentley since 1930. Behind these two seats is space for luggage. More specifically, the luggage is actually a pair of bespoke travel cases that are trimmed to match the interior. We'll be seeing more of the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar on March 3, 2020, when it's unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show. SEE ALL BENTLEYS FOR SALE

Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Convertible - 1

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2020

Ultimate Luxury: Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Converti...

Bentley Motors has just unveiled the new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, which they're touting as the "luxury pinnacle of the Continental GT family." Behind the creation of this car is Bentley Mulliner, the English automaker's own bespoke division. Bentley Mulliner is actually the oldest automotive coachbuilder in the world. Bentley Mulliner put an amazing amount of care into the creation of this model, and it shows all throughout. A new Double Diamond design can be found on the four seats, door casings, rear quarters and even on the tonneau cover (a first for Bentley). The Diamond-in-Diamond stitching of the interior takes almost 400,000 stitches to complete. On the outside is a muscular design that's complemented by new 22-inch 10-spoke painted and polished wheels with self-leveling wheel badges. Bentley is offering the new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible with eight different three-color combinations for the interior and 61 different paint colors. It will also be offered with both the V8 and W12 engine options. This new model will make its global debut at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 3, 2020. ALL BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – February 17, 2020

Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition Is the End of an Era

Only 30 Cars To Be Produced Final Production Bentley Mulsanne Flying Spur To Replace Mulsanne This Year Bentley has a slough of hybrid models in the pipeline, but it won't include a new Bentley Mulsanne for sale. Their handbuilt flagship has been powered by the 6.75L V8, which was first introduced in 1959. To give her a proper sendoff, Mulliner was commissioned for a limited run. That's why the Bentley Mulsanne 6.75 Edition is the end of an era. The press release included the finer details of interior and exterior distinction. It also mentions their engine is the longest V8 to be in continuous production, even though the Chevrolet small-block is 4 years older. We're sad to see her go, but it will free up workers who are building Bentley's future. Our dealers are ready to place your order, so click the link below to find a new Mulsanne for sale. Browse All Bentley Mulsanne For Sale

Bentley Mulliner Bacalar - Name Reveal Image

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2020

Bentley Mulliner Bacalar Teased, A New & Mysterious Ultra...

Bentley has just announced that the new Bentley Mulliner Bacalar will be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva 2020 event (3:30 EST, 3 March, 2020). The English automaker has yet to divulge any true specifics regarding the Bacalar, but they did note a few important things. Used Sports Cars For Sale First, this will be a car hand-built by Bentley Mulliner, which is actually the oldest coachbuilder in the world. Secondly, the Bacalar is a car that takes inspiration from the EXP 100 GT concept car. Taking the inspiration even further are the sustainable materials that are used in the creation of the Bacalar, just like the EXP 100 GT. Last but not least, Bentley notes that the Bacalar "will only be enjoyed by a very few," leading us to believe that it will be a very limited-production model. We'll just have to wait and see! SEE ALL BENTLEYS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – January 28, 2020

Bentley Continental GT Looks Nice on Ice

Ice Racing might seem like a fool's errand, but it is a true test of driver and machine. Racers and manufacturers have been coming to Austria to tackle a frozen lake for years. Yesterday they teased us with their entry, and we must say that the Bentley Continental GT looks nice on ice. Wild Bugatti Veyron Plows Snow & Pulls Skiers In a press release this morning, we've learned the details of a specially-prepped new Bentley Continental GT. Prepped for the GP Ice Races in Zell am See, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche has a perfect viewpoint in his house atop Salzburg. Engineers from all corners of VW Group have brought their most potent hardware, even Bugatti might be getting in on the action. Tell us who you think will win in the comments below and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse All Bentley Continental GT For Sale " width="680"> Related: Bentley Continental Supersports Price, Specs & Review

By Edward Jones – January 27, 2020

New Mystery Bentley Continental Spotted

It looks like Bentley is teasing a new Continental model or variant on Twitter, but its name and purpose is a current mystery. In the photo, taken in Kitzbühel, Austria, we see a bright blue Continental that looks outfitted for rally racing. An LED bar is implemented into the car's roof rack, while a tow hook sticks out from the front bumper. What's more, the car is parked on a road surrounded by snow. Could this be a new rally car from Bentley? Knowing Bentley is working on electric cars, could this be an electrified off-road model? We may not know the answers now, but Bentley says they'll unveil all on January 28, 2020. ALL CONTINENTALS FOR SALE https://twitter.com/BentleyComms/status/1221138761217708033

Bentley News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe