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 Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2020

2021 Bentley Continental GT Pike's Peak Limited Edition A...

Contrary to popular belief, General Pike never reached the top of the mountain named after him. With nearly 5,000 feet between base camp and the summit, it takes a formidable car to reach the top. That's why were are delighted to announce the 2021 Bentley Continental GT Pike's Peak Limited Edition has arrived in the U.S. " width="680"> To celebrate the fastest ascent of the ancient monolith, Bentley's Mulliner division has built 15 stunning examples of the W12-powered Continental GT. Five owners opted for the Mountain Event Livery which is seen below. The body is finished in Radium, gloss black, and carbon fiber. Acid green calipers and Pirelli P Zero "Colour Edition" tires wrap the unique 22" wheels. Graphics and embroidery evoke the details of the run, and "100" badges note that this record took place during their anniversary year. If you need the same power and grace in your daily life, click the button below for all the information and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Continental For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 30, 2020

2021 Bentley Lineup Gains Tweed Interior Options

Don't call it a comeback, because Mulliner has never failed to exceed expectations. We are delighted to learn that the 2021 Bentley lineup has gained tweed interior options to satisfy even the most discerning customers. Bentley's artists and craftspeople are regarded by their peers as the best in the world. As such, they have never pulled the vintage fabric from their lineup. But in keeping with the latest in fashion, your new Bentayga, Flying Spur or Continental GT can be adorned with plush English wool. Not only is it sustainable, but the sheep will also thank you for taking the cool off. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 19, 2020

2020 Bentley Collection Offers Gifts For All Ages

Don't let Holliday shopping get you down, the 2020 Bentley Collection offers gifts for all ages. Your favorite automaker is hard at work preparing the best in leather, audio, and fashion accessories. Little ones will enjoy a pint-sized Continental GT along with a plush Birkin Teddy Bear. Golfers will enjoy new clubs along with an umbrella and a Holdall bag. If you enjoy pushing your Bentley to the limits, their motorsports division is offering a backpack and water bottle that are perfect for pit road. For the ladies in your life, a stunning jewelry case is available in 2 sizes. We saved the best for last, as Focal headphones were styled after the EXP 100 GT. For those who demand the best in stylish speakers, the Naim For Bentley combines 6 drivers along with HDMI, Apple & Google integration. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for all your Holliday gifts. Shop Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Production Begins

How do you build a car by hand in the age of COVID? That is the most closely guarded secret as the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur production begins today. The world's only Carbon Neutral car factory is located in Crewe. Using the latest in personal protection, the skilled coachbuilders invest over 100 hours in each car. We now have final performance numbers that show a 0-60 time of 4 seconds with a top speed of 198 mph. Seamless cylinder deactivation happens in 20 milliseconds, or 1/10th the time it takes to blink. Being 220 lbs lighter than the twelve-cylinder model, it has 15% less carbon emissions while offering 441 miles on a full tank. New Bentley Jewelry Collection Features Brilliant Array of Gemstones Bentley has delivered 40,000 Flying Spurs since 2005, and this is the best one yet. No less than 141 employees stitch 3 km of thread to join 350 pieces of leather. You will have 505 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available from 1,700 rpm to 4,500, thanks to the wastegates holding a reserve of boost. Even a slight tip of the pedal erupts into meaty acceleration and smiles per gallon. Click the button below to order yours and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 05, 2020

Bentley's Big Electric Future Is Coming Soon

This is where high voltage finally meets high style. Although many have tried to build electric cars with an old-world feel, it takes more than good intentions to pull it off. That's why Bentley's big electric future is coming soon. Yesterday we told you this press conference would be big and now we have the details. Starting with the most obvious, the brand intends to be carbon neutral by 2030. It will be accomplished by a mix of battery and plug-in hybrids for the 2026 model year. From here on, the hybrids will be phased out while batteries takeover. Bentley Expands “Be Safe” Campaign On the production side, the factories will cut their environmental impact by 75% as 2025 approaches. This means no plastics and more natural renewables. For the workers, it means holistic wellbeing. The cornerstone of their Beyond 100 program will see improvements to every workspace in their 80-year old factory. On the other end, every Bentley dealer will be involved in offering an unsurpassed experience to their customers. Every model will have a hybrid counterpart by 2023, and they will be joined by the first battery Bentley in 2025. If you want the latest twin-turbo English luxury car click the button below and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 04, 2020

Bentley's Electric Future Will Be Presented Tomorrow

Only a few years ago we would have laughed at a luxury electric car. But climate change is irrefutable, and so is the push for cleaner transportation. That is why Bentley's electric future will be presented tomorrow. Their latest Beyond 100 film will be live-streamed from Bentley Newsroom at 11 AM Eastern Time. Bentley Offers Over 5,000 Interior Options It will be a press conference from the historic headquarters in Crewe, England. In it, we will see a factory that protects its skilled workforce with over 250 virus-killing safety measures. We will also receive their Q3 sales and profit reports that will echo the unprecedented demand for new luxury cars and SUVs. Chairman & CEO Adrian Hallmark will also host a Q&A session immediately after along with his Board of Managers. Click here to register for the virtual event and then click below for great incentives from our Bentley dealers. As always, we will remain your source for Bentley news. Browse Bentley For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 22, 2020

Bentley Offers Over 5,000 Interior Options

The allure of the Continental V8 convertible has been bouncing around my noggin for a few years. Because we specialize in new & pre-owned luxury and exotics, I have had ample time to drive new and older versions of the Continental. Of course, their fit & finish is top-notch, but no two cars are the same. That's because Bentley offers over 5,000 interior options. Our dealers specialize in turning your dreams into a reality, and it starts with details as small as the interior veneers. They can book-match any wood species for open-pore opulence. If you like it glossy, the Piano Veneers can be had in any of the 88 exterior colors, painted by hand and color sanded for decades of brilliance. What's more, the Mulliner custom shop can cut veneers and dash trim from stone, carbon fiber, diamond-cut aluminum or even titanium. Importing slate and quartz from India, it is laser-cut to 0.1mm along the grain to retain its strength. Click the button below to get the process started, you deserve it. Browse Bentley For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2020

Bentley Shows Stunning Lineup At Goodwood

In keeping with our English theme this morning, Bentley is showing a stunning lineup at Goodwood. When you mention anything Bentley, people assume their twin-turbo twelve cylinder is under the hood. While that is true for the Bentayga Speed, it is flanked by the Continetal and Flying Spur. Both sporting black trim, its a dead giveaway that they are V8 powered. While they lack almost 100 horsepower compared to the W12 models, they are also over 220 lbs lighter. " width="680"> Given the means, I would choose their V8 instead of the 12 because it has been proven under the hoods of the Panamera, Cayenne, several Audis, and even the Lamborghini Urus. Also on display is their wild EXP 100 GT to represent the future of the brand. Our dealers are ready to answer any questions about their 2021 lineup, so click the button and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 14, 2020

2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 Is Lighter & Darker

A twelve-cylinder Bentley in your garage is a life goal for many of us. Their flagship sedan pulls no punches to offer 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. It has everything you could ask for, and now offers the most efficient powertrain in their history. Something dark and intriguing hit our inbox this morning. A Bentley with blacked-out details will arrive soon, and it's 220 lbs lighter thanks to losing 4 cylinders. Bentley Celebrates 40,000 Flying Spurs Using the latest engine technology, the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 is lighter and darker. Their 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is shared with the Porshe Cayenne & Panamera, along with the Audi S8 and the Lamborghini Urus. Now with the latest in cylinder de-activation, it transforms to a 4-cylinder in 20ms. This allows the Flying Spur to have a range of 400 miles on one tank while still offering 542 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. With maximum torque arriving under 2,000 rpm, it might be able to outrun the W12 for a few seconds. " width="680"> The Dynamic Ride system has replaced swaybars with servos. It can apply 959 lb-ft of torque up or down to each wheel. Not only does it instantly negate bumps in the road, but you also won't feel a thing on even the roughest roads. Click the button to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 16, 2020

2021 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Coupe Unveiled At Sa...

Last week we gave you a sneak peek at Europe's hottest car show. Now the festivities are over so we are happy to announce that the 2021 Bentley Continental GT Mulliner Coupe was unveiled at Salon Privé. It is the latest member of their Mulliner Collections Portfolio that also comprises the Continental GT convertible. To set it apart from all lesser models, you must start by choosing from 88 piano veneers. " width="680"> Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Built by Mulliner's master coachbuilders, each example is not hindered by the demands of Bentley's normal production constraints. This allows them to take the time necessary to create your masterpiece. No less than 400,000 stitches hold a few acres of leather together. Other exclusive features include the Double Diamond grille, unique 22" Mulliner wheels, and the option for modern, technical finishes inside and out. They are capable of building anything your heart desires, so click the button above to order yours and stay with us for all your Bentley news.

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