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 Sponsored Article – August 10, 2026

New Bentley Continental GT S and GTC S: Sporting Performance and Dramatic Presence

Combining dramatic visual presence with the latest hybrid powertrain from Bentley, the new Continental GT S and GTC S models are aimed squarely at the performance-focused driver. The fourth-generation Continental GT S models are the fastest and most powerful yet to carry the S badge and are born from the same driver-centric mantra as the Bentley Supersports. The 4.0-litre V8 engine gives the Continental GT S models a responsive and agile character while delivering 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. Complementing this advanced powertrain is the Bentley Performance Active Chassis. This includes Active All Wheel Drive, twin valve dampers, torque vectoring (front to rear and across the axles), an electronic limited slip differential, and all-wheel steering. This is Bentley’s most advanced and driver-focused AWD chassis setup, designed to deliver maximum sporting appeal and ability. What’s more, the black gloss radiator grille, black trim, and distinctive S badging make an instant and dramatic impact. The gloss black winged Bentley badge and lettering build on the darker exterior look, giving the GT S a more assertive stance regardless of the colors chosen for the exterior and two-tone interior hide split that’s unique to the S models. With their sporting aesthetic and emphasis on the sheer enjoyment of driving, the S models extend the breadth of choice offered by the definitive grand tourer. Learn More GALLERY-EMBED

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By Sponsored Article – May 24, 2023

Dark Sapphire 2020 Bentley Continental Flying Spur For Sale

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 03, 2022

The New Bentley Speed Sculpture Unveiled At Bentley Resid...

Presented by Bentley Residences - Dezer Development unveiled a 4-ft high, 13ft long, and 7ft wide speed form sculpture at the Bentley Residences Miami, the world’s first Bentley-branded luxury residential property. The Bentley speed form sculpture, which was designed and developed by the Bentley Motors Designers at the company’s headquarters in Crewe, England, is a full-scale model of the Bentley speed form and is constructed of a structural steel support frame covered with a polyurethane car structure, covered in fiberglass. The fiberglass was then sanded by Bentley engineers to get the unique shape and lines in the car. The exterior body color, called Miami Bronze, is a unique shade that was mixed in the Bentley paint shop and specifically designed to come to life in the bright Miami climate whilst enhancing the form of the sculpture. Discover Bentley Residences “The Bentley speed form was inspired by the flowing lines and surface definition seen on our luxury cars,” said Chris Cooke, Product and Lifestyle Design Manager, Bentley Motors. “The sculpture was designed to be viewed at eye level to fully appreciate the beauty of the form, reflecting the car’s strength and power in volume whilst celebrating its beauty and elegance within the details of its key lines.” ABOUT BENTLEY RESIDENCES MIAMI: Conceptualized by top U.S property developer, Dezer Development, in partnership with Bentley Motors, Bentley Residences marks the world’s first Bentley-branded luxury residential property, slated to unveil in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida in 2026. Designed by world-renowned architectural firm Sieger Suarez, standing at 749 ft. tall, the 60-story cylindrical skyscraper will be the tallest residential building on a U.S. beachfront, containing a one-of-a-kind collection of 200-plus exquisitely finished apartment units. The Bentley design team has collaborated with Dezer on the interior and exterior of the tower, which boasts a glistening one-of-a-kind diamond-patterned façade, translating Bentley’s luxury design to the residential experience. Designed to inspire new ways to embrace space and connect to the stunning surrounding environment, each 6,000 sq. ft. unit will encompass between 1,150 to 2,000 sqft. of outdoor living space, offering unparalleled views of the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterways through the seamlessly implemented floor-to-ceiling glass windows within. Built with luxury car owners in mind, each residence will house an in-unit multi-car garage and patented ‘Dezervator’ drive-in elevator, allowing for cars to be securely stored alongside the apartment on display – the ultimate statement in exclusivity and privacy. Homes will also feature a private balcony pool, sauna, and outdoor shower. Other world-class resort-style amenities include a private restaurant with a resident chef, cinema, whiskey bar, cigar lounge, state-of-the-art fitness facility, pool, spa, cabanas, and beautifully landscaped communal gardens. Construction is slated to begin Q3 2022 with the completion of the tower in 2026. 18401 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL 33160. Discover Bentley Residences " width="680">

By Edward Jones – March 10, 2021

A Special Pair of Bentley Continental Fastbacks at Vantag...

Vantage Motorworks, Inc., located in Miami, Florida proudly offers 2 spectacular Bentley Continental H.J. Mulliner Fastbacks. Below is part of the pedigree of these classics, both supplied to the same distinguished original owner. Contact Vantage Motorworks Inc. First launched in 1951 the Bentley Continental was at the very forefront of British engineering. The aluminum construction initially paired with a 4.5L straight-six engine was later increased to 4.9L and able to produce vast amounts of torque. The combination of lightweight design and huge power allowed the luxury 4-seater to reach speeds of up to 120mph and cruise comfortably, figures other manufacturers of the era could only dream of. The interior of the Bentleys was designed to exude luxury, only hinting at their tremendous performance. Even at speed, these vehicles remained stable and quiet; truly the benchmark for high-speed cruising even by today’s standards. As with all restorations by Vantage Motorworks, the history of each car is thoroughly researched and their pedigree documented. The original owner of these 2 important Fastbacks was the legendary automobile enthusiast William Brewster of Stonington, Ct. The Brewster family contained a strong line of automotive enthusiasts, and William Brewster was no different. The son of Frederick Foster Brewster (a bank and public utility executive and 7-time winner of the Astor Cup) the family was also connected with the famous coachbuilding firm of Brewster & Co., which was eventually purchased by Rolls-Royce in the mid-1920s. The entire family traces its roots to Elder William Brewster (Jan. 24, 1566 – Apr. 10, 1644), who came to Plymouth Colony on the Mayflower. In addition to quite a few special Bentleys, William Brewster’s collection also included one of the most famous Model J Duesenbergs in the world; a RHD example bodied by Gurney Nutting for the Maharaja of Holkar. View Current Inventory BC35LC – 1954 Bentley Continental R Type Fastback – From conception, this premium sporting chassis was to be an exclusively coachbuilt car. Over its entire four-year production run, while there were 2,528 Bentley R-Types, there were only 207 R-Type Continental chassis made. BC35LC, one of only 41 left-hand-drive examples erected to H.J. Mulliner design number 7277 was featured at the New York Auto Show in February 1954. BC35LC arrives at Vantage Motorworks at Vantage Motorworks June 2018. A concours quality, no expense spared restoration brings the car back to its original Maroon color. BC96LBG – 1957 Bentley S1 Continental Fastback by H.J. Mulliner, is one of only 22 left-hand drive examples erected to H.J. Mulliner design number 7400 and was equipped with the upgraded large valve, large carburetor engine and power steering. The original Bentley tools in their special Mulliner case, correct owner’s handbooks, a rare Continental touring kit and copies of the factory work orders all remain with the car. BC96LBG – work in progress and final photo: Says Richard Gorman, President of Vantage Motorworks “To proudly display them side by side after 6 decades is quite gratifying. It would be great if this remarkable pair remained reunited.” Contact Vantage Motorworks Inc.

By Edward Jones – March 28, 2017

Extremely Rare Bentley Continental Speed Breitling Jet Te...

Jake's Motorcars has one of the rarest Bentley for sale: the 2016 Continental GT Speed Breitling Jet Team Series. Bentley created this series of seven luxury cars to celebrate the Breitling Jet Team's performances across the United States and Canada in the Summer of 2016.Each of the cars is numbered and correspond to a specific jet in the Breitling fleet. On the carbon fiber panel, an image of the seven planes in their signature “Avenger flight formation” is featured with the corresponding jet highlighting in Breitling Yellow. Other modifications to the cars include hide and thread matched to the Breitling Yellow color, individually numbered tread plates and a series of logos and graphics for the headrests that signify the number of each car and the jet that inspired it.The looks of these cars may be a gorgeous sight, but the delivery of them was even more fantastic. In Seattle, Washington the seven cars and seven jets met on an airstrip. It was here that each of the owners were given a flight in the jet that corresponds with their car. And, the pilots that took them for a flight were the ones that handed off the keys to the cars.The example that Jake's Motorcars is currently offering is #7 of 7. It has only 3,200 miles clocked on its odometer and is in fantastic condition. The dealership also notes that this car was celebrity owned. With the car comes all of the original literature, original window sticker, battery trickle charger, car cover, one master key and a full factory warranty until 9/15/2018. To see the price and learn more, be sure to click the button below.View Price and Listing

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