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.

Bentley & Travis Pastrana Reveal new 'Supersports: FULL SEND' Video

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 22, 2026

Watch Travis Pastrana Drift The New Bentley Supersports

Bentley has recently unveiled the newest chapter in a century-long legacy by unveiling the new Supersports. The most extreme and driver-focused version of the Continental yet, the new Supersports features a 657-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine without a hybrid system, and it’s the first Continental GT ever to be rear-wheel drive. With only 500 units to be made, the model is already sold out, but that doesn’t mean Bentley is anywhere near done drumming up excitement about its driver-focused masterpiece. An undisputable legend in the world of motocross, rally racing, and stunt performance, Travis Pastrana collaborated with Bentley Motors to create what the manufacturer is calling the most dynamic film in its history: ‘Supersports: FULL SEND.’ In the film, The new Bentley Supersports is taken by Pastrana for a tour around the Bentley campus and Dream Factory in Crewe, England, but it’s not just any tour, as Pastrana delivers a performance similar to the stunt-heavy “Gymkhana” series of films. Earning the nickname “Pymkhana” after the Crewe campus’s location on Pyms Lane, the film was shown to an audience of 400 invited guests in Dubai, and it follows the final official Gymkhana film by Pastrana: ‘Aussie Shred.’ The Supersports was somewhat modified to make the stunts in the film possible, consisting of a hydraulic handbrake and the ability to power brake, both essential for drifting in the way Pastrana did in the film. The ‘FULL SEND’ car will be a part of Bentley’s 2026 events and be retained as part of the Heritage Collection in Crewe thereafter. <- Gallery -> The new Supersports is not the only star of the film, though, as Bentley gave some other icons from throughout its history appearances in the spectacle, as well. These included the Le Mans-winning Speed 8 from 2003, both generations of the Continental GT3, 1999’s Hunaudières concept, a car that was part of the line of concepts that would culminate in the Bugatti Veyron, the Pikes Peak Bentayga and Pikes Peak Continental GT, Bentley’s camouflaged future luxury urban SUV, five pre-war models, the EXP 15 concept, the final production Brooklands, which did a burnout, the two previous generations of the Supersports, and the original Supersports from 1925. With deliveries of the new Supersports beginning in 2027, the excitement for a new driver’s Bentley couldn’t reach a higher fever pitch. View All Bentley For Sale Image Source: Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2021

2022 Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak Will Attack The M...

Oil companies might want to take notice One of the best attributes of Bentley's high altitude races is how the turbos adjust to thin air. While other manufacturers struggle up the 9,000-ft ascent, Bentley makes it look easy. In the past this meant spewing harmful exhaust directly into the stratosphere once they got above the treeline, but now the English engineers are taking the lead in eco-friendly racing. It is easy for anyone to make renewable fuel, all you need is a still and a few bags of corn. You can make moonshine legally for private consumption, just don't sell it and the Feds will leave you alone. Therefore, your corn liquor, white lightning, or mountain dew makes a great evening spirit and the perfect fuel for turbocharged supercars. Rhys Millen will return to drive the beast up the mountain, and he will be at the helm of a 4-liter V8. It has the largest aerodynamic surfaces Bentley has ever made, along with larger coolers for the water and oil. The turbos dump into stylish sidepipes for the perfect soundtrack. We wish him and everyone at Team Bentley good luck on this, the 99th race at the historic mountain. Tell us your opinion of ethanol as a race fuel in the comments below. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2021

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Arrives With More Power ...

Bentley has never built anything like this before! Luxury cars with a dozen cylinders have been overpowered for years. Trying to contain massive torque in a smooth package is now made easier thanks to a proactive chassis, and that is why the Bentley Continental GT Speed arrives with more power and comfort. Their flagship grand tourer is becoming more distinct from the W12 and V8 siblings. In a quest to harness 650 horsepower, the chassis has gained four new technologies. Starting with the center differential, the torque distribution has been recalibrated to send more power to the rear wheels. It is there they encounter Bentley's first electronic limited-slip differential. Predecessors were forced to use the brake calipers to control torque left or right, but now it can be done in a twinkling of an eye. When that refined power reaches the rear wheels, they can turn with or against the fronts using the latest in all-wheel steering. Not only does this cut the turning circle of the big girl, it adds incredible grip at high speeds. Also onboard is the 48-volt active sway bars pioneered on the Bentayga. They can add or pull 959 lb-ft of vertical torque against each hub to keep the car flat in hard corners. Each one of these systems has unique tuning between Comfort and Sport modes, and they represent months of relentless testing by professional drivers and engineers. The largest silicon-carbide rotors they've ever offered are clamped by 10-piston calipers. To put their abilities into perspective, they convert 9,478 BTU of motion into heat. You will have 664 lb-ft of torque across most of the tachometer. It launches you to 60 mph 3.5 seconds on your way to 208 mph. Most of the time you will be cruising on six cylinders, and because the valves and injectors are shut down you won't notice the switch. Power and technology meet old-world leather and wood to become a car that is unmatched by anything else before. Browse Bentley Continental GT For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – December 21, 2020

Bentley's "Art In Motion" Heads To Auction

Using the 2021 Bentayga for sale as inspiration, Bentley's "Art In Motion" series heads to auction. As a great way to help those less fortunate, the automaker commissioned three SoCal artists to create what the Bentayga means to them. Each painting was then open for bidding in an auction that ended Sunday night. With all proceeds going to Inner-City Arts, it is a great way to encourage and support creativity among the youth of Los Angeles. We can agree that the Bentayga is inspiring in twelve-cylinder of V8 power, so click the button below for great incentives from our dealers. Browse Bentley Bentayga For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Bentley Motors

By Andrew Nabors – December 18, 2020

2021 Bentley "Reindeer Eight" Sleighs The Competition

A few months back, one of our dealers placed an order with Mulliner. Because they love bespoke builds, the 2021 Bentley "Reindeer Eight" has sleighed the competition. In a press release loaded with puns, we've learned that the customer is a jolly old man in a red suit. He took delivery yesterday after a thorough Santa-isation process. " width="680"> The rotating display hides a naughty and nice list, and the piano black veneer shows a North Pole landscape at night. It was built by hand at the "ho-ho-home of Bentley Motors". While he is accustomed to 8 reindeer power, there are 542 horsepower under the hood. With plans to travel 41 million miles, the hand-painted gold accents were covered in clear for a flawless, durable finish. Production of the new V8-powered Flying Spur began yesterday, so we hope you've been good all year. Our dealers have all the information, so click the button and Merry Christmas from all of us at duPont REGISTRY! Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale Images (C) Bentley Motors

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 – May 28, 2020

Bentley Flying Spur Offers Unprecedented Interior Options

Everyone knows that a new Bentley must surpass the previous generation. That is why they have unlocked unprecedented interior options for the 2021 Flying Spur. Now that it is no longer tied to the Continental in terms of chassis or design, the interior is a blank canvas awaiting your inspiration. The front seats are massaging and can be had in any color leather. But let your driver enjoy those details. The press release this morning is aimed at their target audience. The rear cockpit begins with your choice of 15 leather colors and 8 distinct wood species. Opting for the fridge, it can either cool or freeze two champagne bottles between the rear seats. Hiding in the rear of the center console, a 5" touchscreen remote can be presented at the touch of a button. It integrates entertainment, the 14-way seats, and 5 massage modes. An optional Naim for Bentley audio system offers 19 speakers and a subwoofer integrated into each seat. Powered by a 2,200-watt 19-channel amplifier, it can turn low-resolution MP3s into a symphony. Another popular option is rear-seat entertainment. In the back of both front seats are 10.2" Android tablets. They are removable to watch from any angle and offer 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth connections. With ample onboard memory, you will have access to the Google PlayStore to download any media and apps you desire. Finally, you can choose 3D leather quilting in any pattern, and the craftspeople will sew the car of your dreams. For the sake of brevity, I have summarized the most popular options, and our dealers are ready to take your breath away. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 17, 2020

Bentley Uploads Birkin Blower Continuation Series Configu...

Last year we mention big news from Bentley. A small team a Mulliner's classic division is planning to build a dozen new examples of the classic 4-1/2 liter "Blower Bentleys". Not only is it the world's first continuation series of pre-war cars, it represents how loved these cars are by Bentley's faithful fans. The problem with finding an original pre-war Bentley is that a certain lead singer of AC/DC buys every example that is put up for sale. We applaud Brian Johnson for his exquisite taste, and that he routinely drives them around his home in Sarasota. Thankfully the 12 new cars have already been spec'ed by their owners, as Bentley uploaded a Birkin Blower Continuation Series Configurator. None of us were chosen to purchase one, so here are some shots from their latest press release. The story of Sir Tim Birkin and his racing Bentleys is amazing automotive history, so we'll cover it at a later date. Meanwhile, click the button below to find a new Bentley and have a great weekend. Browse Bentley For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 07, 2020

Bentley's Metallurgists Push Alloys to the Limit

The process seems simple to most automakers. Steel and aluminum arrive at the factory, and in a few hours a new car emerges. When it comes to building an icon of luxury motoring, many other variables come into focus. From the age of Alchemy into the modern era, scientists have studied the properties of mixing metals to achieve better tolerances and strength. That is why Bentley's metallurgists push alloys to the limit. We get a glimpse behind the scenes in their most recent press release. A team of 26 dedicated engineers subject -completed parts to scrutiny down to +/- 0.15 mm (thinner than a hair). The latest in laser and 3D modeling come together in a climate controlled lab. Temperature is kept constant to +/- 0.5 Celsius (0.9 degrees F). These conditions are used to test incoming raw materials along with random samples from the plant floor. Everything from brake rotors to the door latch is measure then dissected to make sure it is of the best quality. This is what separates Bentley from their competitors, and that is why you should find one for yourself by clicking the button below. Stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse All Bentley For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 23, 2020

2020 Bentley Flying Spur Offers Their Most Complex Interior

141 Upholsterers Stitch 350 Pieces of Leather Almost 2 Miles of Thread 168 Cross-Stitches on the Steering Wheel This is the one you've been waiting for. Despite sharing the same outer dimensions, it shares nothing with last year's model. Thanks to a clean-sheet redesign, the new 2020 Bentley Flying Spur offers their most complex interior. An apprentice is not allowed to touch the immaculate hides before completing 5 months of training. The seats require a minimum of 12 hours, and the headrests are embroidered with 5,103 stitches. Safety is still their top priority, so the stitches around each airbag are designed to shear when the bag deploys. Our dealers will show you all of the intricate details, so click the button below and stay with us for all your Bentley news. Browse All Bentley Flying Spur For Sale " width="680"> Related: Bentley Flying Spur W12 S: Price, Specs, & Review

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