Cayenne

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

A person sits in a Porsche Cayenne’s driver seat holding a game controller, with a racing video game displayed on the car’s central touchscreen, blending immersive driver experience with digital entertainment.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 15, 2025

How Porsche Evolved Its Driver Experience For The Cayenne...

With the new Cayenne Electric, Porsche evolves its Driver Experience. With incredible levels of battery efficiency, electric performance, and even features set to debut like wireless charging, the new Porsche Cayenne Electric is one of the most technologically advanced vehicles to ever wear the Porsche crest, the most powerful production Porsche yet, and in many other ways, a groundbreaking creation from the historic luxury performance car manufacturer. One of those ways is Driver Experience, a newly developed system featuring Porsche’s Digital Interaction concept, which features an unprecedented level of customization. Versatility is a priority in the new Driver Experience design in the Porsche Cayenne Electric, for instance, allowing for distraction-free driving in places with open roads, and more connectivity for users who drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic in big cities. Analog controls and digital features come together for a seamless, natural experience, and up to four displays allow the front passenger to access key features, as well. With the incredible amount of features available in the vehicle, creating a user experience and interface that felt intuitive and easy to enjoy was a significant challenge, and thanks to advanced software and hardware, as well as over-the-air updates, the system will evolve even further over time. AI-supported Voice Pilot allows drivers to access features with natural, conversational voice commands based on leading LLMs. For manual control, a new wrist pad allows for ergonomic control. An optional passenger display allows for access to content and entertainment without distracting the driver, while an optional head-up display enhances driving with augmented reality technology. The Digital Key feature on the new Cayenne Electric allows smartphones and smart watches to act as door openers for the vehicle, allowing for even easier usability. The Digital Key feature can easily be shared, with up to seven additional users available to be added. With timeless luxury, tactile excellence, and a user experience packed with cutting-edge technology, the new Porsche Cayenne Electric is one of the most advanced models Porsche has made yet. View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale Image Source: Porsche

A green Porsche Sonderwunsch SUV is parked in the center of a circular open courtyard with beige stone walls and greenery above.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 24, 2025

Porsche Sonderwunsch Unveils Transformed Manual 2009 Caye...

Porsche gives the legendary Cayenne a Sonderwunsch makeover. Sonderwunsch, translating from German to “special wishes,” is the department of Porsche that is capable of working virtual miracles. Specializing in realizing some of the most discerning Porsche clients’ fantasies, Sonderwunsch has envisioned what Porsche models that never made series production would have looked like, created vehicles to match the most granular specifications, and reimagined legendary cars from the past. One past Porsche legend that Sonderwunsch has converted is especially poignant recently: the Cayenne. An industry-wide case study for its sales success, the Porsche Cayenne is one of the most impactful vehicles not only in Porsche history but for the entire automotive world. The idea of a luxury sports car manufacturer offering an SUV was almost unheard of at the time, and the introduction of the Cayenne changed that forever. Now, after more than 20 years since the Cayenne’s introduction in the early 2000s, a new version of the legendary luxury performance SUV has emerged, the Porsche Cayenne Electric. Full of some of the most groundbreaking EV technology on the market, the introduction of the Cayenne Electric has made the legendary SUV nameplate more versatile than ever, including combustion, hybrid, and electric powertrains, SUV and SUV coupe body styles, and a wide range of trims and variants, including one that is the most powerful production model Porsche has ever made. As the Cayenne Electric was debuted in person at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai, another Cayenne took the spotlight, and it was a Cayenne example that was transformed by Sonderwunsch, showcasing the new Cayenne Electric alongside a converted first-generation example in a stunning spectacle. Created as part of Sonderwunsch’s "Factory Re-Commission" program, the customer, entrepreneur and collector Phillip Sarofim, had a 16-year-old Cayenne imbued with 1970s-inspired details. The Porsche 911 Spirit 70 was the inspiration, and the basis was a 2009 Porsche Cayenne GTS with roughly 50,000 miles on the odometer, specifically one of the now sought-after examples with a manual transmission. A towbar was retrofitted onto the vehicle in order for the customer to use it to journey through the Rub al-Khali Desert with an Airstream caravan. Paint to Sample Black Olive adorns the exterior, with a Leather to Sample interior in English Green with black and olive Pasha inserts continuing an all-green look. With a ‘70s-inspired aesthetic and a rich legacy of its own, the Sonderwunsch Porsche Cayenne is a masterpiece and one of the best examples of a modern automotive legend. View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale Image Source: Porsche

A Porsche Cayenne Electric with a colorful geometric wrap is positioned above a wireless charging pad, demonstrating how it works as an advanced electric vehicle charging system.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 12, 2025

How The New Porsche Cayenne Electric's Wireless Charging ...

Porsche showcases the marvel of wireless EV charging. The Porsche Cayenne Electric is on the horizon, and as the third all-electric model in Porsche’s lineup, the second all-electric SUV in the Porsche lineup, and the electric reimagination of one of the most legendary nameplates in the Porsche lexicon, it has big shoes to fill. To do that, Porsche has imbued the upcoming Cayenne Electric with some of the most advanced cutting-edge EV technology and innovation into the upcoming luxury electric SUV, including state-of-the-art battery efficiency, cooling, fast charging, and range. However, arguably the most unique and captivating feature coming to the Porsche Cayenne Electric is the wireless charging. With it, drivers can simply park their vehicle on top of a pad, with it automatically lowering to an appropriate height for charging, and charge its battery with effortless ease. Currently, Porsche will be the only manufacturer to offer the service on a production model, and Porsche is showing how its new cutting-edge wireless charging technology works. The system is made up of two parts: the floor plate for charging, and the receiver unit located behind the front axle of the vehicle. While wireless charging is already available for technology like phones and smaller devices, charging a car wirelessly is a much bigger technological marvel. The setup requires the plate to be lined up under the front axle, and then the system communicates with the car, including with password protection to prevent things like energy theft. In the car, the Surround View Parking function helps the driver line the car up for charging, and inductive coupling technology facilitates the charging process. Room for error is allowed when parking the car, and once the parking brake is applied, the charging process begins, with up to 90 percent charging efficiency. The system was designed with safety and ease of use in mind, protecting the vehicle from any kind of damage during the charging process, including preventing the magnetic field from spreading too far, and detecting foreign objects that may interfere. With wireless charging, the new Porsche Cayenne Electric is opening a new chapter of EV charging convenience. View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale Image Source: Porsche

Two Porsche SUVs, a white and a red Cayenne Electric, flank a third vehicle hidden by a black cloth in a Dubai showroom with large windows and mountain views.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 10, 2025

Porsche Announces Cayenne Electric Digital & Dubai Reveals

The Porsche Cayenne Electric is getting two grand entrances. Over two decades ago, the Porsche Cayenne emerged as one of the most influential luxury vehicles at the turn of the millennium, and also one of the most impactful and important models that Porsche has ever made besides the 911. Resulting in incredible financial success for Porsche, the Cayenne opened the floodgates for a legion of sporty luxury SUV models to come from performance-oriented manufacturers across the automotive industry. Today, the Cayenne continues to be one of the most successful and popular luxury performance SUVs, and certainly one of the most popular models in Porsche’s lineup. With hybrid versions, two body styles, and the Turbo GT model offering the most track-focused bent of the Cayenne yet, the Cayenne has become a Swiss Army knife of luxury, performance, and practicality that continues to be a favorite among Porsche customers. For some time now, however, an electric version of the Porsche Cayenne has been waiting in the wings. Coming after Porsche’s first all-electric model, the Taycan, and the first electric SUV from Porsche, the Porsche Macan Electric, the Porsche Cayenne Electric promises to deliver the same combination of luxury, performance, capability, and practicality that made the Porsche Cayenne such a massive success in the past twenty years, while also introducing the various innovations of all-electric mobility. As the Cayenne Electric has been teased, prototypes of the model in testing have shown off incredible charging technology, energy efficiency, and even the capability of wireless charging that Porsche promises to roll out in the next few years, and the production version of the Cayenne Electric is on the cusp of being unveiled. Porsche has chosen to do two debuts of the new Cayenne Electric: one digitally, and the other in one of the world’s glitziest luxury capitals, Dubai. On November 19, the Cayenne Elecrtric will debut in a digital event at 3:00 pm Central European Time, and then, three days later, the Icons of Porsche Festival in Dubai will host an in-person premiere of the revolutionary new electric luxury SUV from Porsche. Wearing one of the most iconic, influential, and important nameplates in Porsche’s history that was first introduced in 2002, the Porsche Cayenne Electric’s debut is one of the most highly anticipated reveals in the automotive industry now. View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale

Two luxury cars, a silver TECHART MAGNUM and a purple Porsche Cayenne, are parked facing a private jet on an open tarmac with mountainous scenery in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 24, 2025

TECHART Unveils New Porsche Cayenne-Based MAGNUM

TECHART brings the Porsche Cayenne to a new level. Known for its customization expertise and for transforming Porsche’s creations into unique statements, TECHART boasts a lineup of truly head-turning vehicles with unique looks and radical performance. The latest is the new generation of the TECHART Magnum, which is based on the latest Porsche Cayenne. The new TECHART Magnum uses the iconic luxury performance SUV as the basis for a groundbreaking supercar, with up to 930 horsepower and 811 lb/ft of torque. With that immense power, it’ll get from 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds, with a top speed of 205 mph. In addition to upgraded performance, the new TECHART Magnum also features a signature visual transformation from TECHART, as well as a custom exhaust system that gives the car an unmistakable sound experience. The new TECHART Magnum body kit is available as a plug-and-play kit for all variants of the Porsche Cayenne, while the Magnum has four variants: the Magnum, Magnum Sport, Magnum Unique, and Magnum First Edition, which is limited to 25 units, elevating the Magnum even further as a unique statement of TECHART automotive customization excellence. View All Porsche Cayennes For Sale Image Source: TECHART

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 25, 2024

Porsche Begins Testing Of The Upcoming New Electric Cayenne

Porsche lays out the future of its legendary SUV. Over twenty years ago, Porsche changed its fate by introducing a previously unprecedented vehicle: the Cayenne. Before then, it was unheard of for a luxury sports car manufacturer to introduce an SUV, but the Cayenne quickly became Porsche’s greatest sales success and today continues to trade places with Porsche’s other SUV, the Macan, as the most popular model. Across the automotive industry, luxury performance SUVs from longstanding sports car manufacturers have since cropped up, all following in the Cayenne’s footsteps. Now, the Cayenne is in its third generation, receiving an extensive upgrade last year. Porsche has announced that the upcoming fourth generation of the Cayenne will be all-electric, with camouflaged prototypes already being tested. As 2030 approaches, Porsche will offer the iconic Cayenne in three powertrain variants: combustion, hybrid, and electric. When the fourth generation of the electric Cayenne is introduced, it will be offered alongside the third generation, which will continue to be developed. As Porsche plans to transition towards electrification in the 2030s, the electric Cayenne will leverage the Premium Platform Electric architecture underpinning the new generation of Porsche’s electric vehicles. The adaptable, flexible, and robust platform will help imbue the new electric Cayenne with high performance, luxurious features, and excellent efficiency. With the camouflaged prototypes of the upcoming electric Cayenne in testing, the journey is underway toward a revolutionized version of one of Porsche’s most important icons. View All Porsche Cayennes For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 05, 2024

Porsche Brings The Cayenne GTS Along The Historic Targa F...

Porsche’s performance SUV explores historic roads. The Porsche Cayenne GTS is one of the earliest pioneers of a formula that is incredibly prevalent in today’s automotive industry: a high-performance, luxurious SUV that provides a thrilling drive and everyday practicality. Now, Porsche is celebrating its rich history and the performance-oriented character of the Cayenne GTS with a particular trip down memory lane. Bringing the Cayenne GTS to the Mediterranean isle of Sicily, the luxury performance SUV traveled the route of the historic Targa Florio race, a legendary challenge after which the iconic Porsche 911 Traga and the Targa top are named. Porsche's ROADS app helps drivers trace the route of the original rally along the Targa Florio course. The route is full of rich history and travels through quaint villages and stunning landscapes. Porsche has its own legacy of victory in the race, with a 1-2 victory in 1964, ten years before the Targa Florio was taken away from the World Sportscar Championship series. It’s still run as a historic rally today. With its dynamics, performance, and versatility, the Porsche Cayenne GTS makes for a compelling driving experience along the historic Targa Florio route, combining luxury and comfort with power and agility. With its decades of racing history and a legacy forged on one of the world’s most legendary racing courses, the Porsche Cayenne GTS of today results from Porsche’s history and the manufacturer’s lasting passion for racing and performance. View All Porsche Cayenne GTSs For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 17, 2024

Porsche Announces New 2025 Cayenne Updates & GTS Availabi...

A new Porsche Cayenne brings new luxury, performance, and technology to the road. For the legendary Porsche Cayenne, the 2025 model year has arrived, and Porsche has announced a whole host of updates for its SUV icon, along with finally bringing the new GTS variant to the forefront as it’s introduced for the first time in this new generation of the Porsche Cayenne. However, introducing the new GTS is just one of many updates the Cayenne is receiving for the 2025 model year, all of which will add new excitement to Porsche’s iconic first SUV. Porsche revolutionized as a manufacturer when the Cayenne was first introduced over twenty years ago, and its fourth generation, introduced last year, is the latest chapter in that legacy. For the 2025 model year, ambient lighting, which used to be optional, will now be standard. Other formerly optional features that will now be standard include soft-close doors and surround view with active parking support. In addition, the optional Premium Package Plus for the Cayenne will now include HD-Matrix Design LED headlights. However, the biggest update is that the new Porsche Cayenne GTS is now available to order in the United States. Featuring a twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the new Cayenne GTS boasts 493 horsepower, with the ability to get from 0-60 in just 4.2 seconds, and reach a top speed of 171, firmly placing it in the upper echelon of luxury performance SUVs as far as ability goes. Features like an optional center-mounted sport exhaust system, Race-Tex upholstery throughout the interior, and optional carbon fiber pieces enhance the GTS’s sporty character. The optional Lightweight Sport Packages can reduce the weight of the standard vehicle by as much as 55 pounds. For the 2025 model year, the Porsche Cayenne starts at $84,500. The new GTS starts at a price of $124,900, and at the very top of the model range is the new Turbo GT, which starts at an MSRP of $203,800. It’s available to order now, and it’s the latest pinnacle of Porsche’s first and most legendary SUV. View All Porsche Cayennes For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Andrew Nabors – December 11, 2014

2014 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Review

Over the past few years we have witnessed horsepower levels grow to unbelievable amounts. Porsche’s new Cayenne Turbo S is no exception. For the discerning buyer who needs more than the Cayenne Turbo’s 500 hp, the S uses two turbos and a 4.8L V8 to make 550 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The 2015 model year will see Cayenne refreshed, which leaves the ‘14 Turbo S as a proper send off for the second generation.This hottest version of the Porsche Cayenne for sale has an exterior that makes no excuses. The front grille openings are larger, with brake cooling ducts flanking the fog lights. The body is wider thanks to fender flares and aggressive rocker panels. Wheels are a 911 Turbo II style in 21” wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. Browse All Cayenne Listings See More Porsche News

Cayenne

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe