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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

Jason Momoa & Hedley Studios Create A New One-Off Bentley Blower Jnr

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 04, 2026

Jason Momoa’s New One-Off Bentley Blower Jnr Revealed

Actor and filmmaker Jason Momoa is well-known for his roles in Aquaman, A Minecraft Movie, and Fast X, however, the latest season of his HBO Max documentary series, On The Roam, shows his passion for the automotive world, featuring a visit to the Bicester atelier of Hedley Studios, where he began the process of a bespoke, one-off build that has now been revealed. Available now to watch on HBO Max, the latest On The Roam episode shows the beginning of Jason Momoa’s Hedley Studios configuration process. Eclipsing the beauty and luxury of bespoke craftsmanship, the one-off Bentley Blower Jnr created by Jason Momoa not only features unique touches, but also a personal story. The body color, called Momoa Crimson, was created specifically for the project, and is paired with aged brass details for a gorgeous patina that will develop over time. Meanwhile, the Koa wood that the dashboard is made from is an homage to Momoa’s native Hawaii, and the “666” on the radiator and number plate reference the “El Diablo” nickname of his grandfather. The vehicle also features a “Momoa 1 of 1” nameplate, a hand-carved brass skull drive selector that required 100 hours of work and originated from a solid block of brass, and the logo of On The Roam on the steering wheel. About the project, Hedley Studios founder Ben Hedley said, “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Jason on this project. He had a really clear vision of what he wanted to integrate into the car to make it a true one-off and personal to him: the story of his grandfather, the antiqued brass finishes, the unique paint shade and the wooden dash from his place of birth. What stood out most was the sense of fun and energy Jason brought to the whole process. He was completely engaged with the team behind the build, and that made the project feel genuinely collaborative from the start. It’s been a real honour to help bring his vision to life.” The Bentley Blower Jnr by Hedley Studios is an 85% scale recreation of one of the most foundational historic Bentley models, the 1929 Bentley 4½ Litre Supercharged “Blower.” While it faithfully evokes the original Blower, it opts instead for a fully electric powertrain, a 15 kW electric motor specifically, and has 65 miles of range. Fully road legal in the US, UK, and EU, Jason Momoa’s new one-off Bentley Blower Jnr is a bespoke masterpiece that combines the best of new and classic automotive excellence. View All Bentley For Sale Image Source: Hedley Studio

A man stands barefoot indoors in a ready stance for a Trick Shot Challenge, with a white dog nearby and a yellow Bentley Continental labeled “UNDERDOG” parked behind him.

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 27, 2025

Bryson DeChambeau Is Giving Away a $325K Bentley Continen...

Bryson is back, and there's a Bentley in his house. Whether you're a golf fan or not, the name Bryson DeChambeau has to ring a bell. While the 31-year-old professional golfer is known for his successful career formerly with the PGA and now with LIV Golf, Bryson has also built quite the worldwide fan base thanks to his growing popularity on social media. Where most pro golfers shy from the limelight, sticking to pre and post round media sessions at tournaments, Bryson has embraced the engagment from fans with his YouTube channel and social platforms. After going viral late last year on TikTok with his hole-in-one challenge, where he hit a shot over his home onto a backyard green, Bryson DeChambeau is back with another challenge, and it involves a bright yellow Bentley Continental in his living room. Now this isn't the first time the world of exotic cars has crossed paths with pro golfers, recalling back to 2020 when Ian Poulter hit a chip shot through his multi-million Ferrari LaFerrari. Bryson DeChambeau has been tied to Bentley Motors for years, often showing up at tournaments behind the wheel of one of Crewe’s finest grand tourers. Now, the U.S. Open champ is adding Bentley into his off-course life with his newest #shotcupchallenge. Sponsored by Underdog Sports, Bryson is attempting to chip a ping pong ball from the center of his living room onto the second floor, landing it precisely into a tiny red shot cup. Each day he gets ten more chances at the nearly impossible shot, and fans following along can win $100 credit from Underdog if a ball drops into the 'Underdog' box surrounding the cup. The real headline, though, comes when he finally nails the shot because the very next day, he’s going live on Instagram to give away the $325,000 Bentley Continental to one lucky fan who tunes in and follows the entry instructions. Make sure to follow Bryson DeChambeau's Instagram to stay up-to-date on his trick shot challenge. And if you're not the lucky winner, check out the best Bentley Continentals for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley Continentals For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bryson DeChambeau (@brysondechambeau) Source: @brysondechambeau Instagram

By Edward Jones – May 07, 2021

Check Out DeMarcus Lawrence's New Bentley

Now this is how you surprise someone. Being a Bentley Ambassador, DeMarcus "Tank" Lawrence knows the automaker's vehicles quite well. Because of that, Bentley Dallas, part of Avondale Group, knew that his first Bentley of the year had to be something that's truly special. The model they went with was a Flying Spur, but the Blackline specification and just about every option were added. It wouldn't be hard to say that this may be one of the best-looking Flying Spurs out there. When it was time to finally present Tank with his Bentley, Bentley Dallas surprised him with it on the showroom floor. To say that he was in love at first sight is kind of an understatement. You can see the surprise for yourself in the video down below. If you'd like to see Avondale Group's current inventory, be sure to click the button below to see what's available. View Inventory https://www.instagram.com/p/COimWbUHyDO/

Elton John Aids Foundation "Midsummer Party" - Party

By Edward Jones – July 26, 2019

Bentley Flying Spur First Edition Sells BIG for Charity

Bentley Motors provided a new Flying Spur First Edition for the Elton John AIDS Foundation Midsummer Gala so that it could be auctioned off for charity. The event was held at Villa Dorane, Cap d'Antibes, France, and hosted by none other than Sir Elton John and David Furnish. The auction for the new Bentley resulted in a winning bid of €700,000, which equates to roughly $780,000 USD. Proceeds from the auction were donated to the Elton Johns AIDS Foundation. Sir Elton John had this to say of the auction: “It’s because of the consistent support and kindness of so many people in this room that we are able to commit the Elton John AIDS Foundation to real partnerships with world leaders that can a make a future without AIDS.” It should also be mentioned that he was bidding against the anonymous bidder that won. browse all bentleys for sale

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