Celebrity Cars

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

By Edward Jones – February 26, 2018

Drake Just Bought Himself a LaFerrari from Fusion Luxury ...

Drake. Drizzy. Champagne Papi. 6God. OVO. He's got a lot of nicknames, hit songs and a lot of horsepower in his garage thanks to his new Ferrari purchase. In an Instagram post, Drake showed off his brand-new car: Check out Drakes LaFerrari! This specific car, purchased from Fusion Luxury Motors, is finished in a rare Giallo Modena paint, complete with the optional black glass roof. Inside is black Alcantara with black leather seats, yellow piping and yellow deviated stitching. Other options found on Drake's new Ferrari include the iconic Scuderia Ferrari Shields, yellow brake calipers, and carbon fiber body trim. All signs point to this being a car with as much sauce as Drake himself. Official Ferrari LaFerrari Specs https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfong13DYXZ/ The best part about Drake showing off his new LaFerrari is the massive smile on his face in the Instagram pic. I mean, just look at that grin! That's a guy who's happy with his new purchase. Congrats on the new addition to your garage, Drizzy. Drake Buys a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren https://www.instagram.com/p/BfD3EedlGwa/ Source: Instagram

By Edward Jones – July 14, 2017

Floyd Mayweather Says He Just Bought Two LaFerraris

The hype surrounding the upcoming Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor fight is off the charts. The two recently met for a face-to-face appearance where they traded insults, resulting in cheering and chanting from the crowd. After said meeting, I can personally say that many people in our offices couldn't stop talking about how excited they are for the upcoming fight.After the confrontation, Mayweather took to a private jet where he flashed a $100 million check and some serious time pieces in a video. During the video, uploaded by FightHype.com, he also mentioned that he had just purchased two LaFerraris, a white one and a red one.Mayweather is no stranger to hypercars, having bought a Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita, and reportedly a Bugatti Chiron. Stay with us to learn more about Mayweather's latest hypercar purchases.

By Edward Jones – July 05, 2017

Josh Cartu Does LaFerrari Aperta Donuts in Traffic

Being a Ferrari race driver and a Ferrari club president, Josh Cartu is very well versed when it comes to driving a Ferrari. He put some of his skills on display during the 2017 Budapest Gumball 3000 Rally while behind the wheel of a new LaFerrari Aperta.In the middle of traffic, with Afrojack in the passenger seat, Cartu spun up some donuts for the nearby crowds. Now is the point of the article where I say that we do not encourage any of our readers to either do donuts in traffic, or do donuts this close to crowds. Always follow local traffic laws!Blue LaFerrari Delivered at Miller MotorcarsThat being said, the sound that this LaFerrari puts off is incredible. Immediately after the donuts, the crowd surrounded the Italian hypercar and Cartu let out some extra revs for them. The scene was pure chaos. Click play below to see the donuts for yourself and see just how close the crowd was to the new Ferrari!

By Edward Jones – March 31, 2017

Michael Fux Gets His LaFerrari Aperta

Michael Fux is most definitely one of the "must follow" people on Instagram. Why? Well, that's because he has one of the craziest car collections out there and shows it off on a daily basis. What I'm trying to say is if you want insanely awesome cars to pop up on your Instagram feed, follow him.A perfect example of his knack for buying these cars is his latest purchase, a LaFerrari Aperta. This Italian hypercar has a total of 963 horsepower on tap, thanks to the V12 engine and electric motor. This allows the open-top car to run 0-60 mph in less than three seconds and 0-124 mph in less than seven seconds. Yeah, he bought a winner.https://www.instagram.com/p/BSSUqUkF6bw/In a series of Instagram posts, he showed off his new LaFerrari to the world. Check it out in the images below and be sure to follow him at @fuxwithmichael.Ferrari For Sale - duPont REGISTRY

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2017

Jamiroquai Singer's Green LaFerrari is a Beauty on Wheels

Through Ferrari Tailor Made, customers can have their Prancing Pony customized to their own personal liking. Just the other day I posted a video of a purple LaFerrari that was presumably made through Ferrari's customization branch. Today, I'm giving everyone a close look at yet another personalized LaFerrari, thanks to Marchettino.We first saw this car when it made an appearance at Goodwood back in 2014. Since then, it hasn't been spotted all too often. Marchettino recently spotted the car sitting in a Ferrari museum, right in the center. When Goodwood Road & Racing interviewed Jay Kay on his cars (you can view the full interview below), he said: "It gives the car a personality and uniqueness, and it deserves that."View LaFerrari Price & SpecsCheck out the videos below to see what might be one of the coolest looking Ferraris ever.Ferrari For SaleRelated Video - Jay Kay Talks About His Green LaFerrari

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

Jay Kay's LaFerrari in Mysterious Pure Electric Mode

You wanted proof and we have found it. The LaFerrari is capable of cruising around without awakening the V12 engine. McLaren and Porsche are clear to state their hybrid hypercars have EV mode, but Maranello has been mum on the subject. Officially the 163 hp electric motor is not programmed to operate independently, but many enthusiasts believe dealers have updated the software for certain owners. Musician Jay Kay has obtained the cheat code for electric mode as it was spotted by TheTTFJ being loaded at Joe Macari Performance Cars.McLaren's P1 has an electric range of 19 miles and the Porsche 918 is rated at 18 miles. The primary motor/generator is connected to one of the main shafts of the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox, and the smaller secondary unit is on the front of the engine in line with the accessory drive. We're not sure how far the lithium-ion batteries could take you, so if anyone would like to loan me their LaFerrari, I will bring it back with a full tank of Florida's finest ethanol diluted 87 octane.If you find yourself near London, Joe Macari has an inventory that will take your breath away.All LaFerrari For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 01, 2016

Prince of Qatar Shows Off His LaFerrari

The LaFerrari is one of the go-to cars for the most affluent citizens in the world-- tt's price, power and elegance is rivaled by only a handful of cars. Qatar's Prince, Khalifa Bin Hamad Al Thani, knows this about the LaFerrari and has purchased one for himself, finished in a stunning white paint.(Related - Epic Hypercar/Supercar Track Day For The Ages)Recently at Juans-les-Pins in Southeastern France, G-E SUPERCARS was on-hand with his camera to capture the prince and his Ferrari. In the video found below, we get a chance to see his brilliant Italian hypercar in action.Check it out in the video below.View All LaFerraris For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 02, 2016

Pink Floyd's Nick Mason Gives Inside Look at his LaFerrari

Nick Mason, 72-year-old drummer of British band Pink Floyd, showed off his LaFerrari for the team at Goodwood Road & Racing. Though most well-known for his musical skills and chart-topping hits with Pink Floyd, Mason is also an avid car collector and racing driver.In the video, Mason begins by telling the view just how difficult it is to obtain a LaFerrari, stating that one essentially must be invited by Ferrari to purchase one. (We're thinking being the drummer of one of the most iconic bands in history might have done the trick). Mason then details the electric and petrol engines and how much power is received from the electric engine. He also gives insight into the launch control feature, which gives the driver more precise control based on weather and road conditions. The driver that hops in the front seat is none other than Emanuele Pirro, and Italian racer famed as a five-time winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.What's interesting about the drummer's LaFerrari is the license plate, which is labeled "F150 OK". Ferrari fans are probably aware that "F150" has multiple meanings for the company. What do you think it means? Check out the video and then let us know in the comments below.Ferrari Laferrari For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – October 20, 2015

Gordon Ramsay Enjoys His LaFerrari in London

It's no secret that spotting a supercar is easy in London. What's a little harder is finding a supercar with a driver that's as recognizable as the marque.But as YouTuber TFJJ proved, if you hang around on the right streets for the right amount of time, you just might see such a pairing.On Knightsbridge's Sloane Street, just a few blocks over from the famous Harrods department store, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was seen with his Grigio LaFerrari, the hybrid monster from Ferrari capable of creating a total of 949 hp. An Oct. 17 upload from TFJJ gives us a look at the crowded street and unique cars sitting along its sides.As the LaFerrari sits on the side of the street, we get a chance to see a few of the other supercars London is notorious for hosting, including multiple Lamborghini Huracans and a Ferrari 458. Ramsay then pops in to the driver's seat as a crowd of people snap pictures, and heads out.Of course, it should come as no surprise that Ramsay enjoys such a fine Ferrari. On Oct. 16, the Italian luxury manufacturer shared a press release and video of the chef's recent visit to Maranello, where he took the 488 GTB out for a few laps around the track. While he may be known for being difficult to please, the smile on his face behind the wheel of the 488 is unmistakably massive.(See Also: Chris Harris Tears Up Track in Renault Sport R.S. 01)Check out the videos of Ramsay enjoying a few Ferraris above, and find your own Italian prancing horse for your collection from our exclusive listings.Ferraris For Sale (Source: Ferrari, YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

By Edward Jones – August 26, 2015

Sammy Hagar From Van Halen Gets His LaFerrari

Sammy Hagar, also known as "The Red Rocker," is a rock musician that rose to fame in the 1980s after his successful solo career and his position as the lead singer of Van Halen. And now, he is in the news, not for his music, but for the latest car to join his garage: a LaFerrari. KNOW & TELL: Here is another reason Sammy Hagar can’t drive 55! The legendary rocker just got the keys to his $1.3 million limited edition Ferrari in Mill Valley. http://abc7ne.ws/1hsQbrQPosted by ABC7 News on Thursday, August 20, 2015 The delivery was reported by ABC 7 News in California Aug. 20 in an article. According to their reports, the delivery took place Aug. 19 in Mill Valley. The LaFerrari itself is finished in a special paint that Hagar has named "Cappuccino." This light exterior is contrasted against a black interior, giving off a two-tone appearance. Images of the car seen in this article are from ABC 7's own Juan Carlos Guerrero, who posted the pictures to his Twitter profile the day of the delivery.(Related: Ian Poulter Finishes Legendary Ferrari Supercar Collection) Check Out the LaFerrari Specs Yahoo Autos LaFerraris For Sale(Source: Twitter, ABC 7 News, Yahoo Autos) See More Celebrity Car News, Pics and Videos

Celebrity Cars

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe