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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

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 02, 2024

Lamborghini Palm Beach Shows Off A Huracán-Inspired Ducat...

From two-wheel wonders to boutique exclusives, Lamborghini does it all! With Automobili Lamborghini at the helm, a portfolio of exclusive, ultra-luxury collaborations has helped bridge the gap between hyper-horology, race-ready superbikes, and the world of finely crafted Italian supercars. Along with a collection of limited edition Roger Dubuis watches inspired by specific Lamborghini models, a series of custom Ducati motorcycles showcase Lamborghini's performance on two wheels with matching, automotive-inspired liveries. The professionals at Lamborghini Palm Beach are proud to showcase the perfect example of both collaboration projects, mirroring the look and feel of a head-turning Lamborghini Huracán STO example. The track-inspired Huracán features a vibrant Blue Laufey finish as a base layer, with Arancio Xanto details that highlight aero-focused areas on the car. Commonly shown in a stealthier matte green and gold design that resembles the Lamborghini Sián launch car from 2019, this Ducati Diavel Lamborghini 63 Edition switches things up by sporting the same light blue finish with orange decals. Limited to only 630 examples in the world, the superbike is powered by a 1262cc Ducati Testastretta DVT engine that produces 57 horsepower, 9,500 rpm, and 95 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. The last ultra-luxury offering to honor Lamborghini and its Squadra Corse division is Roger Dubuis' Excalibur Huracán STO, limited to only 88 pieces. Crafted to incorporate the same lightweight, performance materials used when engineering the Huracán STO, the Excalibur is styled in a sleek carbon case that houses its automatic RD630 movement behind a honeycomb motif. Having all of Lamborghini's passion projects under one roof, Lamborghini Palm Beach understands the meaning behind an ultra-luxury lifestyle. View all Lamborghini Palm Beach inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lamborghini Palm Beach Inventory Source: @bigapplemagic

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By Edward Jones – August 25, 2021

A Look at the First Lamborghini Huracan STO Deliveries

The Lamborghini Huracan STO was unveiled as a street-legal race car that features an aggressive appearance worthy of a track day supercar. With a naturally aspirated V10 engine that produces 640 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque, the Huracan STO is more than looks. When pushed for urgency, it will run from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds and hit a top speed of 192.6 mph. All of these aspects combine to create a supercar that is wanted by collectors and drivers around the world. Now, months after Huracan STO's unveiling in November 2020, customers are finally receiving their examples. Below are a few of the first deliveries taking place, courtesy of the respected dealers. Be sure to keep an eye out for more specs of the Huracan STO to be revealed in due time. View All Lamborghini Huracan STO For Sale Lamborghini Charlotte @lamborghinicharlotte/Instagram @lamborghinicharlotte/Instagram Lamborghini Newport Beach @lamborghininewportbeach/Instagram Lamborghini Manhattan @lamborghinimanhattan/Instagram Lamborghini Miami @lamborghinimiami/Instagram Lamborghini Palm Beach @lambopalmbeach/Instagram Lamborghini Paramus @zuumy via @lamboparamus/Instagram Lamborghini Vancouver @lamborghinivan/Instagram Lamborghini Westlake Village @lamborghiniwestlakevillage/Instagram

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2020

Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD Arrives in Newport Beach

Being one of the most prolific dealers in the nation, our friends in Orange County have the ability to order whatever your heart desires. As such, you won't find anything like this anywhere else. If you want a truly unique Italian, a Lamborghini Huracan Evo RWD has arrived in Newport Beach. Brand Manager Randy McCall knows every option along with the abilities of the Ad Personam department. So let's allow him to show us the finer points of this matte blue Raging Bull. Click the button below to browse their inventory and stay with us for all your updates form Lamborghini Newport Beach. View Inventory at Lamborghini Newport Beach " width="680">

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By Edward Jones – September 26, 2016

Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Avio Edition at the Lyon Air...

Lamborghini Newport Beach showcases the new Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 Avio Edition at the Lyon Air Museum located in Costa Mesa CA. Limited to just 250 units worldwide, the Avio Edition Huracan pays tribute to the world of Aviation and Aeronautics. This particular unit is finished in Lamborghini’s new “Grigio Falco” paint complete with “Arancio Borealis” painted exterior accents.On the inside, a new hexagon-pattern is embossed on Alcantara seat inserts and door panels complimented with Orange contrast stitching throughout. A special placard reading “Serie Speciale 1 di 250” can be seen through the driver’s rear window. This Avio Edition Huracan also features Lamborghini’s “Forged Carbon” engine bay panels and Carbon Ceramic brakes with Orange calipers to bring it all together.You can see more of this limited edition Lamborghini at Lamborghini Newport Beach. For more information, please visit: www.LamboNB.com.Lamborghini Newport Beach Inventory

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 13, 2016

Lamborghini Newport Beach Hits Major Facebook Milestone

With ever-changing algorithms and an expanding, oftentimes fickle audience, navigating the mayhem of Facebook can be difficult--- especially for a business. Building a following takes consistent effort, which usually involves various experiments, setbacks, but it can also mean triumph. Lamborghini Newport Beach recently hit a Facebook milestone many businesses can only dream of attaining. With 1,000,000 followers, Lamborghini Newport Beach deserves to celebrate. In fact, they may well be the only car dealership in the country to have achieved such a milestone.First off, on behalf of the duPont REGISTRY Autofluence team, I'd like to congratulate Lamborghini Newport Beach on this fantastic accomplishment. As an editor immersed in the digital age, I understand just how amazing it is to reach 1 million followers. In celebration of this social media accomplishment, Lamborghini Newport Beach decked out and displayed a Lamborghini Huracan in Facebook livery for all to enjoy. Congrats again!View Dealer Inventory

By Edward Jones – July 08, 2016

Rare Verde Ermes Lamborghini Huracan is a Showstopper

Lamborghini's finished in Verde Ithaca or Verde Mantis aren't that hard to come by, but when it comes to Verdes Ermes it's another story.Lamborghini Beverly Hills caters to a pretty diverse customer base, which ranges from celebrities to royalty. Because of this, they make sure they always have some of the most unique cars available. A great example of this is their 2016 Huracan LP 610-4 finished in the stunning Verde Ermes paint. This bespoke supercar has a lush Terra Semele leather interior that mirrors the elegance of its exterior. It's easy to say that there is no other car like this one in the world.Of course, this car would not be possible without Lamborghini's extensive Ad Personam program, which allows customers to create the Italian supercar of their dreams.If you want to see the car for yourself, be sure to check out Lamborghini Beverly Hills' showroom. If you happen to take some pictures, be sure to tag us!View Dealer Inventory

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