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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 – September 22, 2026

RARE 1-of-77 Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport Listed For Sale

Porsche’s motorsport roots run deep, with decades of racing expertise inspiring everything from legendary endurance cars to the 911s we know today. First revealed trackside at Rennsport Reunion 7 in September 2023, the 911 GT3 R Rennsport takes that connection to the track even further, starting with the 992-generation 911 GT3 R race car as the starting point for something destined for tight corners and long straights. Limited to just 77 examples, it was never meant to be a conventional race car or road-going special edition. Offering the incredibly rare opportunity to own one of the most exclsuive Porsches ever made, Blue Chip of Denver, CO, is pleased to present this 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport as part of its inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Created as a celebration of Porsche’s racing heritage, the GT3 R Rennsport was designed without the usual FIA GT3 regulations or requirements, giving Porsche’s motorsport engineers more freedom to push the car’s power, aerodynamics, weight, and track character. Traditionally seen sporting colorful custom racing liveries, this particular example is left lightweight and bare in raw carbon, awaiting its next layer from a new owner. Its carbon-fiber bodywork is wider and more aggressive than the standard GT3 R, while the massive rear wing, deep front splitter, vented fenders, and rear diffuser are all designed to keep the car planted when the pace really picks up. Inside, the 911 GT3 R Rennsport is all business. The cabin carries the same stripped-back approach you would expect from a factory Porsche competition car, with a single racing seat, a roll cage, racing harnesses, and a dashboard focused on the information the driver needs on track. There is no unnecessary luxury here, just a purposeful interior built around driving and shaving lap times. Porsche also gave the Rennsport its own details, including special badging and trim that set it apart from the standard GT3 R. Behind the driver sits a naturally aspirated 4.2L flat-six, sending around 620 horsepower to the rear wheels while revving to 9,250 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox, giving the GT3 R Rennsport the sharp, direct response crucial to a purpose-built GT race car. New and ready for its next owner, this 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport from Blue Chip is now available on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 27, 2026

Ryan Friedman Motor Cars Showcases Four Rare PTS 997 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Specs

The 911 GT3 RS has and will always continue to shine as the thoroughbred in Porsche’s motorsport-derived GT series, setting the pace on and off track with naturally aspirated performance, aero and agility, and legendary styling. With six distinct generations of the GT3 RS, each representing a key chapter in its evolution, it's no surprise that collectors and enthusiasts still debate which one deserves the title of the greatest. While every generation has a case to make, the 997-generation GT3 RS is often the fan favorite among collectors and enthusiasts, thanks to its iconic Mezger flat-six, six-speed manual gearbox, and hydraulic steering that together create the complete analog driving experience.And as if the 997 Porsche 911 GT3 RS couldn’t be any more special than it already is in the collector car world, Ryan Friedman Motor Cars just took it to a whole new level, showcasing four of the most desirable PTS (Paint-to-Sample) examples on the planet, photographed by @autofocus_nyc. The rolling time capsule represents a different era for Porsche, long before off-catalog colors and expensive Sonderwunsch builds became the norm. Back then, choosing a bold, vibrant color came with personality, not a future price tag in mind. The colorful lineup includes non-metallic Paint-to-Sample RS Orange, Mexico Blue, Speed Yellow, and what looks to be Viper Green. Rarity only adds to the appeal of these PTS GT3 RS examples, highlighting just how unique the option was for buyers at the time. The orange car is believed to be the only known North American example, while the blue and yellow examples are each among just one of two known U.S.-market cars. The green spec, the only one not available as part of Ryan Friedman Motor Cars’ inventory on duPont REGISTRY, proves to be extremely special and a collector’s gem, as it only shows 93 miles on the odometer. Summing up the spectacle perfectly on his Instagram post, Friedman captioned the gallery, saying, “You don’t recreate collections like this. You only hope you’re around when they surface. Time to break the internet.” And that he did. Ryan Friedman Motor Cars Inventory 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS View Listing 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS View Listing 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS View Listing Source: Ryan Friedman Motorcars Instagram/ Photos by @autofocus_nyc

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2026

Check Out Grand Prix Motors' Colorful Collection of Porsches

The incredible Porsche lineup features everything from Ruby Star to Mint Green paint shades!

By Charles Bradley – May 21, 2026

Holman Opens Ultra-Luxury Porsche North Miami Destination

South Florida’s appetite for luxury performance automobiles continues to grow, and now one of the region’s most prestigious automotive corridors has a striking new centerpiece. Holman has officially opened the all-new Porsche North Miami, an expansive ultra-modern facility designed to elevate the Porsche ownership experience through contemporary architecture, immersive technology, and bespoke hospitality. Conveniently positioned on Biscayne Boulevard and 151st Street, just minutes from Aventura, the new dealership embodies Porsche’s latest “Destination Porsche” retail philosophy, transforming the traditional showroom into a lifestyle-driven luxury destination. “Porsche’s revered lineup of timeless classics has long been synonymous with the vibrant South Florida lifestyle, representing the pinnacle of luxury, precision engineering, and iconic design,” said Frank Carbone, president of retail automotive for Holman. “Porsche North Miami is an extraordinary showcase of this impressive collection, and our customers can expect the same personalized attention to detail and automotive expertise that have been hallmarks of the Holman family of dealerships throughout South Florida for nearly 80 years.” Spanning 90,000 square feet, the new Porsche North Miami facility is designed to feel less like a conventional dealership and more like an immersive brand experience. Social gathering spaces, interactive digital vehicle configuration technology, and premium customer amenities create an atmosphere tailored to today’s luxury clientele. Among the standout features is an exclusive pre-owned showroom and two private delivery suites, where clients receive their new Porsche in a highly personalized setting designed to turn delivery day into a memorable occasion. The service experience has also been elevated considerably. More than 40 service bays anchor the state-of-the-art maintenance center, while an indoor drive-through simplifies drop-off and pickup during South Florida’s unpredictable weather. Customers also have access to courtesy vehicles and a serene lounge offering gourmet snacks, premium coffee service, and curated Porsche merchandise. The opening further expands Holman’s growing ultra-luxury footprint in the region, complementing the company’s existing Holman Motorcars operation while adding a third Porsche Center to its national portfolio alongside locations in Cary, North Carolina, and San Diego, California. Inside the showroom, clients can explore an extensive lineup of new and pre-owned Porsche models, including the iconic Porsche 911, the luxury-focused Porsche Panamera, and the versatile Porsche Cayenne. Founded in 1924, Holman has evolved from a single Ford dealership in New Jersey into one of the largest privately owned automotive service organizations in North America. Today, the company employs more than 10,000 people across North America, the United Kingdom, and Germany while operating more than 60 dealerships representing 34 automotive brands across nine states. For Porsche enthusiasts and luxury buyers in South Florida, the opening of Porsche North Miami signals more than the arrival of another dealership. It represents a continued shift toward experience-driven automotive retail, where hospitality, personalization, and lifestyle integration are becoming just as important as the vehicles themselves.

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