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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 – October 24, 2023

CURATED Sources A Museum-Grade Ferrari 288 GTO With Only ...

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the lucky new Ferrari 288 GTO owner. While icons like the F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari continue to live on as historical milestones for the Ferrari brand, none would have ever been possible without the pioneering 288 GTO. Often regarded as Ferrari's first supercar, the 288 GTO was originally designed for Group B racing to marry racing capabilities with road-legal status. Its revolutionary engineering features a twin-turbo V8 engine and lightweight construction, serving as a template for the performance and technological marvels we see in today's high-end automotive landscape. The automotive historians at CURATED of Miami are excited to showcase a stunning Ferrari 288 GTO that the team recently sourced for a lucky new collector. Taking to its Instagram page to announce the monumental news, CURATED found what is to be the best preserved and lowest mileage Ferrari 288 GTO in existence. The specific Ferrari 288 GTO stands out as chassis #58495, one of the extremely rare configurations assembled in Italy and destined for the U.S. market. Originally delivered new by Ferrari to a dealership owner, the Rosso Corsa Ferrari 288 GTO now only displays a jaw-dropping 99 miles (156 kilometers) on the odometer. Inside the 80s Italian supercar, Ferrari styled the interior in rich layers of black leather and Rosso fabrics, showcasing a stunning pair of Daytona bucket seats. The Ferrari 288 GTO is powered by a mid-mounted 2.9L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, a powertrain that was revolutionary at the time of its debut in 1984. With an output of 400 horsepower and 366 lb-ft of torque, the 288 GTO can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just about 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 189 mph. View all CURATED inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All CURATED Inventory For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by CURATED (@wearecurated) Source: @wearecurated Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 23, 2023

Pagani Automobili Debuts The New Pagani of Miami Dealer A...

Being that Miami is known for its celebrity status and ulta-luxury lifestyle, it's not uncommon to see multi-million dollar hypercars cruising along South Beach any day of the week. Pagani Automobili has opened a breathtaking new showroom in North America, Pagani of Miami. Situated in North Miami Beach, Florida, this showroom serves as a plush extension of the Pagani brand's Atelier in San Cesario sul Panaro, Italy. Built through a thriving partnership with Prestige Imports, the dealership aims to become the epicenter of Florida's growing hypercar culture. Christopher Pagani, Marketing Director of Pagani Automobili, envisions Miami as one of Pagani's most successful markets. The brand-new showroom is designed to forge a closer bond between clients and the Pagani marque, providing an ultra-luxe environment where customers can feel a part of the brand's exclusive world. Inside, visitors are welcomed by a meticulously crafted space featuring signature Pagani furniture and advanced digital visualization tools for an exceptional hypercar purchase experience. The interior design showcases materials like carbon fiber, leather, aluminum, and titanium, elements rooted in Pagani's DNA. Italian brickwork and glass stylings embody the feel of an exclusive, hidden vault, where only the most prized items are displayed. Brett David, CEO of Prestige Imports and Pagani of Miami, expressed enthusiasm about the showroom's timing, as Pagani celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023. Prestige Imports, a family-run business founded in 1977, has been shaping Miami's luxury automotive landscape for 46 years. Under Brett David's leadership, Prestige will continue to successfully curate the Pagani brand in Florida. With its grand opening, Pagani of Miami raises the bar in the hypercar market while elevating the overall luxury car buying experience, cementing its place as a cornerstone in Miami's upscale automotive scene. View all Pagani Miami and Prestige Imports inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Prestige Imports Inventory Source: Pagani Automobili

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By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2020

Prestige Imports Offers Unprecedented Virus Response Efforts

During my limited career as a Service Advisor, my customers would Social Distance once I handed them the invoice. These days, our dealers are going above and beyond to keep customers safe, but Prestige Imports is offering unprecedented virus response efforts. In addition to complimentary service pick-up and drop-off, they will sanitize your interior. Using proprietary cleaners, they will kill any virus or bacteria and add some life to your leather. Here is the official release from their Facebook page: "In response to the growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, we want to provide you with an update of what we are doing for the safety of our clients and employees. #TeamPrestige is offering complimentary pick-up and drop-off with our Service Department! We’re committed to help #FlattenTheCurve by having our Service department pick up your vehicle for FREE, revitalize it to its maximum potential, and fully sanitize its interior for a virus-free environment! Practice social distancing and contact our Service Manager Eddie Cue at 305-947-1000 today. We will be continuing to monitor information from our local governments and the CDC to best protect our employees and clients. Thank you for your patience and understanding.Prestige Imports #PrestigeImports #TeamPrestige #LamborghiniMiami #Service @ Prestige Imports Miami Click Here To Schedule Service Contact Prestige Imports Miami Website: www.prestigeimports.com/ Phone Number: 833-290-6287 Address: 14800 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami, FL 33181

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 22, 2016

Lamborghini's Latest Dealership Boasts New Corporate Design

The United Kingdom now touts eight Lamborghini dealerships, the newest of which, just opened in Bristol. The Bristol dealership location is the first to feature Lamborghini's newly designed showroom and service center, marking the brand's commitment to innovation and ever-changing design.The new, roomier showroom is designed to accommodate Lamborghini's expanding model lineup, which will include an SUV in 2018. The robust changes mirror Lamborghini's success in the last few years, which is echoed by Automobili Lamborghini Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Domenicali's statement:“Lamborghini is a strong, highly-acclaimed brand worldwide, and our new dealership environment is a very tangible demonstration of this, perfectly communicating our philosophies of Pure, Visionary and Cutting Edge." The exterior of the showroom includes a glowing Lamborghini shield which illuminates the street side both day and night. Minimalist in design, the interior of the showroom combines clean, sharp lines with pops of color contrasted by raw materials. Digital innovation is also present in the form of configuration systems, giving the customer a more immersive, hands-on experience. The entire Lamborghini lineup is on display, and the walls are adorned with videos, which provide onlookers an exclusive look into the world of Lamborghini.The new showroom is currently open in Bristol, and it sets the standard for future Lamborghini showrooms. View All Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 16, 2016

Eleven Minutes of Arrivals at Cars & Coffee Sterling

Parking is one of the main challenges at a big car show. As we prepare for our Cars & Coffee this Saturday, we have found inspiration from our friend Samuel Reyes (#exoticsmd). Filming with a steady hand is not easy with several million dollars coming at you. But in his latest upload we are witness to several of the world's most coveted cars. To promote their new club #SterlingSupercars, members met for the first time Saturday at Sterling Motorcars.Bringing order to chaos is not easy, but the event went off without a hitch. The start time was scheduled for 9 am, but cars began arriving much earlier. With a convenient location for the Washington DC area, we recognize friends from Richmond to Baltimore in the crowd. As the authorized local dealer for BMW, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce & Harley-Davidson, there was no shortage of horsepower already on-site. Local news coverage and a DJ have raised the bar for everyone else, so congratulations on a successful first show. If you are in the DC area, stop by their new facility and prepare to be amazed.View Inventory

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