Dealer News

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

Three grey high-performance sports cars, including an Aston Martin Valkyrie, are parked side by side on the racetrack at Monticello Motor Club, viewed from above—an impressive lineup possibly showcased by Miller Motorcars.

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 06, 2025

Miller Motorcars Delivers THREE Aston Martin Valkyries to...

Thats right, you read the title correctly. Most of us car enthusiasts like to think we've got a pretty broad taste when it comes to cars, showing a shared appreciation for all things automotive. For others who are all in on just one brand, they wear that loyalty like a badge of honor. And for those car collectors in search of the most desirable and collectible supercars and hypercars on the market, brand loyalty is very much a deciding factor on who will receive those coveted allocations. The Aston Martin Valkyrie stands out as one of those ultra-exclusive hypercars in high demand, with 275 total cars (150 Coupes, 85 Spiders, and 40 track-only AMR Pro models) slotted for production. So, instead of being graciously given the opportunity to configure just one, what would it take to get your hands on all three variants? If you said it'd be impossible, you'd be wrong. @millermotorcars/@carsthatlookneat Instagram The team at Miller Motorcars just recently took to Instagram to congratulate a very dear client on taking delivery of not just one, but three Aston Martin Valkyries. The monumental delivery day occurred at Monticello Motor Club in New York, where the track partnered with Aston Martin to be an official delivery and first-drive location for the Valkyrie series. To get the ultimate experience of owning one of Aston Martin's most F1-derived hypercars ever built, the owner opted for all three variants of the seven-figure hypercar, including the Valkyrie Coupe, Valkyrie Spider, and Valkyrie AMR Pro. And even with the pull of securing the entire lineup, each configuration remains subtle and stealthy, with both the road-going versions and the track-only AMR Pro sporting understated finishes…to the eye. @millermotorcars/@carsthatlookneat Instagram While the Valkyrie AMR Pro remains relatively straightforward, with a gloss grey factory finish that perfectly serves as the base layer for a custom livery, the Coupe and Spider tell a very different tale with their color choice. Finished in Satin Quantum Silver, each car features Aston Martin Q's "Graduated Paint to Carbon" option, which fades from painted panels into exposed carbon fiber in the most seamless way possible. From the front, it looks fully painted. From the back, it's basically a carbon-bodied spaceship for the road and track. And now with all three in the new owner's possession, it'd be interesting to hear which they enjoy the most after spending some time behind each wheel. View All Miller Motorcars Inventory Source: @millermotorcars/@carsthatlookneat Instagram

A Satin Mariana Blue Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar is parked on a paved surface in front of a modern building.

By Khris Bharath – June 18, 2025

Delivered: Track-Bred Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider Stuns...

The limited-run Aston Martin Valkyrie is one of the British marque’s most extreme hypercars ever created, and with just 285 units slated for production, every example is rather special. Joining the lineage of a highly exclusive production run this week is a bespoke Valkyrie Spider, delivered by Miller Motorcars, the first of three bespoke Valkyries arriving for clients of the Connecticut-based dealership. This particular example, is finished in an exquisite shade dubbed Satin Mariana Blue. The matte finish on the ultra-sculpted aerodynamic bodywork amplifies the otherworldly shapes of the Valkyrie Spider. Red brake calipers peek through the lightweight forged wheels, while matching red accents surround the roof scoop. Sitting within the carbon-fiber tub is a tight cockpit with race-style fixed carbon bucket seats that feature the red stitching and the Aston Wings emblazoned in red embroidery on the headrests. The red accents, like the central strip on the near yoke-style steering and anodized metalwork, add a sense of bespoke craftsmanship to the otherwise bare-bones cockpit. The timing couldn’t have been more fitting, as these cars are all about a celebration of motorsports pedigree. Last weekend, the Valkyrie made its long-awaited debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, competing in the top-tier Hypercar Class, marking Aston Martin’s boldest return to the Circuit de la Sarthe in over a decade. Developed in collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies and Formula 1 mastermind, Adrian Newey, the Valkyrie is as close to an F1 car for the road that the world has ever seen. The Spider variant adds removable roof panels that expose the tight cockpit to the open sky, heightening the sensory overload already backed into the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine developed by Cosworth, which revs to a staggering 11,000 rpm. While the car delivered to Miller Motorcars features much of the race car’s DNA, one thing that distinguishes them both is the hybrid tech, or lack thereof. The motorsports variant has the unique distinction of being the only one in the field to feature a gas-only setup, having to make do with 680 horsepower, without the hybrid hardware. With just 150 Coupes, 85 Spiders, 40 AMR Pros, and the 10 track-only Valkyrie LM revealed last week completing the Valkyrie lineup, each build is of great significance, when it comes to rarity, exclusivity and collectibility. This Satin Mariana Blue Spider, with its vivid red accents and track-born pedigree, is a celebration of one of Aston Martin’s most daring visions brought to life. View All Aston Martins For Sale Source: Miller Motorcars/Carsthatlookneat- Instagram

An Aston Martin Valkyrie, valued at $4M, is seen from above. This yellow sports car with sleek black racing stripes rests trackside on a concrete surface.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 27, 2025

O'Gara Delivers An Incredible $4M Aston Martin Valkyrie T...

Engineered with the intent to bring hypercar owners closer to experiencing the thrill of driving an F1 car, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is now making its presence on tracks worldwide as owners are starting to take delivery. With a starting price of around $3 million and limitless design options from Aston Martin's bespoke configuration department, the automotive world has already welcomed some insane specs that feature everything from F1-inspired liveries to fully exposed carbon examples. Adding to the excitement, the team at O'Gara Coach and Aston Martin Beverly Hills recently celebrated the delivery of this incredible Aston Martin Valkyrie with its new owner as part of a special trackside presentation. Apex Motor Club in Arizona proved to be the perfect setting for the occasion. Here, the Valkyrie can truly showcase its talents on the track even though it's more than capable of operating as an everyday road car. Its one-of-a-kind paintwork features a stealthy Jet Black base layer that transitions through a bespoke gradient combination of Speed Yellow, Speed Orange, and Hyper Red. The exposed carbon portion of the body also shows off the Valkyrie's 001 racing number in a bold, matching Hyper Red finish. Even the lightweight gloss black wheels tie into its one-of-one design with gradient trim that transitions from front to rear. And while its eye-catching appearance stands out as the highlight of the build, the real beauty lies at the rear of the Valkyrie. Aston Martin equipped its track-focused hypercar with a 6.5L naturally aspirated V12 developed by Cosworth. This high-revving 12-cylinder cranks out 1,000 horsepower and screams to 10,500 rpm, with a lightweight hybrid system adding an extra boost for a total of 1,160 horsepower. Weighing next to nothing thanks to its F1-inspired carbon fiber chassis, the Valkyrie is unlike anything else on the road. View all O'Gara Coach inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All O'Gara Coach Aston Martin Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by O'Gara (@ogaracoach) Source: @ogaracoach Instagram

Dealer News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe