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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 – December 19, 2025

dR LIVE Latest Listings: An Air-Cooled 911 RS, a Long-Roo...

14-day return policy and a 100% sell-through rate. dR LIVE has been carving out its lane by focusing on the basics that actually matter to enthusiasts: clear listings, real context, and buyer protection that removes some of the usual friction. This week’s group of closing auctions mirrors that approach, bringing together three very different cars that speak to very different types of drivers: a no-compromise air-cooled Porsche, BMW’s long-awaited return of the M5 Touring, and a McLaren built for covering serious miles without giving up what makes the brand special. The oldest car in the mix is also the most stripped-back, a 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS (964) finished in Maritime Blue over a Black and Blue interior. The 964 RS has long been a reference point for naturally aspirated, analog Porsches, built as a lightweight, homologation-style offshoot of the Carrera 2. Less sound deadening, thinner glass, stiffer suspension, and a more direct driving experience are the whole point here. This example shows just over 25,500 kilometers and was imported to the U.S. in 2025, with documented mechanical work overseas that included engine removal and brake service. The car has been repainted in Maritime Blue with a modern clear coat, which takes it out of concours territory but keeps it firmly in the “drive it and enjoy it” category. At the other end of the spectrum is a 2025 BMW M5 Touring, a car many enthusiasts never expected to see offered in the U.S. Finished in Isle of Man Green over Kyalami Orange and Black Merino leather, this low-mileage G90 represents BMW M’s first hybridized M5 and its return to the long-roof formula stateside. Despite its size and complexity, the M5 Touring still delivers serious pace, backed by all-wheel drive and everyday usability that older M cars could only hint at. This example remains stock, lightly driven, and well optioned, making it a clean reference point for BMW’s newest M flagship. Rounding things out is a 2021 McLaren GT, shown here in Namaka Blue over Vintage Tan leather. The GT sits in a different corner of McLaren’s lineup, prioritizing comfort, storage, and luxury without abandoning the brand’s carbon-fiber chassis and mid-engine layout. This car benefits from desirable factory options, full-body stealth PPF, and documented service, presenting as a well-kept example meant to be used rather than stored. Together, these listings highlight the kind of variety dR LIVE is leaning into: cars with clear personalities, honest condition, and enough context for buyers to decide whether they belong in the garage or on the road. Discover dR LIVE 1992 Porsche 911 Carrera RS View Listing 2025 BMW M5 Touring View Listing 2021 McLaren GT View Listing

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By Jordan Aquistapace – December 10, 2025

dR LIVE Latest Listings: 2002 BMW E46 M3 Touring Conversi...

As the collector car auction space continues to evolve, dR LIVE has confidently entered the conversation with two standout differentiators: a 14-day return policy and a 100% sell-through rate. In the early 2000s, BMW M cars occupied a sweet spot that enthusiasts still chase today, a moment when performance, restraint, and driver connection felt perfectly balanced. Built before complexity weakened feel, these cars earned a cult following among purists who bleed the light blue, violet, and red of the M badge, valuing steering feel, response, and mechanical beauty as much as outright speed. Offering the opportunity to own not only one, but two incredible BMW M examples, one being a true one-of-a-kind build, dR LIVE is pleased to present this 2002 BMW E46 M3 Touring conversion and 2003 BMW M5 as part of the inventory of collector car auctions coming to a close this week. One of the most talked-about listings is a BMW E46 M3 Touring conversion, a car BMW fans have dreamed about for decades but never received from the factory. Built from a 2002 3-Series Touring and comprehensively reworked by Eurofed Automotive, it combines factory-style M3 body panels with serious mechanical purpose. Under the hood sits a supercharged S54 running E85 and paired to a proper six-speed manual, with the builder claiming a no-expense-spared engine build originally intended for racing. The supporting cast reads like a greatest-hits list, including 996 Turbo brakes, MCS coilovers, a reinforced subframe, upgraded cooling, and a driver-focused interior that favors engagement over originality. It’s the kind of unicorn build that lives at the intersection of practicality, performance, and mechanical theater, and exactly the sort of niche enthusiast car that thrives in a market like dR LIVE. On the opposite end of the spectrum sits a BMW E39 M5, widely regarded as one of the greatest sport sedans ever produced. With its naturally aspirated S62 V8, hydraulic steering, and six-speed manual transmission, the E39 represents a high-water mark for analog M cars. Finished in LeMans Blue with a Blue and Black interior, this example leans into factory correctness while incorporating light, period-appropriate upgrades like Dinan wheels, Brembo brakes, and improved intake flow. Extensive service history, original mechanical components, and honest cosmetic wear make it the kind of car collectors gravitate toward when chasing long-term ownership rather than hype cycles. As these auctions near their close, dR LIVE is proving that thoughtful curation, transparency, and buyer protection may be just as important as the cars themselves, and that’s a shift worth paying attention to. Discover dR LIVE BMW M3 (E46) Touring Conversion | S54 Swap 3-Series View Auction Listing 2003 BMW M5 View Auction Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 05, 2025

Ending Soon on dR LIVE: High-End Collector Cars You Can’t...

If you’ve been following online collector car auctions, dR LIVE is quietly carving out its own space with a 100% sell-through rate and a 14-day return policy. The platform prioritizes transparency and community, enabling buyers and sellers to connect with confidence and security. Every listing comes with detailed specs, high-quality photos, and the kind of clarity collectors appreciate. Plus, Buyers can feel more comfortable bidding while sellers can trust their cars are being showcased properly. It’s a thoughtful approach that combines old-school collector care with modern online resources. Some of the cars currently closing on dR LIVE highlight why it’s gaining attention. The 2022 McLaren 720S Spider, for example, is a low-mileage MSO spec machine in Onyx Black, with a visible carbon tub, carbon ceramic brakes, and lightweight wheels. The 2024 Ferrari Roma Spider, with just 750 miles, stands out in Blue Pozzi with a full carbon package and carefully documented service history. Its Daytona-style seats and integrated LED steering wheel make it a rare combination of style and usability. For those who prefer a more hands-on drive, the 2024 Porsche 911 Targa 4S with 930 miles and a 7-speed manual is a clear pick. Its early 992.1 features, including the analog tachometer and Le Mans-inspired shifter, give it a tactile feel that’s increasingly sought after by collectors. Each of these listings reflects the kind of cars dR LIVE is bringing to market: desirable, carefully presented, and easier to bid on with confidence. With week-long auctions and sniping protection that extends the clock for late bids, it’s worth checking out what’s ending soon and seeing how the platform is shaping the online auction experience. All dR LIVE Auctions 2022 McLaren 720S Spider This 2022 McLaren 720S Spider example benefits from extensive MSO specification, including the MSO Black Pack, carbon fiber exterior upgrade pack, MSO satin carbon sills, carbon fiber hood and rear fender air intakes, and visible carbon body tub. Performance elements include carbon ceramic brakes with yellow calipers, super lightweight 10-spoke stealth finish wheels, vehicle lift system, sport exhaust, McLaren Track Telemetry, and electrochromic roof. Interior appointments include an Alcantara steering wheel, heated and powered seats, yellow seat belts, MSO shift paddles in yellow, and a high-end Bowers and Wilkins twelve-speaker audio. View Listing 2024 Ferrari Roma Spider This 2024 Ferrari Roma Spider, finished in Blue Pozzi with a blue canvas top, stealthy gloss-black forged 20-inch wheels, brings visual and functional appeal with a high specification carbon package that includes the front spoiler ($6,083), rear diffuser ($12,166), under door covers ($9,036), carbon fiber wheel cups, and carbon upper center console. Black tailpipes and gloss-painted 20-inch forged wheels complete the exterior configuration. Interior details include Daytona-style seats with perforation patterning, Cavallino stitching on the headrests ($1,304), an electrochromic rear view mirror, a smartphone interface with wireless charging, aluminum footrests, neck warmers, a carbon fiber steering wheel with integrated LEDs, and ventilated full electric seats. Service history is well documented through Wide World Ferrari in Spring Valley, New York, with multiple visits recorded at 78 miles, 90 miles, 91 miles, and 727 miles for inspections and routine service. View Listing 2024 Porsche 911 Targa 4S This 2024 Porsche 911 Targa 4S is equipped with the rarer and more engaging 7-speed manual transmission. It is finished in Ice Grey Metallic over black leather and includes several highly desirable factory equipment including the Sport Chrono pack, fourteen-way ventilated seats, Bose surround audio, PDLS Plus lighting, Exclusive Design taillights, and lane change assist. It is also worth noting that for the 2025 model year, the updated 992.2 Targa line that introduced the T Hybrid powertrain removed the central analog tachometer, while also replacing the physical Le Mans-inspired shifter with a generic push-button ignition. As a result, earlier 992.1 cars like this 2024 example preserve distinguishing features that are increasingly appreciated by Porsche purists, seeking analog touchpoints for that emotional connection. With only 930 miles, one-owner history, and verified clean CarFax and AutoCheck records, this car presents in showroom condition with original paint and an unmodified mechanical configuration, positioning this Targa 4S as a compelling choice for collectors and enthusiasts. View Listing

By Khris Bharath – November 27, 2025

12 Hour Black Friday Sale: duPont REGISTRY Live to offer ...

Black Friday always brings around something unexpected, and this year, duPont REGISTRY Live will add to the excitement in its inaugural Black Friday sale. At exactly 6:00 AM EST tomorrow, a 12-hour window will open, closing at 6:00 PM EST, for a single surprise auction with a limited opportunity to acquire something with limited availability. What sits behind the countdown is a stealthy, highly optioned track-focused machine configured in a specification that has become very difficult to acquire. Availability, not numbers on a sheet, defines the real value here, and if you pay attention to modern high-performance cars, you already know how swiftly the most desirable configurations vanish from dealer lots and how rarely they return to market in untouched condition. This particular example follows that pattern. The car in question features a naturally aspirated engine located behind the seats that revs to 9,000 rpm and delivers just under 500 horsepower, exclusively to the rear wheels. Induction happens through visible ducts positioned directly behind the driver’s shoulders, creating a distinct sound profile inside the cabin. The dash to 60 mph happens in 3.2 seconds, and top speed is rated at just under 200 mph. Delivered new to a Canadian dealer, titled in the United States in August, and now showing only 78 miles, it is showroom fresh. While this mid-engined carbon-clad performance car is pretty well equipped from the factory, optional extras on this specific vehicle add up to about 40,000 Canadian dollars, approximately $28,500, elevating the specification far beyond the standard configuration. High demand continues to tighten allocations for this model, and low-mileage examples in the condition like the one we’re offering seldom surface. For 12 hours only, duPont REGISTRY Live is making one accessible, and if you want more than a spec sheet, this is your chance to secure one, so be ready at 6:00 AM Eastern tomorrow. View All Cars on dR Live Images: duPont REGISTRY

A matte grey modified Porsche 911 RSR with wide fenders and gold wheels is parked in an empty lot; a green "SELLING" banner appears in the top left corner, evoking the excitement of car auctions.

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 25, 2025

dR LIVE RWB Porsche 911 RSR Tribute and Low-Mileage C6 Co...

As the latest duPont REGISTRY LIVE auctions approach their final hours, two very different cars are quietly drawing attention for reasons that go beyond price tags or market trends. The first is a backdated 1973 Porsche 911 RSR tribute, given new life with a full Rauh-Welt Begriff Superwide conversion installed by Akira Nakai. Its wide arches, aggressive stance, and outlaw presence speak to a certain obsessive attention to detail that RWB is known for, transforming an already legendary 911 into something instantly recognizable. Seeing this level of build available at auction, rare though it may be, reminds enthusiasts how cars like this straddle the line between engineering, artistry, and motorsport homage. On the other end of the spectrum, a one-owner 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6) offers a completely different story, one of restraint and preservation. With only 1,021 miles recorded since new, the LS9-powered Corvette remains a reminder of GM’s peak performance from the era, a supercharged V8 that defined the C6 ZR1 as an American icon for car collectors. In a world of heavily modified, race-inspired machines, the ZR1 stands as an example of precision and patience, showing how value can rise in simplicity and rarity rather than spectacle. Both are reaching the closing stages of their respective auctions, a reminder that the most seasoned collector cars often travel quietly, appearing briefly in public view before disappearing again. For those who follow the rhythms of the collector market, it’s a rare chance to see how different philosophies of automotive excellence and how, even online, these cars retain a sense of drama and rarity that makes them forever fascinating. Discover dR LIVE Inventory 1982 Porsche 911 SC RWB Backdate RWB Originally delivered as a factory narrow-body 1982 911 SC, this particular example was transformed into a backdated 1973 RSR tribute and widened using a Rauh Welt Begriff Superwide body kit installed by Akira Nakai. Built in collaboration with the ILLEST brand for a public live build at ComplexCon in Long Beach, California, this car represents one of the earliest United States RWB conversions and highlights the cultural intersection between tuner Porsche culture and the streetwear scene. View Auction 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C6) This particular ZR1 from 2010 remains entirely original, retaining factory components and presenting showroom fresh with only 1,021 miles. The exterior features Cyber Gray Metallic paint and chrome ZR1 wheels measuring 19 inches front and 20 inches rear. The original Michelin Pilot Sport tires are date-stamped between the 17th and 33rd weeks of 2009. Inside, Dark Titanium Custom Leather shows near-zero wear aside from minimal rubbing on the lower driver side bolster. It also features the highly desirable 3ZR Premium Equipment Group with options that include heated memory seats, Bose premium audio, Magnetic Ride Control, and a 3.42:1 limited-slip differential. View Auction

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