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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 Khris Bharath – August 12, 2026

Porsche Carrera GT Makes duPont REGISTRY Live Debut in a Special Car Week Drop

Monterey Car Week 2026 is officially underway, and some of the world's most significant collector cars are set to change hands over the coming few days. duPont REGISTRY Live is marking the occasion with a particularly special drop. For the first time on the platform, a 2005 Porsche Carrera GT is being offered, with bidding set to close this Saturday. This stunning example is finished in classic GT Silver Metallic over Dark Grey full leather, showing just 3,843 miles at the time of documentation. Widely regarded as one of the defining analog supercars of the modern era, the Carrera GT combines its signature naturally aspirated 5.7-liter V10, a six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and carbon-fiber bodywork in a package that remains unlike almost anything built since. The Carrera GT occupies a special place in Porsche history alongside the 959 and 918 Spyder, the latter representing a very different interpretation of Porsche's halo-car formula. Much of the Carrera GT's appeal lies in the increasingly sought-after analog experience that it offers, an aspect that we explored in our recent market spotlight. The 5.7-liter V10 revs to 8,400 rpm and puts out605 horsepowerr and is accompanied by one of the most scintillating soundtracks of any production car. Driving the rear wheels through a three-pedal setup, the cockpit retains Porsche's classic five-pod analog gauge layout and signature beechwood gear knob. A pair of removable roof panels adds another dimension to what is already one of Porsche's most visceral road cars. <- Gallery -> This particular example is chassis #0558 and is accompanied by an unusually complete collection of supporting material including factory documentation, owner's literature, matching Dark Grey luggage set, car cover, and two keys, while the car also benefits from extensive documented Porsche dealer servicing. Most notably, more than $72,000 in work was completed in 2021, including major scheduled maintenance, a valve adjustment, fuel tank replacement, new tires, and a number of additional service items. More recent records show continued attention through 2024 and 2025, adding further depth to its documented history. More than 25 years after the Carrera GT first broke cover, its stature has only grown. Porsche ultimately built just 1,270 Carrera GTs, with 644 reaching the United States. Finding one with fewer than 4,000 miles, extensive Porsche dealer service history, no reported accident or damage history, its matching luggage set, an unmodified specification, and full-body paint protection film still in place is a considerably tougher proposition. As the inspector's notes accompanying this car put it, finding an example with this combination of attributes is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. There is considerably more to chassis #0558 than its mileage and specification suggest, from its long-term ownership history to the details contained within its extensive service records. With bidding set to close this Saturday at 4:30 pm EST, this special duPont REGISTRY Live drop for Monterey Car Week offers collectors the opportunity to acquire one of Porsche's defining halo cars. Discover more details in the listing, available now on duPont REGISTRY Live. Click the link below to place your bids. View Listing If you're interested in financing this car or another exotic car, be sure to get pre-qualified.

By Khris Bharath – July 28, 2026

204-Mile Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach Listed on duPont REGISTRY Live

A 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Weissach that has covered fewer than 20 miles a year since 2015 has just gone live on duPont REGISTRY Live. This is the second 918 to surface on the digital auction block, arriving amid a steady run of hypercar and Holy Trinity consignments since the platform came online in mid-November last year. Built as the successor to the Carrera GT and the 959 Porsche halo models before it, the 918 Style by Michael Mauer was first revealed as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, a fact we recently highlighted in our 918 Spyder Marketspotlight. The production model debuted at Frankfurt in 2013 and joined the Ferrari LaFerrari and McLaren P1 to become what is now known as the Holy Trinity Hypercars. The production model relies on a 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8, taken from the RS Spyder LMP2 racer, which works with two electric motors for a combined 887 horsepower. The acid-green accents on the bodywork and brake calipers highlight the car’s e-hybrid tech. In Weissach trim, it lapped the Nürburgring in 6 minutes 57 seconds, the first production car to do so under seven minutes. This particular car is #67 of the 918 units that Porsche hand-assembled in Zuffenhausen between 2013 and 2015. What makes this example noteworthy is that it is equipped with the highly desirable and sought-after Weissach Package that cost over $80,000 when new. To offer some context on rarity, this car is one of only 162 Weissach examples that arrived stateside, out of 297 cars delivered to the United States. The Weissach pack shaved roughly 90 pounds from the car through lightweight magnesium center-lock wheels, titanium hardware, ceramic wheel bearings, and lightweight door pulls. <- Gallery -> Finished in GT Silver Metallic, arguably the model's most timeless colour, over a Garnet Red leather cabin trimmed with light-grey accents, crests embossed in the headrests and 918 Spyder script stitched throughout. Exposed carbon bucket seats and carbon trim reinforce this car’s motorsport intent. The first owner specified it well beyond the Weissach kit, adding front-axle lift, the 11-speaker Burmester surround system, dual-zone climate and the multifunction sport wheel. The service file is what elevates this car above other low-mileage examples. It went in for its 10-year service in 2025, and Porsche pulled the engine to replace the rear main seal, fit fresh spark plugs and ignition coils, and swap the intake sensors. Delivered new through Porsche Bellevue in Washington, it has never left Porsche's authorized network, passing through Bellevue, Marin, Fremont, Woodland Hills, Naples and Palm Springs. Besides full-body paint protection film, the sale also includes removable carbon roof panels, charger, wind deflector, two keys and a car cover. Extensive documentation and more details are available now at duPont REGISTRY Live. Click the link below to place your bids. View Listing If you're interested in financing this car or another exotic car, be sure to get pre-qualified.

By Khris Bharath – April 15, 2026

Four Collector-Grade Porsches on duPont REGISTRY Live You Can't Ignore

The online auction landscape continues to tighten, and duPont REGISTRY LIVE has doubled down on a model built around transparency and execution. A 14-day return policy and a 100 percent sell-through rate remain central to our approach. Since launching in mid-November 2025, the platform has now recorded 227 cars sold. Within that momentum, Porsche has emerged as the defining force, accounting for well over 30 percent of all transactions, with 74 cars sold to date. Three of those have crossed the seven-figure threshold, including last week’s 1-of-2 RUF Ultimate Bluebird $1,317,750 sale, reinforcing the platform’s role as a primary destination for high-value Porsche consignments. For collectors tracking rarity, provenance, and specification, the platform has quickly become a focal point. That position is further supported by the expansion of the duPont REGISTRY Group (dRG), which recently acquired a major stake in Porsche-marketplace Elferspot, strengthening its reach within the global Porsche collector market. That momentum carries into today’s selection. Of the seven Porsches currently available on dR Live, these four are limited-run examples we’d like to highlight. 2024 Porsche 911 S/T 1-of-1963 This is a 2024 Porsche 911 S/T, a model developed to mark 60 years of the 911 and limited to 1,963 units globally. Built on the 992.1 platform, this particular example, # 746, shows approximately 350 miles and is finished in Shade Green Metallic over a Classic Cognac and Black Heritage interior. Powered by a 4.0-liter flat six and paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, the S/T prioritizes weight reduction and driver engagement over outright complexity. Equipped with the Heritage Design Package and protected by full-body paint protection film, this one-owner example presents in near-new condition. As the market continues to reward purity and limited production, the S/T has already positioned itself as one of the most closely followed modern 911 variants. View Listing 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster 1-of-1948 Alongside it, a 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster showing just 1,535 miles, and is 1-of-1,948 units produced globally. 1948 was ofcourse the year when Porsche 356 “No.1” received its certification. Finished in White over a black leather interior with carbon fiber and red accents, this example, with just 1,535 miles on the odometer, presents a restrained and highly intentional specification. Powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat six and equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, this 991.2 Speedster, with its low-slung windscreen and iconic double bubble, represents among the last modern Porsches to fully commit to an analog driving character. The inclusion of the Sport Chrono Package and full paint protection coverage supports both condition and usability. Within the current market, low-mile Speedsters continue to sit at the center of modern Porsche collecting. View Listing 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster by Gunther Werks 1-of-25 Next up is a 1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Speedster reimagined by Gunther Werks. Dubbed “Mystique,” this is one of just 25 examples produced worldwide. Finished in a striking Amethyst Metallic over a bespoke purple and black leather interior, this build shows just 1,084 miles at the time of documentation. Underneath, a Rothsport Racing-built 4.0-liter flat six is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, delivering a driving experience rooted in air-cooled character with modern execution. Handbuilt in Huntington Beach, California, this Speedster represents the most extreme open-top expression of the Gunther Werks 993 program. Purists are well aware that Porsche never fully pursued an open-top version of the 993, and this example by GW has been developed to modern engineering and performance standards. View Listing 2008 RUF RGT 1-of-14 Finally, we have a 2008 RUF RGT, a W09 VIN factory-built example based on the 997 GT3 platform. Handbuilt at RUF's HQ in Pffahenhasuen in Bavaria, Southern Germany, this car spent most of its life in Japan. Finished in a distinctive Chromaflash Hologram Silver over a blue leather interior, it is one of just 14 RGTs ever produced; the car seen here is the only known example in the United States specified in this finish. With 19,070 miles, the car retains its original Mezger-based 3.8-liter flat-six, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Originally commissioned for the former Chairman of Samsung, Mr. Lee, and accompanied by its original RUF Zertifikat along with service records and factory documentation, this example combines provenance with engineering credibility. For those following the most focused Mezger-era builds, this sits at the very top of the conversation. View Listing

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