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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 Sponsored Article – June 26, 2026

Endicott College to Host 16th Annual Misselwood Concours d’Elegance July 17–19, 2026

Endicott College’s picturesque Misselwood Estate will host the 16th annual Misselwood Concours d’Elegance from July 17 to July 19, 2026, welcoming collectors, enthusiasts, and automotive luminaries from across North America to Boston’s North Shore. This year’s event will also honor Massachusetts automotive icon, entrepreneur, musician, and philanthropist Ernie Boch Jr. as the 2026 Distinguished Patron of the Misselwood Concours d’Elegance. Known throughout New England for transforming the region’s automotive industry, Boch has built a legacy that extends beyond cars into music, philanthropy, and the arts. As CEO of Subaru of New England and steward of one of the region’s most influential automotive enterprises, Boch has long been a champion of automotive culture and community engagement. GALLERY-EMBED “Ernie Boch Jr. represents the spirit of Misselwood Concours in every sense,” said Endicott College President Bryan Cain, Ph.D. “His passion for automotive history, commitment to philanthropy, and larger-than-life presence have made an enduring impact throughout New England. We are thrilled to honor him as this year’s Distinguished Patron.” This year’s Misselwood Concours featured classes include a Celebration of Chrysler, Orphan Cars, and BMW Sport Coupes: Celebration of Chrysler Presented by Windover: A tribute to the enduring legacy, groundbreaking engineering, and forward-thinking styling of the Chrysler Corporation and its storied divisions. Orphan Cars: Honoring the fascinating, innovative—and often short-lived—marques that did not survive the rapid post-war transition and industry consolidation. BMW Sport Coupes Presented by Vintage Sports & Restoration: Celebrating the iconic models that defined a new niche, balancing sophisticated performance, luxury, and distinctive design. Funds raised from the Misselwood Concours d’Elegance directly support Endicott College’s Inspire Scholarship, which provides first-generation college students the opportunity to experience Endicott College’s cutting-edge experiential, professional, and liberal arts programs. During the 2025–26 academic year, Inspire Scholarships totaling more than $855,000 were awarded to 56 students. Since the scholarship’s establishment in 2019, nearly $3 million has been awarded to 98 students. The Saturday, July 18, Misselwood Concours Cars & Coffee is free for spectators; all other events are ticketed or by invitation only. Cars & Coffee participants are encouraged to register in advance and bring a vehicle to showcase for a casual morning of coffee and conversation. The main event on Sunday, July 19, will feature an awards ceremony, live music, live painting by Cape Ann Plein Air, premier sponsors, vendors, and an elegant Concours Lounge. 2026 Misselwood Concours d’Elegance Schedule: Welcome Reception: Friday, July 17, 2026, 6–8:30 p.m. By invitation only. Misselwood Concours Cars & Coffee: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 8–10 a.m. Free registration, spectators welcome! Misselwood Concours Tour d’Elegance: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. By invitation only. Inspire Scholarship Dinner Presented by Windover: Saturday, July 18, 2026, 6–9 p.m. By invitation only. Misselwood Concours d’Elegance: Sunday, July 19, 2026, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Tickets available for purchase! All free and ticketed events take place on Endicott’s Beverly campus. For more information on directions, parking, and tickets, visit misselwoodconcours.com. About Endicott CollegeExperience-powered learning is at the heart of what we do. As the first school in the country to require three internships, Endicott’s dynamic and industry-leading four-year internship model graduates career-ready professionals prepared to be influential and impactful from day one. Our Global Gulls study abroad program—along with a renowned group of expert faculty—teaches our students to become global leaders in this ever-changing world. Endicott College offers doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degree programs at its campus on the scenic coast of Beverly, Mass., with additional sites online and at U.S. and international locations across the globe. For more, visit endicott.edu.

By duPont REGISTRY – April 15, 2026

CASH & ROCKET: Where Purpose Meets the Open Road

CASH & ROCKET is a movement born on the road, a breathtaking convergence of luxury, sisterhood, and philanthropy that transforms the open highway into a runway for change. From April 23 through 26, 2026, this electrifying four-day journey will unite influential women from around the world in a shared mission: to drive meaningful change through philanthropy, leadership, and global collaboration. Sweeping across the American Southeast, an extraordinary collective of women will come together behind a singular purpose at every mile, and duPont REGISTRY could not be more proud to be a sponsor of this wondrous event. Founded in 2011 by Danish entrepreneur Julie Brangstrup, CASH & ROCKET has spent over a decade evolving from a bold idea into one of the world's most compelling philanthropic platforms, raising over $6.6 million for incredible causes and cultivating a global network of more than 2,860 remarkable women along the way. With routes changing every year, the 2026 tour marks its highly anticipated return to American soil for its second U.S. edition, and the itinerary is nothing short of spectacular. The Route: Four Cities, One Magnificent Purpose The 2026 CASH & ROCKET U.S. Car Tour consists of thirty sports cars, four iconic cities, four days of community engagement, and high-impact fundraising. Charting a course through the heart of the Southeast, each stop has been carefully curated to inspirate connect, raise awareness, and create lasting change. Thursday, April 23 — Charleston The tour opens in storied Charleston, South Carolina. Attendees are invited to witness a stunning public car display along Tobacco Street before an exclusive evening fundraising soirée. The event will be co-hosted by Astrea London, the celebrated luxury jewelry house renowned for its ethically sourced, lab-grown diamonds. Also participating in the stop are UBS, One Thousand Group, and Miami Concours. The evening's proceeds will benefit Impact Charleston, an organization dedicated to empowering underserved youth through mentorship and education. Friday, April 24 — Savannah and Jacksonville As the convoy rolls south through Georgia's scenic roads, a morning car display in the historic city of Savannah sets the stage for a private waterfront lunch before the motorcade makes its entrance into Jacksonville for an evening welcome dinner.. Saturday, April 25 — Palm Beach The tour then arrives on the shores of Palm Beach with a day of wellness activations and en-route experiences, all of which culminate in an elegant evening fundraising reception benefiting both Style Saves, an organization providing essential goods and support to families in need, and Sumbandila, which offers life-changing scholarships and enrichment programs to exceptional students. Sunday, April 26 — Palm Beach and Miami The grand finale begins with a morning wellness session hosted by model and entrepreneur Vita Sidorkina in Palm Beach, before the convoy makes its entrance into Miami. The city's iconic Design District on 41st Street will host a stunning public car display and a charity shopping experience, supported by esteemed brands including Jimmy Choo, Giorgio Armani, and Isa Grutman. When the sun sets, the tour will venture to Palm House Miami Beach for a lavish evening event. How You Can Be Part of Something Greater The beauty of CASH & ROCKET is the fact that it's also an open invitation to everyone. If you find yourself captivated at any stop along the route, there are multiple ways to become part of this movement. First, you may make a direct donation to any of the tour's charity partners or to one of the teams participating in the drive. Alternatively, when you shop with the tour's supporting brands at certain stops, your purchase becomes an act of generosity in itself, as those brands will donate a portion of their sales during the event to the cause. As Brangstrup herself affirms: "We want to know exactly where the money goes, how it's spent, and who it's helping. Meeting the children and communities we support is essential — that's how you truly understand impact." GALLERY-EMBED A Vision in Motion With a goal to raise $15 million by 2030 and plans for two annual global tours, one across the U.S. and one through Europe or beyond, CASH & ROCKET is aiming to expand in size, reach, and generosity. For instance, CASH & ROCKET will be taking the thrilling tour to Dubai next year as the event spreads its reach to the Middle East. "The Tour is not about speed," Brangstrup reflects. "It's about meso-omentum. It's about building relationships, spotlighting important causes, and showing the world what female leadership looks like in motion." Visit CashAndRocket.com

By Sponsored Article – March 02, 2026

Heritage Invitational Returns To Ten Tenths Motor Club

The fourth annual Heritage Invitational will return to the prestigious Ten Tenths Motor Club for a three-day showcase April 9-11, bringing with it a curated celebration of the luxury automotive lifestyle. The 2026 edition promises a dynamic blend of speed, craftsmanship, and community that has, in just three years, made the Heritage Invitational one of the most anticipated gatherings on the national automotive calendar. The Heritage Invitational fuses the elegance of a traditional car show with the adrenaline of a performance showcase, providing a rare opportunity to engage some of the world’s most desirable vehicles in motion and on display. The 2026 Heritage Invitational will feature: - The debut of the historic IROC Racing Series on the Ten Tenths Circuit, with legends of motorsports from NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Kurt Busch scheduled to IMSA veterans Scott Pruett and Tommy Kendall, Trans AM driver Tom Drisi, and NASCAR’s Ken Schrader and Max Papis. - The Heritage Concours, a curated display of more than 100 rare and historically significant machines representing more than a century of automotive ingenuity, innovation, and excellence. - Luxury lifestyle activations, from premium partner activations to a RADwood festival celebrating 1980s and 90s automotive style. - Special events and gatherings for Ten Tenths members and invited guests from across the collector world. With its blend of performance, artistry and social connection, the Heritage Invitational continues to define a new era of automotive celebration where legacy meets innovation, and speed meets sophistication. Single-day tickets are on sale now, starting at just $50. For more information on tickets and upgrades, or to purchase tickets, visit HeritageInvitational.com. Visit Website For Info

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