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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

Three modified race cars, including the Subaru Brataroo, with decals and sponsor logos are parked indoors in a well-lit garage with a dark background, showcasing their Gymkhana-ready style for SEMA 2025.

By Khris Bharath – November 05, 2025

Wild Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo Marks Gymkhana’s Comeback...

In case you’ve never heard of Hoonigan, Gymkhana, or Travis Pastrana, here’s the short version: imagine Hollywood-level stunt driving, real cars, and zero CGI. They are essentially high-budget stunt reels, think jumping over helicopters, drifting around and through buildings, and threading gaps most drivers would dare to attempt in the real world. It all started as a side project over a decade ago between late rally driver Ken Block and a small team of engineering geniuses who turned tire smoke into viral content on social media. They redefined how the internet sees car culture and now, after a brief hiatus, Hoonigan is back, and this time, the action finally moves to Australia, the birthplace of the word “hoon”. At the ongoing SEMA 2025 show in Las Vegas, the team unveiled its latest star: the Subaru Brataroo 9500 Turbo. It’s a modern interpretation of the classic Subaru BRAT (Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter), re-engineered for Pastrana’s upcoming Gymkhana: Aussie Shred film, premiering December 9 on Hoonigan’s YouTube channel. What you’re looking at is a 670-horsepower, 9,500-RPM (their highest-revving Gymkhana car to date) stunt weapon designed to slide, jump, and survive anything an Australian outback shoot can throw at it. Under the hood sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged boxer engine built by Vermont SportsCar, Subaru’s longtime rally partner. Power routes through a six-speed sequential gearbox and an all-wheel drive system. The entire chassis and body are custom-engineered from carbon fiber to keep weight down while retaining stiffness. The Brataroo is kitted-out with active aerodynamic panels that move mid-air to control flight angle, and dual adjustable wings for downforce or stunt flexibility. The widebody design by the legendary internet sensation Khyzyl Saleem (The Kyza) gives it a futuristic yet nostalgic look, with a retro livery inspired by the 1970s OG BRAT and even kangaroos flashing Pastrana’s signature thumbs up. It rolls on a custom set of forged monoblock wheels from KMC Wheels, designed as a modern tribute to the four-spoke style seen on rally cars from the late 1970s. These 18-inch wheels are fitted with Yokohama ADVAN A052 or APEX tires, chosen based on the specific stunt and surface requirements. Inside, the cabin blends vintage details with race tech: a carbon dash, reimagined HVAC knobs for aero control, and even an old-school CB radio. For fans and first-timers alike, this marks a new chapter for the Hoonigan franchise. It’s also a tribute to Ken Block, whose creative legacy built this empire of smoke and chaos. Whether you know the history or not, one thing’s clear: Aussie Shred is shaping up to be the most explosive Gymkhana yet. View All Subarus For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hoonigan Industries (@thehoonigans) Images: Hoonigan

A black classic Ford Mustang with custom modifications, reminiscent of the Ringbrothers' 800-plus horsepower 1969 Mach 1 'KINGPIN' unveiled at the 2025 SEMA, is parked in front of a gray corrugated metal wall.

By Charles Bradley – November 04, 2025

Ringbrothers Unveils 800-Plus Horsepower 1969 Ford Mustan...

World-renowned custom car builder and parts manufacturer Ringbrothers has revealed its latest masterpiece: the “KINGPIN,” a reimagined 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 that expertly blends classic muscle car heritage with cutting-edge technology, high performance, and luxury craftsmanship. Unveiled at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, KINGPIN stands as a testament to Ringbrothers’ commitment to automotive artistry and innovation. This one-of-a-kind Mustang features a modern drivetrain and chassis combined with thousands of hours of handcrafted detail, resulting in a vehicle that surpasses the factory model in both power and design. At the heart of KINGPIN is a Wegner Motorsports 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine, supercharged by a Whipple system delivering over 800 horsepower. Power flows through a Bowler Transmissions Carbon Edition six-speed manual gearbox, sending raw energy to the rear wheels. The engine’s roar is amplified by custom-fabricated Ringbrothers headers and a Flowmaster Super 44 Series stainless-steel exhaust system, delivering a soundtrack as thrilling as the car’s performance. Extensive metalwork transformed the Roadster Shop FAST TRACK Stage III chassis back into a unibody structure, while the bodywork has been widened by two inches at the front and 3.5 inches at the rear. The wheelbase is extended by 1.5 inches, complemented by a custom-engineered roll cage for enhanced safety and rigidity. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires wrap around HRE Vintage Series 517 wheels, gripping the asphalt with Fox RS single-adjustable coilovers and independent Roadster Shop FAST TRACK suspension at both ends. Brembo brakes ensure confident stopping power. “The Mustang Mach 1 has always been an aggressive-looking car, and the client was adamant about creating a sinister aesthetic,” said Ringbrothers co-owner Jim Ring. “We asked ourselves, ‘What would the final boss in a John Wick film drive?’ This was the result. Everything was cued off the Mustang’s original design, but we ramped up the drama, sharpened the lines, and added a number of one-off and 3D-printed details to make it truly stand out.” The handcrafted body is cloaked in a custom shade of BASF’s Bootleg Black, contrasted by a unique trim color dubbed Grab-Her Green – a playful nod to Ford’s Grabber Green, tweaked for a darker, villainous undertone. Carbon-fiber components abound, including a one-off rear diffuser, lowered rear quarter panels with custom vents, hood, grille surround, lower front valance, and interior accents. Inside, KINGPIN’s cabin combines luxury and technology with upholstery and trim detailed by 3D-printed and machined brightwork, a Vintage Air Gen IV Magnum climate-control system, Dakota Digital gauges, and a custom Ringbrothers “ENYO” crushed-carbon hoop steering wheel. “Over 5,500 hours went into building KINGPIN and perfecting its aesthetics,” added co-founder Mike Ring. “Every piece of this car has been touched and updated with sharpening the original design cues in mind. We’re grateful for our team of trusted partners like BASF, GENTEX, HRE Wheels, and others for making it all possible.” With KINGPIN, Ringbrothers have once again elevated the art of American muscle car customization – melding heritage, luxury, and breathtaking performance into a machine worthy of modern automotive royalty. View All Ford Mustangs For Sale Images: Ringbrothers

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2020

SEMA 2020 Is Happening!

We're starting the week off with good news, so we're glad that SEMA 2020 registration is open. We have the COVID virus on the ropes, so car shows, racing, and the aftermarket is bouncing back. Taking place November 3rd to 6th, book your hotel and travel ASAP to avoid the inevitable crowds. With many aftermarket suppliers tinkering at home during the lockdown, you will be treated to an unprecedented offering of innovative parts. Expect to see our usual array of SEMA previews in the upcoming months, so stay with us for all your SEMA news. Learn More https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/539793179902836/

4PLAY WHEELS TRUCK RIMS CHEVY DODGE RAM FORD F150 RAPTOR GMC F250 JEEP HUMMER TACOMA TUNDRA.6852776 (1)

By Andrew Nabors – October 15, 2019

4Play Wheels Heading to SEMA 2019 With Special Debut

Presented by 4Play Wheels - Sarasota, Florida is only an hour from our office. It has amazing beaches and perfect weather year-round. Perhaps that is why our friends at 4PLAY Wheels have changed the industry. They began as an aftermarket division of OE Wheels, LLC, who specializes in factory quality replicas for every major manufacturer. Utilizing the same engineering expertise along with attention to detail, 4PLAY offers the strongest, lightest, and most appealing 4WD wheels. visit 4playwheels.com Now, after over a year in development, 4Play Wheels is ready to debut a new set of wheels with the deepest concave profile ever produced. This new forged series of wheels will be given their public debut at SEMA 2019, November 5-9. Not only will you be able to see 4Play Wheels' new forged line, but also their extremely popular G2 Cast Series wheels. If you're attending SEMA 2019, you definitely don't want to miss their booth. You can view the map up above to see right where they're located. Also, if you would like to have a 1-on-1 meeting with them at their booth, you can click here. While you wait for SEMA, you can always visit 4PlayWheels.com by clicking the button or follow their social profiles (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter). visit 4playwheels.com " width="680"> Presented by 4PLAY Wheels 4PLAY Wheels is an entity of OE WHEELS, LLC. Based out of Sarasota, FL. 77,000 sq. ft. Established in 2000 55,000 wheels in stock Superior customer service & support OEM level quality & manufacturing

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