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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 – October 06, 2023

A Trio Of Bentleys Take Center Stage At The Zoute Grand P...

Bentley honors its legendary W12 engine at the Zoute Grand Prix with exclusive automotive activities held on the Belgian Riviera. As teams, drivers, and race fans prep for the festivities this weekend in Belgium, manufacturers are even taking part in the celebration by showcasing some truly spectacular luxury cars. Everyone in attendance at the Zoute Grand Prix is set to witness an extraordinary spectacle as Bentley Motors will display one of the last models powered by its iconic W12 engine in Belgium's Riviera. A pinnacle event for car enthusiasts, the race will feature the Bentley model lineup, including the exclusive Flying Spur Speed Edition 12, a limited production sedan with just 120 units. The special edition Flying Spur stands as a tribute to Bentley's signature 6.0-litre W12 engine, slated to end production in 2024. The W12 boasts impressive stats with a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 207 mph. Originating from the 2003 Continental GT, the W12 engine has become and will always be a staple of Bentley’s heritage. To commemorate its legacy, the Flying Spur Speed 12 Edition includes a dashboard illustrating the engine's firing sequence. Owners will also be gifted a handcrafted scale model of the engine, created from a genuine recycled W12 block. In addition to this collector's gem, Bentley will also bring a Bentayga EWB First Edition V8 presented in a striking Pale Brodgar two-tone paint. An immaculate Continental GT Convertible Mulliner V8, painted in an Onyx finish, will complete the trio. Bentley Motors invites car enthusiasts to experience its rich legacy at the Zoute Grand Prix from October 5-8. View all Bentley models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bentley For Sale Source: Bentley Motors

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 03, 2023

Discover The $25K Bentley Motors x Macallan Monterey Car ...

The Macallan x Monterey Car Week Experience is available to purchase for $25,000.

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 29, 2015

Bentley Bentayga to Debut at Power on Ice 2016

Bentley's annual Power on Ice program is one of the best opportunities you'll have to learn the proper ways to take a Bentley vehicle across frigid landscapes. The marque's cars aren't only incredibly luxurious, they're also incredibly capable on most any landscape - and now, with the Bentayga, they're able to tackle most any terrain.Registration for the four day event in Finland opened just a little less than a week ago, and now they've confirmed in a press release today that their newest addition will be among the lineup for guests to test out."Power on Ice is an unforgettable four-day experience that provides the opportunity to push a full range of Bentley cars to their limits," describes the release. "Running throughout February next year, guests will be among the first to explore the Bentayga’s extraordinary capabilities in one of the most beautiful and challenging environments in the world."The Bentayga is the world's fastest production SUV, with a recorded top speed of 187 mph. It's one of the world's most luxurious SUVs to ever be released as well; the world's most expensive car clock is available as an option, and the first example sold went to Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Bentley released an app earlier this month, the Inspirator, that customizes a Bentayga design for you based off of facial recognition software that analyzes subconscious facial reactions to different visual cues.(See Also: Bentley Opens Registration for Power on Ice 2016)Prices start at €11,900 per person, or approximately $13,000 USD at current exchange rates, and the excursion includes a wide array of activities designed to fully immerse you in the Finnish culture.Days are spent learning and practicing different ice driving skills with the Bentley Ice Driving Team, while nights are spent enjoying local cuisine at the Chalet Ruka Peak. After enjoying an exquisite dinner, time can be spent in a smoke sauna before embarking on a "night time husky-sled safari" to visit a reindeer farm.Learn more about registering for this annual excursion at Bentley's website, and find your own Bentley to begin familiarizing yourself with the drivetrain from our exclusive listings.Bentleys For SaleGallery (via Bentley) See More Bentley News

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2015

Bentley Opens Registration for Power on Ice 2016

We rarely see Bentleys in bad weather, so we were shocked in 2011 when they took the Continental Supersports Convertible to Finland’s Bay of Bothnia to set a world record on ice.In a YouTube video uploaded to their page Oct. 19, we are giving a small preview of their upcoming “Power on Ice” event, which will be held from January through the end of February. As you are reading this, resourceful British engineers are hard at work transforming the remote arctic tundra into a luxurious retreat.Guests will receive training from the Bentley Ice Driving Team in all their current models. The lodge will offer fireside dining, and drinks will be readily available at the Ice Bar. If you need an AWD adventure with single digit wind chill, more details can be found on Bentley’s landing page.For more Bentley news, stay tuned to Autofluence. If you prefer to pay homage to the 2011 world record ice racer, check out the 2012 Continental Supersports Ice Speed Racer editions for sale:Quartzite Metallic 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports ISR in Chicago, IL See Price White 2012 Bentley Continental Supersports IRS in Warrensville, OH See Price(Source: Bentley, YouTube) See More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 01, 2015

5 Best Winter Driving Academies for 2015-2016

Every year, a handful of the world's top manufacturers offer an exclusive learning experience to the few who choose to test their skill behind the wheel. It may only just be October, but winter plans for this winter are already underway.Winter driving academies and programs pop up anywhere from Colorado to Finland, offering enthusiasts a chance to study the form of expert drivers as they traverse ice and snow, taking luxury performance cars into conditions most people are afraid to drive through. Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and more all organize such an event every winter, with a few doing so in more than one location.(See Also: duPont REGISTRY Live at Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas 2015)Typically, they'll last for anywhere from one to four days, and a full experience is built around the lessons. Of course you spend plenty of time on the slick practice roads, but attendees also regularly enjoy the finest lodging and dining you could imagine. If you're thinking that you'd like to learn how to power slide a Bentley across a frozen lake, below are just a few of the upcoming events for this winter. Check them out, sign up for the one that you like best and enjoy winter driving in luxury.BMW Driving Experience: Snow Basic Training From theory to practice, the BMW Driving Experience will take you on a two day journey in Sölden, Austria to become a "snow pro." The first day covers classroom-style instruction of the theory behind how you drive, and the second has you practice maneuvers such as braking, drifting and swerving on iced over and snow covered terrain. Register NowLamborghini Winter Accademia Learn how to handle the Aventador and Huracan on ice and snow in one of two programs held in Livigno, Italy. The "Intensivo Program" offers a one-day intensive course focused on dynamic driving techniques and performance handling. The "Avanzanto Program" is a two-day course for drivers to test the limits of the cars and themselves. Events are scheduled for Feb. 19-22, 2016 and Feb. 21-24, 2016. A special "Pilota Lamborghini Las Vegas" event is scheduled for Nov. 7 and 8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Register Now Aston Martin on Ice Two events in two locations will provide Aston Martin enthusiasts with the chance to drive an Aston Martin fitted with 2,000 spikes as a professional teaches different driving techniques. Both scheduled for Feb. 1, 2016, one will take place in Lapland, Sweden, while the other will be in Crested Butte, Colorado. The Swedish event is slated to last four days, while final dates for the Colorado event have yet to be confirmed. Register Now Bentley Power on Ice Six groups of enthusiasts will gather for four days in Finland at the edge of the Artic Circle, close to the Russian border, to test every limit of the British marque's all-wheel-drive vehicles. Learn how to drift sideways without losing control and enjoy the thrill of an extreme sport, all while sitting in warm, leather clad luxury. The first event runs from Jan. 27-30, 2016, and the sixth from Feb. 15 - 18. Register Now AMG Winter Sporting Join experts from Mercedes-AMG in Arjeplog, Sweden, just below the Arctic Circle, for a chance to tame the freezing temperatures in a class suited to your level of experience. Dates run from early January, 2016 to March, with four separate locations offering four different experiences. But regardless of whether you stay at the AMG Lodge, the Hotel Kraja or somewhere else, the driving will leave you exhausted from excitement at the end of each day. Register Now See More Event Coverage

By Caitlin Duffy – August 06, 2015

The Cars Bentley's Bringing to Pebble Beach 2015

As August 10 draws closer, the towns of Monterey and Pebble Beach, California, is preparing for an influx of the world's rarest cars and their owners, as well as the enthusiasts who love them, for the annual Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.In addition to many more of the world's most well-known marques, Bentley will be in attendance for both the car week and concours, and in a press release today they've shared some highlights of the cars they're bringing along. With the oldest being a creation from 1931 and the newest their 2016 Continental GT, Bentley has ensured they'll appeal to a wide variety of visitors.The entirety of Bentley's 2016 model range, as well as the concept EXP 10 Speed 6, will all be presented on Aug. 14 at the event The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering. For Aug. 15, at the Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway paddock, the Continental GT3 R will sit alongside the GT3 race car for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.RM Sotheby's Auctions will be auctioning off 5 classic Bentleys during their Aug. 14 and 15 events, with some very high price tags expected. A 1956 S1 Continental Drophead Coupe by Park Ward is estimated to sell for $900,000 to $1.2 million; a 1953 R-Type Continental Fastback Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner is estimated to sell for $1 million to $1.2 million, and a 1931 4.5-liter Supercharged Two-Seater Sports could see a final price of between $4.5 million and $5.5 million.(See Also: Bentley Bentayga Off-Road Testing in Spain)Check out the photos of these Bentleys headed for California, and stay with us for more updates from Monterey and Pebble Beach.Bentleys For SaleGallery (Source: Bentley) See More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 09, 2015

Keith Richards' Bentley "Blue Lena" Set for Auction at Bo...

Summer 2015 is turning into one of the best seasons yet for adding rare, collectible and iconic vehicles to collections, with auction houses left and right lining up some incredible lots.Bonhams has recently listed one particularly notorious Bentley. "Blue Lena," after Lena Horne, was its nickname when Keith Richards owned this 1965 S3 Continental Flying Spur Sports Saloon, and as recently as June 7, 2013, when a Soundcloud recording was added to KeithRichards.com, it was still in his garage.With an owner like Keith Richards, there are few doubts that this particular Bentley has seen more wild things than most humans could ever imagine. There are references to Blue Lena throughout Richards' autobiography "Life," including the time he drove down to Morocco to find some things that are illegal in most countries.There are reports that it was modified to add a hidden compartment for the things they didn't want police to find, and Car and Driver's July 8 article tells us he bought it new when he was 22. But after about 50 years of ownership, it's time for Lena to find a new home.(See Also: Miami Vice's Ferrari Testarossa Set to Cross the Block at Mecum)Bonhams is estimating the lot will sell for between $610,000 and $920,000 at the September 12 Goodwood Revival auction in Chichester, Goodwood, UK. But, if you'd prefer a '65 Bentley S3 that you can get stateside before that point, check out our listings at the button below.Bentley S3s For Sale Gallery (Source: Bonhams, KeithRichards.com, Car and Driver) See More Celebrity Car News

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