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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 – March 04, 2026

Petersen Automotive Museum To Mark 25 Years of Fast & Furious Franchise With Landmark Exhibit

On March 14, the Petersen Automotive Museum will open one of the most comprehensive exhibitions ever dedicated to a movie franchise built around cars. Titled “A Fast & Furious Legacy: 25 Years of Automotive Icons,” the display brings together a rare collection of vehicles that defined one of Hollywood’s most influential automotive sagas. Developed in collaboration with Universal Pictures, the exhibition marks the 25th anniversary of the The Fast and the Furious franchise. Spread across the museum’s Propulsion Gallery and the Ross and Beth Myers Galleries, the display traces how the films evolved from street racing stories rooted in Los Angeles into a global blockbuster series that has generated over $7 billion at the box office. Several vehicles with their now iconic designs and wraps to be displayed in the exhibition played central roles in the early films and helped introduce tuner culture to a much wider audience. Among them is the bright orange 1993 Toyota Supra stunt car, driven by Paul Walker’s character Brian O’Conner. Also on display is the neon green 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse, featured in the opening street race in the original film. This is a scene that inspired a generation and helped push Japanese performance and JDM cars into mainstream American car culture. The exhibition will also showcase O’ Conner’s 1999 F-150 SVT Lightning, Dominic Toretto’s imposing 1968 Dodge Charger R/T, the 1997 Nissan 240SX driven by Letty Ortiz, and Dom’s distinctive 1993 Mazda RX‑7, one of the most recognizable cars from the franchise’s early street racing era. Other highlights include the pink 2001 Honda S2000 driven by Suki, played by Devon Aoki, in 2 Fast 2 Furious. <- Gallery -> “This display has been years in the making and marks a defining moment for the museum. said “For guests, this is an opportunity to step inside the world of ‘Fast & Furious' and experience the cars that drove the franchise’s impact on automotive culture.” - Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. David O’Connor, Chief Brand Officer at Universal Entertainment, noted the deep ties between the films and the city where it all began. “The Fast Saga was born out of the creativity and community of Los Angeles car culture. Even as the series grew into a global phenomenon, the heart of the franchise has always been rooted in the city.” The exhibition will open with a special car show and will remain on display through April 2027. It arrives as the franchise prepares for its next chapter, with Fast Forever scheduled for release on March 17, 2028. Learn more about the exhibition here. View All Supercars and Exotic Cars For Sale Images: Kahn Media

A man with light brown hair and a light beard smiles while standing outdoors on a sunny day, wearing a white and green collared shirt. The blurred road hints at the excitement of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion with Grand Marshal Jenson Button.

By Charles Bradley – July 30, 2025

Jenson Button Named Grand Marshal For 2025 Rolex Monterey...

Formula 1 World Champion and endurance racing superstar Jenson Button has been named Grand Marshal of the 51st Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, set for August 13-16 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The renowned British driver, known for his versatility and style both on and off the track, will headline the annual gathering that ranks among the most prestigious vintage racing events in North America. For fans of high-performance heritage, luxury automotive culture, and motorsports history, Button’s appointment brings added star power to an event already rich in provenance. With over 400 meticulously prepared, period-correct race cars competing across 14 race groups – including the eagerly-anticipated debut of a dedicated IROC class – this year’s Rolex Reunion promises a rare blend of authenticity, speed, and celebrity. “I am incredibly honored to be named Grand Marshal of this legendary event,” said Button, who now lives in California. “This is the ultimate gathering of motorsports history and icons from the racing world, and I couldn’t be prouder to play a part.” As Grand Marshal, Button will take part in a variety of ceremonial and fan-facing activities, including the opening ceremonies, autograph sessions, and guest commentary during the Mario Andretti Trophy race – an F1-themed battle that’s part of the official Formula 1 75th Anniversary celebrations. Button will also suit up and compete behind the wheel in several groups. He’ll campaign his 1967 Alfa Romeo GT Jr., a 2011 Porsche 997 GT3 Cup car, and a 1996 IROC Pontiac Firebird in the Unser Family Cup IROC category – a crowd favorite expected to channel the golden era of cross-discipline motorsport rivalries. Best known for his 2009 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship with Brawn GP, Button enjoyed a 17-year F1 career with 15 wins and nearly 1,000 points scored. Today, he races for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and recently celebrated a podium finish at Interlagos, Brazil. His motorsport repertoire spans nearly every major series, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to the NASCAR Cup Series and the Race of Champions. This year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is built around the global celebration of Formula 1’s 75th anniversary. A highlight of the weekend will be daily demonstrations and races featuring 25 historic F1 cars from the 1966–1985 non-turbo era – machines that defined Grand Prix racing’s most visceral decades. The paddock display will be equally compelling, offering fans a close-up look at 30 rare and important Formula 1 cars. Among them: a 1956 Maserati 250F, the legendary 1966 Eagle Mk1, a turbocharged 1986 Benetton-BMW B186, and – most recently – a 2024 McLaren-Mercedes MCL38, the Constructors’ Championship winner driven by Lando Norris. By blending championship-caliber driving talent like Button with a historic grid of motorsport legends, the Rolex Reunion bridges past and present with exquisite authenticity. As an experiential lifestyle event, it attracts collectors, connoisseurs, and vintage racing fans alike – united by a shared passion for high-performance machines and timeless design. Whether you come for the cars, the competition, or the culture, this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion promises to be one of the most dynamic yet. View All Exotic Cars For Sale Image Source: Friends of Laguna Seca

By Edward Jones – May 01, 2020

Jay Leno, Martha Stewart, Ludacris and More to Headline M...

Mercedes-Benz USA is putting on a new kind of concours show utilizing the Zoom video conferencing app. Called the "Concours de Zoom," this virtual event will be showing off some of the most iconic Mercedes-Benz vehicles alongside their high-profile owners. This includes a 1908 chain-drive Mercedes, 1956 300 SL Gullwing, 1988 560 SL and more. New models will also be showcased, like the AMG G 63 and AMG GT C Coupe. Each of the owners will have some time to showcase their car, pointing out a few of their favorite aspects of the car. At the end of the show, a donation will be made to the American Red Cross on behalf of the guests. The Concours de Zoom will be happening today at 5 pm EST through Zoom. Click here for the Zoom webinar link for this show.

By Andrew Nabors – August 08, 2018

Shelby American Collection's Annual Party 2018

In the picturesque city of Boulder, Colorado lies the largest collection of Carroll Shelby’s creations. The Shelby American Collection will be hosting their annual car show and party this year on September 1st, from 3-8 pm. The winner for a new Shelby GT350R will also be drawn at the event. This year's honored guests include Carroll's grandson Aaron Shelby, designer of the Daytona Coupe Peter Brock, Shelby Team Drivers Allen Grant and Tom Yeager, and the President of Shelby American, Gary Patterson. Tickets are $75 each, and the amenities include dinner, an autograph signing, guest speeches, a 60's band, and an open bar. If you haven't seen this collection, be prepared to be awestruck by original Cobras, Mustangs, and Ford GTs. They have been preserved in a race-ready condition in the high altitude and low humidity Northeast of Denver. Click the link below and stay with us for all your Shelby updates. Click Here To Purchase Tickets

By Edward Jones – March 31, 2016

James Bond Headed To Top Marques Monaco 2016

In this extraordinary homage to James Bond, visitors to the 13th edition of Monaco’s premier auto show will be able to see James Bond’s Aston Martin DB10; boasting a 4.7-litre V8 engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. Daniel Craig drove this incredible machine in a spectacular high-speed car chase in the film. Supercar fans will also see the Jaguar C-X75 which Spectre’s villain Hinx drove in a chase with Bond through the streets of Rome. Created by Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations division, the C-X75 produces 850bhp with a top speed of 200mph.The Range Rover Sport SVR, Land Rover "Big foot "Defender and Aston Martin DB5 which also featured in Spectre are available to view, as well as other 007 memorabilia brought to Top Marques by the PropShop, the company who produces gadgets for the Bond films.Another highlight of this year's Top Marques, the only live auto show in the world where visitors get to test drive the supercars on a F1 GP circuit and being held from 14th to 17th April in the Grimaldi Forum, is the Icona Vulcano. Made entirely out of titanium, the hypercar will be shown in final form for the first time ever at the Monaco show. Icona VulcanoTop Marques will also exhibit the Arrow by Apollo; with close to 1,000hp this hypercar built in Germany is financed by Chinese investors. The Donkervoort D8 GTO, one of the fastest street legal cars which exists today, will also be exhibited and may be test driven on parts of the famous GP track.Top Marques co-owner Steven Saltzman said: “We thank EON Productions and the producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for allowing us to feature the 007 Spectre supercars at Top Marques 2016." Apollo ArrowSince 2012 the Edmond de Rothschild group has supported this upscale event in Monaco, which every year asserts itself more as a vector of high tech and know-how. The alliance between the Edmond de Rothschild group and Top Marques illustrates the Group’s determination to promote innovation, creativity and excellence —three values at the core of the Group’s philosophy.Steven Saltzman added: “This is the best ever Top Marques. However, it would not be possible without the continuing support of our patron, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, who happens to be a huge James Bond fan. We are also very grateful to our title partner the Edmond de Rothschild group who is returning for the fourth year and shares in our passion for innovation and excellence.”“The Top Marques Show is clearly the place to be in Monaco. Innovation, creativity and excellence are the keys to success for our Group. Teaming up with the Show was a natural process in our Group’s vision," says Hervé Ordioni, Head of Edmond de Rothschild (Monaco). Aston Martin DB11One of the most intriguing global launches at this year’s show must be the ArcaBoard, a flying hoverboard straight out of the movie Back to the Future which will perform its' first public demonstration at the opening of Top Marques.As well as supercars and 'flying carpets', there will also be more than 50 luxury brands displaying their exclusive products in Luxury Lane, whilst more than 30 of the most exclusive watch and jewellery marques will be present in the Watch Pavilion.A complete list of exhibitors for Top Marques 2016 is available at www.topmarquesmonaco.com where visitors can also buy tickets – both premium, with access to the Supercar Restaurant and VIP Lounge, and regular one-day entries. There are also reduced tickets on Saturday and Sunday for families.Learn More

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

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2015

Lewis Hamilton in the Gumball 3000 Rally in a Koenigsegg

For the last leg of the Gumball 3000 rally, Lewis Hamilton, who has just signed a massive deal with Mercedes-Benz, joined in for some supercar fun. This last leg started in Los Angeles, California on May 28, and ended in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 30.(Related: Andrew Johnston Wins BMW M4 Coupe for Hole-in-One)His car of choice for the short leg of the rally was a one-off Koenigsegg Agera HH finished in a spectacular blue finish with exposed carbon fiber. The car belongs to David Heinemeier Hanson, who also owns a Pagani Zonda HH in the same color scheme.Below are some video of the Agera and Hamilton in the Gumball 3000 rally. (Source: YouTube) Click Here For More Celebrity Cars

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