Events

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 – August 01, 2024

Honda x Pininfarina's 1984 HP-X Concept Will Return To Mo...

The iconic Honda HP-X Concept, restored to its former glory, will debut at Monterey Car Week 2024. As Monterey Car Week 2024 quickly approaches, Honda is set to unveil a piece of its automotive history on the picturesque backdrop of Northern California, the Honda HP-X Concept. Originally debuted in 1984, the HP-X (Honda Pininfarina eXperimental) was Honda's first concept car and the predecessor to the iconic NSX supercar. Styled by the renowned Italian design house Pininfarina, the HP-X features a radical wedge-shaped design that captured the imagination of car enthusiasts worldwide. The concept car pushed the boundaries of automotive design and technology, featuring advanced aero, like "ground effects" and innovative cooling solutions for its mid-mounted 2.0L V6 engine, derived from Honda's F2 racing engine. Its futuristic design included a jet-fighter-style Perspex canopy, which also served as a driver-controlled air brake. The restored HP-X will be displayed in the Wedge-Shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes Class at the 73rd Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This marks its first public appearance in nearly four decades, offering a rare glimpse into Honda's past. Inside, the concept explored new comfort levels and functionality with features like real-time telemetry, GPS, and road condition warnings via "special sonar." Using materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar further emphasized Honda's dedication to reducing weight and improving performance. While the car never went into production, the Honda HP-X Concept's influence on the automotive world is undeniable. As it returns to the spotlight at Monterey Car Week, the HP-X continues to inspire and remind us of the endless possibilities in automotive design. Check out our duPont REGISTRY Guide to Monterey Car Week by clicking the link below for more information. Discover duPont REGISTRY's Guide to Monterey Car Week Source: Honda

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2019

Pebble Beach Concept Lawn 2019

Just inside the main entrance to Pebble Beach is the Concept Lawn. Only the best concepts in the world are invited, and we were there as they rolled in. Here they are in no particular order, so tell us your favorite in the comments below. Bugatti La Voiture Noir "The Black Car" This masterpiece is 1 of 1 and inspired by the classic Type 57. It was built for a private individual who paid $19 Million for it. Learn More DeTomaso P72 The return of DeTomaso has been a secret project by our friends at Apollo. It has an FIA approved chassis, manual transmission, and your name on it! Learn More Nostalgia by NMOTO Everyone missed their chance to buy an original BMW R7 because only one was built. That is why NMOTO builds a modern interpretation on a new BMW R9T chassis. Not only is it fuel-injected, but it is also the first motorcycle ever invited to the concept lawn. Learn More Bentley EXP 100 GT Here is Bentley's vision of an autonomous future. It will be used to influence new styling and technology for years to come. Learn More Porsche Formula E Works Race Car Porsche is diving headlong into electric technology, and their Formula E has influenced the upcoming Taycan electric sedan. Learn More BMW Vision M Next This is what BMW envisions as the future of their M Performance brand. It takes inspiration from the i8 and M1, and has a hybrid powertrain. Learn More Ford GT MKII Customers who wanted more performance on the track now have what they asked for. The 2020 Ford GT MKII is a track-only supercar. Learn More Acura Type-S Acura has used the Type S to distinguish their high-performance models, but we didn't have time to investigate it. Pagani Zonda C12 This restored Pagani Zonda C12 is basically brand new. It was the first car to be restored at the factory as part of the "Pagani Rinascimento" program. Pagani Huayra BC Roadster The Huayra BC Roadster is named after Benny Caiola, a close friend of Mr. Pagani, and his first customer. Learn More Karma SC1 Vision This electric roadster that shares some hardware with the Revero GT. The windshield and cowl are inspired by Howard Hughes 1935 H1 Racing Plane McLaren GT by MSO Yes, McLaren builds more than sports cars. The GT is a comfortable cruiser with room for your luggage or groceries. Learn More Gunther Werks 400R This 993 series Porsche 911 is all carbon fiber, and it is a work of art inside and out. Learn More Lotus Evija This is the car that could change the world. Lotus has built the world's most powerful series-production car. Learn More Audi R8 LMS GT2 Audi takes racing very seriously. After winning the Nürburgring this year, they developed this new R8 GT2 to take on the world. Learn More Which of these would you like to take home? I would choose a twin-supercharged methanol injected Ferrari Hydroplane: " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 13, 2015

Lamborghini Concept S Up for Auction

Though their upcoming auction in Monterey, California may be headlining most news stories, RM Sotheby’s is saving a piece of Lamborghini history for their New York Auction: the Lamborghini Concept S.If you don’t mind arriving with a unique hairstyle, this Gallardo’s lack of a functional windshield is a throwback to vintage open-air motoring. As the lot description on RM Sotheby's Auctions website tells us, a rolling chassis was shown at Geneva in 2005 to gauge public interest in a Gallardo speedster. The crowd and the motoring press went wild, so it received a few more styling touches along with a functional drivetrain. All aspects of the car were made ready for a limited production run, but it never came to fruition.(Related: $65 Million Car Collection Walk-Around: The Pinnacle Portfolio)With one owner since new, the street legal Concept S has seen just over 111 miles of engineering shakedowns and Concours fields. Lamborghini concepts tend to be show stoppers, and this one stands to return a nice profit when it crosses the block on November 18.Stay tuned to Autofluence for more auctions and wild concept cars.Gallery (Source: RM Sotheby's Auctions) See More Event Coverage

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2015

One-Off Maserati Boomerang Set to Cross the Auction Block

Giorgetto Giugiaro’s creations are among the boldest and most iconic Italian cars ever made, and this one set the industry on fire in the early 1970s.Maserati was looking for a way to get away from their sleek and sensuous lines and invite discussion around what the future would be. The Maserati Boomerang was first unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1971, and today, as a press release from Bonhams tells us, it's preparing to cross the block.(Related: Steve McQueen’s Porsche 911 Turbo Being Auctioned Off)With an interior straight out of Tomorrowland, the Boomerang's steering wheel exists as a leather covered ring that orbits the circular instrument cluster. The large side glass is raked inboard at a sharp angle, making the low slung cockpit look larger than it really is. Seats mounted below and between the frame rails don’t offer too much practicality, but their pleated Italian leather looks like a comfortable ride.Based on the Bora’s chassis, the Boomerang also borrowed the 4.7-liter V8 tuned to 300 hp. It is a registered and fully functional car that has taken top honors from Pebble Beach to Monte Carlo. The release from earlier this week announced that it will be a part of Bonhams' upcoming Chantilly Sale. If you need to own the concept that set the pace for Italian design, make plans to be in Chantilly, France on September 5.For more concept cars and auction updates, stay tuned to Autofluence.View LotGallery (Source: Bonhams) See More Event Coverage

Events

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe