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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 – August 21, 2023

Automobili Lamborghini Shines At The 72nd Pebble Beach Co...

Lamborghini marked its presence with the debut of its electric Lanzador concept, showcasing the brand's drive towards electrification.

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By Jordan Aquistapace – August 14, 2023

Lamborghini Teases An All-New Supercar Debut For Monterey...

Shaping itself as a possible grand tourer, Lamborghini preps for a vehicle debut in Monterey.

By Edward Jones – September 22, 2016

Lamborghini Giro 2016: An Unforgettable Experience

Lamborghini has always found ways to give back to their customers, and one of their most remarkable ways is their Giro driving experience. Every year, Lamborghini and a few owners of their cars come together to drive through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. This year, for the Lamborghini Giro 2016, the experience started off in Salt Lake City, Utah and ended atop the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming.Below are three videos that recap this year's event, each doing a fantastic job showing how gorgeous and scenic this event really is. View All Lamborghini For SaleDay 1Day 2Day 3

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 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 Edward Jones – May 21, 2015

Collection of 6 Rare Lamborghinis Up For Auction

At Mecum Auctions' Seattle 2015 event, 600 vehicles will cross the block on June 5-6 and six of them are some fine examples of Lamborghinis. These six supercars come from the Roy Cats Lamborghini Collection. The vehicles being auction are listed below, with buttons to their respective listings and descriptions from Mecum.com.2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster "This special-order one-owner LP640 Roadster is loaded with optional extras that added up to an original MSRP of over $441,000, including the lightning-fast E-Gear semi-automatic transmission backing its 6.5L/631 HP V-12 engine." View Listing 1992 Lamborghini Diablo "Special features include a rear wing, SV wheels with Black painted centers wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber, tinted tail lights, Gold painted brake calipers, color-matched Lamborghini floor mats and Alpine sound." View Listing 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary "Finished in bright Bianco White with a Bone leather interior, this stunning 25th Anniversary Countach is one of only 658 produced worldwide and one of just 187 built for the North American market." View Listing 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT "Finished in Giallo Orion (Pearl Yellow) with a Black rear spoiler and painted alloy wheels, it recently received a major engine-out service by an authorized Lamborghini Service center" View Listing 1999 Lamborghini Diablo Roadster "This 1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster is exceptionally rare by virtue of its special-order Titanium Silver Metallic paint, which is matched with a Black leather interior with Grey piping and accent stitching." View Listing 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago SV "Finished in Nero Alderbaran over a Nero Super Veloce interior with Yellow stitching, this menacing 2010 SV is number 300 of 350 built and one of 42 for the U.S. market." View ListingSource:

By Caitlin Duffy – May 06, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV Unveiled at Prestige Imports Miami

Only 600 examples of the Lamborghini Aventador SV will be created, a small portion of which will make their way to the United States, and thanks to Prestige Imports Miami, one has officially landed in Florida.A wide range of stunning cars from Lamborghini and some of South Florida's most impressive personalities and automotive collectors and buyers gathered at the Fontainebleau Aviation Center to see the unveiling of the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce. They were treated to fine spirits, unforgettable company and even the fine timepieces by Ulysse Nardin. As you can see in the video above, uploaded to YouTube May 5 by Prestige Imports - Miami, it wasn't a night to be missed.As you can see in the video above, uploaded to YouTube May 5 by Prestige Imports - Miami, it wasn't a night to be missed.Unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show March 2, the Aventador SV is the most powerful iteration of the Aventador created. Its massive 6.5-liter V12 engine produces 750 hp and 509 lb-ft thanks to new optimization of the variable valve timing and variable intake system, while a lightened exhaust system adds new notes to the engine's symphony. We had suspicions for quite some time that the Aventador SV was on its way, but when it was revealed, it still blew our minds.(See Also: Lamborghini Huracan vs. Snowmobile in Sweden)From setting up the stage, to pulling back the sheet, see what goes into the full unveiling of one of the world's most impressive cars above, and when you're finished, find the perfect vehicle from Prestige Imports' exclusive listings for your collection. View Listings Gallery Source: See More Lamborghini News

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