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

Ferrari News

Ferrari news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, auction results and current market prices. Our coverage runs across the whole line-up, from the 296 and 296 Speciale to the SF90 XX, the 12Cilindri and the F80. We also follow the earlier cars that built the reputation of the Prancing Horse over seven decades. Reporting comes from the Monterey and Pebble Beach auction floors, and from first drives of new models as they arrive. One thing separates this from other supercar news: many of the Ferraris covered here are listed for sale on the duPont REGISTRY marketplace. Read the story, then see what an example is genuinely worth. For Ferrari news today, and the exotic car news around it, start here.

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2019

Ferrari F12berlinetta HPE800 Validation Testing by Hennes...

If your Ferrari needs more machismo, send it to Sealy, Texas for an attitude adjustment. In the latest upload from Hennessey Performance, they show the world how to leave work on a Friday. The white blur on the screen is an F12berlinetta. They were introduced in 2013 with 730 horsepower. Under the hood is a V12 that was developed for the Enzo. Surely it would be bombastic to imply they left any power on the table, but such appears to be the case. John Hennessey and his team have not divulged how they achieved 800 horsepower, but we think the exhaust might be modified. If you want to experience this for yourself, click the link below for great deals on an F12berlinetta and then go to http://hennesseyperformance.com Shop Ferrari F12berlinetta Related: The Rock's New Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 Hennessey McLaren 720S Sounds Ready for a Fight

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2019

David Lee's Ferrari 288 GTO on Jay Leno's Garage

It might look like a Ferrari 308 at a distance, but this is their first supercar. Group B Rally Racing was one of the most competitive (and deadly) motorsports of all time. To capitalize on the off-road success, a Group B circuit series aimed to put these potent machines on the track. Each manufacturer had to sell 200 examples to the public to be eligible, and Ferrari built 272 cars. They are rare and incredibly valuable, so here is David Lee's Ferrari 288 GTO on Jay Leno's Garage. Back when cars were named after their engines, this 2.88L V8 was paired with twin turbos to make 400 horsepower and 366 lb-ft of torque. That might not sound spectacular today, but the curb weight is only 2,500 lbs. A car this light with such power is incredibly fast, and you don't have any safety systems for protection. The sticker price was $100,000 in 1984, which equates to $2,480,000 today. That is close to their selling price whenever one of these rare beauties comes to market, so tell us what you think of the car that brought Ferrari into the modern era. If you need something more modern, check out these great deals on the F12berlinetta and stay with us for all your Jay Leno updates. Shop Ferrari F12berlinetta

By Edward Jones – March 25, 2019

The Ferrari P80/C: A Lesson in the Extreme

The new Ferrari P80/C has just been unveiled as the most extreme one-off automobile that the Italian automaker has ever created. Ferrari wouldn't say who ordered the car, but they did note that the client is a "great connoisseur of the Ferrari world" and comes from "family of long-time Prancing Horse enthusiasts and admirers." Let your imaginations run wild. When briefing Ferrari on what they wanted, the client asked for a modern car that was inspired by the 330 P3/P4 and the 1966 Dino 206 S. Flavio Manzoni, the head of the design for the P80/C, was essentially tasked with creating a modern car that pays homage to two great classics. For the base, they chose the 488 GT3 chassis. This choice allows the P80/C to be a track car that's unrestricted - that includes the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine (I'm assuming it's this engine as it's what powers the 488 GT3). Another feature that was only made possible because of its track-only status include the removal of classic headlights. This gives the front of the P80/C and incredibly sleek and aggressive look. The client also had a very interesting and specific request: give it two souls. To accomplish this, Ferrari gave it two different set-up, a racing set-up and exhibition set-up. For racing, it has a large carbon fiber wing and 18-inch wheels. For exhibitions, it can be equipped with 21-inch wheels, but can be devoid of any of what Ferrari calls "aerodynamic appendages." On the outside, Ferrari went with a Rosso Vero paint that's as showy as the car itself. There is also carbon fiber that can be seen only on the exterior's functional parts. As stated before, this is strictly a one-off car but maybe some of its DNA can be shared with some upcoming Ferrari models. view all ferraris for sale

By Edward Jones – March 21, 2019

Hublot Introduces New Watches for Scuderia Ferrari's 90th...

To celebrate Scuderia Ferrari's 90th anniversary, Hublot has released a very special Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary watch. This watch is available in three different limited editions, each celebrating the materials used in Ferraris over the years. As for the mechanics of the watch, it uses the UNICO movement and a flyback chronograph with a 72-hour power reserve. Hublot crafted the bezel out of ceramic carbon, just like the brakes on the LaFerrari. The first special edition out of the three was inspired by Scuderia Ferrari's early days. Just like the classic Ferraris, this watch has a platinum case that resembles the visible metal parts of the original Ferrari. There's also a perforated leather strap meant to mirror the classic bucket seats. Yellow was chosen as a highlight to evoke the original speedometers. For the second watch in the trio, Hublot used 3d carbon for the case in the same way Scuderia Ferrari does nowadays. Keeping with the modern materials is the strap that consists of Nomex, a synthetic fiber that's fire resistant. This material is also used to create racing driver's suits. Red and black was chosen to reflect the colors of Ferrari's Formula 1 cars. Coming in last is a special edition that is meant to be as futuristic as possible. The transparent case is comprised of sapphire and is a sight to behold. For the strap, Hublot gave it a futuristic "Kevlar" look. All three edition will be produced in a limited run of just 90 examples, as well as 10 collectors sets that includes all three watches. view all ferraris for sale

By Edward Jones – March 06, 2019

See the Ferrari F8 Tributo in Real-Life Shots

Replacing the 488 GTB is the new Ferrari F8 Tributo, a model that the Italian automaker says is an homage to the most powerful V8 in their history. When unveiled, we received our first look at the car via renderings that showed off the new supercar's style. Now, Ferrari has released a treasure trove of images that show off the car as it's on display at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. As a bonus, it's in Check them all out below!

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2019

New Ferrari Model Teased Ahead of Debut

We've been suspecting that a Ferrari 488 replacement model would be coming soon and the Italian automaker just stoked our suspicion to the highest level. Below, you'll see a video from Ferrari that teases a brand-new model. In the description, you'll read: "Tomorrow, the Prancing Horse family welcomes a new member. Make room for new thrills." Two things. First off, we know for sure that it's a new model coming to Ferrari's lineup. Secondly, and more importantly, it's coming on February 28th, 2019. What will it be called? What will power it? How fast will it go? I'm not sure but I know I'm going to find out tomorrow. view all ferraris for sale https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=423218001821235

By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2019

Jay Leno Drives a Ferrari 250 TR Tribute

In an ideal world everyone should experience the iconic Ferrari 250. The one caveat is that even bad examples sell for over $50 Million. So building a tribute car is the next best thing. In his latest upload, Jay Leno Drives a Ferrari 250 TR Tribute car. It was pure coincidence that the owner came across this prototype body in Italy. Enzo was looking for an aluminum body for a new breed of race cars. Several coachbuilders presented their examples, and this one was rejected. So it was hung on a wall as an ornament for over half a decade. Peter Giacobbi spent a decade building an exact replica of a 1959 Testarossa, even down to the nuts and bolts. Check Out Jay Leno's Collection! Because a 250 engine would be hard to find, they found a 4.4L V12 from a 365 GTB. The tube-frame chassis is also an exact replica, but it is made of modern DOM steel. So what we have here is a stronger and faster Ferrari 250 for a fraction of the cost of an original. If you want the real thing, click the link below and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage. Shop Ferrari 250 For Sale Related: Jay Leno Drives 1984 Ferrari 308 GTB Christian von Koenigsegg on Jay Leno's Garage

By Andrew Nabors – February 14, 2019

Ferrari 812 Superfast Scorches the Nurburgring

Enzo Ferrari demanded the very best of his race team and his street cars. That is why he built the Fiorano test track around his home in 1971. Since then, catching a Ferrari testing in Germany has been a rare sight. That's why we loved watching a Ferrari 812 Superfast Nurburgring lap time of 7:27.48. In the latest upload by the German magazine Sport Auto, we see their test driver Christian Gebbhardt dominating the old north loop. The Italian stallion is powered by a 6.5L V12, the latest evolution of the Type 140 that debuted in the Enzo. It has evolved to include active cam timing, more compression and an active intake manifold. Although it doesn't have the fancy AWD used by many competitors, the rear wheel steering keeps it glued to the track. If you think you can handle it, our dealers have several to choose from. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Ferrari updates. Shop Ferrari 812 Superfast For Sale Related: 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs, Price, Photos & Review See How Fast The Ferrari 812 Superfast Can Hit 200 MPH

By Edward Jones – January 18, 2019

Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Now For Sale by Mecum

Right now car collector's around the world have the chance to buy one of the rarest and most extreme modern Ferraris: the LaFerrari Aperta. This is all possible thanks to Mecum Auctions, who is offering the car. This 2016 LaFerrari Aperta come with just 174 original miles clocked on its odometer, making it the best example on the market with the lowest mileage. Mecum notes that this car is available for purchase immediately. They'll take it at it's price, or best offer. They also say that trades of single cars or entire collection will be considered when it comes to acquiring this car. This is a rare opportunity to own the car Ferrari created to commemorate their 70th Anniversary. For more information on this car, be sure to click the button below! view price and more info

By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2019

Sunken Ferrari 360 Modena Salvaged in West Palm Beach

Everyone loved the Ferrari 360 series when it arrived in 2000. Working with ALCOA, the chassis and many body parts were aluminum. It was so revolutionary that many aspects remained unchanged until the 488 GTB arrived. Despite all the innovations since then, one small feature that was never added was submarine mode. Authorities in West Palm Beach, Florida have released the name of a man who drove his 360 Modena into Palm Beach Inlet. This pristine section of the Intercoastal Waterway has scenic views of the historic Breakers hotel and the President's home at Mar-a-Lago. The owner had a conversation about parking with a police officer, but then it gets weird. The car was on a fishing pier, then the driver backs up to the gate... A local salvage company was tasked with "The Hunt For Blue Modena", and they used air bags to float it to a boat ramp. You tell us what happened here. Regardless of the motive, the sad car was exposed to the salt of the Atlantic, so it will face serious corrosion for the rest of its life. If you want a nice & dry example, click the link below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. View all Ferrari 360 For Sale

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