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 Edward Jones – July 05, 2016

Ferrari LaFerrari Spider Officially Unveiled

Updated 3:25 EST 7/5/16 - Ferrari has issued a press release regarding the new convertible Ferrari (I say convertible LaFerrari because it has not been given an official name as of yet). The technical details of the hypercar are still under wraps, but they do say that all examples have already been sold after a special preview.Ferrari also informs in the press release that it will be available with both a soft top and carbon fiber hard top. Those expecting performance numbers to change will be delighted to know that Ferrari says it has the "same running gear and performance figures as the original LaFerrari." This was done through extensive modifications made to the chase.We knew it was coming, and now it's finally official. On Ferrari's Twitter page, they have released the first official image of the LaFerrari Spider.https://twitter.com/Ferrari/status/750319736546701312Right now, all other specs and details on the car are unknown, but more information will be released when the car makes its official debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show October 14-16.View Ferraris For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 28, 2016

Ferrari 488 Challenge Car Spied On Track

Boys and girls, Ferrari is about to release a turbocharged monster into the world of racing: the 488 Challenge.When Ferrari revealed the new 488 GTB, thoughts of what the Challenge car would like danced around in my head. Most prominent in these thoughts was a massive rear wing.(Also Read: Ferrari 458 Speciale's Color Combinations)Now, it seems as though 19Bozzy92 has spotted what he believes is a mule for a new 488 Challenge race car being tested for the first time, which looks similar to the 488 GT3. The footage was captured at Autodromo di Monza, Italy, which is fitting when you consider the supposed birthplace of this car.Check out the video below and get excited for a new generation of Ferrari race carsView Ferraris For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 27, 2016

Ferrari 458 Speciale's Color Combinations

Thanks to the importance the Italian car maker places on customization, the Ferrari 458 Speciale offers a host of customized color options to choose from. The best part? You can see exactly what the 458 Speciale color combinations look like right from your computer screen. In an effort to make the customization process more hands-on, Ferrari created an online car configurator to put the power in the hands of the buyer when it comes to vehicle customization. The car becomes an expression of the owner, making it truly unique. Speciale customers can choose between historical, metallic and solid colors for the body of their vehicle. Exterior Color Options Historical Solid Metallic They can then choose livery that either compliments or contrasts the finish of their car. Final touches can be added to the rims with gold, silver or black finish. The 458 Speciale color combinations are truly unlimited. Check out a few of the options below. Specialty Color Combinations Looking for something truly rare? This Azzuro California 458 Speciale is quite the prize at Ferrari of Houston. Ferrari of Seattle features this 2015 458 Speciale in Argento Nurburgring Metallic with black livery A bold and well-received sportscar combination, Boardwalk Ferrari offers this 458 Speciale in yellow with black and contrasting white livery. Miller Motorcars keeps it classic with a Rosso Corsa finish and black livery. For a little extra flare, Velocity Motorcars found this Argento Nurburgring Silver finish with the black and yellow livery a pretty eye-catching and rare combination. Velocity Motorcars does it again with this limited run Rosso Corsa finish complimented by white and blue NART livery. Over at Scottsdale Ferrari Maserati, this gorgeous 458 Speciale in Bianco Avus with Blue NART Livery Blu Scuro definitely gets some attention. It's hard not to notice this combination. The gloss black finish with gray and white livery is a stunning look and offered by Boardwalk Ferrari Maserati. Velocity Motorcars rounds out the list with a classic white finished complimented by black livery. The Ferrari 458 Speciale Configurator Ready to see which combination calls to you? Check out the Ferrari 458 Speciale Configurator for yourself. We're pretty sure you won't be disappointed. Design your own and show us what you've come up with. Sell My Ferrari 458 Speciale: Get a Cash Offer View All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2016

1 of 1 Naked Carbon Fiber Ferrari Enzo For Sale

Only a handful of cars look better without paint, and this is one of them. The only Enzo to leave the factory in bare carbon fiber has been acquired by our friends at Exotic Motors Midwest, and it looks amazing. You might think a manufacturer would give you a discount when buying an unpainted car because it's less work and materials for them, but not Ferrari. We're not sure how much more the original owner had to pay for this one, but this line item on the window sticker is probably more expensive than your daily driver.Ferrari For Sale (Also Read: 2016 Ferrari F12tdf For Sale: 1 of 799) One of only 400 examples produced, the Enzo was built as a tribute to Mr. Ferrari. To be worthy of his name, it was powered by a 6.0L V12 tuned to 651 hp and 485 lb-ft. The transmission is a single clutch automated manual which was borrowed from the Formula1 team. Enzo dominated the supercar world for nearly a decade, and prices have been steadily rising for a few years. We could go on listing the specs, but if you are in the market for this car, you have probably done your homework. This car speaks for itself, so enjoy the images and click on the link for more information. Stay tuned for more rare Ferraris! View Price and Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2016

2016 Ferrari F12tdf For Sale: 1 of 799

Most people associate the Tour de France with human powered transportation, but the original race was done with automobiles. Ferrari's F12tdf is named for the race because like the early racers, this modern supercar pushes the limits of traction and horsepower. Only 799 cars will be produced, and only a fraction will make their way to the US.Ferrari F12tdf For Sale Our friends a Fusion Luxury somehow acquired this one with only 101 miles on the odometer. By utilizing some of the high revving features of their F1 program, it uses solid lifters and high compression to make 769 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. The seven-speed F1 transmission has unique gearing to keep the engine in its powerband along with a top speed north of 211. Compared to an F12berlinetta, the body is more aggressive to handle the increased speeds. Ferrari says the aero efficiency of the F12tdf is almost twice that of the base model.Ferrari F12 For Sale (Related: 2012 RUF CTR3 Clubsport For Sale)As you can see in the window sticker, this car was ordered with every option. The interior is awash in red leather and carbon fiber, with a linear tachometer for the enjoyment of your passenger. If you think you can handle the rarity and the power, Fusion Motors has your next ride.View Listing

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 16, 2016

How to Play Basketball While Going 136 mph in a Ferrari

What you'll need: A basketball A mobile basketball hoop An open track A Ferrari California T A driver How it works: Get in the passenger seat of your Ferrari and hold the basketball. Once driver hits 136 mph, throw the basketball straight into the air Watch as friends with mobile basketball hoop try to ensure basketball makes it into the hoop The guys of How Ridiculous wanted to have a little fun with a basketball, and judging by the video, it looks like they succeeded. Ever thought about racing down the speedway and trying to shoot a basketball? These guys did, too. In fact, they're known for the basketball antics. Check out the full video below to watch the action.Ferrari Californias for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 10, 2016

#TheDriver, Ferrari California T HS and Dream On!

This stylish video shows the latest and greatest convertible GT from Ferrari: the California T Handling Speciale, the dream car for your dream job, #TheDriver. Going along with the sounds of Enzo Ferrari’s inspirational interviews are scenes of what your day can be behind the wheel of a Ferrari California T:an exhilarating journey like the one of #The Driver. And, this makes perfect sense, considering Ferrari was born and bred behind one of the world’s most thrilling sports: motorsports. The HS stands for Handling Speciale, meaning it provides an even sportier and more involved driving experience. How is this done? Ferrari has given the California T HS a more “sportier” engine sound thanks to a new exhaust system, reduced its body roll, reduced steering wheel activity, improved steering responsiveness, stiffer springs (16 percent more up front and 19 percent in the rear). Never before has the Ferrari California been more agile around corners, nor has it sounded so beautiful. What’s more, none of these modifications impede on the car’s comfort. If #TheDriver needs an even sportier drive, the new California T HS offers the mannettino’s Sport mode. Through this bespoke solution, the damper settings and springs become stiffer, allowing for a more aggressive driving and more feedback to the road beneath. Making the whole experience of driving the Ferrari California T HS all the better is the ability to put down the top and enjoy the fresh air. Those who are looking to become a part of this journey or are already enjoying it ought to check out Mattioli Automotive Group’s exceptional dealers in California: Ferrari Beverly Hills, Ferrari Los Angeles, Ferrari South Bay and Ferrari Silicon Valley. Mattioli Automotive Group is proud to offer California’s largest community of Ferraristitheir exquisite boutiques. Their showrooms not only offer state-of-the-art new and pre-owned sales and Factory-Authorized Service Center, but also Classiche factory certification, collision repair and genuine parts. Do they stop there? Of course not. Knowing that Ferraris were built around racing, they have their very own Championship-winning racing team – Scuderia Corsa. If you’d like to learn more about everything that Mattioli Automotive Group has to offer or are interested in your very own California T HS, be sure to click the button below. Learn more

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2016

Ferrari 488 GTB Shocks Crowd With Massive Burnout

Ferrari broke away from their naturally-aspirated engine when they introduced the F40 years ago. Many enjoyed the idea of a turbocharged Ferrari, but it would take a couple decades after the F40's introduction for the Italian manufacturer to bring another turbocharged model into the world. This model was the 488 GTB, and its engine actually won this year's International Engine of the Year award.Ferrari For Sale DallasThe turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 engine can lay down serious power: 660 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque to be exact. When opened up, this engine has the ability to spin the wheels and shred tires, all in an award-winning manner. Don't believe me? Then you need to check out Gumbal's video, found below. In it is some footage from the SupercarSunday event, featuring cars like the Koenigsegg Agera R and Porsche 918 Spyder. But, at around 1:00 into the video, the owner of the Agera R takes a 488 GTB out and lays down some rubber for the crowd. Not only was this burnout massive, it was pretty stylish too. Click play and turn up the speakers.Ferrari 488 GTB For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 12, 2016

Road-Legal Ferrari FXX Hits Over 200 MPH

Update 4/12/16 1:03 PM: The awesome guys at TheSupercarDriver have just sent us a POV video one of these FXX runs and with it we find out that it was none other than Oliver Webb behind the wheel. Check out the video below to see him hitting over 200 mph in the legendary car. What's even better is this video recorded amazing audio of the FXX's exhaust. Based on the historic Enzo, the Ferrari FXX was and is one of the brand's most extreme automobiles ever produced. The FXX's attitude is a race-oriented one, just like its sibling, the Maserati MC12 Corsa. In fact, customers can only drive their FXX on special track days that Ferrari approves. For one owner of the FXX, binding their driving time in their car to specific days wasn't enough. So, they made it street legal.To give you an idea of just how powerful this road-ready FXX is, SupercarChannel92 uploaded a video of this very car (covered in tape) taking some high-speed runs at Vmax200. In the video's description, he notes that the car hits speeds of over 200 mph. See it in action by click play below.Ferrari For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 05, 2016

Trunk Space: Ferrari LaFerrari vs F12tdf

Generally speaking, those that own a LaFerrari or an F12tdf have another, more practical, "everyday" car to run errands and go grocery shopping. But let's pretend for a second that one of these supercars is the only option for running daily errands. Which one would make the cut when it comes to compartment space? After all, weekly grocery shopping means multiple bags and storage is necessary to get those bags home.Ferrari - Average Cargo Capacity vs. Peer Groups | AxleGeeks In the video below, YouTuber, alexsmolik, compares the available trunk space of the LaFerrari and the F12tdf and determines which one would suffice for the mundane, yet unavoidable, errand running. Which car do you think will offer more trunk space? LaFerrari's For Sale | F12berlinetta's For Sale

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