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 – October 13, 2015

Official: Limited Edition Ferrari F12tdf

A brand-new and extreme variant of the Ferrari F12berlinetta has just been unveiled to the world: the Ferrari F12tdf. Unlike the past F12 special editions, this one will have a higher production number that makes it much more attainable.Why "tdf?" This car is meant to pay homage to the Tour de France Automobile, a historic race that ran between 1899 and 1986. It was a race that Ferrari dominated back in the 1950s and '60s.Do all of these modifications to the powertrain and overall build of the car result in faster performance? You bet.• 0-62 mph: 2.9 seconds (.2 secs quicker)• 0-124 mph: 7.9 seconds (.6 secs quicker)• Fiorano Lap Time: 1'21" (2 secs quicker)Inside, Ferrari breathed more sportiness into the cockpit through a wrap-around effect and the extensive use of carbon fiber. They also used Alcantara instead of traditional leather, and technical fabric for the seats.Ferrari is only planning on making 799 examples of the car. So, if you're interested, you better act quickly.F12s For Sale (Source: Ferrari) Ferrari News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – October 08, 2015

4 FXX Ks at New Orleans' Motorsport Park Ferrari Racing Days

The big band city of New Orleans saw an Italian takeover at the NOLA Motorsports park the weekend of Oct. 4, and it was a show of incredible power.Ferrari Racing Days saw the arrival of three Ferrari programs at once at the southern location, with the North American Ferrari Challenge, XX Program and F1 Clienti all converging for two days of horsepower and energy. An Oct. 4 press release from the marque and videos shared to YouTube Oct. 7 give us a look inside the event, including an in-cabin perspective for one lap around the track.The Ferrari FXX K debuted on American soil for the first time at this event, with not just one, but four examples of the LaFerrari's racing variant arriving for the trip. As the release reminds us, its engine creates 860 hp while the hybrid system creates an additional 190, leading to an insane 1,050 hp total from the FXX K.(See Also: Extreme Shooting and Donuts in a Ferrari 599 SA Aperta)"With nearly four hours of track time at NOLA," the release described, "the Tifosi were enthralled by the roar it made. In addition, the FXX Ks were joined by two 599XXs on the 2.74-mile circuit."Check out the videos above and below to get a better look at this event, and find your own Ferrari from our exclusive listings for the next Ferrari track day near you.Ferraris For Sale (Source: Ferrari, YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – October 07, 2015

Extreme Shooting and Donuts in a Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

When trap or skeet shooting at a shooting range, your feet are placed on the ground and your body stationary. Why? Because it's terribly hard and dangerous to shoot clay pigeons if you're, say, doing donuts in a Ferrari 599 SA Aperta.Of course, this means someone on the internet has gone out, hopped in one of Ferrari's most exclusive models ever created and actually shot clay pigeons from a 599 SA Aperta while doing donuts.The person behind the gun? Philip Thorrold - one of the world's top shooters and a professional shooting coach. He clearly has experience in the matter.In the video found below, uploaded Oct. 6, we see Thorrold sitting passenger in a 599 SA Aperta, shooting at clay pigeons being launched into the air. He is, of course, a professional and this stunt looks to be performed in a controlled environment. What I'm saying is don't try this at home.This exclusive Ferrari model was revealed back at the 2010 Paris Motor Show as the convertible version of the 6.0-liter V12-powered 599. Before it even hit showroom floors, the car was already sold out. It generated quite a bit of buzz back in 2010 and there were many factors that contributed to its rise.First of all, Ferrari only created 80 examples of the car, making it more exclusive than almost any other model they've created. In fact, this makes the 599 SA Aperta even more exclusive than the LaFerrari, which Ferrari created 499 examples of. Secondly, this model was created to celebrate designers Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina, hence the "SA" in the model's name.Now, the 599 SA Aperta is surging in popularity. For instance, Bonhams is rolling one example across the auction block at their October 9 Knokke-Heist event and it's expected to go for anywhere between $900,000 to $1.3 million.Can't make it out to the auction? Don't worry, because we actually have two examples of the 599 SA Aperta listed on duPontREGISTRY.com. To see them both, be sure to click the button below.599 SA Aperta Listings (Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari Videos, News and Photos

By Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

Why the Ferrari 488 Spider Debuted in Blue

Fans of the Ferrari brand have grown accustomed to seeing the classic Rosso Corsa red paint on the marque's cars. It's been the color of Italian race cars since the 1920s, and over the decades has become a color synonymous with the Ferrari name.So why did the newest car, the 488 GTB, debut in blue?Simply stated, it's because this car is unlike any Ferrari spider to come before it. A video shared by the marque on YouTube today gives some insight into the history of design that lead up to the 488 Spider, the concepts that drove its final form and the decision to don a different paint than the world expected.Though part of a long company tradition of V8 open-top cars, the 488 Spider completes the Ferrari range with a modern design meant to tackle the roads of classic races, such as the Mille Migla.Ferrari 488 Spider Prices, Specs & Review"There has never been a Ferrari spider like this in the past, and we wanted to underline this fact by creating a brand new electric blue livery, brilliantly encapsulating the car's character," Nicola Boari, Ferrari's Product Marketing Director, explains in the video.Check out the story behind the 488's development above, and then find your own Ferrari for your stable from our exclusive listings below.Ferraris For Sale (Source: YouTube, Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

By Andrew Nabors – September 29, 2015

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta at Ferrari Newport Beach

From 2006 to 2012, the Ferrari 599 GTB reigned supreme as the marque's premier V12 Grand Turismo Berlinetta. To make sure it had timeless styling, the graceful silhouette was penned by the automotive artists at Pininfarina.Only a handful made it to the US, and they are rarely seen in public. That’s why we jump out of our chairs when our dealers list them for sale. This pristine example with just 841 miles was ordered with a carbon fiber roof panel along with many white interior accents.If you have room in your collection, this is your opportunity to own a piece of history. For more information, including price and more pictures, click button below to view the car's listing.View Price and Pics See More Listings For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – September 29, 2015

Ferrari 275 GTB Start Up & Walk Around in London

It's always an exhilarating moment when you see a Ferrari on the streets, but it's especially so when that Ferrari is one of their most iconic designs and highly coveted collector's models.Adam Canfield, better known on YouTube and Facebook as AdamC3046, was fortunate enough to have just such an experience while walking around London recently, and found a Ferrari 275 GTB parked on the side of a road.It seems he arrived at just the right time, too - as he stopped to take photos and shoot some video, the car's owner came outside, gave him a look at the engine and then started it up and drove away. Canfield shared a video on YouTube of this special Ferrari's short show, and the sounds are simply stunning.(See Also: McLaren P1 GTR vs Ferrari FXX K: Which Sounds Better?)Turn your volume up and check out the video above, and when you're finished, find your own Ferrari for your stable from our exclusive listings.Ferraris For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

McLaren P1 GTR vs Ferrari FXX K: Which Sounds Better?

There's no denying the importance of a viscerally thrilling engine note in performance cars. The sound a vehicle emits can be just as telling of the manufacturer's signature as design lines or a name.And when you're standing near a track, it's so much easier to tell the true differences between one engine's note and another's. Particularly when the engines you're hearing are those of a McLaren and a Ferrari.The video above offers the chance to sit back for nearly 10 minutes of engine note beauty, so be sure your headphones or speakers are turned up and ready for some exhilaration. Added to YouTube Sept. 26 by Gumbal, it shows more than one Ferrari FXX K taking laps around the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack, then shows a few McLaren P1 GTRs doing the same.Each, visibly, is very different, but when you close your eyes, you'll discover just how different their sounds are, too. Listen for the deep, jet-like rumbles of the McLaren's downshifts, and the higher pitched, almost wind-like whirs of the FXX K's V12 and electric motor, with a few kick backs each time the gears shift. The difference between the engines is as significant as the difference between two people's voices, and each is unique to the vehicle itself.(See Also: Ferrari F12 Versione Speciale Spotted in Maranello)Check out the sonorous sound comparison of the two above, and when you're done, let us know in the comments which sound you liked best. Then, find the street-legal version of your favorite from our exclusive listings at the buttons below.P1s For Sale LaFerraris For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Automotive Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – September 23, 2015

Ferrari F12 Versione Speciale Spotted in Maranello

A lot of rumors have been swirling in the enthusiast world about the possible reveal of a "Speciale" variant for Ferrari's F12berlinetta, and a recent video lends itself well to the conversation.The latest video shared by YouTube car spotter Automotive Mike, who captured a black and purple LaFerrari testing Sept. 20, shows another look at what appears to be a test version of a new F12. It has yet to be confirmed that this model is being created, and nobody can quite agree on whether it will be dubbed the F12 Versione Speciale (VS) or F12 GTO when it is confirmed, but it's certainly something beautiful to see. The video, added to YouTube today, even gives us a few seconds of this Ferrari's engine revving as it climbs a hill in its first pass. The side panels and rear of the car are covered in white paper and black tape, but the front of the car and headlights are unmistakably those of the F12berlinetta's design. What's different, however, is the front grill - or rather, the lack of one.A photo of what was reported to be the F12 GTO or VS was posted in early August, sharing a yellow creation with black accents completely uncovered and sporting a leaner, more aggressive take on the F12berlinetta's design.(See Also: Purple and Black LaFerrari Spotted Testing)Do you think the video above and F12 spotted in August are a new version of the F12? Would you rather it be called the Versione Speciale or the GTO? Let us know in the comments below, and find an existing F12berlinetta for yourself from our exclusive listings.F12berlinettas For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2015

Purple and Black LaFerrari Spotted Testing

Recently, YouTuber Automotive Mike was in Maranello sightseeing around the "holy ground of Ferrari" as he put it in a new video uploaded on September 20. Luckily for him, he saw quite a sight: a purple and black LaFerrari.This unique car was featured in the previously mentioned video that he uploaded yesterday. Its body was finished in a stunning purple paint, while the wheels and roof were black, creating an amazing two-tone visual we have yet to see on Ferrari's hypercar. Mike seemed to have caught the car while the engineers at Ferrari were taking it out for test drives before its delivery. To see it in action for yourself, be sure to watch the video below.Below are some quick specs on the LaFerrari for those wanting to learn more about Ferrari most insane vehicle yet.LaFerrari Specs Engine: 6.3-liter V12 Horsepower: 949 Torque: 663+ lb-ft Transmission: 7-speed DCT Weight: 3,495 lbs 0-62 mph: <3 seconds Top Speed: 217+ mph LaFerraris For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari Videos, Pics and News

By Edward Jones – September 16, 2015

Ferrari 488 GTB Debut at Ferrari of Tampa Bay

This past Friday, Sept. 11, Ferrari of Tampa Bay had the pleasure of debuting a fantastic new model to the Tampa Bay area: the Ferrari 488 GTB.Guests to the event were treated to fine food and drinks as they waited for the sheet to be pulled back off of the 488 GTB. Surrounding them was a selection of various Ferraris, ranging from the classic 512 to the new California T. It was most definitely a lavish event for a deserving car.Most of the guests on hand were Ferrari owners, with many having placed orders for the car whose unveiling they were about to witness. It was a chance for many of them to see what their new car would look like for the first time.When Marlow Miller, General Manager of Ferrari of Tampa Bay, asked for the sheet to be pulled back, the gorgeous Giallo Modena 488 GTB was revealed. While it's nice to see the car in pictures, it's another story to see it in person; from its sharp headlights, back to the rear diffuser, it's a stunning vehicle.Inside was yellow stitching contrasted against the ample amount of black leather found throughout the cabin. Exposed carbon fiber was found on different areas, such as the steering wheel, center tunnel and instrument cluster.Underneath the glass of the engine bay was the 3.9-liter V8 engine fixed with twin turbochargers. When put to the test, this 488 GTB's wheels can lay down 660 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, showroom floors don't provide enough space to show off the car's power.The 488 GTB is easily one of the finest cars Ferrari has created in recent years. What's more, this model has been complimented by the newly unveiled 488 Spider.Be sure to stay with us for more information on the latest Ferrari models.Dealer ListingsGallery See More Ferrari News

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