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 – March 25, 2022

New Rosso Ferrari F1-75 Color Pulled Straight From F1

Finish your Ferrari in the same paint as the Bahrain GP-winning machines. Ferrari has just announced a new exterior color for their models and it's pulled directly from their Formula 1 cars. Called Rosso Ferrari F1-75, it's the same deep red found on the Scuderia Ferrari F1 cars and includes a nice matte finish. Ferrari also notes that this finish is now available for all of their current models, like the 296 GTB, Roma, SF90 Stradale and even the Daytona SP3 (seen above). If there's one thing to know about Ferrari paint finishes, it's that gracing your car in the right one can add sincere value down the road. Some examples include Rosso Dino, Giallo Triplo Strato, and plenty of the "Verde" variants. That being said, this could very well be one of those finishes that add value down the road as it mimics a specific color for a specific F1 car for a specific year. See All Ferraris For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari (@ferrari)

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 24, 2022

Watch Ferrari Collector David Lee Present His New Yellow ...

David Lee adds a rare Ferrari Enzo to his growing collection. As a dedicated collector and brand ambassador for Ferrari, Ferrari Collector David Lee aspires to continue building his fleet of prancing horses with iconic examples. David Lee is back with an all-new YouTube video unveiling the newest addition to his garage, the Ferrari Enzo in Giallo Modena. In the video, David expresses his love for the brand and his commitment to match his red ‘Big Five’ collection with a yellow fleet of its own. The highly-desirable Ferrari ‘Big Five’ includes the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari, all of which incorporate a small taste of Ferrari’s performance-focused lineage. The task of locating and acquiring the remaining yellow vehicles seems to be a challenge that David Lee is not only excited about but also determined to complete. MUST-READ: Watch Ferrari Collector David Lee Unveil His New LaFerrari Aperta As Chairman and CEO of Hing Wa Lee Group, David holds a strong passion for luxury watches that pair perfectly with his supercar-filled garage. The watch of choice to pair with the yellow Ferrari Enzo is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41mm in yellow, a piece that continues to skyrocket in value on the secondary market alongside the other vibrant variations. Needless to say, we are excited to see more Ferrari Enzo content and collection updates from Ferrari Collector David Lee. View all of the current Ferrari examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear releases and celebrity car news. View All Ferrari For Sale Source: Ferrari Collector David Lee YouTube

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2022

Ferrari Purosangue SUV Officially Teased For The First Time

It's finally happening. The vehicle that has been talked about for what seems like years has finally and officially been teased for the very first time. In an Instagram post, the much-talked-about Ferrari Purosangue was given a face by the automaker's official account. The image that was posted shows off the new Ferrari SUV's front fascia, which appears to have the same design DNA as the SF90 Stradale. Aside from the front fascia reveal, the only other tidbit that Ferrari divulged was the release date... kind of. Ferrari notes that the new Purosangue SUV will be revealed later this year. That leaves open a lot of time for all of us to go crazy with speculation and thinking about what we'd like to see the Purosangue accomplish as a new model in Ferrari's lineup. One of the most important facts that we are all wanting to know is what engine will power the new Ferrari SUV. The most talked-about options have to be either a hybrid V8 powertrain or the massive 6.5-liter V12 engine found in the 812 Superfast. So, in the meantime, dream away or check out the Ferraris for sale on duPontREGISTRY.com. See Ferraris For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari (@ferrari)

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 23, 2022

Check The Spec: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Rosso Dino

Modern Italian performance meets traditional Ferrari design. At the pinnacle of Ferrari’s advanced hybrid technology lies the SF90 Stradale, the only prancing horse behind the LaFerrari to feature an EV powertrain. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale defines itself as a sophisticated track monster that continues to grow in popularity throughout the worldwide community of supercar collectors. The Italian supercar specialists at Ferrari of Tampa Bay are excited to showcase this 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale as part of its growing inventory of new, certified pre-owned, and pre-owned Ferrari examples. Rosso Dino Red With Black Highlights duPont REGISTRY This SF90 Stradale configuration begins at the heart of Ferrari with a beautiful Rosso Dino gloss exterior finish, a factory red paint color that pays homage to the son of founder Enzo Ferrari. The exterior also features black carbon fiber accents that break up the design and add to the Italian supercar’s aerodynamics. A set of black gloss 20-inch factory sport wheels provide the traction needed to set the perfect lap time, while vibrant yellow Ferrari brake calipers ensure perfect braking in the corners. Genuine Black Leather With Rosso Dino Contrast Stitching duPont REGISTRY The interior design of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale highlights a subtle and modern configuration that uses genuine black Italian leather with matching red stitching. The driver-oriented cabin includes a set of carbon-fiber sport seats that feature a Rosso Dino leather stripe and a prancing horse in the headrest. With a lightweight design in mind, the use of carbon fiber makes its way into areas such as the sports steering wheel, shift paddles, and additional trim components. An Astonishing 986-Horsepower & 590-lb ft of Torque to All Four Wheels duPont REGISTRY Delivering an astonishing 986-horsepower and 590-lb ft of torque to all four wheels of the SF90 Stradale is Ferrari’s advanced hybrid powertrain. The 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 generates 769-hp, while the trio of plug-in electric motors adds an additional 271-hp. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale uses a quick-shifting 8-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission to help launch it from 0-60mph in just 2.0-seconds. This magnificent 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale from Ferrari of Tampa Bay is currently available on duPont REGISTRY with 729-miles for $899,985. View the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec special. View Vehicle Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2022

Ferrari's F1 Drivers Take Zlatan Ibrahimović For A Drive ...

Ferrari meets football, or here in the States, Scuderia meets soccer. Zlatan Ibrahimović is one of the world’s most famous soccer players. With 31 trophies won throughout his career, he’s amazing at his sport and pushes the entire sport forward with his skill, dedication, and talent. And as Zlatan is to soccer, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are to Formula One. Having taken first and second place for Ferrari at this past Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari’s F1 drivers and Zlatan have a lot in common, and it’s no wonder they got together to take the new 296GTB around the Fiorano Circuit. MUST READ: New Ferrari 296 GT3 Sketches Are A Look At Ferrari’s Racing Future The car they drove even matched the success of their drivers. The new Ferrari 296GTB is a first for Ferrari on many fronts: it’s the first Ferrari-badged car to be powered by a V6 engine, the first hybrid Ferrari since the LaFerrari. The V6 engine and electric motor combine to give the car 819 horsepower, combining incredible power and performance with the futurism and environmental consciousness of a hybrid powertrain. Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, and Zlatan Ibrahimović never stop getting better at what they do, and neither does Ferrari. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari (@ferrari) Source: Instagram/Ferrari

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 17, 2022

New Ferrari 296 GT3 Sketches Are A Look At Ferrari's Raci...

Ferrari’s new 296 GTB is already taking on the responsibility of the brand’s racing future. Racing is at the heart of the Ferrari brand; it can be found in the Prancing Horse’s very deepest roots. In fact, the new 296 GTB takes design cues from historical Ferrari racing cars, like the 1963 250 LM that brought Ferrari victory at Le Mans in 1965. With that kind of legacy in its very DNA, it’s really no wonder that the Ferrari 296 GTB, even in its infancy, is ready to race. MUST READ: Check The Spec: Tailor Made Inspirazioni Ferrari SF90 Stradale Enter the 296 GT3, a Ferrari 296 designed to meet the track and performance requirements for GT racing, receiving the torch passed from the 488 GT3, the most successful Ferrari race car ever with 107 titles to its name. The car takes the styling of the original 296 GTB and adds aerodynamics and an intimidating stance for an efficient and race-ready look. The car is already in production, with a 6-cylinder engine, however without the hybrid electric motor due to track regulations, and it’s going to be tested and developed on the track to debut for racing in 2023. And with these sketches done in all black, you could say the Ferrari 296 GT3 is ready to be the dark horse on the track. Source: Ferrari

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 15, 2022

MANSORY Unveils Its New Ferrari Roma Build

Mansory takes the Ferrari Roma to a whole new level. The Ferrari Roma is the Italian supercar manufacturer’s mid-front-engine coupe that boasts a timeless design combined with unparalleled performance. The aftermarket specialists at Mansory are known for upgrading the world’s most sought-after supercar with performance and aesthetic features. The team at Mansory is proud to present their complete vehicle conversion of the Ferrari Roma, the newest addition to the brand’s extensive product portfolio. Mansory adds forged carbon splitters, front and rear diffusers, hood, rear wing, and trim accents to the Roma to increase aerodynamics. Achieving a more aggressive ride height from custom lowering springs, the set of 21/22-inch fully-forged sport wheels provides the traction needed for any on or off-track driving. MUST-READ: Charge Cars UK Releases Its $457K Fully-Electric 1960s Ford Mustang Series While the outside of the Mansory Ferrari Roma showcases a head-turning new look, the interior design includes modest upgrades that pair perfectly with the factory Italian craftsmanship of Ferrari. The interior upgrades from Mansory include a leather/carbon sport steering wheel, carbon shift paddles, custom entrance panels, and a custom carbon trunk plaque with build specifics. Along with the list of add-ons, Mansory also invites its clients to individualize their interiors even further through a custom configuration process. At the heart of the Mansory Ferrari Roma lies a 3.9-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8, which features a power pack upgrade that helps deliver 710-horsepower to the rear wheels. The horsepower and torque increase launch the Ferrari Roma from 0-60mph in just 3.1-seconds. The all-new Ferrari Roma vehicle conversion from Mansory is currently available for configuration. View all of the current Ferrari Roma examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear releases and supercar news. View All Ferrari Roma For Sale Source: MANSORY

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 14, 2022

New "Ferrari Forever" Exhibition At Enzo Ferrari Museum O...

“Ferrari Forever” is a rallying cry certainly worth echoing. It has been 75 years since Enzo Ferrari started the engine of the 125 S, the first car to wear the Ferrari badge, and the beginning of the legacy of one of the automotive world’s most important names. To celebrate the anniversary, the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena is giving the public the rare opportunity to have a look inside Ferrari Classiche. Since 2006, Ferrari Classiche has been helping classic Ferrari owners maintain, preserve, and protect the heritage of their cars by offering a wide range of services. MUST READ: Check The Spec: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Giallo Modena Over Beige Tradizione At Ferrari Classiche, Ferraris over 20 years old are authenticated, restored, and maintained with OEM parts, all thanks to access to the machines that made those original parts, as well as a Historical Archive, containing the assembly sheets of every Ferrari since the 125 S in 1947. The Ferrari Forever exhibition features a display of over a dozen officially certified classic Ferraris, some of which have been restored by Ferrari Classiche itself. Some of the cars featured include early Ferrari coachbuilding work by Sergio Scaglietti and Pinin Farina, as well as other classic Ferraris that tell the story of the brand’s commitment to beauty, glamor and driving excellence. Ferrari Forever shows that the beauty and excellence of a Ferrari will never fade with time and that any Ferrari can become a future classic. The exhibition remains open at the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena until February 17, 2023. All Ferraris For Sale Source: Ferrari

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 08, 2022

Check The Spec: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale in Giallo Mode...

The chance to own an Italian hybrid supercar with a bright yellow design. The heritage of Ferrari is built off the Italian prancing horse and its iconic Rosso Corsa color scheme. Although the color red defines the brand, Ferrari holds a diverse color palette at its disposal to create one-of-a-kind configurations that represent the craftsmanship of the Italian supercar manufacturer. The professionals at Ferrari of Houston are proud to showcase those creative abilities with this stunning 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale. The exterior of the SF90 Stradale features a vibrant Giallo Modena finish with a silver race livery strip that signifies the Asseto Fiorano upgrade. The curvature of the body lines is accentuated with black and carbon fiber components that add to the aerodynamics of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. A set of paint-matched performance brakes sit pretty behind the lightweight factory five-spoke sport wheels. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 In PTS Carbon Steel Grey The interior layout presents a modern luxurious feel that beautifully blends the use of carbon fiber and Beige Tradizione genuine leather. While the Ferrari SF90 Stradale is track-ready with a pair of carbon-fiber bucket seats and advanced driving dynamic modes, it presents itself as the perfect everyday supercar with hybrid technology. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is driven by a 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 that works in unison with three electric motors. The hybrid powertrain delivers over 769-horsepower to the rear wheels with the Assetto Fiorano package, launching the supercar from 0-60mph in only 2.1-seconds. This 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale from Ferrari od Houston is currently available through duPont REGISTRY with only 119-miles. Click the button below to view the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY and to inquire about pricing. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec specials. View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 07, 2022

Jay Leno Takes Ultra-Rare Yellow Ferrari F50 For A Spin

Any true car enthusiast knows that a color can mean everything. The Ferrari F50 is a legendary car that served as the flagship Cavallino Rampante-wearing supercar for years during the golden age of supercars. It’s rare, coveted, beautiful, and blindingly quick, even by today’s standards. However, in its Giallo Modena color, only 31 were made, making it all the more rare and legendary. Jay Leno had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a yellow Ferrari F50, and like a Guards Red Porsche Carrera GT, or a Sunbeam Yellow (ironically) AMG GT, the color made all the difference. MUST READ: Ferrari 296 GTB First Drive Review: The Return Of The V6 The owner of the yellow F50, and also a red F50, Ferrari collector David Lee, talked about the fact that the yellow is an incredibly coveted color of the F50, estimating that his own would sell for a whopping $5 million, as compared to a $4 million value for his red car. Being a convertible, the F50 comes with either a soft-top or a hardtop, both of which are actually difficult to install and remove. For this reason, his yellow F50 features a hardtop in the video, while the red counterpart features a soft top. One of the first cars to use carbon fiber in the chassis and body, the F50 pushed innovation and engineering forward almost as quickly as the car itself drove. Thanks to collectors like David Lee, these incredible cars get to live out their full legacy and stay on the road, impressing us just as much today as they did over 27 years ago. All Ferrari F50s For Sale Source: YouTube/Jay Leno's Garage

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