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 Jordan Aquistapace – October 08, 2026

Ferrari 296 Speciale With Over $175K in Options Listed For Sale

While any and every Ferrari proves to be special in its own way, others carry extra significance, dreamed up and engineered as limited-production models offered exclusively to the brand’s most passionate clients and collectors. Often, these examples derive directly from Ferrari’s racing background and embody that homologated DNA from track-destined road cars, like the 360 Challenge Stradale, F430 Scuderia, 458 Speciale, and 488 Pista. That legacy continues with the Maranello marque’s most recent creation, the 296 Speciale, which happens to be in production currently, with some incredible specs being delivered worldwide. Offering a ticket to skip the waitlist and jump directly into ownership, the team at Eurocar of Orange County, CA, is pleased to feature this 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale as part of its inventory of exotics for sale on duPont REGISTRY. There is a lot going on with the spec of this 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale, starting with its Viola Hong Kong paint and Nero two-tone finish. The build is also optioned with Bianco Italia and Grigio Silverstone livery stripes, Scuderia Ferrari shields, and matte-black Ferrari logos. Then there is the carbon fiber. The front spoiler, hood, side skirts, engine covers, rear spoiler, rear diffuser and underbody cover are all finished in the lightweight material. The 20-inch carbon fiber wheels continue the theme, while yellow brake calipers add a touch of color. A front lift system was also optioned as a practical way of dealing with steep driveways considerably easier. The interior follows a similar gray, black, and white theme, with Grigio Corvara upholstery, Nero colored stitching, and Bianco accents. The XL carbon fiber racing seats feature black Alcantara centers, Bianco Italia Dreamlines and additional contrasting details. Carbon fiber also shows up across the door panels, center console, air vents, and steering wheel, the latter fitted with Ferrari's LED shift lights. The passenger display is another highlight, giving the person in the right seat something to watch besides the road ahead. Underneath it all is the 296 Speciale's twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 paired with a rear-mounted electric motor. Ferrari reports the hybrid powertrain at 868 horsepower, making the Speciale considerably more performance-focused than the standard 296 GTB. Weight reduction, additional aero and chassis changes are a big part of what separates the Speciale from the regular 296. This 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale from Eurocar OC is now available on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Price & Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2026

2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale Listed For Sale

Ferrari opened a new chapter in its supercar lineup when it introduced the 296, which would be the first V6-powered car to wear Ferrari’s Prancing Horse badge. Carrying on the legacy of the iconic V6-powered Dino models, the 296 GTB and GTS make use of hybridization to achieve groundbreaking levels of power and performance. However, taking that innovation and novel performance-oriented innovation to an even higher level is the Ferrari 296 Speciale and Ferrari 296 Speciale A, further tweaked and distilled counterparts to the 296 GTB and GTS that not only boast added power, making it the most powerful rear-wheel drive production car yet, reduced weight, engineering solutions derived from the F80 halo hypercar, and more aggressive aerodynamics, but also an exclusive status that all but seals its fate as a collector-worthy icon. Succeeding the Ferrari 488 Pista and Ferrari 458 Speciale, both of which were powered by V8 engines and have achieved collector status, the automotive world has anticipated the Ferrari 296 Speciale’s entrance to the market, which is finally arriving. Listed on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985, a 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale for sale is now available. duPont REGISTRY has spent over 40 years specializing in the world’s rarest, most coveted, and most desirable luxury and exotic cars for sale, and the Ferrari 296 Speciale for sale is no exception. <- Gallery -> Located at Porsche San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, California, this 2026 Ferrari 296 Speciale for sale is finished with a Nero exterior, accented by a red stripe, silver wheels, and red brake calipers. With a black Alcantara interior and only 125 miles currently on its odometer, it’s a pristine example of one of the most highly anticipated and desirable Ferrari models in the brand’s lineup, and also one of the most exclusive. If you’re interested in owning Ferrari’s latest hybrid supercar masterpiece, click below to view the price and listing, and explore financing options with duPont REGISTRY Finance, powered by LLP Exotic Auto Finance. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 17, 2026

Ferrari of San Antonio Delivers a 296 Speciale Finished in Verde Nürburgring

Introduced as Ferrari’s first V6-powered supercar, the 296 GTB caught a lot of flak from collectors and purists, almost side-eyeing the hybrid-assisted, twin-turbocharged platform as an outcast within a lineup of 8- and 12-cylinder engines. And while it certainly proved to be an entirely new direction for the brand, its performance figures and stats are undeniable, winning over a whole new community of owners and enthusiasts. The 296 legacy follows that natural progression of Ferrari of perfecting its craft before launching a serious track-focused version of its road-going counterpart, thus the birth of the Ferrari 296 Speciale. GALLERY-EMBED The team at Ferrari of San Antonio took to its Instagram to show off a recently delivered 296 Speciale in what looks to be one of the best configurations we’ve seen yet. Shying away from some of the manufacturer's well-known, historical shades, this spec features a vibrant Verde Nürburgring finish with Argento Nürburgring racing strips and racing numbers. The choice of color really highlights how far Ferrari went to add extra aero and cooling while shedding weight, thanks to a ton of exposed gloss carbon-fiber components. Even the 20-inch wheels, crafted exclusively from carbon fiber, add to its performance, now 40% lighter than standard forged wheels. GALLERY-EMBED Inside, the cabin carries over the same motorsport-derived DNA as some of Ferrari’s most stripped-down track cars, ditching standard options like floor mats and adding in safety measures like a strapped-in fire extinguisher. In addition to a full carbon fiber tub, black and what looks to be Rosso Dino Alcantara layer the dash and two-piece carbon sport bucket seats. Tech being a driving force for the 296 Speciale, LED screens and haptic touch buttons keep the driver connected, while a passenger-mounted display lets the co-driver see real-time performance data. Ferrari of San Antonio Inventory At the heart of the Ferrari 296 Speciale is an upgraded version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, paired with an electric motor to produce 880 horsepower. The engine borrows lightweight titanium connecting rods from the F80 hypercar, features a lighter crankshaft, and incorporates Formula 1-inspired engine management to extract even more power. The result is Ferrari's most powerful rear-wheel-drive production car to date, launching from 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds, reaching 124 mph in 7.0 seconds, and continuing on to a top speed of more than 205 mph. Now, as Speciale variants start to land in showrooms, we can’t wait to see future Ferrari 296 Speciale specs. Source: Ferrari of San Antonio Instagram

Ferrari News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe