McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Ferrari News

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

By Andrew Nabors – August 13, 2019

Ferrari 488 Pista by Novitec Offers Unparalleled Speed & ...

Ferrari builds an amazing car. The Ferrari 488 Pista squeezes more power and torque from a 4.0L V8 than anyone thought possible. But it is turbocharged, so engineers dial back the power to keep novice owners safe. Production is in full swing, and Maranello will build as many as possible. That is why you should make yours stand out from the crowd. Anytime Ferrari unveils a new model, our friends at Novitec reverse engineer it down to every nut and bolt. This is how the Ferrari 488 Pista by Novitec offers unparalleled speed & style. Because the engine is so potent, they offer 3 upgrade levels. If have a need for speed, Level 3 has been dyno tuned to deliver 802 horsepower and 662 lb-ft of torque. It reaches 62 mph in 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 214 mph. Maximum torque arrives at only 3,100 rpm. The naked carbon body panels are optional, and Novitec has developed a front-lift system to raise the nose 1.5" for steep driveways. Their master upholsterers will craft a new interior of leather or Alcantara to your heart's desires. Vossen supplies the wheels in 21"x9" front and 22"x12" rear. Several styles are available, so click the link below and make your 488 Pista truly unique. Visit Novitec Here! " width="680"> Related: Ferrari 488 Pista Specs, Price Photos & Review Ferrari 488 GTB Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – May 24, 2019

First Ferrari 488 Pista "Piloti Ferrari" Edition in Nero ...

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By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Ferrari Unveils 488 Pista Spider at Pebble Beach

If you think convertibles sacrifice handling for looks, think again. Yesterday on the lawns of Pebble Beach, Ferrari pulled the cover off of the 488 Pista Spider. It is the 50th convertible to wear the Scuderia Shield, and it incorporates lessons learned from the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE race cars. The press release says the engine is rated at 720 cv, which equals 710 horsepower. Ferrari of Houston & Ferrari of The Woodlands: The Perfect One-Two Combination The most powerful V8 ever offered, the 3.9L twin turbo has more torque than any of its naturally aspirated predecessors. Having so much power mounted just behind the cockpit, it would be a handful even in a perfect setting. So Ferrari revised all the traction control, active handling, and the torque-vectoring E-Differential into a new system. The Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer allows the driver to hang out closer to the car's limits without fear of spinning out. Turn it off and you will win any drift event thanks to the optional carbon fiber wheels. The diamond-cut 20" forged wheels are standard equipment, and they are the latest evolution of Ferrari's traditional Berlinetta star design. If you don't need the wild looks or the massive power, our dealers will be happy to find the perfect 488 Spider. So click the link below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse Ferrari 488 Spiders For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2018

Ferrari Unveils Piloti Edition 488 Pista

Because the biggest race of the year is tomorrow, Ferrari's Tailor Made program has released a new version of the 488 Pista. The "Piloti Ferrari" 488 Pista was built to recognize the dedication of their client's race teams. The cover was removed this morning at LeMans, next to the car that inspired it. The #51 car of AF Corse is driven by Alessandro Guidi and James Calado, and they won last year's World Endurance Championship Drivers' and Manufacturers' trophies.That is why this new Piloti Ferrari can only be ordered by factory-supported drivers. Four color choices are Argento Nurburgring, Nero Daytona, Blu Tour de France, and of course, Rosso Corsa. Inside you are treated to black Alcantara with perforated seats to keep you cool. The Italian flag can be seen in several spots, and the Tailor Made artists will emblazon your car's number on the dash and on the exterior if so desired.Behind the cockpit is the latest 709 horsepower twin-turbo V8. The 3.9 liter has been voted best turbo V8 for the 3rd consecutive year. The finishing touches are graphics from the 488 GTE and PRO. Natural finish carbon fiber makes up many of the aerodynamic bits. If you think you might be on the list, click the link below to find our dealer nearest you, and take the 488 GTB for a spin.Find Your Ferrari 488 GTB Here

By Edward Jones – May 30, 2018

Ferrari 488 Pista Runs 0 to 62 MPH in Almost 2 Seconds

According to Ferrari, the new 488 Pista can run 0 to 62 mph in just 2.85 seconds. That kind of rapid acceleration is exactly what you'd expect from a Ferrari supercar. But, what if we were to tell you Ferrari may be wrong when it comes to this statistic? What if the car was even FASTER?In a video from ArabGT.com, they tested to the acceleration of the new Ferrari 488 Pista. For the test, they were driving a camouflaged example of the supercar that had a camera facing the speedometer. When the pedal was smashed, the km/h went from 0 to 100 (0 to 62 mph) in an insanely rapid fashion. In fact, the timer running for the car's acceleration recorded a 0 to 62 mph time of just 2.26 seconds. That's well under the stated 0 to 62 mph time from Ferrari.Is this a true representation of the Ferrari 488 Pista's acceleration abilities? Let us know in the comments below!

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2018

Ferrari 488 Pista Aerodynamics Explained

One of the best ways to overtake your opponents is to carry more speed through the corners. Ferrari made a radical departure from previous designs in the new 488 Pista. A giant grille opening feeds air to a heat extractor in the hood. This keeps the front wheels glued to the pavement.Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile TimesThe air intakes in the quarter panels are used to feed cool air to the turbos on the 488 GTB, on the Pista they have become intercoolers. A giant rear spoiler is integrated into the rear bodywork, and it rises to the occasion when downforce and braking are needed. What do all these changes add up to? James Calado is a driver for Team Ferrari, so allow him to tell you: Discover how the #Ferrari488Pista makes the difference on track, with the @FerrariRaces’ driver James Calado. #Ferrari pic.twitter.com/dgMkcRNaWN — Ferrari USA (@FerrariUSA) April 30, 2018

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