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 – May 10, 2018

Ferrari 812 Superfast Passes Cars at 200 mph on Autobahn

The Ferrari 812 Superfast acts as the V12 successor to the F12berlinetta and it's better in almost every way. It's 6.5-liter V12 engine pumps out serious power that's rated at 789 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque. Ferrari notes that it's “the most powerful and fastest Ferrari in the marque’s history.” Don't Miss: Ferrari 812 Superfast Price, Specs, Review To prove Ferrari's quote, YouTube Channel hartvoorautoNL took the 812 Superfast out for a spin on the Autobahn. You know about that Autobahn, right? That's the stretch of road where you can go blazingly fast and test the limits of both you and your car. Behind the wheel of the supercar, they tried to take it to its top speed, which is noted to be over 211 mph. At their height of excitement, they managed to reach 319 km/h (198 mph). While that's not the top speed of the Ferrari, it's still insanely fast for a public road. Check out the video below and let us know if you think you could handle this kind of speed on the Autobahn in the comments below. New Ferrari 812 For Sale

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

By Edward Jones – March 30, 2018

Twin-Supercharged Ferrari 599 GTB Drift Car is Nuts

You won't see many Ferraris in drifting competitions unless you're playing a video game like Forza Motorsport of Assetto Corsa. But for Federico Sceriffo, drifting a Ferrari is now he plans on taking on the 2018 Formula Drift season.Unveiling in a dizzying fashion was Sceriffo's new weapon, a twin-supercharged Ferrari 599 GTB. This new drift car has been captured in action by YouTube Channel MattyB727 in the video found below. In the video's description, he notes a few specifics about the sideways supercar. For starters, it was built by FFF Drifting Department, who he thanks for creating such an incredible car. And we can't blame him.Ferrari F430s for SaleAlongside the addition of two superchargers is a slew of other modifications like a Holinger six-speed sequential gearbox, carbon clutch, Öhlins suspension, and those wicked new body panels you see adorning the car.Good luck to Sceriffo in the 2018 season. We can't wait to see this bad boy on the circuit!BMW M5 Drifts For 8 Hours, Breaks Two World Records

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2018

Cavalino Winning 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS For Sale

Everyone wanted to be Magnum PI back the late 1980's. Tom Selleck's fancy driving was a great advertisement for the Ferrari 308, and its successor the Ferrari 328 GTS. Because it performed so well on TV and on the track, finding a well-preserved example from this era is nearly impossible.That's why our friends at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale jumped at the opportunity to add this one to their inventory. Chassis # 81932 has only been driven 9,944 miles in the past 3 decades. Being the best example of the 328, it was Classiche Certified and won first place at Cavalino this year. It received 99.5/100 points, narrowly missing a perfect score due to a faulty fog light bulb.Having both of those awards allows this car to speak for itself. You will not find any signs of wear inside or out, my only objection is the all-season Goodyear Eagle Sport tires. Even though it won't see much time on the street, she deserves a set of Pirelli's new run of vintage tire sizes. If you would like more information on this piece of history, please contact Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale at 954-715-7500 or simply click the link below.View Details

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2018

Up-Close Tour Of a $3 Million Ferrari Enzo

There was nothing like it before, and it will never be repeated. Ferrari chose to build a street-legal F1 car at the turn of the century, and the only fitting name for the masterpiece was that of their founder. Only 400 examples were built, so your odds of seeing one in person are rare.Why You Should Buy A Ferrari EnzoBecause they built a gorgeous body on top of a race car, it gave the Enzo many unique features. We've been around a few of them, but Doug DeMuro allowed us to see the small details along with little-known facts. If you still don't believe the $3 Million asking price, they are not going to depreciate before the next ice-age. The Enzo is a fitting tribute to "Il Commendatore", so if you would like to experience it yourself click on the link below.Browse Ferrari Enzo For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 22, 2018

POV Video of the Ferrari FXX K is Quite Impressive

Ferrari's extreme race car known as the FXX K is the brand's "uncompromised" version of their LaFerrari hypercar. The FXX K produces 1,035 horsepower and more than 664 pound-feet of torque, an 85 horsepower increase over the LaFerrari. But it's not just power, as its aerodynamics are downright incredible. Recently, YouTuber Speedracer38 attended the Ferrari Corse Clienti event at Road Atlanta where he was given the opportunity to drive the FXX K. This chance of his was definitely a rare one, so we all will more than likely not be given the same opportunity. So while we all wait for our chance behind the wheel of the Ferrari FXX K, we can just watch the POV video below of his laps around the track. Joining him at the event were seven Ferrari F1 cars, three FXX K EVOs, FXX Ks, 599XX EVOs and an FXX. What an incredible event!Ferrari 308s for Sale

By Edward Jones – March 13, 2018

Ferrari FXX-K EVOs Hit the Track for the 1st Time

If you visited Circuit of the Americas over the weekend, you were able to witness over 100 Ferrari race cars taking over the track for the Ferrari Racing Days. This event was full of sights and sounds as the F1 Clienti and XX Programmes ripped through the circuit, alongside the Ferrari Challenge series.Visiting a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati GraveyardOne of the most exciting instances took place when the new FXX-K EVO hit the track for the very first time. The new race car has 23 percent more downforce than the already extreme FXX-K and packs over 1,000 horsepower. With that much ability, I can see why so many were enthralled with the car's laps.But it wasn't just one FXX-K EVO that was on-hand because three different examples of the race car were delivered to customers during the event. That means three different FXX-K EVOs were racing on the track for its debut. Now that's one heck of an event. Click play on the video below to see the highlights from the event.Ferrari 488 GTBs for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2018

Why You Should Buy A Ferrari Enzo

If a car represents the ethos and logos of the company’s founder, it should probably be named after that person. Much like Ferdinand Porsche did in naming a new car after his father, the Ferrari family used their F1 winning knowledge to build a car worthy of the name Enzo.Ferrari Enzo Specs Price: $650,000 (est base) Engine: 6.0-liter V12 Horsepower: 650 hp 0–62: 3.7 seconds Top Speed: 218 mph Transmission: 6-speed manual w/ automatic shifting and clutch Torque: 485 lb-ft A new V12 engine was commissioned for this car, as well as a 6.0-liter with all the latest technologies. For a chassis, the car maker turned to Scuderia Ferrari for expertise in shaping carbon fiber. The brakes are also carbon-based ceramics, which were groundbreaking at the turn of the century. Styling was handled by Pininfarina, who were asked to build a worthy successor to the 288 GTO, F40 and F50.Many of the other features are also worthy of note. Active spoilers keep steady watch of downforce, altering the corner weight of the chassis in relation to speed and steering angle. Traction Control closes the throttles and pulls ignition timing along with the ABS system to keep the Pirelli tires from spinning. The Enzo was so far ahead of its time, that it spawned several special editions and the FXX track cars.With the engine mounted just behind the cockpit, the rear mounted six-speed single-clutch automatic makes the Enzo one of the best handling cars of all time. Collectors have been realizing the significance of the model recently, as last year we saw the Enzo built for Pope John Paul II sell for over $6 Million at RM's Monterey auction.Without the KERS system and the hybrid systems of the LaFerrari, the Enzo potentially represents the last naturally aspirated Ferrari Supercar.Some say the number three represents the Holy Trinity of collector cars. If you have three open spots in your garage, we have three Ferrari Enzos for sale on our site. This hasn't happened in almost a decade, so we figure it is a great way to start your week. Take a look at each car and tell us what you think of them.Ferrari For Sale @ iLusso View Price and Listing @ Lamborgihni Boston View Price and Listing @ Tom Hartley Jnr View Price and Listing

By Edward Jones – February 13, 2018

New Ferrari 488 "GTO" Teased in New Official Trailer

A Ferrari 488 "GTO" is on its way. Well, that model name isn't official yet, but we do know that a new and more extreme 488 is on the way. How do we know? Last month, we learned about the car from spy shots provided to us by FerrariPhotoPage. Now we have even more proof thanks to a teaser video that was released by Ferrari. In the video we see Ferrari 488 Challenge cars splitting up to reveal what looks like a modified 488 GTB. Once on screen, the video quickly jumps between different shots of the car, not giving us a full look at it.How to Sell My FerrariThe best glimpses of the car include the front end and rear. Of those two, the rear shot definitely gives us the best look yet and shows a tail that has a black space between the two tail lights. There also look to be air vents behind the rear wheels that are built into the rear fascia.There's no official word on the new 488's release date, but stick with us for more info as it's released.https://www.facebook.com/Ferrari/videos/10155922307396970/2016 Ferrari LaFerrari: Price, Specs, Review and Photos

By Edward Jones – January 23, 2018

Report: Ferrari 488 "GTO" Specs Leaked (Updated W/ Pic)

(Ferrari 488 Challenge pictured above) Update 1/23/2018: Our friends at FerrariPhotoPage was sent a photo of the mystery Ferrari 488 "GTO" that was unveiled at the event that is the subject of this original article. The image was sent in from @VerssenSpotting, who captured the image of the latest entry in the Ferrari Sport Special Series. In the new image, we see a 488 that's most definitely heavily modified across all front. In the front, the most noticeable alteration is the front hood that now has a massive air vent built into it. The front fascia has also been drastically modified. More information regarding this car will surely come out sooner than later, so check back with us soon! FerrariPhotoPage.com has recently come into possession of images that shed light on a new mysterious 488 model, thanks to a source that wants to remain anonymous. The images are taken of a slideshow that was presented during a private viewing of the unknown car, which FerrariPhotoPage.com is referring to as the 488 "GTO."According to the images, this is the basic concept for the upcoming car: "The highest racing technology transfer on a street homologated Ferrari, coupled with state of the art driving emotions, to offer race-life experience even to non-professional drivers." Another interesting bit that will definitely be a highlight for the car is that it will feature "the most powerful V8 engine in Ferrari history." As for the specifics of the car, FerrariPhotoPage.com was kind enough to type out what was presented."• -40% weight vs standard alloy rims• The engine will be the most powerful V8 ever used in a Ferrari, which means at least 700 screaming horses.• It’s an evolution of the 488 Challenge engine.• It’s 10% lighter than the engine used in the 488 GTB.• It delivers a unique track-like sound.• Racing interior including: aluminium floor panels and no glovebox.• Highest utilisation of carbon fiber on a range car.• The front hood, front bumper, rear spoiler and rear bumper are fully made out of carbon fiber.• The highest racing technology transfer on a street homologated Ferrari.• +20% aero efficiencies compared to the 488 GTB.• GTE inspired rear diffuser.• Active rear spoiler.• New race gearshift strategy.• Extremely direct steering ratio.• New Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres."You can view the slides and more here.Ferraris for Sale

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