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 – February 27, 2019

New Ferrari Model Teased Ahead of Debut

We've been suspecting that a Ferrari 488 replacement model would be coming soon and the Italian automaker just stoked our suspicion to the highest level. Below, you'll see a video from Ferrari that teases a brand-new model. In the description, you'll read: "Tomorrow, the Prancing Horse family welcomes a new member. Make room for new thrills." Two things. First off, we know for sure that it's a new model coming to Ferrari's lineup. Secondly, and more importantly, it's coming on February 28th, 2019. What will it be called? What will power it? How fast will it go? I'm not sure but I know I'm going to find out tomorrow. view all ferraris for sale https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=423218001821235

By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2019

Jay Leno Drives a Ferrari 250 TR Tribute

In an ideal world everyone should experience the iconic Ferrari 250. The one caveat is that even bad examples sell for over $50 Million. So building a tribute car is the next best thing. In his latest upload, Jay Leno Drives a Ferrari 250 TR Tribute car. It was pure coincidence that the owner came across this prototype body in Italy. Enzo was looking for an aluminum body for a new breed of race cars. Several coachbuilders presented their examples, and this one was rejected. So it was hung on a wall as an ornament for over half a decade. Peter Giacobbi spent a decade building an exact replica of a 1959 Testarossa, even down to the nuts and bolts. Check Out Jay Leno's Collection! Because a 250 engine would be hard to find, they found a 4.4L V12 from a 365 GTB. The tube-frame chassis is also an exact replica, but it is made of modern DOM steel. So what we have here is a stronger and faster Ferrari 250 for a fraction of the cost of an original. If you want the real thing, click the link below and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage. Shop Ferrari 250 For Sale Related: Jay Leno Drives 1984 Ferrari 308 GTB Christian von Koenigsegg on Jay Leno's Garage

By Andrew Nabors – February 14, 2019

Ferrari 812 Superfast Scorches the Nurburgring

Enzo Ferrari demanded the very best of his race team and his street cars. That is why he built the Fiorano test track around his home in 1971. Since then, catching a Ferrari testing in Germany has been a rare sight. That's why we loved watching a Ferrari 812 Superfast Nurburgring lap time of 7:27.48. In the latest upload by the German magazine Sport Auto, we see their test driver Christian Gebbhardt dominating the old north loop. The Italian stallion is powered by a 6.5L V12, the latest evolution of the Type 140 that debuted in the Enzo. It has evolved to include active cam timing, more compression and an active intake manifold. Although it doesn't have the fancy AWD used by many competitors, the rear wheel steering keeps it glued to the track. If you think you can handle it, our dealers have several to choose from. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Ferrari updates. Shop Ferrari 812 Superfast For Sale Related: 2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs, Price, Photos & Review See How Fast The Ferrari 812 Superfast Can Hit 200 MPH

By Edward Jones – January 18, 2019

Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Now For Sale by Mecum

Right now car collector's around the world have the chance to buy one of the rarest and most extreme modern Ferraris: the LaFerrari Aperta. This is all possible thanks to Mecum Auctions, who is offering the car. This 2016 LaFerrari Aperta come with just 174 original miles clocked on its odometer, making it the best example on the market with the lowest mileage. Mecum notes that this car is available for purchase immediately. They'll take it at it's price, or best offer. They also say that trades of single cars or entire collection will be considered when it comes to acquiring this car. This is a rare opportunity to own the car Ferrari created to commemorate their 70th Anniversary. For more information on this car, be sure to click the button below! view price and more info

By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2019

Sunken Ferrari 360 Modena Salvaged in West Palm Beach

Everyone loved the Ferrari 360 series when it arrived in 2000. Working with ALCOA, the chassis and many body parts were aluminum. It was so revolutionary that many aspects remained unchanged until the 488 GTB arrived. Despite all the innovations since then, one small feature that was never added was submarine mode. Authorities in West Palm Beach, Florida have released the name of a man who drove his 360 Modena into Palm Beach Inlet. This pristine section of the Intercoastal Waterway has scenic views of the historic Breakers hotel and the President's home at Mar-a-Lago. The owner had a conversation about parking with a police officer, but then it gets weird. The car was on a fishing pier, then the driver backs up to the gate... A local salvage company was tasked with "The Hunt For Blue Modena", and they used air bags to float it to a boat ramp. You tell us what happened here. Regardless of the motive, the sad car was exposed to the salt of the Atlantic, so it will face serious corrosion for the rest of its life. If you want a nice & dry example, click the link below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. View all Ferrari 360 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 03, 2019

'MICHAEL 50' Exhibition Opens at the Ferrari Museum to Ce...

Happy Birthday Mr. Schumacher! We hope you are recovering well. To celebrate the life and achievements of their most prolific driver, the Ferrari Museum has unveiled something new in Maranello. Michael 50 tells the story of trials and tribulations of 91 victories and 155 podium finishes. Inside the Hall of Victories are the most significant cars of his 11-year run with Scuderia Ferrari. These F1 veterans include the F310 from 1996. He pushed it to the limits to win 3 GPs in his first season. 2018 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Specs You would expect the cars and his victories to play center stage, but there is another chapter of his life also on display. Michael spent the off-season as a development engineer for street cars. The handling and refinement of the F430 Scuderia and the California were fine tuned with his help. This new exhibit will run concurrently with the 'Driven by Enzo' and their 'Passion and Legend' collections at the museum. If you are planning an Italian Excursion this should be at the top of your list. We will never stop hoping to see you back behind the wheel, so Happy Birthday Michael Schumacher! View All Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2018

Jay Leno Drives 1984 Ferrari 308 GTB

Everyone has a story about the one that got away. Donnie Callaway has been a Ferrari fan since birth, and he stopped by Jay Leno's garage to tell an amazing story. He was a 21-year-old employee of a Ferrari dealer in Newport Beach. Their sales department had a difficult time finding a home for a white Ferrari 308 GTB, and the image of the car was burned into his mind. Later on in life he had a successful business restoring Italian classics. One of his parts suppliers alerted him to a high-mileage 308 that was going to be parted out. Their reasoning is that over 80,000 miles, everything will need a total rebuild. The cost of restoring the car was more than it was worth in parts, a reason why many 80's exotic cars for sale are no longer around. But as Donny researched the car's history, it turned out to be the same white car from two decades prior. This type of coincidence shouldn't happen, and it makes us wonder if it's a glitch in the matrix. Tell us your story about finally finding the car of your dreams, and click the link below to see great offers from our Ferrari dealers. Related: Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection New Ferrari 488 GTB For Sale What Is The Fastest Ferrari?

By Edward Jones – November 29, 2018

Ferrari SP3JC is Unveiled as a Stunning One-Off Supercar

Ferrari, like many other manufacturers of supercars, are keen to creating one-off models that meet the specific needs of their clients. One of their latest examples of their special one-offs is the SP3JC. The SP3JC was designed by Ferrari's own Styling Centre for a customer who had commissioned the car. It's based around the powerful F12tdf front-engine supercar that houses a massive 6.3-liter V12 engine. Ferrari says that the car was designed to be the "maximum expression of open-air motoring." Styling of the car was inspired by the V12 Ferrari Spiders from the 1950's and 60's. In total, it took over two year to design and create the car. On the outside is a stylized body covered in a livery that consists of "Azzuro Met," "Giallo Modena" and "Bianco Italia." Inside, the same color scheme continues, as you can see from the bright blue seats. These colors were picked out of the owner's passion for Pop Art, which is known for its strong graphics and bold colors. Ferrari uses the "SP" designation for their special models, as it stands for "Special Projects." Other examples of Ferrari's special project cars include Eric Clapton's SP12, and the SP38. Article updated on 11/29/2018 with additional information and imagesImages via Ferrari

By Edward Jones – November 12, 2018

Ferrari F40 Tribute is What We Need in the World

In the Ferrari's history, there are five halo supercars that reign supreme: the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari. Sure, there are others that are important, like the 125S and 250 GTO, but these five cars are the ultimate Ferrari supercars. For me, the one halo car that will always hold a special place in my heart is the F40. This turbocharged monster from the 90's was, at the time, the company's most powerful, most expensive and most gorgeous car for sale. To celebrate the F40, designer Samir Sadikhov in early 2017 created his vision of the car that would honor its iconic status: the F40 Tribute. "For car designers like us, the F40 is a design icon," it says in the project's description. "Its combination of racing genes and minimalism generates an engaging aesthetic that continues to win hearts even today." Through the F40 Tribute's design, you can see that all of the F40's original features are present without being copied directly. He notes that he wanted people to sense the character resemblance without seeing it straight away. It took Sadikhov over one year to create the design. When you look at how detailed the F40 Tribute renderings are, the amount of time it took him to create the car it makes sense. He even went so far as to create a monocoque structure for the F40 Tribute! I think we can all agree that he not only kept the spirit of the F40 alive with this car but also made us want to see his creation in real life as this is just an artist's rendering for now and has no affiliation with Ferrari. You can learn more about the F40 Tribute here. Related: Justin Verlander’s New Ferrari 488 Pista Ferrari F40 GT Drifting Around Farm Why You Should Buy A Ferrari 812 Superfast Ferrari California Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – October 24, 2018

Ferrari F355 Price, Specs, Photos and Review

Final Targa Roof Ferrari Revolutionary Engine Technology Last Ferrari Built On Tubular Space Frame If you are looking for the best way to become a Ferrari owner, look no further than the Ferrari F355. They represent a return of performance, in contrast to the dark ages of Disco era smog controls. The Ferrari F355 specs are very impressive and cutting edge for its time. Dial back the clock to the late 90's. Every other V8 was at least 5 liters, and vis a vis a car much heavier than the Ferrari F355. Not only would you have a style advantage, you will have the only car that reaches peak power above 8,000 rpm. The sound and feel of a gated 6-speed shifter are worthy of even the most trivial of errands. Many purists agree that it is the end of an era in general because successors to the Ferrari F355 have chassis and other major systems engineered and produced by outside suppliers instead of in-house. Ferrari F355 Engine Computers were not fast enough to allow powerful cars to be clean-burning, so it took every trick in the book to make the F355 series a viable competitor on the world stage. It arrived for the 1995 model year with a 5-valve cylinder head. Titanium internals allowed for a compression ratio of 11:1, which was, without doubt, an astronomical figure for that era. Firstly, each cylinder had three intake and two exhaust valves. Therefore it allowed the 3.5 liter V8 to punch well above its weight class. Another innovation was the first single-clutch automatic transmission. Named after the racing series it was built for, the six-speed F1 "Formula 1" transmission forced a naming change from F355 to the Ferrari 355 F1 in 1997. Ferrari 355 F1 The first variant to arrive was the F355 Berlinetta. Its graceful style shocked Ferrari Faithful with flying buttresses and a new six-speed manual transmission. Total production is listed as 4,871 cars. Ferrari F355 Spider It took the masters at Pininfarina 1,800 hours to sculpt the perfect convertible, and the F355 Spider arrived for 1996. It was the first Ferrari to have a powered top, and the early examples were manual-transmission only. The elegant body still looks current today, and they built no less than 3,717 examples. A majority are still on the road, so now its your turn to have some fun. One of the most important Ferrari F355 Specs is inside the chassis of the F355 Spider. Remember how older convertible sports cars would be flimsy in the corners? This plague is known as cowl shake, and Ferrari engineers solved it by using computer modeling. In previous Spiders, building a convertible was always a sacrifice in performance. By comparison to the competition, when planning the convertible Ferrari F355 specs, engineers made sure to leave room in the chassis for extra reinforcements. The Ferrari F355 Spider chassis were stronger from the beginning, and it stands as a revolution in the world of convertibles. Ferrari F355 GTS The third member of the family also arrived here in 1996 as the F355 GTS. A revival of the classic targa roof, the hardtop was removable and also stored behind the seats. In case of threatening weather, it could easily be locked in place without assistance from the passenger. Ferrari F355 Challenge In order to go racing, the F355 Challenge started as a $30,000 option for the Berlinetta. Initially, the transformation was done by your dealer, but by 1998 the cars arrived almost ready to race. Everything from the engine to the shocks had tamper-proof seals to prevent cheating and to level the playing field. Records show 108 Challenge cars were built, so dust off your helmet. Most importantly, the Challenge cars have proven themselves on tracks around the world, therefore they deserve a loving retirement. The conversion process deleted every ounce of non-essential weight. Therefore, in challenge form, they can't be registered due to lack of headlights, catalytic converters, mufflers, etc. They no longer meet Ferrari F355 specs on the street, but they do have VIN and production chassis. W figure most officers will turn a blind eye to your roll cage and 5-point harness. Then & Now: Ferrari F355 Ferrari F355 Price The Ferrari F355 price has gone up and down over the years depending on demand and options. If you are looking for a hardtop with a manual transmission in 1995, a well-equipped example would set you back $120,000. That equals $197,614 today, very close to the retail of the latest California T. The F1 transmission and targa top were expensive options, so a loaded 1998 GTS F1 was $148,375. Finally, the convertible was placed in the middle with a starting price of $120,000. Ferrari F355 Specs: 0-62 MPH: 4.7 Seconds70-0 Braking: 156 feet1/4 Mile: 12.9 @ 110 MPHTop Speed: 183 MPHHorsepower: 375Torque: 268 lb-ftWeight: 3,270 lbsProduction Years: 1994 - 1997 Ferrari F355 Spider Specs: 0-62 MPH: 4.7 Seconds70-0 Braking: 156 feet1/4 Mile: 12.9 @ 110 MPHTop Speed: 183 MPHHorsepower: 380Torque: 268 lb-ftWeight: 2,976 lbsProduction Years: 1995 - 1999 Ferrari F355 GTS Specs: 0-60 MPH: 4.5 Seconds70-0 Braking: 156 feet1/4 Mile: 13.0 @ 110 MPHTop Speed: 179 MPHHorsepower: 375Torque: 268 lb-ftWeight: 3,268 lbsProduction Years: 1995 - 1999 Ferrari F355 Interior "All that is too complex is unnecessary, and it is simple that is needed." General Kalashnikov was probably delighted with the interior of the F355. All things considered, the symmetrical controls and big air vents are features we would love to have in cars of today. No touchscreen to distract you, and most importantly it has everything you need. The factory radio is a normal DIN size, therefore you can easily add all the latest technology without breaking the bank. Like most other 90's cars, many of the interior surfaces are covered in plasti-dip. Because it was only guaranteed to last 10 years, it can be a nice bargaining point in your favor. If the A/C controls and center console show signs of peeling or scratches, you have two choices. The first is to order expensive replacement parts from the factory, or you can simply take an afternoon and scrape it all off. You will be happy without the period-correct sticky substance. The best feature is hiding in plain sight. The seats are not equally spaced from the center of the car. The Driver's seat is closer to the center than the passenger. When cornering, the driver is closer to the center of the Z-axis. This diminishes G-forces at the expense of giving your passenger a wild ride.Our dealers always have several to choose from, so click the link below to find your next ride. Ferrari F355 For Sale Ferrari F355 Photos

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