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 – December 10, 2019

How Curated Imported the Last Ferrari Enzo

Our friends at VINwiki have a knack for finding stories that will keep you glued to the screen. As such, John Temerian sat down to tell about the trials and tribulations our Federal Government imposes on car culture. Because the EPA and DOT have nothing better to do, it took John and his investors over a year and $200,000 to federalize an Italian Ferrari for sale. So sit back and watch how Curated imported the last Ferrari Enzo. Browse Curated Inventory Here Related: VINwiki Confirms New Cannonball Record VINwiki: How To Import Your Dream Car

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2019

Ferrari Premium: Official Maintenance for Your Classic

Driving an Italian masterpiece that is 20 years old is a labor of love. But with the rise of social media, the owners of many older Ferraris are choosing to avoid their local dealer. In an unprecedented move by the manufacturer, Ferrari Premium offers maintenance and service for older models. The program covers the following models: 456 GT / GTA 456 M GT / GTA 550 Maranello 550 Barchetta 360 Modena (all versions) 575 Maranello 575 Superamerica 612 Scaglietti (all versions) F430 (all versions) 599 GTB Fiorano 599 SA Aperta 599 GTO Ferrari Enzo If your car is eligible, they look up your car's service history. If it meets the criteria you will receive a certificate stating that all service and recalls have been done by Ferrari technicians. What's even better is that wear items are replaced according to a schedule. This includes (but not limited to) fuel, lubrication, power steering, and brakes. While they won't be free, the parts and labor will be discounted by a nice percentage. Perhaps the best part of Ferrari Premium happens on the 20th anniversary of your car's registration. You will automatically be submitted to Ferrari Classiche, the ultimate testament to your car's provenance. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below and let the experts take care of your prized rides. Find Your Ferrari Dealer Here Related: The ONLY Six-Speed Ferrari F430 Scuderia is For Sale Why the Ferrari F40 Should Be Part of your Collection

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2018

Pristine 2003 Ferrari Enzo Could be Yours

To build a supercar for the 21st Century, the master coachbuilders at Maranello decided it should be named for their founder. The Ferrari Enzo is a carbon fiber masterpiece. Essentially a street-legal version of their Formula 1 cars, it eclipsed everything they had built since the F40. Each car was built by hand, and only 399 were sold to the public. The final car was given to Pope John Paul II, who donated it to charity.Just behind the cockpit is 6.0 liter V12 that was the most powerful Ferrari production engine. It is the predecessor to the 599 GTO, F12berlinetta, and the 812 Superfast. While designed with endurance racing in mind, Ferrari also endowed it with variable valve timing and a redline that screams at 8,200 rpm. It offers 651 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque to a car that weighs under 3,000 lbs. The result is performance that will remain unmatched.Modern supercars arrive with the complexities of dual-clutch transmissions, 1,000 watts of audio, gps, and more computers than the Space Shuttle. The Enzo arrived with their bulletproof F1 transmission and Air Conditioning. Those aren't speakers on the doors, they are window cranks. You also have ABS because it was federally mandated, but this car is the last of its kind. Thankfully the owner realized that and requested Ferrari inspect it. The process to become Classiche Certified is not inexpensive, and this car is among a few Enzos to have earned it.Rosso Corsa with Rosso leather interior is the most desirable combination, and this car has only been driven 3,150 miles. It has no signs of wear inside or out, and it will roar across Mecum's Monterey Auction Block on August 25th. Much like the F40, the values of the Enzo will only keep increasing, so don't miss this opportunity. Be sure to tune in to their live feed on YouTube and stay with us for complete coverage.View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2018

Ferrari Enzo With Straight Pipes: RIP Headphones

Our friends at Road & Track have found the loudest Ferrari Enzo in the world. Every production car comes with catalytic converters and mufflers to keep everyone around you from going deaf. But if you live somewhere they aren't required, straight pipes are a great way to add power.Why You Should Buy A Ferrari EnzoThis doesn't apply to 4 or 6 cylinder engines, as they need a bit of backpressure to create torque at low rpm. If you happen to own a V12-powered Ferrari, we say go for it. The good people at Road & Track stumbled across this video on YouTube, and we offer fair warning that the audio is intense. Who in their right might would straight-pipe a Ferrari? Well, I would, and I am sure a few other hearing impaired gearheads would also. So fire up your audio system after work and annoy everyone with a Scuderia Shield Symphony.Browse Ferrari For Sale

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 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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 28, 2016

This is What Taking Delivery of a Ferrari Enzo is Like

The SupercarDriver had the opportunity to accompany a member on the delivery day of his 2004 Ferrari Enzo. Since most of us will never have such a unique experience, we have to settle with watching the collection of an iconic supercar, which is pretty amazing. The Enzo the member is picking up has only 3,000 miles clocked and although it's being purchased as an investment, the SupercarDriver host states the car will be used and that the owner will have it fitted with a custom full Capristo exhaust system.(Also Watch - A Day in the Life of a Bugatti Owner)It starts out simple enough with the signing of some documents and some light conversation, which seems to lead to some congratulations. And then... the Enzo is brought out of the garage and it's time to get excited. Nigel, the car's new owner, fires up the Enzo and takes it out on the highway to "open her up a little bit."Check out the full video below to see what it's like to take delivery... and then drive the masterfully crafted Ferrari Enzo.View Ferrari for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2016

1 of 1 Naked Carbon Fiber Ferrari Enzo For Sale

Only a handful of cars look better without paint, and this is one of them. The only Enzo to leave the factory in bare carbon fiber has been acquired by our friends at Exotic Motors Midwest, and it looks amazing. You might think a manufacturer would give you a discount when buying an unpainted car because it's less work and materials for them, but not Ferrari. We're not sure how much more the original owner had to pay for this one, but this line item on the window sticker is probably more expensive than your daily driver.Ferrari For Sale (Also Read: 2016 Ferrari F12tdf For Sale: 1 of 799) One of only 400 examples produced, the Enzo was built as a tribute to Mr. Ferrari. To be worthy of his name, it was powered by a 6.0L V12 tuned to 651 hp and 485 lb-ft. The transmission is a single clutch automated manual which was borrowed from the Formula1 team. Enzo dominated the supercar world for nearly a decade, and prices have been steadily rising for a few years. We could go on listing the specs, but if you are in the market for this car, you have probably done your homework. This car speaks for itself, so enjoy the images and click on the link for more information. Stay tuned for more rare Ferraris! View Price and Listing

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2016

Wrecked and Repaired Ferrari Enzo Sells For High Price

The legend is that Bo Stefan Eriksson crashed his Ferrari Enzo back in 2006, leaving the car pretty damaged. Luckily, the car was not damaged beyond repair and the wizards at Ferrari Technical Assistance Service brought the car back to life.Their team, after repairing the car to the point of Ferrari Classiche certification, added quite a few modern features on top of its new Nero Daytona Finish. These included: Satellite Navigation Bose Stereo System Reversing Camera Power Windows Rear Spoiler with “Enzo Script” Now, if you don't think a repaired Enzo like this wouldn't be worth a lot, you'd be sorely mistaken.RM Sotheby's had this Enzo, chassis 135564, cross their block at their Paris event this week and it went for an astounding €1,568,000, which translates to roughly $1,745,000 USD at the current exchange rate of publication. This price was right in between RM Sotheby's estimated price of $1,635,000 – $2,180,000 USD.Want an Enzo for yourself? Click the link below to see the multiple examples we currently have for sale.Ferrari Enzo For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 04, 2016

$1.6 Million Offered for Impounded Ferrari Enzo, Can't Ac...

Imagine having $1.6 million to throw down on a Ferrari Enzo-- which happens to just be sitting on an impound lot, collecting dust-- and being told no. This scenario isn't just hypothetical. It actually happened to one bidder looking to secure the famed car from a Dubai impound lot.Dubai is known for its high number of exotics, many of which somehow end up in similar predicaments. The impound lots usually auction off the cars, but this particular supercar is the subject of an ongoing Interpol investigation. Colonel Saif Muhair Al Mazroui, Director of Traffic Department at Dubai Police told 7DAYS, a Dubai-based news station, Source: Luxury4Play.com“The car remains in limbo as there is a legal dispute about it. Recently an American man, who is interested in buying rare cars, offered us Dhs6 million for it, but we can’t do anything with it for the moment.”Luckily, the lot will remove the car from the blistering, Dubai sun and store it in a warehouse instead. Hopefully, someone will sort this all out so this beauty can get back on the road!Ferrari Enzo For Sale

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