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 19, 2015

Special Edition Ferrari F12berlinetta Celebrates Singapor...

It has been a half-century since Singapore parted ways with Malaysia. Since this modern city-state controls much of the wealth of Southeast Asia, Autoblog reported yesterday, August 18, that a 50th Anniversary edition of the F12berlinetta was commissioned to celebrate their independence the SG50.(Related: Justin Bieber’s Liberty Walk Ferrari 458)A unique paint scheme inside and out combines a special red, the aptly named “Rosso Singapore,” with a contrasting white for the wheels and stripe package. Embroidered headrests and engraved sill plates are just a few of the features that Ferrari’s Tailor Made program produced exclusively for this historic car.Much like the California T that was shown at Goodwood, almost every non-mechanical part was made to order. While the build process may take slightly longer, the Tailor Made program is the purest way to build the Ferrari of your dreams.Be sure to check out the images below, uploaded by the Ferrari Tailor Made Facebook page on August 13.Ferraris For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook, Autoblog) See More Ferrari News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – August 12, 2015

Sebastian Vettel Whips F12berlinetta at Ferrari Racing Da...

There are many ways that you can learn how to properly drive and maneuver a powerful car, but few are better than observing as a professional puts one through its paces.The crowds that turned out for the Ferrari Racing Days Budapest in late June were treated to quite a show of talent, but few could have learned more than they did watching Sebastian Vettel in an F12berlinetta. A video from European Motor News posted on August 11 shows us Vettel tearing around the Hungaroring, and today they shared photos in a press release of his drive.Check out the video above to see what a professional can do behind the wheel of one of Ferrari's most potent cars, and find your own F12berlinetta to test on the track from our exclusive listings below.F12berlinettas For SaleGallery (Source: Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 03, 2015

Ferrari F12 Versione Speciale Spotted Ahead of Official U...

Ferrari has yet to release any information or teasers of this new model, but thanks to Cavallino Rampante on Facebook, we have a great shot of the F12berlinetta's evolution.Two photos shared today and August 2 by the page, which is not affiliated with Ferrari and lists no website, reportedly show us a bright yellow Ferrari F12 Versione Speciale. Ferrari's website doesn't mention this model anywhere, but, according to The Supercar Kids, it's set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA).An article from the The Supercar Kids today reports that sources close to the blog have shared with them that this is the Ferrari F12 Versione Speciale (VS), a lighter, more powerful version of the F12berlinetta. Though unconfirmed, they tell us it will create 780 hp and 535 lb-ft, and with a curb weight of approximately 3,119.5 pounds, it can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 2.9 seconds. GT Spirit reported today that the engine is a naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V12(See Also: Ferrari 488 Spider Officially Revealed)Their article goes on to say that it will be introduced at the show alongside the 488 Spider, which Ferrari officially introduced July 28. With these reports of sightings and specs, it will be interesting to see if Ferrari releases any information earlier than anticipated, or at all.Stay with us for more updates as they are released, and find your own Ferrari from our exclusive listings below.Ferraris For Sale(Source: GT Spirit, The Supercar Kids, Facebook) See More Ferrari News

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2015

40 F12berlinettas on the Nurburgring

During some of the Motor Trend Auto Shows where we've had a duPont REGISTRY Live stand, I have had the opportunity to drive a few examples of Ferrari's F12berlinetta.Each time is more rewarding than the last thanks to the time and engineering that Ferrari put into the car. The harder you push it, the more it surprises you. It’s safe to say the F12 will never let you approach its limits of grip and braking on any public road, and you shouldn't try to reach them on a public road anyway. That’s why the only way to experience all it has to offer is on the track. On July 8, we told you about Ferrari’s unprecedented track day at the Nurburgring. The still images were published almost immediately, but the video was not as forthcoming. After patiently waiting, we now have a short and sweet highlight reel from the event.(See Also: Ferrari 488 GTB Flies Down the Autobahn at 210+ mphIn a video uploaded to their YouTube page July 21, the gaggle of F12berlinettas can be seen blasting along an ideal line laid out by Ferrari’s Head Development Test Driver Raffaele De Simone. We have never seen 29,200 hp set to music before, but the way these cars handle the battle scarred pavement of the old Nordschlefie “North Loop” is undeniably impressive.Check out the video above, and when you're finished, find your own F12berlinetta for the next track day near you.F12berlinettas For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 08, 2015

40 Ferrari F12berlinettas Take Over Nurburgring Nordschleife

One F12berlinetta is an impressive thing to see. A group of F12berlinettas is nearly heart stopping. 40 F12berlinettas in the same place at the same time is near insanity - but it happened.The largest gathering of F12berlinettas that the Nurburgring has ever seen occurred recently, when 40 of Ferrari's 730 hp V12 beasts gathered to take turns lapping the green hell an average of 15 times each. A press release from the marque July 7 described the driving day for Ferrari owners, who all had a chance to learn from the Head fo Ferrari Development Test Drivers, Raffaele De Simone.(See Also: The 599 GTO: A Road-Going V12 Ferrari Racecar)Simone started by guiding the group around the Nordschleife in his own F12berlinetta to show them the ideal line to follow, then sat with each owner for a few hot-laps to coach them on getting the most out of their vehicle.Take a moment to browse our exclusive listings of F12berlinettas at the button below and start preparing for your day around the track. As always, stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.F12berlinettas For Sale Gallery (Source: Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – June 24, 2015

Ferrari F12berlinetta vs 599 GTO Drag Race

It's always interesting when you see a car take on its predecessor. In this case, it's the Ferrari 599 GTO taking on the F12berlientta that replaced the 599 grand tourers.(Related: Ferraris vs. a Snowmobile at Modball Rally 2015)In a video uploaded by DragtimeInfo June 19, the two cars face off in a drag race that takes them to speeds over 160 mph. Before you watch the race, check out the quick specs below to see how they stack up against each other.Ferrari F12berlinetta 6.3-liter V12 Engine 730 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual 227mph top speed 0-62 mph time of 3.1 seconds F12berlinettas For SaleFerrari 599 GTO 6.0-liter V12 engine 670 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque 6-speed automated manual 208 mph top speed 0-62 mph time of 3.1 seconds 599 GTOs For SaleWere the results what you expected? Leave your thoughts and the drag race you want to see in the comments below.Editor's Note: Do not attempt to recreate anything seen in the video above unless on a closed course under professional supervision. The editors at the duPont REGISTRY do not condone any illegal street activity, and remind you to always obey local traffic laws.(Source: YouTube via MotorAuthority) More Ferrari Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – May 20, 2015

F12berlinetta: The Last Naturally Aspirated V12 from Ferr...

Evolution and growth are two necessary things for the continuation of any species, and the same can be said about any brand. It's especially true when it comes to a car, and it seems that an era of automotive history is preparing to end and allow for that to happen.The naturally aspirated engines of the past powered some of modern history's greatest cars through milestone after milestone, and the naturally aspirated V12 engines of Ferrari's 125 S established the marque as a force to be reckoned with. But as XCarFilms ponders in their May 18 review of the F12berlinetta, it could be time for them to move on to the next new thing.(See Also: Black and Pink Ferrari FXX K Headed to China)Though the V12 engine will not be leaving Ferrari's designs, Autocar reported March 27 that a source close to the company believes all future V12s will adopt the technology from the LaFerrari, adding a 48-volt system instead of a turbocharger to the engine's set up.Will the naturally aspirated V12 become a thing of the past? Or will Ferrari squeeze it in to a few more models before giving up this small piece of their heritage to the archives and Ferrari Classiche? Let us know what you think in the comments below, then find your own naturally-aspirated model from our Ferraris for sale.View Ferraris For Sale (Source: YouTube, Autocar) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2015

Ferrari 488 GTB vs. F12berlinetta (Spec Comparison)

Ferrari has added a new stallion to their stable in the form of the 488 GTB. This new model comes forty years after Ferrari unveiled their first ever mid-rear-engined V8 mode, the 308 GTB. However, while the 488 GTB has a V8 powerhouse, there is one difference between it and the 308 GTB: a turbocharger.Ferrari For SaleThanks to the addition of the turbocharger, this new model is absolutely quick.Before the 488 GTB, there was the F12berlinetta, which is the most powerful series-production Ferrari ever created. An award-winning V12 engine provides the F12berlinetta with raw power.(See Also: Yellow Ferrari Enzo Sold at Ferrari of New England)Between the 488 GTB and the F12berlinetta, their main difference is their engines. With that being said, how do these cars stack up against each other? Is the V12 more powerful than the turbocharged V8? Is acceleration in the 488 GTB faster or slower than in the F12berlinetta? All of these questions are answered below in our head-to-head spec comparison. Engine: 6.3-liter V12Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automaticHorsepower: 731Torque: 508 lb-ftDry Weight: 3,362 lbsLength: 181.8 inches0-62 mph: 3.1 secondsTop Speed: 211+ mphFiorano Lap Time: 1'23"Power-to-weight: 4.6 lbs/1 hp Ferrari 488 GTB For Sale Engine: Turbocharged 3.9-liter V8Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automaticHorsepower: 660Torque: 560 lb-ftDry Weight: 3,020 lbsLength: 179.8 inches0-62 mph: 3.0 secondsTop Speed: 205+ mphFiorano Lap Time: 1'23"Power-to-weight: 4.6 lbs/1 hpSurprising, no? As we can see, these two cars are very similar when it comes down to the brass tacks. While the F12berlinetta has a more powerful engine than the 488 GTB, their weight and size allow for an even power-to-weight ratio. The only real edge either has over the other are the 488 GTB's faster 0-62 mph time and the F12berlinetta's reported top speed, but a higher top speed for the 488 GTB will surely be posted when it is released to customers.But, while these numbers are nice to look at, you won't really know which one you prefer until you get out there and drive one for yourself. So, get out there and test drive one today (you may have to wait a bit on test driving the 488 GTB). (Spec. Source: Ferrari) See More Ferrari Articles

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