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 19, 2021

Rare Sunroof Six-Speed Ferrari 360 Modena Coupe For Sale

Presented by Ferrari Lake Forest - This specific 360 is one of the rarest and most desirable 360 Modena’s produced. In addition to being equipped with a manual six-speed transmission, it was also optioned with a " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>. It is believed that only 25 cars worldwide were fitted with this option and of those only 12 were released in the US market. The manual removable section works like a GTS body style and adds almost no additional weight so the center of gravity won’t be affected. The detachable sunroof stores neatly behind the seats. With less than 23,550 miles, this unique 360 would make an exquisite addition to any collection. The 360 Modena was a clean-sheet design that foretold future trends for Ferrari road cars. The design called for seemingly contrasting objectives, lower weight combined with greater chassis rigidity. The engineers in Maranello were able to achieve such success by employing innovative construction technology. The 360 Modena was the first production Ferrari to be constructed entirely out of aluminum. The car's body shell, chassis, and suspension wishbones were all made from lightweight material. Aluminum allowed engineers to achieve the best overall performance and handling in a mid-engined Ferrari at the time. The Chassis was designed and built in collaboration with Alcoa. The partnership allowed for a structure to be built that was 40% stronger in structural rigidity and 28% lighter, compared to the model's predecessor, the 355. The suspension mounting points are one-piece casting and the chassis was assembled on the same technique used for the F50, a CNC workstation. The styling was the 163rd Ferrari to be penned by Pininfarina. It combines elements of classic Ferraris, such as the 250LM, 268SP, and Dino. Like the 488 and many other modern Ferrari models today, the 360 Modena was the first Ferrari to show the ventrally mounted V8 engine under a glass cover. View Price and Listing

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2021

Watch A Ferrari FF Scorch The Autobahn

Two transmissions makes it twice as fast! Ferrari doesn't follow the crowd. So when Maranello decided to go head-to-head with Lamborghini, they didn't waste weight on a center differential. Instead, the Ferrari FF and its progeny make use of a FWD transmission. That's right, the 7-speed handles the rear wheels, and it has two forward gears and one reverse. That means the front wheels are pulling continuously while the rear transmission shifts gears. So the FF and the GTC4 Lusso have uninterrupted power reaching the ground. From experience, I can tell you the system is years beyond any other AWD car, and its nice to have a screaming V12 between the Scuderia shields. Click the button to find yours and stay with us for all your Ferrari footage. Browse Ferrari FF For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2021

Ferrari Unveils The New Portofino M In Ireland

The Emerald Isle is perfect for top-down cruising. Everything automotive can be more rewarding in a convertible. That's why Ferrari has unveiled the new Portofino M in Ireland. A road-trip from England and through Wales proves their efforts have paid off. The suffix M is for Modified, and they left no stone unturned. Starting with subtle changes to the body, aerodynamics have been enhanced to keep the cockpit quiet with the top down. This was done because you will have 612 horsepower at your command. Their latest 3.9-liter V8 is paired with an all-new 8-speed dual-clutch transaxle. The Portofino M is truly a delight! This sleek 2+2 retains the retracting hardtop we first loved on the California. Now capable of raising and lowering up to 31 mph, its the perfect car for any weather. With 561 lb-ft of torque at almost any RPM, it will return impressive fuel mileage on the highway. Our dealers have all the details, so click the button below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse Ferrari Portofino For Sale Images (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

Watch Ferrari Reveal The New 812 Competizione & Competizi...

The best just got better Nobody does product launches like Ferrari. When the 488 series was introduced, they presented the coupe alongside the Spider. We've never understood keeping the convertible hidden, and other manufacturers should take notice. Today we witnessed the latest pair of V12-powered supercars, as the Ferrari 812 Competizione & Competizione A were unveiled simultaneously. We had a teaser a few weeks back, with a few images and without any specs. The coupe has impeccable styling, and the Aperta has a carbon fiber roof panel that can be left at home. Extensive engine upgrades have yielded 830 horsepower, so the Side Slip Control was recalibrated for more fun. It is a blend of titanium, carbon fiber and adrenaline with your name on it, so click the button to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Shop Ferrari Image (C) Ferrari

Ferrari 812 Competizione e 812 Competizione A

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

Ferrari 812 Competizione & Competizione A Unveiled Simult...

Their new V12 packs big power It is time to trade in your F12 Berlinetta because there is a new V12 Supercar from Maranello. Unveiled on social media a few minutes ago, the details of this new flagship will blow your mind. While the Ferrari SF90 series is loaded with the latest electric technology, many of us love the sound and fury of a Ferrari V12. So after digging deep into the engine, the minds behind the Scuderia Ferrari race teams massaged the cams and valves to make 830 horsepower. Based on the 812 Superfast, you can choose from a hardtop coupe (812 Competizione) or the open-top targa roof in the 812 Competizione A. Yes, the A is for Aperta, so you can leave the targa roof at home, or in your hotel room for the weekend. As hybrids focus on small engines with electric help, the guys in lab coats have pushed their 6.5-liter to 9,500 rpm. Supercomputers were used to model the intake and exhaust flow under varying loads, different gears, and of course, WIDE OPEN. The new connecting rods are forged from titanium. The same element used to build the SR71 Blackbird allows the rotating assembly to be 40% lighter than the 812 GTS. Balancing the crank by hand allows these new cars to have 3rd order harmonic balance, and the wristpins are coated in diamond dust. This same coating is also found on the valves, cams, and followers. These parts are made by Scuderia Ferrari, and Shell has developed a new Helix 5W 40 oil to keep them happy for years. The dry-sump scavenge lines are optimized for this viscosity, and this represents attention to detail unseen by any other automaker. That's what keeps Ferrari ahead of everyone else. It revs faster than any previous Ferrari, and the sound is nothing short of heavenly. The press release is 40 pages of fuel injection strategy and variable intake geometry, and our dealers are happy to offer all the details. In the meantime, the styling of these twins carries influences of Pininfarina and the Centro Stile with an obvious focus on aerodynamics. Because the engine makes much more heat than the normal 812, scoops, inlets, and massive cooling fans were needed. Even on a hot Italian afternoon, the temp gauge will be 30*C cooler than the 812 GTS. You will have 25% more downforce in a car that weighs 84 lbs less. Tell us what aspect appeals to your finer sensibilities in the comments below, and click the button to order your new 812 Competizione A! Shop Ferrari Images and film (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – May 03, 2021

Jay Leno Drives A New Ferrari SF90 Stradale

The latest Ferrari flagship doesn't disappoint! When their F1 team began toying with hybrid energy storage, it led to the amazing LaFerrari. This hybrid hypercar led to the FXX Evo, and even more electric power. Now using the latest in battery technology, you can have almost 16 miles of silent cruising from the SF90 Stradale. They also handle reverse, so that freed up room inside the transmission for more cooling capacity. Let's see if it's worthy of Jay Leno's collection. Mine will hopefully arrive with the Fiorano Performance Package that rockets you to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Because it is an EV, its the first Ferrari to not have a Gas Guzzler tax. And since it is electric, the IRS will take $4,126 off of your Income Tax liabilities. Not bad for a base price of only $512,800. For that, you will have 986 horsepower and an 8 kWh battery. Running silent errands or sneaking in after a late night are now much easier thanks to clever engineering and amazing style. Click the button to order yours! Shop Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2021

Behold The Ultimate Ferrari 330 LMB Recreation by Bell Sp...

Decades in the making! For those who enjoy classic GT racing, this one is not like the others. Enzo Ferrari chose to only build four 330 LMBs for competition. The notion of racing a 2+2 seemed superfluous given the performance of Ferrari's 2-seater cars. Nevertheless, a group of talented coachbuilders has spent a few years building this tribute car. Its almost the same motivation our friends at Manhattan Motorcars devote to their Ferrari 250 builds. After carefully scanning the blueprints from Chassis 4725, they were ready to build new examples of even the smallest details. The 330 LMB was Ferrari's ultimate LeMans Berlinetta. Having a longer wheelbase makes it stable above 150 mph, as power comes from a modern take on the classic Columbo V12. They started by building a replica chassis for a 250 GTO before stretching it to make room for the rear seats. Car #4275 resides in Manhattan, so the team traveled to the Big Apple a few times to build cardboard templates of the only Right-Hand Drive 330. Did they get it right? Tell us in the comments below and find your Ferrari 250 for your next daily driver. Browse Ferrari 250 For Sale Images (C) Mark Riccioni

By Andrew Nabors – April 21, 2021

2022 Ferrari 812 Superfast Special Edition Official Teaser

Maranello has done it again Covid gave engineers ample time to find more power. In the case of the Ferrari 812 Superfast, the team dug into their V12 to find a few more horses. Because the Ferrari V12 engine represents the state of the art in naturally aspirated power, they devised a few old-school hot-rodder parts to unlock 830 horsepower whilst screaming to nearly 10,000 rpm. It will be an impressive competitor to the Pagani Huayra R while remaining street legal, and all the details will be formally released on Cinco de Mayo. What they did is start over with an all-new exhaust. Tuning each primary of the header pipes to scavenge into the cats creates a vortex of screaming fire that the mufflers will struggle with. On the top end, the cams have faster actuators to advance the intake at low speeds for more torque, so your right foot will be happy. Other automakers are introducing silly twin-turbo six cylinders with 90's power, but Ferrari keeps doing what they always have done. A dozen cylinders of domination. Ferrari 812 Superfast 0-60, Specs & Prices This is the highest RPM of any Ferrari, so the transmission, stability controls, and each setting on the Manettino have been enhanced to keep the car on the road. We can only hope this car spawns a drop-top, as an 812 GTS at 9,500 rpm would be fun for a weekend cruise. As you can see, the aerodynamics incorporate more carbon fiber for added downforce, and the vortex generators would look great on my F12tdf. Click the button to browse a healthy selection of V12 Ferraris for sale and stay with us for all your Scuderia news. Browse Ferrari 812 For Sale Images (C) Ferrari

Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Monza 2021 2

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

2021 Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Is Heating Up

Being able to race your Ferrari amongst other owners is a treat especial. Now with Summer on the horizon, the 2021 2021 Passione Ferrari Club Challenge is heating up. The first event took place last weekend at Monza. This 3-day shootout was offered to 488 Challenge and Challenge Evo in order to allow owners to set new personal lap records for Challenge Cars at the historic track. Owners are treated to 1-on-1 schooling from the F1 team along with full telemetry of each lap. Because the ultimate 488 only weighs 2,822 lbs, they can literally out-corner the abilities of the driver. The Italian translation for what this takes is "Stugots". The program runs through September, stopping at Europe's famous tracks, ending up at Ferrari Mondiali at Mugello on November 4th. The 488 Challenge cars are a great way to hone your skills, so click the button to find yours. Browse Ferrari 488 Challenge For Sale Images (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2021

Ferrari SF90 Spider vs Stradale With Carlos & Charles at ...

What happens when F1 superstars are given the keys to Ferrari's latest hypercar. Choosing between coupe and convertible is always a tough decision, so let's watch the Ferrari SF90 Spider vs Stradale with Carlos and Charles at Imola. This dynamic duo can be seen pushing the SF21 around the world's toughest tracks, so they undoubtedly cherish time with such a potent machine. Our friends at Ferrari Tampa Bay allowed us to experience one at our Cars & Coffee last weekend, and it did not disappoint. Starting with the latest in hybrid technology, it can travel 16 miles on battery power. Having 217 silent horsepower is fun for most, but you can awaken the 4-liter beast in "Qualify" mode. This unlocks 986 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. It rides on a chassis that is more carbon fiber than aluminum to offer a dry weight of 3,461 lbs. The coupe is loaded with their Assetto Fiorano package that drops active suspension for MultiMatic shocks and includes a full-titanium exhaust to save 66 lbs compared to a regular-production coupe. If you missed an opportunity to add a LaFerrari to your collection, the SF90 is just as capable and production is not going to be limited. Click the button to find yours and prepare for an experience unlike any other. Sell My Ferrari SF90 Spider: Get a Cash Offer Browse Ferrari For Sale Image (C) Ferrari

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