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 – November 15, 2019

Watch the Ferrari Roma's World Premiere in Rome

We've covered both the announcement of the new Ferrari Roma and even its debut in Rome, but we finally have a video of its unveiling. If you've never seen a Ferrari unveiling before, now's your chance and you don't want to miss it. The venue, music, ambiance, crowd, visuals and more combine to create the vibe for the unveiling, which took place in Rome's Stadio dei Marmi. After the crowd finally laid their eyes on the Roma, they then had the chance to see it up close and personal. While seeing it on video is worth your time, if you ever get a chance to attend one of these events yourself, DO IT. see all ferrari's for sale

By Edward Jones – November 14, 2019

Ferrari Roma Unveiled to Crowd in Rome

The new Ferrari Roma made its debut during an event in Rome's Stadio dei Marmi. Ferrari says this new model is a "contemporary reinterpretation of the carefree lifestyle of 1950s and '60s Rome, from which it takes its evocative name, Roma." Acting as the inspiration for the Roma are the classic Ferrari mid-front-engined grand tourers, like the 250 Berlinetta lusso and 250 GT 2+2. Being a modern car, unlike the 250s of old, the Roma is filled with modern technologies. A great new bit of technology is the rear spoiler that's integrated into the rear screen, allowing the Ferrari to maintain its sleek appearance when retracted. Pricing and a release date for the Ferrari Roma have not been announced as of yet, but you can definitely contact your local Ferrari dealer for more information. SEE ALL FERRARIS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – November 13, 2019

Meet the New Ferrari Roma

During a client event, the new Ferrari Roma was unveiled. This new model is a mid-front-engined 2+ coupe and Ferrari says its "harmonious lines, timeless elegance and cutting-edge technology set new standards in the category." Powering the new Ferrari is a turbocharged V8 engine. Unlike the rest of the V8's in this award-winning engine's family, it has 611 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque and can spin up to 7,500 rpm. Mated to this engine is the new 8-speed DCT gearbox that made its debut in the SF90 Stradale. The Roma's powertrain can launch it from 0 to 62 mph in 3.4-seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 9.3 seconds. Ferrari also notes that it can hit a top speed of 199 mph. SEE ALL FERRARIS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2019

Ferrari Patents New Efficient V12 Engine

Just because your 812 Superfast makes incredible power, it doesn't need to do so at the expense of your wallet. While Lamborghini has added hybrid power to their new Sian flagship, Ferrari has patented a new efficient V12 engine. Hats Off to Motor1 for keeping a keen eye on the Patent Office, because they were camped out & waiting. To summarize what Ferrari is planning, each cylinder will have a tiny combustion chamber with its own spark plug sitting above the main chamber. The tiny one will allow for much less fuel used in many situations, and it helps accelerate the flame expansion into the main chamber. While this idea is brilliant, it was actually invented by a Japanese Genius named Soichiro Honda. He used it to power the Civic and Accord from 1971 to 1983 when the complex carbureted system was replaced by fuel injection. Ferrari has not infringed on Mr. Honda's invention because he did it without computers or injectors. What we are looking at will keep the V12 engine viable well into the future, just imagine what will happen when it receives a hybrid system! Kudos to Ferrari for keeping the naturally aspirated V12 alive, and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Find Your Ferrari Here

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2019

Mick Schumacher Laps Fiorano in F8 Tributo

With the eyes of the world upon him, the son of Michael Schumacher is following a family tradition. Currently active in Formula 2, there might come a day for him to join Scuderia Ferrari. To showcase his skills at their historic proving grounds, let's watch Mick Schumacher lap Fiorano in an F8 Tributo. As an evolution of the 488 Pista, it offers 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque from a 3.9L twin-turbo V8. Turn up the volume and watch history in the making. Browse Ferrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2019

Ferrari Pista Sets Amazing Lap Time at the 'Ring

Enzo Ferrari lived in style. His home was located in the infield of their famous Fiorano test track. That's why he didn't care much for lap times on foreign soil. To find out just how capable their latest model is, our friends at Sport Auto recorded a Ferrari Pista setting an amazing lap time at the 'Ring. Without the budget for weeks of hot laps, Editor-In-Chief Christian Gebhardt slapped on new tires and prepared to make history. He crossed the line at 7:00.03, making it one of the fastest street-legal cars in production. Click the link below to experience one for yourself and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse all Ferrari Pista For Sale " width="680"> Related: Ferrari 488 Pista Price, Specs, Photos & Review Ferrari 488 Pista Aerodynamics Explained

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2019

Ferrari Classiche Academy: Learn to Drive the Classics

Ferrari has just announced a new program that's perfect for true Ferrari fans out there. The new Ferrari Classiche Academy is being described by the Italian automaker as series of driving courses that "focuses on various classic cars that helped to create the legend of the Prancing Horse and write the history of their era." The course is held at the Fiorano Circuit over two days and is divided into multiple driving modules. Cars within the course include four 308 GTS and GTBi models and a Mondial 3.2. But before the driving courses, participants are given a crash course on the components and technical details of the cars as they analyzed on a lift. Then, they go through a guided tour of the Officine Classiche Ferrari. Then, they take to the track and learn driving techniques for each cars, including heel-and-toe and double clutching. If you're interested, the next round of Ferrari Classiche Academy courses start next spring. see all ferraris for sale

By Edward Jones – October 15, 2019

Gordon Ramsay's New Ferrari Monza SP2 is a Stunning Piece...

Gordon Ramsay's new Ferrari is raw, but not the bad kind of raw that you've seen him encounter on TV. Seriously, his new Ferrari Monza SP2 is an incredible piece of automotive art. YouTube Channel TheTFJJ recently witnessed the delivery of the Monza SP2 at the HR Owen Bodyechnics Car Club event. Ramsay's new Ferrari is one that pays homage to Enzo Ferrari's cars of the 1950's. Speaking more specifically, the 750 Monza and 860 Monza were used as the inspiration for the car's design. It can be configured as either a single-seater with a tonneau cover or the tonneau cover can be removed for a passenger. If you'd like to learn more about this incredible Ferrari, be sure to read out article on its debut: Ferrari Unveils the Monza SP1 and SP2 in New “Icona Series”. Image Gallery Source: Facebook/HR Owen Ferrari Also Check Out: Gordon Ramsay Takes Delivery of New Ferrari Gordon Ramsay Spotted in his Ferrari California T Gordon Ramsay Revs up New Ferrari F12 Gordon Ramsay on Ferrari: Many Similarities Between Fine Cars & Fine Cuisine

By Andrew Nabors – October 10, 2019

Shmee Shows us an Incredible Collection

Professional Golf offers the ability to make their top players incredibly wealthy. Ian Poulter is a great example of this, spending his earnings on the best exotic cars for sale. To give you an idea of what Golf can do for you, our friend Shmee shows us an incredible collection. A theme for his collection would be famous Ferraris, so we will start with them first A Few Fine Ferraris: 550 Barchetta Testarossa 458 Speciale Aperta F12tdf 288 GTO 275 GTB Enzo LaFerrari LaFerrari Aperta Non-Ferrari (But Still Exciting): Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Ford GT If any of the cars in the film below pique your interests, the links above represent the best inventory from our dealers. Thanks to Shmee and Ian Poulter for allowing this unprecedented access, so stay with us for all your celebrity collections. " width="680"> Related: Todd Werner's Colossal Car Collection: What's Next? Michael Fux' Car Collection is on Instagram and it's Amazing

By Alyssa Mammano – October 04, 2019

First U.S. Ferrari Tailor Made Center Opens in Manhattan

Customize the Ferrari of your dreams within the continental United States for the first time ever offered. Ferrari has opened its first U.S.-based Tailor Made Center, allowing its passionate and imaginative car owners to personalize their vehicles to each of his or her specific tastes. An array of fabrics, leathers, wood tones, hues and finishes are at your fingertips to create a one-of-a-kind Ferrari suited perfectly to you. The Tailor Made Center is located at 410 Park Avenue in New York City and is only the third of its kind worldwide. The original car customization and personalization center opened at the factory in Maranello during the 1950s, followed by a Shanghai location in 2014. The American location is an extension of the completely redesigned Ferrari showroom, expanding the space to 6,600 square feet. The new addition houses a five-car display and an owner's lounge. “The United States continues to be Ferrari’s strongest market and the new Tailor Made Center will further strengthen the relationship with our clients as they’re walked through the very same meticulous customization offered for generations at the factory in Maranello," says Ferrari Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, Enrico Galliera. "Ferrari owners are passionate, knowledgeable and imaginative and our new Tailor Made Center allows an unprecedented level of exclusivity to be achieved.” Each owner is matched with a Personal Designer to guide him or her through the process and select materials for the car's aesthetic. Owners are involved from start to finish in creating an ultra-exclusive driving experience.

Ferrari News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe