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 30, 2018

Wildest Camo LaFerrari Revs Hard (RIP Ears) and Looks Mean

The title of this article reads "Wildest Camo LaFerrari We've Ever Seen," but I feel like I should change to "The Only Camo LaFerrari We've Ever Seen" (not counting the camo ones we saw before the car's release."This LaFerrari has been making quite a scene in Monaco, being spotted by YouTubers and posted on Instagram. The Instagram posts allude that the car is owned by @florianmerckx and it was wrapped by @mmlc_06.Why You Should Buy A LaFerrariIf the camo wrap looks familiar to you, then you're not alone because I thought of Jon Olsson's cars right away. What's funny is that Olsson was even invited by the owner for a drive. After being taken out for a spin in the LaFerrari, Olsson said in an Instagram post: "This might be the coolest car I have seen EVER! Its for sure the coolest car I have been in!" If he approves of the camo hypercar, then it must be legit.https://www.instagram.com/p/BjaZUqEApuK/?taken-by=jonolsson1The owner seems to have named this LaFerrari "Tank," which is fitting considering how brutal it looks. In the front are headlights that have a yellow film on them, just like a race car. Combine those headlights with the wrap and insanely loud exhaust and you have "Tank," one of the coolest LaFerraris out there.View Ferraris for Salehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BjMvnKzA6zN/?taken-by=florianmerckx

By Edward Jones – May 30, 2018

Ferrari 488 Pista Runs 0 to 62 MPH in Almost 2 Seconds

According to Ferrari, the new 488 Pista can run 0 to 62 mph in just 2.85 seconds. That kind of rapid acceleration is exactly what you'd expect from a Ferrari supercar. But, what if we were to tell you Ferrari may be wrong when it comes to this statistic? What if the car was even FASTER?In a video from ArabGT.com, they tested to the acceleration of the new Ferrari 488 Pista. For the test, they were driving a camouflaged example of the supercar that had a camera facing the speedometer. When the pedal was smashed, the km/h went from 0 to 100 (0 to 62 mph) in an insanely rapid fashion. In fact, the timer running for the car's acceleration recorded a 0 to 62 mph time of just 2.26 seconds. That's well under the stated 0 to 62 mph time from Ferrari.Is this a true representation of the Ferrari 488 Pista's acceleration abilities? Let us know in the comments below!

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2018

Ferrari SP38 Unveiled at Fiorano

If your Ferrari was delivered at their historic test track, could you resist doing a few laps? That is exactly what happened when their latest Special Project was delivered. In a press release this morning, we've learned this gorgeous Italian Stallion is a one-off build for one of their best customers. Underneath is the chassis and drivetrain of a 2019 Ferrari 488 GTB. To give you an idea of their abilities here is SP12 EC. It is a 458 Italia commissioned by a guitarist named Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton's Ferrari SP12 ECThe new body was inspired by the legendary F40, which was also a twin turbo mid-mounted V8. It wears a unique shade of red, created by several layers of base & tinted clear coats. The headlights were made as small as possible, and the rising rear quarter panels are a nod to the F40. Instead of the gaping vents found on the 488 GTB, the intercoolers are fed by inlets at the base of the quarter glass.Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile TimesFerrari's Special Projects department has no limits to their abilities, we only wish they would build a few production examples for us! Many are kept in seclusion because the owners would not want to disclose they have more money than many small countries. Tell us what you think of SP38 in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. if you need something just as powerful, click the link to find your 488 GTB.Find Your Ferrari 488 GTB HereP.S. The car was delivered at the Fiorano race track, and the house behind the car is actually inside the track. Enzo's modest home allowed him to hear and see his creations in action.

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By Andrew Nabors – May 19, 2018

Ferrari 360 Modena: Specs, Price, Review & Photos

If you are looking for an amazing ride at an affordable price, the Ferrari 360 Modena was built in a variety of flavors from 2000 to 2004. It was a clean-sheet design, which gave the stylists at Pininfarina the ability to sculpt a masterpiece that would survive through its successors to 2015. Ferrari 360 Modena Standout Features To get an idea of just how revolutionary it was, the Ferrari 360 Modena is 10% larger in almost every dimension. This allows for more interior comfort and even more cargo room. Bigger usually means heavier when it comes to new cars, so Ferrari shocked the world. In an unprecedented move, they decided to build the 360 Modena on a new aluminum chassis. Aluminum is worlds apart from the steel spaceframe used on earlier cars, so they turned to the best in the business. Assembly and design of the Ferrari 360 Modena chassis were given to ALCOA. The Aluminum Company of America built a dedicated factory near Maranello to supply the new components. This partnership was so profound, many chassis and body panels were used on the F430 and 458 Italia successors. Saying sayonara to steel is how the 360 Modena is 28% lighter than the car it replaced. Ferrari 360 Engine In a never-ending quest for more power, the bore and stroke were increased from the F355. The new 3.6-liter V8 was loaded with exotic parts like titanium rods and a flat-plane crankshaft. It made 395 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. As like Ferraris of old, maximum power was achieved at a screaming 8,500 rpm, with the redline being only 200 rpm later. If you need more power, the aftermarket has embraced the Ferrari 360 with a host of upgrades. The intake valve timing is fixed, but the exhaust cams have variable timing. An aftermarket tune will advance the exhaust cams. This offers a mean growl and snappy response. Ferrari 360 Transmission Two transmissions were offered. The single-clutch automatic F1 utilized the same paddle shift technology as their F1 cars, and dealers sold it as the gearbox from the future. They can be costly to maintain, so the six-speed manual is the most popular Ferrari 360 for sale. You will pay a premium to shift your own gears, so the F1 shouldn't be considered a deal-breaker. It utilizes a high-pressure hydraulic pump to operate the clutch and shifting. Excessive clutch wear can be avoided by not slipping or creeping in traffic. If you treat the clutch as an on/off switch, it will offer years of life. Ferrari 360 Modena Specs: Horsepower: 395 Torque (lb-ft): 275 0-60 mph (seconds): 4.3 0-100 mph (seconds): 12.1 1/4 Mile: 12.4 @ 111 mph Weight (lbs): 2,976 Production: 8,500 Ferrari 360 Brakes Carbon ceramic rotors may be state of the art, but they are too expensive for most owners who daily drive their cars. The Ferrari 360 arrived with traditional cast iron rotors and Brembo calipers. Using more inspiration from their Formula1 team, the rotors were vented and cast with cooling holes. Not only in the swept area, but the rotor hats are also made to conserve unsprung weight. The Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale utilized carbon ceramic brakes, which are a popular upgrade. Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale If you want the ultimate street legal example, the Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale offered serious upgrades. Usually, streetcars inspire race cars, but the 360 CS was actually the opposite. The Ferrari 360 Challenge series showed the factory how to build the ultimate street machine. It is 243 lbs lighter than the 360 Modena because engineers began with a goal of 20% track use and 80% street driving. Improvements to the intakes and exhaust yielded 20 more horsepower. The ceramic brakes are shared with the Enzo. Instead of urethane parts on the 360 Modena, the bumpers, rockers and other trim were made of Resin Transfer Molded parts or carbon fiber. Glass was replaced with Lexan, and all luxuries like a radio and cockpit insulation were optional. Ferrari 360 Styling Andrea Pininfarina was a talented stylist who carried his Grandfather's company into the 21st century. The Ferrari 360 Modena is one of their crowning achievements, as it only required mild revisions to become the F430. Another facelift resulted in the 458 Italia, with three models based on the same basic lines. It was initially offered as the 360 Modena coupe. Ferrari 360 Price In keeping with cars of its caliber, and staying below the 575 and 612 series, the Ferrari 360 Spider arrived with a retail price of $172,000. If you wanted a convertible with the F1 transmission, the Ferrari 360 Spider F1 added $10,400 to that. A base model Ferrari 360 Modena coupe could be had for $147,988. Given their asking prices today along with inflation, they are a bargain in the world of exotic cars. Ferrari 360 Interior We all know the look and smell of 90's interiors. Molded carpet that looks like a trunk liner has visible edges and barely fits the contours of the floor pan. A center console complete with plasti-dip surfaces that are sticky and peeling. The interior of a Ferrari 360 can make or break your decision to buy. Yes, the peeling plastic can be reapplied, but it looks much better painted or covered in leather. The carpet is easily replaced by a competent upholstery shop, and it will offer more sound and heat insulation than the original tapestries. Other Considerations Before you even go for a test drive, get online and talk to owners. You will need a budget for getting the car up to date in service and infotainment, and you will need to find a local shop that you can trust. If you want a daily driver, the Challenge Stradale is much more brutal over broken pavement. Nevertheless, our dealers are ready to help you, so click the link below and find a great deal on your Ferrari 360. Browse Ferrari 360 For Sale

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 Edward Jones – May 10, 2018

Ferrari 812 Superfast Passes Cars at 200 mph on Autobahn

The Ferrari 812 Superfast acts as the V12 successor to the F12berlinetta and it's better in almost every way. It's 6.5-liter V12 engine pumps out serious power that's rated at 789 horsepower and 529 lb-ft of torque. Ferrari notes that it's “the most powerful and fastest Ferrari in the marque’s history.” Don't Miss: Ferrari 812 Superfast Price, Specs, Review To prove Ferrari's quote, YouTube Channel hartvoorautoNL took the 812 Superfast out for a spin on the Autobahn. You know about that Autobahn, right? That's the stretch of road where you can go blazingly fast and test the limits of both you and your car. Behind the wheel of the supercar, they tried to take it to its top speed, which is noted to be over 211 mph. At their height of excitement, they managed to reach 319 km/h (198 mph). While that's not the top speed of the Ferrari, it's still insanely fast for a public road. Check out the video below and let us know if you think you could handle this kind of speed on the Autobahn in the comments below. New Ferrari 812 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2018

Ferrari 488 Pista Aerodynamics Explained

One of the best ways to overtake your opponents is to carry more speed through the corners. Ferrari made a radical departure from previous designs in the new 488 Pista. A giant grille opening feeds air to a heat extractor in the hood. This keeps the front wheels glued to the pavement.Top 10 Fastest Quarter Mile TimesThe air intakes in the quarter panels are used to feed cool air to the turbos on the 488 GTB, on the Pista they have become intercoolers. A giant rear spoiler is integrated into the rear bodywork, and it rises to the occasion when downforce and braking are needed. What do all these changes add up to? James Calado is a driver for Team Ferrari, so allow him to tell you: Discover how the #Ferrari488Pista makes the difference on track, with the @FerrariRaces’ driver James Calado. #Ferrari pic.twitter.com/dgMkcRNaWN — Ferrari USA (@FerrariUSA) April 30, 2018

By Edward Jones – March 30, 2018

Twin-Supercharged Ferrari 599 GTB Drift Car is Nuts

You won't see many Ferraris in drifting competitions unless you're playing a video game like Forza Motorsport of Assetto Corsa. But for Federico Sceriffo, drifting a Ferrari is now he plans on taking on the 2018 Formula Drift season.Unveiling in a dizzying fashion was Sceriffo's new weapon, a twin-supercharged Ferrari 599 GTB. This new drift car has been captured in action by YouTube Channel MattyB727 in the video found below. In the video's description, he notes a few specifics about the sideways supercar. For starters, it was built by FFF Drifting Department, who he thanks for creating such an incredible car. And we can't blame him.Ferrari F430s for SaleAlongside the addition of two superchargers is a slew of other modifications like a Holinger six-speed sequential gearbox, carbon clutch, Öhlins suspension, and those wicked new body panels you see adorning the car.Good luck to Sceriffo in the 2018 season. We can't wait to see this bad boy on the circuit!BMW M5 Drifts For 8 Hours, Breaks Two World Records

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2018

Cavalino Winning 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS For Sale

Everyone wanted to be Magnum PI back the late 1980's. Tom Selleck's fancy driving was a great advertisement for the Ferrari 308, and its successor the Ferrari 328 GTS. Because it performed so well on TV and on the track, finding a well-preserved example from this era is nearly impossible.That's why our friends at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale jumped at the opportunity to add this one to their inventory. Chassis # 81932 has only been driven 9,944 miles in the past 3 decades. Being the best example of the 328, it was Classiche Certified and won first place at Cavalino this year. It received 99.5/100 points, narrowly missing a perfect score due to a faulty fog light bulb.Having both of those awards allows this car to speak for itself. You will not find any signs of wear inside or out, my only objection is the all-season Goodyear Eagle Sport tires. Even though it won't see much time on the street, she deserves a set of Pirelli's new run of vintage tire sizes. If you would like more information on this piece of history, please contact Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale at 954-715-7500 or simply click the link below.View Details

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

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