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 – May 08, 2020

UPDATE: Ferrari Back at Full Capacity

UPDATE: We originally broke this story earlier today. Ferrari has since issued a press release to let everyone know they are back at full capacity. The following is from Ferrari HQ in Maranello: "During this week, the Ferrari factories in Maranello and Modena gradually returned to full production, in line with the "Back on Track" program. The first car to come off the Special Series lines, after seven weeks in which processing was suspended just a few hours before its completion, was a Ferrari Monza SP2 with a black and gray livery. In the following days, an 812 GTS in Grigio GTS and a F8 Tributo in Rosso Corsa were among the first cars completed in the 12 and 8-cylinder lines. The new Ferraris are ready to be delivered to their owners - in the USA, Germany and Australia respectively - and to finally hit the road" They are still planning on releasing two new models before the end of the year, so stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 06, 2020

Ferrari is Now Worth More Than Ford or GM

Everyone has one stock they regret overlooking. For me, I should have invested in Ferrari (NYSE: RACE) last week. That's because they posted strong Q1 earnings and revised their outlook for the year. This led CNBC to report that Ferrari is now worth more than Ford or General Motors. With a Market Capitalization over $30 Billion, FCA's idea to make them public seems to have been a brilliant move. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time Despite the factory closing during March, deliveries were up 5% to 2,738 cars. Revenue only dropped by 1%, which doesn't compare to the hits taken by all other automakers. Looking forward to more SF90 Stradales on the street and the introduction of their Purosangue SUV, things are looking bright in Maranello. Click the button below to find your new Ferrari and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Browse Ferrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2020

Ferrari 812 Superfast Inspired by Formula 1

No request has ever been refused by Ferrari's Tailor Made custom shop. These skilled artisans are given a blank check to build a car to the buyer's wildest dreams. As such, one Formula 1 superfan chose to express his passion in a new Ferrari 812 Superfast Inspired by Formula 1. First seen on Ferrari's instagram page, their goal was to evoke the team spirit of Scuderia Ferrari using technical fabrics and a heritage livery. Much like the 70th Anniversary models offered by Marshall Goldman, this car is an instant collectible. To see what Tailor Made can do for you, click the button below to find our dealer near you. Browse All Ferrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2020

REUTERS: Fiat & Ferrari to Build Ventilators

From prehistory, Italy has shrugged off invaders both large and small. It is their steadfast ethic and unflinching resolve that keeps tham at the top of automotive innovation. Without direction from the government or the Church, Reuters is reporting that Fiat & Ferrari are gearing up to build ventilators. Because COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, the spread has increased the need for this apparatus. Skilled in building complex components, the workers will gain satisfaction by helping restore civility to those infected. Browse All Ferrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 24, 2020

Ferrari Museum Debuts new Exhibit "Grand Tour"

Beautiful weather is in the forecast for Modena. Aside from the gorgeous scenery and some of the world's best driving roads, the Ferrari Museum has debuted a new exhibit: "Grand Tour". The theme is a trip around the world in new & classic examples of their Grand Touring models. Each city is represented by a car that tells a story of moments and characters that define its history. Starting with New York, visitors travel to Asia, the Middle East, famous European Race Tracks, and ending with Ferrari's latest models in Rome. This is the ultimate adult version of It's A Small World", and it will run through February of next year. Click the link below to see what separates Ferrari from all lesser automakers, and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse All Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 09, 2019

Ferrari 812 GTS Unveiled in Maranello

It has only been half a century since Ferrari introduced a Grand Touring Spider. The GTS acronym is a recipe that calls for a beastly V12 and an optional roof. The last time one was in series-production was the 1969 Ferrari 365 Daytona Spider, a highly sought-after collectible. To show the world they haven't lost their mojo, the Ferrari 812 GTS was just unveiled in Maranello. Browse Ferrari 812 For Sale Based on the 812 Superfast, it has a retractable hardtop that can operate up to 28 mph. Power comes from a new & larger version of their incredible V12. It is rated at 800 metric horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 530 lb-ft of torque. Fuel pressure has been increased to 5,000 psi to match the bump in displacement. Growing from 6.2 to 6.5 liters allows 80% of the torque to be available at only 3,500 rpm. Aside from incredible power and looks, the car will arrive with anticipated technology. Ferrari Peak Performance uses the electric power steering to place a load on the steering wheel. This feedback has been lost since hydraulic power steering, and it is the computer's way to let you know when you are at the limit. Ferrari Power Oversteer will guide the steering wheel into opposite lock if you smoke the tires in a corner, gently leading you in the direction you wanted to go as you smoke everyone behind you. The Magneride shocks have been calibrated to handle the 165 lbs added by the top and chassis reinforcement. If you don't need all the latest tech, our dealers have plenty of 812 Superfast coupes available. Click the link below, and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Related: Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs, Price, Photos & Review What Is the Fastest Ferrari?

By Edward Jones – October 09, 2018

Ferrari F40 GT Drifting Around Farm

The YouTube channel known as TaxTheRich100 is famous for taking the world's most exclusive cars and driving them in the most unconventional circumstances. For instance, they've taken a Rolls-Royce Wraith drifting through a garden and a Jaguar XJ220 (a personal favorite) whipping around dirt roads.Now they've presented us with a video of a Ferrari F40 GT spinning up its twin turbos and drifting through a farm. According to DKeng.co.uk, this F40 was the sixth F40 prototype and was on display at the 1987 Frankfurt Motorshow. Back in 1991, Michelotto converted the car to the CSAI GT spec you see now. After the conversion, the car went on to perform well in races, placing second overall in the Italian GT Championship. More recently, DK Engineering completed a full restoration on the car in 2013.It certainly takes skill to handle a car like the F40. The original Ferrari F40 houses a twin-turbo V8 engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and practically no assists. Essentially, when you drive this car it's a direct connection to the road. There aren't many of these cars in the world today, let alone a GT version, and I'm sure the other owners would never think to drive their F40 like this.Watch the video below and let us know what you think about the video in the comments below. Should a car like the F40 be driven like this? Would you take your hand at it?

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Most Expensive Car Ever Auctioned: 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO S...

Monterey car week is a great way to gauge the values of classic cars, especially numbers-matching Ferraris. We were at the Portola Hotel to witness history being made. Because our friend Derek Bell drove Chassis 3413 GT across the RM Sotheby's auction block. The hammer fell at a whopping $44,000,000. With dealer fees, this comes to $48.2 Million, making it the most expensive car sold at auction. Here is our preview from last week:RM Sotheby’s Hosts Most Valuable Car Ever Offered at AuctionThis is a nice return on investment since they were $18,000 new. That was a fortune, considering the Corvette was considered expensive at $4,000. But nothing will ever match the style and elegance of the GTO. One of only a handful of vintage Ferraris not to be influenced by Pininfarina, the 250 GTO was a combination of Bizzarrini and Scaglietti to homologate the 250 for racing.Only 36 examples were built, and this one was pushed to the limit. Phil Hill drove it to victory in the '62 and '63 Targa Florio. It also won 9 out of 10 Italian National GT races, taking home the championship in 1962. Other notable sales from Saturday night include a 1957 Porsche 550A Spyder ($4.9 Million), 1956 Maserati A6G/2000 Zagato ($4.5 Million), and a Mercedes-Benz AMG CLK GTR setting a new record at $4.5 Million. Our dealers have a nice selection of Ferrari 250 for sale, so click the link below to find your next investment.Ferrari 250 For Sale!https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=XBp9QmDFTfY

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Ferrari Unveils 488 Pista Spider at Pebble Beach

If you think convertibles sacrifice handling for looks, think again. Yesterday on the lawns of Pebble Beach, Ferrari pulled the cover off of the 488 Pista Spider. It is the 50th convertible to wear the Scuderia Shield, and it incorporates lessons learned from the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE race cars. The press release says the engine is rated at 720 cv, which equals 710 horsepower. Ferrari of Houston & Ferrari of The Woodlands: The Perfect One-Two Combination The most powerful V8 ever offered, the 3.9L twin turbo has more torque than any of its naturally aspirated predecessors. Having so much power mounted just behind the cockpit, it would be a handful even in a perfect setting. So Ferrari revised all the traction control, active handling, and the torque-vectoring E-Differential into a new system. The Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer allows the driver to hang out closer to the car's limits without fear of spinning out. Turn it off and you will win any drift event thanks to the optional carbon fiber wheels. The diamond-cut 20" forged wheels are standard equipment, and they are the latest evolution of Ferrari's traditional Berlinetta star design. If you don't need the wild looks or the massive power, our dealers will be happy to find the perfect 488 Spider. So click the link below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse Ferrari 488 Spiders For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 03, 2018

Dino 50th Anniversary Event Held by Ferrari In Maranello

It has been half a century since the first Dino rolled off the assembly line. This sporty mid-engine car was named for Enzo's first son Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari. He followed in his father's footsteps becoming an automotive engineer. Dino worked on prototype racing engines like the 1.5 liter V6 that would see action in Formula 2 in 1955. He also styled and built the 750 Monza race car. But he lost his life to Muscular Dystrophy in 1956, he was only 24 years old.Interview With David Lee: Ferrari Collector and Owner of the “Monza 3.6 Evo Dino”When Enzo decided to build a smaller & lighter sports car, he named it in honor of his son. For a long time, Dino owners were treated like second class in Ferrari collector circles, but now it is quite the opposite. A numbers-matching Dino can bring big bucks. Built from 1968 to 1976, the 206 and 246 Dino models used all-aluminum V6 engines with close ties to the 1.5 V6 mentioned above. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the marque, Ferrari invited all of them to come home last weekend. In a press release last night, we see over 150 Dinos and over 300 customers at Fiorano.Browse Dino For Sale

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