Ferrari News

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

By Edward Jones – July 29, 2022

One-of-a-kind, Tailor Made Ferrari Portofino in Azzuro Le...

On display at Ferrari Lake Forest is a very special Tailor Made Ferrari Portofino that deserves your attention. This stunning example of the 2+2 Italian convertible is finished in Azzuro Lechler, a vibrant light blue paint that's reminiscent of crystal clear ocean waters. Joining this paint on the exterior is Matte Bianco paint on the wheels, front spoiler, and side sills. Behind the matte white wheels are red calipers. Altogether, the exterior of this Portofino is stunning from every single angle. View Options Airbrushed Shieshield Red brake calipers Carbon fiber rear air ducts Front air vents in carbon fiber Carbon fiber underdoor cover Carbon fiber driver zone+LEDs Carbon fiber central bridge Exterior sill kick in carbon carbon fiber cup holder Center console in leather carbon fiber hub caps Dash inserts in carbon fiber Dedication plate in silver Dreamline on bridge Single-color dreamline on F1 paddles Black tailpipe tips Advanced front driving camera Carbon fiber front spoiler Additional colored mats with logo High emotion low emission Homelink Leather door panel cent. trim Magneride dual-mode suspension Parking camera Passenger display White rev counter Full electric seats Foldable rear seats backrest High power hi-fi system Special equipment Colored Special Stitching Tailor Made Inside, the Tailor Made greatness of this Ferrari continues, starting with the Rosso front seats that match the brake calipers and center console trim. In the back, the seats are in a black shade, which matches the plethora of carbon fiber options found throughout the cabin. From the driver's seat, the advanced front driving camera and parking display can be seen, while the seat next to them can keep an eye on the Passenger Display, a must-have option. But these are just a few of the options that come with this Portofino-- to see the rest, expand the list down below. To learn more about this one-of-a-kind, Tailor Made Ferrari Portofino, click the button below to contact Ferrari Lake Forest. View This Ferrari's Price and Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 29, 2022

The New 2023 Ferrari 296 GT3 Race Car Is Finally Revealed

The new V6-powered racing Ferrari is ready to carry the Prancing Horse’s motorsport torch. Ferrari hasn’t brought a V6 engine back to the track since it introduced the 1961 246 SP. The V6 powerplant would find its way into the roadgoing Dino models in the late 1960s, and for the road, the new Ferrari 296 would mark the introduction of the V6 powerplant to the Prancing Horse’s stables with full Ferrari branding. Now, the new 2023 Ferrari 296 GT3 has been revealed, and it brings the 296’s V6 performance to the track, planning to compete within GT3 regulations to do the Ferrari brand and its history deeply rooted in racing. MUST READ: The Camouflaged New Ferrari Purosangue SUV Is Spotted In Maranello As Its Debut Nears " width="680"> Due to GT3 regulations, the new Ferrari 296 GT3 differs from its roadgoing counterpart in the fact that it lacks the GTS and GTB’s hybrid drive system. However, the engine itself is based on that of the 296 GTB, as it’s a twin-turbocharged V6 with the turbochargers inside the vee. This makes for a powerful and compact engine even without the help of the electric drive system. As a result, the center of gravity in the 296 GT3’s predecessor, the 488 GT3, is about 10% higher. Improvements on the 488 GT3 predecessor exist throughout the car, with a lighter 6-speed gearbox with an electronically actuated clutch and gear change, and aerodynamics that not only create a design that pays homage to past Ferrari racers like 1963’s 250 LM but also improve downforce by about 20% compared to the 488 GT3. A new lightweight chassis and reworked suspension are highly configurable and dynamic and allow for drivers to take on the track with ultimate ease and confidence. The car will make its debut at next year’s Daytona 24 Hours race, and when it does, a new chapter will open for Ferrari’s racing history. View All Race Cars For Sale Source: Ferrari

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 25, 2022

The Camouflaged New Ferrari Purosangue SUV Is Spotted In ...

The Ferrari Purosangue looks more ready than ever to rid itself of the camouflage. YouTuber Varryx has yet again spotted the camouflaged Ferrari Purosangue prototypes out in Maranello, and the time for them to finally be revealed is getting much closer. While one of the prototypes is based on the Maserati Levante, there is one out and about with the final design of the car, hidden under camouflage and building the anticipation for Ferrari’s first SUV. For an SUV, we can immediately see that the vehicle is quite low to the ground, and that suggests that the Purosangue might retain the on-road behavior of a true Ferrari. MUST READ: Ferrari Purosangue SUV To Have Limited Availability, Just Like The Sports Cars On that topic, the engine note of the car is difficult to hear if at all, as the test mule stays behind a truck in the video, and its driver is quite shy on the accelerator, especially considering the fact that whoever that may be, they are behind the wheel of a Ferrari. While there’s no doubt that the Purosangue’s performance will impress, we just can’t wait to really see it in action. Until the debut of Ferrari’s first SUV, we’ll just have to keep waiting until the day when the luxury performance SUV segment sees a contender from one of the most important names in performance and the automotive world in general. View All Ferraris For Sale Source: YouTube/Varryx

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 19, 2022

Ferrari Classiche Rebuilt The Engine Of A 1967 Ferrari 31...

With this vintage racer, Ferrari Classiche pulled off a miracle. A Ferrari collector brought a car to Ferrari Classiche that seemed like an impossible task to return to its original glory. It was an F1 single-seater from the 1960s, and while it was historic, its condition was far from perfect. The 1967 Ferrari 312 F1, chassis 0007, was driven by Chris Amon and Derek Bell. In 1968, it made history as the first F1 car with a rear wing at the Belgian Grand Prix. The French collector who brought the car to the technicians at Maranello did so because the car had broken down during a historic race event. MUST READ: Check The Spec: 2021 Ferrari SF90 Assetto Fiorano Finished In Blu Mirabeau Over Beige Ferrari Classiche has one of the world’s most impressive archives of vintage documents, drawings, and information, and when the car was brought to them, they were able to retrieve original documents from the car and rebuild the engine in its original form, even preserving the defects that were involved. The only change was to switch from magnesium to aluminum for the crankcase for reliability and usability. While the heads of the engine that were brought to the factory were saved, the rest of the engine was rebuilt, using a 3D model made from original drawings, and components that were built in the foundry. What resulted was a Ferrari that was revitalized and ready to continue living out its incredible racing legacy as a historic F1 car, and with its V12-powered F1 sound, it won’t go unheard. View All Ferraris For Sale Source: Ferrari

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 12, 2022

Ferrari Teases The Development Of Its LMH Race Car In A N...

Ferrari continues to build anticipation as the clock ticks toward one of the most important moments in its long racing history. Le Mans is one of the most important venues in the world of motorsport, and Ferrari is one of its most important participants. However, years of domination in top-class endurance racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans came to an end in 1973 after a disappointing finish. However, Ferrari has decided to make an epic return to the top-class of Le Mans after 50 years of being away with the announcement of a new Le Mans Hypercar, built by Ferrari from the ground up. MUST READ: Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team Drivers Experience The New Richard Mille RM UP-01 Ferrari Less than a year remains until the race, which is already going to be one of the most dramatic 24 Hours of Le Mans races yet, and Ferrari, having developed the car itself, is under quite a bit of pressure to make this return worth the half-century wait. As this video shows, Ferrari, as we’ve come to expect, is delivering, with the car blasting through the Fiorano track. While the car is still in camouflage, it will need to reveal itself soon as each day means less time in the months that separate Ferrari from the track that it’s waited 50 years to take on at the top class again. View All Ferraris For Sale Source: YouTube/Ferrari

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 07, 2022

The New Ferrari LMH Prototype Is Spotted Testing For Next...

Preparations for Ferrari’s LMH prototype to make an important return for the brand are well underway. Ferrari has its roots in racing, and in the 20th Century and still, to this day, one of the most important venues for any brand or team to prove its worth is at the famed and venerated 24 Hours of Le Mans race. However, it was 49 years ago in 1973 when Ferrari left top-class endurance racing after a disappointing 24 Hours of Le Mans. After half a century, however, Ferrari has decided to return to the 100th iteration of the legendary race, ending what will be a 50-year hiatus with its new top-class Le Mans Hypercar. MUST READ: Richard Mille Debuts The $1.888 Million RM UP-01 Ferrari As The New World’s Thinnest Mechanical Watch The car has been spotted in camouflage by YouTuber Varryx, testing and in development a year ahead of the race, as while many manufacturers chose to enter Le Mans with LMDh cars, Ferrari made the deliberate choice to enter with an LMH car. The difference between them is that LMDh cars work with suppliers, while LMH cars are able to be built completely by the manufacturer. While the race doesn’t start until next year, the clock is ticking for Ferrari to develop its car so it can continue the racing legacy that made it great. Decades of history and 50 years of time away rest on this new car’s shoulders, but racing is Ferrari’s first calling. View All Ferrari 812 Superfasts For Sale Source: YouTube/Varryx

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 06, 2022

Ferrari Unveils The Design Of Its New LMH Racing Prototype

We’ve got our first look at what Ferrari is bringing to the FIA World Endurance Championship. After announcing the end of the brand’s 50-year hiatus from top-class endurance racing, Ferrari’s newest LMH racing prototype has finally been unveiled. The car remains in development and testing, and thus is still in camouflage, but Antonello Coletta, Head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT says that despite this, “it is undeniably recognizable as a Ferrari.” The shape of the car immediately evokes Ferrari race cars of the past, and this new LMH car has the goal of taking the torch of Ferrari's glorious racing heritage and bringing Ferrari back to the forefront of top-class endurance racing. MUST READ: This Tailor Made Ferrari 812 GTS Features Loro Piana Fabric In Its Interior In 2023 when the next FIA World Endurance Championship starts, it will have been 50 years since Ferrari raced its last top-class endurance race in 1973, and after a disappointing 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferrari decided to throw in the towel. It’s at the famed and auspicious 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, as it will be the 100th 24 Hours of Le Mans, that the new Ferrari racer will be put to the test and truly prove its worth in carrying on a storied Ferrari legacy, and any car enthusiast will know that this car has quite a lot to live up to. View All Ferrari 488 Pista For Sale Source: Ferrari

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By Tyler Rampersaud – July 01, 2022

This Tailor Made Ferrari 812 GTS Features Loro Piana Fabr...

This Tailor Made Ferrari 812 GTS blends the best of Italian form, function, and fashion. The open-top elegance of the Ferrari 812 GTS is hard to beat, and when you add the tailor-made customization that Ferrari offers to create a uniquely-designed look for the car, you have a very beautiful machine on your hands, let alone one that’s fast and powerful. This 812 GTS pays homage to classic sports cars and Italian elegance, and its beautiful attention to detail makes it a complete drop-top dream. MUST READ: The Upcoming Air Jordan XIV ‘Ginger’ Release With Ferrari Inspiration The exterior is finished in Verde Scuro, a dark, metallic green color that evokes classic sports cars, and this homage is continued with a livery stripe across the front in metallic Marrone Scuro. However, it’s the interior where things really become special. Cioccolato brown leather upholstery continues to echo classic cars, along with Herringbone fabric from none other than Loro Piana, an Italian fashion house and textile manufacturer famous for its excellent wool and cashmere. Together, the leather and Herringbone fabric form a classic, timeless elegance that fits right into a modern classic like the Ferrari 812 GTS. View All Ferraris For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari (@ferrari) Source: Instagram/Ferrari

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 29, 2022

Discover The Ferrari LaFerrari 3-Car Prototype Collection...

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an avid Ferrari collector to own the progression of the LaFerrari. Being the test mule for Ferrari’s EV technology, the Ferrari LaFerrari quickly gained traction as one of the most influential hypercars in the automotive industry. This came at a point in time when both Porsche and McLaren Automotive were also developing hybrid hypercars to compete for the niche market space, thus creating the ‘Holy Trinity of Hypercars'. Aside from the Porsche 918 Spyder and McLaren P1, the LaFerrari conquered its technological milestone through a lengthy development process that featured three different prototype chassis. MUST-READ: Ferrari LaFerrari Price, Specs, Photos & Review The LaFerrari achieves its impressive 950 horsepower and 664 foot pounds of toque through its unique hybrid platform, combining two electric motors with a 6.3L Naturally-Aspirated V12 engine. The luxury automotive auction specialists at Mecum Auctions are proud to offer the Ferrari LaFerrari's three-phase prototype vehicles as part of its Monterey 2022 special event. The incredible collection of prototypes showcases the progression of the LaFerrari throughout its grueling three-year testing phase. LaFerrari Phase #1 - 2011 F150 Muletto M4 Phase one of the LaFerrari pre-production takes shape as the 2011 F150 Muletto M4, an internal prototype chassis based on the Ferrari 458. The aluminum body of the modified 458 houses the full drivetrain of the LaFerrari, serving as the development prototype for mechanical components and all emissions parameters. The fabricated body panels make room to access the hybrid system and ignition module, giving the modern Ferrari 458 a futuristic look at something much more promising for the brand’s future. VIEW LISTING LaFerrari Phase #2 - 2012 F150 Mulotipo MP1 Once the new state-of-the-art hybrid engine platform proved to be the perfect drivetrain layout, Ferrari began to move onto drawing up an entirely new body design to house the engine. The second family car was deemed the 2012 F150 Mulotipo MP1, the pre-production chassis that would showcase a new carbon tub design completely unique to any other Ferrari model. The matte black carbon build served as the prototype between March 2012 and August 2013, integrating all mechanical systems to the newly designed body. VIEW LISTING LaFerrari Phase #3 - 2014 F150 Prototipe Preserie PS1 By the third and final stage of development, the LaFerrari began to find its own shape through its 2014 F150 Prototype Preserve PS1 chassis design. Visually identical to the models on the road, the exterior and interior feature definitive components such as its hybrid system, carbon fiber chassis, active aero systems, and interior highlights. Including some prototype parts that never saw production life, this final production phase vehicle stands out as the closest iteration that still holds historic significance for the Italian supercar manufacturer. The three pre-production Ferrari vehicles are set to take the stage during Mecum’s Monterey 2022 auction event on August 18-20th. View all of the Ferrari pre-production prototype vehicles for sale through duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the vehicle listing links in this special. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. VIEW LISTING Source: Mecum Auctions

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 27, 2022

The Ferrari Cavalcade Riviera Gets Off To A Record-Breaki...

The Riviera is witnessing an incredible Ferrari takeover. The largest Ferrari Cavalcade yet is setting off, and its sheer size is due to the fact that pent-up anticipation has built since this Ferrari Cavalcade Riviera has been postponed since 2020 due to the pandemic. Ferrari customers from over 30 countries around the world have brought their 144 Prancing Horse cars to this cavalcade to experience breathtaking coastlines and landscapes, beautiful cities, and the sight of Ferraris absolutely everywhere. MUST READ: Shop The All-New Ferrari Fall/Winter ’22-’23 Fashion Collection, Available Now Setting off June 27 from Sanremo, Italy, the group will drive along the coast to Monaco, then travel along the Côte d’Azur, then to the Maritime Alps, and finish the trip on June 30, in the Col de Turini pass, with a final parade in Monaco and display in Place du Casino. Coming off of an incredibly successful Cavalcade Icona, the Ferrari Cavalcade legacy continues with the start of this record-breaking and iconic event. View All Ferraris For Sale Source: Ferrari

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