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 – September 15, 2020

Adam Levine and RM Sotheby's to Auction New Ferrari Roma ...

Children are our most precious resource, and yet they many disenfranchised little ones often fall through the cracks. That's why the leader of Maroon 5 is making light of what the media won't. We're glad to report that Adam Levine and RM Sotheby's are auctioning a new Ferrari Roma to benefit Save The Children. Education is the mission of Save The Children, to give them a better chance at making something of themselves. Along with his wife Behati Prinsloo, one of the earliest-production examples will be the centerpiece of RM Sotheby's October Online Auction. Only open to North American bidders, the car will be live October 22nd. " width="680"> Learn More Built to U.S. specifications and finished in Bianco Italia over a Bordeaux leather interior, this Roma will be delivered to the winning bidder through the North American official Ferrari dealership of their choosing. Even if you don't need a 2021 Ferrari Roma for sale, please consider donating to Save The Children. Click the button above for all the information and stay with us for all your RM Sotheby's updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

One of Four 1979 Ferrari 512BB KOENIG Boxers Heading to A...

A 1979 Ferrari 512BB Boxer at auction is a rare find. Even rarer is finding one that was imported LEGALLY and has the Federal paperwork to show it is street legal. This Ferrari supercar was enhanced by Koenig Specials, the German tuning house renowned for modifications to luxury and exotic cars, especially for performance enhancement for Ferraris. The mods were made at the factory and this vehicle is believed to be one of only 4 Koenig Boxers produced. Koenig started tuning operations on Ferrari’s in 1974 with the Ferrari 365 BB. Using the finest materials and tested on test stands and in wind tunnels, these vehicles were stringently observed under both extreme road and racing conditions. Further testing and approval were given by the German Technical Supervisory Authority (TÜV). The Koenig upgrades would typically add 50% or more value to the vehicle over the standard retail price. " width="680"> The Ferrari 512 Boxer at auction has been maintained and owned by one owner since 1998 and has been serviced only at Ferrari dealerships by this owner.The Ferrari at auction is in phenomenal condition with 20,219 Km (12,563 miles) on the odometer. The current clutch and belts have less than 2500 miles on them.This is a gorgeous black on black Ferrari and is one of only 929 Ferrari 512 Boxer’s produced with a carburetor. And, of those, only a handful were legally imported to the United States and have the necessary DOT paperwork making them street legal. Compass is offering this Ferrari 512 BB Boxer at public auction on 8/15/20 with final bids starting at 12pm ET. View Listing This Car Is Being Auctioned As Lot # 100 by Compass Auctions Starting August 15th at Noon (Eastern Time) Compass provides auction and real estate sales and services for the modern era. Blending virtual online bidding platforms and technology with the live auction method of marketing and sales. Compass specializes in Luxury Goods, Firearms, Real Estate, Heavy Equipment, and Vehicles. Continually striving to provide the best in service and experience for our buyers and sellers in the industry.

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By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2020

Ferrari Enzo Auctioned by RM Sothebys For Record-Breaking...

Despite the turmoil the world has endured so far this year, we have undeniable evidence that our industry is strong. That is because a recent transaction took place online to surpass anything we could have imagined. At their recent "Driving Into Summer" auction, RM Sotheby's top-seller was Lot 294, a 2003 Ferrari Enzo. A car that originally sold for just under $660,000 in 2003 hammered for a cool $2,640,000... Top 10 Cars Sold at RM Sotheby's: Driving Into Summer Adjusted for inflation you would have made $1,708,685, which could probably cover storage costs since new. This is the most expensive transaction of any online automotive auction, by a long shot. Like we mentioned earlier today, Ferrari has been turning aluminum and carbon fiber into gold. Any Enzo, LaFerrari, F40, F50 or 250 is a sure bet, and you know where to find them. Click the button below and stay with us for all your RM Sotheby's auction coverage. Browse Ferrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2020

David Letterman's 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS Heading to Mecum Indy

We are glad Dana Mecum and his team chose to move Indianapolis back. Not only does this make it safer for bidders and sellers, it has also allowed cars of amazing pedigree to be added. Such is the case with this black beauty. David Letterman's collection will knock your socks off, but he needs to make room every so often. Therefore you will have a chance to bid on this stunning '65 Ferrari 275 GTS. To add to the provenance, it was also owned by Jon Shirley, the former president, COO and director of Microsoft. Sporting a red interior and its original engine, this Classiche-Certified GTS also comes with several 1st place trophies. Not many buyers opted for the auxiliary hard top, so you are unlikely to see a GTS like this ever again. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Mecum updates. View Listing

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 21, 2018

2017 Ferrari California T Anniversary Heading to Mecum Mo...

To celebrate their 70th Anniversary, Ferrari built 70 special examples of the California T. Of those, only a handful were custom ordered through their Tailor Made program. What you see here is the ONLY Anniversary Edition to be finished in Blu NART. It was built as an homage to the launch edition of the legendary 365 GTB/4, complete with Rosso Ferrari Daytona seats. Contrasting red and black Connolly leather can be found on the headliner, upper and lower dash, and many other areas. This was not an easy task, as the headliner of the folding hardtop is made of many pieces. The California T has received praise around the world as having the best qualities of a coupe with the grace of a proper roadster. Even with the top down, there is room for groceries or clothes for a weekend getaway. Under the hood is a twin turbo 3.9-liter V8 that offers 560 horsepower and 557 lb-ft of torque. You will reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds thanks to the 7-speed F1 transmission. As if all this wasn't enough, it was ordered with the Handling Speciale package and 20" wheels finished in Argento Nürburgring. Scuderia shields and embroidered Cavalino horses on the headrests will make a statement anywhere you go, so make sure you are registered to bid on this beauty before next Saturday. This 1 of 1 California T Anniversary is expected to bring upwards of $375,000, so be sure to tune into their YouTube stream. We will be there also, supporting the best auction house in the industry. Stay with us for all your Mecum coverage. View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2018

1995 Ferrari F50 #2 en route to Mecum Monterey

Automotive technology was advancing at a fever pace in the mid-90s. Being at the forefront of racing, Ferrari could see big changes coming to the world of supercars. That is why they decided to build the F50. As the successor to the F40, it uses a naturally aspirated V12 rated at 520 horsepower. It is one of the first Ferraris to have a carbon fiber chassis and electronic shock absorbers.Inboard suspension and a removable hardtop are a recipe for fun, and this is one of the best examples on the market. The 2nd production F50 has Serial No. 103114, Assembly No. 19963, and only 3,363 miles since new. It was ordered and delivered to Michael Gabel in Berlin, and the car remained in pristine condition until it came to the US last year. It has been federalized if you need a daily driver, but it is also Classiche. This means Ferrari inspected every inch of the car and attested to its originality.A full service included new fuel bladders and all fluids. It will be a primetime lot at Mecum's Monterey Auction on Saturday the 25th. The winner will also receive the car's soft top, owners manuals, build book, Classiche book, and the giant red suitcase to store the hardtop. This is Ferrari's last Supercar to offer a manual transmission and it was also their star at the '95 Frankfurt Auto Show. It can be a star in your collection if you are registered to bid, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Mecum coverage.View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2018

Pristine 2003 Ferrari Enzo Could be Yours

To build a supercar for the 21st Century, the master coachbuilders at Maranello decided it should be named for their founder. The Ferrari Enzo is a carbon fiber masterpiece. Essentially a street-legal version of their Formula 1 cars, it eclipsed everything they had built since the F40. Each car was built by hand, and only 399 were sold to the public. The final car was given to Pope John Paul II, who donated it to charity.Just behind the cockpit is 6.0 liter V12 that was the most powerful Ferrari production engine. It is the predecessor to the 599 GTO, F12berlinetta, and the 812 Superfast. While designed with endurance racing in mind, Ferrari also endowed it with variable valve timing and a redline that screams at 8,200 rpm. It offers 651 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque to a car that weighs under 3,000 lbs. The result is performance that will remain unmatched.Modern supercars arrive with the complexities of dual-clutch transmissions, 1,000 watts of audio, gps, and more computers than the Space Shuttle. The Enzo arrived with their bulletproof F1 transmission and Air Conditioning. Those aren't speakers on the doors, they are window cranks. You also have ABS because it was federally mandated, but this car is the last of its kind. Thankfully the owner realized that and requested Ferrari inspect it. The process to become Classiche Certified is not inexpensive, and this car is among a few Enzos to have earned it.Rosso Corsa with Rosso leather interior is the most desirable combination, and this car has only been driven 3,150 miles. It has no signs of wear inside or out, and it will roar across Mecum's Monterey Auction Block on August 25th. Much like the F40, the values of the Enzo will only keep increasing, so don't miss this opportunity. Be sure to tune in to their live feed on YouTube and stay with us for complete coverage.View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – August 08, 2018

Highly Optioned 2015 LaFerrari Heading to Monterey

Just when we thought we'd seen just how far Ferrari could take the LaFerrari in terms of options and features, Dana Mecum and his team of intrepid consignment specialists have discovered this pristine 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari. You deserve everything Maranello has to offer, so someone did their homework when it came time to order. This gorgeous Giallo Modena example has only been driven 419 miles, so get ready to be amazed.If yellow is your favorite color, you will find it on the seat piping, contrast stitching, dash, tachometer, calipers, wheel locks, and even the engine's intake manifold. Carbon fiber was added in all available spots. This includes the entire center console, mirrors, and dash accents. The dash itself is black Alcantara, a smart move to keep glare from being a distraction.Ferrari's Telemetry system is over $10,000, and it will allow you to monitor every aspect of your car at track days. Other goodies include matching luggage along with both keys and books. The only item missing is you, so make sure you are registered to bid at Mecum's Monterey Auction on August 25th. Be sure to tune in to their live YouTube stream and stay with us for all your Mecum coverage.View This Car's Listing Here

By Andrew Nabors – June 22, 2018

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO Heading To RM Sotheby's

Without a doubt, the Ferrari 250 GTO is one of the world's most coveted cars. Earlier this month, a 1963 example sold privately for nearly $80 Million dollars. So our friends at RM Sotheby's have put a conservative estimate of $45 Million on a 1962 model. It will be the centerpiece of their Monterey Auction during Monterey Car Week in August.Our friends over at Autoblog were first to notice this pristine prancing horse. This 250 GTO is chassis 3413 GT is just one of 36 examples, and it began life as a factory test car for Phil Hill at the Targa Florio. It was then sold to Edoardo Lualdi-Gabardi who won 9 out of 10 races in 1962. He sold it to Gianni Bulgari, the founder, and owner of Bulgari Jewelry. This car has complete documentation back to the factory, and it retains its original engine, transmission and differential. If you need a new daily driver, we'll see you in Monterey. If you don't need a race car, our dealers have a nice selection of Ferrari 250's that are ready for you. Stay with us for all your RM Sothebys updates. Browse Ferrari 250 For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=XBp9QmDFTfY

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