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 Tyler Rampersaud – November 15, 2023

Ferrari Of Fort Lauderdale Displays Ultra-Exclusive Dayto...

An extra-special Prancing Horse made one of its first appearances. Car shows are a chance for enthusiasts to gather and celebrate automotive excellence, whether that be in the realm of luxury, performance, design, or exclusivity. However, at the latest Exotics at Dania Pointe show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, thanks to Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, luxury, performance, design, and exclusivity were celebrated all at once through the appearance of one very special Ferrari at the show. That car was the Ferrari Daytona SP3, the newest member of Ferrari’s ultra-exclusive Icona series of models, which feature unorthodox design, low production numbers, and historical inspiration. The Daytona, with a mid-mounted V12 for the first time since the Ferrari LaFerrari, was inspired by an incredibly successful group of 1960s Ferrari race cars that dominated at the eponymous legendary race track. Its dramatic curves and wide stance combine futurism and golden-age inspiration. One of the first customer examples of the new iconic supercar was displayed by Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale at Exotics at Dania Pointe, boasting a bright white exterior that highlights the car’s stunning design with its simplicity. Proudly presented for showgoers to admire, the Daytona SP3 represents the current pinnacle of Ferrari ownership, arguably the crème de la crème of collector-grade vehicles. With one of the world’s most desirable multi-million dollar hypercars on display, Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale showed everyone at Exotics at Dania Pointe just what makes the Prancing Horse so special. View All Vehicles For Sale From Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale (@ferrarifortlauderdale)

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 08, 2023

The New Ferrari Purosangue Is Arriving At U.S. Ferrari De...

Ferrari’s radical new creation hits the road. The Ferrari Purosangue represents a new chapter in the historic Italian manufacturer’s over 75-year history. With its four doors and four seats, it’s unlike anything the Prancing Horse has made before, and it provides a different approach to luxury and design from everything else in Ferrari’s illustrious lineup. The Purosangue’s various creature comforts include four power-adjustable seats, coach-style rear doors that operate electronically, and a generally comfortable yet thrilling experience for the passengers as well as the driver. All the while, under the hood rests a beastly V12 engine, staying true to Ferrari’s everlasting spirit and ethos of thoroughbred Italian performance. While the Purosangue delivers a comfortable, luxurious experience, Ferrari refused to forget its deep racing roots. With the new and different Ferrari model generating buzz all over the automotive world, Ferrari has brought the Purosangue to dealers across the United States to be experienced and driven by clients, up close and personal. Below is the new Ferrari Purosangue in action at various Ferrari dealerships across the country. View All Ferraris For Sale Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale (@ferrarifortlauderdale) Ferrari Purosangue at Prancing Horse of Nashville View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prancing Horse of Nashville (@phofnash) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Central Florida View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Central FL (@ferraricentralflorida) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of San Diego View this post on Instagram A post shared by FERRARI OF SAN DIEGO (@ferrariofsandiego) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari Silicon Valley View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari Silicon Valley (@ferrarisiliconvalley) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of San Francisco View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of San Francisco (@ferrarisanfrancisco) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari South Bay View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari South Bay (@ferrarisouthbay) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Alberta View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Alberta (@ferrarialberta) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Salt Lake City View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Salt Lake City (@ferrariofsaltlakecity) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Denver View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Denver (@ferrariofdenver) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Newport Beach View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Newport Beach (@ferrariofnewportbeach) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Miami View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Miami (@ferrariofmiami) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Seattle View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Seattle (@ferrariofseattle) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Rancho Mirage View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari of Rancho Mirage (@ferrariofranchomirage) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Beverly Hills View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shax Entertainment (@shax.ent) Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari of Austin View this post on Instagram A post shared by @ferrariofaustin Ferrari Purosangue at Ferrari Lake Forest View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari Lake Forest (@ferrarilakeforest) Ferrari Purosangue at Cauley Ferrari of Detroit View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cauley Ferrari of Detroit (@cauleyferrari)

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 16, 2023

Cauley Ferrari Of Detroit Delivers A Gaillo Strato 812 Co...

Presented in a jaw-dropping spec, this Ferrari 812 Competizione A is off to its happy new home.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 15, 2023

Boardwalk Ferrari of Plano Shows Off Orange On Orange SF9...

Through Tailor Made, Ferrari broadens its spectrum.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2023

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By Tyler Rampersaud – February 09, 2023

5 Rare Ferraris For Sale At Ferrari Quebec

Some of the greatest Prancing Horses are in the same stable. There’s no doubt that Ferrari has made some incredible cars. Even the most common automobiles to wear the famed Cavallino Rampante have been some of the most celebrated, loved, and desired things to ever have four wheels, but what that means is that the rarest and most incredible Ferraris are by leaps and bounds some of the most incredible cars ever made. Having a car in your collection that is rare and special by the standards of a storied manufacturer like Ferrari is a surefire way to take your garage to the next level, and at Ferrari of Quebec, not one, nor two, but five of Ferrari’s most incredible creations are available for sale, all rare, powerful, unique, and undeniably beautiful. 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO The first is the 2011 599 GTO. Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, which is one of the many stunning V12-powered, front-engined Ferrari grand tourers, the GTO is the 599’s most potent street-legal version with 661 horsepower, sitting just below the track-only 599 XX. Only 599 of these cars were made, and it’s one of three models to have the hallowed GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) name. View Price And Listing 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M Next is the 2009 F430 Scuderia Spider 16M, a rare and special version of the timelessly-beautiful Ferrari 430 supercar. It’s a retractable soft-top convertible equipped with a 502-horsepower V8 mounted amidships. Ferrari created the car to celebrate winning the 2008 Formula 1 Constructor’s Championship, the manufacturer’s 16th. Only 499 examples of this incredible machine were ever made. View Price And Listing 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista The Ferrari 488 is a modern supercar masterpiece, with high performance thanks to its twin-turbocharged V8 engine (like the legendary Ferrari F40) and pure-performance engineering. The 2019 488 Pista, however, is even more potent, with 711 horsepower, and also rarer. This stunning Argento Nurburgring example of the car is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cars in the world. View Price And Listing 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale New and transformational, the hybrid Ferrari SF90 Stradale isn’t an easy car to get your hands on, and considering its incredible performance and irresistible style, it’s easy to see why. The futuristic supercar bested even the legendary LaFerrari at the Fiorano Circuit, and this beautiful Rosso Fiorano-painted example shows the amazing machine in its full glory. View Price And Listing 2011 Ferrari 599 GTB 60F1 Alonso Edition Another 599, this 2011 599 GTB 60F1 Alonso Edition is the rarest car in this list. It celebrates the 60th anniversary of Ferrari winning a Formula 1 race, and with signatures from the contemporary F1 drivers for the Prancing Horse (Fernando Alonso and Froilan Gonzalez), only 40 of these stunning cars were made. View Price And Listing Some of the greatest Ferrari heritage in the brand’s entire history currently sits under one roof, so if you’re interested in any of these five amazing cars, which is likely a given, they are all available for sale at Ferrari Quebec in Montreal, Canada.

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2022

Here Is The Final Ferrari Monza To Ever Be Built

This Ferrari marks the end of a beloved model. First unveiled back in 2018, the Ferrari Monza SP1 debuted alongside its counterpart, the Monza SP2. Since then, a total of 499 examples Monza examples have been created and what you're seeing in this article is the very last example to roll off of the assembly line in Maranello. Delivered by Cauley Ferrari of Detroit, this Monza SP1 also boasts one other extraordinary accolade. If you look at this Monza SP1's exterior, you'll notice the beautiful bare carbon body. This is, in fact, the only Monza example to feature the Tailor Made bare carbon fiber exterior. Frankly, I'm surprised it's the only one because the bare carbon fiber looks absolutely wonderful on the Monza SP1. It took over three years for this specific Ferrari Monza SP1 to come to life but it appears that it was most certainly worth the wait. I want to congratulate the new owner and Cauley Ferrari of Detroit on this momentous occasion. View Inventory Source: Instagram/@cauleyferrari

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2021

Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale Hosts Lavish 296 GTB Debut Event

A wonderful chance to see the new hybrid Ferrari. Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale recently hosted a private Ferrari 296 GTB debut event where guests were finally able to see the new hybrid supercar in the flesh. The event was anticipated by all as the new 296 GTB is a truly exciting new addition to Ferrari's lineup. Powered by a V6 engine and hybrid power, this new model packs 818 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. That power allows the new Ferrari to top the F8 Tributo in terms of power. What's more, this is the first road-going Ferrari to be powered by a V6 if the Dino isn't included. We can't wait to see the new 296 GTB on the road and expect to see many come off of Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale's showroom floor. Source: Instagram/Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 03, 2021

Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale Debuts The First Ferrari 812 C...

After a long anticipated wait, the limited-edition 812 Competizione lands on U.S. soil. The Ferrari 812 chassis best highlights the true performance and craftsmanship behind the Italian supercar manufacturer’s front-engine V12 platform. With the 812 Superfast and 812 GTS making a huge impact on the automotive world, Ferrari announced its new limited-edition Competizione that features more power and aerodynamics. MUST-READ: Watch Ferrari Reveal The New 812 Competizione & Competizione A The supercar professionals at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale are proud to be the first dealership in the United States to debut the 819-horsepower Ferrari 812 Competizione Limited Edition. The car encapsulates and epitomizes the company’s 70-plus years of experience on the world’s circuits, drawing on its thoroughbred sports car DNA to deliver a perfect marriage of performance, form, and functionality. Check out the current Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale inventory available on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale Inventory Source: @ferrarioffortlauderdale IG

By Andrew Nabors – March 17, 2021

Ferrari of Central Florida Opens Nation's Largest Dual-Br...

Central Florida might be known for theme parks, but we know a place that's much more exciting. Years in the making, we're proud to announce that the nation's largest dual-branded Ferrari dealership has opened in Orlando. Onofrio Triarsi has grown Ferrari of Central Florida into a world-renowned destination, so this new location had to be one for the record books. “Guided by our passion for Ferrari, and the heritage that it represents, my family is extremely excited to design, build and bring one of the country’s largest Ferrari dealerships, and undoubtedly the most beautiful, to other Ferraris in the Central Florida community and its visitors from around the world,” Located within walking distance of the Mall at Millenia, this 4-acre campus is centered around a 62,000 square-foot service and sales facility that is over four times larger than the previous store. Factory-trained Master Technicians have 23 climate-controlled service bays to work with while your family enjoys being up close and personal with the best in Italian motoring. It will also be the home base for Triarsi Motorsports, the talented team that brought home the North American Ferrari Challenge Championship last year. Should you want something truly unique, the Ferrari Atelier has a hotline to the factory. Here you can experience leather and color options not offered in regular production. Ferrari of Central Florida has delivered incredibly unique and personalized cars over the last few years. The journey began in 1972 with Classic Coach, a sales and restoration shop in downtown Elizabeth, NJ. Now it encompasses Maserati of Central Florida, Ferrari of Tampa Bay, and Alfa Romeo of Central Florida. We have been proud to represent them for over two decades, so we'll see you in Orlando! Browse Inventory Images (C) Triarsi Automotive

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