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

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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.

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By Tyler Rampersaud – October 24, 2023

Unveiling the Ferrari SP-8: Maranello's New One-Off Maste...

Designed on the F8 Spider chassis, it's an epitome of luxurious customization and performance. Ferrari's penchant for pure automtoive excellence has been embodied once again with the unveiling of its latest One-Off creation, the Ferrari SP-8. The new masterpiece comes from Ferrari's ultra-exclusive Special Projects program, revealing an exotic car designed to deliver peak performance while offering bespoke customization. What's truly eye-catching about the Ferrari SP-8 is its architecture. Designed on the chassis of the acclaimed F8 Spider, it comes with a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8. This power unit is no stranger to accolades; it's a four-time winner of the International Engine of the Year (IEOTY) award. Interestingly, the '8' in SP-8 isn't just a numerical designation; it's an ode to luck and prosperity in Chinese culture. This nuance adds another layer of significance to the car's name. The SP-8 also carries the title of a thoroughbred roadster. It skips the roof altogether, inviting the elements for an exhilarating open-air experience. This design choice called for considerable finesse in aerodynamics, relying on an array of testing methods such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), wind tunnel evaluations, and track testing to ensure top-tier acoustic and wind comfort. Styling is another domain where the SP-8 shines brightly. From its unpainted carbon fiber front extending to the tail, to its reimagined rear section, the car oozes luxury and exclusivity. It sports a two-tone aesthetic, where matte black functional central areas intersect with luxurious carbon fiber sections. The front gets a 3D-printed, full-width, cast aluminum grille, enhancing airflow while establishing aesthetic dominance. All these elements were perfected over months by the Ferrari Styling Center and aerodynamics team, proving that the SP-8 is as much about form as it is about function. Beyond just aesthetics, changes have been made to various components of the car compared to its F8 Spider predecessor. These include redesigned headlights, rear lights inspired by the Roma, and unique whees in a matte Grigio NART shade. Inside, the central console has been modified to accommodate the F1 gearbox commands, a feature that's been part of the Ferrari lineage since the SF90 Stradale. Seats boast laser-etched Navy Blue Alcantara coupled with gradient-effect cloth, complementing carpets in specific twill fabric for an iridescent finish. The Ferrari SP-8 will first make its public appearance at the Mugello Circuit for the Finali Mondiali Ferrari 2023, followed by a showcase at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. For car enthusiasts and prospective buyers, this One-Off creation represents the zenith of what Ferrari's Special Projects program aims to achieve: a vehicle that marries unparalleled performance with luxurious personalization. And let's be honest, when you're eyeing a One-Off Ferrari, you're investing in a piece of automotive artistry. View All Ferraris For Sale Image Source: Ferrari

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 01, 2021

NOVITEC Debuts The All-New Ferrari F8 N-LARGO Spider

The Ferrari F8 Tributo Spider gets a makeover from the team at NOVITEC. The Ferrari F8 Tributo Spider continues to play a key role in the Italian supercar manufacturer’s fleet of performance-focused chassis. Created to crush lap times, the F8 Tributo incorporates state-of-the-art performance and aerodynamic technology from the factory using the brand’s rich heritage in motorsports. Although the supercar is perfect from the factory, the aftermarket specialists at NOVITEC found a few new additional modifications to take the F8 Tributo Spider to the next level. NOVITEC is proud to unveil the all-new Ferrari F8 N-LARGO Spider, one of the world’s most exclusive open-top sportscars on the market. The N-LARGO carbon bodywork with its width of 211 centimeters at the rear axle turns the Italian mid-engine sports car into an eye-catcher par excellence. NOVITEC developed particularly wide, tailor-made NOVITEC NF10 NL hi-tech forged rims in cooperation with Vossen specifically for this refit. The NOVITEC N-LARGO front fascia, which replaces the production bumper, perfectly hugs the contours of the widebody’s wider fenders and gives it an even more striking character. A lower center of gravity optimizes the handling and consequently, NOVITEC lowers the ride height of the open-top two-seater by about 35 millimeters with special sports springs. NOVITEC adapts two NOVITEC N-TRONIC modules to the electronic engine control unit that supply the V8 with performance-optimized mapping for injection and ignition while moderately increasing the boost pressure. The all-new NOVITEC Ferrari F8 N-LARGO Spider will be limited to only 15 examples, making it an anticipated release for collectors and enthusiasts. View all current Ferrari F8 Tributo Spider examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Ferrari F8 Tributo Spiders For Sale Source: NOVITEC

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2019

Ferrari F8 Spider Scorches Sicily

Separated from Italy by the Strait of Messina, the largest island in the Mediterranean offers incredible food, a unique dialect, and La Cosa Nostra. This makes it the perfect setting to show off the latest convertible from Maranello, so watch the Ferrari F8 Spider scorch Sicily. This footage shows what it takes to lead the 2nd fastest force on the island. For the record, the fastest time across Sicily was set by General Patton's 7th Army in 1943. Browse All Ferrari For Sale Regardless, the Ferrari F8 is a 710 horsepower hardtop convertible capable of being the perfect daily driver. Click the button above to find yours, and stay with us for all Ferrari updates. " width="680"> Related: Ferrari F8 Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – September 09, 2019

New Ferrari F8 Spider Revealed: Light and Powerful

The new Ferrari F8 Spider has been revealed as the spider version of the F8 Tributo and the replacement for the 488 Spider. when compared to the 488 Spider, the F8 Spider "improves on all aspects of its specifications," according to Ferrari. see all ferraris for sale The turbocharged V8 engine powering the F8 Spider pushes out 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 49 hp when compared to the 488 Spider. To achieve this increase in power, Ferrari pulled a couple of strings. Most notable is the new intake that has been moved to the rear. This move was derived from the 488 Challenge. Being a spider, one of the most important specs is the weight. Typically, you will see a heavier weight when compared to the coupe version due to the added strength needed to make up for not having a roof. Thankfully, the F8 Spider is 44 lbs lighter than the 488 Spider and just 44 lbs heavier than the 488 Pista Spider. Pricing for the Ferrari F8 Spider has not been released as of yet. Also Check Out: Ferrari 812 GTS Unveiled in Maranello Top 10 American Supercars

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