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 – 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

By Andrew Nabors – June 01, 2018

Report: Ferrari 250 GTO Sells For $80 Million

It might be impossible to take a bad photo of a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO; the iconic curves look great in any situation.But we're not here to talk about just any Ferrari 250. The specific car we're here to talk about, chassis 4135 GT, placed fourth at its first race. That race just happened to be LeMans in 1963. Next, it won the 10-day Tour de France rally in 1964. The car has raced around the world and in a post on FerrariChat, it's said that it has now sold for $80,000,000 (stated that it was "a bit less than CHF 80 million in the forum) in a private sale.This sale, if true, breaks all previous records, including the famous $38 million sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. According to forum posts, the new owner of the car is David MacNeil, the CEO of WeatherTech, but this is not confirmed.To give you an idea of how loved the Ferrari 250 is, below is the video of the previously mentioned 1962 250 GTO selling for $38 million at auction in 2014. If you're looking for your own Ferrari 250, click the link below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news.Browse Ferrari 250 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2018

Cavalino Winning 1989 Ferrari 328 GTS For Sale

Everyone wanted to be Magnum PI back the late 1980's. Tom Selleck's fancy driving was a great advertisement for the Ferrari 308, and its successor the Ferrari 328 GTS. Because it performed so well on TV and on the track, finding a well-preserved example from this era is nearly impossible.That's why our friends at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale jumped at the opportunity to add this one to their inventory. Chassis # 81932 has only been driven 9,944 miles in the past 3 decades. Being the best example of the 328, it was Classiche Certified and won first place at Cavalino this year. It received 99.5/100 points, narrowly missing a perfect score due to a faulty fog light bulb.Having both of those awards allows this car to speak for itself. You will not find any signs of wear inside or out, my only objection is the all-season Goodyear Eagle Sport tires. Even though it won't see much time on the street, she deserves a set of Pirelli's new run of vintage tire sizes. If you would like more information on this piece of history, please contact Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale at 954-715-7500 or simply click the link below.View Details

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2018

Fantastic Four: Exceptional Selection of Ferraris at Alga...

If winter has you feeling blue, we have something guaranteed to lift your spirits. It was down in the 40's here in Florida, so we asked our dealers for their hottest deals. Algar Ferrari in Philly sent over a quartet of rare Italian Stallions.1980 F12 Berlinetta BoxerFirst up is an immaculate 512 Berlinetta Boxer. If you like the sound and power of a carburetor, this 5.0 liter flat-12 has four Weber carbs. Fuel injection arrived in '81, so this car is the end of an era. With only 9,767 miles, it is a pristine example of a car Ferrari never intended to sell in the US. Only 929 examples were produced between 1976 and '81, and their performance was unmatched. It arrived with a twin-disk clutch and dry-sump oil system for reliability on the track. Officially rated at 360 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, these light & nimble machines are a blast to drive.View Price & Specs2017 GTC4 LussoThey did it because everyone said it wasn't possible. Nobody thought Ferrari would build a hatchback 4-seater with AWD. The GTC4 Lusso has a 680 horsepower twin turbo V8 delivering 514 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. It is laden with standard equipment to offer the best traction in any situation. The AWD system is combined with an electronic differential, magnetic suspension, and 4 wheel steering. Inside you are treated to a dual-cockpit design, with the passenger is treated to a display of traction and engine data. A panoramic roof offers an unobstructed view of the sky for all passengers. Only 3,832 miles means this car is still under warranty and service is included. Dare to be different.View Price & Specs2010 458 ItaliaThe best business is repeat business, and Algar takes pride in offering this one again. It was purchased new, traded in and sold to its second owner by the same sales team. Being delivered and serviced exclusively by Algar, it has a complete history from Maranello to now. Optioned to the stratosphere, it has yellow calipers, Daytona seats, 2-tone interior, fire extinguisher, car cover, battery tender, yellow tach, and 20" forged wheels. The 458 Italia is powered by Ferrari's final naturally aspirated V8 engines. It makes power from idle to 9,000 rpm, and you dont have to worry about enine-out services of yesteryear. The 458 has timing chains instead of belts used on the older cars. And with only 13,568 miles, you have the best years ahead of you. This banana is ripe for the picking!View Price & Specs2009 430 Scuderia Spider 16MFerrari knows how to celebrate a Formula1 victory. In fact, they have won the manufacturer's championship no less than 16 times. To show the world what they are capable of, the 16M was the ultimate Ferrari convertible. Not simply an F430 Scuderia built with a convertible top, it was a statement to the world. The exhaust system was taken directly from the track, and the interior was carbon fiber except for the seats. Only 499 examples were produced, this one is finished in Tour de Force Blue with a blue top and a red tachometer. With only 2,720 miles, it is ready to be the centerpiece of your collection.View Price & Specs As always, we strive to bring you the best deals on the best Ferraris, so stay with us and check out Algar's other inventory.Browse Algar Ferrari Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – July 15, 2017

1999 Ferrari F355 For Sale

Doing your research should be a critical part of any purchase, especially when it involves a pre-owned car. We've seen the best and worst scenarios involving oversights or undisclosed information by a previous owner. Failure to adhere to the manufacturer's service schedule can transform your car into a time bomb, which is why all service information needs to be evaluated before the money changes hands. In the case of used exotics, some services are more expensive than a nice daily driver. Such is the case with Italians from the 90's. We're most certainly not singling them out because most 90's cars were designed without regard to maintenance.For cars like the Ferrari F355 and its contemporaries, the costs for seemingly routine repairs have led to a negative perception by those who aren't worthy of such a masterpiece. The team at JR Garage bought an abused example to shed light on the costs of neglect.Here is what happens when you don't research the car's history. After the purchase they found a few items that needed to be addressed:Oil Change $275 Engine out service-alternator replacement $11,755 Engine out service -valve guide leak $10,337 Flywheel resurfaced, gaskets and F1 sensors $6747 Clutch inspection, adjustment, change the fluid $1543 Replace sticky interior buttons $2500 4 new style OEM Style Replacement tires -Pirelli $1,600 Complete brake job $3,000 So after owning the car for 1,000 miles, the cost of keeping it roadworthy was: $37,735. That is $735 more than I paid for a new 2002 Camaro SS...If you wonder how this nightmare could have been avoided, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It comes in the form of Ferrari's service department. JR's F355 with the Formula1 transmission is worth more in parts, but for every poorly maintained car there are a few with unblemished records. Located in Torrance, Ferrari of South Bay has been a mainstay in the duPont REGISTRY for years. That is because they are the premier sales and service center in southern California. Their pre-owned inventory is worthy of your consideration; because if you don't want to make the mistake seen in the video above make sure your F355 is like this one.A silver F355 GTS with the F1 transmission is a great way to become a Ferrari owner. The GTS was based on the coupe, but it was reinforced to in order to accommodate a Targa top. The roof can be stowed behind the seats, combining the best features of the coupe and convertible. The single-clutch automatic F1 transmission was only offered on 529 examples of the GTS, making it somewhat rare. Horror stories about the early F1 gearboxes have been squelched by modern improvements to the clutch and software. The major service item on them are the timing belts. It is a time-consuming procedure that requires the engine to be dropped. But this car had it performed n late 2015 at 18,800 miles. The clutch is the other expense, but it shows 89% left as of 19,890 miles.Stored inside since new, the black leather interior is not cracked or faded. With only 19,928 miles, this car is a time capsule back to MP3s and Y2K.1999 Ferrari F355 F1 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2017

Miami Vice 1986 Ferrari Testarossa For Sale

If you can feel it coming in the air tonight, dust off your Phil Collins cassette tapes because your favorite Ferrari is up for sale. Adams Classic & Collector Cars is offering the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa driven by Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas. For the first two seasons, Crocket and Tubbs' primary ride was a black Daytona Spyder. The Spyder bodies were as close to real Ferraris as Universal could afford, but in reality, they were heavily modified C3 Corvettes. When Enzo Ferrari heard of the forgery, he threatened the producers with a lawsuit. To settle the dispute, two black Testarossas were provided at the beginning of the third season. Since the show was mostly filmed at night, the cars were painted white to offer more contrast on 1980s televisions. Miami Vice changed the way cars were filmed. Mounting huge cameras in unlikely places to get the perfect shot raised the bar for every action series to date.The identical cars led different lives. For all the high-speed action and iconic chase scenes, the first car was driven hard. But this one (Chassis 63631) was the star of the show. Used in close-up shots and less demanding roles, it was preserved in near-perfect condition from 1990 to when it was discovered in 2015. Ferrari Classiche and Ferrari North America authenticated it, and those documents are included with the car. Because it was used for many still scenes, only 16,174 miles are on the odometer. Also included are the original tools, receipts, and service records. All mechanicals were inspected in a recent engine-out, so it's ready for a cruise of South Beach. The original title showing Universal Studios is included, along with 2 keys and books. Please take care of this classic, if not Edward James Olmos might pay you a visit. All offers will be kept confidential, so contact Adams Classic & Collectible Cars in the link below.View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – September 27, 2016

1995 Ferrari F50 at Velocity Motorcars

To celebrate a half-century of building the world's fastest cars, Ferrari built one for the ages. The F50 reigned supreme from 1995 to 1997 as the successor to the legendary F40. It's powered by a 4.7-liter version of their 3.5-liter V12 engine from the early 90's Formula 1 team. Transforming a race engine to behave well on the street is no easy task, but it allowed the driver to have 514 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque on tap. It was to be the last Ferrari supercar to have three pedals, and the close ratio six-speed manual was the only gearbox offered. It may look like a hard top coupe, but a large storage box for the removable roof is included.The mid 90's saw a host of advances in engine technology along with ever-tightening safety standards. Sixty mph arrives in 3.8 seconds on your way to 194 mph. Ferrari knew this would be their last street legal race car, so production was limited to only 349 examples. It has all the conveniences of a street car with a dry weight of 2,700 lbs. Sadly, we will never see another car with such a brutal power-to-weight ratio, or another race engine disguised for the street. As part of the Halo Collection, it has only amassed 1,598 miles since new. Considering the recent sales records of its stablemates, this Classiche Certified Ferrari F50 is a solid investment.View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2016

1 of 1 Naked Carbon Fiber Ferrari Enzo For Sale

Only a handful of cars look better without paint, and this is one of them. The only Enzo to leave the factory in bare carbon fiber has been acquired by our friends at Exotic Motors Midwest, and it looks amazing. You might think a manufacturer would give you a discount when buying an unpainted car because it's less work and materials for them, but not Ferrari. We're not sure how much more the original owner had to pay for this one, but this line item on the window sticker is probably more expensive than your daily driver.Ferrari For Sale (Also Read: 2016 Ferrari F12tdf For Sale: 1 of 799) One of only 400 examples produced, the Enzo was built as a tribute to Mr. Ferrari. To be worthy of his name, it was powered by a 6.0L V12 tuned to 651 hp and 485 lb-ft. The transmission is a single clutch automated manual which was borrowed from the Formula1 team. Enzo dominated the supercar world for nearly a decade, and prices have been steadily rising for a few years. We could go on listing the specs, but if you are in the market for this car, you have probably done your homework. This car speaks for itself, so enjoy the images and click on the link for more information. Stay tuned for more rare Ferraris! View Price and Listing

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2016

2016 Ferrari F12tdf For Sale: 1 of 799

Most people associate the Tour de France with human powered transportation, but the original race was done with automobiles. Ferrari's F12tdf is named for the race because like the early racers, this modern supercar pushes the limits of traction and horsepower. Only 799 cars will be produced, and only a fraction will make their way to the US.Ferrari F12tdf For Sale Our friends a Fusion Luxury somehow acquired this one with only 101 miles on the odometer. By utilizing some of the high revving features of their F1 program, it uses solid lifters and high compression to make 769 hp and 520 lb-ft of torque. The seven-speed F1 transmission has unique gearing to keep the engine in its powerband along with a top speed north of 211. Compared to an F12berlinetta, the body is more aggressive to handle the increased speeds. Ferrari says the aero efficiency of the F12tdf is almost twice that of the base model.Ferrari F12 For Sale (Related: 2012 RUF CTR3 Clubsport For Sale)As you can see in the window sticker, this car was ordered with every option. The interior is awash in red leather and carbon fiber, with a linear tachometer for the enjoyment of your passenger. If you think you can handle the rarity and the power, Fusion Motors has your next ride.View Listing

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2015

1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder at Gullwing Mot...

Available at Gullwing Motor Cars of Long Island City, New York is a stunning 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spyder. This example is unrestored and comes with its preserved original interior. The chassis number is #1425 GT, as is the engine number.This is one of only 50 LWB California Spiders ever built and comes with cold-air box and velocity stacks. The buyer of this car will also receive its extensive record, the tool roll and sales literature.For more information, including price, be sure to click the button below.View Price and Listing Gallery

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