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 29, 2015

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta at Ferrari Newport Beach

From 2006 to 2012, the Ferrari 599 GTB reigned supreme as the marque's premier V12 Grand Turismo Berlinetta. To make sure it had timeless styling, the graceful silhouette was penned by the automotive artists at Pininfarina.Only a handful made it to the US, and they are rarely seen in public. That’s why we jump out of our chairs when our dealers list them for sale. This pristine example with just 841 miles was ordered with a carbon fiber roof panel along with many white interior accents.If you have room in your collection, this is your opportunity to own a piece of history. For more information, including price and more pictures, click button below to view the car's listing.View Price and Pics See More Listings For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2015

Miami Vice's Ferrari Testarossa Set to Cross the Block at...

If you can feel it coming " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> tonight, dust off your Phil Collins cassette tapes because your favorite Ferrari is going to auction. Our friends at Mecum are selling the iconic 1986 Testarossa that served as the Hero Car for Miami Vice during their August 13-15 auction in Monterey, California. For the first two seasons, Tubbs and Crockett’s 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 Corvettes. When Enzo 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 primitive 1980s television sets. After sitting in storage since 1990, the car recently had an engine out service done at Shelton Ferrari in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The odometer shows only 16,124 miles, and it is authenticated by Ferrari North America and Ferrari Classiche. Watch for it to roll across Mecum’s block during prime time at their Monterey Auction. For more Monterey updates, stay tuned to Autofluence, and to learn more about this upcoming auction, be sure to visit the Mecum website at www.Mecum.com. View Mecum's Listings Gallery (Source: Mecum Auctions) See More Event Coverage

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2015

The 599 GTO: A Road-Going V12 Racecar

Every year we hear how smaller turbocharged V8 engines will make the V12 obsolete. Ferrari’s F12berlinetta represents the state of the art for naturally aspirated twelve-cylinder power, but its predecessor was just as refined. The Ferrari 599XXFor the ultimate track-only version, they raised the rev-limiter to 9,000 rpm to make 720 hp. The 599XX debuted in 2009, and is not street legal. Many of the body panels were fashioned from race-weight carbon fiber, and many luxuries were deleted in the name of performance. The public demanded a street-legal version, which became the 2011 599 GTO.The motoring world was shocked at the performance when it lapped the Fiorano test circuit one second faster than the Enzo. Just 599 were built, with only approximately 125 making to the US. The fastest street legal Ferrari to date is also among the most sought after. Not simply an engine upgrade, the brakes are carbon ceramic and the transmission shift times were reduced to a blistering 60 ms. While the 599XX had 720 hp, to meet emissions requirements, power was dialed back to a modest 670 hp. This allowed 62 mph to arrive in only 3.35 seconds. To celebrate the long history of Ferrari and the Pininfarina families, the 599 SA Aperta was a convertible using the GTO’s powertrain. Only 80 cars were built.(See Also: Ferrari Estimated to be Valued at $11 Billion for IPO)If you need more information, Ferrari has detailed pages on each model on their Past Models pages. Do your research and make sure all services are up to date, as neglect can be a costly oversight. As its numbers were limited at its introduction, our dealers have an exclusive selection of 2011 599 GTOs for sale. Find your perfect fit, and stay tuned to Autofluence for more future classics to look for. 2011 Ferrari GTO North Miami Beach, Florida Buy Now 2011 Ferrari GTO Newport Beach, California Buy now 2011 Ferrari GTO Warrensville, Ohio Buy Now (Source: Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – June 18, 2015

Rare Vossen Forged Ferrari 458 Italia Show Car For Sale

By itself, the 458 Ferrari is a beauty. Replacing the F430, it has the power and style you would expect from the Italian sports car manufacturer. But certain modifications can take this to a whole new level. A perfect example of a 458 Italia that is beyond standard is the one Vossen Forged Wheels is selling. Used as the Vossen Forged's show car, it has been kept in "mint" condition. As it should be, because it's donning an incredibly rare finish known as "Rosso Fucco Opaco," a $32,600 option. To further enhance the car's beauty is a full Novitec package and 21- x 9-inch and 22- x 12.5-inch Vossen Forged Wheels. It comes with the Ferrari Factory Warranty until June 29, 2016 and Ferrari Maintenance until June 28, 2020 or 70,000 miles, whichever comes first, along with the 20-inch factory wheels and tires. Below are the factory options included and additional upgrades made to the car. AFS System - $1,983 Brake Calipers Yellow Color - $1,406 Carbon Fiber Racing Package - $13,228 Colored Safety Belts - $908 Leather / Alcantara Interior - $5,126 Colored Upper Dashboard - $1,240 Suspension Lifter - $4,630 Electric Steering Column - $837 Horse Stitched on Headrest - $1,204 Sport Exhaust System - $722 iPod Connection - $925 'Scuderia Ferrari' Shields - $1,620 Electrochromic Inner Mirror - $661 Rear Parking Camera - $3,637 White Rev Counter - $908 Carbon Fibre Racing Seats - $7,937 Colored Special Stitching - $471 Two Tone Body Painting - $11,242 Special Paint Color - $21,401 Total MSRP - $319,940 Vossen Forged VPS-310 F: 21x9 R: 22x12.5 - $8,800 Pirelli PZero Tires - $2,000 NOVITEC ROSSO Sport Spring Kit 458 - $1,630.00 *for lowering in combination with the original suspension. This kit is for all models including cars with the factory lift-system. NOVITEC ROSSO Front Lip Spoiler (2 pieces) - $4,390.00 *fits to the original front bumper in visible carbon. NOVITEC ROSSO Front Bumper Flaps (2 pieces) - $1,550.00 *fits to the original front bumper and extends the front splitter in visible carbon. NOVITEC ROSSO Front Bumper Ventilation-Louvers in visible carbon - $2,190.00 NOVITEC ROSSO Side Skirts in visible carbon - $5,730.00 NOVITEC ROSSO Rear Lip Spoiler in visible carbon - $3,270.00 NOVITEC ROSSO Front Bumper Splitter (2 pieces) - $2,990.00 *visible Carbon, to replace the original splitters on the front bumper. NOVITEC ROSSO Rear Fog-Light Covers - $2,250.00 *visible Carbon to replace the original cover. NOVITEC ROSSO Rear Apron fits to the original diffusor in visible carbon - $2,850.00 NOVITEC ROSSO Power Optimized Exhaust System without Flap-Regulation stainless-steel version - $6,270 NOVITEC ROSSO Side Turn Indicator Set black (2 pieces) - $230 Total NOVITEC package upgrade - $33,350 Total Vossen Forged Wheel and NOVITEC package - $44,150 As you can see, the car comes fully loaded with a plethora of options. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only own a rare car, but also a famous once. In fact, you can see the car in the video provided below. Click the button below to see the listing and asking price. View 458 Italia Price and Listing Gallery

By Edward Jones – June 10, 2015

Only LaFerrari For Sale in the U.S. at Naples Motorsports

At Naples Motorsports in Naples, Florida is the only LaFerrari for sale in the United States. This example comes finished in Nero with a tan leather interior and only 202 miles clocked on the odometer.It sits at the dealership with title in hand, loaded with options and ready to find its new owner. This is one of 499 and it's the only LaFerrari currently available in North America, making it a hot commodity.(Related: Sand White 2005 Porsche Carrera GT For Sale)Whoever jumps first at this rare Ferrari will own a piece of history. The LaFerrari "boasts the most extreme performance ever achieved by a Ferrari production car." It's powered by a V12 engine that works in conjunction with an electric motor connected to a HY-KERS system. Power output for the car is rated at 963 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. This is, indeed, Ferrari crowning achievement thus far in the new millennium.Be sure to click the button below to see the LaFerrari's listing and additional pictures.View Listing Gallery

By Andrew Nabors – June 09, 2015

The Rise of the Ferrari 575M Superamerica

Enzo Ferrari always knew that marketing his cars in the United States was a key to his success. That’s why he reserved the 575 Superamerica name for specialized versions of his best cars. No one will deny that the 575 Maranello was a proper Ferrari. It debuted in 2002 with a 5.7-liter V12 and a six-speed manual transmission as an updated 550M, touched up with smooth Pininfarina styling. While it looks great as a hardtop coupe, something was lacking. For the discerning American driver who wants the feel of a convertible, they decided to add an electro-chromatic roof panel. Much like the Magic Sky roof of the Mercedes-Benz SL, it uses an electrical current to change from translucent to opaque on command. The real treat is that if you want to feel the wind in your hair, this roof can rotate 180 degrees to lay flush into a concave depression in the deck lid. Due to the complexity of the construction and the reinforcements needed for the chassis, only 599 Superamericas were built. Because they are among the last V12 Ferrari to offer a manual transmission, we have witnessed a recent surge in their sales. Improved intake and exhaust pushed horsepower to 532 with torque sitting at 434 lb-ft. (See Also: Ferrari Trio Worth $7+ Million at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale) Only 64 cars were built with the manual transmission option, and they are among the most sought after collectible of the modern era. Optional was the HGTC handling package, which added carbon ceramic brakes and faster ratio steering along with a lower ride height. If you fancy a V12 Grand Tourer with a disappearing top, check out these listings from our dealers. 575M Superamericas For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 04, 2015

Ferrari Trio Worth $7+ Million at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale

Ferrari has a long history full of incredible cars, but there are certain iconic cars that stand out amongst the crowd. The F40, F50 and Enzo are three icons that are synonymous with the brand's penchant for speed and style.(Related: 5 Rare Exotics For Sale at Experience Auto Group)And, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you can purchase all three of these cars right now, if you should like to do so. Ferrari/Maserati of Fort Lauderdale currently has a 1991 F40, 1995 F50 and 2003 Enzo for sale, among the other incredible cars in their inventory.1991 Ferrari F40 Ferrari has been driven for only a few pampered miles by its previous owners. It has been expertly maintained by Authorized Ferrari Dealers and awarded Classiche Certification by Ferrari.View Price and Listing 1995 Ferrari F50 View Price and Listing 2003 Ferrari Enzo View Price and Listing Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale invites you to feel the experience of driving into the future as the owner of one of the world's most exotic automobiles, designed to bring you the many joys of a very special car: the Ferrari. These cars are built for speed. Experience how wonderfully it handles when it hits 150 mph on the racetrack or 70 mph on the highway. With more than 400 years of experience, we understand how to handle every detail of your special purchase.

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