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 Jordan Aquistapace – February 25, 2022

Check The Spec: 1996 Ferrari F50 Finished in Rosso Corsa

A chance to own a piece of Ferrari history. Throughout its time as a leading Italian supercar manufacturer, Ferrari has produced some of the most iconic performance cars on the planet. As part of Ferrari’s ‘Big 5’, the F50 model stands as the middle child between famous chassis like the 288 GTO, F40, Enzo, and LaFerrari. The dedicated automotive specialists at Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, CT are proud to showcase this magnificent 1996 Ferrari F50 as part of its growing inventory of exclusive exotic cars. This Ferrari F50 example features a classic Rosso Corsa exterior finish that beautifully highlights the body lines of the 90s supercar. With a paint-matched removable Targa roof, the F50 quickly transforms into the ultimate open-cockpit driving experience for any collector or enthusiast. The factory twin 5-spoke magnesium alloy wheels add a classic Ferrari look while also incorporating weight-saving technology for better track performance. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: LOKI Basecamp Falcon 8 x RAM 3500 Cummins Inside the Ferrari F50, the interior provides a driver-focused layout that boasts simplicity overall. The race-inspired Italian supercar includes a short options list that includes a set of Rosso Corsa/Black leather sport seats and climate controls. The legendary Ferrari F50 is powered by a 4.7-Liter V12 engine that produces 512-horsepower and 347ft-lb of torque. Managed by a traditional six-speed manual transmission, the F50 launches from 0-60 in just 3.7-seconds. As part of this specific example, the vehicle also includes the factory genuine Italian leather luggage set that came with the vehicle upon delivery. This exquisite 1996 Ferrari F50 is currently available through Miller Motorcars with only 12,427 miles. Click the link below to view the duPont REGISTRY vehicle listing and to inquire about pricing. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury supercar news. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 09, 2022

A 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Asseto Fiorano For Sale At F...

A chance to own one of the most powerful Ferrari models on the market. At the epitome of Ferrari technology stands the SF90 Stradale, the Italian supercar manufacturer’s answer to combining hybrid technology with classic performance-focused engineering. The knowledgeable team at Ferrari of Lake Forest is proud to present this 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale equipped with the highly-desirable Assetto Fiorano Package. The exterior is finished in a two-tone design that features the classic styling of Ferrari’s Rosso Corsa and Nero paint codes, which accentuate the aggressive body lines of the Italian supercar. The body of the SF90 Stradale is further enhanced with carbon fiber components that include front bumper inserts, side air splitters, a rear diffuser, and a set of sport-style wheels. Inside, the interior layout takes on a minimalistic design that features a Nero leather finish with Speciale Rosso colored stitching. The driver-oriented cabin is fitted with a set of XL Ferrari design racing seats layered in Alcantara inserts and Rosso safety belts. The Asetto Fiorano package offers a 66-pound weight savings, added performance upgrades, aerodynamic enhancements, and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is packed with power, offering over 980-horsepower from the hybrid power twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8. This 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano is currently available from Ferrari of Lake Forest with 549-miles for $994,900. Check out the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below for more information. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 11, 2021

Check The Spec: 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista Finished In Blue E...

This highly-optioned 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista is sure to stand out on any road or track. The Ferrari 488 Pista is the Italian supercar manufacturer’s track-focused chassis designed to push the boundaries of design, performance, and technology. McLaren Charlotte is proud to offer this stunning one-of-a-kind 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista spec’d out to differentiate itself from all other supercars on the road. The exterior of the 488 Pista is finished in a vibrant Blue Electrico paint code with silver racing stripes to help accentuate the aggressive lines that provide top-notch aerodynamics. As part of the well-optioned configuration, the 488 Pista comes delivered from the factory with a full exterior carbon fiber package that includes side skirts, front lip, rear diffuser, and rear quarter panel air inlets. The use of carbon fiber continues with a set of 20-inch factory racing wheels crafted completely from carbon fiber, which is contrasted with gloss silver brake calipers. MUST-READ: Check Out This New Bugatti Chiron Sport Finished In ‘Petrol Blue’ When opening the doors to the Italian supercar, the vision of blue finds its way into the interior layout. The most noticeable aspect of the Ferrari 488 Pista interior is the blue exposed carbon fiber trim, designed to complement the exterior of the vehicle. The sport-style seats are layered in charcoal and blue navy Alcantara with the iconic prancing horse proudly stamped on the headrest. While some specifications sport modest designs, this 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista stands out to accommodate the 3.9L Twin-Turbocharged V8 engine that makes over 711-horsepower. This 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista is now available through the supercar professionals at McLaren Charlotte with 129-miles on the odometer. View the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY and inquire about pricing by clicking the link below. View The 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 27, 2021

Check The Spec: A Ferrari SF90 Stradale Finished in Giall...

A chance to own one of the most unique Ferrari SF90 Stradale examples on the market. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is known as the Italian supercar manufacturer’s most exclusive and powerful vehicle. This one-of-a-kind 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale is offered to the public by the professionals at HGreg Lux in Pompano Beach, Fl. The exterior features a special Giallo Triplo Strato paint finish with the Giallo Modena DS livery package. Alongside the performance design of the SF90 Stradale, the configuration includes a set of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber wheels finished in exposed gloss carbon. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: Tailor-Made Ferrari Monza SP1 While performance is key, the build also includes the Asetto Fiorano package, which features a 66-pound weight savings, added performance upgrades, aerodynamic enhancements, and a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The interior layout of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale continues its vibrant vision with a pair of carbon fiber racing seats overlaid with Rosso Ferrari genuine leather with added Giallo Triplo Strato trim. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is packed with power, offering over 98-horsepower from the hybrid power twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8. This 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale is currently available with 25 miles for $1,100,000. Click the link below to see the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY. View This 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Listing

By Edward Jones – August 26, 2021

Rare 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta For Sale - 1 of 80

A chance to own an award winner. Back in 1990, the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show as a very special roadster version of the 599 supercar. Ferrari created the new 599 SA Aperta to celebrate Pininfarina's 80th anniversary, and that's why it was limited to just 80 examples. With such a short production run, this supercar is uncommon in the automotive world and that's why this example for sale at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale is a rare opportunity. The example listed for sale won First In Class and the Platinum Class 10 Award at Cavallino. It's finished in Rosso Corsa over Nero and features a load of options. Factory options include a carbon fiber LED steering wheel, red brake calipers, full electric seats, Rosso stitching and seatbelts, HomeLink and more. With just 1,268 miles on its odometer, this one-owner Ferrari 599 SA Aperta is in immaculate condition. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Price and Listing Image Source: @ferrarifortlauderdale/Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 23, 2021

This 1-of-20 Ferrari F8 Tributo By Keyvany Is Now Availab...

A chance to own the ultimate limited-edition Ferrari F8 Tributo by Keyvany. When it comes to modified supercars, the team at Creative Bespoke in Phoenix, AZ specializes in delivering one-of-a-kind examples with the power to prove its upgrades. Now available through duPont REGISTRY, Creative Bespoke is proud to present this limited-edition 2021 Ferrari F8 Tributo by German tuner Keyvany. The collaboration between Keyvany and Creative Bespoke will guarantee quality and craftsmanship. With over $130k invested in modifications, the Ferrari F8 Tributo build includes the Keyvany full carbon aero package, full titanium race exhaust system, VR ECU stage 2 tune (840 HP), Novitec sport springs, AL-13 forged 22/21 wheels with Pirelli Pzero tires, and Xpell clear paint protection. The build focuses on pushing the limits of both design and performance, which is why it’s one of the only modified F8 Tributo examples on the market. Check out the duPont REGISTRY list of this limited-edition 2021 Ferrari F8 Tributo from Creative Bespoke by clicking the link below. View This 2021 Ferrari F8 Tributo Listing

By Edward Jones – May 20, 2021

One-of-a-kind 2021 Ferrari 812 GTS For Sale

You won't see another Ferrari on the road like this one. The new Ferrari 812 GTS is already making waves in the automotive marketplace and this example is no exception. Available at EUROCAR, this 812 GTS is a true one-of-a-kind, featuring a slew of special and attractive features. First up is the custom orange finish that's contrasted by black trim. Other features include the Capristo exhaust, Novitec suspension, and custom Vossen wheels. EUROCAR notes that the original parts are available for an extra charge. On the odometer, this 812 GTS reads just 437 miles, making extraordinarily close to being an untouched example. To see more of this remarkable Ferrari, click the button below to view its listing. View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 19, 2021

Rare Sunroof Six-Speed Ferrari 360 Modena Coupe For Sale

Presented by Ferrari Lake Forest - This specific 360 is one of the rarest and most desirable 360 Modena’s produced. In addition to being equipped with a manual six-speed transmission, it was also optioned with a " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>. It is believed that only 25 cars worldwide were fitted with this option and of those only 12 were released in the US market. The manual removable section works like a GTS body style and adds almost no additional weight so the center of gravity won’t be affected. The detachable sunroof stores neatly behind the seats. With less than 23,550 miles, this unique 360 would make an exquisite addition to any collection. The 360 Modena was a clean-sheet design that foretold future trends for Ferrari road cars. The design called for seemingly contrasting objectives, lower weight combined with greater chassis rigidity. The engineers in Maranello were able to achieve such success by employing innovative construction technology. The 360 Modena was the first production Ferrari to be constructed entirely out of aluminum. The car's body shell, chassis, and suspension wishbones were all made from lightweight material. Aluminum allowed engineers to achieve the best overall performance and handling in a mid-engined Ferrari at the time. The Chassis was designed and built in collaboration with Alcoa. The partnership allowed for a structure to be built that was 40% stronger in structural rigidity and 28% lighter, compared to the model's predecessor, the 355. The suspension mounting points are one-piece casting and the chassis was assembled on the same technique used for the F50, a CNC workstation. The styling was the 163rd Ferrari to be penned by Pininfarina. It combines elements of classic Ferraris, such as the 250LM, 268SP, and Dino. Like the 488 and many other modern Ferrari models today, the 360 Modena was the first Ferrari to show the ventrally mounted V8 engine under a glass cover. View Price and Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 15, 2020

TSG Autohaus Has A One-Of-A-Kind 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuder...

As supercar manufacturers like Ferrari begin new ventures with models such as the 488 and 812 Superfast, we tend to look back at their predecessors and the unique specs that now classify them as collector cars. TSG Autohaus specializes in finding these rare specifications and offering one-of-a-kind chassis to the public. The Costa Mesa, California dealer is proud to showcase an extremely rare 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M finished in Marrone Metallizzato paint, believed to be the only one of the 499 produced. A similar brown Iroko leather interior and gold-finished wheels complement the design of the F430 Scuderia 16M, even paying homage using the Italian racing livery flag down the center. Along with the added options from the factory, TSG Autohaus holds a complete breakdown of aftermarket accessories added to the Ferrari once ownership was taken. Sold new and serviced locally, this 16M has sat in a private collection its entire life. This is truly an exquisite example of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M, as reportedly under 150 of 499 were brought to the U.S., to which none are uniquely specified as this one. Enquire about this 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M from TSG Autohaus by clicking the link below or calling George at (855) 421-8824. View This 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia 16M

By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2020

Certified 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider For Sale

Presented by Ferrari of Houston - When Ferrari decided to send the 488 to the track, it quickly gained the adoration of drivers the world over. Using lessons learned in making it to victory lane, the factory decided to adapt a few track-inspired upgrades to the convertible, and that is why we offer this certified 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider for sale. In order to offer more power, the Pista only shares a handful of parts with the normal 488 series. Starting with more power, engineers bestowed it with aggressive cams, more boost, titanium rods, and Inconel exhaust. At your command will be 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The mirrors might be the same, but nearly every body part was sculpted to cut through the air. Even with the powered folding hardtop, this Spider is the first convertible in Ferrari's history to be lighter than its coupe counterpart. Even the wheels alone are 20% lighter, offering a smooth ride and incredible response in the corners. The icing on the cake is the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. This new system allows side slip at incredible angles by careful brake modulation. Because allocations for the Pista Spider are difficult to obtain, the owner decided to go all-in. Utilizing every ability of their Ferrari Atelier, the team at Ferrari of Houston decided to make history. Starting with Grigio Ferro Metallic, this historic livery has a color change and it is extended to the interior. The special features on the window sticker continue with the Italian Flag, special threads, special leather, floor mats, seat belts, and other items you never knew could be customized. Needless to say, the time and money it took to build this car make it impossible to replicate. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing inventory from Ferrari of Houston and Ferrari of The Woodlands. View Listing

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