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 Edward Jones – July 28, 2015

Ferrari 488 Spider Officially Revealed

In a press release issued today, the new Ferrari 488 Spider has been officially unveiled as the convertible counterpart to the 488 GTB.This is the most powerful mid-rear-engined V8 automobile to feature the patented retractable hard top.Powering the car is the same turbocharged V8 engine that debuted in the 488 GTB months ago. This new engine gives the Spider 660 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque to play with. When pushed, Ferrari's new model will sprint from 0-62 mph in 3 seconds flat and 0-124 mph in 8.7 seconds.According to the press release, this is the "most aerodynamically efficient Ferrari spider ever built." This was made possibly through several new devices, including a blown spoiler and an underbody featuring vortex generators.For the makeup of the car's chassis, Ferrari used 11 different aluminum alloys, as well as other metals, such as magnesium. This allows the the Spider to have the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness figures as its coupe counterpart. In fact, the chassis' performance is increased by 23 percent over its predecessor, the 458 Spider.Helping the car's driving capabilities is the fully integrated SSC2 Side Slip Angle Control System, which ups the Spider's acceleration out of corners by 12 percent when compared to the 458 Spider. In fact, response times in general are 9 percent faster than its predecessor.Pricing for the car has not yet been announced, but be sure to stay with us for more news on the Ferrari 488 Spider as it is released.Gallery (Source: Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

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By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2015

40 F12berlinettas on the Nurburgring

During some of the Motor Trend Auto Shows where we've had a duPont REGISTRY Live stand, I have had the opportunity to drive a few examples of Ferrari's F12berlinetta.Each time is more rewarding than the last thanks to the time and engineering that Ferrari put into the car. The harder you push it, the more it surprises you. It’s safe to say the F12 will never let you approach its limits of grip and braking on any public road, and you shouldn't try to reach them on a public road anyway. That’s why the only way to experience all it has to offer is on the track. On July 8, we told you about Ferrari’s unprecedented track day at the Nurburgring. The still images were published almost immediately, but the video was not as forthcoming. After patiently waiting, we now have a short and sweet highlight reel from the event.(See Also: Ferrari 488 GTB Flies Down the Autobahn at 210+ mphIn a video uploaded to their YouTube page July 21, the gaggle of F12berlinettas can be seen blasting along an ideal line laid out by Ferrari’s Head Development Test Driver Raffaele De Simone. We have never seen 29,200 hp set to music before, but the way these cars handle the battle scarred pavement of the old Nordschlefie “North Loop” is undeniably impressive.Check out the video above, and when you're finished, find your own F12berlinetta for the next track day near you.F12berlinettas For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 22, 2015

Ferrari 488 GTB Flies Down the Autobahn at 210+ MPH

There is nothing that we can condone about this video, except for the fact that it's a great example of the 488 GTB's power.The Ferrari 488 GTB is, in short, a beast. It was officially unveiled Feb. 3, and features a turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That set up creates 660 hp and 560 lb-ft, and Ferrari lists its top speed as sitting around 205+ mph.Well, it seems that Youtube user rmitchell248 and a friend in the driver's seat have challenged that top speed. A video posted July 11 shows a claimed top speed of 341 km/h, or approximately 211 mph, reached in a Ferrari 488 GTB while cruising down the Autobahn, Germany's road famous for its lack of speed restrictions in certain locations.Though what they're doing isn't technically illegal, and only because it's on the Autobahn, we cannot recommend anyone attempt recreating this. Traffic can clearly be seen in the video, with cars flying past the window as if they were at a dead stop. It's possible that the footage was doctored, but there's no denying they hit some intense speeds.(See Also: A Race for the Ages: LaFerrari vs. McLaren P1)Watch the video above, and when you're ready for a track day with your own Ferrari, under professional supervision, of course, find a model from our exclusive listings at the button below.Ferraris For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 10, 2015

Ferrari FXX-K, 599XX & FXX Revving Battle

If you have headphones, check the volume levels before hitting play on this video - if they're too high, you might have some hearing damage.The Ferrari FXX, 599XX and FXX-K are arguably some of the most powerful and impressive vehicles to come from the Italian manufacturer, and that's not to mention how exclusive they are. As part of the marque's Corse Clienti program, you can "own" one of these vehicles, but they are kept at the Maranello headquarters and can only be driven during scheduled Corse Clienti days.And when those days happen, the noise of these engines draws quite the crowd.WorldSupercars was at one of the most recent events, camera in hand, and captured a few photos and minutes of footage, posted to Facebook July 5 and YouTube July 6, of the three XX monsters warming up their engines together.They're all impressive cars, but your eyes just linger on the FXX-K; it looks like its ready to rip your head off, and it sounds like it is, too. "Sadly I had no earplugs," describes the video's caption, "And so my ears were bleeding at the end."It's the stuff of both dreams and nightmares in one package.Hit the video above to see it for yourself, and find a slightly toned down but still immensely powerful Ferrari for yourself from our exclusive listings.Ferraris For Sale(Source: Facebook, YouTube via Carbuzz) See More Ferrari News

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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 Caitlin Duffy – July 08, 2015

40 Ferrari F12berlinettas Take Over Nurburgring Nordschleife

One F12berlinetta is an impressive thing to see. A group of F12berlinettas is nearly heart stopping. 40 F12berlinettas in the same place at the same time is near insanity - but it happened.The largest gathering of F12berlinettas that the Nurburgring has ever seen occurred recently, when 40 of Ferrari's 730 hp V12 beasts gathered to take turns lapping the green hell an average of 15 times each. A press release from the marque July 7 described the driving day for Ferrari owners, who all had a chance to learn from the Head fo Ferrari Development Test Drivers, Raffaele De Simone.(See Also: The 599 GTO: A Road-Going V12 Ferrari Racecar)Simone started by guiding the group around the Nordschleife in his own F12berlinetta to show them the ideal line to follow, then sat with each owner for a few hot-laps to coach them on getting the most out of their vehicle.Take a moment to browse our exclusive listings of F12berlinettas at the button below and start preparing for your day around the track. As always, stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.F12berlinettas For Sale Gallery (Source: Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 08, 2015

LaFerrari vs. 458 Speciale Drag Races

Tim Burton, better known as Shmee150 on YouTube, is known for managing to be at the right place at the right time with a video camera whenever something incredible involving supercars happens. On July 3, he added a video of another one of those moments, featuring two of Ferrari's most potent engines going up against each other.(Related: Insane Porsche 911 Turbo vs. Lamborghini Aventador Drag Race)At Vmax Hypermax, a recent Vmax 200 event, Burton managed to capture footage of a Ferrari 458 Speciale racing a LaFerrari down an airstrip. A regular gathering of supercar owners, Vmax 200 events allow drivers to test out their car's top limits in a safe and controlled environment, and the results are always a spectacular show.Check out the spec comparison between Ferrari's V8 and electric motor/V12 combo below, then watch the video and let us know if the results of this match up surprised you. When you're done, find your own 458 Speciale or LaFerrari to test out at an event like this.458 Speciale Engine: 4.5-liter V8 Horsepower: 597 Torque: 398 lb-ft Transmission: 7-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission Weight: 2,843 lbs 0-62 mph: 3.0 seconds Top Speed: 201+ mph View 458 Speciales For SaleLaFerrari Engine: 6.3-liter V12 Horsepower: 949 Torque: 663+ lb-ft Transmission: 7-speed DCT Weight: 3,495 lbs 0-62 mph: <3 seconds Top Speed: 217+ mphEditor's Note: It seems as though some of the specs for the LaFerrari and 458 Speciale were mixed up, but the necessary revisions were made to correct these mistakes.(Source: YouTube) See More Ferrari News

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 Caitlin Duffy – July 06, 2015

Ferrari Estimated to be Valued at $11 Billion for IPO

There have been plans in the works for Ferrari to become a publicly traded company for quite some time, but CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV Sergio Marchionne has released some concrete details about this shift in ownership.As Bloomberg Business reports, Marchionne announced the estimated value of Ferrari during the Fiat 500's unveiling July 3. It stands at "at least 10 billion euros," or approximately $11 billion USD, an amount that could account for 60 percent of FCA's total value. Of course, only 10 percent of the company will be made available to public investors, a move consistent with the marque's emphasis on scarcity and rarity in determining value.(See Also: Ferrari 488 GTB Takes on Hairpin Roads)To become a publicly traded company in the New York stock exchange, Ferrari is being listed as a Dutch holding with finances headquartered in the United Kingdom. Though production will continue to occur in Maranello, these changes of address push the brand closer to becoming a truly international company. Chairman of Ferrari, Sergio Marchionne, and former Chairman of Ferrari, Luca di Montezemolo.There is some concern that the change in ownership could alter the brand's long-term value, with many fearing the design direction and commitment to F1 racing will fall to the wayside in the hunt for revenue. Yet the fact that just a 10 percent stake is being made available makes this unlikely. If this single marque represents 60 percent of FCA, which owns Dodge, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Ram, SRT, Fiat and more, it's safe to say they're aiming to preserve Ferrari's current formula for success.Stay with us for more information about this upcoming initial public offering, and find your own Ferrari from our exclusive listings below.Ferraris For Sale (Source: BloombergBusiness) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 01, 2015

High-Speed Ferrari FXX K Hillclimb at Goodwood

Ferrari was out in full force over the weekend of June 26 for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, bringing a total of 96 cylinders to the Supercar Paddock.Their full fleet of XX vehicles were in attendance, and as a June 28 press release from the marque tells us, all three, the FXX, 599XX and FXX K, completed the hill climb in their first appearance at the world-famous automotive festival.The FXX K was first introduced in December 2014, when it was announced as upgraded, track ready take on the already impressive LaFerrari. 1,035 hp and 663 lb-ft comes from the addition of new camshafts and modification of the LaFerrari's valve train, intake manifolds and exhaust system. It has only been seen on the track a few times since its $2.7 million price tag and 32 example production run were announced, but the Hill Climb provided a fantastic opportunity to see it in action.BalticMotorSport had a chance to share a YouTube video June 30 of the FXX K taking its turn around the track, which you can see above. As the Ferrari press release tells us, it was followed by the LaFerrari, F12berlinetta, 488 GTB and California T.(See Also: 15 LaFerraris Gathered for Ferrari Cavalcade Rome)Check out the video above to see the FXX K in action, and when you're finished, find your own perfect Ferrari from our exclusive listings at the button below.Ferraris For Sale(Source: YouTube, Ferrari) See More Ferrari News

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