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 Tyler Rampersaud – June 16, 2022

Ferrari Makes Big Announcements In Its New 2022-2026 Stra...

Ferrari’s Capital Markets Day reveals an exciting near future for the brand. We’ve been anticipating Ferrari’s first SUV, the Purosangue, for quite some time now. As we’ve seen with other brands across the automotive industry, luxury performance SUVs have the ability to make a significant mark on the brand’s performance and portfolio. During its Capital Markets Day where Ferrari’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan was announced to investors, the brand announced that the Purosangue is scheduled to be unveiled in September of this year, but that was just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what Ferrari has in store for the coming years as it transforms before our eyes. When it comes to new models and electrification, the Ferrari of the future is going to be different than the Ferrari we’ve known before, but it will also stay true to the Ferrari spirit. MUST READ: Check The Spec: Ferrari 812 GTS Finished In Verde Germoglio Over Cuoio Alcantara Ferrari has announced that its first fully-electric model will be revealed in 2025. Focusing on 3 types of powertrains, Ferrari’s powertrain offerings by 2026 will consist of 40% internal combustion, and 60% hybrid and fully electric powertrains. Ferrari promises to create hybrid and electric technology in Maranello as they have done and to derive it from racing for the signature Ferrari driving feel and experience. Ferrari projects for this plan to bring in an EBITDA of up to €2.7 billion in 2026, while still maintaining the low-volume exclusivity that has made Ferrari so legendary and famous. Finally, Ferrari has also promised that a new supercar will be released within the plan period, laying out a bright future for Ferrari for just about everyone involved. View All Ferraris For Sale Source: Ferrari

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 03, 2022

Ferrari Celebrates Financial Success As A New Era Dawns

One of the world’s strongest and most desired brands plans on staying that way for the foreseeable future. Ferrari does something that is hard for luxury brands to pull off: it achieves strong revenues and high sales while remaining one of the most exclusive, desired, and sought-after brands in the world. How it does this is through a business model that takes full advantage of the brand’s automotive performance and design, legendary legacy and history, and timeless style, both modern and classic. MUST READ: Ferrari Names 2022 F1 Car “F1-75” After Its Diamond Anniversary In 2021, Ferrari shipped 11,155 cars, which is an improvement of over 20% compared to their 2020 figure, and over 10% compared to their 2019 figure. Sales of V8 models dramatically increased, while sales of V12 models decreased due to the discontinuation of the 812 Superfast. The biggest seller this year was the F8, and all together, Ferrari enjoyed a net profit of 833 million Euros. Other highlights for the year include a new partnership with Richard Mille, heralding an era of incredible watches to match Ferrari’s incredible cars, Ferrari’s new luxury fashion line Ferrari Style, the new 296 GTB, and more. Looking forward, Ferrari will begin production of the Purosangue SUV in 2022, along with the Daytona SP3, and deliveries for both models are set to commence in 2023. An exciting year is ahead for Ferrari, but of course, that’s nothing new. All Ferraris For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 10, 2021

Ferrari Appoints New CEO With Tech Background

He joins with a background in advanced technologies. It has been announced that Benedetto Vigna will be the new CEO of Ferrari starting September 1, 2021. Vigna will be joining Ferrari after a long history with STMicroelectronics, where he founded the company's Micro-electromechanical Systems (MEMS) activities. During his time with ST, he also worked with connectivity, imaging and power solutions. Vigna also piloted the company into new business areas, with a focus on the industrial and automotive market segments. This experience in the automotive market with such advanced technologies is going to help Ferrari apply next-generation tech in their vehicles. With the appointment of Vigna, it's clear to see that Ferrari is aiming to innovate and advance the company towards a more technologically advanced future. Benedetto Vigna commented: “It’s a special honor to be joining Ferrari as its CEO and I do so with an equal sense of excitement and responsibility. Excitement at the great opportunities that are there to be captured. And with a profound sense of responsibility towards the extraordinary achievements and capabilities of the men and women of Ferrari, to all the company’s stakeholders and to everyone around the world for whom Ferrari is such a unique passion.” John Elkann, Chairman of Ferrari, said: "His deep understanding of the technologies driving much of the change in our industry, and his proven innovation, business-building and leadership skills, will further strengthen Ferrari and its unique story of passion and performance, in the exciting era ahead.” See All Ferraris For Sale Source: Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2020

Fast Financials 2020 Q3: Ferrari Is As Strong As Ever

One of the smartest moves by our late friend was to insulate his top brand from internal strife. Sergio Marchionne led the renaissance of Fiat-Chrysler and allowed Ferrari to go public on the NYSE in 2015, and it has been lauded as the best offering in decades. Now with their latest press release, we see that Ferrari is as strong as ever. RACE Chart by TradingView Yesterday we saw the results of careful planning. Despite the lockdown, Ferrari was only down on deliveries by 161 cars versus last year. This allowed Net Revenue to top $1,053,361,584, Enzo would be proud! Core business was up by 2.6% driven by the Monza SP1 & SP2 demand. Cash Flow checked in at $91.38 Million. They even break it down by models, as the 812 GTS and F8 Spider are reaching full production. As they do, the Portofino and 488 families will be discontinued soon. The SF90 Stradale and Roma deliveries will begin any time now, as Q4 will see them shine on every shore. Click the button below to find your new Ferrari and stay with us for all your investment possibilities in the world of exotic cars for sale. Browse New Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – March 27, 2020

Ferrari Picks Date to Resume Production in Maranello and ...

During these uncertain times, we're hearing a lot of news regarding businesses shutting down and cities going on lockdown. Now, we finally get to share some of the opposite. Ferrari has just announced that they plan to resume production on April 14, 2020. They do note that this is subject to supply chain continuity. Ferrari notes in a press release: "All activities that can be conducted in smart working will continue to be performed as has been the case in recent weeks. The Company will continue to cover all days of absence to those unable to take advantage of this solution." See All Ferraris

By Edward Jones – January 24, 2020

Brand Finance Names Ferrari as World's Strongest Brand Se...

This week the Brand Finance Global 500 2020 report was announced and Ferrari has claimed the title of the world's stronger brand for the second year in a row. Brand Finance calculated the value of the Ferrari brand at 9.1 billion with year-on-year growth at an impressive 9 percent. Ferrari had a Brand Strength Index (BSI) of 94.1 out of 100. Ferrari was actually one of 12 brands that had the highest AAA+ rating in Brand Finance's report. To calculate all of this, Brand Finance takes a lot of data into consideration. This includes an estimated "net economic benefit to the brand owner of licensing the trademark on the open market." For more information, be sure to click here. SEE ALL FERRARIS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2018

Ferrari is Planning 15 new Models by 2022

With the untimely passing of CEO Sergio Marchionne, Ferrari's shareholders have been curious about future plans. The wait is over because Reuters is reporting from the FCA meeting in Maranello. Chairman John Elkann laid out the framework of the plan yesterday. Sergio had set a goal of $2 Billion in core earnings, but John says $2.3 Billion is possible. They will achieve this with hybrids making up 60% of production.Ferrari Celebrates 70th Anniversary in NYCA smaller V6 will be offered in the lineup, along with an SUV named "Purosangue" (Thoroughbred). Also unveiled at the event were the first "Icona" models. Using historical inspiration, the single-seater Monza SP1 and the two-seater Monza SP2. Both have the drivetrain of the 812 Superfast, with designs from the glory days of Scuderia Ferrari. The brand's new CEO Louis Camilleri said: "This is an ambitious plan, but a doable one based on a concrete, detailed framework". Overall margins are at 30%, and they hope to see 38% in the near future. We can't show you the details until a formal press release, so stay with us for all your Ferrari news.Browse Ferraris For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=29iXudgJxBY

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 03, 2016

Ferrari's Second Quarter Hints at Another Record Year

If Ferrari's second quarter is any indication, 2016 is shaping up to be a good year for the Italian car maker. Even with the phasing out of the 12 cylinder FF, Ferrari is seeing record sales and delivery numbers. Here's the breakdown according to a company press release: An additional 155 shipments brings the car maker up 8% Net revenue has grown by 5.9% Adjusted net profit is up 35% Even with a 22% drop in V12 deliveries because of phase-outs, overall sales were up, as marked by the total 2,214 units delivered. The brand's V8 models bring in an increase of 16% thanks to the launch of the new 488 GTB and the 488 Spider. With tax rate drops, an increase in industrial cash flow, and a decrease in industrial debt, Ferrari is on track for another record year.Ferrari continues to excite aficionados and collectors with the announcement of the long-awaited, open-top LaFerrari, which has been completely pre-sold. Though limited details have been released about the new supercar, an official unveiling is scheduled for the Paris International Motor Show in October of this year.Great things are happening in the supercar world! Stay tuned to Autofluence for more insights and information on your favorite brands.View All Ferraris For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – October 22, 2015

Ferrari Stock Debuts on NYSE as "RACE"

Just nine days after announcing their ticker symbol, Ferrari (RACE) reached the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and ended its first full day as a public company with a bang.On Oct. 21 at 9:30 am, Sergio Marchionne, Chairman of Ferrari, and John Elkann, Chairman of Fiat Chrylser Automobiles (FCA), rang the opening bell in New York City, marking the beginning of the day's trading and the first official day of Ferrari being a publicly traded company.It was estimated that their initial shares would price somewhere between $48 and $52 when the company's value of just under $10 billion was first announced Oct. 12, with most estimating that $50 is where it would land. As it turns out, they priced at the highest estimate of $52 a share.As the Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 21, they traded as high as $60.97 in their first day, a 17 percent increase in their initial price, before closing the day at $55 a share. As of press time, it's trading at a price of $56.75 and has been held steady around $56.50 most all day.It's undoubtedly exciting to see Ferrari's overall value grow as it becomes a publicly traded company, but many still have concerns about what this might mean for the manufacturer's future.(See Also: Oslo to Ban Private Cars by 2019)The Wall Street Journal's article reports that Marchionne hopes to ramp up production from 7,000 to as many as 9,000 cars per year by 2019, and there's the chance that pressure to grow from investors could push quality down in favor of quantity. That being said, Enzo Ferrari's son Piero will continue to retain a 10 percent ownership stake in the company, leaving many hoping he'll continue to steer the manufacturer in the right direction.Stay with us for more updates from the automotive industry, and find your own prancing horse from our exclusive listings below.Ferraris For Sale Gallery (Source: Ferrari, Wall Street Journal, NYSE) See More Industry Reports

By Caitlin Duffy – October 13, 2015

Ferrari Valued Just Under $10 Billion, IPO Terms Announced

Investors have been awaiting details about Ferrari's planned initial public offering (IPO) for months, but the marque's parent company has finally put some rumors to rest. The newly announced Ferrari F12tdfThe Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) Group finally confirmed to the world that Ferrari's IPO is, indeed, occurring, and once the exotic car manufacturer enters the stock market, you can find it under the ticker name "RACE." An Oct. 12 press release from the group announced that prices are set at $48 to $52 per share, but held back from stating exactly when these shares will be available.As the release explained, FCA currently owns 90 percent of Ferrari, while Piero Ferrari, son of Enzo Ferrari, still owns 10 percent. A total of 9 percent of the company's ownership will become available to the public during the IPO, leaving FCA with an 80 percent stake.The 9 percent making its way to the stock market will be broken up into 17,175,000 shares, each valued at $48 to $52 - assuming a midpoint of $50 is met, this puts the total value of this stake at $858,750,000. An additional 1 percent, or 1,717,150 shares, is being offered to the banks underwriting the IPO, which include UBS Investment Bank and BofA Merrill Lynch.(See Also: Tesla Autopilot Coming for Model S & Model X This Week)Speculation in July of this year set Ferrari's total value at $11 billion, and with the amount asked for these shares, that estimate wasn't far off - these prices will set the total value of Ferrari at just under $10 billion, at $9,446,075,000.After this 10 percent has had a chance to be traded publicly for a few months, FCA will make its remaining 80 percent ownership available to stockholders, putting 90 percent of Ferrari's valuation into the market. Piero will still retain his 10 percent at that point in time.Though the date still has yet to be set, CNBC's Bob Pisani has an estimate - in an Oct. 12 article, he says he's been "told the deal will likely price on Oct. 20, with trading at the NYSE to begin on Oct. 21."Stay with us for more updates from Ferrari and the industry as they are released, and find your own Ferrari from our exclusive listings below.Ferraris For Sale (Source: FCA Group, Ferrari, CNBC) See More Industry Reports

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