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 – January 14, 2025

Ferrari F80 vs. McLaren W1: Which Is The Best New Hybrid ...

A new league of game-changing hybrid hypercars emerges. Thinking back to recent memory in automotive history, a group of hypercars called the “Holy Trinity,” emerged: the McLaren P1, the Ferrari LaFerrari, and the Porsche 918 Spyder, all of which featured hybrid powertrains that revolutionized performance oriented engineering by using electrification to dial up the power delivery and track capabilities of the hypercars. Ahead of their time, the “Holy Trinity”’s influence is heavily present in today’s automotive industry, with manufacturers across the landscape using electrification to unlock unprecedented levels of performance. A decade later, a new era of hybrid hypercars has now emerged, thus far consisting of two members: the new McLaren W1, and the new Ferrari F80. Both have stood on the shoulders of their predecessors, the P1 and the LaFerrari respectively, and built on their engineering excellence even further with greater engineering, immense power, and cutting-edge technology throughout. While the McLaren W1 and the Ferrari F80 are similar in their hybrid hypercar ethos, they take different approaches to achieving ultimate performance. Which one is better? View All McLarens For Sale View All Ferraris For Sale McLaren W1 Specs Despite featuring an incredibly powerful twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain, the McLaren W1 weighs in at under 3,100 pounds, giving it virtually limitless potential for on-track performance. Thanks to its rear-wheel drive, the McLaren W1 retains a purist driving feel while remaining a formidably futuristic machine. Ferrari F80 Specs With solutions derived from the 499P, Ferrari’s two-time Le Mans-winning endurance racing hypercar, the Ferrari F80 goes to painstaking lengths to achieve race-ready excellence, like setting its passenger seat slightly rearward from the driver seat, so as to comfortably seat two in its “+1” configuration without making the passenger compartment too wide. The McLaren comes out on top on the specs front. For an enthusiast-focused machine, rear-wheel drive and a V8 engine is a surefire formula for success. Specs Winner: McLaren W1 McLaren W1 Engine The McLaren W1 makes use of a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which revs to a soaring 9,000 rpm. The engine alone is responsible for producing an incredible 915 horsepower, and its 230 horsepower per liter makes it McLaren’s most powerful engine yet. With 342 horsepower coming from the hybrid electric half of the equation, the McLaren W1’s total power is 1,258 horsepower. Ferrari F80 Engine Similarly to the 499P endurance racing hypercar, the new Ferrari F80 combines a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 900 horsepower for 300 horsepower per liter, with 300 more horsepower from a hybrid electric system. Totaling at 1,200 horsepower, it’s the most powerful roadgoing model Ferrari has brought forth yet. Despite enthusiasts’ love for bigger engines, and the fact that the McLaren W1 has more power, the fact that Ferrari squeezed 900 horsepower from a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is too impressive to ignore, not to mention the 300 electric horsepower on top of it. Ferrari wins the engine round. Engine Winner: Ferrari F80 McLaren W1 Interior The McLaren W1 is purpose-built for racing excellence, with an interior that integrates the seats into the monocoque, uses gullwing doors for visual drama, and offers a wide range of customization through MSO. To accommodate the driver, the steering wheel, pedals, and controls can move. Ferrari F80 Interior The passenger seat of the Ferrari F80 is shown in black, while the driver’s seat is shown in red. This is done to make the passenger seat practically invisible when it’s not occupied, emphasizing the racing and driver focus that the Ferrari F80 was designed with. The driver seat is also set further forward than the passenger seat, allowing both passengers to sit in comfort while optimizing the width of the cabin. For further racing readiness, the bespoke steering wheel swaps haptic controls for physical buttons, ensuring precision in control. Thanks to its level of customization via MSO, and impossible-to-ignore gullwing doors, McLaren wins this round. Interior Winner: McLaren W1 McLaren W1 Performance The McLaren W1 will reach a top speed of 217 mph, sending its 1,258 horsepower to the rear wheels. However, before you reach that, you’ll get from 0-60 in just 2.7 seconds. Highly advanced aerodynamics ensure that the car performs formidably in more situations than straight-line speed runs. Ferrari F80 Performance Thanks to all-wheel drive, the Ferrari F80 rockets from 0-60 in just 2.15 seconds, reaching a top speed of 217 mph. Its advanced aero features a rear wing that can dramatically change shape and height, visually indicating the vehicle’s performance capability as well as it serves its actual aerodynamic function. Rear-wheel drive may bring more fun, thrill, and purist passion to a car, but when the question is of pure performance, the Ferrari’s all-wheel drive gives it quicker acceleration. Performance Winner: Ferrari F80 McLaren W1 Investment Value The McLaren W1 is sure to go down as a historically significant, coveted, desirable, and collector-grade hypercar as the years go by. Only 399 examples will be made, all of which are sold out. Historically, the McLaren W1’s predecessor, the P1, has carried high resale value for its historical significance and its automotive excellence in general, not to mention the F1, one of the most expensive collector cars in modern automotive history. Ferrari F80 Investment Value As the latest member of Ferrari’s coveted corral of halo hypercars, the Ferrari F80 is bound to be quite the collector’s piece. Models that came before it, like the LaFerrari, Enzo, F50, F40, and 288 GTO have proven to be significantly valuable, and in much higher numbers than they retailed for. With 799 examples being made, each carrying a price tag of $4 million, it’s anticipated for the F80 to attain similar levels of panache. Especially when comparing resale prices for each car’s predecessor, the P1 and LaFerrari, it’s clear that Ferrari’s halo cars carry greater investment value than their McLaren counterparts, giving Ferrari the win here. Investment Value Winner: Ferrari F80 Image Source: McLaren & Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – December 16, 2020

Ferrari F8 Tributo vs. McLaren 720S Rematch By DragTimes

Consistent 10-second times are a life goal for many. Tires make all the difference when it comes to grudge racing, so let's enjoy a Ferrari F8 Tributo versus McLaren 720S rematch by DragTimes. Brooks is confident that the Italian will decimate all, and Gidi has faith in his carbon fiber supercar. Both cars use twin turbos atop 4-liter V8 engines. Ferrari and McLaren list these cars at 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, so this lineup comes down to sticky tires and a hole shot. Tell us which car you prefer below and stay with us for the latest DragTimes uploads. Browse Ferrari F8 Tributo For Sale Browse McLaren 720S For Sale " width="680"> Film (C) DragTimes

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2020

Ferrari F8 Tributo vs McLaren 720S Drag Race: Who Wins?

In DragTimes latest video, it's a battle between supercars from England and Italy. In one lane is the McLaren 720S, a rear-wheel drive powerhouse. Found in the rear of the 720S rests a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that puts out 710 horsepower. Its opponent in the race is the Ferrari F8 Tributo, another rear-wheel drive supercar. Powering this Ferrari is a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 that also produces 710 horsepower. As you can see, these supercars are very similar and that's what makes the drag races between them so intriguing. When it comes to a drag race, the launch is so critical. So seeing these cars next to each other, launching, gives us a good look at the quality of their launch control technology. See it for yourself in the vide below. See F8 Tributos For Sale See 720S for Sale

Daniel Ricciardo, A-Game, melin Family, Beach, San Clemente

By Edward Jones – May 14, 2020

Carlos Sainz to Race for Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo to McL...

After the news broke that Sebastian Vettel was leaving Scuderia Ferrari Minnow after the 2020 season, the first thing that came to everyone's mind was: who will replace him? Well, now we know that Carlos Sainz will be leaving Mclaren Racing after the 2020 season and will be racing for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and 2022. “I am very happy that I will be driving for Scuderia Ferrari in 2021 and I’m excited about my future with the team," says Sainz. "I still have an important year ahead with McLaren Racing and I’m really looking forward to going racing again with them this season.” Also Check Out - melin X Daniel Ricciardo Arc Hydro Cap Revealed With Sainz joining Ferrari, that leaves an open spot with McLaren Racing. Well, it did until it was announced that Daniel Ricciardo would be leaving Renault and join McLaren Racing alongside Lando Norris. McLaren has shown massive improvement over the past couple of seasons and are looking to leave the mid-table soon. This potential for more wins obviously played a factor in Ricciardo's decision to leave Renault and head to McLaren. Hopefully, we'll be able to see some Formula 1 racing soon! https://www.instagram.com/p/CAKZk-nHXIF/

By Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

McLaren P1 GTR vs Ferrari FXX K: Which Sounds Better?

There's no denying the importance of a viscerally thrilling engine note in performance cars. The sound a vehicle emits can be just as telling of the manufacturer's signature as design lines or a name.And when you're standing near a track, it's so much easier to tell the true differences between one engine's note and another's. Particularly when the engines you're hearing are those of a McLaren and a Ferrari.The video above offers the chance to sit back for nearly 10 minutes of engine note beauty, so be sure your headphones or speakers are turned up and ready for some exhilaration. Added to YouTube Sept. 26 by Gumbal, it shows more than one Ferrari FXX K taking laps around the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack, then shows a few McLaren P1 GTRs doing the same.Each, visibly, is very different, but when you close your eyes, you'll discover just how different their sounds are, too. Listen for the deep, jet-like rumbles of the McLaren's downshifts, and the higher pitched, almost wind-like whirs of the FXX K's V12 and electric motor, with a few kick backs each time the gears shift. The difference between the engines is as significant as the difference between two people's voices, and each is unique to the vehicle itself.(See Also: Ferrari F12 Versione Speciale Spotted in Maranello)Check out the sonorous sound comparison of the two above, and when you're done, let us know in the comments which sound you liked best. Then, find the street-legal version of your favorite from our exclusive listings at the buttons below.P1s For Sale LaFerraris For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Automotive Videos

By Edward Jones – June 19, 2015

Winners of the 2015 International Engine of the Year Awards

The 17th International Engine of the Year Awards have been handed out and we now know the winners. Ferrari 458 SpecialeTo decide which engines would win, the jury consisted of 65 of the world's most experienced automotive journalists from 31 countries. They judged engines from all manufacturers, from Ford to Ferrari, and engines of all sizes.(Related: Porsche Finishes Production on the 918 Spyder)The big winners from this year's awards are BMW and Ferrari, with the i8 engine getting three awards and the 458's engine getting two. Other notable winners are the McLaren's famous twin-turbo V8 engine and Tesla's full-electric powertrain.Below are the categories and the winners of each from the awards' website. International Engine of the Year - BMW 1.5-liter three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid (BMW i8) Performance Engine - Ferrari 4.5-liter V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia and 458 Speciale) New Engine - BMW 1.5-liter three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid (BMW i8) Green Engine - Tesla full-electric powertrain (Tesla Model S) Above 4-liter - Ferrari 4.5-liter V8 (Ferrari 458 Italia and 458 Speciale) 3-liter to 4-liter - McLaren 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 (McLaren 675LT, 650S, 625C and 12C) 2.5-liter to 3-liter - BMW M 3-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder (BMW M3, and M4) 2-liter to 2.5-liter - Audi 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo (Audi RS3 and RS Q3) 1.8-liter to 2-liter - Mercedes-AMG 2-liter turbo (Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, CLA45 AMG and GLA45 AMG) 1.4-liter to 1.8-liter - BMW 1.5-liter three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid (BMW i8) 1-liter to 1.4-liter - PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo (Peugeot 208 and 308. Citroen C3, DS3, Cs Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4 and DS4) Sub 1-liter - Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo (Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, Mondeo, EcoSport and Tourneo Connect/Courier) (Source: UKIPME.com)More Automotive Industry News

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