McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Ferrari News

Ferrari news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, auction results and current market prices. Our coverage runs across the whole line-up, from the 296 and 296 Speciale to the SF90 XX, the 12Cilindri and the F80. We also follow the earlier cars that built the reputation of the Prancing Horse over seven decades. Reporting comes from the Monterey and Pebble Beach auction floors, and from first drives of new models as they arrive. One thing separates this from other supercar news: many of the Ferraris covered here are listed for sale on the duPont REGISTRY marketplace. Read the story, then see what an example is genuinely worth. For Ferrari news today, and the exotic car news around it, start here.

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2019

Ferrari SF90 Stradale: The Most Powerful Ferrari Ever

Taking an electric car on a road trip was once the stuff of science fiction. The notion of combining electricity and the Prancing Horse was first evoked in the LaFerrari, but it can only travel 22 miles on battery power. Technology has advanced by an order of magnitude, so now the Ferrari SF90 Stradale has been unveiled as the Italian automaker's next electric step forward. For the first time in Ferrari history, their flagship is powered by a V8. To be more specific, it is the latest evolution of the 488 Pista engine. It uses twin turbos to send 769 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque to a new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. It has 8 forward gears thanks to removing reverse... Backing up is handled by the front wheels because each of them have their own electric motor. A third electric motor behind the cockpit allows 217 horsepower to flow from the battery to the road, up to 83 mph. That's right, it is also the first 4WD Ferrari supercar. The SF90 Stradale offers 4 driving modes range between eDrive and Qualify. The first is nearly silent, and the last is all out performance. This means 986 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. It will launch you to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds, and you will be going 124 mph 6.7..... Along with a top speed of 211 mph, it lapped Fiorano in only 79 seconds. The name is a tribute to the 90th anniversary of Enzo's racing team, and it is entirely appropriate. Those who will compare this to the La Ferrari must realize, the SF90 Stradale is a Series Production car. It won't be invitation only, because remember what we told you last month. Ferrari still has 4 more cars to unveil before 2020. Tell us what you think of the latest & greatest Ferrari, and click the link below to find our dealer near you. Browse Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – May 29, 2019

New Ferrari Leaked Ahead of Release

Well, the Internet is back at it again as the unreleased Ferrari has been leaked online. The leak first appeared on Instagram as what looks like a spy shot of the car ahead of its unveiling. Across the image, a watermark can be seen that reads "@Varryx_". However, when you try and access this account, it appears to be deleted. Nonetheless, other accounts managed to download the image and share it on their account. For instance, Second Gear, a page on DRIVETRIBE captured the image and uploaded it to their Instagram page. Some are noting its name, which is said to be the Ferrari SF90. However, none of this has been confirmed by the Italian automaker. We'll have the full details on the car when Ferrari reveals it later today. Update: Here's the new Ferrari SF90 Stradale. See All Ferrari News https://www.instagram.com/p/ByCTCqZjRs8/ Source: Instagram via Jalopnik

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2019

NOVITEC Unveils N-Largo Ferrari 812 Superfast

If your Ferrari needs to stand out from the crowd, allow us a minute of your time. The 812 series is already potent, but there is always room for improvement. That is why our friends at NOVITEC have unveiled the N-Largo Ferrari 812 Superfast. Starting where the rubber meets the road, they partnered with our friends at Vossen for 21"x10" wheels up front and 22"x 12.5" on the rear. Yes, running a 335 mm rear tire would certainly be outside the body, that is why the N-Largo has carbon fiber bodywork all around. The suspension geometry is retained for the ultimate look and performance. Even the front axle lift was calibrated to work with the new shoes. Your choice of stainless or Inconel exhaust will bump the horsepower to 840. This will launch you to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 214 mph. The exhaust and engine tuning is available separately if you don't need the new body lines. Also optional is the interior. NOVITEC's skilled team can craft a new interior from Alcantara or leather to your heart's content. First you will need a Ferrari 812 Superfast, so click the link below and stay with us for all your NOVITEC news. Browse Ferrari 812 Superfast For Sale Related: Ferrari 812 Superfast Specs, Price, Photos & Review Ferrari 812 Superfast Scorches the Nurburgring

By Edward Jones – May 28, 2019

First Teasers of New Ferrari and Its Release Date

A new Ferrari is coming and it's coming sooner rather than later. And when I say sooner, I mean it's all happening tomorrow, on May 28, 2019. Ferrari announced the release date of the highly anticipated car on their Instagram page, alongside teasers of the unrevealed car. The second teaser, a video, shows off a bit of the car but not enough to draw conclusions from. Within the video, the best glimpses given are of the hood and a headlight, which looks unlike any other Ferrari has made. Get ready and excited for the release, because this Ferrari is going to be a special one! Check back tomorrow for all of the details as soon as they're released. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx9j60LBMv2/ https://www.instagram.com/p/ByASY_Yl8so/

By Edward Jones – May 24, 2019

First Ferrari 488 Pista "Piloti Ferrari" Edition in Nero ...

The Ferrari 488 Pista "Piloti Edition" was unveiled last year as a celebration of AF Corse's #51 car after its dominating performance in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship. Only factory-supported drivers were able to order this special edition Ferrari, making it a rare supercar right off the bat. Even though this car may be a rare gem, Florian Merckx, a Ferrari racing driver, posted up a picture of a Ferrari 488 Pista "Piloti Ferrari" Edition on his Instagram account. However, this seems to be the first time we've seen an example of this car in the Nero Daytona finish. It's truly an incredible sight. Other colors that are offered for this special edition include Argento Nurburgring, Blu Tour de France, and of course, Rosso Corsa. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2dhHFCYib/ Featured Image Source: Instagram

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2019

Ferrari Loses Door in Very Unfortunate Way

We've all seen it before in the movies. Someone is having a bad day, they go to get out of their car, open the door and 'wham,' a car drives by at that very moment. There goes the door. This is exactly what happened to a Ferrari 458 Challenge that was waiting on its way to get loaded up into a trailer. The driver of this car was about to pull into the trailer when they decided to get out really quickly. At this very moment, a Mazda 3 was driving by on the driver's side. It seems the driver didn't hear the protests from people watching it all go down, because he swung open the door just as the Mazda drove by. Goodbye, door. Let this be a reminder to always check those mirrors before getting out of the car. Having no doors may be cool on a Jeep, but not so much on a Ferrari race car. See All Ferrari 458 Challenges for Sale Hat tip to Autoevolution for finding this one. Also Check Out: Ferrari 458 Challenge: Not Civilized Ferrari 458 Italia vs 458 Challenge

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2019

Field of Forgotten Ferraris is a Sad Sight

A&E's hit TV show "Hoarders" was a look into the minds of people who can't let anything go. And the value placed on garbage seems illogical at best. But what about people who collect Italian exotics? What you are about to see is a tragedy, because a field of forgotten Ferraris is a sad sight. Ben Branch is the founder and editor of Silodrome, and he heard about this collection from Paul Cox, a prominent figure within Houston's Ferrari scene. A successful lawyer started out collecting Corvettes before turning his attention to Ferrari. As such, his collection grew to include several examples of the 308, 328, 348, Testarossa, and even a few Mondials. What Happened? The cars were stored in a warehouse until he was diagnosed with a serious illness. After missing a few payments, the cars were moved outside sometime around 2012. Once the payments were caught up, the cars were supposed to be moved back in. This never happened and they have been neglected ever since. The author is protecting all names and locations due to ongoing litigation. We do know that of the 11 cars, nine have titles and will be hopefully be restored. This story is bound to have more details, so stay with us for updates. In the meantime, Ferrari of Houston might have the inside scoop. Credit: All images and story Copyright Ben Branch at Silodrome.com

By Andrew Nabors – May 13, 2019

This LaFerrari Isn't Afraid of Rain

What would you do if your Ferrari was caught in the rain? Life is too short to get upset of things outside your control, so embrace this opportunity. Not only does Ferrari build their cars for all climates, they even come with a windshield wiper. So we're glad to see that the LaFerrari isn't afraid of rain. To hear that big V12 at 9,000 rpm music to our ears, because it is rare to hear one stretch its legs. They crew at TheTFJJ were invited by the @HeveninghamConcours to film this beauty screaming along soaked roads before entering a sheep pasture. The animals were not spooked by the prancing horse, even if Ferrari fans think its a baaaad idea. It appears as if the owner only works 3 days a week, as his license plate (WTF-1) makes references to Wednesday-Thursday-Friday. If you would like to experience one for yourself, click the link below and don't let it collect dust. Drive it! Browse Ferrari LaFerrari For Sale Related: 2018 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Specs, Price, Photos, & Review Why You Should Buy A LaFerrari

By Andrew Nabors – May 01, 2019

2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six-Speed History by VinWiki

A few weeks ago we had a chance to drive the ONLY six-speed manual Scuderia. Because the F1 transmission is an automated manual, the team at European Auto Group decided to reverse engineer it. And this is the 2008 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Six Speed history by VinWiki. Using all Ferrari parts, they converted the car to a six-speed manual. It is a small world when it comes to special edition cars, and this one is the best stick shift you will ever drive. The clutch is easy and predictable, and the flywheel is perfectly matched to the engine's rotating assembly. If you think your collection needs something unique, it is also for sale. Click the link below and enjoy driving again. View Price & Listing Related: The ONLY Six-Speed Ferrari F430 Scuderia is For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 29, 2019

Jay Kay's Green LaFerrari Is up for Sale

Jay Kay, the singer of Jamiroquai, is a well-known car collector. One of his most vibrant and exciting purchases was his green Ferrari LaFerrari. For those who visited the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed, you would've seen the car race up the hill and put on a great show. Now, this very car is up for sale at Joe Macari - Performance Cars London. This specific car is finished in a beautiful Signal Green paint-to-sample color. The only other color you'll find on the car is the yellow covering the brake calipers. Other than that, it's green and black, even in the cabin. The dealership notes that this is a one-owner car, the owner being none other than Jay Kay. It's a U.K.-supplied hypercar that's also been Classiche certified. What's more, only 1,900 miles have been clocked on its odometer. As of writing this, this LaFerrari has a pending offer so it may be finding a new owner very soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out all of our LaFerraris for sale. view all ferraris for sale Source: Instagram Also Check Out: John Cena Is Joining the Fast & Furious 9 Cast Guy Berryman of Coldplay’s Amazing Car Collection What Will James Bond’s Next Car Be?

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