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 10, 2024

This 1-of-1 Tailor Made 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Echoes...

70s racing history meets 2020s supercar innovation. Ferrari has over 7 decades of history, and every single year of it is steeped in a passion and a dedication to racing. There’s countless stories of Ferrari’s racing pedigree, with triumphs and iconic moments throughout, and more often than not, those colorful moments are painted in red. However, in 1971, Sunoco added a splash of blue to that history, with the Roger Penske team’s blue Ferrari 512M that competed in various endurance racing challenges.] Over 50 years later, that very 70s Ferrari racer would go on to serve as the inspiration for a new 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and personalized by Ferrari’s Tailor Made program as a one-of-one, the configuration features various unique touches making the futuristic hybrid supercar pay a beautiful homage to the original racer. It’s available for sale at Ferrari of Ontario in Vaughan, Canada, and it only has 252 miles on its odometer, and also features the Assetto Fiorano package that is very desirable for the SF90 Stradale model. The historic configuration starts with an exterior in Blu Montecarlo, with the original race car’s number of 6, as well as detailing in Sanusilver and Giallo Modena. The interior is finished in black leather along with gray ultrasuede. Throughout, carbon fiber details are tinted in blue, with other accents in yellow, echoing the unique, race-inspired exterior. With a beautiful, unique, ultra-exclusive one-of-one Tailor Made configuration, and an even more beautiful story that dates back more than 50 years, this stunning example of the 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale could be yours. View the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Ferrari of Ontario

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 15, 2023

Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale Shatters Fiorano Lap Record

The SF90 XX Stradale sets a new road car record at Fiorano, outpacing its predecessor with a 1:17.309 lap time. The Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale, a marvel of automotive engineering, has recently etched its name in the annals of motor racing by setting a blistering lap record at the Fiorano Circuit. This limited-series special edition model has not just broken the record; it has shattered expectations, clocking a phenomenal time of 1:17.309. This feat cements the SF90 XX Stradale's position as a pinnacle of road-going performance. On the 16th of October, amidst the audience of the world's leading automotive press, the SF90 XX Stradale unleashed its fury on the Fiorano Circuit. This was not just any test drive, but an official International Media Test Drive, where the prowess of this machine was on full display. The lap, timed and certified by a specialist company, was 1.4 seconds quicker than the time previously set by its predecessor, the SF90 Stradale equipped with the Assetto Fiorano package. The SF90 XX Stradale, driven by Ferrari's Head of Development Test Driving, Raffaele de Simone, was not just about raw power. It demonstrated a harmonious blend of advanced technology and engineering ingenuity. The car was outfitted with cutting-edge carbon fiber wheels and Michelin Cup2R tires, components that played a crucial role in achieving this record-setting performance. Ferrari's commitment to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology and performance is evident in every aspect of the SF90 XX Stradale. From its eye-watering max speed of 199 mph to its jaw-dropping acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, this car proudly displays Ferrari's dedication to automotive excellence and racing heritage. This historic moment shows Ferrari's lasting ability to deliver cutting-edge racing prowess, which dates back to the Prancing Horse's very origins. The presence of international media allowed them to engage with the engineers behind this marvel, providing insights into the development process and the meticulous performance test procedures that are a hallmark of the Ferrari brand. In a grand gesture of celebration and acknowledgment, the SF90 XX Stradale will be on display at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello from December 15th. This exhibit will not only feature the car but also offer a deep dive into its features, the record-setting journey, and the innovations that make it a standout in the world of supercars. The new Fiorano record is a symbol of Ferrari's relentless pursuit of perfection, a showcase of technological advancement, and a beacon of inspiration for the future of automotive design and performance. This achievement is not just for Ferrari, rather it's a moment of pride for the entire automotive industry, setting new benchmarks and inspiring future generations of engineers and enthusiasts alike. View All Ferrari SF90 Stradales For Sale Image Source: Ferrari

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 13, 2023

Ferrari Shows Off New Tailor Made SF90 Spider In Viola Ho...

Deep purple paintwork gives this Ferrari a regal presence. Ferrari is known around the world for creating some of the world’s most desirable, innovative, exclusive, and beautiful performance cars, and the SF90 Spider is one of the greatest examples rather than an exception. Its open top, stunning design, and hybrid power come together to create a supercar that combines luxury with speed, driving agility, and performance unmatched by the overwhelming majority of cars on the road. While many would agree that red is the perfect color to highlight the splendor of this car, or any Ferrari, Ferrari’s Tailor Made program has helped open the doors for other colors in Ferrari’s palette to step into the limelight, and one of the most eye-catching of them all is Viola Hong Kong, a vivid, deep, iconic, and unique shade of purple, which is featured on one of Ferrari’s latest Tailor Made creations: an SF90 Spider. The car, shown off by Ferrari in a new post on Instagram, pairs the purple shade with contrasting stripes in Giallo Libano, which matches yellow brake calipers. The other contrasting element, which suggests radical supercar performance, is the extensive use of exposed carbon fiber, which even includes the wheels. Inside, the same theme continues, with an elegant interior finished primarily in black, along with exposed carbon fiber. Accents provide the same bright and bold contrast in yellow and purple, tying the whole car together as yet another precious Ferrari Tailor Made masterpiece. With programs like Tailor Made, Ferrari brings the dream of supercar ownership to the next level. View All Ferrari SF90 Spiders For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ferrari (@ferrari) Image Source: Ferrari via Instagram

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 15, 2023

Boardwalk Ferrari of Plano Shows Off Orange On Orange SF9...

Through Tailor Made, Ferrari broadens its spectrum.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 14, 2023

2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale For Sale In Rare Verde Masoni ...

Ferrari’s hybrid flagship sports a unique shade.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 01, 2023

Mansory Reveals The New 1-of-1 "F8XX Spider Tempesta Turc...

A splash of bright color gives this supercar even more head-turning factor.

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 13, 2023

Check Out This Matte Orange Tailor Made Ferrari SF90 Stra...

Tailoring to the tastes of a very particular client, Ferrari transforms this SF90 Stradale into a modern masterpiece.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 09, 2023

5 Rare Ferraris For Sale At Ferrari Quebec

Some of the greatest Prancing Horses are in the same stable. There’s no doubt that Ferrari has made some incredible cars. Even the most common automobiles to wear the famed Cavallino Rampante have been some of the most celebrated, loved, and desired things to ever have four wheels, but what that means is that the rarest and most incredible Ferraris are by leaps and bounds some of the most incredible cars ever made. Having a car in your collection that is rare and special by the standards of a storied manufacturer like Ferrari is a surefire way to take your garage to the next level, and at Ferrari of Quebec, not one, nor two, but five of Ferrari’s most incredible creations are available for sale, all rare, powerful, unique, and undeniably beautiful. 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO The first is the 2011 599 GTO. Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, which is one of the many stunning V12-powered, front-engined Ferrari grand tourers, the GTO is the 599’s most potent street-legal version with 661 horsepower, sitting just below the track-only 599 XX. Only 599 of these cars were made, and it’s one of three models to have the hallowed GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) name. View Price And Listing 2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spider 16M Next is the 2009 F430 Scuderia Spider 16M, a rare and special version of the timelessly-beautiful Ferrari 430 supercar. It’s a retractable soft-top convertible equipped with a 502-horsepower V8 mounted amidships. Ferrari created the car to celebrate winning the 2008 Formula 1 Constructor’s Championship, the manufacturer’s 16th. Only 499 examples of this incredible machine were ever made. View Price And Listing 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista The Ferrari 488 is a modern supercar masterpiece, with high performance thanks to its twin-turbocharged V8 engine (like the legendary Ferrari F40) and pure-performance engineering. The 2019 488 Pista, however, is even more potent, with 711 horsepower, and also rarer. This stunning Argento Nurburgring example of the car is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cars in the world. View Price And Listing 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale New and transformational, the hybrid Ferrari SF90 Stradale isn’t an easy car to get your hands on, and considering its incredible performance and irresistible style, it’s easy to see why. The futuristic supercar bested even the legendary LaFerrari at the Fiorano Circuit, and this beautiful Rosso Fiorano-painted example shows the amazing machine in its full glory. View Price And Listing 2011 Ferrari 599 GTB 60F1 Alonso Edition Another 599, this 2011 599 GTB 60F1 Alonso Edition is the rarest car in this list. It celebrates the 60th anniversary of Ferrari winning a Formula 1 race, and with signatures from the contemporary F1 drivers for the Prancing Horse (Fernando Alonso and Froilan Gonzalez), only 40 of these stunning cars were made. View Price And Listing Some of the greatest Ferrari heritage in the brand’s entire history currently sits under one roof, so if you’re interested in any of these five amazing cars, which is likely a given, they are all available for sale at Ferrari Quebec in Montreal, Canada.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 02, 2023

A Fully-Camouflaged New Ferrari SF90 Prototype Is Spied

Ferrari is upping the ante on its flagship supercar. While every Ferrari release is at the cutting edge of performance and engineering, the Prancing horse always seems to be able to take its cars even further, as we’ve seen for years in models like the 488 Pista, F12tdf, 812 Competizione, and numerous others before them. However, with the introduction of the incredible Ferrari SF90 Stradale, that task seems more daunting than ever before. An incredible supercar with a V8 engine and a hybrid system, the SF90 was able to eclipse even the storied LaFerrari and its amazing performance on the Fiorano Circuit. MUST READ: How Ferrari Collectors Buy Ultra-Rare, Unseen Prototypes However, as it seems, Ferrari has even more up its sleeve as it relates to the SF90, with camouflaged examples of the car seen trotting about Ferrari’s headquarters, captured by YouTube channel Varryx. The latest spied SF90 is, unlike the others seen before, a fully camouflaged car with a body that looks distinguishably different than the original SF90 Stradale. With the original car’s mind-blowing performance, style, and luxury, there’s no telling just how amazing the amped-up version will be. View All Ferrari SF90 Stradales For Sale Source: Varryx

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 13, 2022

This Tailor Made 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale For Sale Is T...

Go for gold, and drive it, too. As the current flagship offering from one of if not the most desirable car manufacturers in the world, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale is a very special car. Featuring a stunning design and hybrid power, it’s a supercar that is unfathomably powerful and capable of performance that pushes the Prancing Horse brand very far forward. However, besides performance, beauty and style are one of the Ferrari brand’s most important hallmarks, and with Ferrari’s Tailor Made program, that style is taken to new heights. MUST READ: Why You Should Buy A Ferrari Roma This incredibly unique SF90 Stradale is finished in two-tone paintwork, featuring Oro Chiara Metallic, a shimmering vintage gold color, along with a top finished in Nero. The exquisite style continues once you open the doors to reveal a Ferrari Tailor Made Ispirazioni interior. The seatbacks are finished in Blue Sterling, while the seats themselves are finished in beautiful and vintage-inspired Frau Heritage leather. These Tailor Made Ferraris are rare, stunning, timeless, and unique cars, and make for an incredible investment and complement to an incredible collection of the world’s best exotic and luxury cars. This gold Tailor Made 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale is listed at Ferrari of Austin in Austin, Texas on duPont REGISTRY. For more details and information on this incredible vehicle, click below. View Price And Listing

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