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 14, 2021

Watch A Ferrari FF Scorch The Autobahn

Two transmissions makes it twice as fast! Ferrari doesn't follow the crowd. So when Maranello decided to go head-to-head with Lamborghini, they didn't waste weight on a center differential. Instead, the Ferrari FF and its progeny make use of a FWD transmission. That's right, the 7-speed handles the rear wheels, and it has two forward gears and one reverse. That means the front wheels are pulling continuously while the rear transmission shifts gears. So the FF and the GTC4 Lusso have uninterrupted power reaching the ground. From experience, I can tell you the system is years beyond any other AWD car, and its nice to have a screaming V12 between the Scuderia shields. Click the button to find yours and stay with us for all your Ferrari footage. Browse Ferrari FF For Sale

Ferrari 812 Competizione e 812 Competizione A

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2021

Ferrari 812 Competizione & Competizione A Unveiled Simult...

Their new V12 packs big power It is time to trade in your F12 Berlinetta because there is a new V12 Supercar from Maranello. Unveiled on social media a few minutes ago, the details of this new flagship will blow your mind. While the Ferrari SF90 series is loaded with the latest electric technology, many of us love the sound and fury of a Ferrari V12. So after digging deep into the engine, the minds behind the Scuderia Ferrari race teams massaged the cams and valves to make 830 horsepower. Based on the 812 Superfast, you can choose from a hardtop coupe (812 Competizione) or the open-top targa roof in the 812 Competizione A. Yes, the A is for Aperta, so you can leave the targa roof at home, or in your hotel room for the weekend. As hybrids focus on small engines with electric help, the guys in lab coats have pushed their 6.5-liter to 9,500 rpm. Supercomputers were used to model the intake and exhaust flow under varying loads, different gears, and of course, WIDE OPEN. The new connecting rods are forged from titanium. The same element used to build the SR71 Blackbird allows the rotating assembly to be 40% lighter than the 812 GTS. Balancing the crank by hand allows these new cars to have 3rd order harmonic balance, and the wristpins are coated in diamond dust. This same coating is also found on the valves, cams, and followers. These parts are made by Scuderia Ferrari, and Shell has developed a new Helix 5W 40 oil to keep them happy for years. The dry-sump scavenge lines are optimized for this viscosity, and this represents attention to detail unseen by any other automaker. That's what keeps Ferrari ahead of everyone else. It revs faster than any previous Ferrari, and the sound is nothing short of heavenly. The press release is 40 pages of fuel injection strategy and variable intake geometry, and our dealers are happy to offer all the details. In the meantime, the styling of these twins carries influences of Pininfarina and the Centro Stile with an obvious focus on aerodynamics. Because the engine makes much more heat than the normal 812, scoops, inlets, and massive cooling fans were needed. Even on a hot Italian afternoon, the temp gauge will be 30*C cooler than the 812 GTS. You will have 25% more downforce in a car that weighs 84 lbs less. Tell us what aspect appeals to your finer sensibilities in the comments below, and click the button to order your new 812 Competizione A! Shop Ferrari Images and film (C) Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2021

Behold The Ultimate Ferrari 330 LMB Recreation by Bell Sp...

Decades in the making! For those who enjoy classic GT racing, this one is not like the others. Enzo Ferrari chose to only build four 330 LMBs for competition. The notion of racing a 2+2 seemed superfluous given the performance of Ferrari's 2-seater cars. Nevertheless, a group of talented coachbuilders has spent a few years building this tribute car. Its almost the same motivation our friends at Manhattan Motorcars devote to their Ferrari 250 builds. After carefully scanning the blueprints from Chassis 4725, they were ready to build new examples of even the smallest details. The 330 LMB was Ferrari's ultimate LeMans Berlinetta. Having a longer wheelbase makes it stable above 150 mph, as power comes from a modern take on the classic Columbo V12. They started by building a replica chassis for a 250 GTO before stretching it to make room for the rear seats. Car #4275 resides in Manhattan, so the team traveled to the Big Apple a few times to build cardboard templates of the only Right-Hand Drive 330. Did they get it right? Tell us in the comments below and find your Ferrari 250 for your next daily driver. Browse Ferrari 250 For Sale Images (C) Mark Riccioni

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

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By Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2020

2021 Ferrari SF90 Spider Is A Convertible Masterpiece

Before automakers had access to supercomputers it was difficult to build a decent drop-top. Those who swear by hardtop dominance might be a dying breed now that the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Spider is a convertible masterpiece. The new flagship to wear a Prancing Horse has been years in the making. 2021 Ferrari SF90Stradale Test Drive Starting with their newest retractable hardtop, incredible attention was paid to aerodynamics in order to offer incredible downforce and low drag. Behind the cockpit, the engine cover is tucked down very close to the intake manifold. This draws the slipstream into an elegant "Shut-Off Gurney". Inside, the controls are mostly capacitive touch panels and all instrumentation is through HD displays. Also borrowed from the coupe is the option for more performance. Those who choose the Assetto Fiorano specification will enjoy a lighter curb weight and Multimatic suspension The roof can be opened or closed in 14 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. Under the sleek body is the same 1,000 horsepower drivetrain that incorporates three electric motors and a battery pack. You will reach 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and 124 mph in only 7 ticks. The electric range is rated at 16 miles given a fully charged battery. With deliveries of the coupe starting soon, this Spider is ready to bite you. Click the button below for all the details from our dealers and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse Ferrari For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 16, 2020

2021 Ferrari Portofino M Offers More Power, Style & Techn...

Looking back through Maranello's 2+2 convertibles, it seems that these Grand Touring machines were never given the latest upgrades. It was not until the California T that they began to focus on refining this segment. Now you have another supercar to choose from as the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M offers more power, style & technology. Starting under the hood, you will find their bulletproof 3.8-liter twin turbo. With new cams and computer-controlled turbos, it offers 620 horsepower at 7,500 rpm. Each turbo has an integrated tachometer so the computer can keep them at an optimal speed. This load map changes by gear and throttle position so yo will have 560 lb-ft of torque at an instant. Mounted at the rear is an all-new 8-speed automatic. Built to stay in-boost through each shift, their goal of "Zero Turbo Lag" has been achieved. This allowed them to spread out the gear ratios to allow 8th to deliver incredible fuel economy in normal driving. That's because this is their first GT convertible to have "Race" mode. The manetino dial now has five modes, something we have been waiting years to see. " width="680"> This allows the computer to share the same systems found on the 488 GTB, such as: Side Slip Control, Electronic Differential, F1-TCS, SCM-E, and the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. The latter is activated in Race Mode to keep the brake pads closer to the calipers for quick reactions. Engineers also removed a pair of resonators from the exhaust, so you will really hear this Prancing Horse when spurred. Browse Ferrari Portofino For Sale From the nose to tail, every body panel has been optimized for more stability at higher speeds and the interior is much more intuitive. With all these attributes considered, the 2021 Ferrari Portofino M isn't an upgrade, it is a new car that will be arriving soon. Click the button above to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Ferrari news.

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi Reopens With Comprehensive Safety...

Visiting the UAE can be fun for all ages, especially if you love exotic cars. Ferrari World is one of Abu Dhabi's major attractions, but it has been shuttered since Covid went wild. Now that we've learned how to deal with the virus, the park has reopened with a new set of rules. You have to reserve tickets ahead of time, as the park is running at 30% capacity. This November will be the 10th anniversary of the park, so a new Family Zone features four miniature versions of the theme park’s most iconic rides: the Formula Rossa Junior, Speedway Race, Flying Wings and the Turbo Tower. If you are planning a trip, make sure its on your list and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 27, 2020

2021 Ferrari SF90Stradale Test Drive

Hybrids are nothing new to Ferrari. The LaFerrari will still reign supreme as their high voltage hypercar, but now they are about to unleash something for the rest of us. You won't need to be on their VIP list for their first Series-Production hybrid. That is why over 30 journalists were invited to Italy in June. Pushing the cars to their limits, we get to watch the ultimate Ferrari SF90Stradale test drive. Until it arrives, we have several 2015 LaFerrari for sale. Click the button below and stay with us for all your Ferrari news. Browse Ferrari LaFerrari For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2020

Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida to Open Largest Ferra...

Ever since Mr. Disney announced the world's largest Theme Park, Orlando has been breaking records. It was there that I made my entry into exotic cars, working as a service concierge while earning my undergraduate. Central Florida has an automotive culture unlike anything you have seen before, and the owners are not afraid to show off their wealth in the latest Italian supercar. That's why our friends at Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida are about to open the largest Ferrari dealership in the U.S. Construction is underway at 4891 Vineland Road, placing it near the Mall of Millenia and close to Orlando's most exclusive real estate. Five acres of new & pre-owned Ferrari and Maserati will be more enjoyable than any amusement park, and their service center will have offer amenities you can't imagine. As soon as the grand opening is finalized, join us to celebrate the successes of our friends. Until then, click the link below to browse their inventory and plan your Orlando vacation. Browse Inventory " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 08, 2020

UPDATE: Ferrari Back at Full Capacity

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