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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

A teal and black LEGO Technic toy race car model with detailed mechanical features, inspired by the Aston Martin Valkyrie, drives on a blurred racetrack under a cloudy sky—perfect for fans looking to buy an exciting collectible.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 02, 2025

You Can Buy The New LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie Now

Aston Martin’s radical new hypercar achieves its LEGO form. Aston Martin is opening a new chapter with its Valkyrie, which stands out among the lineup of Aston Martin’s luxurious and elegant British performance cars as an F1 racing-derived, mid-engined, ultra performance machine with over 1,000 horsepower and the ability to rocket from 0-60 in just 2.5 seconds, thanks to a hybrid-assisted V12 engine from the perofmrancde experts at Cosworth. While the Valkyrie is one of the most rare and exclusive models in Aston Martin’s extensive repertoire, enthusiasts can now experience its excellence in one of their favorite forms: LEGO. Aston Martin has just announced that it has collaborated with the LEGO Group on a LEGO® Technic rendition of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, showcasing the incredible hypercar in LEGO’s unique style. Evolving far beyond a children’s toy, LEGO models have become collectibles for enthusiasts to enjoy as decor and sculpture, especially in the automotive world, and the Aston Martin Valkyrie is the latest to join LEGO’s rapidly expanding automotive lineup, offering an exciting building experience in addition to the captivating end result. Going even further than being the latest automotive LEGO Technic creation, the new LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie is part of a collaboration between the LEGO Group and Asphalt Legends UNITE, Gameloft’s arcade racing video game sensation. As part of the launch of the new build set, players of Asphalt Legends UNITE will be able to use both the Aston Martin Valkyrie and its new LEGO counterpart in-game. Carrying a price of $59.99, the new LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie is available to purchase and build now. Shop LEGO Technic Sets Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 16, 2024

Amalgam Teams Up With Alan Thornton For Exclusive Aston M...

Amalgam Collection collaborates with Alan Thornton to create art prints of iconic Aston Martin models, Valkyrie and DB5. In a striking collaboration that fuses Aston Martin's excellence and artistic mastery, Amalgam Collection, renowned for its large-scale model cars, has embarked on a new venture with artist Alan Thornton. This partnership aims to embody the essence of Aston Martin's most iconic models, the Valkyrie and DB5, into artistic prints perfect for any home, office, or garage. The project aims to offer Aston Martin enthusiasts an exclusive opportunity. Owners of the marque's most extreme and valuable cars can commission personalized art collections, transforming their prized possessions into stunning conversation pieces. Thornton, with his limited annual commissions, is set to deliver unique artistic interpretations, capturing these investment-grade automobiles in their full glory. The process is highly customizable, from the format and size to the media and print quantity, ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience. Thornton's extensive background in portrait photography adds a compelling dimension, offering large format prints that beautifully portray both the car and its proud owner. Thornton's artistry delves into the designer's intent, blending technical skill with a deep passion for automotive subjects, resulting in captivating artworks that resonate with car fanatics. Thornton's approach is a meticulous three-stage process. It begins with high-resolution studio photography, focusing on lighting and angles. The second stage involves digital enhancement, creating hyper-realistic images with rich tonality. The final stage brings these visions to life through traditional hand screen printing or dye sublimation, using bespoke color mixes to mirror the car's finishes. Presenting these artworks to Aston Martin's designers generated an enthusiastic response, cementing this collaboration in Amalgam's history books. Shop Amalgam Collection x Alan Thornton Source: Amalgam Collection

By Edward Jones – October 05, 2021

Aston Martin Valhalla is Coming to Rocket League

Time to do some flip resets in Aston Martin's new supercar. Are you falling off in Rocket League? Did your ranking drop off because you solo queue and get bad teammates? Do you need to be cheered up? Well, I have great news for you. Rocket League has just announced that they will be adding in 007's Aston Martin Valhalla supercar. The secret agent's supercar will be available for 1100 credit and will come with a decal, unique engine audio, and signature wheels. For the try-hards out there, it will feature the same hitbox as the Dominus, one of the best cars in the game. If you'd like to add the Valhalla to your garage, it will be available in the Item Shop on October 7-13. For those who missed 007's Aston Martin DB5 in Rocket League, it will be returning and will be available in the Item Shop the same day that the Valhalla joins the game. All Aston Martins For Sale Source: RocketLeague.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 16, 2021

Aston Martin Racing x Hackett London Release A New Appare...

Discover the new Aston Martin Racing by Hackett Autumn Winter '21 Collection. While Aston Marin Racing is best known for setting lap times on race circuits around the world, the brand also has a presence in the fashion world. With help from the fashion professionals at Hackett London, Aston Martin Racing is proud to announce the release of its new luxury apparel and accessories collection. The AMR x Hackett London Collection embodies the look, feel, and performance of an Aston Martin supercar, with premium materials and design to best highlight its qualities. The collection features a wide variety of styles and designs that vary from business casual to performance comfort. The automotive-inspired clothing line includes jackets, sweatshirts, polos, t-shirts, pants, shorts, hats, baggage, and accessories that all sport the Aston Martin Racing colors and logos. Each piece supports one of the best racing teams in motorsports while pairing perfectly to the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera in the garage. Celebrate that collaboration between Aston Martin Racing and Hackett London with the all-new performance-focused collection. The AMR x Hackett London is currently available to shop online by clicking the link below. Shop The AMR x Hackett Collection Media Source: Hackett London

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 14, 2021

Adidas Announces Its New James Bond Collection

Honoring an icon of modern cinema with an iconic new collection. While the iconic James Bond movie series exemplifies the luxury lifestyle of a secret agent through perfectly fit tuxedos and performance-focused Aston Martin models, brands like Adidas are celebrating with their own originals to pay homage to 007. Adidas is proud to announce its new collaboration with James Bond featuring a collection of apparel and footwear. Stepping outside of the traditional style of James Bond, the upcoming release takes on a more sport-driven vibe with casual fits to provide premium comfort. The apparel portion of the collection includes matching jackets, pullovers, t-shirts, and pants. As part of the footwear side, Adidas decided to include the ever-popular Ultraboost sneaker to feature new subtle designs and styles to complement the James Bond theme. The Adidas x James Bond Collection is set to release on September 24th, with a collection preview on the Adidas website. Media Source: Adidas

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 01, 2021

The New 2021 Aston Martin F1 Team Collection Is Now Avail...

As the 2021 Motorsport season kicks off, we see teams and manufacturers unveiling gear for fans to show support throughout the year. In celebration of returning to the world of Grand Prix, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team is proud to release a head-to-toe collection featuring products and accessories sporting the manufacturer’s designs. The collection includes hats, jackets, vests, sweatshirts, t-shirts, bags, bottles, and accessories. Inspired to prove success throughout the season, the AM F1 Collection digs into the roots of the brand using infamous badging and color codes. No matter the condition, Aston Martin has you covered with its line of outerwear, commonly seen on team members at tracks with chilling temperatures. The 2021 Aston Martin F1 Team Apparel Collection is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Aston Martin F1 Collection For more Gear news, Check out The New C SEED 165″ 4K Television Self-Folds Away In Seconds And Costs $400,000

aston martin dbx satin xenon grey 1 jpg.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 20, 2021

Wheels X Wardrobe: Bold And Cold In The Aston Martin DBX

There are occasions when we want to dress up for an evening of formal events, while there are days when a t-shirt and a pair of jeans are the most comfortable option. An adaptable wardrobe is similar to the new Aston Martin DBX, which cannot foresee weather conditions but can acclimate to anything thrown in its way. This week’s Wheels X Wardrobe is getting comfortable with an array of relaxed styles that won’t break the bank. Shop any of the products featured in this special by clicking the link below. Vehicle Aston Martin 2020 Aston Martin DBX MSRP $176,900 View All Aston Martin DBX For Sale Watch TAG Heuer TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph $5,350 Buy From TAG Heuer Top Canada Goose Canada Goose Expedition Parka $1,295 Buy From Canada Goose Frank and Oak Frank and Oak The Jasper Good Cotton Oxford Shirt in Black $59.50 Buy From Frank and Oak Frank and Oak Frank and Oak The Sunday Pasta Tee in Vintage Grey $39.50 Buy From Frank and Oak Bottom Nordstrom LEVIS 511™ Slim Fit Jeans $79.50 Buy From Nordstrom Footwear Nordstrom Nike 70s-Type Sneaker $90 Buy From Nordstrom Clearweather Clearweather Bantha/Himalaya Slip On $200 Buy From Clearweather Brand Accessories Bollman Hat Co. Bollman Hat Co. Reefer Cuff Beanie $45 Now $33.75 Buy From Bollman Hat Co. Sunglass Hut Ray-Ban RB3668 55 Blue & Black $123 Buy From Sunglass Hut Amazon Aston Martin Face Mask $5.49 Buy From Amazon Samsara Samsara Heather Gray Weekender $79.90 Buy From Samsara The Bold And Cold Breakdown 2020 Aston Martin DBX MSRP $176,900 TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph $5,350 Canada Goose Expedition Parka $1,295 Frank and Oak The Jasper Good Cotton Oxford Shirt in Black $59.50 Frank and Oak The Sunday Past Tee in Vintage Grey $39.50 LEVIS 511™ Slim Fit Jeans $79.50 Nike 70s-Type Sneaker $90 Clearweather Bantha/Himalaya Slip On $200 Bollman Hat Co. Reefer Cuff Beanie $45 Now $33.75 Ray-Ban RB3668 55 Blue & Black $123 Aston Martin Face Mask $5.49 Samsara Heather Grey Weekender $79.90 For more Wheels x Wardrobe, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: BMW M Sport

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By Jordan Aquistapace – January 18, 2021

The New Aston Martin DBX Temperature Controlled Cup Keeps...

For most, the first cup of coffee in the morning is the most important. It is the telling sign of how the rest of the day will go. Ensuring not only a comfortable commute but also a consistently hot cup of coffee, Aston Martin is here to make mornings better. The luxury auto manufacturer is going a step further for customer amenities with its DBX Heated Cup, a temperature-controlled to-go cup that fits perfectly in the new Aston Martin SUV. The DBX Cup is smartphone compatible with temperature control via Bluetooth, maintaining maximum heat for up to 3 hours. The Aston Martin DBX Cup is available for pre-order through dealers such as Miller Motorcars for $420.99. For more Aston Martin Gear news, Check out New Aston Martin Heritage Collection is a Must-Have for Classic Car Fans

21SS xMS Mercedes MCS Track Jacket Mens 3301 RGB

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 18, 2021

Puma Unveils Spring/Summer 2021 Motorsport Partner Collec...

We recently covered a few instances of Puma teasing new sneakers for the 2021 motorsport season. The collection features Formula 1 teams such as Mercedes AMG Petronas, Red Bull Racing, and manufacturer division BMW M Motorsports. The team at Puma is proud to announce the new Spring/Summer 2021 Motorsport Partner Collection, which incorporates retro-futuristic designs blended with the established team colors translating on-track spirit into a street lifestyle. The collection will feature head to toe clothing and footwear celebrating the best years of each manufacture’s beginning in the world of motorsports. Whether it is on or off the track, Puma Motorsport offers the best styles to represent your favorite team during the 2021 season. Stay up-to-date with releases from the Puma Motorsport Partner Collection by checking back in and clicking the link below. Shop Puma Motorsport For more Puma Motorsport news, Check out Discover The Puma Motorsport Sparco Speedcat OG+ Shoe Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 16, 2020

Holiday Gift List For The Motorsport Enthusiast

In a world with so many motorsport divisions, teams, and manufacturers, it is unlikely that everyone in the family cheers on the same driver. This makes shopping for holiday gifts more of a rivalry when you have a Lewis Hamilton fan and a Scuderia Ferrari fan in the same household. Lucky enough, Puma has all corners of the motorsport industry covered with head-to-toe fashion featuring everyone’s favorite team and manufacturer. In today’s special, we compiled a gift list of Puma Motorsport products for every race fan in your family. Shop any of the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. BMW M Motorsport BMW M Motorsport Street Cap $30 Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport Street Hoodie $100Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport Graphic Tee $45 Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport RS-X³ Sneakers $120 Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport Street Backpack $120 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas Mercedes-AMG Petronas Baseball Cap $30 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas MCS T-Shirt $40 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas RS-X³ Sneakers On Sale $69.99 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas Sweatpants $80 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari Fanwear Trucker Cap On Sale $24.99 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari Race MCS Sweat Jacket $110 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari Race Sweatpants $80 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari R-Cat Motorsport Shoes On Sale $69.99 Buy From Puma Porsche Design Porsche Legacy Baseball Cap $40 Buy From Puma Porsche Design evoKNIT Active Midlayer $220 Buy From Puma Porsche Design Graphic Tee $60 Buy From Puma Porsche Legacy RS-2K Sneakers $130 Buy From Puma Porsche Legacy Backpack' $120 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Lifestyle Flat Brim Cap On Sale $19.99 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing Street Jacket On Sale $94.99 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing Graphic Midlayer $90 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing X-Ray Sneakers On Sale $49.99 Buy From Puma

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