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

Jaguar News

Jaguar news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks. We cover the brand's electric relaunch alongside the models that established its name, from the F-TYPE to the I-PACE. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, design developments and the auction results that shape collector values. Jaguar is midway through a complete reinvention, and we follow each decision as it is confirmed. The marketplace adds something most publications cannot offer. Jaguars covered here are frequently listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so the reporting and a genuine asking price appear together. For Jaguar news today, and the luxury car news and sports car news around it, begin below.

Aerial view of a metallic silver sports car with pop-up headlights, resembling a Supercat. Parked in a dimly lit indoor space, its V12 engine hints at unmatched power, while the sleek design and aerodynamic features are highlighted.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 20, 2024

TWR Reveals New 1-of-88 V12 Manual Supercat

Classic legacy is the foundation of this new supercar. Jaguar is known and celebrated for its long legacy of British luxury cars, many of which boast sporty, high-performance driving character. A significant part of Jaguar’s racing and performance legacy was formed with the help of Tom Walkinshaw Racing, who secured victory for Jaguar race cars at tracks like Bathurst and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Now, under the leadership of Tom Walkinshaw’s son, Fergus Walkinshaw, that legacy is being revived with the debut of the new TWR Supercat. Based on the iconic Jaguar XJS, a legendary sports car in Jaguar’s heritage, the new Supercat is a V12-powered Super-GT that modernizes the XJS’s appeal, and incorporated design elements from various legendary Jaguar cars, like the XJR-9, the XJR-15, and the legendary XJ220, which was in its time the fastest production car in the world. The supercharged V12 engine that lies underneath the new Supercat’s hood is developed entirely in-house by TWR, and boasts an impressive 660 horsepower and 538 lb/ft of torque. That power is sent to the rea wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Despite adopting the XJS’s retro look and charm, the new TWR Supercat features modern engineering innovation for optimal performance, including carbon fiber body panels, available carbon ceramic brakes, programmable traction control, and more. Automotive legend Magnus Walker lent his talent to the Supercat’s design, as well. The cars are built to order, and only 88 examples will be made, with right-hand drive and left-hand drive examples available in markets like the UK, the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Prices for the new TWR Supercat start at roughly $285,000, and a limited number of build slots remain open for the incredible retro-modern supercar. View All Jaguars For Sale Image Source: TWR

Green sports car with sleek design and two-door coupe body style, displayed on a gray background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 30, 2024

CALLUM Creates A New Roadgoing Bespoke Jaguar C-X75

CALLUM turns a stunning concept into a reality… again. Ian Callum led the team that penned one of the most beautiful modern supercar concepts: the Jaguar C-X75. The car, created in 2010, is inspired by racing and supercar icons from Jaguar from the past like the legendary Jaguar XJ220 and more. Despite remaining a concept, the C-X75 attained fame with its prominent appearance in the James Bond film Spectre. Callum describes the C-X75 as “the one that got away,” a supercar with incredible potential that never made it to production. However, the stunt cars used for the film production of Spectre provided an opportunity for CALLUM, founded by Ian Callum in 2019, to bring the Jaguar C-X75 to life. A new commission, the second customer commission of a Jaguar C-X75, has given the car the conclusion it deserves as a roadgoing supercar masterpiece, imbuing the concept with everyday practicality and comfort along with its stunning design and performance. The C-X75 Car 001 features a supercharged V8 paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission, which is made easily usable thanks to CALLUM’s in-house software and electronics. It has the ability to combine everyday comfort with thrilling performance, with active aero including an air brake function, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, front-lift suspension, and more. Over 1,000 hours of painstaking craftsmanship was involved in creating the second Jaguar C-X75 customer commission, with stunning Willow Green paintwork and a variety of leathers upholstering the interior. Known for its growing list of bespoke and highly-exclusive automotive creations, CALLUM adds a stunning creation to its portfolio with the second Jaguar C-X75 commission. View All Jaguars For Sale Image Source: CALLUM

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2021

1952 Jaguar C-Type Reimagined By Ecurie Ecosse

It seems as if Scotland is becoming a powerhouse in the world of vintage racing. The new 1952 Jaguar C-Type reimagined by Ecurie Ecosse is a modern take on a race-winning classic. Much like their LM69, it arrived loaded with the latest suspension and technology. One of their most prolific racers, Ian Stewart visited the Jaguar factory in '52 and came home with a new race car. Ecurie Ecosse LM69 Asks “What if ?” To celebrate the 59 podium finishes they had with seven cars, Ecurie Ecosse is building an homage to each of the original cars. Wider, stronger, and lower, they are made of laser-cut aluminum and powered by a Jaguar straight-six. Stroked to 4.2 liters, it is fuel injected to offer 300 horsepower. No detail was overlooked, including the Tag Heuer stopwatch on the dash. Our dealers have great incentives on the new F-Type, so click the button to find yours. Browse Jaguar For Sale https://vimeo.com/500060308 Image and film (C) Ecurie Ecosse

By Andrew Nabors – January 11, 2021

Ecurie Ecosse LM69 Asks "What if ?"

In order to revive a groundbreaking Jaguar racer, the Ecurie Ecosse LM69 asks "What if ?". Built to dominate Le Mans, the XJ13 debuted in 1966. Not only was it their first mid-engine model, it arrived with a 5-liter V12 with quad cams. A last-minute change in the rules favored a certain Ford supercar, so Jaguar shelved this stunning supercar. 2021 Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 Celebrates Six Decades Of The E-Type The Ecurie Ecosse team is a group of Scottish engineers and racers who won Le Mans twice in the 50's fielding the timeless Jaguar D-Type. Now they are offering 25 examples of the LM69. With all specs being FIA-compliant for 1969, These street-legal cars offer the latest in composites, and they will be built-to-order by coachbuilders in the West Midlands. Jaguar still builds amazing cars using time-honored methods, so click the button to find one for yourself. Browse Jaguar For Sale Images (C) Ecurie Cars Limited

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2020

Eagle Lightweight GT is the Ultimate E-Type

When you think iconic Jaguar roadster, what comes to mind? Even if English cars are not your thing, everyone agrees that the classic Jaguar E-Type is a timeless work of art. Eagle started by restoring them one at a time. Customers begen inquiring about upgrades that have spawned the Resto-Mod movement, and it led the team to go all in. After completely reverse-engineering the entire car, the Eagle Lightweight GT is the ultimate E-Type. It has taken over 35 years to develop their own chassis, suspension, interior, and every body panel from aerospace aluminum alloy. Their 4.7-liter straight six makes use of an aluminum block and forged internals to offer 380 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. The cold air intake plenum is 3D printed carbon fiber, a work of art in its own right. After digitally scanning the internals of the transmission, it received carbon fiber synchros and cnc-machined internals so you can shift gears with one finger. Parts that were originally made of steel have been replaced by Inconel, titanium, and magnesium. This allows the car to weigh in at only 2,242 lbs with a full leather interior. No expense was spared, as their new floor pans and pedal box offer a relaxing driving position. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your classic Jaguar news. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2019

Evolution E-Types: Rebirth of a Legend

If you have the means to purchase a classic Jaguar E-Type, you must accept its quirks. The design is timeless, but the components and engineering were somewhat dated when they launched in 1961. The Evolution E-Type looks to bring the classic into the modern era. This allowed Uryk Dmyterko to make a name for himself. Known across the globe as the E-Type expert, his business grew from basic restorations into manufacturing the parts needed for a frame-off rebuild. The original Jaguar subframe & monocoque is flimsy by modern standards. So they started over with high strength steel. Every weld is gusseted before the entire assembly is acid dipped and treated to an epoxy primer. The enclosed spaces are coated in cavity wax for years of rust-free cruising. Now with a strong foundation, their attention turned to the engine. The straight six now has forged internals that are stronger and much lighter than the originals. A modern electronic fuel injection system has nearly doubled the torque output. This made them address the transmission's weak points. Their new aluminum 5-speed has triple synchros and a deep overdrive for the highway. Rusty body panels prompted Uryk to remake them in aluminum, using traditional methods in lieu of modern machine tools. He and his team realized they had almost every part needed to restore an E-Type, so they took a leap of faith. In a press release this morning, we learned that Evolution E-Types will be showing their all-new cars February 14th to 17th at London Excel. The rebirth of this legendary car is reason to celebrate, so perhaps it is time to experience one for yourself. If you want a classic example please click on the link below and stay with us for all your classic car news. View All E-Types For Sale https://vimeo.com/307063678 Related: Royal Wedding's E-Type Concept Zero E-Type Barely Misses Crashing Into Ferrari

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