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.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 17, 2016

2016 Jaguar XF: Price, Specs, Review and Photos

2016 Jaguar XF Specs Price: $51,170 Engine: 3.0-liter V6 Horsepower: 380 hp 0–60: 5.1 seconds Top Speed: 155 mph Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic Already known for its blend of agility and old English style, the XF now bears an updated grille, larger front air intakes and re-molded bodywork. The base 2016 XF retains the previous 3.0-liter, supercharged 340 horsepower V6 and an eight-speed semi-automatic gearbox. The XF S, on the other hand, creates 380 horsepower, and is capable of launching the sport model from 0-60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds. Inside, Jaguar’s touchscreen infotaintment system has been improved with InControl Touch Pro, which flaunts a 10.2 inch screen. The new XF builds upon its predecessor’s reputation of supreme handling and drivability to carry Jaguar beyond the competition. Buy Your Issue Now

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – January 31, 2016

2016 Jaguar XJR: Price, Specs, Review and Photos

2016 Jaguar XJR Specs Price: $116,995 (SWB) Engine: 5.0-liter supercharged V8 Horsepower: 550 hp 0–62: 4.7 seconds Top Speed: 174 mph Transmission: 8-speed automatic ReviewThe 2016 XJR receives a mild facelift with LED lighting and more aggressive air intakes, but the big changes are inside. The all-new InControl system uses touch screens and hard drives that interface with your smartphone. The Meridian sound system has been upgraded to an 825-watt, 17-speaker system that hopefully won’t overpower the soundtrack from the 550 horsepower supercharged V8, which sends 502 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic. ...this isn’t your Grandfather’s Jaguar For rear passenger entertainment, HDMI and USB ports are available to control the 10.2-inch screens. With more power and intelligence than any of its predecessors, this isn’t your Grandfather’s Jaguar.Jaguar XJRs For Sale Buy Your Issue Now

By Caitlin Duffy – November 11, 2015

Jaguar Heritage Parts Add E-type Replacement Body Panels

The Jaguar E-type has been heralded as one of the finest cars the marque has ever created, with some, namely Enzo Ferrari, going so far as to call it the most beautiful car ever made. Now, owners of this stunning classic will be able to bring it back to a like-new state through Jaguar Heritage Parts.As a press release from the British marque today shared, all of the body panels for Series 1 E-types and many of the parts for Series 2 and 3 models have been made available to customers. Each panel is crafted using the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, ensuring they'll last even longer than the originals."We've taken huge steps to ensure that we are now providing the highest quality E-type panels on the market," described Tim Hannig, Director of Jaguar Land Rover Heritage, in the release. "This has been achieved using the original factory drawings and designs of the E-type, combined with state-of-the art new tooling. In fact, you could say that our customers are now able to buy panels, even better than the originals."Jaguar Heritage currently offers more than 30,000 spare and replacement parts for vehicles that have been out of production for at least 10 years, ensuring that their classic models can be enjoyed and shared with future generations.Check out the process behind crafting these body panels in the gallery below, then find your own E-type for a restoration project from our exclusive listings.E-types For SaleGallery (via Jaguar) See More Jaguar News

By Caitlin Duffy – September 16, 2015

Jaguar F-Pace First Edition: Only 2,000 to be Made

It's a CUV capable of driving upside down while withstanding 6.5 gs of force, and only 2,000 lucky individuals worldwide will call one of its first edition models their own.Two years ago, in Sept. 2013, Jaguar introduced their C-X17 crossover utility vehicle concept to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, at the same show two years later, its production version has been announced to the world. As Sept. 15 press releases from Jaguar Land Rover share, the F-PACE CUV is a new chapter for the English manufacturer, ushering in many positive new advancements."With only 2,000 units available globally, we expect the Jaguar F-PACE First Edition to sell out - we are receiving an incredible amount of interest from customers who want to be the first and who want the best," described Chief Marketing Officer for Jaguar Land Rover Gerd Mauser in one of the releases. This special First Edition run will offer a choice of two colors for the exterior - either the Caesium Blue seen in photos and videos shared with the world, or Halcyon Gold.22-inch Double Helix Alloy wheels with grey finish and contrast inserts will finish the exterior presence, with sharp accents coming in the form of red brake calipers, LED headlights and a standard S model body kit. The interior is set to feature Houndstooth embossed Windsor Leather Sports seats, special carpet mats and gloss black trim finisher. This final appearance was selected by Jaguar's designers, as they hand-picked the favorite features and tech options they had tested thus far.As the second release tells us, this aluminum model's unveiling has already led to massive doors opening for the marque; more than £120 million, or approximately $185,952,000 USD at time of publication, has been invested in Jaguar as a result of this model.(See Also: Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Introduced)"This takes the total amount invested in Solihull's 'factory within a factory' to £620mn - the largest investment in the 70-year history of the Midlands based plant," states the release.The F-Pace is set to go on sale beginning in early 2016, and will be available to customers worldwide.Gallery (Source: Jaguar Land Rover, YouTube) See More News from Frankfurt

By Andrew Nabors – September 14, 2015

Jaguar F-PACE Drives Around Loop, Breaks World Record

Jaguar’s upcoming F-PACE is poised to be a power player in the luxury crossover market. To celebrate the 80th birthday of the brand, they chose unveil the F-PACE in a unique way: smashing a Guinness World Record. Not just any record would do, so they chose to build the largest ‘loop the loop’ in automotive history, according to a press release issued today by Jaguar Land Rover."The F-PACE is a family car that is fast, fun and full of charisma, so completing the world's largest loop the loop was the perfect reveal moment," said Fiona Pargeter, Jaguar Land Rover Global PR Communications Director, in the press release. "The F-PACE is packed full of innovative technology and features the world's most-advanced in-car entertainment system, matched with super-fast wifi connectivity. Customers are going to go loopy for the Jaguar F-PACE."Months of preparation went into building the reinforced loop and in conditioning the driver. Both would need to be capable of 6.5 gs of centripetal downforce through the loop. Obviously, the F-Pace is capable of over six gs of suspension load, but we advise you not to attempt this.Also included in the release are the details of the First Edition model. This special edition will be built in limited numbers and only available in Caesium Blue and Halcyon Gold. They will arrive fully loaded with LED headlights, 22-inch wheels and a panoramic roof. Windsor leather in Light Oyster adorns the interior, with an embossed houndstooth pattern.Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Jaguar news and full coverage of the Frankfurt Auto Show.Jaguars For SaleGallery See More Jaguar News, Pics and Videos

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2015

Jaguar F-PACE Unveiled Ahead of IAA

Since their inception, crossovers have mostly consisted of front wheel drive family transporters with power coming from an unassuming V6 or I4. To break this mold, Jaguar will be pulling the wraps off of their latest creation, the F-PACE Performance Crossover, at the Frankfurt International Auto Show (IAA).In a press release earlier today, they saw fit to tease us with a side shot and video of the upcoming model. Perhaps there will be enough room under the bonnet for the 550 hp fusion reactor found in the F-Type R and the Range Rover SVR. If not, the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 shared between Jaguar and Land Rover makes more than enough power for a fun family runabout.This year marks the 80th anniversary of Jaguar, and it will be a banner year for their lineup. The new XE sedan will be a stylish and practical alternative to full size cars, and the entire F-TYPE range is available with all-wheel drive and manual transmission options. The F-TYPE range, XE, XJ and XF will all be joining the F-PACE at Jaguar's IAA stand, and can be seen by the public from the event's first day, Sept. 17, to the end of the show on Sept. 27.For full coverage of all the IAA show at Frankfurt, stay tuned to Autofluence, and find a Jaguar for your collection from their current models from our exclusive listings.Jaguars For Sale(Source: Jaguar Land Rover) See More Jaguar News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 26, 2015

Jaguar F-PACE Testing Continues

As the luxury automotive market grows, production models from high-end manufacturers have expanded to a wide variety of offerings, but particularly notable is the sudden rush to create luxury SUVs. Jaguar is one manufacturer releasing a new utility vehicle, and in a press release today, they've shown us another look at its final design.After phenomenal interest and "an overwhelmingly positive response" to the introduction of the C-X17 concept from Jaguar in 2014, the British marque announced that the model had been confirmed for production bearing the moniker of F-PACE. After just eight months, they've already moved the model to extensive testing, and a new series of photos shows it in a stunning purble, blue and pink design.There's no denying the fact that Jaguar's development has benefited greatly from the expertise at Land Rover, and the images show us a car that, in its design, does show some strong resemblance to the new Range Rover Evoque. But there are many design characteristics that are distinctly Jaguar - most evident are the lights. Sharp, narrow and looking very much like cat eyes, they show that this car is undoubtedly a feline creation.The front grille also keeps true to Jaguar's heritage, as does the purr of its engine. A video added to YouTube Aug. 25, which you can see above, shows us F-PACE driving through some mountainous terrain, accompanied by the statement, "Unmatched driver engagement."The release tells us that the F-PACE utilizes "Jaguar's Lightweight Aluminum Architecture," as well as a double wishbone front suspension and Integral Link rear suspension to provide extra stiffness. The result is a light and nimble car capable of holding its own across uneven terrain.(See Also: 1972 Jaguar E-Type Roadster is an Automotive Time Capsule)Stay with us to learn more about this upcoming crossover from Jaguar Land Rover, and find one of their classic designs from our exclusive listings at the button below.Jaguars For SaleGallery (Source: Jaguar Land Rover) See More Jaguar News

By Edward Jones – August 25, 2015

1972 Jaguar E-Type Roadster is an Automotive Time Capsule

We have quite a few Jaguar E-Types listed on dupontREGISTRY.com, but this particular example has an incredible story that transforms it into a piece automotive history, frozen in time. We recently had the chance to talk with the seller, John Temerian, about the car and its history. It also started seven months ago when the Temerian received a text message from a friend saying, "Didn't your father fix old Jaguars?" Apparently, her father was liquidating his prized possession: a 1972 Jaguar E-Type Roadster. Because Temerian receives so many inquiries about mysterious vintage cars for sale, he was skeptical. This reaction was reasonable considering how many E-Types are out in the world. During its heyday, the E-Type was considered one of the most beautiful cars on the road. Its English styling is something that, even to this day, is simply iconic. And, unlike most motorists in the 1960s and ‘70s, Jaguar owners drove their cars, racking up miles. These cars are hard to find with low mileage. In fact, Temerian told us that finding a "no-mileage, unrestored, brand-new Ferrari is not that hard" to find. But finding a similar Jaguar E-Type Roadster is "unheard of." Well, after meeting with the owner, the car in question was exactly that: an unrestored, brand-new 1972 Jaguar E-Type Roadster with only 2,000 miles on its odometer. View Price and Listing How did this happen? Back on November 29, 1972, the "owner" visited Foreign Cars of North East to purchase his dream car: a silver on red E-Type. After parting with $7,000, he welcomes the car into his garage. Unfortunately, he was not aware of the dealership's impending closing. After the dealership closed, he was left without a license for his new Jaguar and no way to register it. He was forced to stow away his dream in his garage while he filed a lawsuit against the dealership and importer. During the next two years, he purchased a British Racing Green 1974 E-Type V12 Roadster that he used for hill climbs, rallies and cruises. He did all of this while his original purchase was still holed up in his garage, collecting dust. Eventually, he won his battle, received his money back and was able to purchase the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, commonly known as an "MSO," for a mere $2,500. Still, the car didn't see much time on the road, which is why it's now being offered for sale with an unbelievably low amount of miles clocked. It comes with its original interior, paint, tires and documents, making it basically untouched for its 40 years of existence. It is also being sold by John Temerian, someone who comes from a family that has owned 50 E-Types over the years and is very passionate about the model. This may very well be the very last "brand-new" 1972 Jaguar E-Type in existence, and it's looking for a new home. Find out how to make it yours at the button below. View Price and Listing Gallery (Sponsored Post) See More Remarkable Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 29, 2015

Jaguar F-PACE SUV Seen Testing in Extreme Weather

The new Jaguar F-PACE hasn't been released to the public yet, but the English luxury automaker did just give us another glimpse at the upcoming SUV. In a press release issued today, Jaguar showed off the F-PACE testing in some serious weather conditions. From the extreme heat of Duabi, to the frigid cold of Northern Sweden, the F-PACE was put tested to its limit."We developed the F-PACE to offer the ride, handling and refinement demanded from a Jaguar, together with exceptional levels of ability and composure on all surfaces and in all weathers," said Andrew Whyman, Vehicle Program Director for the SUV, in the press release. "Just as we paid obsessive attention to detail over the engineering of every single component, we've exhaustively tested the F-PACE in the most challenging conditions to ensure that it will exceed the expectations of our customers around the world."(Related: 2016 Jaguar XF Unveiled on Tightrope Drive)Aside from in high and low temperatures, the F-PACE was also driven over gravel mountain passes. This marks the first time that a Jaguar test program included this kind of environment.Jaguar will be premiering the F-PACE at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year.Gallery (Source: Jaguar) See More Jaguar News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – July 14, 2015

2016 F-Type SVR Spotted Testing on Nurburgring

Rumors have been flying around for months about a potential F-Type SVR being released by Jaguar in 2016, and as more and more spy shots and videos trickle in, it's harder to deny its existence.One of the most recent spottings comes from YouTuber cvdzijden, who caught what appears to be the 2016 Jaguar F-Type SVR testing on the Nurburgring."This time I have film for the very first time the 2016 Jaguar F-Type SVR what was testing on the Nurburgring yesterday," describes the caption of cvdzijden's video, added to YouTube July 8. "The SVR will have a supercharged V8 5.0-liter engine what produce 600+ hp!"Though Jaguar Land Rover has yet to confirm that the upcoming SVR model is an F-Type or what its performance specs will be, Evo.co.uk received confirmation March 4 from the Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations, John Edwards, that an SVR Jaguar is, indeed, in the works.Check out the video of this test mule, and find your own Jaguar F-Type from our exclusive listings at the button below.F-Types For Sale (Source: Facebook, YouTube, Evo.co.uk) See More Jaguar News

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