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

Koenigsegg News

Koenigsegg news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Jesko and Jesko Absolut, the four-seat Gemera and the manual CC850. Our reporting follows reveals, record runs, engineering news and the auction results that set what these cars are worth. Koenigsegg builds only a handful of cars each year, so every confirmed sale carries real weight in the market. That is where our marketplace becomes useful to readers. Koenigseggs covered here are sometimes listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts the reporting and a real figure side by side. This is hypercar news with the market attached, so for Koenigsegg news today, start below.

Snapinsta.app 391427448 280468014891757 2899239638607821595 n 1080

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 18, 2023

Koenigsegg Reveals New Green Jesko Attack Spec

Koenigsegg reveals yet another example of the stunning Jesko. Unique design, world-beating power, bewildering innovation and engineering, and of course, world-class performance are all staple characteristics that Koenigsegg has become renowned for. While it’s incredibly difficult to top cars like the Agera and Regera, Koenigsegg has managed to elevate its allure even further with one of its latest “megacars,” the Jesko. With as much as 1,603 horsepower coming from its twin-turbocharged 5.0-liter V8 engine, it’s an unfathomable performance-focused creation, whether in its Absolut top-speed orientation or the track-focused Attack version. As deliveries of the Koenigsegg Jesko have begun, more specs of the stunning megacar have been revealed, including this new Koenigsegg Jesko Attack, which the Swedish manufacturer has shown off in a new post on Instagram. Its green paintwork alludes to timeless classic sports cars, with bright white accents that evoke a motorsport inspiration. In addition, the number “006” adds a racing-inspired spirit as well. With a unique configuration, bespoke details, and the engineering, craftsmanship, and performance that make the Koenigsegg Jesko as admirable as it is, this new example of the megacar is certainly one to covet. View All Koenigseggs For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by KOENIGSEGG (@koenigsegg)

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 13, 2023

Koenigsegg Shows Off A New Sweet Mandarin Jesko Attack Me...

This megacar’s vibrant color matches its raucous performance. When it comes to performance engineering, it’s difficult for anyone to wrap their head around the innovation and marvels of Koenigsegg. However, it’s much easier to simply admire the unfathomable power and performance that Koenigsegg’s hypercars, or rather megacars, are able to deliver. The Jesko is one of the latest and greatest examples of that excellence, and the Jesko Attack version offers a track-focused configuration, with as much as 3,000 pounds of downforce coming courtesy of a large wing and front splitter, which translates to precision and control where it matters. Deliveries for the Koenigsegg Jesko began recently, and the stunning track-focused Jesko Attack hypercar has seen yet another example come to fruition, which Koenigsegg is showing off in a new Instagram post. Its bold configuration shows off Koenigsegg’s incredible engineering, design, and craftsmanship in a luxurious, stylish, and unique package, coming together as this incredibly beautiful megacar. One of the first noticeable aspects of the new Jesko Attack example is its bold paint color, called Sweet Mandarin, a vibrant, saturated, and intense shade of orange, with provides a stark contrast to the various applications of exposed carbon fiber. Inside, the configuration is tied together as the interior continues the same color scheme, with carbon fiber throughout interrupted by the bright and unmistakable orange shade. With a head-turning color and mind-blowing performance, this Jesko Attack is sure to impress anyone that gets the chance to see it in action. View All Koenigseggs For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by KOENIGSEGG (@koenigsegg)

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 25, 2022

The First Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut Test Car Is Alive

Koenigsegg has a running prototype for its fastest car ever. The new Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut makes quite the statement. The “Absolut” name has quite the incomprehensible weight to it because Christian von Koenigsegg, founder and CEO of Koenigsegg says that it indicates the Jesko Absolut’s status as the fastest car that Koenigsegg will ever make. With a roster full of some of the greatest hypercars the world has ever seen, to the point where Koenigsegg spurred the use of a new term: megacar. MUST READ: Koenigsegg’s First Driveable Gemera Prototype Is Being Tested And Tuned The Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut promises to deliver 1600 horsepower and over 1100 lb/ft of torque. Combined with Koenigsegg’s 9-speed “Lightspeed” transmission, the Absolut is slated to reach speeds and achieve performance that will change the automotive world. Now, the development of the Absolut has taken an amazing step forward, with a Graphite Grey test car being made, which will be an official Koenigsegg factory testing vehicle. It sits alongside the pre-production Jesko Attack released last year. If we can count on one brand to push the world of performance forward, it’s Koenigsegg. View All Koenigseggs For Sale Source: Koenigsegg

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 15, 2022

The Koenigsegg Jesko Interrupts An Easter Egg Hunt With S...

Snow still covers the ground in northern Sweden, but nevertheless, the Koenigsegg Jesko springs into action. It’s nearly Easter, but the weather in northern Scandinavia isn’t exactly ready to bow out to the change of seasons. Considering the holiday, this video shows an Easter Egg hunt that takes place in the Swedish forest, ending at a Koenigsegg test facility. However, the eggs and the basket are completely abandoned once the egg hunter sees a Koenigsegg Jesko in the testing facility garage. MUST READ: Koenigsegg’s First Driveable Gemera Prototype Is Being Tested And Tuned Then, we get to see the Jesko take on the snow and dominate hot laps along the icy Koenigsegg test track. Being a car that performs like few others in the world, seeing it sliding around and kicking up snow is a rare opportunity, with its twin-turbo V8 engine noise adding to the show. While Scandinavian weather remains cold, leave it up to the Koenigsegg Jesko to heat things up for spring. Source: Koenigsegg

By Edward Jones – July 19, 2021

Full Koenigsegg Jesko Walkthrough With Christian von Koen...

A look at the exciting Jesko, courtesy of Christian von Koenigsegg. Now that the pre-production version of the Koenigsegg Jesko has been unveiled, the automotive community is waiting patiently for the first customer deliveries. To help us bide our time, Koenigsegg recently uploaded a full walkthrough video of the Jesko. Hosting the walkthrough is none other than the man behind the company, Christian von Koenigsegg. In the video, found up above, he takes us through every little detail of the Jesko. From the massive active rear wing to the Ultimate Power On Demand (UPOD) system, it's all in this video. He also takes the Jesko out and absolute rips it, allowing us to hear the brutal sound this hypercar creates. See all Koenigseggs currently for sale by clicking the button below. Koenigseggs For Sale Source: Koenigsegg

By Edward Jones – July 15, 2021

Pre-Production Koenigsegg Jesko Unveiled

Orange looks perfect on the Jesko. Koenigsegg has just unveiled the pre-series production version of the Jesko hypercar, getting us one step closer to seeing the incredible specs customers have ordered. For the reveal example, Koenigsegg chose a Jesko finished in Tang Orange Pearl with silver and carbon fiber accents. This was, undoubtedly, a perfect choice because it looks absolutely incredible. The color also pays homage to the Koenigsegg CCR and the orange that we have seen it in. Koenigsegg plans on creating 125 examples of the Jesko and Jesko Absolut models. They will be producing the Jesko in their 10,000-square-meter facility. As for when we will start seeing them in the wild, the first customer cars are expected to be delivered starting in Spring 2022. See All Koenigseggs For Sale Source: Koenigsegg

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2021

Watch Two Koenigsegg Jesko Prototypes Drift Around Ängelholm

Christian makes his father proud Jesko von Koenigsegg taught his son to think outside the box, and it has allowed them to build the world's most amazing hypercars. These gorgeous machines make use of their Freevalve technology, integrated into their 5-liter V8. It offers 1,281 horsepower and 1,106 lb-ft of torque. What really sets the Jesko apart from every other car is the LST. Dual-clutch transmissions cant compare to the Light Speed Transmission. It uses compound clutches to offer 9 gear ratios while being smaller and lighter than their 7-speed. Blistering shifts are accompanied by instant turbo spooling, thanks to having a 20-liter tank of compressed air. An onboard compressor stores 290 psi, ready to be injected to the turbos when they need to spin up. The details of the Jesko will take your breath away, so click the button and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg news. Shop Koenigsegg https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=4229126553811901 Image and film (C) Koenigsegg

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2020

Koenigsegg Jesko Absolut Detailed Walkaround

Mr JWW is back again with another video alongside Christian von Koenigsegg. First, it was the Koenigsegg Gemera and now he's back getting a detailed walkaround of the Jesko Absolut. This new megacar is planned to be the fastest vehicle that Koenigsegg will ever make. The video was recorded on the Geneva Motor Show floor, in a corner, while the sound of booths being broken down can be heard in the background. CvK notes that he was given permission to give little reveals of the cars even though the event was canceled. The video, found below, gives a lot of insight into the car and how it achieves such a low drag coefficient. CvK shows Mr JWW how there are fewer components and the reason behind it. Check it out down below!

By Andrew Nabors – December 20, 2019

Koenigsegg Jesko Shakedown Runs are Astonishing

Christian von Koenigsegg demands the very best from each of his cars. Usually named after smooth Swedish verbs, their current model leaves its predecessors in the dust. Only one name was worthy, as this car pays homage to his father. That is why these Koenigsegg Jesko shakedown runs are astonishing. Jesko Koenigsegg inspired his son to follow his dreams, and it led Christian to build hypercars and solve engineering problems for the world's largest automakers. " width="680"> Related: How the Koenigsegg Jesko is Built Koenigsegg Regera Crash Test Compilation

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2019

Koenigsegg Jesko Looks Amazing in Lucerne

Photoshop and filters work great for studio shots. The basic photography used to sell normal cars hasn't changed in decades. If you are trying to sell the world's most advanced hypercar, nothing beats a gorgeous location. That is why the Koenigsegg Jesko looks amazing in Lucerne. Located in the center of Switzerland, this ancient town sits at the base of the Alps, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Photographers Eric Griess & Steven Wade made use of the impressive background to show off the attributes of the latest Koenigsegg. This all-new hypercar offers 1,600 horsepower on E85, this is possible thanks to the lightest crankshaft in production. The flat-plane design weighs only 28 lbs, allowing for an 8,500 rpm redline. They chose steel instead of titanium for the connecting rods, and they are only 1.2 lbs each. Taking a page from hot rod history, the long stroke allows the pistons (0.6 lbs) to spend more time near Top Dead Center. This lowers peak cylinder pressure, allowing the turbos to create higher average pressure. The only disadvantage to a long stroke is piston speed. Because the piston spends more time at the top and bottom, it has to move faster to get there. The lightweight rotating assembly cancels out much of the vibrations inherent with a flat-plane V8, so its too bad that all 125 cars have been sold. It must be nice to have 1,106 lb-ft of torque between 2,700 and 5,100 rpm. That is more than any diesel truck on the market, so you could probably tow your 15,000 lb race trailer with ease. The Jesko stands as the state of the art in hypercars, a position its predecessors held for years. Our dealers have a few examples for sale, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg news. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale Related: Koenigsegg Jesko Already Sold Out Koenigsegg Jesko Caught Leaving Geneva Auto Show

Koenigsegg News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe