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.

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2021

Why We Love The Koenigsegg Regera

Transmissions are overrated, and that is one reason why we love the Koenigsegg Regera. Think about your favorite car and how your love for it ebbs and flows. Those feelings transcend make and model, hypercar owners are not immune. There are dozens of reasons why no competitor can touch the Regera. Starting with a blank slate, Christian and his team changed the way engine power reaches the ground. Because their 5-liter V8 offers 1,100 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque, you wouldn't need to shift gears even if you had them. Locking the crankshaft to the rear wheels is essentially like driving a stick shift around in 4th gear. While this would feel sluggish at low speeds, there is high voltage at your command. A generator wound into the bellhousing sends power to electric motors at each rear wheel. They power the car up to around 75 mph when the V8 is locked to the driveshaft and the fun really begins. Despite having a 2.73 differential, you will have 1,500 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque to the ground. Both the hybrid drive and the V8 are several times more powerful than your daily driver, and that is why the Regera reigns supreme. Their validation regimen for each car involves a sprint to 186 mph, so click the button to find yours. Koenigsegg For Sale Image (C) Koenigsegg

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2021

Every Koenigsegg Regera Gets Pushed To 186 MPH In Record ...

Taking delivery of a new hypercar should be the highlight of your Swedish vacation. To make sure your machine performs as advertised, every Koenigsegg Regera gets pushed to 186 mph in record time. Before delivery, Christian von Koenigsegg and his team go over each car with white gloves. In-Depth Video Review of the Koenigsegg Regera Megacar Because it doesn't have a transmission, the performance of the engine and the electric drive must be a flawless symphony. From idle to 78 mph, the engine generates voltage for the three electric motors, after that, the engine is locked to the rear wheels to offer 1,489 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque. Click the button to find yours and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg news. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3879984392059454&t=1

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2020

Koenigsegg Releases: "Time to Reign" on YouTube

This is the one we've been waiting for. With Cinemas closed due to the virus, Christian von Koenigsegg and his team decided to compose an epic Summer Blockbuster staring the Regera. The car's name translates as "one who reigns" and it does so with 1,475 lb-ft of torque and 1,100 horsepower. While Hollywood is stuck in an endless loop of comic book franchises and remakes of remakes, it seems that a Swedish hypercar manufacturer can accomplish more and appeal to a wider audience. Click the button below to learn more about the brand and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg news. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale The world needs more Christian von Koenigsegg washing his cars.

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By Andrew Nabors – June 23, 2020

Koenigsegg Teases "Time To Reign" as Their Summer Blockbu...

In a world of mediocre cars, one man, one company, and one vision will take center stage (at least on YouTube). Our friend Christian von Koenigsegg builds the only production car without a transmission. Because the Regera (To Reign) offers 1,475 lb-ft of torque, it doesn't need a gearbox. Not only would it destroy any transmission on the market, it removes the most complicated and inefficient part of any car. A twin-turbo V8 is bolted to a torque converter that generates electricity. Motors on each rear axle turn the electricity into incredible acceleration until 80 mph. In-Depth Review of the Koenigsegg Regera Megacar At that point, a clutch inside the converter locks it to a 2.73:1 differential. Then you have a 5-liter Freevalve V8 running at full boost turning the wheels without any mechanical disadvantage. The Regera is so simple and so brilliant that it deserves a feature-length film. With a supporting cast of Christian and his wife Halldora, the team is packing two AR-15s along with proper ear and eye protection. Click the button below to browse Koenigsegg for sale, and stay with us for all your Regera updates. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 24, 2019

Koenigsegg Regera Crash Test Compilation

WARNIING: What you are about to see contains graphic violence against Swedish Supercars. Viewer discretion is advised. Now that the obligatory warning is out of the way, let's take a look at how the world's safest supercar is pushed to its limits. This Koenigsegg Regera crash test compilation shows the world how Christian's cars are made to surpass safety standards around the world. Several of these impacts can be justified if your beater leaves you stranded, but not on something as sophisticated as the Regera. Once the cars arrive in Barcelona, they are greeted by the biggest sledge hammers, hood and door slammers, and with drivers not minding their manners. But fear not, instead of testing dozens of them to destruction, the cockpit was made to survive incredible stress. 2017 Koenigsegg Regera Price, Review, Specs and Pics After each test, Koenigsegg Engineers strip the damaged body and subframes away and the cockpit is reused. That would be fine for most manufacturers, but they had to take it a step further. He purchased a supercomputer to chew away at each possible impact scenario. This is because the carbon fiber is so strong, it transmits loads directly to the subframes. The cradle that supports the suspension and the powertrain is designed to absorb the impact, destroying itself in the process. Unlike any other car in the world, this level of engineering ensures your money was well spent. Find Your Koenigsegg Here! P.S. If you plan to jump your Koenigsegg, please turn on Waylon Jennings and make sure Boss Hogg's plans are ruined. Related: How the Koenigsegg Jesko is Built

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2019

Koenigsegg 0-250-0 mph World Record Onboard Footage Released

Koenigsegg has just released uncut footage of their onboard recent 0-250-0 mph world record set in their Regera megacar. This footage shows just how much the driver had to manage, regarding steering and it also includes a graph of the car's speed. It's quite interesting to see just how quickly the speed of the Regera climbs up to 250 mph. This world record was set by factory driver Sonny Persson at the Råda airfield in Sweden. While we mostly see world records that are just high-speed sprints, Koenigsegg enjoys throwing in their incredible braking abilities into the mix. In fact, they broke the 0-186-0 mph world record back in 2015 with the Koenigsegg One:1. Be sure to check out the onboard footage of the world record up above and watch the additional video down below. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 27, 2019

Koenigsegg Regera Sets New Record for 0-249-0 mph

Going after a world record can be daunting, especially if you are the record holder. Back in 2017, the Agera RS ran 0-400 kph-0 in 33.29 seconds. To put that into perspective, 400 kph is 249 mph. This is a speed only a handful can reach, especially in such a short time. We figured that record would last for at least a decade, but the Koenigsegg Regera just set a new record for 0-400 kph-0. On Monday, factory test driver Sonny Persson strapped into a new Koenigsegg Regera. Normally, runs like this are handicapped by the transmission, the Regera doesn't have one. You notice the exhaust sound doesn't change much at low speeds because the twin-turbo V8 is coupled to a generator. The voltage it makes is sent to electric motors on the rear axles. Koenigsegg Regera d'Elegance is an Ocean on Wheels Somewhere around 80 mph, a torque converter inside the generator closes its clutch, sending engine power directly to a 2.73 rear differential. It is at this point that the battery (supplied by Rimac) sends power to the generator, making it the 3rd onboard electric motor. This hybrid system is known as KDD (Koenigsegg Direct Drive), and it provides 697 horsepower & 664 lb-ft of torque. The twin-turbo V8 constantly makes 1,280 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque. Browse All Koenigsegg For Sale So what does a car do with 1,479 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft? It reached 250 mph in 23.65 seconds, and back to 0 in 8.83. This is 1.3 seconds faster than the Agera RS. The official 0-400 kph-0 record now stands at 31.49 seconds. For comparison, the Bugatti Chiron does this in 42 seconds... Congrats to the team for this blistering run. " width="680"> Related: Koenigsegg Regera Crash Test Compilation Koenigsegg Reveals Naked Carbon Regera

By Andrew Nabors – March 21, 2019

Koenigsegg Regera Caught Leaving Geneva

Everyone wants the latest and greatest hypercar, but the Koenigsegg Jesko is already soldout. If you want a new Koenigsegg in the meantime, production of their hybrid hypercar is in full swing. Thanks toSellerieCimes, we are able to watch a new Koenigsegg Regera leaving Geneva. This stunner is finished in KNC, or Koenigsegg Naked Carbon, and the Akrapovic exhaust gets everyone's attention. Speaking of exhaust sound, he also filmed the Bugatti La Voiture Noire and the Divo rolling out without any exhaust noise. Bugatti can't avoid an electric future, so both of their display cars are testing the technology in plain sight. They are still years behind the Regera, as it uses a 5.0L V8 as a 1,200 horsepower generator. This power is sent to 3 electric motors, eliminating the need for a transmission. It also has an 800v battery that offers 22 miles of electric cruising, and above 80 mph the engine is directly connected to the differential. Because even the best transmissions steal 20% of engine power, the direct drive offers incredible performance and efficiency. Would you prefer a hybrid Bugatti or Koenigsegg Direct Drive? Tell us in the comments below. Related: Check Out These Porsche 993 For Sale Get Your Mercedes-AMG S65 Before They Are Gone Forever

By Andrew Nabors – December 06, 2018

Koenigsegg Unveils Naked Carbon Regera And We're Blown Away

At first glance you know this is a Koenigsegg. The wild styling of the Regera is unmistakable. What's different is the finish. Visible carbon fiber can be found on everything from Subaru to Chevrolet, but it is always covered in layers of protective clear coat. Christian and his team have done it again by raising the bar for composite materials. This is the first car to be built in KNC. Koenigsegg Naked Carbon was first seen in a press release last night, and it is simply gorgeous. Of course this isn't a vinyl wrap or a single layer of carbon overlay. It is a painstaking process of removing the outer layer of resin. Each panel is wet-sanded by hand almost down to the woven structure. Needless to say, the time it takes to sand each part is much more than glossy carbon or a painted finish. They have been perfecting this process on wheels, spoiler and smaller pieces for years. You might think this would leave the weave exposed to UV damage, but the factory has left samples outside in Sweden for a few years without any adverse effects. Your Regera can now be ordered fully painted, paint with glossy carbon, all gloss carbon, or Koenigsegg Naked Carbon. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Pagani responds to this one, so stay with us for all your Koenigsegg updates. View All KoenigSegg For Sale All images by Keno Zache Photography, for Carage Related: Christian von Koenigsegg Cruises in his Regera Hypercar Koenigsegg Regera d'Elegance is an Ocean on Wheels

By Andrew Nabors – September 10, 2018

Christian von Koenigsegg on Jay Leno's Garage

If you want to see where hypercars will be in 20 years, look no further. Our friend Mr. Koenigsegg realized at an early age that automotive technologies were poised for a revolution. We've covered the Agera RS and the Regera Ad Nauseum, but here is a quick rundown. The RS is the world's fastest production car, with an official speed of 277 mph. It makes 1,360 horsepower and has a 7-speed sequential transmission. Find Out How Much Jay Leno's Car Collection is Worth The other one is something truly unique. You won't find a transmission anywhere on the Regera. Bolted to the flywheel is a billet torque converter that generates electricity. That voltage is sent to motors on each rear wheels to power the car up to 70 mph. At that speed, the converter locks up to the 2.73 differential for Direct Drive. Without gears or drivetrain loss, it is probably the most efficient car ever built. Click the link below to find your Koenigsegg and stay with us for all your Jay Leno updates.

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