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

Lamborghini News

Lamborghini news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily, covering the V12 hybrid Revuelto, the Temerario and the Urus, one of the biggest names in luxury SUV news. Our reporting runs across reveals, first drives, one-off builds and the auction results that set values. We also follow the earlier cars, from the Countach through to the Veneno. Many sites carry supercar news, but very few carry it beside live listings. A great many of the Lamborghinis covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so the reporting and a real asking price appear together. For Lamborghini news today, start with the stories below.

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2016

Final "True" Lamborghini is Being Auctioned Off

Going up for auction is a Lamborghini Diablo SV that has a lot of "lasts" in its description. It was the last Diablo SV imported into the United Kingdom, the last Diablo SV off of the production line in 1999 and the last Lamborghini to be built in the millennium. Also, it could be said that this is the last "true" Lamborghini to be created before Volkswagen's production changes were put into effect.According to Silverstone Auctions' account, the left the Sant-Agata factory on December 21, 1999. Finished in a three-coat Pearl Red/Orange paint, it's believed to be a one-off color. Its exterior is also home to the optional side skirts. Inside is a grey/black leather/Alcantara interior with the fitting Lamborghini floor mats.As for the history of this Diablo SV itself, it was originally registered as KCZ 7574 on March 2, 2000. The car's current owner is the fourth, who purchased the car from Top Gear Specialist Cars of Edinburgh on August 13, 2010 with 25,569 miles on the odometer. Now, the owner has it registered as V12 SVR, with 32,200 miles clocked. In 2013, the owner had a chassis and suspension restoration completed in 2013, making for a smooth ride years after the car was rolled off of the assembly line.If you interested, be sure to check out their auction on March 6. It's estimated to sell for £150,000-170,000 (approx. $217,000-246,000 USD).Lamborghini Diablos For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 10, 2016

Lamborghini Newport Beach Supercar Show- February 2016

Right on schedule, Lamborghini Newport Beach hosted Supercar Saturday at their dealership in Costa Mesa, CA on February 6. This month's event, which some of their social media followers are calling the "best yet" was so big that the dealership couldn't fit all the supercars on their expansive lot.Spectators caught a rare glimpse of some of the world's favorite supercars from the McLaren P1 to the Porsche 918 and of course, more than a few Lamborghinis.Check out a few of the cars that made an appearance in the photos below.View Lamborghini Newport Beach Inventory

By Edward Jones – February 01, 2016

Two Lamborghini Venenos Roadster in Hong Kong

I've already seen one Lamborghini Veneno Roadster delivered to Hong Kong, China. Now, it's come to my attention that two Veneno Roadsters have been captured together in the same place.Posted by Lamborghini Hong Kong's Facebook page were photos of one black and one white example--most likely the one we've seen before--of the Italian automaker's extreme convertible. With only nine of these models set to be made, the included photos represent just over 20% of all of the Veneno Roadsters in the world. That's pretty impressive.What's even more impressive is that when you consider each of these cars cost around $4 million a pop, putting the total of the two at $8 million. What could you buy instead of two Veneno Roadsters? Quite a bit. How about a handful of Aventador SV's with enough left over for a luxury home?What would you do with $8 million? Buy these two? Other cars? Let us know in the comments below.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – January 29, 2016

2016 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster Pirelli Edition for Sale

The Aventador alone is an incredible supercar, but add in the exclusivity of the Pirelli Edition and you have a truly remarkable example that's sure to compliment any collection. This rare 2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition Roadster, available at Lamborghini Newport Beach, is a limited edition vehicle that was produced in commemoration of the 50-year relationship between Lamborghini and Pirelli.2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition Roadster Specs 6.5-Liter V12 700 hp 0-60 mph in 3.0 seconds 34 Miles Vin: ZHWUR1ZDXGLA04546 ExteriorThe exclusive finish on this brand new Aventador Pirelli Edition features red accents across the front bumper, rear bumper and roof among other sections of the exterior and interior that parallel the Pirelli tire design. Carbon Fiber drips from every angle, as this Aventador features Carbon Fiber Hood Vents, Carbon Fiber Side Scoops and a Carbon Fiber T-shaped engine cove-- and that's just the exterior.InteriorContinuing with the Carbon Fiber theme the interior features Carbon Fiber Interior Trim, Carbon Fiber Navigation Screen Bezel, Carbon Fiber Media Console, Carbon Fiber Instrument Cluster Shroud, Carbon Fiber Door Handles and Aventador-branded Carbon Fiber Door Sills. The seats are fully heated and electric and are embroidered with special Pirelli Edition stitching.To learn more about the car, be sure to click the button below.View Listing

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – January 28, 2016

Lamborghini Breaks 2014 Sales Record, On Track for Urus

With a total of 3,245 cars delivered in 2015, Lamborghini has broken it's previous 2014 record by 895 units. This is the first time that sales records have surpassed 3,000 unites. In an attempt to keep up with the demand, Lamborghini hired 30 more employees in addition to the 150 the car maker hired last year. From specialists to assembly line workers, Lamborghini is putting people to work.Though the Huracan and Aventador make up a large portion of the sales numbers, Lamborghini is also selling out of its ultra-exclusive models as well. An unnamed model based on the Aventador and reportedly named the “Centenario” (not confirmed),in which 40 units are to be produced, has been completely sold out even though it hasn't officially been unveiled. The "Centenario" has a reported price tag of $2.38 million, though such a hefty price doesn't seem to be deterring customers.According to Motor1, the increase in sales is right on track for release of the Urus-- which Lamborghini promises will be the most powerful-- and the fastest-- SUV available.Lamborghini Aventadors For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 15, 2015

Black on Black 1990 Lamborghini LM0002 at Cats Exotics

Many people will tell you that the Ford Explorer was the first SUV, but Lamborghini’s LM002 hit the trails before anyone else. Only 328 examples of the Rambo Lambo were ever produced, so you aren’t likely so see one on traffic. That’s why we’re here. This pristine That’s why we’re here. This pristine 1990 LM002 at Cats Exotics is one of the final builds, and it left the factory with all options. The fuel injected V12 and 4WD drivetrain have only 11,851 miles since new, with documentation to prove it. All necessary services have been performed by the certified technicians at Cats Exotics, which included a new set of Pirelli Scorpions. The original tires are included along with a book of records. A recent interior restoration makes this Final Edition LM002 among the best remaining examples on the market. New leather replaced the aged Italian hides, and the tonneau cover sports the original fasteners. If you are waiting for the upcoming Urus, you still have a year to be upset that no manual transmission will be offered. The LM002’s five-speed transmission has a two-speed transfer case that you operate yourself. And yes, you can disconnect the front end if you only need rear wheel drive. READ ABOUT THE LAMBORGHINI LM002 HISTORY To make it period correct, we recommend a Motorola Bag Phone and a few mix tapes. Tell us where you would drive it, and stay tuned to Autofluence for more low mileage exotic cars. View Price and Listing Gallery

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2015

New Lamborghini Centenario Edition Coming in 2016

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Ferrucio Lamborghini's birth, Lamborghini is creating a special Centenario edition, AutoExpress.co.uk reports.In an interview with Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A, he told the website that the car would be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2016 and that customers have already seen renderings.“It is a car which is covering the best balance between tradition and innovation because we are speaking about performance, design, weight, aerodynamics and also the chassis in terms of adaptability control," he told them. Winkelmann also noted that 20 examples would be created. Lamborghini AsterionWhat makes this car even more exciting is that Winkelmann stated that the car would be completely different in design when compared to the Huracan and Aventador. AutoExpress also learned from an inside at Lamborghini that the car may surprise a few, saying it's “beautiful and not as extreme as you might expect.”What are you thoughts on the car? Considering that the car will be less extreme, we can dismiss a car similar to the Egoista. It could even be a limited edition run similar to the Asterion. Let us know what you think in the comments below.Lamborghinis For Sale (Source: AutoExpress.co.uk)

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2015

Did the Lamborghini Huracan Superleggera Just Get Spied?

Typically, Lamborghini likes to wait a few years to release their extreme variants, like the Superleggera and the Superveloce. For example, take the Gallardo, which went into production in 2003. After four years of production had passed, Lamborghini unveiled the Gallardo Superleggera at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. On the other hand, the Murcielago Superveloce took about eight years for it to come around.More recent, the Aventador SV came into existence four years after the base model was introduced, which is half the length of time it took for the Murcielago SV.For the Huracan, Lamborghini seems to be on the same path. Having unveiled the base model in 2014 and the LP 580-2 this month, Lamborghini may already be on the move towards another model.Posted on HuracanTalk.com were these images were taken in Italy and show a Huracan that has been heavily modified. Among the modifications, including the carbon fiber accents and new body panels, the rear wing is the most notable difference. Could this be the Huracan Superleggera? A lot of people seem to think so.That being said, this is all speculation with no official word from Lamborghini. Until a new model is released, stay with us for up-to-date info the Lamborghini. (Source: HuracanTalk.com)

By Edward Jones – November 25, 2015

Lamborghini Miura from "The Italian Job" For Sale

In the beginning of "The Italian Job," there's a certain Lamborghini Miura P400, donning an orange finish, racing through the mountains. If you're unfamiliar with this scene, watch the following video.Okay, now that you're crying over a Miura being destroyed, I have some great news for you. First of all, the Miura lived. Secondly, it's for sale.Available through Cheshire Classic Cars in the United Kingdon, this classic was completed for delivery back on July 2, 1968. It's one of only three built in 1968 to feature the "Arancio Miura" finish. And, since its birth, it's gone through just five different owners.The car's description notes that it comes with a new engine block, due to the original one having a hairline crack. Along with the new engine, it also received a "concours-standard" paintwork refresh while it was having a new engine installed. If you just have to have the original engine, don't worry, because this sale includes the matching-numbers block.Most people may have even forgotten that "The Italian Job" included a Miura, but for those that remember, this is a pretty big deal. (Image and News Source: Cheshire Classic Cars)

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2015

The Lamborghini Huracan LP 580-2 is a Purist's Dream

Lamborghini is throwing a bone to those who prefer to hoon around in a rear-wheel-drive sports car. Presenting, the Huracan LP 580-2. Unveiled today, this new model creates "an enhanced Lamborghini driving emotion," according to a press release issued by the Italian automaker. It carries over the same 5.2-liter V10 used in the LP 610-4, but it has been turned down to 580 hp. Along with the detuning, the engineers dropped the weight by 73 lbs. Weight distribution for the car was also adjusted to be 40% at the front and 60% at the rear. This was done to reduce inertia in the front, putting more in the rear where the power will be laid down. When it comes to performance the LP 580-2 runs a 0-62 mph time of 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds slower than the all-wheel-drive Huracan. Also, it's top speed is 3 mph slower at 199. But, these reductions in performance don't mean a thing, because this car is was created for those who want to bring its tail out and around for exciting drives. For those also looking for a manual transmission, it won't be found here. To differentiate itself through appearance, it comes with a new look in the front and rear and a set of new 19-inch Kari rimes. View Lamborghini Huracan Price, Specs, Photos The Huracan LP 580-2 is available now at Lamborghini dealerships. Its price in Europe is €150,000 (not including tax), which equates to roughly $159,717 (according to the exchange rate at time of publication). (via Lamborghini)

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