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 Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2020

Lamborghini Sian Roadster Unveiled With Hybrid Supercapac...

Ever since Edison perfected the electric battery, engineers have sought ways to unleash a rush of voltage at an instant. While every other hypercar makes due with Lithium-Ion cells, the Lamborghini Sian Roadster has been unveiled with a powerful supercapacitor. Combined with a 34 horsepower electric motor, the hybrid system only weighs 34 kg (75 lbs). "Sian" literally translates as lightning, and that is what capacitors do. They charge in a few seconds to unleash every electron simultaneously. Every old TV, air conditioner, and neon light uses them to start up, whenever a massive shock is needed. That is why they make a perfect fit for hybrids. Electric cars need low voltage, sustained power, while the Sian will have a 34 horsepower burst of acceleration at your command. Titanium intake valves and a few other trick components were added to the V12 to achieve 785 horsepower. Adding 600 amps at 48 volts allows the total output to be 819 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque. The 7-speed single-clutch transmission has been calibrated to maximize electric power during gear shifts. Lamborghini has perfected the technology without the complexity and incredible weight of a dual-clutch gearbox. The press release says drivers will no longer feel the gears change, as electricity takes over for a few milliseconds. " width="680"> Instead of the ALA system used on the Aventador SVJ, the Sian Roadster makes use of smart materials and electric servos to channel air around the body. This allows a top speed well over 217 mph after reaching 62 mph in under 2.9 seconds. The capacitors fully charge every time you press the brake pedal, saving on brake wear, and keeping a burst of energy at your command. The hybrid system is so powerful that it even adds 10% more power to the ground in 3rd gear. While every other hypercar uses high voltage to accomplish their goals, Lamborghini has done more while running on only 48 volts. Not only is the Sian safer, it represents the future of high-performance electric cars. The only downside is that Lamborghini is only building 19 of them, and each one is already sold. CEO Stefano Domenicali said: The Sián Roadster encapsulates the spirit of Lamborghini. It is the expression of breathtaking design and extraordinary performance, but most importantly embodies important future technologies. The Sián’s innovative hybrid powertrain heralds the direction for Lamborghini super sports cars, and the open-top Sián Roadster affirms a desire for the ultimate lifestyle Lamborghini as we move towards a tomorrow demanding new solutions.” Designed without a roof in mind, the buttresses behind the seats evoke the lines of the periscope roof found on the early examples of the Countach. As this unprecedented technology trickles down through the Lamborghini lineup, you will see it here first. Click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2020

Lamborghini Opens Qualifying for Round 3: Nürburgring

Have you always wanted to take on "The Green Hell"? Now you can compete against the world's best drivers from the comfort of your home. Lamborghini puts maximum effort into everything they do, and that is how their E-Sports program has gone viral. Round 3 will separate skilled drivers from amateurs by competing on a perfect digital rendering of the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Not only is this a great marketing tool for their Squadra Corse program, but the dynamics of your virtual car have also been compiled from professional drivers and Lamborghini engineers. Nothing beats the thrill of a raging bull, so click the button below for great incentives on remaining 2020 models, and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse New Lamborghini For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2020

Lamborghini Press Conference & 2021 Bentley Bentayga Plan...

We're less than a week away from simultaneous automotive history. Two brief press releases hit our inbox this morning, so we decided to combine them because you are probably as busy as we are. The 2021 Bentley Bentayga for sale will be the cornerstone of their Beyond100 business strategy. This program is aimed at transforming Bentley into the leader in sustainable luxury mobility. Since over 20,000 examples have been delivered, the new model has big shoes to fill. The only image released so far is the teaser seen below. Bentley Teases the new Bentayga The most anticipated event comes from the other end of VW Group. Lamborghini's "Technomar 63" has a countdown clock to the event which will start at 4:30 AM Eastern. Thankfully they will replay it at 10 AM for fans in the Western Hemisphere. Details are notably scarce, but we are given a glimpse of something new in an image titled LP F0081. It looks intriguing to say the least, so we will have all the details on this new Lamborghini for sale. Browse Lamborghini For Sale What are we looking at?

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2020

Lamborghini to Unveil New Model Next Week

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has made it clear that he wants Italians back to work. As Lamborghini was the first automaker to close and the first to make medical supplies, they also plan to be the first to resume production. In a press release this morning we learned that Lamborghini plans to reopen on May 4th. Safety will be the primary concern, with disinfectants, protective gear, and mandated distancing between workstations. Saving the best for last, the press release hid something amazing at the bottom: CEO & Chairman Stefano Domenicali said: “We continue to nurture the dreams of our fans and customers, and on 7 May, through a virtual launch, we will present a new car in order to complete our model range. We closed the first quarter of 2020 despite the situation with very positive results. From these results we want to secure our swift return to a leadership position, delivering our vehicles once again as soon as our dealers around the world reopen for business.” Who else is ready for a new Lamborghini model? Tell us what you think it might be and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Find Your Lamborghini Here

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2020

Happy Birthday Mr. Lamborghini

When you are born in a vineyard, you need to have mechanical aptitude to keep the farm running smoothly. After fixing tractors for his family and neighbors at an early age, he decided to build his own. After the war, Italy's factories were in ruins, so Ferruccio Lamborghini released is his first tractor in 1948. Following that, he designed an innovative air conditioning system, efficient oil-burning boilers, and other products that didn't meet his standards for quality. "If you wanna be somebody, buy a Ferrari. If you ARE somebody, buy a Lamborghini" Frank Sinatra This process led to a fateful encounter after continually having to replace the clutch on his wife's Ferrari. Frustrated with it, he took the clutch plate off and realized it was tiny, being the same size used in agricultural equipment. Incensed that he paid a ton of money for a car with a wimpy clutch, he demanded a meeting with Enzo. Being one of Italy's most successful industrialists, Enzo obliged. After a heated argument, Ferrari told him he knew nothing about cars, so go back to making tractors. After hiring away Ferrari's best engineers and asking Bertone for a gorgeous body, Automobili Lamborghini launched in 1963. The rest is history, and he would have been 104 years old today. Happy Birthday Sir, and thank you for creating the supercar industry. Find Your Lamborghini Here https://www.facebook.com/Lamborghini/videos/595429734651471/

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2020

Lamborghini Uses 3D Printing to Increase Ventilator Produ...

Two weeks ago we were glad to announce that Lamborghini had joined the battle against the virus. Their talented employees quickly changed gears from interior fabrics to masks and gowns, while engineers re-tooled the assembly line. Having the latest technology at their disposal, Lamborghini is using 3D printing to increase ventilator production. Siare Engineering International Group is the largest ventilator manufacturer in Italy. Building them around the clock presents a few challenges, the main one being testing before they reach the hospital. Each machine needs to be checked for proper function, but they only had a handful of lung simulators. This created a bottleneck until Lamborghini stepped in. Using their 3D printers non-stop, the production of simulators is up to 18 per week. This is in addition to the face shields, masks and gowns being made around the clock. Our hats are off to everyone at Lamborghini, keep up the good work Browse Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 31, 2020

Lamborghini Begins Production of Masks & Surgical Shields

Employees at Sant’Agata Bolognese are skilled craftspeople who are trained to build supercars by hand. Because their assembly lines are as clean as an operating room, it is the perfect spot to make medical apparatus. That's why we're glad to announce that Lamborghini has begun production of masks and surgical shields. In their latest press release, their initial targets are 1,000 masks and 200 face shields per day. Distribution will be handled by the Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital in Bologna along with the University of Bologna. 3D printers normally loaded with carbon fiber are now using cotton fiber to fight this insidious enemy. To keep up morale around the village, the night shift illuminates the plant in the colors of the Italian Flag. With this level of commitment we will soon be over this. So check out new & pre-owned Lamborghinis that make social distancing quick & easy. Browse All Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2020

Lamborghini Posts Unprecedented Results for 2019

Earnings Increased 28% from 1,42 to 1,81 billion Euro Worldwide sales increase by 43% from 5,750 to 8,205 units Super SUV continues high sales momentum: almost 5,000 Urus delivered to customers Although buyers had many options for supercars last year, the Raging Bull reigned supreme. In a press release this morning, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali said: "In Fiscal Year 2019 Lamborghini continued its sustained history of growth, setting new historic highs in all key business figures. While celebrating these figures we must underline the extraordinariness of the situation in which we find ourselves right now, from both a human and corporate perspective, due to the worldwide spread of Coronavirus." In only a few days our habits and our interpersonal relationships have changed, with this scenario being reflected across the world. We need to be ready to react rapidly to these new circumstances, and in a rational and effective way. The excellent start to the year 2020, confirmed by sales numbers in the first two months, gives us the right motivation in order to be ready and proactive in facing this entirely new and unimaginable challenge.Our 2019 results reflect the talent and dedication of all Lamborghini staff around the world and we thank them and our shareholders for their trust and continuing support. We are sure of the strength, the energy, the enthusiasm, the passion and the deliberateness that characterize the women and men in Lamborghini, including during these difficult times. Building on our results so far, we continue to prepare for further sustainable growth and new opportunities in innovation and technology in order to reach new future milestones.” Here is the breakdown by model: Aventador: 1,104 units Huracán: 2,139 units Urus: 4,962 units In conclusion, their outlook for this year is strong. Deliveries of the Sian hybrid along with new Huracan models are greatly anticipated. Tell us which Lamborghini piques your interest in the comments below. Browse All Lamborghini For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 16, 2020

Lamborghini Closes Until March 25th to Protect Workers

It takes a skilled workforce to build the world's greatest cars. The most critical component in Sant' Agata is not carbon fiber or active aero. It is the people who build the raging bull. This was done as a prevenative measure, as Lamborghini has not reported a single case of the virus. COVID-19 only stays virulent for 24 hours outside a living host, so any traces will be long gone in the weeks it takes for the cars to reach our dealers. That being said, we have plenty of clean inventory with great incentives. Given the current flatline of interest rates, today is a perfect time to find your new Lamborghini for sale. Workers will return to a squaky clean plant with renewed enthusiasm for the brand. Click the button below to find a new Lamborghini for sale near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini updates. Browse All New Lamborghini For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 14, 2020

Happy Valentine's Day From Lamborghini

Saint Valentine died today in Rome, 1,751 years ago. His notions of pure & courtly love have endured the ages, and they have clearly inspired the workers of Sant'Agata Bolognese. The quality of every new Lamborghini for sale speaks for itself, as Gallardos and Huracans can easily reach 200,000 miles with regular service. Appealing to the U.S. with Doo-Wop music, have a happy Valentine's day from Lamborghini. Browse All Lamborghini For Sale " width="680">

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