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 – May 24, 2019

Lamborghini Polo Storico Restores Little Tony's 1971 Miura

A stranger appeared at the Lamborghini factory in 1969 and asked for a tour. Once they realized it was Frank Sinatra they rolled out the red carpet. He saw the early P400 Miuras being built by hand, and it was there he ordered one for himself. He told the press "If you want to be someone, buy a Ferrari. If you are somebody, you buy a Lamborghini". His friend Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin) immediately followed, along other Italian crooners. That is why Lamborghini Polo Storico has restored Little Tony's 1971 Miura. In their latest press release, we've learned that Anthony Ciacci was a singer from Rome. After adopting his stage name of "Little Tony", he rose to fame and moved to San Marino. This is where his Miura P400 S was delivered on March 2nd of '71. It was purchased by an Italian collector with the intent of being restored for this year's Concourso at Villa d’Este (Memorial day Weekend). After consulting with his local Lamborghini dealer, headquarters was contacted for all the car's information. Working with Polo Storico, every part that showed wear was replaced with new parts. This was a learning project, leading to 200 new restoration parts being added to the lineup in 2018. Once the work was completed, the car was certified by Polo Storico as being historically significant thanks to Little Tony, and also because it is 1 of 6 Miuras ordered with Azzuro Mexico paint. Polo Storico will restore any Lamborghini up to the 2001 model year, so if your raging bull is getting tired, send it home for some TLC. Click the link below to find a Lamborghini dealer near you, and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Find Your Lamborghini Dealer Here Related: Lamborghini Polo Storico Finds the Miura from "The Italian Job" Lamborghini Polo Storico Relaunches Marque's Restoration Center

By Andrew Nabors – May 02, 2019

2019 Huracan Season: Be Prepared

California has fires and earthquakes. Here on the east coast, we have a bit of a wetter problem. You see, Florida has a tendency to get beat up by tropical storms. Now, in the month of May, we have less than a month until Hurricane Season starts (June 1-November 30). But maybe you don't need food or water to prepare yourself. Maybe you just need a V10 powered Lamborghini Huracan. Are you ready for Huracan Season? The Lamborghini Huracan is the Spanish translation for the strongest storms ever recorded. But since they come with different shapes and intensities, we decided to clear things up for you. Many people ask us what's the difference in Lamborghini Huracan models? Well hang on an hunker down, were heading for the eyewall. To surpass its predecessor, Lamborghini took a clean-sheet approach to replace the Gallardo. After a decade on the market, no less than 14,022 examples were sold. So the Huracan needed to blow everyone away. To make it stronger and lighter, it was decided to cooperate with Audi to share the chassis with a new R8. This is nothing new, as the Lamborghini Gallardo and the 1st generation Audi R8 share a majority of parts. They devised an aluminum spaceframe with areas of high-strength steel and composites. You must take this into consideration, sometimes drivers prefer the Audi R8 for sale due to the relaxed handling when compared to its Italian cousin. If you can handle your neighborhood being obliterated, there are 8 versions of the Lamborghini Huracan for sale. To give you potent purchasing power, let's start with what they have in common. Every Lamborghini Huracan engine is a 5.2L naturally aspirated V10. Their output ranges between 580 to 640 horsepower, and they have proven to be very reliable. If you are curious of the Lamborghini Huracan transmission, they are all 7-speed dual clutch gearboxes. Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 (2014-2018) The first production models arrived in 2014 with 610 metric horsepower and all wheel drive. It was their first model to have all-LED lighting and GM's MagneRide suspension. This allowed the car to instantly adapt to changes in grip, and it offers incredible comfort in Street mode. They will reach 62 mph in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 201 mph. Weight is competitive, at 3,424 lbs Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder (2016-2018) In order to remove the roof, engineers had to make several reinforcements to the chassis. The engine and transmission were unchanged, but the car gained 265 lbs in the process. This makes it 0.2 seconds slower to 62 mph. The car is just as composed as the coupe, and the top is well insulated. Browse Huracan Spyder For Sale Lamborghini Huracan 580-2 (2016-Present) Some people just don't like All Wheel Drive. That's why Lamborghini removed the front differential, axles, and the transfer case. Losing them cut over 400 lbs, slimming down to 3,062 lbs. Because the rear axles get all the power, the engine was dialed back to 580 horsepower. Subtle styling changes set it apart from the AWD cars. This allowed it to offer nearly identical performance because the power-to-weight ratio was very close to the AWD cars. A convertible version followed soon after, but the Huracan LP 580-2 Spyder gained weight. Their major appeal was a Lamborghini Huracan MSRP that was 40,000 cheaper than the AWD models. Lamborghini chose to update their styling in 2019, changing the name to Huracan RWD Coupe & Spyder Lamborghini Huracan LP 640-4 Performante (2017-Present) The most powerful storm is a Category 5. They destroy everything and leave you without power or water. It hit us without warning. Nobody knew Lamborghini was building a monster. Spending countless hours in a wind tunnel, they patented their "ALA" or active aerodynamic system. It allowed them to break the production car lap record at the Nurburgring, knocking the Porsche 918 out of 1st place. Squeezing every ounce of power from the V10, it makes 631 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. The chassis was stiffened for more grip, and the springs are 10 % stiffer. It reaches 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 218 mph. Keeping with tradition, the Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder arrived in 2018. Like the other Spyders, it is 276 lbs heavier. Top speed is 202 mph, and it is one-tenth slower in acceleration tests. Browse Huracan Performante For Sale 2019 Lamborghini Huracan Evo Taking lessons learned on the Performante, the Huracan Evo is the first example of the 2nd generation. Lamborghini revised so many aspects of the car, it is essentially a new model. It uses the engine and driveline from the Performante, and the interior is all-new. You won't believe it, but it also has a Spyder! Sure the styling and interior are new, but the real secret is in the programming. Instead of separate computers for handling, traction control and rear-steering, every command comes from one processor. Not only does the car respond faster, you now have torque vectoring . No matter what model you choose, you will be making a great decision. Don't let the weather bother you, you can leave the storm behind with peace of mind. View All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2019

Lamborghini Urus Tears up the Beach in Sabbia Mode

Growing up on an island, driving on the beach was a way of life. But driving on sand can be hit-or-miss if you don't have the right equipment. Without 4WD and locking differentials, your day in the sun will turn into a nightmare. Because Italy is one of the world's longest peninsulas, it seems only natural to consider the beach. That's why the Lamborghini Urus tore up the beach in sabbia mode. To show off the super SUV's abilitities, their latest upload begins in Terra mode. This "Earth" mode is for 4WD fun. It includes pitch and roll angles along without invoking stability control when mud starts flying. When the Urus convoy reaches the beach, Sabbia (sand) mode combines drifting with horsepower. Your sand castle doesn't stand a chance against these raging bulls, and David Hasselhoff isn't fast enough. Your SUV can't do this, so please don't try. Just click the link below to find out what make the Urus unbeatable. Find Your Lamborghini Urus Here Related: Lamborghini Unveils Urus Off-Road Package Lamborghini Urus: Carbon Fiber For Your Dynamic Lifestyle

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2019

Lamborghini Museum Becomes MUDETEC: Museum of Technology

The home of the Raging Bull is in the North Italian village of Sant’Agata Bolognese. In the museum, patrons can experience classic models like the 350 GT, Miura, Countach, and the LM002. While these were cutting edge when new, a majority of spectators want to see the latest and greatest cars. That's why the Lamborghini Museum has become MUDETEC: Museum of Technology. The "Museo Delle Tecnologie" gives visitors a glimpse of the R&D work that goes into every model. Innovation never sleeps, and it is evident in the evolution of the Aventador to SV, and now the SVJ. From the Huracan to Performante, and now the EVO, we can also follow the advances made in Forged Composites. Next up is an Ad Personam display to show off their abilities to customize your Lamborghini. The Tower of Pisa will leave you leaning and Venice will give you a sinking feeling. But the Lamborghinin MUDETEC is open April 16 to October 31st from 9:30 to 6pm. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Find Your Lamborghini Huracan Here! Related: Lamborghini Centenario For Sale Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SV Covered in 2 Million Swarovski C...

Not many people look at their cars and think about covering them in gems, let alone Swarovski crystals. Daria Radionova, however, makes waves every time she unveils her new cars. Why? Because they're covered in Swarovski crystals of course. Her latest crystalized supercar is a Lamborghini Aventador SV covered in Swarovski Crystals, which she recently unveiled. This car comes after her Lamborghini Huracan with 1.3 Million Swarovski Cyrstals which was also covered in crystals. One big difference between the two cars is the amount of crystals they contain. For the Huracan, there were 1.3 million crystals used. The Aventador SV? Two. Million. Crystals. According to Daria's Instagram account, it took over 700 hours to hand-apply each of these crystals. Even the "SV" on the rear quarter panels has the correct-colored crystals. Check it all out in the video above. view all lamborghinis for sale Featured Image Source

By Andrew Nabors – April 04, 2019

Why You Should Buy a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

We know you have several choices for a new supercar, so this is why you should buy a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. First off, it makes the brand aware of you. Lamborghini rewards their best clients with special events and previews of limited edition models. Then we must consider the looks. Nothing in history has looked as mean as the SVJ. It almost seems as if the designers found a duet between Pavarotti and Disturbed. The aggressive aerodynamics aren't just for looks. Developed on the Huracan Performante, the ALA active aero system constantly adjusts downforce at each corner. A dedicated computer uses electronic ducts to change the airflow under & behind the car. It even forces air up and out of the hollow rear spoiler. This makes use of the same principle NASCAR drivers use when drafting, so perhaps they should take notes. What's in a name? To breakdown the car's title, SVJ stands for Super Veloce Jota. Super Veloce (Italian: Super Fast) has been reserved for the fastest cars of each generation. The limited run of Aventador SV models were built for collectors who wanted big power without the wild looks. In terms of heritage, Jota is Spanish for the letter J, and denotes the FIA's Appendix J for street legal race cars. One Miura J was built for testing, and 28 Diablo Jotas were sold in 1995. Now we come to the most important reason to justify your purchase: Technology. As I write this, the Aventador SVJ has no direct competitor. The V12 offers 759 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, and the aerodynamics are protected by several patents. If you are interested in the juicy details, click here for the Aventador SVJ price, specs, photos & review. All-wheel steering and all-wheel drive offer unlimited grip, and the 3rd generation Magnetic shocks can instantly switch between supple and supercar at an instant. Don't believe us? Click the link below and experience it for yourself. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini updates. View All Aventador SVJ For Sale " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ vs F-35 Lightning II Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Revealed Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ vs Lockheed F-35 Lightning II

If you find yourself caught in an aerial dogfight, the F-35 will be the last image you see. And if you are in a bullfight, the Aventador SVJ will win every time. Both are at the cutting edge of technology, so the Italian automaker decided to pit them against each other. So without further adieu, here is the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ vs the Lockheed F-35 Lighning II. Our Italian allies allow us to base our 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base, at the crossroads of Europe and the Balkans. Lockheed also has a long Italian history, building and maintaining Aeritalia's fleet of F-104 Starfighters. Introduced in 1956, the design was so rugged that Italy kept them in service until 2004, after 48 years of dominating the skies. Aside from the obvious aerodynamic similarities, the Aventador SVJ will still be a mean machine 48 years from now. You might view this video as hyperbole, but Lamborghini understands aerodynamics almost as well as Lockheed. If you don't believe us, click the link below and strap in for the ride of a lifetime. Shop Lamborghini Aventador Related: F-22 Inspired Ford Raptor Brings Big Money at Oshkosh Roush P-51 Mustang Released Ford Eagle Squadron Mustang Sold at Woodward

By Edward Jones – April 01, 2019

New Lamborghini Camper for Supercars Revealed

Around the world supercar owners are rejoicing because they now have the ability to go on the trips they've dreamed of in their prized automobiles. Lamborghini unveiled today their new design for a Lamborghini camper trailer that can be towed behind cars like the Huracan. Its design comes straight out of Centro Stile, Lamborghini's design studio. The angular design and lights look to be very inspired by the new Urus, which could, of course, pull the camper as well. But let's be honest, nothing is more satisfying than going out into the great outdoors in your Lamborghini supercar. Imagine flying through the twisting roads of the Stelvio Pass in your Aventador SVJ with a camper attached. Then set up camp right afterward for a nice relaxing night. Heaven. Check out Lamborghini's post below and be sure to read the description. Happy April Fool's Day! https://www.facebook.com/Lamborghini/photos/a.311180008907626/3131141243578141/?type=3&theater

By Andrew Nabors – March 29, 2019

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Manual Transmission Swap

If you ask many Lamborghini collectors about the Gallardo, one model will always be mentioned. It is 220 lbs lighter thanks to a diet of carbon fiber, and the V10 engine received a 10 horsepower upgrade. Only 618 examples were built, and many have been lost due to the combination of less weight and more power. Putting these factors aside, PeterBjorck decided his Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera needed a manual transmission swap. Oh, and twin turbos... I was in college when the Gallardo was introduced, so I thought I knew everything. When I heard the E-Gear was electrohydraulic, I figured it was just a fancy term for a six-speed automatic. But no, this video clearly shows E-Gear is a manual transmission with a ton of expensive hydraulics attached. Locating parts from a stick shift Gallardo is near to impossible, but the conversion is clearly straightforward. He might even make money on the swap, considering the price of the hydraulic parts. Peter, our hats are off to you! If you want to attempt this yourself, click the link below to find a Superleggera for yourself. Shop Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera Related: Lamborghini Gallardo Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs Oak Tree

No matter how strong your car is, trees usually win. Such was the unfortunate case this weekend as multiple spectators witnessed a Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs an oak tree. HR Owen is an exotic car dealer that organized a supercar meet, and typical tomfoolery ensued. YouTube channels Supercars on the streets and F1 YMS caught this action from multiple angles. What we see is a Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs an oak tree. After lining up next to another Performante, the driver chooses to launch headlong into a sweeping corner. The drop in elevation probably hid a concrete divider for the turn lane. An old-fashioned over-correction transformed this masterpiece into a pile of parts. As you might know, lifting off throttle in an evasive turn will put your car on spin cycle, so perhaps this was a laundry pod challenge. Aside from some missing bark, the tree seems ok. As always, don't be stupid on the street, keep it at the track. Needless to say, Lamborghini is running extra shifts to keep up with demand, so click the link below to find a new one for yourself. Shop Lamborghini Huracan " width="680"> Related: Top Crashes of 2018 Story of a Crashed Rental Huracan

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