Lamborghini News

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

By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2021

Lamborghini Urus Driving Modes Explained

Which mode is right for the situation? Incredible power and bold styling should be enough for anyone. But what if you actually want to harness the abilities of your Raging Bull? Their latest press release gives us scenarios to explain the Lamborghini Urus driving modes. From the factory, the Urus specs include six driving modes. That is fine and dandy for most situations. Should you find yourself in a dynamic situation, a seventh mode is your blank canvas. Several hundred times a second, a powerful computer takes inputs from wheel speed, body roll, accelerometers, steering angles, and the engine's operating system. It uses these along with your right foot to instantly change the suspension, torque distribution, transmission shifting, and power delivery to keep your Urus under control. What it comes down to is how you feel: drift vs. grip. Tell us which mode suits your commute in the comments below. Browse Lamborghini Urus For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2021

Lamborghini Urus Sets New Record On An Ice Lake

The Lamborghini Urus proves it's meant for more than the road after setting a new record on an ice lake. During the Days of Speed event on the frozen Lake Baikal in Russia, the deepest lake and largest freshwater lake on the planet, Automobili Lamborghini took their Urus out to prove its worth. This event was held between March 10 and 13, and it was put on by the LAV-racing company. The main purpose of this event is to purely set new record speeds on ice. As for the urus, behind the wheel was 18-time Days of Speed Russian record-holder Andrey Leontyev who most definitely knows how to handle a vehicle on ice. He managed to take the Urus across the lake, setting the 1,000-meter record with an average speed of 70.8 mph from a standing start. As for his maximum speed, Leontyev managed to hit a maximum speed of 185 mph. Those are insanely impressive numbers for both the Urus and the driver. The Lamborghini Urus proves once again that it's an insanely capable SuperSUV. Click the button below to see the Urus examples that are currently for sale. Also, be sure to see a Urus climb a mountain, proving it's an off-road master. See All Lamborghini Urus For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 11, 2021

Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini Meets the Lamborghini Sian...

The Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini Edition motorcycle can thank its appearance to the groundbreaking Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 supercar. When designing the new motorcycle, Ducati took various aspects from the supercar and introduced them to the design of the bike in various ways. Take the wheels for example, which mirror the wheels found on the Sian FKP 37. If the owner of a Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 ever wanted a bike for their garage, the Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini would have to be it as it matches the car so well in so many respects. In fact, you can see how well it looks next to the Lamborghini thanks to Lamborghini Miami who recently had a photoshoot of the two. In the images found in this article, you can see the motorcycle parked right next to the supercar. It's a pair made in heaven. These vehicles may be standing still on the showroom floor, but if they were opened up on the road, both would excite in their own way. Take the Sian FKP 37, which has a hybrid setup that's mated to a massive 6.5-liter V12 engine. Equally as impressive is the Diavel 1260 Lamborghini which is powered by the 1262 cc Ducati Testastretta DVT. This engine is capable of producing 157 horsepower and 9,500 rpm and 95 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. View Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2021

Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini Edition Lands at Lamborghi...

The new Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini Edition motorcycle has landed in Miami and everyone should get ready for this bike to take over the streets. Brett David, CEO of Lamborghini Miami and Prestige Imports, recently posted a photo of himself and the bike, and the bike looks absolutely mental. Its exterior matches the Sian FKP 37's debut livery, which consists of Verde Gea and Electrum Gold. Ducati also designed the wheels of the bike after the new supercar to complete the look. Powering the Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini is the 1262 cc Ducati Testastretta DVT. This engine is capable of producing 157 horsepower and 9,500 rpm and 95 lb-ft of torque at 7,500 rpm. Just 630 examples of this bike will be created so if you happen to see one on the road or on a showroom floor, consider yourself lucky. View Prestige Imports Inventory https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKdIWYFkkG/

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2021

Top Five Fast Facts About the Lamborghini Huracan STO

Many great race cars are inspired by street-legal supercars, but this one is not like the others. Beginning life as the Super Trofeo race cars, here are the top five fast facts about the Lamborghini Huracan STO. Those that race the Raging Bull are members of Squadra Corsa. Aside from this customer program, the Huracan EVO GT3 cars have won Daytona three times and twice at Sebring. Lessons learned in motorsports have allowed the factory to hone their efforts, and here is what sets the Huracan STO apart from everything else: Cofango: This mashup of Italian words for the hood (Cofano) and fenders (Parafango) is used to describe the one-piece front end. Taking inspiration from the Miura, one layer of carbon fiber is 3D-printed from the front bumper to the windshield. Pit Stops: Your pit crew shouldn't have to break out the tools to suit your mood, so three new driving modes can be changed in less than 3 seconds. STO is for normal cruising, Trofeo is racing, and Pioggia is meant for rainy days. Simulators: Before work began on the prototypes, engineers and team drivers logged long days in virtual reality. Driving the equivalent of three times around the Earth, the Huracan STO debuted with unprecedented refinement and quality control. DIY: If you want to build a new Huracan STO for yourself, no less than 2,750 parts will be needed. In theory, your local Lamborghini dealer could sell you everything you need, but leave the assembly to the masters in Sant'Agata. Telemetry: Combining several cameras along with engine and tire data, the new UNICA telemetry system required over 25,000 lines of computer code. This is your introduction to a new series "Focu5on- The five things you did not know about" from Lamborghini, so we invite you to join us in learning the interesting bits about the world's most amazing automobiles. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 26, 2021

"The Benchmark Lamborghini Miura SV" By CURATED

CURATED is delighted to present a unique, museum-quality Lamborghini Miura SV. An unparalleled example, Lamborghini Miura SV Chassis #4952 is unrestored and incredibly preserved, finished in its original Rosso paint and complete interior from new. Since it arrived in New York in November of 1972, the Miura SV has only accumulated 10,000 original miles, making it a benchmark specification for the vintage Italian supercar. The rarity continues, as this Miura SV Split Slump, specific chassis is described as “A beauty of a ‘Survivor” by expert vehicle appraiser Robert DeMars. The exterior and interior condition has aged perfectly with a slight amount of patina covering the iconic lines of the Lamborghini Miura SV. Additional original cosmetics are featured on the vehicle, such as it's original “In Rodaggio” windshield warranty sticker and factory Pirelli CN12 “Tube Type” tires. For years, Chassis #4952 was described by Joe Sackey, expert, and author of the “Miura Bible,” as the most original and preserved Miura SV on the planet. This exceptional and irreplaceable Lamborghini Miura SV will undergo a Polo Storico certification at Curated and enter into preservation Concours events very soon. View CURATED Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – February 26, 2021

Watch a Lamborghini Urus Climb a Mountain

Aaron Durogati is a world champion paraglider and he needed a new way to reach the jump-off. A raging bull with 641 horsepower at all wheels makes for a quick ascent, so let's watch a Lamborghini Urus climb a mountain. A prominent feature of every Urus for sale is the ANIMA selector. Located on the center console, it allows you to choose the driving mode. Kicking around the dirt in the switchbacks can be fun without stability control, so I would choose Terra or Sabbia (dirt or sand) to generate a healthy rooster tail. You might not consider such tomfoolery in your daily commute, but the Urus price and specs include the abilities you need to experience. Lamborghini Urus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2021

Lamborghini Miura SV & Rod Stewart's Countach Reach Recor...

Winter might be unusually cold this year, but the hottest Lamborghini Miura SV and Countach reached record prices at RM Sotheby's Paris Auction. Without a doubt, these two cars represent life goals to the world's most discerning collectors. What you see here is a 1971 Miura SV chassis number #4840, and a 1977 Countach LP 400 chassis #1120262. The first car is certified by Polo Storico, and it has been treated to a full Jota conversion. Regarded as the world's first supercar, only 150 examples were produced. Way ahead of its time, it rocks a transverse-mid-mounted 4-liter V8 to offer perfect weight distribution, and it sold for $2,942,650. Sir Rod Stewart's Countach was restored to its original shape, featuring the iconic "Periscopo" roof. This notch in the roof panel aligns with a rear-view mirror to offer great visibility. It hammered for $940,919, as we enter the era of the million-dollar Countach. The Polo Storico program is a great way to make sure your Lamborghini restoration is done correctly, so in the meantime, we have great deals on used Lamborghini Huracan for sale. Images (C) Lamborghini S.P.A.

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2021

2021 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Is The Perfect Vale...

While lesser automakers dove deep into esoteric advertising this year, the home of the Raging Bull reminded us that the 2021 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster is the perfect Valentine. Their latest upload stars Christian and Laura along with their other family member. Doing everything together, the latest Aventador S transformed this duet into a trio. If you're cold, they're cold, so this Roadster plays centerstage by residing in their home. Along with music, foosball, chess, and food, an Aventador is best when shared. Compared to all previous Lamborghinis, rear-steering and magnetic suspension allow it to be a comfortable cruiser. The LVDI system combines stability, engine power, transmission programming, and torque vectoring into a comprehensive (and intuitive) 4 modes. With 740 horsepower and 507 lb-ft to all wheels, it is the most fun you will have with your significant other. Literally a decade ahead of the original Aventador specs, clicking the button below will complete your family unit. Lamborghini Aventador For Sale Image (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Edward Jones – February 09, 2021

World's First Lamborghini on Snow Tracks

Every time you've seen a Lamborghini Aventador, it's been on some sort of hard surface. Whether it be a public road or race track, the Aventador is a supercar made for tarmac. However, that didn't stop TheStradman from turning a clean Aventador into a snowmobile. With HeavyDSparks in charge of the transformation, the result actually looks great even though the sight of snow tracks on a supercar is something I thought I'd never see. To test it out, they brought the Lamborghini out to some fresh powder to see how it would handle. While it most certainly worked, the transmission was not happy and they found out that this vehicle has quite the penchant for getting stuck. Check it out for yourself in both of the videos found in this post. See All Lamborghinis For Sale " width="680"> Featured Image Source: Instagram/@HeavyDSparks/@alecjacksonblack

Lamborghini News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe