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 Gabriel Vega – October 01, 2021

Watch Our 2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO First Drive

There is no better place to test out a supercar than on a racetrack. That's why I traveled to California to drive the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO at Willow Springs International Raceway. Be sure to check out the video embedded above to see a complete overview of the brand-new STO as well as on-track driving footage. I've also published an entire Lamborghini Huracan STO first drive article journaling my full STO experience. The Huracan STO is powered by the brand's now-iconic 5.2-liter V10, which pushes out 640 hp in this application. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends all of its available power to the rear wheels. Additionally, the STO has rear-wheel steering, a first for a rear-drive Lambo. However, the biggest story here surrounds the brand-new aerodynamic elements. Just above your head, you'll find a hood scoop that feeds cool air straight into the engine bay. Behind that, a shark fin helps stabilize the STO during high-speed cornering. However, the most attention-grabbing part is the manually adjustable rear wing, which can provide over 900 lb of downforce at 173 mph. At full speed, the STO can rocket to 60 mph in 3 seconds and continue up to a top speed of 192 mph. While the STO is unique, it isn't a limited edition. While its near $330,000 base price is nothing to scoff at, it's more than justified for the driving experience on offer. Browse Huracan STOs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 13, 2021

Curated Chases The Ultimate Lamborghini Diablo SV

How far would you go to find the car of your dreams? By the late 90's, work was well underway on the Murcielago, so Lamborghini engineers decided to pull out all the stops to build the ultimate Diablo. The last car built without the influence of Audi was the Diablo SV. Because they represent the last analog raging bull, John Temerian and his team at Curated decided to follow a lead on a 1998 example. This car is 1 of 20 Monterey Editions, and its unique color demands respect in any circumstance. Giallo Perlato is not an easy color to spray, and it commands a premium price on the window sticker. Such details are found in every car in their inventory, so tell us your best Diablo story and click the button to see what they have awaiting you. Browse Inventory At Curated

By Andrew Nabors – May 06, 2021

Lamborghini Urus Shatters 1000m Record On Ice

A hot Super SUV tackles the frozen north Lake Baikal is the largest & deepest body of fresh water on Earth. When Russia decided to build their Trans-Siberian railroad, the ice was thick enough to hold freight trains with several steam engines. That's why it can easily handle a Lamborghini. Wanting to thaw out the top speed through 1000 meters, they asked Muscovite Andrey Leontyev to get behind the wheel. He is an 18-time champion of speed weeks at the lake, so his skills speak for themselves. “When I saw the frozen Lake Baikal for the first time I immediately realized that it was a perfect track. Records were being set on impeccable-quality asphalt roads and salt lakes around the world, but in Russia we don’t have any of that. Instead, we have a lot of ice, and that’s how the idea came to me. So I once decided to come to Baikal with a friend and did some racing. Nobody thought this would get us anywhere, but we were determined to make it something big. In the past ten years we gained FIA recognition to make our ice-track records official. We fully abide by all FIA regulations and we have a legitimate record-setting arena.” Along with a team from the FIA, a new Urus hit a top speed of 185 mph in the half-mile. With an average speed of 114 mph, it would be a great starter for our local Tampa Bay Lightning, Our dealers are having a hard time keeping the Urus on the lot and Lamborghini had to add a graveyard shift to keep up with demand. To learn what makes it so amazing, click the button to find one for yourself and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse All Lamborghini Urus For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2021

1985.5 Lamborghini Countach Downdraft Driven by CURATED

Who else loves Group B? When Ferrucio Lamborghini saw Ferrari's 288 GTO, he knew the Countach was capable of spanking it. Therefore he turned to his trusted team led by Valentino Balboni and Horacio Pagani to build the ultimate Countach race car. Instead of fuel injection, the Downdraft is topped with racing caurburetors. No chokes, big cams, aggressive gearing, and a brutal suspension were homogized to be sold on the street, and somehow John Temerian found this one in great shape. Curated has the resources to find and restore anything, so click the button to browse their inventory and stay with us for all your Curated news. Browse Inventory At Curated

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

Watch a Lamborghini LM002 Drifting Across The Alps

Age is only a number Sitting atop the Alps, Switzerland must always be ready for an Italian invasion. The same paths taken by Hannibal's War Elephants can also be accessed by a Lamborghini in 4LO. All you need is a Countach V12 engine, Pirelli's most expensive Scorpions, and decent heel-toe shifting. The Lamborghini LM002 specs were unlike anything else before the introduction of the Urus for sale, and this film shows us why. Kidston Productions spent a weekend at the Gstaad Palace to see how the land of cheese and Cuckoo Clocks would react to the Rambo Lambo. Age is only a number, as the fuel-injected beast made use of the cool air to drift between southern and central Europe. Tell us what you would do with such an opportunity in the comments below and check out these great Urus incentives from our dealers. Browse Lamborghini Urus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2021

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Receives Amazon Alexa & Andr...

Driving a classic Lamborghini means your audio comes from the exhaust. Sure the Alpine was and is capable of AM and FM, but what if you want more? Connected cars are all the rage these days, so the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO has received Amazon Alexa and Android Auto. The car's operating system is all-new, and owners will receive free updates over the air. Lamborghini Connect is a new Huracan EVO spec that combines navigation, comfort, safety, traffic info, and entertainment. The two-way connection to your smartphone conveys your car's status, speed alerts in valet mode, and the ability to build a geofence to alert you should the car try to make an escape. Should you already own an EVO, the system can be added for free at the dealer. Click the button to learn even more about what sets the Huracan apart from lesser supercars. Shop Lamborghini Huracan EVO Images (C) Lamborghini

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 Andrew Nabors – January 29, 2021

First Production Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster Pu...

As a five-time Moto GP Champion, he could own anything on wheels. Because he enjoys being inspired, the first production Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster was purchased by Jorge Lorenzo. In the latest upload from the factory, we see Car #01 meet its owner. You might remember it from their promotional photos, as this one was shown around the world. As a valued customer, Mr. Lorenzo was able to watch his new masterpiece take the breath away from fans of all ages. While we can't sell you Car #01, our dealers stand ready to find a new Aventador for you. This car is just one reason why Lamborghini earned Top Employer 2021. Lamborghini Aventador For Sale Image (C) Lamborghini S.p.A.

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2021

Unlock Winter Adventure With 2021 Lamborghini Urus Access...

Cold weather is not a reason to deny adrenaline. If you are tired of the gloom, let's unlock winter adventure with the 2021 Lamborghini Urus accessories. Starting with carbon fiber running boards, an insulated package tray keeps muddy gear away from your carpet. 2023 Lamborghini Urus Price, Horsepower & Specs Even though you have 641 horsepower through the world's most capable AWD system, snow chains will protect those forged wheels. Attacking the slopes is made easier with a Ski Bag, All-Weather Mats, and Winter tires. All this and more is available from your Lamborghini dealer, so click the button below. Browse Lamborghini Urus For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Lamborghini S.p.A.

By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2020

Lamborghini Presents: The Christmas Gift

Traveling for the Holidays will be abbreviated this year because of social distancing. Because virtual reality is a great way to overcome physical restrictions, Lamborghini presents: The Christmas Gift. A nifty set of goggles contains a recording of an experience unlike any other. The 2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO is our cover car for January, and it combines the best elements of racing into a street-legal body. This poignant message from a son to a father looks forward to fun times ahead, and that's why you should experience the same emotions. Click the button to find a Huracan for yourself and stay with us for al your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

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