McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Lamborghini News

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

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2016

LIberty Walk Ferrari 458 & Lamborghini Aventador Spit Fla...

Italian cars are known for transforming fuel into acceleration, but they are also capable of fireworks from the exhaust. Remember the Liberty Walk 458? When its not whipping up a batch of donuts, their custom exhaust is great for using their aftermarket exhausts to scare spectators. But it caught the attention of a rival at the beginning of this year's Gold Rush Rally.In a parking structure in downtown Boston, these two lined up for a high revving showdown. To save the engines from going beyond their red line, the computer disables the spark plugs to momentarily shut down the combustion. With the ignition off, extra fuel is sent in to cool the valves and cylinders. The raw gas is suspended in the exhaust until it reaches fresh air at the tailpipes, and the reaction is an instant explosion. This is very hard on every part of the engine, so unless you have aftermarket bearings and valve springs, you probably shouldn't try this at home. View All Ferrari 458 Italia News, Articles, Video

By Edward Jones – June 20, 2016

Drag Race: Tesla Model S P85D Ludicrous Mode vs Lamborghi...

Go back a few years ago and you'd never think a civilian electric car would be dominating drag races. Since the Tesla Model S came out, it's been the center of attention at the drag strips, especially when the Ludicrous Mode was announced.For example, here are just a few races we've covered that include the Model S: Tesla Model S and BMW i8 Face Off on Autobahn Tesla Model S vs Model X Ludicrous Mode Drag Race Tesla Model S P85D vs. American Muscle Cars in Drag Races For today, we have a video from DragTimes of a Model S P85D with the Ludicrous Mode engaged taking on a Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4. The Huracan comes with a 5.2-liter V10 that's capable of 602 hp and 412 lb-ft of torque. As for the Model S, it's electric motors provide the wheels with 502 hp in the rear and 259 hp in the front, with over 700 lb-ft of torque on tap. The torque is where the Model S takes over the Huracan, allowing it to made quick starts, but the horsepower of the Huracan gives it a higher top-end. What's more, the Model S has a price tag that's roughly half that of the Huracan.So, who wins the race? Check the video below and remember to always follow your local traffic laws.Huracans For Sale | Model S' For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

Lamborghini Miura and Aventador SV Face Off

When it comes to classic supercars, there's something special imbued in their history and styling. Still, the new oftentimes superior supercars provide a feeling of exhilaration the classics can't measure up to. If you had the option, would you choose classic supercar status or sleek and new?CAR magazine's Chris Chilto asked the same question, so he took a 1966 Lamborghini Miura and the new Lamborghini Aventador SV for a spin to see which car he'd prefer when it comes to driving experience. Driving each, Chilto gives a breakdown of the best features of each car. The styling of the Miura, futuristic in shape and line for its age, really appeals to him, but driving it is still "like driving an old car," he states. The Aventador SV, on the other hand, gives more power and better handling. From steel chassis to carbon fiber and a brand new engine, Chilto breaks down all the differences and gives insight into the essence of what makes a supercar a supercar.Check out the full experience in the video below.Lamborghini Aventador SV For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2016

McLaren 675LT vs Supercharged Lamborghini Huracan

Interested in watching a battle between English and Italian? Here's your video. At Shift S3ctor's Exotic Airstrip Attack, a McLaren 675LT took on a supercharged Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4. Making the 675LT a contender is its twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that packs 666 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, no specs were given for the Huracan, but when it was stock it was housing a 5.2-liter V10 that was capable of 602 hp and 412 lb-ft of torque. However, who knows how much it's packing after its supercharged treatment. Check out the video below to see who wins this battle of the Europeans. 675LTs For Sale | Huracans For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 31, 2016

Grandma Owns and Races Her Loud Lamborghini Gallardo Supe...

It's not every day that the person jumping out of a classic red, Lamborghini Gallardo at the gas station is.... a granny (though Autofluence has noted it's happened a time or two). Generally, the expectations for a granny driving a Lamborghini are as follows: Said Lamborghini definitely doesn't belong to Granny Granny will abide by the speed limit, regardless of the raging horsepower capability under the hood The track is not the place we'd consider finding a Granny in a Lamborghini 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale Well, we were wrong. This Granny owns the Lamborghini Gallardo she's driving, has a complete and beautiful understanding of the powerful engine she's touting, oh... and she kills it on the track. Check out the full video below, and let us know what you think. Lamborghinis For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – November 13, 2015

What It's Like to Take Delivery of a Lamborghini Aventado...

Everyone dreams of the day when they can pull up to an exotic car dealership in one car and drive away in a new one. But what is it like when that day actually happens?Apparently, even if you own Australia's leading Ferrari parts supplier, it's still overwhelmingly exciting.Supercar Advocates, the YouTube channel behind Ferrari Advocates, shared a video Nov. 10 of their Sales Manager, Lee, accepting delivery of his new Lamborghini Aventador SV. It starts with a sales rep from Lamborghini Sydney talking him through the finer points of the car's interior controls, then shows a bit of the logistics behind buying such an insane beast.And then, the best part: Lee drives away in his new car."This is really special, guys," he says as he's taking it for his first drive as owner. "The acceleration, the sound, the performance, the speed, you know.... mind boggling. Mind boggling."Check out what it's like to drive off in a new Lamborghini in the video below, then find your own Aventador SV to experience the joy for yourself.Aventador SVs For Sale (via YouTube) See More Lamborghini News

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 27, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador Revs & Shoots Flames

London may be making moves to prevent supercar owners from showing off engine notes, but their newly proposed laws haven't yet passed, and one Aventador owner is taking advantage of the free time left.YouTube channel TheTFJJ shared a video Oct. 26 of a black Lamborghini Aventador revving its engine and shooting flames for a solid five minutes, surrounded by a crowd of car spotters the entire time. As the video description shares, this particular Aventador features a quad-tip exhaust from Frequency Intelligence, which means that the more intense revs are accompanied by bursts of fire from the rear.(See Also: Why You Should Buy a Lamborghini Aventador SV)Through a quick comparison to Google street view, we're able to figure out that this video was shot on Sloane Street in London, just a short two blocks over from the Harrods department store in London's Knightsbridge neighborhood. It's this one particular area where residents are particularly tired of engine noises, and over the summer, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea proposed a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to ban that type of "anti-social" behavior in the neighborhood.As the council's website describes, hearings for this ordinance occurred in August and September, and a final decision is expected to be released before the end of this month. As there are only five days left in October, including today, this Aventador owner was cutting it close. In the video we see one police officer approached the driver to deliver a warning, but in the near future, that warning could have instead been a criminal charge and/or a fine of up to £100.Keep in mind, this driver was on a public roadway and traffic had to stop due to the large crowd gathered. We always remind you to follow local traffic laws, and be courteous to other drivers on the road.That being said, find your own Aventador for some high revs on a track near you from our exclusive listings below.Aventadors For Sale (Source: YouTube, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea) See More Lamborghini News

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