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.

Urban Automotive Transforms The Lamborghini Urus SE With A New Widetrack Kit

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 27, 2026

New Urban Widetrack Lamborghini Urus SE Debuts

Lamborghini’s new Urus SE is one of the most captivating models to emerge from the manufacturer. With over 800 horsepower thanks to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and plug-in hybrid power, the Urus SE is the most powerful variant of the Urus yet, and a showcase of the wave of electrified innovation that is coming to the entire Lamborghini lineup. Specialists in customizing the world’s most desirable and celebrated luxury vehicles, Urban Automotive has taken the opportunity to transform the Urus SE with its signature design approaches. Creating a new Urban Widetrack customization for the Urus SE, the Urban Automotive take on the hybrid performance machine features carbon fiber styling, a wide body, and more. The kit enjoyed a debut on both sides of the Atlantic, with one debut taking place at Urban’s home in Milton Keynes, UK, and in Las Vegas. Home of the SEMA show that is a capital for automotive customization, Las Vegas was a strategic place to debut the kit in the United States, showcasing a carefully designed kit that was the result of over 10,000 hours of design work, paying homage to past Lamborghini icons. At the front, a three-piece splitter is crafted in carbon fiber, and a redesigned hood featured design cues inspired by the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. In addition, the wheel arches, also crafted of carbon, widen the body by 40 millimeters, giving the vehicle a more aggressive stance, while a new bumper, diffuser, and spoiler add signature Urban Automotive style. Riding on custom Urban-Vossen UV-1R wheels, the kit is a unique twist on the already striking design of the Urus SE. With innovative hybrid brawn and a unique carbon fiber design from Urban, customers can now make their Lamborghini Urus SE stand out even further with the new Widetrack kit. View All Lamborghini Urus SE <- Gallery -> Image Source: Urban Automotive

NOVITEC Transforms The Lamborghini Revuelto With Visual & Performance Upgrades

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 23, 2026

NOVITEC Customizes The Lamborghini Revuelto

NOVITEC is known for giving its twist to some of the world’s most desirable, powerful, and exclusive supercars and exotic cars, and Lamborghinis are no exception. However, the latest generation of Lamborghini’s flagship supercar sets the bar quite high, as the Lamborghini Revuelto is a plug-in hybrid with a naturally aspirated V12 that musters a truly impressive 1,001 horsepower. That, however, doesn’t stop NOVITEC from giving it even more performance, as the firm’s new customization of the Revuelto not only includes visual upgrades, but also a performance boost. Thanks to a custom exhaust system, NOVITEC was able to transform the sound experience of the Revuelto and its V12 engine, and also imbue it with extra power, raising that 1,001-horsepower figure to a slightly higher 1,048. The customization also includes sports springs and a revised interior design for customers who choose to transform their Lamborghini Revuelto with it, and NOVITEC also revised the visual aesthetic of the Revuelto with its signature style, by way of exposed carbon fiber bodywork and a set of 21 and 22-inch wheels from Vossen. <- Gallery -> Launched in a purple color that is similar to Lamborghini’s Viola 30, the customized Revuelto makes a nod towards Lamborghini’s rich history, specifically the Diablo SE 30 that was created to honor Lamborghini’s 30th anniversary, which took place over 30 years ago. Created using state-of-the-art materials and techniques, NOVITEC’s new customization and performance upgrade of the Lamborghini Revuelto is a way for customers to take an already incredible supercar up a notch. View All Lamborghini Revuelto For Sale Image Source: NOVITEC

Two Lamborghini Urus SUVs are displayed in a studio; one faces front with gold wheels, the other shows the rear view with black wheels.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 24, 2025

NOVITEC Unveils New ESTESO WIDEBODY SE For Lamborghini Ur...

NOVITEC transforms Lamborghini’s hybrid Super SUV. The Lamborghini Urus SE is one of the most exciting models to wear the iconic Fighting Bull yet. With a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine and a plug-in hybrid system teaming up, it’s the most powerful variant of the Lamborghini Urus yet, with 800 horsepower. A reimagination of Lamborghini’s iconic SUV with supercar-like performance, the Urus SE is now the latest subject of transformation from NOVITEC, a customization firm known for visually enhancing and upgrading the performance of some of the world’s most exclusive supercars and performance cars. NOVITEC’s makeover of the Lamborghini Urus SE is called the ESTESO WIDEBODY SE, and it includes a thorough visual and performance enhancement of the iconic hybrid super SUV. A widebody kit adds an aggressive, sporty look to the vehicle, with exposed carbon fiber used throughout, and impressively sized 23-inch wheels from Vossen further set apart the custom configuration. Adding to the customization of the Urus SE is a custom exhaust featuring 999 gold plating throughout, which enhances the sound profile of the super SUV’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. With a unique look thanks to a stunning widebody kit, custom wheels, and an enhanced exhaust for greater driving pleasure behind the wheel, Lamborghini’s most powerful Urus variant got even better thanks to NOVITEC’s customization expertise. View All Lamborghini Urus SE For Sale " width="680"> " width="680"> Image Source: NOVITEC

A bright orange and black sports car with a low, aerodynamic design is parked on a plain white background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 18, 2025

Vorsteiner Announces New Carbon Fiber Aero Kit For Lambor...

The Lamborghini Revuelto gets a carbon fiber makeover. The Lamborghini Revuelto has emerged as the new V12 flagship from the historic supercar manufacturer, this time as a plug-in hybrid that not only evolves the efficiency of the vehicle, but also allows it to achieve unprecedented levels of power, specifically a total of 1,001 horsepower on tap. With striking design and immense performance potential, the Lamborghini Revuelto is a truly head-turning machine, but aftermarket firms specialize in turning even the most exclusive supercars into unique statements, with Vorsteiner being no exception. The California-based specialist in custom carbon fiber aerodynamic components has recently launched its first aerodynamics package for the Lamborghini Revuelto. The kit not only enhances the visual appeal of the Revuelto with a sporty edge, but it also increases the downforce, decreases the weight, and improves the airflow. Parts included in the kit are a front spoiler, a carbon fiber hood, vented fenders in carbon fiber, custom side skirts, and a rear diffuser, and the kit uses OEM mounting points for a fit and finish that fits seamlessly with the stock car visually and functionally, as well. Thanks to Vorsteiner’s carbon fiber expertise, the Revuelto gains added visual appeal and enhanced performance potential. View All Lamborghini Revuelto For Sale Image Source: Vorsteiner

A sleek, custom Lamborghini sports car with a wide body kit by Liberty Walk, racing decals, a prominent rear wing, and number 58 displayed, set against a neutral background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 06, 2025

Liberty Walk Unveils New Custom Lamborghini Miura

Liberty Walk imparts its signature transformation on a classic supercar. For over 60 years, Lamborghini has been crafting some of the world’s greatest supercars, which boast impeccable style, luxurious features, and compelling performance that defines cutting-edge innovation in its time. One of the most legendary is the Lamborghini Miura, whose mid-engined V12 design was unprecedented at the time for roadgoing vehicles, making it one of the first “supercars” as we know them today. However, decades later, the Miura is still at the center of one of the automotive world’s latest sensations, as Liberty Walk, the Japanese aftermarket specialist known for transforming supercars with its dramatic and cult-revered body kits, has announced its transformation of the Lamborghini Miura, which has recently been revealed in 3D and is set to make an appearance at the upcoming Tokyo Auto Salon. The kit features all the signature trappings of Liberty Walk vehicles, with a wide body, a dramatic spoiler, and a motorsport-inspired aesthetic, fully transforming the classic supercar into a unique Liberty Walk creation. Thanks to Liberty Walk, the legend of the Lamborghini Miura is about to enter a new chapter. View All Lamborghini Miuras For Sale " width="680">

A sleek, black Mansory sports car with sharp angles parked in a modern, concrete-walled room.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 23, 2024

Mansory Unveils New 'Initiate' Custom Lamborghini Revuelto

Mansory revolutionizes hybrid supercar excellence. Introduced in the 60th anniversary year of the manufacturer in 2023, the new Lamborghini Revuelto ushered in a new era for Lamborghini by being the first plug-in hybrid flagship supercar from the iconic Fighting Bull brand. With over 1,000 horsepower on tap, and some of the most revolutionary engineering to ever grace a Lamborghini supercar, the Revuelto is one of the most coveted supercars of today. Specializing in cars like the Revuelto at the highest echelon of the automotive industry, Mansory’s bread and butter is transforming supercars and luxury cars with its signature customizations into unique masterpieces, with an unparalleled ability to transform interiors, exteriors, and the performance characteristics of supercars into something truly bespoke. The Lamborghini Revuelto is the latest subject of Mansory’s customization abilities, with a new complete customization program for the new flagship supercar being called the MANSORY Initiate. Like every customization from Mansory, the car combines transformed looks and performance to create a truly unique statement that will turn heads in any crowd of supercars. The showpiece of the new Mansory Initiate Lamborghini Revuelto customization is the bespoke body kit, with a transformed experience crafted completely in carbon fiber, including a unique carbon fiber hood. The customization also includes custom 21 and 22-inch wheels, and customers have the ability to further personalize their supercar with a custom interior made to the client’s wishes. Mansory’s customization abilities also include increasing the performance ability of the Revuelto in the new Mansory Initiate, with the engine’s power being increased by 55 horsepower. The electric motors also had their performance increased, as well, with the total power increasing to 1,070 horsepower, a significant increase from the standard car’s 1,001. As a result, the Mansory Initiate reaches a 220-mph top speed and gets from 0-60 in under 2.4 seconds. With transformations inside and out, Mansory puts its signature spin on Lamborghini’s coveted new flagship, the Revuelto. View All Lamborghini Revueltos For Sale Image Source: Mansory

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 12, 2024

Mansory Reveals New Customizations For The Lamborghini Hu...

Mansory gives an off-road supercar icon its signature twist. Mansory is known for adding a level of uniqueness and personalization to some of the world’s most interesting cars, adding its signature suite of modifications to already powerful, stylish, and highly desirable machines. The latest is one of the most unique yet, the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, one of the final iterations of Lamborghini’s V10 supercar and an off-road-capable rendition of the Italian high-performance sensation. Thanks to Mansory customization, the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato can be personalized to meet specific client wishes, turning the supercar into a head-turner among even the most exclusive automotive crowds. The custom Sterrato features a body clad completely in forged carbon fiber, with a performance increase to 610 horsepower and 413 lb/ft of torque. In addition, the custom Mansory Huracán Sterrato is capable of reaching 162 mph and getting from 0 to 60 in only 3.3 seconds. In addition, custom wheels, aerodynamic components, and a revised signature Mansory look set the Mansory creation apart from the standard Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato. With customization and upgrades throughout, Mansory has done what it does best for Lamborghini’s unique off-road supercar, turning an exclusive automotive masterpiece into a unique statement. View All Lamborghini Huracán Sterratos For Sale Image Source: Mansory