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 – September 04, 2019

See the Entire Evolution of the Lamborghini Aventador

It may not seem like it, but the Lamborghini Aventador was launched way back in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show. Since then, the Aventador has gone through drastic changes and has evolved entirely over the years. To help visualize the Aventador's evolution over the years, YouTube Channel Cars Evolution has created a new video. This video takes us on a journey through the Aventador's different model variants, including the Aventador J, Aventador SV and the new Aventador SVJ. Check it out up above and learn all about the Aventador we've come to know and love. see all lamborghinis for sale Also Check Out: See the Entire Evolution of Koenigsegg Models See the Entire Evolution of Lamborghini Models

By Andrew Nabors – August 19, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster & Huracan EVO GT Ce...

We knew they were saving something special for Monterey, and Lamborghini did not disappoint. At a private event over the weekend, the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster & Huracan EVO GT Celebration were unveiled. Starting with the 10-cylinder Raging Bull, the Huracan EVO GT Celebration was built to celebrate two years of dominance at 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Known colloquially as the 36 Hours of Florida, the Huracan GT3 EVO. As such, only 36 examples will be produced, mimicking the livery of the Grasser Racing Team. Three new body colors are offered from their Ad Personam program, and the 20" Centerlock wheels are borrowed from the Aventador. Speaking of their flagship, the Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster is a collaboration between the Centro Stile design center and the Ad Personam department. Only 63 examples will be offered. in 8 unique liveries. The upper body is available in matte or glossy finishes, with carbon fiber for the roof, engine cover, intakes, and mirrors. Inside you are treated to 3 shades of Alcantara along with their lightweight Carbon Skin package. Of course, every example has already been spoken for, but our dealers are able to build the Aventador of your dreams through the Ad Personam department. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini updates. Browse Lamborghini Aventador For Sale " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Price, Specs, Photos & Review Lamborghini Huracan EVO Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – May 30, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Spray Painted by Graffiti Artist

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxnFOBdiqx5/ The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ has entered the world as the Italian automaker's most extreme creation yet. It's power and styling make it a head-turner when it's parked or racing by. However, that wasn't enough for the owner of one such Aventador SVJ. Alexandre Mourreau, who notes that he is the director at Cars & Coffee Geneva in his Instagram profile, turned to Alec Monopoly to spruce up his supercar even more. With a few cans of spray paint, the graffiti artist took to the Giallo Orion exterior of the car. As autoevolution points out, this car has most likely been given some kind of film treatment, because it appears as though Alec Monopoly was spray painting right onto the original paint. https://www.instagram.com/p/BxiPf8-nZAh/ It's definitely a different paint job than most Lamborghinis, that's for sure. I'm just left wondering how an exterior spray painted by a famous graffiti artist would alter its resale price if left on. See All Lamborghinis For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/BxiHM-GDVV_/ Source: Instagram via autoevolution

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 Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Wheelie & Record Breaking Quart...

So what happens when incredible power is harnessed by the latest technology? In the case of Lamborghini's flagship, our friend Brooks from DragTimes did the unthinkable. In their latest upload, a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Wheelie sets a new 1/4 mile record. The latest Raging Bull is exponentially more composed than its predecessor. Enabling "Thrust Mode" in a Murciealago not only burned the clutch, but it was also very hard on the driveline. It seems as if years of development have gone into the Aventador SVJ because this footage is proof of the car's abilities. The technology that governs the center differential along with careful mapping of the ignition timing allows the SVJ to be the first known Lamborghini to lift a front wheel. This also serves to put muscle cars on notice: your exclusivity on wheelies is over! Thanks to the Dragtimes team for capturing this, now I have to shop for new drag radials. Stay with us for all your Dragtimes updates! Shop Lamborghini Aventador SVJ FOr Sale Related: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Revealed Lamborghini Centenario and Aventador SVJ Caught Together

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Revealed

Ask a normal engineer to build a convertible, and their first thought is what to sacrifice. Ask Lamborghini to build a roadster and you end up with more than you could imagine. Because the chassis of their flagship is so strong, something unprecedented has happened. The Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster has arrived in Geneva. Attendees to the Geneva Motor Show are presented with a Raging Bull in Matte Bronze. Positioned next to the new Huracan Evo Spyder, they represent the state of the art in naturally aspirated power. Unlike previous topless Aventadors, the new roof panels are only 13 lbs. That is because the brand is moving to Resin Transfer Molding in addition to forged carbon. When the roof panels are stowed under the hood, the ALA 2.0 aerodynamic system automatically adjusts for the changes in airflow. Not only does this eliminate cockpit turbulence, it allows the Roadster to perform nearly identical to the coupe. The engine offers 770 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque through a revised 7-speed Independent Shift Rod transmission. Charging from the gate, this Bull reaches 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. Considering the curb weight of 3,472 lbs, it will scare you. Due to the complexities involved in building each example, only 800 cars will be produced. Each one has an MRSP of $573,966 includes delivery, but not any of the wild options by their Ad Personam department. These include over 350 colors, embroidery, additional carbon fiber, and anything your heart desires. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Shop Lamborghini Aventador Roadster For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 28, 2018

2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Specs, Price, Photo...

After the unveiling of the new generation of Lamborghini's flagship model, the Aventador S, it was inevitable that a drop-top version would be on its way. And here they are, the 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster specs. “The new Aventador S Roadster sets new benchmarks in technology and performance on both road and track, with the roadster version adding a new dimension in driving enjoyment,” says Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Domenicali. “The Aventador S Roadster offers the thrill of open air driving without compromising on driving dynamics or the occupants’ comfort, and adds a further luxurious dimension through the personalization options available.” 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Specs Price: $460,247 Engine: 6.5-liter V12 Transmission: Seven-speed ISR Horsepower: 740 hp Torque: 509 lb-ft 0-62 mph: 3 seconds Top Speed: 217 mph Why the Ferrari 488 Spider Debuted in Blue Lamborghini is releasing the Aventador S Roadster specs with five different configurations. Each configuration is comprised of leather and Alcantara in both single a bi-color combinations. along with these interior options, customers can get the roof panel internals covered in either the standard black Alcantara or carbon fiber with the Carbon Skin package. For its mechanicals, the Aventador S Roadster takes the coupe's four-wheel drive, active suspension, four-wheel steering and EGO driving mode. It should also go without saying it's also powered by the naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine (740 horsepower and 509 lb-ft of torque). Lamborghini has stated that the Aventador S Roadster has a 0-62 mph time of 3 seconds and a top speed of 217 mph.

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