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 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

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

By Edward Jones – October 15, 2015

Insane Neon Lamborghini Aventador Spits Flames

If you came to the internet today looking for insane cars, look no further, because we have what you're searching for.While visiting Japan, YouTuber Marchettino spotted one insane Lamborghini Aventador 50th Anniversary. Not only is it wrapped in chrome, it's covered in neon lights that can change colors and strobe. Needless to say, this Aventador could be spotted from far, far away.(Related: LED Ferrari 360 Modena Drives through Tokyo)As if the sight wasn't enough, the owner also seems to have modified the exhaust to make it both louder and brighter via flames.In a video uploaded today, we get to see this neon Aventador in action, along with a group of other Lamborghinis modified in the same manner. You can see the video for yourself by clicking the play button below.Aventador Listings Lamborghini Videos, News and Pics

By Caitlin Duffy – October 13, 2015

Aventador-Only Drive Through Laguna Beach with Lamborghin...

Of all the exotic car dealerships across the country, Lamborghini Newport Beach may be one of the most active. That is, they regularly host drives and events for their clients, and the community that they've built around their dealership is regularly gathered.Case and point, the VIP 700 Club. On Oct. 10, a few dozen Lamborghini owners gathered with their cars for an Aventador-only drive through Laguna Beach, California. They started at the dealership in Newport Beach and made their way along the coast, finishing the day with dinner at Mastro's Ocean Club.(See Also: Lamborghini Huracan Police Car "Chase": Behind the Scenes)It was an exciting day for all - and the high horsepower and incredible variety of Aventadors weren't the only reasons. After dinner, an attendee gave everyone else another reason to celebrate as he got down on one knee, ring box in hand, and got a "yes" from his date.Check out the photos of the event and video of this massive group's rollout, and when you're done, find your own Aventador from Lamborghini Newport Beach and prepare for their next event.View Dealer Inventory Gallery (Source: Lamborghini Newport Beach) Lamborghini News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder vs. Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edit...

Another day, another incredible pairing of supercars running against each other on a drag strip.This time, we have the 918 Spyder, Porsche's hybrid monster capable of a 0-62 mph run in 2.6 seconds, and the Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition, a V12 beast from Lamborghini that can reach a speed of 216 mph.Gumbal was on hand to capture their sprints, and shared his video of the event on YouTube today. Though the driver of the 918 was a little eager to get started, the two hit the road as hard as they could when the race finally began, each with their tops down, each using launch control to utilize as much power and control as possible.(See Also: 5 Best Winter Driving Academies for 2015-2016)Who do you think won this race to the end? Check out the spec comparison of the two below, let us know your prediction in the comments, check out the video above (skip to 1:50 for the drag race) and then find your own version of your favorite contender from our exclusive listings. Engine: 4.6-liter V8, 2 electric motorsTransmission: 7-speed PDK dual-clutchHorsepower: 887Torque: 944 lb-ftDry Weight: 3,650 lbs0-60 mph: 2.6 secondsTop Speed: 211+ mph Engine: 6.5-liter V12Transmission: 7-speed semi-automaticHorsepower: 691Torque: 508 lb-ftDry Weight: 4,085 lbs0-62 mph: 2.9 secondsTop Speed: 217 mphView Aventador Listings

By Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV vs. Huracan on the Autobahn

So, you're driving along the Autobahn in your Lamborghini Huracan, and along comes a new Lamborghini Aventador SV in the lane next to you. What's the first thing you do?Turn on the video camera and go back and forth showing off your exhaust notes, of course.Added to YouTube Sept. 21 by Thegermansupercars is a video of just such an occurrence, which begins North of Düsseldorf and continues on for quite a stretch. There are even a few other Lamborghinis that they find along the roadway, with a few tagging in to the game of "follow the leader" as they hit open stretches of the speed-limit-free sections. Check out the video above to see their travels along the Autobahn, and find your own Aventador or Huracan from our exclusive listings, and prepare for some fun at the track when your new car arrives. Huracans For Sale Aventadors For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – September 18, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador 50th Anniversary Edition Shooting F...

Supercars in London are not a rare sight during this time of the year. Unfortunately for the bystanders that love to see these cars, the influx of these high-performance vehicles on the English streets has come under fire from local residents. The complaints range from rapid acceleration to excessive engine revving.Well, if London is looking to put the kibosh on the engine revving, nobody told the driver of this Lamborghini Aventador. In a video uploaded by TheTFJJ on September 17 to YouTube, we see a 50th Anniversary Edition of the Aventador putting on quite the show.(See Also: Mansory Torofeo: 1,250 HP Carbon Fiber Lamborghini Huracan)Fitted with a Capristo decatted exhaust system, this Italian supercar makes noises that will surely wake the neighbors. What's more, this exhaust shoots some serious flames, which is definitely an added bonus. Be sure to check out the video below.This brings us to an important question: should this type of activity be allowed or should it be regulated by local authorities? Let us know your opinion in the comments section below.(Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini Pics, Videos and News

By Edward Jones – September 01, 2015

Amazing Iron Man Aventador is an Avenger in Disguise

Iron Man, a.k.a. Tony Stark, is known to the world as an Avenger, a suave businessman and a connoisseur of fine cars. With that last characteristic in mind, this Lamborghini Aventador's finish makes perfect sense. Rene Turrek, the artist who recently completed a Captain America Gallardo, has just completed yet another Lamborghini Avenger. This time, the superhero under the color-changing paint is none other than Iron Man, Captain America's rival in the upcoming movie "Captain America: Civil War."In a video uploaded Aug. 31 by the car's owner, Patrick Grabowski, we get to see the car's paint change colors in real time. When the car is cold, it appears to have a matte black finish. As soon as its temperature turns warmer, the Iron Man graffiti can be seen underneath. It's quite a spectacle to see the graffiti appear out of nowhere, especially on a car worth almost half a million dollars.But, the paint job itself is also pricey. According to the video's description, it costs about $35,000 to finish your car with a paint job like this.Be sure to stay with us to see Turrek's next paint job, which he tells us he's just getting started on.Aventadors For Sale(Source: YouTube, Rene Turrek) See More Lamborghini Pics, News and Videos

By Edward Jones – August 26, 2015

"Bianco Isis" 2016 Lamborghini Aventador SV For Sale

Lamborghini Newport Beach has for sale the ultimate and most reactive Lamborghini produced, a 2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SuperVeloce. This 2016 Aventador LP 750-4 SuperVeloce features the high gloss "Bianco Isis" exterior paint and provides the most visceral driving experience.Options that are equipped on this mean white bull include "Bianco Isis" exterior paint, "Nero Cosmos" SV Alcantara interior with Red accents throughout via Lamborghini's bespoke Ad Personam program, "Carbon Skin" throughout the interior, "Dianthus" 20"/21" wheels in gloss black with red center-lock nuts, multi-function steering wheel, big SV logo on rear fender, fire extinguisher, carbon ceramic brakes with red calipers, high downforce carbon fiber rear wing, carbon fiber engine bonnet, carbon fiber hood vents, carbon fiber side intake vents, carbon fiber B-pillar window scoops, carbon fiber air intakes, carbon fiber media console, carbon fiber navigation trim, carbon fiber instrument cluster, carbon fiber Alcantara bucket seats, Lamborghini branding package and much more.Call them at your earliest convenience if you have any questions regarding this 2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SuperVeloce.View ListingGallery (Text and Images Provided By: Lamborghini Newport Beach) See More Unique Cars For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – August 13, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SuperVeloce in Bianco Isis

The Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SuperVeloce, or Aventador SV for short, has been enticing enthusiasts for months with its 750 hp and 217 mph top speed. Now, at last they've started making their way into the United States, and opportunities to see one in person are starting to arise.Enthusiasts in the vicinity of Southern California are particularly in luck, as Lamborghini Newport Beach has just received delivery of their first Aventador SV. In short, it's drop-dead gorgeous.The exterior shines in Bianco Isis paint, while the interior jumps out at you thanks to Nero Cosmos SV Alcantara. Lamborghini's Ad Personam customization program added red accents throughout the interior, creating a contrast of colors that captivates. Red calipers and carbon ceramic brakes are behind gloss black Dianthus wheels, completing the color scheme and tying the beautifully aggressive aesthetic together.And, of course, there's the carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is used extensively, and can be found in the form of the interior's carbon skin. Other aspects of the car crafted from carbon fiber include the rear wing, engine bonnet, hood vents, side intake vents, B-pillar with window scoops, air intakes, media console, navigation trim, instrument cluster and bucket seats.Other features on this particular SV, one of the 600 already-sold-out models, include a multi-function steering wheel, a fire extinguisher, Lamborghini branding package and, of course, the signature "SV" logo on the rear fender. Check out the photos of this beauty below, and browse Lamborghini Newport Beach's inventory to find your own dream Lamborghini.View Dealer InventoryGallery (Source: Lamborghini Newport Beach) See More Lamborghini News

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