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 – May 17, 2021

Paulo Dybala Celebrates 100th Goal With New Lamborghini

Now that's a proper celly. After scoring a goal, many football/soccer stars celebrate on the pitch in many different ways. For Juventus striker Paulo Dybala, he's celebrating his 100th goal with the club off of the pitch with a new Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster. Dybala had this to say regarding his new acquisition: "With the Aventador, it was love at first sight. I waited a few years before buying it, but now it’s very humbling, an honor and a privilege to be able to own one." His example is finished in New Giallo Orion and has a Nero Ade interior with Giallo Ade stitching. When it comes to the color choice, Dybala said this: “A Lamborghini has to be yellow. I love how impactful it looks and I can perfectly identify with it: it’s young and prompts strong emotions, both while simply looking at it and while driving it.” Congratulations are in order for Dybala on both his 100th goal and his new supercar. See All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2021

Why Black Sabbath Loves Lamborghini

Legendary Guitarist Tommy Iommi shares his love for the brand. If you happen to find yourself on stage shredding with Ozzy, you've made it in life. Being a founding member of Black Sabbath, Tommy has been touring since 1968. When he isn't on the road, he spends time with his Lamborghini collection. In the latest press release from Sant' Agata we learned it all started with a pair of Espadas. From there he bought a pristine Miura SV, the world's first supercar that also happens to be 50 years old this month. Even though Ozzy left and came back a few times, the music is just as powerful as his cars. “For us it was all about sticking to what we do, what we believe in and what we like, from day one and all the way through. I’ve never changed my style because it’s the fashion. We’ve been in and out of fashion ourselves as things around us were constantly changing. But we never compromised and came back as big as ever, until we filled stadiums again. It was brilliant!” “We started the heavy metal genre, which inspired bands like Metallica and Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters to find their own styles. Music changes as it goes on, but ours has pretty much stayed the same, because that’s what we do: when you’re involved in something and it’s in you, that’s what you play. We have improved it over the years, but we retained the original thing. Equally, Lamborghini has always looked for innovation while always retaining that unmatched power and unmistakable sound.” You know what must be done. Leaving work today, crank up the volume and play NIB on repeat. Tell us your favorite Lamborghini in the comments below and stay with us for all your celebrity car news. Shop Lamborghini Images (C) Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2021

Lamborghini Miura SV & Rod Stewart's Countach Reach Recor...

Winter might be unusually cold this year, but the hottest Lamborghini Miura SV and Countach reached record prices at RM Sotheby's Paris Auction. Without a doubt, these two cars represent life goals to the world's most discerning collectors. What you see here is a 1971 Miura SV chassis number #4840, and a 1977 Countach LP 400 chassis #1120262. The first car is certified by Polo Storico, and it has been treated to a full Jota conversion. Regarded as the world's first supercar, only 150 examples were produced. Way ahead of its time, it rocks a transverse-mid-mounted 4-liter V8 to offer perfect weight distribution, and it sold for $2,942,650. Sir Rod Stewart's Countach was restored to its original shape, featuring the iconic "Periscopo" roof. This notch in the roof panel aligns with a rear-view mirror to offer great visibility. It hammered for $940,919, as we enter the era of the million-dollar Countach. The Polo Storico program is a great way to make sure your Lamborghini restoration is done correctly, so in the meantime, we have great deals on used Lamborghini Huracan for sale. Images (C) Lamborghini S.P.A.

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 18, 2020

Win The Lamborghini Huracán Evo From Lady Gaga's 911 Musi...

The only thing better than winning a Lamborghini Huracán Evo RWD featured in Lady Gaga’s 911 music video is helping a great cause during difficult times as the world is being affected by the pandemic. The team over at Omaze is proud to present this opportunity as a partnership between Lady Gaga and Lamborghini. The giveaway is open for all to enter, with multiple entry tiers based upon a donation scale. The proceeds will be benefitting the Born This Way Foundation in partnership with their deep network groups of organizations such as Together Rising. The Born This Way Foundation was co-founded by Lady Gaga’s mother, Cynthia Germanotta, which supports the mental health of young people and works with them to create a kinder and braver world. The giveaway is open until December 17th, with the winner announced on January 20th. Help out a great cause and have a chance at winning the 2020 Lamborghini Huracán Evo RWD by clicking the link below. Enter To Win Now

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2019

How This 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV Sold to a Celebrity

Back in 2017, we wrote an article regarding a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV that was being sold by Curated. When we wrote the article, we had no idea what kind of ordeal this car would go through. To tell the story, John Temerian of Curated traveled to VINwiki's headquarters for one of the latest editions of "Car Stories." While you should really click play above to get the whole story of this Miura, here's a quick breakdown. Curated received many offers on the car that was around what they were looking for. Still, they went ahead and took the car out to Monterey Car Week to be auctioned off. After a disappointing visit to the auction block, the car returned home to Florida. The Miura then sat on Curated's showroom floor until they got a call from Lamborghini. To Curated's shock, Lamborghini was looking to sell the car to a celebrity. That celebrity? Jean Todt, the President of FIA and previous CEO of Ferrari (2004-2008). view curated's inventory

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2019

Tattoo Guru "Doctor Woo" Customizes Lamborghini Huracan E...

https://www.instagram.com/p/B01I_4qFyLo/ Doctor Woo is one of the world's most popular tattoo artists out there, and for good reason. Many know him for his work with celebrities in Los Angeles, but what defines him more than that is his work itself. His tattoos can easily be spotted amongst a sea of others thanks to his extremely intricate style. His single-needle tattoos feature thin lines that are placed with absolute precision. They really are beautiful pieces of art. Lamborghini has recognized Doctor Woo's artwork and actually had him "ink" up a new Huracan EVO Spyder. The result is a convertible super that has a celestial design that's unlike anything I've ever seen on a car. Lines in the design are just as precise as his tattoos and it all fits beautiful on the car's body. I'm going to be honest when I say this is one of the coolest art cars I've seen in a while. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below! see all lamborghinis for sale https://www.instagram.com/p/B0tyNknH2Lr/

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