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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 24, 2022

Manhattan Motorcars Unveils The New Lamborghini Countach ...

A big icon comes to the Big Apple. When it comes to just about anything a city can have, there are few places in the world like New York City. Whether it's culture, art, fashion, or food, New York seemingly has it all, and the same apparently goes for cars, especially since Manhattan Motorcars’ latest uncrating. Similar to New York among cities, the Lamborghini Countach, both old and new, has it all when it comes to cars. Performance, looks, luxury, and pop culture cachet are all assets that the Countach possesses in spades, and the concrete jungle was the perfect place for it to go for it to be unveiled to an enamored crowd by Manhattan Motorcars. Stradman's Car Collection: MUST SEE The new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 was uncovered by Manhattan Motorcars to show off the car’s iconic white color scheme. The new Lamborghini Countach’s bold styling inspired by the original Countach, hybrid performance, use of Lamborghini’s legendary V12 engine, and rarity make it just as much of a timeless icon as the original, and with only 112 units of the Countach LPI 800-4 being made, the opportunity to see one in the flesh is an incredibly rare one, hence the big crowds at the uncrating event. Manhattan Motorcars is no stranger to the fast, the rare, and the beautiful when it comes to the automotive world. View All Lamborghins For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manhattan Motorcars Inc. (@manhattanmotorcars) Source: Instagram/Manhattan Motorcars

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 11, 2022

Lamborghini Dallas Unveils Its New Showroom And Service C...

Lamborghini Dallas redesigns its Lone Star State showroom. While Automobili Lamborghini continues to grow its fleet of Italian supercars and hypercars, the brand also incorporates modern design aspects into its dealerships all around the world. Lamborghini is proud to announce its expansion of the Lamborghini Dallas showroom with a new sleek and modern design. The 15,875 square-foot facility features clean lines, hexagonal shapes, factory colors, and special lighting to showcase its full lineup on the showroom floor. Aside from the new space and its comfort amenities, customers will expect to see exclusive examples that include the Urus Super SUV, race-inspired V10 Huracán STO, and limited-production V12 Aventador Ultimae. MUST-READ: Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder First-Drive Review (Video) For those looking to take full advantage of Lamborghini’s creative build process, Lamborghini Dallas debuts an all-new configuration room. The space includes an extensive range of factory Automobili Lamborghini exterior and interior finishes, along with intricate details that help make a dream build come to life. The showroom also includes a dedicated space for Collezione Automobili Lamborghini clothing and accessories, available for purchase in-store or online. The newly updated Lamborghini service center makes Lamborghini Dallas one of the service centers in the country, including 20 service bays, a top-of-the-line alignment rack, and tire installation machine. Click on the link below to view all of Lamborghini Dallas' inventory on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury supercar news and releases. View All Lamborghini Dallas Inventory Source: Automobili Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 21, 2021

Lamborghini's Dubai Dealer Gets a Dubai-Sized Makeover

This is a Lamborghini experience only a city like Dubai can offer. Dubai is a place where the most far-fetched fantasies of luxury lifestyle, architecture, and exotic cars come true, and its Lamborghini dealership (the world’s largest Lamborghini showroom) is no exception. And to keep up with Dubai’s ever-expanding glitz and glamour, the massive emporium of automotive excellence was redesigned, featuring a new Ad Personam studio, new digital elements, and an immense aftersales center within its three stories. Al Jaziri Motors, the owner of the dealership, has been the UAE’s sole purveyor of Lamborghinis since 1985, with dealers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. MUST READ: Successor to Lamborghini Aventador Spotted In Camouflage Along with that, Lamborghini has introduced the Middle East’s first Lamborghini Lounge, The Lounge Dubai, in the ME Dubai Hotel, a stunning hotel designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The popup lounge features its own Ad Personam Studio, as well as displays of a Urus and a Huracan STO. The Lounge will be open until January 17. Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, was in Dubai for the opening of both the Lounge and the redesigned dealer, where Lamborghini clients and enthusiasts can enjoy the brand’s luxury lifestyle. Lamborghinis For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 06, 2021

Brand New Lamborghini Greenwich Dealership Opens Its Door...

Greenwich, Connecticut is a new pen for our favorite fighting bull. Lamborghini has a strong market in the tri-state area, so much so that a new dealership has been opened in Greenwich, Connecticut. The occasion was blessed with a grand opening party, and the presence of Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stephen Winkelmann, as well as the brand’s Dealer Principal, Robert DiStanislao. The showroom is fitted with an ultra-luxe dealer experience, featuring leathers, carbon fiber details, and other swatches customers can touch, feel, and combine to customize their ultimate Lamborghini in the Ad Personam configuration room, known for featuring the most personalizable customization options the automotive industry has to offer. Lamborghini Greenwich is outfitted to display the latest in Lamborghini’s brand identity, and that also goes for the cars on display in the showroom. Visitors will get to have a look at the Urus SUV, the Huracán STO, and the Aventador Ultimae. After a year of record sales, Lamborghini is looking forward to more success in Greenwich, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 26, 2021

"The Benchmark Lamborghini Miura SV" By CURATED

CURATED is delighted to present a unique, museum-quality Lamborghini Miura SV. An unparalleled example, Lamborghini Miura SV Chassis #4952 is unrestored and incredibly preserved, finished in its original Rosso paint and complete interior from new. Since it arrived in New York in November of 1972, the Miura SV has only accumulated 10,000 original miles, making it a benchmark specification for the vintage Italian supercar. The rarity continues, as this Miura SV Split Slump, specific chassis is described as “A beauty of a ‘Survivor” by expert vehicle appraiser Robert DeMars. The exterior and interior condition has aged perfectly with a slight amount of patina covering the iconic lines of the Lamborghini Miura SV. Additional original cosmetics are featured on the vehicle, such as it's original “In Rodaggio” windshield warranty sticker and factory Pirelli CN12 “Tube Type” tires. For years, Chassis #4952 was described by Joe Sackey, expert, and author of the “Miura Bible,” as the most original and preserved Miura SV on the planet. This exceptional and irreplaceable Lamborghini Miura SV will undergo a Polo Storico certification at Curated and enter into preservation Concours events very soon. View CURATED Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – January 06, 2021

First 2021 Lamborghini Sian in North America Delivered By...

After flying halfway around the Earth, the first 2021 Lamborghini Sian has been delivered by Lamborghini Newport Beach. In their latest YouTube upload, we see a lucky customer being treated to the ultimate Christmas gift. After arriving in a new Lamborghini Urus, the box was unwrapped to reveal a work of art. Lamborghini Sian Roadster Explained by Chief Technical Officer Not only is it their first hybrid, it is the first production hybrid to use ultracapacitors instead of heavy batteries. Only 63 cars were offered, and all are sold. Each will arrive with 803 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque. Locking differentials allow it to reach 62 mph in 2.8 seconds, making it the fastest and most powerful Lamborghini ever offered. The staff stands ready to make your dreams come true, so click the button to find your destiny at Lamborghini Newport Beach. Browse Inventory " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2020

Lamborghini Miami Opens New Service Center

Ferruccio Lamborghini started building cars because he wanted a fast Italian Supercar that was more reliable than anything on the road. Sixty years later his cars are still reliable, fun, and fast. But since most owners don't drive them every day, they require a bit more service than your daily driver. That is why our friends at Prestige Imports have opened a new Service Center at Lamborghini Miami. Here in Florida, if you don't drive your car long enough for the fluids to reach 212 degrees, condensation and humidity build-up inside the engine, brakes, power steering, etc. Given the current state of the virus, owner Brett David is also committed to maintaining a surgical level of cleanliness. Prestige Imports can pick up and drop off your Raging Bull in full protective gear, so click the button below to view their inventory and schedule your appointment today. Browse Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2020

Curated Goes Above & Beyond to Fulfill a Customer's Life ...

When I was in college I worked at a luxury Japanese car dealer in Orlando. Many times I had customers waiting for financing only to have an unscrupulous coworker sell the car out from under me. At Curated, John Temerian and his team value customer satisfaction above all else. So when a walk-in asked about a silver Lamborghini Diablo SE30, he needed to know why. The man took John to lunch and told him how the world's rarest Diablo changed his life. Not wanting to disparage the man, John found the car. Rejecting cash offers at full asking price, he held the car until the customer could liquidate a few of his investment into cash. If you are looking for a 1 of 1 exotic, Curated can find it, so click the button below and stay with us for more heartwarming stories. " width="680"> Browse Curated Inventory

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2019

Experience the Lamborghini Huracan EVO's Futuristic Capab...

Lamborghini released the new Huracan EVO as an evolutionary step for their incredible supercar. Its potent 5.2-liter V10 engine produces a mean 640 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 443 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. But what is power without control? For that, Lamborghini went above and beyond. First up is the new Lamborghini Dinamica Veicolo Integrata (LDVI), which is a centralized system. The LDVI is essentially the brain of the car, determining how the car will react to the driver's input depending on the environment and selected driving mode. This includes the EVO's torque vectoring system, which utilizes three electronic differentials. Lamborghini also introduced their new human-machine interface (HMI), found on the central tunnel inside the Huracan EVO. It consists of an 8.4-inch multi-touch capacitive screen. Within the new HMI, the driver can control entertainment functions, driving dynamics, navigation, vehicle telemetry and more. The new Lamborghini HMI is a huge step forward in the brand's technological evolution. If you're ready to check out the new and incredibly impressive Lamborghini Huracan EVO, you're in luck. Right now, at Lamborghini San Diego, you can test drive a beautiful Grigio example of the EVO. And if you like it, you could buy it on the spot. For more information, be sure to click the button below. learn more now

By Andrew Nabors – September 26, 2019

Prestige Imports Announces New Youtube Series: Inside The...

Our friends at Prestige Imports have a breathtaking inventory. Aside from everything to see and do in Miami, it should be first on your list. However, for those of you who can't make the trip, they are bringing their inventory to you. For the first in a new series of reviews, we are treated to a Lamborghini Centenario Inside the Lab. Prestige Imports has been a constant force in our magazine for over 35 years, and they have the ability to satisfy your wildest exotic car dreams. Brett David and his team of sales & service professionals will give you top dollar for your trade and put you in one of the world's most coveted cars. Don't believe us? Click the button below to view their inventory and stay with us for the next episode of Inside the Lab. View Prestige Imports Inventory " width="680"> Related: Prestige Imports: Spring Cleaning Supercar Shuffle Welcome to Prestige Imports 2.0

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