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.

A green Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 with open scissor doors is showcased in a showroom setting, highlighting its sleek race car design, black wheels, and aerodynamic details.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 05, 2025

1-of-40 Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Race Car For Sale

Lamborghini is celebrated for its incredible lineup of supercars that boast iconic looks, luxury features, and enviable performance. However, recent years have seen the rapid evolution of that lineup as Lamborghini undergoes a journey of electrification. With a new cohort of hybrid high-performance supercars, Lamborghini has swapped its pure combustion-powered icons in favor of futuristic electrified innovation. View Listing However, it didn’t let its pure V12-powered lineup go out without a proper swan song. The end of its “pure” V12 era came with various commemorative farewells to the iconic powertrain, and one of those was the Essenza SCV12, a track-only manifestation of the ultimate performance ability of Lamborghini’s pure V12 powertrain. The Essenza SCV12 features bold looks and ruthless racing-focused engineering, boasting a massive 819 horsepower sending power to the rear wheels. With only 40 units of the Essenz SCV12 made, it’s one of Lamborghini’s most exclusive and coveted creations, especially with its track-only status making it also one of the most extreme. Getting your hands on a Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 for sale isn’t easy, but on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985, one is listed for sale, available at Prestige Imports in North Miami Beach, Florida. One of just 40 cars like it, this is your chance to own a true V12 racing masterpiece. View the listing by clicking the button. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prestige Imports (@prestigeimports)

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 13, 2021

830-Horsepower Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Test Car Caught ...

The Lamborghini Essenza has too much heat for the street. Lamborghini’s new track-only hypercar, the Essenza is a rear-wheel drive, V12 beast that’s limited to just 40 examples. While owning one already gets you into an incredibly exclusive club, Lamborghini throws in an even more exclusive hypercar racing experience on the most incredible circuits across the globe with ownership of an Essenza, and this video is a sneak peek of what a day in the ring with an Essenza would look like. The Essenza test car in this video by MattyB727 is doing laps around the Misano Circuit in Italy, where it’s flexing a V12 capable of producing 830 horsepower and putting on a show with red-hot brake glow, flawless cornering, and screaming-loud engine noise. Lamborghini calls the Essenza the “purest track driving experience our brand can offer,” and this video shows that that’s no overstatement. See All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2021

Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Unleashed at Vallelunga, Sounds...

Hear the insane scream of Lamborghini's track-only hypercar. Even thought the new Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 is limited to just 40 examples, we've seen quite a bit of it in recent days. From its appearance at Pebble Beach to the first delivery in the US, it's been making headlines. Now, we get a chance to see and hear Lamborghini's track missile take on Autodromo Vallelunga, courtesy of the sport auto YouTube Channel. Their test driver Christian Gebhart is the man behind the wheel as the SCV12 is rocket through the legendary circuit. Not only does the hypercar appear to handle incredibly well, it sounds absolutely insane. I'll just say it sounds exactly how you'd expect a high-revving Lamborghini race car to sound. Lamborghinis For Sale Source: YouTube/sport auto

By Edward Jones – August 24, 2021

First Lamborghini SCV12 Delivered in the US

The first track-only hypercar from Lamborghini has landed. O'Gara Coach has just announced that they have delivered the very first Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 in the United States. This new model from Lamborghini is a track-only hypercar that the automaker says is a direct descendant of cars like the Miura Jota and Diablo GTR. It's powered by a mean V12 engine that produces an astonishing 830 horsepower. As you can tell just by looking at it, the SCV12 is a purpose-built machine that takes aerodynamics seriously. It takes aero so seriously, in fact, it's capable of producing 2,645 lbs of downforce at 155 mph. That power and downforce combined with its lightning-quick and new X-trac sequential six-speed gearbox are all a recipe for a thrilling drive on the track. Naturally, the team at O'Gara Coach didn't waste any time getting the new SCV12 onto the track at The Thermal Club. Lamborghini Squadra Corse even came out with a full crew to help set up and run the car. They even brought out the white SCV12 that was on display at Pebble Beach to run alongside the example that was delivered. O'Gara Coach Inventory Image Source: @grubbsphotography via @ogaracoach/Instagram

By Edward Jones – July 29, 2020

Revealed: The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Hypercar

The new Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 track-only hypercar has finally been unveiled after months of teasing. With a planned production run of just 40 examples, this new model will be an extraordinary rarity. Lamborghini notes that it's coming into the world as a "direct descendant" of cars like the Miura Jota and Diablo GTR. “Essenza SCV12 represents the purest track driving experience that our brand can offer, an engineering feat that highlights the inextricable link between our cars and the asphalt of the track," says Stefano Domenicali, CEO and Chairman of Automobili Lamborghini. Providing power for the Essenza SCV12 is the most powerful V12 engine that Lamborghini has ever created, which provides over 830 horsepower. Mated to this engine is a new X-trac sequential six-speed gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. Aiding the engine in its mission for speed is the Essenza SCV12's lightweight properties. A big chunk of the weight savings comes from the carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Lamborghini notes that this hypercar has a power-to-weight ratio of 1.66hp/kg. What's more, even without an internal rollcage, the Essenza SCV12 is the first GT car to meet FIA prototype safety rules. Just by looking at the new Lamborghini hypercar, you can see that its body was purpose-built for aerodynamics. Thanks to Lamborghini Squadra Corse's experience in the racing world, they were ableto create an aerodynamic component suite that allows for 2645 lbs of downforce at 155 mph. The launch example of the Essenza SCV12 has its aerodynamically-focused exterior covered in a mean Verde Silvans, Grigio Linx, Nero Aldebaran Gloss and Arancio California launch livery. Those who buy a Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 will be joining a very exclusive club that comes with some incredible perks. For starters, they will have access to special programs that allow them to drive on some of the most prestigious circuits around the world. What's more, they will be able to store their hypercar in a new hangar that Lamborghini built in Sant-Agata Bolognese specifically for Essenza SCV12. Owners will be able to monitor their cars inside the facility 24/7 through an app that's connected to webcams focused on their prized hypercar. Lamborghini will start their track calendar in 2021 and owners will take part in "arrive and drive" events at multiple FIA Grade 1 homologated circuits. Emanuele Piror, a five-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Marco Mapelli, Lamborghini Squadra Corse Factory Driver, will be on hand to provide assistance. See All Lamborghinis for Sale

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