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 Andrew Nabors – September 11, 2019

Live Look at the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 at Frankfurt Mot...

Walking through the Lamborghini booth in Frankfurt, we were able to get up close and personal with the latest from Lamborghini. It took great leadership and a forward vision to bring Lamborghini into the modern era, and we lament the loss of their inspiration. Although the model was already finished, the head of VW Group passed away on August 25th. That is why the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 Honors the late Dr. Piëch. Browse Lamborghini For Sale Ferdinand Karl Piëch was born in Vienna in 1937. As a grandson of Ferdinand Porsche, he studied as an engineer while also becoming a visionary for Volkswagen's future. Under his leadership, Volkswagen transformed Audi into a luxury brand and oversaw the acquisition of Škoda, SEAT, Bentley, Ducati, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. He even fought off a hostile takeover by his Porsche cousins who attempted to take the entire company private in 2011. So many enthusiasts and employees have him to thank for leading VW into the modern era. We thought it would be Porsche who would honor him first, but the good people of Sant'Agata chose their latest supercar as a fitting tribute. The Lamborghini Sián represents the future of the brand. Combining their bulletproof V12 with supercapacitors is the perfect blend of power and hybrid technology. Lamborghini Chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: Prof. Dr. Piëch innately understood the attraction and potential of the Lamborghini brand and how it could fit within the Volkswagen Group, whilst retaining its unique Italian super sports car identity and design and engineering. (He) was an engineer and an innovator, particularly appreciating the appeal of the iconic Lamborghini V12 powertrain on which today, the Sián FKP 37 combines pioneering hybrid technologies. The Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 provides fitting recognition of the role Piëch, and the Volkswagen Group, played in facilitating our flourishing brand today, as well as heralding Lamborghini’s innovative route to the future.” Ferdinand Karl Piëch: April 17, 1937-August 25th 2019 Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen AG, passes through a display of automobiles at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) in Hanover, Germany, on Thursday, April 25, 2013. Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest automaker, aims to offset plunging European demand this year by rolling out 60 new and updated models, including luxury cruisers like the Bentley Flying Spur. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg *** Local Caption *** Ferdinand Piech Related: Lamborghini Sián Hybrid Debuts Ahead of Frankfurt Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 Roadster & Huracan EVO GT Celebration Unveiled

By Edward Jones – September 14, 2015

Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder Revealed

Unveiled by Lamborghini today in a press release, before its debut at the IAA 2015, is the brand-new Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder. While we knew it was coming for some time, it's nice to finally see the finished product.“The Huracán LP 610-4 Spyder is the next chapter in the success story of the naturally aspirated V10 Huracán, and continues a Lamborghini tradition of open air motoring,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, in the press release. “The Huracán Spyder combines the innovation, performance and appeal of the Huracán coupé, with new technologies and an added emotional dimension. Its predecessor, the Gallardo Spyder, was the best-selling open top model in Lamborghini’s history: we expect the Huracán Spyder to exceed its predecessor in every way.”(See Also: Craziest Lamborghinis of Japan)Powering the car is Lamborghini's naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine. This familiar engine puts out 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, which pushes the 3,400 lbs car from a standstill to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds. It can also accelerate from 0 to 124 mph in 10.2 seconds and top out at 201 mph.As for the convertible aspect of the car, Lamborghini has introduced a new soft top, available in black, brown and red. When up, the lightweight soft top creates a seamless roofline. When it's down, the soft top is stored in what Lamborghini calls "the most efficient space possible." They note that its stowed position maintains the Spyder's center of gravity.With a press of a button on the central tunnel, the top will open up in just 17 seconds at a rate of speed up to 31 mph. What's more, the driver can control the rear window whether the top is up or down.Being a convertible, most people will look for a drop in torsional rigidity. Fortunately, Lamborghini has increased this aspect by 40 percent over the Gallardo Spyder, its predecessor. Lamborghini has also improved the Huracan Spyder's downforce by 50 percent over its predecessor.The Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder will be making its debut at the IAA 2015 in Frankfurt on September 15. It comes with a price of €186,450 (approx. $211,000 USD at today's current exchange rate).Huracan Listingshttps://blog.dupontregistry.com/features/2016-lamborghini-huracan-spyder-specs-reviews-photos/Gallery (Source: Lamborghini) See More Lamborghini News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – September 09, 2015

Lamborghini Huracan Spyder Coming to IAA

They teased its release just a few days ago when a short video left the automotive world with another two dozen questions than it had before, and now we know what's coming: the Huracan Spyder.Of course, we still have dozens of questions left to ask, and this newest release doesn't answer many. But a photo shared on the Lamborghini press site today invites the press to watch the clocks for 12:20 pm CET, or 7:20 am EST, on Sept. 15. At that point in time, there will be a life press conference at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), and the world will find out about the Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder.It's not uncommon for Lamborghini to release Spyder versions of their models, and it was, really, only a matter of time until this one arose. But that doesn't mean we're any less excited about it. On Sept. 2, we found out that "The sky will never be the same." After this gets released, the roads probably won't be, either.Stay with us for more information as we draw closer to the IAA, and find your own Huracan from our exclusive listings below.Huracans For Sale(Source: Lamborghini, YouTube) See More Lamborghini Newshttps://blog.dupontregistry.com/features/2016-lamborghini-huracan-spyder-specs-reviews-photos

By Caitlin Duffy – September 02, 2015

Lamborghini Teases New Release Ahead of IAA

After news leaked that Lamborghini is developing a new, limited run supercar Aug. 21, the Italian marque could be teasing yet another model that will be unveiled at the International Auto Show 2015 in Frankfurt.Two days before the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) opens to the public, Lamborghini will be broadcasting a live stream. We're not sure exactly what will be streaming, but it's safe to assume they'll be streaming from Frankfurt, Germany. A short clip posted to YouTube today simply tells us, "The sky will never be the same."(See Also: Amazing Iron Man Aventador is an Avenger in Disguise)Its caption says to mark down Sept. 15 at 12:20 pm CET, or 6:20 am EST, when a life feed will be found on live.lamborghini.com. We cannot say for certain exactly what they'll be showing the world, but there's a good chance it could be the Huracan Spyder.Stay with us to learn more as we draw closer to the International Motor Show, and find your own Lamborghini from our exclusive listings.Lamborghinis For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini News

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