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 – March 03, 2017

Lamborghini Gallardo Super Trofeo: Get Ready to Race

While the Huracan might be stealing all the headlines, let's look back to when Lamborghini invested in a number of special high-performance derivatives for its entry-level car. The Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale pays tribute to its Blancpain Super Trofeo racecar while still be legal on the street. Limited to a mere 150 units, it surpassed the already track-oriented LP570-4 as the most extreme Gallardo ever. The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo race series is sponsored by both Lamborghini and Blancpain, the world's oldest luxury watchmaker. It brings racers and professional drivers face-to-face on Europe’s most challenging racetracks such as Monza, Silverstone, and Hockenheim. Undeniably similar to the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition (and with mechanicals based on the LP570-4 Superleggera) the Super Trofeo Stradale features an enormous carbon rear spoiler for increased stability during tight, high-speed driving and a removable carbon engine hood with quick-release latches.The Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale boasts a dry weight of just 2,954 pounds, 154 pounds less than the already lean Superleggera. With motivation from the 562-hp 5.2-liter V-10 engine, it can sprint from zero to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds and reach 124 mph just 10.4 seconds later. Lamborghini is staying mute on the car’s top speed, but the LP570-4 Blancpain Edition features similar specifications and stats and tops out at 199 mph.The Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale sports a brand “Rosso Mars” finish, which symbolizes Italy’s traditional racing red color. A matte black finish on the large rear spoiler, the engine hood,and the front air intakes accentuates the dark red exterior. The forged wheels are painted in high-gloss black, a color that is also available on the roof as an option (think LP550-2 Bicolore).Besides “Rosso Mars”, the Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale was also available upon request in Grigio Telesto or gray, and Bianco Monocerus, or white. Black and red also dominate the interiorand Alcantara and carbon fiber compose many of its elements.Optional racing equipment includes carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs, a tubular interior roll cage, four-point safety belts, and a fire extinguisher. On the other hand, those who want comfort can equip their Super Trofeo Stradale with satellite navigation and a lifting system for raising the front axle. The base Gallardo is the LP550-2 Coupe. Debuting as a limited Valentino Balboni model, the rear-wheel-drive car is still available for special order in base and limited Bicolore forms for 2012. The $207,999 LP560-4 and $231,395 LP560-4 Spyder carry on as the standard Gallardo model.The more track-ready $243,595 Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera and its topless equivalent, the Spyder Performante, will also carry on unchanged for 2012.2010 Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale LIST PRICE: $193,895 (LP550-2 Coupe) $254,695 (LP570-4 Spyder Performante)ENGINE: 5.2-liter V-10HORSEPOWER: 543 hp (LP550-2) to 562 hp (LP570) @ 8,000 rpmTORQUE: 398 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpmTRANSMISSION: 6-speed egear0–60: 3.4–4.0 secondsTOP SPEED: 199–202 mphWEIGHT: 2,954–3,417 pounds (dry weight)LENGTH: 171 inchesTIRES: Front: 235/35ZR-19, Rear: 295/30ZR-19PRO: Lambo offers a new more track-oriented Gallardo for 2012CON: Gallardo replacement in the works

By Edward Jones – December 22, 2016

The True Difference the Lamborghini Huracan's Launch Cont...

Launch control has been very prevalent in recent supercars. Heck, even some vehicles like the Jeep SRT's have launch control. As for the Lamborghini Huracan, it has was the Italian automaker calls "Thrust Mode," which is essentially just launch control.(Also Check Out - How To Do Launch Control In A Lamborghini Huracan)To see just how big of a difference thrust mode makes, DragTimes decided to hook their Huracan up with a VBox and record some 0-60 mph runs with and without Thrust Mode activated. Lamborghini notes that the Huracan's 0-60 mph time is 3.2 seconds, but after watching this video, it's clear to see that they were quite conservative with those numbers. In fact, the Huracan is much quicker than the official spec sheet claims it to be.Watch the video below to see just how big of a difference launch control can make in a car like the Lamborghini Huracan.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2016

Illegally Imported Lamborghini Murcielago Gets Absolutely...

Every country has different laws when it comes to importing vehicles. For the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website has a pretty good page that described what it would take to import a car into America. Taiwan also has a pretty good web page that's dedicated to the regulations regarding how to import a vehicle. However, it seems that a certain Lamborghini Murcielago owner did not follow the guidelines, causing his supercar to be met with a terrible fate.(Our Ferrari Heritage Runs Deep: One of the Original Importers of Ferrari in the United States)J.T. Photography recently uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, which seems to be taken from a Sanlih E-Television, a cable TV network in Taiwan. In the video we see a pristine Murcielago being ripped apart, piece by piece. This was done because the car was illegally imported and I guess the government thinks it's better to destroy an illegally imported car that's in perfect condition...Check out the video below and get ready to cry.All Lamborghini Murcielago For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2016

Lamborghini Shows off Full Huracan Range in Epic Video

Did you know the Lamborghini Huracan is available in four flavors? If you want the wind in your hair, the Spyder is begging for your attention. If you don't need the grip or weight of all wheels, the transfer case and front axles are absent on Huracan RWD. In a commercial uploaded to their YouTube page, Lamborghini showcases all four variants in a race across Europe: Spyder, RWD, Coupe and RWD Spyder. The soft top can be raised or lowered below 32 mph, and its operation is much quicker than the Gallardo. If you are wondering how capable the AWD system is, we covered that here.Used Exotic Cars For SaleSending massive power to only the rear wheels can be a recipe for disaster, so the RWD cars are limited to only 571 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. Both AWD cars are rated at 602 hp and 413 lb-ft in order to reach 201 mph. The additional running gear carries a weight penalty of almost 400 lbs. Another 200 lbs in convertible top hardware make the AWD Spyder the heaviest of the four. Being able to reach 60 mph in just over 3 seconds makes weight irrelevant and it also makes the Huracan one of the best bargains in the automotive world. It carries none of the sacrifices one normally associates with supercars, as the seating position is comfortable and visibility is better than most cars we have driven. Huracan deserves your consideration if you need a daily driver, so check out the listings from our dealers if you need a stocking stuffer.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 11, 2016

Five Things to Love About the Lamborghini Huracan

Just about everyone loves a Lamborghini-- they're sharp, fast and loud. But for those who actually drive them, there's a lot more to the Lamborghini DNA, especially the new Huracan. Vehicle Virgins has filmed a video detailing the five things he loves about his Huracan.(Related - Tesla Model S P100D vs Huracan and GT-R)The Huracan, acting as the successor of the Gallardo, hosts an incredible V10 powerhouse that produces 610 hp. Such massive amounts of power in a small four-wheel drive supercar makes the latest raging bull rush from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds with its newly developed lightweight design. To put this power to use, Lamborghini has included three different driving modes, including Strada (think of it as a daily driving mode), Sport and Corsa.If you click play below, you'll see how special these driving modes are and learn even more about the Huracan from an actual owner. Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 28, 2016

Driving $2 Million Worth of V12 Lamborghinis with Brett D...

Brett David of Prestige Imports has always been an incredibly knowledgeable person when it comes to Lamborghinis. This may be because he not only runs Lamborghini Miami, but also because he is a true automotive enthusiast that has a passion for the Italian brand. To learn some lessons from Brett, The Drive ventured down to South Florida to take Lamborghini's lineage of V12 cars out for a spin.(Related - Brett David of Prestige Imports Featured on Automotive News)In a video posted to Facebook, Sean Evans and Brett take four V12-powered Italians out for joyrides in this order: Countach, Diablo VT 6.0, Murcielago SV and Aventador SV. Each of these cars are naturally aspirated and were the flagship models for Lamborghini at some point in time.Check out the video below to see the cars in action and learn some quick Lamborghini facts from one of the most knowledgeable enthusiasts we know. Prestige Imports Inventory

By Edward Jones – September 20, 2016

How Much It Costs to Own a Lamborghini Huracan

Whenever there are supercars around, there's always that one person that says: "Yeah, but I bet it costs a fortune to take care of that car and the insurance must be insane." Most people will nod and accept their anecdote as fact without researching how much it actually costs to own a supercar.(Related - Who Wins? Tesla Model S P100D vs Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4)To teach you just how much it costs to own a supercar, Vehicle Virgins explains just how much it costs to own a Lamborghini Huracan. The nice thing is that the person explaining the costs owns the Huracan and knows this information first-hand. From the cost of an oil change, to how often you need to change the brakes, he goes over it allCheck out the video below and let me know in the comments below which fact you thought was most surprising. Was is the insurance? Oil change cost?View Lamborghini Huracan Price, Specs, Photos Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 19, 2016

Who Wins? Tesla Model S P100D vs Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

The 2016 Tesla Model S P100D has some pretty stellar stats, but is it enough to go toe to toe with a Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4? The crew at DragTimes wanted to know so they pitted one fabulous car against the other. The Lamborghini Huracan comes in with a 5..2-liter V10 capable of 602 horsepower and 412 lb-ft of torque with a price tag of $278,000 as shown in the video. The Model S P100D is rated at 503 horsepower from the rear and 259 horsepower from the front for a combined 762 horsepower with a price tag of $148,000 as shown. It is also noted that Launch Mode was not used during this race.So who wins? Does the Tesla take the Huracan? Find out for yourself in the video below.Editor's Note: duPont REGISTRY does not condone street racing or acts included in this video. Always follow your local traffic laws. View Huracans For Sale | View Model S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 07, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan Going 212 mph on the Autobahn

Our favorite death-defying Dutch dealer has an affinity for leaving the showroom in a bit of a hurry. To insure his Lamborghini was capable of performing as advertised, AutoTopNL just uploaded the best video in their series. A recent trend by the big manufacturers is to leave the top speed open ended by stating it can go past a predetermined limit. From a liability standpoint it might offer some protection against litigation from a high speed accident. Another issue arises in that achieving the top speed of a modern supercar requires several miles of perfect pavement, something the western hemisphere doesn't offer.(Related: Insane! Porsche Driver Gets Flat Tire at 207 MPH on Autobahn)Lamborghini advertises the Huracan is capable of going faster than 201 mph. That number is the understatement of the decade considering it has 600 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Clever aerodynamics along with close gear ratios in the dual clutch transmission offer power in almost any situation, but even a raging bull must submit to the laws of physics. At the behest of our General Counsel we advise against attempting this, but tell us if you think the car is capable of going faster. Stay with us for more Autobahn acceleration.Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 01, 2016

Lamborghini Reventon Pulled Over After Hard Acceleration ...

There's a specific tunnel in Monaco that draws supercars to it like a magnet. Seriously, go on YouTube and look up "Monaco Tunnel" and you'll be provided with enough videos to watch for days.One supercars that made its way to the tunnel was the Lamborghini Reventon. This car was unveiled way back in 2007 when it turned heads at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Reventon still turns heads to this day and, unfortunately, it turned the head of a police officer in Monaco.(Related: Koenigsegg CCX Scares Girl in Monaco)In a new video from Fipeux, we see the Reventon fly into the famous tunnel, blaring its engine. Fipeux even said in the description that it was the first time he'd head the Reventon accelerate that hard. Because of the car's presence, both audibly and visually, a police officer pulled the car over just 10 seconds after it started down the tunnel. Of course, when you can afford a Reventon, you can afford a traffic ticket, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't follow traffic laws.View All Lamborghinis For Sale

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