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 – June 20, 2016

Drag Race: Tesla Model S P85D Ludicrous Mode vs Lamborghi...

Go back a few years ago and you'd never think a civilian electric car would be dominating drag races. Since the Tesla Model S came out, it's been the center of attention at the drag strips, especially when the Ludicrous Mode was announced.For example, here are just a few races we've covered that include the Model S: Tesla Model S and BMW i8 Face Off on Autobahn Tesla Model S vs Model X Ludicrous Mode Drag Race Tesla Model S P85D vs. American Muscle Cars in Drag Races For today, we have a video from DragTimes of a Model S P85D with the Ludicrous Mode engaged taking on a Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4. The Huracan comes with a 5.2-liter V10 that's capable of 602 hp and 412 lb-ft of torque. As for the Model S, it's electric motors provide the wheels with 502 hp in the rear and 259 hp in the front, with over 700 lb-ft of torque on tap. The torque is where the Model S takes over the Huracan, allowing it to made quick starts, but the horsepower of the Huracan gives it a higher top-end. What's more, the Model S has a price tag that's roughly half that of the Huracan.So, who wins the race? Check the video below and remember to always follow your local traffic laws.Huracans For Sale | Model S' For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 06, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan vs McLaren 650S Spyder All-Out Street...

DragTimes is back again with another drag race that took place somewhere, definitely not in the United States.The competitors are the English 2015 McLaren 650S Spyder and Italian 2016 Lamborghini Huracan. Which one takes the win in the video below? Before you find out, here are some stats so you can familiarize yourself with the supercars.2015 McLaren 650S Spider Twin-Turbo 3.8-liter V8 Engine 641 hp 500 lb-ft of Torque 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission RWD $353,000 (MSRP as tested) 650S Spiders For Sale2016 Lamborghini Huracan Coupe 5.2-liter V10 Engine 602 hp 412 lb-ft of Torque 7-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission AWD $278,000 (MSRP as test) Huracans For SaleLook at both specs, the 650S has a decent edge in the power department, while the Huracan holds its all-wheel-drive layout and cheaper price over the McLaren's head. But, which of these two wins in the race? Click play below to find out.And, as always, don't try street racing on your own and always follow your local traffic laws.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

Lamborghini Miura and Aventador SV Face Off

When it comes to classic supercars, there's something special imbued in their history and styling. Still, the new oftentimes superior supercars provide a feeling of exhilaration the classics can't measure up to. If you had the option, would you choose classic supercar status or sleek and new?CAR magazine's Chris Chilto asked the same question, so he took a 1966 Lamborghini Miura and the new Lamborghini Aventador SV for a spin to see which car he'd prefer when it comes to driving experience. Driving each, Chilto gives a breakdown of the best features of each car. The styling of the Miura, futuristic in shape and line for its age, really appeals to him, but driving it is still "like driving an old car," he states. The Aventador SV, on the other hand, gives more power and better handling. From steel chassis to carbon fiber and a brand new engine, Chilto breaks down all the differences and gives insight into the essence of what makes a supercar a supercar.Check out the full experience in the video below.Lamborghini Aventador SV For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2016

McLaren 675LT vs Supercharged Lamborghini Huracan

Interested in watching a battle between English and Italian? Here's your video. At Shift S3ctor's Exotic Airstrip Attack, a McLaren 675LT took on a supercharged Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4. Making the 675LT a contender is its twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine that packs 666 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, no specs were given for the Huracan, but when it was stock it was housing a 5.2-liter V10 that was capable of 602 hp and 412 lb-ft of torque. However, who knows how much it's packing after its supercharged treatment. Check out the video below to see who wins this battle of the Europeans. 675LTs For Sale | Huracans For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 31, 2016

Grandma Owns and Races Her Loud Lamborghini Gallardo Supe...

It's not every day that the person jumping out of a classic red, Lamborghini Gallardo at the gas station is.... a granny (though Autofluence has noted it's happened a time or two). Generally, the expectations for a granny driving a Lamborghini are as follows: Said Lamborghini definitely doesn't belong to Granny Granny will abide by the speed limit, regardless of the raging horsepower capability under the hood The track is not the place we'd consider finding a Granny in a Lamborghini 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale Well, we were wrong. This Granny owns the Lamborghini Gallardo she's driving, has a complete and beautiful understanding of the powerful engine she's touting, oh... and she kills it on the track. Check out the full video below, and let us know what you think. Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 21, 2016

Watch Fastest Lamborghini Huracan Ever Run 0-60 mph in 1....

Nowadays, 0-60 mph times for hypercars typically sit in the 2-second range. For example, the McLaren P1, LaFerrari, and Porsche 918 Spyder can run 0-60 mph in the famous 2-second range. But when you take an already fast car like the Lamborghini Huracan and install a twin-turbo setup, you end up with a monster that can take down anyone of the "holy trinity" of hypercars (P1, 918 and LaFerrari). What is the Worlds Fastest Lamborghini? In a video uploaded by DragTimes, we see a chrome green Huracan packing Heffner's Stage 2 Twin Turbo system. At the Bradenton Motorsports Park in Bradenton, Florida, this car put on quite a show for spectators. Even though it spun its tires at the start, it was still able to run 0-60 mph in 1.9 seconds, and 0-100 mph in 2.7 seconds, completing a 1/4 mile run in 8.6 seconds at 173 mph. Check out the video below to see the hypercar crusher in action. Lamborghini Huracans For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 04, 2016

2015 Marks Best Year Ever for Lamborghini

Lamborghini has a long history of great years, but 2015 marks the best year in the company's history. Growth is full throttle and looks as though it should continue into the coming years. Highlights include in introduction of new models and selling more than 3,000 units worldwide. Here's a closer look at what made 2015 great for Lamborghini2015 Highlights(According to a press release from Lamborghini) Over 3,000 Lamborghinis sold (28% increase) Five new models introduced Business growth for 5th year in a row 39% increase in sales euros North America and China mark the largest markets for the auto maker, and they hope to continue the trend into 2016. According to Lamborghini:Interrupted for a few years by the financial crisis, sales have increased considerably over the long term and have almost tripled since 2010. Over the past ten years sales have more than doubled and turnover more than tripled. The number of dealers has also more than tripled.With the Geneva release of the Huracan Avio and the Centenario, we can't wait to see what's in store for 2016. Congrats Lamborghini!Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2016

Mansory Aventador J.S. 1 Edition is Carbon Overload

Mansory is back at it again with the carbon fiber cars. This time it's a Lamborghini Aventador SV.Dubbed the Aventador J.S. 1 Edition after London billionaire James Stunt, this new supercar has been modified from the inside out. On the outside is a tailor-made carbon fiber shell that's both functional and stunning. The aerodynamic features of its exterior, combined with the dark tones of the carbon, give off one of the most sinister looks the Aventador could possess.As for power, Mansory has kicked the power from 750 hp up to 830 hp. Its torque also saw an increase from 508 lb-ft to 553 lb-ft of torque. This power will get the car from a standstill to 62 mph in 2.7 seconds, and to 124 mpg in 8.4 seconds.This one-of-a-kind Aventador joins Stunt's 20 other Mansory vehicles parked in his garage.Lamborghini Aventador SVs For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2016

Lamborghini and McLaren Newport Beach Supercar Cruise: Fe...

On Sunday, February 21, McLaren Newport Beach and Lamborghini Newport Beach teamed up to put together one heck of a supercar cruise.Supercars For SaleThe event took participants through some freeway cruising and canyon driving all throughout Orange County in California. Altogether, the drive took about two hours.Cars that joined in included a Lamborghini Aventador SuperVeloce, Aventador Roadster, pair of Huracan LP 610-4’s, new Huracan LP 580-2, a pair of Gallardo Bicolore Coupes, Diablo 6.0 VT, McLaren 675LT, McLaren 570S and a pair of McLaren 12C Coupes. Check out the images above to see the event unfold yourself. McLaren Newport Beach Inventory | Lamborghini Newport Beach Inventory

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2016

Lamborghini's New CEO, Stephan Winkelmann Now Audi quattr...

There's a change of guard happening at both Audi quattro and Lamborghini.Both companies issued press releases today that they will be under new management. Starting with Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann has stepped down as the CEO, with Stefano Domenicali taking his place."Over the past eleven years Stephan Winkelmann has transformed Lamborghini into a global leader in the manufacture of super sports cars," said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board Management of AUDI AG and Chairman of the Administrative Board of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. "His successor, who also possesses a wealth of experience in this area, will be continuing this success." Stefano DomenicaliDomenicali is an Imola native that was the Vice President New Business Initiatives at Audi AG since November 2014."I am very excited to be taking on the challenges of this great legacy. It is now my duty to continue the successes that my predecessor Stephan Winkelmann achieved for Automobili Lamborghini." - Stefano DomenicaliAs for Winkelmann, his years in the automotive industry are anything but gone, because he is now the CEO of quattro GmbH, a subsidiary of Audi AG. He replaces Heinz Hollerweger, who is retiring after serving Audi for almost 40 years. This is the company in charge of high-performance vehicles like the R and RS models.“With his experience from more than eleven years in charge of Lamborghini, Stephan Winkelmann will be a key contributor to the further growth of quattro GmbH,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG, in the Audi press release.As you more than likely know, Winkelmann was the President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. since January 1, 2005.We're excited to see what both CEOs will bring to their respective companies. The CEO changes will be taking place on March 15, 2016. Lamborghinis For Sale | Audis For Sale

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