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 – July 28, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV Photoshoot by Future Photography

Captured by Future Photography is this gorgeous Lamborghini Aventador SV finished in the new Giallo Orion paint. Providing a perfect background for the car is a beautiful and sunny day in Porrentruy, Switzerland, thanks to Lamborghini Porrentruy. Check out the gallery below to see all of the images from the photoshoot.(Related: Stock Lamborghini Aventador and Huracan Drag Race)Just like the other Aventador SVs, this one comes with a revitalized 6.5-liter V12 engine that pumps out 750 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. This added power comes from the optimized Variable Valve Timing and Variable Intake System. Additionally, a new lightweight exhaust system that reduces back pressure has been added. Carrying over from the Aventador is the same seven-speed transmission.Aventadors For SaleGallery (Source: Future Photography) See More Lamborghini Pics, Videos and News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 24, 2015

50 Lamborghinis Accompany The Auto Gallery to Supercar Su...

Sunday has long been the day designated for driving.In Los Angeles, they take it to an entirely different level.Every Sunday, in the parking lot of the Topanga Westfield Promenade Mall, enthusiasts come to mingle and see dozens upon dozens of stunning cars. It's Supercar Sunday, an event established by The Auto Gallery in 2000 that rivals most all car shows in the country.On July 19, The Auto Gallery saw a few more guests than usual driving one particular breed of supercar: Lamborghini. As a post on their blog and Facebook profile July 20 tell us, more than 50 Lamborghinis arrived for the show, where complimentary baked goods sat next to a driving simulator and hundreds of beautiful cars.After the Supercar Sunday show, these 50 or so Lamborghinis and their owners broke into four groups, traveling as a rally through the canyons of Malibu. When they finished their drive, they all gathered for spaghetti, risotto, chicken and fish at the Westlake Valley Inn. A few attendees won a couple of raffle prizes, ranging from a free oil change, to $100 towards accessories for their bulls.(See Also: Lamborghini Gallardo's Paint Changes Into Captain America)Check out some photos from the day in the gallery below, and when you're finished, peruse through some of the listings currently offered by The Auto Gallery, and prepare for their next Supercar Sunday with your own car to show.View The Auto Gallery's ListingsGallery (Source: Facebook, The Auto Gallery) See More Lamborghini News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 23, 2015

McLaren & Lamborghini Supercar Cruise with McLaren & Lamb...

There's something exciting about seeing a supercar in the wild, tearing through city roads.There's something even more exciting about seeing two or three at once, and there's something mind blowing about seeing two dozen careen around turns on Southern California's landscape. Luckily, McLaren Newport Beach and Lamborghini Newport Beach like to make that happen.In a joint event, Lamborghini Newport Beach and McLaren Newport Beach hosted a supercar cruise July 19 for new clients and friends, leading to nearly two dozen Huracans, Aventadors, P1s, 650S' and more traveling together for a Sunday drive.There's little doubt that more than one head snapped around to do a double take as this party traveled - as you can see in the images below, this bunch was hard to ignore. It's not the first such cruise either dealership has put on either; on March 16, we shared an article from Daniel Gonzalez about the P1 Sunset Cruise hosted by McLaren Newport Beach, and on March 25, Lamborghini Newport Beach hosted the LNB300 Weekend Rally.(See Also: Unique Red and White Porsche 918 Spyder at Miller Motorcars)"The bright mix of Italian and British supercars roamed through the canyons of Orange County with the final destination at Salt Creek Grille," described captions of galleries from the gathering on both dealerships' Facebook pages. You can also see a full gallery from the event on the dealerships' Flickr page.Check out the photos from the supercar cruise below, and when you're finished, decide whether you'd prefer a Lamborghini or McLaren, and pick one for yourself from their exclusive inventories at the buttons below. Then, prepare for their next drive.View McLaren Newport Beach's Inventory View Lamborghini Newport Beach's InventoryGallery (Source: Lamborghini Newport Beach) See All Dealer News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 21, 2015

Lamborghini Gallardo's Paint Changes into Captain America

There's no questioning the fact that Lamborghinis have made for some of the most beautiful canvases this world has ever seen.From the displays at Art Basel Miami, to Duaiv's Aventador Roadster for Lamborghini Miami, the lines and angles of Italy's raging bull have played host to the lines and colors of the world's artists, and Rene Turrek is the latest to create a car-based masterpiece.It began as a black Lamborghini Gallardo, and Turrek, a graffiti artist from Germany, turned it into a temperature-sensitive color changing dose of American greatness. A black front fades into red, white and blue paint job on the back, but once water hits the dark covering, Captain America's face appears.A series of photos added to Turrek's Facebook page between June 17 and July 18 show the progress of the car's creation, minus the front hood masterpiece. Take a moment to check out the progress pictures below, see what Captain America looks like emerging on the hood in the video above and find your own Gallardo to customize to perfection from our exclusive listings. Gallardo For SaleGallery (Source: Rene Turrek, Facebook) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – July 20, 2015

Stock Lamborghini Aventador and Huracan Drag Race

It's a battle of two Italian bulls: the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 and Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4.In a video uploaded by DragtimeInfo to YouTube July 17, we get a chance to see two stock versions of these two cars go head-to-head in a high-speed drag race.(Related: Gallardo Spyder vs M4 vs C63 AMG vs R8 Drag Race)As far as specs go, the two are quite different. For example, the Aventador is powered by a 6.5-liter V12 that produces 690 hp and 507 lb-ft of torque, while the Huracan's 5.2-liter V10 produces 602 hp and 412 lb-ft. Though the power difference is noticeable, so are their weights of 3,475 lbs and 3,135 lbs, respectively. The Huracan's lower power is made up through a loss of over 300 lbs, making for almost even power-to-weight ratios.Check out the video below to see these specs put to the test. Are the results what you expected? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.Aventadors For Sale Huracans For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini Videos and News

By Edward Jones – July 14, 2015

Novitec Torado Lamborghini Huracan Revealed

Within the Novitec Group is Novitec Torado, a division that specializes in creating upgrades for Lamborghinis, including the Aventador and now the Huracan. Revealed in photos on their Facebook page today is a new kit for the Huracan that adds power, style and functionality.On the outside are new body pieces, such as a redesigned front fascia, fixed rear wing, carbon fiber mirror caps, side skirts and rear diffuser. Adding even more style is a set of Novitec Type NL forged alloy wheels.(Related: Lamborghini Concept S Up for Auction)As with most Novitec upgrades, the Huracan's performance has been boosted with their new kit. As is described in a press release issued today, this comes from a software tune and a new exhaust system. The exhaust system is offered in either stainless steel or inconel, a nickel-chromium-based superalloy. Also adding to the car's drivability is a sport suspension system offered by Novitec Torado.Be sure to stay with us for more information on this upgrade kit as we receive it. In the meantime, check out the images of the car uploaded to Novitec's Facebook page and the video of the car itself, which was also uploaded today to YouTube.Huracan For Sale Gallery (Source: Novitec Group, YouTube, Facebook) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – July 09, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster First Look

Photographer Jordan Shiraki has created the world's best glimpse yet at what is to be the new Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster. After the model was confirmed by Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Lamborghini, in a press release issued June 29, we have been waiting to see what the car will actually look like. (Related: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Reportedly For Sale) Source Through some careful rendering of the Aventador SV and possibly using design cues from the spyshots of the SV Roadster, this image of the car was created and published on the photographer's website, where more photos can be found. Finished in Blu Glauco, this Aventador SV Roadsters gives us more hope than ever for the upcoming model. While we wait for the official unveiling, stay with us for more Lamborghini news and Aventador SV Roadster news as it is released. Aventadors For Sale (Source: JordanShiraki.com) See More Lamborghini News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 06, 2015

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Reportedly For Sale

It's one of the most lightweight and distinguishable vehicles produced by the marque, as well as one of the most exclusive, and reports are coming in that there's currently an opportunity to own one.Introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 2010 and brought to production in 2013, the Sesto Elemento from Lamborghini is a car named for and built from carbon fiber. Only 20 were produced, and according to a post on the sales forum 6SpeedOnline, there is currently only one in the world available for purchase.The stated price is €3 million, or approximately $3,316,050 USD, and all information regarding the seller is being kept under lock and key. Or, at least, that's what user Hayabusa is telling us. Three photos of the car were included in the post, as well as the information that two Non-Circumvential Non-Disclosure (NCND) agreements will be required for anyone purchasing the car. For those who are unfamiliar with the term, a NCND agreement is used when an international sale goes through a third party intermediary, and prevents the buyer and/or seller from going around that third party. It also protects any and all information disclosed, including the names of the buyer and seller.There isn't much contact information available about Hayabusa or the person selling the Sesto, or how to get in touch if interested in purchasing. But if everything listed in the description is true, including the odometer's reported reading of just 12 miles, this is a rare and fantastic opportunity.Should more information become available, we will update you with the changes, but in the meantime, find yourself a Lamborghini from our exclusive listings at the button below.Lamborghinis For Sale(Source: 6SpeedOnline, Lamborghini) See More Lamborghini News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 30, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster Production Confirmed at...

If the news that the Aventador SV had sold out of all 600 examples set for production, you may have another chance at being the first owner - it'll just be a roadster version. Announced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and in a June 29 release from the marque, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster has been confirmed for production, with a projected 500 examples slated for creation. This comes as welcome news after the June 2 news of them all selling out. “The Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce is the most pure, sports-oriented and emotional incarnation of a Lamborghini, and all 600 units have been sold, with first deliveries starting now," said Stephan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Lamborghini, in the release and at the Festival of Speed. "We will also produce a roadster version, which our dealers worldwide are now taking orders for.” (Related: Chris Brown’s “The Dark Knight” Aventador Before & After) The idea of experiencing the Aventador SV's insane 0-62 mph time of 2.8 seconds in a topless version is beyond exciting, as is the prospect of reaching its top speed. Of course, to accomplish those feats, whoever is driving will more than likely require a helmet, as well as a closed airstrip with professionals supervising the stunt. With the design alterations required to create a roadster version, there's a chance those numbers will drop a little - 217 mph may become 214 - but that slight difference won't matter when you hear the wind around you. (See Also: Heavy Drifting of a Lamborghini Countach) Stay with us for more information about this new roadster edition as it is released, and if the Aventador isn't quite your style, find yourself another Lamborghini from our exclusive listings below. Lamborghinis For Sale (Source: Lamborghini) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – June 18, 2015

Heavy Drifting of a Lamborghini Countach

Most owners of classic exotic cars, such as the Lamborghini Countach, like to keep their collection in tip-top shape and never take them out for a proper drive. While many people will say that all cars need to be taken out and properly driven, it's perfectly okay to preserve the car. Not only will it be worth more in the future, it will serve historical purposes if it's well kept for a substantial amount of time. (Related: Koenigsegg One:1 Breaks 0-300 km/h World Record) That being said, taking a classic exotic car out for a proper romp is also completely okay. To show us how it's done, the Motor Cars YouTube channel uploaded a video May 14 of a Countach performing some extensive drifts in a parking lot. What's more, the description of the video states that this car is awaiting a 800 hp twin-turbo setup. Clearly the owner wants to enjoy every little bit of this car. Check out the video below to see the Countach in action. Countachs For Sale (Source: YouTube via CarBuzz) More Lamborghini Articles

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