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 Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV vs. Huracan on the Autobahn

So, you're driving along the Autobahn in your Lamborghini Huracan, and along comes a new Lamborghini Aventador SV in the lane next to you. What's the first thing you do?Turn on the video camera and go back and forth showing off your exhaust notes, of course.Added to YouTube Sept. 21 by Thegermansupercars is a video of just such an occurrence, which begins North of Düsseldorf and continues on for quite a stretch. There are even a few other Lamborghinis that they find along the roadway, with a few tagging in to the game of "follow the leader" as they hit open stretches of the speed-limit-free sections. Check out the video above to see their travels along the Autobahn, and find your own Aventador or Huracan from our exclusive listings, and prepare for some fun at the track when your new car arrives. Huracans For Sale Aventadors For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – September 17, 2015

Mansory Torofeo: 1,250 HP Carbon Fiber Lamborghini Huracan

Mansory, one of the world's leaders in the aftermarket application of carbon fiber, have gone and created a very special and exclusive version of the Lamborghini Huracan. This model is among the 12 different ones that they released in a span of four days.In the web page for the Torofeo, Mansory says "they didn’t hold back in their use of carbon fibre." This sentiment is an understatement; one look at the sport car's new body and you'll see that the entire thing is made of carbon fiber. Along with the new body composition, Mansory also added new aerodynamic and design aspects. These include the new front air intakes, rear spoiler, side skirts and daytime running lights.(See Also: Mansory Unveils 12 New Models, Including Jet Ski)But these new aerodynamic body pieces aren't just for show, because the Torofeo needs all the downforce it can get. Why, you may ask? Mansory tuned the 5.2-liter V10 engine up to 1,250 hp thanks to two turbochargers and various other engine components. With its light weight and high power rating, Mansory ensured the Torofeo had all the downforce it needs to lay down the rubber and stay connected with the asphalt.Mansory states that their efforts to add power and downforce to the car worked, noting its 0-62 mph time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of over 211 mph.Pricing or production numbers of the Mansory Torofeo have not yet been released, but we can assume it will be created in a very limited quantity at a deservingly high price point.Huracan ListingsGallery (Source: Mansory) See More Mansory News, Pics and Videos

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 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 – June 17, 2015

Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale and Matching Huracan For S...

Our friends at Lamborghini Newport Beach have added two stunning automobiles, a Gallardo Super Trofeo Stradale and a matching Huracan, to their showroom floor.The first is a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale finished in "Rosso Mars." Its arrival at the dealership is just a few weeks after they sold a similar Super Trofeo Stradale.(Related: Lamborghini Murcielago SV For Sale at Lamborghini Newport Beach)The Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale is a street-legal version based on the track-specific Gallardo Super Trofeo. Making the difference between this model and a standard Gallardo is the carbon fiber-composed rear wing, side skirts, rear diffuser, mirrors, interior trim and mirrors, along with the vented engine bonnet.Matching this car is a customized Huracan. It also features a Rosso Mars finish, as well as a Vorsteiner vinyl livery kit, Vorsteiner wheels finished in matte black and a full Vorsteiner carbon fiber aero kit that includes a front spoiler, rear wing and side skirts.Lamborghini Huracan For SaleYou can pick up this race-ready Gallardo and the matching Huracan at Lamborghini Newport Beach today.Gallardo Gallery View Price and Listing Huracan Gallery View Price and Listing Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – May 22, 2015

Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo Testing in the Desert

Our friend Nue Vue Photography recently had the opportunity to head out to Spring Mountain Motorsports Track to witness the testing of the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo.He was invited by the Avid Motorsports team for a long two weeks as they set up and tested their new Huracan ST race car. While witnessing the event, he took amazing pictures and a recap video, all of which can be viewed down below.(Related: Lamborghini Aventador SV’s 7 Minute Nurburgring Run)For some background information on the car, the Huracán Super Trofeo is powered by the same V10 engine found in the road-going version, which produces 620 hp. However, thanks to the hybrid carbon fiber/aluminum chassis and other weight reductions, the car only weighs 2,800 lbs., resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of 4.5 lbs/hp. It also has numerous new aerodynamic pieces, including the ten-position rear wing, front and rear diffusers, and adjustable front air intakes.Gallery (Source: Nue Vue Photography) See More Automotive Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – May 12, 2015

Lamborghini Huracan on a Mountain Road With TMash Photos

Article and photos by Tanner Mashburn, TMashPhotosWhen photographing the Lamborghini Huracan for the first time, I wanted to make sure to capture the car in a way others may not have yet. To achieve this, I made sure to start off with simple backgrounds. They were used for some overhead shots that are extremely simple, yet capture the aggressive character of the Huracan.Next, the owner and I took the car to a new location, where we put it in front of one of my favorite backgrounds. The color of the stone and pavement contrasted well with the Grigio Lynx exterior of the car. This was touched up further in editing by bringing out more of the highlights to really get as similar a color spectrum as possible.Detail shots were next, trying to capture the small emblems and logos with a shallow depth of field. Toward the end, we focused on motion shots. These are the most difficult to capture when not using a rig or camera car, so most of the final image is created in editing.When editing the other final images, I focused on adjusting as few things as possible. The biggest changes actually came from editing the sky to bring out the best of the background given. Other small things included removing some bug spots or lines on the road in some photos, and bringing out the highlights in others.(See Also: The Lingenfelter Collection's Spring Open House)We finished the shoot with a video of the race exhaust that was recently installed on the car. It sounded amazing with loud pops and crackles, and is something I think all Huracans should come standard with.I look forward to my next Huracan shoot and will keep in mind everything I learned from this one to improve.Be sure to visit Tanner Mashburn's website at www.TMashPhotos.net, and like him on Facebook to see more his original photos.Gallery See More Photographer's Perspectives

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