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 Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2023

O'Gara Coach Shows Off The First US Lamborghini Huracan S...

Lamborghini’s new off-road supercar has hit US soil, and is ready to tear it up.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 09, 2023

Lamborghini Miami Shows Off A New Gradient Huracan Tecnic...

Lamborghini Miami shows off the incredible potential of Lamborghin’s Ad Personam program.

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 29, 2022

Automobili Lamborghini Reveals A Bespoke Viola Mithras Hu...

With unlimited options available through Lamborghini's Ad Personam program, the Huracán Tecnica is sure to see more incredible builds in the future. Although every Lamborghini that leaves the Bologna factory stands out as a work of art, there are a select few that fall into the hands of the brand’s Ad Personam program for further customization. Exploring options outside of Lamborghini’s traditional color palette, the bespoke services allow customers to make their dream build become a reality. Automobili Lamborghini is proud to showcase its talents by revealing this magnificent Huracán Tecnica spec. The newest Huracán family member features an irresistible Viola Mithras shade of purple, which perfectly complements the exposed gloss carbon exterior components. MUST-READ: The Best Lamborghinis You Can Buy Today The build also includes a set of 20/21-inch satin gold sport wheels that act as the traction-grabbing source for the Italian supercar. The versatility that distinguishes Huracán Tecnica is also the main feature of its interior, with extensive personalization options geared toward providing the most fulfilling driving experience. The Huracán Tecnica is powered by Lamborghini’s 5.2L Naturally-Aspirated V10, delivering an astonishing 631 horsepower to its rear-wheel-drive system. View all current Lamborghini Huracán examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Lamborghini Huracàn For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 07, 2022

How To Buy: Lamborghini x 3T Bikes New $15,000 Exploro Ra...

Lamborghini goes off-road on two wheels with help from 3T Bikes. Showcasing Automobili Lamborghini’s wild and adventurous side, the all-new Huracán Sterrato sheds light on the Italian supercar’s ability to perform in any weather or road conditions. Unveiled in Miami during Art Basel 2022, the off-road Lamborghini Huracán made its grand debut aside a commemorative performance bicycle. As part of its milestone achievement, Lamborghini is proud to collaborate with the two-wheel professionals at 3T Bikes on a limited-edition Huracán Sterrato-inspired bicycle. MUST-READ: Shop Porsche’s Newly Updated 2022 eBike Collection, Inspired By The Electric Taycan The all-new Exploro Racemax x Huracán Sterrato features a matte finish that beautifully mimics the launch livery of Lamborghini’s newest supercar. Available in various sizes, the lightweight frame design includes industry-leading add-ons that ensure an optimal riding experience on any level of terrain. Traction is sourced by a pair of Pirelli all-terrain bike tires, which match the off-road set that comes fitted on the 610-horsepower Sterrato. 3T Bikes is excited to offer further customization options with the purchase of a new Exploro Racemax x Huracán Sterrato bicycle. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and gear releases. When: Available Now Where: 3T Bikes Website How Much: $15,000 Source: Lamborghini/3T Bikes

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 07, 2022

The New Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Debuts In The EMEA R...

Lamborghini’s go-anywhere supercar travels to Qatar for a big debut. As the World Cup draws legions of global sports fans to Doha, Qatar, Lamborghini has added to the once-in-a-lifetime event with an incredible floating Lamborghini lounge for VIP guests and Lamborghini clients to enjoy, with displays of the Fighting Bull brand’s incredible cars, as well as Lamborghini’s signature Italian luxury, style, and hospitality as part of the experience. While the new off-road capable Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato was first introduced globally at Art Basel, Miami Beach, Lamborghini has brought the car to its floating Lamborghini Lounge in Qatar to introduce the unique performance machine to the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region, one of the most important for the brand. MUST READ: Lamborghini Announces Romain Grosjean As The Official Factory Driver For The Iron Lynx Team With a mid-mounted 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 610 horsepower going to all four wheels, which are wrapped in all-terrain tires, an increased ground clearance, and revised technology and design to dominate various surfaces, the new Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is a supercar that customers in Qatar and beyond will be able to drive to experience a driving joy that no other car is able to deliver: the experience of driving a genuine Lamborghini supercar off the beaten path. The unique driving experience also comes with unique style, because thanks to Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program, customers are able to choose from virtually limitless configurations for their car. With its debut in Doha, the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is showing that it has changed the whole world for car enthusiasts. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 02, 2022

Lamborghini's Stunning Miami Beach Lounge Hosted The Debu...

The debut of Lamborghini’s new off-road Huracan was packed with Miami style. Lamborghini’s contribution to Miami, Florida’s current Art Basel festivities was the debut of its incredible and unprecedented Huracan Sterrato, a groundbreaking off-road capable supercar based on the iconic mid-engined, V10-powered performance model from the Fighting Bull brand. The car also serves as the final addition to Lamborghini’s Huracan lineup, and hopefully a preview of the future incomparable dynamism and versatility of Lamborghinis to come. The model debuted at Lamborghini’s Beach Lounge at Miami’s 1 Hotel South Beach. MUST READ: Cristiano Ronaldo Car Collection The venue served as a stunning backdrop for the go-anywhere supercar, with a sandy setting, and sustainably luxurious surroundings throughout. Two examples of the car were available to see at the display, one in Lamborghini's Verde Gea color, and the other in Biano Phanes. Pathways that winded around the cars were delineated with tire tracks in the sand, and they took guests to various digital installations that displayed the new Huracan Sterrato and its capabilities on various surfaces, like dirt, gravel, and sand, similar to the Beyond The Concrete teasers that preceded the reveal of the model. Also on display was the complementary 3T Exploro Racemax x Huracan Sterrato bike, made with carbon fiber and finished in a similar Verde Gea as the car. The new bike will be available globally early next year. Also at the Lamborghini Beach Lounge was Lamborghini artwork by Fabian Oefner, as well as the launch of the Roger Dubuis Excaliber Spider Huracan Monobalancier. Open by invitation only, the Lamborghini Beach Lounge Miami is open through December 3. View All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 01, 2022

Lamborghini Launches The New Official Huracan Sterrato Co...

The off-road Lamborghini supercar exists, and now you can build your own. The new Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is undeniably radical. It takes the iconic mid-engined, V10-powered Huracan supercar and turns it into a highly off-road-capable performance beast. After bringing the Huracan to a place where supercars have rarely ventured before, Lamborghini has now released the official configurator for the off-road supercar, showing off its capability in a very different aspect: personalization. With Lamborghini’s Ad Personam customization program, there are countless possibilities for making the Huracan Sterrato a unique and personal creation and your own creative expression, in the garage, on the asphalt, and off the beaten track. MUST READ: The New 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Is Revealed As A 602-HP Off-Road Supercar With the configurator, you’ll be able to customize the new Huracan Sterrato’s exterior colors, as well as the various livery options and exterior accessories that the new off-road model offers. In addition, you’ll be able to configure the interior, with its various options for leather and Alcantara upholstery, carbon fiber trim, and performance-oriented accessories. What this new configurator for the Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato shows is that it’s not only an off-road version of the incredible Lamborghini Huracan supercar, but it also retains all of the Huracan’s luxury, configuration, and style. Visit The Configurator View All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 30, 2022

The New 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Is Revealed As ...

Lamborghini has changed the meaning of a supercar. It’s been hinted at for years, but that doesn’t make it any less radical of an idea: a supercar that is just as competent off-road as it is on asphalt. While the Lamborghini Huracan has been praised for its ability to deliver world-class high performance and driving pleasure on roads and tracks alike, but for a long time, the concept of the Hurcan Sterrato has shown a potential for the mid-engined, V10-powered Italian performance car to take on new paths. Now, it’s finally here, and it’s ready to take the iconic Lamborghini supercar where it’s never gone before. MUST READ: The Best Lamborghinis You Can Buy Today Revealed at Art Basel, Miami Beach, the Sterrato comes with an updated version of the Huracan Evo’s Lamborghini Integrated Vehicle Dynamics (LDVI) system which for the first time includes a Rally mode. Also, with a wider stance and higher ground clearance, the new Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato is both a stylish supercar and a proper off-roader. With nearly 602 horsepower coming from its V10 engine, it promises to be an absolute blast to drive, and its 19-inch wheels are wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler AT002 tires, specially designed for the car to dominate on and off-road, with run-flat technology measuring 235/40 R19 at the front and 285/40 R19 at the rear. The Alcantara Verde Sterrato interior is designed specifically for the Huracan Sterrato, as well, and information available while driving includes, for the first time, an inclinometer with pitch and roll indication, geographical coordinates, and a steering angle indication. With Ad Personam, customization options for the new Huracan Sterrato are nearly countless, with 350 available exterior colors, and 60 interior options. More configurations for the Huracan Sterrto are possible than examples of the car that will exist, with only 1,499 examples being produced. Production starts in February 2023 for this new redefining off-road supercar. View All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 22, 2022

How Lamborghini Created The Concept For The New Off-Road ...

This is the story of how the Lamborghini Huracan first explored new frontiers. The Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato, the brand’s first off-road ready supercar, will soon be debuted at Art Basel in Miami, but it’s true origins can be traced back further than even the Huracan Sterrato concept car of 2019, back to one of the first Huracan prototypes. Designed to be an experimental test mule, chassis number 53 was fitted with off-road equipment, and Maurizio Reggiani, current Vice President of Lamborghini Motorsport and CTO during the time of the Huracan Sterrato concept’s development quickly discovered how much fun an off-road-ready Huracan would be. MUST READ: Lamborghini Talks to Gumball 3000’s Founder In Support Of Movember After that, a full prototype was built and developed, and tested on the Strada Bianca of Nardò, which Lamborghini says is equivalent to the Nürburgring for off-road development. The idea was for the Huracan Sterrato to sit between the Huracan and the Urus. With a 5.2-liter mid-mounted engine, and the ground clearance, tires, drivetrain, and suspension fit for an off-road ready machine, the Huracan Sterrato is bound to deliver a driving experience that is unique and unprecedented as a true go-anywhere supercar, and what was many years ago a seemingly crazy idea for a new Lamborghini will soon be a real, proud, and new addition to the Fighting Bull brand’s model lineup. View All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 21, 2022

Lamborghini's The Engine Songs V10 Playlist Celebrates Th...

Lamborghini’s creative and clever celebration of its engines. As the landscape of powertrains sees dramatic change on the horizon throughout the automotive industry, Lamborghini is currently taking the time to celebrate the splendor of the innovation, engineering, and performance of its various engines, from the legendary V12 that represented the flagship cars to the V10 of the Gallardo and Huracan to the twin-turbocharged V8 engine that powers the Lamborgini Urus Super SUV. The unique way in which Lamborghini has decided to celebrate these engines is through Spotify playlists that are curated and scientifically tuned to match and evoke the sounds of the various engines, and now, Lamborghini delves into the playlist created to honor the unique V10. MUST READ: Lamborghini X Bologna FC Auction A Signed Jersey For Movember The current hero of Lamborghini’s V10 engine is the Huracan Tecnica, a car that combines everyday usability and luxury with bold design and brash V10 performance, featuring the power that graced the track-focused Huracan STO. The second volume of these incredible playlists from Lamborghini, “The Engine Songs V10” is available on Spotify. The process of creating the playlist was the same as that of the V12. The engine was run in Lamborghini’s semi-anechoic chamber, and tests were run on the sound to find potential melodies. For example, the song Hot Cause I’m Fly by Moodrich is able to harmonize with the idling V10 engine, while other songs accompany different engine speeds. If you’re looking for a unique high-octane music discovery, The Engine Songs V10 is available now on Spotify. View All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale Source: Lamborghini

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