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 Jordan Aquistapace – June 06, 2022

Watch A Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Tow A Lamborghin...

The track-inspired Lamborghini Huracán proves to be more of a functional every day driver. While Automobili Lamborghini defines itself as a supercar manufacturer with models like the Aventador and Huracán, the brand established its dominance in the luxury SUV class with the introduction of the Urus. The Lamborghini Urus was the answer to every question asking why Super-SUVs were not a thing, incorporating towing capabilities into an everyday drivable Italian supercar. For automotive YouTuber Alex Choi, he believes that his Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo build is just as capable of towing with just a few minor upgrades. MUST-READ: 2023 Lamborghini Urus Price, Horsepower, 0-60 In a recent video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Alex fits his 1,250-horsepower twin-turbocharged Huracán with a class four tailer hitch that bolts to the subframe. After a failed first attempt at getting a blue Lamborghini Urus on the car trailer for a test run, Alex goes back to his garage to see if his modified Audi RS6 Avant will fit for his first delivery run. The test drive takes Alex Choi to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills where bystanders are jaw-dropped at the scene of a Lamborghini Huracán towing a full-size Audi sport wagon. The fun continues as the modified Huracán launches and burns out with more trailer companions like a Toyota Tacoma and Lamborghini Huracàn STO. Intending to recreate a viral video of a Urus towing a Huracan, Alex finds a larger trailer and a red Lamborghini Urus to capture the infamous role reversal. View all of the current Lamborghini models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. View All Lamborghini For Sale Source: Alex Choi YouTube

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 03, 2022

The New Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 Is An STO For The Track

Tracks around the world have a big storm coming, and Lamborghini is its harbinger. Lamborghini makes cars that are quite intimidating, whether it's to look at, to drive, or to witness, a Lamborghini commands attention on the road. On the track, however, it’s an entirely different story, and the new Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 is the newest chapter in it. Based on the Huracan STO, the GT3 EVO2 is the new track-only, rear-wheel drive, FIA-compliant racing Huracan with an incredible 640 horsepower coming from its naturally aspirated V10 engine. MUST READ: Lamborghini Gets the Aventador Ultimae On The Road The car, serving as a successor to the Huracan GT3 EVO, features an all-new aerodynamics kit and intake system. Swapping side intakes for a snorkel allows for the airflow to go directly to the engine so that it can respond more immediately to the driver. First featured in the Essenza SCV12, the throttle bodies feature electronic actuation and titanium valves. The aerodynamics don’t miss a beat, either, with even the carbon-fiber floor of the car increasing downforce compared to the GT3 EVO predecessor. Along with the updated braking system and Pirelli PZero tires, the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 is more than ready to race. Speaking of which, customer deliveries are set to begin in the second half of this year, and the car is going to make a track debut at the 2023 Daytona 24 Hours. Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 21, 2022

Lamborghini's 20,000th Huracan Was Delivered To A Client ...

The world can’t escape Lamborghini’s V10 powerhouse. The Lamborghini Huracan was first introduced in 2014, and given the immense responsibility of replacing the iconic Gallardo as the entry-level V10-powered Lamborghini supercar, and it fulfilled this responsibility with excellence. In the 8 years we’ve had to get to know it, the Huracan has consistently impressed us with its dashing looks, beautiful sound, and of course, incredible performance. MUST READ: The New Lamborghini Countach: Electrifying A Legend The love for the Huracan is shown best by its popularity, and with 20,000 of these incredible machines on the road, supercar drivers the world over have chosen the Huracan to be the car that makes their dreams true. Appropriate to celebrate the 20,000 Huracan cars, the 20,000th model was a Lamborghini Huracan STO in a stunning Grigio Acheso Matt color. The Huracan’s 8-year life has been full of icons, from the original coupe to the Performante, to the Evo, the STO, and most recently the Hurcan Tecnica, the new Huracan model that promises to dominate both the road and the track with style, comfort, and incredible performance. With 20,000 of them sold, we look forward to a long life and an even longer legacy for the Lamborghini Huracan. View All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 15, 2022

Lamborghini Teams Up With Artist Saturno On The ‘El Ephem...

The Lamborghini Huracán now features a Spanish-style art livery. Nowadays, exclusive supercars are transforming from luxury forms of transportation into coveted works of art with world-renowned artists. Continuing to diversify its artistic portfolio of collaborations, Automobili Lamborghini is proud to team up with artist Miguel Ángel Sánxhez (a.k.a. Saturno) on its newest release featuring the performance-focused Huracán Evo Spyder. The Italian supercar manufacturer has always been a fan favorite for the Spain-based artist, even sparking the idea for this collaboration after visiting the Lamborghini Barcelona factory with a friend who owns a Murcielago. The complex exterior finish known as ‘El Ephemeral Tengu’ transforms the modern-day Huracán Evo Spyder into a mythical figure that blends blue with red to represent the sky and lava. The resulting balance of these opposite worlds is an amazing explosion of emotion and colors on Huracán's bodywork. MUST-READ: Lamborghini Huracán EVO Interpreted by Artist Paolo Troilo Done exclusively using a traditional hand airbrush technique, Saturno achieves an incredible level of detail and depth through the painstaking process that took hundreds of hours. The story of founder Ferruccio Lamborghini lines up extremely similar with Saturno, both being sons of local farmers that embody a great level of success by being self-taught and continuing to follow their passions no matter what. The head-turning Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder delivers over 630-horsepower from its 5.2-Liter Naturally-Aspirated V10 engine, which features a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to launch from 0-60mph in just 2.7-seconds. View all of the current Lamborghini Huracán Evo Spyder examples for sal eon duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. View All Lamborghini Huracán Spyder For Sale Source: Saturno

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2022

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Spyder First-Drive Review (Vi...

Despite carrying a 640 horsepower naturally-aspirated V10 on its back, the “regular” Lamborghini Huracan EVO remains a relatively tame thing to drive. Thanks to its all-wheel-drive system supplemented by clever traction and stability control software, the Huracan EVO trades in the scary stab-you-in-the-back Lambo persona of old for blistering performance that’s accessible to a wide variety of drivers. The result is a supercar that, while tremendously fast, doesn’t require its driver to be on their best behavior. Watch the video up above to see what we think about the 2022. " width="680">

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 16, 2022

The New Tesla Model X Plaid Takes On The Lamborghini Hura...

Racing an SUV against an exotic car sounds crazy, but we live in a crazy world. And better yet, the SUV in question has 380 horsepower over the exotic car. The Lamborghini Huracan Evo sports 640 horsepower, while the Tesla Model X Plaid boasts an incredible 1020 horsepower. However, all hope is not lost for the Lamborghini in this race. Due to a large difference in the weight of the two cars, the Lamborghini and Tesla have similar power to weight ratios, clocking in at 5.5 lb/hp, and 5.3 lb/hp respectively. MUST READ: The GearBox: Electric Performance Once all is said and done, the Tesla won, able to put down a mind-blowing sub 10-second quarter-mile time, while the Huracan takes nearly 11 seconds. And while the Huracan still puts incredible numbers onto the drag strip, with a 3.4 second 0-60 and 130 mph once the quarter-mile is crossed, it’s hard to beat the ultimate torque and game-changing performance that the Model X Plaid puts out. If there is one place where the Lamborghini won, however, it’s in having its gorgeous V10 exhaust note. Source: DragTimes.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 03, 2022

Check The Spec: Lamborghini Huracán STO Finished In Nero ...

The simplistic Lamborghini Huracán STO spec with a bright flare. When it comes to incorporating a track-like driving experience into a road-legal supercar, the Lamborghini Huracán STO defines itself as one of the most versatile models in the brand’s fleet. The Italian supercar professionals at Lamborghini Newport Beach are proud to showcase this unique Huracán STO configuration as part of a special order for one of its clients. The build features a Full Carbon Exterior package finished in a sleek Nero Noctis paint scheme with Viola Pasifae accents that accentuate the additional carbon-fiber exterior components. A set of black paint-matched factory Hek wheels are paired with Bridgestone Potenza Sport 1 tires to provide traction on any track or road surface. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: Tony Kanaan’s 2020 Ford GT at Canepa Motorsport The interior design of the Lamborghini Huracán STO perfectly matches the exterior using stealth-like black leather and Alcantara with purple highlights to pull the configuration together. The Lamborghini Huracán STO delivers a mind-blowing 630-horsepower and 416 lb-ft of torque from its 5.2-Liter Naturally-Aspirated V10 engine. An updated 7-Speed Dual-Clutch transmission ensures ultra-quick shifts that catapult the Italian supercar from 0-60mph in only 2.8-seconds. With a diverse palette of colors and materials, this Lamborghini Huracán STO fashionably presents itself with plenty of power to push the boundaries of design and performance. Click the link below to view Lamborghini Newport Beach’s current inventory on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec specials. View Lamborghini Newport Beach Inventory Source: @lamborghininewportbeach IG " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 23, 2022

Check The Spec: A 2021 Lamborghini Huracán EVO Finished I...

Hit the track in style with this stand out Huracán EVO. Seen as one of the leading models in Lamborghini’s growing fleeting of performance-focused Italian supercars, the Huracán EVO best blends track-like performance with comfortable driving amenities. This 2021 Lamborghini Huracán EVO features a head-turning gloss Bleu Cepheus exterior finish that accentuates the aggressive body lines of the supercar. Using the vibrant blue shade to its full potential, this configuration includes a special option that adds a paint matched rear end carbon diffuser for better aerodynamics. The exterior also includes gloss black sport wheels, trim, and ground affects that help contrast against the finish. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato While the outside boasts a bright new look, the inside layout presents a more subtle design with a genuine Nero Ade leather interior. A set of Lamborghini sport seats and alcantara inserts elevate the minimalistic feel of the Huracán EVO. The powertrain responsible for delivering over 630-horsepower to the Huracán EVO is Lamborghini’s 5.2-Liter Naturally-Aspirated V10 engine, which is managed by a 7-Speed LDF Dual-Clutch transmission. This specific configuration is equipped with standard driving dynamics, a smartphone friendly interface, and a must-have front lift system. This 2021 Lamborghini Huracán EVO is currently available on duPont REGISTRY with only 3,669-miles for $299,000. Click the link below to view the listing for this vehicle, and check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more Check The Spec specials. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2021

Lamborghini Huracán EVO Interpreted by Artist Paolo Troilo

The artist pays homage to the Huracán EVO with a one-of-a-kind hand painted design. For traditional and modern-day artists, highly-exclusive supercars are beginning to act as blank canvases open to limitless inspiration for collaborations. Seen as a work of art to the automotive enthusiast, vehicles are re-imagined using the unique vision of the creator with the brush. In his most recent collaboration project with renowned supercar manufacturer Lamborghini, Italian artist Paolo Troilo makes his mark on the Huracán EVO. Through the use of finger painting, the Lamborghini Huracán EVO nicknamed ‘Minotauro’ owes its name to the mix of emotion and meaning that the artist experienced when he encountered Lamborghini. MUST-READ: Check Out The Air Jordan 4 ‘University Blue’ Pagani Huayra Roadster Paolo pays homage to the Huracán EVO by depicting a fusion between man, the bull symbol of Automobili Lamborghini, and the concept of myth expressed in the indomitable, supernatural, and almost animalistic force exuded by the man’s figure painted on the sides of the car. From November 4th to 13th, the Huracán EVO painted by Paolo Troilo together with some of the artist’s other works will be on display at Palazzo Serbelloni at Corso Venezia, 16 in Milan, as part of the “TROILO-MILANO SOLO ANDATA” (TROILO-MILAN ONE WAY) exhibition, curated by Luca Beatrice. View all current Lamborghini Huracán EVO examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lamborghini Huracán EVO For Sale Source: Automobili Lamborghini

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