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 Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2021

Lamborghini Celebrates 400th Huracan Race Car

In a normal world, automakers build a handful of hardcore track machines that we love to sneak onto the street. Because they value customer satisfaction above everything else, Lamborghini is celebrating their 400th Huracan Race Car. Since the Huracan entered professional motorsports in 2014, they have built more track monsters than other Italian companies build for an entire production run. Our friend Stephan Winkelmann (President and CEO) said: We are proud of the milestone, which is important not only for Squadra Corse but for the whole company. In a few years Squadra Corse has established itself in the most important international competitions and the Huracán GT3 and Super Trofeo are an undisputed point of reference in the Gran Turismo category.” The Huracans have over 100 wins, including Daytona three times in a row. Last year they saw 88 drivers in 24 teams compete around the world, but you don't need a fire suit to push the Huracan to its limits. The Huracan STO is a street-legal version of the GT3, and you can learn all about by clicking the button below. Browse Huracan For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2021

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Receives Amazon Alexa & Andr...

Driving a classic Lamborghini means your audio comes from the exhaust. Sure the Alpine was and is capable of AM and FM, but what if you want more? Connected cars are all the rage these days, so the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO has received Amazon Alexa and Android Auto. The car's operating system is all-new, and owners will receive free updates over the air. Lamborghini Connect is a new Huracan EVO spec that combines navigation, comfort, safety, traffic info, and entertainment. The two-way connection to your smartphone conveys your car's status, speed alerts in valet mode, and the ability to build a geofence to alert you should the car try to make an escape. Should you already own an EVO, the system can be added for free at the dealer. Click the button to learn even more about what sets the Huracan apart from lesser supercars. Shop Lamborghini Huracan EVO Images (C) Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2021

Top Five Fast Facts About the Lamborghini Huracan STO

Many great race cars are inspired by street-legal supercars, but this one is not like the others. Beginning life as the Super Trofeo race cars, here are the top five fast facts about the Lamborghini Huracan STO. Those that race the Raging Bull are members of Squadra Corsa. Aside from this customer program, the Huracan EVO GT3 cars have won Daytona three times and twice at Sebring. Lessons learned in motorsports have allowed the factory to hone their efforts, and here is what sets the Huracan STO apart from everything else: Cofango: This mashup of Italian words for the hood (Cofano) and fenders (Parafango) is used to describe the one-piece front end. Taking inspiration from the Miura, one layer of carbon fiber is 3D-printed from the front bumper to the windshield. Pit Stops: Your pit crew shouldn't have to break out the tools to suit your mood, so three new driving modes can be changed in less than 3 seconds. STO is for normal cruising, Trofeo is racing, and Pioggia is meant for rainy days. Simulators: Before work began on the prototypes, engineers and team drivers logged long days in virtual reality. Driving the equivalent of three times around the Earth, the Huracan STO debuted with unprecedented refinement and quality control. DIY: If you want to build a new Huracan STO for yourself, no less than 2,750 parts will be needed. In theory, your local Lamborghini dealer could sell you everything you need, but leave the assembly to the masters in Sant'Agata. Telemetry: Combining several cameras along with engine and tire data, the new UNICA telemetry system required over 25,000 lines of computer code. This is your introduction to a new series "Focu5on- The five things you did not know about" from Lamborghini, so we invite you to join us in learning the interesting bits about the world's most amazing automobiles. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Lamborghini Huracan For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2020

Lamborghini Presents: The Christmas Gift

Traveling for the Holidays will be abbreviated this year because of social distancing. Because virtual reality is a great way to overcome physical restrictions, Lamborghini presents: The Christmas Gift. A nifty set of goggles contains a recording of an experience unlike any other. The 2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO is our cover car for January, and it combines the best elements of racing into a street-legal body. This poignant message from a son to a father looks forward to fun times ahead, and that's why you should experience the same emotions. Click the button to find a Huracan for yourself and stay with us for al your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2020

2021 Lamborghini Huracan STO Revealed: A Street-Legal Rac...

The success of the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO and Huracan GT3 EVO race cars is undoubted. And because of this, Lamborghini has decided to bring create what’s essentially a street-legal version of the race car to life, the new Lamborghini Huracan STO (Super Trofeo Omologato). This V10-powered supercar has all of the knowledge from Squadra Corse’s team behind it but can also cruise on public roads. Across the exterior of the Huracan STO are new components and features that aim to increase its aerodynamics and downforce, just like any race car. Upfront, Lamborghini’s engineers combined the bonnet, fenders, and bumper into one single piece, similar to the Miura and Sesto Elemento. The air ducts of the front bonnet increase airflow to the central radiator while the front splitter aids in the creation of downforce. See All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale In the rear of the new Huracan STO is where some of the most extreme aerodynamic components can be found. First up is the imposing adjustable rear wing with the double airfoil setup. Drivers can manually adjust this rear wing quite easily depending on their needs. Resting on top of the engine bay is a wicked shark fin that’s integrated into the revised rear bonnet. Lamborghini notes that this shark fin will aid in the supercar’s cornering abilities as well as straighten airflow onto the rear wing. When viewed from the top, the rear wing, shark fin, and slotted engine bay cover are a sight to behold. While creating each of these exterior components, Lamborghini ensured that they were not only lightweight but also rigid. Naturally, they went with carbon fiber. More than 75 percent of the Huracan STO’s exterior panels are comprised of carbon fiber. In the end, the Huracan STO is not only incredibly light but its aerodynamic efficiency is increased by 37 percent over the Huracan Performante, and downforce is improved by 53 percent. Powering the Huracan STO is a naturally-aspirated V10 engine that produces 640 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. This power is sent to the rear wheels for a 0 to 62 mph time of three seconds and a top speed of 192.6 mph. That being said, it’s not the Huracan STO’s acceleration or top speed where it will shine, it’s on the track. Aiding the Lamborghini Huracan STO in its efforts on the track are three new ANIMA driving modes: STO, Trofeo, and Pioggia. The STO mode is meant for road driving and will be the go-to mode for everyday cruising. As for Trofeo, this mode will optimize all systems for the fastest lap times. Think of this mode as race mode. Then there’s Pioggia mode which is essentially rain mode as it optimizes all systems for wet asphalt. In the cabin where the modes can be selected is an interior that was designed with racing in mind. For the sake of weight, the sport seats are crafted out of carbon fiber, carpets were removed and replaced with carbon fiber floor mats, and even the door panels are made of carbon fiber. Just about everything is carbon fiber in the Huracan STO’s interior. Lamborghini also tapped Akrapovič for the rear arch that’s made of titanium allows and is 40 percent lighter than the standard stainless-steel arches. The new Lamborghini Huracan STO price is set at $327,838 with deliveries expected to start in Spring 2021. See All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2020

Lamborghini Huracan STO Teased Before Debut

The rumor going around is that the supercar Lamborghini is teasing will be called the Huracan STO. Why is this rumor going around? Well, there was a bit of a mix-up with one of Lamborghini's URLs that gave the name away. That being said, the name makes complete sense considering it stands for Super Trofeo Omologato but Lamborghini has not confirmed the name as of yet. I say this because what we've seen of this Lamborghini, in both the old and brand new teasers (see below), shows an exterior that's been heavily influenced by racing. With a massive rear wing and various other aerodynamic components, the Huracan STO is set to be a street-legal supercar that's essentially a Super Trofeo car turned street legal. The car will be revealed in its entirety on November 18, so stick with us for more information as it's released. See All Lamborghini Huracans For Sale https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2798869383657977

By Andrew Nabors – November 03, 2020

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Fluo Capsule Offers New Colors

Looking at any new Lamborghini Huracan for sale will take your breath away. While many prefer black or red, many of us have more vibrant personalities. So that is why the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO Fluo Capsule offers new colors. Think of the brightest highlighter you have ever seen, and then amplify it by an order of magnitude. That is what you will receive in bold matte finishes. The new lineup consists of Verde Shock, Arancio Livrea, Celeste Fedra, Arancio Dac, and Giallo Clarus. Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Aerodynamics in Action Each color is offset by matte black roof, grille, and rocker panels. Inside we are treated new sport seats in black leather or Alcantara. To carry the extorior theme inside, the start switch and their iconic logo are finished in fluorescents to match the paint color. A perfect final touch is a pinstripe on the mirrors and vertical ones on the rear splitter. This collection of raging bulls will undoubtedly stand out from the crowd, so click the link below to learn more from our local dealer. Stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Huracan EVO For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2020

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Aerodynamics in Action

Pushing a rear-drive supercar hard into a corner was once a risky maneuver. A large portion of the modern supercar market offers All Wheel Drive, but some of us like the ability to drift when provoked. That is why the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD has aerodynamics in action. Starting with a new front bumper, air is channeled through the brakes and down the rocker panels. Lamborghini Huracán EVO Price, Specs, Photos & Review A quartet of vortex generators under the cockpit clean up the turbulence created by the front wheels. Combined with a duckbill rear decklid, this car is glued to the track the faster you go. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 13, 2020

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Traction Control in Action

Being a native Floridian I never have a need for AWD. That is why I am glad Lamborghini still builds cars for spirited drivers. Dirt roads, tropical storms, and Independence Day are all perfect opportunities to drift, so engineers want to make sure you have the most possible fun while staying safe. Therefore, let's watch the Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Traction Control in action. Lamborghini Huracan Price, Specs, Review & Photos First off, once the computer predicts a drift, you don't have to pedal the car. Hold the throttle wide open while the system modulates the throttle body movements and ignition timing. The electronic differential is faster at torque vectoring, and the rear-wheel steering system has new programming. This all adds up to 30% more counter-steering ability and 20% more grip when exiting a corner. If you like to hang it out in the corners, click the link below to find your Huracan and stay with us for all your Lamborghini updates. Browse Lamborghini Huracan EVO For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2020

2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD Gets Nice Updates

While many fans of the Raging Bull enjoy the grip of AWD, the Rear Wheel Drive Huracan is lighter and fun in the corners. Since the engineers listen to what customers want, the 2021 Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD is getting a few updates. Starting with a new front bumper, it adds downforce while improving brake cooling. Drifting around a corner is no fun with weak seats, so the new Sport Seats have massive bolsters. The 610 horsepower V10 allows for a top speed of 202 mph, and new intake valves are cut from titanium. Not only are they lighter and stronger, but they also help dissipate heat from the heads. This allows the engine to rev faster, so 62 mph arrives in 3.3 seconds. A new rear diffuser adds even more downforce, and it is a nice contrast to the new color: Giallo Belenus. Our dealers have all the info, so click the button below to learn more. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

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