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 – August 02, 2022

The First 6 Months Of 2022 Mark Lamborghini's Best Half-Y...

Lamborghini’s high performance translates to its sales. The fighting bull brand, despite a challenging world for the automotive industry, has enjoyed success early this year, and now that half the year is over, that success has continued and grown. Lamborghini has set a new record and concluded its best six months ever in terms of sales, turnover, and profitability. Deliveries increased by nearly 5 percent, but other key figures increased even more dramatically showing Lamborghini’s success as a purveyor of incredible performance cars and a lucrative business. MUST READ: The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Debuts In Asphalt 9: Legends With An In-Game Competition Turnover reached €1.33 billion marking an increase of 30.6 percent, with an increase in operating profit of nearly 70 percent and an increase in operating margin to 31.9 percent as compared to 24.6 percent in the same period of 2021. Lamborghini credits these improvements to increased volumes and its strong product mix, increased customization, and favorable currency exchange rates. The Urus remains responsible for a majority of sales at 61 percent, while the Huracan and Aventador accounted for 39 percent, with the Aventador having concluded production. The Huracan Tecnica entered the market with its high power, rear-wheel drive, and everyday luxury to a very successful reception. In August, Lamborghini plans to start announcing 3 new products that will be announced this year, two of them being Urus-related and one being Huracan-related. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 11, 2022

Lamborghini Reflects On Recent Success And Hints At More ...

Lamborghini celebrates great success, but there’s still much more to come. With the best first quarter the brand has ever had only weeks behind it, Lamborghini reflects on just what made Q1 2022 such a wildly successful quarter for the brand, and looks forward to building on that same success and making Lamborghini the greatest it has ever been. Operating profit for Lamborghini increased by an incredible 25 percent compared to Q1 2021, with turnover up by over 13 percent. This increase comes with a nearly 5-percent increase in vehicle deliveries in the quarter and strategically favorable currency exchange rates throughout the quarter. MUST-READ: Lamborghini Opens Second Swedish Dealership In Stockholm Lamborghini also earned important distinctions, like earning a Top Employer award, as well as the Green Star Award for its efforts in sustainability. The brand also recognizes the importance of staying on top of the most current and futuristic innovations, diving straight into the world of NFTs. Other achievements earned throughout the quarter included the sale of the 20,000th Lamborghini Huracan and the reveal of the Huracan Tecnica. Lamborghini says that in the coming months, a new Huracan model will be revealed, along with two new Urus models. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 26, 2022

Lamborghini Wins The Green Star Award For The Second Year...

One of the world’s most exciting and desirable auto manufacturers is also one of the most environmentally friendly. For the second year in a row, Lamborghini has been honored for its efforts in environmental sustainability and its status as one of the most sustainable companies in Italy with its reception of the Green Star Award, an award given by the German Institute for Quality and Finance in conjunction with the Institute of Management and Economic Research of Hamburg. The two organizations do research on over 2000 companies every year and look for ones that employ the most green economy strategies and operate with an ethos that respects the environment. MUST READ: Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 Hypercar Arrives at duPont REGISTRY This is something that Lamborghini has held at the forefront since 2009. Since then, the brand planted 10,000 oak trees to create a park, monitored bee populations, and achieved carbon neutrality for its site in 2015. Now, Lamborghini has its sights set on becoming a carbon neutral company from front to back, and with this 2022 Green Star Award, we know that the auto world’s fighting bull is working for greener pastures. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 14, 2022

Lamborghini Enjoys Its Best Quarter Ever In Q1 2022

Despite being surrounded by supply struggles, Lamborghini has its best quarter ever. Around the globe, automotive brands have been in a pinch due to the crisis that has caused global supply issues for everyone. This past quarter, many brands simply didn’t have the cars available to sell and deliver to customers, and the situation has badly hurt sales and delivery numbers. However, Lamborghini is an exception. The Italian supercar manufacturer, unlike most other automakers around the world, has managed to deliver 2,539 vehicles globally, which makes Q1 2022 the brand’s best quarter to date. MUST READ: What is the Fastest Lamborghini? Half of those deliveries belong to the Urus, the luxury SUV that represents a fervent love for luxury SUVs with the spirit of exotic cars. It accounted for 1,547 out of the 2,539 vehicles delivered in the quarter. The other half was split between the Huracan and Aventador, despite the Aventador’s V12 powertrain being on its way out. Lamborghini has also announced that this year, we still can look forward to two new announcements about the Urus, and one more about the Huracan. With a great start, Lamborghini is sure to be off to an even greater year. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Angel Sergeev of Motor1.com – February 15, 2022

Lamborghini Hopes To Keep Combustion Engine Alive After 2030

This article originally appeared on Motor1.com. The Italian automaker will explore synthetic fuels. Last year, the European Commission proposed a 55 percent cut in CO2 emissions from cars by 2030 versus 2021 levels in Europe and a full combustion engine ban from 2035. None of these rules have been signed yet, though the writing is probably on the wall for the good old fossil-burning engine. However, there are automakers that still see a future for the ICE, and Lamborghini has been among the most vocal advocates of it. The supercar maker’s CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, recently talked to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag and admitted he wants his company to keep the combustion engine alive after the end of the decade. That may seem impossible from today’s perspective, but Winkelmann has a plan. "After hybridization, we will wait to see whether it will be possible to offer vehicles with an internal combustion engine beyond 2030," Lambo’s CEO told the German weekly publication. "One possibility would be to keep combustion engine vehicles alive via synthetic fuels." Back in December 2020, Winkelmann said in an interview he wants to keep the combustion engine alive for "as long as possible." Just earlier this year, Lamborghini announced it will launch its first fully-electric model in 2028 and it will be a radically different product than anything else we've seen from the brand so far. It will likely take the shape of a 2+2 high-riding machine, which will be in the early development stages later this year. Once the final concept and design philosophy have been decided, a concept is likely to debut previewing the production model. But long before the first Lambo EV debuts, the company will release its final pure combustion engine. If you want a new Lamborghini without an electric motor, you’ll have until the end of this year to buy one. After that, the automaker will move to hybridized powertrains. Source: Welt am Sonntag via Automotive News

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2021

Lamborghini Just Had Its Best Half-Year Ever

Stephan Winkelmann is a man on a mission. The first half of 2021 has proven to be the best half-year ever for Lamborghini. In total, the automaker delivered 4,852 cars in the first six months, a 37% increase over the first half of 2020 and a 6.6% growth over the first half of 2019. What's more, Lamborghini already has 10 months' worth of orders that cover production until April 2022. "This exceptional result is a double confirmation for us. It is proof of the solidity and strength of this brand, which is enjoying growing appeal despite a period of continuous challenges and uncertainty," said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Lamborghini. "It also endorses the positive reception to our new industrial plan for future electrification of our product range, in which we will invest over 1.5 billion euros by 2024." Here's the breakdown of their sales for the first half of 2021. Lamborghini Model Sales Urus - 2,796 units, +35% Huracán - 1,532 units, +46% Aventador - 524 units, +21% Sales By Country United States - 1,502 units China Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau - 602 Germany - 391 UK - 318 Japan - 258 Middle East - 226 Italy - 197 Source: Lamborghini

By Edward Jones – June 14, 2021

Lamborghini Almost Sold Out For 2021 Says CEO

Receiving an ordered Lamborghini may take some time and here's why. When Lamborghini was at the recent Milano Monza Motor Show, the world learned something very interesting about the automaker's current situation. While many had a tough year in 2020, Lamborghini was flourishing. Automotive News talked with Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, regarding 2020 and their current year. "Despite a two-month shutdown due to the pandemic, Lamborghini ended 2020 as its second-best year ever," Winkelman told Automotive News. What's more, Winkelmann went on to say that Lamborghini has sold about 10 months of its production capacity in 2021. That means if you want a new Lamborghini, you're going to have to wait a hot minute. It's truly an exciting time for Lamborghini as the current lineup is selling fast and they aim for an electrified lineup in the near future. In fact, Lamborghini is investing about $1.8 billion into their electric transition which we will begin to see in 2023. While ordering a new Lamborghini may take some time, there are plenty currently for sale in dealerships across the country. Click the button below to see them all. All Lamborghinis For Sale News Source: Automotive News; Image Source: Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – January 12, 2021

Fast Financials 2020 Q4: Lamborghini Sets New Sales Record

Even with Italy being on lockdown for 70 days, Lamborghini has set a new sales record for the second half of 2020. From July through December, Lamborghini delivered more cars than any other six-month timespan. This record was a major part of how 7,430 new Lamborghinis for sale left the lot with happy customers. Because our friend Stephan Winkelmann has done so well at leading Bugatti, he was also appointed as Lamborghini's new President and CEO. He sat in the big chair up until 2016, so we're glad to know he will now lead both brands with continued prosperity. Here is how the Raging Bull performed: Urus: 4,391 Huracan: 2,193 Aventador: 846 We were also glad to see six new models. From the Huracan EVO RWD Coupe and Spyder to the Sian Roadster, Essenza SCV12, Huracan STO, and the SC20, the future looks bright for Ferrucio's legacy. " width="680"> Image (C) Lamborghini Automobili

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2020

Stephan Winkelmann Returning as CEO and President of Lamb...

News has just dropped that Stephan Winkelmann will become President and CEO of Lamborghini Automobili while also retaining his position as President of Bugatti effective December 1. This news comes as Stefano Domenicali steps down from Lamborghini to become CEO of Formula 1. If you recall, Winkelmann was the President and CEO of Lamborghini from 2005 to 2016. With such knowledge under his belt, returning to the brand while also staying at Bugatti shouldn't be too tall of an order. “Stephan Winkelmann has decisively shaped the history of Lamborghini,” says Markus Duesmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “No one else stands more clearly for the Lamborghini brand, and he is exactly the right person to lead this unique brand into a successful future.” See All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2020

Lamborghini Posts Best September Ever

Automobili Lamborghini has just had their best September, ever. The Italian company has just announced the delivery of 738 units in the month, making it the best September the company has ever posted. This is a phenomenal trend, especially when you consider the positive trend of 2,038 units delivered in Q3 2020. Lamborghini has adapted to the ongoing pandemic incredibly well, managing to reorganize themselves and put forth a new "normal" when it comes to business. "Our team overcame a moment of significant uncertainty with great flexibility, foresight and readiness to react," says Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. "We have experimented with new ways to connect with customers and enthusiasts, while continuing our drive to achieve new goals with a constant eye to the future: a distinguishing characteristic of Lamborghini."

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