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 – April 02, 2024

Amalgam Launches A Colorful New 1:18 Scale Lamborghini Mi...

Discover the craftsmanship and detail behind the 1:18 scale Lamborghini Miura model, embodying the essence of the first supercar. In the realm of automotive excellence, the Lamborghini Miura holds a place of honor, being honored as the world's first supercar. Now, that legendary status is being immortalized in a 1:18 scale model by Amalgam Collection, available in the Miura P400 SV's original vibrant paint shades of Giallo Miura, Arancia Miura, or Verde Miura. This model is a masterpiece born of over 800 hours of development, capturing the Miura's essence with an factory accuracy that's nothing short of astonishing. Each piece is hand-assembled by skilled craftsmen using high-grade materials, ensuring that every casting, photo-etched, and CNC machined metal component is an example to the car's legacy. The original Miura was a marvel of engineering with its engine placed transversely behind the cabin, a bold move that contributed to its iconic and timeless silhouette. It was a design so innovative and daring, that it set a new standard for what a sports car could be. Amalgam's model line celebrates that ingenuity, crafted with the blessing of Lamborghini to ensure every detail, from the engine's configuration to the exterior's finish, is true to the original. Each of the Lamborghini Miura models comes housed in a luxurious black storage box, complete with a certificate of authenticity and a booklet filled with information about the car's rich history. It's a tribute to the Miura's legacy as the car that defined what a supercar could be. For collectors and enthusiasts, the all new Amalgam 1:18 scale Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Collection is currently available for $1,125 by clicking the link below. Shop Now Source: Amalgam Collection

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 06, 2023

CURATED Rallies Eddie Van Halen's Lamborghini Miura After...

A famous supercar classic roars back to life. In the iconic 1984 song “Panama” by Van Halen, the engine of a car can be heard revving right after the song’s guitar solo. That car was the late Eddie Van Halen’s Lamborghini Miura, a legendary example of what is often called the first supercar. Whether it’s the beauty, the performance, or the iconic V12 engine of the Miura, there’s near-universal appeal to enthusiasts worldwide, and add that appeal to that of one of the most iconic bands and songs of the 80s, and this incredible historic supercar is one of the most admirable creations in the automotive world. CURATED, known for uncovering and celebrating the stories of some of the world’s rarest classic supercars, purchased the Miura from Van Halen years ago, and collaborated with Lamborghini’s Polo Storico department to restore the car, true to the specifications that Van Halen originally opted for in the car. The project took a long four years to complete, but having been finished in 2023, came together just in time for Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary. To celebrate the momentous anniversary and the completion of the restoration of Eddie Van Halen’s Lamborghini Miura, the car joined 26 other vintage Lamborghinis in a rally to Lamobrghini’s Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy factory. To complete the serendipity of the event, Ingrid, who was Ferrucio Lamborghini’s personal assistant, made an appearance. The intersection of some of the greatest stories and legends in Lamborghini’s 60-year history made this long restoration process of an important car worth every minute. View All Vehicles For Sale From CURATED

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 09, 2023

Lamborghini Miura Price, Specs, Photos & Review

Shining as a timeless automotive icon, the Lamborghini Miura stands out as a true piece of supercar history.

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 18, 2022

How To See The Legendary One-Off Lamborghini Miura Roadst...

An important and unique piece of Lamborghini history is revisited. The last-ever Lamborghini Aventador and last “pure” V12-powered Lamborghini, an Ad Personam-customized Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae Roadster was inspired by a Lamborghini one-off that was introduced over 54 years ago: the Lamborghini Miura Roadster of 1968. The car was a specially-engineered version of the Miura designed to deliver a top-down, open-air experience that was seamless, natural, and just as exciting as the original car. While it remained a one-off, it helped inspire and inform Lamborghini roadsters of the future, and most recently, it inspired the very last “pure” V12-powered Lamborghini ever. Where did the Miura Roadster go? After being shown originally at the 1968 Brussels Auto Show, the car went on to be sold to ILZRO, or the International Lead and Zinc Research Association, where it was repainted and modified as the ZN 75, which showed off the proponents of lead and zinc in the automotive industry. In fact, the zinc-based rust protection featured on the Miura Roadster as the ZN 75 is still used today. In 2008, the Miura Roadster was given a restoration that brought it back to its original character with the same stunning Lamè SKy Blu paintwork and white leather interior with red carpets that the car had in 1968, and when it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August 2008, it won second place in the Lamborghini category. Where is the Miura Roadster now? Lamborghini’s MUDETEC museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, will serve as home to the Miura Roadster, where the model is on display celebrating its role in the final Aventador. It will be on display through the months of October and November, and the opportunity to see it is a rare one since the car is a one-off with incredible historical significance. View All Lamborghini Miuras For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Andrew Nabors – April 14, 2021

Lamborghini Miura SV Turns 50 This Year

The world's first supercar What good is a V8 if it's on top of the front wheels? That was the question Ferruccio Lamborghini asked his team in 1965. Their answer was to mount the engine transversely (east-west) behind the cockpit. The result is a car with unbeatable grip and performance, even by modern standards. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful bodies ever sculpted by Bertone, so we're excited that the Lamborghini Miura SV turns 50 this year. Almost all of them are accounted for, but we need you to help Curated find the lost SV. Known as the P400 project, the Super Veloce sought to squeeze every ounce of performance from the Miura. The boss turned to his chief engineers Giampaolo Dallara and Paolo Stanzani to push the car to its limits. Their upgrades included separate oil systems for the engine and transmission, with coolers for each. New carburetors fed more aggressive cams while also improving the car's temperment on the street. The Miura SV debuted in 1971 with 385 horsepower, a stiffer chassis, and 9" wide rear wheels. The car was and is far ahead of its time, and that's why we love offering them to you. Click the button to find your Miura and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini For Sale Images (C) Lamborghini

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 26, 2021

"The Benchmark Lamborghini Miura SV" By CURATED

CURATED is delighted to present a unique, museum-quality Lamborghini Miura SV. An unparalleled example, Lamborghini Miura SV Chassis #4952 is unrestored and incredibly preserved, finished in its original Rosso paint and complete interior from new. Since it arrived in New York in November of 1972, the Miura SV has only accumulated 10,000 original miles, making it a benchmark specification for the vintage Italian supercar. The rarity continues, as this Miura SV Split Slump, specific chassis is described as “A beauty of a ‘Survivor” by expert vehicle appraiser Robert DeMars. The exterior and interior condition has aged perfectly with a slight amount of patina covering the iconic lines of the Lamborghini Miura SV. Additional original cosmetics are featured on the vehicle, such as it's original “In Rodaggio” windshield warranty sticker and factory Pirelli CN12 “Tube Type” tires. For years, Chassis #4952 was described by Joe Sackey, expert, and author of the “Miura Bible,” as the most original and preserved Miura SV on the planet. This exceptional and irreplaceable Lamborghini Miura SV will undergo a Polo Storico certification at Curated and enter into preservation Concours events very soon. View CURATED Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2021

Lamborghini Miura SV & Rod Stewart's Countach Reach Recor...

Winter might be unusually cold this year, but the hottest Lamborghini Miura SV and Countach reached record prices at RM Sotheby's Paris Auction. Without a doubt, these two cars represent life goals to the world's most discerning collectors. What you see here is a 1971 Miura SV chassis number #4840, and a 1977 Countach LP 400 chassis #1120262. The first car is certified by Polo Storico, and it has been treated to a full Jota conversion. Regarded as the world's first supercar, only 150 examples were produced. Way ahead of its time, it rocks a transverse-mid-mounted 4-liter V8 to offer perfect weight distribution, and it sold for $2,942,650. Sir Rod Stewart's Countach was restored to its original shape, featuring the iconic "Periscopo" roof. This notch in the roof panel aligns with a rear-view mirror to offer great visibility. It hammered for $940,919, as we enter the era of the million-dollar Countach. The Polo Storico program is a great way to make sure your Lamborghini restoration is done correctly, so in the meantime, we have great deals on used Lamborghini Huracan for sale. Images (C) Lamborghini S.P.A.

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2020

Incredibly Rare Lamborghini Miura SVJ to be Shown at Rétr...

Lamborghini is showing off one of the rarest examples of the Miura at the Rétromobile classic car show in Paris. This specific car is Miura SVJ chassis number 4860, one of four original SVJs made by Lamborghini. The SVJ came to life as a supercar inspired by the Miura Jota and each was built upon special requests. Now, back to Miura SVJ #4860. What makes this car a perfect example to show off is the fact that it's been entirely restored by Lamborghini Polo Storico. The restoration process started with an "in-depth analysis of documents held in the archives and a search for sources and accounts from the period when it was built," according to Lamborghini. The end result is astonishing. You can see it for yourself by heading over to Rétromobile in Paris. Being shown alongside the Miura SVJ is a Miura P400 S built from spare parts by Lamborghini Polo Storico. ALL LAMBORGHINI MIURAS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – December 10, 2019

Lamborghini Miura Takes Centerstage at Art Basel

Miami's Art Deco District was the perfect setting for a VIP gathering. "A Dreamscape of Italian Design" took place on the 2nd floor of the Wolfsonian-FIU Museum, allowing the Lamborghini Miura to take Centerstage at Art Basel. Ferrucio Lamborghini wanted a work of art, and Marcello Gandini penned the Miura. It was and is such a gorgeous design, he was chosen to sculpt the Countach and the Diablo. In a quote from the Italian Consulate of Miami: "Lamborghini represents the perfect symbol of the beautiful and well-crafted Made in Italy, ‘il Bello e il Ben Fattoitaliano’. The aesthetics of an Italian high-end product like that of a super sports car derives from centuries of culture enriched by state-of-the-art technology and a perfect match between tradition and innovation.” Browse All Lamborghini For Sale Built by hand between 1966 and 1973, it was the first transverse-mid mounted V12. Each example has stood the test of time because nothing like it will ever be seen again. That's why our dealers use them as the centerpiece of their inventory. Click the link above to find your Miura and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.

By Edward Jones – October 21, 2019

How This 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV Sold to a Celebrity

Back in 2017, we wrote an article regarding a 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV that was being sold by Curated. When we wrote the article, we had no idea what kind of ordeal this car would go through. To tell the story, John Temerian of Curated traveled to VINwiki's headquarters for one of the latest editions of "Car Stories." While you should really click play above to get the whole story of this Miura, here's a quick breakdown. Curated received many offers on the car that was around what they were looking for. Still, they went ahead and took the car out to Monterey Car Week to be auctioned off. After a disappointing visit to the auction block, the car returned home to Florida. The Miura then sat on Curated's showroom floor until they got a call from Lamborghini. To Curated's shock, Lamborghini was looking to sell the car to a celebrity. That celebrity? Jean Todt, the President of FIA and previous CEO of Ferrari (2004-2008). view curated's inventory

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