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 – August 12, 2019

Lamborghini Miura Receives Dedicated Class at Pebble Beach

Nothing will ever capture your attention like a Lamborghini Miura. It is the result of a team of stylists and engineers who intended to beat Maranello at their own gams. Ferruccio Lamborghini built an empire with his tractor business. As an engineer, he kept finding flaws in his wife's Ferrari. Enzo told him to go back to farming. So began Lamborghini Automobili. He hires Giampolo Dallara, and Marcel Gandini, and the oldest of the group was 27 years old. The Miura is a 4.0L DOHC V12 mounted transversely behind the cockpit. Nothing like it will ever happen again, so the Lamborghini Miura has received a dedicated class at Pebble Beach. Only 763 cars were built by hand between 1966 to 1973, including the famous wreck at the intro of "The Italian Job". When Miura owners heard of this year's special class, only 5 cars met the criteria to be displayed. They are in-transit from around the world, with 3 examples being restored by Lamborghini Polo Storico. The cars are as follows: 1967 P400 from Belvedere, CA Chassis #3087- 22nd production car built 1968 P400 from Medina, WA, Chassis #3303- Originally owned by the Shah of Iran 1968 P400 from Liechtenstein Chassis #3586- The hero car from "The Italian Job" 1972 P400 SV- Owned by FIA President Jean Tod Chassis 3673- Restored by Polo Storico in 2018 1968/1975 SVR- Sold to Shinji Takei, Japan Chassis 3781. Sold to Heinz Steber in Germany (1974) who sent it back to the factory to be converted into a race car. Recently restored by Polo Storico to SVR specs Browse Lamborghini Miura For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 03, 2019

1967 Lamborghini Marzal at Villa d'Este

Some people can't take a coincidence at face value. Lamborghini has a history of building amazing cars. With many amazing concepts under their belt, it is probably a hard choice to pick one for display. That is why the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal at the Villa d'Este is making waves again. A stunning view of the future was based on a stretched Miura chassis. It is powered by a 2.0L straight six, that happens to be the rear bank of the Lamborghini V12. Seating for 4 adults is easily seen through the acrylic doors, and it has enough cigarette lighters to keep everybody lit! Lamborghini Beverley Hills Grand Opening This footage was shot by NM2255, and he pays great attention to the details. Check out the honeycomb pattern in the center of the dash, definitely a precursor to their modern designs. This car has been shown a few times in recent years, so many have hypothesized that it could be a premonition of something new. Tell us what a modern Marzal would be like, and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Browse Lamborghini Miura For Sale Related: Lamborghini Marzal in Public for the 1st Time Since 1967

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2019

Lamborghini Polo Storico Restores Little Tony's 1971 Miura

A stranger appeared at the Lamborghini factory in 1969 and asked for a tour. Once they realized it was Frank Sinatra they rolled out the red carpet. He saw the early P400 Miuras being built by hand, and it was there he ordered one for himself. He told the press "If you want to be someone, buy a Ferrari. If you are somebody, you buy a Lamborghini". His friend Dino Crocetti (Dean Martin) immediately followed, along other Italian crooners. That is why Lamborghini Polo Storico has restored Little Tony's 1971 Miura. In their latest press release, we've learned that Anthony Ciacci was a singer from Rome. After adopting his stage name of "Little Tony", he rose to fame and moved to San Marino. This is where his Miura P400 S was delivered on March 2nd of '71. It was purchased by an Italian collector with the intent of being restored for this year's Concourso at Villa d’Este (Memorial day Weekend). After consulting with his local Lamborghini dealer, headquarters was contacted for all the car's information. Working with Polo Storico, every part that showed wear was replaced with new parts. This was a learning project, leading to 200 new restoration parts being added to the lineup in 2018. Once the work was completed, the car was certified by Polo Storico as being historically significant thanks to Little Tony, and also because it is 1 of 6 Miuras ordered with Azzuro Mexico paint. Polo Storico will restore any Lamborghini up to the 2001 model year, so if your raging bull is getting tired, send it home for some TLC. Click the link below to find a Lamborghini dealer near you, and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Find Your Lamborghini Dealer Here Related: Lamborghini Polo Storico Finds the Miura from "The Italian Job" Lamborghini Polo Storico Relaunches Marque's Restoration Center

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2019

Ever Seen a Disintegrating Lamborghini Miura?

One of the most iconic vehicles within the exotic car world has to be the Lamborghini Miura. Its design, power and prestige make the Miura both a sought after car in the car collector world and one that will always stand out in any show. Artist Fabian Oefner knows just how special this car is and was able to create a beautiful piece of art thanks to it called "Disintegrating X Lamborghini Miura." This piece of art is exceedingly more than just a photograph. It was created by taking photos of each of the car's pieces, which were then placed into a fashion that makes it look as if the car was exploding or disintegrating, if you will. Oefner was able to make this project possible thanks to a friend who was having his Miura restored and suggested that he use this opportunity for a new piece in his "Disintegrating" series. Learn more about it in the video below! view all lamborghinis for sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 13, 2019

Hear the Loud Lamborghini 350 GT V12 Engine on Jay Leno's...

It doesn't take common core math to understand the implications of Leno + Lambo. Lamborghinis look amazing, even if they need to be restored. What you don't normally see is their masterpiece engines up close & personal. That's why we were excited to hear the loud Lamborghini 350 GT V12 engine on Jay Leno's Garage. You might not know that Lamborghini has also been involved in powerboat racing for decades. Alongside the 3.5L V12, Jay invited the owner of an 8.0L marine engine to show off the similarities and differences of each engine. Before Valentino Balboni joined the team, Bob Wallace put each engine through its paces. Every engine was broken in for 12 hours on a dyno before it was installed. It was mounted behind the cockpit in the Miura, in an east-west layout. This allowed the car to be shorter and have great handling. Because the Countach mounted the transmission under the center console, the driveshaft passed through the oil pan to reach the differential. It took innovations like this to change the world. Dual distributors and six carburetors look imposing to novice mechanics, but they have been proven to be one of the most reliable 12 cylinder engines of all time. Turn up your speakers and listen to these raging bulls in action. Click the link below to find a Lamborghini for yourself and stay with us for more great footage from Jay Leno's Garage. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Related: Check Out Jay Leno's Collection Lamborghini Countach Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – February 06, 2019

Beautifully Restored Lamborghini Miura SV Will Debut in P...

At Rétromobile, the famous automotive show in Paris, guests will be able to feast their eyes upon a beautifully restored Lamborghini Miura SV. This specific restoration was done by Lamborghini Polo Storico, who was tasked with the project by the car's owner, Jean Todt. If that name's familiar to you, it may be because he's the President of the FIA, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile. Speaking specifically, this Miura SV is chassis #3673 and it was created all the way back on November 11, 1972. Interestingly enough, it took this chassis number from a 1968 Miura S that was destroyed. The colors that were painted on the car were the same hue back then as they are now. Lamborghini Smashed Sales Records in 2018 In total, it took the team at Lamborghini Polo Storico 13 months to complete the restoration. When it arrived at Sant'Agata Bolognese, it was complete, but Lamborghini says it showed "clear signs of wear and tear." During the restoration process, the car was completely dismantled. Each piece of the car was verified (markings, numbering, dating, etc.) in an effort to confirm the conformity of the entire build. They even tried their best to repair and restore parts rather than replace them so the car could remain as original as possible. Since the recompletion of the restoration, the Miura SV has been handed over to the owner. Even Stefano Domenicali, Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, was present for the handover. Want to see it for yourself? Check it out at the Lamborghini polo Storico stand at Rétromobile. view all lamborghini miuras for sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 05, 2016

Lamborghini Commemorates Miura with "The Italian Job" Route

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Lamborghini Miura, and with it have come numerous celebrations, rallies and commemorations. Lamborghini most recently revealed the commemorative edition Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage and the revamp of the Lamborghini Museum to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Miura. Now, the beloved car brand is taking things a step further.(Related Read: Lamborghini Miura and Aventador SV Face Off)Their latest commemorative move for the Miura is a page straight out of popular film, The Italian Job. Two Miuras from the Lamborghini Museum made their way down the exact route filmed for the movie. According to the press release:Starting in Sant’Agata Bolognese, where Lamborghini’s factory and museum is located, current V12 Lamborghini models including the Aventador Coupé, Roadster, Superveloce and Superveloce Roadster travelled back to the 1960s via the Pianura Padana, with stopovers in Vigevano and Aosta, before meeting up with the Miuras. But that isn't the best part. The Miuras were then used for a remake of the opening scene of the movie, which took place in the Italian Alps. The "fathers" who created the Miura, reunited and shared in a little celebration and conversation during the event. Sounds like a pretty exciting day for all involved! Check out the video from the reboot below:Lamborghini Miura for Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

Lamborghini Miura and Aventador SV Face Off

When it comes to classic supercars, there's something special imbued in their history and styling. Still, the new oftentimes superior supercars provide a feeling of exhilaration the classics can't measure up to. If you had the option, would you choose classic supercar status or sleek and new?CAR magazine's Chris Chilto asked the same question, so he took a 1966 Lamborghini Miura and the new Lamborghini Aventador SV for a spin to see which car he'd prefer when it comes to driving experience. Driving each, Chilto gives a breakdown of the best features of each car. The styling of the Miura, futuristic in shape and line for its age, really appeals to him, but driving it is still "like driving an old car," he states. The Aventador SV, on the other hand, gives more power and better handling. From steel chassis to carbon fiber and a brand new engine, Chilto breaks down all the differences and gives insight into the essence of what makes a supercar a supercar.Check out the full experience in the video below.Lamborghini Aventador SV For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 25, 2015

Lamborghini Miura from "The Italian Job" For Sale

In the beginning of "The Italian Job," there's a certain Lamborghini Miura P400, donning an orange finish, racing through the mountains. If you're unfamiliar with this scene, watch the following video.Okay, now that you're crying over a Miura being destroyed, I have some great news for you. First of all, the Miura lived. Secondly, it's for sale.Available through Cheshire Classic Cars in the United Kingdon, this classic was completed for delivery back on July 2, 1968. It's one of only three built in 1968 to feature the "Arancio Miura" finish. And, since its birth, it's gone through just five different owners.The car's description notes that it comes with a new engine block, due to the original one having a hairline crack. Along with the new engine, it also received a "concours-standard" paintwork refresh while it was having a new engine installed. If you just have to have the original engine, don't worry, because this sale includes the matching-numbers block.Most people may have even forgotten that "The Italian Job" included a Miura, but for those that remember, this is a pretty big deal. (Image and News Source: Cheshire Classic Cars)

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2015

Historic Lamborghini Miura S Barn Find in New York

Finding a car in a barn is not impossible. In fact, there are probably plenty of barns within a 100 mile radius of you that have some form of a car in it. But, to find a car as historic as the Lamborghini Miura S really is a miraculous event, and one that just happened to John Temerian, President of Lou La Vie.Temerian is both president of the company and an avid automobile collector. In fact, we covered a 1972 Jaguar E-Type Roadster that he added to his collection back on Aug. 25. Now, we get to talk about his miraculous Miura S barn find.After even more research, Temerian learned that this Miura S may be the first or second one ever made.To see this historic car, the result of a once-in-a-lifetime barn find, for yourself, stop by the "CURATED" Art Basel Miami Beach event, by Pininfarina.

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