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 – November 21, 2023

Lamborghini Celebrates Aerodynamics And Design With The E...

Exploring the design and aerodynamics in Lamborghini's new Revuelto, where art meets science in automotive mastery. Lamborghini's extraordinary design DNA, spanning over six decades, is a statement of its innovative and future-proof originality. Essential to Lamborghini's heritage is a persistent focus on performance, where aerodynamics plays a key role. The recent video, “Beyond design, mastering the air,” delves into this intricate connection between Lamborghini's design and aerodynamics, featuring insights from Mitja Borkert, Design Director, and Ugo Riccio, Coordinator of Aerodynamics, Aero Acoustics, and Vehicle Thermal Management. In the video, Borkert and Riccio discuss the continuous inspiration driving Lamborghini, blending art and science to create automotive masterpieces like the new Lamborghini Revuelto. The Revuelto, they note, embodies a rhythmic design, where each component and line contributes to a harmonious, aerodynamic whole. Every line and surface of the Italian supercar is meticulously crafted to balance muscularity and sensitivity, ensuring optimal airflow. This partnership between design and aerodynamics is foundational to Lamborghini's philosophy. Riccio highlights how the Revuelto's design is a masterpiece of integrated aerodynamics, from its optimized airflow interactions to the three-position rear wing that showcases Lamborghini's aerodynamic ingenuity. The Revuelto exemplifies how every element, from the door handles to the roof's shape, is a careful balance of form and performance. Under the leadership of Lamborghini's Chief Technical Officer Rouven Mohr, the design and R&D teams collaborate closely, continually challenging and testing to deliver vehicles that masterfully blend form and function. As the Lamborghini Reveulto begins its delivery stage, we anticipate seeing the electrified supercar on roads and tracks all around the world. View all Lamborghini supercars and hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lamborghini For Sale Source: Automobili Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 08, 2023

Lamborghini Miami Welcomes The 1,001HP Revuelto To The Su...

The latest Lamborghini arrives in sunny Miami. Miami, Florida is a beautiful city, bringing together the sea, the sun, and for car enthusiasts, some of the world’s most desirable supercars. Now, the new Lamborghini Revuelto joins the group. Introduced earlier this year to both celebrate the 60th anniversary of Lamborghini as a manufacturer, and also open a new chapter for its approach to high performance, the Revuelto for the first time boasts a plug-in hybrid system paired with its 6.5-liter V12 engine. The result: a total power output of 1,001 horsepower. The revolutionary new flagship represents the beginning of a new era for Lamborghini, embracing the future of electrification and using it to create an incredibly powerful and dynamic performance machine. Lamborghini Miami recently introduced the masterpiece to 250 VIP guests at an event, ringing in both the anticipated new era for the Fighting Bull brand and its 60th anniversary. At this beautiful celebration for the new Lamborghini Revuelto, Lamborghini Miami showed off both the brand’s rich 60-year history and the exciting future that lies ahead with Lamborghini’s quickening transition to electrification. With 1,001 horsepower on tap, and some of the most innovative and excellent engineering and technology that the supercar world has to offer, the Revuelto is ready to shake up Miami’s already enviable car scene. View All Vehicles For Sale From Prestige Imports View this post on Instagram A post shared by LAMBORGHINI MIAMI ?? (@lamborghinimiami)

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 17, 2023

Lamborghini Revuelto Steals the Spotlight at 20th Autosty...

Lamborghini's first hybrid supercar shows off its revolutionary design. Automobili Lamborghini's participation in the Autostyle Design Competition has always been a spectacle, but this year was extra special. Not only did the event mark the 20th anniversary of Autostyle, but it was also Lamborghini's 12th consecutive year of involvement. Held on October 12 at the upscale Villa Schiarino near Mantua, Italy, the event is considered one of the most prestigious in the realm of automotive design. Sponsored by Berman, a leading Italian OEM parts manufacturer, it serves as a melting pot of innovation for brands eager to showcase their latest design triumphs. This year, Lamborghini pulled out all the stops with their presentation of the Revuelto, the brand’s first hybrid super sports car. In a field renowned for pushing boundaries, the Revuelto has set a new benchmark, seamlessly combining performance and sustainability. It's a game-changing vehicle that's sure to influence the direction of future luxury sports cars. To accentuate the moment, Lamborghini's display also included current models like the Huracán STO and Huracán Sterrato, as well as iconic vehicles like the 1966 400 GT and the Gallardo, first introduced in 2003. This lineup not only demonstrated Lamborghini's commitment to innovation but also paid homage to its rich history of design evolution. One of the highlights of the event was the exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the development of the Revuelto, presented by Lamborghini’s own design team. Led by Mitja Borkert, Head of Design at Lamborghini, the team provided valuable insights into the philosophy that has shaped some of the brand’s most iconic cars. Borkert took the opportunity to express his excitement about Lamborghini's participation, emphasizing that the event is a must-attend for anyone serious about automotive design. "It's always a pleasure to be able to share and talk about what we see as the intrinsic style of Lamborghini DNA," he said. In an industry that thrives on constant evolution, the Autostyle Design Competition stands as a testament to how far car design has come, and how much further it can go. Automobili Lamborghini, with its disruptive designs and unparalleled performance, once again proves it’s at the forefront of this evolution. The Revuelto, as the newest member of Lamborghini's fleet, encapsulates this spirit of relentless innovation. As the first hybrid offering from the House of Sant’Agata Bolognese, it marks a significant chapter in Lamborghini's journey towards a more sustainable, yet equally exhilarating, driving experience. The 20th Autostyle Design Competition serves as the perfect platform for this revelation, and one can only wonder what Lamborghini and other automotive giants will bring to the table in future editions. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Image Source: Lamborghini

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 16, 2023

The Electrified Lamborghini Revuelto Makes Its Inaugural ...

From Bologna to Rome, Lamborghini's newest creation sets off on its first excursion Lamborghini is setting a new course in the supercar sector with the introduction of the all-new Revuelto, its first-ever high-performance electrified vehicle (HPEV). Developed and engineered in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Automobili Lamborghini's birthplace, the electrified Italian supercar demonstrates its expertise during a jaw-dropping inaugural journey from Bologna to Rome. With an aesthetic feast of colors and trims that make the car a visual spectacle, Revuelto is a marvel of modern engineering that combines the best of electric and internal combustion technologies. The HPEV is equipped with a beastly electric motor and the traditional V12, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60mph in a staggering 2.5 seconds and achieve a top speed exceeding 217mph. It also features groundbreaking electric torque vectoring and four-wheel drive in fully electric mode, bringing exceptional dynamism to both the racetrack and the open road. In collaboration with Bridgestone, Lamborghini developed bespoke Potenza Sport tires that add an extra layer of sportiness and speed capability. Specifically, the front axle gets a 265/35 ZR20 while the rear sports a 345/30 ZR21 Potenza Sport. Additionally, to meet the various driving conditions, Bridgestone has custom-designed Blizzak LM005 tires. Revuelto represents a seismic shift in Lamborghini's approach to supercar and hypercar manufacturing, fully embracing the electric evolution without sacrificing its legendary performance standards. The Revuelto is a signal of what’s to come for those seeking a truly unique driving experience. View all Lamborghini models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lamborghini For Sale Source: Automobili Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 29, 2023

Watch The New 1,001HP Lamborghini Revuelto On The Track

Factory driver Andrea Caldarelli took to Vallelunga to put the V12 hybrid to the test. In a breathtaking spectacle of engineering mastery and sheer automotive prowess, Lamborghini's new crown jewel, the Revuelto, was recently put to the test at the Vallelunga circuit in Rome, and behind the wheel was Andrea Caldarelli, a seasoned race car driver and one of Lamborghini's own factory drivers. While enthusiasts around the world have already been impressed by the Revuelto on paper, what with 1,001 horsepower on tap, and some of the most concentrated innovation and engineering excellence a Lamborghini has ever seen, the anticipation to see just how capable it is on the track has been building since its debut this past spring. The Revuelto is not just another supercar, rather it represents a turning point in Lamborghini's 60-year history as it's the brand's first V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). Launched as part of Lamborghini's 60th-anniversary celebration, the car promises to redefine performance, sportiness, and driving pleasure. A powerhouse of a 1,001-hp powertrain masterfully combines a new V12 engine with not one, but three electric motors, in addition to maximum-efficiency aerodynamics, innovative design, and a groundbreaking new carbon chassis concept that rounds out this remarkable package. If you're wondering whether the Revuelto delivers on track, Caldarelli's glowing review gives us a resounding yes. With numerous endurance titles under his belt, including the triple crown of the GT World Challenge Europe in 2019 and the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTD category, Caldarelli knows a thing or two about what makes a car exceptional. According to him, the Revuelto is an "extraordinary supercar" capable of "uncommon power but also excellent drivability on the track." The car's active aerodynamics play a pivotal role in cornering, generating "impressive downforce." Add to this the new dual-clutch gearbox for lightning-fast gear shifts, and you have a car that is not just fast, but also "super smooth and easy to handle." With proven on-track prowess, the Lamborghini Revuelto is set to be a game-changer in the world of exotic cars. With its state-of-the-art V12 hybrid engine, innovative design elements, and a trusted veteran like Andrea Caldarelli giving it his seal of approval, this supercar is well on its way to carving out its own niche in the automotive pantheon. View All Lamborghinis For Sale Image Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 22, 2023

The New Lamborghini Revuelto Debuts In Singapore With Spe...

The event marks a new era of super sports cars and celebrates Lamborghini's 60th anniversary. Automobili Lamborghini recently sent ripples across the luxury car industry by unveiling the Lamborghini Revuelto in Singapore. Making its debut in the brand's 60th-anniversary year, this super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV (High-Performance Electrified Vehicle) is nothing short of a technological marvel. Boasting a new architecture, cutting-edge design, and a double-clutch gearbox, the Revuelto is an embodiment of performance, sportiness, and driving pleasure. The Revuelto is an engineering spectacle, featuring an entirely new combustion engine combined with three electric motors, pumping out a staggering 1,001 horsepower. The brand new V12 combustion engine works synergistically with two front axial flux motors, offering an incredible weight-to-power ratio. Add to this a radial flux electric motor positioned above the debutant eight-speed double-clutch gearbox, and you've got a powerhouse like no other. Powering these motors is a lithium-ion high-specific power (4500 W/kg) battery pack, which also supports a fully-electric drive mode. As if the stats weren't already groundbreaking, the construction of the Revuelto is equally impressive. Built mainly of carbon fiber—produced artisanally at Lamborghini's Sant'Agata Bolognese factory—the vehicle sets a new benchmark in lightweight construction. The car's monofuselage, frame, and bodywork (except for the doors and bumpers) benefit from the extensive use of carbon fiber. This helps the Revuelto achieve an unparalleled weight-to-power ratio of 1.75 kg/CV—the best in Lamborghini's history. Performance-wise, the Revuelto is an absolute beast. Accelerating from 0-60 in a jaw-dropping 2.5 seconds, and reaching 0-124 mph in under 7 seconds, this machine also boasts a top speed of over 217 mph. Thanks to electric torque vectoring and a four-wheel drive available in fully-electric mode, the Revuelto is as dynamic on a race track as it is on city streets. To commemorate Lamborghini’s 60th Anniversary, the launch event also showcased a unique digital art piece called "Icons of a Tropical Future" by Singaporean visual artist Howie Kim. This artwork effortlessly blends Lamborghini's future-oriented philosophy with iconic elements of Singapore. The art also features the 350GT, the first-ever Lamborghini, symbolizing the brand’s six-decade-long journey of innovation and evolution. Francesco Scardaoni, Automobili Lamborghini Region Director for the Asia Pacific, couldn't have summarized it better: "The new Revuelto sets the stage for an era of super sports car evolution in the hybridization phase. It's a significant milestone as we commemorate Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary, continuing the brand’s heritage of revolutionizing the automotive world with our iconic V12." View All Lamborghinis For Sale Image Source: Lamborghini