Lamborghini News

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 07, 2022

LEGO Adds Three New Icons To The Speed Champions Collection

A chance to build your own automotive icon with LEGO. The Lego Speed Champions collection provides an innovative building experience for collectors and enthusiasts using the automotive industry’s most iconic vehicles. Lego is proud to release three new designs as part of the Speed Champions line-up, including the Lamborghini Countach, Ferrari 512M, and Lotus Evija. The new small-scale build sets feature 200+ piece constructions that accurately depict the elegant styling of the supercars that help shape the industry. As part of the build, each package comes with branded stickers and accessories that make for a perfect display in any home or office. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now Available in the free LEGO Building Instructions app for smartphones and tablets, the interactive digital guide comes with amazing zoom and rotate tools that allow you to visualize this model from all angles as you build. The all-new Lego Speed Champion build set additions are set to release on March 1st through Lego’s online store for $19.99. Click the link below for more release information and to shop all of the current products from Lego. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and releases. Shop LEGO Speed Champions Source: LEGO

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 03, 2022

CURATED Announces The Re-Launch of The International Lamb...

Track Lamborghini's historical production data with help from CURATED. Intending to achieve legendary supercar status, the Automobili Lamborghini brand continues to celebrate its heritage as an Italian automotive manufacturer through vintage and modern examples. The supercar specialists at CURATED in Miami, FL dedicate their time and knowledge to source, restore, and sell some of the world’s most iconic vehicles. CURATED is proud to announce its partnership and re-launch of The International Lamborghini Registry, a searchable production database that categorizes more than 9,400 classic Lamborghini models from 1963-2001. Wyszatycki Archives Originally launched by founder Glen Kohut in 1999, the Lamborghini Registry delivers VIN numbers, historical sales, auction data points, and other key information to a community of owners and enthusiasts worldwide. The International Lamborghini Registry website relaunch will include the complete production details of all Lamborghini Countach and Lamborghini Diablo models produced. As part of its re-launch, Glen Kohut will remain in his role as President and dedicate his full-time towards expanding the platform. Wyszatycki Archives Members of the International Lamborghini Registry will also have access to community forums and national social events that bring together like-minded Lamborghini fanatics. Learn more about becoming a member of the International Lamborghini Registry by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury releases and news on Automobili Lamborghini. Learn More Source: CURATED Media: Wyszatycki Archives

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 02, 2022

Lamborghini's "Space Time Memory" NFTs Are Being Auctione...

From cars, to carbon fiber in space, to NFT projects, everything Lamborghini does is out of this world. Lamborghini’s mysterious Space Key NFTs are finally starting to make a bit of sense. The project now has the name “Space Time Memory,” and the artist behind it is Fabian Oefner. MUST READ: Rare Unboxing of a Lamborghini Sian at Lamborghini San Diego Oefner describes how the artwork is about so much more than just a car, and rather is an ode to exploration, discovery, and bravery in the face of the unknown. Fabian Oefner grew up in the space age, and often watched shuttles launch into the sky. Along with that, the carbon fiber space key bridges the digital and physical worlds by providing a QR code to the NFT. With those two concepts in mind, Oefner sought to create the “ultimate show,” parallel to the ultimate Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae. Oefner remarks on how the Latin word “ultimae” not only means “last,” but also “farthest,” which brought him to the concept of the Space Time Memory NFT of the car launching into the sky, because the moon is the farthest place that mankind has ventured, and the place of the latest and deepest human curiosity. Bidding on the NFT begins February 1 at 4 PM CET, and ends February 4 at 7:50 PM CET on https://nft.lamborghini.com/ " width="680">

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 25, 2022

New Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Hits The Road For Real

After 25 long years, a new Lamborghini Countach dominates the streets yet again. It’s been anticipated since its reveal at Pebble Beach, and after 5 months of waiting, it’s finally here. The Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is the resurrection of one of the world’s greatest automotive legends, and now it’s fully realized and out on the road, with no camouflage, no coverings, and no reservations. MUST READ: The Best Lamborghinis You Can Buy Today The new Countach carries the legacy of 16 years of Countach cars before it, starting with the LP400 from 1974, and ending with the Countach 25th Anniversary Edition from 1990. With more than double the horsepower of its oldest predecessor, however, the new Countach carries the legacy quite well. That 814 horsepower comes from a staple Lamborghini V12 engine, but there to help it along is a 48-volt electric motor powered by a supercapacitor. Only 112 examples of this incredible car have been made, which is a nod to the “LP 112” codename, and all of them have been sold. That being said, deliveries are going to commence soon, and in no time, we will start seeing the already legendary Countach LPI 800-4 all over the world.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 19, 2022

Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Spotted Ready for Delivery

It’s already a classic, even before it’s hit the streets. The new Lamborghini Countach revives a classic car that has been loved the world over for half a century. Its scissor doors and angular looks penned by Bertone have informed the brand’s aesthetic ever since, and the new Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 is a stunning homage to the incredibly important legacy of the Countach, one that hasn’t left the brand in 50 years. MUST-READ: Lamborghini Is Releasing NFTs With Carbon Fiber From Space Limited to 112 units, and priced at a whopping $2.6 million, the Countach won’t be easy to procure, and those who do will undoubtedly have a piece of automotive history in their garages. That automotive history has come closer than ever to being made, as this video by Varryx, found up above, shows a new Countach LPI 800-4 ready for delivery, with the angular design and deep gash in the doors to accommodate vents that we have known and love the Countach for five decades. Whoever this Countach is going to, we can only hope that they show it off and we get to see it in action soon.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 19, 2022

Lamborghini Appoints New CTO as Maurizio Reggiani Becomes...

Big things are going on behind the scenes at Lamborghini. The brains behind the motorsport and performance that make Lamborghini are changing, and with that comes new and exciting changes to the direction of the brand. Rouven Mohr, former head of Verification and Validation at Audi has become Chief Technical Officer of Lamborghini, and Maurizio Reggiani, the former CTO, has become Vice President of Motorsport at Lamborghini. After a long history with the brand with involvement in the development of many of Lamborghini’s iconic and formidable supercars, Reggiani’s appointment makes him responsible for the strategic direction of Lamborghini’s entire motorsport division, which has taken many recent GT victories. MUST READ: Lamborghini Is Releasing NFTs With Carbon Fiber From Space Born and raised in Italy with a long career in Italian performance cars, Reggiani started at Maserati in 1982, and since then helped develop the Bugatti EB110, and with Lamborghini worked on the Murcielago, Huracán, Urus, and more. While Reggiani brings his expertise to Lamborghini’s motorsport division, Mohr’s Ph.D. in Numerical Mechanics, and long career with Audi in Project Management and R&D comes to Lamborghini as he becomes Chief Technical Officer, responsible for the powertrains, mechanics, and dynamics of Lamborghinis to come. All Lamborghinis For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 18, 2022

Lamborghini Is Releasing NFTs With Carbon Fiber From Space

Carbon fiber, novel technology, and luxury are staples for Lamborghini. Lamborghini is releasing five “Space Keys,” and they are examples of space-themed NFT artwork. And if that sounds strange, it is. Embroiled in mystery, the project was announced after social media teasers hinted at a “To The Moon” theme, and the artist of the NFT is currently undisclosed. Better yet, these NFTs, which are “non-fungible tokens” that assign an exclusive owner to digital artwork using blockchain technology, also have a space-themed physical component. MUST READ: Lamborghini Delivered 8,405 Vehicles in 2021 Marking Its Best Sales Year Ever The “Space Key” artwork can be accessed by a QR code, which is inscribed on a piece of carbon fiber. And the carbon fiber that has the QR code that has actually been in space. As part of a research project, the carbon fiber was sent to the ISS in 2019. While much about the Lamborghini Space Key NFTs is still unknown, like the auction house, auction date, the artist, and what the NFTs will look like, Lamborghini says that this information will be disclosed soon, and we have no doubt that it will be exciting. Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 12, 2022

Lamborghini Takes Its Lineup to Scotland to Roam

Lamborghini knows how to do a field trip right. In search of its breathtaking driving roads and landscapes, Lamborghini took a fleet of their cars on a tour of Scotland, and that tour took them through ski resorts, art installations, and gorgeous stargazing views, with each of their incredible cars offering a unique driving experience along the way. The Aventador SVJ Roadster brought along featured flagship-worthy Lamborghini performance and an interior opened up to the sky, while the Aventador S coupe flexed the impressive strength of its naturally aspirated V12. MUST READ: The Best Lamborghinis You Can Buy Today The entire Huracan EVO range came to join, with four-wheel drive coupes, and a rear-wheel drive coupe and Spyder, all taking on 200 miles of Scottish Cairngorms with their excellent agility and formidable V10 power. The new Huracan STO showed its racing prowess on the winding paths as well. With incredible SUV capabilities, the Urus was confident in reaching the northernmost Dark Sky Park in Europe, the Cairngorms Dark Sky Park to look up to stars like Cor Tauri, the namesake for Lamborghini’s program towards going electric in the future, adding a poetically optimistic touch to Lamborghini’s Scottish excursion. Whether in Scotland or anywhere else, Lamborghinis are exhilarating to drive, and if seeing these Lamborghinis take on the Scottish Highlands has you wanting to get behind the wheel of one, check out the Lamborghinis for sale on the duPont REGISTRY by clicking below. Lamborghini For Sale Source: Lamborghini

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 21, 2021

Lamborghini's Dubai Dealer Gets a Dubai-Sized Makeover

This is a Lamborghini experience only a city like Dubai can offer. Dubai is a place where the most far-fetched fantasies of luxury lifestyle, architecture, and exotic cars come true, and its Lamborghini dealership (the world’s largest Lamborghini showroom) is no exception. And to keep up with Dubai’s ever-expanding glitz and glamour, the massive emporium of automotive excellence was redesigned, featuring a new Ad Personam studio, new digital elements, and an immense aftersales center within its three stories. Al Jaziri Motors, the owner of the dealership, has been the UAE’s sole purveyor of Lamborghinis since 1985, with dealers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. MUST READ: Successor to Lamborghini Aventador Spotted In Camouflage Along with that, Lamborghini has introduced the Middle East’s first Lamborghini Lounge, The Lounge Dubai, in the ME Dubai Hotel, a stunning hotel designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid. The popup lounge features its own Ad Personam Studio, as well as displays of a Urus and a Huracan STO. The Lounge will be open until January 17. Stephan Winkelmann, CEO of Lamborghini, was in Dubai for the opening of both the Lounge and the redesigned dealer, where Lamborghini clients and enthusiasts can enjoy the brand’s luxury lifestyle. Lamborghinis For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 20, 2021

Successor to Lamborghini Aventador Spotted In Camouflage

The time has come for the Aventador to make way for a successor. Like the Murcielago, the Diablo, and the Countach before it, the Aventador has carried the Lamborghini legacy as the brand’s flagship V12 model for over a decade now. And now, it looks like a camouflaged prototype of its successor has been spotted outside Lamborghini headquarters thanks to Varryx on YouTube. MUST READ: Lamborghini Aventador S Hits 200 mph On The Autobahn The new Lamborghini flagship is rumored to be equipped with a hybrid powertrain, but from what we can hear, that takes away none of the glorious V12 sound that Lamborghinis have been known for decades on end. In the video, the car is driving away from the camera, and while we can only see the back of the car, a very interesting detail is revealed. Akin to a Pagani, and somewhat similar to Ferrari’s SF90 Stradale, the new Lamborghini seems to feature large tailpipes that sit quite high up on the back end of the car. The rumored hybrid powertrain is something that the new Lamborghini would also share in common with the SF90. This could possibly mean that Lamborghini is making Ferrari’s flagship its direct competition, but until we have more specifics on what the car will be capable of, we won’t quite know. Until then, Check out the Aventadors for sale on the duPont REGISTRY before the era is over. Aventadors For Sale

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