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 – January 15, 2019

Lamborghini Urus: Carbon Fiber for Your Dynamic Lifestyle

It was no great surprise that the Lamborghini Urus allowed the brand to have its best sales year ever. The Urus is a bold entry into the SUV market. It is mean, fast, and unique....And we can't get enough of it. Because it is such a different product than their supercars, the factory wants to offer the same options for customers who want a custom touch. That's why they uploaded "Urus in Pills: Dynamic Lifestyle" on YouTube earlier today. The video highlights two new carbon fiber packages for the body. A news release on their homepage doesn't allude to the title, but it does describe each carbon package in detail. READ: Lamborghini Urus Price & Specs The lower carbon fiber package includes a new front spoiler, rocker panels, and a rear diffuser. If you need it all, the upper kit has fender flares, tailgate trim, and a rear spoiler. A new set of 23" forged wheels is an industry-first, and a nice finishing touch for the Urus. Your local Lamborghini dealer has more information on all the Urus upgrades, so click the link below for all the details and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. View All Lamborghini Urus Related: Lamborghini Urus Specs & Price

By Andrew Nabors – December 21, 2018

Lamborghini Urus & LM002: Road Trip For Christmas Trees

Workers at the Lamborghini factory wanted to spruce up their headquarters for the Holidays. Sure they could've taken a utility truck, but they build a super SUV. Taking a page from their history book, a new Lamborghini Urus was joined by a classic LM002 on an Alpine expedition. A press release this morning outlined the 460-mile journey to the ancient city of Bruneck. Their goal was the perfect tree, but they also took time to do some shopping along the picturesque streets. The Urus has 650 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. The latter is available from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm, so it could probably rip the tree out without breaking a sweat. If you need such power and incredible styling in your life, click the link below and stay with us for all your Lambo news. View All Lamborghini Urus For Sale Related: Lamborghini Urus vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo World's Fastest SUVs

By Andrew Nabors – November 27, 2018

Loud Lamborghini Urus Screams Through Netherlands: Best S...

The low countries have been ravaged by German aggression twice in the modern era. History repeats itself as the sound of a German V8 crackling in the distance could be mistaken for an MG42. The Lamborghini Urus is a fine Italian Stallion with a raging 4.0-liter Audi V8 under the hood. Our friends at AutoTopNL have incredible audio equipment, so turn up your speakers for this mean machine. Check Out The Sultan of Brunei's Collection! Close your eyes and you might envision a Ford. That's because the Porsche/Audi/Lamborghini V8 uses the same firing order as Ford's small and big block V8. Listen to 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 sing for you. Assisted by twin turbos, it offers 627 lb-ft of torque and 641 horsepower to all wheels. If you want an angry SUV that makes no apologies, click the link below to find our Lamborghini dealer near you. Related: View All Lamborghinis For Sale Watch The Lamborghini Urus Launch

By Andrew Nabors – November 19, 2018

See How Fast the Lamborghini Urus SUV Launches to 188 MPH

You have more than a few choices when shopping for a V8-powered SUV. If your daily commute involves intimidation and acceleration, the Lamborghini Urus is a raging bull with room for a family. I usually forget a critical ingredient when cooking for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Everyone needs a twin-turbo V8 with launch control because the in-laws are coming! If your cooking skills are limited we have some advice. Click the link below to find a new Lamborghini Urus. Once you find the perfect one, hit the grocery store. Throw all your ingredients in the ample cargo space and enable Launch Mode. A few laps around your local track will allow the 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft to stuff your turkey with adrenaline and exhilaration. Tell us what you think of Lamborghini's latest in the comments below. Related: Lamborghini Urus For Sale Review & Test Drive of Lamborghini Urus Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept

By Edward Jones – November 19, 2018

Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept

Lamborghini Squadra Corse has unveiled the new Urus ST-X Concept vehicle just after showing off their one-off SC18 model. This new concept vehicle is designed to be a racing version of the super SUV. However, Lamborghini is planning on making the Urus ST-X more than just a concept car because they're planning on introducing a new championship that involves the off-road car. The plan is to have a championship series that includes both race circuit and off-road track. As for the specifics of the Urus ST-X Concept car, it comes donning a matte Verde Mantis livery with visible carbon fiber, a new rear wing and larger air intakes. Power coming from 627 lb-ft of torque. However, Lamborghini's engineers did manage to drop the weight of the SUV by 25%. The Lamborghini Urus ST-X Concept will make its debut during the 2019 Lamborghini World Finals. Related: Lamborghini Urus In-Depth Review & Test Drive Lamborghini Flies Off Road During Race Against Bike Chopped Lamborghini Espada Hot Rod

By Andrew Nabors – November 13, 2018

Lamborghini Urus In-Depth & Test Drive

If you haven't seen a Lamborghini Urus in person, you are not alone. Only a few dealers have received their first orders. The factory is working around the clock to keep up with the unprecedented demand for this Super SUV. Many Lambo fans have been asking for a review, so our friends at Lamborghini Charlotte were happy to oblige. Lamborghini Urus SUV Prices & Specs They allowed Saabkyle04 to take a 2019 Urus for a spin, and he captured great audio along with insights into the different driving modes. It is nice to see the covered starter button along with functional cup holders, what an age to be alive! We won't spoil all the neat details, so click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news & reviews. Related: Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan Compared Lamborghini Urus World Tour 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Specs

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2018

Lamborghini Urus: World Tour In 4 Months

If you are going to jump back into the hottest market in the world, you better make a statement. The Lamborghini Urus speaks for itself, but the market for luxury SUVs is hotter than ever. That's why they took the new Super SUV on a world tour. The logistics of moving show cars is hard enough in one location, so they chose 114 cities to show the car to over 8,500 potential customers. Normal shipping methods for new cars involve boats and trains, but the Urus can't be hindered by ancient technology. Each example was carefully strapped down to custom-made pallets to travel the world by air. In a press release early this morning, Lamborghini has uploaded stunning images from the Urus World Tour. Iconic backdrops like the Golden Gate Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. The tour began with the first production model which was unveiled on the 4th of December. Since then, the factory in Sant' Agata has been working 24/7 to meet the flood of early orders. Lamborghini Urus Delivered in California to O’Gara Coach La Jolla Under the hood is a twin-turbo V8 offering 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Coupled to the latest in AWD it allows the Urus to conquer any terrain. If you think you can harness this raging bull click on the link below. Tell us what location you would visit first and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.

By Andrew Nabors – March 27, 2018

Lamborghini Urus: All-Roads Competition

If you thought the new Lamborghini Urus is just a pretty face, think again. Autocar is reporting that the Italian automaker is planning a series of competitions for their new SUV. CEO Stefano Domenicali said: Lamborghini welcomes challenges, but whatever we do will be quite different from other brands. We will choose a form of competition intended only for our class of vehicle. Our car has many faces. You can enjoy its beauty, it is very fast on the track, very fast off road and very fast on gravel. We will choose something that combines all of these things.”Lamborghini Urus Delivered in California to O’Gara Coach La JollaTheir corporate cousins at Bentley are planning to send their Bentayga up Pikes Peak with Rhys Millen at the wheel. Lamborghini denies they have plans for a similar run, but they will use it as a benchmark for the Urus. Autocar also predicts that the Urus will double Lamborghini sales in the UK to 700 cars annually. If the Urus has your name on it, click the link below to find a Lamborghini dealer near you.Browse Lamborghini For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 04, 2017

What is the Lamborghini Urus Named After?

Lamborghini has a history of naming their cars after famous bulls, and they didn't stop with the new Urus. Continuing Lamborghini's tradition is the Urus, the Italian automaker's new super SUV. This new model was named after, unsurprisingly, the Urus, a large and wild ancestor of the domestic cattle we see today. The Lamborghini Urus name meaning was also known as Aurochs, but Lamborghini went with the former for the name of their SUV. While the Urus is not technically a Spanish fighting bull, it's very similar in appearance to the bulls you'll find fighting. READ: Lamborghini Urus Price & Specs

By Andrew Nabors – November 28, 2017

Listen to the Lamborghini Urus Super SUV

Splicing DNA is one of the dark arts that common sense tells us to avoid. When it comes to automotive evolution, Lamborghini has announced the perfect cross between a supercar and an SUV. It might seem like a tall order to fill, but everyone seems to forget the predecessor of the upcoming Urus for sale. The Lamborghini LM002 was the "Rambo Lambo", and it was built at the request of the Italian Army. Three decades ago, it was easy to build an SUV around the Countach's V12 to make a bold statement. But the modern marketplace is flooded with luxury utilities fighting for your dollars. So Lamborghini has taken a cautious approach on the Urus. In a video uploaded to their YouTube page, Chief Technical Officer Maurizio Reggiani explains their motivations. Pope Francis Gets His Own Special Lamborghini The DNA of the Urus is pulled from Lamborghinis both old and new. Even in heavy camouflage, styling cues from the other raging bulls can be seen. To keep it ahead of the competition, a new 4.0 liter V8 was commissioned. Twin turbos allow it to reach 650 horsepower, and it will undoubtedly be sent to all wheels. The exhaust note is as exotic as you would expect, so turn up your audio for a quick preview. Expect to find all the Urus updates here on Autofluence, so click the link below to find the Lambo that is right for you. View Lamborghini For Sale Luxury Cars for Sale

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