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 – July 31, 2019

Lamborghini Leads Huracán EVO Expedition into the Arctic

It is essential to have confidence in the abilities of your car. What good is a Swiss Army Knife if you don't know what its capable of? You will never approach the limits of a Lamborghini on public roads or even some of the world's best race tracks. That is why the Lamborghini Aventura series seeks out remote and scenic locations, places normal cars would fear to tread. To escape the summer heatwave, Lamborghini led a Huracan EVO expedition into the arctic. The Lofoten Islands are a scenic archipelago situated well above the Arctic Circle. As one of Norway's hidden treasures, this former Viking stronghold enjoys nice weather year-round thanks to the Gulf Stream. They are connected to the mainland by scenic bridges and deep underwater tunnels. This allowed the 7 new Huracan EVOs made stops at fishing villages and along the fjords. In total, they covered nearly 400 miles without any incidents or accidents, and we wish we were invited. To see what makes the Huracan EVO such a great traveling companion, click the link below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. Find Your Lamborghini Huracan Here! " width="680"> Related:

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2019

Lamborghini Urus Tears up the Beach in Sabbia Mode

Growing up on an island, driving on the beach was a way of life. But driving on sand can be hit-or-miss if you don't have the right equipment. Without 4WD and locking differentials, your day in the sun will turn into a nightmare. Because Italy is one of the world's longest peninsulas, it seems only natural to consider the beach. That's why the Lamborghini Urus tore up the beach in sabbia mode. To show off the super SUV's abilitities, their latest upload begins in Terra mode. This "Earth" mode is for 4WD fun. It includes pitch and roll angles along without invoking stability control when mud starts flying. When the Urus convoy reaches the beach, Sabbia (sand) mode combines drifting with horsepower. Your sand castle doesn't stand a chance against these raging bulls, and David Hasselhoff isn't fast enough. Your SUV can't do this, so please don't try. Just click the link below to find out what make the Urus unbeatable. Find Your Lamborghini Urus Here Related: Lamborghini Unveils Urus Off-Road Package Lamborghini Urus: Carbon Fiber For Your Dynamic Lifestyle

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs Oak Tree

No matter how strong your car is, trees usually win. Such was the unfortunate case this weekend as multiple spectators witnessed a Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs an oak tree. HR Owen is an exotic car dealer that organized a supercar meet, and typical tomfoolery ensued. YouTube channels Supercars on the streets and F1 YMS caught this action from multiple angles. What we see is a Lamborghini Huracan Performante vs an oak tree. After lining up next to another Performante, the driver chooses to launch headlong into a sweeping corner. The drop in elevation probably hid a concrete divider for the turn lane. An old-fashioned over-correction transformed this masterpiece into a pile of parts. As you might know, lifting off throttle in an evasive turn will put your car on spin cycle, so perhaps this was a laundry pod challenge. Aside from some missing bark, the tree seems ok. As always, don't be stupid on the street, keep it at the track. Needless to say, Lamborghini is running extra shifts to keep up with demand, so click the link below to find a new one for yourself. Shop Lamborghini Huracan " width="680"> Related: Top Crashes of 2018 Story of a Crashed Rental Huracan

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2019

Stock Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 Top Speed Run

If you need to push your car to its limits, our friend Johnny Bohmer has 2.7 miles of the world's flattest surface. After proving to NASA he would take good care of the Shuttle Landing Facility, manufacturers and aftermarket companies recognize the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds as the best location for high-speed testing. Although the runway is 3 miles long, the timing lights are 2.5 miles apart to give the driver a long shutdown area. On December 1st, the invited a few Bugatti Chiron, a McLaren P1, Lamborghini Aventador SV, and a Huracan LP610-4. Although AWD Huracans had been tested there before, this was the first stock Lamborghini Huracan LP580-2 top speed Run. As the most affordable Lamborghini, the 5.2L V10 is detuned from 610 horsepower to 572, with 339 lb-ft of torque. Without the center transfer case or the front axles it is still rated to reach 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, 124 mph in 10.1 seconds, and a top speed of 199 mph. All this with an MSRP of $201,100 is a bargain in the supercar world. Is the Huracan fast enough for you, tell us in the comments below and stay with us for all your Johnny Bohmer uploads. Shop Lamborghini Huracan Related: High Speed Aerodynamic Testing with Johnny Bohmer Astronauts Hit Top Speed at Johnny Bohmer Proving Ground

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2019

Lamborghini Huracan vs Modded BMW M5

It's going to be a great weekend for racing here in Florida. So keep it at the track and never judge your opponent before the end of the 1/4 mile. Our friend Brooks from Dragtimes knows this all too well, as he has a knack for filming unlikely races. In his latest upload, we see a Lamborghini Huracan vs a modded BMW M5. At first glance, the Italian would seem to have an advantage in both weight and power. The Bavarian opponent looks stock, but it has been treated to a pile of new parts along with a custom tune to take full advantage of them. But the BMW is heavier by 800 lbs, and the rule of thumb is 100 lbs is worth 0.1 seconds in the quarter mile. Once you see who wins, it is easy to guesstimate how much power it is making. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below, and keep the racing at the track! Shop Huracans For Sale Related: Koenigsegg Jesko Already Soldout Hennessey McLaren 720S HPE900 Dyno Tuning

By Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Wheelie & Record Breaking Quart...

So what happens when incredible power is harnessed by the latest technology? In the case of Lamborghini's flagship, our friend Brooks from DragTimes did the unthinkable. In their latest upload, a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Wheelie sets a new 1/4 mile record. The latest Raging Bull is exponentially more composed than its predecessor. Enabling "Thrust Mode" in a Murciealago not only burned the clutch, but it was also very hard on the driveline. It seems as if years of development have gone into the Aventador SVJ because this footage is proof of the car's abilities. The technology that governs the center differential along with careful mapping of the ignition timing allows the SVJ to be the first known Lamborghini to lift a front wheel. This also serves to put muscle cars on notice: your exclusivity on wheelies is over! Thanks to the Dragtimes team for capturing this, now I have to shop for new drag radials. Stay with us for all your Dragtimes updates! Shop Lamborghini Aventador SVJ FOr Sale Related: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster Revealed Lamborghini Centenario and Aventador SVJ Caught Together

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 Andrew Nabors – January 28, 2019

Lamborghini Unveils Urus Off-Road Package

Many owners of Lamborghini's latest SUV probably won't punish them with off-road antics. But if you need a family hauler with grip in all situations, Lamborghini has unveiled the Urus off-road package, and it is ready for any situation. Announced on their news page this weekend, the new package starts with ride height. If you need to take on an obstacle, you will have 9.8" of ground clearance. This increases the approach angle from 20.3 to 27.9, and departure is up to 28.3 from 26.8 degrees. We already knew it would have more driving modes than their cars, and now they are explained. Sabbia locks the differentials for fun in gravel or sand, and Terra is meant for crawling up tough trails. The optional washing package keeps the windshield, headlights, and cameras clean, allowing you to see the adventure ahead. Our dealers have all the pricing and options, so click the link below to find an Urus near you. Click Here to learn More Related: Lamborghini Urus: Carbon Fiber for Your Dynamic Lifestyle Lamborghine Urus vs Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

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 – 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

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