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 Edward Jones – May 31, 2017

Lamborghini Centenario Arrives and Revs in London, Causes...

All of this Lamborghini Centenario news is getting out of hand. That being said, I hope it never stops, because this car is so gorgeous. First, we had the United States' first Centenario delivered, then one delivered in New Jersey, and just recently a yellow model arrived in California. Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, they received their own example of the Lamborghini hypercar.Delivered to HR Owen Lamborghini London, this Centenario has a exposed carbon fiber body with orange trim. When it arrived via truck, it seemed as though every automotive enthusiast in the city showed up for the spectacle. YouTube Channel LK HORIZON was on-hand for the delivery and recorded a video so we could all experience the madness that came with the car. As an added bonus, the end of the video has a few revs from the new Lamborghini.

By Andrew Nabors – May 12, 2017

Learn What Makes the Lamborghini Active Aero So Incredible

A few weeks ago Lamborghini released a brilliant teaser video showcasing their latest achievement. The active aerodynamic system (ALA) on the Lamborghini Huracan Performante is a novel approach to controlling lift, drag, and downforce. New spoilers front and rear are computer controlled. We knew they were also programmed to help in cornering, but the details of the system were not made clear. Engineering Explained has gained a following by making sense of complex designs, so he decided to break it down for us.The front spoiler takes the place of a lower splash shield. It opens to relieve the high pressure that builds in front of the radiator and allow that air to enter the slipstream along the belly pan. This cuts downforce and drag for maximum speed. In the corners, you need as much downforce as possible, and the rear system is quite a treat. We guessed the rear spoiler would change its angle like every other supercar, but Lamborghini came up with something all new. Two air ducts in the rear wheel wells are routed through the spoiler's legs to force high-pressure air into the turbulence generated by the wing. While it's not strong enough to produce forward thrust, it greatly reduces the low-pressure bubble behind the car. Another trick is air vectoring, which Lamborghini claims enhanced traction when turning. Have a great weekend and stay with us for all your Lamborghini Huracan news!Lamborghini's Brilliant Active Aerodynamics - Huracan Performante

By Edward Jones – December 22, 2016

The True Difference the Lamborghini Huracan's Launch Cont...

Launch control has been very prevalent in recent supercars. Heck, even some vehicles like the Jeep SRT's have launch control. As for the Lamborghini Huracan, it has was the Italian automaker calls "Thrust Mode," which is essentially just launch control.(Also Check Out - How To Do Launch Control In A Lamborghini Huracan)To see just how big of a difference thrust mode makes, DragTimes decided to hook their Huracan up with a VBox and record some 0-60 mph runs with and without Thrust Mode activated. Lamborghini notes that the Huracan's 0-60 mph time is 3.2 seconds, but after watching this video, it's clear to see that they were quite conservative with those numbers. In fact, the Huracan is much quicker than the official spec sheet claims it to be.Watch the video below to see just how big of a difference launch control can make in a car like the Lamborghini Huracan.All Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2016

Illegally Imported Lamborghini Murcielago Gets Absolutely...

Every country has different laws when it comes to importing vehicles. For the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website has a pretty good page that described what it would take to import a car into America. Taiwan also has a pretty good web page that's dedicated to the regulations regarding how to import a vehicle. However, it seems that a certain Lamborghini Murcielago owner did not follow the guidelines, causing his supercar to be met with a terrible fate.(Our Ferrari Heritage Runs Deep: One of the Original Importers of Ferrari in the United States)J.T. Photography recently uploaded a video to his YouTube channel, which seems to be taken from a Sanlih E-Television, a cable TV network in Taiwan. In the video we see a pristine Murcielago being ripped apart, piece by piece. This was done because the car was illegally imported and I guess the government thinks it's better to destroy an illegally imported car that's in perfect condition...Check out the video below and get ready to cry.All Lamborghini Murcielago For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 19, 2016

Who Wins? Tesla Model S P100D vs Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4

The 2016 Tesla Model S P100D has some pretty stellar stats, but is it enough to go toe to toe with a Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4? The crew at DragTimes wanted to know so they pitted one fabulous car against the other. The Lamborghini Huracan comes in with a 5..2-liter V10 capable of 602 horsepower and 412 lb-ft of torque with a price tag of $278,000 as shown in the video. The Model S P100D is rated at 503 horsepower from the rear and 259 horsepower from the front for a combined 762 horsepower with a price tag of $148,000 as shown. It is also noted that Launch Mode was not used during this race.So who wins? Does the Tesla take the Huracan? Find out for yourself in the video below.Editor's Note: duPont REGISTRY does not condone street racing or acts included in this video. Always follow your local traffic laws. View Huracans For Sale | View Model S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 07, 2016

Lamborghini Huracan Going 212 mph on the Autobahn

Our favorite death-defying Dutch dealer has an affinity for leaving the showroom in a bit of a hurry. To insure his Lamborghini was capable of performing as advertised, AutoTopNL just uploaded the best video in their series. A recent trend by the big manufacturers is to leave the top speed open ended by stating it can go past a predetermined limit. From a liability standpoint it might offer some protection against litigation from a high speed accident. Another issue arises in that achieving the top speed of a modern supercar requires several miles of perfect pavement, something the western hemisphere doesn't offer.(Related: Insane! Porsche Driver Gets Flat Tire at 207 MPH on Autobahn)Lamborghini advertises the Huracan is capable of going faster than 201 mph. That number is the understatement of the decade considering it has 600 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Clever aerodynamics along with close gear ratios in the dual clutch transmission offer power in almost any situation, but even a raging bull must submit to the laws of physics. At the behest of our General Counsel we advise against attempting this, but tell us if you think the car is capable of going faster. Stay with us for more Autobahn acceleration.Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 30, 2016

Lamborghini's New CEO to Bloomberg: The Naturally Aspirat...

Bloomberg had the opportunity to sit down with Lamborghini's new CEO, Stefano Domenicali, and discuss everything from the new Centenario Roadster to which Lamborghini model was his preference when it comes to driving. But one of the key takeaways from the interview was the conversation around engine types, specifically, naturally aspirated vs turbocharged.Domenicali stated Lamborghini's number one priority is listening to the customer, and when it comes to a powerhouse like the V12 Lamborghini Aventador, customers want a naturally aspirated engine. Domenicali confirmed these engines are here to stay-- for the Aventador at least. He did say Lamborghini wasn't ruling out any future possibility of turbocharges in the future and noted that the upcoming Urus SUV would be turbocharged. When it comes to the CEO's favorite Lamborghini model to drive, he prefers traipsing through the winding roads of Italy's sunny, scenic countryside in a Huracan Spyder.Check out the full interview below for all things Lamborghini.Lamborghini Aventadors for Sale

By Edward Jones – August 25, 2016

360° Video of Lamborghinis in Park City is the Most Gorge...

Having a rough day? Sometimes all you need is some beautiful scenery and cars to cheer you up. That's why I'm here to present you with Lamborghini's latest video.In this new video we see the Huracan Spyder driving through the streets of Park City. The picturesque town and rolling green mountains are exactly what you need to make your day that much better.Oh that's not enough? Well I guess I should mention that this video features YouTube's 360-degree technology, meaning you can look around just like you're in the car yourself. Check it out by clicking play below.View All Huracans For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 12, 2016

2000 hp Lamborghini Races Kawasaki Ninja H2 on Highway at...

Having a 2,000 horsepower Lamborghini Gallardo means having a car that can easily hit speeds of over 200 mph, and it can do it quickly. The same goes for the Kawasaki Ninja H2, which is also capable of speeds of well over 200 mph. So what happens when these two get on an empty highway together? Why, they race, of course.Editor's Note: duPont REGISTRY does NOT condone the action performed in this video. Always follow your local traffic laws. In a video from BOOSTEDH2, we see these two vehicles race off against each other, hitting incredible speeds. Adding more spice to the race are the spicy flames the Gallardo constantly puts out. Seriously, it's almost like a strobe light coming from the rear of the car. Check out the race below for yourself. Lamborghini Gallardo For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 26, 2016

Lamborghini Aventadors Roam Leicester for Spectacular Foo...

Watching videos of supercars like the Lamborghinis hitting top speeds and flying through tracks is cathartic in its own right. But, sometimes it's nice to sit back and relax to footage of these exotic cars prowling the streets.TheSupercarDriver YouTube channel recently uploaded a video of two Lamborghini Aventadors cruising the streets of Leicester, East Midlands, England. This video is the latest in a series from the channel called "NIGHTRUN," dedicated to supercars strutting their stuff in the darkest of hours.(Also Watch - Insanely Loud Lamborghini Aventador SV Revs)If the city of Leicester sounds familiar to you, it's probably because their soccer/football team became the Premier League champions after a fairy tale season.Check out the video below to see the Aventadors like you've never seen them before. And to see their other NIGHTRUNS, check: " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>, " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> and " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>.View Aventadors For Sale

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