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

Land Rover News

Land Rover news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport, the Defender and the special editions built in limited numbers. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, off-road engineering and the values these vehicles hold over time. Land Rover sits at the centre of luxury SUV news, and the segment keeps expanding each year. Our marketplace supplies the element most publications leave out entirely. Many of these vehicles are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which places the reporting and a genuine asking price side by side. For Land Rover news today, begin with the stories below.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 31, 2023

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An off-road legend gets the Apocalypse treatment.

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By Tyler Rampersaud – March 16, 2023

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By Tyler Rampersaud – February 23, 2023

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By Tyler Rampersaud – January 17, 2023

1 Man Bought Over 200 Land Rover Defenders Before It Was ...

The previous Land Rover Defender might have left production, but quite a few of them are ready and waiting to see the light of day. The original Land Rover Defender was one of the most iconic vehicles ever, let alone one of the most iconic off-road vehicles. Its unparalleled capability, charming looks, and undeniable character allowed it to write its own chapter in automotive history. However, in 2015, it was discontinued, and its farewell from the assembly line was a saddening event for car enthusiasts across the globe. While the new Defender is iconic, capable, and excellent in its own right, nothing can fully replace the original, which is why Defender fanatic Charles Fawcett has so many. MUST READ: E.C.D. Automotive Design Introduces Project Nature, A Tesla-Powered Land Rover Defender 110 According to an interview with The Sun, Fawcett, in 2015, purchased 200 just as the vehicle was about to end production, and he also says that the ones he specifically chose to purchase were chosen for their collectibility and that what lies in their future is customization and sale to Defender enthusiasts like him, who not only want the original and legendary Defender in their garage, but also a vehicle that suits their bespoke needs. While the original Defender might not be coming from the factory any longer, it’s incredible to see so many of them preserved and ready to be enjoyed. View All Land Rover Defenders For Sale Source: The Sun

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 16, 2022

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Offering the best of both worlds, E.C.D. Automotive Design aims to deliver a more efficient off-road Land Rover Defender. The Land Rover Defender began life as an agricultural workhorse, using its reliable and functional chassis to conquer everyday tasks around the farms of Europe. Responsible for reviving and transforming vintage Land Rovers into customized 4x4s, the incredible team at East Coast Defenders Automotive Design take pride in sourcing, building, and delivering one-off configurations to its vast customer base around the world. Highlighting one of its most recent builds, E.C.D. took to its Instagram page to introduce Project Nature. MUST-READ: E.C.D. Automotive Design Expands To A Massive New Operation, Boosting Production On Bespoke Builds Project Nature showcases the true talents and abilities of the E.C.D. team, featuring a 1988 Defender 110 Signature Soft Top powered by a fully-electric Tesla battery motor. The Grasmere exterior finish pays homage to the early Defender examples, while a pure white roll cage extends far past the third row of seats. The interior cabin utilizes E.C.D.’s 6-passenger layout, layering the comfortable diamond-stitched seats in Torino Moonshine leather. Equipped with modern amenities and state-of-the-art technology, Project Nature welcomes the Land Rover Defender to the future. As East Cost Defender Automotive Design continues to roll out Land Rover EVs, expect to see one of their builds at a Tesla charging station near you. View all of E.C.D. Automotive Design’s current inventory on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View E.C.D. Automotive Design Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by ECD Automotive Design (@ecdautodesign) Source: @ecdautodesign

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 02, 2022

This UNDEFEATED x Galpin Motors Land Rover Defender 110 F...

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By Tyler Rampersaud – October 21, 2022

This 1988 Land Rover Defender 110 Restoration Is A No-Com...

Drive a timeless classic that refuses to age. The Land Rover Defender has always been known and loved all over the world for its iconic looks and presence and of course its legendary off-road ability. However, driving one now can feel impractical with the notoriously Spartan vehicle’s lack of modern convenience and creature comfort. However, a restored Defender can offer you a vehicle that has the charm, appeal, and capability of the original, but also with the modern finishes and amenities of today’s best in the automotive industry. If that sounds like a vehicle you want, it’s a vehicle you can have. MUST READ: The Best 2023 Range Rovers You Can Buy Today This 1988 Land Rover Defender 110 for sale is a custom restoration done by ECD Automotive Design, and it’s called Project Alpaca. It’s finished in stunning Super White gloss paint and powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine. With custom wheels, air suspension, a roof rack, and a winch, the SUV is ready for you to drive so you can experience all the Defender’s glory and even more. Completing the no-compromise ethos of the ECD-restored Defender is the interior, with leather upholstery featuring a white diamond stitching pattern. A JL Audio sound system, a Sony infotainment system with Sirius XM, and even a wireless charging pad give this Defender modern capability and classic charm. If you’re looking to make this incredible Defender yours, you can view the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 15, 2022

The New Defender 110 V8 Soft Top By Overfinch Heritage Co...

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By Tyler Rampersaud – July 25, 2022

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By Tyler Rampersaud – May 19, 2022

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