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 Edward Jones – October 08, 2018

Clarks and Land Rover Team Up for Collab

Here in the duPont REGISTRY office, we enjoy the finer footwear in life. All I'm saying is I'd be wrong if I said we didn't spend some of our work time trying to get into release raffles. So, when we see a footwear collaboration pop up in a press release, we perk up. The latest collab comes from Land Rover and Clarks, who are creating a men's shoe collection for Fall 2018. The launch has created the "Life.Limitless" line of shoes that include three different designs. They include the CLR.51N ("created with the city in mind"), CLR52.N ("most versatile design") and CLR53.N ("for protection, stability and comfort in rugged environments"). “We made sure the collection adheres to a set of three core design principles: Grip, Environment and Stability," says Jason Beckley, Chief Brand Officer at Clarks. "Much like the Land Rover vehicles, the shoes are terrain appropriate, providing practicality and comfort in equal measure to the wearer, elements that are core to our DNA." You can purchase these shoes directly from Clarks.com.

By Edward Jones – July 16, 2018

Range Rover Smashes Two-Wheel Record at Goodwood

Want to know something I wasn't expecting to see during the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018? A Range Rover SVR driving on two wheels. What's more, I was definitely not expecting on seeing a Range Rover SVR driving on two wheels for one mile in the quickest manner ever.(View the record run below)Yes, the luxury SUV set the Guinness World Record for the fastest one mile to be traversed on two wheels by a car. Behind the wheel of the Range Rover SVR was Terry Grant, who previously drove both the Nissan Juke RS NISMO and Jaguar F-PACE on two wheels and did a barrel roll in a Jaguar E-PACE. His run took was clocked in at 2:24.5, which was about thirty seconds fastest than his 2011 record. To date, he has 25 Guinness World Records to his name and this is just his latest.Luxury Cars for Sale

By Edward Jones – May 30, 2018

Special Edition Land Rover Discovery Sport Announced

Land Rover has created a special edition model to celebrate their fastest-selling model, the Discovery Sport. This new special edition model is the Discovery Sport Landmark Edition.Last year, the Discovery Sport managed to be sold 126,078 times, topping the company's 2017 charts. With those numbers, the Discovery Sport set a new Land Rover record for most single-year sales for a model in the past 70 years. Reviewed: 2018 Land Rover Discovery HSEThe Discovery Sport Landmark Edition will feature a unique color and trim combination. Colors available for the model include Narvik Black, Corris Grey and Yulong White. Each of these colors come with a roof that's finished in a contrasting Carpathian Grey. Other notable touches include 12-inch 521 'Mantis' wheels in Gloss Dark Grey, Ebony leather seats and headliner, panoramic roof and more.Land Rover has noted the Discovery Sport Landmark Edition will be available for £40,400 (approx. $53,700 USD) and can be ordered now.

By Edward Jones – March 28, 2018

Range Rover Velar is the World's Most Beautiful Car

During the 2018 World Car Awards, Land Rover's Range Rover Velar took home a very coveted award: the World Car Design of the Year. This award makes the Velar the world's most beautiful car, according to the event and judges. The Velar had to beat out the Lexus LC 500 and Volvo XC60; all three were chosen as finalists by 82 jurors.New 2018 Range Rover Velar Prices and Specs Revealed“The Velar delivers a new level of svelte sophistication for Range Rover: both outside and inside, the car eschews chunky forms and details whilst cleverly maintaining true Range Rover DNA. It also leads with its harmoniously integrated human‐machine‐interface design, and with colour and material design featuring (amongst other innovations) a vegan option,” said design expert Sam Livingstone (U.K. ‐ Car Design Research and Royal College of Art).Other awards from the event include: 2018 World Car of the Year - Volvo XC602018 World Luxury Car - Audi A8 2018 World Performance Car - BMW M5 2018 World Green Car - Nissan LEAF2018 World Urban Car - Volkswagen Polo

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2018

A World-First: Range Rover Drives Up 999 Steps to Heaven'...

After 99 turns and climbing up 999 steps, Jaguar Racing's own Ho-Pin Tung completed the world's first attempt at the Dragon Challenge. His attempt was completed in the Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV.Land Rover is no stranger to extreme challenges that promote their vehicles, but this one is definitely one of the craziest. The 45-degree staircase not only had a steep incline, it also looked quite slippery. As a safeguard, it looks like the SUV had safety wires that would prevent it from sliding backward, an event that would be most disastrous. However, Land Rover did state in the video of the attempt that the wires did not aid in the vehicle's performance.Ho-Pin Tung said, “I’ve experienced Formula E, Formula 1 and won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but this was without doubt one of the most demanding driving challenges I’ve ever faced.”Land Rover Announces Limited Run of V8 DefendersBravo to the Land Rover team and Ho-Pin Tung for completing the world's first attempt at the Dragon Challenge! Will we now get to see others take up the challenge for fasters speeds?

By Andrew Nabors – December 25, 2017

2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE

Have you noticed all the new Jaguar and Land Rover models at your local dealership? Probably not, because they are selling as fast as they arrive. The reasons behind the successes are quality and diversity of their lineup. Jaguar's F-Pace has been their hottest product in recent history. In order to use its solid chassis as the foundation for a new Land Rover, Design Director Gerry McGovern penned the new 2018 Range Rover Velar.In order to broaden the appeal of the Range Rover brand, the Velar was launched on the same assembly line as the F-Pace. we've covered it in detail, and the only difference in dimensions is on the front and rear bumpers. They are the only reason the Velar is 2.8" longer than the F-Pace. The interior is a preview of the upcoming I-Pace, featuring 3 large touchscreens. Contrary to what you might believe, Florida can be dismal in Winter, so we chose to use stock photos of Ellie Goulding instead of soggy auto journalists.New 2018 Range Rover Velar Prices and Specs RevealedFor those that ask "What's in a name?", branding the Velar as a RR instead of Land Rover allows the Discovery to carry the torch as a proper entry-level model. Under the hood is the same amazing supercharged 3.0 liter V6 found across the Jaguar/Land Rover portfolio. You won't even notice it thanks to silent exhaust and liquid-filled motor mounts. It makes 380 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque in almost every situation. It is backed by ZF's latest 8-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox is made in the US and shipped to the assembly plant in Solihull.The Velar represents a new design language for the Range Rover brand. We've heard through the grapevine that the next generation of Range Sport will bear a shocking resemblance. Eventually, even the full-size range will follow suit. Everything you could ask for is included with the HSE package. Climate control has no less than 4-zones, and the brilliant Meridian audio is rated at 825 watts. All the latest safety gear even includes traffic sign recognition. It reads the speed limits to remind you just how illegal your right foot can be. As you might imagine, a V6 in a 4WD SUV isn't a recipe for economy, but 24 mpg is not shabby considering the other players in this segment.Fit & finish are among the best in the industry. And the price you pay for all this starts at only $77,100. Not a bad deal for a quiet & composed crossover. We hope an electric version is in the works because the I-Pace is poised to corner the market. As always, stay with us for more Land Rover news & Reviews.View Range Rover Velar For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2017

Land Rover's New SVO Design Pack Adds More Luxury

Dealers and custom shops make nice profits customizing new cars. Land Rover has an image to uphold, so for a long time they have limited the number of bespoke builds coming from the factory. The full-size Range Rover model has several parts that are often changed to suit the owner's taste, so the Special Vehicle Operations is responding to the trends. A press release last night outlined the enhancements to the body. Before we give you the details, think about how many Sport model you see in comparison to the Full Size? We think the little brother might be outshining the elder.Starting at the front, a new grille and aggressive front bumper make the fog lights stand out and the splitter makes it look ready for LeMans. New fender vents flow down into sleek rocker panels running the length of the cabin. Those lines follow into a new rear bumper with quad exhaust tips. The pipes are separated by a diffuser that will hopefully make better use of air under the body. The SVO Design Pack was engineered and aero-tested at the new Jaguar/Land Rover SVO Technical Centre in Coventry, and they have made sure it fits all short wheelbase Full-Size Range Rovers back to 2013. We know what you're thinking...This is not a trick to get you into the dealership so you will check out a new Range Rover for sale. It's proof that Land Rover is keeping its finger on the pulse of the industry. If you are interested in this new option, find your closest dealer here and stay with us for all your Land Rover news.

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2017

A Custom Range Rover SV For Boxing Champ Anthony Joshua

Tomorrow Night's Main Event at Wembley Stadium will be a match of epic proportions. Anthony Joshua MBE will be facing off against Wladimir Klitschko. Fighting for Queen and Country, Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations worked with him to showcase their talents. He was quoted as saying it will be "one of the biggest nights in my boxing career", so he recently spent time at the Special Vehicles Technical Center in Warwickshire.Also Check Out: How An Enzo Is DeliveredThe artists and coachbuilders are using this 2017 Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography Dynamic to debut the new SVO Design Pack. It offers new front and rear bumpers along with revised rocker panels and fender vents for a unique look. It will be officially available for order in May, but motor1.com got the scoop before everyone else. The enticing new paint is named World Champion Graphite, and it complements a diamond stitched interior of ebony and pimiento red. Under the hood is the supercharged 5.0 liter V8 which was previously only available in the Sport SVR. It delivers 550 horsepower and 502 lb-feet of torque to all wheels. They are a blast to drive, but if you don't need supercar power, the V6 powered full-size Range Rover offers the same luxury in an efficient manner. Our dealers will be happy to help you build one to your liking, so stay with us for all your Land Rover news.

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By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – September 06, 2016

Land Rover Introduces the New Discovery

While the official unveiling won't be until September 28, Land Rover is providing a sneak peak at the all new Discover. The SUV is the brand's full-size option, offering seating for up to seven. Land Rover's Chief Design Officer, Gerry McGovern, states the, "New Discovery redefines the large SUV. Land Rover’s design and engineering teams have revolutionized the Discovery DNA to create a highly desirable, extremely versatile and hugely capable premium SUV."(Related: Land Rover Unveils New 2017 Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic)Specs, price and release date have yet to be revealed, but Land Rover has provided two photos as a sneak peak. The release of the full-sized SUV is scheduled ahead of the Paris Motor Show. Stay tuned to Autofluence for updates.View All Land Rovers For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 16, 2016

Land Rover Discovery Sport Tows Train that Weighs Same Am...

In a stunt organized to exhibit the pulling power of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, engineers tethered the SUV to a passenger train in the Rhine region of northern Switzerland. The certified towing power oft the Land Rover Discover Sport is set at 5,000 lbs.(Also Read: 2 Millionth Land Rover Defender Sold, Most Expensive Ever)The Land Rover Discover Sport is equipped with semi-autonomous driving technology as well as a 177 hp Ingenium diesel engine. According to a press release, no alterations to the drivetrain were made. The only alteration was the "fitment of rail wheels by specialists Aquarius Railroad Technologies, to act as 'stabilizers'", stated the press release. In addition, the Discovery Sport only used a 9-speed automatic gearbox and Terrain Response technology during the pull. No low-range gears were used.The compact SUV pulled the train for a little over six miles across the Museumsbahn Stein am Rhein in Switzerland. The journey included a trek across the River Rhine on the Hemishofen bridge. Te bridge is 935 long and 85 feet above the ground. It is considered a historic bridge constructed completely of steel. You can check out the intriguing footage in the video below:Land Rover Discovery for Sale

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