Land Rover News

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

Urban Automotive Celebrates A Decade At Goodwood With Two Debuts

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 10, 2026

Urban Automotive Makes Two Debuts At Goodwood

Urban Automotive is celebrated for its various customizations of iconic models like the Land Rover Defender, and this year, the customization firm is celebrating a decade of presence at one of the world’s most prestigious annual automotive events: the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Located in the idyllic British countryside with an iconic hillclimb and exciting displays of automotive excellence, the Goodwood Festival of Speed gathers many of the world’s premier manufacturers, cars, drivers, and personalities each year. To celebrate its ten years of presence at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Urban Automotive has brought two debuts to this year’s event. Both Defender-based projects, the two debuts both reimagine the iconic off-roader with their unique design and elevated luxury. The first is the Widetrack Avontur prototype, which combines Urban’s signature design language with real-world practicality to transform the Defender into a vehicle that is both usable and head-turning. The second is a new styling program with components designed for the luxury and performance flagship from the Defender lineup, the Defender Octa, imbuing the powerful, highly capable, and luxurious vehicle with Urban’s eye-catching style. Alongside the new Defender projects debuting at the Festival of Speed, Urban Automotive’s presence at the Festival will also include several examples of its other customizations, including the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II Widetrack, the Lamborghini Urus SE Widetrack, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class Widetrack, and the Urban x Visionnaire Range Rover Autobiography collaboration. <- Gallery -> With 10 years of presence among the automotive prestige at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Urban Automotive’s presence at this year’s event is a milestone in the company’s history. Two new Defender projects, including a radical transformation of the luxury off-roading icon, and a styling program of the performance-oriented Defender, are the main highlights of this year’s Urban Automotive presence. However, alongside them are several examples of Urban’s customization abilities for a diverse lineup of iconic vehicles like the Lamborghini Urus, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and Range Rover. View All Defender For Sale Image Source: Urban Automotive

A black Urban Automotive XRS Widetrack SUV with sporty detailing and decals is displayed on a platform at an outdoor auto event at Goodwood, with branded signage in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 11, 2025

Urban Automotive Unveils 635HP XRS Widetrack At Goodwood

Urban Automotive dials up the performance Range Rover even further. Range Rover evolved its approach to performance SUVs when it announced the Range Rover Sport SV, the new generation of the Range Rover Sport’s performance pinnacle. With a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine under the hood, the immense power and performance potential, combined with the Range Rover Sport’s sumptuous luxury, team up to create a coveted luxury performance SUV formula. However, Urban Automotive, known for its customizations of models like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and the lineup from Range Rover’s sister brand under the Land Rover umbrella, Defender, has unveiled its “ultimate” Range Rover Sport, the Urban XRS Widetrack, which is based on the performance-oriented Range Rover Sport SV. The new Urban XRS Widetrack made its debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and (XRS standing with Extreme Road Series), it showcases an extensive styling package with a sporty, edgy, performance-oriented aesthetic, interior upgrades that include carbon fiber-backed Recaro seats, carbon fiber trim pieces, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel, custom wheels and even increased performance, with a total of 635 horsepower coming from its 4.4-liter twin-turbo engine, sending it from 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. With bold looks and extensive customization, the new Urban SRS Widetrack is Urban Automotive’s take on the ultimate performance Range Rover. View All Range Rover For Sale Image Source: Urban Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 23, 2024

Apocalypse Reveals The World's First New Defender 6x6

Thanks to Apocalypse, the new Defender becomes a 6x6. Apocalypse 6x6 is known for making incredible 6-wheeled vehicles, and its ambition is to transform the automotive industry’s most coveted off-road vehicles into massive, head-turning 6x6 vehicles. The latest, however, has been anticipated for a long time. It’s the new Apocalypse World Ender 6x6, a 6x6 rendition based on the new generation of the iconic Land Rover Defender, and it’s the world’s first new Defender 6x6. Over a year in the making, the new World Ender takes the iconic Defender silhouette and transforms it into a stunning 6x6 truck with an immense footprint and V8 power. While the classic Land Rover Defender is known for its wealth of 6x6 renditions, the new World Ender is the first and only new-generation Defender Carpathian 6x6 available for purchase now. The model boasts a powerful supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine and a stance widened by two inches with custom fenders. Of course, thanks to the 6x6 conversion, the vehicle is taller and longer. The 6x6 drivetrain offers more traction and improved off-road capability, especially with the ability to raise and lower by as much as 8 inches with the press of a button. 38-inch tires, 20-inch wheels, a custom leather interior, and other custom touches set it apart as a head-turning masterpiece. For those who want to get their hands on this unique, one-of-a-kind automotive masterpiece, the new Apocalypse World Ender 6x6 is available now. Apocalypse Manufacturing has available units in stock, and is also taking orders for the new model. The World Ender also features available upgrades and customizations for customers to tailor their 6x6 to their needs. Pricing for the new Apocalypse 6x6 World Ender starts at $374,999 for a Defender like no other on the road now. View All Apocalypse World Ender 6x6 For Sale Image Source: Apocalypse Manufacturing

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 02, 2024

Overfinch Launches New 1-of-8 Dragon Edition Range Rover

A beautiful bespoke Range Rover rings in the Year of the Dragon. The Lunar New Year is one of the most important and vibrant celebrations in Chinese Culture, with a fascinating group of icons and traditions making the celebration the spectacle that it is, and in 2024, it’s the Year of the Dragon. To celebrate, Overfinch is doing what it does best: customizing the iconic, unmistakable, luxurious, and capable Range Rover, and giving its signature Overfinch Range Rover an opulent Lunar New Year twist. The new Dragon Edition Overfinch Range Rover is an edition of only eight ultra-exclusive examples, and it’s inspired by the majesty and reverence of the Chinese Dragon, with special details throughout referencing and beautifully depicting it with the excellent level of artisan craftsmanship that Overfinch is known and celebrated for. With a dragon scale-like pattern on the seats, a dragon embroidery that goes across the entire row of seats, and other beautiful details, the Dragon Edition Overfinch Range Rover is both exclusive and exquisite. The exterior is just as opulent, with Overfinch introducing the new Vortex wheel design for the Dragon Edition, a 24-inch wheel with a special self-leveling dragon center cap. The Overfinch Range Rover Dragon Edition is offered as a conversion for existing Range Rover owners, specifically for the 2024 Range Rover SV and Autobiography, and it’s available worldwide. Priced at $250,000, this custom Range Rover is a sumptuous, bespoke, and iconic celebration of the Year of the Dragon. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Overfinch

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 16, 2022

E.C.D. Automotive Design Introduces Project Nature, A Tes...

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

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 15, 2022

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

Overfinch continues to flex its long-established strength in Land Rover performance and luxury. Land Rover is known for off-road icons, and the brand has a long history of incredible performance and capability off the beaten path. With the new Classic Defender 110 V8 Soft Top by Overfinch Heritage, Overfinch’s famous performance and luxury continue to bring update the legacy of classic Land Rover vehicles with contemporary power, speed, and comfort. This new Overfinch Defender, which is finished in a sleek all-black from the body to the wheels and soft top, is specifically painted in Overfinch Satin Obsidian Black. The interior continues the all-black theme with Ebony leather paired with contrast Cirrus stitching. 1990s Land Rover Defender 90 Price, Specs, Photos & Review Other luxury touches in the interior include a piano black dash surround, soundproofing in the interior, Recaro seats, teak wood decking in the rear, and a champagne drawer with a cigar humidor. Performance comes as a result of the LT1 V8 engine from GM, with a 6.2-liter displacement, an 8-speed automatic transmission, 6-piston front and 4-piston rear brakes, and a dual-valve stainless steel performance exhaust system. With other features like a touch screen interface that allows for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a 10,000-lb electric winch, and an upgraded audio system, the Overfinch Defender 110 V8 Soft Top by Overfinch Heritage brings extra style, substance, comfort, and performance to the already-iconic Land Rover Defender. View All Land Rovers For Sale Source: Overfinch

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 18, 2021

Overfinch Heritage Unveils The $384K Field Edition Range ...

This fully remastered project epitomizes Overfinch Heritage’s commitment to quality, creativity and performance. The rich heritage of Range Rover embodies the passion to discover new roads while experiencing a true luxury feel. The Land Rover tuning specialists at Overfinch in Leeds, England, pride themselves on keeping that passion alive with a fleet of customized Land Rovers and Range Rovers. Overfinch is proud to announce its newest special project featuring a classic 1997 Range Rover donor car. The Field Edition pays homage to the original Range Rover chassis that paved the way for future vehicles, with a design and feel inspired by British country pursuits. Overfinch While the exterior structure remains at factory standards, the Range Rover takes on an adventurous look with a Bespoke Emerald Green finish with complementary Overfinch Nevada 16-inch alloy wheels. Opening the doors to the iconic Range Rover reveals a re-imagined interior layout showcased in a unique Overfinch tan leather theme. The original Recaro seats and headliner feature perforated diamond quilt accents to blend the aspects of traditional and modern automotive design. Knurled brightwork is deployed throughout the cabin with exquisite detailing applied to a range of tactile surfaces including the Gear Selector, Low Range Selector, Handbrake, Interior Door Handles & Grab Handles, and Door Lock Stalks. The aesthetic is complete with the introduction of hand-crafted burr walnut door cards and air vent panels, tan suede headlining and an Overfinch luxury lambswool carpet mat set. At the hands of the driver is a beautiful bespoke Mota-Lita classic steering wheel in machined metal with tan leather and an Overfinch Heritage badge. Overfinch The field sports theme is fully expressed in the rear load-space, which features a gun box cellarette handcrafted from Walnut with Olive Ash inserts. Consisting of two lockable drawers, the gun box has room for two shotguns, equipment and accessories suitable for a variety of refreshments, and a specially crafted humidor compartment. The gun box is finished with a complimentary, inlaid leather topper, and soft tan suede drawer linings. While the exterior and interior highlight traditional British design, an all-American GM 6.2L LS3 sits under the hood with 430-horsepower and 428lb-ft of torque at its disposal. The all-new Field Edition by Overfinch Heritage x John Purdy & Sons Ltd is now available for $384,250. Discover The Field Edition and the other vehicles from Overfinch by clicking the link below. Discover The Overfinch Heritage Field Edition Source: Overfinch

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 05, 2021

The $240,000 1989 Land Rover SW-ARK727 D90 Defender by Ar...

As modern-day vehicles begin to take a new shape and feature a different style of driving experience, collectors and enthusiasts tend to look back on the classics that paved the way. The automotive professionals at Arkonik specialize in taking classic Land Rovers and modifying them with the performance and technology of a brand new vehicle. Since 2006, the brand operates under the same principle of creating the most authentic restored Land Rover Defenders in the world. Arkonik is proud to introduce a new addition to its fleet of classically modern 4x4s, the 1989 SW-ARK727 D90 Defender. The aesthetically pleasing body style of the SW-ARK727 features sharp edges and an open-top to complement the Pennine Grey paint scheme. The design of the Defender came from the hands of former Bugatti designer Etienne Salomé. The exterior and interior restoration upgrades are best described as perfectly tasteful, incorporating a period-correct look with a modern-day feel. Delivering the right amount of power is a 3.9L V8 that is managed with a classic 5-speed manual transmission. As it stands as a true 4x4, the new Defender by Arkonik includes an upgraded lifted suspension that connects to a set of black steel 16-inch wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires. The new Arkonik 1989 SW-ARK727 D90 Defender is in limited production and is available through the company for $240,000. View all of the current Land Rover Defender models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Land Rover Defenders For Sale Source: Arkonik

By Andrew Nabors – October 01, 2020

2021 Overfinch Sandringham Edition Celebrates Their 5th A...

Over the past five years we have been proud to represent Overfinch to North America. They have been building equisite Range Rovers for decades on their home soil, and now they have dedicated customers across the nation. That is why the 2021 Overfinch Sandringham Edition celebrates their 5th-anniversary in the U.S. Starting with a LWB Autobiography, their coachbuilders take the body down to bare aluminum to be covered in Nebula Black. Inside you are treated to Capiz White leather on their Lumière seats. It wouldn't be Overfinch without carbon fiber trim and diamond-cut 22" wheels. Other amenities include their knurled alloy touch pack and the throaty variable exhaust system. Their own bodywork hides additional heat and sound insulation. The purple metal flake sparkles in any situation while your occupants are treated to a powered rear center console. Diamond stitched leather throughout is found on the 24-way heated and cooled front seats. The rears are Executive Class with hot-stone massage, heated center console, armrests, and calf rests. The passenger has a heated footrest and both headrests have 8 settings. Learn More “It is a pleasure to present the Sandringham Edition created at the home of Overfinch North America,” commented Alex Sloane, VP Overfinch North America. “This is a statement vehicle that is confident in its luxury and elegant in its execution. The overall aesthetic is unique and stunning – a genuine special edition. It’s a tasteful but striking example of a truly exclusive Overfinch.”

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By Andrew Nabors – August 21, 2020

Overfinch Teases a Wild Defender for Their 40th Anniversary

What began as a Land Rover accessory business has evolved into a full-scale coachbuilding empire. For the past 4 decades, Overfinch has redefined what a Land Rover can be. Swapping Corvette engines into classic Rovers made them a hit around the world, and their attention to wood and leather are unmatched. That is why we're glad they have teased something wild for their 40th Anniversary. In their latest Instagram post, we see brushed metal and hand-stitched seats. Even the differential shifter is CNC machined with the classic locking pattern. The dash plaque and the headreasts are emblazoned with their anniversary logo, so perhaps they have taken inspiration from the past. Could we be looking at a V8 Defender? You will see it here first so stay with us for all your Overfinch news. Browse Overfinch For Sale

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