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 Andrew Nabors – October 29, 2019

Land Rover Experience Vermont Leaps into Fall

Yesterday the thermometer topped 91 degrees across Tampa Bay. Saturday night, the temperature will drop to freezing across the Green Mountains. That is where you will see the Land Rover Experience Vermont leap into Fall. Owners and prospective customers have been invited to the Equinox Resort in Manchester to learn about their favorite 4WD luxury machines. The leaves are changing and it won't be long until the Terrain Response systems sense snow. This intuitive system is found on every late-model Range Rover, and it knows how to deal with fresh powder. Even the classic Land Rover Defender 90 has locking differentials, making tough situations look easy. Browse All Range Rover Sport For Sale These images speak for themselves. Land Rover has carved demanding trails through the wilderness to test and teach drivers how to handle an off-road outing. It isn't over yet, so click the button above to find your local dealer. They will have complete packages from half-day to family vacation & everything in between. Related: Land Rover Defender Dealer Competition Attacks Asheville Range Rover Velar Prices & Specs Revealed

By Andrew Nabors – September 10, 2019

The New Land Rover Defender 110 Has Arrived

One of the most anticipated returns in automotive history is upon us. The new Land Rover Defender has arrived in time for the Frankfurt Auto Show. A press release this morning from Land Rover North America outlines the details of a rugged and capable luxury SUV. After testing each current model, they realized a new chassis was needed. Browse Land Rover For Sale The 2020 Defender 110 will be joined by a smaller Defender 90 on the new D7x platform. They went above and beyond SUV testing procedures to ensure it was worthy to wear the Defender name. The Defender 110 will arrive with optional 5+2 seating in four distinct "accessory packs". These trim levels start with Explorer. It has a roof rack, fender guards, side gear carrier, and spare tire cover. Adventure Pack is ready for camping. It has a 1.7-gallon pressurized water tank for showers along with an onboard air compressor. Also on board is a 6.3-gallon seat/backpack to hold your gear. Country Pack has scuff plates, fender guards, and a floor-to-roof partition from the cargo area. Finally, Urban Pack is sleek and bright, with brushed scuff plates and a plush interior. It can haul 1,984 lbs of cargo, with the roof rack capable of holding 661 of them. If you have toys, it can tow 8,201 lbs. Going deep isn't an issue, as the sealed powertrain and cockpit can handle 35.4" of water. Starting at $49,995 you have 2 choices for engines: a turbo 2.0L four-cylinder is rated at 300 horsepower. A hybrid 3.0L straight-six is rated at 400 horsepower for a few dollars more. Wheels range from 18" to 22", and the list of factory options probably weighs 20 lbs. This includes a remote-controlled winch, D-ring shackles, snatch block, tree trunk protector and two sets of leather gloves. Should the weather turn foul, an inflatable waterproof awning will keep your camp dry. A pet pack is made to keep your dogs clean and entertained along the way. As always, click the link above to find our Land Rover dealer near you, and stay with us for all your Defender updates. " width="680"> Related: Brabus G V12 900 Limited Edition Unveiled 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe & Cabriolet Revealed

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.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 24, 2016

2016 Holland & Holland Range Rover Built for Hunters Come...

Early this morning Land Rover announced the release of the 2016 Holland & Holland Range Rover, of which, 30 examples are slated for the United States. This special edition Range Rover will feature the Holland & Holland signature green paint, badging and exclusive wood and veneer trim for the interior among the other signature features released in 2014.Updates to the 2016 model include "rear load space updated to include a deployable, locking, leather trimmed gun case which accommodates two firearms from Holland & Holland," according to a media release from Land Rover.The Holland & Holland Range Rover is set for sale globally and will be available in the United States in spring 2016. MSRP is set at $244,500 for the 2016, limited edition example. Stay tuned for updates as they come available.Range Rovers For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – November 09, 2015

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Unveiled

When wireframe sculptures began popping up around London in early October, it was announced that the world was just a month away from Land Rover's latest reveal.The 1:1 replicas were perfect scale models of the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, a new take on the popular SUV that Land Rover describes as "a convertible for all seasons." A press release issued by the marque today joins a few videos shared to YouTube Nov. 8, giving us a full look at this new all-terrain, all-weather car - the world's first luxury compact SUV convertible.With a fabric roof capable of being stowed in just 18 seconds at speeds of up to 30 mph, the Evoque Convertible brings an entirely new approach to Land Rover's lineup. It's the first ever convertible for the marque, which isn't surprising, as SUVs rarely, if ever, have convertible variants created. It's a car capable of taking you to the top of a snow capped mountain, across a shallow river and through a desert in 95 degree heat - all in the same day, should those circumstances arise.Set to go on sale during the Spring of 2016, this new Evoque will arrive just in time to enjoy some summer sunlight and warm days. Check out the photos and video of this new SUV below, and if a hard-topped, non-convertible Evoque is more your taste, find one from our exclusive listings for your outdoor adventure.Range Rover Evoques For Sale Gallery (via Land Rover, YouTube) See More Land Rover News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 06, 2015

2 Millionth Land Rover Defender Shown in Dubai

The Defender has been one of Land Rover's most reliably popular models since its first introduction in the early 1980s. Tough, versatile and damn good looking, it's a model that sticks to Land Rover's core principles in every way.On June 22, the British marque announced the creation of Defender number 2,000,000, a one-off Defender 90 Station Wagon combining heritage design cues with modern touches. This specific model is set to go on sale at Bonhams' auction in early December, but prior to its official sale, it took a trip to Dubai.As a press release issued Nov. 5 shares, this special Defender was joined by a Series I Land Rover and the Defender pedal car, a $15,000 model designed for the youngest Land Rover enthusiasts. The three appeared together at the Dubai International Motor Show as an exclusive preview ahead of the December sale.Check out the photos from this trio's trip to the United Arab Emirates in the gallery below, then find your own Defender for your collection from our exclusive listings.Defenders For SaleGallery (via Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

By Andrew Nabors – September 08, 2015

Land Rover Range Rover Sentinel: Grenade & Bulletproof Lu...

While we agree that every armored car should be capable of fording rivers until now it had to involve an expensive custom build.In a Sept. 8 press release, Land Rover formally announced the Range Rover Sentinel. Starting with the venerable Range Rover Autobiography, an armored passenger cell is built of six pieces of hardened steel with no visual changes to the exterior. Capable of stopping a .30 caliber, armor piercing, incendiary ammunition, it can also survive 33 lbs of TNT from a lateral blast.The Sentinel is the first vehicle fully engineered by Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations, and given the attention to detail on their previous efforts, it will probably be a game-changer for the industry."The Range Rover Sentinel is one of the most extraordinary Range Rovers ever produced," said SVO Managing Director John Edwards in the release. "It has been expertly engineered by Special Vehicle Operations to provide class-leading levels of protection to occupants against extreme attack, whilst retaining the Range Rover's luxury and refinement with off-road capability."Retaining the luxury and capabilities of the Autobiography, the panoramic roof is now multiple layers of transparent composite that can withstand a direct grenade blast. The Dynamic Stability Control systems have been recalibrated for the additional weight, but a driver training program is included to ensure you can escape unfriendly situations.(See Also: New Land Rover Tech Makes Trailers "Invisible")Pricing will start under €400,000, or approximately $447,400 USD at today's exchange rate, and includes a 50,000 km warranty. A formal release will take place at the annual Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition, taking place in London next week. For more security news you can use, stay tuned to Autofluence.Range Rovers For SaleGallery (Source: Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

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