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 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 Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2015

2 Millionth Land Rover Defender Sold, Most Expensive Ever

Back in June, we took you inside Land Rover’s assembly plant in Solihull, England as the final Defenders came down the line. The sadness of losing a loyal friend was offset by celebrity guests along with the promise of a new Defender for 2017.In a press release dated December 16th, Bonhams announced that the last production model sold for $600,000 at auction. This was the 2,000,000th Defender built, and all proceeds from the sale are going to Land Rover’s Humanitarian charities. The winning bidder resides in Qatar, so hopefully it will see a few sand dunes before a life of storage and rare appearances.Land Rover also issued a press release stating that it was the most expensive Defender ever sold. It will be much safer in Qatar, since Homeland Security loves to seize and crush them. Land Rover Special Operations have an eye for detail, and every aspect of this model had ties to its predecessors. Even the license plate “S90 HUE” is a reference to the first Defender ever registered “HUE 166”.Development of the new Defender is underway, but so far all we know is that it will meet our DOT safety standards and sold alongside their other US models. As soon as more information becomes available, you will see it first here on Autofluence.Defenders For Sale (Sources: Bonhams & Jaguar/Land Rover)

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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

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 22, 2015

Land Rover Unveils Two New Special Edition Discoverys

The Discovery from Land Rover is one of their longest-running models, and the available choices for this model have been expanded even further with the introduction of two new special editions: the Discovery Landmark and the Discovery Graphite.Each offers a range of new exterior and interior options for the model, and as a press release issued today by the marque describes, they're available to order beginning at the end of this month, with deliveries set to start in January 2016.The Landmark special edition Discovery boasts a number of exterior enhancements, including full-length roof rails, silver bonnet and tailgate badges and Landmark badges on the side and rear, as well as black fender vents, mirror caps and grill to contrast against the silver accents. Five color choices are available, including Waitomo Grey, Santorini Black, Yulong White, Indus Silver and Zanzibar, with the last specifically reserved for Landmark Discoverys.Ebony, Almond and Tan are the three interior colors available on the Landmark, with Windsor Leather seats and the Extended Leather Pack cloaking each model in comfortable luxury. The veneer trim finish features Straight Grained Walnut, which contrasts beautifully against the Tan leather in particular.(See Also: $15,000 Land Rover Defender Pedal Car For Kids)For the Graphite edition, which will sadly not be available for customers in the United States, the existing Black Pack is built upon further with a grey Graphite finish for the fender vents and grille. 19-inch 7-split spoke alloy wheels are reserved specifically for this model, which offers a choice between nine body colors and three interior colors.Pricing for the Graphite Discovery is set to start at £47,495 or €57,000, depending on local currency. No US pricing has been announced for the Landmark, but the European prices are set at £55,995 and €64,950, approximately $85,000 USD. Check out the images of these two editions below, and if they aren't quite your type of car, find a different Land Rover from our exclusive listings.Land Rovers For SaleGallery (Source: Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

$15,000 Land Rover Defender Pedal Car for Kids

Just because your little ones are still more than a decade away from having a drivers license, that doesn't mean they need to wait to enjoy a drive in luxury. Defender Pedal CarLand Rover has created the perfect model for tots in the form of their Defender Pedal Car. It's a tribute to the Defender's final production phase and an almost perfect replica sized specifically for kids, and as a Sept. 14 press release tells, it's set to go on sale in Spring 2016."This is both a wonderful collector's piece and children's toy," described Lindsay Weaver, Director of Branded and Licensed Goods for Jaguar Land Rover, in the release. "It demonstrates our ability to produce goods with world class quality and attention to detail that can emulate our world class Jaguar and Land Rover cars." Defender Pedal CarThe interior features a leather finish with trimmed seats and steering wheel, as well as "an authentically styled dashboard" and "a working hooter," or for us Americans, a working car horn. The pedals work forwards and backwards, and a spring suspension brings that classic Land Rover driving experience to a smaller scale. It includes working brakes as well, including a parking brake.(See Also: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Begins Testing)Pricing is set to begin at £10,000, or approximately $15,231 USD at the current exchange rate. Check out the photos below to get a good look at this new children's car, and find your own adult-sized Defender from our exclusive listings.Defenders For SaleGallery (Source: Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 05, 2015

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Begins Testing

Lovers of the Land Rover name will be able to enjoy warm days and off-roading adventures in a new and exciting way soon, when the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible is fully introduced to the world.First announced through a creative marketing ploy similar to the one used to unveil the original Evoque design, the Evoque Convertible is set for full reveal in November and, as a press release issued today tells us, will be available for purchase as early as Spring 2016."Thanks to a combination of innovative engineering and the application of advanced technologies, Evoque Convertible will deliver a dynamic and assured SUV experience that has been tested around the world," described Mike Cross, Land Rover's Chief Engineer of Vehicle Integrity, said in the release. "We call it 'The Convertible for all Seasons.'"The Los Angeles International Auto Show is the chosen location for the car's unveiling, no doubt in part due to the year-round convertible-friendly weather in southern California. A video of the Evoque Convertible's testing was also issued today, detailing how it's just as well suited to off-road endeavors as any Land Rover yet created.The video, which you can watch above, was shot at the Eastnor Castle estate in Herefordshire, England, a legendary property of Land Rover's with ample acreage for testing of new vehicles. The four-wheel drive convertible was put through its paces on the estate's grounds, ensuring that no rigidity was lost with the removal of the Evoque's roof.(See Also: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Set to Launch in November)Be sure to stay with us for more updates as they are released, and in the mean time, find an Evoque with a permanent roof from our exclusive listings at the button below.Range Rover Evoques For SaleGallery (Source: Land Rover, YouTube) See More Land Rover News

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By Caitlin Duffy – October 02, 2015

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Convertible Set to Launch i...

London streets are seeing a strange type of vehicle crowding up their roads as wireframe sculptures line up on iconic streets.They're 1:1 replicas of a new model from Land Rover, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible. As a press release from the English manufacturer tells us today, it's the first compact luxury SUV convertible the world has seen.Six of these convertible wireframe sculptures were created, following in the footsteps of the wireframe sculptures that helped launch the Evoque in 2011. Made from aluminum and each sporting a different color, they "illustrate the elegant evolution of the Range Rover Evoque's transformation from coupe to convertible," according to the release.(See Also: Khan Flying Huntsman 110 6x6 Defender Double Cab Pickup Unveiled)The Evoque Convertible is set for a full launch in November, when we can see what the 3D sculptures look like completely filled in. Until then, you can keep an eye out for these sculptures as they go on a global tour to build buzz for the new model, or find yourself a hardtop Evoque from our exclusive listings at the button below.Range Rover Evoques For SaleGallery (Source: Land Rover) See More Land Rover News

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By Caitlin Duffy – September 15, 2015

Land Rover Discovery Sport Dynamic Released at IAA

Land Rover has unveiled a new take on their popular compact SUV at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, bringing new dynamism to the design with an aptly named creation.A press release from the marque shares with us the new Discovery Sport Dynamic, with a number of features setting it apart from the standard model. Navarik Black exterior details are complemented by body-colored moldings and door claddings, bringing sleek details to the exterior's presentation.Land Rover customers will have a choice between either 19-inch Satin Dark Grey or 20-inch Gloss Black wheels, designs that both contribute to a sporty presence. It's set to feature All Terrain Progress Control (ATPC), which assists with stability on off-road terrains, as well as a Launch feature that keeps those first few seconds of spinning the wheels as smooth as possible, whether on dry concrete, wet grass or a gravelly surface.(See Also: Land Rover Range Rover Sentinel: Grenade & Bulletproof Luxury)Another fun feature for the Discovery Sport Dynamic comes in the form of the Gesture Tailgate; the rear of the car can be opened with a simple kick gesture, allowing for easy, hands-free opening of the tailgate. Loading up for a road trip has never been quite so easy.Check out the photos of this new take on the Discovery Sport, and find one of its predecessors for your collection from our exclusive listings below.Discoverys For SaleGallery (Source: Land Rover) See More News from Frankfurt

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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