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.

A black Range Rover Electric drives across a snow-covered landscape in Sweden at sunset, kicking up a cloud of snow behind it during cold weather testing.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 28, 2025

Range Rover Electric Completes Cold Weather Testing In Sw...

The upcoming Range Rover Electric shines when the temperature drops. Standing as one of the world’s most legendary, celebrated, and quintessential luxury SUVs, the Range Rover brand sent shockwaves through the automotive industry when it was announced that an electric variant, simply dubbed the Range Rover Electric, would be coming at some point soon. A waitlist for the new electric model has grown to immense numbers, and testing updates from Land Rover have consistently shown that the Range Rover Electric will be just as capable as the existing combustion Range Rover models, and add a new versatility to the lineup with electric mobility. With the chill of winter thawing, giving way to spring, Land Rover is now announcing that the second testing season for the Range Rover Electric has been completed, which took place in the extremely wintry conditions of northern Europe. In this testing, the Range Rover Electric managed to conquer the challenging climate and demonstrate incredible prowess on ice and snow, and in sub-zero temperatures. Arjeplog, Sweden, nestled in the country’s famous Lapland region which is known for its freezing-cold winters, served as the gauntlet for the Range Rover Electric, where the new electric luxury SUV endured up to 45,000 miles of accumulated testing on frozen lakes and snowy tracks. Throughout the testing, the Range Rover Electric’s ThermAssist technology allowed the vehicle to optimize its driving range, while efficiently managing the temperature of the cabin and the propulsion system. In addition, working with Terrain Response, single-pedal driving is elevated from its typical purpose to enable Hill Hold without the driver needing to touch the brakes, with the function teseted on both 28 and 17-degree inclines. With its advanced and futuristic electric drivetrain, the new Range Rover Electric is expanding the meaning of what a Range Rover is capable of, and doing so in extreme conditions. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

A green Range Rover Sport SV from the London Collection sits elegantly on a snowy driveway in front of a modern house, framed by majestic snowy mountains and towering trees.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 05, 2025

Range Rover House Whistler Debuts London Collection & Ran...

Range Rover’s latest luxury creations are shown off in a desirable destination. While Land Rover has spent decades being celebrated for its legendary reputation for off-road capability, the Range Rover sub-brand that it has created has also forged its own legacy over past decades, combining that off-road capability and go-anywhere potential with an uncompromising sense of luxury with beautiful craftsmanship and sumptuous appointments. Most recently, new SV Bespoke collections and the Range Rover London Collection of lifestyle items has shown off the versatility of Range Rover’s creativity and luxury craftsmanship, and both are being displayed at the Range Rover House Whistler. Nestled in one of the world’s premier ski destinations in British Columbia, Canada, the Range Rover House Whistler is a prime destination for Range Rover enthusiasts to experience the brand’s signature modern sense of luxury amidst a winter wonderland. There, the new London capsule collection of apparel and home decor items made its North American debut, while the Range Rover Sport SV Gaea Curation also made its Canadian debut. Part of the Celestial Collection of SV Bespoke examples of the Range Rover Sport SV made to echo the beauty and ancient mythology of various celestial bodies, the Range Rover Sport SV Gaea Curation features colors inspired by the beauty of Earth. Guests of the invitation-only experience at the Range Rover House Whistler will be treated to the experience of Range Rover’s new London capsule collection of lifestyle items, as well as the beautifully crafted masterpieces from the Range Rover Sport SV Celestial Collection. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

The white Range Rover SV Candeo is elegantly parked on a sandy beach with palm trees, overlooking a calm ocean under a cloudy sky.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 05, 2024

New One-Off Range Rover SV Candeo Revealed

Miami Art Week is the backdrop for a new bespoke Range Rover. Miami Art Week is a celebration of design and creative excellence, as well as a celebration of the beauty and lifestyle of the city of Miami. As part of the Miami Art Week festivities, Range Rover has revealed its latest SV Bespoke creation, the new Range Rover SV Candeo, which is a one-off rendition of the legendary Range Rover luxury SUV with ultra-luxurious details and a configuration inspired by Miami’s beauty. The stunning bespoke long-wheelbase Range Rover also previews available personalization features that are coming for Range Rover customers in the 2026 model year. Its name, ‘candeo,’ is derived from Latin for “to shine” or “to glow,” and as such, its configuration features touches like 18-karat solid gold badging, a duo-tone fading paint job that is hand-applied and inspired by Miami’s coastline and skyline, and a light-themed embroidery pattern inside, with 90,000 stitches in each rear seat cushion. However, it goes even further than that, as the seatbacks are also embroidered, as is the headliner. The upholstery consists of Liberty Blue Near‑Aniline and Perlino Semi‑Aniline leather, paired with ceramic accents and Natural Dark wood veneers. The stunning vehicle is on display at Miami Design from December 3 to December 8, and after a year in the making, the vehicle will be sold in a special auction. Land Rover is set to donate proceeds above the MSRP to Arts Access Miami, making the new one-off Range Rover SV Candeo an ode to Miami Art Week and the beautiful Sunshine State city. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 16, 2024

Mansory Reveals New Range Rover Sport SV Customizations

Mansory gets its hands on Range Rover’s newest luxury performance SUV. Known for its transformative customizations of the world’s most coveted automobiles, Mansory is responsible for some truly unique and exclusive automotive creations, and the latest is a customized version of Range Rover’s latest high-performance luxury SUV: the new Range Rover Sport SV. With a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the new Range Rover Sport boasts 626 horsepower, which, combined with its luxury features and SUV practicality, make it an enticing choice for enthusiasts. However, Mansory turned the new Range Rover Sport SV up a notch, adding extra performance-inspired style to the hot-blooded luxury SUV. The upgrades include Mansory’s signature extensive use of carbon fiber, unique design elements, and a custom set of wheels. A body kit from Mansory enhances the vehicle's aerodynamic performance while adding Mansory’s unique design style and the aesthetic and innovation of carbon fiber. A spoiler and a unique hood add to the head-turning look. In addition, custom wheels set the Mansory Range Rover Sport SV apart. Measuring up to 24 inches in diameter, the custom set of wheels further enhances the luxury factor of the Range Rover Sport SV. With new customizations from Mansory, the new Range Rover Sport SV is further elevated as an exclusive luxury performance SUV. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Mansory

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 15, 2024

1-of-17 2023 Range Rover SV Carmel Edition Listed For Sale

Range Rover is an undeniably iconic name in the luxury SUV world, with a legendary model that combines an unmistakable silhouette with luxurious features and off-road capabilities. However, the 2023 model year saw the Range Rover enter a new generation, introducing a refreshed design and more luxury than ever before, especially in the prestigious SV trim level. Offering head-turning finishes and sumptuous details, the new Range Rover SV gives the iconic Range Rover elevated luxury character. View Price And Listing However, in celebration of Monterey Car Week in 2022, one of the most prestigious, anticipated, and exclusive events on the automotive calendar, Range Rover decided to take the SV’s luxury a step even further with the ultra-exclusive Range Rover SV Carmel Edition. Limited to only 17 examples, the SV Carmel Edition is one of the most coveted Range Rovers made. With only 17 made, it’s not easy to find one of these luxury SUV masterpieces for sale, but one is available right now at John Scotti Automotive in Kirkland, Quebec. It features the Carmel Edition’s stunning Satin Bronze exterior, along with wheels that feature matching Satin Bronze accents. However, the most marvelous luxury is displayed inside, with a bespoke two-tone interior that pairs Liberty Blue front seats with Caraway rear seats, in an opulent four-seat configuration that treats rear seat passengers to first-class comfort. In addition, Carmel Edition embroidery, SV Bespoke treadplate and SV Bespoke puddle lamps remind the owner of the exclusivity of the Range Rover SV Carmel Edition, with only 17 examples ever made. If you’re looking for an ultra-exclusive and sumptuous luxury SUV to add to your exotic or luxury car collection, the Range Rover SV Carmel Edition is a great candidate. View the price and listing for this 1-of-17 for sale by clicking the button.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 19, 2024

The New Range Rover SV Arete Edition Celebrates Range Rov...

Range Rover’s new limited edition exudes après-ski style. Whistler, Canada is one of the greatest ski destinations in the Western Hemisphere, and it’s the site of the latest Range Rover House, a luxurious, invitation-only experience that brings Range-Rover’s signature luxury to coveted destinations all over the world. Taking inspiration from the Range Rover House, and the stunning alpine environment around it, Range Rover has created the new Range Rover SV Arete Edition, a bespoke and exclusive limited edition that exudes alpine luxury. Various bespoke touches throughout showcase the attention to detail that the SV Bespoke team gave to the Arete edition, including a triangular pattern that evokes mountain peaks, and the “A” in Arete, as well as the SV Bepsoke Special Effect gloss blue paintwork. As for the interior upholstery, Liberty Blue leather is paired with Ebony Kvadrat textile accents. Illuminated treadplates display the fact that the SV Arete Edition is one of only 8 examples that will be made, exclusively available as a long-wheelbase model with the 606-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 engine. In addition to being a stunning, exclusive Range Rover, the Range Rover SV Arete Edition also comes with a set of custom snowboards and skis from Prior. With a new Range Rover House showcasing the luxury and splendor of Whistler as an alpine destination, the new Range Rover SV Arete Edition revels in the beauty of the mountainous region. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

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 08, 2023

Range Rover's 'FORCE OF NATURE' Exhibit Revealed at Miami...

As Miami Art Week prepares to unfold its vibrant tapestry of culture and creativity, Range Rover is set to make a grand entrance with its exclusive 'FORCE OF NATURE' installation. This immersive sensory experience is designed to showcase the new Range Rover Sport SV EDITION ONE MIAMI. From December 8th to 9th, Range Rover, in collaboration with CHASE, will welcome guests to this unique experience at the CHASE Sapphire lounge, Loews Miami Beach Hotel. This event, exclusive to CHASE Sapphire cardholders and Range Rover clients, promises an uplifting journey that intertwines the power of the natural Miami environment with the essence of Range Rover's newest model. Renowned air master and designer Daniel Wurtzel has been brought on board to create an atmosphere that embodies Range Rover's DNA of performance, modernity, and sleek design. Guests will be surrounded by an ambiance that balances between power and serenity, highlighted by a floating silky wave installation, mimicking the ocean's rhythm and matching the Maya Blue SV Bespoke exterior of the Range Rover Sport SV EDITION ONE MIAMI. This exclusive model, limited to just seven units, is a testament to Range Rover's commitment to innovation and luxury. Priced at $225,000, it boasts a 626hp Twin Turbo V8 mild-hybrid engine, 23-inch Carbon Fiber Wheels, and Carbon Ceramic Brakes, among other high-end features. The 'FORCE OF NATURE' installation is more of an interactive journey. Ambient sounds and a bespoke music composition by SOOSKI guide visitors through a sensory exploration of the Range Rover Sport SV EDITION ONE MIAMI. By day, the installation serves as a hub for conversation and inspiration, while at night, it transforms into a lively nightclub, complete with performances, curated food, and cocktails. This event at Miami Art Week showcases Range Rover's values: Serenity, Control, Power, and Liberation. View all Range Rover SUV models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Range Rover For Sale Source: Land Rover