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

Lotus News

Lotus news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Emira, the electric Eletre and Emeya, and the Evija hypercar. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, design recognition and the company news that shapes the marque's direction. Lotus has changed a great deal in a short period, and we follow each decision as it is announced. This is sports car news with the market attached to it. Many of the Lotus models covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so a review and a real asking price appear together. For Lotus news today, and the performance car news around it, start below.

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 01, 2026

Lotus Appoints Exclusive Evija Centers

The Lotus Evija represented a major turning point in the brand’s cherished history. With racing roots, Lotus began on the track and became known for sports cars with lightweight construction, a thrilling driving experience, and agility that made them cult favorites among enthusiasts. However, around the turn of the decade, Lotus announced a new creation that would change its trajectory completely: the Evija, an all-electric hypercar with over 2,000 horsepower on tap. With its nearly unprecedented levels of power and performance, the highly exclusive Evija is a departure from past Lotus creations, but it retains the track-focused ethos and precision-focused engineering that Lotus built its legacy on. Luxurious, captivating to look at, and capable of reaching 60 mph from a standstill in under three seconds, the Evija was an unapologetic introduction to a new chapter for the manufacturer that was impossible to ignore. Only 130 examples of the Lotus Evija will be made, and as the production cycle of the ultra-exclusive electric hypercar continues, Lotus has announced the appointments of three exclusive Evija centers in Europe, offering customers a special, highly personalized ownership experience to go along with the unfathomably powerful performance vehicle. Covering Northern, Central, and Southern Europe, the three centers give customers throughout the continent access to the ultra-exclusive Evija experience, working as an extension of Lotus and its Hethel, UK home as exclusive representatives of the flagship hypercar. Through these centers, Evija customers will be offered curated experiences like factory tours, access to specialists, and other events. The Hethel Immersion Experience, which will be offered to qualified prospects, brings customers behind the scenes for factory tours, takes them along with Lotus Pro Drivers for drives, and brings them to meetings with the design and engineering teams for the Evija. For Northern Europe, MY GARAGE A/S in Denmark covers Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. MY GARAGE is where the first customer-delivered example of the Evija was handed over. Meanwhile, Germany, Switzerland, the Benelux Union, and Eastern Europe is covered by the Central Europe Evija Center: Autohaus Weeber GmbH. Southern Europe, consisting of Italy, France, Monaco, Spain, Portugal, and Greece, is covered by Gino S.p.A. Serving as an aspirational flagship and a masterpiece of performance EV engineering, the Lotus Evija is an important herald to the new age of the beloved manufacturer. These new exclusive Evija centers in Europe are introducing a customer experience worthy of such a vehicle. View All Lotus For Sale Image Source: Lotus

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 16, 2022

Hot Wheels Launches Small-Scale Models Of The Lotus Emira...

The Lotus Emira sports car and Evija all-electric hypercar have recently been launched as Hot Wheels toy cars. While modern-day supercars and hypercars go through rigorous testing to prove their abilities on the road, the real deciding factor comes when the creative professionals at Hot Wheels craft a small-scale version. Responsible for introducing millions to the automotive world, Hot Wheels continues its legacy by releasing the industry’s most popular sports cars, SUVs, racecars, and many more. As Lotus rolls out its new Emira supercar and Evija all-electric hypercar, Hot Wheels is proud to celebrate the occasion by launching die-cast versions of the cars. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now Lotus sits down with Hot Wheels product design manager Dima Shakhmatov to break down the process of encapsulating automotive icons. Dima expresses the importance of the new release by stating “With its dramatic styling, the Evija is one of the most exciting and visually interesting electric hypercars we’ve seen. The Emira will be the last combustion-engined Lotus and it was felt important to mark this by including it in the Mainline.” Showcasing each model in its desired launch colors, the small-scale examples feature detailed constructions that match the styling of the real versions. View all current Lotus cars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Lotus For Sale Source: Lotus

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 02, 2022

Emerson Fittipaldi, Jenson Button, And All 8 Lotus Type 7...

A rare event of motorsport legend took place at Lotus’s Hethel headquarters. When it comes to racing history, Lotus has a lot to celebrate as the brand formed its roots in racing and celebrated amazing victories, especially with Emerson Fittipaldi, the Lotus Type 72, and their incredible victory in the 1972 Formula 1 Championship. That victory was 50 years ago, and to celebrate, Lotus created the Evija Fittipaldi, a stunning special edition of the Evjia that sports the Type 72’s black and gold livery, which went on to become a Lotus hallmark. The livery itself also celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. MUST READ: The New Lotus Evija Fittipaldi Is An 8-Example Hypercar That Honors F1 History During a week at Hethel, it wasn’t just Fittipaldi that celebrated the Lotus Evija created in his honor, but also Formula 1 champion Jenson Button, who himself is a Lotus Evija customer. In addition, all 8 surviving Lotus Type 72s and their owners came from around the world to join the celebration as well. The Lotus Type 72’s racing legacy and the Evija’s title as the world’s most powerful production car make them both automotive icons, and both cars were able to show why they make history on Lotus’s Hethel test track. In this new chapter for Lotus, the brand’s rich history is more important than ever. Lotus Cars For Sale Source: Lotus

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 14, 2022

The New Lotus Evija Fittipaldi Is An 8-Example Hypercar T...

Lotus uses its futuristic hypercar to celebrate the past. A brand formed and grown in the world of racing, Lotus’s track-ready philosophy has manifested itself in most of the cars the brand has made. Known for superior agility and handling, Lotus cars have been loved and driven by racing enthusiasts as long as they’ve been around. However, it’s in professional racing where Lotus has made much of its history. One of the greatest moments in F1 history belongs to Lotus, and it’s when Brazilian driver Emerson Fittipaldi, with the Lotus Type 72, won the Drivers’ Championship and Lotus won the Constructors' Championship in 1972. It’s been 50 years since that incredible victory and the legend of the Lotus Type 72, and Lotus is celebrating with a special edition of its latest revolutionary performance innovation: the Evija. MUST READ: Lotus Launches A New Online Retail Platform For Parts Dating Back To 1981 The all-electric hypercar is capable of an incredible 1,970 horsepower and 1,254 lb/ft of torque, and with a 0-60 time of under 3 seconds and a top speed of over 200 mph, it undoubtedly takes after the Type 72 with its envelope-pushing performance and futuristic innovation. The new Lotus Evija Fittipaldi features a rotary dial in the instrument panel crafted from recycled aluminum originally from the Type 72, and the bespoke specification of the car features the iconic Lotus racing color scheme of black and gold, both inside and out, with graphics on the active rear wing dedicated to each of the Lotus Type 72’s five race victories from the 1972 F1 season. The car premiered with a special event at Lotus’s Hethel, UK home, and only 8 of these stunning cars will be made, and all have been sold, especially because the car not only celebrates one of automotive history’s greatest moments but is one of those moments itself. View All Lotus Cars For Sale Source: Lotus

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2021

Lotus x Norton & Sons Releases An Exclusive Driver's Jack...

Two iconic British brands collaborate on bespoke lightweight technical driving jacket. The inspirational impact of automobiles not only reaches the community of dedicated automotive enthusiasts but also artists and fashion designers worldwide. The rich motorsport heritage of Lotus continues with its highly-anticipated Evija hypercar, an electric performance-focused chassis equipped with 2,000-horsepower. Celebrating its past and future, Lotus is proud to announce its newest collaboration project with the bespoke tailor professionals at Norton & Sons. The new Lotus x Norton & Sons Driving Jacket is a lightweight handcrafted garment available exclusively for customers purchasing the $2 million-plus Evija. MUST-READ: Lotus Evija: The World’s Most Powerful Series Production Road Car The jacket’s classic design draws on the core values and DNA inherent in every product that both Lotus and Norton & Sons create a performance-oriented, lightweight contemporary design using advanced technical materials that sport durability. The jacket was created by Norton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant and Lotus Design Director Russell Carr, with inspiration drawn from Team Lotus pit lane jackets of the 1970s. Celebrating an exclusive release, the Lotus x Norton & Sons Evija Driving Jacket is sure to be a collector's piece for owners and enthusiasts of the iconic motorsports brand. Check out all of the current Lotus Evija models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lotus Evija For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Media/Information Source: Lotus

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2021

Lotus Evija Earns Top Honors in Top Gear Electric Awards

They named it "The One To Watch" Lotus looks unstoppable these days. From the announcement of their final gas-powered car yesterday, they also took us behind the scenes in the development of the Evija. Many late nights and gallons of caffeine have allowed the car to be tested at 80% of its potential. Even at this level, Top Gear realizes what the car is capable of. Lotus' Managing Director Matt Windle said: “Of all the EVs in development around the world, it’s an honour to be recognised by the Top Gear team as ‘The One to Watch’. Validation work on the car continues apace, and we resumed our world tour with the car last month. We look forward to showing it to more people in the physical world in the coming weeks.” Stay with us for all your Lotus news. Shop Lotus Image (C) Lotus

By Edward Jones – March 10, 2021

Hear the Sound of the Lotus Evija Hypercar And How It Was...

Now that we're starting to see more and more electric cars on the road, we're going to start going away from exhaust notes and instead talk about electric engine notes. While this may be controversial to many, it's actually opening to door to some very interesting sounds. Take the Lotus Evija, for instance. This new electric hypercar has a soundscape that was created by British music producer Patrick Patrikios. Inspired by the engine note of the Type 49 race car, he developed a new sound for the Evija. “I adjusted the replay speeds and digital filtering of the Type 49 to generate a soundscape for the Evija – it was a very organic process,” said Patrikios. “We all wanted something to spark an emotional connection between car and driver. Sound is hugely influential when it comes to creating and forming emotions, to enrich that bond that’s such a critical part of the Lotus experience.” You can see how he came up with the sound and even hear it for yourself by clicking play up above. See All Lotus Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 12, 2021

Lotus Evija Wins Product Design Of The Year

The International Design Awards began in 2007 as a way for peers to study each other's creations. Cars are rarely considered, but this year the Lotus Evija won Product Design Of The Year. With categories for Architecture, Fashion, Interior, Product, and Graphic Design, the new electric hypercar was awarded for leading automotive design into a new era. For a target price of just over $2 million, you will have 2,000 (metric) horsepower and the ability to reach 186 mph in under 9 seconds. In order to make room in their lineup the Elise and Exige Final Editions were just announced, so click the button to find yours before they are gone forever. Lotus For Sale Images (C) Group Lotus

By Edward Jones – November 03, 2020

See Some of the Most Amazing Lotus Evija Pictures

Lotus recently invited a few photographers out for a chance to capture the new Evija hypercar in a glorious setting. Each of the photographers had time with eh Evija in and around Duke of London, a former 1930s soap factory in West London which is now a motoring venue. The photographers were also given the ability to choose how and where they would photograph the Evija and the results are incredible. Scroll down below to see them for yourself and click each of their hyperlinks to see the full photoshoots. (Featured Image: Photographer Sam Moores @sammooresphoto) @London automotive editor Krishan Parmar @masterkrishan Photographer Alex Carmichael @Carms Online community, influencer and photographer Thomas Howarth @horsepower_hunters @uk.shooters creators and photographer:Luke Jackson Clark @watchluk Photographer and model Carl Thompson @carlthompson @uk.shooters creators and photographer: Mike Will @m.visuals Photographer and model Timothy James @ThisIsTimothy

By Andrew Nabors – October 16, 2020

Lotus Evija Shocks Everyone At Goodwood

The Duke of Richmond likes to have the world's most significant cars racing up his driveway. Earlier this morning the 2021 McLaren Elva was unveiled in a Gulf livery, so we anticipated competition from other supercar builders. Minutes ago, the Lotus Evija shocked everyone at Goodwood house. While the car has been on display around the world, this weekend will be its first "Dynamic Display. Although the car is technically still a prototype, this will be among the final shakedowns before production begins. " width="680"> The first run was by Charlie (Lord March), the event host, and son of the Duke. After he climbed out: "The Evija is unbelievable – the power, the speed, I’ve never experienced anything like it – it was exceptional. This new dawn of electric hypercars brings ultimate motoring to life for a new generation and a younger audience. The advancement in electric cars over the last 10 years is astonishing. There is a huge amount of growth potential for these machines to continue allowing us to keep enjoying and driving high performance cars. Lotus continues to appeal to both the inner driver and the inner child in all of us – so much fun, and ultimately for the driver to control and enjoy.”

Lotus News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe