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 Andrew Nabors – February 08, 2021

Lotus Exige & Elise Final Editions Unveiled

For over two decades these featherweights have fought for Queen & Country. With their sights set on electric performance, the Lotus Exige and Elise Final Editions have been announced. Combining everything they know about handling and weight reduction, the five unique models are Elise Sport 240 Elise Cup 250 Exige Sport 390 Exige Sport 420 Exige Cup 430 All cars have new wheels with the revival of classic liveries. An HD TFT screen replaces the instrument cluster, and Bilstein suspension has adjustable Eibach sway bars. Edelbrock superchargers push these cars to their limit, while other goodies include new steering wheels wrapped in Alcantara. All optional carbon fiber panels are standard, as are all the aerodynamic enhancements. Combined with the Evora models, Lotus will only build 55,000 cars this year. This is over 50% more than all street-legal cars delivered since 1948, so it is a fitting sendoff for their gas-powered lineup. That is why they are part of the Top 5 Celebrity Car Collections, so click the button to find yours. Browse Lotus For Sale Images (C) Lotus Cars

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2021

Lotus & Alpine Join Forces To Build Electric Hypercars

Two titans of automotive industry are about to shock the world. Lotus and Alpine have joined forces to build electric hypercars in a new memorandum of understanding. As the performance division of Renault, Alpine is embarking upon a high-voltage transformation. Lotus is on the cusp of delivering a potent electric hypercar as the Evija nears completion. This sharing of technology and innovation is not unlike Porsche purchasing more of Rimac. Collaboration is key to this new frontier, so stay with us as this story evolves. Browse Lotus For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Lotus Cars

By Andrew Nabors – August 11, 2020

Lotus Launches Certificate of Provenance Program

While he was building the lightest production cars of the era, Colin Chapman took made extensive documentation for each build. He treated each customer like family, and offered upgrades and improved calibrations based on owner feedback. A true automotive genius, he passed away in 1982 at only 54 years old, but his passion for excellence can be found in every car. That is why their new Certificate of Provenance Program will make your Lotus standout from the others. Learn Everything About the Lotus Evija From its Designer The first car to receive the new award was a 1981 Turbo Esprit, the last car owned by Mr. Chapman. Also driven by Margaret Thatcher, the car was recently bought back from the owner and it is being fully restored. If your car meets their strict criteria, you will receive a medal along with the Certificate, Build Sheet, and a personal letter from CEO Phil Popham. Browse Lotus For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2020

Lotus & Premier Financial Services Offer Unprecedented Le...

"Simplify, then add lightness". That quote by Lotus' founder Colin Chapman is still adhered to by their engineers. If you haven't experienced an Evora, you are truly missing out. These small and nimble machines might not have the power of bigger cars, but they are the featherweights. With a better power-to-weight ration than 99% of production cars, they are more fun than a barrel of monkeys. That's why we are excited that Lotus has launched unprecedented leasing terms for the Evora GT. In a press release this morning, Ryan Watson, President, Lotus Cars USA, said: “This is a significant moment for Lotus Cars in North America. We are making another positive progression in the development of our brand within this pivotal market. Premier Financial is a leader in this sector, and is a perfect fit as our financial partner.” Our friend Mitch Katz, founder and CEO, Premier Financial, said: "Lotus is a legendary and respected marque in the automotive world and has always produced some of the most desired racing and touring cars for serious enthusiasts. Premier is honoured to be associated with the Lotus Cars organization. We look forward to providing Lotus dealers in the United States with lease financing for their customers that's flexible, transparent, and always delivered with a ‘concierge’level of client service." Click the button below to learn more, and stay with us for all your Lotus news. Click Here For Lease Terms " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2020

Lotus Celebrates 35th Anniversary of Senna's First Win

It is hard to believe that a rookie Brazilian racer would take 1st place on a rain-soaked track. But such was the case on April 21st of 1985. Although he is best known for being a part of Team McLaren, Ayrton Senna began his Formula 1 career behind the wheel of a Lotus 97T. His mechanic Chris Dinnage relates the details of that day at Estoril on a podcast. Available on Apple, Spotify, and ShoutEngine, Chis said: His concentration levels were unparalleled – I’ve never met anyone like him. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time Clive Chapman is the son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, and he says: "For Team Lotus, Ayrton joining was a vital piece in the jigsaw, as the team faced the challenge of F1 without my father. Ayrton’s technical abilities, driving skills, hard work and motivational powers all proved to be more vital ingredients to the Team Lotus mix, which led to success almost immediately.”

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2019

2020 Lotus Evora GT is Lighter, Faster & More Powerful

There is big news in the world of small cars. If you enjoy the incredible handling and unmistakable style of English sports cars, the 2020 Lotus Evora GT is lighter, faster, & more powerful. Always staying true to their founder's decree, Colin Chapman said: "First simplify, then add lightness". He realized that weight is the true enemy of all great cars. Starting with that in mind, the new Evora GT is 71 lbs lighter than the Evora 400. Offered in 2-seat and 2+2 configurations, new carbon fiber body parts offer 141 lbs of downforce. Twice that of its predecessor, it is needed thanks to increased power. Their 3.5L engine was revised by Toyota, and Edelbrock supplies their latest intercooled supercharger. This combination yields 416 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque to a car that only weighs 3,104 lbs. This incredible power to weight ratio will have you at 60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 188 mph! Buyers who opt for the six-speed automatic will have 322 lb-ft of torque, but less fun (in our opinion). That's because the automatic cars have open differentials, and the manuals arrive with a Torsen locker between the rear wheels. Base model cars have Alcantara instead of leather, and buyers have a ton (literally) of options to choose from. From surround sound to premium infotainment, even the dead pedal footrest is a cost-added option. This car will undoubtedly be a blast to drive, so click the link below to find a Lotus dealer near you and stay with us for all your Evora updates. Browse Lotus Evora For Sale Related: Lotus Evija: The World's Most Powerful Series Production Road Car Jay Leno Drives the Lotus Evora 400

By Andrew Nabors – May 03, 2018

Lotus Launches 2019 Exige Sport 410

Just in time for the weekend, Lotus has pulled back the cover on a new Exige. The 2019 Exige Sport 410 takes inspiration from the Exige Cup 430 to build the ultimate daily driver. Founder Colin Chapman would be proud that his formula is still used: "First simplify, then add lightness".The engine, chassis, and suspension are shared with the Cup 430, but the Sport 410 is not a hardcore track car. A slight recalibration of the engine offers 410 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Sure these are adequate for any car until you notice it only weighs 2,323 lbs dry. The press release says it is the lightest V6-powered Exige ever, and our Exotic Car Buyer's Guide references that it is among the lightest cars we have ever written about.Lotus Group CEO Jean-Marc Gales said: “With every new Lotus we look to move the bar higher and apply technology and development ideas drawn from top-of-the-range models. Our agility as a company means that the lessons learned today can quickly be incorporated into the cars of tomorrow and the Exige Sport 410 is a perfect example of this. We have taken the Exige Cup 430, the ultimate track-centric Exige, and developed it into the perfect road orientated sports car, ensuring that we stay ahead of rivals when it comes to cars that deliver a truly engaging analogue driving experience.”While they won't go into detail as to where the weight was eliminated, a titanium exhaust saves 22 lbs. Air conditioning and entertainment systems are optional, but not an automatic transmission. The gorgeous exposed shifter of the close ratio 6-speed is all a true enthusiast needs. If you are curious about when the new Exige will arrive, click the link below and stay with us for all your Lotus updates.Browse Lotus Exige For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 25, 2016

Revealed: The Lotus Evora Sport 410

Lotus strikes again. Twice in two weeks, no less. This week, the company debuted the all-new Evora Sport 410. The latest installment of the Evora, the Sport 410, features a noticeably lighter body, shedding a substantial 70kg (approx. 154 pounds) and a slew of standard carbon fiber components. According to a press release, the new sports car shares, "the 410 hp supercharged engine with the track-bred 3-Eleven" and sails from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph. Still envisioned for everyday driving, the Evora Sport 410 maintains its "excellent road manners" and refinery fit for the daily driver. Thanks to the lighter weight and increase in power, the Evora Sport 410 completed a lap in a mere 1 minute and 28 seconds on the Hethel-- the company's test track. The combination of mass reduction and power also lends to better handling and therefore, better driver experience. Check out the photos of the new Evora Sport 410 below. Used Lotus Evora For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 18, 2016

Revealed: Fastest Lotus Elise Ever, the Cup 250

Lotus has always operated under the motto that less is more, and the new Elise Cup 250 highlights the company's commitment to that motto with a slew of new features that lighten the load. The new Lotus Elise Cup 250, which will replace the Cup 220, takes an approximate 46-lb loss while gaining 26-hp. The new Lithium-ion battery takes about 22-lbs off the weight while carbon fiber seats and lightweight alloy wheels save right around 16.5-lbs. Thanks to these weight-saving features and the addition of horsepower, the Elise Cup 250 speeds from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and is "the fastest road-going Lotus Elise ever", according to a press release.Lotus Elise Cup 250 Specs Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder supercharged Horsepower: 243 hp 0–60: 3.9 seconds Top Speed: 154 mph The company tested the Elise Cup 250 out on their company track, the Hethel, and it pulled a time of 1 minute 34 seconds-- an incredible 4 second improvement over the Elise Cup 220. The new Elise Cup 250 time is the fastest in Lotus Elise history.The Elise Cup 250 will have 10 exterior paint options and comes standard with Alcantara interior in either red or black, or choose the leather package. Owners will also have the option to customize their vehicle thanks to the Lotus Exclusive program. iPod, Bluetooth functionality and sound insulation are also included.Lotus' For Sale

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