McLaren News

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 26, 2022

McLaren Automotive x Race Service Announce The McLaren F1...

Available in extremely limited quantities, the clothing collection pays tribute to arguably the most iconic supercar in history. Built off its historic and successful involvement in motorsports, McLaren Automotive incorporates decades of knowledge and engineering into its now modern-day fleet of supercars. While pushing toward the future with high expectations, the brand continues to pay homage to the classic race cars and events that help shape the brand into what it has become today. McLaren Automotive is proud to be teaming up with the team at Race Service on a collaboration collection celebrating one of the most iconic race chassis in motorsport history. The highly-anticipated collection release is focused solely around the 1995 Le Mans-winning McLaren F1 GTR chassis 01R. MUST-READ: Watch Over $200 Million Worth of McLaren F1s Take a Ferry Together The release features two exclusive pieces that showcase period-correct graphics and 1990s McLaren logos. Every detail of the winning McLaren F1 GTR is portrayed on a premium black t-shirt and hoodie, which are only available in limited quantities. The collection commemorates the craftsmanship of early McLaren race cars and their ability to withstand the abuse of iconic endurance races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The limited-edition McLaren Automotive x Race Service ‘01R’ Capsule Collection will be available on Race Service’s webstore at 6 pm CEST. View all current McLaren inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL MCLAREN FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by RACE SERVICE (@race.service) Source: Race Service

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 02, 2022

McLaren x APL Release The Automotive-Inspired HySpeed Sne...

For the first time, luxury supercar maker McLaren Automotive is collaborating with APL to unveil an entirely new silhouette. With the perfect blend of design and performance to take on any road or circuit, McLaren Automotive implements the same forward-thinking into its line of luxury lifestyle products. Surrounding itself with other industry leaders, McLaren collaborates with other brand professionals to help diversify its portfolio outside of supercar manufacturing and Formula 1. The team at McLaren Automotive is proud to take its next venture with the footwear specialists at Athletic Propulsion Labs, featuring a limited-edition sneaker collection that boasts vibrant colors and leading technology. Inspired by the vehicles that make up McLaren’s fleet, the McLaren HySpeed is designed as an all-purpose performance sneaker that marks the supercar manufacturer's first footwear collaboration. MUST-READ: Discover The New Mercedes-AMG GT Speaker By iXOOST The all-new HySpeed presents a low-cut silhouette that highlights APL’s patented Load ’N Launch technology, adopting aspects from the McLaren Speedtail’s lightweight construction. The APL x McLaren HySpeed features a three-piece segmented midsole with APL FutureFoam pods in the front and rear, connected by a full-length lightweight carbon fiber plate. An all-new nitrogen-infused midsole compound is engineered for supreme responsiveness and energy-rich compression. The shoe also includes a microfiber heel with extended wings and an advanced fitment system, with three-piece cushion heel padding and APL’s signature Souffle Sockliner. The outsole also references design details of McLaren’s supercars, featuring a tread pattern inspired by performance tires that are designed for speed and grip. The APL x McLaren collaboration comes in White/McLaren Orange, White/Black/Ombre, Rose Dust/Creme, Energy/Metallic Silver, and McLaren Orange is available for men and women for $450. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and releases. Source: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 23, 2022

McLaren F1 Team Launches Its New Limited-Edition Monaco C...

McLaren preps for Monaco with a new apparel line. Since its inaugural start in 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix continues its legacy as one of the most iconic motorsport circuits in the world. The curvy 2.074-mile Circuit de Monaco course sits on the beautiful waterfront village between France and Italy, where famous drivers like Aryton Senna and Niki Lauda have competed in legendary races. Prepping for the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monaco this weekend, the McLaren F1 Team is proud to launch an apparel and accessory collection celebrating the historic event. The all-new McLaren F1 Monaco Collection features head-to-toe styles that incorporate vintage designs, fonts, and colors that commemorate McLaren’s earliest years participating in the famous event. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now The collection release includes sweatshirts, t-shirts, polos, hats, and sunglasses that come in an array of sizes for everyone in the family. Within the lineup of premium apparel, team racing drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo sport their race numbers on select pieces, making it the perfect choice to root on your favorite McLaren driver during this weekend’s F1 Grand Prix. The colors that make up the McLaren Monaco Collection include the brand’s famous Papaya Orange, Dusty Blue, Black, and white. The all-new McLaren F1 Monaco Collection is currently available starting at $49, just in time for the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, May 29th. View all of the current McLaren models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and Formula 1 news. View All McLaren For Sale Source: McLaren

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 10, 2022

Amalgam Celebrates The Gulf Livery With A New Limited-Edi...

The perfect addition to any Gulf Racing or McLaren F1 racing fan's collection. After an intense kick-off to the first-ever Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, race fans re-live the action-packed excitement from the inaugural race that ended with a victory for Max Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing Team. The luxury professionals at Amalgam are continuing the celebration by presenting an all-new McLaren F1 MCL35M Collection featuring a range of highly-detailed models ranging from scales 1:18 to 1:8. The theme of the collection release follows the iconic Gulf Racing livery, which is known as one of the most recognizable racing visuals in history. Gulf’s link with McLaren started in 1968 and continued until the end of the 1973 season, with Gulf and McLaren enjoying success in both Formula 1 and the Can-Am series, in which the partnership won over 40 races. MUST-READ: Amalgam Debuts Its New Limited-Edition 1:12-Scale Ferrari Portofino M Model The collection includes a 1:8-scale McLaren MCL35M 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, 1:18-scale McLaren MCL35M 2021 Monaco Grand Prix, 1:8-scale McLaren MCL35M 2021 Italian Grand Prix, and a McLaren MCL35M Nosecone from the 2021 Imola Grand Prix. Each variation presents itself in the most detailed manner possible with the help of CAD data supplied directly from McLaren. After an intricate molding, the MCL35M receives a 250-hour process to cast, fit, fettle, assemble, and paint to the exact specs of the race car. Strictly limited to only 50-pieces of each driver livery, the all-new Amalgam McLaren MCL35M Collection is currently available starting at $345 by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle gear news and releases. SHOP NOW Source: Amalgam

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 03, 2022

McLaren Reveals The Ultimate Father's Day Gift Guide

The perfect McLaren-inspired gifts for Father's Day. McLaren Automotive not only specializes in supercar development for on and off-track use but also luxury lifestyle gear that helps to embody the performance aspects of the UK-based band. McLaren Automotive and McLaren F1 are proud to showcase a small taste of its growing lifestyle collection with a list dedicated to celebrating the enthusiast in your life during Father’s Day this year. Made to complement the McLaren 765LT sitting in the garage, the collection of apparel and accessories is made from premium materials that sport the iconic colors and graphics of the supercar manufacturers. MUST-READ: Amalgam Debuts Its New Limited-Edition 1:12-Scale Ferrari Portofino M Model McLaren’s Ultimate Father’s Day gift guide features McLaren Castore Spring sportswear collection, McLaren TUMI capsule collection, Amalgam McLaren Senna 1:18 scale model, LEGO Speed Champions McLaren Elva and LEGO Technic McLaren Senna GTR, and many more. Inspired by the form, function, and colors behind McLaren’s range of ground-breaking supercars, the collection is the ultimate addition for every day. With Father’s Day just around the corner, click the link below to shop the Ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide from the team at McLaren. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. Shop Now View All McLaren For Sale Source: McLaren

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 09, 2022

McLaren F1 Releases Its New Collectible 1:2 Scale 2022 Te...

Celebrate the start of the 2022 Formula 1 Season with McLaren F1. As the start of the 2022 Formula 1 Season quickly approaches, each team continues to dial in their new vehicle setups with plenty of practice on the track. While drivers find all the sweet spots behind the wheel, the lifestyle specialists at McLaren F1 are prepping fans for the first race with the launch of its collectible 2022 Team Helmet. The 1:2 scale race helmet celebrates the start of the season with matte Papaya and black finish that pays homage to the iconic color of the McLaren brand. MUST-READ: The GearBox: McLaren Materials The race numbers of McLaren F1 Team drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are also incorporated into the helmet design, along with an orange ‘2022’ decal that contrasts against its black carbon finish. The McLaren F1 2022 Team Helmet is the perfect addition to any race fans memorabilia collection and is available to pre-order on the McLaren Store Website for $230. View all of the current McLaren models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and upcoming releases. View All McLaren For Sale Source: McLaren Store

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 12, 2021

The McLaren F1 Releases The U.S. Grand Prix Collection

Show your team pride as team McLaren heads to Austin, Texas for this year's US GP. With the U.S. Grand Prix just around the corner, Formula 1 fans prep for the highly-anticipated race at The Circuits of America in Austin, TX. Alongside dedicated fans, the McLaren F1 team is also prepping for the event with its own 2021 US GP Collection. The new apparel and accessories collection steps away from the traditional formal style of polos seen in the paddock, and introducing American football-inspired McLaren driver jerseys. The vintage-style jersey is available with Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris’ driving numbers in McLaren’s iconic papaya orange colorway. Along with the commemorative jerseys, McLaren F1 also includes a new sports hat in the new collection that features a red, white, and blue colorway. Celebrate Mclaren F1’s journey to victory at the 2021 U.S. Grand Prix with the new apparel and accessories collection. Shop the new collection from the McLaren F1 team by clicking the link below. Shop The McLaren U.S. GP Collection Media/Info Source: McLaren

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 12, 2021

TUMI x McLaren Add Key Travel Accessory Pieces To Its Col...

TUMI and McLaren have crafted nine additional pieces, extending the collaborative range to include small leather goods, outerwear, and sleeker silhouettes. Since its debut earlier this year, the TUMI x McLaren Collection continues to grow in popularity with automotive enthusiasts. The collection of premium travel accessories and luggage features lightweight designs crafted from carbon fiber. As the dynamic duo approaches its third year of collaborating, TUMI x McLaren is proud to announce two new additions to the collection. The M-Tech Soft Satchel is this collection’s travel solution. As weekend trips, staycations, and short breaks continue to trend, this satchel makes the perfect companion for those who prefer the ease of unstructured silhouettes. The duffel is fashioned with both an articulated papaya-accented padded shoulder strap and leather top carry handles to offer adaptability while keeping you on the move. MUST-READ: How To Buy: McLaren x TUMI Luggage Collection The Halo Backpack embodies luxury performance, featuring a molded front panel, a padded sleeve that can hold up to a 14-inch laptop, and a built-in USB port for on-the-go recharging. It is accented with carbon fiber, papaya highlights, a leather handle, and magnetic zippers featuring subtle TUMI and McLaren branding. Rounding out the collection’s smaller goods are the Global Double Billfold, Passport Cover, and Folding Card Case. Each is exquisitely fashioned in leather and highlighted with papaya-colored metal hardware, carbon fiber, and embossed branding, which make them perfect for holiday gifting. Shop the newest additions to the TUMI x McLaren Collection by clicking the link below. Shop TUMI x McLaren Media/Info Source: McLaren

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 17, 2021

The McLaren x RHUDE Fall/Winter '21 Collection Is Set To ...

McLaren is taking over the streetwear game with RHUDE in the front seat. While automotive manufacturers create apparel lines to complement the styling of their luxury and performance line of vehicles, McLaren Automotive partners with icon streetwear brands like RHUDE. After a highly successful launch of the McLaren x RHUDE Drop 1 Collection, the performance pair is proud to announce its second drop featuring new styles sporting iconic branding and colors. MUST-READ: McLaren x RHUDE Announce A Summer Apparel Collection For 2021 As seen on the RHUDE Instagram page, the McLaren-inspired collection features all the best apparel and accessories to compliment the styling of McLaren Automotive and the McLaren F1 racing team. The McLaren x RHUDE Drop 2 is set to release on September 1st, 2021. Click the link below to shop the McLaren x RHUDE Drop 1 and to preview the new collection release. Shop McLaren x RHUDE

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 22, 2021

Watch Daniel Ricciardo Preview The McLaren x RHUDE Appare...

As the McLaren x RHUDE Collection release grows closer, the supercar manufacturer sent Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo to the design studio to preview the line. In the video uploaded to the McLaren YouTube channel, Daniel takes a bright blue 765LT to Downtown Los Angeles to the RHUDE Studio to meet founder Rhuigi Villaseñor. The duo goes through the new collection piece by piece discussing the inspiration and process behind each of their professions. The excitement on Daniel’s face throughout the impromptu fashion show has us anticipating more release information on the McLaren x RHUDE Collection. Check back in for a How To Buy special article on the collaboration release. For more Gear news, Check out The Top 10 High-End Running Shoes To Pack In Your Gym Bag Image Source: McLaren Instagram

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