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 Tyler Rampersaud – May 13, 2024

McLaren Beverly Hills Shows Off 1-of-16 Lanzante P1 GTR-18

This masterpiece has even more exclusivity than the already-amazing McLaren P1. The McLaren P1 is one fo the greatest automotive creation in modern history, as a revolutionary third of the hybrid hypercar “Holy Trinity,” which was integral to creating the high-performance automotive world that we know today. However, the McLaren P1 GTR took it a step further, honing its performance for the purpose of dominating the track, and the ultra-exclusive creation remains today an incredible hypercar machine. Known for its design expertise inspired by racing history and specialty in the McLaren P1, Lanzante Limited took the McLaren P1 GTR a step further, with the P1 GTR-18, inspired by the McLaren F1 GTR with its long tail, a staple in McLaren’s racing history. Only 16 examples of the stunning and ultra-exclusive P1 GTR-18 exist, and McLaren Beverly Hills showed one off on Instagram before it went to its new home with a client. With its racing-focused design, the P1 GTR-18 features a low, wide stance, with dramatic aerodynamic features like a fixed spoiler, airways throughout, and more, and adding to its intimidating look is its sleek black paintwork with sliver 5-spoke wheels, as well as an interior that pairs black upholstery with red accents. With just 16 examples like it in existence, this close look at the McLaren P1 GTR-18 is a stunning sight to see. View All Vehicles For Sale From McLaren Beverly Hills View this post on Instagram A post shared by McLaren Beverly Hills (@mclarenbeverlyhills)

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 11, 2024

O'Gara Coach x Lanzante Show Off McLaren P1 HDK Spec

This stunning spec shows off coachbuilding excellence. The McLaren P1, along with the other two members of the 2010s “Holy Trinity” ushered in a new era of hypercars and made for a turning point in automotive history, proving the full potential of hybrid power and the future of performance. However, a decade after it was first introduced, the McLaren P1 has been given a new look through the coachbuilder Lanzante. The result is the McLaren P1 HDK, with “HDK” standing for “High Downforce Kit.”The HDK version of the McLaren P1 is inspired by the McLaren F1’s available High Downforce Kit, and it not only adds a historical homage and a unique look to the legendary hybrid hypercar, but also better prepares it for on-track excellence. This McLaren P1 HDK is the result of a collaboration between Lanzante and O’Gara Coach, and it features a unique two-tone spec, which was chosen by Paris Mullins, and it’s been shown off in a new Instagram post by Lanzante and O’Gara Coach. The exterior highlights the kit with a two-tone spec, combining satin-finish Supernova Silver paintwork with other parts being finished in exposed carbon fiber. Inside, the interior features another interesting spec, with Hermes Orange leather against black Alcantara. With this spec and its coachbuilt kit, this McLaren P1 HDK shows that a decade-old hypercar still can impress with coachbuilding excellence. View All McLaren P1s For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by McLaren Beverly Hills (@mclarenbeverlyhills) Source: O'Gara Coach & Lanzante via Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 25, 2024

Lanzante x Mad Mike Transform A McLaren P1 GTR Into The W...

With hypercar engineering and performance at an all-time high, it's becoming easier to live out your wildest dreams within the ever-growing automotive world. For New Zealand Red Bull drifting racer Michael "Mad Mike" Whiddett, those dreams take shape as rally-ready trophy trucks and high-performance drift car builds. Mad Mike and the U.K.-based bespoke hypercar specialists at Lanzante are joining forces on what seems to be the most ambitious automotive project ever alongside the team at O'Gara Coach. Set to be debuted as the wildest drift car on earth at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024, Lanzante x Mad Mike x O'Gara Coach are proud to unveil its one-of-a-kind McLaren P1 GTR as Project: 'MADMAC'. When automotive brilliance meets drift culture, magic happens. Enter MADMAC, the latest brainchild born from the collaboration of Lanzante, an authority in McLaren transformations, and 'Mad Mike' Whiddett, a drifting virtuoso. The project revolves around the superior McLaren P1 GTR, transforming the multi-million dollar hypercar into drift-spec under the team of experts at Lanzante. MADMAC is currently in New Zealand receiving the final touches at Mad Mike’s 'Mad Lab', before being showcased on a global stage. The McLaren P1 GTR's aero-focused widebody features a pristine gloss white finish with tons of lightweight, exposed carbon fiber accents. In addition to its aggressive new looks, the McLaren includes an upgraded, hybrid-assisted 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8 that churns out more than 986 horsepower to its rear wheels. While specifics have yet to be shared, we believe both the power output and suspension have been dialed in to make this build a true tire shredder. Await more revelations on this groundbreaking build through updates from Lanzante, O’Gara Coach, and Mad Mike as the McLaren P1 GTR 'MADMAC' gears up for a grand unveiling at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. View all O'Gara Coach inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All O'Gara Coach Inventory Source: Lanzante

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 11, 2023

Volcano Red 2014 McLaren P1 For Sale

Showcasing an exterior finish unlike any other example, this early production McLaren P1 could be yours!

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 04, 2023

Tavarish Buys The Infamous Yellow McLaren P1 Flood Car Wi...

Shocking the automotive world as it was flooded during Hurricane Ian, this McLaren P1 hypercar may live to see another day! While destruction from Category 4 Hurricane Ian is still being cleaned up in South Florida, supercars and hypercars of all kinds are being pulled from abandoned homes. At the time, a bright yellow McLaren P1 went viral around the world as it was floating freely in an aggressive storm surge. The multi-million dollar hypercar was owned by Ernie (@lambo9286) and accompanied his Rolls-Royce under 2-3ft of water. The 2014 McLaren P1 is making news again as it recently sold during an online auction to automotive YouTube influencer Tavarish. MUST-READ: McLaren P1 Floats Out Of Garage During Flood Caused By Hurrican Ian The 35-year-old car collector specializes in buying and fixing wrecked exotics, documenting each journey through a series of DIY videos. The idea of buying the totaled McLaren P1 came courtesy of a recent Instagram post of the floating P1, with a caption that read "If this post gets 40,000 likes, I will spend every cent I have (and borrow) to buy this McLaren P1 from Copart and restore it down to the last bolt for YouTube's biggest car project ever." Tavarish's lineup currently includes a McLaren 675LT, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari F355 Spider, Mk4 Toyota Supra, and many more. Make sure to check back into Tavarish's YouTube Channel to keep up with his McLaren P1 flood car rebuild series. View all current McLaren P1 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All McLaren P1 For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tavarish (@therealtavarish) Source: @therealtavarish IG

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2022

McLaren P1 Floats Out Of Garage During Flood Caused By Hu...

Not something the owner expected to see. Here in Florida, Hurricane Ian has passed but it leaves a path of destruction that stretches across the state. The worst of the destruction can be found just south of us around Fort Meyers where the eye wall of the hurricane slammed onto the shore. Not only did the storm bring winds that reached 150 mph, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit Florida, but it brought over 10 ft of storm surge to the coastal areas. This storm surge seemed to have reached Instagram user @lambo9286 and their garage which housed a Rolls-Royce and McLaren P1. On their Instagram account, they posted images of the P1 and Rolls-Royce together in a flooded garage, as well as a post of the P1 in the street surrounded by a couple feet of water. They note that the P1 and Rolls-Royce managed to escape the garage and float their way into the street. While we're glad to see that the owner is safe, seeing these cars in this state is a sad sight as they clearly loved them, posting many amazing photos of them. In fact, they even used the P1 as the car of choice to pick up some hurricane supplies. You can see images of the damage down below and be sure to follow the account as they do post some incredible exotic cars on a consistent basis. It should also be noted that it seems as though the McLaren P1 was acquired around a week before this all happened. Following this hurricane, there are thousands in need of rescue or a place to stay. Worse yet, there is a fear that the death toll could rise to startling numbers in the coming days. According to a local official, fatalities could be in the hundreds. If you would like to help, you can donate to the American Red Cross by clicking here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ernie (@lambo9286)

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 05, 2022

McLaren's First NFT Collection Celebrates The P1's 10th A...

The world’s first hybrid hypercar also becomes McLaren’s first NFT. The McLaren P1 has no problem being a pioneer. As the world’s first hybrid hypercar, revealed ten years ago in 2012, it was part of a “Holy Trinity” of cars that set the course and approach for performance cars, supercars, and hypercars in one of the most meaningful ways modern automotive history has ever seen. Now, the car takes on a similar role in the virtual world. 2,012 (paying homage to the year it was first introduced) randomly generated McLaren P1 and P1 GTR NFTs will be minted. MUST READ: McLaren’s New MSO LAB Brings McLaren Lifestyle Into The Metaverse They are each priced at 0.5ETH and are in five separate tiers: 1,000 in the LAB Studio: P1 tier, 893 in the LAB Studio+: P1 tier, 100 in the LAB Works: P1 GTR tier, the LAB Honorary P1 and P1 GTR tier, of which NFTs will be gifted to select members of the McLaren community, and 5 in the LAB Icons P1 and P1 GTR tier. 14 NFTs have already been gifted, which leaves 1,998 available for sale. The NFT gives owners a render of the front ¾ view of the car, an animation of the car as well. They will also receive membership to the MSO LAB community, as well as opportunities and invitations to experiences and perks. The NFTs will be live on the McLaren marketplace on May 11 at 9:00 AM ET with priority access for McLaren owners as well as other invitees, and will then open to invited wider NFT communities on May 13, exactly 48 hours later, marking the full entry of McLaren into the NFT world. View All McLarens For Sale Source: McLaren

By Edward Jones – April 26, 2021

Mecum Indy 2021: McLaren P1 from Marshall Goldman Collect...

Presented by Mecum Auctions - Just as the McLaren F1 road car redefined cutting-edge performance in the 1990s, so has the 2014 P1 offered here set new standards, having been boldly described in company literature as “the most exciting, capable, technologically advanced and dynamically accomplished super sports car ever made.” That is as unequivocal a statement as has ever been made by any automobile manufacturer since Errett Lobban Cord introduced the Duesenberg Model J, but the 2014 P1 offered here at no reserve from the Marshall Goldman Collection more than lives up to that promise. Constructed around an intricately woven one-piece carbon fiber MonoCage, the P1 comprises a bundle of interconnected systems following modern Formula 1 practice. Its aerodynamics generate the highest downforce of any production road car to its time, complementing that with RaceActive chassis control to modulate the all-independent wishbone suspension and an adjustable rear wing to maintain dynamic balance under any conditions. Its hybrid twin-turbocharged DOHC 3.8L V-8 generates 727 HP, with a permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor within the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission adding 177 HP for a sum of 903 HP and more than 700 lb-ft of torque. At the other end of the performance spectrum are F1-grade silicon-carbide-coated carbon ceramic disc brakes capable of stopping the P1 from 120 MPH in just 380 feet. Chassis No. 325 of 375 P1s produced, this 2014 McLaren P1 received the full treatment from McLaren Special Operations, who handcrafted its bespoke interior and exterior finishings. Its Brodger Fire Brown paint, specially developed by MSO, is contrasted by the car’s semi-gloss carbon fiber bodywork and orange accents on the brake calipers, rear wing struts and “P1” rear badge; the same satin body finish appears on the mirror arms and the lightweight aluminum wheels. The theme repeats inside with Highland Hare Brown leather and Alcantara upholstery on the dash, steering wheel and touring seats contrasted by orange stitching and satin-finish orange control dials. This exquisitely tailored McLaren hypercar comes complete with a battery charger, car cover, books, original paint and leather samples, P1 book and service records. This McLaren P1 will be auctioned off during Mecum Auctions' Indy 2021 event, which runs May 14-22. View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2020

2015 McLaren P1 GTR #01 For Sale

When the McLaren P1 was announced, a few enthusiasts wondered how it would handle a race track. In stock form it offered 903 horsepower and 723 lb-ft of torque. However, a small team inside McLaren set about building the ultimate example. The P1 GTR was a combined effort between McLaren's Formula 1 teams and the production car engineers. Channeling the same focus used to win LeMans in '95, they offered a hybrid of battery power and a 4-liter twin-turbo V8. It is rated at 1,000 horsepower while weight was reduced by 110 lbs. The adjustable suspension was removed to offer 10% more downforce, acting on a curb weight of 3,175 lbs. As the most famous McLaren in modern history, the owner brought it to our Cars & Coffee and showed us the intricate details. As a witness, I would not pass up such an opportunity. It was such a sensation we shot it as our cover car for September of 2018. Every P1 GTR was built by hand, and this is the first example. Only 27 cars were made street-legal, again this is the first. It is titled and registered in Montana, and is for sale by our friends at McLaren Newport Beach. With only 1,284 miles, it has decades of life ahead of it. If you need the perfect centerpiece to your McLaren Mancave, click the button below for all the details. Must Read: McLaren P1 Price & Specs View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2019

McLaren Celebrates Their First Chassis from Yorkshire

McLaren builds such amazing cars that they have outgrown their headquarters in Surrey. Their new plant is the McLaren Composites Technology Center, located in Yorkshire. It is only 125 miles away, which is probably under a minute in a P1 GTR. It will allow for research and improvement of their Monocell and Monocage chassis by cutting weight and adding strength. The facility opened last year, and today McLaren celebrates their first chassis from Yorkshire. In a press release this morning, we see the happy team standing around "PLT-MCTC - 01". This prototype will be used to study crash safety, torsional loads, and hopefully graphene. This new facility is critical to their Track 25 Plan, as their goal is to have an entirely hybrid lineup by 2025. This will require stronger & lighter chassis to stay ahead of the competition, but honestly, they are decades ahead already. Congrats to the team at MCTC from all of us at duPont REGISTRY. Shop McLaren P1 FOr Sale Related: Porsche Employees Get $11,000 Bonus McLaren Beverly Hills: Dealer of the Year for 2018

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