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

Mercedes-Benz News

Mercedes-Benz news fromduPont REGISTRY News, updated daily, covering the S-Class, the Maybach range, the AMG models, the G-Class and the electric line-up. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, bespoke builds and the auction results that set collector values. Mercedes-Benz competes across more segments than almost any rival, so the news here runs unusually wide. Our marketplace supplies the part most publications leave out entirely. A great many of these cars are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts a review and a real asking price side by side. For Mercedes-Benz news today, and the luxury car market news around it, start here.

By Andrew Nabors – January 18, 2021

2015 Mercedes-AMG S63 vs. 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550

We strive to see you make the most informed purchase. Because every S-Class for sale offers performance and luxury, here is a 2015 Mercedes-AMG S63 versus a 2010 Mercedes-Benz S550. Usually, not much will change in six model years, but the Sonderklasse is their flagship sedan. 2021 Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible vs W12 Coupe Our friend Matthew Jones is a Sales Manager at Dimmitt Luxury Motors, and their goal is to offer an unrivaled inventory. The 2010 is built on the W221 chassis, and it was the last naturally-aspirated V8. Exterior styling and twin turbos make the 2015 model more appealing, but the supple ride and interior appointments are mostly unchanged. Tell us which car you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for more Supercars in Seconds. Browse Inventory At Dimmitt Luxury Motors " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Unveils MBUX Hyperscreen

At the crossroads of information, design, and displays, Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the MBUX Hyperscreen. Their goal is a "zero layer". That is, not overlapping controls for the climate, audio, and passenger comfort while keeping the essential data in the driver's line-of-sight. That's why the entire dashboard is now a massive Gorilla Glass touchscreen. While the driver is treated with augmented reality thanks to night vision, the passenger is entertained with an intuitive "co-driver" display. The upcoming electric S-Class (2022 EQS) will be the first car to feature this enticing display, so stay with us for all your S-Class updates. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Daimler A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – December 23, 2020

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates Forty Years Of The Airbag

Santa Claus left unprecedented gifts in 1980. Those who chose a new S-Class for sale can look back this year, as Mercedes-Benz celebrates forty years of the airbag. "The best or nothing" has been their modus operandi for over a century. As such, they knew an airbag couldn't do it all. In order to make sure the driver was in the correct spot, they also introduced seatbelt pre-tensioners were also onboard. 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Price & Specs Since those innovations launched on the 126 chassis, Mercedes-Benz engineers have kept safety their top priority. The 2021 S-Class is arriving with the most innovative safety gear on the market, including the first frontal bags for rear passengers. So click the button below and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz news. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale Images (C) Daimler A.G.

By Andrew Nabors – December 18, 2020

2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Price & Specs

Something all new will be arriving at your dealer this summer. If you demand a luxury sedan unlike any other, we have just received the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Price & Specs. Full-size sedans have taken a hit thanks to cheap gas, so the designers and engineers went above and beyond. Years in the making, we will receive three trim levels based on extensive customer research. Luxury Line is plush, AMG Line is sporty, and the Executive Line is reserved for the long-wheelbase S 580. 2021 BRABUS Rocket 900 Price & Specs Revealed Standard equipment starts with a 12.8" screen, and the options for four more throughout the interior. Their MBUX voice command system has 50% more processing power, and it incorporates the ambient LED lights when responding. Augmented Reality has been integrated into a 3D heads-up display and the instrument cluster to offer faster navigation through menus and audio. If you opt for the Burmester system, be prepared for 1,750 watts coming from 30 speakers and 8 resonators. The seats offer 10 massage programs with two levels of intensity, and they have bass resonators for perfect sound. Power for the big car comes from a revised straight-six. It uses EQ Boost to offer 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. V8 power is reserved for the S 580, and it arrives with 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The MSRP for the S 500 4MATIC Luxury Line starts at $109,800, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, you will need $131,450 for the S 580 in Executive Line trim. Click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz news. Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Mercedes-Benz USA

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

Mercedes-Benz EQ Lineup Offers Something For Everyone

Back when oil prices were insane, importing the Smart car was a great idea. Subcompacts are still popular for urban commuters, but now Smart offers something for everyone. It is just one of the models being converted to battery power, as the Mercedes-Benz EQ lineup offers something for everyone. From the A-Class to the S-Class, plug-in hybrids and all-electric power are replacing gas engines. Each of the big automakers has its own strategy for high voltage. While Mercedes-Benz is starting with their highest volume and lowest cost cars, GM plans to have Cadillac lead the way by going all-electric in just a few years. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers and stay with us for all your Mercedes-Benz news. Browse Mercedes-Benz For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2020

2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 4Matic+ Coupe in designo Night Blac...

My first experience in a 2-door S-Class was nothing short of perfection. There is nothing wrong with the traditional S-Class sedan, its just massive. That is why the coupe and convertible replicate every ounce of luxury and performance into a platform that is a bit more practical. It makes no sense to not go all-in when you need the perfect daily driver. That is why the AMG version arrives fully loaded. This is their flagship coupe since the S65 version was cancelled last year. The Vi12 made it nose-heavy and didn't allow for All Wheel Drive. With it out of the way, engineers have thrown all their efforts into the 2020 S63 coupe. You will have a twin-turbo V8 sending 603 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. All the latest safety and comfort you would expect is found throughout the interior. Instead of a dual-clutch transmission, their patented Multi-Clutch system can go from silky smooth to bang shifts in Sport+ mode. If you can handle this matte black masterpiece, click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more great offers from Mercedes-Benz of Easton. View Price & Specs

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2019

Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition Heading to Geneva

Mercedes-Benz and their parents at Daimler are preparing for a massive presence at the Geneva Motor Show. We've covered the SL Grand Edition and the SLC Final Edition earlier this week, but we missed one sentence in their Geneva preview. Tucked away near the bottom is the sad news that a Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition will also be on display. Mercedes-Benz discontinued the V12 after the gas crises in the 70's, but it returned in 1991 in the 600S and SL models. But it looks like the 6.0L twin-turbo engine is on borrowed time. Much like the SLS AMG we covered yesterday, big German engines are an endangered species. We don't know what this means for the Mercedes-Maybach, or Pagani since they are based around this masterpiece. 2018 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG Specs, Price, Photos & Review This also implies there will not be a new G65, as the 2020 G63 has incredible potential. Our hearts are heavy, this is like watching the last episode of MASH while holding back the tears. But this old friend is going out on top, with 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Get it while you can, as the 2019 (and hopefully 2020) examples of the SL65, S65 Sedan, Coupe, and Cabriolet are heading into the sunset. Click the link below to find an S65 near you and stay with us for all your AMG news. Shop Mercedes-AMG S65 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Facelift Changes for 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2019

Reviewed: 2018 Mercedes S63 AMG Cabriolet

If you want a convertible Mercedes what comes to mind? Of course its the SL is a "Sport Light" roadster with a retractable hard top. But it carries a legacy of being the flagship of the brand, and priced out of reach of most buyers. That is why they shortened the S-Class sedan and gave it a fabric top. The S63 AMG Cabrio packs a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 sending 603 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. It allows 60 mph to arrive in 3.8 seconds, only 0.1 seconds slower than the V12 powered SL65. So what would you do with an overpowered AWD convertible? We spent a week with one and realized how inferior everything else can be. Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Specs Starting where the rubber meets the road, the S Cabrio suspension is far more advanced than the aging SL. Multi-chamber air bags and curve control allow the body to lean into each corner. This translates cetrifugal force into vertical, making for a pleasant ride after my neck surgery. The transition from sedan to coupe didn't alter the front seats or dash. Controls and infotainment are almost identical to the sedan. What makes it even more practical are the rear seats. Even with the fronts fully back, there is adequate room for rear passengers. Driving the S63 Cabrio is truly rewarding. The incredibly strong unibody does not rattle or show any signs of cowl shake. The 9-speed dual clutch transmission offers instant shifts to wake up the turbos. In normal mode, it shifts way too early for people like us. Sport + mode should be the default setting when the engine starts. That's because it will reward you with incredible acceleration in any situation. You will not reach the limits of this car on any public road, and you will make Subaru drifters question their purpose in life. If you have the means, 180,000 is not an unreasonable price. Our dealers have several to choose from, or they can order yours to meet your heart's desires. Click the link below to learn more and stay with us for more reviews. Browse Mercedes S-Class For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Unveils Plug-In Hybrid S560e

Name something the S Class Mercedes is not capable of. If you thought it is incapable of charging itself, you would be mistaken. A new plug-in hybrid version was the shocking basis for a press release on Monday. Yes, the previous generation had a hybrid version, but the new car has been engineered with hybrid technology in mind.If the AMG S65 has enough underhood space to accommodate a V12 engine and twin turbos, a V6 and a motor/generator should drop right in. The new components share the same case as the 9G-Tronic transmission. This saves weight and allows the battery to send power directly to the axles. Also onboard is a 7.2 kW charger to keep the battery topped off.Mercedes-AMG Unveil 2018 S63 & S65 With a rating of 13.5 kWh or 37 Amp-Hours, it can power the S560e for 25 miles of electric cruising. The 3.0 liter V6 is rated at 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, combined with 90 kW and 325 lb-ft of electric torque, it allows the big car to reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. If you need V8 power in your life, our dealers have several flavors of new Mercedes S Class for sale. The S560e is expected to arrive in the US by mid-2019, and we'll have all the details here for you. Stay with us for all your Mercedes and S Class news. 2019 Mercedes-Benz S560e Sedan

By Edward Jones – September 05, 2017

2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 and S65 Revealed With Specs

Mercedes-AMG, the performance-oriented branch of Mercedes-Benz, has pulled back the veil from the new 2018 S63 and S65 models (both Coupe and Cabriolet). This new model year sees a number of changes, with the most updates being made to the engines and exterior. On the outside, both models now feature the iconic Panamericana grille that pays homage to the 300 SL that won the 1952 Mexican Road Race.Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson With LaFerrari and GTA Spano, Can't FitStarting with the S63, the engine has been reduced from a 5.5-liter V8 biturbo to a 4.0-liter V8 biturbo. However, the power is rated at a monstrous 603 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque-- that's 26 hp more than the 5.5-liter. Laying down the power to all four wheels is the new AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G automatic transmission. When all power is accounted for and the pedal hits the floor, the S63 will rocket from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph.2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 Next up is the big brother S65, which retains the massive 6.0-liter V12 engine. This engine has an output of 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. While the S65 may be the BIG brother, it can still run 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and hit the 186 mph limited top speed.2018 Mercedes-AMG S65Other than the new grille, the S63 and S65 see just a few updates, including the redesigned aero components (front bumper, side skirts and rear bumper), and OLED taillamps.Pricing has not been announced yet, but both models will have their world premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt International Auto Show.

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