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

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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 Jordan Aquistapace – February 03, 2025

Historic Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Sells For A Record-Breakin...

RM Sotheby's auctioned the 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R for $53.9M, making it the most valuable Grand Prix racing car ever sold at auction. As the automotive world continues to evolve with an infinite number of new cars, classics continue to shine as they preserve a significant era in motoring. The coveted examples often come with massive premiums that buyers are willing to pay, even well into the eight-figure mark. The 1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen just secured its place in history as the most valuable Grand Prix racing car ever sold at auction, fetching a jaw-dropping $53.9 million at RM Sotheby's exclusive event in Stuttgart. The legendary Silver Arrow, once driven by icons like Juan Manuel Fangio, wowed collectors worldwide, leading to a heated bidding war before the hammer finally dropped. Originally donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in 1965, its sale will now support the museum's restoration efforts, guaranteeing the preservation of motorsport roots. Photo: Maximilian Balazs (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849962) Being one of the most advanced racing machines of its era, the W 196 R brought together cutting-edge engineering with a streamlined body and a 2.5L straight-eight engine that helped Mercedes-Benz succeed in Grand Prix racing. Its historical significance, along with its overall rarity, made this auction event a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors. The sale took place in the same room where RM Sotheby's set the all-time record in 2022, auctioning the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR "Uhlenhaut Coupé" for $138 million. Photo: Maximilian Balazs (Photo signature of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Archives: D849897) Mercedes-Benz Heritage CEO Marcus Breitschwerdt described the auction as "thrilling," highlighting how rare it is for a Silver Arrow to enter private ownership. With its record-breaking sale price, the W 196 R joins an elite club of the most sought-after cars in history. View all RM Sotheby's inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory https://www.youtube.com/live/sU8pvvbdcYU Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 27, 2023

RM Sotheby's Official F1 Las Vegas GP Auction Sets Record...

RM Sotheby's Official Auction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Wynn Las Vegas concluded with a staggering $59.7 million in sales, making it a historic event in the world of high-value auctions. The star of the show was the 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04, driven to victory by Sir Lewis Hamilton, which set a record as the most valuable modern Formula One car ever sold, achieving an astounding $18,815,000. This auction, projected as “the biggest event in the world in 2023” by its organizers, was held against the backdrop of the thrilling Las Vegas Grand Prix race weekend. Hosted in the Awakening Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, the auction presented an awe-inspiring theatrical experience to the bidders, contributing to an 87% sell-through rate. Bryon Madsen, President of RM Sotheby's, highlighted the collaboration with Wynn Las Vegas and the team's effort to create an extraordinary auction event amidst a series of high-quality events. Sir Lewis Hamilton's first race-winning Mercedes F1 car, now the most valuable modern Formula One car ever sold, was the centerpiece of this remarkable sale. The 2013 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 W04, which also featured in The Netflix Cup, was the first car driven to victory by the Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team. Its sale for $18,815,000 after intense bidding marks it as the most valuable modern-era Formula One car ever sold. Another highlight was the 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, an open-top version of the iconic homologation special that dominated the late-1990s FIA GT Championships. Chassis 000034, one of only six examples built and with extremely low mileage, fetched $10,235,000. Furthermore, the auction made headlines with Tom Brady’s Game-Worn and Signed Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jersey from his final NFL game, which sold for $1.4 million, setting a new auction record for a football jersey. This jersey, worn in the NFC Wildcard Playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys, symbolized the end of Brady’s illustrious 23-season NFL career. The success of the Las Vegas Grand Prix auction, with its record-breaking sales and extraordinary offerings, reinforces RM Sotheby's commitment to innovation and excellence in the global auction industry. View all RM Sotheby's inventory currently featured on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All RM Sotheby's Inventory For Sale Source: RM Sotheby's

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 10, 2022

BRABUS Classic's Andy Warhol Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Begins ...

While BRABUS is known for boosting the looks and performance of modern-day Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Rolls-Royce models, its Classic division focuses efforts on preserving early automotive icons. Re-living the inspiration of world-renowned artist Andy Warhol, BRABUS Classic is responsible for the full restoration of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL from his 'Cars' Series. Making its grand debut at RM Sotheby’s auction event, the famous 300 SL sits on display as bidding begins for interested collectors. MUST-READ: BRABUS Reveals The Original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ From Andy Warhol’s ‘Cars’ Series Through extensive research by BRABUS and Mercedes-Benz Classic, the Gullwing was confirmed as the exact chassis used in the 'Cars' Series. The car was then restored by BRABUS over 4,500 hours of meticulous manual work to bring it back to glory. The Warhol 300 SL is currently on display at Sotheby's New York gallery for all to see. View all current Mercedes-Benz 300 SL examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Mercedes-Benz 300 SL For Sale Source: RM Sotheby's

By Edward Jones – June 13, 2021

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series To Be Offered at RM Sot...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - The 2015 launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT continued the brand’s momentum for continued sales and development which was initially set into motion by the preceding SLS AMG model introduced in 2011. In 2016, Mercedes-AMG released GT3 and GT4 Touring Car versions to privateer racing teams. Now, five years of racing developments have birthed the ultimate road-going example of the model, the brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. The drama of the GT Black Series is immediately apparent. The design’s gaping front fascia has been crimped from the GT3, channeling fresh air directly to the radiators via an isolated intake channel. An adjustable, carbon fiber front splitter can deploy from the bumper in moments, thereby maximizing the on-track effectiveness of the Venturi phenomenon for massive improvements in downforce. The Black Series’ bonnet is composed of carbon fiber, as are the roof and tailgate; the cabin glass is also of a thinner specification than the standard GT. The car’s widened fenders feature GT3-inspired gills and rear slats that vent pressurized air channeled by the car’s suite of underbody curtains, diffusers, and sealed panel joints. The wheel wells feature a network of cooling ducts for the massive carbon-ceramic brakes which have been cleverly integrated into the side skirts and rear diffuser. Being a road car, the GT Black Series could not make use of the GT3’s active rear wing. Instead, the Black Series’ exclusive rear wing design has retained the same surface area of the GT3 design but distributed it over an ingenious two-tier structure that is cantilevered over the rear tailgate. A retuned set of adjustable coilovers and carbon fiber chassis reinforcements throughout, all provide superior rigidity across the coupe’s 104-inch wheelbase. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the ultimate GT not simply because of its repertoire of new features harvested from the GT3 Touring Car. At its heart lies the new ‘M178 LS2’ engine which has been exclusively developed for use in the GT Black Series. This new powerplant features a reconfigured 4.0-liter displacement constructed around a flat pane crankshaft; AMG literature states that the new firing order greatly improves thermal dynamics and throttle response. The pair of twin-scroll turbochargers have also been enlarged over previous iterations of the M178 blueprint; they operate at a ‘normal’ boost setting of 25 PSI. All told, the GT Black Series’ exclusive new powerplant is factory-rated at an astounding 730 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT with gear ratios optimized for rapid acceleration over top speed. Zero to 60 mph takes just three seconds, with 125 mph arriving just six seconds later en route to a reported top speed over 200 mph. All told, the GT Black Series’ exclusive new powerplant is factory-rated at an astounding 730 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT with gear ratios optimized for rapid acceleration over top speed. Zero to 60 mph takes just three seconds, with 125 mph arriving just six seconds later en route to a reported top speed over 200 mph. This vehicle will be offered in RM Sotheby’s new Milan Sale, taking place 15 June at Palazzo Serbelloni in Italy. The sale will be livestreamed and remote bidding options are available. View Online Listing

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By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2021

So Flo Jeep's G63 6x6 Heading to Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale

Four is fun but six is incredible, and that's why So Flo Jeep's G63 6x6 is heading to Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. As you read this, our intrepid events team is already on the ground at Westworld. Taking all Covid precautions, our booth will be loaded with the latest and greatest. While we try to showcase So Flo Jeep's latest builds, this one simply wouldn't fit. That's because they improved upon AMG's recipe for a brutal six-wheel drive. Starting with 38"x15.5" Mickey Thompson Baja tires, all-terrains, they fabricated 9" locking differentials to ride on Fox suspension of their own design. Hand-laid carbon fiber and several coats of clear will shine for years, and the 5' bed is framed from stained teakwood. Inside you are treated to an LED headliner that replicates a brilliant night sky, perfect for heading deep into the woods to a campsite that lesser builds can't reach. So Flo is famous for 6wd conversions and this one was built to show the world what they are capable of. It will be crossing the block Saturday during primetime with no reserve, so don't forget to bid! Click the button to see their other builds. Visit SoFlo Jeeps.com

By Caitlin Duffy – May 21, 2015

1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster Set for Auction at Go...

There are few opportunities in a lifetime to own a piece of automotive history, and even fewer to own that piece in a like-new state more than ten years after its creation.But Bonhams is about to offer just such a chance on June 26 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale. Estimated for sell between $2.2 million and $2.8 million is a 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, one of the original 25 created, and one of the six to become a roadster.A May 20 report from Autovisie by De Telegraaf, a digital publication from the Netherlands, tells us that this particular model has seen only six kilometers on the road, the equivalent of about 3.7 miles. Its powerful engine barely differs from the race version it was based on, a 6.9-liter V12 capable of 612 hp and 571 lb-ft. The 2002 CLK GTR Roadster sold for $1.7 million in November 2013.Though there isn't much information included in the lot listing on Bonhams' website, there really isn't a need. The legacy of this car speaks for itself, and its styling and design are beyond recognizable; they're down-right unforgettable.November 2013 was one of the most recent times a CLK GTR Roadster crossed an auction block; it was a 2002 model and fetched a winning price of $1.3 million. Since this example is both from the first production run of this model and so low on mileage, we expect the winning bid to exceed the estimated $2.8 million.(See Also: BRABUS Rocket 900 on the Dyno)If interested in participating in this auction, you can visit Bonhams.com to learn how to register for the event, scheduled for 2:00 pm BST, or 9:00 am EST. For those who may have difficulty leaving the United States in time for this Bonhams event, be sure to learn more about their upcoming auction in Greenwich, Connecticut, at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance May 31.If another model is more your style, check out our exclusive listings of Mercedes-Benzs for sale, and find the perfect one for you.Mercedes-Benzs For Sale (Source: Bonhams, Autovisie) See More Mercedes-Benz News

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