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 Tyler Rampersaud – March 08, 2022

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ Are ...

Mercedes-Benz shows off its potential for performance with more than just the cars that are racing. The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be the venue at which Mercedes-Benz will reveal the new official F1 Safety and Medical cars that will be used to ensure smooth racing operations on the track throughout the season. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series will serve as the safety car, while the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ Four-Door Coupé will serve as the official medical car. MUST READ: Mercedes-AMG Petronas Debuts The Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance For The 2022 Season The safety car, being the most powerful variant of the AMG GT available, makes no changes to the original car, save for the equipment the FIA requires for it to be on the track, like signal lighting, which is integrated into the windshield and spoiler, a roll cage, six-point harnesses, and custom monitors for a birds-eye view of the track. Ironically, safety cars have to be fast, and be able to get around the track at a pace not too much slower than the racing cars, in order to prevent the tires and brakes from cooling to the point where the engine overheats. The medical car, derived from the Four-Door Coupé version of the AMG GT, is the fastest and most powerful medical car in F1 history, with 639 horsepower coming from its twin-turbo V8, with 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive helping it get around the track more with superior efficiency. It features a carbon-fiber roof scoop that holds the required light bar. It has been aerodynamically optimized so that safety and performance make no compromise. On March 18-20, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series safety car, and Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ medical car will debut in Bahrain as Official F1 safety and medical cars. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 01, 2022

New Mercedes-Benz G-Class Edition 550 Is Limited to 200 U...

The elite’s favorite Geländewagen just got even more exclusive. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class has always been a cultural icon. But with the years-long SUV craze we are currently in showing absolutely no signs of stopping, the classic Benz has spun up more pop-culture cachet and popularity than ever before, constantly being mentioned in songs, and seen on reality television, in music videos, on the internet, and on the street being driven by those who like the gold standard when it comes to luxury. MUST READ: New Mercedes-AMG EQE Cranks Up The Voltage For Mercedes-Benz With luxury and rarity as the top priority, Mercedes-Benz has now released the G-Class Edition 550. This limited edition G-Class SUV is a series of three G-Class builds, colored in Jupiter Red, Arabian Gray, and the newest Manufaktur color, Moonlight White. Only 200 G-Class Edition 550s will be made, and they come with a range of options like Nappa leather, Active Multicontour seats, and carbon-fiber trim. Despite the popularity of the G-Class, the opportunity of owning an Edition 550 G-Class is an opportunity to stand out among the crowd, and drive a truly distinguished SUV, a celebration of the amazing capability, heritage, and history of the iconic Geländewagen. All G 550s For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz/LinkedIn

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 18, 2022

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Debuts The Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Pe...

Mercedes-AMG Petronas is back for 2022 with an all-new race car. It seems to be the week of unveilings for the teams of Formula 1 racing, with Red Bull Racing, AlphaTauri, Aston Martin, Williams Racing, and Scuderia Ferrari debuting their new track weapons for the 2022 Season. Today, the team at Mercedes-AMG Petronas is proud to unveil the new Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance. The new F1 W13 E Performance features a fresh new design that brings back the return of a silver livery for team racing drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. With an 18-month build, the Mercedes-AMG F1 team performed a top to bottom redesign that complied with the new technical regulations for 2022. The list of design and performance changes helps to make the playing field more level for competing teams. MUST-READ: Ferrari F1-75 Unveiled For 2022 Formula 1 Season One striking difference on the 2022 cars will be new 18-inch wheels, replacing the previous 13-inch rims. Their impact on racing remains to be seen but the early signs are positive. The Power Unit for 2022 is built off past championship-winning platforms by the team at Mercedes-AMG High-Performance Powertrains (HPP) and features a new fueling system that runs the new regulation E10 fuel for 2022. At the wheel of the W13 will be the sport’s most successful driver, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton, partnered by fellow Briton and Mercedes Young Driver Program graduate George Russell, making his debut for the Mercedes-AMG team in his fourth year in F1. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas team is excited to take on the 2022 Formula 1 season with the new Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Formula 1 racing news. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 16, 2022

New Mercedes-AMG EQE Cranks Up The Voltage For Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-AMG is charging towards the electric performance market at full speed. As more and more iconic brands in the world of luxury and performance cars start to move towards fully electric models, Mercedes-Benz has finally made their biggest stride yet in this direction. The new Mercedes-AMG EQE is the dual motor, fully electric performance sedan that bears the responsibility of introducing Mercedes-Benz to the cutting edge, competitive, and quickly growing market of performance-oriented electric vehicles. MUST READ: Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet Review: Six Cylinder Magic To survive in a space where these electric performance cars are getting faster, better, and more luxurious quicker than anyone can keep up, Mercedes-Benz had to make sure that the Mercedes-AMG EQE was a strong contender from the beginning, and they did just that. With its dual motors, and AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system, the AMG EQE puts up to 677 horsepower and up to 738 lb/ft of torque down on the road with the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package equipped. And while these are impressive numbers on their own, they translate to a top speed of 149 mph, and as little as 3.2 seconds to get from 0-60. And on top of all of this, the AMG EQE is an incredible and innovative luxury sedan as well. With adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering, and screens for infotainment that stretch across the entire dashboard, the AMG EQE marries luxury and performance in a way that only a Mercedes-AMG car can, and now that we have an electric Mercedes-AMG, the game is changed forever. View all current Mercedes-Benz models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Mercedes-Benz For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 31, 2022

LEGO Announces The New Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance ...

A chance to build automotive excellence with help from LEGO x Mercedes-AMG. Mercedes-AMG incorporates track-inspired design, technology, and performance into its lineup of luxury road vehicles. Performing at the highest level of motorsports, Mercedes-AMG draws inspiration from chassis like the F1 W12 E-Performance and Project One. The professionals at LEGO are proud to encapsulate the two Mercedes-AMG icons into its collection of Speed Champions building sets. The new release from LEGO x Mercedes-AMG features two vehicles that celebrate the brand and deliver an authentic building experience for any collector. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now The LEGO Speed Champions Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E-Performance and Mercedes-AMG Project One come as a 564-piece set with two driver mini figures and branded logo decals for ages 9 and up. Available in the free LEGO Building Instructions app for smartphones and tablets, the interactive digital guide comes with amazing zoom and rotate tools that allow you to visualize a model from all angles as you build. The all-new LEGO x Mercedes-AMG building set will be releasing to the online store on March 1st for $29.99. Shop all of the automotive-inspired building sets from LEGO by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury lifestyle news and gear releases. Shop LEGO LEGO Source: LEGO

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2022

Check Out This 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Editio...

A chance to own a piece of Mercedes-Benz AMG history. In the world of Mercedes-Benz, the AMG performance division operates under the idea of providing a track-like driving experience through its series of high-horsepower road cars. One of the most popular chassis in the German automotive manufacturer’s history is the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, a modern-day supercar built to pay homage to the 1950s 300 SL. This 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT sets itself apart from others produced, as it’s a special final edition specification built by the in-house AMG Team. The exterior presents itself in a unique Imola Grey paint scheme with 19”/20” matte black cross-spoke wheels to tie together its aggressive styling. Keeping the build performance-driven, the SLS AMG GT also comes fit with exterior carbon fiber components and a special 1-of-1 custom back fuel cap from the factory. The powertrain responsible for delivering 583-horsepower to the rear wheels is a front-mid AMG naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 engine. The power is meticulously managed through its 7-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch transmission, which launches the SLS AMG GT from 0-60 miles per hour in just 3.9-seconds. Opening the classic gullwing style doors unveils a Designo black exclusive leather interior layout with diamond stitching. The premium SLS AMG GT interior includes additional features like an Alcantara sport steering wheel, Bang & Olufsen Beosound AMG sound system, Thermotronic Climate Control, and much more. This 2015 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition is only 1 of 350 produced and is available on duPont REGISTRY with 6,081-miles for $439,900.

By Edward Jones – December 15, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Employees Are Getting a Record Bonus This Year

Great way to end the year. These past two years have been unprecedented in a multitude of ways, and they've changed the way many employees work on a daily basis. The Board of Management and the General Works Council at Daimler and Mercedes-Benz know just how tough it's been on their employees and is recognizing them for their efforts during these times. How? Daimler and Mercedes-Benz have announced that their eligible "tariff-scale" employees in Germany are going to be going home with a record profit-sharing bonus this year that amounts up to 6,000 euros, or about $6,700. It should be noted that there are approximately 100,000 employees in Germany eligible to receive the bonus, which would be up to $670,000,000 in bonuses. That's quite the number. See All Mercedes-Benz For Sale Source: Daimler AG

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 14, 2021

Mercedes Launches The Santoni For AMG Collection

The perfect luxury accessories to match the brutal performance from Mercedes-AMG. The construction of a modern-day supercar incorporates the perfect blend of industry-leading performance and luxury interior amenities. For Mercedes-AMG, the brand celebrates traditional interior design with the ability to configure the cabin layout using an array of material and color options. Following the same creative forward-thinking as a fashion brand, Mercedes-AMG is proud to team up with Santoni to make that thought a reality. MUST-READ: Discover The New Ferrari Eyewear Collection Available Now The all-new Santoni For AMG Collection features premium products and accessories that use the same high-quality materials in vehicles on the production line. The collection includes sneakers, baggage, and accessories that come in an array of styles and colors, making it the perfect addition to complement any style. The Santoni For AMG line best highlights the similarities, attention to detail, and high industry standards of both luxury powerhouses. Shop the all-new Santoni For AMG Collection by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury lifestyle news and releases. Shop Mercedes-AMG x Santoni Source: Santoni

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 07, 2021

Amalgam Collection Shrinks Lewis Hamilton's Car to a Quar...

Amalgam’s Quarter Scale model of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes-Benz F1 car is 25% of the size with 100% of the thrill. Since 1985, Amalgam Collection has been making model cars with incredible attention to detail in various scales, ranging from miniature sculptures and 1:18 models at the smallest to 1:4 at the largest. Their latest effort, in celebration of Lewis Hamilton’s seven championship wins, Amalgam Collection will be selling only seven examples of their quarter-scale model of his F1 car in the livery it wore when he surpassed Michael Schumacher’s record for most race wins at the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix. Click here to check it out. For the F1 enthusiast who wants to see and experience a model of Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car in a manner only second to the real thing, $35,030 is what it will take to own this four-foot-long replica of the incredible Mercedes machine. The reason for this price is the fact that each one takes over 450 hours to assemble, and that is after the 4500 hours it took to develop the model, with no expenses spared according to Amalgam Collection, and paint codes and CAD designs provided by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team themselves. And if you can’t get your hands on the Lewis Hamilton model, Valtteri Bottas and George Russell versions are also available. Visit AmalgamCollection.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 01, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Project MAYBACH With Virgil Abloh

Rubell Museum to showcase Project MAYBACH to the public from December 1st – December 2nd. The world is devastated by the recent passing of fashion designer icon Virgil Abloh, who incorporated his unique artistic vision into countless collaborations and collections. As a member of the Mercedes-Benz family, Virgil continued to work closely with Chief Design Officer Garden Wagener on reimagining production vehicles as works of art displayed for enthusiasts to enjoy. Along with successful collaboration ventures like Project Geländenwagen, Virgil set out to shock the automotive and fashion world with his highly-anticipated release of Project MAYBACH. Mercedes-Benz is proud to honor the work of Virgil Abloh by revealing Project MAYBACH following the wishing of his family. MUST-READ: Project Geländenwagen By Mercedes-Benz x Virgil Abloh As an idea started from scratch, Virgil and Gorden took to the drawing board to create an off-road electric two-seater that pushes the boundaries of function, style, and collaborative creativity. The inspiration behind Project Maybach was complete creative freedom, the great outdoors, and recontextualizing a traditionally metropolitan brand within a distinctly off-road environment. Project MAYBACH channels Abloh's passion to challenge the status quo and re-write the rulebook of aspirational design. The X-Factor nature of Project MAYBACH results not only from its breathtaking size (nearly 20 feet long) and characteristics. While Project MAYBACH was inspired by his creative efforts, the Mercedes-Benz teams thank Virgil Abloh for the inspiration to explore the power of cross-industry dialogue. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury car news and releases. Source: Mercedes-Benz

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