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

Pagani News

Pagani news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Utopia, the Huayra in its many forms, and the Zonda that made the marque's name. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, bespoke builds and the auction results that set collector values. Pagani finishes fewer cars in a year than most makers build in a single day, so each sale sets a benchmark. That is where our marketplace becomes useful to readers. Paganis covered here are sometimes listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts the reporting beside a real figure. For Pagani news today, and the hypercar news and exotic car news around it, start below.

A light green convertible sports car with retro-futuristic design, shown from the rear with an open cockpit and distinctive tail lights, parked on a concrete floor.

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 27, 2025

Pagani To Debut Huayra Codalunga Speedster At Las Vegas C...

Pagani brings its hypercar splendor to Las Vegas. Known for some of the most desirable, rare, exclusive, and coveted hypercars in the world, Pagani is one of the most celebrated manufacturers in Italy’s hallowed Motor Valley, a region that is respected throughout the automotive world for its supercars and exotic cars with incredible heritage in motorsport and stunning automotive design. After over a quarter of a century, Pagani has a lineup that is more stunning than ever before, with ultra-rare bespoke models, as well as vehicles that embody the manufacturer’s commitment to engineering innovation along with traditional artisan craftsmanship. This year’s Las Vegas Concours, set to take place at The Wynn Las Vegas, will feature an incredible presence from Pagani, including the world premiere of the Pagani Huayra Codalunga Speedster. An ultra-exclusive creation from Pagani Grandi Complicazioni, the Huayra Codalunga Speedster is a stunning bespoke creation that embodies the highest echelon of Pagani’s approach to automotive excellence. In addition to the Huayra Codalunga Speedster, the exhibition of Pagani supercars and hypercars at the Las Vegas Concours will include the Zonda C12, the Zonda Arrivederci, the ultra-rare Zonda Tricolore and Huayra Tricolore, the Imola, the Imola Roadster, the one-of-five Huayra Codalunga, and the latest chapter in Pagani’s hypercar history, the Utopia. Horacio Pagani himself will also be present at the event, joining the main stage to shed light on his unparalleled approach to creating cars that embody Art and Science at an incredible degree through an interview. With the event lasting from October 31 to November 2, Pagani’s presence at the Las Vegas Concours will culminate with a Tour d’Elegance bringing dozens of Pagani hypercars for a parade on the Las Vegas strip. With stunning hypercars created with incredible design and engineering, Pagani’s presence will be one of the most eye-catching aspects of this year’s Las Vegas Concours. View All Pagani For Sale Image Source: Pagani Automobili

A matte sage green Pagani sports car with a convertible roof, silver wheels, distinctive headlights, and brown leather seats, photographed in a studio with a black background—ready for the hillclimb runs at Goodwood FoS 2025.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 03, 2025

Pagani Announces Displays, Hillclimb Runs, And Delivery A...

Pagani is bringing its masterpieces to Goodwood. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is approaching very soon, gathering some of the greatest manufacturers, cars, drivers, and automotive legacies to an incredibly idyllic, historic location in England. The festival is comprised of stunning displays, captivating debuts, and of course, the anticipated Hillclimb races. One of the many manufacturers coming to Goodwood this year is Pagani, one of the most coveted and ultra-exclusive hypercar manufacturers on the planet. This year, Pagani is bringing some of its latest hypercar masterpieces to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, displaying them both at the event’s Supercar Paddock and Pagani’s official stand at the festival. The Pagani Huayra R Evo Roadster, the open-top version of Pagani’s incredible track-only Huayra R Evo hypercar will take on the famed Hillclimb, allowing guests to witness the thrill of its performance and the 9,200 rpm rev limit of its V12 engine. Both the Utopia Coupe and the Utopia Roadster will be on display at Goodwood this year, as well. The Pagani Utopia Roadster will be showcased in a Verde Mara livery, inspired by a model car that Horacio built in his youth. The inside is finished with Cacao braided leather. Another Pagani Utopia Roadster will be finished in Rosso Habanero exposed carbon fiber. In addition, the delivery of one of the 99 Pagani Utopia Coupes that will be built will take place at the festival, completed in Azzurro Sardegna with a Blu Tricolore leather interior. With cars taking the hillclimb, deliveries, and displays, Pagani’s presence at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed will be incredibly significant. View All Pagani For Sale Image Source: Pagani Automobili

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 28, 2022

Pagani Automobili Visits The International Concours of El...

Multi-million dollar hypercars take to the frozen lake circuit. After announcing that it would be bringing the Zonda HP Barchetta, Pagani Automobili set off to St. Moritz, Switzerland for The International Concours of Elegance. The iconic event takes place on the local frozen lake and features an array of exciting motorcars that compete in a not-so-familiar environment. Through the special Pagani Officina division, the brand provides a series of programs and services that help to keep owners involved in events like I.C.E. without worries. MUST-READ: Pagani Will Bring The $15 Million Zonda HP Barchetta To The International Concours of Elegance Throughout the event, Pagani Automobili took to the icy circuit with the world’s most exclusive specs that are only best-described dream hypercars for any enthusiasts. The chassis that proudly represent the Pagani brand is the Huayra Roadster BC and Blue France Zonda S from the film ‘Blue Adrenaline’. The International Concours of Elegance highlights the aspects that are important to Pagani Automobili, which is client service and relations after the sale of each vehicle. Click on the link below to view all the current Pagani examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming supercar event coverage. View All Pagani For Sale Source: @paganiautomobili IG

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 25, 2022

Pagani Will Bring The $15 Million Zonda HP Barchetta To T...

Pagani brings out its exclusive Zonda model for all to see. While the Pagani Automobili brand delivers a fleet of performance-focused hypercars, each vehicle debut attracts the excitement of every collector and enthusiast worldwide. The announcement of a new Zonda chassis proves to be no different, with only three examples produced for top Pagani clientele. Pagani Automobili is proud to announce its participation in the International Concours of Elegance (I.C.E). As part of the special occasion, an array of Pagani examples are set to showcase on the frozen lake of Sankt Moritz in St. Moritz. The special guest attending the exclusive event is the extremely rare Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta, the long-awaited predecessor to the early Zonda models. MUST-READ: Horacio Pagani Invites Automotive Design Icon Giorgetto Giugiaro To Pagani Automobili’s Atelier The $15-million Pagani is limited to only three configurations worldwide, all of which have found happy new collections to call home. The Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta takes shape as an open-top convertible hypercar that produces over 789-horsepower from its 6.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V12 from Mercedes-AMG. The exclusive hypercar highlights the craftsmanship of Horacio Pangani and his dedicated team at the Pagani Automobili headquarter in San Cesario Sul Panaro, Italy. The Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta will be on scene at the International Concours of Elegance, along with other Pagani examples, on February 26th. View all of the current Pagani models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more Pagani Automobili news and releases. View All Pagani For Sale Source: @paganiautomobili IG

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 01, 2021

Pagani Raduno 2021 Ends With Huayra R Laps On The Circuit...

The group celebration event of Pagani Automobili comes to an end...until next year. Earlier this year, we covered the exclusive gathering of Pagani Raduno 2021: Vanishing Point, as the group of 20+ multimillion-dollar hypercars travel throughout the world. The finish line ends in Austin, Texas at the iconic Circuits of The Americas racetrack, where the world of motorsports meets the United States tarmac. Coming to a bittersweet end, Pagani Raduno 2021 completes its event on track in classic hypercar style. MUST-READ: Top 25 Most Expensive Cars in the World For the very first time, the Pagani Huayra R made its U.S. debut setting lap times on the 3.4-mile circuit. All owners on the scene are given the show of a lifetime watching and listening to the 838-horsepower 6.0L V12 screaming to 9000-RPMs. Closing out the celebration of Pagani Automobili excellence, the $3.1 million Huayra R continues the brand’s legacy towards creating the ultimate automobile. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more information on the next Pagani Raduno for 2022. View all current Pagani models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Pagani For Sale on duPont REGISTRY View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pagani Automobili Official (@paganiautomobili) Source: @paganiautomobili IG

By Andrew Nabors – November 04, 2019

Pagani Zonda 20th Anniversary in NYC

How do you celebrate two decades of changing the world? Put your achievements on display inside the world's most iconic train stations. Grand Central sees a quarter-million passengers every 24 hours, so it is the perfect spot to see the Pagani Zonda 20th Anniversary in NYC. Commuters who live and work in lower Manhattan had something nice to see this morning. Over the weekend, Horacio Pagani and his team built an amazing display of the company's first production car. Browse All Pagani For Sale The Pagani Zonda redefined what an exotic car is, and what it is capable of. It has been a long and winding road to reach the top, so our hats are off to you sir. Here's to Mr. Pagani, and to another 20 years of building carbon fiber masterpieces! https://www.facebook.com/PaganiAutomobili/videos/1197753647060989/ Image Source: Instagram/@paganiautomobili (All Images and video (C) Pagani Automobili S.P.A.) Related: Pagani Raduno Fall 2019: East Coast Road Trip Horacio Pagani: My Story & My Inspirations

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By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2019

Pagani Raduno Fall 2019: East Coast Road Trip

Mr. Pagani and his team have assembled another record-breaking event for their owners. The Pagani Raduno Fall 2019 is an epic East Coast Road Trip. The largest gathering of North American Paganis assembled at the Atlanta Motor Speedway over the weekend. After pushing their cars to the limits on this historic track, they embarked on a trip through the mountains of North Carolina. Fire shoots from the exhaust as the leaves change into their Autumn attire. Browse All Pagani For Sale It will culminate with the 20th Anniversary of the Zonda in NYC. Every example of the Zonda and the Huayra will be on display inside the great hall of Grand Central Terminal. We wish more manufacturers would do this, but Mr. Pagani enjoys seeing his cars in action. This is an unprecedented event, so stay with us for all your Pagani news. Related: Pagani Huayra Roadster Driven 3,000 Across the USA Horacio Pagani: My Story & My Inspirations

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