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.

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By Tyler Rampersaud – May 14, 2024

Miller Motorcars Shows Off The First Pagani of Greenwich ...

This exclusive masterpiece is colorful and exquisite. Pagani has recently revealed the third act in its supercar history, the Utopia. It completes the initial trilogy of Pagani supercars and hypercars, and celebrates the manufacturer’s 25 years of existing at the cutting edge of automotive excellence. With a mid-mounted V12 engine and an available manual transmission, the Utopia is an ode to purist driver’s cars in an era when such a thing is a dying breed. With a strictly limited production run of just 99 Pagani Utopia Coupes, each is a stunning and incredibly special masterpiece, and Miller Motorcars is showing off the first Pagani Utopia delivery from Pagani of Greenwich, exemplifying that beautifully. The car features a unique “Tricolore” color scheme, consisting primarily of 6-layer blue exposed carbon fiber throughout the body, which is contrasted with Grigio Montecarlo paint and subtle red accents. The blue exposed carbon fiber even extends to the unique aerodiscs on the wheels. Meanwhile, the interior brings the red to the forefront, with burgundy leather upholstery complemented by more blue exposed carbon fiber and silver accents. With incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship that shows amazing dedication down to the smallest features, the new Pagani Utopia is a true collector-grade specimen of an unparalleled degree of automotive excellence, and the first delivered example from Pagani of Greenwich is certainly no exception. View All Vehicles For Sale From Miller Motorcars View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miller Motorcars (@millermotorcars)

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 15, 2024

Watch John Travolta In The Cash Out Trailer With T...

John Travolta co-stars with a true beauty, the Pagani Huayra, of course. With names like Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Pulp Fiction on his resume, John Travolta is one of the most well-known and celebrated names in Hollywood. His latest film, releasing on April 26, is Cash Out, in which Travolta stars as a retiring criminal on one last heist. Set in Miami, the trailer for the action-packed thriller shows off larger-than-life scenes and dramatic tension, as well as one very special hypercar. The beginning of the trailer features a job gone wrong, which takes place in a hangar that is full of incredible supercars, including the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster, the Lamborghini Huracán STO, and the Pagani Huayra. The specific example of the Huayra featured is the Huayra Vulcan, a bespoke Huayra created in collaboration between Prestige Imports CEO Brett David and Pagani, including Horacio Pagani himself, in honor of Brett David's late father, Irv David. The stunning car is finished in exposed carbon fiber with red accents, which highlight its incredible engineering, beautiful design, and luxurious artisan craftsmanship. In addition, the windshield proudly displays “Pagani of Miami.” The hypercar, described as “priceless” in the trailer, is at the center of some of the most intense and thrilling action in what we can see in the trailer, and any car enthusiast will tell you that it’s certainly worthy of playing such a role. WIth its stunning looks, incredible performance, exclusivity, and its bespoke configuration, the Pagani Huayra Vulcan is a masterpiece worthy of a Hollywood career like John Travolta’s. View All Vehicles For Sale From Prestige Imports

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2024

The First U.S. Pagani Huayra Roadster Tempesta Makes Land...

Pagani's Temepsta Package makes its U.S. debut on the Huayra Roadster. The passion for all things automotive often ignites early, kindling a lifelong love affair with the roar of high-performance engines and the sleek lines of exclusive supercars. It's this early fascination that fuels dreams, inspiring car enthusiasts to work tirelessly toward the ultimate goal: a garage brimming with multi-million dollar supercars and hypercars. The passionate hypercar professionals at Miller Motorcars of Greenwich, CT, and Pagani Automobili, are excited to keep that dream alive for businessman and well-known mysterious car collector, Supercar_Ron. Joining the already packed garage full of cars like the Koenigsegg CCXR, Bugatti Veyron, Porsche 918 Spyder, and many more is his new Pagani Huayra Roadster Tempesta. What makes the occasion even more special is that it's the very first production car to land on U.S. soil. When the highly desirable Tempesta Package became available for the Huayra Roadster, Supercar_Ron opted to have his sent back to Pagani's factory to receive some extra goodies. The Tempesta Package elevates the Huayra with enhanced aerodynamics, upgraded suspension components, and exclusive aesthetic enhancements, further refining its performance and aggressive appearance. While most would stare and admire from a distance inside of a garage, Supercar_Ron chose to break into his new hypercar build with an early morning drive through Times Square in the heart of New York City. A 4 am departure would ensure that traffic would be light in the city, which made for the perfect inaugural Hauyra Roadster Tempesta photoshoot. With a whole new look and some added performance, we can't wait to see Supercar_Ron unleash fury in his Pagani Huayra Roadster Tempesta. View all Miller Motorcars inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY. View All Miller Motorcars Inventory Source: Miller Motorcars/@Supercar_Ron

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 19, 2023

O'Gara Coach & Pagani Of Beverly Hills Celebrate The New ...

Pagani’s latest creation arrives in style. The new Pagani Utopia is the third chapter in Pagani’s incomparable splendor. Its unique design, rarity, iconic V12 engine, and high performance come together to form one of the most desirable cars yet. It’s the latest iteration of Pagani’s traditional yet avant garde approach to design, combining futuristic lines with classic-inspired touches like leather straps, and even an available manual transmission. For exotic car collectors, the new Pagani Utopia is nothing short of a masterpiece, and Pagani of Beverly Hills and O’Gara Coach celebrated its arrival with the perfect amount of fanfare. Traveling to Las Vegas to celebrate the introduction of the Utopia, the celebration not only rang in the era of the Utopia and the “third act” of the Pagani brand, but also the 25th anniversary of the manufacturer, helicopters brought guests to a golf course on which examples of the Huayra, and the new Utopia were displayed. With iconic locations like the Las Vegas Sphere in the background, guests got to experience the splendor and unmatched craftsmanship of the new Utopia up close and personal. With only 99 examples of the Utopia being made, the event was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Pagani enthusiasts and fans of exotic cars, and the grandeur of this Las Vegas celebration is the perfect way to begin the era of the Pagani Utopia. View All Vehicles For Sale From Pagani of Beverly Hills View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pagani of Beverly Hills (@paganiofbeverlyhills)

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 09, 2023

Pagani of Manchester Opens Its New Showroom

Pagani goes to Manchester for its 25th birthday.

By Edward Jones – June 07, 2021

Pagani Huayra Roadster BC Showcased by Pagani of Miami

Pagani of Miami recently gave clients a chance to learn all about the extreme creation that is the Pagani Huayra Roadster BC. On display at the Bal Harbour Shops and on the showroom floor of Pagani of Miami was an incredible example of the Huayra Roadster BC. At Bal Harbour Shops, guests of the location were given a chance to see the hypercar in the flesh. At Pagani of Miami, however, invited guests were given much more. The team from Pagani gave guests a complete breakdown of the car, history of Pagani Automobili and informed them of the innovations that have made such a car possible. And to be honest, there's a lot to go over when it comes to both the company and the car itself. It's quite remarkable when you see the Huayra Roadster BC and consider the humble beginnings of Horacio Pagani and Pagani Automobili, which you can learn all about by clicking here. If you're an automotive enthusiast or someone who enjoys an underdog story, Pagani's history is definitely worth a read. However, if you're someone who is actually looking to own a Pagani, you can contact Pagani of Miami to learn more by clicking the button below. Contact Pagani of Miami

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By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2020

Pagani Beverly Hills Expands Sanitization Service

Mr. Horacio doesn't build normal cars and they are not to be handled by novice detailers. Your car demands the very best, and that is why Pagani Beverly Hills has expanded their sanitization service. Every Pagani technician is trained at the factory to know every aspect of the car. That is how they are able to clean and sanitize every nook & cranny. Pick up and delivery is handled by technicians in protective gear, ensuring the safety of you and your prized possessions. Browse Inventory at Pagani Beverly Hills " width="680"> Contact Pagani Beverly Hills Service Department Website: Pagani Beverly HillsPhone: 949-705-7696Address: 350 Clinton St.Unit CCosta Mesa, CA 92626

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