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.

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 20, 2023

Pagani Shares A Sneak Peak Inside Of Its Luxurious Utopia...

Whether its high-performance hypercars or high-end furniture, Pagani can do it all. There's a trend happening in the luxury real estate world, and it involves creative partnerships with some of the leading supercar and hypercar manufacturers around the globe. In addition to high-end residences from big names like Bugatti, Bentley, Porsche, and Pininfarina, Horacio Pagani and his team are proud to join that list with plans for its upcoming Utopia Residence at the new DaVinci Tower in Dubai. DaVinci Tower by Dar Al Arkan is the first residential building in the world with interiors designed by Pagani. The tower showcases 19 floors, 3 basement levels, and a ground-floor lobby. Residents will be able to enjoy the stunning view of the Dubai Canal on the southeast side and overlook the Burj Khalifa on the north side. At the moment the project is under construction and the estimated date of completion is Q4 2023. Pagani Automobili took to its Instagram to share some sneak peek photos of what guests can expect to experience when staying in one of the ultra-luxury residences. The skills and expertise of the craftsman at Pagani are easily transferrable to luxury furniture design, working with materials like carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, leather, and wood. Like its historic lineup of multi-million dollar, bespoke hypercars, the Pagani Arte Collection represents the collaborative efforts that involve both the manufacturer and its customers. Discover the Iconic Collection by Pagani Arte, now available for the Utopia Residences at the new DaVinci Tower in Dubai. View all Pagani hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Pagani Hypercars For Sale Source: Pagani Automobili

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 29, 2022

Shop The New Pagani Huayra BC Roadster Capsule Collection...

A new partnership that brings street style inside the hypercars from San Cesario sul Panaro. After announcing its second collaboration with a very special ABC blue camo Huayra BC Roadster, Pagani Automobili x A Bathing Ape is proud to continue its partnership with an exclusive capsule collection. With so much success stemming from the duo’s first release featuring a very similar Pagani Zonda spec, it was only right to commemorate another automotive icon with a luxury lifestyle line of apparel and accessories. MUST-READ: Pagani Automobili x BAPE Unveil An ABC Blue Camo Huayra BC Roadster The Huayra Roadster BC capsule by BAPE offers a new twist on the exclusive camouflage of the blue and sky blue tones from the hypercar’s design. Made using high-end materials and proper brand logos, the release includes a jacket, polo, t-shirt, sneaker, hat, and key chain. The Pagani x BAPE Huayra made its first appearance at the BAPE store in London, with the founder of Pagani Automobili, Horacio Pagani in attendance. The all-new Pagani Huayra BC Roadster Capsule Collection by BAPE is currently available for preorder by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and lifestyle news. Shop Pagani x BAPE Collection Source: Pagani Automobili/A Bathing Ape

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 28, 2022

Pagani Automobili x BAPE Unveil An ABC Blue Camo Huayra B...

BAPE’s color palette and style have been used at the request of a client to “dress” a bespoke version of this hypercar. As luxury streetwear brands grow and showcase their talents alongside world-renowned fashion houses, cross-pollination between other industries invites new collaborative projects that push traditional boundaries. The automotive world caught a glimpse of that back in 2019 when the hypercar specialists at Pagani Automobili teamed up with A Bathing Ape (BAPE) to celebrate Zonda’s 20th anniversary. Since breaking the internet with photos of a BAPE-inspired Pagani Zonda wrap, the dynamic duo is back to officially announce its partnership with another astonishing design. Pagani is proud to unveil the streetwear-inspired Huayra Roadster BC, featuring a BAPE ABC Camo wrap in unique shades of blue. MUST-READ: See the BAPE for Pagani ABC Camo Zonda The one-of-a-kind Pagani Huayra BC Roadster already stands out as one of the most powerful hypercars on the planet. The creative team at A Bathing Ape chose to take things to the next level by utilizing its most iconic pattern, which flows throughout the exterior into the interior of the multimillion-dollar car. The Pagani x BAPE Huayra made its first appearance at the BAPE store in London, with the founder of Pagani Automobili, Horacio Pagani in attendance. Although the two leading brands have worked together in the past, both are happy to announce new and exciting upcoming projects to come. View all current Pagani examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Pagani For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by A BATHING APE® (@bape_us) Source: Pagani Automobili

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 03, 2022

La Martina x Pagani Automobili Launch The All-New Huayra ...

Just in time for Fall/Winter, Pagani x La Martina release its performance-inspired apparel and accessories line. In the modern world of hypercar development, manufacturers like Pagani Automobili focus on engineering platforms that push the boundaries of performance, design, and technology. Conquering the objective of turning supercars into hypercars, founder Horacio Pagani and his team teased the future of automotive excellence with its track-focused Huayra R. Celebrating the Huayra R, the fashion professionals at La Martina join forces with Pagani to launch a capsule collection dedicated to the $3,500,000 hypercar. With only 30 examples planned in its exclusive production series, the Huayra R features design and styling characteristics that translate beautifully to the runway. MUST-READ: Watch The 838HP Pagani Huayra R Makes Its U.S. Debut On WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca The La Martina x Pagani Huayra R Collection is designed for anyone, from active adventurists to formal businessman. The head-to-toe line includes outerwear jackets, sweaters, long sleeve shirts, pants, and hats that are perfect for the upcoming cold weather seasons. Along with branded logos, each piece within the collection comes in a fashionable color way that incorporates shades of green, blue, and black. It also perfectly encapsulates the values of the two brands, which are both associated with performance and exclusivity. The all-new La Martina x Pagani Huayra R Collection is currently available online starting at $69. View all current Pagani examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and hypercar news. VIEW ALL PAGANI FOR SALE Source: La Martina

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 01, 2022

Asetek SimSport x Pagani Automobili Launch The New $1,999...

Experience the feeling of acceleration and braking feel of a Pagani Huayra R from the comfort of your home. As passionate car enthusiasts, the performance-fueled lifestyle operates as a 24/7 obsession that spans far outside of any car meet or race track. Realizing that Pagani ownership does not come easy to all, brands and companies of all kinds continue to virtually develop that understanding with video games that place you behind the wheel of your favorite supercar or hypercar. The sim racing specialists at Asetek SimSport pride themselves on offering an extensive line of products designed to give sim racers full immersion and feel of a real race car. Asetek SimSport is proud to collaborate with Pagani Automobili on a set of sim racing pedals derived from the track-ready Huayra R. The dynamic duo joined forces to provide the closest experience you can get to the adrenaline rush of driving a Pagani Huayra R, one of the world’s most exclusive high-performance hypercars in the world. MUST-READ: Watch The 838HP Pagani Huayra R Makes Its U.S. Debut On WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca The pedal arms and footplates on the Pagani Huayra R Sim Racing Pedal Set are based on the exact design used in the hypercar itself, with just a few tweaks to fit it for sim racing use. Its construction features Italian design and Danish engineering, utilizing Asetek’s T.H.O.R.P System to further ensure the closest on-track experience possible. The T.H.O.R.P. System is the most realistic brake system ever made for sim racing, presenting a series of stages that increase and decrease brake pedal pressure at any given moment. The hydraulic sim racing pedals are plug’n’ play out of the box using the Asetek SimSports RaceHub™ software, which has been tailored to the Huayra R sim racing pedals. The all-new Asetek SimSport Pagani Huayra R Sim Racing Pedals are currently available with a price tag of $1,999. View all current Pagani examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into DuPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL PAGANI FOR SALE Source: Asetek SimSport

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