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 Edward Jones – September 02, 2016

Redesigned One-off Purple Pagani Zonda 760 RS Spotted

It's always nice to give your car a wash in order to keep its appearance up. Sometimes it's even worth it to give your car a new coat of paint. But to completely rebrand your car? Well, that's left to the hypercar owners, like this Pagani Zonda owner.(Related: New Pagani Zonda by Mileson Revealed)What was once the Zonda 760 RSJX, a teal and black Italian monster, is now the purple and black 760 RS. YouTube channel TheTFJJ managed to capture this car at Pagani UK before it was locked up in a garage. He notes in the video's description that the car was redesigned by Horacio Pagani himself. It may look similar to Lewis Hamilton's Zonda, but they are definitely different.Powering this car is a glorious 7.3-liter V12 AMG engine. This engine can put out around 760 bhp, creating a top speed of over 220 mph and a 0-60 mph time of around 3.3 seconds.View All Paganis For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 16, 2016

New Pagani Zonda by Mileson Revealed

The Pagani Zonda will never die and that's not a bad thing. A while ago, it was said that the Zonda would not be created anymore but as the new Zonda by Mileson shows, the model is still alive.https://www.instagram.com/p/BI2GvCRBJgh/?taken-by=something_guoThe car was caught on camera by the YouTube channel VIRAGE and in photos by Instagrammer @something_guo, who spotted it testing at Pagani's factory in San Cesario sul Panaro, Modena, Italy. Titled as "Pagani Zonda 760 by Mileson and Huyara BC," we are led to believe that this new Zonda is based around the 760, which looks to be true. Visible modifications made to the car include a new blue finish, front wheel arches, a revised 760 rear wing and more.https://www.instagram.com/p/BI69SorhUpu/?taken-by=something_guoAlso included in the video, found below, is the new Huayra BC. This new model is regarded as being the most technologically advanced one yet. Powering the car is a twin-turbo V12 engine that has been exclusively developed for Pagani by Mercedes-AMG. It creates over 750 hp and 737 lb-ft of torque.Check out the video below to see the cars for yourself.View Paganis For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 11, 2016

Rare Pagani Zonda Revolucion Racing and Pit Stops at Sebring

Back in 2013 Pagani unveiled the new Zonda Revolucion. This car would mark a supposed end to the production of the Zonda, even though some new Zondas have been created since then.This historic car is powered by a terrifying 6.0-liter V12, which is capable of 800hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. And thanks to the extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber, the car itself weighs in at 2,358 lbs. Other features include a Formula-1 inspired DRS system and Brembo CCRM brake discs, an upgraded ABS system, and a price tag of $2.88 million. Only five Pagani Zonda Revolucions were planned to be produced.(Also Check Out: Sound Off: Bugatti Chiron vs Pagani Huayra BC)Of those five, one was spotted by fansofthe12hours at Sebring Raceway taking some laps. This appearance at the Florida racetrack was indeed a rare one and it made for a brilliant soundtrack. Click play below if you need the pure sounds of a massive V12 engine in your life. Pagani For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2016

The Scary Sounds of the Pagani C12S

Introduced back in the beginning of the 2000's, the Pagani Zonda C12S was a more powerful and brutal version of the original Zonda. A menacing 7.3-liter V12 engine from Mercedes-Benz AMG provided the car with around 600 hp, a massive jump over the original's 394 hp.Now, in 2016, we have supercars that house double the horsepower of the C12S, but that doesn't take away from the car's presence. In fact, I'd say the C12S has a more audible presence than most cars.BUY A PAGANI (Also Check Out - Chasing 19 Paganis Through The Mountains)Don't believe me? Check out these videos from Effspot and TheStradman of a yellow C12S during their recent trip to Europe. Saying this car is loud doesn't do it justice. I'm saying that this car screams like a freakin' banshee. Check out the videos below to see what I mean. I should also note that the first video does contain some NSFW language, but you can't blame someone for using expletives when hearing such an insane supercar.Supercars For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 07, 2016

Pagani Zonda 760 PS Startup and Revs Sound Glorious

Back in 1999, Pagani debuted the Zonda, one of the finest and most ferocious Italian supercars to ever hit the road. Throughout the years, different engines have been powering the car, including the 6.0-, 7.0- and 7.3-liter AMG V12 engines. Along with a wide variety of engines, there have been numerous editions of the Zonda, like the 760LH, Revolucion and F Clubsport, just to name a few.TheTFJJ recently caught a one-of-one Zonda 760PS (PS is for the owner, Peter Saywell) starting up and revving its engine. The video of the event, found below, reminds us all just how incredible the sound of the Zonda really is. Check it out for yourself by clicking the play button below.View All Pagani News

By Edward Jones – December 18, 2015

Pagani Zonda F V12 Engine Soundcheck

Microphone check "one, two" what is this? The Pagani Zonda F from an Italian business.With the company of a Ferrari Enzo, which sounds amazing as well, Marchettino caught this Zonda F bringing the ruckus in the undergrounds of Tokyo, Japan. You can view it below.After watching and listening to the video, we can say that this Italian supercar is ready for whatever show it's going to put on, because it sounds incredible. But, what did you expect?Even though the car was introduced back in 2005, doesn't mean its sound wouldn't hold up today's standards. In fact, older cars with monstrous engines, like the Zonda F's 7.3-liter AMG V12, create the sounds we've always loved. While it's true the turbocharged and supercharged cars of today sound lovely as well, we will always have that special place in our hearts for a naturally aspirated engine with tons of displacement and finely tuned exhaust. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – October 06, 2015

How to Load a Pagani Zonda Revolucion

The Pagani Zonda Revolucion was introduced back in 2013 as the last Zonda model the Italian automaker would create. We now know that more Zondas have been created in its wake, but that still doesn't discredit the Revolucion.It comes packing a lot of heat, courtesy of a 6.0-liter V12 engine that produces 800 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. What's more, it only weighs 2,358 lbs thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber.(See Also: Porsche 918 Spyder vs. Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition)With only a reported five models produced, this car is as rare as they come. So, how do you ship one of these gems? Carspotter Jeroen was on hand to watch the loading process of one Zonda Revolucion and uploaded a video of the event to YouTube Oct. 5. How long did it take? In the description he notes that "they drive it up to the trailer in 15 minutes." When you watch the video, you can see why it took so long.View Pagani For SaleCheck out the video and let us know if you could load it up quicker in the comments below!(Source: YouTube) See More Pagani News, Photos and Videos

By Edward Jones – October 01, 2015

One-of-a-Kind Pagani Zonda Anija Spotted in Japan

The automotive aftermarket scene in Japan has piqued the world's interest for years. From the abundance of LED lights to massive widebody kits, their modified cars are both unique and eye-catching, to say the least.Yesterday, we posted a video of a Ferrari 360 from Japan that had been modified to the nines. Today, we are brining to you a video of a Pagani Zonda S that has been modified to look like a completely different vehicle.(See Also: Bugatti Chiron Test Car Leaked)In a video uploaded today by , we see the what has been referred to as the Pagani Zonda Anija. This car started its life as a Zonda S, complete with a 7.0-liter AMG engine, according to an Aug. 28, 2014 article from TheSupercarKids.com. Since then, the car has swapped owners multiple times. But, in 2010, the owner decided to turn the car into something unique. They accomplished this through a new rear wing, front and rear body kits, wheels and a fighter-jet style exhaust.Check out the video below to see the car for yourself.Pagani For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Pagani News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – June 22, 2015

New Pagani Zonda 760 LM Roadster Revs and Performs a Symp...

One of the most notable reasons Paganis are such incredible vehicles comes from their splendid sounds. They aren't only designed to be visually stunning, but aurally as well, and not a single Pagani created has ever proven otherwise.The Zonda 760 LM Roadster is no exception. A video shared on YouTube June 15 by NM2255 Car HD Videos captures this particular Zonda and its breathtaking 7.3-liter AMG V12 stealing the eyes and ears of a crowd during Vanishing Point 2015, and the resulting symphony will stop you in your tracks.Watch the video above, pull it into full screen on high definition, turn your speakers all the way up and prepare for a minute and 52 seconds of goosebump-inducing revs after the engine starts up, warms up and then drives off. (Source: YouTube via Carbuzz) See More Pagani News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 03, 2015

Lewis Hamilton's Pagani Zonda 760LH by Melanie Meder

Article and photos by Melanie Meder, Melanie Meder PhotographyThis was the first shot I had ever taken of the purple Pagani Zonda 760 LH, back in summer 2013. Yes, LH stands for Lewis Hamilton, but aside from its famous owner, this car is just a piece of art. It's awesome. Imagine: 760 hp combined with a manual gearbox. I mean… There are no words to describe the awesomeness of this car. Then there's its sound… I don’t know if there’s anything that sounds better than this beast, but the first time I heard it, I knew that it was #betterthanbeethoven.But let’s do it all over again: I do remember that night very well. It was the time when people use to go home after partying or when they were already sleeping. The streets of Monaco were dead empty, and it was very quiet. I had been at the harbor-platform on the sea, which is a bit ‘outside’ of Monaco, but with a nice view at the whole city, and was walking towards my car when I suddenly heard a very strange engine noise reaching me with every big wave.The Zonda has been parked perfectly – with spotlights on it and in the middle of the parking lot. “Beautiful,” was all I thought. After admiring the car for a while I started to take some pictures of it and that’s how this shot was created.To see more of Melanie's work, including a video of the Zonda 760 LH, be sure to visit and "like" her Facebook page here: Melanie Meder PhotographySee More Photographer's Perspectives

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