Pebble Beach

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

Duesenberg SSJ Wins Best Of Show At 2026 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 17, 2026

2026 Pebble Beach Conours d’Elegance Best Of Show Winner Revealed

This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and an adrenaline-filled week full of events leading up to it, has come to a close, and for many enthusiasts at the festivities, the grand finale is the announcement of awards for the cars at the legendary Concours d’Elegance event. 2026 marked the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and with over $50 million reached in total charitable giving, the milestone was celebrated with a major achievement. 218 classic cars entered the concours this year, including 33 international entries hailing from 14 countries, and 185 entries from 30 states. Of all that competition, the Best of Show winner was a 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Special Speedster, shown by Harry Yeaggy of Cincinnati, Ohio. The car is a remarkable example, featuring dramatic styling, restoration to its original black lacquer exterior and light saddle leather interior, and Hollywood origins, as it was originally owned by Clark Gable. About the victory, Yeaggy commented, “I appreciate the hard work it took and the time it took to get here. People don’t realize how hard it is, how special it is, to win this award. It’s amazing.” Yeaggy has won Best of Show before, 19 years ago with a 1935 Duesenberg SJ Speedster called “Mormon Meteor,” in 2007. With both wins, Yeaggy contributed to Duesenberg’s status as the winningest American manufacturer at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, with a total of eight Best of Show trophies. Interestingly, the second owner of the car lived in Pebble Beach, and was the custodian of the car for nearly 12 years. The Best of Show win is a full-circle moment in its history. The competition was strong this year, and included other contenders like a 1938 Delahaye 165 Figoni et Falaschi Cabriolet, coming from Switzerland, a 1955 Ferrari 375 MM Pinin Farina Berlinetta, brought to the show from Bangkok, Thailand, and a 1954 Ferrari 375 America Vignale Cabriolet, hailing from Texas. This year, the Pebble Beach Concours raised an impressive $4.3 million for charity, bringing the total charitable giving of the concours to over $50 million, hitting a major milestone in conjunction with its 75th iteration. Over half of that total has been raised in the past decade alone. Those funds will benefit over 130 nonprofits that are local to Monterey County, California. Meanwhile, Gooding Christie’s, the official auction house of the concours, achieved its highest grossing sale since the company’s inception, as the sale at the concours achieved over $159 million in sales, with a 94-percent sell-through rate. The most valuable lot, also the most valuable car ever sold by Gooding Christie’s at auction, was a 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, which sold for nearly $43 million. Next year, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is set to celebrate the centenary of Delage’s Grand Prix-winning season, while also highlighting Prewar Open-Front Town Cars, 40 Years of the Ferrari F40, and a class of Delahayes. View All Luxury & Exotic Cars For Sale Image Source: Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 12, 2026

Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance Changes Route Due To Big Sur Timber Fire

Monterey Car Week is in full swing this year, and leading up to the anticipated Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the most anticipated events of the week is the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance. The route traditionally sees the incredible convoy of cars travel the scenic coast on the iconic 17-Mile Drive and Route 1 from Pebble Beach to Big Sur; however, the ongoing Timber Fire in Big Sur has caused organizers to change the route. In their announcement, Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance organizers say that they have worked with the California Highway Patrol, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, and CAL FIRE to closely monitor the situation and came to the decision in order to protect spectators and participants, and also give first responders space to work. Pebble Beach Concours Chairman Sandra Button added, “We quickly came to this decision because we don’t want to impact the efforts of firefighters in any way. “As a community event, we know that our gathering is only a part of all that is happening around us, and the safety of our community is of the utmost importance.” The tour, added to the concours in 1998, has served to prove the point that the historic cars in the concours are functional and enjoyable. With a revised route, the start/finish line remains on Portola Road near Concours Village, with cars set to gather around 7:00 am, and departing starting at 9:30. Participants in the tour are competing for the Elegance in Motion trophy, which will be awarded at the Concours. While celebrating automotive excellence and the rich traditions of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the decision to change the route of the Tour d’Elegance simultaneously prioritizes safety as the beautiful and iconic Big Sur experiences a growing Timber Fire. Image Source: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 30, 2021

Robert Graham On Scene At The Pebble Beach Concours With ...

The duPont REGISTRY team styled by Robert Graham for the 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. While everything automotive is the focus during Monterey Car Week 2021, it’s also an occasion to dress your best, considering you never know who you will run into throughout the day. At the duPont REGISTRY display for The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the team was dressed to impress with Robert Graham attire. The styles on scene were paired perfectly with the multi-million dollar supercars and hypercars on display. With an extensive collection of modest and head-turning styles, Robert Graham offers an array of options no matter your taste. The collections from Robert Graham include head-to-toe apparel and accessories made to provide a comfortable luxury feel no matter the occasion. Shop all of the styles that Robert Graham has to offer by clicking the link below. Shop Robert Graham

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Live at Pebble Beach

We don't take our events lightly. That's why we partnered with the Pebble Beach Concours for an unprecedented display atop Peter Hay Hill for Monterey Car Week 2019. If you attended the event, you couldn't have missed us as we were across from the Clubhouse and adjacent to the Gooding auction. If you didn't make it out to the event, here's what we had on display: BRABUS The goal of BRABUS goal has been to build the fastest German cars since 1977. Their styling and power improvements are unmatched, and they have allowed the G63 AMG to offer 838 horsepower to three locking differentials. The E63 S sedan uses similar tuning to send 790 horsepower through the 4Matic AWD system. Brown Lee Ford Brown Lee Ford sells more high-performance models than any other. With a full lineup of Hennessey Performance cars & trucks, their repeat customers have raised the bar for every other Ford dealer. On display was a Hennessey Velociraptor 6x6 and the first Gulf licensed 2019 Mustang GT. Available as coupe, convertible, auto or stick, it makes 808 horsepower and 675 lb-ft of torque, and they can only be ordered from Brown Lee Ford. Desert Power Wagon Desert Power Wagon brings the classic Dodge 4WD into the 21st Century. The cab is stretched between the front seats and the firewall to offer modern legroom and comfortable driving. Dana 60 axles are spun by a Hellcat HEMI V8 or Cummins 6BT. The Mega Cab has room for a modern family and the ability to tackle the toughest terrain. iLusso iLusso deals in the world’s most exotic cars. Located in Costa Mesa, it is the only place you will see a LaFerrari next to an Aventador SVJ. Only dealing in highly optioned Supercars, their inventory represents the best examples of Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, Bentley, & Ferrari. NMoto NMoto builds their Nostalgia as a tribute to the iconic BMW R7. It was a 1934 concept bike at the epitome of the Art Deco era. BMW figured it was too expensive, and the bike was considered lost after the war. Once it was found, the N-Moto team designed over 100 unique parts to transform a new BMW R9T into the Nostalgia. It takes a keen eye to spot the subtle differences between the original and the Nostalgia, and it is an affordable way to own a piece of history. N-Moto actually had their Nostalgia bike selected for the concept lawn, making it the first bike in the show's history to be displayed there. Super Car Seller Service From a world-renowned collection, we are offering the first McLaren P1 GTR. In addition to being #1, it is also the first P1 GTR to be street legal. It is a featherweight track car with 986 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The One and Only Ferrari Racing Boat Also from the same collection is the Arno XI. This record-setting Hydroplane is the only boat to have the blessing of Enzo Ferrari. The Scuderia Ferrari team built a 550 horsepower V12 methanol monster with twin superchargers. It was restored and certified by Ferrari Classiche over the last 2 years. Ferrari sent the Classiche Team with the boat on a chartered flight from Maranello to Monterey. Wingard Motorsports The Shelby Series 2 is a Shelby licensed roadster, and they are built on the all-aluminum chassis of the Shelby Series 1 (The Final Car Shelby American Built) by Wingard Motorsports. Designed for comfort and speed, the cockpit was designed to accommodate a 6’9” driver. As such, the pedal box and all controls are laid out in a logical manner. Choose between an aluminum 427 Windsor, or 427 FE Big Block, air conditioning and a leather interior are standard equipment. Next to it is a new Shelby CSX5500 series in brushed aluminum. Both are big-block beasts that are built by hand and available to order. Vanderhall Vanderhall started in a small shop in Provo, Utah, but has grown into a leader in 3-wheelers. The Carmel GT is their latest model, powered by a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, it sends 194 horsepower to the front wheels via a 6-speed paddle-shift automatic. Display Sponsors Also on hand was be Luxury Lease Partners. They make it easy to enjoy the car of your dreams without breaking the bank. TireStickers was also in our booth. Tire Stickers are the best way to make your sidewalls standout, and they were also demonstrating their reflective & laser cut designs. Our furniture was provided by PitStop Racing, makers of racing-inspired leather furniture for over 25 years. Robert Graham and T. Henri We want to thank Robert Graham for supplying the duPont REGISTRY team with outfits, in particular, the Down Hill Sport Coat which has become a staple for the duPont REGISTRY team. We also want to thank T. Henri for keeping our eyes safe from the sun with their luxury sunglasses. Being at such a high-end event, we had to make sure the team looked the part. Thanks to these two brands, we can say that they definitely looked good.

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2019

Lamborghini Aventador S Art Car Unveiled in Monterey

Skyler Grey is a prolific figure in the world of street art. Being dubbed the "Fresh Prince of Street Art", his works have been compared to Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and other skilled artists. Forbes named him one of the top "30 Under 30" most influential artists in 2017. This caught the eye of the top brass at Sant’Agata Bolognese. They presented him a new car as a blank canvas, and the Lamborghini Aventador S Art Car was just unveiled in Monterey. He used the fundamentals of street art, including airbrushes, rollers, stencils and the ubiquitous spray paint cans. He paid respect to Warhol with a tiny Campbell's soup can, while also making bold shapes out of yellow, dark orange, and white. He signed his work with his trademark lightning bolt, and finished the car with a cartoon bull between spots of color. The car was sold to a prominent Art Collector, and it is the first Lamborghini transaction to make use of Salesforce technology. It will be on display until Sunday evening at the 18th hole of Pebble Beach. Kudos to Lamborghini for staying on the cutting edge of popular art, and for building amazing cars. Click the link below to find an Aventador near you and stay with us for all your Monterey news. Browse Lamborghini Aventador For Sale Related: Lamborghini Miura Receives Dedicated Class at Pebble Beach 2018 Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 08, 2019

Drako GTE Teased Ahead of Monterey Unveiling

Electric hypercars are poised to make gasoline obsolete. Fueled by automotive startups like Rivian and Tushek, a group of Silicon Valley engineers are throwing their hat into the ring. Drako Motors intends to offer 1,200 horsepower with unprecedented grip. They have developed 4-wheel steering in which each wheel can be turned independently. Given that each wheel has its own electric motor, it will raise the bar for EV performance. In their latest YouTube video, the Drako GTE has teased ahead of a Monterey unveiling. All will be revealed at the Quail Motorsports Gathering, and we will be there in full force. So tell us what you think of independent steering in the comments below and stay with us for all your Monterey updates. " width="680"> Related: Tushek TS 900 H Apex to Debut at Salon Prive Lotus Evija World Tour Starts at Monterey

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2017

Porsche 917 K From Steven McQueen Film Heading To Monterey

It is not uncommon for movie stars to become reclusive after a brilliant performance. This is what happened to the Porsche 917 K that played the leading role in Steve McQueen's "Le Mans". The motion picture tells the trials and tribulations of the 24 hour race from the perspective of team Porsche.Easily the best motorsports film of all-time, no expense was spared in the casting department. The 1970 Porsche 917 K was built for testing, in order to validate the effectiveness of the racing program. Once filming was over, the car was sold and it faded into obscurity. After decades of neglect, chassis #24 was discovered in 2001 and treated to a complete restoration.The flat-12 engine is essentially two 911 flat-6 blocks sharing a common crankshaft. Safety was a top priority, so the tubular chassis was pressurized in order to locate any welding defects. The 1970 race was the first LeMans victory for Porsche, so if you would like to own this piece of history, Gooding & Company will be happy to help you. As part of their primetime lineup for Monterey, the estimated hammer price is $13 to $16 million. We will be reporting live on Facebook, so tune in on August 18th for all the action.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 22, 2016

Revealed: Rolls-Royce Bespoke Dawn Trio in Monterey

This weekend, at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Rolls-Royce fans will witness the unveiling of three of "the most highly customized bespoke Rolls-Royce Dawn motor cars crafted to date." The three models, Michael Fux Dawn, Nautical Dawn and Homage to Silver Ghost Dawn, will each present stunning features and ultimate in class and luxury. Each was designed for an individual Rolls-Royce collector in mind, and the Bespoke model will join the clients' extensive private collections.Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale Michael Fux DawnRolls-Royce collector, Michael Fux, now owns 10 vehicles from the luxury brand, and his newest edition is the beautifully crafted "duo-tone blue and white Dawn Drophead." Fux Blue, the exterior color, was designed exclusively for this Dawn Drophead, which is accented by an Arctic White interior. The bespoke model is a creative masterpiece for Rolls-Royce, pushing the envelope of color and design.Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale Nautical DawnCreated for a South Florida client, the Nautical Dawn features an exclusive interior which is the result of a collaboration with Barclay Butera. The client's nautical style, inspired by her Oceanside residence, was designed as a compliment to her Florida lifestyle. A pristine, Midnight Sapphire exterior is complimented by the bright, Arctic White interior. Nautical touches like Open Pore Teak Paneling adorn the vehicle and bring the full feel of the ocean to fruition.Homage to Silver Ghost DawnDon Brinkerhoff, an esteemed Rolls-Royce collector, wanted his sixth Rolls-Royce to commemorate the 1907 Silver Ghost, which is known as "The Best motor car in the World." Easily distinguished as an homage to the iconic model, Brinkerhoff's new Dawn features a Matte Cassiopeia Silver finish over a Pine Green leather interior accented with black.These bespoke motor cars join a long list of beautifully crafted, customized Rolls-Royce models, each tailored to the wants and needs of the customer.View Rolls-Royce For Sale

Pebble Beach

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe