Phantom

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

A one-off white and brown Rolls-Royce Phantom Dentelle sedan is parked on a cobblestone driveway in front of trimmed hedges and a modern building.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 03, 2025

Rolls-Royce Unveils New One-Off Phantom Dentelle

The Rolls-Royce Private Office Dubai debuts a piece of rolling art. Bespoke, opulent, elegant, and artful are all words that can describe a Rolls-Royce, but thanks to the storied manufactuer setting up Private Offices across the globe for a commissioning experience that matches the one at Goodwood, many customers have enjoyed the ability for all those characteristics to be expressed at an even higher level. The latest masterpiece to emerge from Rolls-Royce’s Private Office in Dubai is the new Phantom Dentelle. The one-off Rolls-Royce was commissioned by a family as a gift for their father, and the major highlight of the stunning design is the extensive use of couture lace throughout the interior. The Phantom Gallery features an intricate work of embroidery that consists of over 160,000 stitches, using multiple colors of thread and pearl details to create a stunning three-dimensional appearance. Meanwhile, the waterfall section between the rear seats continues the floral embroidery theme, using roughly 70,000 stitches in its display. Sunrise and Grace White leather complete the upholstery, with embroidered “RR” monograms on the headrests, and Piano White Trims to complete the stunningly elegant, delicate look. The exterior is completed with a two-tone finish, combining Crystal over Arctic White with Crystal over Palais Nemasker Dawn, a color that is specifically made and reserved for the bespoke, one-off commission. The Spirit of Ecstasy on the Phantom Dentelle is made in Rose Gold to hint at the elegant color scheme of the interior, and as a completed project, the one-of-one Phantom Dentelle features Rolls-Royce’s opulence and elegance with the manufacturer’s bespoke craftsmanship and the loving artistic vision of the family that commissioned it for their father. View All Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale Image Source: Rolls-Royce

A two-tone Rolls-Royce Phantom is displayed on a platform in a landscaped garden near a large building at Villa d’Este, with mountains and a lake in the background, evoking the style of Goldfinger.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 29, 2025

Rolls-Royce Phantom Goldfinger Makes Public Debut At Vill...

Rolls-Royce shows off a bespoke icon. Rolls-Royce celebrated a cinematic legacy when it created the Phantom Goldfinger, a bespoke rendition of its ultra-luxury flagship sedan that celebrated the 60th anniversary of the legendary Goldfinger James Bond film by reimagining the classic Rolls-Royce Phantom that the film’s villain, Auric Goldfinger, drove. Coincidentally, this year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the incredible flagship nameplate that has defined the ultra-luxury automotive landscape for an entire century. As part of the celebrations of the Rolls-Royce Phantom’s 100th anniversary that are taking place this year, Rolls-Royce showed off the new Phantom Goldfinger at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, an anticipated and prestigious automotive event that showcases the highest echelon of luxury cars, classics, and supercars on the gorgeous shores of Lake Como, Italy. The display of the Phantom Goldfinger at the event marked the car’s public debut, and the stunning private commission not only serves as a stunning reference to the film’s legacy and Rolls-Royce’s iconic heritage, but also an example of Rolls-Royce’s ultra-luxury potential, with 24-karat gold detailing and highly detailed references to parts of the film and its story. As Rolls-Royce continues to celebrate 100 years of its Phantom flagship, the display of the Phantom Goldfinger at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este was an incredible celebration of automotive luxury excellence. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale Image Source: Rolls-Royce

Phantom Scintilla Private Collection (0)

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 16, 2024

Rolls-Royce Reveals New 1-of-10 Phantom Scintilla Private...

Rolls-Royce takes inspiration from its beautiful icon. Besides the unmistakable presence of its stately ultra-luxury machines and their unmistakable silhouettes, one of the first images that comes to mind when someone thinks of a Rolls-Royce is the Spirit of Ecstasy. This iconic symbol has stood as the hood ornament of Rolls-Royce cars for decades, alluding to the cars’ opulent luxury and unparalleled design. However, the Spirit of Ecstasy is now serving as inspiration for a new Rolls-Royce Private Collection: the Phantom Scintilla. The new Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla Private Collection was created to embody the “grace, dynamism, and beauty” of the Spirit of Ecstasy symbol. As such, the Spirit of Ecstasy of the Phantom Scintilla has a ceramic finish, which likens it to the Greek marble sculpture, 'The Winged Victory of Samothrace,' which inspired the original Spirit of Ecstasy. The car is limited to 10 examples worldwide, and the first example was presented to its collector at this year’s Monterey Car Week, one of the most anticipated automotive events in the world. The two-tone exterior of the Phantom Scintilla also nods to Ancient Greece, pairing Andalusian White and Thracian Blue paintwork for a Mediterranean, classic aesthetic. Spirit Blue in the Coachline and Wheel Pinstripes adds subtle, beautiful, elegant detail. The interior uses fabric and embroidery to create a “painted” luminous effect, stitched together from 36 sections of embroidery. The 633,000 stitches are the product of 40 hours of work for each interior. The Phantom Gallery, the signature feature of the dashboard, features a ‘Celestial Pulse’ artwork. Its seven aluminum “ribbons” evoke the windswept grace of the Spirit of Ecstasy. The car also features a bespoke “Fleeting Moment” Starlight Headliner. Arctic White wood veneers complete the stunning bespoke finish. An official pricing number for the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla Private Collection is unavailable. Still, it is among North America's most valuable Rolls-Royce Phantoms ever delivered. All of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla commissions destined for North America have been spoken for through Rolls-Royce’s North American dealer network. View All Rolls-Royces For Sale Image Source: Rolls-Royce

By Edward Jones – January 27, 2022

Rolls-Royce Phantom Orchid Unveiled As A One-Off Piece Of...

Destined to grace the streets of Singapore. Rolls-Royce has mastered the art of creating bespoke vehicles like no other. Each bespoke Rolls-Royce typically comes with a theme and even a focal point that defines the car. For the new Rolls-Royce Phantom Orchid, the English automaker carried out a majestic theme based around the beloved flower. Both the interior and exterior feature hints to the Phantom's theme, but do so in such a tasteful and artistic manner. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Boat Tail Revealed With Surprises Aplenty Inside, the focal point is, without a doubt, the Phantom's fascia and instrument panel area. Here, you will find the artwork of Helen Amy Murray and her team of six. The result is a beautiful portrayal of orchids on silk crepe satin that was created by hand. In fact, it took Murray and her team 200 hours to refine their design for this project. Another touch of class in the interior is the orchid-inspired Picnic Table Inlays in the rear made of Piano Black Veneer. These were created by Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer Yohan Benchetrit. For the exterior, Rolls-Royce took Arctic White as a base paint color and mixed in a splash of violet to create a one-of-a-kind finish. As a nod to the Phantom Orchid's inspiration, an orchid motif can also be found on the vehicle's coachline. Source: Rolls-Royce Watch Our 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge Review " width="680">

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