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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

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 17, 2025

How to Buy: Porsche and Aimé Leon Dore's New 2025 Fall/Wi...

Gaining traction among car and fashion lovers, even in the winter, Porsche and Aimé Leon Dore are back with cold weather styles. Porsche knows a thing or two about performance in the cold. Whether it's a 911 drifting through an alpine pass or idling on a snow-covered city street, the Porsche's legacy has always embraced the elements rather than avoiding them. Aimé Leon Dore seems to follow that same rhythm. The New York label's latest collaboration with Porsche channels that winter-ready energy into apparel, reimagining archived pieces through the lens of '90s design. The Fall/Winter 2025 collection filters familiar Porsche tones, including Jet Black, Tango Red, Pine Grove, and Aspen Gold, through Aimé Leon Dore's understated approach. The GORE-TEX® Cabrio Jacket stands out as a collection highlight, mirroring the appeal and beauty of the cars that inspired it. Pieces like the Nylon Track Jackets and Pants, Jacquard Collar Quarter Zip, and Porsche Crest Rugby are designed to move, layer, and feel like part of the everyday ritual of driving, walking, or just existing. Accessories finish the collection with the quiet confidence both brands are known for, featuring leather driving gloves that could just as easily live in a glovebox, wool scarves reminiscent of pit lane attire, and cashmere beanies dyed in ALD's tones. The materials speak for themselves, and the quality is obvious in the small details, like the weight of the stitching, the softness of the woand ol, the restrained use of branding. To introduce the collection, Aimé Leon Dore and Porsche released a short film set in a rain-soaked New York park. The collection pays homage to the duo's past builds: the 911SC, 964 Carrera 4, the Olive 911 Carrera, and others that helped define the aesthetic language between the brands. The collection launches online, October 17th, at 11 AM EDT, and in-store at Aimé Leon Dore New York and London and Porsche Design Beverly Hills. Shop The Collection " width="680"> Porsche/Aimé Leon Dore

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 22, 2024

Aimé Leon Dore Teases Its Spring/Summer '24 Drop With A P...

From the racetrack to the fashion runway, Porsche truly does it all! When you think of classic Porsche culture and the lifestyle synonymous with timeless sports cars, fashion often tends to play a crucial role with inspiration from automotive legendary cars like the 911. If there is one brand that directly lines up with Porsche and its historic involvement as a style icon it is Aimé Leon Dore, a Queens, New York-based fashion brand that has since taken the world by storm with founder Teddy Santis at the wheel. Porsche and Aimé Leon Dore have proved their popularity within the high-end streetwear world having released two instantly sold-out collections since their first collaboration in 2021. Today, Aimé Leon Dore took to its Instagram page to tease its upcoming Spring/Summer 2024 Collection with a shot of a classic leather jacket sporting a huge Porsche crest. The upcoming collection release from Aimé Leon Dore showcases a diverse lineup that features a few pieces with motorsport inspiration, whether it be a short-cut motorcycle jacket or racing jersey. With sneak peek photos proving that it won't be a full Porsche-themed drop, you can almost guarantee there will be a mad dash for the leather Porsche crest jacket. The all-new Aimé Leon Dore Spring/Summer 2024 Collection will be available online and in-store tomorrow at 11 AM EST. Shop all of the current Aimé Leon Dore x Porsche Collections by clicking the link below. Shop Aimé Leon Dore x Porsche View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aimé Leon Dore (@aimeleondore) Source: Aimé Leon Dore Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 25, 2022

Shop Porsche Designs New 60s & 70s-Inspired Essentials Co...

Travel back to the sixties and seventies with Porsche. Porsche’s DNA embodies the desire to carry itself as a pioneer and leader in the market of luxury sports cars, continuing to push boundaries to create a truly unique driving experience for its community of passionate enthusiasts. With a brand that operates more like a luxury lifestyle, Porsche celebrates past, present, and future models through its collection of Porsche Design products. Porsche Design is proud to commemorate classic Porsche models with a collection inspired by the 60s and 70s. As part of the extensive Essentials Collection, the new releases feature vintage Porsche logos against an elegant Bordeaux tone. MUST-READ: The Top 10 Automotive-Inspired Sneakers By Puma Motorsport Available Now The product line includes a sweatshirt, two t-shirts, and a unisex beanie that take inspiration from icons like the 1965 Porsche 911 Targa. The highlighted piece in the collection is the connecting rod hoodie, which visually showcases the revolutionary decade of Porsche. Shop all of the products and accessories from Porsche Design by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and Porsche news. Shop Porsche Design Source: Porsche Design

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 17, 2022

Porsche Opens Its 'Driven by Dreams' Brand Store In The H...

The opening also underscores the commitment of Porsche to its home city. As a passion project that continues to evolve into a lifestyle, Porsche Design showcases a line of luxury products that take on the same high-quality construction as the brand’s fleet of performance cars. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Porsche Design is excited to promote the opening of its all-new brand store in the heart of Stuttgart, Germany. The location proves to be the perfect location as the German automotive manufacturer produces and ships its extensive line of vehicles from the home city. The storefront titled “Porsche Driven by Dreams’ offers visitors the ability to not only connect with the brand but also understand where it came from and where it’s headed. MUST-READ: Makes And Movements: Porsche Design GT3 RS Chronograph x Porsche 992 911 GT3 RS Along with a showroom that presents all of Porsche Design’s current apparel and accessories collection, the store will also include products from partnering companies that align with Porsche’s values. Guests will have the option to configure and order Porsche vehicles from the Porsche Driven by Dreams store, presenting a chat function to contact the dealership for reservations, in-stock availability, and previously owned cars. The Brand Store will regularly host daytime and evening events, using its modernly minimal design to capture the attention of owners and future clientele. Shop all of the luxury products and accessories from Porsche Design by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more luxury lifestyle releases and Porsche news. SHOP PORSCHE DESIGN

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 26, 2021

Porsche Design Introduces Patrick Dempsey As 2021 Brand A...

Yesterday, we covered Porsche Design’s Instagram post teasing both a new brand ambassador and luxury eyewear collection. A few hints were provided, leaving fans guessing who Porsche Design's new member was going to be. After a couple of days of keeping a secret, Porsche Design is proud to announce Patrick Dempsey as its new ambassador for 2021. A video released on the Instagram page gives a behind the scenes look at the photoshoot featuring Dempsey and the new eyewear collection set to release this year. As a Porsche fanatic, he knows his way around the interior of a racecar. Dempsey even participated as a driver in the 2014 24-Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 911 RSR. Patrick Dempsey is very much a respected individual in the world of Porsche, which makes it a perfect transition into the fashion world of Porsche Design. Check back in for future release information on the Porsche Design Eyewear Collection featuring Patrick Dempsey. For more Porsche news, Check out Makes And Movements: Porsche 911 Heritage Design Edition x Porsche Design Heritage Chronograph

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 01, 2021

The Best Boots For Driving

Needless to say, whether it is off-road, daily driving, or on the track, the most important tool when behind the wheel is the driver’s footwear. The need for grip from a boot is just as important as the grip beneath a set of tires. Unfortunately, not every set of boots or sneakers will provide the performance needed to get you over the ridge of a mountainside or through the corner of a long apex. This week we have compiled a list of the best boots for all driving conditions during the colder months of winter, no matter the caliber of vehicle. Click the links below to shop any of the stylish and functional footwear featured. Track Focused PUMA Motorsport Petronas Speedcat Mid $100 Shop Now Piloti Apex $190 Shop Now Porsche Design Racer High Top $480 Shop Now Off-Road Nike ACG Mountain Fly GORE-TEX $220 Shop Now On-Running Cloudrock Edge Raw $249.99 Shop Now Magnanni Bodhi II $395 Shop Now Lucchese Brooks CL1012.W8S $795 Shop Now 1017 ALYX 9SM Fuoripista $849 Shop Now Daily Driven UGG Neumel Chukka Boot $117 - $159.99 Shop Now Clarks Wallabee Boot $160 Shop Now Common Projects Ankle-Length Boots $579 Shop Now Buscemi Multi-Panel Leather Boots $734 Shop Now Visvim Lhamo Folk Suede Boots $735 Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 11, 2020

Wheels X Wardrobe: Private Porsche

Earlier this week, we covered the collaboration project between Porsche and Embraer. The special release features a limited edition 911 Turbo S and Phenom 300E Business Jet. Any ten individuals willing to purchase the private jet will also receive the Porsche 911 Turbo S, as well as a custom Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC watch. This week’s Wheels X Wardrobe breaks down the perfect fit and essentials for the delivery day of your new Jet, Porsche, and luxury timepiece. Vehicle Porsche 911Turbo S MSRP $203,500 View All Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale Jet Embraer Phenom 300E Business Jet Price Not Listed Learn More Watch Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC $6,350 Shop Now Top Porsche Design P'8685 Sunglasses $1,150 Shop Now Porsche Design Neoprene Leather Mix Jacket $1,900 Shop Now Porsche Design Casual Slit Pocket Polo $195 Shop Now Bottom Porsche Design Casual Pin Buckle 35 Belt $310 Shop Now Porsche Design Travel Pants $325 Shop Now Footwear Porsche Design Traveller Lace Up High Top Sneaker $480 Shop Now Accessories Porsche Design Carbon Passport Holder $210 Shop Now Porsche Design Roadster 4.1 L Backpack $370 Shop Now Porsche Design Roadster Hardcase Hybrid S Trolley $520 Shop Now The Private Porsche Breakdown 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo S MSRP $203,500 Embraer Phenom 300E Business Jet (Price Not Listed) Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC Watch $6,350 Porsche Design P'8685 Sunglasses $1,150 Porsche Design Neoprene Leather Mix Jacket $1,900 Porsche Design Casual Slit Pocket Polo $195 Porsche Design Casual Pin Buckle 35 Belt $310 Porsche Design Travel Pants $235 Porsche Design Traveller Lace Up High Top Sneaker $480 Porsche Design Carbon Passport Holder $210 Porsche Design Roadster 4.1 L Backpack $370 Porsche Design Roadster Hardcase Hybrid S Trolley $520

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2019

Puma and Porsche Motorsport Enter Multi-Year Partnership

Puma is set to equip all 24 of the Porsche Works Drivers, Juniors, Young Professionals and pit crews of the Porsche factory teams with fireproof motorsport clothing. The Porsche Formula E team and all factory GT racing activities will also be equipped with Puma gear as well. These new threads for the Porsche teams comes after Puma and Porsche Motorsport entered a multi-year partnership that started on January 1, 2019. "Puma has a long and successful tradition in motorsport. We are pleased to welcome Puma as a new partner of the Porsche Motorsport Teams," says Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. "The innovation and creativity of Puma, one of the world's leading sports lifestyle companies, fits in with our team and our brand." Check This Out - Two New Sneakers in PUMA x Hot Wheels Collection As part of this partnership, Puma has also acquired the rights to create Porsche Motorsport replica and fan wear gear. Yes, this means we'll be seeing a ton of Porsche x Puma gear in the near future. Check the Puma shop down below to check out all of their current gear. shop puma now Related: OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is the Supercar of Phones CXC Simulations Motion Pro II: Race Anything, Anywhere melin x Daniel Ricciardo: The Endurance Hat

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