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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 Gabriel Vega – April 17, 2023

2024 Porsche Cayenne Debuts With Updated Looks And More P...

The Turbo GT's V8 now develops 650 HP

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 23, 2023

Porsche Announces All-Electric Cayenne To Be Built In Bra...

One of Porsche’s most underappreciated icons has a transformation on the horizon.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 08, 2023

Porsche Completes 2.5 Million Miles Of Extreme Testing Fo...

To ensure that the new Cayenne meets its standards, Porsche puts its series of prototypes through the ultimate test drive. For the past two decades, Porsche's Cayenne has quickly gained traction as a pioneer and leader in the market for luxury SUVs. Porsche is proud to continue the Cayenne legacy with its fifth generation, implementing new design, technology, and performance enhancements to make it the ultimate off-road capable platform. The engineers at Porsche are meticulously prepping for the launch of the new Cayenne by putting prototypes and pre-production vehicles through rigorous testing to ensure that they meet the high standards of the Porsche brand. The main focus for improvements is the Cayenne’s revised chassis system, which will now offer the perfect blend of on-road performance, long-distance comfort, and off-road abilities. Throughout its series of endurance tests, the new Porsche Cayenne is faced with simulations that fall far outside the daily experience of the average owner. Each vehicle completes over 125,000 miles in urban traffic, country roads, and on long-distance motorways. MUST-READ: The Best Porsches You Can Buy Today Porsche also sends prototypes of the new Cayenne all around the world to test their quality and durability in different climate zones, whether it be rock-crawling in the desert or maneuvering through snowy winter conditions. In total, the new Porsche Cayenne test vehicles covered more than 2,500,000 miles to prove to its clientele that it can withstand anything thrown its way. Stay tuned to see Porsche celebrate the premiere of its all-new Cayenne this Spring. View all current Porsche Cayenne models for sale on DuPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 26, 2022

Porsche Commemorates The Cayenne As Its Most Versatile Lu...

The Cayenne is turning 20 and its influence has been great: helping to define the brand as well as combining comfort and off-road qualities with sportiness. Offering German automotive performance through a versatile and functional platform, the Porsche Cayenne epitomizes itself as now of the most well-rounded luxury SUVs in history. As Porsche celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Cayenne’s humble beginning, the brand looks back at its involvement as the perfect all-round vehicle. The Porsche SUV helped shape the segment of ultra-sporty off-roaders with a range of highly dynamic four-door vehicles to choose from: the Cayenne was followed by the Panamera, the Macan, and the all-electric Taycan. MUST-READ: Porsche Celebrates 20-Years of The Cayenne, The 959 Successor Porsche is proud to commemorate the Cayenne by highlighting its involvement in some truly fascinating environments. From safari adventure cars to complex camera rigs, the Cayenne has proven itself to be a family-friendly travel vehicle, robust off-roader, and spacious sports car. Discover the vast capabilities of the Porsche Cayenne by diving into the most functional Cayenne builds included in this special feature. View all current Porsche Cayenne inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL PORSCHE CAYENNE FOR SALE Porsche Cayenne Turbo Camera Car, built in 2014 Porsche Specialization: The Russian Arm – the remote-controlled crane arm is four to approximately seven meters long, and the 360-degree rotating camera is stabilized electronically to compensate for any vibrations. Total system weight: about 180 kg. Porsche Cayenne Camper, built in 2008 Porsche Specialization: Three-inch lift kit, 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires (33 x 12.5 inch), roof box, canopy with disco lighting, plank bed inside. Porsche Cayenne S Diesel Safety Car, built in 2017. Porsche Cayenne Diesel Platinum Edition, built in 2017 Porsche Specialization: A custom decal and emergency vehicle lighting on the roof help with quick identification in case of emergency. Porsche Cayenne Turbo Safari Car, built in 2004 Porsche Specialization: Increased ground clearance for the all-terrain tires, roof rack with additional 40-liter tank, roof tent, and pull-out awning. A 12-volt refrigerator and digital sound system ensure comfort. Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Ambulance, built in 2015 Porsche Specialization: The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) equipment was like no other worldwide upon delivery of the vehicle and can be used to maintain circulation in the event of cardiac arrest. Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 04, 2022

Discover The One-Off Porsche Cayenne Convertible Concept ...

Shortly after the launch of the first-generation model in December 2002, three additional variants came in for consideration. As Porsche continues its 20 year celebration of the iconic Cayenne, the German sports car manufacturer takes a deep dive into its archives of historic models. With an innovative mindset and an unlimited budget, its no surprise that the Porsche concept department was full of one-off examples that would never see the light of day. Presenting three alternative body shape to the first-generation Cayenne, Porsche is proud to showcase the one-of-one convertible variation. The Cayenne convertible came into consideration after stretching a coupé version by 20 centimeters, while also incorporating a row of rear seats and a retractable canvas roof. Today, there is still a single example of the open-top Cayenne kept in storage at the Porsche Museum. It is not a road-going prototype, however, but what is known as a Package Function Model (PFM). MUST-READ: Porsche Celebrates 20-Years of The Cayenne, The 959 Successor While the exterior underwent multiple design phases, Porsche engineers were unable to implement the appropriate body-stiffening measures necessary for a road-legal convertible. The sport styling of the Cayenne Convertible includes a rear end that mimics the lines of the 996 911, which became an area where designers were unable to agree on a final look. The disagreement of the rear design resulted in two different sections, boasting two completely different ideas and shapes. If the drop-top Cayenne had made it to the actual production line, Porsche was at the ready to install a now familiar soft-top mechanism that would quickly transform its appearance. Ultimately, the mechanism never made it past the computer simulation stage and the fabric top is now stored in the luggage compartment. After bringing back the idea of a Cayenne Coupé in 2019 with a successful production model, Porsche did not pursue the idea of a new convertible cars any further. View all of the current Porsche Cayenne examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more luxury lifestyle and Porsche news. VIEW ALL PORSCHE CAYENNE FOR SALE Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 15, 2022

The Porsche Cayenne Proved Its Worth By Being A Super Fas...

The Cayenne created one of the most important segments in today’s auto industry. It’s hard to imagine the automotive world today without the luxury performance SUV. The segment is tightly competitive, with sports and luxury automotive brands continuing to enter and establish their presence in the luxury performance SUV segment. However, it was 20 years ago when the genre was popularized by what was at the time a revolutionary move that saved one brand and changed the rules of the automotive world forever: the Porsche Cayenne. Even as recently as the late 1990s, it was unheard of to even imagine an SUV from the same brand as the iconic 911 and other sports cars, but taking the risk of making an SUV that was still a Porsche at heart was what saved a financially threatened Porsche and still serves as one of the brand’s highest-selling models to this day. MUST READ: Learn About The Holy Grail Of All Porsche 911s However, Porsche knew that if it was going to go as far as to release an SUV, it had to have a genuine Porsche character. To do this, a V8 engine was developed that would deliver high performance, in the name of 340 horsepower and 310 lb/ft of torque in the Cayenne S, and 444 horsepower and 457 lb/ft of torque in the Cayenne Turbo. As a result, the cars were respectively able to reach 150 and 165 mph. In fact, when the Cayenne Turbo S was launched, it was second in power only to the Carrera GT as a roadgoing Porsche, with 514 horsepower, 530 lb/ft of torque, and the ability to get from 0-60 in less than 5.2 seconds to a top speed of 168 mph. Today, the Cayenne Turbo GT continues that legacy with an incredible 631 horsepower, an evolution of the carefully-engineered dynamics and performance that made the Cayenne both an excellent SUV and an excellent Porsche. The Cayenne transformed Porsche and continues to 20 years later because it was a Porsche SUV done exactly the way it should have been. View All Porsche Cayennes For Sale Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 22, 2022

Porsche Recounts The Challenges Of Turning Project "Color...

Two decades into its amazing life, the story of the Porsche Cayenne is already a legend. At a time when Porsche’s future was uncertain, the brand took a big risk and created something that was a great departure from what the brand was known for decades: an SUV. What resulted was the Porsche Cayenne, a vehicle that sent shockwaves through the entire automotive industry and rewrote the rulebook for what a sports car and a luxury car could be. However, being something so radically different than Porsche’s usual sports cars, the design journey of the Cayenne was an interesting one. The biggest challenge was in communicating that the Cayenne, despite being an SUV, was a Porsche. MUST READ: Porsche Centre Perth Hosts The World’s Largest Taycan Owners Meet In Australia Porsche set out to make the Cayenne an SUV that served its client flawlessly both on and off the road. It needed to fit five passengers and luggage, and have ground clearance fit for unpaved journeys. Along with a large V8 engine, mounted in the front of the car, the concept of the Cayenne was quite alien to Porsche. To make it look like a distinguished Porsche, one of the requirements was for the front end to strikingly resemble the 911. The headlights of the first Cayenne, which are higher than the hood and in the same shape as the 911 of the time, do this job. The doors, which were shared with the Volkswagen Touareg that was developed simultaneously with the Cayenne, were the biggest challenge for the team as they took up most of the side of the car, and had to look as though they were made for both models. The Touareg and the Cayenne sharing resources also presented challenges in the interior, where Porsche had to develop a new instrument cluster to accommodate the traditional five-tube design Porsche is known for, but overcoming all of these challenges was well worth the effort, as the Cayenne remains 20 years later one of the most important pieces of Porsche’s history. View All Porsche Cayennes For Sale Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 10, 2022

20 Years Later, The Cayenne Is One Of The Most Important ...

What started as a way to save a brand in trouble became one of its most legendary successes. All the way back in 1989, Ferry Porsche predicted that an off-road Porsche would be a success, and that prediction quickly became something Porsche would depend on when the brand saw some of its worst financial trouble in the mid-90s. The Porsche Boxster, the mid-engined sports car that eventually gave way to the Cayman and now the entire 718 range, alleviated some of this trouble in 1996, but it quickly became clear that the Boxster wouldn’t get Porsche out of the woods alone. That’s when the idea came about to make an SUV for the North American market, which was quite receptive to SUVs at the time. MUST READ: The Best Porsche 911s You Can Buy Today Developed in conjunction with the Volkswagen Touareg, the Cayenne and Touareg would have separate chassis setups and engines on the same platform. This ensured that even though the platform would be shared with Volkswagen, the Porsche Cayenne had a unique character, and even though it was an SUV, it was very much a Porsche. 20 years ago in 2002, the Cayenne was brought onto the road, and the result was an explosive success and what remains to be one of Porsche’s highest-selling models to this day, a luxurious, sporty, and dynamic SUV that distilled Porsche’s driving character and put it into an entirely new form. From the Cayenne, the even sportier Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S blossomed with more power and performance, as well as Porsche’s first hybrid, the Cayenne S E-Hybrid in 2010, which used a full hybrid system rather than a power-split hybrid that offered pure electric driving range and not only increased efficiency but also performance. Today, the Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid improved on this foundation to be an incredibly formidable luxury performance SUV, able to get from 0-60 in just 3.8 seconds. The Cayenne also served as the base for rallying Porsches, and also the defiantly sporty Cayenne GTS. The Cayenne immediately became a success, delivering 35,000 examples each year in the first 8 years rather than the expected 25,000, and in 2020, the millionth Cayenne rolled off the assembly line, with over 80,000 Cayennes being sold in 2021. After 20 years, the Cayenne is still one of the most important Porsche models ever; it didn’t just save the brand, it changed it for the better. View All Porsche Cayennes For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2022

Porsche Celebrates 20-Years of The Cayenne, The 959 Succe...

Porsche's icon SUV stands right beside the 959. While the 911 platform defines itself as Porsche’s most iconic model in its historic fleet of performance cars, the adventurous Cayenne continues its legacy as a close second for the German automotive manufacturer. Porsche is proud to celebrate the Cayenne’s 20th Anniversary with a look back on its humble beginnings as the brand’s first production luxury SUV, which now features five generations that showcase its innovation and evolution. Finding its footing under design and performance aspects from the 959, the Porsche Cayenne now stands as the possible successor to the famous 1980s supercar. The idea behind developing the Cayenne began as Project ‘Colorado’, a joint partnership between Porsche and Volkswagen that would introduce an all-new Touareg off-roader. Porsche established its efforts by designing two in-house V8 engines, a 4.5-Liter Naturally Aspirated V8 and an upgraded version that generates more power from a twin-turbocharged system. MUST-READ: Which Porsche Macan Is Best? We Tested Them All For You The first-generation Porsche Cayenne was nicknamed the E1 and shares various similarities with the Dakar Rally 959, being an off-road platform that can withstand desert racing events as well as everyday driving. The most impressive area of the Cayenne fall under chassis technology, where the SUV showcases its true versatility and durability. The 2002 Porsche Cayenne came fit with state-of-the-art features like an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system, air suspension, lockable center differential, a gearbox with a genuinely low-range transfer mode, and anti-roll bars that could be hydraulically-decoupled in difficult terrain. Someone on-scene during the birth of the Cayenne was Porsche development driver Walter Röhrl, who expressed his astonishment by saying "I thought they weren't serious. I was sure it couldn't manage these gigantic obstacles. But it did. That really impressed me.” Now 20-years later, Röhrl visits Porsche to see and feel all the Cayenne and Panamera generations in front of him in the pit lane of the Leipzig Experience Centre. Needless to say after experiencing the comfort, technology, and performance of the new models, Walter Röhrl extends a huge congratulations to the achievement of the development team at Porsche. View all of the current Porsche Cayenne examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and Porsche news. View All Porsche Cayenne For Sale Source: Porsche

By Edward Jones – June 30, 2021

New 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT Revealed: Fastest Varia...

The fastest production Cayenne ever created. The new 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT has been revealed as the latest variant added to the Cayenne model range. This new model is only available in a coupe body style and comes with suspension systems and tires that were designed specifically for this model. Powering this performance-oriented Cayenne is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 631 horsepower and 626 lb-ft of torque. That's an increase of 90 hp and 59 lb-ft over the Cayenne Turbo Coupe. Porsche notes that the Cayenne Turbo GT will be able to run from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, hit a top speed of 186 mph and it will be able to complete a quarter-mile sprint in 11.6 seconds. That kind of performance makes this new variant the fastest production Cayenne ever made. To prove this fact even more so, Lars Kern took this new Cayenne out to the Nurburgring Nordschleife where he set a new SUV lap record of 7:38.9 minutes. The new 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT will be reaching dealerships in early 2022 and is available to order right now. It comes with a starting price of $180,800. Source: Porsche

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