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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 Tyler Rampersaud – December 27, 2023

This Red-On-Red 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS For Sale Is Perfe...

A bright red hue evokes high performance and holiday spirit. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is Porsche’s current performance pinnacle when it comes to driver’s car and track-ready ethos, and being the holiday season, it’s still the perfect time to indulge in a dream performance car. The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is an excellent choice, with immense power coming from its naturally-aspirated engine, its highly advanced aerodynamics, and its ultra-lightweight construction, resulting in record-breaking lap times and an unmatched driving experience. However, this 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 RS for sale at Eurocar in Costa Mesa, California is particularly perfect for the holidays because of its seasonally-appropriate color. That color is Porsche’s iconic Guards Red, a bright vermillion hue known for being one of the most celebrated staple colors in Porsche’s 75-year history, and the 60-year history of the 911. However, it isn’t just the body that’s painted in red. Equipped with the Weissach Package for an even further elevated level of on-track performance, the lightweight Magnesium wheels on the car are also finished in red. The interior is finished in black, with red accents on the seatbelts and elsewhere providing a contrast and consistency with the red exterior. To top it all off, the incredible track-ready performance machine has only 8 miles on its odometer, representing its pristine condition. If you’re interested in this track-ready masterpiece of Porsche innovation and engineering, view the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Eurocar

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 18, 2023

2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS In $130K Python Green Chromaflair...

Combine a car that’s lightning fast and captivatingly beautiful. Any Porsche enthusiast will tell you that Paint To Sample is one of the most admired options and intriguing aspects of any Porsche that boasts it. “Paint To Sample” indicates that a Porsche is configured with a unique color, which can range from historically-inspired shades to wild and innovative finishes. One of the rarest is the “Chromaflair” range of colors, which feature shifting tones and brilliant finishes. This 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS for sale features one of these Chromaflair colors, and it’s as incredible as it seems. With the 911 GT2 RS being known for its incredibly powerful twin-turbo powertrain and its impressively low Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time, it combines being one of the most high-performance and track-capable Porsches ever made with the head turning-style and unique exclusivity of its Chromaflair colors. The hue is specifically named “Python Green Chromaflair'' and as an option the paintwork reportedly cost a whopping $130,920. In addition, this example of the 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS features the coveted racing-focused Weissach Package, with a total $176,550 in options. All said and done, the total MSRP of the stunning top-tier Porsche 911 was reportedly $471,000. Available for sale at Canepa in Scotts Valley, California, this beautiful, unique, exclusive, and incredibly rare 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is the opportunity not only to own one of Porsche’s greatest performance masterpieces, but an example of it that is nothing short of a guaranteed showstopper in any group of supercars. If you’re interested in this incredible machine, view the listing by clicking below. View Listing Image Source: Canepa

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 31, 2023

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale In PTS Deep Sea Blue

This fast and luxurious Porsche 911 is unique to boot.

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 26, 2023

Petrol Blue Metallic 1979 Porsche RUF 930 Turbo For Sale

This is an opportunity to acquire a piece of automotive history from both Porsche and RUF.

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 01, 2023

1962 Porsche 804 F1 Re-Creation Open Wheel Race Car For Sale

This race-ready Porsche re-creation is perfect for the collector looking to add something truly special to the garage.

By duPont Registry – April 19, 2023

2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Listed For Sale

It has covered just 351 miles.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 30, 2023

This PTS Porsche 911 GT3 For Sale Has Over $45K In Options

Green means go, and that’s what this car does best. It’s often hard for manufacturers to meet all the criteria of an enthusiast’s dream car, which means rolling great sound, high speed, timeless style, classic luxury, and driver-focused fun into one legendary package. Porsche, however, is not one of the manufacturers that finds this difficult, and the incredible Porsche 911 GT3 is proof that dream cars are Porsche’s specialty. With its incredible 502 hp coming from a naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine, track-derived swan-neck wing, and incredible levels of innovation in the name of performance, it’s nothing short of an ode to car enthusiasts in search of the perfect performance machine. MUST READ: Porsche Unveils Vision 357 Concept As A Tribute To The 356 Ahead Of Its 75th Anniversary This 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 for sale at Chicago Motor Cars in West Chicago, Illinois, takes that to the next level. With a Paint-To-Sample Jet Green exterior and gold wheels, the stunning configuration pays a clear homage to the classic sports cars that the current Porsche 911 GT3 is a radical evolution of. The interior reveals an interior with black leather, GT Silver stitching, as well as beautiful vintage-inspired green plaid fabric inserts in the seats. In addition to this incredible configuration, the car is loaded with other options, totaling nearly $46,000, including Porsche’s Front Axle lift system, Gloss Black brake calipers, a carbon fiber roof, carbon fiber interior inserts, full bucket seats, and more. This Porsche 911 GT3 for sale at Chicago Motor Cars on duPont REGISTRY is truly the dream car of dream cars. Click below to view the price and listing. View Price And Listing Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 29, 2022

This PTS Rubystone Red Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale Is A ...

This bright color is both head-turning and historical. First appearing on the 964 generation of the Porsche 911, the shocking pink Rubystone or Rubystar Red has been in Porsche’s spectrum of colors since the early 90s. The stunning color quickly became iconic within the Porsche palette and is now a favorite among the available colors with Porsche’s Paint to Sample program, and through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the color is also available for the 2022 Taycan. With a customized 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera painted in Rubystone Red taking part in Porsche’s “Colors of Porsche” exhibit in the Heritage Gallery at Porsche’s Atlanta Experience Center that took place this year, this Paint to Sample Rubystone Red 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S for sale is in very good company. However, the color is just the beginning of what makes this car special. MUST READ: The GearBox: Styled For The Porsche 918 Sypder Featuring touches like a carbon fiber roof, and the signature yellow calipers that characterize the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes on the car, there’s even more to look at on this 911 Turbo S than just the incredibly vibrant color. In addition, yellow can be seen in the interior, where flashes of Racing Yellow interrupt the black leather upholstery in the steering wheel, tachometer, and stopwatch dial. However, looks aren’t the only department where this car excels. With 640 horsepower going to all four wheels, the Turbo S has the performance to rival some of the world’s best, not to mention a top speed of 205 mph. If you want the next addition to your garage to feature a shocking color and even more shocking performance, this 2022 Porsche 911 for sale at McLaren Charlotte on duPont REGISTRY may well be the car for you. View the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – November 23, 2022

Time Capsule Guards Red 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Listed for...

Presented by Private Seller. Air-cooled Porsche 911s make for some of the most usable and enjoyable classic sports cars. They're dependable, exciting, and easy to own. They invite owners to rack up miles thanks to their over-engineered nature and subsequent robustness. However, the other side of this coin is that finding extremely low-mileage examples has become a true challenge. One of the most significant air-cooled Porsche 911s is, undoubtedly, the first Turbo, also known as the 930. When it arrived in the mid-1970s, it was powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-six, which grew to 3.3 liters by 1978. A four-speed manual transmission sent the 930's 282 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque output to the rear wheels. The result was a 0-60 mph run of around 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph. The Porsche 911 Turbo listed for sale today is what is commonly known as a time capsule example of a 930. Sold on April 3, 1986, as a 1987 model year car, it is one of the later examples to roll off the production line and features the larger, more powerful engine option. More recently, this specific 911 Turbo sold for $220,000 in 2015. However, the best aspect about this car is its mileage. With just 12,661 miles on the clock, it is one of the lowest-mileage 930s anywhere in the world. Both its Guards Red Exterior and Champagne interior are of collector-grade quality. As the seller notes, this vehicle is barely broken in and is equally at home as part of a larger collection or for someone who wants to enjoy what a genuinely original Porsche 930 feels like. Included in its sale is a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming that it is an actual numbers-matching car with original paint and interior, as well as desirable options. These include a limited-slip differential, a power sunroof, factory air conditioning, a center console, eight-way power seats, and a Blaupunkt stereo system, to name a few. This classic Porsche is currently listed for sale and is immediately available after being recently serviced. For more information, please call (407)-538-0224 or click the link below. View Price And Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 07, 2022

The Only 2022 Porsche 911 Stinger GTR Carbon Edition In T...

With only 13 examples in the world, this Porsche 911 Turbo S has been completely redesigned using a fully exposed carbon fiber body with plenty of performance upgrades. Standing out as the brand's pinnacle for performance and comfort, the Porsche 911 Turbo S embodies a recipe that incorporates innovative characteristics from each of the sports cars in its fleet. Although it's assembled to be the perfect car for on or off-track travel, aftermarket specialists dedicate time, money, and knowledge to enhancing the experience of the top-tier Porsche 911 model. As part of an extremely limited series, the automotive professionals at Alphamotiv3 of Laguna Beach, California are proud to highlight this one-of-a-kind 2022 Porsche 911 Stinger GTR as part of its ever-growing inventory of exotic cars. Based on a factory 992 generation Porsche 911 Turbo S, this build features a Savage-built fully exposed Top Car carbon fiber body kit. The gloss burgundy finish connects the intricate four-layer carbon weave throughout its design, adding an even more lightweight feel to the enhanced aerodynamic components. MUST-READ: Porsche 992 911 Turbo/Turbo S/Cabriolet Price, Specs, Photos & Review The Stinger GTR Carbon Edition also includes advanced and exclusive interior options, further accentuating the already luxurious cabin with additional carbon fiber and leather components. The driver-oriented interior presents the perfect cockpit to unleash the immense horsepower and capabilities of the two-door track monster. The exhaust note is completely re-engineered with help from a custom titanium Akrapovic exhaust system. Ready for the road, the Porsche 911 Stinger GTR Carbon Edition stands out as #2 of 13 builds in the world. This particular spec proves to be even rarer as it is the only chassis in the United States, making it a true one-of-one configuration on U.S. soil. The 2022 Porsche 911 Stringer GTR Carbon Edition from Alphamotiv3 is currently available on duPont REGISTRY for $699,000 by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY daily for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and supercar releases. View Price and Listing

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