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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

Porsche x Frauscher To Reveal New Custom Macan & Electric Boat At boot Düsseldorf 2026

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 13, 2026

Porsche x Frauscher Tease New Boat & Custom Macan

The world’s largest boat show, boot Düsseldorf, is opening its doors very soon, specifically on January 17. Part of the show is set to be a joint appearance between Porsche and Frauscher, each a celebrated name in their respective worlds of luxury sports cars and boat building, and at this year’s boot Düsseldorf, the brands are going to showcase a trio of vehicles that represent the height of electric mobility by land and by sea. The new Frauscher x Porsche 790 Spectre, an all-new electric sports boat will be revealed at the show, and it was built from the ground up with the same high-voltage drive system that powers the Porsche Macan Electric. To showcase their related characteristics, a customized Macan Turbo-based concept will also be on display at the show, matching the boat in its custom aesthetics and its technology. In addition to the custom Macan and the boat, Porsche’s latest and most powerful all-electric model, the Cayenne Electric, has an impressive towing capacity, meaning it is capable of towing boats like the new sports boat from Frauscher and Porsche. With excellent electric mobility being showcased with both luxury performance SUVs and boats, Porsche and Frauscher’s presence at boot Düsseldorf 2026, which includes Porsche being a mobility partner of the show and providing shuttle service throughout, represents the future of luxurious sailing and driving. View All Porsche For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 11, 2024

Porsche x Frauscher Debut A New Electric Sports Boat Insp...

Porsche's new electric boat With a new focus on sustainable mobility, Porsche continues diversifying its model lineup with new EVs like the Macan Turbo Electric, catering to those in search of performance and efficiency. The manufacturer's forward-thinking approach even extends to the open waters with its ongoing partnership with the marine specialists at Frauscher Shipyard. The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom is where electric performance meets modern German design. Following the success of the first eFantom, the new closed version is part of a limited First Edition run of just 25 boats. At 28.4 feet long and powered by the electric motor from the Porsche Macan Turbo, it produces up to 536 horsepower with a top speed of around 56 mph. The 850 Fantom's automotive touches, like a sports car-inspired cockpit and customizable finishes, bring Porsche's look and feel to the water. Underneath its stylish design, the Fantom packs plenty of tech. A high-voltage 100 kWh battery offers a range of about 62 miles at slower speeds, and you can charge it quickly with DC fast charging or more leisurely with AC power. Onboard, you'll find options like a 12-inch infotainment display with Bluetooth and WiFi, plus LED lighting inside and underwater. A folding sunshade and spacious lounge areas make it just as comfortable for a relaxing cruise as it is for showing off its speed. Set to debut at "boot Düsseldorf" in early 2025, the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom has a starting price of about $604,000. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 09, 2023

Porsche x Frauscher Shipyard Debut The 850 Fantom Air Ele...

Porsche and Frauscher Shipyard have presented the first production model of the 850 Fantom Air. Proving its performance on both land and sea, Porsche announced the development of an exclusive electric sports boat with Austrian Frauscher Shipyard earlier this year. Today, Porsche and Frauscher Shipyard have lifted the cover to the much-anticipated 850 Fantom Air. This avant-garde electric sports boat, sporting groundbreaking technology from the upcoming all-electric Porsche Macan, made its debut with test drives on Italy's scenic Lake Garda. As the automotive and maritime world got its first look, it became clear that this collaboration was an innovative intersection of road and water technologies. The global audience got a firsthand experience of the sleek and performance-focused Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air in Italy. As Detlev von Platen, a top executive at Porsche, mentioned during its Lake Garda presentation, the eFantom embodies the promise of delivering unrivaled luxury and exceptional performance. The electric sports boat is equipped with components from the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the same performance platform base as the new Macan. Highlighting a cutting-edge permanently excited synchronous electric motor (PSM) with a peak power limited to 400 kW, its engineering extends to a shaft transmitting power to a distinctive marine Z-drive, all stored neatly at the rear of the boat. Porsche's drive tech found a new aquatic playground, complete with a waterproof control box stamped with Porsche's emblem and a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery positioned strategically under the lounge area for optimal balance. For enthusiasts and potential buyers, the eFantom brings a range of pre-programmed driving modes, offering tailored driving experiences from slow-paced Docking mode to high-speed Sport Plus mode. This boat promises exhilarating speeds while guaranteeing sustainable cruising distances on a single charge. Studio F. A. Porsche's design expertise is evident in the helmstand, steering wheel, and seating, all echoing Porsche's signature style. Additionally, the boat offers customization, enabling buyers to match the boat's look with their personal style, choosing from Porsche's extensive color palette. Set to officially premiere in January 2024 at the “boot” trade fair in Düsseldorf, the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air, with an exclusive first edition limited to 25 units, heralds a new era in luxury boating. For those interested in acquiring Porsche's sports boat, registrations are now open, setting the stage for deliveries starting in 2024. View all Porsche models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 26, 2023

Porsche Reveals The Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air El...

Porsche collaborates with Austrian Frauscher Shipyard to develop an exclusive electric sports boat.

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2019

Porsche Design Unveils Royal Falcon RFF 135 Catamaran

Singapore has plenty of marine opportunities. Being a sovereign island at the center of Malaysia offers its elite many choices when it comes to yachts, but one, in particular, is unlike any other. The President and CEO of Royal Falcon Fleet had a vision for a "Spaceship on the water". Only one studio was willing to see his dream become reality, and that is why Porsche Design has unveiled the Royal Falcon RFF 135 Catamaran. It offers the space of a 210 conventional hull with the efficiency and stability that only a catamaran can offer. At 135 feet, it includes Porsche DNA from stem to stern. Consisting of four decks, the Sun Deck has a flybridge with navigation and the obligatory Jacuzzi and bar. Mid Deck is home to the main Pilot House, Captain's Cabin, Guest Suites, the lavish Owner's Suite. The owner is treated to their private dining and relaxation areas along with a rear entertainment sun deck. The Main Deck houses an entertainment lounge where the bow would normally be. Behind it are three guest suites, the galley, and the crew's mess. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale This opens into the tender garage. That is where your new 2020 Porsche 911 should be stored, but we're a tad biased. Click the button above to find the right car to match this leviathan, and stay with us for all your Porsche news. " width="680">

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