Purosangue

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 – July 26, 2024

2024 Ferrari Purosangue SUV Listed For Sale

Ferrari shook up the automotive world when it finally joined many other manufacturers of luxury high-performance cars in creating an SUV. Choosing to refer to the new 2024 Ferrari Purosangue as the Prancing Horse’s “first four-door four-seater,” the Purosangue is unprecedented in the realm of Ferrari. It retains Ferrari’s high-performance, driver-focused character, with a long hood brandishing a V12 engine underneath and sports car-like proportions in its design. However, it features four luxurious, fully adjustable seats with power-operated coach-style rear doors. View Listing Being a vehicle unlike any other Ferrari in the manufacturer’s 75-plus years of history, the new 2024 Ferrari Purosangue is one of the most anticipated vehicles to hit the market, and now, an example of the incredible high-performance Super SUV is available for sale. It’s at Carrio Motor Cars in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and it’s listed on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985. The 2024 Purosangue for sale is finished in a beautiful, historic shade called Canna di Fucile, a classic Ferrari color despite not being red. Inside, the sumptuous interior is upholstered elegantly in Carta Zucchero Alcantara, showcasing both luxury and performance-oriented character. Inside and out, carbon fiber extras were opted for throughout the vehicle, and another enticing option that this 2024 Ferrari Purosangue for sale is equipped with is a front-axle lift. With comfort, luxury, and high-performance thrills for four, this new 2024 Ferrari Purosangue for sale is a rare and highly-anticipated opportunity. If you want this V12-powered masterpiece of a luxury performance SUV, click the button to view the price and listing.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 20, 2023

Ferrari Concludes 1,800-Mile New Zealand Purosangue Drive

The new Ferrari Purosangue embarks on an incredible adventure. Despite not being named an SUV by the manufacturer, there’s simply no denying that the Ferrari Purosangue is radically different than everything the brand has done before. For starters, it’s the Prancing Horse’s first four-door four-seater, with a tall ride height, coach-style rear doors, luxurious accommodations, and a grand touring spirit that seeks to dabble in a bit of adventure. To celebrate this new effort from the legendary performance name, Ferrari brought the Purosangue on exactly the kind of adventure it’s made for. The journey and destination both were set in the archipelago country of New Zealand, known for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable natural vistas. Lasting three weeks and nearing 2,000 miles in distance, the Ferrari Purosangue Grand Tour showed off the new Purosangue’s ability to completely transform a road trip experience into something that is inimitably Ferrari. With its V12 engine boasting 715 horsepower, and its features including a transaxle design, an active suspension system, and four-wheel steering, the mountainous New Zealand driving roads proved to be a thrill and pleasure behind the wheel of Ferrari’s new luxury performance machine. Beaches, mountains, volcanoes and forests all provided beautiful backdrops to the once-in-a-lifetime driving experience. With a host of cultural and historic experiences interpolated throughout the experience, the Grand Tour showed off the Ferrari Purosangue’s ability to provide incredible driving and lifestyle experiences alike, and a chance to see Ferrari’s fourth-ever road car, the 1948 166 Inter, gave everyone on the tour a chance to put into perspective how far Ferrari has come in the 75 years between that car and the new Purosangue. Beginning in 1997, the tradition of Ferrari Grand Tours has lasted over 25 years, and with this latest one starring the new Purosangue, it’s taken on an entirely new attitude and shown off Ferrari’s versatility as a manufacturer with both racing pedigree and a knack for excellent automotive luxury. With the Ferrari Purosangue Grand Tour of New Zealand now in the books, the Prancing Horse has truly shown its ability to be more than a one-trick pony. View All Ferraris For Sale Image Source: Ferrari

By Adrian Padeanu of Motor1.com – April 13, 2022

Ferrari Purosangue SUV To Have Limited Availability, Just...

The V12 is apparently locked in. I know what you're (probably) thinking by now – why even launch an SUV if you're going to limit production anyway? After all, sports utility vehicles are the quickest way to earn a license to print money. Just ask Bentley (Bentayga), Aston Martin (DBX), Lamborghini (Urus), and Rolls-Royce (Cullinan). Ferrari has caved in and it too will be jumping on the SUV bandwagon, but it'll be doing it differently by keeping the Purosangue exclusive. Australian magazine CarExpert sat down and had a chat with Dieter Knechtel, President of Ferrari Far East and the Middle East, about the strategy planned for the high-riding prancing horse: "It will now be another range model, and even now with our range models there is no endless supply. So, we will be very careful to balance that properly." He went on to specify the Purosangue will be limited in availability in the same vein as Maranello's traditional crop of sports cars. As it's the case with current products, existing owners will be given priority in the production run. Any subsequent special editions will be even rarer, thus replicating the familiar modus operandi. Ferrari sees the Purosangue as an efficient way to lure in first-time buyers while attracting a younger crowd. The Roma coupe and Portofino / Portofino M convertible have done the same for the fabled Italian marque. It is believed the Purosangue will indeed have a V12 in its top-spec configuration. Knechtel told CarExpert the company has the tools to keep the twelve-cylinder alive despite increasingly stricter emissions regulations. He added it's all up to Ferrari to decide whether to keep or abandon its crown jewel, but it's likely staying for the time being given its popularity: "The V12, our customers love it, I think we carry on for as long as we can and see how it goes." It goes without saying the Purosangue will easily help Ferrari set a new sales record. Demand was at an all-time high in 2021 when 11,155 cars were shipped. An educated guess tells us the number will increase substantially in 2023 when deliveries of the SUV will commence. Meanwhile, the official premiere is scheduled to take place later this year. This article originally appeared on Motor1.com. Source: CarExpert

Purosangue

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe