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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

A classic Rolls-Royce Phantom is parked in a gravel driveway, featuring a colorful, psychedelic paint design with intricate patterns and motifs reminiscent of its famous celebrity owners.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 02, 2025

Rolls-Royce Recaps The Phantom's 100 Years Of Celebrity O...

Rolls-Royce tells the century-long story of the Phantom. Very few automotive manufacturers in the history of the industry have been around for a hundred years, let alone a legendary flagship model nameplate. That is, however, the case for the Rolls-Royce Phantom, which has represented the pinnacle of the brand’s ultra-luxury approach to design, engineering, and craftsmanship for 100 years since first being introduced in 1925. Throughout that time, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has remained a mainstay in pop culture and a shining symbol of automotive excellence throughout the industry, and Rolls-Royce is honoring the incredible centenary by telling the story of the Phantom’s cherished legacy. Nicknamed ‘the Spartan General,’ Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, who played an instrumental role during World War II, used two Rolls-Royce Phantoms, not only as his personal transport, but as a symbol of solidity and authority during the dark times of the war. A 1936 Phantom III was his day-to-day car, which was used to bring Winston Churchill, General Eisenhower, and even King George VI to planning sessions in the lead-up to D-Day. Another Phantom III assigned to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff was also used during wartime, with prominent passengers in that car, as well. The Royal Family of the United Kingdom made use of the Rolls-Royce Phantom throughout the flagship’s history, as well. The Duke of Edinburgh’s car was the first Rolls-Royce Phantom IV chassis, with the codename “Maharajah of Nabha” to keep it secret during development. The “Majarajah” car remains in active service at the Royal Mews today. Other Royal Phantoms include another Phantom IV, two Vs, and two VIs. However, the Phantom V has an impact in the UK beyond the Royal Family, with John Lennon of the Beatles famously commissioning one, originally in all black. However, the car’s most famous appearance came from a rebirth in 1967, when it was repainted yellow with an intricate floral motif. Silent film stars owned Phantoms, including Mary Pickford’s, which had a secret compartment for alcohol during the Prohibition years, and old Hollywood legends like Greta Garbo and Fred Astaire had Phantoms, as well. However, an incredibly notable appearance for the Phantom on screen was in Goldfinger, where the 007 film’s titular villain drove one to carry out his gold smuggling scheme. Over the years, Rolls-Royce would make 12 appearances in 007 films. The Yellow Rolls-Royce, a film that also premiered in 1964, also starred a Phantom as the connecting thread between its anthology of three stories. Elvis Presley also famously owned a Phantom, which was commissioned with touches reminiscent of his rock’n’roll legend status. In the 2000s, Goodwood became a new home for Rolls-Royce, and with it came an entirely new Phantom, one that has since transformed and become an even more permanent fixture in pop culture as an ultra-luxury car, with appearances in music videos like Snoop Dogg’s Drop It Like It’s Hot, and Drake’s Started From The Bottom. Brands like Hermès and visionary haute couture designers like Iris Van Herpen have used the Phantom as a canvas for stunning expression and avant-garde beauty, and its incredible craftsmanship and opulence have served as inspiration for fans and the basis for stunning commissions, one-offs, and luxurious automotive expressions. With over a hundred years of history, the Rolls-Royce Phantom shines as one of the greatest aspirational automotive icons and a representation of the best the luxury automotive industry has to offer throughout that entire century. Below are some of the best examples of the Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale right now, listed on duPont REGISTRY, the source for supercars since 1985. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale 2017 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe View Listing 2019 Rolls-Royce Phantom View Listing 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom View Listing 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom V View Listing 2016 Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB View Listing 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe View Listing 1962 Rolls-Royce Phantom V View Listing 2024 Rolls-Royce Phantom View Listing 2025 Rolls-Royce Phantom View Listing 2024 Rolls-Royce Phantom EWB View Listing Image Source: Rolls-Royce

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 06, 2024

Win A Rolls-Royce Spectre At DJ Khaled x Michael Jordan's...

Golfers, mark your calendar! Once seen as a leisurely pastime for older adults, golf has rapidly evolved into a popular, world-renowned sport now enjoyed by all age groups and skill levels. Whether you're talking about a PGA Tour Pro like Tiger Woods or an A-list course members like Michael Jordan and DJ Khaled, it's clear that the golf wave is in full effect and attracting a whole new community of eager players. Gearing up for another amazing day of golf for a cause, DJ Khaled and Michael Jordan proudly announce the 2nd annual We The Best Foundation x Jordan Golf Classic in Miami, Florida. The annual golf tournament supports the We The Best Foundation and its drive towards enriching the lives of the next generation, from childhood to adulthood. It supports non-profit organizations and individuals in underserved communities in efforts that aid them in becoming the best version of themselves. And while giving back to the community remains the focus of the tournament, DJ Khaled and Michael Jordan have enlisted some help from Rolls-Royce North America to supply the perfect hole-in-one prize. That's right, those participating in the 2024 We The Best Foundation x Jordan Golf Classic will have the chance to win a brand-new Rolls-Royce Spectre as part of a par-3 hole-in-one contest. The Rolls-Royce Spectre is all about luxury and comfort, with an electric powertrain that makes for a super smooth and quiet ride. It's got plenty of power under the hood, giving it impressive acceleration and handling. The Spectre blends Rolls-Royce's classic elegance with modern tech, making it the perfect commuter for the course. So, if you plan on competing in the 2024 We The Best Foundation x Jordan Golf Classic, you better practice your swing to help secure that brand-new Rolls-Royce Spectre. View all Rolls-Royce Spectres for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Rolls-Royce Spectres For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) Source: @djkhaled Instagram

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By Tyler Rampersaud – June 05, 2024

Marshmello's New Custom Rolls-Royce Phantom Features Mans...

A custom Rolls-Royce Phantom brings music and automotive luxury together. Known for his popular repertoire of electronic music and mystique thanks to a faceless marshmallow disguise, Marshmello is one of the biggest names in today’s music and pop culture worlds, and his latest show of Hollywood glitz is a new custom Rolls-Royce Phantom, created with the help of some of the most respected names in luxury car customization: Mansory. With a bodykit including exposed carbon fiber customizations from Mansory, as well as wheels, the all-black exterior of the custom Rolls-Royce Phantom boasts a low ride height, wide stance, and impressive footprints. Inside, the the ultra-luxe sedan features a red interior, which serves as a striking contrast to the all-black exterior. The red interior is hinted at with red accents throughout the exterior. With sumptuous luxury, bespoke customization from Mansory, and the cachet of being owned by one of music’s biggest names today, Marshmello’s new custom Rolls-Royce Phantom is a true celebrity luxury machine, turning heads wherever it goes with its unique modifications and unmistakable look. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by RDB LA (@rdbla)

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 22, 2021

Spider-Man Tom Holland Swings Into a Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Not to burst any bubbles, but while Tom Holland does a wonderful job portraying Spider-Man, he can’t actually shoot webs from his hands and swing between buildings, so the Homecoming actor has to figure out another way of getting around. It would seem that he’s decided on a Rolls-Royce Cullinan for the task from Wires Only, a specialized luxury automotive and aviation dealer with a bevy of VIP celebrity clients like Kim Kardashian, Drake, and Floyd Mayweather, and we approve of his choice. What the Far From Home star gets to enjoy with his new ride is all the comforts and features of a Rolls-Royce, with an SUV that is confident and capable to drive him to places where he probably wouldn’t have been able to shoot webs and swing around anyway. The devil is in the details with custom colors for just about everything in his car, an 18-speaker Bespoke audio system, umbrellas hidden in the doors, and an ocean of leather and wood in the cockpit. We think No Way Home’s Tom Holland made a great choice; the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is a vehicle fit for a superhero. Sell My Rolls-Royce: Get a Cash Offer All Cullinans For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by RD (@wiresonly) It looks like this was the exact Rolls-Royce Cullinan he was cruising around in. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RD (@wiresonly)

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 03, 2021

Drake's New 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan By Chrome Hearts Ex...

Recently, we covered the virtual launch of Canadian rapper Drake’s newest Roll-Royce design featuring a collaboration with Los Angeles luxury brand Chrome Hearts. Although build information is limited, Chrome Hearts shared a galley of photos to its @EndTheChromeWars Instagram to highlight some of the detailed work that went into the customization of Drakes 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Throughout the exterior and interior of the six-figure luxury SUV, hints of Chrome Hearts are incorporated using premium materials just as Rolls-Royce would have done from its factory. Inside, the interior makes a statement with a completely customized leather diamond-stitched seat pattern, featuring Chrome Hearts logos and silver accents. The attention to detail is highlighted as it seems that no area of the Rolls-Rolls Cullinan was left untouched, from the key holder to the spirit of ecstasy, every piece is meant to separate it from all others on the road. Drake’s luxury Rolls-Royce Cullinan build by Chrome Hearts is currently available to see on exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami, as well as in a virtual setting through its dedicated webpage. Check out Drake’s 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan in collaboration with Chrome Hearts by clicking the link below. Drake x Chrome Hearts Rolls-Royce Image Source: @endthechromewars

By Edward Jones – September 13, 2019

Dwight Howard Shows Off Purple Rolls-Royce Inspired by Th...

Dwight Howard is heading back to the Los Angeles Lakers and he's aiming to redeem himself. Before his quest for redemption in the 2019-2020 season, Graham Bensinger stopped by to get a tour of his 35,000 sqft estate in Atlanta, Georgia for "In-Depth with Graham Bensinger." see all rolls-royce cullinans for sale During the tour, which Bensinger uploaded to his YouTube channel, Howard showed off his garage. In this garage were three incredibly unique vehicles. First, there's the Mercedes-AMG 6x6 which is an absolute beast of a vehicle. In the corner was a Superman Can-Am, which Dwight said he's gone up to 170 mph in. Then, there's his Rolls-Royce Cullinan that's completely purple. Howard said he got it in Purple because of Thanos, which is his favorite character because he knew he had to get rid of his emotions to accomplish his goal. Oh, snap. Also Check Out: Post Malone Bought a Bugatti Chiron Hypercar Pro Golfer Paul Casey’s Passion for Porsche Jay Kay’s Ferrari GTC4 Undergoes a Transformation Source: YouTube/Graham Bensinger

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Google Exec's Bespoke Rolls-Royce Delivered in Style

Saturday night at Pebble Beach was a frenzy of owners preparing their cars for the morning. It was also the venue for Rolls Royce to unveil the latest Black Badge. This bright yellow Dawn was commissioned by Google VP Ben Sloss, who fell in love with the Wraith back in 2014. After buying one of the first examples, his wife Christine purchased a Dawn as a daily driver.2014 Foreign Cars that are Illegal in the USA "My Dawn has over 13,000 miles on the clock because both Ben and I drive it regularly, and we enjoy its open-air experience so much that Ben decided he wanted one too." So her husband began the search for a Dawn unlike any other. The Black Badge Edition caught his eye thanks to incredible performance and dark details. Because many cars in their collection are inspired by the flag of Modena, the Home of Rolls Royce in Goodwood turned to their Bespoke Collective. The artists rendered the car in 3D and Ben was elated at their concept. "The first time I saw the livery the Rolls-Royce team had created for the Dawn, I burst out with 'O my God, that's unreal, I love it!!' It's outrageous, its over the top... it's perfect. I still grin every time I see it." The custom finish was named 'Superflare', and it is contrasted by 'Pike's Peak Blue' leather on the inside. The dark blue leather even covers the cowling above the rear seats for a perfect finishing touch. If you are ready for the Dawn of your new collection, click the link below and stay with us for all your Rolls Royce news. Browse Rolls Royce Dawn For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 29, 2016

Antonio Brown's Custom Steelers Wraith... Better than his...

Last year, Antonio Brown stepped out in a Steelers customized Rolls-Royce Phantom. In fact, he drove his new Phantom to training camp. That's what we call an entrance.Then, he rolled around San Francisco in a custom Rolls-Royce Ghost wrapped in gold during Super Bowl 50.Not to be outdone by himself, Brown stepped used social media platform, Instagram to introduce his fan base to his newest Rolls-Royce edition--- the Wraith. This decked out luxury car features a galactic style Steelers inspired wrap, instantly setting it apart from the other models in Brown's Rolls-Royce collection.Little is known about the new addition, but photos show the car is not only decked out in Steelers colors and logo, but has also been personalized with Brown's number, '84.'The Wraith has been dubbed the luxury car maker's, "fastest and most dramatic Rolls-Royce to date," making it the perfect addition to Brown's already extensive collection.View All Wraiths For Sale

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