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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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 23, 2024

Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills Delivers A 1-of-25 Private Coll...

The Rolls-Royce Ghost you've probably never heard of! Operating as one of the most successful Rolls-Royce Motor Cars dealers in the world, O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills prides itself on having access to some of the most exclusive vehicles to come from Goodwood, England. Along with configuring bespoke builds that feature personalized touches at the client's request, O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills is excited to announce the recent delivery of an ultra-rare Private Collection Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis. Limited to only 25 chassis, this special version of Rolls-Royce's most luxurious sedan derives design inspiration from a solar eclipse. The exterior of the Ghost showcases a breathtaking deep brown metallic paint job with vibrant orange pinstriping. Dual-tone, black and silver polished wheels make an appearance as an off-catalog option solely for the Ghost Ékleipsis, with matching orange brake calipers providing the stopping power needed to halt the four-door sedan. Inside, customization continues as illuminated door sills welcome the driver and passengers with a plate that reads "Ghost Ékleipsis Private Collection One Of Twenty-Five". The cabin is styled in an ombre design that transitions from black to orange, with more vibrant orange piping adding contrast to its sleek and subtle look. In addition to personalized upgrades like an orange leather steering wheel, custom clock, and gloss carbon trim, the limited-production Ghost comes optioned with Rolls-Royce's iconic star-lit headliner. In a fule-driven world where exclusivity shines, it's clear that the 1-of-25 Private Collection Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost Ékleipsis beats to its own drum. View all O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Beverly Hills (@rollsroycecarsbeverlyhills) Source: @rollsroycebeverlyhills Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 11, 2023

O'Gara Coach Showcases Matching Rolls-Royce Black Badge S...

Along with incorporating exceptional comfort, technology, and performance into its lineup of luxury cars and SUVs, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars also prides itself on showcasing an extensive personalization program when configuring your dream car. Whether you're choosing an exclusive paint shade or interior seat materials, the creative specialists at Rolls-Royce's bespoke division use a limitless portfolio of resources to help create true one-of-a-kind specs. The team at O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills is excited to showcase the marque's customization abilities with a matching Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost and Cullinan pairing. Offered as an upgrade for each Rolls-Royce model, the coveted Black Badge option stands out with bolder performance, more personalization capabilities, and a stealthy black trim package. The exterior of the Cullinan and Ghost feature Rolls-Royce's Tempest Grey finish, which acts as the perfect base for the contrasting gloss black Spirit of Ecstasy emblem, front grill, accents, and wheels. Inside, O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills took advantage of the Black Badge's range of color options by styling both interiors in an extraordinary monochrome Tailored Purple design. As if the show-stopping cabins weren't enough, drivers and passengers are welcomed with Rolls-Royce's world-renowned starlight headliner. With more than 1,900 individual stars illuminated above your head, you'll have to keep your eyes peel for the shooting star that travels across the headliner. Gloss-woven carbon trim add an extra layer of luxury to the comfort-focused interiors, with rear entertainment that make these Rolls-Royces the ultimate daily drivers. The Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cullinan Black Badge models come fit with a 6.75L twin-turbocharged V12 engine. In the Ghost Black Badge, this engine delivers an impressive 592 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque while the Cullinan Black Badge ramps up the power with 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Showcased as the perfect his and her pairing, the matching Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cullinan Black Badge models from O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills are currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills Inventory 2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge View Price And Listing 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge View Price And Listing Source: O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 26, 2023

Rolls-Royce Honors Outstanding Dealers With Annual Awards

Rolls-Royce recognizes the greatest examples of its historic excellence.

By Andrew Nabors – January 08, 2020

Rolls-Royce Reports Record Results From 2019

Let the celebrations begin! After compiling the sales numbers from last year, Rolls-Royce reports record results from 2019. In their latest press release, sales of 5,152 cars represents the best 12-month period in their 116-year history. It beats the previous record of 4,107 from last year by 25%. Factors that have contributed to this success is the growing demand for the Black Badge models. The factory at Goodwood was re-tooled to switch from steel unibody chassis to the new aluminum spaceframe. What began with the Phantom VIII also underpins the Cullinan, and the upcoming 3rd-generation Ghost. Increasing demand for custom builds showcases their artists' abilities, thanks to our dealers having a direct line to the factory. To see why they are so popular, click the button below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Rolls-Royce updates. Browse all Rolls-Royce For Sale Related: Rolls-Royce Cullinan Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – February 08, 2019

Three Rolls-Royce "Year of the Pig" Editions For Sale

The Chinese New Year has passed and we are now in the Year of the Pig. Looking to celebrate the year in a special way? How about picking up one of these three Rolls-Royce "Year of the Pig" editions from Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills? You can pick from the Dawn, Ghost or Wraith, each of which was commission by Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills. The three luxury cars have a fitting color scheme that consists of Diamond Black with Aurum and Black with Mugello Red. They are truly a sight to behold. Check them out below and if you're feeling extra festive, you can buy all three at once. view rolls-royce beverly hills inventory 2019 Rolls-Royce Dawn "Year of the Pig" Edition view listing 2019 Rolls-Royce Ghost "Year of the Pig" Edition view listing 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith "Year of the Pig" Edition view listing

By Edward Jones – August 01, 2014

Rare Rolls-Royce Wraith in Carrara White for Sale

Down the road from the duPont REGISTRY headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida, is Dimmitt Automotive Group, home to Rolls-Royce Tampa Bay. They currently have an inventory filled with incredible cars, including a very unique Rolls-Royce Wraith for sale.This Wraith is finished in Carrara White Pearlescent, a commissioned paint color that was applied through Rolls-Royce's bespoke program. This is a rare color, with less than 10 examples in the U.S. The reason for the color's rare nature is that it adds an additional three months to the production of the car, a time period not many customers are willing to endure.The reason for the prolonged production is due to the nature of the Carrara White Pearlescent finish itself. This finish has metallic flakes that are much larger than average, making additional clear coats necessary.(Must Read: Lamborghini Huracán POV Test Drive by Lamborghini Dallas)Making this car even more special is the fact that, when all options are considered, there is no other Wraith like it in the entire U.S. That means for $367,675, you could, today, have a unique ultra-luxury performance car in a special finish that most have to wait an extra three months for.For those interested in this Carrara White Wraith, be sure to contact Mark Powell at Rolls-Royce Tampa Bay at (727)489-1485.Gallery Sponsored by: See More Exotic Cars for Sale

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