Rolls-Royce News

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

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Appoints Nick Keen As President For North America

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 24, 2026

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America Has A New President

Effective July 1, 2026, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America will have a new president, and that is Nick Keen. Home to the Rolls-Royce Private Office in New York, the Americas are the largest region for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, where some of the most ambitious bespoke commissions and opulent ultra-luxury vehicles are commissioned, driven, and collected. While his role as President of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America is set to begin in July, Keen’s time with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has been much longer than that, as Keen has been with the manufacturer for over ten years. His time there, starting in 2015, began with his role as a Brand Communications and Marketing Services Manager. After that, Keen was appointed as Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Head of Marketing for Europe, before becoming Head of Global Brand Strategy, Communications and Governance. In 2022, Keen was appointed General Manager of Client and Brand for the manufacturer. Before joining Rolls-Royce, Keen worked at BMW Group Australia. About the appointment, Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales & Brand at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said, “I am delighted to welcome Nick Keen to his new role as President of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America. Nick has more than ten years of experience with the marque and has held several leading positions in the company during that time. Most recently, Nick has played a pivotal role in developing and strengthening Rolls-Royce’s position as a true House of Luxury. I wish Nick continued success in his new role in The Americas.” His most recent role at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars sees Keen overseeing the brand’s global client experience strategy and helping steer its contemporary brand positioning, including leading the international expansion of Rolls-Royce’s Private Offices, locations that bring the highest level of bespoke configuration to luxury hubs across the globe, bringing Goodwood craftsmanship and design excellence worldwide. Relocating to the United States for his new role, Nick Keen’s appointment as the new president of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America will be the beginning of a new era for a titanic name in the ultra-luxury world. View All Rolls-Royce For Sale Image Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 26, 2025

Rolls-Royce Invests Near $400M In Expanding Goodwood Head...

The home of Rolls-Royce is on the cusp of significantly growing. Rolls-Royce has called Goodwood, England home for over 20 years, and since that era begun, the historic ultra-luxury manufacturer has revolutionized its lineup and elevated its revered status into becoming the highly desirable Rolls-Royce we know today. Recently, yet another new era has begun, with the introduction of Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric model, the Spectre, and even a performance-oriented variant of it, the Black Badge Spectre. Now, Rolls-Royce is investing over $379 million toward expanding its Goodwood headquarters, and concrete pads have been laid down for a new paint shop, and a network of roughly 650 pads will form the foundation of the new building. The extension of the iconic Goodwood home of Rolls-Royce will total over 430,000 square feet, and will not only house a new Exterior Surface Finish Centre, the expansion will also increase Rolls-Royce’s capacity for Bespoke projects. With clients wanting exclusivity, personal expression, and incredible craftsmanship more than ever, Rolls-Royce Bespoke has been creating more projects than before in recent years. These include one-offs, limited editions, and exclusive commissions with unique details, and Bespoke projects hit a record high in 2024. The investment of nearly $400 million in construction represents the highest investment in Rolls-Royce’s home of Goodwood since the original establishment of the headquarters in 2003, and it represents a new chapter in the history of one of the automotive industry’s most cherished ultra-luxury brands. View All Rolls-Royces For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 08, 2024

Rolls-Royce Hits Record Sales in 2023, Expanding Its Besp...

2023 marked a record-breaking year for Rolls-Royce with major sales, bespoke creations, and plans for future electric vehicles. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars experienced an extraordinary year in 2023, achieving outstanding success with its lineup of ultra-luxury cars and SUVs. The iconic marque saw its bespoke commissions reach new heights in both value and production numbers. Each Phantom, Ghost, and Cullinan hand-built at the Home of Rolls-Royce incorporates elements of the company's Bespoke division, showcasing the limitless possibilities of personalization driven by client imagination. In a landmark move, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated 20 years at Goodwood by commissioning a study on its economic impact. This study revealed a staggering contribution of over $5 billion to the UK economy since 2003. Reflecting its growth, Rolls-Royce created 180 new jobs at its Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence in 2023. A key focus for the brand in 2023 was the expansion of its Bespoke and Coachbuild capabilities, aligning with the preparation for its future EV portfolio. The unveiling of Droptail, a highly exclusive two-seater roadster, showcased Rolls-Royce's jaw-dropping craftsmanship. With only four units ever to be produced, each Droptail represents the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity. In terms of sales, Rolls-Royce delivered a record-breaking 6,032 motor cars globally, the highest in its 119-year history. The United States and Greater China emerged as key markets, with substantial growth in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. The Cullinan model led the way, followed by strong performances from the Ghost and Phantom models. Embracing the future, the manufacturer launched the Spectre, its first all-electric series car, indicating a clear direction towards an electrified future. This move aligns with Rolls-Royce's commitment to become a fully electric car manufacturer by 2030. View all Rolls-Royce models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Rolls-Royce For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 05, 2023

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös Announces Retirement

He will be succeeded by Chris Brownridge, currently CEO of BMW UK. In an era where the automotive industry's giants and legends constantly shift and evolve, few changes come as momentous as the retirement of Torsten Müller-Ötvös, the Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Having helmed the company since 2010, Torsten has stood as the marque's longest-serving CEO since the iconic Claude Johnson, who connected the destinies of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce in 1904. Under Torsten's stewardship, Rolls-Royce transformed. It transcended being a luxury car manufacturer alone and became an aspirational name and cultural force internationally, celebrated for its unrivaled motor cars, unparalleled bespoke capabilities, and a keen understanding of its global clientele's distinct tastes and desires. This evolution wasn't just in identity but also in numbers. Sales ballooned from around 1,000 motor cars in 2009 to a staggering 6,000-plus in 2022. This growth was coupled with the personalization of each car, reflecting the specific desires and artistry of the clients commissioning them. Beyond just numbers, Torsten's era as CEO saw Rolls-Royce break new grounds. The brand ventured into producing its most historic one-of-one motor cars, collaborating with global leaders in art, fashion, and luxury. This embrace of bespoke craftsmanship reached its zenith with the reinvigorated Coachbuild department, giving birth to marvels like the latest Droptail. The variety in the marque’s portfolio also expanded under Torsten. From having just the Phantom and Ghost at the start of his tenure, Rolls-Royce introduced the Wraith, Dawn, and the groundbreaking Cullinan, its first SUV. However, perhaps the most future-forward initiative was the announcement of the Spectre, heralding Rolls-Royce's transition into the electric domain. By the close of 2030, the brand aims to be fully electric, a visionary path set in motion by Torsten. In more than just production, Torsten redefined luxury's very essence. Under his watch, Rolls-Royce solidified its place in the reimagined luxury landscape of the past decade. Be it the physical presence through Private Office boutiques or the virtual experience via the Whispers app, Torsten ensured that Rolls-Royce maintained a unique connection with its clientele. The success was evident. Not only did the brand's contribution to the UK economy exceed half a billion pounds annually, but the team at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood also swelled from around 300 to over 2,500, representing over 50 nationalities. As Torsten departs, the mantle passes to Chris Brownridge, who steps into this role from his position as the CEO of BMW UK. With nearly 30 years at the BMW Group and a wealth of experience in sales and marketing, Chris is poised to take forward the legacy and vision set by Torsten, guiding Rolls-Royce into its electric future and further solidifying its place in the pantheon of luxury. As the baton passes in this iconic brand's journey, the automotive world anticipates the next chapter in Rolls-Royce's illustrious saga. View All Rolls-Royces For Sale

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By Tyler Rampersaud – April 27, 2023

Rolls Royce Has Contributed $5B To The UK's Economy

Rolls-Royce is an important part of the place it calls home.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 10, 2023

The CEO Of Rolls-Royce Says Its Average Customer Is 42 Ye...

The Rolls-Royce of today is a far cry from the Rolls-Royce you might remember. It’s a pretty easy image to picture in your mind: the traditional and archetypal owner of a Rolls-Royce, an older, distinguished gentleman, probably the only kind of person who could appreciate a land yacht like a Rolls-Royce, with acres of leather and wood and immense footprint. However, that description of any Rolls-Royce, as well as its owner, is a dated one, and when it comes to that, Rolls-Royce has proof. The historic luxury brand celebrated a record financial year in 2022, and with the popularity of the Cullinan SUV, the reveal of the brand’s first all-electric model, the Spectre, and the opening of Rolls-Royce’s first global Private Office in Dubai, the change that the brand has experienced has been for the better. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Celebrates Record-Breaking Sales In 2022 As Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said in an interview with Yahoo Finance, the brand hasn’t just changed itself, but so has its archetypal owner. According to the interview, the average age of the current Rolls-Royce owner is 42, which is much younger than many mental images of the brand might suggest. As Rolls-Royce aggressively pursues contemporary and even futuristic products and features, with EVs, NFT projects, and more being introduced last year, younger customers are beginning to appreciate the style, driving characteristics, and bespoke personalization that the Rolls-Royce offers, which paired with futuristic and modern features create the ultimate luxury automotive experience. With this younger average customer age, Rolls-Royce shows that it isn’t just trying to be youthful as a brand, but succeeding. View All Rolls-Royces For Sale Source: Yahoo Finance

By Andrew Nabors – January 18, 2019

Rolls-Royce Reports Record Sales of Bespoke Builds

There is nothing ordinary in a Rolls-Royce automobile. Each example is loaded with features and quality unparalleled by competitors. The master coachbuilders at the House of Rolls-Royce are capable of building their cars using traditional methods. Since they are not tied to an assembly line, it allows them to fulfill almost any request from their customers. Since their salespeople encourage buyers to think outside of the box, Rolls-Royce reports record sales of bespoke builds in 2018. As we told you last week, the factory in Goodwood hired 200 new workers to keep up with demand. The press release this morning highlights their expertise. Based on the new 8th Generation Phantom, 'Whispered Muse' was inspired by the original sketches of the Spirit of Ecstasy. An impressive Dawn was built to commemorate the Check & Slovak squadrons who volunteered to join the Royal Air Force in WWII. Google's VP of Engineering ordered a Dawn Black Badge in a wild yellow and blue motif. Along with Michael Fux' Phantom, the Silver Ghost Collection consists of 35 unique examples inspired by the past. Click the link below to find your local showroom, and they will transform your dreams into automotive reality. View All Rolls-Royce for Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 10, 2019

Rolls-Royce Reports Record-Setting Sales for 2018

Charles Rolls and Henry Royce agreed to join forces on December 23rd of 1904. Their first car had 10 horsepower and they sold 16 of them. A few advancements and strategic moves over the past 114 years have led to a significant press release this morning. Rolls-Royce delivered 4,107 cars last year, which makes 2018 their best year so far. Growth was seen in all regions, and the US remains to be their primary market. Many lucky customers received their Cullinan for Christmas thanks to increased production at the Home of Rolls-Royce. To meet the unprecedented demand, the factory in Goodwood hired 200 new employees with 23 being accepted into the highly competitive apprenticeship program. P.J. Tucker's Rolls-Royce Cullinan & Matching Shoes! CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös looked back on the year saying: “2018 was a most successful, record-breaking year for Rolls-Royce. We have seen growth in all our regions around the world. At Rolls-Royce we are deeply focused on each and every one of our customers and are delivering on their demanding expectations. The Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood is acknowledged and celebrated as a global centre of luxury manufacturing excellence, where our skilled, dedicated team create the world’s finest, most sought-after luxury products. We set a formidable mark in 2018: I am confident it will prove the spur to even greater success in 2019.” Check Out The Sultan of Brunei's Collection It was also a year of innovation. The 8th generation of the Phantom arrived on a new aluminum spaceframe. It is much lighter and stronger than the steel it replaces. The modular design had major help from their cousins at BMW, and it will become the basis of all future Rolls-Royce models. Of course, these record sales would not be possible without the best dealers in the world, so click the link below to find a Rolls-Royce showroom near you. Find A Rolls-Royce Dealer Near You " width="680">

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