Vantage

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 teal Aston Martin Vantage S Formula 1 Safety Car with Aramco branding is parked on a racetrack, set against modern buildings and a cloudy sky in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 29, 2025

Aston Martin Vantage S Is Official Formula 1 Safety Car

Aston Martin’s latest Vantage takes to Zandvoort. The Aston Martin Vantage, while serving as the historic British luxury performance manufacturer’s entry-level performance car, is a stunning example of combining a powerful engine with lightweight construction, a small, agile footprint, and stunning design with sumptuous luxury features. The recently introduced Vantage S goes a step above the already robust current-generation Vantage when it comes to its performance, squeezing 671 horsepower from its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, along with 590 lb/ft of torque. The new Vantage S will sprint from 0-60 in just 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 202 mph, and with that level of performance, the Vantage S is highly capable of taking on the role of being an official Formula 1 Safety Car. Making its debut at the approaching Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, the new Aston Martin Vantage S took on additional aerodynamic upgrades, an FIA light bar, and other tweaks to serve as the official Safety Car for the race. Painted to match the Podium Green liveries of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team race cars, the new Aston Martin Vantage S Formula 1 Safety Car is set to bring an extra helping of Aston Martin performance and thrill to this year’s Dutch Grand Prix, and it will be on the track alongside the Aston Martin DBX 707, which is serving as an Official FIA Medical Car. View All Aston Martin Vantage For Sale Image Source: Aston Martin

A sleek, blue Aston Martin Vantage Roadster gracefully drives on a mountainous road with snow-covered peaks in the background, capturing the thrill of adventure and the elegance of a new car release.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 15, 2025

Aston Martin Reveals New Vantage Roadster

Aston Martin drops the top on its new Vantage. Known for its luxurious and elegantly styled British high-performance cars, the Aston Martin Vantage has historically served as the smaller, more agile model in the manufacturer’s lineup, showing off both driver-focused nimbleness and grand touring elegance. The new generation of the Aston Martin Vantage takes its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 powertrain to new heights, with 656 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. With lightweight construction and driver-oriented agility, that power translate to meaningful performance, with the new Vantage getting from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 202 mph. However, another new Vantage has entered the market: the new Vantage Roadster, the open-top rendition of the latest generation Vantage. Combining the same attributes of the new Vantage with an open top, the same acceleration and top speed of the coupe model are retained in the new Vantage Roadster, as well as the weight of the new Roadster only being 132 pounds different than the coupe, including the retractable soft-top roof and the structural enhancements. The convertible roof of the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is the fastest electric folding roof on the market, opening or closing fully in just 6.8 seconds. Accounting for a rearward shift in weight distribution, the suspension and structure of the vehicle have been modified to retain the performance characteristics of the Vantage Coupe as well. Deliveries of the new Aston Martin Vantage Roadster are expected to begin in the second quarter of the year, joining the new Vantage Coupe, as well as the DB12 Coupe and Volante models, the DBX 707, and the upcoming Valhalla hybrid supercar. At long last, those who want to experience the performance of the new Aston Martin Vantage can do so with open-top style and thrill. View All Aston Martin Vantages For Sale Image Source: Aston Martin

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 04, 2024

How To Buy The New 2025 Aston Martin Vantage

Get your hands on Aston Martin’s latest sports car sensation. Aston Martin is known as one of the most iconic manufacturers of British luxury performance cars, with timelessly elegant design, sumptuous interiors, and robust performance. Their cars have earned the status of pop culture icons through appearances in film and on the racing circuit, and Aston Martin has become widely respected for making some of the world’s most coveted supercars, and luxury sports cars. One of Aston Martin’s most iconic nameplates is the Vantage, which has become known as the smaller, more agile Aston Martin model, which combines its compact proportions with robust V8 performance to create an incredibly dynamic and thrilling performance car experience. The new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage has been redesigned and it’s faster, sleeker, and more luxurious than ever. The new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage sports a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces an incredible 656 horsepower, and crafted to be a thrilling driver’s car, it continues combining a front-mounted engine with rear-wheel drive, and 50:50 weight distribution makes the new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage one of the most confident sports cars on the road. Being one of the newest Aston Martin creations on the market with updated styling and state-of-the-art interior technology, the new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage isn’t an easy car to get your hands on. Fortunately, as the source for supercars since 1985, duPont REGISTRY is the place to look if you want to find a new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage for sale. Specializing in all things luxury and exotic cars, duPont REGISTRY has 2025 Aston Martin Vantage examples for sale. Look below at some of the best 2025 Aston Martin Vantage examples for sale right now. View All 2025 Aston Martin Vantages For Sale 2025 Aston Martin Vantage View Listing & Financing 2025 Aston Martin Vantage View Listing & Financing How much is a 2025 Aston Martin Vantage for sale? The MSRP of the new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage for sale starts at $194,400. Can you finance a 2025 Aston Martin Vantage for sale? Yes! Thanks to dR Finance, powered by Westlake Financial, financing your dream Aston Martin for sale is easier than ever. View the listings below for flexible payment and financing options. Buy Searching for an Aston Martin Vantage to buy? duPont REGISTRY has hundreds of Aston Martin Vantages for sale right now, including some of the rarest ever created. To view them all, click the button below to shop all Aston Martin Vantages for sale. Shop Best Aston Martin Vantages For Sale Sell Do you own a Aston Martin Vantage and are interested in selling it? duPont REGISTRY is the number 1 source for private sellers to list and or sell their Aston Martin Vantage. Click the button below to view listing options. Learn How To Sell Your Aston Martin Vantage

001 New Aston Martin Vantage Official Safety Car of Formula 1

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 05, 2024

The New Aston Martin Vantage Is An Official F1 Safety Car

Aston Martin brings its new Vantage to the track. The Aston Martin Vantage is known and celebrated for being an excellent luxury performance vehicle, with power, performance, athleticism, beautiful design, and elegant British luxury. However, the new Aston Martin has recently been revealed, and beginning at this year’s Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, it will show off its performance and ability as an official FIA Safety Car in the race. The new Vantage’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine boasts a 30 percent increase in power over the previous generation, with no changes to the engine, cooling, or brakes required to make it a proper safety car for Formula 1. However, there are modified underfloor aerodynamics, a changed front splitter, an added rear wing, and a light bar. Alongside the new Vantage Safety Car, the Aston Martin DBX 707 will serve as the official FIA Medical Car, and together, both expand and enrich Aston Martin’s presence in the elite and exclusive motorsport series. Despite having an interior that has been reconfigured to meet the requirements of a Safety Car, with changed seats, switchgear, and interior equipment, the Vantage Safety Car stays true to its British luxury in design, with unique interior trim in Lime Essence that echoes Aston Martin’s own racing colors. With the new and improved Aston Martin Vantage as an official Safety Car for this year’s Formula 1 season, safety is just as exciting as the thrill of the race. View All Aston Martin Vantages For Sale Image Source: Aston Martin

By Edward Jones – February 21, 2017

Aston Martin Unleashes Red Bull Edition Models

We all already knew that Aston Martin and Red Bull have been teaming up thanks to the new AM-RB 001, but it seems as though they have a few more tricks up their sleeve. Revealed today were some new additions to the Vantage range, the V8 Vantage S and V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing Editions."Motorsport is and will always be a key part of Aston Martin’s DNA and both the V8 and V12 Vantage S Red Bull Racing Editions bring that ethos straight to our customers," said Aston Martin President & CEO, Dr. Andy Palmer. "With the 2017 FIA Formula 1 World Championship® set to begin soon, I hope that the purchase of these models will bring the racing season that little bit closer for those lucky few customers who can’t wait for it to begin.”Each of these cars were designed by the automaker's own personalization service, Q by Aston Martin. They come in a deep Mariana Blue finish with carbon fiber aerodynamic pieces, red trim and yellow calipers. If you've ever seen a can of Red Bull, you know why red, blue and yellow was used on these special editions. If you're looking for something a bit different, these models can also come in a gloss Tungsten Silver or satin Mariana Blue. Inside, the theme is continued with the Red Bull Racing embroidery and signatures from racers Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen.If you're interested, be sure to contact your Aston Martin dealership directly, as deliveries are set to take place in the second quarter of 2017.Aston Martin For Sale

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