2018 Buyers Guide

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 Andrew Nabors – April 13, 2018

2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge: Price, Review, & Specs

What began as a small project has turned into a runaway success for Rolls-Royce. The Ghost Black Badge has returned for an encore performance. Black chrome and anodized stainless replace the normally brilliant finishes on the exterior. No less than 16 coats of hand-painted lacquer and color-sanded clear is the recipe for a perfect reflection. Built without limits to engineering or production cost, Black Badge is a statement. It leaves all other production sedans behind. The starlight headliner is standard, along with 21-in carbon fiber wheels. Ferrari 360 vs Lamborghini Gallardo The same amazing composite was woven with aircraft aluminum to give the interior trim a unique pattern and brilliant shine. Interior bits that are normally bright have been darkened by physical vapor deposit (or PVD). No expense was spared. Technically, it can be ordered in any color, but why? The 6.6-liter V12 is unchanged, and it still offers more power than a normal Ghost. The wheels alone make a world of improvement in ride quality and acceleration. With 603 horsepower from a twin-turbo V12, the Ghost will haunt your dreams. Twin turbos allow 619 lb-ft of torque to launch you to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds; a feat worthy of praise when you consider the curb weight of 5,445 lbs. The popular upgrades are not without an increased price, but sales of Black Badge versions of the Wraith and Dawn are a testament to the brand. Sell My Rolls-Royce Ghost: Get a Cash Offer 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge Specs Price: $350,000 Engine: 6.6-liter Twin Turbo V12 Horsepower: 603 Torque: 619 lb-ft 0-60: 4.6 seconds Top Speed: 155 mph Transmission: 8-speed automatic Search Rolls-Royce Ghost For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 27, 2017

2018 Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Specs, Price, Photos ...

The Black Badge edition of the newest Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge is nothing short of amazing. Many manufacturers are offering dark themes on their premier models, but nothing like this has been done before. From the lower air intakes to the Spirit of Ecstasy, all of the bright trim is now in black chrome. Instead of offering each item as a line item on the window sticker, the extensive changes are part of a $45,000 option package. Perhaps the original intention of blacked out cars was to fly under the radar, but this car is powerful enough to make every other automobile respect its quality.Jon Olsson’s brand-new Rolls-Royce Wraith For the Rolls-Royce connoisseur who wants an exotic wheel, Black Badge comes with carbon fiber 21-in rolling stock. A first for the brand, 22 layers of the composite were arranged in three directions then folded over for a wheel with 44 layers of carbon. A new air suspension system is calibrated for the dramatic loss in wheel weight, along with quicker response to body roll in the corners. Another first is the carbon fiber trimmed interior. The composite layers are interwoven with strands of 0.014 mm aluminum wire, which gives the surface a unique and beautiful luster. Horsepower remains at 624, but torque has been increased to 642 lb-ft. To make sure that power is well controlled, a new 8-speed automatic transmission also makes its debut. No detail was overlooked, as even the clock was redesigned for these exclusive cars. 2018 ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH BLACK BADGE SPECS Price: $350,000Engine: 6.6-liter Twin-Turbo V12Horsepower: 624Torque: 642 lb-ft0–60: 4.4 secondsTop Speed: 155 mph (limited)Transmission: 8-speed automatic Browse Rolls-Royce Wraith For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 26, 2017

2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Specs, Price, Photos & Review

New for 2018, Rolls-Royce has gone back to the drawing board and the new 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII is waiting for you. It is based on an all-aluminum spaceframe architecture, as Rolls-Royce is moving away from monocoque construction. This new chassis allows the luxury car to be 30 percent more rigid than its predecessor. It is the quietest car in the world. This feat was accomplished by incorporating a 6 mm sound barrier throughout the car. Comprised of two layers, it adds up to 287 lbs of sound insulation. Instead of cast iron, the new suspension has large cast aluminum joints. The Silent-Seal tires have a foam layer inside of them that reduce tire noise by 9-dB. The 2018 Roll-Royce Phantom VIII specs are in a class, unlike any other luxury car.Eighth-Generation Rolls-Royce Phantom UnveiledTaking a page from attack submarines, another first is filling the voids in the body structure with high-density foam, and lining all the contact points with felt. Double-skinned layers on the roof, doors, and trunk are a testament to their quest for excellence. If winter weather makes you ache, the new Phantom arrives with heated seats, armrests, center consoles and C-pillars outboard of the rear seats. Of course, there is a chiller behind the seats and crystal tumblers for your aged single-malt. In the backrests of the front seats, you are treated to the traditional wood picnic tables, along with HD screens with individual inputs. The wood paneling of the dash panel is now known as The Gallery, and it is a blank canvas waiting for your inspiration. Rolls-Royce can adorn it with a 3D map of your DNA, an oil painting, porcelain roses or anything your heart desires.Under the massive bonnet, the 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 is all new. It uses twin-turbos to make 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque at 1,700 rpm. The 8-speed automatic is controlled by GPS instead of MPH. The car constantly looks at a map of the road ahead and decides the appropriate gear based on how spirited your driving might be. Brilliant! The powered doors have been revised with one-touch operation by a chauffeur or valet.2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII Specs Price: $417,825Engine: 6.75-liter Twin-Turbo V12Horsepower: 563Torque: 664 lb-ft0-60: 5.3Top Speed: 155 mphTransmission: 8-speed automatic Search Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2017

2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge Specs, Price, Photos & ...

What began as a sinister sub-brand on the Ghost and Wraith, the Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge has arrived with a heart of darkness. Every surface is covered in several coats of lacquer and polished by hand. To emphasize just how dark this car can get, Rolls-Royce even finished the Spirit of Ecstasy in a black chrome. Inside the example of the revealed Dawn Black Badge is black leather with Mandarin highlights. Rolls-Royce Dawn Hits 155 MPH on the AutobahnMultiple layers of black fabric fold away to reveal a deck lid covered in black leather. Threads of aircraft-grade aluminum are woven into carbon fiber and formed into a new material for interior trim. Engineers have enhanced Dawn’s 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine in order to draw out 30 more horsepower and 15 more lb-ft of torque. This results in a total output of 593 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the added power, Rolls-Royce has also installed a new exhaust system that can be altered via a low button, which Rolls-Royce statescelebrates the “hallmark V12 engine with a menacing bass-baritone, announcing its arrival with authority rather than hysteria.” The car’s steering has also been quickened, the transmission settings have been remapped and the brakes are now larger. The goal of the Black Badge is to appeal to a younger audience. Buyers who reject the status quo and who do not conform to the usual luxury demographic will appreciate this option.2018 Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge Specs Price: TBDEngine: 6.6-liter Twin-Turbo V12Horsepower: 593Torque: 620 lb-ft0-60: 4.6 secondsTop Speed: 155 mphTransmission: 8-speed automatic Search Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale

2018 Buyers Guide

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