Aftermarket

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 Tyler Rampersaud – March 28, 2024

Mansory Reveals 2 New Bespoke One-Offs: Linea D'Oro & Lin...

Mansory reveals a pair of opulent bespoke masterpieces. Mansory is one of the most prominent names in luxury automotive customization. Its designs transform some of the world’s most desirable, powerful, and luxurious cars, and it has, at times, gone beyond even those limited edition customizations to create bespoke, one-of-one customized vehicles, with unparalleled attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship. The latest bespoke Mansory creations are a pair of one-offs based on the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the Linea D’Oro, and the Linea D’Arabo. Shown for the first time at Mansory’s Dubai showroom, both exquisite vehicles exemplify opulence, paying tribute to Mansory’s history and incredible innovation. The Linea D’Oro uses a name that was first used on a conversion of a Bugatti Veyron, which featured a similar configuration. The vehicle combines carbon fiber, one of Mansory’s signature materials, with gold-colored accents, even implementing real gold throughout, with one of the greatest highlights being the beautifully crafted interior. Meanwhile, the Linea D’Arabo looks similar but instead swaps the gold accents for copper-colored accents. In addition, Arabic writing is displayed throughout, as well. Part of Mansory’s ultra-exclusive “Atelier” program, both cars use the finest available materials, with customization inside and out throughout the exteriors and interiors of both. In addition, both feature Mansory’s Rolls-Royce Cullinan customization package, which includes features like a carbon fiber body kit, as well as a power upgrade, taking the power from 571 horsepower to 610 horsepower. With that, the vehicle’s 0-60 time is under 5 seconds, and it reaches a top speed of 174 mph. With beauty, luxury, performance, and bespoke craftsmanship, these two ultra-exclusive Mansory creations are true automotive masterpieces. View All Rolls-Royce Cullinans For Sale Image Source: Mansory

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 18, 2023

MANSORY Debut Aftermarket Upgrades For The Rolls-Royce Ph...

Adding the Rolls-Royce Phantom to its aftermarket portfolio, Mansory redesigns the luxury sedan. Since its monumental debut in the high-end automotive market, the coveted Rolls-Royce Phantom has always been a luxury-focused sedan that features the performance of a supercar. While the professionals at Rolls-Royce obsess over comfort and craftsmanship, the aftermarket specialists at Mansory aim to enhance the brand's ultra-luxury lineup with aggressive styling and added performance. Mansory is proud to announce the introduction of an all-new collection of exterior and interior upgrades for the most current Rolls-Royce Phantom series. The exterior of the Rolls-Royce Phantom includes a full-body kit that uses forged carbon fiber accents to shed weight while adding a whole new look to the elongated luxury sedan. Where chrome accents and light colors define the traditional characteristics of a Rolls-Royce, Mansory transforms tradition with a blackline trim package, forged carbon aero pieces, custom gloss black forged Mansory wheels, and redesigned badging. Inside, Mansory subtly complements Rolls-Royce's pristine interior with commemorative stitching and piping that add a vibrant touch. The iconic 'MANSORY' logo can be found stamped in the center steering wheel insert, embroidered in each headrest, and stitched into every seat belt. In addition to the aesthetic enhancements, Mansory is also working on engineering an upgraded engine tune that will unlock the full potential of Rolls-Royce's 6.75L twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine. As we continue to learn more about the aftermarket upgrades for the current generation Phantom Series VIII, Mansory preps for upcoming and future customer builds. View all Rolls-Royce Phantom examples currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by MANSORY (@mansory) Source: MANSORY

By Edward Jones – May 20, 2020

Custom Rolls-Royce Cullinan Comes With Matching Surfboard

A typical Rolls-Royce car wouldn't be ideal for a surfing excursion, but not that the English automaker has the Cullinan SUV, you can drive to the beach in style. Platinum Group has just unveiled a new custom Cullinan that is ideal for a luxurious surf trip. The Cullinan itself comes with a full Mansory aero body kit, giving it a stylish new look. It's also been lowered and now rides on 24-inch Mansory wheels. Matching the Cullinan's grey paint finish is a custom surfboard that Platinum Group mad in-house. It has a retro fish style that would be perfect for the stylish cruises on the waves. The images down below of the Cullinan were uploaded to @platinum_group on Instagram and were taken by @paid2shoot. Check them out! All Cullinans for Sale Source: Instagram/@platinum_group

By Edward Jones – March 17, 2020

SPOFEC Rolls-Royce Cullinan is Wide and Powerful

SPOFEC knows that the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is an extraordinarily luxurious SUV on its own. But with their capable designers, they have succesfully upgraded the Cullinan through a very sophisticated refinement range. For starters, their range includes the SPOFEC OVERDOSE widebody enhancement. This addes ten centimeters to the width of the SUV in the front and 12 centimeters in the rear. This creates enough room for the 10Jx24 SPOFEC SP2 wheels, shod in 295/30 R 24 tires in the front and back. There's also the new SPOFEC front fascia that gives the Cullinan a proper face to match its new aggressive width. For power, SPOFEC gave the twin-turbo 6.7-liter V12 engine a shot of added power. To do this, they have a plug-and-play module that has special mapping for the injection and ingition. It also raises the boost pressure of the turbos. In total, the power is raised by 114 horsepower for a total of 685 hp. Torque is also increased by 118 lb-ft of torque for a total of 745 lb-ft. Inside, SPOFEC can personalize the interior to the owners liking. This includes a wide variety of colors and leather types, as well as Alcantara. See All Rolls-Royce Cullinans for Sale

By Edward Jones – August 31, 2017

What? A Rolls-Royce With a 2JZ Engine Swap

The Rolls-Royce Phantom comes packing a massive V12 engine, which makes sense: a big car deserves a big engine. But in the engine-swapping scene, nothing is off limits and this is precisely why there is a Rolls-Royce Phantom powered by a 2JZ engine roaming the streets of Tokyo.Toyota first introduced the 2JZ engine back in 1991, but it didn't become popular until it was slapped into the famous Supra sports car. SInce then, tuners have been having a heyday with the engine and have pushed insane amounts of power out it. For this particular Rolls-Royce's 2JZ, the engine was pushed up to 900 horsepower, meaning this inline-six engine is producing more than the V12. Most impressive.Check out the swap for yourself by clicking play below.

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