Articles

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 – January 20, 2020

Leake Auction's Scottsdale 2020 Top 5 Friday Sales

Sometimes its not easy being the new kid in town. But every once in a while, the new guy appears with swagger and confidence, and it revitalizes the neighborhood. Such was the case on Friday, as we glimpse at Leake Auction's Scottsdale 2020 top 5 sales. Backed by the full force of Ritchie Bros, their inaugural event saw some amazing cars change hands. Our friend John Staluppi decided to thin out his "Cars of Dreams" collection, so here are the overall top 5: 5. 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS6 Coupe sold at $75,000 Browse All Chevrolet Chevelle For Sale 4. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible sold at $77,000 Browse All Camaro For Sale 3. 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible sold at $78,500 2. 1996 Lamborghini Diablo Coupe sold at $95,000 Browse All Lamborghini Diablo For Sale 1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS/SS Convertible sold at $100,000 Not bad for their first year! Tell us which one you like most in the comments below and stay with us for more Leake Auction updates. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 20, 2020

Hendrick Motorsports Unveils Race-Ready NASCARs for Sale

Hendrick Motorsports built NASCAR Cup Series full tube chassis 1.75” diameter x .090” wall seamless steel tube roll cage with padding Fully adjustable double-wishbone front suspension Adjustable trailing arm rear suspension with heavy-duty 9” differential housing Adjustable and rebuildable gas-pressurized shock absorbers Wedge bolt 4 corner adjustability Multi-adjustable rear track bar assembly Billet 6-piston front & 4-piston rear brake calipers with vented discs. Competition fuel cell assembly with rollover protection Aero Racing 15 x 9.5” steel wheels Goodyear Eagle or Hoosier racing radial tires Transforming a street car into a dedicated road-course machine is no easy task. If your track car has seen better days, Rick Hendrick has the answer. In an unprecedented move, Hendrick Motorsports has unveiled race-ready NASCARs for sale. Because 99% of NASCAR racing is turning left, teams are forced to build one or two road course cars each year. With 12 Championships and over 250 wins, Hendrick Motorsports has dominated road racing for decades. That's why many Chevrolet teams buy their track cars from Hendrick. Now you can too, as two body styles are available for order. The Camaro ZL1 is identical to the car Chase Elliott drove to 1st place at Watkins Glen. Or you can have the Chevrolet SS that Jimmie Johnson used to win the Championship in 2013 and 2016. Everything is NASCAR-spec, from the roll cage to the safety systems. Under the hood is a 7.4L LSX Small Block. As the base-model engine, it offers 627 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. Backed by an Andrews 4-speed and a 9" rear, you can upgrade to an R07 engine and 6-speed Race Tech billet 6-speed sequential for a few more dollars. The first person to take one on the street will win a lifetime subscription to our magazine! Stay with us for all your Camaro news. Browse All Chevrolet Camaro For Sale " width="680"> Related: Camaro ZL1: Price, Specs, & Review

By Andrew Nabors – January 17, 2020

Ferris Bueller's Ferrari to be Auctioned at Barrett-Jackson

From the iconic movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” is Serial #GTC001 Modena Spyder California built by Modena Design and Development. A total of three cars were built for the film by Modena Design. This is GTC001 and has received a recent body-off restoration by Modena Design founder Neil Glassmoyer. Powered by a 427ci V8 engine fed by a 750 CFM Demon 4-barrel carburetor atop an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake manifold and aluminum heads. Mated to a TKO 500 5-speed manual transmission, with a carbon clutch and a limited-slip differential. Riding on one-off QA1 adjustable 16-position aluminum coil-over shocks, 4-wheel independent suspension and stopping power via Wilwood 6-piston front disc brakes and 4-piston caliper rear disc brakes with 12-inch vented, slotted and cross-drilled rotors. During the restoration, upgraded carbon-fiber inner-tubs were employed for weight reduction. Beautiful 16-inch custom-made chrome wire wheels wrapped with BFGoodrich tires. GTC001 is highly detailed and features driving lights, bullet-shaped side view mirrors, a GPS speedometer and a Retrosound radio with Bluetooth, and two Blaupunkt amplifiers in the trunk powering 14 hidden speakers. The interior and top boot were completely recovered with high-quality tan hides. This Modena includes movie memorabilia including photos, signed build photos, a 1/24-scale diecast model, and a Hot Wheels car. It also is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Modena Design and Development. This car is scheduled to hit the auction block during primetime this Saturday (January 17th) at NO RESERVE, so stay with us for all your Barrett-Jackson updates. " width="680"> P.S. Ferrari is a licensed trademark of Ferrari S.p.A. and is not associated with Modena Designs or Barrett-Jackson Related: Check Out Our Booth At Barrett-Jackson!

By Andrew Nabors – January 17, 2020

2020 Corvette Awarded North American Car of the Year

At the beginning of each year, a panel of 50 independent automotive journalists gathers together. Newspaper, TV, web, and magazine writers from Canada and the U.S. discuss and vote on each newly introduced car & truck. It's no surprise to us that the new 2020 Corvette was awarded the North American Car of the year. Chevrolet has shaken up the supercar world with a $59,000 mid-mounted V8. Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter said: “It’s humbling to be selected for this award by such an impressive jury of automotive journalists. Our team poured our hearts and souls into this vehicle, and to see such an overwhelmingly positive reception makes it all worthwhile. We are sure our customers will love the new Corvette as much as these jurors and we can’t wait to get them behind the wheel. Browse All Corvette For Sale As you are reading this, the factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky is sorting the thousands of orders. Production is scheduled to start on February 1st, so click the link above to reserve your allocation. " width="680"> Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – January 16, 2020

Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra Unveiled at Barrett-Jackson

As you are making your way to the main arena, you will notice something unique and gorgeous in our booth. Our friends at Tuscany Motor Company have partnered with the legendary American motorcycle manufacturer to build a stylish truck. We gave you a sneak peek last week, and now it is in the open, as the Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra was unveiled in our booth at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. Usually, when we unveil a car, it is easy to keep under wraps. But when we first covered this collaboration it was picked up by all major automotive sites and even Fox News. No detail was overlooked, as Harley-Davidson logos can be found on the wheels, doors, leather, and even the laser-cut grille. The 6.2L V8 shares many details with the upcoming C8 Corvette, and the functional ram air hood was made tall enough to house a supercharger. The 22" wheels are inspired by the classic "Fat Boy", and the suspension is a collaboration between BDS and Fox Racing. Only 250 examples will be produced, so click the link below to order yours! Click To See Our Booth At Barrett-jackson

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2020

Damon Motorcycles Unveils the HyperSport

Commuter bikes and sportbikes usually arent seen together on the street. But what if you combine the best aspects of each? Damon Motorcycles has unveiled the HyperSport, the world's first transforming 2-wheeler. At the push of a button, the windshield, handlebars, footrests, and seat change position. Designed by riders, for riders, it offers 215 horsepower and a 200-mile electric range. Constant 4G connectivity sends feedback to Damon about your bike's health, and it can store videos from the dual 1080p onboard cameras. This one might be a game-changer, so click the button below to learn more. Pre-order Your Damon Hypersport Here Related: Curtiss Unveils Hades 1 Pure Electric Motorcycle

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2020

2021 GMC Yukon Lineup Unveiled in Colorado

Against the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, a new generation of SUVs has arrived. If you need plush amenities in a full-size family machine, the 2021 GMC Yukon lineup has been unveiled in Colorado. It is all-new, with only the name carried over. The new Yukon and Yukon XL share the same architecture as the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, and it offers a nice preview of the upcoming Cadillac Escalade and its ESV model. Since we're all waiting for Cadillac, we'll briefly cover what the Yukon will offer. Their Denali editions arrive with the C8 Corvette's 6.2L engine and the indestructible 10-speed co-developed with Ford. Adaptive air suspension at each corner is paired with the 4th generation of GM's Magnetic Ride Control. Browse All GMC Yukon For Sale Other goodies include a 15" full-color HUD screen on the windshield, and a powered center console that enables massive cargo space behind the front row. Click the button above to find our Buick-GMC dealer near you and stay with us for all your SUV news.

By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2020

Aston Martin DBX Arrives at Aston Martin Tampa Bay

By all standards, the first SUV from Aston Martin is poised to shake up the market for luxury utilities. We will jump behind the wheel later this week and try to contain our enthusiasm because the Aston Martin DBX has arrived at Aston Martin Tampa Bay. Being big has its advantages, as Aston Martin Tampa Bay is the flagship brand of Dimmitt Automotive. Only 2 miles away from us, we cooperate on events and social media to promote their brands. For a quick refresher, the 2021 Aston Martin DBX is a family machine with All Wheel Drive. Power comes from the bulletproof Mercedes-AMG 4.0L twin-turbo paired to a 9-speed automatic. Browse Dimmitt Automotive Inventory The manufacturer boasts a 0-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 181 mph. We will give it a proper review in the next few days, so stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. https://www.facebook.com/DimmittUltraLuxCars/videos/533404560717636/

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2020

Lamborghini Posts Strong 2019 Sales Numbers

Global Sales Increased 43% Almost 5,000 Urus Delivered 8,205 Cars Sold In MY 2019 Ferruccio is looking down with a smile. The company he founded is growing by leaps and bounds, as Lamborghini posts strong 2019 sales numbers. Global sales increased by 43% from 2018, with 8,205 cars delivered. This represents nine consecutive years of growth, with a steady demand for the Huracan and the Aventador. Browse All Lamborghini For Sale As the Urus continues to gain popularity, the Sian is a glimpse of a hybrid future. Click the button above to find our dealer near you, and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news. " width="680"> Related: Lamborghini Urus Price, Specs, Photos Review

By Andrew Nabors – January 09, 2020

2019 Top Exotic Car Searches on duPontREGISTRY.com

As we begin another year, we are looking forward to our 35th anniversary. In order to start 2020 off with a bang, we have compiled 2019 into this report for you. Nothing worthwhile is easy, so we spend countless hours and late nights analyzing dealer trends and undervalued bargains. Mr. duPont always says our goal is not to reach millions of people, but people with millions. While that seems logical, our Magazine, Website, and Social Media platforms reach countless millions of enthusiasts around the world each year. Millions of individual searches led to thousands of leads and thousands of exotic and classic cars finding new homes. Recording data from each click, inquiry, phone call, email, we use several variables to separate qualified buyers from excited fans. What you see below represents the state of the Exotic Car Market. It contains no opinions or conjecture, as the numbers speak for themselves. 2019 Top 25 Exotic Car Searches: Dodge SRT Challenger & SRT Charger (Hellcat, Demon, Redeye, etc) Ferrari LaFerrari Lamborghini Countach Ford GT Porsche 918 Spyder Porsche 911 (All Models from Carrera to Turbo S) Koenigsegg Lamborghini Murcielago Ferrari F40 Lexus LFA Porsche Carrera GT Ford Mustang (Includes Shelby, Roush, etc) McLaren P1 Bugatti Chiron (Includes Divo & Chiron Sport) Ford F150 (Includes Raptor, Tuscany, Hennessey, etc) Mercedes-Benz Sprinters & Conversions Corvette (Includes Grand Sport, Z06, ZR1, etc) Lamborghini Urus Pagani (All Models) Saleen S7 Ferrari 488 Pista Lamborghini Diablo Bugatti Veyron BMW M (M2, M3, M4, M5, M6) Hummer (All Models) Now that we know what you are looking for, let's see which cars generated the most inquiries to the seller. Whether it be an email, Facebook message, Instagram question or calling a seller, the cars below generated a qualified response. 2019 Top 25 Inquiries: Porsche 911 Bugatti Chiron (Includes Divo & Chiron Sport) Ferrari 488 Spider Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen Rolls-Royce Phantom Rolls-Royce Wraith Dodge SRT Challenger & SRT Charger (Hellcat, Redeye, Demon) Ferrari 458 Italia Range Rover Sport (Includes Autobiography, Supercharged, & SVR) Lamborghini Urus Ford Mustang (Including Shelby, Roush, etc) Mercedes-Benz Sprinters & Conversions Bugatti Veyron Rolls-Royce Cullinan Lamborghini Aventador (Including S, SV, SVJ, etc) Corvette (Including Z51, Grand Sport, Z06 & ZR1) Ford F150 (Includes Raptor, Tuscany, Hennessey, etc) McLaren P1 McLaren 720S Rolls-Royce Ghost Dodge Viper Land Rover Defender 90 Lamborghini Murcielago Bentley Bentayga Lamborghini Huracan So what can we gather from comparing searches to inquiries? Well, we can't divulge our trade secrets, but there are algorithms and analysts fine-tuning our strategies for next year. As the benchmark for this industry, feel free to use our prices as the best tool in your buying or selling experience. We are already preparing for our 35th Anniversary Extravaganza, so we look forward to a prosperous 2020. Pick up our latest issue at newsstands around the world, or click the button below for a great subscription offer. Tell us what trends you spot in these lists, and thank you for another great year! Subscribe Here Featured Image by Prestige Imports

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe