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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 Edward Jones – March 04, 2019

Pininfarina Battista Hypercar Revealed: 1900 Horsepower!

The Pininfarina Battista has been teased multiple times but now we finally are here with the details on the new hypercar. And when I say hypercar, I mean it because this new model is aiming to be a dominant force in the automotive world. Pininfarina says that the new Battista hypercar will have almost twice the amount of power than a Formula 1 car. To do this, they're utilizing Formula E technology, meaning it's an all-electric vehicle. In total, the Batista will push out an astonishing 1900 horsepower and 1696 lb-ft of torque. And no, neither of those figures are typos. Because the Battista is an all-electric car, range comes into question. Pininfarina boasts that their new hypercar can travel up to 280 miles on a single charge. Owners can also charge their car up to 80% in under 40 minutes. Only 150 examples of the Pininfarina Battista will be created and they're currently taking applications for ownership on their website. view mhypercars and supercars for sale Source: Automobili-Pininfarina.com

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2019

Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition to Be Unveiled in Geneva

We noticed a small and sad paragraph in Daimler's preview of the Geneva Motor Show. Last week we broke the sad news, announcing the retirement of an old friend. A press release last night gave us the details of the Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition as it was unveiled in Geneva. Limited to 130 examples for the world, each S65 Final Edition arrives in Obsidian Black Metallic. Bespoke AMG badges on the C-pillar easily set it apart. Inside you are treated to black Nappa leather with copper contrast stitching. A dash badge identifies it as 1 of 130, along with an AMG Edition steering wheel. Mercedes-AMG S65 Final Edition S65 Heading to Geneva All options are included so you will have everything from Magic Sky Control to the Warmth & Comfort Package for the Executive rear seats. The AMG Driver's package is also onboard, unlocking the speed limiter so you can cruise at 186 mph. Click the link below before its too late, and stay with us for all your Geneva news. Shop Mercedes-AMG S65 " width="680"> Related: Brabus 900 Mercedes-Maybach S650 Heading to Geneva Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster Unveiled

By Edward Jones – February 28, 2019

Audi R8 V10 Decennium Revealed to Celebrate Ten Years of ...

The new Audi R8 V10 Decennium has been revealed as a new variant that is meant to celebrate ten years of the mean V10 engine. Audi chose the name "Decennium" because it means "decade" in Latin. Now on to what makes this new special edition car a... special edition. Its exterior is painted in exclusive Daytona Gray with a matte effect. Connecting the car to the ground are milled 20-inch wheels that's finished in matte bronze. Gloss black is found on the front spoiler, side sills and diffuser. Audi also chose to keep the side blades and mirror housings in clear carbon fiber. If the exclusive Daytona Gray isn't your style, there's Daytona Gray in pearl effect; Suzuka Gray in metallic; Floret Silver in metallic; Mythos Black in metallic; Ascari Blue in metallic and Kemora Gray in metallic. 2019 Audi R8 Gets More Power and Updated Style Inside is an entirely black interior with gloss carbon fiber on the sill trim and around the badge located on the center console. Another little addition to the interior is the "Decennium" logo that's projected from the door light onto the ground. As for power, the magnificent V10 engine puts out 620 horsepower and 427.8 lb-ft of torque. That power launched the R8 V10 Decennium from 0 to 62 mph in 3.1 seconds and it continues to a top speed of 205.7 mph. The new Audi R8 V10 Decennium will be available Spring 2019 with a price of around $250,000 USD (amount converted from 222,000 euro price tag). view all audi r8 for sale

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2019

New and Wicked Ginetta Supercar Revealed

The new Ginetta supercar has been unveiled before its debut at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show. It comes in as a new mid-engine supercar that Ginetta says will over "near LMP3 levels of aerodynamics in excess of traditional road cars." Powering the car is a dry sumped V8 engine that produces 600 bhp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Mated to the engine is a six-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission. When you combine the car's weight of just 2,535 lbs with its power, you can imagine that it accelerates at a wicked rate. As a foundation, the new Ginetta supercar uses a full carbon fiber monocoque. This lightweight material is also used for the body panels, allowing the car to have its light weight. Additionally, the body panels create 828.9 lbs of downforce at 100 mph, just 5 percent less than Ginetta's LMP3 race car. Ginetta will be creating just 20 examples of this car in 2020, its first production year. Already, 60 percent of the cars have been sold. Its model name, pricing and more information will be debuted at Geneva. view exotic cars for sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 27, 2019

2019 Exotic Car Industry Updates

It is almost March, and we have already have news you need to know. Our intention is to revisit this post throughout to note the changes made by exotic automakers. Here are our 2019 exotic car industry updates, so tell us what they mean to you in the comments below. Bugatti Veyron Gearbox Transmission Tribulation BMW has made it known that dual-clutch transmissions will be replaced by traditional automatics across their lineup. Innovations in automatic technology have resulted in a bulletproof 10-speed co-developed by Ford and GM. It can be found everywhere from the Raptor to the Camaro ZL1 1LE. Meanwhile, the 2020 Shelby GT500 has a 7-speed DCT as its only option, making it the first GT500 to not offer a manual option. The GT350 carries on with a six-speed stick for now. You Can't Run With This Bull Lamborghini asked their Squadra Corse racing department to build their dream car. It resulted in the SC18. They took the best aerodynamic elements of the Huracan GT3 EVO and added them to an Aventador SVJ. Perhaps it is a styling exercise to envision the Aventador's successor, so we applaud their efforts. David Lee's Dino Dino Is Coming Soon Walk into your Ferrari dealer and try to order a 488 GTB, or 488 Spider. Maranello is not accepting new orders because something new is on the horizon. One of Sergio Marchionne's final comments was on the return of the Dino: "not a question of if but when.” A small twin-turbo V6 sports car with an affordable price. Because the 488 Pista makes more torque than the 812 Superfast, their needs to be more of a gap in performance between them. Bugatti Chiron at Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds Your Tires Cost How Much? Owners of the new Bugatti Chiron are glad it didn't inherit the silly cambered tires introduced on the Veyron. Owners of the Veyron who get a flat are forced to ship all 4 wheels to Molsheim, as the Bugatti factory has the only machine capable of installing them. Bugatti dealers are also happy that the Chiron can be serviced in a normal manner, with several tire options available. It's A Small (Car) World After All Toyota and BMW were both contemplating new sports cars. BMW needed a new Z4 and Toyota was ready to resurrect the Supra. Both cars were going to use turbocharged straight-6 engines while offering incredible handling and a competitive price. So the companies joined up in an epic partnership. The best of both can be seen in each car, so we all win as a result. Maybe this is an indicator of future industry cooperation. A High Mileage Direct Injection Intake Deadly Direct Injection Injecting fuel directly into the cylinder is fine if you are a diesel. What was seen as a technological marvel when introduced, gasoline direct injection does more harm than it is worth. Without fuel flowing through the intake, carbon and soot buildup on the intake valves to the point of emphysema. That's why Ford's EcoBoost has added an additional port injector, and the Corvette ZR1 has followed suit. The Shelby GT500 doesn't even bother with direct injection, hopefully signaling an end to a troubled era. P.S. Wranglers In The Rear View The Jeep Wrangler has been in production since 1941, and Fiat-Chrysler sold 240,032 of them last year! P.P.S. Where is the mid-engine Corvette? https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/301905157175318/

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2019

Quebec Officially Outlaws "Hellaflush" & Stanced Suspension

We've had an issue with Quebec ever since the French captured a young George Washington at Fort Necessity. But times have changed since 1754, and our friends to the north have made the first steps to correct one of society's problems. The entire automotive world is cheering, because Quebec has officially outlawed "Hellaflush" and "Stanced" suspension. If you have never seen a 90's import car with stretched tires and 20 degrees of negative camber, you are truly missing out. Their owners are among the most educated and intellectual among us. They are united by the hashtag #stancenation, and you can find outstanding examples at payday loan locations, economically depressed neighborhoods, and police impound lots. Our friends at C12productions document all aspects of automotive life, so here are a few shots from Import Faceoff 2019. The issue is not in trying to communicate with the owner. It is that Hellaflush cars are incredibly unstable and dangerous. Because their axles explode on a regular basis, Canadian insurance companies will no longer cover damage claims. This new law says that your camber must be within the manufacturer's limits, or you will be prosecuted. We propose that Canadian drivers be ticketed for going 10 mph slower than the speed limit as a reciprocal measure of good faith. If you wonder why many Canadians drive slow, their speedometers are in Kilometers per hour. Going 62 mph is 100 kph, which is not acceptable in a 70 mph nation. Much like mini trucks, the Hellaflush scene will fade away as their owners face the realities that accompany such decisions. Tell us if this is an invasion of Canadian individual freedom, or is it a positive sign of culling these abominations from the road. To find a great deal on an unmolested exotic car, click the link below. Stay with us for all your automotive news. Shop Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Illegally Imported Lamborghini Gets Destroyed Phillipine President Crushes $5.5 Million in Exotic Cars

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2019

Festivals of Speed Amelia Island 2019 to Help Kids Beatin...

Our friends at Festivals of Speed always put on an amazing show. Their biggest annual event coincides with car week on Amelia Island, Florida. Two years ago they had an Aston-Martin One-77 on display, and last year was host to classic rally cars. The big news for 2019 is that they are waiving the registration fee to display your car. All proceeds from the gate will be donated to KidsBeatingCancer.com, a non-profit based in Orlando. Join us Sunday, March 9th at the Omni Amelia Island to take in amazing cars along with on-site cafes, smooth jazz, a cigar lounge, and gourmet food. KidsBeatingCancer provides access to cures through the science of cutting edge bone marrow and stem cell transplants. Our friends at Terradyne are bringing a Gurkha all the way from Ontario, so get ready for a wild event! Click Here To Register " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2019

Almost 300 Luxury Cars are Missing in Papua New Guinea

If you attended the APEC summit in November, please return your car. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is a gathering of nations from around the Pacific Rim. Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea was the location, and hopefully, the conference led to better trade and communication between the member states. You can't roll up to an economic summit in an Oldsmobile, so the dignitaries were offered loaner cars from Bentley and Maserati. The only problem is that after 3 months, almost 300 luxury cars are missing in Papua New Guinea. Reuters' Sydney office was the first to pick up the story, as Australia provided many of the cars. Unfortunately, the notion of 300 expensive cars rolling around the poverty-stricken nation sparked protests. In the midst of a polio crisis, the government promised to auction the cars after the event, but only 40 Maserati Quattroporte (representative model is seen above) and three Bentleys were returned. So far, 9 cars have been stripped after confirming VIN information of the parts. Shop Luxury Cars For Sale Related: Sultan of Brunei's Car Collection is at 7,000 and Growing Philippines President Crushes $5.5 Million in Cars Source

By Andrew Nabors – February 04, 2019

duPont REGISTRY February 2019 CoverShot: Mercedes-AMG GT ...

The last four years have seen unprecedented competition in the market for sports cars. Mercedes-AMG have never been content to let their lineup get stale, so they have unveiled a hot new version of the AMG GT. Taking influences from their GT3 racing program, the new AMG GT R Pro blurs the line between race and street. A new stability system known as AMG Dynamics allows for more cornering grip and faster response to changing conditions. Three modes are available across all versions of the AMG GT. Basic mode covers slippery and comfort situations. Advanced is aimed at winding roads allowing for more spirited driving. Pro mode is only available in Sport +, and it is intended for drivers who want to be on the edge. Master mode is only offered on the GT C and GT R, and it can only be accessed in Race mode. Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Details Price: Contact Our Dealers Here Engine: 4.0L Twin Turbo V8 Transmission: Seven Speed Dual Clutch Automatic Horsepower: 585 hp Torque: 516 lb-ft 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds Top Speed: 197 mph Those distinct settings wouldn’t be worth much without a more capable car. The new AMG GT R Pro is a result of lessons learned in GT3 and GT4 racing. It starts with new coil-over suspension at all corners. Compression and rebound are easily adjusted by dials on each shock. The former has individual responses based on speed. Both sway bars are adjustable, and the front is made of carbon fiber. All control arms have ball joints instead of bushings because nobody like mushy responses when cornering. buy this issue now A new carbon fiber panel under the rear suspension serves to maintain consistent geometry and precision. Unfortunately, the computer-controlled hydraulic motor mounts remain an unnecessary luxury. Additional carbon fiber reinforcements are hidden from view, but the new aerodynamic parts are stunning. A lower front splitter along with fender vents creates more downforce. The rear spoiler has gained a Gurney flap, because Dan Gurney is a genius. It allowed AMG driver Maro Engel to lap the ‘Ring in 7.04.632, elevating the AMG GT R Pro to become the fastest street legal AMG to-date. Shop All Mercedes-AMG GT " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 01, 2019

2019 Big Game Car Commercial Preview

A majority of Americans will be tuning into a football game on Sunday evening. One team is playing another team, but there will be great automotive advertisements for people like us. Thankfully, many of them have already been uploaded by automakers who want the most views. Here is our preview as of Friday morning, so expect a recap early next week. Audi E-tron GT: Cashew " width="680"> Shop Audi For Sale Dodge Hellcat: Devil Went Down To Georgia " width="680"> Shop Dodge Hellcat For Sale Jeep: National Anthem by OneRepublic " width="680"> Shop Jeep For Sale Ram: "Can't Remember" " width="680"> Shop Ram Trucks For Sale Keanu Reeves' Arch Motorcycle " width="680"> Mercedes-Benz A-Class: "Say the Word" " width="680"> Shop Mercedes-Benz For Sale Lexus Quarterback Safety System + " width="680"> Shop Lexus For Sale This list will probably grow as the game approaches, so tell us your favorite so far in the comments below. Have a safe & responsible weekend from all of us here at the duPont REGISTRY.

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