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 – November 05, 2020

2022 Audi RS e-tron GT Is Ready For Production

Going electric has been hard on many brands. While lesser automakers have struggled to make the leap, Audi Sport enjoys a challenge. Thanks to extensive testing by engineers and their Formula E team, the 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT is ready for production. 2020 Audi e-tron Sportback is Ready for Summer Lucas di Grassi won the first Formula E race and has since become an authority on electric power. That is why the press release shared his insights on the upcoming car. When reaching the end of a trip, the car offers charging suggestions to the driver and responds by warming or cooling the motors and battery. Suspension borrowed from the Porsche Taycan includes triple airbags and rear-wheel steering. Finally, the system easily offers 270 kW at each end for a total of 684 horsepower and 612 lb-ft of torque. The first examples to arrive are already spoken for so click the link to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Audi updates. Browse Audi For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2020

Nike Launches New Luxury Line

Nike is considered a leader in the sportswear apparel and footwear industry, but they also play a significant role in creating lifestyle-driven clothing as well. The new Every Stitch Considered (ESC) Collection launched by Nike incorporates styles that bridge the gap between sportswear and luxury everyday clothing. The use of premium materials and current designs allow Nike to offer an experimental collection for men and women. Italian craftsmanship sets the Nike ESC Collection apart from any other lifestyle clothing line done by other sportswear brands. The line includes simplistically designed jackets, shirts, pants, and shorts. Some of the products are currently available through Nike, with more styles set to release soon. Shop the Nike Every Stitch Considered Collection by clicking the link below. Shop The Nike ESC Collection

By Andrew Nabors – November 02, 2020

2021 McLaren 765LT Delivered To The Collection By DragTimes

Many McLaren enthusiasts have scrambled to witness their latest Long Tail. As the fitting end to the 720S family, a gorgeous 2021 McLaren 765LT was delivered to The Collection by DragTimes. Our friend Brooks is the leading authority on the supercar scene in South Florida. That is why he and his team were on hand to film this rare beast. 2020 McLaren Senna vs. 720S by DragTimes Only 765 examples have already been sold. Each one arrives with 765 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. With brakes from the Senna and bespoke aerodynamics, they were somehow able to carve the curb weight down to 2,952 lbs. That is 176 lbs less than its predecessor and it allows for consistent 9-second times in the quarter-mile. Internal upgrades include forged pistons, triple-layer head gaskets, and titanium exhaust. If you missed your chance to reserve one, our dealers have impressive offers on their siblings. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for the latest from DragTimes! Browse Inventory At The Collection " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 29, 2020

Very Rare 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Serie...

If you're looking for a very limited automobile, then you have to check this one out. What we have here is a 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series, a limited edition model that had only 100 units created. The LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series is so special that when an example, not this specific one, was sold for charity at Barrett-Jackson's 2020 Scottsdale event, it garnered a $2 million bid. If that's not enough, this model was also duPont REGISTRY's August 2020 cover car. So, what makes the 2021 LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series so special? There's quite a bit. First up is the exclusive Structural Blue paint that's matched with a Bespoke Amalfi White semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior. Inside, there are carbon fiber door sill plates with the Inspiration Series logo adorning them. There's also a serialized number on the door jamb. Other touches include the Climate Concierge with Upper Body heating, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, Cold Area Package, SmartAccess Card key, and two-piece Zero Haliburton luggage set custom-designed for Lexus. This example of the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series is for sale by its private owner and is essentially brand-new-- it's still in "the wrapper" from the factory and has not been driven. For more information, be sure to click the button below to view its listing on duPontREGISTRY.com. View Listing

122257238_3423914907832794_7019536242010555276_n

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2020

2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Preview

This weekend marks another year in our sponsorship of the world's greatest collector car auctions. The virus forced Craig Jackson and company to push the dates back to this weekend, and special measures are being taken to protect bidders and consignors. First off, there is no General Admission. While we will not get to interact with all our fans, stop by our booth and say hello. It is there you will find the latest billet aluminum motorcycles from Combat Motorcycles. Next to it is a Ferrari 488 GTB from Luxury Lease Partners, and a beastly truck from SVE. Specialty Vehicle Engineering is showing their latest creations. The 2021 Syclone has ditched the v6 for the same supercharged LT4 found in the Camaro ZL1. It sends 750 horsepower to all wheels for neck-snapping acceleration whenever you need it. MegaRexx arrived in a massive F-350 MegaRaptor that puts every other Powerstroke to shame. Our booth is flanked by two displays: Medford Knives offers the latest in tactical, American-made steel; while Wheel Specialties can visualize any of their designs for your car or truck. South Florida Jeeps has their latest Gladiator 6x6 ready to rumble. Osprey Customs restores classic Defenders to better than new, so they have an 87 Defender 130 and a 93 Defender 110 on display. "This three-day Arizona event will be held in lieu of our previously scheduled 2020 Las Vegas and Palm Beach event and will be broadcast live on FYI Television Network and HISTORY. As always we will offer genuine automobilia items and hundreds of highly desirable collectible vehicles! A tremendous amount of thought went into the new procedures necessary for us to conduct this auction. We have been working closely with federal, state, and local authorities to ensure that public health and safety are at the forefront of this event." Thanks to our fans for sticking with us, we will be doing events in full force as soon as possible.

cq5dam.resized.img.1680.large.time1602846773344

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 23, 2020

How To Buy The KITH Edition 2021 BMW M4 Competition Coupé

The KITH x BMW collaboration began as clothing inspired collection that has started to unfold into something much larger. The partnership came at the perfect time, just weeks before the world premiere of the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé. BMW has announced that an exclusive KITH special edition version of the new M-Division vehicle will be available for purchase. The BMW M4 Competition x KITH project features unique exterior and interior design details that will not be available on standard models. The fleet of ultra-rare editions will be limited to 150 chassis and three available color options, with available pre-orders beginning on October 23rd at 5 pm EST. In addition, KITH is also releasing the new 96-piece BMW inspired clothing collection on their website. Date: October 23rd, 2020 Time: 5 pm EST Where: BMW Website

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2020

2021 McLaren 620R Represents The End Of An Era

What you see is not the beginning of the end, merely the end of the beginning. It seems like a decade ago when we saw the first McLaren 570S for sale at the 2015 New York Auto Show. It was the first model of their "Sports Series". Designed as a more conventional and affordable alternative to their Super Series, the 570S arrived without the complex hydraulic active suspension. Instead, it has coil springs and traditional sway bars. Call me a purest, but this setup is easier to control at the limit, without a computer. But sadly, supercars like this are becoming obsolete. That is why the 2021 McLaren 620R represents the end of an era. McLaren 600LT Spider Price, Specs, Photos & Review To put it into perspective, the 570S was so popular, they built a hardtop convertible as the 570S Spider. This one also wowed the public, so they built a hatchback model with more interior room. The 570GT is one of the most practical and comfortable supercars I have driven. Pushing the chassis to the limit, the 600LT was a resurrection of their famous Long Tail. Offered as a coupe along with the 600LT Spider, it reaches 62 mph in 2.9 seconds and 124 mph in 8.4 seconds. This shocking performance spawned the 570 GT4, which was fielded by the fastest teams around the world. But like all good things, the party is about to be over. Carbon fiber molds require constant maintenance, so the 620R was built as a street-legal conversion of the GT4 race car. " width="680"> Only 350 cars are being built for the world, with a fraction of them heading here. They offer 612 horsepower, 457 lb-ft of torque, and double-adjustable coil overs at each corner. With 32 settings for each shock, you can tailor the car for your local track, or a Sunday drive in the countryside. Because our dealers sell more McLarens than even ones in the Old Country, we have several of them to choose from. With performance figures that rival big brother Senna, the 620R is a fitting end to the timeless 570 lineup. Browse McLaren 620R For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 22, 2020

How To Buy The KITH For BMW 2020 Collection

Recently, we covered a story announcing the KITH for BMW 2020 collaboration. A partnership derived from the redesign of the new 2021 BMW M4, as well as the rebuild of Ronnie Fieg’s E30 M3. The iconic M-Division colors and logos are slightly redesigned to sport the KITH branding as well. The collection is soon to release and will include jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts, vests, tracksuits, sweatsuits, hats, and lifestyle/driving accessories for the fall/winter months. Date: October 23, 2020Where: KITH Website Source: KITH Website Source: KITH Website

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2020

Watch Daniel Ricciardo's GQ Top 10 Essentials Episode

GQ released a video on YouTube sitting down with Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo to find out his top ten essential items. As a race car driver, the public is led to believe that most of what Daniel has chosen would be automotive-inspired, but future viewers will be pleasantly surprised. Whether it's party shirts or diaries, the Australian will always be considered a humorous breath of fresh air, both on and off the track. Click on the video below to see what Daniel Ricciardo holds near and dear to him " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2020

Daniel Arsham's Platinum Porsche Key Created By EYEFUNNY

Recently, we covered the story of Daniel Arsham unveiling his Porsche 930A Project, a complete rebuild and redesign of his vehicle. The Porsche holds significance as a historic example using period correct parts and visuals along with added Daniel Arsham custom pieces. Daniel made it known that as time went on, he would release more stories and updates about the build. The most recent being the key that turns over the flat 6-cylinder turbocharged engine of the Porsche 930A. The solid platinum custom key was created by Japenese jewelry designer EYEFUNNY. The inspiration behind the one of one key derives from Daniel Arsham’s infamous eroded design. The Daniel Arsham x EYEFUNNY Platnium Porsche 930A Key is a magnificently functional piece of art. View All Porsche 930 For Sale Source: EYEFUNNY Instagram

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe