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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

A McMurtry Spéirling is parked horizontally on a raised platform labeled "McMurtry Parking Only," creating the illusion of an almost gravity-defying stunt against a serene backdrop of trees and a pond.

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 11, 2025

Watch The McMurtry Spéirling Drive Upside Down in Gravity...

McMurtry Automotive just took things to a new level, literally upside down. At their Gloucestershire headquarters, the British electric hypercar maker made headlines by driving the Spéirling upside down using its patented Downforce-on-Demand™ system. On a purpose-built rotating rig, the fan-powered system created enough suction to “stick” the car to the ceiling as it drove while fully inverted. Behind the wheel was McMurtry’s own Thomas Yates, showing the world just how far performance has come. While race car fans have debated the theory for years, this is the first time any car has actually pulled it off, and it didn’t even need speed to do it. This isn’t the Spéirling’s first brush with hypercar history. On the same day as the upside-down stunt, it also shattered the Top Gear Test Track record by 3.1 seconds, dethroning a 2004 Renault R24 F1 car. Add that to its Goodwood Hillclimb and Laguna Seca Corkscrew records, and you’ve got a car that’s rewriting what’s possible for battery-powered performance. The car shown was the Spéirling PURE VP1 prototype, decked out in a stealthy falcon-themed livery inspired by the company’s logo. Only 100 of these will be made, with first deliveries expected in 2026. Built to LMP1 safety standards and powered by a 100kWh battery pack using Molicel cells, the final production Spéirling will deliver 20 minutes of record-breaking laps at GT3 speeds. But for now, McMurtry just proved that the impossible isn’t so far-fetched. " width="680"> Source: McMurtry Automotive

A sleek orange Genesis concept car sits elegantly on a gravel surface, framed by a pastel sky and majestic mountain range.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 11, 2025

Genesis Shows Off Concept Cars In New "Blank Canvas" Camp...

A new Genesis campaign looks forward to the future. Genesis is an upcoming titan in the luxury automotive industry, shaking up the highly competitive space with a lineup that consists of luxury sedans and SUVs with impeccable style, sumptuous features, sound engineering and cutting-edge technology, including electrification. However, even more captivating than what Genesis has in its lineup currently is its future endeavors, including bold concepts, racing efforts, and an upcoming performance line called Magma. Genesis Magma plans to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in addition, the bold color that inspired the upcoming performance marque decorates the ambitious, virtual Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo Concept, which is starring alongside another unique Genesis concept, the Neolun, which envisions a future flagship electric Genesis luxury SUV, in a new campaign called “Blank Canvas.” The campaign celebrates the youth of Genesis as a manufacturer, highlighting its concept cars along with its celebrated GV80 and G90 luxury SUV and luxury sedan and musing on the virtually limitless potential of what the relatively new brand is capable of doing. On the horizon of new efforts from Genesis including the Magma performance line, the racing efforts, and concept cars hinting at new models, the near future for the Korean luxury automotive star is bright. View All Genesis For Sale Image Source: Genesis

Two sleek, modern vehicles, including a Genesis X Gran Coupe with angular designs and illuminated headlights, stand parked on a city street in front of a building boasting large windows.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 03, 2025

Genesis Unveils New X Gran Coupe & Convertible Concepts

Genesis envisions a future generation of luxe grand tourers. One of the newest names on the luxury automotive landscape, Genesis has sent shockwaves through the industry with its elegant designs, plush creature comforts, and luxury-oriented engineering. However, with its expanding lineup including sedans, SUVs, an upcoming Magma performance division, and a racing endeavor with sights set on Le Mans victory. Recent future visions from Genesis include the virtual Genesis X Gran Berlinetta Vision Gran Turismo and the X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo and the Neolun Concept that envisions a future electric SUV flagship. However, two new concepts from Genesis have just been revealed: the X Gran Coupe Concept and the X Gran Convertible Concept. The two grand touring concepts combine Genesis’ futuristic design cues with the beautiful proportions of classic grand tourers, and the two concepts are based on the G90, Genesis’ current luxury sedan flagship. Unveiled at the Seoul Mobility Show 2025 in Goyang, Korea’s KINTEX Convention Center, the two concepts showcase low-slung silhouettes and dramatic grand tourer styling. The design of the Coupe is inspired by Mediterranean olive trees, with olive wood throughout and leaf-inspired motifs, and the Convertible is inspired by fine wine, with a deep exterior color and an interior color that also echoes wine. Crystals adorn details throughout the interiors of both cars to add a luxurious touch. With two new grand touring concepts, Genesis continues to ambitiously build its legacy as a luxury automotive titan. View All Genesis For Sale Image Source: Genesis

A sleek silver Ferrari 296 GTB navigates a snowy track, kicking up snow. The background features trees and two red flags against a clear sky.

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 01, 2025

Ferrari Brings The 296 GTB & Purosangue To Finland For Sn...

Ferrari brought its Prancing Horses to Finland for a snow day. Ferrari is, of course, known and celebrated for its 75 years of racing legacy and for making some of the most desirable sports cars and supercars in the world. While Ferrari’s race cars are known for their domination on the track, and its road cars are celebrated for performance on the tarmac, but Ferrari decided to journey to Finland to show off the performance of its vehicles in a unique landscape. Taking to Levi, home to the largest ski resort in the country nestled in the near-Arctic Lapland region far to the north, Ferrari brought the 296 GTB, the racing-focused 296 Challenge, and the Purosangue, to the snowy landscape as part of a Corso Pilota On-Ice course, where guests were able to enjoy the thrilling experience of Ferrari supercars in the snow. Toni Vilander, a Le Mans class-winning race car driver, was responsible for designing the ice track layouts, as well as providing guests with in-depth, one-on-one driving instruction. While the experience of course included thrilling driving activities that saw guests learn how to command high-performance cars in the challenging snow, traditional cultural experiences and a Finnish culinary showcase were included, as well. Even non-driving guests were treated to incredible experiences as passengers. In the Finnish Lapland, Corso Pilota On-Ice brought all the typical thrills of Ferrari driving together with the unique setting of a winter wonderland. View All Ferraris For Sale Image Source: Ferrari Magazine

By Gabriel Vega – March 26, 2025

Maserati Will Build You a True One-Of-One via Its New Off...

Maserati plans to offer multiple customization levels, ranging from collections built around themes to taking on truly bespoke builds.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 25, 2025

How To Buy: McLaren's Fuel-Driven Capsule Collection With...

Unleash your Style in the Fast Lane: Experience the Perfect Fusion of Speed and Fashion with McLaren x K-Swiss Sneakers.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 19, 2025

Michael Jordan's Ferrari-Inspired Air Jordan 14 Sneaker R...

What better way to design a basketball sneaker than with inspiration from your Ferrari. Michael Jordan's legacy as an NBA icon is legendary, leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships and becoming a global symbol of greatness. MJ's passion for performance extends beyond the court, influencing his famous Air Jordan sneaker line with designs inspired by his love for exotic cars. Jordan's fascination with high-performance supercars has even led him into motorsports, where he co-owns the 23XI Racing Nascar team, further solidifying his status as a cultural icon. The sneaker that first shook both the streetwear and automotive world was the Air Jordan 14, inspired by the Ferrari 550 Maranello that Michael Jordan owned and drove daily to Chicago's United Center in 1998. After a 10-year hiatus since its last public release in 2014, Nike and Air Jordan just announced that sneakerheads can expect to see the return of the Air Jordan 14 'Ferrari' this. Originally designed by Nike's great Tinker Hatfield, the Air Jordan 14 incorporated five distinct characteristics from the Ferrari 550 Maranello. From Ferrari crests reimagined as Jumpman badges to its use of lightweight carbon fiber, the AJ14 aims to perform on the court with a track-inspired look and feel. The 2025 version of the shoe is expected to sport a vibrant Rosso Corsa colorway taken directly from Ferrari's historical archive of paint finishes. This fuel-driven design approach has been featured on other AJ14s, like the 'Giallo Modena' released in 2019. While specifics on a release date and pricing have yet to be announced, Nike and Air Jordan have confirmed that the Air Jordan 14 'Ferrari' will launch this. For those who can't wait, shop past pairs of the Air Jordan 14 'Ferrari' by clicking the link below. Shop The Air Jordan 14 'Ferrari' Source: Nice Kicks

A sleek white race car races around the racetrack at Concours Club, its engine roaring in front of a modern building under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

By duPont REGISTRY – March 14, 2025

The Concours Club Brings Real-Time Coaching To The Racetr...

The Concours Club teams up with GPX Stream and Sony to enhance motorsport training with real-time data streaming and coaching. Motorsport training just got smarter at The Concours Club, thanks to a new partnership with GPX Stream and Sony Electronics. Their latest innovation introduces a real-time coaching system powered by Sony’s PDT-FP1 transmitter, a cutting-edge 5G-enabled device that delivers high-quality video and performance data straight to remote coaches. This setup means drivers can get instant feedback, helping them fine-tune their skills without waiting for post-session reviews. The system’s fast, reliable connection ensures no delays, which is crucial when every tenth of a second counts. By combining Sony’s advanced connectivity with GPX Stream’s smart coaching tools, The Concours Club is giving drivers a faster, more precise way to improve on track. The collaboration underscores The Concours Club’s focus on blending technology with driver development. Professional racer Jeff Segal highlighted how real-time insights make coaching more effective, while Sony’s Yang Cheng emphasized how their PDT-FP1 device helps keep data flowing smoothly—even in the high-speed world of motorsport. Beyond coaching, this system also enhances the spectator experience by offering live event feeds, giving members and guests a front-row seat to the action from anywhere. It even makes capturing and sharing track moments on social media easier than ever. By embracing this tech-forward approach, The Concours Club is raising the bar for motorsport coaching while keeping things exciting for fans both on and off the track. Discover The Concours Club Source: Shamin Abas (SAPR)

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 13, 2025

Longbow Debuts As The "First-Ever British Electric Sports...

Classic British sportscar ethos enters the future. Instantly recognizable with a green exterior and a tan interior, British sports cars have earned a reputation over decades for being lightweight, nimble, and absolutely thrilling to drive. Classic British sports cars are celebrated around the automotive world, and a new manufacturer, Longbow, seeks to bring them into the future with a new electrified entry. Calling itself the “first-ever British electric sports car manufacturer,” Longbow is led by its slogan, ‘Celeritas Levitas’ or ‘the speed of lightness.’ It’s been founded by a team consisting of previous experience at auto industry giants especially in the electric vehicle space, like Tesla and Lucid Motors. Its first two models, the Speedster and the Roadster, are enthusiast-focused electric sports cars with a focus on lightweight construction and driver-focused agility. Both are aimed at serving as spiritual successors to some of the greatest British sports car icons of the past, citing historic models like the Jaguar E-type and the Lotus Elise. Both are made with a bespoke aluminum chassis, and the Speedster offers a unique open-top barchetta body style for the ultimate thrill, while the Roadster is a closed coupe. With UK design, engineering, and hand-building, both will only see 150 examples made. The Luminary First Edition of the Speedster is limited to 10 examples, while the Autograph Edition is limited to 25 examples. Meanwhile, the Luminary First Edition of the Roadster is limited to 50 examples, while the Autograph Edition is limited to 100 examples. With its new Roadster and Speedster, Longbow seeks to bring the classic charm of timeless British sports cars into the future. View all Exotic & Luxury Cars For Sale Image Source: Longbow

6584712ad8d11f09d10b51d3 2300694 hypercar 50 molina nielsen fuoco

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 04, 2025

Gear Essentials For Passionate Ferrari Owners And Enthusi...

Showing support to one of the most iconic supercar manufacturers in existence, these products embody Italian design and performance.

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