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 – March 15, 2018

Ford Teases New Bronco & Mustang GT500

Our test vehicle for the week is a new Mustang GT 500, and it's safe to say Ford is gearing up for something big if this car's exhaust is any proof. In a press release earlier today, we see a shadow of the new "off-road small utility" that is undoubtedly the return of the 2020 Bronco. Now that we have your attention, they have made known their intentions to revamp 75% of their lineup by 2020. We know what you are thinking. The last time they made such claims, we were rewarded with winners like the Probe and the Escort, but fear not. Ford in 2020 will dive deep into hybrid drivetrains, with a majority of vehicles being connected to their Transportation Mobility Cloud. This system allows for software updates and diagnostics on the go, communicating through LTE data networks. Six battery-powered vehicles are in the works for a planned launch by 2022. Also announced is Ford Co-Pilot 360, which combines active braking, blind spot monitoring, and other safety systems together. Product development and organization within Dearborn has been streamlined in order to build what customers want, not what they need. This was needed to shorten the time between sketch to the showroom. This helps the lineup stay current and it makes the process more efficient. The goal is to drop the age of products offered from 5.7 to 3.3 years. This harkens back to when the big automakers would change their most popular models each year to keep demand at its peak. Successes with the F-150 have helped Ford gain 1.3% in the pickup truck wars. This allows them to boast that profitability is on-par with Nike, Facebook, and Coca-Cola. The Raptor will see a slight refresh, and a new 3.0 liter Powerstroke diesel will be available across the board. Thanks to the resurgence of the SUV, Ford is shifting $7 Billion from cars to utility vehicles. The new Expedition is all aluminum and powered by the EcoBoost V6. The same engine will be found in the sporty versions of the Edge ST and the Explorer ST later this year. Not to leave the big trucks out, Ford is also extending the same autonomous braking, 4G LTE and lane departure warning systems on all heavy-duty trucks including the F-750 and the F59 chassis. Although not mentioned in the text, we also see a glimpse of the new Mustang GT500. A source that wants to remain unnamed tells us it will be the combination of the GT350's flat-plane V8 along with a giant supercharger. Tell us what your most anticipated Ford is in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Blue Oval news. Browse Mustangs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2018

McLaren Unveils 570GT Black Collection

If you are looking for something unique for your collection, McLaren Special Operations has created a dark 570GT. In a limited run of 100 cars, the 570GT MSO Black Edition is a truly murdered-out McLaren. Carbon black paint is named for the ancient process of using candle soot to black-out shiny objects. MSO's attention to detail doesn't stop with the paint. Everything from seats, carpet and even the ignition key are blacked out.One-Off MSO McLaren 720S Raises Big Money for CharityNormally the front and rear splitters are finished in dark Palladium, but the new MSO black pack overrides them and adds 5 spoke black diamond wheels. The panoramic roof panel is either black tinted glass or electrochromic for an additional $6,600. All cars will arrive with titanium sports exhaust and the dynamic handling package. The press release says pricing will start at just over $251,000, with deliveries slated for the summer. If you want a sinister McLaren 570GT, click the link below to find a dealer near you and stay with us for all your McLaren news.Browse McLaren 570GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 15, 2018

2019 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman: Limo Built for Royalty

If you've ever felt like being treated as if you were royalty, then being driven in the 2019 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman should be on your bucket list. The extra-long, absolute top-of-the-range car is essentially the Mercedes limo you've dreamt about. While the Pullman isn't new for 2019, there are a few new updates that are being added to the car that make it more exquisite than before.Mercedes has announced that for 2019 they've added a new radiator grille to the Pullman, which features vertical struts. They say this grille was inspired by the stripes of a pinstripe suit. Fancy! The exterior can also be ordered with a new range of exclusive paint finishes, as well as the new two-tone paint scheme announced for the S-Class.Mercedes-AMG Unveils GT 4-Door Coupe In GenevaThe new, 21.3-foot long 2019 Mercedes-Maybach Pullman can be ordered starting today. It comes with a price tag that starts around $600,000 USD.

By Edward Jones – March 14, 2018

Lexus Black Line Special Edition Models are Ninja-Like

Lexus has launched a new special line of cars, the RC F Sport Black Line Special Edition models. These cars come with two exterior paint colors: Caviar and Atomic Silver. Both paints have a gloss finish, which contrasts with the matte black wheels and orange or black brake calipers. Inside is an equally black cabin with orange stitching that provides little lines of brightness in an otherwise dark area. The Black Line Special Edition models also come with an exclusive wood-trimmed steering wheel that was created by a Japanese calligraphy shop. Inside the wood-trimming are shades of black, continuing the models' theme. Lexus models that can be ordered as a Black Line Special Edition include the RC 300 and RC 350. Below is the MSRP for the RC 300/350 F Sport Black Line models. RC 300 - $51,730 RC 300AWD - $53,755 RC 350 - $54,660 RC 350 AWD - $56,120 Lexus & Marvel Unveil Two "Black Panther" Inspired Cars

By Andrew Nabors – March 14, 2018

Lamborghini Celebrates the 10,000th Huracan

Surrounded by the entire production staff, the 10,000th example of the Lamborghini Huracan roared to life. In a press release last night we've learned that this raging bull was ordered by a Canadian customer, and this car is an instant collect-a-bull. In only 4 years, Lamborghini has beat everyone's predictions. As the successor to the long-lived Gallardo, the Huracan had big shoes to fill.Lamborghini Unveils Huracan Performante Spyder In GenevaIn contrast to the competition, Lamborghini used a shotgun approach to launching the Huracan. It debuted in rear-drive and AWD in coupe and spyder body styles. The Huracan Performante was the 5th version and its patented aerodynamics are aimed at track dominance. The Performante Spyder is the latest edition, and it marks the 6th street legal variant. Racing versions like the Huracan GT3 have proven their worth by winning the GT3 class at Daytona this year. This all adds up to the factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese having to run 3 shifts to keep up with demand. A record unto itself, Lamborghini delivered 3,815 cars in 2017, and demand shows no signs of slowing down. Congratulations from all of us here at duPont REGISTRY, and keep up the good work.The Huracan in any version is a comfortable & potent machine, so click the links below and stay with us for all your Lamborghini news.Huracan For Sale Huracan Performante For SaleHuracan Spyder For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2018

2018 Audi RS 5 Coupe Has Entered the Battle

The second generation RS 5 coupe is here and it's been unveiled in a viridescent way. Unveiled in a glorious green finish, the new 2018 Audi RS 5 coupe comes with a new 2.9-liter V6 biturbo engine that's mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. Combined, this system delivers 444 horsepower and 44s lb-ft of torque for an exciting drive. How exciting? The new RS 5 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, 0.8 seconds quicker than the previous generation. It also has a top speed of 155 mph, which can be increased to 174 with the Dynamic plus package. As for the design, the look of the new RS 5 coupe drew inspiration from the "distinctive racing details of the Audi 90 quattro IMSA GTO," according to Audi. The 2018 Audi RS 5 coupe is currently on sale with an MSRP of $69,900.Audi Unveils 2019 A8 at Los Angeles Auto Show

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2018

Ford Announces the Mustang GT California Special

Ford has a new limited-edition model for the 2019 Mustang GT that channels west coast flavor, minus the fish tacos and In-N-Out burgers. The new 2019 Mustang GT California Special is inspired by the 1967 Shelby GT notchback coupe prototype, which was referred to as the original California Special.Just like the original, this new version of special Mustang GT has a blacked-out grille and side racing stripe. Other touches include a signature Ebony Black and Race Red script California Special badge, Mustang Performance Pack 1 front splitter and five-spoke painted wheels. Hennessey Has their Ford GT Heritage Edition DeliveredInside are Miko® suede-trimmed seats with "GT/CS" embossed on them, red stitching and custom GT/CS floor mats. Also, this is the first Mustang to be equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system. This system comes with a 10-channel amplifier that packs 1,000 watts for the 12-speaker setup.Ford will be offering the 2019 Mustang GT California Special this summer.

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2018

New STARTECH Package for the Aston Martin DB11

The Aston Martin DB11 has ushered in a new era of design for the English automaker with its new take on the elegant yet sporty styling they're known for. But, the aftermarket scene exists for a reason: to spice the hottest cars up even more. For STARTECH, they wanted to take the DB11 to the next level. To do this, they've created a package of new components for the new sports car.STARTECH's new carbon ensemble for the Aston Martin luxury sports car exterior include a new front spoiler, side sills, rear diffuser and exhaust covers. Inside, customers can have their seats covered in STARTECH leather upholstery. The roof can also be upholstered with leather or Alcantara, and various pieces of trim can also be reupholstered. Wood and carbon trim pieces can be fitted to give the DB11 an even sportier appearance than before.Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro Revealed: Built for Pure SpeedFor more information, be sure to visit STARTECH's website.

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2018

McLaren's New "Hyper-GT" to be McLaren's Fastest Ever

When McLaren announced that there would be a true successor to the F1, it was understood that it would be much quicker than the iconic car. Since the F1 came around in the early 1990's, a lot has changed in the automotive world. Hybrid powertrains are commonplace, some of the world's quickest cars are electric and many automakers are moving away from engine's that are just naturally-aspirated.Reaffirming this assessment is McLaren's latest announcement that the new "Hyper-GT" car, codenamed BP23, will have the highest top speed of any McLaren car, ever. The car will exceed the F1's top speed of 243 mph, a rate of speed that was unheard of back in the 90's.How the McLaren F1 Became the World's Fastest Car List Your Exotic Car For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 08, 2018

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid: First of its Kind

Bentley has just announced the new Bentayga Hybrid as the "world's first luxury hybrid model" at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. This new model is the first of many electrified Bentleys to come, with the ultimate goal being full-electrification.“The Bentayga Hybrid is our first step on the road to electrification, combining traditional Bentley values with the very latest technologies," says Adrian Hallmark, the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors. "It gives customers the best of both worlds – engaging, effortless performance on the open road and silent, emission-free driving in the city, which will become increasingly important with the ever-changing regulations around the world.2019 Bentley Bentayga: 10 Facts You Should Know

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe