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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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 04, 2024

1-of-4 SEMA Edition 2005 Ford GTX1 With Only 136-Miles Fo...

With only four ever made, this SEMA Edition Ford GTX1 is a car collector's dream.

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 02, 2024

The Petersen Museum's New Exhibit Displays Early Concept ...

Art Meets Auto: Exploring the Future at 'Eyes on the Road' Whether you're a car fanatic who enjoys classic American muscle or an enthusiast passionate about high-dollar hypercars, there's no denying the unwavering fascination for concept cars from the 1930s and 1950s. Honoring futuristic wedge-shaped vehicles that never saw a production line, The Petersen Automotive Museum is proud to debut "Eyes on the Road: Art of the Automotive Landscape" as its latest exhibit in the Armand Hammer Foundation Gallery. The exhibit is a fresh take on the fusion of automotive ingenuity and artistic expression, displaying a thought-provoking collection that includes futuristic concept cars and masterpieces by art legends like Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney. It's a conversation starter on the bridge between art, automotive design, and the everyday world we navigate. Split into five engaging sections (vehicle concepts, sign language, at the pump, highways, and street art) the exhibit takes guests on a curated journey through the crossroads between car culture and art. It's like stepping into a world where road signs are reimagined by contemporary artists, and gas stations become the canvas for pop art icons. Highlights include a lineup of concept cars like the 1934 Dymaxion and the 1956 American Motors Astra-Gnome, alongside artworks such as Hockney’s “Mulholland Drive” and Warhol’s “Mobil Gas.” Curated by the Petersen Automotive Museum, Terry L. Karges, the museum's Executive Director, puts it perfectly by saying the exhibit celebrates the beauty and ingenuity found in our motoring world, often hidden in plain sight. The Petersen Museum's "Eyes on the Road: Art of the Automotive Landscape" immersive experience is now open until November 2024. View All Exotic Cars For Sale Source: The Petersen Automotive Museum

By Gabriel Vega – March 18, 2024

Unveiled: The Audi SQ6 And Q6 e-tron

The 2025 Audi SQ6 and Q6 e-tron are the brand's first electric SUVs, underpinned by its newly minted PPE platform. Developed in partnership with Porsche, it also serves as the architecture for the upcoming electric Macan. Audi's latest benefit from an all-new 100-kilowatt-hour battery pack, an 800-volt electric architecture, and an estimated over 300-mile range figure for the Q6 e-tron. Deliveries are expected to begin later this year. Audi positions the new SQ6 and Q6 e-tron to compete in the premium midsize segment, think BMW iX or the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQC 400. From a design perspective, the e-tron twins focus primarily on passenger space, with a lengthy wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs. Audi claims they'll comfortably sit up to five people and their respective accouterments. Both the SQ6 and Q6 advance the carmaker's established e-tron design language by emphasizing the width of their front and rear arches and incorporating a sloping roofline and plenty of sporty aerodynamic elements. The former S model gets further sporty touches such as unique wheel designs, as well as a more aggressive front facia and a restyled rear bumper. A sleeker Sportback variant is expected to follow shortly. New for the SQ6 and Q6 are active head and tail lights. They cycle through eight light signatures at various intensity levels to give these SUVs a more distinct look while allowing for greater customizability. The rear OLED light bar takes it a step further by utilizing these signatures to also signal to other drivers of their proximity and warn them of upcoming accidents or breakdowns. As of writing, some lighting features may not be available for the US market, but the carmaker is expected to follow up with further information closer to customer deliveries. From a performance standpoint, the SQ6 and Q6 e-tron will come standard with two electric motors, one in each axle, making them all-wheel drive. Audi has announced a single-motor rear-wheel-drive model will join the lineup in the future. The quicker of the two, the SQ6 e-tron, develops 483 horsepower with a temporary boost up to 510 hp while using launch control. The standard Q6 e-tron produces 422 hp, or 456 hp, during a launch. The pair will hit 60 mph in an estimated 4.2 and 5.0 seconds, respectively, with top speeds of 130 mph for the Q6 and 143 mph for the SQ6. Power comes from a new 100 kWh gross (94.9 net) battery pack, which, thanks to an 800-volt architecture, allows for a peak charge rate of 270 kilowatts. The pack is comprised of twelve modules and 180 prismatic cells. Audi estimates it'll charge from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes and, in the Q6 e-tron's case, deliver over 300 miles of range EPA. Range estimates for the SQ6 have yet to be announced. This new battery pack also allows for bank charging when drawing power from 400-volt stations. It splits the 100 kWh pack into two, which can be charged in parallel at up to 135 kW. To accommodate the large battery, Audi's PPE platform positions the e-tron's control arms ahead of the suspension arms while its steering rack is now fixed to the front subframe. Audi claims this improves driving dynamics and aids in overall agility. Although the pair comes standard with all-wheel drive at launch, the system remains rear-biased, sporting wider rear tires. Inside, Audi adds an impressive array of screens, with the centerpiece being a massive curved display comprised of an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a substantial 14.5-inch infotainment screen. A third 10.9-inch passenger display sits directly to the right of it, making for a practically fully digitized dashboard. This falls in line with Audi's recent efforts to remove physical buttons and switches, although the e-trons retain a physical volume knob. Looking ahead, Audi adds an augmented reality heads-up display that overlays directions, the vehicle's speed, and traffic signs. Adding further functionality to this SUV's interior is Audi's voice assistant, which can adjust primary functions through over 800 voice commands. The order books are expected to open this month, and deliveries are planned for later this year. In Europe, the Q6 e-tron will start at €74,700 ($81,204), while the SQ6 e-tron starts at €93,800 ($101,967). US pricing has yet to be announced.

Maserati Grecale Folgore Blu Graphite Texturized (25)

By Gabriel Vega – March 16, 2024

The Maserati Grecale Folgore Is An Electric SUV That Does...

Since its unveiling, the Maserati Grecale has served as the brand's mass-market offering. Following the success of the Levante, the Grecale sports good looks in a smaller, Porsche Macan-sized package, and as we discovered during our test of the 523-horsepower Trofeo, much-improved handling as well. However, as the Italian carmaker looks towards its all-electric future, its entry-level SUV is the latest model to receive an electron-powered variant. The Maserati Grecale Folgore is the carmaker's first electric SUV, but it is not its first electric vehicle; that title goes to the GranTurismo Folgore. Yet, like its GT sibling, its latest SUV draws power from two electric motors, one in each axle, mainly for performance. The pair make a total of 550 hp, split evenly, with each producing 275 hp, making the Grecale Folgore all-wheel drive. Thanks to a maximum torque output of 605 lb-ft, it sprints to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds, 124 mph in 16.1 seconds, and tops out at 136 mph. The Folgore features a sizable 105 kWh battery pack, counting on a 400-volt electrical architecture. According to Maserati, its WLTP range, which is often higher than the US EPA ratings, is 311 miles for the most efficient configuration and 264 miles for the least. Its peak charge rate is 150 kilowatts, allowing its battery pack to regenerate from 20 to 80 percent in around 29 minutes. Like all Grecales, the Folgore offers multiple drive modes, including GT, Sport, and Offroad, but gains a new Max Range setting. According to Maserati, it's supposed to be used when the battery's state of charge falls below 16 percent. It limits the power sent to the climate control and the response of the accelerator while limiting its top speed to 81 mph. The Maserati Grecale Folgore counts draws inspiration from the aformentioned Trofeo for its styling, just with a more aero-focused design. Despite these changes, there is little that hints at the Folgore being electric at all. By carrying over the styling from its gas-powered variants, it offers an EV without the smoothed and often bulbous shape associated with them. Upfront, it wears an inverted grille and offers 19, 20, or 21-inch aero wheels, depending on the market, while counting on contrasting gloss black trim to give the Folgore a unique aesthetic within the lineup. The Grecale Folgore is the first variant within the lineup to offer an Econyl interior built from nylon waste strands. Although Maserati has yet to release official pricing figures for the Grecale Folgore, expect it to have a base price similar to the $106,995 Trofeo.

By duPont Registry – March 13, 2024

Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato Price, Specs & Photos

Off-road ability and supercar style come together.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 13, 2024

New South African EV Hypercar Ararkis Sandstorm Claims 1....

South Africa becomes the home to a new hypercar sensation. When it comes to the world of ultra-high-performance supercars and hypercars, the origins of many of them seem to concentrate geographically around Europe, where the histories of manufacturers like Bugatti, or places like Italy’s revered Motor Valley region inspire performance pedigree, and the bold innovations of brands like Koenigsegg in Sweden push the entire industry forward. While hypercars are beginning to crop up from other parts of the world, South Africa isn’t a place that has prominently been in the mix, until now. The brand is Ararkis Automobili, and their new hypercar EV is called the Sandstorm. As its name suggests, its creators are optimistic in its ability to sweep through the hypercar industry with incredible performance, striking looks, and innovative design. With the futuristic technology of an electric powertrain, the Sandstorm, like many electric hypercars, seeks to combine the thrill of performance with environmental sustainability. Ararkis boasts its use of carbon fiber throughout for lightweight efficiency, as well as an interior that will be made from recycled materials. However, it’s on the performance front where the Ararkis Sandstrom truly makes bold claims. With a single-speed transmission and a dual-motor drivetrain, Ararkis is setting its sights on the Sandstrom having a 0-60 time of 1.5 seconds, which if confirmed would make it one of the most revolutionary performance vehicles yet. This unfathomable level of performance won’t be easy to get your hands on. Ararkis Automobili says that the Sandstorm will be incredibly exclusive, limited to just 20 units. With each anticipated to deliver stunning design and revolutionary performance, the Ararkis Sandstorm is set to be a sensation in the hypercar world. View All Exotic Cars For Sale Image Source: Ararkis Automobili

By Gabriel Vega – March 07, 2024

2025 McLaren Trophy America Brings Pro-Am Racing To The U.S.

In 2023, McLaren Motorsport hosted its inaugural Trophy Europe season, a championship featuring 17 cars and 33 drivers competing in 10 races throughout the old continent. The British carmaker has announced its plans to expand to the U.S., with the McLaren Trophy America Championship set to take place next year. This announcement comes as the brand's motorsport division gears up to host its second season, which will kick off on May 17th in Italy's Misano World Circuit. Photographer: Adam Pigott Like its European counterpart, McLaren Trophy America is a Pro-Am series in which an amateur driver is paired with a pro racer. However, the carmaker has emphasized focusing on the former and developing their skills on the track. The Trophy championship's overall goal is to be accessible to drivers of various skill levels while offering direct support for easy servicing the cars scheduled to compete. The first of the two cars eligible to compete is the McLaren Artura Trophy. Based on the Artura GT4, the Trophy benefits from higher downforce elements like a larger rear wing, allowing it to achieve lap times similar to those of a GT3 car. It also carries major components from the road car, like its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 minus its hybrid system. This results in a 577 horsepower output. Given its GT4 origins, the Trophy is built to be easily converted to meet GT4 specifications should owners want to compete in both series. Photographer: Dan Bathie The second car eligible to race is the 570S Trophy, which, like its successor, is developed around the GT4 race car, just with a higher downforce package. However, it produces 533 horsepower from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 sourced from its road-going counterpart. McLaren Customer Racing will support it and the Artura Trophy with replacement parts and available technical help at each round. The inaugural McLaren America Trophy comprises ten races spread over five weekends. Each round will consist of two 50-minute races, one run on Saturday and the other on Sunday, including mandatory pit stops for diver changes. As of writing, McLaren has yet to unveil its racing calendar or where the races will occur. Photographer: Dan Bathie The format for each racing weekend is as follows. Friday consists of two 60-minute free practice sessions. Saturday consists of a 15-minute qualifying session followed by the first 50-minute race. Sunday mirrors the day prior and hosts the second race. Alongside the factory parts and technical support, McLaren plans to offer a race center at each round where drivers can host guests or take breaks between events over the race weekend. Expect the British carmaker to unveil further details about its upcoming championship later this year.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 07, 2024

AC Cars Celebrates 123 Years By Announcing The New Cobra ...

Reviving a legend is a perfect way to celebrate history. The AC Cobra is one of the most iconic and recognizable sports cars in the automotive world, ringing a bell with its unmistakable silhouette even for those who aren’t car enthusiasts and might not even know what it is. As a manufacturer, AC is celebrating its 123rd anniversary this year, having been founded on March 8, 1901 by the Weller brothers in West Norwood, London. To celebrate, AC Cars has announced that it has begun production of the new AC Cobra GT Roadster at its Donington Park headquarters, reviving the legend of the Cobra. However, that isn’t the only good news. To celebrate the milestone anniversary, AC Cars is also announcing a new model: the AC Cobra GT Coupe. The first year of production for the Cobra GT Roadster has been allocated, and the headquarters has expanded to include bespoke studios and tailor-made assembly areas. In addition, a test-drive facility provides the perfect place for clients who have placed orders to experience the 5.0-liter V8-powered sports car. The Coupe model is now available for reservation, and will be fully revealed soon, with the same high performance, classic-inspired look, and exquisite details as the roadster, but with a fixed roof. With the new coupe version of the AC Cobra GT announced, AC is starting to realize its plans to reveal new future models, and more are coming soon, celebrating 123 years of rich history, and ambitions of a bright future. View All AC Cobras For Sale Image Source: AC Cars

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 01, 2024

Mitsuoka Orochi: The Story Of The World's Strangest Supercar

This supercar is one of the most intriguing creations in the automotive world. When you think of a Japanese supercar, vehicles like the Lexus LFA or Honda/Acura NSX might come to mind. However, another manufacturer threw its hat into the Japanese supercar ring in the 2000s, and whether or not it was successful in doing so depends on who you ask. That manufacturer was Mitsuoka, and the car was the Orochi. Your first question might be: what is Mitsuoka? Starting in the 1980s, Mitsuoka is a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in coachbuilding, specifically taking everyday Japanese models, and restyling them to give them a retro-inspired look. Models like the Viewt, Himiko, and Buddy, all feature classic-inspired details like round headlights and chrome trim, despite being based on contemporary models like the Mazda MX5 and Toyota RAV4. Recently, Mitsuoka has been making headlines by announcing that it would be putting a new model, the M55, into production, which was first introduced last year as a concept based on the Honda Civic restyled as an homage to muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger. However, being a supercar of its own, the Orochi is one of the most important, and intriguing moments in Mitsuoka’s history. It was in 2001 at the Tokyo Motor Show that the Orochi debuted as a concept, with styling that can only be described as intriguing and avant-garde, and a low-slung, mid-engined supercar silhouette. It drummed enough attention that Mitsuoka decided to produce it, which would take five years as the Orochi made it to production in 2006 as a limited-edition supercar. Despite its flashy looks and mid-mounted engine, it’s tough to consider the Orochi a supercar, as it’s powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine from Toyota, which sends power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission. Production was slated to last four years, with a total of 400 units made. A convertible version was shown, which never made it to production. Several special editions of the Orochi were made, which made production last much longer than Mitsuoka originally intended. These include the Orochi Kabuto, Orochi Zero, Orochi Gold Premium, and the Orochi Final Edition, which was succeeded by two anime-inspired one-off cars. The Orochi Seven Eleven Evangelion Edition, which is inspired by the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime, was revealed in 2014, and the Orochi Devilman, inspired by Devilman Crybaby was revealed in 2018. With polarizing looks and a strange approach to design and engineering, the Mitsuoka Orochi is one of the most interesting supercars in recent automotive history. With cars in its lineup like the M55, however, it fits perfectly into Mitsuoka’s history of imaginative automotive designs, and perhaps once it falls under the 25-Year rule come the early 2030s, we may see some of these rare and polarizing machines on the road Stateside. View All Exotic & Luxury Cars For Sale Image Source: Mitsuoka

By Gabriel Vega – February 29, 2024

Rolls-Royce Unveils "Arcadia" The Third Droptail Commission

Last year, during Monterey Car Week, Rolls-Royce unveiled La Rose Noire, an open-top two-door built as part of the brand's Droptail collection. Four examples will be built, each adhering to a different theme set by the commissioning client. Not long after, the British carmaker announced the second Droptail known as Amethyst, whose exterior color draws inspiration from a Globe Amaranth flower. Today, the third piece of this collection arrives in the form of the Arcadia Droptail. Of the three Droptails presented thus far, Arcadia is the one most closely aligned with the brand's overall ethos, as its defining theme is tranquility. Its name stems from ancient Greek mythology, representing "Heaven on Earth." According to Rolls-Royce, these themes tie to the commissioning client's desire for a car that separates its occupants from the busy outside world. "The significance of Rolls-Royce Arcadia Droptail lies in its subtlety. It is a projection of an individual who values clarity and precision in all areas of their life – from their passion for fine cuisine, their highly curated personal and professional spaces, and affinity with contemporary design." -Alex Innes, Head of Coachbuild Design at Rolls-Royce To achieve the Arcadia Droptail's exterior finish, Rolls-Royce painted the body white and infused it with aluminum and glass particles to create a shimmering effect under natural light. In contrast to the previously introduced iterations of this collection, the Arcadia's carbon fiber sections feature a newly developed shade of silver to create a lifting effect, making the car appear taller overall. Inside, the Arcadia Droptail counts on a two-tone leather interior, whose shades were designed for its owner and are thus named after them. While Rolls-Royce hasn't made these names public, the carmaker did state that these new colors will only be available for use in future cars commissioned by the same owner. As with previous Droptails, intricate woodwork remains a central theme to this car's interior and exterior. The carmaker states these elements took over 8,000 hours and required the development of new substructures to support them. Nestled within the Santos Straight Grain veneer is a clock developed in-house by Rolls-Royce. Whereas La Rose Noire featured an Audemars Piguet watch embedded into its dashboard and Amethyst a watch from Vacheron Constantin, the Arcadia's is the only one to come directly from the carmaker. It features a guilloché pattern in raw metal with 119 facets, a nod to the carmaker's 119th anniversary. While the cost of each Droptail varies greatly, the estimated range is between 25 to 30 million. As such, this series is not only limited to four units but is reserved for the brand's most important customers. Rolls-Royce plans to deliver its latest creation to its new owner at an event in Singapore.

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