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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

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By Andrew Nabors – October 09, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Live at 2019 Orange County Auto Show

It was lucky number seven this year in Anaheim. You might find it hard to believe, but we have been a contributing partner to the Orange County Auto Show for 7 years. Since we decided to showcase a sample of our dealer's inventory, hang on dor duPont REGISTRY Live at the 2019 Orange County Auto Show. First in was this year's Pike's Peak Winning Porsche. Built by BBi in coordination with Hoonigan, it began life as a GT3 Cup car before being treated to twin turbos. It reached the summit in 9.23.721, the fastest Porsche to ever do so. Betim Berisha (Founder of BBi Autosport) brought it along with a street-legal Porsche 911 GT2 RS (VMax). It was clocked at 226 mph. It uses massive turbos and 23 lbs of boost along with straight pipe exhaust. iLusso is located in Costa Mesa, and their inventory will blow your mind. First in was BRABUS G63 850 Widestar. Browse iLusso Inventory Then arrived a new Lamborghini Huracan in factory matte paint. A new Backdraft racing roadster was powered by a Roush 427, and its side pipes were a symphony. Lexani Motorcars has the ability to build whatever you desire, and their SkyMaster VIP is the best way to travel. It has seating for 9 along with a soundproofed boardroom and secure internet connections. The stars of the booth where a pair of Pagani Huayra from iLusso. The Pearl White model has a red interior, and the black metallic car sports the Tempesta package. Finally, our friends at Vanderhall arrived in a new Venice Roadster. Two Lamborghinis are better than one, so VF Engineering arrived in a supercharged Huracan Performante. Thank you to the City of Anaheim and your helpful Police for allowing us safe passage and coordination of this year's event. Come see us in Nashville for the Music City Motor Show November 18th to the 20th! https://www.facebook.com/andrew.nabors.73/videos/10109801523565052/

By Andrew Nabors – October 09, 2019

2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Unveiled

Something mean has been tearing through the Ozarks. Residents near the Chevy plant in Wentzville, Missouri have been told to stay on the road. That's because the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 has been unveiled. This new model arrives riding high and wide. A 2" lift and 3.5" wider track width are your first cues. This demands a durable chassis, so the control arms are now cast iron. Multimatic provides the only DSSV position-sensitive shocks, exclusively for the Colorado. C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review Skid plates and rock sliders will protect the body, and both locking differentials will keep you moving. Chevy has sold over 520,000 examples in 5 years, and many upgrades are backward compatible for current owners. Browse All Chevrolet Colorado For Sale Tell us what you think of the ZR2 in the comments below and stay with us for all your Chevy updates. Related" 2020 Silverado by Tuscany Raises the Bar

By Alyssa Mammano – October 09, 2019

Bentley Motors Achieves Carbon Neutral Certification

Bentley Motors has become the first luxury automotive factory in the United Kingdom to achieve a PAS 2060 Carbon Neutral certification by the Carbon Trust, meaning all of the electricity used to power the Crewe, England factory headquarters is sourced from on-site solar panels and green electricity. Bentley is working diligently toward becoming the world's most sustainable luxury automotive manufacturer. Steps have been taken to reduce the carbon emitted by its factory, utilizing renewable electricity and offsetting any emissions that cannot be eliminated with Gold Standard carbon credits. The company installed 10,000 solar panels earlier this year in addition to its 20,815 panels that were already fitted. The total output is enough to power more than 1,750 homes. The world's leading independent certification unit for carbon footprints, Carbon Trust, certified Bentley Motors as reaching the ISO 14001 environmental management standard in 1999, and then the PAS 2060 certification standard this year. see all Bentleys for sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 07, 2019

2020 C8 Corvette Z51: No Words, Just the Engine Sound

Now that it's been some time since the new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was unveiled, we're learning more and more about the mid-engine 'Vette. Most importantly, we're starting to see the car in action and hear it. Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire recently took the C8 Corvette out for a spin at the Thunderhill Raceway Park. His outing was done for the sake of Road & Track's "Performance Car of the Year." Because he will be giving a full review later on in November 2019, all he could provide us with was the sound of the car. I'll take it. Check it out in action by click play up above. see all corvettes for sale Related Video: " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 07, 2019

BRABUS: Behind the Scenes

Only a handful of aftermarket tuning shops will consider modifying a Mercedes-Benz. Of those few, no advertiser has graced the pages and digital properties of the duPont REGISTRY longer than Brabus which has been nearly 20 years. Our late friend Bodo Buschman founded BRABUS in 1977 as a small garage in Bottrop, Germany. The Ruhr Valley is home to the nation's industrial heartland, and the residents have a need for speed. After unlocking more power from his own Mercedes-Benz, Bodo realized that no other shop was up to his standards. While AMG was focused on racing, BRABUS offered improved styling, leather, and luxurious amenities not offered by the factory. He and his team were not afraid to venture into unknown territory. Bodo saw an opportunity in the duPont REGISTRY, and never looked back. Although he passed away suddenly in 2018, his son Constantin remains one of our biggest fans. Starting at the bottom, he was taught the fundamentals by watching and helping the master technicians. His father taught him to never disregard a new or untapped opportunity, and that is evident in their rapid growth of BRABUS Marine. They had been asking us to visit for quite a while, so the details were handled by Sven Gramm, Director of Marketing and Communications. His counterpart in the U.S. is Peter Moeller, of German Tuning Corporation. As the U.S. division of BRABUS, they handle all BRABUS and STARTECH imports to North America. STARTECH is a BRABUS company devoted to adding the same level of refinement to Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar/Land Rover, & Maserati. It was decided our trip would start at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Not just to see their display, we were given VIP access to see each car up close. After a week at the World's Largest Auto Show, we were invited to visit their headquarters. Arriving in Bottrop, we quickly realized their facility is a model of efficiency. The campus is comprised of five massive buildings, each with a specialized purpose. Quality over quantity is evident when you walk in the door. We were greeted by Sven, and taken aback by the amazing cars in the showroom. Management offices surround a Brabus 900 S65, Maybach, and a Landaulet. Our first stop was the Coffee Bar, we wanted to get pumped up for what we were about to witness. Newborn Mercedes-Benz models are given white-glove inspections before work begins. A few apprentices are allowed to sort parts and keep the facility clean, but the only hands allowed to touch the cars are those of master coachbuilders. There is nothing proprietary in hiring the best workers available. The engine shop is a quiet place. Watching the delicate assembly of pistons, rods and bearings demand respect from visitors and coworkers alike. From there, these masterpiece motors are bolted to a dyno for break-in. Once every cylinder and turbo have been checked, the engine meets its forever home. While the engine is being installed, the brilliant upholstery takes form. The finest leather in the world is sewn on state of the art machines. A careful eye makes every stitch true to size. This is offered on every interior surface, from floor mats to the roof. Sure it is time-intensive, but you can't rush perfection. Before each car is allowed outside, it is strapped to a 4-wheel dyno for some exercise. The cars are brought up to cruising speeds with varying amounts of load to monitor the CO2 output. After fine-tuning, each BRABUS build beats the world's toughest emissions standards. Building brutal power doesn't have to harm the environment, but that is all we can say for now. It was time for lunch, and we needed a ride. Instead of a taxi, we were chauffeured in a new BRABUS 800. Based on the Mercedes-AMG E63 S, it sends 800 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Our driver was well acquainted with his town, so it was a ride we'll not forget! After lunch, we were able to see the assembly of a BRABUS G V12 900. Only 10 examples will be built, with each one receiving a twin-turbo 6.3L V12. If 1,106 lb-ft of torque doesn't excite you, seek help. Was it the most powerful build in progress, no, and that is what continues to make us wonder how much power can be contained in a street-legal SUV. One building is not like the others. BRABUS has been responsible for much of the engineering of the SmartCar. Not only do they continually build them to be faster and safer, but their engine upgrades also make these little rides very affordable to own. Another building handles innovation and design. Because BRABUS never turns down a challenge, their team is constantly at work solving problems for the world's largest automakers. Engineers and stylists at the big manufacturers get tunnel vision by their corporate overlords. That is where BRABUS steps in with a fresh set of eyes. Very exciting stuff is coming from this crew, and we wish we could tell you more. Because each BRABUS build requires small batches of highly specialized parts, the same methodology can be applied to restoring classic cars. Brabus Classic was started as a side project, and now they received neglected Mercedes & AMG models from around the world. With the ability to make exact replicas of original parts, the end result is often better than showroom condition. In order for your car to be restored, BRABUS Classic subjects it to extensive evaluations. Only historically significant, numbers-matching cars are chosen. From there, the car is completely disassembled with its parts being cataloged. The body is chemically stripped before all rust is cut out, then dipped in a bath of cathodic primer. This ensures it will never rust again. Each nut and bolt is refinished or replaced with a new-old-stock part from Mercedes. If the part no longer exists, BRABUS Classic classic makes an exact replica. The engine and transmission are rebuilt to factory condition and dropped into a fully restored chassis. A BRABUS Classic Six-Star restoration is the German equivalent of Ferrari Classiche or the Lamborghini Polo Storico. We could have spent weeks going over these amazing restorations. We would not be able to show you such amazing builds without the support of our clients. Our hats are off to the Buschman family and every employee who made our trip so enjoyable. If you want a German car with unmatched power and refinement, BRABUS is the only answer. We honestly wish we could tell you what they have in the works, so that's why you will see it first here on duPont REGISTRY Daily. View All Brabus Mercedes Benz For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2019

New BMW X6 M and X5 M Competition Models Detailed in Pict...

The new BMW X6 M Competition and X5 M Competition models have been revealed with an enormous amount of power-- 625 horsepower, to be exact. BMW has made learning about these the enhancements in these models incredibly simple with a few images that lay it all out. From the "M-specific hexagonal quilting" to the "21-inch M light-alloy wheels," it can all be found in the images down below. BMW M5 M Competition see all bmw x5's for sale BMW M6 M Competition see all bmw x6's for sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 30, 2019

Bonhams Sells 25 Supercars for $27 Million in Geneva

It must be nice if your father is the President. It is really nice if he is in office for 4 decades and names you as his successor. Such is the case in the paradise known as Equatorial Guinea. Vice President Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue has expensive tastes, but the party is over. After a money-laundering investigation by the Swiss Government, Bonhams sold 25 of his supercars for $27,000,000 in Geneva. We would never expect corruption from a family that has been in power for 40 years. Staying in power by eating the flesh of your enemies is their claim to fame, even though half the nation has no water. We knew he was busted for some time, but an auction of this magnitude takes logistics and lawyers, if you also need the help of a lawyer go this website here to find the most reliable law firm. His estate also included a Gulfstream 5 Jet and a modest home in Malibu. Bonham's website only lists the 25 most significant cars, so the Associated Press listed the other details, and it was picked up by Gazette.com. 1998 Ferrari 550 1996 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster 1998 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (Armored) 2007 Bentley Azure 2015 Ferrari F12tdf 2014 McLaren P1 2001 Bentley Arnage 2001 Ferrari 550 Barchetta 2011 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 670-4 SV Coupe 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder 2016 Brabus 900 Maybach S650 2011 Aston-martin One-77 2003 Ferrari Enzo 2010 Bugatti Veyron 2014 Lamborghini Veneno Roadster 2015 Koenigsegg One:1 2015 LaFerrari Browse Exotic Cars For Sale You don't need to be a corrupt dictator to have a nice car, so click the button above to browse our dealers' latest deliveries. Tell us which one you would bid on in the comments below, and stay with us for more coverage of this story. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2019

SpaceX and Elon Musk Finally Unveil Starship Prototype

We here at duPont REGISTRY have been involved in the business of luxury travel since 1985. In the future or even the near future, humans will be taking part in a new way of travel that our species has never truly experienced on a large scale: space travel. Yes, a few have launched into the sky and into the unknown, with their furthest reach being the moon. What I'm talking about is travel in space that is both accessible and further reaching. SpaceX has just unveiled the Starship prototype, a vehicle that Elon Musk hopes will take humans to Mars. We've been to the moon, so naturally, our next step is the red planet. The unveiling of this next-generation spaceship happened at Boca Chica Village, Texas, where Elon Musk gave a presentation on the Starship. Behind him stood the 164-foot tall chrome space ship that looks like it came straight out of a 1950's sci-fi movie. Musk notes that they will be putting the Starship through an unmanned test flight in one to two months. He then goes on to say that it will be ready for a takeoff in six months. Further down the line, he wants the Starship to take colonists to Mars. This is actually happening. see all tesla cars for sale https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1178120753226686465

By Andrew Nabors – September 26, 2019

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 vs 740 HP BMW F10 M5

This one is bound to ruffle some feathers. Allow me to preface this video by saying that Lamborghini and BMW both build amazing machines. I would own both, but I couldn't pass up a great offer on a CTS-V. That being said, what do you think happens when a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 meets a 740 horsepower BMW F10 M5? Browse BMW M5 For Sale In the foreground is a Raging Bull sending over 600 horsepower to all wheels. The Bavarian opponent has a twin-turbo V8 that has a few upgrades. The film was uploaded by cvdzijden - Supercar Videos from the recent SCC500 Rolling50 1000. Lamborghini Murcielago Specs, Price, Photos & Review Roll racing is folks who can't drive, but it clearly shows if a car is geared for acceleration or top speed. Tell us which car you would own in the comments below, and stay with us for more high-speed competitions. " width="680"> Related: BMW M5 Edition 35 Years Unveiled

By Andrew Nabors – September 25, 2019

Aston Martin DBX Arrives in December

Watching the evolution of luxury SUVs is like high-stakes poker. The players are well known, but uncovering your opponent's strategy can make or break your profitability. Thankfully, Aston Martin has an Ace up their sleeve, in the form of the Mercedes-AMG V8. In a press release this morning we learned that the Aston Martin DBX will arrive in December with unprecedented performance. Browse Aston Martin For Sale Relentless testing at the 'Ring has allowed it to perform consistent laps under 8 minutes. This is possible because the DBX has endured more real-world testing than any Aston Martin. Once the suspension was sorted out, they realized it could handle more power. Turning up the boost, it will arrive with 550 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Not only does this make it their most powerful V8 in the lineup, but it will also raise the bar for others to follow. Click the button above to find a dealer near you, and stay with us for all your Aston Martin news. " width="680"> Related: Aston Martin Builds 1st Cars From New Plant

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