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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 Andrew Nabors – April 17, 2020

Gulfstream Goes Full Throttle to Fight the Virus

Flying commercial is not a wise move until the infection rate drops. Private flying is a much safer option for those with the means to do so, and is it is much more comfortable. One of the ways Gulfstream sets itself apart from most other aircraft is that they have much more precise cabin pressurization. Your ears don't pop and you can taste food like you are at ground level. Using their expertise in climate control and manufacturing, Gulfstream has gone full throttle to fight the virus. Using their expertise in cabin pressurization, they have mobilized several teams to build mask adapters. These will be used to convert CPAP machines and respirators into much-needed ventilators. Also, their 3D printers are running around the clock to supply tension-release bands for surgical masks. Click the button below to find out why Gulfstream soars above their competitors and stay with us for a thorough review of the new G700. Learn More

By Alyssa Mammano – December 13, 2019

Pantone® Announces the Color of the Year for 2020

Classic Blue. Each year, Pantone® announces its designated Color of the Year for which luxury design elements to take inspiration from and this year, they have selected hue 19-4052 Classic Blue. According to the announcement, the color instills calm, confidence and connection. Classic Blue is described as elegant and simplistic, enduring the test of time and establishing a dependable and stable foundation upon which we will build in the new year. The dark blue hue is reminiscent of the night sky and is imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, says Pantone®. The color evokes calm and peacefulness, allowing for a clear mind that is laser-focused. "Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking," says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone® Color Institute. In years past, Living Coral was the 2019 Pantone® Color of the Year and before that, it was Ultra Violet in 2018. Promote Your Listing to qualified Buyers Photo credit: Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty

By Andrew Nabors – November 01, 2019

Tiffany & Co. Unveils Unique Indian Scout for Christmas

Very Very Extraordinary is how they describe their 2019 Holliday Collection. That is why Tiffany & Co. have unveiled a unique Indian Scout for Christmas. This bike is 1 of 1, and it is the result of Tiffany & Co. working with Barnstorm Cycles to offer something unique. Many of the parts were built by hand, as seen in this Facebook upload below. For a quick refresher, the Scout has a 69" V-twin offering 100 horsepower. This water-cooled rocket is bolted to a 6-speed transmission. It makes 72 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm and it is lighter than most other midsize V-twins. Here are the dimensions: Fuel capacity: 3.3 gal. (12.5 l) Overall height: 47.5" (120 cm) Overall length: 91" (231 cm) Weight (empty tank): 533 lbs. (242 kg) Weight (full tank): 550 lbs. (249 kg) Tiffany & Co. Holiday Gift Guide Like I mentioned above, only 1 will ever be constructed. The price is $35,000 and it can be yours by clicking the button above. Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for all of your luxury Holiday gifts.

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2019

Quebec Officially Outlaws "Hellaflush" & Stanced Suspension

We've had an issue with Quebec ever since the French captured a young George Washington at Fort Necessity. But times have changed since 1754, and our friends to the north have made the first steps to correct one of society's problems. The entire automotive world is cheering, because Quebec has officially outlawed "Hellaflush" and "Stanced" suspension. If you have never seen a 90's import car with stretched tires and 20 degrees of negative camber, you are truly missing out. Their owners are among the most educated and intellectual among us. They are united by the hashtag #stancenation, and you can find outstanding examples at payday loan locations, economically depressed neighborhoods, and police impound lots. Our friends at C12productions document all aspects of automotive life, so here are a few shots from Import Faceoff 2019. The issue is not in trying to communicate with the owner. It is that Hellaflush cars are incredibly unstable and dangerous. Because their axles explode on a regular basis, Canadian insurance companies will no longer cover damage claims. This new law says that your camber must be within the manufacturer's limits, or you will be prosecuted. We propose that Canadian drivers be ticketed for going 10 mph slower than the speed limit as a reciprocal measure of good faith. If you wonder why many Canadians drive slow, their speedometers are in Kilometers per hour. Going 62 mph is 100 kph, which is not acceptable in a 70 mph nation. Much like mini trucks, the Hellaflush scene will fade away as their owners face the realities that accompany such decisions. Tell us if this is an invasion of Canadian individual freedom, or is it a positive sign of culling these abominations from the road. To find a great deal on an unmolested exotic car, click the link below. Stay with us for all your automotive news. Shop Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Illegally Imported Lamborghini Gets Destroyed Phillipine President Crushes $5.5 Million in Exotic Cars

By Alyssa Mammano – July 11, 2018

Derek Jeter Lists Waterfront Castle for $14.75 Million

Former Yankees shortstop and famed baseball legend Derek Jeter has just listed his waterfront castle on the New York/New Jersey border for $14,750,000. The property is indeed magical, as the listing states, with a total of five kitchens, six bedrooms and a dozen bathrooms. Commanding nearly 700 feet of waterfront shoreline and encompassing a total of 12,590 square feet of living space, Tiedemann Castle, as it's lovingly known, holds a special place in Jeter's family history. His grandfather grew up on the estate when the Tiedmanns adopted him during the 1950s and Derek Jeter purchased the property from them in 2003. The following year in 2004, Jeter bought a second parcel from the Tiedmanns, bringing the total acreage of the property to just over four acres. Over the past 15 years of ownership, Jeter has thoughtfully restored the estate beyond its original grandeur to highlight custom wood detailing, ornate ceilings and modernized cabinetry in keeping with the traditional style of the historic 103-year-old home. The estate even features a replica Statue of Liberty. A six-foot stone wall encircles the compound, which has three total structures: the main house, guest house and pool house. Extensive, lush greenery has been meticulously maintained to frame the breathtaking lake views. The grounds also include a lagoon, boat house and infinity pool to complement the wood-burning fireplace in the outdoor kitchen. View The Worlds Coolest Cars For Sale Indoors, there's a game room, elevator and a widow's walk that overlooks the glistening lake. Entertain in the great room with tall ceilings and skylights, or gather in one of the four enormous indoor chef's kitchens with top-of-the-line appliances and high design elements. Or, as the listing says, "Retreat to one of the quiet den spaces when you want to get away from it all." View More New York Mansions

By Edward Jones – May 24, 2017

Pagani Designs a New and Luxurious Private Jet

We all know that Pagani Automobili can make some incredible supercars. Take the Huayra, for example. The Huayra is a rolling piece of artwork that will be the highlight of auto shows for years to come. From its lavish interior to its beautiful designed exterior, the Huayra is just stunning. So, now that Pagani has had their hand at cars, they've decided to take their capabilities to the skies.In cooperation with Airbus Corporate Jets, Pagani has announced a cabin design for the ACJ319neo and have called it Infinito.(Also Check Out - Pagani Huayra BC Delivered in Miami, Florida)“Art and Science can walk together hand in hand: this is the Pagani philosophy. The combination of state-of-the-art composite materials never used before in an aircraft, such as CarboTitanium, with the typical design language of Pagani Automobili, has always represented our signature. Applying our Reinassance touch into the wider spaces of Airbus corporate jet cabins is the beginning of an exciting new venture for us,” says Horacio Pagani, founder & Chief Designer of Pagani Automobili SpA in a press release from Airbus.Within the cabin is luxury that you'd find in a Pagani hypercar. This includes the leather carpets, wooden flooring, carbon fiber furniture, gorgeous sculpted metal and more. Essentially, flying in Infinito will be as luxurious, probably more so, than sitting passenger in a Huayra.(Read About - Jay Leno's 2017 Ford GT Has Been Delivered)https://www.facebook.com/PaganiAutomobili/videos/1771435342883597/

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 06, 2016

BMW Presents 'Sporty Elegance' 2016 Lifestyle Collection

BMW is known for classic elegance, innovation and sporty cars. To compliment the quality and popularity of their vehicles, BMW has added 2540 items to their clothing and accessory collection for 2016. Celebrating their 100th year, the 2016 Lifestyle Collection features an array of wearables including jackets, watches, sunglasses and more. Also included is a selection of luggage.Drive and i-series or an M-series? Choose from the specially crafted M and i Collections. the BMW Iconic collection includes leather accessories and wrist watches, among other items, all of which are hand-crafted and made of high-quality materials. BMW even sets the kids up with specialty children's items. You can check out the full collection here.BMWs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2016

Porsche's New $6,500 Office Chair RS

Racing inspired office chairs have been around for a few years, but it has always lacked the quality and comfort of production seats. Someone in Stuttgart must have heard our request, because Porsche Design just released the Office Chair RS. In a YouTube video uploaded yesterday, the incredible features are detailed. The armrests have 3 axis of adjustment, and a built-in battery powers the reclining backrest. its hook for your jacket is worth its weight in gold, and the family's coat of arms is embossed into the headrest. Not included is a security system to keep your coworkers from a test ride.It currently comes with a $6,570 price tag. Contact your local Porsche dealer to order or visit shop1.porsche.com, and stay tuned to Autofluence for more 911 accessories.

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