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 27, 2020

Top Investment-Grade Cars for Q1 2020

Although infections seem to be stabilized, the residual impact on the markets might take a while. Now that the Fed has cut the Funds Rate to 0%, commodities like gold, silver and copper are skyrocketing. We too deal in coveted materieals, in the form of amazing automobiles. Over the past 35 years, we have been the authority on what to buy and what to avoid. The most important factors are production volume, mileage, and the impact each one made upon the automotive world. Each one of these would add stability and liquidity to your portfolio, so here are a few potential centerpieces for your collection. Prices rise and fall for lesser cars, so our financial partners are here to help you: 1995 Porsche Carrera GT GT Silver Over Dark Gray 4,952 Miles Over 29mm (1.1") Remaining On Original Clutch All Records, Both Keys, Duffel Bag, etc View Price & Details 2017 Ford GT One Owner: Brad Keselowski 18 Miles #2 Heritage Edition Livery Full Clear Bra & All Options View Price & Details 1993 Jaguar XJ220 550 Horsepower 474 Lb-ft Of Torque 3,055 Miles-In New Condition View Price & Details 2017 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta Carbon Fiber Top Built In K40 Radar Jammer All Carbon Fiber Options View Price & Details 1995 Ferrari F50 3,365 Miles #2 of 349 Classiche Certified View Price & Details 2003 Ferrari Enzo 5,339 Miles Giallo Modena DS 4305 (Yellow) Exterior Black Interior View Price & Details 2014 Ferrari Sergio 1 of 6 Built To Celebrate 60 Years Of Collaboration Between Ferrari & Pininfarina Only Example Finished in Azzuro Lolo Paint 1,175 Miles View Price & Details 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta Built To Honor 80th Anniversary Of Pininfarina (SA stands for Sergio and Andrea) 1 of 80 844 Miles View Price & Details 1990 Ferrrari F40 7,338 Miles All Tools, Books & Keys Included View Price & Details 2019 McLaren Senna MSO Tarmac Exterior Push To Drink System Purple Carbon Fiber Interior View Price & Details 2017 Ferrari F12tdf Ferrari Atelier Build Certified Pre-Owned 125 Miles With Every Option View Price & Details 1976 Lamborghini Countach Periscope LP400 In Factory Condition Chassis no.1120154 is #77 of 160 Blue & White Leather Interior View Price & Details 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 1 of 63 Produced For The World Fastest Production Car On The 'Ring 105 Miles View Price & Details 2001 Lamborghini Diablo One Of The Last Diablo VT Built Viscous Traction All Wheel Drive 6-Speed Manual With White Interior View Price & Details 2010 Alfa Romeo TZ3 Zagato 525 Miles Built By Zagato To Celebrate Centenary Of Alfa Romeo Commissioned by German collector Martin Kapp as a “One Off” View Price & Details 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista Spider 1,511 Miles Ordered With Every Single Option In Factory Condition View Price & Details 2008 Lamborghini Murcielago Versace Roadster View Price & Details 2,259 Miles 1 of 2 Versace Roadsters Built Signed By Versace If you need financial assistance, don't hesitate to contact our trusted financial partners: Woodside Credit Premier Financial Luxury Lease Partners Tell us which one will appreciate the most in the next 5 years and stay with us for all your collector car news!

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 Andrew Nabors – September 17, 2019

Mecum Auctions Louisville Preview

Calling all hot rods, muscle cars, and exotics in the Ohio River Valley! Mecum Auctions is en route to the Kentucky Exposition Center this weekend. That is why we are glad to have a sneek peek to the primetime lots. This year's Mecum Auction Louisville preview is loaded with everything a collector could ask for. Over 600 cars are up for grabs, with several Canadian consignments coming south before the winter. Browse MecuM Louisville Lineup When he wasn't advocating for a mid-engine Corvette, Zora Duntov built a radical 302 engine to power the Camaro in the Trans-Am series. Their limit of 5.0 liters didn't stop him from building a 9,000 rpm screamer and pushing it into production. That is why a numbers-matching 1969 Camaro Z/28 will start a bidding frenzy. The engine was advertised at 290 horsepower to keep the SS buyers happy, but a "DZ 302" makes much more above 6,000 rpm. Only 5% of the 1969 Z/28 models were ordered in black, so this car will fetch a pretty penny. Collector Emerson Russell is offering a dozen rides from his garage. They include a 1932 Ford 5-Window Hot Rod to an '84 Corvette. Also along for the ride will be a 1958 Eldorado Biarritz convertible, 1973 DeTomaso Pantera, 1941 Mercury convertible, and a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429. Admission is only $20 now or $30 at the gate. If you can't make it, the event will also be simulcast on NBC Sports and YouTube. You will be missing out, as their Monterey Auction kept us on the edge of our seats. Tell us which one of these will bring the most money, and stay with us for all your Mecum updates. " width="680"> Related: Mecum Monterey Recap: Almost $40 Million! Mecum Auctions Unveils Bullitt Hero Car at Monterey

By Steve Chapman Jr – August 23, 2019

Top Exotic, Luxury & Classic Cars For Sale By Owner Of Th...

duPont REGISTRY’s Premium Private Sellers Program is dedicated to exotic, luxury and classic cars that are for sale by owner. For 35 years, duPont REGISTRY has been the #1 marketplace when it comes to listing, marketing and selling the world’s most sought-after automobiles. We specialize in makes like Ferrari, Porsche, McLaren, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, and many others. view listing View Listing VIEW LISTING View Listing view listing view listing view listing view listing VIEW LISTING View Listing Stay Up To Date On the Latest FSBO Listings, by Following us on Instagram. FOLLOW

By Andrew Nabors – May 08, 2019

Five Ferrari 458 Challenge Cars For Sale

Do you have four friends that enjoy racing? If so, Ferrari Maserati of Fort Lauderdale has five examples of the Ferrari 458 Challenge for sale. The Ferrari Challenge began in 1993 as a way for customers & dealers to participate in events around the world. Full factory support has led to advancements on the track and the street, and owning a Race-Ready Ferrari is not as imposing as you think. As with each new generation, the 488 Challenge cars are arriving with 670 horsepower from their twin-turbo 3.9L V8. Their isn't anything wrong with wanting the newest car. But the 458 Challenge was the end of an era. A naturally aspirated V8 with 570 horsepower forces you to shift gears at the exact right time. The race-tuned engine shoots flames with each shift, and can easily spend all day above 8,000 rpm.You could spend top-dollar on a new race car, but a 458 Challenge car has become the standard to which others are judged. A Large Oil Cooler & Carbon Fiber Intake Are Standard Equipment Ferrari Maserati of Fort Lauderdale has a sister store up north, Ferrari of Long Island. They are authorized sales & service facilities for all Challenge Cars, and the home base for many customer teams. That means you wont have to worry about buying an abused machine. Every detail is recorded. Engine hours, oxygen sensor readings, spark plug life, and even tire wear. 458 Challenge & 458 Speciale Leaving Our Headquarters Aside from the cars that have not seen a track, each car also has its own racing pedigree. A story of competition, trials and tribulations, and living to race another day. It is your turn to write the next chapter, so take a look at these listings below: 2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge View Listing 2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge View Listing 2013 Ferrari 458 Challenge View Listing 2013 Ferrari 458 Challenge View Listing 2011 Ferrari 458 Challenge View Listing And if you are curious as to the car's abilities, here is the car being introduced in Valencia. Dust off your helmet and make sure your fire suit still fits, because you are in for the ride of a lifetime! Sell My Ferrari 458: Get a Cash Offer " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 22, 2018

Chevrolet Auctions Two Corvettes For Over $2 Million

If you have never seen the primetime action at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, it is a bidding frenzy of epic proportions. Chevrolet brought 2 very significant Corvettes to help Veterans charities. First up was the Carbon 65, which is a snazzy anniversary model based on the Z06. In order to raise awareness for his Military Service Initiative, President Bush signed the car and dropped the hammer. The press release says the winning bid was $1.4 Million by our friend John Staluppi, the owner of Atlantic Auto Group. If you ever get an invitation to see his collection in North Palm Beach, don't pass on such a rare opportunity. Limited to 650 vehicles globally, and available on Grand Sport 3LT and Z06 3LZ trims, the Carbon 65 Edition features visible carbon fiber exterior elements, a new Ceramic Matrix Gray exterior color and special interior appointments, including a new carbon fiber-rimmed steering wheel.

By Andrew Nabors – October 19, 2017

1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Heading to Mecum Las Vegas

Racing is a great way to sell cars and Grand Prix fans in the early 50's saw Mercedes-Benz on the podium. The iconic 300SL Gullwing was such a hit that the convertible version is still one of the most sought-after cars of all time. Built in limited numbers, the 300SL Roadster was decades ahead of its time. This Fire Engine Red Roadster was delivered in Caracas, Venezuela, where it lived until being imported in 2014. Fully documented, it retains its original engine, fuel injection, differential, and four-speed transmission.Fuel injection was still an unproven science back then, so Bosch made continual improvements to the system. This car has the 4th generation, which is the most desired engine option. It allowed the 3.0 liter straight six to run a 9.5:1 compression ratio, something unthinkable at the time. A larger cam and throttle body is how it makes 250 horsepower without modern electronics. Only 324 Roadsters were produced in 1958, and this example is loaded with a Becker radio and full instrumentation.Leaving noting unrestored, the interior has new saddle leather and tan soft top. The chassis was detailed along with a suspension rebuild and new stainless exhaust. Also included is a copy of the build sheet along with the toolkit, jack, and owners manual. If you are looking for a showroom-new 300SL Roadster, get ready for Mecum's Las Vegas Auction. Click on the link below to learn more, and stay with us for more Mecum updates.Learn More

By Edward Jones – October 03, 2017

Pumpkin Spice Supercars for Sale

October is officially here, and with it comes Halloween and, of course, pumpkin spice. The annual release of the pumpkin spice flavor has become a ritual for many who are obsessed with the fall-time favorite. The pumpkin spice flavor may typically be reserved for foods, but what about supercars?Okay, you're not going to going around licking supercars expecting to taste pumpkin, but there are at least a bunch of orange-colored examples for sale. If you need a car to match your favorite flavor, check out the cars below and click on their buttons to learn more about each. 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera View Price 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS View Price 2012 Bugatti Veyron View Price 2016 Aston Martin Vulcan View Price 2017 McLaren 570S View Price 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera View Price 2016 Lamborghini Huracan View Price 2015 McLaren P1 View Price 2013 Lamborghini Aventador View Price 2012 Audi R8 GT View Price

By Edward Jones – March 17, 2017

GMC Suburban that The Notorious B.I.G. Was Killed in is F...

Christopher George Latore Wallace was born killed on March 9, 1997, at the young age of 24. In those few years he had on Earth, he managed to become one of the most influential rappers of all time with hits like "Big Poppa" and "Hypnotize."Wallace was killed after leaving an event in his GMC Suburban. When he pulled up to a red light in Los Angeles, California, a Chevrolet Impala SS came up beside his SUV. The driver of the Impala rolled down the window, drew a 9mm handgun and fired four shots at Wallace. The first three shots were not fatal, but the fourth and final one would end his living, hitting several vital organs.Moments in Time, the same company that offered the BMW Tupac was killed in, is now offering the 1997 GMC Suburban that The Notorious B.I.G. was killed in. The current owner of the car sent a letter to Moments in Time after they saw the Tupac BMW for sale, asking them if they'd be interested in selling the Suburban. The letter reads:"To whom it may concern, I am interested in selling the green 1997 Green GMC Suburban that Christopher Wallace was shot in, on March 7th, 1997. My husband and I bought the car in October of '97, when we were looking for a larger vehicle for our family of 6. We bought the car from a broker in Chala Viste, CA, who had bought it from an auction in LA. We owned the car for year, using it as our family vehicle, not knowing about its history. In 2005, an LA Detective called and informed us about the car's involvement in the shooting of Biggie Smalls and that it would be needed for the trial. We have kept the car now for 20 years and decided it is finally time to sell it. It is still in good running condition with 114,000 miles. I read you were selling Tupac's BMW and wondered if you would also be interested in selling our car. I have requested the LAPD to return the original bullet-riddled doors upon closure of the case. These doors will in turn be passed onto the new buyer."How much will it sell if? Well, it currently has an asking price of $1.5 million.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – December 13, 2016

2017 Porsche Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition For Sale

Porsche announced the 911 Carrera S World Endurance Racing Edition only a month ago, but Germans aren't known for wasting time. The first US-spec examples have arrived and they look just as stunning as the press release. The latest Carrera S is powered by a twin turbo 3.0L flat six making 420 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. If you are curious about the hood graphics, they are a horizontal abbreviation of Porsche Intelligent Performance, the motto of their racing efforts. It can also be found embossed into the lid of the center console along with carbon fiber interior trim.Porsche For Sale Los Angeles Embroidered headrests and the SportChrono package are standard, along with the PDK dual-clutch automatic. Even without the incredible hybrid system of the race car, the latest Carrera S offers 29 mpg highway and 20 mpg city. Only being produced in limited numbers, this edition is only available in white, blue & yellow. If you recorded any of the action from this year's LeMans race, the only way to catch the blistering 919 is to play the footage frame by frame. The car is so fast, it outruns the refresh rate of HD racing cameras. Unrestricted by silly top end governors, you will be able to cruise at 191 mph with the latest in safety and connectivity included. Your opportunity to own this collector's item is moving at the same speed, so catch it while you can.Porsche For Sale At Blue Grass Motorsport in Louisville, KY View Price and Info At Isringhausen Imports in Springfield, IL View Price and Info

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe