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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 – November 12, 2019

Lotus Exige Sport Recreates Historic Hillclimb

One of the best drivers of all time was Jim Clark. He was a master behind the wheel, and amassed dozens of wins for Lotus. Before winning two F1 titles in '63 and '65, he attacked the Bo'ness hill in Scotland. Somehow the footage of the even has been lost to time, so a new Lotus Exige Sport for sale was used to recreate the historic Hillclimb. To make it as authentic as possible, Lotus fitted their latest model with Jim's license plates and racing number. Commentary by legendary racing reporter Graham Gauld is the perfect soundtrack. Browse All Lotus For Sale Because every Lotus is built as light as possible, it is easy to carve the perfect line up the mountain. In fact, having too much power will keep you from hugging the corners. That is why driving a Lotus is unlike anything else you will experience. Kudos to Lotus for building such nimble machines. Click the button above to find one near you and stay with us for all your Lotus news. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 07, 2019

Lamborghini & MIT Announce new Patent for Supercapacitors

Batteries are nice to have in hybrid cars. They offer consistent voltage and energy storage to assist the gasoline engines. But electricity can be stored in other ways. A capacitor also stores electrons, but it releases them all at once. Power of this magnitude has never been harnessed by a car, so that's why Lamborghini and MIT have announced a new patent for supercapacitors. Capacitors are all around us, and they are used to unleash a small jolt of lightning into a system. Every TV, microwave, and AC system uses them to switch on and be ready to go. Before this, everything had to "warm up" before being ready to work. What does this mean for cars? Instead of a normal battery sending power to the motor, the Lamborghini Sian will send several thousand volts to the motors faster than you can blink. The collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has yielded new materials that double the amount of energy without increasing size or weight. There is no doubt their upcoming cars will offer violent acceleration thanks to this technology, so congrats to Lamborghini for continually raising the bar for automotive engineering. " width="680"> Pro Tip: Even basic capacitors will remain charged for decades, with the same power as a stick of dynamite. Handle them carefully or the authorities will need dental records to identify what's left of you! Related: Discover the Cover: Lamborghini Sian

By Andrew Nabors – November 01, 2019

Bentley Flying Spur Unveiled With Augmented Reality

Visionaries see a future where you don't need a dealership to buy a car. Walking onto a lot can be foreboding, so one manufacturer has taken the stress away. The new Bentley Flying Spur has been unveiled with augmented reality to make it available in your living room. In a press release yesterday we saw the details of this impressive app. It was first used to allow us to experience the EXP 100 GT, which is fine for a futuristic concept. After programmers made a few tweaks, it is ready for a production car. Take it for a spin! The Flying Spur is scheduled to arrive in Q1 of next year, and the app has launched with 2 preloaded versions: Luxury and Performance. The former shows an exterior of "Meteor" along with an interior of Brunel and Linen. Performance is painted Extreme Silver with Beluga leather. Browse Bentley Flying Spur For Sale Both have Mulliner Driving Package, Rear Seat Entertainment, and the rotating gauge panel. The new Bentley Flying Spur has never been as appealing, virtually or physically. Their app is available for Apple and Android, and our dealers will take it from there. Click the button above to find one near you and stay with us for all your Bentley news. " width="680"> Related: Bentley Develops Augmented Reality for the EXP 100 GT Bentley Flying Spur W12 S Price Specs & Review

By Edward Jones – October 11, 2019

Ford x Versace High-Top Sneakers Released

Source: LuisaViaRoma.com Ford and Versace have teamed up to release a number of clothing options that feature the automaker's famous badge. Donatella Versace noted that she hopes the items in the collection “channel the excitement of buying your first car.” As for the specifics of these shoes, they come covered in the Ford badge with a matching blue midsole. The silhouette of the shoe is a high top, just like the Versace Ophion High Tops. You can pick these shoes up from LuisaViaRoma.com for around $1,200. see all mustangs for sale Source: LuisaViaRoma.com Source: LuisaViaRoma.com via Hypebeast.com

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 23, 2019

Versace Drops Ford Logo Necklace

Italy’s Medusa and America’s Blue Oval have continued their F/W19 collaboration, and their latest effort has been an exercise in neckwear. The stainless steel necklace has Versace Medusa charms along the chain, and a signature Blue Oval as the pendant. The collaboration has been an interesting one as both Versace and Ford are major cultural touchstones for their countries or origin, and every piece that Donatella has put out exemplifies the rich heritage that they both have. Buy now If you want one, it can be yours for $363, and if you’re a big fan of automotive legends like the Mustang, the GT, or the Bronco, you might want to consider being a part of this fashion legend, too.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 29, 2019

Wheels x Wardrobe: MURCI

The balance of style, beauty, and aggressive nature that a Lamborghini possesses is hard to match. And there’s very few cars out there that show those traits better than the iconic Murcielago. This raging bull has a beauty and an intimidating stance that can only be matched by an equally modern, edgy and luxurious outfit that lets everyone you see know who you are and what you’re about, if they didn’t already get that from what you’re behind the wheel of. THE RIDE: Lamborghini Murcielago Lamborghini Murcielago: Curated SHOP MURCI's THE WATCH: Franck Muller Vanguard™ Racing franckmuller.com SHOP WATCH THE BRACELET: Nexus Leather Bracelet, Sterling Silver miansai.com SHOP BRACELETS THE SHADES: Saint Laurent SL M23/K luxury.zappos.com SHOP SHADES THE JACKET: GUCCI Printed Perforated-Leather Bomber Jacket mrporter.com SHOP JACKET THE SHIRT: Helmut Lang Logo Heart Graphic T-Shirt SHOP SHIRT THE BELT: VETEMENTS 3cm Black Logo-Embellished Leather Belt mrporter.com SHOP BELT THE JEANS: CLOSED straight leg jeans farfetch.com SHOP JEANS THE SHOES: Anel Racer ARSY - 0002 anelracercollection.com SHOP SHOES

By Andrew Nabors – July 01, 2019

Rolls-Royce Cullinan Will Compete in 2019 Rebelle Rally

Women from around the nation will be racing across the desert in October. Teams will not have access to GPS or modern navigation, instead, they will use maps and a compass. It is open to many classes of crossover and 4WD vehicles, so the Rolls-Royce Cullinan will compete in the 2019 Rebelle Rally. South of the Salton Sea exists a vast expanse of sand dunes that straddles the border between Arizona and California. For the 4th year of this event, 50 teams of two ladies will attempt to reach several checkpoints using only a compass. The motto behind building the Cullinan was "Effortless Everywhere" so they are not afraid of a little sand. Let's hope the teams stay away from Groom Lake because there is nothing to see there. Last year's co-champions were chosen to represent the brand, so we wish Rebecca Donaghe and Emme Hall the best of luck. They will be powered by a 6.75L V12 engine that sends 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque to an 8-speed automatic. It is AWD with all-wheel steering, so offroad situations are not a problem. If you want to experience the best combination in offroad prowess and English luxury, click the link below and stay with us for all your Rolls-Royce news. Browse Rolls-Royce Cullinan For Sale Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan Compared Royce-Royce Cullinan Powers Through the Snow of Sun Valley

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2019

GMC Sierra CarbonPro is the Future of Full Size Trucks

Carbon fiber and trucks are not normally seen in the same sentence. While their competitor spend millions developing an aluminum body, engineers at GM began work on composites. The result was announced this morning, and the GMC Sierra CarbonPro is the future of full size trucks. Available on the 2020 Sierra Denali and the AT4 models, the carbon fiber bed offers many benefits compared to steel or aluminum. It is stronger, lighter and scratch resistant. Because it is thinner, the bed also offers an additional cubic foot of cargo space. Steel rusts and aluminum corrodes, but the CarbonPro bed will never give oxidize. This new blend of carbon fiber is not UV sensitive, and it has a unique grain to help with grip in wet conditions. Tests made sure the touchpad for the Kicker audio system was also up to years of tailgaiting. Over a year of testing involved catching a running snowmobile. It had steel studs in the track and a 250-lb rider. The bed didn't scratch. Next up was a running generator with exhaust aimed at the bed side, no damage. Finally it was abused from Arizona to Ontario to prove the strength in hot and cold climates. The Sierra Denali arrives with the same 6.2L engine found in the Stingray. Since it lost 60 lbs over the rear tires, the GMC CarbonPro has the ability to murder tires and perform epic donuts. Sadly, GMC and Chevrolet have cancelled their standard cab models, so the CarbonPro will only be offered in this body style. Click the link below to find our Buick/GMC dealer near you and stay with us for all your truck news. Browse all GMC Sale

By Edward Jones – March 04, 2019

Pininfarina Battista Hypercar Revealed: 1900 Horsepower!

The Pininfarina Battista has been teased multiple times but now we finally are here with the details on the new hypercar. And when I say hypercar, I mean it because this new model is aiming to be a dominant force in the automotive world. Pininfarina says that the new Battista hypercar will have almost twice the amount of power than a Formula 1 car. To do this, they're utilizing Formula E technology, meaning it's an all-electric vehicle. In total, the Batista will push out an astonishing 1900 horsepower and 1696 lb-ft of torque. And no, neither of those figures are typos. Because the Battista is an all-electric car, range comes into question. Pininfarina boasts that their new hypercar can travel up to 280 miles on a single charge. Owners can also charge their car up to 80% in under 40 minutes. Only 150 examples of the Pininfarina Battista will be created and they're currently taking applications for ownership on their website. view mhypercars and supercars for sale Source: Automobili-Pininfarina.com

By Steve Chapman Jr – November 02, 2018

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

duPont REGISTRY's new Premium Private Sellers Program is dedicated to exotic, luxury and classic cars that are for sale by owner. For 35 years the 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. Each week we will select the top vehicles that are listed for sale by private owners on duPontREGISTRY.com. These vehicles are ready for a new owner. Is it you? If you're in the market for a new exotic, luxury or classic car then browse our selection below. 2017 Ferrari F12berlinetta for sale 2014 Lamborghini aventador for sale 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 For Sale 2018 Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato For Sale 2005 Shelby Series II Prototype For Sale 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Sale 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante For Sale 2005 Porsche Carrera GT For Sale 2008 Bugatti Veyron For Sale 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed For Sale

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