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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 Edward Jones – October 12, 2016

duPont REGISTRY November 2016 Issue Uncovered

Featured In This IssueMaserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Centennial Edition on Lexani WheelsTo celebrate their 100th year in 2014, Maserati created two special models for the occasion: the GranTurismo MC Stradale and GranCabrio MC Centennial Editions. Each of these are rare in their own right and are exquisite examples of just how far Maserati will go when it comes to unending luxury.Recently, Lexani Wheels had the pleasure of installing a set of their own wheels on one of these historic cars. More specifically, the car was the GranTurismo MC Stradale Centennial Edition and it’s featured on the cover of this magazine. Along with the upgrades that came with the Centennial Edition, this example also has an upgraded interior and the Carbon Fiber Exterior Component option. It comes finished in the Inchiostro Blue finish with white leather seats and dashboard, with Santorini Blue inserts and stitching. Learn MoreOverfinch It takes confidence to remove the manufacturer’s name from a vehicle and replace it with your own. But in the case of Overfinch, whose jewel-like enamelled letters adorn the hood of the world’s most sought-after Range Rovers, that confidence is fully justified. And now, with the arrival of a wholly-owned Overfinch subsidiary in the USA, customers in North America can enjoy Overfinch quality and style for themselves.Graham WatchesBelieving in modern watches with classic style, Graham's Silverstone RS GMT combines elegance and sophisticated functions such as chronograph, GMT, big date, tachymeter and flyback with a singular well-groomed look. Sporty and classy with its quilted leather strap, the Silverstone RS GMT is a travel friendly model.RTWMANSORY will be adding an extra touch of class to its refinements of the Mercedes-Benz AMG S 63 Coupé in addition to its spectacularly and completely reworked version and is to present an extensive range of components for retrofitting. Using precise aerodynamic components made from visible carbon fibre, the S-Coupé will be given a significantly sportier look tailored to the bodywork that comes as standard.StartechThe customization program for the Bentayga starts with a sporty-elegant aerodynamic-enhancement program culminating in the STARTECH WIDEBODY version. The product range also includes king-sized hi-tech forged wheels with a diameter of 23 inches, a ride-height lowering and a sport exhaust with integrated sound management. Engine tuning for the twin-turbo V12 is in the works.SeabobThe world’s fastest water sports craft combines exclusive maximum performance with a sustainable awareness for the environment. SEABOB offers state-of-the-art quality and individual design – Made in Germany. Around the world, experienced yacht owners , VIPs and celebrities swear by these unique watercraft.Velocity MotorcarsAvailable at Velocity Motorcars is one of the finest selection of Ferrari Halo cars available. This includes the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo. Each of these cars come in impeccable condition and were sourced for they’re fine quality. If you’re looking to make an automotive investment, these cars are exactly what you’re looking for.USSV RhinoThe USSV Rhino GX is one of the largest luxury SUVs available on the market. Nothing can compare to the unique combination of the Rhino GX’s large, rugged exterior and spacious, deluxe interior. The Rhino GX will take you from the wilderness to a night on the town in style.Galpin PremierGalpin Motors, based in the San Fernando Valley since 1946, is a world-renowned, award-winning automotive enterprise with ten franchises, along with Galpin Auto Sports (GAS), a full in-house customizing and aftermarket center; Galpin Rentals; the Horseless Carriage Restaurant, America’s first full-service, in-dealership restaurant; and Galpin Starbucks.Southlake MotorcarsComprised of a partnership encompassing decades of automotive industry knowledge, Southlake Motorcars stands as one of the nations most recognized high-line luxury dealerships. Our mission and approach is simple: Procure the best of the world's most sought after vehicles, and provide an unmatched experience for each one of our highly distinguished clients. That practice has afforded us recognition as an industry leader, as well as an impeccable feedback rating amongst our online platforms.Porsche"Every Porsche is a sports car. Whether it has two, four or five doors, whether it has a front, center or rear-mounted engine, or whether it is powered by petrol, diesel or hybrid technology. We build sports cars because, fortunately,we’ve done nothing else since 1948. In addition to being responsible for countless victories on international racetracks, our motorsport technology also proves its worth in our production vehicles – every single day." Buy This Issue Now Or Subscribe Now

By Edward Jones – October 03, 2016

Exotic Car Buyer's Guide 2017 Preview

Another year and another amazing lineup of exotic and luxury cars from automakers from all over the world. Whether you're interested in precision German engineering, raw Swedish power or American muscle, the 2017 Exotic Car Buyers Guide lays out all of the cars that will be hitting showrooms floors and boutqiues in the coming year.Exotic Cars For SaleAlong with the new cars, you'll also be able to find the latest technological innovations, gear and more in the automotive industry. Be sure to click the button below to order your copy of the Exotic Car Buyers Guide and see what the next year has in store for the automotive world.Buy NowLamborghini Centenario RoadsterThe exterior is finished in a specially developed paint by Lamborghini called “Argento Centenario,” a matte finish that was created through a process that dissolves “the metal while diluting and diminishing the appearance of the metal grain giving it a silky and rich exterior finish. Inside is a cabin that has been optimized for a top-down drive.Mercedes-AMG GT RThe new Mercedes GT R combines lightweight construction with modified suspension and new aerodynamics, which results in superior performance and an edge in handling. Finished in the exclusive AMG green hell magno, the GT R is sure to stand out in a crowd. Further modifications include wider front and rear fenders and a large rear aerofoil and more. Mercedes AMG GT S For SaleAcura NSXThis new production model of the Acura NSX is powered by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine mated to a nine-speed dual clutch transmission. The NSX also receives power from an all-new, three electric motor Sport Hybrid (SH) system. The front wheels receive power or braking from two electric motors while the third is inside the rear mounted transmission. Get Promo CodeKode57The car itself holds a unique visual appearance, which was crafted out of an aluminum space frame and carbon fiber body panels. For the driver and passenger, a cabin awaits them that is most definitely driver-oriented. To differentiate the two seats is a color coordinated interior made of leather and ultra-suede.Sportscars For SalePorsche 911 RThe 911 series keeps adding hitters and the Porsche 911 R is no exception. The 911 R’s history begins in 1967 and the race car was “entered in rallies, in the Targa Florio and in world record runs,” according to a press release. The new 911 R will keep the racing tradition alive and is composed of a “systematic lightweight construction” coupled with high-level performance and a focus on driver experience. Porsche 911 For Sale Buy Now

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 07, 2016

United Boys & Girls Clubs 3rd Annual Rally 4 Kids Recap

What do a secret envelope, a checkered flag and matching wits with a fifth-grader have in common? The Third Annual United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County Rally 4 Kids.More than 150 enthusiastic men and women participated in a weekend car rally that took 75 drivers and their navigators from QAD’s Summerland campus to the Santa Ynez Valley and back. This year’s Rally was the most successful yet, selling out with a wait list and far exceeding last year's numbers with nearly $350,000 net raised in support of the United Boys & Girls Clubs and its programs.The Rally 4 Kids was co-chaired for the third year in a row by event co-founders Diana Starr Langley & Monte Wilson and was supported by a fantastic event steering committee including all-stars Karla Blackwell, Scott Campbell, Jeff Clark, Louise Cruz, Caroline Harrah, Gretchen Lieff, Grace Neumann, Carla Tomson, Maria Wilson, Leanne Wood and Christina Zolotova. Major event sponsors included the duPont Registry, Sheila Herman, Michael Hammer and the Armand Hammer Foundation, Deckers Brands, SeaDream Yacht Club, Sunstone Vineyards and Winery, Exclusive Resorts, Ferrari Los Angeles, Montecito Bank & Trust, Pat & Ursula Nesbitt, Eric & Nina Phillips and Lieff Wines.The two-day car lover’s extravaganza kicked off on Friday evening with a sunset cocktail party for drivers and their navigators at an exclusive Montecito estate. The rally began Saturday morning as drivers began their 100-mile adventure, which included a scavenger hunt, a contest of local trivia and a road rally. © All Rights ReservedOnce back in Summerland, weary teams converged at Bella Vista Ranch & Polo Club for a celebration dinner, entertainment by The Tearaways, a live auction masterfully emceed by Andrew Firestone, dancing and the chance to show off their cars, admire others, and share stories from the day’s adventures.In all, about 350 guests enjoyed the finale event. The 2015 winner, Chris Ebertz, was slated to present the award to this year’s winner. But after it was announced that Ebertz and navigator Lark Cobb had won this year’s contest, the duo took the stage and joked about getting to keep the trophy for another year. © All Rights ReservedSecond-place winners were Karen Kahn and Roy Hildestad, who drove a 2013 Porsche 911. Third place went to Peter Sperling and Sean McCue in a 2014 Lamborghini Murciélago 640 LP Roaster.The rally was not about speed, but rather required teams to locate places, answer trivia questions and demonstrate physical skill. After leaving QAD, participants drove to the Santa Barbara Bowl, where they got to experience the stage in a way that only performers and their roadies usually do.Once on stage, a member of the team was required to hula hoop for 20 seconds to earn the clue about the next secret location. That happened to be Roblar Winery in Santa Ynez. From there the adventure continued driving along winding country roads to The Solvang Motorcycle Museum and then to The Farmstead where more challenges and trivia awaited.From the Valley, teams traveled back to Santa Barbara, where they stopped at the Goleta Boys & Girls Club and matched wits and knowledge with some of the club’s kids, engaging in a version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th-Grader? Although all teams were able to earn their next clue, we hear the kids “schooled” most of the participants, giving them a real run for their money.The evening was buzzing with energy from start to finish and all 350 guests were kept warm long after the sun went down thanks to Tina Datta of Sun Electric who provided gorgeous pashminas for all who attended. Next year’s rally is once again bound to sell out, so if you want to participate, mark your calendar and buy your ticket early.Click here for more information about the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, or call 805.681.1315. Click here to make an online donation.

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