Automotive Abodes

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 Alyssa Mammano – October 04, 2018

Mansion with its own Go-Kart Track

Set on 28 sprawling acres in Moneymore, Ireland is the scene of a true adult playground: a 1,100-yard private go-kart track is on the market with its accompanying 6,900-square-foot mansion. The track is MSA-approved and finished according to strict codes and high-quality safety standards, so you can re-live your childhood with ease of mind. The property also comes with several outbuildings for workshop and garage space to keep the go-karts in top-notch condition. Racers are officially welcomed to the track through the race control office with a reception area, dressing room, training space and viewing patio with secure access to the winding course. There's also an entirely separate kid's track and adventure area with a playground and private BBQ pit.Parking won't be an issue on this estate, either. The home has a three-car garage and a helipad in the rear, as well as ample open parking. There are two separate gated entrances into the property with a private entrance to the house. Inside the estate is a cinema with provisions for a projector and an entertainment system, which leads into the pool area. The swimming pool complex has a solarium, spa and sauna for ultimate relaxation. This entire compound can be yours for £2,250,000, which is about $3 million USD, if you're looking to hop across the pond.View Our Listings Source: Stanley Best, Images Via Facebook (Featured Image, In-Text Image)

By Caitlin Duffy – November 13, 2015

Florida Mansion with 30 Car Garage is the Most Expensive ...

On Florida's Atlantic coast, half way between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, four acres of beachfront land surround the most expensive home in the country, Le Palais Royal.Located on a strip known as "Millionaire's Mile," Le Palais Royal is, indeed, an American palace. Represented by William PD Pierce's Perfect Property Purchases, and as their website tells us, this $159 million listing offers a lifestyle few even dare to dream of; the 11 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms are just the beginning.Imagine this: you're driving down Hillsboro Mile, Florida road A1A, with a beach on one side of your car and the intercoastal waterway on the other. Pull up to the 13-foot wrought-iron gate embellished with 22-karat gold-leafing, and as it opens, drive past a 26-foot three-tiered fountain and Versaille-style waterfalls to the garage door.Pull into the garage, and travel down, below the house, to the underground area large enough to store 30 different cars. Park, and walk into your own private beachfront palace, a true masterpiece of French-inspired grandeur. There are six waterfalls throughout and a 4,500 square foot infinity pool, a waterslide and swim-up bar, and yacht dockage for your private vessel.The entryway features a marble and 22-karat gold staircase, which alone took two years to construct. Opulent details flow throughout, and it's the only home in the United States to have a privately-licensed IMAX theater, which is capable of seating 18 guests.Learn more about this listing from the YouTube video below, shared by William P.D. Pierce Sept. 14, 2014. If this home isn't quite your style, find another luxury listing from duPont REGISTRY A Buyers Gallery of Fine Homes.Luxury Homes For Sale Gallery (via Perfect Property Purchases, YouTube) See More Automotive Abodes

By Caitlin Duffy – October 12, 2015

Automotive Abode: Colorado Car Collector's Dream House

Just fifteen minutes from the heart of Denver and an hour from the country's best skiing sits a home designed around one concept: an extreme passion for cars.Sure, the kitchen's cherry cabinets, breakfast bar, center island and separate eating area are beautiful. The granite countertops and stainless steel appliances are both practical and stunning.The hardwood floors found throughout are even, dare I say, the perfect finishing touch to the interior. But it's what's attached to this beautiful main home that'll catch the enthusiast's eye.A total of 2,000 square feet in the garage offers up more than ample space for up to eight exotic cars and toys, or even fewer if you need a little space for project builds or restorations.Learn MoreHeated, finished and fully plumbed, the garage offers two oversized doors for large vehicles or small boats and three additional garage doors of a normal height.Next to the garage is an additional fenced parking location large enough to fit your RV, while the spaces in front of the garage can easily fit up to eight more http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/collector cars. It's not impossible to imagine that there's ample space for 17-18 different cars.Between the home and the garage is an enclosed courtyard offering total privacy, ideal for entertaining guests and enjoying the warm summer nights in Colorado. It's beautiful as is, but if you have the desire for a warm water swim in the winter, it's already pre-wired for a hot tub's installation. A second small patio area is surrounded by mature landscaping and is ready for relaxing.Check out the photos of this Colorado enthusiast's dream, and buy it today at the button below.Learn More Gallery Article sponsored by owner of the home

By Caitlin Duffy – July 15, 2015

Car Lover's Real Estate: Tuscan Lakefront Villa

Pull into the driveway and you'll be faced with a difficult decision: which garage will you park in?Just 25 minutes from Madison, Wisconsin, in Lake Mills Township, sits a stunning lakefront villa inspired by the architecture of Tuscany. Its large windows let in more light than you could imagine, filled with views of the calm blue waters.Every room on each of the three floors is rich in detail, with the main areas boasting soaring ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. To keep warm in winter months, radiant hydronic heat emanates from the floors and wood burning fireplaces add a beautiful ambiance. In total, you have 6,000 square feet to explore, all looking out toward the 1,300 acres of Rock Lake.But in the front of the house is where you'll find your automotive enthusiast. Two garages provide plenty of storage options and the ability to cycle out your daily driver as you choose; an attached garage has room for 3.5 cars, while the detached, architecturally matching garage has room for 4 cars, as well as a motor home storage pad with electrical power.Flip through the gallery to get a closer look at this stunning listing from Jammie Trapp of RE/MAX Preferred, and to learn more about this $1,699,900 listing, be sure to click the button below.View ListingGallery (Sponsored by: Jammie Trapp, RE/MAX Preferred) See More Lifestyle News

Automotive Abodes

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe