Aviation

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 27, 2020

Fifth Gulfstream G700 Test Aircraft Takes To the Skies

Just three weeks after the fourth Gulfstream G700 flight-test aircraft took flight, a fifth one has taken to the skies. This example was flying for a total of 3 hours and 8 minutes, reached an altitude of 48,000 feet and a top speed of Mach 0.935. Gulfstream is going full steam ahead with getting the G700 ready for customers. “The G700 flight-test program is progressing exceptionally well,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “Every day, we come closer to our goal of delivering this revolutionary aircraft to our customers. We are steadily increasing flights, flight hours and the completion of numerous company tests, further raising the bar for business aviation around the world.” Be sure to stay with us for more Gulfstream G700 news as it's released.

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2020

Airbus Corporate Jets Announces ACJ TwoTwenty Business Je...

Airbus Corporate Jets has unveiled the new ACJ TwoTwenty Business Jet, a new entry that the company says creates "a whole new market segment "The Xtra Large Bizjet." Inside the ACJ TwoTwenty is a massive space that can be outfitted with a wide range of interior arrangements that will allow up to 18 passengers on board. Passengers will also be able to take advantage of the new Wi-Fi system that will offer two-time better connectivity than competitors. Connectivity will definitely come in handy on this new business jet as it can stay up in the air for quite some time. To be more exact, it has a range of up to 5,560 nm, allowing for direct flights from Los Angeles to London, for example. Even with such a spacious interior and incredible range, the ACJ TwoTwenty will be able to fit in parking spaces and take off from airports just like any other competing business jet. For more information, be sure to ACJ.Airbus.com.

Virgin Galactic Unveils Mach 3 Aircraft Design for High Speed Travel Image 3

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2020

Virgin Galactic Reveals Aircraft That Can Travel at Mach 3

Virgin Galactic have revealed what they believe is a new way to travel through the skies at remarkable speeds. The idea behind this new aircraft is to offer high-speed travel that's sustainable, safe and reliable. With a target of reaching Mach-3 at an altitude above 60,000 feet, this aircraft will be like no other commercial/private plane in the skies today. Inside, Virgin Galactic says the aircraft would be able to hold 9 to 19 passengers and be configurable with custom cabin layouts depending on the customer's needs. What's more, this aircraft is being designed to run on sustainable aviation fuel. Because of the aircraft's use of this state-of-the-art fuel, Virgin Galactic believes it will "act as a catalyst to adoption in the rest of the aviation community." For now, the team at Virgin Galactic is working on finding the right materials, architectures, and so forth. Basically, this is where the hard part comes in. Source: Virgin Galactic

By Edward Jones – July 17, 2020

Bombardier Takes the Challenger 350 Business Jet Cabin to...

Bombardier has just announced a new suite of enhancements for the cabin of their Challenger 350 Business Jet, which had its 350th example delivered not too long ago. The first enhancement will be welcomed by many, which is the addition of Ka-band high-speed internet. With this, passengers will be able to access the internet while in the skies. Bombardier specifically notes streaming and videoconferencing in the press release announcing these enhancements, meaning this service must provide some decently high-speed internet. Coming up next is the redesigned cabin management system, which was inspired by the design of the Global 7500 aircraft. This includes side ledge touchscreens, and a new integrated app. Last, but not least, are the new interior design schemes that are even more modern and comfortable than before. You can learn more by clicking the button below. Visit Bombardier.com

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2020

Bombardier Announces 4G Connectivity Can be Retrofitted i...

Bombardier has announced that the Learjet 40, Learjet 45, Learjet 70 and Learjet 75 aircraft can now be retrofitted with 4G in-cabin WiFi thanks to GogoAVANCE L5. This will now give owners the chance to travel in the sky and stay connected to the internet through their in-cabin WiFi .Bombardier has been offering the Gogo AVANCE L5 service as an option on new Learjet aircraft since 2019, but retrofitting is now available for those aforementioned model. “Learjet aircraft are renowned productivity tools, and this enhancement ensures that our customers have the connectivity they need to maximize their time in the air,” said Michael Anckner, Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Learjet Aircraft and Corporate Fleets, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “With various upgrades available for our large fleet of in-service aircraft and the recent unveiling of our value-added Learjet 75 Liberty aircraft, there’s never been a better time to own a Learjet.” As Anckner mentioned in the press release, the Learjet 75 Liberty is set to come into the world in mid-2020. This new aircraft will have a very spacious cabin with a six-seat configuration. It also comes with a range of 2,080 nautical miles, and according to Bombardier, it can connect Las Vegas to New York, Seattle to Washington, D.C., and Mexico City to San Francisco, nonstop under specific circumstances.

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2019

Delta and Wheels Up Partner for One of the World's Larges...

Delta Air Lines and Wheels Up have announced they are joining forces to create one of the world's largest owned and managed fleets of private aircraft. In the announcing press release, it's noted that this partnership "make private aviation accessible to more consumers and provide unparalleled travel options." The terms of the partnership will see Delta Private Jets combine with Wheels Up. This addition to the Wheels Up will bring their private aircraft count up to over 190 and member/customer count to over 8,000. For Delta, they will hold an equity position in Wheels Up. “Bringing together our complementary businesses, which represent the best consumer brands in private and commercial aviation, is transformative and a first for the industry,” said Wheels Up’s Founder and CEO, Kenny Dichter. “The combination of Wheels Up and Delta Private Jets, along with the partnership commitments between Delta and Wheels Up, aligns with our growth objectives and vision of building a platform that will make private flying and the private flying lifestyle accessible to significantly more individuals and businesses in the US and around the world.” Expect to see this transaction close in early 2020. In the meantime, both companies will function as they have been. VISIT WHEELSUP.COM

By Andrew Nabors – October 24, 2019

Pilatus Unveils 2020 PC-12 NGX

Switzerland sits at the top of the Alps, so air travel is often easier than driving. In an effort to give the world more amenities and efficiency, Pilatus has unveiled the 2020 PC-12 NGX. The suffix is a reference to the next generation in turboprop luxury. Upfront is a new Pratt & Whitney PT6 E-Series. It has many improvements over its predecessor, most notably electronic controls for propeller pitch, and a quiet mode for sleeping passengers. The new avionics feature automatic emergency descent control, tactile feedback during rolls, and a digital auto-throttle. To offer a plush cabin, BMW Designworks was inspired by the work they have done on the larger PC-24. The first American order came from Shon Boney, founder of Sprouts Farmers' Markets (making this his 4th PC-12). João Carlos Marinho Lutz was the first Brazillian customer because the range & efficiency allow him to reach remote parts of the country. Aside from the larger windows and improved sound insulation, the best feature is that the NGX is already certified. The prototypes have over 600 hours of testing, being in the air since December of 2017. Deliveries will begin in Q2 of 2020, so click the link below for all the details! Learn More! " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 22, 2019

New Gulfstream G700 Business Jet Announced

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has just introduced its new flagship aircraft to the world, the Gulfstream G700. The debut of the G700 was made just before the 2019 national Business Aviation Associated Convention and Exhibition in las Vegas. Gulfstream boasts that that G700 is the "most spacious, best-performing aircraft in the business-jet industry." Additionally, it has the tallest, widest and longest cabin in the industry. Inside the G700 are five living areas, a six-place dining or conference room and a master suite with shower included. There is also a long list of amenities that make travel in the G700 ideal for business. For instance, there are thousands of white and amber LEDs that can recreate a sunrise or sunset, helping passengers as they travel into new timezones. For those who travel great distances for work, this will be more than beneficial. Expect the Gulfstream G700 to be delivered to customers in 2022. visit gulfstream.com Source: Gulfstream

By Edward Jones – July 02, 2019

Introducing the Airspeeder: Motorsport for the Skies

Do you want to know what we need in the world? A motorsport for the skies. Want to know what we now have thanks to the new Airspeeder? A motorsport for the skies. At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Airspeeder will be unveiled as the latest evolution of racing. The Airspeeder will fly through the skies above the event as it makes its way through an aerial track. As for the Airspeeder itself, it's quite impressive. It's powered entirely by 500 kW battery packs that can last up to 15 minutes. These packs send power to the four 24 kW motors, which spin up the eight 32-inch rotating blades. As for weight, it tips the scales at just 551 lbs. With that insane power-to-weight ratio, the Airspeeder can reach speeds of up to 124 mph. Alongside the Airspeeder's announcement is news of the new Airspeeder race series. To me, it looks like this new series will be like a combination of Formula 1 and Formula E, but for the skies. I'm in. Be sure to check back with us after the Airspeeder makes its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 4. You can also learn more about Airspeeder by visiting their website.

By Edward Jones – March 13, 2018

Co-Founder of Google's New Autonomous Flying Taxi

When Larry Page, co-founder of Google and CEO of Alphabet Inc., announced that he would be backing the company Kittyhawk, the world knew they would be working on something big. When it was discovered that the company would be run by autonomous car guru Sebastian Thrun, we really knew Kittyhawk would be working on something big. Well, that big thing is here in the form of the Cora flying car.duPont REGISTRY 2018 Aviation GuideCora is an air taxi that took eight years to innovation, engineering and designing to create. This hybrid aircraft can take-off like a helicopter (vertically) but fly like an airplane. What's more, it can do all of this autonomously thanks to Thrun's expertise. Each Cora aircraft can travel over 93 mph and has a range of 62 miles on a charge. In its current form, the Cora aircraft will assumedly be used for close-quarter travel with room for two passengers. And don't worry, passengers won't need to a pilot's license to fly in one.For now, Kittyhawk will be testing the Cora in New Zealand where it has already been secretly testing. The prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, and Page will soon announce a partnership between the company and the government. The plan is to get the aircraft certified in NZ and possibly form a network of flying taxis in the near future.How to Sell My Ferrari

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