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 – December 15, 2020

VisionAir from Cirrus Aircraft: Making Ownership Easier T...

Presented by Cirrus Aircraft - At Cirrus Aircraft, our mission is to make aviation more accessible. Now, more than ever, people are looking for alternative ways to travel, with the added assurance of safety and privacy. Launched in 2016 as the world’s first single-engine Personal JetTM, the Vision Jet is an exceptional solution. And now, we’re taking it one step further by introducing a direct pathway to complete jet ownership that allows our customers to enjoy all of the benefits of personal aviation while we take care of the details. Designed as a comprehensive aircraft management program, VisionAirTM includes everything needed to own, operate and manage a Vision Jet – making the reality of individual ownership more accessible than ever. The new program is a bold new step following tremendous growth of the Vision Jet, including becoming the world’s best-selling jet in general aviation earlier this year. The Vision Jet features a spacious pilot and passenger-friendly cabin with panoramic windows, reclining seats and comfortable legroom for five adults and two children. Revolutionary technology further enhances pilot and passenger safety with the inclusion of the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) and Safe ReturnTM emergency autoland, which allows passengers to land the Vision Jet in an emergency situation with the simple touch of a button. The combination of these features provides the ultimate level of safety and assurance – exclusively available in the Vision Jet. VisionAir unlocks the unique benefits of having direct access to the Cirrus Aircraft team to manage, provide pilot services and maintain a customer’s brand-new Vision Jet. The program includes an on-demand professional pilot, concierge services, complete maintenance coverage, aircraft management oversight and storage, as well as options for insurance coverage and referrals for professional tax advice. It’s a total ownership solution that goes beyond fractional ownership and charter services to offer full ownership, which means extended privacy and a consistent world-class experience. VisionAir is currently available at Cirrus Aircraft’s newest factory-direct facility, Cirrus Aircraft McKinney (KTKI), located in the Dallas Metroplex area, with additional locations available soon. Visit CirrusAircraft.com

By Edward Jones – December 03, 2020

Jet It: More Than Just a Private Jet Company

Presented by Jet It - Jet It can customize your day as you see fit. A Jet It owner based in Chicago, IL picked up a client in Savannah, GA, flew to a meeting in Atlanta, GA, stopped in Hilton Head, SC for some fresh seafood, then flew back to Chicago, IL all in one day. This trip would have been impossible with commercial travel, incredibly expensive to charter, and impactful for an individual using a jet card program. This is one of several examples of how Jet It owners utilize their jet to increase productivity and value. The Jet It day-use model, endorsed by a 2020 Harvard Business School case study, allows Jet It owners to fly their jet for the entire day at only $1,600 per flight hour. This model prevents owners from burning through their share and increases travel capability exponentially. Jet It is not just another private jet company, but rather a holistic experience. The additional service touches including ground transportation are booked via the individual's preferred vendor, or hand-selected by the Jet It concierge. Dinner arrangements, whether in the jet or at a restaurant, are carefully chosen based on quality and the owners' personal preference profile. On occasion, an owner may want to be surprised or may want a travel experience that is particularly precise. The Jet It concierge is better described as a 24/7/365 executive assistant, who is ready to anticipate needs. The best part is that the Jet It concierge is all-inclusive, and does not cost the owner a penny more. While Jet It owners utilize the jets for both business and pleasure, each jet is equipped with unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi allows owners to conduct business at the speed of business while they hold video conferences in air, or keep their children entertained by streaming in-flight movies. Jet It's core philosophy is to maximize life's experiences and does so in a multifaceted way. Another unique and intriguing feature of Jet It is the Red Jet Squadron. Jet It is one of the only private jet services that allows pilot-owners to fly the jet. Aviation enthusiasts must get type-rated and maintain their medicals, but enjoy the capability of fulfilling their hobby without any additional insurance cost. A bonus is that a highly-trained Jet It Captain is in the cockpit to fly with the pilot-owner for additional safety. The next time you are thinking of flying imagine the possibilities and just Jet It. Visit GoJetIt.com sales@gojetit.com | 833-865-3848 | www.gojetit.com

By Edward Jones – November 05, 2020

Special Edition Embraer Private Jet Comes With Matching P...

Porsche and Embraer have teamed up for what looks to be the most exciting collaboration between an automaker and an aviation company. The name of this cooperation is "Duet" and that's because it involves a duo of sporty creations from both brands. When a customer opts to buy a special edition Embraer Phenom 300E business jet, they also can purchase a matching Porsche 911 Turbo S. If you're in the market for both a jet and sports car, this is the perfect deal for you. “Porsche and Embraer share a host of common values,” says Alexander Fabig, Head of Personalisation and Classic at Porsche. “As part of our cooperation, we are using the know-how of both brands to jointly develop a one-of-a-kind duo of sports car and jet that appeals to both customer groups.” The Porsche that comes with the purchase of the jet is an absolute stunner and will be highly sought after. It features an exterior donning a Platinum Silver Metallic gloss paint on the upper portion with matte Jet Gray Metallic down below and trim strips in Brilliant Chrome and Speed blue in between the two. The visual created by this paintwork is visually pleasing to say the least but when parked next to the matching jet, the visual is enhanced even more. The cherry on top for the exterior has to be the rear wing which has the registration of the respective jet on the underside. Now that's just too cool. Inside the Porsche is an interior that matches the cabin and cockpit of the Phenom 300E. A two-tone black and chalk leather can be found throughout the cabin, especially on the seats. On the headrests, one will find the Duet logo that Embraer and Porsche created together. A feature that really brings the cabin altogether is the illuminated "No Step lettering on the door sill trim. On top of receiving a special edition Porsche 911 Turbo S, buyers will get even more luxurious items. First up is the Porsche Design luggage set that includes a pilot's case and two weekender bags. And then there's the Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC watch that matches 911 Turbo S. Only ten examples of this special edition "Duet" Porsche 911 Turbo S will be created, so don't expect to see them often or even at all. That being said, if you do want to have an exclusive collection of luxury goods that all match together, does it get any better than this? See All Porsche 911s For Sale

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 – 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

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