Celebrity Cars

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 Tyler Rampersaud – January 17, 2024

Magnus Walker Drives A 930 Porsche 911 With A Former McLa...

McLaren meets Porsche in this wild restomod project. When you ask a car enthusiast to picture a sports car, the unmistakable silhouette of the Porsche 911 would appear in the imagination of many, and for purists, it would more specifically be the image of one of the most iconic generations of the 911: the 80s air-cooled 930. This iconic time in the 911’s 60-year history is one of the most important generations when it comes to cementing the Porsche 911’s legacy as one of the world’s favorite sports cars, and this specific example features not only an incredible restomod of the 930 911, but a modernized and elevated celebration of its history. Driven by famed British car collector Magnus Walker for his YouTube channel, one of the first notable things about this 911 is its art-car design, which uses white paintwork as a blank canvas for a stunningly creative and colorful livery. The next noticeable aspect of the car is the engine note, which isn’t the typical flat-six 911 note, because it’s not a flat-six that’s under the hood, rather a V6 is in its place. That specific V6 was the result of an 80s collaboration between McLaren and Porsche, in which McLaren’s F1 team and the famous British Lanzante looked to Porsche for an engine, and Porsche provided an engine that was tested, rather than in an F1 car, in a 930 911. To celebrate the legacy, Lanzante, with the help of the prestigious and prolific O'Gara Coach built 11 cars with these former F1 racing engines in 930 911s. The specific car that Walker drives in the video uses the engine from the F1 car that Stefan Johnson drove in the 1987 Austrian GP, and Stefan Johnson sat with him in the passenger seat for the ride. Johnson is also responsible for the wild art car livery. With incredible performance, retro charm, a true driver’s car philosophy, and one of the most legendary histories that a sports car can have, this drive is incredible to watch. Discover more about this incredibly special Porsche 911 by watching below. View All Vehicles For Sale From O'Gara Coach

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 04, 2024

Kobe Bryant Tribute Techart Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet...

This custom masterpiece pays homage to a late sports legend. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is one of the greatest open-top creations from the 75-year-old performance luxury manufacturer, and that’s why it serves as the basis for a further elevated Techart customization. Created by TOYZ autoart, this 2021 Techart-customized Porsche 911 is a bespoke masterpiece with a special story, and the one-of-one cabriolet is available for sale at John Scotti Automotive in Kirkland, Canada. With a purple color and gold accents, reminiscent of the Los Angeles Lakers, the car is inspired by the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant. The interior is finished in black leather, and the stitching is yellow, with embroidered details throughout in both yellow and purple featuring both of Bryant’s player numbers, 8 and 24. Even the center caps of the wheels display the numbers 8 and 24. This car has plenty of factors that make it special. It’s not only a powerful and agile performance machine but one that is custom and bespoke. In addition to all of that, it’s a beautiful tribute to one of the greatest late legends in the basketball and sports worlds. If you're interested in adding this masterpiece of a car to your collection, view the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: John Scotti Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 31, 2023

Manny Khoshbin Takes Delivery Of His New Porsche 911 Dakar

Going with the desirable Rough Roads livery, Manny is sure to have a blast off-road in his new Porsche 911 Dakar.

368305879 18378485623015736 8428806643284184788 n.jpg

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 17, 2023

Check Out Leh Keen's New Adventure-Ready Porsche 911 Dakar

Already familiar with classic Porsche rally cars, Leh's modern marvel is sure to live up to its excitement.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 28, 2023

Jerry Seinfeld Drives His $1.2M Porsche 911 Classic Club ...

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld drove the one-of-a-kind $1.2M Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe home after taking delivery of it.

355256338 2537364579746566 1644080044312443134 n.jpg

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 22, 2023

Jerry Seinfeld Takes Delivery Of His $1.2M Porsche 911 Cl...

Known for his hilarious stand-up routines and impressive Porsche collection, Jerry Seinfeld adds a very special 911 to his garage.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 14, 2022

Ken Block's New 1400-HP Hoonipigasus Porsche Is Up And Ru...

All 1400 horsepower of this zany custom machine come alive in time to compete. Ken Block is known for his unique collection of cars, but his “Hoonipigasus” Porsche may be the most unique one yet. With a pink livery heavily inspired by the intersection of a pig and a pegasus, it’s a Porsche 911 with extensive carbon fiber, all-wheel-drive, a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter engine, and 1400 horsepower. Finally, with the race engine delivered, the Hoonipigasus Porsche 911 has been started for the first time, with weeks remaining until the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb competition, which the Hoonipigasus was built for. MUST READ: C.J. Stroud Signs NIL Deal With Sarchione Auto Gallery, Will Get A Bentley To Drive At Pueblo Motorsports Park, the Hoonipigasus underwent testing for the first time to make sure that it will be ready for Pikes Peak, which is coming very soon. Even in preliminary testing, the Hoonipigasus has already proven to be just as unbelievable of a car in the flesh as it has been on paper. While only a few weeks remain until the Pikes Peak competition, testing and optimization of the car need to happen quickly, but the talented team behind the car is sure to bring it to full fruition in time to dominate the hill climb. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: YouTube/Hoonigan

By Gabriel Vega – January 20, 2022

"Bad Boys" Porsche 911 Turbo Sells For $1.3 Million

Whatever happened to Will Smith's Bad Boys 911 Turbo? While 1995's "Bad Boys" featured more than enough flying bullets and explosions to satisfy moviegoers, it also featured plenty of eye candy for automotive enthusiasts. Driven by detective Mike Lowrey, a black 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6 served as the movie's hero car and a vital player in the film's final epic action sequence. Based on the 964 generation 911, this Turbo 3.6 features a 355-hp turbocharged flat-six, allowing it to reach 60 mph in just four seconds before continuing to a top speed of 175 mph. This was the last 911 Turbo with power going to the rear wheels and its performance certainly made it one of the fastest sports cars of its time. With production ending in 1994, this 911 Turbo is one of just 350 produced for the U.S. market. Long after its time in the spotlight had passed, the famed sportscar underwent a complete restoration. Since then, it's spent most of its time winning car shows and racking up a total of 34,396 original miles on the clock. Over the weekend, the "Bad Boys" Porsche 911 went on sale at a Mecum Auction in Kissimmee, FL, trading hands for a massive $1.3 million. If that sounds pricey, consider this. Michael Bay, director of "Bad Boys," sold the car to a friend after filming for just $60,000. While this 911 Turbo has already found a new home. Check out the link below to see all modern and classic 911 Turbo models currently on sale via duPont REGISTRY. All Porsche 911 Turbos For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 30, 2021

Joe Rogan's New Gunther Werks Porsche 911 is a Dream Car

Joe Rogan's Porsche 911 is an absolute doozy. This new masterpiece was posted on Instagram by its creator, Gunther Werks. Joe Rogan's Porsche 911 by Gunther Werks is a truly rare creation as only 25 examples of the company's conversions will ever be made. Gunther Werks puts a lot of work into each of their creations, including completely disassembling and restoring each 993 911 meant for conversion and fitting them with a long list of new and bespoke components. Some of the juiciest components include the 4.0-liter flat-six engine from Rothsport (431 horsepower and 312 lb-ft of torque), an upgraded Getrag G50 manual transmission and a completely customized interior and exterior that the client picks out. For Joe Rogan's new 911, he went with a black exterior with red accents that match the iconic taillight. The overall aesthetic makes for a 911 that will drop jaws where ever it goes. See more celebrity car news. Joe Rogan's Car Collection: Must See Source: @guntherwerks/Instagram

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2021

"Bad Boys" Porsche 911 Turbo is Heading to Auction

Yes, THAT Porsche. During Mecum Auctions' upcoming Kissimmee event in January 2022, LOT R673 will cross the block and it will be a car that everyone's after. Why? While it may look like a standard 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo, it was actually the 911 Turbo that was featured in the 1995 film "Bad Boys." It comes with both the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and a Movie Certificate of Authenticity to prove its stardom. As far as how this Bad Boys Porsche 911 Turbo got to the auction, it's been through quite a few hands. It was originally owned by the film director, Michael Bay, who then sold it to Film Producer Pat Sandstone. From there, it was purchased by the current owner in 2005 and then sold to the Matthew Drendel Collection in 2008. A couple years passed and the current owner purchased it back in 2014. During its time exchanging hands a couple of times, it won multiple awards, like 1st Place at the Amelia Island Werks Reunion in 2017 and was also shown at the Porsche Experience in Atlanta, Georgia for 8 months in 2020. It also underwent a restoration in 2006 at the hands of Body Motion in New Jersey and had show preparation completed by Road Scholars in 2020. You can see more of this car by clicking the button below. View Listing Source: Mecum Auctions

Celebrity Cars

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe