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 Edward Jones – August 06, 2020

See Ken Block's Car Collection as He Announces a New Part...

Ken Block has just announced a new partnership with Wheel Pros, the parent company of wheel brands like Rotiform, American Racing, American Force, Fuel Off-Road and Kinesis. With this announcement, Block has also announced two different signature designs that are being created in collaboration with the brands. The first is the KB1 by Rotiform Wheels and the second is The Block by Fuel Off-Road. These wheels will be available for pre-order this fall on Carcaine Part Supply's website. To celebrate this new partnership, Block also gathered all of the cars in his massive fleet together to show off their new wheels. While I thought he had a few cars before, now I know for a fact that he has a ton of insane and downright awesome cars. Check them out for yourself by clicking play down below. You won't regret it.

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

Jon Olsson Compares Koenigsegg Regera, Gemera, Jesko, & A...

I might have a driveway with four cars, but they aren't worth $10 Million dollars. Jon Olsson is no stranger to supercars so he was able to gather the latest from Koenigsegg for a heads-up comparison. The Jesko Absolut is the top-speed version that is capable of 310 mph. Named for Christian's father, it is a fitting homage to his old man. The street-legal Jesko is also capable of 1,600 horsepower on E85 ethanol. It has more downforce which keeps it under 300 mph, and both cars utilize a 9-speed transmission with 7 individual clutches. The Gemera is their first 2+2 Grand Tourer, and it is even more unique. The "Tiny Friendly Giant" uses Freevalve technology. The intake and exhaust valves are pneumatic, offering an infinite combination overlap, lift, and duration. The 2.0-liter inline-3 cylinder acts as a generator for an 800v hybrid system. With launch crontrol eneabled you have 8,113 lb-ft of torque and 1,700 horsepower at the wheels. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale Finally, the Regera is the first production car so powerful that it needs no transmission. Instead of a small generator, it uses a twin-turbo 5-liter V8 and 3 electric motor generators. Below 80 mph the engine generates high-voltage for electric motors at each rear wheel. Above 80, the torque converter locks the crankshaft to a 3.73 differential to send 1,500 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque to the ground. Koenigsegg Direct Drive is the most efficient propulsion system on the market, and no transmission is one less thing to worry about. Tell us which one you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg news. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 28, 2020

Michael Fux's Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is the First ...

The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is on its way to the United States and into the hands of Michael Fux. The example he commissioned follows his tradition of ordering cars in a vibrant purple color, like his McLaren 720S and Rolls-Royce Dawn. Contrasting against the metallic purple of the exterior are copper accents on the front grille, side mirrors, window trim and wheels. Inside, purple and copper accents can be found, the cabin primarily consists of white leather. This car will be the very first all-electric car in Fux's collection . What made him decide on the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne? “I visited the Hispano Suiza facility in February and loved what I saw,” said Mr. Fux. “I am a detail-orientated guy and I love colors that lift you up and give you a feeling of elation. When you see it, the Carmen Boulogne is undoubtedly a 'wow' car. It is retro and romantic, and you can't avoid looking at it. The Carmen Boulogne is being produced in Barcelona, where it was also designed and developed. One of the standout items built and installed during the production of the car is the carbon fiber monocoque that acts as the base for the all-electric car. For the body that surrounds the monocoque, it was designed to pay homage to the company's competition heritage, blending modern with a retro design.

Eine neue Vision von Luxus mit Mercedes-Benz und Virgil AblohPioneering luxury with Mercedes-Benz and Virgil Abloh

By Edward Jones – July 27, 2020

Mercedes-Benz x Virgil Abloh Present: Project Geländewagen

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Virgil Abloh, the famous fashion designer and creative director, to create artwork that's inspired by the G-Class. This new endeavor is being called "Project Geländewagen." Abloh and Gorden Wagener, the Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer, are working together for the project in an effort to combine both fashion and art with the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. “Mercedes-Benz is a brand that stands for luxury and exceptional performance,” says Virgil Abloh. “Truly a perfect chassis to interject modern artists’ ideas of what the future can be stylistically, within conceptual car design.” The artwork will be launched on digital platforms on September 8, 2020, at 10AM EST. A one-of-a-kind replica of the artwork will be auctioned off after the launch, with proceeds benefiting a charity that supports the arts. For more information, stay with us for more information.

By Edward Jones – July 24, 2020

Adam Levine and Ferrari Are Teaming Up for a Great Cause

Ferrari is teaming up with Maroon 5's Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo for a fantastic cause. Together, they will be auctioning off one of the earliest examples of the Ferrari Roma in North America to help benefit the 'Save the Children' organization. The car will be auctioned off this fall. Levine's involvement in this auction makes perfect sense considering he has owned quite a few Ferraris, including a 1966 330 GTC, 1969 365 GTC, 1971 365 GTB/4 "Daytona," 1963 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, 1965 375 GTB/2 and recently a Tailor Made F12tdf. "Behati and I couldn't be happier to be a part of this unique project and ultimately help a charity that we are fully supportive of," says Levine. "As so many other parents worldwide, during this time we have been focused first and foremost on taking care of our girls, and Save the Children is helping countless children and families with crucial education resources." For more information, click the button below. Learn More About This Auction About Save the Children - Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding over 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of over 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2020

Jamie O'Brien's Baja Surfari Polaris General is the Most ...

Jamie O'Brien recently set off to explore the lost coast of Baja California in search of unknown waves to surf, but he needed something special to allow him to traverse the deserts. For that job, he had the wicked Baja Surfari Polaris General UTV built by UTV Underground. This UTV is anything but stock and is full of enhancements that make it a perfect vehicle for a Baja surf trip. The UTV itself is a Polaris General, but the upgrades have turned it into the Baja Surfari General. UTV Underground added a custom cage and front bumper just in case they saw a perfect wave break, got psyched, and didn't see a boulder in front of them. The custom UTV also has custom graphics, BFGoodrich tires around KMC Wheels, HCR Suspension Long Travel Suspension Kit, XDR Exhaust, plenty of lights to brighten up the Baja trails, PRP RS Suspension Seats, PRP 4.3 Harnesses, Rockford Fosgate audio system, radio communications, fire extinguisher kit, waterproof first-aid kit, fridge freezer, winch, tool kit, rinse kit, and, of course, surf racks. With all of those components combined, the Baja Surfari Polaris General is the perfect vehicle fora Baja surf trip. Don't believe me? Check out the video below to see J.O.B. take it out to some incredible point breaks in Baja California. Just imagine being on this trip and surfing these waves without having to worry about being snaked. What a dream. Source: UTV Undergound via HiConsumption

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2020

Yankees Pitcher Aroldis Chapman Just Bought an Insane 6x6...

Aroldis Chapman, known as the "Cuban Missile," has added a new ride to his collection and it's undoubtedly is most insane one yet. Chapman's new ride is a brand-new turbo-diesel, six-wheel-drive E 6x6 Jeep from South Florida Jeeps that was made just for him. This specific 6x6 Jeep has an exterior that's covered entirely with Kevlar, allowing it to withstand just about anything... maybe even a fastball from Chapman. Inside, his new Jeep has a weather-resistant, hand-stitched red leather interior that looks fantastic against the all-black exterior. If any MLB player has ever wanted to show up to the stadium and prove a point, having a massive 6x6 Jeep like this is the vehicle to roll up in. But even if you're not a professional athlete, you can still buy your own 6x6 Jeep by checking out South Florida Jeep's inventory down below. View Inventory https://www.instagram.com/p/CB2wNFxDxGB/

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2020

Tom Brady's Stretched Cadillac Escalade is For Sale

Tom Brady has left the Patriots and has joined us in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers. With this moved, he's listed a house for sale and now his 20-inch stretched Becker Automotive Design Cadillac Escalade ESV Mobile Office. Yes, that's right, you can actually own Tom Brady's Escalade. So what exactly makes this SUV so special, aside from the fact that it's owned by one of football's greatest? View Listing It starts off with the stretch, which makes getting into and out of the rear doors easier. And you'll want to get in quick because the interior is phenomenal. There are two 6-way electric reclining seats with leg rests that look at a 32-inch screen, which a 12-inch screen rests behind them. There are two aviation-style tables in a burl wood finish, one for each seat. Passengers will also be able to utilize the high-end mobile router that can connect them to multiple service providers on-the-go. Altogether, this Escalade was $350,000 when new but it's asking price is now at $300,000 (OBO). For more information, click here. " width="680"> Source: Becker Automotive Design

By Edward Jones – May 27, 2020

Travis Pastrana Takes Over Gymkhana 2020 for Ken Block

Yes, you read the title correctly. This year's Gymkhana will, for the first time in Gymkhana history, will not feature Ken Block but will instead star his friend and rival Travis Pastrana according to a press release from Hoonigan. What's more, this iteration of Gymkhana will be starring a Subaru, just like the very first Gymkhana from years ago, which you can view below. It should be noted that this is not permanent and Block is not giving up his throne as the Gymkhana king. Instead, Hoonigan says they're doing this to "take Gymkhana to the next level." The location, exact car, and date of the new Gymkhana are still unknown, but we will be finding out more soon. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime - but they're also some big shoes to fill," says Pastrana. "It's equally as exciting as it is scary. Expectations are at an all-time high, but I know with Ken's help, the full team at Hoonigan and Subaru behind me, we can build off what Ken created and make it even more exciting." For this Gymkhana, they will be teaming up with both Subaru (for the car, assumedly) and Yokohama (they're going to shred a lot of tires). Hoonigan will also be teaming up with Omaza yet again, giving the winner a trip to the set of the new Gymkhana and a cameo in it as well. This Omaza campaign will benefit Team Rubicon, a nonprofit that "utilizes the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams." For more info, click here. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2020

Red Skelton's 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E For Sale

One of the most famous comedians of the 20th century was Red Skelton. Writing this makes me feel old, but he put a smile on millions of faces. The Red Skelton Show ran from 1937 and 1971, and he frequently appeared in celebrity roasts, HBO comedy specials, and cameo appearances. Needless to say, he was a wealthy entertainer who liked fast cars and this 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E became his around 1997. What you see here is an incredibly rare car. Only 1,505 were built for the U.S. because it was a unique collaboration between Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. While development of the S-Class was taking up all the engineering efforts, a small team decided the 500 needed the massive new 5-liter. Porsche was in a bit of a slump, as the 911 had not changed much in three decades. So, Porsche took over the work on the model and assembled them after Mercedes-Benz did the initial design. As with all Canepa cars, everything from the floor mats to the tailpipes is clean enough to eat your dinner on. Take this one to an auction and make some money, or keep it as a perfect investment. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing Canepa inventory. View Listing

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