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 Andrew Nabors – August 03, 2016

George Foreman's 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster Head...

When buying an exotic car, popular guidance advises one should consider research into the previous owners and service records. But unless your name is Howard Cosell, we would advise against antagonizing the owner of this 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT. George Foreman's boxing record speaks for itself, and his entrepreneurial efforts have made him a wealthy man. At 67 years old he is still probably capable of taking on opponents half his age, but we can't think of another car from 1997 that could square off against the Diablo VT. Viscous Traction was the name of Lamborghini's all-wheel drive system, and it automatically engages the front wheels if/when the rears spin. The 5.7L V12 makes 485 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque, and the Roadster weighs in at 3,583 lbs. At 6'3" tall, Big George needs a convertible. The carbon fiber roof panel stores neatly on the rear deck lid and is finished in the factory original Smalto Rosso paint. You won't be grilled by maintenance costs, as a recent engine-out service included a new clutch and a leak down test. The Diablo VT is currently riding on new tires, but the originals are also included. Mr. Foreman only put 1,907 miles on the car, so this is your chance at a new Diablo VT. Boxing aficionados will love the included extras like a framed picture and ticket stub from the Rumble in the Jungle. The latest model of his Lean Mean Grilling machine is autographed, along with a pair of boxing gloves. Copies of the original registration and title are included with all service records. If you need more heavyweights in your collection, lot S119 will be up for auction at Mecum's Monterey auction. For more photos and information, please click here. Learn More

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2016

Ken Block's Ford Fiesta Rally Car Up For Sale

Ever watch a video of Ken Block's Gymkhana and think to yourself, "I could do that"? Well, now you have the chance to prove yourself.Available through Motorsport Auctions is Ken Block's very own Ford Fiesta HFHV Rally car. This car has been featured in the Gymkhana videos and actually won the Rally of Whangarei 2015, with Block behind the wheel.It's being sold in complete rally spec, which pretty much means if the new owner wants to take this car to a rally competition, they could. That also means that the new owner needs to have the necessary skills in order to compete, as the car doesn't make the driver.This Fiesta was built in the United Kingdom where it was fitted with a new powertrain that would allow it to compete in the Global RallyCross rounds. Motorsports Auctions notes that the sale of this car includes the parts that could convert the car from rally spec to rallycross spec. Powering the car is a 2,000cc Pipo Motors engine that has been modified to produce 600 bhp and 663 lb-ft of torque. Right now, being in rally spec, it produces 350 bhp.The car's listing has it priced at £250,000, which equates to roughly $350,000 USD, and it's currently available in the United States.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 08, 2016

Revealed: List of 18 Cars from Jerry Seinfeld's Collectio...

This year's Amelia Island Auction, slated for March 11, 2016 in Amelia Island, Florida will proudly auction off a selection of collector cars from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection. Gooding & Company released the full selection from The Seinfeld Collection late last week. As stated in the press release, the selection will include: 1973 Porsche 917/30 Can-Am Spyder 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (est. $5-6 million) 1959 Porsche 718 RSK 1958 Porsche 356 A 1500 GS/GT Carrera Speedster (est. $2-2.5 million) 2000 Porsche Carrera GT Prototype 1990 Porsche 962C 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC RSR (est. $1.2-1.5 million) 1998 Porsche 993 3.8 Cup RSR 1963 Porsche 356 B 2000 GS Carrera 2 Coupe 1994 Porsche 964 Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau 1957 Porsche 356 A Speedster 2012 Porsche 997 GT3 4.0 Cup “Brumos Commemorative Edition” 1958 Porsche 597 Jagdwagen 2011 Porsche 997 Speedster 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster 1966 Porsche 911 1964 Volkswagen Camper 1960 Volkswagen Beetle Jerry Seinfeld, a long-time lover and collector of many exclusive Porsche models stated:“Each one of these cars is a pinnacle of mechanical culture to me. Many are the best examples that exist in the world. I’ve loved being entrusted with their care, and I’m proud of the level to which we have brought each and every one of these wonderful machines... And the reason I wanted to bid these cars farewell in this way is really just to see the look of excitement on the faces of the next owners who I know will be out of their minds with joy that they are going to get to experience them."Which example from The Jerry Seinfeld Collection would you love to get your hands on? Tell us in the comments below.Porsches For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 01, 2016

Transformers Optimus Prime and Bumblebee Sell at Barrett-...

If you were to ask Optimus Prime and Bumblebee how much it'd cost to make them your personal Autobot, they probably wouldn't respond on account of them being fictional. But the resto mod 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS and 1992 Peterbilt 379 used in Michael Bay's "Transformers: Age of Extinction" are most definitely real, and they just sold at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale 2016 event.The owner that put them up for auction was none other than Bay, the director of the Transformers movies. The first of the duo to go up for sale was the Camaro SS, which was used to depict Bumblebee in the movie. After it rolled out across the block, it's final bid was $167,200. As for the Peterbilt truck, otherwise known as Optimus Prime, it sold for $121,000, and that sold to Rick Hendrick. These numbers seem tiny when set next to the price of the first Acura NSX, which sold at the same event to none http://www.dupontregistry.com/autos/results/acura/nsxother than Hendrick.Is owning two Transformers for under $300,000 a steal and a life goal of mine? You bet.Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 11, 2015

RM Sotheby's Auctions Off Janis Joplin's Porsche for Reco...

Last night at RM Sotheby's New York City "Driven by Disruption" auction, Janis Joplin's 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet sold for a record-breaking $1,760,000. This number was well above what they estimated it to go for, which was a respectable $400-600,000. In total, there were seven bidders getting in on the bidding for the car, but the final bid was the highest for any Porsche 356 sold at public auction.This psychedelic car was bought by Janis Joplin off of a used car lot back in 1968. She then had her friend and roadie, Dave Richards, customize the car with a "History of the Universe" mural. RM Sotheby's said in an email last night that this could be one of the first true "art cars" in existence and one of the most important Porsches of all-time.For full results from the "Driven by Distraction" auction, be sure to check back with us soon.(Source: RM Sotheby's)

By Edward Jones – November 02, 2015

Floyd Mayweather's Ferrari Enzo to be Auctioned

Floyd Mayweather has been hitting the headlines recently thanks to his multiple multi-million dollar automotive acquirements, including his $3.5 million Bugatti Veyron. Now, his name is in the headlines because of his Ferrari Enzo, which will be auctioned at the RM Sotheby's New York - Driven By Disruption auction Dec. 10.This specific Italian supercar is chassis number 135440 and was the 295th example of the Enzo built. It was purchased by the famous boxer just last year and has only gained an additional 200 miles on its odometer, giving it a total of 560 miles from new. With such a low amount of road use, this is what RM Sotheby's calls in the vehicle's description, "one of the lowest-mileage Enzos known."To keep the car in tip-top shape, it was given its 5,000 miles service this year, where its fluids, oil and air filters were all changed. It comes with service invoices from Ferrari of Beverly Hills, the original seat covers, steering wheel cover, car cover, bags, owner's manuals and tool kit.RM Sotheby's hasn't given an exact estimate yet, but they did happen to auction off the last Enzo ever created for $6,050,000 during their Monterey event. And, we currently have an Enzo listed for $3.85 million by Ferrari Maserati of Newport Beach.Stay with us for more information on this auction as we draw closer to its date.Gallery (via RM Sotheby's) More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 03, 2015

Don Draper's 1965 Cadillac Coupe deVille Up for Auction

How do you know that you've made it in the advertising business?According to Roger Sterling, played by John Slattery, and Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, you know when you can afford yourself a brand new Cadillac. The premise of episode seven, "The Gold Violin," during the second season of "Mad Men" was that Don has finally arrived at the level of partner, and it's time for him to act the part.He had the beautiful wife, darling children, a stunning home in the suburbs outside of New York City, and now, Roger tells him, it's time to buy that 1965 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. Stunning blue with a white top, it's the perfect symbol of his success, and now it can be a symbol of yours.From now until August 6, you can place your bid on Screenbid.com to own the very Cadillac that Hamm's character purchased in the show. There are currently 55 bids placed, with the current bid sitting at $25,250. A certificate of authenticity will be provided by Lions Gate Entertainment upon purchase, guaranteeing this will forever be a collector's car.(See Also: Clarkson and Top Gear Team Sign with Amazon for Show)There's still time for the price to be driven up quite a bit, so keep an eye on this auction and place your bid before it's too late. Or, find your own Cadillac, perhaps one a few decades newer, from our exclusive listings below.Cadillacs For Sale (Source: Screenbid via Autoweek) See More Celebrity Car News

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2015

Chris Pratt's Motorcycle from Jurassic World Up For Auction

If you haven’t seen Jurassic World yet, you are truly missing out. Amazing special effects aside, the film features a host of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models along with a trail-ready Triumph Scrambler ridden by raptor wrangler Chris Pratt.(See Also: The Mercedes-Benz Cars of “Jurassic World”)According to a July 20 press release issued by MotorsportsNewswire.com, Triumph built three bikes for the film. One is on display at their corporate headquarters; one was given to the leading actor; the final will be auctioned off on eBay with proceeds going to The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. These motorcycle gatherings raise money to fight prostate cancer, with attendees dressed in the finest vintage fashion.The Scrambler is essentially a highly modified version of their classic Bonneville. These small and nimble Café Racers were made popular by British biker gangs, such as the Mods and the Rockers.To see it in action, watch the video below, uploaded by Universal Pictures May 29, of Chris Pratt riding the motorcycle being auctioned off.The auction will run for ten days and starts at 7 pm tonight. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more vintage and collectible motorcycles.(Source: Motor Sports Newswire & Universal Pictures) See More Celebrity Rides

By Caitlin Duffy – June 10, 2015

Steve McQueen's Porsche 911 Turbo Being Auctioned Off

Steve McQueen is a name all automotive enthusiasts are familiar with. His love and passion for all things mechanical, as well as roles in monumental movies for cars in cinema, have pushed his name to the status of legend, and now you can own a piece of that legendary history.The very last special order Porsche he ever ordered is set to cross the block at Mecum Auctions' Monterey 2015 event Aug. 13-15, and it is in stunning condition. A 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo, also known as the 930, with a rare, early production, non-intercooled, 3.0-liter engine, and from Mecum's video detailing its history, its driving experience is one that will stay with you forever.Porsche 911 Turbo For Sale The Slate Gray color was a special order from McQueen, but he still took to it with his own hands to add a few more things. 8" wheels in the front and 9" wheels in the back were added by him, as was a kill switch for the rear lights. Found on the dashboard, it was added to give him extra cover in case he was being chased on Mulholland Drive. You can check out his route down the road in our April 10 article.A portion of the auction's proceeds will be donated to The Boys Republic, a non-profit for troubled youngsters that McQueen credits with turning his life around. You can learn more about that and his 1946 graduation from the center in the video above.Take a moment to browse the photos of this car, and visit the listing page by hitting the button below.View Listing Gallery (Source: Mecum Auctions, YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 20, 2015

Paul Walker's Toyota Supra Sold by Mecum Auctions

It has been cemented in to movie history as one of the most memorable cars to ever be seen on the silver screen, and over the weekend of May 16, it crossed the block and entered a new collection.One of the original Toyota Supra stunt cars driven by Paul Walker in the original "The Fast and the Furious" movie was lot S157 at Mecum Auctions' 28th Original Spring Classic, also dubbed the Indy 2015 auction, and not surprisingly, it sold at a more than respectable price.As we described April 17 when it was first listed on our website, this particular 1993 Toyota Supra was featured in the final race scene, and offers 220 hp from its 2JZ-GE 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It was estimated that this lot would sell for between $150,000 and $200,000, an estimate that proved spot on. As Mecum announced on their Facebook page May 16, the final price rang in at $185,000.(See Also: Magnus Walker at the Ace Cafe with Porsche)Check out the gallery of this stunning Supra below, and if you're wanting a fast or furious car of your own, take a moment and browse through our exotic cars for sale. Or, keep an eye on future auction events in case it makes its way back onto the block.Browse Listings Gallery (Source: Mecum Auctions via Facebook) See More Celebrity Car News

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