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 17, 2015

Justin Bieber's Liberty Walk Ferrari 458

Love him or hate him, Justin Bieber has pretty good taste in cars, especially knowing that he has a LaFerrari on the way, as USA Today reported March 29. Now, Bieber has taken his Ferrari 458 and customized it with a Liberty Walk kit.Included in the kit are a number of body pieces, including wheel arches to extend its width, side skirts, a front splitter and much more. His car was also wrapped in a Frozen Blue Chrome wrap, which matches the new set of wheels.Pictures of the car were posted on August 14 and 15 to Instagram by West Coast Customs, giving us a look at the car's rear and front. What do you guys think about it? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.(Source: Instagram) See More Celebrity Car News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – August 10, 2015

Tyga Gets Kylie Jenner a 458 Spider for Her Birthday

Some might say diamonds are a girl's best friend - I would say Ferraris are better.And after she gets to spend some time with her new birthday present, Kylie Jenner probably will, too. TMZ has reported that the Instagram celebrity and Kardashian sibling was gifted a white Ferrari 458 Spider for her 18th birthday, courtesy of her boyfriend Tyga. As a video added to YouTube today by TMZ shows, the car was parked out front of the place she was hosting her the star-studded party, big red bow and all.Just like a scene from MTV's "Sweet 16" TV series, Kylie runs outside with her full family, sees the car and, after thanking Tyga with a hug, climbs in amid the constant flashing of dozens of paparazzo's cameras.A sweet 18th birthday, indeed.Stay with us for more updates from the world of celebrity cars, and find your own 458 Spider from our exclusive listings at the button below.458 Spiders For Sale (Source: TMZ, YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 10, 2015

Chris Brown Receives Delivery of Rezvani Beast

It was first introduced in May 2014, while its production version unveiled in June of this year. Just a little over a month later, the first example has made its way to its owner. The Rezvani Beast has swung into the game, running for the title of America's best sports car, and rapper Chris Brown has received delivery of one of the first ones. Reports have trickled in across the web that Brown received delivery while on the set of the music video for his new song "Liquor." A video added to YouTube Aug. 7 from Charm Brittian shows us a look at the Beast's arrival on the back of a platform, then Brown giving it a very approving lookover. https://instagram.com/p/6E3aOCPpeM/ Capable of a 0-60 mph time of just 2.7 thanks to 500 hp created by its 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, the Beast is based on the Ariel Atom 3's carbon steel chassis, and comes in at a price of $165,000. However, to ensure he was one of the first to receive a Beast, TMZ reported Aug. 7 that Brown paid $200,000 for his, bumping the price up by $35,000. Brown first posted about his Beast on Instagram July 31, with the caption, "Had to get something new." He posted a few more pictures to his account since, most recently on August 6. https://instagram.com/p/6CdtU_vpST/ (Source: YouTube, Instagram, TMZ) See More Celebrity Car News

By Edward Jones – August 07, 2015

Mad Chase Between Helicopter and Drifting Race Car by Red...

Do you know who Felix Baumgartner is? You probably know him as the guy that skydived from space. Well, did you also know that he's also able to fly a helicopter like a mad man? In a video uploaded by Red Bull to YouTube August 5, we see Felix put his skills to the test against Jakub Przygoński and his 1,000 hp Toyota GT 86.(Also Read: Top Cars With Most Horsepower 2015)To put into perspective how difficult it is to control a helicopter like this, Felix is quoted in the video as saying, "Chasing a drift car with a helicopter is like juggling 5 razor blades while standing on a slack line." Take it from him - those aerobatic stunts were difficult. And, no, you should not try to juggle razor blades on a slack line.Check out the video below to see the action for yourself.(Source: YouTube) See More Automotive News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – August 06, 2015

Rolls-Royce Ghost & BMW i8 for Soulja Boy's 25th Birthday

With the likes of Bentley and Lamborghini in his regular posts, Soulja Boy's car-related adventures were already impressive. For the rapper's 25th birthday he spent time with two more drool-worthy cars: a BMW i8 and Rolls-Royce Ghost.In a series of Instagram and Facebook photos posted between July 28, his birthday, and Aug. 2, DeAndre Cortez Way, better known as Soulja Boy, shared photos of his two new additions, both of which are incredible cars at any age, but especially so for a 25th birthday. Of course, it's no surprise - he was just 17 when he first spent time at the number one spot on Billboard's Hot 100 with his song "Crank That." Got the 2015 #RR #Ghost for my birthday I'm 25 and came along way just want to say thank you to the fans without you i wouldn't be here or have any of this stuff. Blessed. Love. - Dre A photo posted by Soulja Boy (@souljaboy) on Jul 28, 2015 at 6:09pm PDT The day before his birthday, Soulja Boy also dropped a new mixtape, "25 The Movie," an ode to his quarter life celebration. Call it a comeback or a quarter life crisis - either way, he has great taste in cars.Check out the photos from his Facebook and Instagram pages below, and then find your own Ghost or i8 from our exclusive listings.Ghosts For Sale i8s For Sale Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed the Rolls-Royce Ghost as a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The article has been adjusted to reflect the proper name.Gallery (Source: Instagram, Facebook) See More Celebrity Car News

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By Caitlin Duffy – August 06, 2015

Q&A With Graham Rahal: Racing, His New Green 918 Spyder ...

At only 26 years old, Graham Rahal is already on top of the world. He's the racecar driver currently ranked second in the 2015 Verizon IndyCar Series, is engaged to drag race phenom Courtney Force, races for the team his father started and has more experience with cars than most people accrue in a lifetime. Courtesy of Grahm Rahal's Facebook pageAnd, with some help from Isringhausen Imports, he recently added a Viper Green Porsche 918 Spyder to his collection.We had a chance to catch up with Rahal just after his Aug. 2 victory during the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio, a huge boost for his team in the Indycar points championship. Read on to learn about why the 918 caught his eye, the other cars in his collection and what his next steps in the racing world might be.Autofluence: What made you pick out the Porsche 918 Spyder?Graham Rahal: I picked it because my family's ties to Porsches goes back to the mid '60s when my grandpa raced with them. My dad has always been a big Porsche collector, and I wanted to follow suit. To go with my very rare Sand White Carrera GT, I knew the 918 was the right one. Not to mention when I drove it, it was absolutely incredible and so fun to drive. I love it. AF: What was the delivery process like?GR: Well, I am not very patient, but it was great. David Donahue and the folks at Porsche were second to none. I had a great time through the entire process, and Isringhausen made it seamless once it was here. The car was delivered through Isringhausen, then sent straight to Byers Imports in Columbus, Ohio to get new HRE Wheels put on it, and to get a brand new Xpel Ultimate custom clear bra done by Shane and the folks at Entrotech in Columbus. It couldn't have worked out anymore perfect! AF: What was your first thought when you finally saw the car in person?GR: In love, unreal. I've seen 918s before, a lot of them, and nothing compares. The Viper Green color is the only in North America, and possibly the world. The interior accent touches are perfection, looks amazing. AF: How does the 918 Spyder's driving stack up against your race car's?GR: It's completely different. But the 918 is special because it has so much speed, combined with daily driving capabilities. The hybrid system works well, but you probably won't find me in any mode but race mode! The race car is so rigid and uncomfortable to drive as it's built just for extreme speed, the 918 has it all. AF: What other cars do you own?GR: I have a 2005 Sand White Porsche Carrera GT which I am the only registered owner ever which is cool, a 2015 McLaren 650S Le Mans edition, 1964 Mini Cooper S that I restored myself and absolutely love, a Signal Green 2015 paint to sample BMW M4 and lastly a Vesuvius orange paint to sample 2015 Range Rover Sport SVR that's the only one in the world, and lastly a Red on Red 2002 Acura NSX with 16k miles that's one of 8 ever made in that paint scheme. I love all the toys, but they are all used a lot otherwise there's no point in having them! AF: What's your favorite car?GR: I have to say the Carrera GT has always been my favorite. The noise of it, the looks of it, the purity, cars just aren't built like that anymore. AF: Is there another car you have your eye on for your next purchase?GR: I am extremely excited for the new Acura NSX. Being that I drive for Honda I know a lot of the background with the car, but I am really thrilled to get in it and enjoy it. AF: Congratulations on your current second place position in the IndyCar Series. With so much momentum, what's next for you and your racing career?GR: I am focused heavily on winning this championship. Coming off of 2 wins in the last 4 races, and 9 points away from Montoya in the championship, it's time to put more pressure on and try and get it. It would be amazing for myself and for my family, so we are definitely focused forward right now!View Isringhausen Imports' Inventory Editor's Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly listed the Verizon IndyCar Series as the IZOD IndyCar Series. The text has been updated to reflect the current name.Gallery See More Celebrity Cars

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By Caitlin Duffy – August 05, 2015

Ferrari FXX with Guy Martin at the Wheel

Guy Martin has been in some high-speed situations, but nothing seems to have blown him away quite like a Ferrari did.Supercar Driver in the United Kingdom is known for hosting some of the most incredible gatherings of supercars and their owners this world has ever seen. The weekend of August 1, they hosted their Red Arrows Diamond 9 event, and included among the attendees was a rare creation indeed.The Ferrari FXX was the first XX creation to come from Ferrari, and the one that attended is one of the few in the world modified to be a street legal version. So, of course, British motorcycle racer Martin needed a chance to get behind the wheel. Luckily for us, we get to see his reaction to the ride in a video added by Supercar Driver today."I've been in fast things, right, I have never been in anything like that," Martin says when he's done. "I'm shaking, I'm bloody shaking."Check out his fright-inducing run in the video above, browse the images from RiadArianeMedia below and stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.Ferraris For SaleGallery (Source: RiadArianeMedia, YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 04, 2015

Arnold Schwarzenegger Spotted in his Bugatti

Arnold Schwarzenegger has been spotted around California cruising in his Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse many times before, most recently in May, but this most recent spotting shares some footage rather than a quickly snapped picture.Starting with a quick drive past the Veyron's right side and ending with a clear shot of it parked in front of a Beverly Hills hotel, this July 31 video from DLMphotos covers almost every exterior angle of Arnold's prized silver Bug. And, as the caption tells us, it was Arnold's 68th birthday, July 30, when the cameraman and actor-turned-politician crossed paths. Both Arnold and the Bugatti seem a little out of place sitting in traffic on a crowded road. With 1,014 hp and 994 lb-ft under the hood and Schwarzenegger's history as weightlifter, actor and governor, the combination of the two is certainly out of the norm. But then again, if it was your birthday, would you stick with driving your daily, or take out that exotic and celebrate? Check out the video above, and find your own Bugatti from our exclusive listings below. Bugattis For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2015

Deadmau5 Unveils the Purracan

Producer Joel Zimmerman, also known as Deadmau5, is an automotive enthusiast that loves fast vehicles on four wheels. His collection includes a Tesla Model S P85D, McLaren P1 and, now, a Purracan.Okay, so the Purracan isn't really a model, but it is his Lamborghini Huracan with a Nyan Cat wrap, similar to his Ferrari 458 turned Purrari. The Purracan, posted on his Instagram and Twitter accounts, was customized by Sekanskin, an automotive customization shop based in Ontario, Canada.To go along with the wrap, they painted the brake calipers pink, added custom badging and, of course, a custom "Purracan" Ontario license plate.Check out the images below and a video of the car's delivery (warning: explicit language).The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 in itself is one of the Italian automaker's latest and most impressive models. It features a V10 engine that produces 602 hp and 412 lb-ft of torque. It can launch from 0-62 mph in just 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of over 202 mph.Huracans For Sale Gallery (Source: YouTube, Instagram, Twitter) See More Celebrity Car News, Pics and Videos

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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

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