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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 – May 24, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo Just Got a McLaren Senna

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the greatest fútbol/soccer/football players to ever live, has just taken to Instagram to show off his latest purchase. The purchase? A new McLaren Senna supercar. Ronaldo's Senna is just the latest addition to his ever-growing collection of supercars. In the past, he's shown off his Bugatti Chiron and Veyron. The McLaren is a great choice for Ronaldo, as it's just as agile and fast on the track as he is on the pitch. Named after the legendary Formula One driver Ayrton Senna, McLaren aimed to make the Senna a true track car that can legally drive on the road. Powering the car is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produces 789 bhp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Combine that power with the Senna's extreme aero components and you have the recipe for a track monster. Congratulations to Cristiano Ronaldo on his latest purchase! Browse All McLarens For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2IXW2oxtg/?igshid=wwyp0dsymi77 Featured Image Source: Instagram

By Edward Jones – May 10, 2019

Drake Bought Private Boeing 767 Plane Called "Air Drake"

Drake has a lot of money. With all of his money, he's bought some incredible pieces of machinery. He's purchased a LaFerrari, Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, just to name a few vehicles. Now, he's showing of his latest purchase, a private Boeing 767 called "Air Drake." He posted a video of his new plane to his Instagram account, showing off both the exterior and interior. On the outside, he even had his OVO and 6 God logos put on the outside of the plane. Inside, the plane is insanely spacious and it looks like a mansion built for the skies. The company that helped him make the plane happen was Cargojet Airways. Even the CEO of the company, Ajay Virmani, was on hand to check out the plane with the Champagne Papi. What's more, Drake says in the video: "No rental, no timeshare, no co-owners." That's basically him implying that he bought the plane with cash, which is quite a statement considering how many millions that kind of purchase would entail. We can't wait to see where Air Drake will fly to first! https://www.instagram.com/tv/BxR4lw5A6jj/

By Edward Jones – May 08, 2019

Jon Olsson's 850 HP "Safari" G-Wagon: The Wildest Mercede...

It was back in the end of December 2017 that Jon Olsson cut the roof off of his Mercedes-Benz G500 4x4². Since then, DTMobility has been hard at work turning the SUV known as Lord Hans into what is now Lord Hans 2.0. The result is a new "Safari" G-Wagon that's unlike any other G-Class you'll find. DTMobility took the topless G-Wagon and put on a new "safari" top. Truth be told, having a vehicle without a roof can be a pain in the butt when it rains. They also included new seats, exterior trim and even a tune that bumps up its power to 850 horsepower. After the SUV's unveiling, Olsson was more than pleased with the car. One aspect that he appreciated the most was that the new seats allowed him to see out the windshield without issue. I can easily say that being able to see out of the windshield is definitely something we should all look for in cars. Check out the SUV for yourself in the video up above. see all mercedes g500's for sale https://www.instagram.com/p/BxFklyqH4If/

By Edward Jones – May 07, 2019

The Rock Uses Ford Raptor as Transport to Private Jet

The big and buff actor known as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is living the life. Need proof? For his birthday, he had to go to work, like many of us do on our days of birth. To get to work, he drove a 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor to his private jet, which took him to work. Then, he flew back on the same day and took that Raptor home to his loving family. Not bad. What's also notable are the comments in the Instagram picture that shows The Rock with his modes of transportation. Celebrities like Kevin Hart, Gal Gadot, Terry Crews, Karen Gillan, Halle Berry and more all wished the actor a happy birthday. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw-EQ8PHi1f/ Also Check Out: The Rock’s New Hennessey VelociRaptor V8 The Rock Buys Longtime Stuntman New Truck The Rock Gives Make A Wish Kids Rides in Supercars

By Edward Jones – May 01, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo Reportedly Buys the Bugatti La Voiture ...

Cristiano Ronaldo, the soccer/fútbol superstar, has reportedly purchased the most expensive new car in the world, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire. This rumor comes from MARCA and Daily Mail, who propose that Ronaldo bought the $12.5 million hypercar. Bugatti has not confirmed that Ronaldo is the buyer, but the sources do say that Bugatti has confirmed the one-off hypercar does have a buyer. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire is a modern interpretation of the 57 SC Atlantic. Bugatti says that every single component found on the La Voiture Noire has been made by hand. Its exterior is made of carbon fiber, with a deep black gloss covering the entirety of it until it is interrupted by the ultrafine fiber structure. The Bugatti La Voiture Noire’s engine is the well-known 8.0-liter W16 engine, which produces 1480 horsepower and 1180 lb-ft of torque. It's truly an outstanding vehicle no matter how you look at it. As of right now, these rumors have not been confirmed by Bugatti. We'll keep you updated regarding these rumors and if they're proven to be true. view all bugattis for sale buy this issue now Source: MARCA, Daily Mail

By Edward Jones – April 29, 2019

John Cena Is Joining the Fast & Furious 9 Cast

On May 22, 2020, Fast & Furious 9 will be hitting the theaters. Yes, we're up to nine installments of the famous movie series that all started with street racing. Throughout the series, a wide variety of famous actors have been a part of the Fast & Furious cast. Now, John Cena will be added to that list thanks to a new Instagram post from Vin Diesel. Here's a transcript of the video."Guys as you know, I'm always thinking fast and thinking about the responsibility and making something iconic and deserving of your loyalty. I know this sounds crazy but every blue moon I feel like Pablo up there sends me someone. I know they sold you for the fight for truth and today someone came by the Toretto gym that speaks to what Pablo would've brought me." Then, the camera turns to John Cena. Diesel then finished the video with: "All love, always." It sure looks like we will be seeing John Cena in the upcoming film, but what his role will be is still up in the air. We can't wait to see what his role will be, what the new film will be about and what cars will be featured. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwsrZnDnB8s/ ">Featured Image Source

By Edward Jones – April 26, 2019

Guy Berryman of Coldplay's Amazing Car Collection

If you haven't heard the name "Coldplay," odds are you haven't listened to the radio in at least the past decade. Their hit songs have been song across the world and they've performed at some of the world's most popular events. All of this success has earned the members quite a lot of money. For one of the members, bassist Guy Berryman, this money has allowed him to indulge in one of his passions: cars. Mr JWW recently visited Berryman's garage, where he was given a tour. During the tour, Berryman gave the story behind each of his cars. In his collection are quite a few classics like a Porsche 914/6, Porsche 356 Carrera Speedster Zagato, Alpine A220 Le Mans race car, Bizzarrini Strada and plenty more. There's even a Bugatti Veyron in his collection, which Berryman loves because he says it's "such a gamechanger." Check out his entire collection in the video above! build your own car collection

By Edward Jones – April 26, 2019

Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott Pose With LaFerrari for "Av...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwtLmnnHArw/ "Avengers: Endgame" is officially out and people around the world are rushing to the theaters to see the film before it's spoiled for them. For me, I'm writing this on a couple of hours of sleep because of my great idea to see the three-hour film at 10PM. At the showing, there were a fair amount of moviegoers dressed up as their favorite Avengers. Even some celebrities are getting into the dress-up/cosplay spirit for the new superhero, like Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwtMv6WnDqc/ She recently posted a couple of pictures with her, "Iron Man" and her daughter on her Instagram in celebration of the new Avengers movie. What's more, they posed for the pictures next to a beautiful red Ferrari LaFerrari. Kylie was dressed up as Captain Marvel, while there was someone dressed up as Iron Man next to her. You can't see who it is, but considering she's in a relationship with Travis Scott and she calls him the "Iron Flame" in the picture description, it's safe to assume. Anywho, be sure to see "Avengers: Endgame" and click the button below to pick out your own LaFerrari. find your own laferrari

By Edward Jones – April 25, 2019

Lexus Joins the Team in New "Men in Black: International"...

The second trailer for the upcoming film "Men in Black: International" just dropped and it stars more than just Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. In the trailer, a 2020 Lexus RC F is debuted as the car of choice for the alien-fighting duo. “We’ve added some advanced capabilities to the RC F to assist the Men in Black agents, creating a truly one-of-a-kind alien-fighting machine,” said Lisa Materazzo, Vice President of Lexus marketing. “We can’t wait for moviegoers to see the RC F as they’ve never seen it before.” What could that possibly mean? In the original film, it was the red button that could turn the car into essentially a rocket. For the new film, it seems that the RC F goes under the same kind of transformation. If you watch the trailer, found above, you can see the new Lexus sports car transform into a futuristic new vehicle. Check it out and get ready for the film, which hits theaters on June 14, 2019. see all lexus cars for sale

By Edward Jones – April 25, 2019

What Will James Bond's Next Car Be?

The new "Bond 25" film's cast has just been announced, and it's jam-packed with stars. According to Collider.com, the official cast is as follows: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomi Harris, Rory Kinnear, Jeffrey Wright, Dali Benssalah, Billy Magnussen, Ana De Armas, David Dencik, Lashana Lynch and Remi Malek. Now, there's one thing missing so far: the car. What kind of car is James Bond going to drive this time around? If history tells us anything, it's that James Bond drives an Aston Martin. This is a tradition that goes back to the 1964 film, "Goldfinger," with the DB5. Since then, numerous Aston Martins have been used, as well as a few other makes. Most recently, Bond drove a DB10 in "Spectre". This car actually sold for $2.6 million for charity. Before that, the DB5 was actually used in both "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall". So, what will it be? Could it be the new DBS Superleggera? DB11? Or even one of Aston Martin's new supercars or hypercar? Cast your vote down below. see all aston martins for sale Source: Collider

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