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 Dylan Orluck – March 31, 2020

Art for Life With Daniel Arsham Featuring Ted Gushue

If you like cars, good photography, or spend a decent amount of time on Instagram, you will probably recognize Ted Gushue’s (@tedgushue’s) work. He travels the globe attending automotive events from St Moritz to Bangkok and makes each adventure look more thrilling than the last. Ted’s travels are portrayed through his incredible photographs that tell a story about the location, the relationships and the cars in a way that is totally unique. Ted Gushue lives a life similar to James Bond, but in a cooler car: a Porsche. https://www.instagram.com/p/B9rmWLOgC5D/ His focus on all things Porsche helped bring @type7 to life, which takes Ted’s recipe for success on social media and gives the public a curated look into the aesthetics of the Porsche brand. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QGRqdFSdB/ Today at 3pm est, Ted will be sitting down to chat with the one and only Daniel Arsham, another name you should know if you’ve had your eyes open this past year. Daniel is a New York City based artist known for taking the familiar and reimagining it to uncover a new dimension of the art. His work brings the elegance of antiquity into the modern age and lands somewhere in the middle of architecture, sculpture and performance. This can be seen in his latest automotive pieces, the functional 992 Porsche and the DeLorean that was featured in a recent DIOR campaign. https://www.instagram.com/p/B31kMqOgMws/ Be sure to tune in and get a deep dive into the minds and lives of these two incredible people. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-ZU7xUgL4L/

By Edward Jones – March 31, 2020

"SKRRT With Offset" Coming to Quibi in April

On April 6, 2020, Quibi will be launching as a new video platform that will specialize in shorter shows with "big stories." Joining the star-studded list of shows to launch in April on Quibi is "SKRRT With Offset," a new automotive show starring, you guessed it, Offset. This new show comes to us from the producer of "Top Gear." Starring in the show is rapper Offset, who will be joined by various other rappers and some wild cars. They'll be racing, drifting, showing off collections and a whole lot more. For instance, in the trailer below, Offset goes out for some drifting lessons from T-Pain in his Pickle Rick Nissan 240SX. There's no doubt in my mind that this is going to be a very entertaining show so be sure to check it out when it drops on Quibi on April 6.

By Andrew Nabors – March 30, 2020

Lego Technic Unveils Dom's 1969 Dodge Charger

We were looking forward to the 9th installment of the Fast & Furious franchise. The virus has wreaked havoc on Hollywood, so we will have to wait until next year. In the meantime, our friends in Denmark have added a timeless classic from the first movie. We're happy to announce Lego Technic has unveiled Dom's 1969 Dodge Charger. If you live your life a quarter mile at a time, click the button below to get yours before this limited edition is gone. Click Here To Order

By Edward Jones – March 30, 2020

Virgil Abloh Customizes Drake's Private Jet

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-TKln2lKMC/ Last year, Drake unveiled "Air Drake," his private Boeing 767. This lavish jet has a stunning interior that has plenty of room for both Drake and his crew. When it was first unveiled, the jet had an exterior that featured his OVO and 6 God logos, but now he's changed it up with the help of Virgil Abloh. In an Instagram post, Drake unveiled a new look for the Air Drake that was designed by Virgil Abloh. If the design looks familiar, that's because it was inspired by Drake's "Nothing Was the Same" album cover. It's a stunning look for the plane and it will surely blend in the with the skies and clouds above as Drake travels from show to s how. Featured Image Source: Instagram/@champagnepapi

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 25, 2020

Tanner Foust Tears Up the Streets and Sky in "Quantum Dri...

If you don’t know Tanner Foust, you may be living under a rock, but he is best described as a jack of all trades in the automotive world. If it has an engine and a steering wheel, Foust will maneuver it like never seen before, which is displayed in his new video Quantum Drift 2. A video that will leave you wondering “where can I get a pair of magic racing gloves?” His credential list includes rally racing, drifting, stunt driving, and television host of the ever-popular automotive show Top Gear. Foust’s fueled friend list is massive as well, a few cameos are featured in this adrenaline-packed video brought to you by Tanner and the team at Race Service.

By Edward Jones – March 19, 2020

Anthony Joshua and Land Rover Celebrate 50 Years of Range...

It was in 1970 that the Range Rover came into the world, loaded with "world-first technology." Now, Land Rover is celebrating 50 years of Range Rover with an amazing display in the snow. They also gave World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua the chance to drive the latest Range Rover SV models on the ice. The frozen artwork was designed by snow artist Simon Beck. He created a very unique "50 Years of Range Rover" graphics in the steering pad at Land Roevr's cold weather testing facility in Sweden. It's insane to think he created the artwork by walking more than 45,000 steps through the snow in a very specific manner. As mentioned before, Anthony Joshua also had the chance to take on the Jaguar Land Rover Ice Academy. From slipping to sliding and having minimal control, he learned how to master driving on ice with the help of the Academy instructors. You can see his experience down below. See All Land Rovers for Sale

By Edward Jones – March 19, 2020

Odell Beckham Jr. Takes the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Culli...

It's currently the offseason for the NFL... and just about every other sport. That means players are taking some time to do as they please. For Odell Beckham Jr., that means heading to London, one of his favorite places to travel. During his trip, he took the luxurious Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan out for a drive. In the video below, you can see him cruising around the streets in the SUV, talking about why he loves England. He even mentions going to Nandos. But while he's talking, all I can look at is the Starlight Headliner of the Cullinan. It's just too beautiful to ignore! Check it out for yourself by clicking play below. See All Cullinans for Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2020

Chris Brown's Wild Lamborghini Aventador SV

Chris Brown's Lamborghini Aventador SV just received a major visual upgrade from RDB LA. And this is on top of already having the Liberty Walk Limited Edition Widebody Kit. First up is the custom wrap, which fades from a purple to teal. To match the color fade are the Forgiato wheels that have been wrapped in purple upfront and teal in the back. There's also the Novitec suspension for an even more aggressive appearance and custom exhaust for an insane scream. Check it out for yourself in the video below. ALL LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR SV FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – March 06, 2020

UFC Champion, Israel Adesanya, Checks Out Porsche Passport

Israel Adesanya is set to defend his title as UFC Middleweight champion this weekend on March 7. Leading up to this fight Adesanya will be utilizing the Porsche Passport subscription service. This service allows Adesanya to swap out the Porsche he's driving for another and all that's needed is a monthly charge. “I’m looking forward to driving Porsche sports cars around Vegas all week as I prepare to defend my title,” said Adesanya. “I couldn’t pick just one car from their lineup, and I’m glad I don’t have to.” Whether it's a 911, Panamera, Cayman or most other Porsche models, Adesanya will be able to change up depending on what he's feeling for the day.

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2020

See the New Batmobile That Robert Pattinson Will Drive

A new film called "The Batman" is set to hit theaters on June 25, 2021 and it's going to have both a new actor playing the protagonist and a new Batmobile. The actor, Robert Pattinson, was picked to play the role of Batman after Ben Affleck stepped down from playing Batman in 2019. If you haven't seen Pattinson's recent work, you should (e.g., The Lighthouse, The Childhood of a Leader, and Good Time). For Pattinson's Batmobile, the director Matt Reeves is going in a new and awesome direction. Reeves unveiled the new superhero car through his Twitter account and it's phenomenal. Instead of a wild and over-the-top design, they went with an extremely strong-looking muscle car that has an exposed engine in the back. Unlike other Batmobiles, this one is powered by what looks like a V10 engine instead of a jet turbine. We can't wait to see this new film and see the Batmobile in action. https://twitter.com/mattreevesLA/status/1235261421425958912 Image Source: Twitter/@mattreevesLA

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