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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 22, 2025

How To Buy: Devin Booker's Nike Collection Inspired By Cl...

Devin Booker brings his love for classic Chevy Blazers into his latest Nike collab Aside from being a four-time NBA All-Star and a lead guard for the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker stands out as a trendsetter with a passion for collecting cars. And we're not talking about the latest and greatest supercars; instead, it's all about classic muscle cars and trucks for the 28-year-old superstar. Whether he's pulling up to PHX Arena in GMC Typhoon or kicking it at home with his all-original, 86-mile Chevy Impala, it's clear that Devin Booker's taste in cars is impeccable. Devin Booker's love for vintage cars just hit the court with his latest Nike x Chevrolet collaboration. The new drop includes fresh colorways of his signature Book 1 sneaker and the iconic Blazer Low, all inspired by his trio of 1972 Chevrolet Blazers. Each pair ties into his personal style and car collection, making this release feel more like a true extension of who he is beyond basketball. Paired with matching Nike x Chevrolet T-shirts featuring the Phoenix Mountains and shots of Devin's Blazers, the lineup combines retro auto flair with modern sportswear. The "Dark Gold Leaf" Book 1 and the "Team Dark Green" Blazer Low are a nod to old-school styles, while the "Surf Blue" Blazer Low adds a pop of color and will be more limited, dropping at select Nike stores. These pieces also build off Booker's first Nike apparel collection. Launching today, this Nike x Chevrolet collab will be available on Nike's website. Whether you're a fan of classic Chevys, Booker's game, or just clean sneaker design, this collection brings all three together in a low-key but well-executed way. Shop Devin Booker's Nike collection by clicking the link below. Shop Nike x Devin Booker x Chevy Source: Nike

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 13, 2024

Watch Guy Fieri Tour His Luxury Northern California Ranch...

From Food Network to the mountains of Northern California! Known for his role as one of Food Network's biggest star chefs, with hit TV series and restaurants around the country, Guy Fieri has established quite a reputation for finding the best food spots and discovering culinary talent. But among being a star both on the TV and in the kitchen, Guy also shares a passion for collecting classic and exotic cars, as you could probably tell with a bright red classic Camaro convertible making a cameo on his episodes of 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.' As part of the most recent episode of In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Ben heads to Northern California to interview Guy Fieri while touring his incredible property, home, and car collection. Nestled on 42 acres with breathtaking views of mountains, Guy's home tour starts in his circular-style barn that was historically built by an old gold miner. Since then, the barn has been tastefully updated to help preserve its significance, featuring a full game room, bar, and even a basketball court. Next up is one of Guy's two garages that house some of his most prized, four-wheel possessions, including everything from an all-original Plymouth Roadrunner to the first new generation yellow Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible to roll off the production line. In addition to the 2-level garage stuffed with classics, the second garage features modern marvels like a new Rolls-Royce Wraith and custom 750HP Apocalypse 6x6 Hellfire. Guy Fieri's Car Collection: 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle C6 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 1941 Cadillac Limo C6 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Shelby Cobra 1968 Camaro SS Convertible C7 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 60s Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 70s Pontiac Firebird Dodge SRT Challenger Demon (x2) Pontiac Trans AM 'Smokey & The Bandit' 1934 Buick Phantom And so much more! Owing it over 10 years, Guy and his team have worked countless hours to have the property looking in tip-top shape, from all the farm animals and their enclosures to its pristine landscape. Being in the dry mountains of California for the past decade, the home has since been faced with its share of natural disasters like wildfires. In unfortunate circumstances like this, Guy's rolling kitchen trailer, outfitted with everything you'd need to feed an army, acts as a disaster relief post to feed those affected as well as those helping to protect and serve. With a spectacular Nor Cal property that will forever carry on the legacy of a true culinary icon, Guy Fieri's home and car collection is truly one of the most impressive on the planet. View All Exotic & Classic Cars For Sale " width="680"> Source: Graham Bensinger YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2024

Drake & Arthur Kar Spotted Teasing The New NOCTA x L'Art ...

Drake x L'Art give us another sneak peek inside its upcoming release! Recently announced as one of the most popular streetwear collaborations of the year, L'Art de l'automobile preps for an exclusive upcoming release with Drake's NOCTA clothing line. Being a passionate car collector who's owned the keys to incredible cars that include the Ferrari LaFerrari, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet, Rolls-Royce Cullinan by Chrome Hearts, BRABUS Crawler, and many more, it's no surprise to hear the Drake (@champagnepapi) wanted the collection to be inspired by the legendary Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. The new collaboration was recently teased as Drake sat courtside at the Houston Rockets game wearing the NOCTA x L'Art de l'automobile blue racing jacket. On the other side of the world in Paris, France, Arthur Kar sported the same jacket as he posted a video tour around his jaw-dropping inventory of supercars with a pet rabbit in hand. Along with the already-revealed hat and jacket, the lineup will also include a pair of NOCTA x Nike sneakers. Teaser shots of the pieces showcased in the limited-edition apparel line are making waves in the streetwear community, guaranteeing an instant sellout upon its release. While we are still awaiting confirmation on an official release date, stay tuned into duPont REGISTRY for more updates on the all-new NOCTA x L'Art de l'automobile release. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HIGHSNOBIETY (@highsnobiety) Source: Highsnobiety

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 18, 2023

Watch MrBeast & His Friends Rank And Test Cars From $1 to...

The list features everything from factory firsts to futuristic concepts, and everything in between! Exploring and discovering some of the world's most expensive offerings, YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, dedicates a portion of his channel to entertaining his 184 million subscribers with informative content. After shocking the automotive world by crushing a Lamborghini Gallardo with a hydraulic press, MrBeast and his crew of friends are scaling cars from $1 to $100,000,000 using a $250 million car collection. Before getting behind the wheel of supercars like the Ferrari 812 Competizione, Ford GT, and McLaren 720S, the group had to start by purchasing a rusty barn find for only a dollar. Along the way, MrBeast gets up close and personal with Tesla's $100K self-driving Model X, Lamborghini's $200K track-focused Rezvani's $300K explosion-proof Vengeance SUV, a $500K Jeep boat, and a $600K flying car. Arriving at the million-dollar mark with so many options to choose from, MrBeast chose to bring out 10 of the coolest $1 million supercars. The seven-figure lineup features a hydrogen concept car, Guntherwerks Porsche 911, Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, McLaren 765LT, custom Shelby GT500, Ferrari 812 Competizione, and four Ford GTs. MrBeast then told each of his friends to hop in their favorite supercar for some high-speed laps on the open track. Choosing to take a position as a passenger, MrBeast hops in the front seat of the Ferrari 812 Competizione with his friend and fellow YouTube creator Cody Ko behind the wheel. In addition to these experiments, MrBeast gets his chance to experience true automotive excellence with a ride in Koenigsegg's $10M Agera RS "Vader" and Jay Leno's $20M McLaren F1. Diving into a class of cars that are better referred to as museum-grade examples, the Petersen Museum crossed the $80M milestone with a classic $30M Ferrari and $50M. The final car taking MrBeast's $100M top spot is Ferrari's first car, the 125 S, which is only allowed to be driven by one museum representative in perfect weather conditions. Whether you an aficionado or a novice to the world of exotic cars, it's safe to say that MrBeast brought out the best to scale cars from $1 to $100,000,000. View all supercars and hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Supercars And Hypercars For Sale Source: MrBeast YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 06, 2022

Watch Travis Pastrana Rip Through South Florida In An 862...

Leave it to Travis Pastrana to give us one of the most rowdy Gymkhana videos ever! Showcasing the world of rally sports through a series of stunt videos, the creative team at Hoonigan shares a passion for pushing the limits behind the wheel of insanely modified race car builds. Hoonigan Media Machine, Travis Pastrana, and Subaru Motorsports USA are proud to release its wildest Gymkhana film yet, featuring a purpose-built AWD 865-horsepower Subaru GL Wagon named ‘The Family Huckster’. MUST-READ: Watch Travis Pastrana’s Gymkhana 2020: Ultimate Hometown Shred In An 826hp Subaru STI Starting in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with eyes set on Key West, Pastrana maneuvers the high-performance station wagon through a series of obstacles that are only best described as mind-blowing. And that’s not to mention multiple cameos from Travis’s friends in vehicles ranging from a fighter jet, military helicopter, monster truck, airboats, jet skis, and more. Reaching incredible speeds of up to 165mph, this is definitely the most thrilling Gymkhana release of all time. Watch Gymkhana 2022: Travis Pastrana Goes Berserk in Florida in an 862HP Subaru by clicking the video link above. Source: Hoonigan YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 03, 2022

Drake Features Virgil Abloh's Mercedes-Benz Project MAYBA...

From one-of-a-kind Patek Philippe watches to one-off Mercedes-Maybach builds, Drake and Virgil Abloh hold a special bond. With an impressive collection that once featured a yellow Ferrari LaFerrari, Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet, and Rolls-Royce Cullinan by Chrome Hearts, Canadian rapper Drake defines himself as a true car enthusiast that continues to upgrade his garage with new examples. Sharing a similar artistic vision with fashion icon and friend Virgil Abloh, Drake pays homage to his life and love for luxury cars by featuring the Mercedes-Benz Project MAYBACH in his most recent ‘Sticky’ music video. Showcasing itself as a luxury off-road concept, Project MAYBACH adapts to its outdoor environment while shooting camping scenes with the award-winning performer. MUST-READ: Mercedes-Benz Project MAYBACH With Virgil Abloh The inspiration behind Project Maybach was complete creative freedom, the great outdoors, and re-contextualizing a traditionally metropolitan brand within a distinctly off-road environment. Project MAYBACH channels Abloh’s passion to challenge the status quo and re-write the rulebook of aspirational design. The X-Factor nature of Project MAYBACH results not only from its breathtaking size (nearly 20 feet long) and characteristics. While Project MAYBACH was inspired by his creative efforts, the Mercedes-Benz teams thank Virgil Abloh for the inspiration to explore the power of cross-industry dialogue. Watch Mercedes-Benz Project MAYBACH’s cameo in Drake’s new ‘Sticky’ music video by clicking on the video link above. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and celebrity car news. Source: Drake YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 13, 2021

Lewis Hamilton Joins Master Class On Teaching A Winning M...

Learn a winning attitude with help from Master Class and Lewis Hamilton. There is an old saying that if you want to be the best, then you have to learn from the best. The team at Master Class specializes in applying that thought to everyday life, with a digital faculty made up of the top industry leaders of the world. Master Class is proud to be collaborating with Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton on a class dedicated towards teaching a winning mindset. Coming from the winningest driver in Formula 1 history, Lewis breaks down the process of achieving greatness through a series of 12 video lessons that total 2 hours and 12 minutes. MUST-READ: Amalgam Collection Shrinks Lewis Hamilton’s Car to a Quarter of The Size While the life lessons of Lewis Hamilton help to translate into a faster lap time against competitors, the goal of the curriculum is to apply the same forward-thinking to any professional or personal setting. The Master Class Lewis Hamilton course on Teaching a Winning Mindset is currently available online starting at $15 per month. Check out the Master Class x Lewis Hamilton course trailer and sample by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury automotive news and releases. Learn More On Master Class x Lewis Hamilton Master Class Source: Master Class

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 18, 2021

Watch Magnus Walker x Ishod Wair Talk Porsche And New Nik...

Combining Porsche x Sneakers x Skateboarding in one Nike SB Dunk. As we grow closer to the Nike SB x Magnus Walker ‘277’ sneaker release, we learn more about the DNA behind the project. In a video recently released on the Nike SB Instagram page, Magnus meets up with professional Nike skateboarder Ishod Wair to talk cars and shoes. As an avid Porsche enthusiast, Magnus explains the design behind the Nike SB ‘277’, and how underneath the shoe’s livery is a gold base, just like his car. While enjoying a drive through Los Angeles, Ishod Wair gives us a glimpse at his Porsche 964 Carrera, hoping for more space to buy more cars. The anticipated Nike SB x Magnus Walker ‘277’ sneaker is set to release on June 25th in select skate shops and online. Shop all of the current Nike SB Collections by clicking the link below. Shop Nike SB https://www.instagram.com/p/CQPNc4Spgb2/ For more Gear news, Check out The GearBox: Gear For The M8 Competition Gran Coupe

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 29, 2021

Watch The New Daniel Ricciardo x GoPro Partnership Video

Daniel trades the racing seat for a director's chair The life of Team McLaren F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is action-pack, to say the least, which is why the Australian has partnered with GoPro to capture all of the crazy day-to-day content. Although you would believe that there is a team of high-skill professionals with Daniel to help create the perfect edit, it's actually the complete opposite. In the caption section of the video posted to the Daniel Ricciardo YouTube channel, Daniel recognizes his rather new love for filming and editing, promising to improve his skills soon enough. We here are definitely looking forward to more days in the life of Daniel Ricciardo videos to come soon. Check back in for more Daniel Ricciardo content, and click below to shop all GoPro products and accessories. Shop GoPro For more Lifestyle news, Check out The New Porsche x Martini Racing Collection Is Available Now

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