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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 Jordan Aquistapace – March 28, 2024

Watch Jay Leno's $20M McLaren F1 Get The Ultimate Detail ...

$20 million has never looked so good! While its claim to fame has been historically documented through time spent competing on racing circuits around the world, the legendary McLaren F1 quickly evolved from a track weapon to an eight-figure collector car almost overnight. Although most owners choose to protect their high-dollar investment behind closed doors, away from the outside world, Jay Leno flexes his muscles as the ultimate collector by enjoying the open road behind the wheel of his $20M McLaren F1 whenever he desires. And with all that glorious road time over 25 years of ownership, there comes a day when the automotive icon needs a full head-to-toe detail to keep it in museum-worthy condition. On the newest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, in-house specialists Chris Walters and Jeremy Porazzo get to work on thoroughly detailing Jay's $20M McLaren F1 using Jay Leno's Car Care products. Using a next-to-priceless factory crate of tools that originally came with the purchase of an F1, the team lifts the McLaren to remove its wheels in order to clean every inch. A paint correction had been decided after discovering a series of surface swirl marks in the paint, which uses polish and polishing pads to break down the contaminated top layer to get to a fresh base. After spending almost the entire day working on both the paint and the wheels, the McLaren F1 is transformed into contemporary, showroom condition. Whether it's a million-dollar hypercar or your daily driver, it goes to show that any car's appearance can come back to life with good cleaning products and some elbow grease. Shop all of the Jay Leno Car Care products used on his $20M McLaren F1 by clicking the link below. Shop All Jay Leno's Car Care Products " width="680"> Source: Jay Leno's Garage YouTube

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 28, 2024

Sebastian Vettel Successfully Tests The Porsche 963 In Spain

Who knew an F1 legend and an endurance racer would be a recipe for success? Sebastian Vettel is known and celebrated for a legacy of racing excellence, and his incredibly successful Formula 1 career, winning over 50 Grands Prix and also claiming four championship wins. Days ago, it was announced that the F1 legend was getting behind the wheel of Porsche’s newest endurance racing hypercar: the 963, to test it out in and help prepare the car to take on this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race that Porsche has 19 times overall. Vettel took to the Motorland Aragón race track in Spain, and there, he was able to drive the 963 for a total of 118 laps, with 361 miles covered between two double stints. However, it started in Germany, where Vettel met the Porsche Penske Motorsport team. Then, a simulation session prepared him for the ins and outs of the car, and his first laps in the real car took place at Weissach. After that, he took to Spain, driving the distance of two F1 Grands Prix with no problems on the track. Despite having expertise in the world of Formula 1, Vettel has a curiosity and admiration for other parts of the wide world of motorsport. Not only did he get to experience an endurance racing hypercar on-track, but he also played a part in Porsche’s preparations for one of the world’s most historic, challenging, and anticipated races: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Porsche hopes to continue its success, winning the season openers for both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Daytona and the FIA WEC in Qatar. With the help of a racing legend from another discipline, Porsche looks forward to the 101st 24 Hours of Le Mans. View All Porsches For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 18, 2024

Watch Shmee150 Tour The Undiscovered $1B Loh Collection

Get a close look at one of the most incredible car collections ever. YouTube lets car enthusiasts across the globe get an up close and personal look at some of the world’s most exclusive cars, and YouTube personality Shmee150 is responsible for a large part of that, showing viewers some of the rarest, most incredible, and most desirable vehicles ever made, along with incredible automotive experiences and adventures to match. His latest video brings him to the Loh Collection: one of the world’s greatest car collections located in Germany on display at the Nationales Automuseum. The approximately 150-car collection features vehicles from throughout automotive history, from beautifully-preserved pre-war classics to legendary vehicles from the modern era, even the new record-breaking Mercedes-AMG ONE is part of the group. Race cars and roadgoing examples in the collection are put together to tell a story that glorifies the entire history of cars, from the late 1800s to now. The Ferrari display within the collection includes the legendary “Big Five,” but also includes historic F1 cars and other masterpieces from the Prancing Horse. However, Ferrari is far from the only brand that is highlighted in this incredible exhibit. Some incredible creations are also on display, including the one-off Maybach Exelero, which sits next to the historic Maybach Zeppelin, a Heritage Edition Ford GT, which sits next to one of the 1960s Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s, and a display of Mercedes-AMG creations including the AMG GT Black Series Project ONE Edition, the Mercedes-AMG ONE, and the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. With all of these incredible cars housed in a museum to see, the Nationales Automuseum offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any car enthusiast. However, if you’re not near Germany, you can take a close look at some of the best cars the exhibition has to offer by watching Shmee150’s video about it below. View All Exotic Cars For Sale

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 Tyler Rampersaud – February 26, 2024

Ferrari Shows Off Per Gessle's "Joyride Car Collection" O...

This Swedish superstar has a legion of Ferraris. Per Gessle is one half of the famed Swedish pop rock duo Roxette, and while he’s celebrated across the globe for his music, many car enthusiasts also know him for an incredible collection of some of the world’s most desirable cars: namely Ferraris. Gessle’s passion for Ferrari began as early as his music career, sparking from seeing a red Dino 246 GT being driven on the 70s TV show, The Persuaders. Today, that passion has blossomed into an immense collection of amazing cars, which Ferrari has highlighted on its Incredible Garages series in the official Ferrari Magazine. His garage, which houses his “Joyride Car Collection,” is located at Per Gessle’s Hotel Tylösand, which is on Sweden’s southwest coast, and the collection is on display for guests. Inspired by his first encounter with it on TV in the 70s, one of the most prized cars in the collection is a Dino 246. However, other incredible cars in the collection include the Ferrari Monza SP2, the 599 GTO, the F12berlinetta, and even the Daytona SP3. With a storied music career, and one of the greatest Ferrari collections in the world on display at his hotel, Per Gessle is living a car enthusiast’s dream life, and you can catch a glimpse of it by watching his episode of Ferrari Magazine’s Incredible Garages. View All Ferraris For Sale Watch The Episode

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 22, 2024

Watch YouTuber Adin Ross Test His Tesla Cybertruck's Bull...

There's only one way to find out. After years of suspense and anticipation, the Tesla Cybertruck has finally hit the road, and let's just say, the wait was worth it. A lucky few have managed to get their hands on this futuristic EV pickup, either by sticking it out through the long preorder wait or by diving into the secondary market, where prices are as sky-high as the excitement. For these early drivers, the Cybertruck is an experimental opportunity to test out some of the key functions and advantages that Elon Musk first spoke about during the initial demonstration on stage more than 4 years ago. One of the lucky new Cybertruck owners is YouTube star Adin Ross (@adinross on X), who gained a massive following of millions through streaming live online while playing video games. Eager to test the capabilities of Tesla's bulletproof construction on the Cybertruck, Adin and his team took the truck to an off-site shooting range for some target practice. Adin shot more than 20 rounds of rifle ammo into the rear driver-side door, later inspecting it to find that none penetrated through the steel body. He expressed his disbelief by captioning the X post with, "Shot up my Tesla truck today It’s definitely bullet proof. I love this truck. Thanks Elon @elonmusk". Along with the newly purchased Tesla Cybertruck, Adin Ross' car collection currently features cars like a Lamborghini Urus, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, McLaren 720S, and many more. As Adin Ross continues to enjoy Tesla Cybertruck ownership, we can't wait to see what he'll do with it next. View all Tesla EVs currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Tesla EVs For Sale Shot up my Tesla truck todayIt’s definitely bullet proof. I love this truck. Thanks Elon @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/4mB7hDSpPv— adin (@adinross) February 21, 2024 Source: @adinross X

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By Tyler Rampersaud – February 06, 2024

Shawn Stüssy Teases An Upcoming Custom Land Rover Collabo...

A fashion icon collaborates with an off-road legend. There’s no other vehicle on the road with the legacy that Land Rover has, and that’s because Land Rover forged its legacy off the road. With vehicles that dared to venture and thrive where most others in its time were unable to, Land Rovers quickly earned a lasting reputation as adventure-ready machines, and that’s a reputation that remains important to the manufacturer’s ethos to this day. When it comes to Shawn Stüssy’s legacy as an icon in Californian surf culture and fashion, Land Rover’s off-road reputation and unmistakable style are a perfect complement to it, which is why Shawn Stüssy appears to have teased an upcoming Land Rover collaboration in a new Instagram post. While the only image is a close-up of the logo, and the caption simply says “projects for 2024…” it appears that Shawn Stüssy, founder of the iconic and eponymous Stüssy surfboard and clothing brand, is collaborating with Land Rover specialist Commonwealth Classics on a custom Land Rover restoration. With the historic legacy of off-roading that Land Rover possesses, and the vision and icon status that Shawn Stüssy has, this collaboration is sure to be exciting. View All Land Rovers For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by shawn stüssy (@shawnstussy)

Lewis Hamilton feiert den Erfolg der STEM Academy beim Mulberry Schools Trust Lewis Hamilton celebrates STEM Academy success at the Mulberry Schools Trust

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 01, 2024

Lewis Hamilton Will Join Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team In 2025

F1’s most successful driver is making a groundbreaking move. Lewis Hamilton is one of the biggest names in Formula 1 and racing as a whole, and for good reason. With 7 world titles, the last of which he won in 2020, he’s tied with Michael Schumacher for having the most out of any driver in the prestigious and historic racing series. His move from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 was a shock at the time, but with the team, he’s built a legacy as one of the greatest racers ever, with an incredible F1 dominance that Red Bull has eclipsed in the past few years. However, things are about to change again, as Hamilton is be leaving Mercedes to join Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season. Ferrari, with a long-standing and historic presence in the sport, has renewed its contract with Charles Leclerc, but Carlos Sainz’s contract with the team is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season. Rumors of Hamilton joining the Prancing Horse have swirled for some time, but now the perfect storm has brewed for the shocking change to finally take place. With Hamilton, the most successful driver in F1 history with 103 Grand Prix wins, joining Ferrari for the 2025 season, the landscape of the Formula 1 world will see the biggest change that it has undergone in over a decade, and what happens as a result is sure to be exciting. Shop F1 Merch View this post on Instagram A post shared by Scuderia Ferrari (@scuderiaferrari)

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 22, 2024

Benji B Takes The New Lotus Eletre For A Spin

A music icon experiences the sounds of the new Lotus Eletre. As a manufacturer, Lotus has undergone what is nothing short of a radical transformation. Known by enthusiasts across the world for decades as a cult favorite for agile, thrilling, lightweight, and track-ready sports cars, Lotus’ renaissance as a manufacturer of electric luxury performance cars is in full swing. With the announcement of the incredible Evija hypercar, as well as the Emeya grand tourer, the Eletre is Lotus’ first-ever SUV, and with a modern, innovative approach to luxury, the new model is like no Lotus before. One of the Eletre’s greatest highlights is the inclusion of an advanced KEF audio system, and experiencing it in its full glory is someone who cares deeply about sound and music: Benji B. The famed radio presenter, DJ and producer is prolific in the music and fashion world, and is known for his appreciation and expertise when it comes to music and style, which makes him tough to please when it comes to an electric luxury SUV and its premium audio system. However, along with its KEF audio system, the Lotus Eletre boasts an incredible blend of style, sumptuous finishes, futuristic design, innovative technology, and of course, Lotus’ signature agile and nimble approach to automotive performance. With these aspects in tandem, the new Lotus Eletre is sure to prove itself not only to Benji B, but to the luxury performance SUV world that it’s the future of luxury, style, performance, and practicality in one. View All Lotus Eletres For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Benji B (@benjib)

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 17, 2024

Magnus Walker Drives A 930 Porsche 911 With A Former McLa...

McLaren meets Porsche in this wild restomod project. When you ask a car enthusiast to picture a sports car, the unmistakable silhouette of the Porsche 911 would appear in the imagination of many, and for purists, it would more specifically be the image of one of the most iconic generations of the 911: the 80s air-cooled 930. This iconic time in the 911’s 60-year history is one of the most important generations when it comes to cementing the Porsche 911’s legacy as one of the world’s favorite sports cars, and this specific example features not only an incredible restomod of the 930 911, but a modernized and elevated celebration of its history. Driven by famed British car collector Magnus Walker for his YouTube channel, one of the first notable things about this 911 is its art-car design, which uses white paintwork as a blank canvas for a stunningly creative and colorful livery. The next noticeable aspect of the car is the engine note, which isn’t the typical flat-six 911 note, because it’s not a flat-six that’s under the hood, rather a V6 is in its place. That specific V6 was the result of an 80s collaboration between McLaren and Porsche, in which McLaren’s F1 team and the famous British Lanzante looked to Porsche for an engine, and Porsche provided an engine that was tested, rather than in an F1 car, in a 930 911. To celebrate the legacy, Lanzante, with the help of the prestigious and prolific O'Gara Coach built 11 cars with these former F1 racing engines in 930 911s. The specific car that Walker drives in the video uses the engine from the F1 car that Stefan Johnson drove in the 1987 Austrian GP, and Stefan Johnson sat with him in the passenger seat for the ride. Johnson is also responsible for the wild art car livery. With incredible performance, retro charm, a true driver’s car philosophy, and one of the most legendary histories that a sports car can have, this drive is incredible to watch. Discover more about this incredibly special Porsche 911 by watching below. View All Vehicles For Sale From O'Gara Coach

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