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 Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 28, 2016

Fast 8 Cars Revealed and it's All About the Ice

Thanks to a recent Facebook post, we've been given insight into key details about the new Fast 8 movie: location and cars. Judging by the photos, the team will be leaving their previously warm and sunny locations for something a little more icy.The Fast & Furious Facebook page confirms filming in Iceland, and the crew is equipped with the autos it needs to withstand the harsh environments. Thanks to social media, we no know exactly what some of our favorite characters will be driving. Check it out:DomTrue to the favorite bad boy's classic style and iconic choices, Dom will be driving the Dodge Ice Charger.LettyHer quick temper and agile driving technique are perfect in the Rally Fighter. (Did you know Michele Rodriguez loves a good track day in real life?) Can't wait to see her in this one.TejHe brings the smarts and loves to make sure everything's safe and taken care of, which makes the Ripsaw the perfect ride for Tej.RomanFans live for Roman's antics, and he's known for a little flash. The Orange Lamborghini compliments his style and personality well.HobbsWe wouldn't expect anything less than brawn and power from Hobbs, and the Ice Ram will suit him well.How do you feel about the lineup? Looking forward to the new look and feel for Fast 8 or are you missing the street racing vibe?

By Edward Jones – June 14, 2016

Thank You Top Gear: Chris Harris Series Announced, "The D...

When Top Gear announced that Chris Harris would be joining the television show, I was more than ecstatic. The way Harris can explain the intricacies of a car's drive with an easy-to-understand expert tone always made his YouTube videos a pleasure to watch. However, Harris' time on the Top Gear television has been short lived, aside from the most recent episode where he drove a Ferrari F12tdf. To appease his fans and provide an online expert opinion, Top Gear has announced today that he will have his own online show, "The Drift," available on TopGear.com.(Also Read: Chris Harris Reviews the Ferrari 488 Spider)“Obviously I’m thrilled to be making beautiful films like the F12tdf piece for the Top Gear television show,” says Chris, “but the longer-form, more detailed web films I’ve made with Neil Carey over the years remain my natural format, and broadcasting them through TG’s huge online audience is a dream come true. If you want to know even more technical details about cars, hear more in-depth analysis, I hope we’ll be the perfect destination. I want the films to be just as they were on Chris Harris on Cars. With added slow-motion slides."Should you be excited? Heck yes. This means Harris will be able to create the videos he loves to make, all with a BBC budget. If you want a teaser of what it should be like, be sure to watch his magnificent special on the hypercar holy trinity below.

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2016

Perrelet and "Fast and Furious" Star, Sung Kang, Launch N...

Perrelet, the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, has just launched their latest timepiece, the Turbine Sung Kang, made in collaboration with famous actor Sung Kang and limited to 350 examples. You might know Kang from the Fast and Furious films where he played the role of Han Lue or from Live Free or Die and Ninja Assassin.The Turbine Sung Kang was designed to "provide drivers with improved legibility," according to Perrelet. For this reason, Kang, a self-proclaimed automotive enthusiast, worked with the watchmaker to design the watch. Ensuring the visibility are some significant changes made to the watch. The key feature wearers will notice right away is the placement of the 12 o'clock hour marker, which has been moved to the position of 2 o'clock. By doing this, drivers can properly view the time even when shirt sleeves hide part of the dial when gripping the steering wheel. Additionally, Perrelet protected the dial assembly with glareproofed sapphire crystal so the sun won't deter you from telling time when out for a drive.The Turbine is comprised of 10 anodized aluminum blades with tungsten counterweights beneath five of them. This ensures the blades always return to the same position, with the blade donning the "SK" signature always returning to the 4 o'clock position. The 44 mm diameter case is made of black PVD-coated stainless steel, with a sapphire crystal case back and a fluted caseband with an integrated crown. Holding the timepiece snug to the wearer's wrist is a black rubber strap, which features a black PVD-coated stainless steel pin buckle showing off the Perrelet logo.To launch this new watch, Perrelet and Sung Kang teamed up for a two-part event. On June 4th, Kang attended JCK, the North American jewelry trade show. The day after, he and the watchmaker journeyed to Cars and Coffee Las vegas. Here, the actor showed off his love for automobiles, signed autographs and showed the world the fantastic new Turbine Sung Kang watch. What's more, he brought Fugu Z with him, a 1973 Datsun 240Z project car which was on display at the 2015 SEMA Show.If there was an optimal way to introduce an automotive-inspired watch, Perrelet has done it. For more information, be sure to click the button below.Learn MoreRef. A 1098/2 Movement:Manufacture Perrelet P-331 caliber based on the P-321. Automatic mechanical movement.Vibrations per hour: 28,800 (4 Hz)Jewels: 25Power reserve: 42 hoursBridges: SandblastedRhodium-plated oscillating weightFunctions:Hours, minutes and central seconds handsCase:Round in stainless steel with black PVD coatingDiameter: 44 mmThickness: 13.3 mmFluted casebandIntegrated crown at 3 o'clockSapphire crystal glareproofed on both sidesEngraved individual limited series number on the back (XX/350)Case back secured by 6 screwsWater-resistant to 5 ATMDial:Anodized aluminum turbine (10 blades) with 5 rear tungsten counterweights.“SK” engraving on the blade at 4 o'clock.Black under-dial with circular-grained center and brushed silvered ring.Black printed Arabic numerals 10-20-30-40-50-60, indicating the minutes on the under-dial.Minutes indicated by a scale with a yellow background between 6 and 8 o'clock and a red background between 8 and 12 o'clock.Hours indicated by Arabic numerals combined with hour-markers applied to the flange.12 o'clock indication moved to 2 o'clock.Hours and minutes hands covered in Super-LumiNova.Yellow central seconds hand.Strap:Rubber, with black PVD-coated stainless steel clasp featuring the Perrelet logoLimited Edition:Limited edition of 350 numbered timepiecesAvailable from:August 2016

By Edward Jones – June 07, 2016

Cortland Finnegan's Back to the Future VW Bus For Sale

It's not every day you see a Volkswagen Bus turned into a time machine. Heck, I'd go as far as to say this is the first time you've seen such a thing.Available at Music City Motor Cars in Nashville, Tennessee is this 1967 VW Bus, which was modified by none other than BLVD Customs. This beauty was dreamt up by Cortland Finnegan, cornerback for the Carolina Panthers. He came to the shop with a shell of a VW Bus, parts and an idea in his mind. BLVD Customs was up to the challenge and went to work.The idea behind this project was to build a bus that embodied the spirit of the Back to the Future movies. To do this, BLVD Customs use their imagination to create a one-off vehicle you'll never see anywhere else.Once the project was complete, Finnegan was presented with one of the most creative and radical VW Bus' on the road. On the outside, a stainless steel vinyl wrap was applied, contrasting against the black trim. In order to get inside, you can either use the stock side door for the passengers or the custom-built gull-wing doors, just like the original DeLorean from Back to the Future. Having hopped in the bus myself, it's quite a trip to use gullwing doors to get into such a vehicle and makes it an absolute showstopper.Inside, the bus has been completely remodeled. Both the front and rear have the same color scheme for the aftermarket upholstery, a scheme that was chosen to mimic the hues used in the Back to the Future logo. In the front, the driver and passenger are greeted by a time machine module and flux capacitor, both of which, look like they were pulled right from Doc's own DeLorean. Passengers in the rear have the ability to relax in the jump seat or a custom built bench seat that folds out into a bed. No matter where they sit, they'll have the chance to either watch a movie on the TV mounted on the custom partition or enjoy the sun beaming through the massive ragtop.This VW Bus truly is a one-off that could never be recreated and that's why Finnegan picked BLVD Customs to get the job done. In fact, this wasn't the first time he has gone to them for work, as he has had multiple modified by then, including a 1975 Caprice, Ranger Rover and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.If you want to learn more or are interested, be sure to click the button below to see this bus' listing on duPonREGISTRY.com.View Listing and Price

By Edward Jones – June 06, 2016

Bumblebee's New Camaro For "Transformers: The Last Knight"

As a self-proclaimed Autobot, I always get excited when Michael Bay releases the new cars for his Transformers films. This is because cars as extravagant as the Bugatti Veyron have made their way into the films, meaning I get to see movies that have both hypercars and robots in disguise. What more do you need? Aside from a remake of the original 1986 Transformers cartoon movie.(Related: The Cars of Transformers 4)The upcoming film, "Transformers: The Last Knight," is slated to be released next year, one of the many that will be released over the coming years. Bay has not released the plot synopsis for the new film, but the movie title hints at possible scenarios. (Honestly, we just need some Beast Wars action in the Transformers cinematic universe.) Even though we don't know what will happen in the film, we do know that Autobot Bumblebee has undergone a pretty massive makeover. (Seen above) Bumblebee from "Transformers: Age of Extinction"Unveiled on Bay's blog and Twitter account is the new look for one of the fan favorites. In his tweet, Bay notes that General Motors were responsible for the car's overhaul. The front has been modified with a new fascia, including a massive splitter. Side skirts and air channels were added to the sides, while the rear gets a noticeable wing.Other noticeable additions are the new hood, side vents above the Autobots emblem and HRE wheels.What do you guys think about this Camaro? Best one yet? Let us know in the comments below. Personally, I loved the retro-mod one, but as far as the current gen Bumblebees go, this might be my favorite.Camaros For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2016

Shaq Goes Undercover As Lyft Driver

Lyft, the main competitor of Uber, wanted to surprise their riders with an all-star driver: Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq got dressed up and went undercover as he went out in Atlanta, Georgia to pick up riders.Alright, maybe his disguises weren't the best, because a couple of riders were quick to realize who was driving them to their destination. But still, how cool would it be to have a celebrity like Shaq chauffeur you? Even if he was dressed up as like a hippie, a Frenchman or goth, it would still be quite the trip. Check out the video below to see for yourself.Would you rather have Shaq pick you up, or ride in a Bugatti Veyron?

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2016

Drake Just Got A New Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

Update 6/1/2016: Driving Emotions Motorcar uploaded some new photos of Drake's Grigio Titans 2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster to Facebook and gave us a little bit more info on the car itself. The pictures, taken by George Bucur, show the HRE S200 wheels that have custom Diamond center caps. They also note that the exhaust has been upgraded by Lamborghini, who also provided additional tuning.Sports Cars For SaleI want that Ferrari then I swerve, I want that Bugatti just to hurt. ---Drake, "Know Yourself"Well, it looks like he got a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster instead of a Ferrari or Bugatti.Tony Bet of Driving Emotions Toronto shared pictures of a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster that they customized specifically for Drake, aka @champagnepapi.https://www.instagram.com/p/BFmcVvgCACL/In the captions, Bet notes that Drizzy's new whip has HRE Wheels installed and that "stock is boring." But, even if the car was untouched, the Aventador Roadster is most definitely anything but a boring car. It comes with a 6.5-liter V12 engine that can pump out 700 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. This mean Drake can go from 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph.The best part about all of this? His Instagram post with the caption: "Like I'm Christian Bale."https://www.instagram.com/p/BFzxurbDQDv/

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 01, 2016

This Pagani Huayra Delivers Shoes to Christiano Ronaldo

Famed soccer star, Christiano Ronaldo undoubtedly has an extensive shoe collection. In fact, the collection might be so extensive he actually has too many options to choose from. So why not let one of the world's most exclusive supercars choose your shoes for you? That's precisely what Ronaldo decides to do in the video below. After walking through and electrically powered, secret closet door, Ronaldo passes up rows upon rows of shoes, only to come to yet another, secret passageway that leads to a room filled with a Pagani Huayra.Athlete shoe collections are something to be coveted, especially when you're endorsed by a major shoe maker like Nike. Together, Ronaldo and Nike have created the ultimate shoe for speed: the Mercurial Superfly V.Check out the new Mercurial Superfly Vs that the Huayra chooses for Ronaldo below.VIEW PAGANI CARS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2016

Batmobile Future Concept Is The Car Gotham Deserves

While "Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice" may currently be sitting below 30% on RottenTomatoes.com, the movie did introduce an incredible new Batmobile. This new vehicle comes in after the Tumbler, used in The Dark Knight trilogy. It comes with a futuristic design that is highlighted by a massive Chevy engine.To further enhance Batman's new ride, Encho Enchev created a new Batmobile Future Concept that is absolutely stunning. While Enchev did not specify what gadgets this thing is packing, we can see a pair of what look like 50 mm barrels on both sides of the cockpit.Check out this radical Batmobile in the slider below and let us know what you think was the greatest rendition of Batman's car in the comments below! Personally, I'm partial to the "Batman Returns" batmobile.Also, if you weren't a fan of the new superhero movie, check out the new "Suicide Squad" trailer below the gallery, which gives us a look at Batman in action and Joker's Vaydor G35 cruising through the streets.

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2016

Classic Batmobile For Sale At Fort Lauderdale Collection

At duPont REGISTRY, we've been known to have some unique cars for sale over our 31 years of existence, and this vehicle is definitely one of them.Over at Fort Lauderdale Collection in Pompano Beach, FL is the perfect car for vigilantes and those who like to wear capes: a replica of the Batmobile used in the 1966 TV series. Being a Batmobile, the first thing you'd want to know is if it has gadgets. Well, I can safely say it comes with a flame-throwing Rocket Exhaust, Bat-Ray Projector, Remote Bat Computer Switch, Bat-Phone, Emergency Bat-Turn Lever and a Detect-A-Scope. Of course, the biggest gadget would have to be the 383ci Blueprint GM crate motor that's capable of 462 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque.Built by Fiberglass Freaks, this Batmobile was one of a series of cars that were actually licensed by DC comics. It was built around a 1978 Lincoln Town Car and was completed recently in November of 2014.For more information on the car, be sure to click the button below.View Listing

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