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 – March 29, 2022

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Enjoy A Couples Drive In Their ...

The celebrity couple that also enjoy high-performance supercars. With exclusive supercars and hypercars in high demand, the lengthy lists of qualified owners include prominent collectors, celebrities, and other influential individuals. Sharing a passion for anything automotive, the true beauty lies on the open road with the enjoyment of a one-of-a-kind driving experience. In a recent Instagram post uploaded to Alicia Keys' profile, the American singer-songwriter enjoys a highway cruise in her Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Project One. The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Project One Edition features a head-turning Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 livery that showcases the track-inspired design of the supercar. MUST-READ: Leh Keen’s New 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 In Paint-to-Sample Gold Bronze Metallic The video is taken during a couples drive with her husband and American record producer/rapper Swiss Beatz, who is behind the wheel of his 2022 Ferrari SF90 Stradale. Swizz Beats comments on the post that the keys to the Black Series are Alicia’s, even teasing her possible upcoming delivery of the highly-anticipated Mercedes-AMG Project One. Needless to say, we are excited to see more car cameos from the growing garage of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. View all of the current Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming celebrity car news. View All Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) Source: @aliciakeys IG

By Edward Jones – August 25, 2020

Ian Poulter Makes Insane Chip Into His Mercedes-AMG GT 4-...

One thing we learned while growing up is to not throw, kick or hit any kind of ball near cars. If you've made that mistake, you know the repercussions. Professional golfer Ian Poulter has undoubtedly learned this lesson, but it didn't stop him from attempting a wild chip shot into his Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. With the window open and a golf ball sitting about twenty or so feet back, he chipped the ball perfectly into the window in one try. If he missed and hit the car, that would be quite the pricey repair bill considering the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe starts at $99,950. Granted, Poulter has 17 professional wins under his belt so he knows how to make a chip shot. You can check out the chip for yourself in the Instagram video below. See All AMG GTs For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ian Poulter (@ianjamespoulter) on Aug 25, 2020 at 5:25am PDT

By Andrew Nabors – July 11, 2016

Linkin Park Livery on Mercedes-AMG GT3

Mercedes-AMG and Linkin Park have joined forces again for the upcoming 24 hours of Spa. A few months ago, the band traveled to the AMG driving academy to get acquainted with the new GT-S. It obviously left an impression, as they will be featured prominently on Team Black Falcon's factory-backed GT3 car. As part of the Blancpain Endurance Series, it will be unveiled at the 24 hours of Spa later this month.(Also Check Out - Revealed: 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R)The first example of the AMG GT3 was a collaboration with Cigarette Racing Team, and it was built to dominate. Instead of the new reverse-flow 4.0L twin turbo, they dusted off the 6.2L from the SLS. Mr duPont bought the first SLS AMG roadster in the US back in 2011, and its hand-built V8 was simply incredible. GT3 racing is one of the most demanding forms of motorsport, because all teams are limited by intake restrictions that level the playing field. At least the drivers will have a great soundtrack to play for the race later this month. Stay with us for more Mercedes-AMG news and full coverage of the race.Mercedes-AMG GT-S For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 07, 2016

Hugo BOSS and Mercedes-Benz Team Up for Race Inspired Clo...

When two innovative brands team up to create something new, we know it's going to be pretty special. Recently, Hugo BOSS and Mercedes-Benz came together to create a track-inspired clothing line. With Mercedes AMG Petronas drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as their silhouettes, Hugo BOSS fashioned a head-to-toe line that promotes function, performance, and sleek design-- much like the AMG itself.From shirts and pants to jackets, shoes and belts, the line has everything needed to create that perfect, polished look. The line also includes formal wear for those events that need a little dressing up. Check out the full line here. What do you think of the look? Anything you'll be adding to your closet? Let us know in the comments below.Mercedes-Benz AMGs For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – June 16, 2015

Rafael Nadal Wins Mercedes-AMG GT S

He's acquired countless awards and accolades over his impressive 29 years, but Rafael Nadal can add one more prize to his collection: a tennis ball yellow Mercedes-AMG GT S.The Stuttgart Open drew to a close on June 14 with Nadal declared the winner, and with matte black wheels his prize rolled out onto the grass court. Though it wasn't the playing surface Nadal is notorious for winning on, he defended his position as 10th in the world ATP rankings with this victory in Germany. View image | gettyimages.com Reports from USA Today and CNN tell us that he accepted the prize with more than a healthy dose of modesty, though likely because of conflicting interests; Nadal has been sponsored by Kia for nearly 10 years, sparking his comment, "it's not a Kia, but it's still good."Of course, the exterior is certainly unique and noticeable. The base color matches almost perfectly the fluorescent shade of a tennis ball, and is complete with white curved lines mimicking the ball's white seams. View image | gettyimages.com While this may not be the best appearance for a GT S, it's not what's on the outside that counts; under the hood is still the same AMG 4.0-literV8 biturbo engine that has made this model so highly desired. But not only is the engine completely new and designed for this vehicle, the GT S is only the second car completely designed by Mercedes-AMG. Performance is at its core, and you don't have to like its color to enjoy the drive.Check out our listings of exclusive Mercedes-AMG GT S models by hitting the button below, and stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.Mercedes-AMG GT S Listings (Source: USA Today, CNN via Jalopnik, Getty Images) See More Celebrity Car News

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