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 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 Dylan Orluck – August 21, 2020

An Interview With Magnus Walker on the 45 Years of Boost

If you consider yourself a Porsche fan, then the name Magnus Walker should ring a bell. Magnus is an extremely passionate and enthusiastic Porsche collector who is known for his collection of cars, creativity, and killer youtube videos. In his latest video, “45 Years of Boost,” you get an inside look at how far Porsche has come with their Turbo cars. The video starts by giving you a look at Magnus’s personal 1975 911 Turbo and then showcases the all new 2021 911 Turbo S. After watching “45 Years of Boost” I wanted to see what Magnus thought about the experience, so we gave him a call. Everyone recognizes that iconic 911 shape and most people appreciate how special these cars are but there will always be people that favor the older air-cooled cars over the cars that are being released today. When discussing the video, Magnus told us that in regards to the air-cooled vs water-cooled debate, “you need air and water to survive”. Magnus, with a simple statement, shows us that there really is room for both in our lives. His car collection is made up of mostly air-cooled cars but in the past few years, he's managed to squeeze a few water-cooled cars through the gate. He isn’t sure if the 992 Turbo S will be joining the collection so for now he will stick to driving it as OPP (Other People's Porsches). When comparing the cars Magnus said that they obviously have that same Porsche DNA, but they manage to do the same thing completely different from one another. In the new Turbo S you will find yourself going 20 miles per hour faster on your favorite road with less effort. While in the 930 you will find yourself working harder, yet still with a smile as the boost kicks in. After all these years, Porsche is still doing an incredible job, at pushing the limits with usable performance and will continue to do so for the rest of time. Be sure to check out the latest video by the guys at NativeFour and find out why Magnus calls the 2021 Turbo S the “ King of the hill.” Q&A; Dylan: I know that you mainly stay in the air-cooled world, what did you think of the new 992 Turbo S? Magnus: I always say that you need air and water to survive. I own air- cooled, I also own water-cooled of the 996 variety. The 992 Turbo S, the feature car in the 45 Years of Boost video, I do call it King of the Hill, cause it comes off the showroom floor with 640 horsepower and has phenomenal performance above most people's driving capabilities. The performance, the grip, the stability, the way it puts the power down, the way it corners are all phenomenal. That is what Porsche is all about, usable performance. There are a lot of cars out there with similar horsepower, but after driving those other manufacturers cars , you know they all perform really well, but there’s something about the Turbo that you can literally drive it all day long and not get out with your back aching. The 992 Turbo S is easy to live with. Dylan: I knew you had some water-cooled cars, do you have anything quite this new? Magnus: I mostly have 996’s. A Gen one 99 Aero Kit, which is an entry level first year, which I love. I have an 02 996 GT2, which 20 years ago was “King of the Hill”. The new 992 Turbo S makes my 996 GT2 seem slow. I also have an 04 996 GT3. Dylan: Did this car make you want to get a 992? Magnus: It’s what I call OPP, other people's porsche’s, as great as these cars are, the way I am acquiring older cars, for me I’ve never spent that much money on a car. I could quite easily buy four other cars for the price of that one Turbo S. Truth be told, I don’t commute, I walk when I come to work, so I don’t need a car to commute, so all of my driving is pure pleasure. So to invest that type of money in a car, that I probably wouldn’t put that many miles on, I can’t quite wrap my head around that. I will drive it as an OPP for now! Dylan: After driving those cars back to back, are there any similarities between them? Magnus: You can’t compare the two, it’s a different type of charm, the two do the same thing completely differently. The 75 Turbo is really engaging, rewarding, heavy, antiquated, analog, it's a kick in the pants when it comes on but doesn't stop great. So it’s a workout. You carry less speed than you carry with zero effort in the 992. Is one better than the other? Not really. It depends what you’re doing really. If I were, let's say commuting from downtown LA to Santa Monica everyday, round trip 40 miles, stuck in traffic, the 992 covers all the bases with it being PDK. An early Turbo has a heavy clutch and if you're in commuter traffic in LA you never really get out of first gear which is good for about 50mph. It's one of those things where on the open road it’s a different story, but I guess the long answer to your question is that the DNA is still there, but the two cars are just so different. The new car is so advanced, it just has so much grip and stick, which the early car doesnt have in the same quantity, but they are both exciting to drive. You’ll put a lot more effort in to drive the 75 car at what you think is fast and find out you’re going 20 miles per hour slower. The 992 is a much faster and more practical car. As great as the King of the Hill is, it’s a new Porsche and there are a lot of new Porsches out there. The 75 Turbo; Porsche only made 284 of those cars 45 years ago, there’s probably less than 100 that exist to this day. So that's a car that you know if you show up at an event, you really stand out because of its rarity. The new Turbo S is not nearly as exclusive or rare but it all depends how you look at things. Dylan: Then you get into all of the Paint to Sample variants where people try to make their cars as rare as possible, if you were getting a new Porsche, which PTS color would you choose? Magnus: I wouldn’t do it and it’s my favorite subject. Last week I had the 992 Carrera S, which actually compares to my 996 GT2. The car was in Aventurine Green, which is a stock color, and that color worked really well with that wood dash trim. The car was really similar to my 1965 SWB Irish Green car, in the sense that it had a wood dash, it was manual, and an interesting color. Everybody thought that car was paint to sample. So in a sea of “look at me, I want to be different with my exclusive paint to sample, full option, whatever you want to call it”, what I had, which was basically just boxes ticked on a well-optioned, but not paint to sample car, straight from the configurator on the Porsche Car website. Everyone thought that car was paint to sample because it was unique. If you really go through the configurator, you don't necessarily have to go down the paint to sample road. The smart / savvy consumer can spec a base model car that becomes super unique and desirable. You pick your poison, or your medicine for how you want to explore your journey, that’s why Porsches great! A film by Cameron ThumanProduction Company: NativeFourCinematography by Drew Gardella

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2020

NBA Superstar's 1998 Ferrari F355 Spider for Sale

Ok Basketball fans here is an opportunity of a lifetime. This particular player emblazons every car with the "Superman" logo, and he is so tall the convertible top was omitted. With only 7,300 miles, it will make a perfect centerpiece for your collection. The previous owner also has an affinity for big wheels, so it rides on 19" Giovannas with rubber that is like-new. Behind them are the largest Brembo brakes offered for the F355, so stopping is quick and consistent. It was built by our friends at West Coast Customs to have Alpine audio along with the Superman logos in several locations. Equipped with the F1 single-clutch automatic, it is begging for a weekend cruise. The leather is immaculate, and there are no signs of wear inside or out. I would submit it for the Ferrari Classiche certification due to the celebrity status. You know the man and how much he loves his cars, so this opportunity won't happen again. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing inventory from Chicago Motor Cars. View Listing

By Edward Jones – August 10, 2020

Sylvester Stallone's Insane Stretched Cadillac Escalade i...

Becker Automotive Design has made custom vehicles for many celebrities and one of their creations is now for sale. This specific vehicle is a 2019 20-inch stretched Cadillac Escalade that was made for none other than Sylvester Stallone. This is Stallone's reason as to why it's up for sale: “I ordered my Becker ESV for a specific purpose, however my requirement for it has recently changed and I no longer have a need for this beautiful vehicle." This stretched Cadillac is loaded of custom features that make it comparable to a mansion on wheels. Passengers will be greeted with full electric rear VIP bucket seats with electric leg rests, while a rear-facing three-person bench seat sits across from them. For entertainment, there's a 43-inch UHD LCD smart TV and two 12-inch LVD TVs for rear-facing passengers. Connected to these TVs is a 7.1 digital audio system with a custom-tuned Crestron digital audio processor. With just 1,000 miles and a price of $350,000 (obo), this Cadillac is ready to cruise. There's a lot more custom features, which you can see on BeckerAutoDesign.com by clicking the button below. Learn More Source: BeckerAutoDesign.com

By Edward Jones – August 10, 2020

Michael Jordan's 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Lorinser for Sale

If you're one of the millions who have watched "The Last Dance," then you may have seen this car before. In the documentary all about Michael Jordan, he can be seen driving a wide variety of cars. At one point, after he threw out the first pitch at an MLB game and word got out that he was planning on retiring from basketball, Jordan hopped into a 1996 Mercedes-Benz S600 Lorinser. It was this car that he used to drive away from the baseball park and escape reporters. Now, this very Mercedes is up for sale by Beverly Hills Car Club. The car, as the name suggests, has been customized by Lorinser. This includes a wide range of upgraded components including the wheels, body components and dual-exhaust tips setup. Along with the car comes the title that clearly states Michael Jordan as the owner of the Mercedes. This is most definitely a rare opportunity to own a legend's car, and it helps that this is quite the car. For more info, be sure to click the button below. View This Listing Source: Beverly Hills Car Club

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2020

See Ken Block's Car Collection as He Announces a New Part...

Ken Block has just announced a new partnership with Wheel Pros, the parent company of wheel brands like Rotiform, American Racing, American Force, Fuel Off-Road and Kinesis. With this announcement, Block has also announced two different signature designs that are being created in collaboration with the brands. The first is the KB1 by Rotiform Wheels and the second is The Block by Fuel Off-Road. These wheels will be available for pre-order this fall on Carcaine Part Supply's website. To celebrate this new partnership, Block also gathered all of the cars in his massive fleet together to show off their new wheels. While I thought he had a few cars before, now I know for a fact that he has a ton of insane and downright awesome cars. Check them out for yourself by clicking play down below. You won't regret it.

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

Jon Olsson Compares Koenigsegg Regera, Gemera, Jesko, & A...

I might have a driveway with four cars, but they aren't worth $10 Million dollars. Jon Olsson is no stranger to supercars so he was able to gather the latest from Koenigsegg for a heads-up comparison. The Jesko Absolut is the top-speed version that is capable of 310 mph. Named for Christian's father, it is a fitting homage to his old man. The street-legal Jesko is also capable of 1,600 horsepower on E85 ethanol. It has more downforce which keeps it under 300 mph, and both cars utilize a 9-speed transmission with 7 individual clutches. The Gemera is their first 2+2 Grand Tourer, and it is even more unique. The "Tiny Friendly Giant" uses Freevalve technology. The intake and exhaust valves are pneumatic, offering an infinite combination overlap, lift, and duration. The 2.0-liter inline-3 cylinder acts as a generator for an 800v hybrid system. With launch crontrol eneabled you have 8,113 lb-ft of torque and 1,700 horsepower at the wheels. Browse Koenigsegg For Sale Finally, the Regera is the first production car so powerful that it needs no transmission. Instead of a small generator, it uses a twin-turbo 5-liter V8 and 3 electric motor generators. Below 80 mph the engine generates high-voltage for electric motors at each rear wheel. Above 80, the torque converter locks the crankshaft to a 3.73 differential to send 1,500 horsepower and 1,475 lb-ft of torque to the ground. Koenigsegg Direct Drive is the most efficient propulsion system on the market, and no transmission is one less thing to worry about. Tell us which one you prefer in the comments below and stay with us for all your Koenigsegg news. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 28, 2020

Michael Fux's Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is the First ...

The Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne is on its way to the United States and into the hands of Michael Fux. The example he commissioned follows his tradition of ordering cars in a vibrant purple color, like his McLaren 720S and Rolls-Royce Dawn. Contrasting against the metallic purple of the exterior are copper accents on the front grille, side mirrors, window trim and wheels. Inside, purple and copper accents can be found, the cabin primarily consists of white leather. This car will be the very first all-electric car in Fux's collection . What made him decide on the Hispano Suiza Carmen Boulogne? “I visited the Hispano Suiza facility in February and loved what I saw,” said Mr. Fux. “I am a detail-orientated guy and I love colors that lift you up and give you a feeling of elation. When you see it, the Carmen Boulogne is undoubtedly a 'wow' car. It is retro and romantic, and you can't avoid looking at it. The Carmen Boulogne is being produced in Barcelona, where it was also designed and developed. One of the standout items built and installed during the production of the car is the carbon fiber monocoque that acts as the base for the all-electric car. For the body that surrounds the monocoque, it was designed to pay homage to the company's competition heritage, blending modern with a retro design.

By Edward Jones – July 27, 2020

Mercedes-Benz x Virgil Abloh Present: Project Geländewagen

Mercedes-Benz has teamed up with Virgil Abloh, the famous fashion designer and creative director, to create artwork that's inspired by the G-Class. This new endeavor is being called "Project Geländewagen." Abloh and Gorden Wagener, the Mercedes-Benz Chief Design Officer, are working together for the project in an effort to combine both fashion and art with the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen. “Mercedes-Benz is a brand that stands for luxury and exceptional performance,” says Virgil Abloh. “Truly a perfect chassis to interject modern artists’ ideas of what the future can be stylistically, within conceptual car design.” The artwork will be launched on digital platforms on September 8, 2020, at 10AM EST. A one-of-a-kind replica of the artwork will be auctioned off after the launch, with proceeds benefiting a charity that supports the arts. For more information, stay with us for more information.

By Edward Jones – July 24, 2020

Adam Levine and Ferrari Are Teaming Up for a Great Cause

Ferrari is teaming up with Maroon 5's Adam Levine and his wife Behati Prinsloo for a fantastic cause. Together, they will be auctioning off one of the earliest examples of the Ferrari Roma in North America to help benefit the 'Save the Children' organization. The car will be auctioned off this fall. Levine's involvement in this auction makes perfect sense considering he has owned quite a few Ferraris, including a 1966 330 GTC, 1969 365 GTC, 1971 365 GTB/4 "Daytona," 1963 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, 1965 375 GTB/2 and recently a Tailor Made F12tdf. "Behati and I couldn't be happier to be a part of this unique project and ultimately help a charity that we are fully supportive of," says Levine. "As so many other parents worldwide, during this time we have been focused first and foremost on taking care of our girls, and Save the Children is helping countless children and families with crucial education resources." For more information, click the button below. Learn More About This Auction About Save the Children - Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding over 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of over 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

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