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

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By Jordan Aquistapace – March 17, 2023

Rob Dyrdek Specs Two Tailor Made Ferraris At Ferrari Beve...

Incorporating some nostalgia into the pair of prancing horses, Rob Dyrdek's two new Ferraris are sure to be some special specs.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 27, 2023

Watch Ferrari F1 Driver Carlos Sainz Take Delivery Of His...

Being the first car purchase since his VW Golf, Carlos Sainz finally receives the Ferrari he deserve. As a world-famous Formula One driver, you would think their garage was filled with exclusive supercars and hypercars from respected manufacturers. For Scuderia Ferrari F1 team driver Carlos Sainz Jr., the 28-year-old has yet to make his first high-end car purchase since joining Formula One more than 9 years ago. Revealing his newest purchase to his community of passionate fans, Carlos Sainz took to YouTube to document the delivery of his custom Ferrari 812 Competizione. The configuration process began in 2021 after Sainz expressed that the 812 Competizione was the most beautiful car he’s ever seen, with a focus on its aggressive rear styling. MUST-READ: Ferrari 812 Competizione & Competizione A Unveiled Simultaneously After an anticipated two-year wait, Carlos finally receives news that his 812 Competizione is ready and that he will finally become a Ferrari client. The immaculate matte black spec comes courtesy of the Ferrari Tailor Made division, where the F1 driver was given complete control to create his wildest dream. One of the hidden details incorporated into the build is the carbon fiber driver door trim that reads “Smooth Operator”. Strapping into the Ferrari racing harnesses, Sainz and his videographer took off for a first drive that left them both speechless. Being the first supercar purchase of Carlos Sainz Jr., we are hoping to see many more delivery day videos from the Ferrari F1 driver. View all current Ferrari 812 Superfast examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Ferrari 812 Superfast For Sale Source: Carlos Sainz YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 27, 2022

Watch Ferrari Collector David Lee Take Delivery Of His Ne...

Now he is only 2 vehicles away from having a red and yellow 'Big Five' Collection. As a car enthusiast who needs no introduction, Ferrari Collector David Lee continues his journey of acquiring the most exclusive and iconic examples from the Italian supercar manufacturer. While his garage is infamous for seeing spectacular configurations come and go, David spoke about completing an unimaginable task during his last appearance on Jay Leno’s Garage. In a quest to complete his goal of owning ‘The Big Five’ in both red and yellow, David Lee is proud to announce the addition of his new yellow Ferrari F40. The iconic 90s supercar now resides in his garage next to the matching yellow Ferrari F50 and Ferrari Enzo. MUST-READ: Watch Ferrari Collector David Lee Present His New Yellow Ferrari Enzo The Ferrari ‘Big Five’ consists of all of the pinnacle models that shape the brand into the industry leader they are today, including the 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. With more garage space available, David Lee looks to complete his task by acquiring a yellow Ferrari 288 GTO and LaFerrari. Although the welcome party to the yellow Ferrari F40 was short-lived, we can ensure you that Ferrari Collector David Lee will be sharing some amazing content coming soon. View all of the current Ferrari F40 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and celebrity car news. VIEW ALL FERRARI F40 FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Lee I Ferrari Ambassador (@ferraricollector_davidlee) Source: Ferrari Collector David Lee YouTube

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 Tyler Rampersaud – March 14, 2022

Musician Rod Stewart Fills Potholes Near His Home To Driv...

Being a good samaritan is sometimes what it takes. The road near musician Sir Rod Stewart’s home in Harlow, England is in… terrible condition. It’s riddled with water-filled potholes which have reportedly damaged cars on the road and busted the tire of an ambulance. And while these are all genuinely alarming concerns, one of the biggest for Stewart himself is the fact that the potholes render the road simply undrivable for his Ferrari, which sits low to the ground and can’t handle that kind of surface. So, he decided that if nobody else would repair the road, he would. MUST READ: You Can Buy Post Malone’s 2019 Bugatti Chiron In his post on Instagram, he can be seen with a shovel filling the holes in the road, and explaining that the road is in undrivable condition while the British Government is spending “millions and millions of pounds” on the M11 motorway. Hopefully, now that the road is in better shape due to Rod Stewart’s handiwork, we will get to see him enjoying his Ferrari and taking it out onto the road soon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sir Rod Stewart (@sirrodstewart) Source: Instagram/SirRodStewart

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 04, 2022

Gucci Mane Takes Delivery Of His New Ferrari LaFerrari In...

Gucci Mane upgrades his car collection with a rare LaFerrari. Since its release into the automotive world, the Ferrari LaFerrari continues its legacy as a pinnacle example for the Italian brand. The exclusive hypercar features the first-ever hybrid powertrain for Ferrari and includes a long list of influential owners. In his new ‘Publicity Stunt’ music video, American rapper Gucci Mane celebrates the delivery of his new Giallo Modena (Yellow) Ferrari LaFerrari. The multi-million dollar LaFerrari pairs perfectly with Gucci Mane’s matching Ferrari 812 Superfast, which also makes an appearance throughout the music video. Alongside the yellow prancing horses, Gucci Mane and wife Keyshia Ka’oir Davis’ car collection also includes a Ferrari F8 Tributo, Lamborghini Urus, Lamborghini Aventador SV, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Rolls-Royce Wraith, and many more. The extremely rare yellow LaFerrari produces over 900-horsepower from its hybrid-powered 6.3-Liter Naturally Aspirated V12 engine. Being one of the rarest color options for the LaFerrari, Gucci Mane’s new Ferrari is sure to appreciate in his collection as he adds more luxury supercars to it. MUST-READ: Gucci Mane’s New Custom Ferrari F8 Tributo is One of the First in USA Needless to say, we are excited to see the LaFerrari in more Gucci Mane music videos. Click the link below to view all current Ferrari LaFerrari examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear releases and celebrity car news. View All Ferrari LaFerrari For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gucci Mane (@laflare1017) Source: @laflare1017 IG

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 29, 2021

Kevin Hart Receives The First Ferrari SF90 Spider In The ...

Kevin Hart is the first lucky owner to drop the top on the Ferrari SF90 Spider. As the market for luxury and exotic supercars continues to grow, affluent car collectors look for the chance to secure a first production number vehicle to add to the fleet. The community of Ferrari owners knows this feeling all too well, with a growing collection of performance-focused vehicles like the all-new SF90 Spider. The first to receive the open-top hybrid Italian supercar is none other than world-renowned comedian and actor Kevin Hart. MUST-READ: Kevin Hart’s Car Collection Is Growing at a Fast Pace Kevin took to his Instagram page to announce his appreciation for the Ferrari brand and the opportunity to own the first SF90 Spider released in the United States. The configuration on Kevin Hart’s Ferrari SF90 Spider features a modest black exterior that complements the body lines and yellow accents. The interior layout is styled to match the exterior and includes an all-black design with yellow highlights. The Ferrari SF90 Spider makes an incredible 986-horsepower from its 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8 Hybrid system and is available starting at $558,000. View all current Ferrari SF90 Stradale models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Sell My Ferrari SF90 Spider: Get a Cash Offer View All Ferrari SF90 Stradale For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kevin Hart (@kevinhart4real) Source: @kevinhart4real

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2021

Original Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa On Display At Curated

A chance to see a legendary Ferrari. Curated has recently sold one of the most iconic Ferraris ever created, the 1986 Ferrari Testarossa from the TV series 'Miami Vice.' This Ferrari was one of two Metallic Black "Flying Mirror" Testarossas that were delivered to Universal Television by Ferrari. The iconic white paint was applied to the cars in order to make them more visible at night. The original title that accompanies the iconic Ferrari was in the Universal Television name, with Ferrari North America as the Lienholder. In April 1990, the car was purchased by Mr. Preston Henn after the 'Miami Vice' series completed. You may know the late Preston Henn from the legendary Swap Shop that he owned. It was here that he displayed his massive car collection. Curated has sold the Miami Vice Ferrari Testarossa to a new owner who will be receiving the exceptionally original car with just under 7,000 miles on its odometer and the original Goodyear Eagle tires still equipped. if you'd like to view this legend for yourself, it will be on display at Curated's Miami showroom for the next two weeks. The address for the showroom is 2100 NE 2nd Ave Miami, FL 33137. View Curated's Inventory Source: Curated, Photos by Albert Manduca

By Edward Jones – May 10, 2021

Cristiano Ronaldo Visits Ferrari's Headquarters

Maybe we'll be seeing Ronaldo in a new Ferrari 812 Competizione in the near future. One of the greatest football/soccer players to ever grace the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo, recently visited the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello for a tour and more. In an Instagram post from the Italian automaker, we see pictures of Ronaldo spending quite some time at the headquarters. This included a photo-op with Scuderia Ferrari's SF21 Formula 1 race car and its drivers, Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. He was also given a tour of the factory and spent some time greeting the employees. When you have legends like Ronaldo walking by, it's no wonder that Ferrari was named the Most Attractive Company Employer in Italy in the Randstad Employer Brand Research 2021 survey. We don't know the reason for his visit, but maybe it was to order a new car. So, if you see Ronaldo cruising around in a new Ferrari, you know when he ordered it! See All Ferraris For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/COs_z5FB2_S/

By Edward Jones – April 13, 2021

Behind the Scenes With Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and ...

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc make a great team. Last month, Ferrari put Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc behind the wheel of an SF90 Spider and SF90 Stradale and put them against each other at Imola. In a video published by Ferrari, the pair could be seen ripping the hybrid supercars around the famous track, going toe-to-toe. Now, Ferrari has released yet another video that takes us behind the scenes of the first video. In this new video, we get a little more personal with the duo and seeing their reactions to the car. Ferrari also showed off how some of the equipment that was used to make the video. For me, the most interesting bit was seeing inside the chase car that was used to follow the SF90s around the track. Click play up above to see the video for yourself and also click the button below to see all Ferraris listed for sale on duPontREGISTRY.com. See All Ferraris For Sale

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