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 – October 03, 2016

Three Elvis Presley Cadillacs For Sale

Fan of the original rock and roller Elvis Presley? Then I have your dream Cadillacs right here that will have you dancing in your blue suede shoes. The three are can be sold together, so whoever plucks the first string on this deal will have their own Elvis automobile collection sitting in their garage.First up is a pink 1959 Cadillac "Flattop" Sedan. This car won first place at Graceland for the best Elvis Presley tribute car. It comes with custom airbrush graphics, including a Graceland mural on the trunk, platinum records on the hood and the entire lyrics of Heartbreak Hotel on the side. 42,000 original miles are clocked on the odometer. For just this vehicle, the price tag is $49,000.Learn MoreNext up is a pink 1956 Cadillac Sedan that's called the "Elvis Presley Tribute Car." It has custom airbrush graphics of the King himself and has also been awarded Best in Show at Graceland. It comes with 97,000 original miles and it available for $39,995.Learn MoreLastly, we have the 1960 Cadillac “Bubble Top” Elvis Presley Tribute (Memphis) Police Car. According to the seller, this is the only Cadillac Police Car in the entire world, with the emergency equipment still working flawlessly. Also included with this car is a life-sized mannequin of Elvis Presley dressed in his trademark white, rhinestone outfit, complete with jewelry. It has 34,000 original miles and is available for $29,995.Learn MoreIf you're interested in buying all three of these together, the seller is offering them for $100,000, which knocks off almost $20,000 off of the total value. For more information, click the buttons above to contact the seller.

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 – 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

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 17, 2016

Wolf of Wall Street Ferrari Testarossa For Sale

Many know the name "Wolf of Wall Street" thanks to the 2013 movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Others know the name because they heard about the Wall Street Ponzi scheme Jordan Belfort (the guy the Wolf of Wall Street movie was based on) pulled off in the 90's. Either way, this car packs some serious celebrity punch.The seller, Monegasque Classics, characterizes the 1991 Ferrari Testarossa the most famous Ferrari ever made thanks to its appearance in Miami Vice. However, this specific Testarossa is famous because it was owned by none other than Belfort, the original "Wolf". The car was hand delivered to Belfort from New York Ferrari Dealership Kessler Motors by Steven Kessler himself.The Testarossa only has 8,000 miles and can be sold in either the American or EU market thanks to being tax paid in the US and registered in the EU.The company also touts the vehicle as one of the most collectible examples available, thanks to a resurgence of interest in modern collectibles and the fact that this particular Testarossa is in perfect condition thanks to its being owned by a collector nearly its entire life.Someone has a serious chance at owning a piece of American (recent) history here. Check out the images of the famed Ferrari below.Ferrari Testarossas For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2015

Sylvester Stallone's 1968 Corvette is For Sale

If Rocky Balboa and John Rambo were to build a Corvette, this would be it.Aside from being a renowned actor, painter and boxing promoter, Sylvester Stallone likes his cars. He bought this wild 1968 Corvette at Barrett-Jackson's Las Vegas auction back in 2009, and it has a heavy hitting list of modifications.Built for a discerning owner, this convertible features a 510 cubic inch, or 8.3-liter, Donovan Big Block making 660 hp. Torque is not listed, probably because the Brodix heads make enough turning force to shatter the Lakewood bellhousing. A five-speed manual transmission sends power to a custom 5-link coil-over rear suspension.Because early Corvettes used the fiberglass body as a stressed part of the suspension, the entire frame was boxed with thicker steel to prevent the car from shattering upon launch. Anti-lock brakes and fuel injection bring this car into the modern era, along with air conditioning and power steering.A build of this caliber demands a sizable investment, with the power train costing over $30,000 on its own. If you need a convertible Corvette with no expense spared, Taggart Autosport of Cary, North Carolina is asking only $129,900 for the Corvette that was once Stallone's. Though it's had one other owner since Stallone's purchase, included with the sale is his autographed registration and a photo of Sly behind the wheel.(See Also: James May Reviews the Ferrari 488 GTB)This prize fighter may be old, but it packs enough power and prestige to go 12 rounds with any production car we can think of. For more information, hit the button below.View Listing Gallery Sponsored by: See More Celebrity Cars

By Caitlin Duffy – June 15, 2015

Floyd Mayweather's Ferrari Enzo is For Sale

Cars come and go through Floyd Mayweather's collection faster than styles go out of fashion, and even some of the finest cars produced in automotive history can't count on staying in his garage long.Case and point, his Ferrari Enzo. As we reported Jan. 26, Mayweather added the pinnacle pony to his collection, posing for a few photos with it the day it was delivered by Fusion Luxury Motors.(Related: The Rise of the Ferrari 575M Superamerica)But June 11, Fusion's Facebook page showed the Rosso powerhouse back at their showroom."HIS NAME IS 'ENZO' !" states the caption of its photo. The next day, June 12, they shared a video of the Enzo driving up to the dealership, and shortly after it appeared on their website's listed inventory.Check out the photos below to get a closer look at this piece of Ferrari's history, and hit the button to learn more about purchasing details.View Listing and PriceGallery

By Caitlin Duffy – June 10, 2015

Steve McQueen's Porsche 911 Turbo Being Auctioned Off

Steve McQueen is a name all automotive enthusiasts are familiar with. His love and passion for all things mechanical, as well as roles in monumental movies for cars in cinema, have pushed his name to the status of legend, and now you can own a piece of that legendary history.The very last special order Porsche he ever ordered is set to cross the block at Mecum Auctions' Monterey 2015 event Aug. 13-15, and it is in stunning condition. A 1976 Porsche 911 Turbo, also known as the 930, with a rare, early production, non-intercooled, 3.0-liter engine, and from Mecum's video detailing its history, its driving experience is one that will stay with you forever.Porsche 911 Turbo For Sale The Slate Gray color was a special order from McQueen, but he still took to it with his own hands to add a few more things. 8" wheels in the front and 9" wheels in the back were added by him, as was a kill switch for the rear lights. Found on the dashboard, it was added to give him extra cover in case he was being chased on Mulholland Drive. You can check out his route down the road in our April 10 article.A portion of the auction's proceeds will be donated to The Boys Republic, a non-profit for troubled youngsters that McQueen credits with turning his life around. You can learn more about that and his 1946 graduation from the center in the video above.Take a moment to browse the photos of this car, and visit the listing page by hitting the button below.View Listing Gallery (Source: Mecum Auctions, YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

By Edward Jones – September 17, 2014

BMW 760Li Owned by Lebron James For Sale

For sale at Marshall Goldman Motor Sales, located in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, is a 2010 BMW 760Li that was ordered and once owned by LeBron James. The car is finished in a matte pearl white with a full platinum merino leather interior.The car is equipped with more than $30,000 in extras, including: navigation, BMW individual composition, rear seat entertainment, wood inlay steering wheel, rear view camera, heated and ventilated front seats, rear power seat package, massaging front and rear seats, 22-inch white wheels, white out trim, tinted windows and smoked rear taillights.The original listing price for this car was $153,475, and now, with only 9,000 miles, it can be yours for just $89,900. For more information, be sure to click the button below.View Listing and More InfoGallery See More Celebrity Cars

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