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 Christina Avila – November 17, 2015

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Introduced to US by Bond A...

In a press release today, Land Rover unveiled the latest version of the popular Range Rover Evoque. While it features the same luxurious trappings the British automaker has become known for, there is one major difference between the new Evoque and models past – this one is a convertible.Yes, you read that right. In a YouTube video accompanying the release, Land Rover set the scene for the new compact convertible SUV against the picturesque backdrop of Santa Monica, California. In the video, the Evoque shares the spotlight with fellow Brit Naomie Harris, the actress who recently reprised her role as Moneypenny in "Spectre," the 24th installment of the James Bond film series.Making its official debut in the US at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show, the Evoque Convertible is the best of both worlds between a convertible and SUV. The four-seat design sits inside the convertible’s elegant interior with ample room for versatile storage. But don’t be fooled by the car’s interior charm. This is still very much a rough-and-tumble Range Rover, capable of both on and off-road excursions. With an intricate folding roof design, the SUV is truly an all-season vehicle, a rare find compared to most convertibles.The eloquent Ms. Harris agrees. “I was so impressed by the design of this car; it’s like nothing I’ve seen on the road before and is so sleek! I love the fact that it is just as much at home driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in LA, as it is off-road in the British Countryside,” she stated in the press release.Already heralded as the fastest-selling Land Rover of all time, the latest twist on the Evoque is sure to make an impression on the US market.Evoques For SaleGallery (via Land Rover)

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2015

Jay Leno Drives James Bond's Aston Martin DB10 from "Spec...

James Bond will be hitting the theaters in his new film "Spectre" come Nov. 6, bringing with him espionage, shaken cocktails and, of course, the spy's cars. The star car of "Spectre" has to be the 2016 Aston Martin DB10 concept car, designed and produced specifically for the film.In the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage, the DB10 made an appearance, along with its designer Mark Reichman, who is also the Chief Creative Officer and Design Director at Aston Martin Lagonda, Ltd.(See Also: Jay Leno Drives the Rare Mercedes-Benz C111 Concept Car)This example was just one of the ten created for the film and includes all of the necessary spy gadgets. Reichman points out that the DB10 has a lot of design aspects that will be seen in future Aston Martin models; I know you want them, but don't expect machine guns on an production model.Check out the video below to see what Jay Leno thinks about Bond's new car of choice. Also, be sure to check out the Aston Martins for sale on duPontREGISTY.com to find your own spy car.(Source: YouTube) More Aston Martin News

By Andrew Nabors – September 16, 2015

James Bond's New Jaguar and Land Rovers for "Spectre" Rev...

When MI6 needs specialized vehicles, normally they turn to agent Q. But for the latest film in the James Bond film "Spectre," the filmmakers turned to Jaguar Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. In a Sept. 15 press release marking the opening of the Frankfurt Auto Show (IAA), the British automakers detailed their cars being utilized in the upcoming spy film.Bond’s arch nemesis Hinx, played by actor David Bautista, will be seen behind the wheel of a Jaguar C-X75 supercar concept."To have the opportunity to be a part of an iconic chase scene in a Bond movie and to drive the C-X75 supercar was like a dream come true for me," said Bautista in the press release. "It truly is a beautiful beast of a car that will go down in movie history."(See Also: Rickie Fowler Shows Off Orange G63 AMG)Iconic Land Rover Defenders were equipped with 37-inch all-terrain tires, HID auxiliary lighting, roof racks and many other rugged accessories for the film. Naomie Harris, who returns as Monneypenny, defended her adoration for the classic SUV in the release."I made my Bond debut in the Defender, and I have so many fond memories shooting that sequence in Turkey," she stated. "It's such a special franchise to be a part of, and I'm thrilled to be here in Frankfurt with the Jaguar Land Rover team". Hinx's car in front and Hinx's accomplices in the two cars behindLast but not least is the incredible Range Rover Sport SVR. With a supercharged V8 making 550 hp, it probably didn’t require too many modifications for filming.The unveiling took place at Thurn und Taxis in Frankfurt, where guests were treated to live music by British recording artist John Newman. The press release also promised more updates and videos through Jaguar and Land Rover’s social media channels ahead of the film’s release in October. So, be sure to check back with us at Autofluence, your source for the vehicles of Her Majesty’s Secret Service.Gallery (Source: Jaguar Land Rover) See More Celebrity Cars News

By Caitlin Duffy – April 30, 2015

James Bond's Supercars of Spectre

On Dec. 4, it was announced that Aston Martin was continuing its support of England's greatest fictional spy with the appearance of the DB10 in "Spectre," the upcoming film from the James Bond series.On Feb. 9, Jaguar Land Rover introduced the three cars from the two marques that would be participating in their own action scenes in the film, which is scheduled for release Nov. 6. From Land Rover, the Range Rover Sport SVR and Land Rover Defender Big Foot will be making appearances, and Jaguar's C-X75 will be transporting a character with villainous intentions.A few days later, on Feb. 16, the DB10 was caught on film tearing up the streets behind Blenheim Palace in London, and today, we get to see a few more behind the scenes shots of two of these four impressive vehicles running a few trials and tearing through Rome's streets, with some back story from those creating this action thriller.(See Also: Sir Rod Stewart's 1971 Miura S SV For Sale)Eight bespoke Aston Martins have been created specifically for the film, and you can see a few of them hitting their cues for the camera in the video above. Uploaded to YouTube today by James Bond 007, this video from the set gives us some never before scene looks at one of the car chases to appear in the film.Be sure to give it a watch, and prepare yourself for the upcoming release by finding your own Bond-worthy Aston Martin from our exclusive listings below.See Aston Martins For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

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