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 – December 14, 2015

Jay Leno Drives Hot Wheels Darth Vader Car

As you get bigger, Hot Wheels cars get smaller. This is why Jay Leno asked the toy car manufacturer to bring in a car that would be more his size. Did they deliver? Yes, young Jedi (or Sith), they did.More specifically, Bryan Benedict, Senior Staff Designer at Hot Wheel, delivered.Benedict brought over a real-life, working Darth Vader car, built on a Chevrolet Corvette chassis, to Leno's garage.Essentially, the car is what would happen if you took Vader's helmet and morphed it into a car, with appropriate design cues mixed throughout. For example, if you look at the side exhaust pipes, they look quite a bit like the Sith Lord's lightsaber. Also, on the hood is the control panel unit found on the big man's chest.Does its engine sound like Vader breathing when it starts up? That would be amazing, but of course not. How in the world could you get the exhaust to sound like the iconic respiration of Vader? That being said, they did include some speakers that put out the sound of his breathing on command.Billy Hammon, the builder of the car, also showed Leno around the car, showing him the intricacies of the engineering found within the car, like the mechanism created to get into the car.Check out the video below to see just how awesome a life-size Hot Wheels Darth Vader car really is. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – December 11, 2015

RM Sotheby's Auctions Off Janis Joplin's Porsche for Reco...

Last night at RM Sotheby's New York City "Driven by Disruption" auction, Janis Joplin's 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet sold for a record-breaking $1,760,000. This number was well above what they estimated it to go for, which was a respectable $400-600,000. In total, there were seven bidders getting in on the bidding for the car, but the final bid was the highest for any Porsche 356 sold at public auction.This psychedelic car was bought by Janis Joplin off of a used car lot back in 1968. She then had her friend and roadie, Dave Richards, customize the car with a "History of the Universe" mural. RM Sotheby's said in an email last night that this could be one of the first true "art cars" in existence and one of the most important Porsches of all-time.For full results from the "Driven by Distraction" auction, be sure to check back with us soon.(Source: RM Sotheby's)

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2015

LeBron James Proves He Drives a Kia K900

Everyone knows that LeBron James is one of the world's biggest athletes, in physical stature, talent and in fame. His rise in the NBA has been a storied one since he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2003 (seems like it was just yesterday). HOver the past decade, James has most certainly accrued a massive amount of money from both endorsements and team contracts, meaning many cars have been added to James' car collection. One endorsement that has been drawing eyes is with Kia, the South Korean automaker.With so much money to spend, people are wondering: does LeBron James actually drive his Kia K900 luxury sedan?The K900 is actually a great sedan, chock-full of luxuries and features that some may not expect in a Kia. And, at a starting MSRP of $54,5000, it's the highest price model in Kia's lineup, beating the Cadenza by $20,000.To answer the question people have been asking, Kia and James teamed up for a new video that shows King James, himself, cruising in his K900, instead of something like a limousine or exotic car.Check out the video below and tell us if you think he actually drives it in the comments below. (Source: YouTube)

By Edward Jones – December 03, 2015

"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" Trailer Reveals Bruc...

Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman (sorry if I spoiled that for anyone), is a very rich man with a taste for a luxury lifestyle, justice and, apparently, beating Superman to a pulp in the new "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" movie.Showing off more of Bruce Wayne's extravagent is the new movie trailer that was just released on December 2. It starts with him pulling up in a classic black Aston Martin, which is very different from the Lamborghini Murcielago that Christian Bale's Batman drove in "The Dark Knight Rises."Which Aston Martin is he driving? While official word hasn't been given yet, it does appear to be a DB2/4 MKIII (or just simply known as the MK III). This car was produced by Aston Martin from 1957-1959 as a replacement for the DB2.4 MK II. It features a 2.9-liter straight-six engine that produces 162 hp. This means that in this car he could sprint from 0-60 mph down Gotham city's straights in just under 10 seconds.It seems like he took a page out of 007's book and went for an English classic, as James Bond drive the DB Mark III in the novel version of "Goldfinger."Also spotted in this trailer is Batman's new Batmobile, as well as a surprise showing of the new villain and Wonder Woman. Check it out for yourself in the comments below and let us know what you think about Bruce Wayne's choice of car.Aston Martins For Sale Batmobiles For Sale (Source: YouTube)

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Gets LaFerrari and GTA Spano

By Edward Jones – November 24, 2015

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson With LaFerrari and GTA Spano, C...

Since joining the "Fast and Furious" movies, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has become a pretty big deal in the automotive community. No pun intended. In fact, The Rock looks to be coming back for the eighth entry in the automotive movie series.Currently, he's been filming for "Ballers," an HBO exclusive show that follows the life of Spencer Strasmore, a financial manager for athletes in Miami. For filming purposes, he was sent a LaFerrari and GTA Spano for season two of the hit show, both in white. A big #BALLERS THANK YOU to our international makers of this #GTASpano for shipping this truly exotic Spanish super car in all the way from Spain. Even though my character can't fit (literally) in this beauty, as our show's Executive Producer I'll take full credit for featuring her properly. ? We thank you again.. a beautiful super car. #BALLERS #Season2 #Miami #BallOut #DaddyStillDontFit A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Nov 22, 2015 at 12:09pm PST Unfortunately, The Rock is a pretty big guy. When he posted photos of himself and the cars on Instagram, he noted that he can't even fit into the cars. But, there are plenty of big trucks that he could fit into, like a Ford Raptor or Terradyne Gurkha. "She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean - she was the best damn woman that I ever seen..." 950 horsepower. Less than 25 made (matte white) in the world. Selling on the streets for $3-5 million. The great benefit of producing and starring in @HBO's #BALLERS is that I can admire, touch and play with this #LaFerrari which is one of the most beautifully engineered and sought after exotic cars in the world. The drawback...? Daddy don't fit in it. #BALLERS #OnSet #Season2 #SilverbackProblems Ball out. ?? A photo posted by therock (@therock) on Nov 21, 2015 at 12:25pm PST View the Specs for the LaFerrariWhat do you guys think about the choice of cars? For me, it's nice to see the GTA Spano getting some well-deserved love. As for the LaFerrari, no one can complain about that choice.Be sure to stay up-to-date with "Ballers" to learn when season two will be premiering.(Source: Instagram)

By Edward Jones – November 19, 2015

Lewis Hamilton and MV Agusta Dragster RR LH44 Superbike

Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton has teamed up with MV Agusta to create a special edition superbike called the Dragster RR LH44.This Italian superbike's bodywork is mostly comprised of carbon fiber with a matte finish. Popping against the matte bodywork is the bright red metal tubing, which gives off an amazing visual."I have a huge passion for bikes, so the opportunity to work with MV Agusta on my own Dragster RR LH44 Limited Edition has been a great experience," said Hamilton in a press release on his website. "I have really enjoyed the creative design process with the MV Agusta team; the bike looks amazing- really aggressive and with fantastic attention to detail, I am truly proud of the result. I love riding this bike; it is so much fun. I hope its new owners love it as much as I do."While it may not be as fast as one of Hamilton's race cars or Pagani, it's still speedy as heck. Underneath the body is a three-cylinder 800cc engine capable of 140 hp at 13,100 rpm - ample power for exciting times on the road.The bike, co-designed by the F1 champion, will have a limited run of only 244. Making each of these bikes even more special is Hamilton's signature adorning each one.Motorcycles For Sale (via LewisHamilton.com)(Image Source)

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 Caitlin Duffy – November 11, 2015

Ken Block & Jay Leno Deliver Mail from 840 hp Mustang

It's not your usual mail truck, and these aren't your usual postal workers. But that didn't stop Jay Leno and Ken Block from trying to show off their delivery skills on the latest episode of Jay Leno's Garage.A quick clip of the episode, which airs tonight on CNBC at 10 pm, was shared to YouTube Nov. 10 and follows a few quick figure eights and donuts from rally driver Ken Block, half of which Leno was in the passenger seat for. He's brought mailman Lonnie to meet Block and check out a possible new option for delivering mail a bit more quickly.The two ride in Blocks' famous 840 hp Hoonicorn RTR, a 1965 Ford Mustang notchback that's been modified to be Block's latest Gymkhana car. Check out the intense drifts this car is capable of in the video below, and find your own classic Mustang from our exclusive listings. (via YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

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By Caitlin Duffy – November 06, 2015

Gordon Ramsay on Ferrari: Many Similarities Between Fine ...

Gordon Ramsay is an unabashed fan of Ferrari, clearly demonstrated by his ownership of their flagship supercar, the Ferrari LaFerrari.The celebrity chef recently took a trip to Maranello to visit the marque's headquarters, and while there drew quite a few similarities between his passion for fine foods and the incredible cars produced by Ferrari. As a Nov. 5 press release shared, he focused first on the fact that both he and Ferrari "focus on continual innovation or 'being the market leader, becoming creative and not sitting down on your laurels'."Ramsay was recently spotted in London taking his LaFerrari out for a drive, and a video of him testing out the new 488 GTB was shared by Ferrari on Oct. 16. But in his latest show of love for the prancing horse, he's posing with a stunning blue California T.As for the other ways Ramsay sees himself and Ferrari as being similar, he sees versatility in both parties, as well as "the ability to see what no one else can see and to deliver excellence."See the photos of his trip and video of his 488 GTB test drive below, then find your own Ferrari for your collection from our exclusive listings.Ferraris For Sale Gallery (via Ferrari, YouTube) See More Ferrari News

By Edward Jones – November 06, 2015

Willian and "Driverless" Drifting BMW M3 from Need for Speed

Willian Borges da Silva, known simply as Willian, has been a star of the Chelsea Football Club, especially after his stunning free kick against Dynamo Kyiv. Now, he's taking his skills to the road with the team at Yiannimize, an English automotive aftermarket shop.After the new "Need for Speed" video was released Nov. 3, people have been customizing their virtual cars and racing against competitors across the world. Instead of customizing their car virtually, Willian and Yannimize chose to take a car straight from the video game and create a real-life version of it.The car is a BMW M3 that has been heavily customized, even where you can't see. The exterior is very similar to an M3 featured in "Need for Speed," complete with a massive rear wing.A neat addition that they made for the car is that you can drive it with a controller. In the video included, uploaded to YouTube Nov. 5, you can see Willian drifting the car with just a Playstation 4 controller.Okay, not really, but there is a driver in the back seat, with a separator between him and the front seats. This illusion makes it look like there isn't a driver in the car. And, I must say, Willian does a good job at playing the part of remote remote-control driver.Think you could drive a car from its rear seat? Let us know in the comments below! But don't try it at home. (via YouTube) More Celebrity Car News

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