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 – February 27, 2018

LeBron James' Car Collection

NBA MVP LeBron James is one of the most famous athletes in the world, leading the Miami Heat to multiple playoffs and championship wins in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. But, while the Heat's star forward may spend many of his nights driving down the court, his free time is spent driving down the road in one of his hot cars.From SUVs to exotics, he has quite a collection- definitely one fit for a king. Check out the list below featuring some of James' cars and be sure to watch him on the court in this year's playoffs.See More Celebrity Car News Lamborghini AventadorLou La Vie, Rich B. Caliente and Toys for Boys Miami teamed up to wrap a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster for a specific purpose. The car celebrates the launch of "Lebron 11" and the King James legacy. The wrap was designed after the liner in the "King's Pride" Nike Lebron XI shoe, giving the already unique Aventador Roadster even more flair. Will Lebron have to wear that pair of shoes whenever he cruises in this Aventador? We certainly think so. (Source: RichBCaliente.com)Porsche 911 Turbo S (Source: CelebrityCarsBlog.com)Hummer H2 (Source: TheRichest.com)Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (Source: BornRich.com)Ferrari F430 Spider (Source: BornRich.com)Ferrari 458 Spider (Source SuperCarsCorner.com)Dodge Challenger SRT (Source: TheRichest.com)Maybach 57S (Source: BornRich.com)Maybach S600 (Source @kingjames via Instagram)Jeep Wrangler (Source: CelebrityCarsBlog.com)Chevrolet Impala Convertible (Star News via YouTube)Chevrolet Camaro SS (Source: Complex.com)See More Celebrity Car News

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 Caitlin Duffy – June 16, 2015

Ten Cars for Forbes' Ten Wealthiest Athletes

There are few people that make it onto a Forbes list, and there are few people who make it into the world of professional sports as an athlete. To make it into both of those categories requires an unthinkable amount of savvy and dedication, a lifetime of hard work and smart decisions regarding investments, sponsorship choices, management and much more.It's a rare achievement to reach the financial top of professional athletes, but in a June 10 list, Forbes has compiled the top 100 people who have done so.(See Also: James May Reviews the Ferrari 488 GTB)Check out our list of transportation suggestions for these athletes below, and let us know in the comments if you think there's another car more suited to the person.Kobe Bryant | $49.5 Million 2014 Lamborghini Aventador Image via listing on duPontREGISTRY.com/autos/A car fit for a king representing true LA Lakers style. View Price & DetailsTiger Woods | $50.6 Million 2012 Ferrari FF Courtesy of FerrariSubtle, sporty and incredibly good looking, the FF is the perfect pairing for one of the world's most famous men to ever wield a club. View Price & DetailsPhil Mickelson | $50.8 Million 2015 BMW i8 Courtesy of BMW's Facebook pageTrack-capable performance figures with an average consumption of 76 mpg - what's not to love? View ListingsKevin Durant | $54.1 Million 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz's Facebook PageAs a fan of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, it only makes sense that Durant would own the model's successor. View Listingss LeBron James | $64.8 Million 2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6x6 Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz's Facebook PageTough enough to take anywhere, with enough leg room to accommodate James' height. View Price & Listing Roger Federer | $67 Million Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing Image via listing on duPontREGISTRY.com/autos/Sleek, stunning and a car with a reach that can compete with Federer's serve. View Price & Details Lionel Messi | $73.8 Million 2005 Maserati MC12 Courtesy of McLarenLionel Messi has already confirmed that he's a fan of Maserati, and especially of his GranTurismo MC Stradale. But it's hard to compete with the prestige of the MC12 - one of these would make a fine addition to his collection. View Listings Cristiano Ronaldo | $79.6 Million 2015 McLaren P1 Courtesy of McLaren Newport BeachThere doesn't seem to be a particular type of fine car that Ronaldo has an interest in, but that's not to say he doesn't know a fine car when he sees it. He took a ride in the P1 and seemed to enjoy it, so perhaps it's time to add one to his list. View Price & Details Manny Pacquiao | $160 Million 1965 Icon D200 Dodge Crew Cab 4x4 Custom Courtesy of ICONHe's shown a penchant both for SUVs and high performance supercars, so a custom Dodge from ICON might be right up this boxing star's alley. View Price & Details Floyd Mayweather | $300 Million Ferrari LaFerrari Courtesy of GFWIlliams PhotographerMayweather's collection is legendary, but with the recent sale of his Enzo, perhaps it's time for another monumental Ferrari to enter circulation. View Price & Details (Source: Forbes) See More Celebrity Car News

“King James Edition” Kia K900 goes up for auction today to b

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2015

Bid On LeBron James' One-of-a-Kind 2015 Kia K900

LeBron James’ car collection changes almost as fast as the weather, and he knows that we are the best resource to find his next ride. But being as dedicated to bettering the world as he is, it’s often that he’ll use these cars to benefit his charity.The LeBron James Family Foundation’s mission is to keep kids and young adults active and healthy with practical education initiatives. To raise money and awareness for the foundation, Mr. James is auctioning his customized Kia K900 through CharityBuzz.com.The “King James Edition” was unveiled at the 2015 NBA All Star game and has several custom features. The wheels and headrests feature his “LBJ” logo, and the Alcantara interior has color contrast stitching. A dash plaque identifies this car as #001. We’re not sure if Kia intends to build a series of these, but as for now this is the only example.(See Also: James May Orders Final 458 Speciale)The auction is live on CharityBuzz, and runs through May 7. As of press time, with 9 days and 15 minutes remaining, the highest bid submitted stands at $89,000, while the estimated value of this vehicle sits at $168,463.If your loyalties are to King James and Cleveland, this 420 hp Kia K900 will help provide a positive force in the lives of inner-city kids and is a solid investment for the future. Bid Online (Source: Kia, CharityBuzz via Autoweek) 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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