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 Caitlin Duffy – July 30, 2015

Clarkson and Top Gear Team Sign With Amazon for Show

Update 7/31/15: According to an article published by Mirror.co.uk today, Amazon paid £160 million (approx. $250 million USD) for the Top Gear trio.It's an announcement the enthusiast community worldwide has been waiting for anxiously since the BBC cut ties with Jeremy Clarkson, and today it came: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May are returning to host another show for petrolheads.The story first broke in The London Evening Standard and social media feeds this morning, as well as on Amazon Prime's website. After Amazon Instant Video shared a Tweet at 5:53 EST this morning, Clarkson was the next to hit Twitter with the announcement, then May, then Hammond. A post to the Amazon Instant Video UK's Facebook page told viewers, "Get your engines revving. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May are back on the track in 2016! #OnlyOnAmazonPrime #Drive2Prime." I'm very excited to announce that Hammond, May and I have signed a deal with .@AmazonVideo — Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 30, 2015 Set to begin production imminently and begin airing in 2016, the show will be exclusively available to Amazon Prime customers, and promises to give full creative control to the team and their long time producer Andy Wilman. I've got a job I've got a job I've got a job. Haircut, clean jeans and practice driving again. Forrrrwaaaaaaaard!! — Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 30, 2015 "As well as the substantial financial rewards on offer, the three are said to have been attracted by a pledge by Amazon to give them a free creative rein to make the shows they want," describes the Evening Standard's article announcing their return. While undoubtedly bound to create some amazing shows, that level of freedom could make for some more controversial statements from Clarkson. Good news! I've got a job with @AmazonVideoUK. Bad news! So have the other two. #AmazonPrime #ItSaysHere — James May (@MrJamesMay) July 30, 2015 On June 16, it was announced that radio host Chris Evans would be taking over the original BBC show after Clarkson's dismissal following a "fracas" with a producer. As an April 7 BBC article covered, the producer, Oisin Tymon, suffered a split lip after Clarkson returned from a day of filming and was reportedly upset that no hot food was available. Via Amazon Instant Video UK's Facebook pageWith two new versions of Top Gear emerging in 2016, it will be interesting to see which manages to capture more viewers - the old TV format with a new host, or the old TV hosts with a new digital format.Stay with us for more news as it is released.(Source: The London Evening Standard, Facebook, Twitter, BBC News) See More Celebrity Car News

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2015

Chris Pratt's Motorcycle from Jurassic World Up For Auction

If you haven’t seen Jurassic World yet, you are truly missing out. Amazing special effects aside, the film features a host of Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG models along with a trail-ready Triumph Scrambler ridden by raptor wrangler Chris Pratt.(See Also: The Mercedes-Benz Cars of “Jurassic World”)According to a July 20 press release issued by MotorsportsNewswire.com, Triumph built three bikes for the film. One is on display at their corporate headquarters; one was given to the leading actor; the final will be auctioned off on eBay with proceeds going to The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride. These motorcycle gatherings raise money to fight prostate cancer, with attendees dressed in the finest vintage fashion.The Scrambler is essentially a highly modified version of their classic Bonneville. These small and nimble Café Racers were made popular by British biker gangs, such as the Mods and the Rockers.To see it in action, watch the video below, uploaded by Universal Pictures May 29, of Chris Pratt riding the motorcycle being auctioned off.The auction will run for ten days and starts at 7 pm tonight. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more vintage and collectible motorcycles.(Source: Motor Sports Newswire & Universal Pictures) See More Celebrity Rides

By Caitlin Duffy – July 15, 2015

Deadmau5 Reveals New McLaren P1 Wrap

Deadmau5's cars never seem to stay one color for very long, and after decking out his McLaren P1 and 650S for the Gumball 3000 Rally, it was time for a new appearance.Automotive custom shop Sekanskin in Mississauga, Ontario helped create a new look for the Meowclaren P1, applying a matte black wrap with subtle but bright orange accents on the front and rear wing, with orange brake calipers to match. So deadly! Thank you @sekanskin ! Driving this bad boy home! A photo posted by deadmau5 (@deadmau5) on Jul 14, 2015 at 4:10pm PDT In a photo posted to Sekanskin's Facebook page July 14 and a few posts to Deadmau5's Instagram account the same day, we get to see this new look, as well as a few hints at what may be next for his Lamborghini Huracan, also known as the purracan.";) nyanyanyan," reads the caption of one post, showing a new spin on Lamborghini's logo. ;) nyanyanyan A photo posted by deadmau5 (@deadmau5) on Jul 14, 2015 at 1:28pm PDT Stay with us to see more updates about Deadmau5's ever evolving car collection, and find your own Meowclaren or Nyanborghini from our exclusive listings below.P1s For Sale Huracans For Sale (Source: Facebook, Instagram) See More Celebrity Car News

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By Caitlin Duffy – July 09, 2015

1964 Morgan Plus 4 & Stephen Colbert on Comedians in Cars...

It's the season finale of Jerry Seinfeld's series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," and the pairing of guest and car couldn't have been more spot on."Come and see yourself as a sports car," Seinfeld says to Stephen Colbert on the phone, driving up to Colbert's Montclair, New Jersey home in a 1964 Morgan Plus 4. A model made the same year Colbert was born, it's a perfect fit for a grey Jersey morning and a hot cup of coffee.(See Also: Keith Richards' Bentley "Blue Lena" Set for Auction at Bonhams)The two drive to downtown Montclair and visit the Bluestone Coffee Company, discussing the car itself, Colbert's early years and plans for his future in late night TV, then end the day by driving back home with Stephen behind the wheel. He's a bit rusty working the stick shift, much to his own amusement and Seinfeld's despair.Check out the episode by visiting Crackle.com, and find your own Morgan model from our exclusive listings.Watch Now Morgans For Sale (Source: Crackle) See More Celebrity Car News

By Edward Jones – July 08, 2015

Dario Franchitti Races a Porsche 918 Spyder Through Goodwood

IndyCar Series Champion Dario Franchitti may not have raced for Porsche professionally, but that doesn't stop him from being a fan of their cars.At the recent 2015 Goodwood Festivals of Speed, Franchitti put the Porsche 918 Spyder through its paces for the annual Hill Climb event. Porsche uploaded a video to YouTube today of his run in the German hypercar.(Related: LaFerrari vs. 458 Speciale Drag Races)In the video Franchitti states, "Porsche are doing it almost better than anybody else right now. I think this car is doing everything right." It's clear to see that he's a fan of the car and the brand, and he even notes that he actually has a Carrera GT of his own.Check out the video below to see the champ in action in Porsche's greatest supercar yet.(Source: YouTube) See More Celebrity Car News

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2015

Lewis Hamilton Drifts Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG on Track

It's fun to be a passenger in a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, but it's even more fun when the driver is Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton.In a video uploaded by Fryman KikoMan July 3, Hamilton can be seen whipping the E63 around a track. The passengers in the car must be new to drifting and the capabilities of a driver such as Hamilton, because one exclaims, “I didn’t realize a car could spin like that. That’s amazing!”Watch the video below to see what the famous driver can do with an E63 AMG on the track. E63 AMGs For Sale(Source: YouTube via WorldCarFans.com) More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 30, 2015

Chris Brown's "The Dark Knight" Aventador Before & After

At the beginning of this month, on June 3, Chris Brown and Jc Customz both began posting photos to Instagram of Brown's Aventador after some special treatment.His Aventador LP700-4 became "The Dark Knight" after its original orange color was covered and its entire structure modified. DH Wraps gave it its matte black appearance, Misha Designs' body kit made it more fierce than before and Savini' Wheels' 18k gold Forged SV59-D wheels added an exclamation point of color, all supported by Pirelli tires. Jc Customz assembled the final product.(Related: Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster Production Confirmed at Goodwood)A post to Savini's news and blog site shared the details of its construction and photos of the final result, while some posts from Jc Customz to Facebook April 10 and 28 give us a good look at the Aventador from Lamborghini Newport Beach before undergoing its transformation. Misha Designs also shared a photo of the finished Dark Knight June 23 to their page.Check out the before and after shots of this Lamborghini below, and when you're finished, find yourself another Aventador from Lamborghini Newport Beach by browsing their listings at the button below. When you find your perfect car, let us know in the comments what your plans are for customization.Lamborghinis For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook, Savini Wheels) See More Celebrity Car News

Maria Sharapova in New Porsche Boxster Spyder

By Caitlin Duffy – June 26, 2015

Maria Sharapova Test Drives Porsche's Boxster Spyder

Though the world's attention is turned to Goodwood and its annual Festival of Speed, Maria Sharapova has been spending some time with Porsche in London ahead of the Women's Tennis Association's pre-tournament party. Maria Sharapova drops in at Porsche Mayfair to go for a spin in the UK’s only brand new Porsche Boxster Spyder, on her way to the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at Kensington Roof Gardens.A release issued by the marque today shows us a few photos from her visit, when the brand ambassador took out the new Porsche Boxster Spyder for a spin.“I love that this new Boxster Spyder is like a classic sports car, but at the same time feels so modern and sophisticated," said Sharapova in the release. "It’s a fantastic car and I need to get one!”(Related: McLaren P1 “Alain Prost Edition”)Unveiled April 1 at the New York International Auto Show, the Porsche Boxster Spyder features a 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine capable of producing 375 hp, which makes for a 0-62 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph. As an homage to classic design, it's only available with a manual transmission, and the soft-top fabric roof can only be opened or closed by hand.It's a purist sports car if there ever was one, making it a perfect pairing for a pure athlete like Sharapova. Check out the images of her test drive below, and then find yourself a Boxster Spyder from our exclusive listings.Boxster Spyders For SaleGallery (Source: Porsche) See More Celebrity Cars

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

By Caitlin Duffy – June 16, 2015

Rafael Nadal Wins Mercedes-AMG GT S

He's acquired countless awards and accolades over his impressive 29 years, but Rafael Nadal can add one more prize to his collection: a tennis ball yellow Mercedes-AMG GT S.The Stuttgart Open drew to a close on June 14 with Nadal declared the winner, and with matte black wheels his prize rolled out onto the grass court. Though it wasn't the playing surface Nadal is notorious for winning on, he defended his position as 10th in the world ATP rankings with this victory in Germany. View image | gettyimages.com Reports from USA Today and CNN tell us that he accepted the prize with more than a healthy dose of modesty, though likely because of conflicting interests; Nadal has been sponsored by Kia for nearly 10 years, sparking his comment, "it's not a Kia, but it's still good."Of course, the exterior is certainly unique and noticeable. The base color matches almost perfectly the fluorescent shade of a tennis ball, and is complete with white curved lines mimicking the ball's white seams. View image | gettyimages.com While this may not be the best appearance for a GT S, it's not what's on the outside that counts; under the hood is still the same AMG 4.0-literV8 biturbo engine that has made this model so highly desired. But not only is the engine completely new and designed for this vehicle, the GT S is only the second car completely designed by Mercedes-AMG. Performance is at its core, and you don't have to like its color to enjoy the drive.Check out our listings of exclusive Mercedes-AMG GT S models by hitting the button below, and stay with us for more updates from the automotive world.Mercedes-AMG GT S Listings (Source: USA Today, CNN via Jalopnik, Getty Images) See More Celebrity Car News

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