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 – May 22, 2015

Andrew Johnston Wins BMW M4 Coupe for Hole-in-One

BMW has long supported athletes and their competitive ventures, with one of their most recongizable awards coming in the form of the BMW Hole In One Prize.In the first round of the BMW PGA Championship May 21, held at Wentworth, the prize of a brand new M4 Coupe was snagged by Andrew "Beef" Johnston, a 26-year-old from England. As a release from the marque issued the same day tells us, he snagged the shot on the par-three 10th hole and immediately jumped for joy. VIRGINIA WATER, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Andrew Johnston of England poses with the keys to his new BMW M4 Coupe after his hole-in-one on the 10th hole during day 1 of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on May 21, 2015 in Virginia Water, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)"Such was the player’s delight that it sparked what will probably go down as one of the most flamboyant of celebrations seen this year," describes the release of Beef's celebration, which ended with a hearty chest bump with a friend who was in the gallery. You can see his moment of victory in the May 21 YouTube video from European Tour below. The release went on to describe the first hole-in-one Johnston achieved in the professional ranks at the 2014 Scottish Open, where he won 168 bottles of champagne. The $117,000 M4 comes in at a noticeably higher value than the crate of bubbly, making the celebratory air of Johnston, who's currently ranked 68th in the Race to Dubai, all the more understandable. (See Also: BMW 435i ZHP Coupe Introduced) On June 29, 2014, BMW announced James Heath's hole-in-one award, where he received a BMW i8 at the BMW International Open in Cologne, Germany. Which car should be the next hole-in-one prize? Let us know in the comments below, then browse through our exclusive listings of BMWs for sale to find the perfect winner's car. BMWs For Sale (Source: BMW, YouTube) See More BMW News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 20, 2015

Jon Olsson Goes to Uber with his Audi RS6 DTM

Even though the Gumball 3000 Rally doesn't begin until this upcoming Saturday, May 23, legendary free-skier Jon Olsson has been ready for months.For the rally this year, which begins in Stockholm, Sweden, and finds its end point in Las Vegas, Nevada, Olsson prepped an Audi RS6 DTM with upgraded engine tuning and a revamped exterior. As we reported March 31, 18 karat gold andodized TTE 9XX turbochargers have cranked the engine to produce 950 hp. A black and gray camo-style wrap with red accents covers the exterior, sporting the logo for Betsafe, Olsson's sponsor for the rally.But when a car that incredible has been ready to go for so long, the itch to drive it will just become to strong to scratch, and the desire to show it off and share its driving prowess with others will become overwhelming.Lucky for Olsson, there's always Uber.A video posted to YouTube by Betsafe May 16 shows Olsson's six-hour stint as an Uber driver in his RS6. As the caption tells us, 5,700 booking requests for a ride in Olsson's Audi were received, and 11 were selected for a free ride in Stockholm. He's joining the ranks of Deadmau5 and McLaren in offering an uber-awesome Uber ride to a lucky few; in September of last year, Deadmau5 took to the streets of Toronto with his McClaren 650S Spider, while McLaren Automotive offered test drives of the 650S to a few people in Dubai Jan. 29.(See Also: Paul Walker's Toyota Super Sold by Mecum Auctions)Take a look at the experiences of Olsson's passengers in the video, then browse through our exclusive Audis for sale to find a Gumball 3000 monster for next year's rally.View Audis For Sale(Source: YouTube via Road and Track) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 20, 2015

Paul Walker's Toyota Supra Sold by Mecum Auctions

It has been cemented in to movie history as one of the most memorable cars to ever be seen on the silver screen, and over the weekend of May 16, it crossed the block and entered a new collection.One of the original Toyota Supra stunt cars driven by Paul Walker in the original "The Fast and the Furious" movie was lot S157 at Mecum Auctions' 28th Original Spring Classic, also dubbed the Indy 2015 auction, and not surprisingly, it sold at a more than respectable price.As we described April 17 when it was first listed on our website, this particular 1993 Toyota Supra was featured in the final race scene, and offers 220 hp from its 2JZ-GE 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It was estimated that this lot would sell for between $150,000 and $200,000, an estimate that proved spot on. As Mecum announced on their Facebook page May 16, the final price rang in at $185,000.(See Also: Magnus Walker at the Ace Cafe with Porsche)Check out the gallery of this stunning Supra below, and if you're wanting a fast or furious car of your own, take a moment and browse through our exotic cars for sale. Or, keep an eye on future auction events in case it makes its way back onto the block.Browse Listings Gallery (Source: Mecum Auctions via Facebook) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 19, 2015

Magnus Walker at the Ace Cafe With Porsche

Though it's easy to assume that there's a "typical" enthusiast for any marque, digging into the crowd of any car show will shed light on the fact that "typical" or "average" really has no value in that context. From occupation, to age, to personal style or country of origin, there's something different about everyone.Really, the only thing you can say for sure about an automotive enthusiast is that they love cars.(See Also: Porsche Boxster Black Edition: "An Almost Indecent Proposal")So is it any surprise then that a Porsche gathering would happen at the Ace Cafe in London, with the likes of Urban Outlaw and Magnus Walker as ringleader?If it is, you should probably start going to more car shows and chat with some of the owners. It's definitely going to be worth your time.In the video above, uploaded to YouTube May 17 by Porsche, you can take your first step into getting to know the different Porsches and their owners that comprise the Porsche family, with every person welcoming any other that cherishes the marque from Stuttgart. Give it a watch, then become part of the family by browsing our exclusive listings and finding the Porsche for you.Porsches For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Porsche News

By Edward Jones – May 18, 2015

Jared Leto's Joker Seen in Vaydor G35 in Set Footage of S...

Update: The YouTube videos have been blocked by Warner Bros. Entertainment on copyright grounds. Every super hero or super villain needs an awesome ride, i.e. Batman and his Batmobile or Iron Man and his Audi R8. Now, it looks like Jared Leto's Joker character in the upcoming movie "Suicide Squad" will be driving a unique automobile.https://twitter.com/greenlanttern/status/600161644065464321In two videos uploaded yesterday, May 17, by YouTuber mrshinyguitar, we get our first look at Leto acting as the Joker on set with Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn). In the videos, Leto and Robbie are acting together, but one thing remains static: a chrome red car. After some searching, I found out that this car is actually an Infiniti G35 with a body kit by a company called Vaydor.See More Celebrity CarsCheck out the videos below to see Leto's Joker in action and see his new whip. Also, be sure to leave your thoughts on the new Joker and his car in the comments below.https://twitter.com/BatmanNewsCom/status/600189913326313472https://twitter.com/brittbellgardt/status/600268696989224960https://twitter.com/BatmanNewsCom/status/600184827103604736 (Source: YouTube via IGN and Batman-News)

By Caitlin Duffy – May 14, 2015

Tyler, The Creator Visits McLaren Automotive Headquarters

If there's anything you can say about recording artist Tyler, The Creator, it's that he is a unique individual, and we mean that in the truest definition of the word. There, quite literally, is not another artist in today's popular music scene quite like him.The same can be said about McLaren Automotive. But that's not where the similarities between the two end. Both got their commercial start in 2011; McLaren Automotive began production that year, and Tyler signed his contract with Sony Music Entertainment. Each creates something powerful, and each pushes to be at the forefront of their industry.So, it doesn't come as a surprise that Tyler would wind up at McLaren's headquarters at one point or another. @mclarenauto THANKS SOOOO MUCH FOR TODAY. F1 OH MAN A photo posted by Tylers Auntie (@feliciathegoat) on May 14, 2015 at 1:01pm PDT He posted two photos to his Instagram profile today showing us a few sneak peeks at what he saw, and McLaren responded to his visit on their own Instagram profile. After reposting the photo above, they added their own contribution to the caption."@feliciathegoat visited us today. A real petrol head and #McLaren guy. Thanks for stopping by Tyler," read their description.(See Also: Bentley & Idris Elba Break Historic "Flying Mile" Record)This could very well mean that he'll be joining the ranks of other renowned modern musicians by becoming a McLaren owner, such as Deadmau5 and his Meowclaren P1. Which new McLaren do you think Tyler should include in his collection? Let us know in the comments!Check out the video below from CNNMoney and read our May 6 article to catch a glimpse of the headquarters Tyler took a trip to, then take a look through our exclusive McLaren listings to find the perfect one for your collection.View All McLaren Listings (Source: Instagram) See More Celebrity Car News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 07, 2015

Bentley & Idris Elba Break Historic "Flying Mile" Record

He has been Luther, Nelson Mandela, a Norse god, a drug dealer and even a cartoon, but now Idris Elba can add a new title to his long resume: record breaker.In a press release issued today, Bentley tells us that Elba joined forces with a new Continental GT Speed while filming a new show to take on the "Flying Mile" UK land speed record set nearly 100 years ago. With a powerful piece of new machinery and technology, it proved an easy challenge. Elba achieves an average speed of 180.361mph to beat record set by Sir Malcolm Campbell in 1927. Record set during filming for new Discovery Channel show: Idris Elba: No Limits which airs in the summer.In 1927, Sir Malcom Campbell took to the Pendine Sands in Wales with a Napier-Campbell Blue Bird, reaching an average speed of 174.224 mph. As Wikipedia explains, the British land speed record is determined by averaging the speeds of two runs in opposite directions over a course of fixed length; in this case, Elba took on the record for the Flying Mile, rather than the Flying Kilometer.(See Also: Bentley's New "Blue Train" Mulsanne Speed)Elba and Bentley returned to the same location Sir Campbell set his record, and despite tidal condition son the Welsh beach causing minor inconveniences, they reached a top speed of 180.361 mph. His speed and record were verified by the UK Timing Association.View All Continental GT ListingsGallery (Source: Bentley, Wikipedia, IMDB) See More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – May 05, 2015

Deadmau5's P1 & 650S for Gumball Spotted Taking Off

Though he waited months for his vibrant blue P1 to arrive, Deadmau5 didn't spend much time with the original paint color. On March 31, the Canadian music producer accepted delivery of the McLaren P1 he ordered in October of last year, and just under a month later, it was sporting a very different look in preparation for the Gumball 3000 Rally. It became the "Ace of Spades" for Team Meowclaren with a new vinyl wrap, and it will be joining his 650S, which is sporting a "Queen of Hearts" wrap. From Stockholm, Sweden, to Las Vegas, Nevada, Deadmau5 and dozens of other celebrities and luxury car enthusiasts will be traveling in their decked out cars starting May 23, but for now, Team Meowclaren is still in Ontario, Canada, and YouTuber Ontario Supercars spotted them at a car event. (See Also: Andy Murray Receives i8 After 2015 BMW Open Victory) Uploaded to YouTube May 3, the video above shows us a quick walk around of the Ace of Spades P1, with the fitting license plate of "DATP1THO," with the Queen of Hearts 650S in the background. It then cuts to a rear-shot of the P1 launching down a straight, tree-lined clear roadway. Check out the video above to get a preview of what this year's Gumball 3000 has in store, and then find yourself the perfect P1 from our exclusive listings below, and start planning your team for Gumball 3000 2016. P1s For Sale (Source: YouTube via Carbuzz) See More Celebrity Car 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

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

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