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 Jordan Aquistapace – January 27, 2023

Watch Ferrari F1 Driver Carlos Sainz Take Delivery Of His...

Being the first car purchase since his VW Golf, Carlos Sainz finally receives the Ferrari he deserve. As a world-famous Formula One driver, you would think their garage was filled with exclusive supercars and hypercars from respected manufacturers. For Scuderia Ferrari F1 team driver Carlos Sainz Jr., the 28-year-old has yet to make his first high-end car purchase since joining Formula One more than 9 years ago. Revealing his newest purchase to his community of passionate fans, Carlos Sainz took to YouTube to document the delivery of his custom Ferrari 812 Competizione. The configuration process began in 2021 after Sainz expressed that the 812 Competizione was the most beautiful car he’s ever seen, with a focus on its aggressive rear styling. MUST-READ: Ferrari 812 Competizione & Competizione A Unveiled Simultaneously After an anticipated two-year wait, Carlos finally receives news that his 812 Competizione is ready and that he will finally become a Ferrari client. The immaculate matte black spec comes courtesy of the Ferrari Tailor Made division, where the F1 driver was given complete control to create his wildest dream. One of the hidden details incorporated into the build is the carbon fiber driver door trim that reads “Smooth Operator”. Strapping into the Ferrari racing harnesses, Sainz and his videographer took off for a first drive that left them both speechless. Being the first supercar purchase of Carlos Sainz Jr., we are hoping to see many more delivery day videos from the Ferrari F1 driver. View all current Ferrari 812 Superfast examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Ferrari 812 Superfast For Sale Source: Carlos Sainz YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 26, 2023

NBA Star Luka Dončić Shows Up To The Arena In His New Apo...

With fame and success comes the ability to fill your garage with dream rides, which proves to be the ultimate goal for most passionate car enthusiasts. While professional athletes, celebrities, and influential individuals have the option to pick any and all of the most desirable supercars on the market, exotic car choices give us insight into their everyday lives. NBA star and Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić made news recently when he pulled up to American Airlines Center in his newest purchase, a monstrous Apocalypse 6x6 Hellfire. MUST-READ: Lionel Messi’s Car Collection The arrival to game day was posted to Bleacher Report’s Instagram page and shows a giant smile on Luka’s face when he steps out of the six-figure custom Jeep Gladiator. The matte black Apocalypse showcases an eye-catching red interior and a high-performance 500hp LS3 V8 engine from a Chevrolet Corvette. With other examples like a restored Chevy Camaro in Luka’s collection, it's easy to say that the 6’7” Slovenian basketball player is a true car guy at heart. That being said, we are more than excited to see what Luka Dončić will add to his garage next. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bleacher Report (@bleacherreport) Source: @bleacherreport

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By Jordan Aquistapace – January 03, 2023

Remembering Ken Block: A True Automotive Icon

The tragic news of professional driver Ken Block’s passing has left the automotive world deeply saddened. Aside from being a loving father, husband, and friend to many, Ken was a staple to the industry as he helped pioneer an exciting new style of driving that quickly gained traction throughout his community of passionate fans. From record-breaking hill climb sprints to viral Gymkhana drift videos, Ken Block invited us all to sit passengers while showcasing his talents behind the wheel of any high-horsepower machine. As the creator of Hoonigan Racing Division, many of Ken Block’s milestone achievements have been captured and documented through the motorsport media brand’s YouTube channel. As the world celebrates the life of the 55-year-old automotive icon, we have compiled our favorite Ken Block moments for all to enjoy. With a true passion for street and track driving, Ken Block's legacy will forever live on in the hearts of all car enthusiasts. Watch all of our favorite Ken Block moments by clicking on the links below. Watch Ken Block Drift His Audi S1 Hoonitron In Hoonigan’s Electrickhana Las Vegas Video Learn More Ken Block Debuts His 1,400HP Porsche SVRSR ‘Hoonipigasus’ For Pikes Peak 2022 Learn More Ken Block Takes The All-New 702-HP Ram TRX Sandblast Edition To Johnson Valley For Desert Driving Action Learn More Ken Block’s Hoonicorn Mustang Price & Specs Learn More Ken Block Builds a Vanilla Ice Inspired Mustang for His Daughter’s Birthday Learn More Ken Block’s New Audi RS e-tron GT Makes Molehills Out of Mountains Learn More Ken Block Launches the Audi RS Q e-tron Into the Icy Air Learn More Ken Block Drives and Drifts Iconic Audi Rally Cars Learn More

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 28, 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo's Girlfriend Gifts Him A Rolls-Royce Da...

The legendary soccer star can add the newest set of wheels to his growing car collection. It's no surprise that Cristiano Ronaldo is a car enthusiast, as the Portuguese soccer icon is known for collecting exclusive supercars and hypercars. Alongside his custom Bugatti Chiron, Cristiano's garage also features stunning examples that include a Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Aventador, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Porsche 911 Turbo S, and many more. Cristiano Ronaldo will be adding one more luxury car to his fleet, as his longtime girlfriend, Georgina Rodríguez recently gifted him a Rolls-Royce Dawn for Christmas. Posted to her Instagram account, Georgina and the family surprise Cristiano on Christmas morning with a bright red bow on the hood of the six-figure ultra-luxury convertible. MUST-READ: Cristiano Ronaldo Car Collection The configuration of Cristiano's Rolls-Royce Dawn presents an amazing two-tone gloss finish, accentuating its elongated body with a blend of white and silver paint. The white and brown leather interior offers enough space for the entire family to take their first joyride. The Rolls-Royce Dawn is driven by a 6.6L Twin-Turbocharged V12 that delivers an astonishing 563 horsepower, making it the perfect balance of performance and comfort. After testing out the convertible top and taking a few photos, the family happily returns home to open the rest of their gifts. View all current Rolls-Royce Dawn examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming celebrity car news. View All Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Georgina Rodríguez (@georginagio) Source: georginagio IG

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 06, 2022

Watch Travis Pastrana Rip Through South Florida In An 862...

Leave it to Travis Pastrana to give us one of the most rowdy Gymkhana videos ever! Showcasing the world of rally sports through a series of stunt videos, the creative team at Hoonigan shares a passion for pushing the limits behind the wheel of insanely modified race car builds. Hoonigan Media Machine, Travis Pastrana, and Subaru Motorsports USA are proud to release its wildest Gymkhana film yet, featuring a purpose-built AWD 865-horsepower Subaru GL Wagon named ‘The Family Huckster’. MUST-READ: Watch Travis Pastrana’s Gymkhana 2020: Ultimate Hometown Shred In An 826hp Subaru STI Starting in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with eyes set on Key West, Pastrana maneuvers the high-performance station wagon through a series of obstacles that are only best described as mind-blowing. And that’s not to mention multiple cameos from Travis’s friends in vehicles ranging from a fighter jet, military helicopter, monster truck, airboats, jet skis, and more. Reaching incredible speeds of up to 165mph, this is definitely the most thrilling Gymkhana release of all time. Watch Gymkhana 2022: Travis Pastrana Goes Berserk in Florida in an 862HP Subaru by clicking the video link above. Source: Hoonigan YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 21, 2022

Watch The Stradman Take Delivery Of His Full-Optioned $17...

Starting at the dealership in Pennsylvania, The Stradman sprints to tackle the C8's 500-mile break-in period. As the C8 generation continues to mark itself as the first mid-engine Corvette in history, the real excitement came with the announcement of the highly-desirable Z06 package. With demand outweighing the supply from GM’s Bowling Green plant, collectors and enthusiasts are running to dealerships to try and secure one of the first chassis in the world. In his newest YouTube video, automotive influencer James Stradman documents his journey to Pennsylvania to take delivery of his brand-new C8 Z06 Corvette (Chassis #031). MUST-READ: C8 Corvette Z06 Price, Specs, Photos & Review The Stradman’s dream spec takes shape as a full-optioned configuration that presents a head-turning Accelerate Yellow finish with tons of exterior carbon fiber pieces. Utilizing the track-inspired extras from Chevrolet, the build comes equipped with a set of 20/21-inch carbon fiber wheels that add $12,000 to the original MSRP. The C8 Z06 mimics its exterior styling inside of its driver-oriented cabin, which incorporates an immense amount of carbon fiber and Accelerate Yellow accents. In total, The Stradman sat down inside the dealership to pay for the $173,011 Corvette configuration. Stay tuned as The Stradman makes his trek back to Utah intending to unlock full performance after reaching the 500-mile break-in period. Watch The Stradman take delivery of his $173k C8 Z06 Corvette by clicking the video above. View all Corvette models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Corvette For Sale Source: TheStradman YouTube

By Gabriel Vega – November 12, 2022

Ken Block's 2011 Ford Fiesta Featured In Gymkhana Three H...

Published originally on September 14th, 2010, Ken Block's Gymkhana Three currently has over 69 million views on YouTube. The star of the iconic video started life as a humble 2011 Ford Fiesta ST, but through extensive modifications by Swedish racing team Olsbergs MSE, it became a 600-horsepower online icon. This highly modified Fiesta, also known as GYM3, will be offered at auction during RM Sothebys' Miami event on December 10th, 2022. It's powered by an Olsburgs Duratex turbocharged four-cylinder engine, developing 600 hp and 660 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox sends power to all four wheels, giving GYM3 a two-second sprint to 60 mph. It counts on Alcon Racing brakes to slow things down while Ohlins shock absorbers beef up its suspension. Power goodies aside, Olsbergs MSE seam welded and fitted this Fiesta with underbody protection while entirely stripping its interior and adding an OMSE roll cage. Massive fender flares beef up its exterior styling, while a carbon-fiber splitter and sizable rear wing improve its downforce. In the spring of 2022, GYM3 received a major service, including a rebuilt transmission, updated engine tuning, and a ton of general maintenance items. Unlike other iconic cars that are more like static museum pieces, Ken Block's Hoonicorn excluded,GYM3 is fully operational and ready to be enjoyed. Please call (888)-861-6812 or click the link below for more information. GYM3 will hit the auction block on December 10th, 2022. View Listing

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 02, 2022

Jerry Seinfeld Created The Comedians In Cars Getting Coff...

If you loved watching the show, how about reading the book? More often, when you hear about a comparison between a show or movie, and a book about the same thing, it’s the other way around, but comedian Jerry Seinfeld started his now-famous Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee as a show, and in fact a web series. With Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David, the show started 10 years ago, and it’s now blossomed into a Netflix show with an impressive roster of celebrity guests and an even more impressive collection of cars at the center of the conversation. MUST READ: Cristiano Ronaldo Car Collection To celebrate the 10th anniversary, Seinfeld is releasing a coffee table book that chronicles the story of the show, which now has 84 episodes featuring people like Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, and Norm Macdonald accompanying him. The book will be released on November 22nd, just in time for the holidays to give to the comedy lover or car enthusiast in your life, and it’s sure to be as funny, heartwarming, and awe-inspiring as the show’s stars. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jerry Seinfeld (@jerryseinfeld) Source: Instagram/Jerry Seinfeld

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 01, 2022

Jay Leno And Alfonso Ribeiro Race McLaren 765LT Spiders A...

Jay Leno and a celebrity car enthusiast take to the track. Jay Leno’s Garage shows the famed comedian living out a car enthusiast’s dream, with his extensive collection of incredible cars and time on the race track putting some of the best cars to the test. What makes the whole experience even better is when Leno invites fellow celebrities to join in on the fun, and actor and television personality Alfonso Ribeiro made for a particularly special addition to the show. MUST READ: Watch Ken Block Drift His Audi S1 Hoonitron In Hoonigan’s Electrickhana Las Vegas Video A car enthusiast and racer himself, Alfonso Ribeiro won the Toyota Pro/Celebrity race four times, in 1994, 1995, 2015, and 2016, most recently in the Scion FR-S Prototype. Jay Leno also participated in the race in the 1987 Toyota Celica GTS. This time, however, Alfonso and professional McLaren test driver Edward Sandstrom duke it out in two very special British supercars: McLaren 765LT Spiders. The “LT” designation is important for McLaren as it indicates both McLaren history and innovation, honoring the Longtail race cars with high power, light weight, and advanced aerodynamics. With a time of 1:26.9 around Willow Springs Raceway in California, Ribeiro managed to beat the McLaren test driver by less than a second. While he’s been known for decades for his comedy on television, Alfonso Ribeiro’s racing ability on the track is no joke. View All McLaren 765LT Spiders For Sale Source: YouTube/Jay Leno's Garage

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 04, 2022

Watch The Triple F Collection Walk Through Their Spectacu...

From one-of-one Pagani Huayras to the most expensive McLaren Speedtail ever made, The Triple F Collection sets out to own the ultimate dream garage. For the avid car collector, the impossible question to answer is “What’s your favorite out of all of them?”. This is an unfortunate circumstance for the guys at The Triple F Collection, as they continue to buy, sell, and rotate their incredible collection of desirable supercars and hypercars. In the most recent video uploaded to The Triple F Collection YouTube channel, the Frecka brothers go through a garage update to highlight their favorites while announcing a few exciting upcoming vehicle deliveries. Although the garage is consequently split in U.K. manufactured versus the rest of the world, Jason and Jordan are welcomed to the facility with their custom Pagani Huayra BC sitting pretty on a rotating platform. One of the most important cars in the collection is the 2018 Bugatti Chiron, which was the very first hypercar purchase for the family. MUST-READ: The Triple F Collection Showed A Pair Of New McLaren Arturas At The Event 2 The ‘world’ wing of the garage also showcases a Ferrari LaFerrari, Ford GT, Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae, Lamborghini Huracán STO, C8 Corvette (1,100HP), 1963 Corvette split-window, and Nissan GTR Nismo. The diverse portfolio of supercars and hypercars allow the Frecka’s to truly experience each as an everyday driver, although they may be biased to McLaren considering the models they own. Jordan explains his passion for the McLaren brand and the process of obtaining exclusive releases based on creating a personal relationship with the manufacturer. Although the McLaren Speedtail holds significance as the highest optioned chassis ever created, the McLaren portion of the collection also includes a Saber, P1, Senna, 675LT, and 720S Spider. While no car in the garage is safe from sale (aside the Pagani Huayra BC and Bugatti Chiron), Jordan and Jason promise that examples will only stay if they are enjoyable to drive. Watch The Triple F Collection walk through their spectacular supercar and hypercar collection by clicking on the video link above. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and celebrity car news. Source: The Triple F Collection YouTube

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