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 26, 2018

World's First 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Spotted: Roger Federe...

There's no denying that Roger Federer is one of the great tennis players of all-time, if not the greatest, period. After winning his 20th Grand Slam singles title and becoming the No. 1 in men's singles tennis, Federer is living the life. To celebrate his success, Mercedes-AMG has created a special 2019 Mercedes G63 that shows off his accolade of being the top dog. Recently, YouTube channel Wheelson spotted this brand-new Mercedes-AMG G63 driving on the streets of Monaco. This makes it the first time that one of the redesigned G63's was spotted out on the road. Under the hood of the new G63 is the AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, which replaces the 5.5-liter V8 biturbo. Power figures for this engine are 577 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque — mighty numbers for a mighty SUV. From a stop, the 2019 G63 will run an estimated 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 137 mph or 149 mph if equipped with the AMG Driver’s package. Stay tuned for more car news and we wish Federer luck in his No.1 run! https://www.instagram.com/p/BfTogZPHpo4/?taken-by=mercedesbenz

By Edward Jones – February 26, 2018

Travis Scott Gifts Kylie Jenner a LaFerrari

In the world of pregnancy, there's something called a "push present." These gifts are typically given to the mother of a child after birth by the father. For Travis Scott, his push present for Kylie Jenner was a LaFerrari hypercar.Kylie revealed the purchase on her Snapchat, prompting many to capture the snaps and upload them online.Drake Just Bought Himself a LaFerrari Hypercarhttps://instagram.com/p/BfmlHzSHFPp/?utm_source=ig_embedNot only is the Ferrari LaFerrari one of the highest performance road cars Ferrari has ever produced, but it couples its 6.3-liter V12 with a 161 horsepower hybrid system. With a combined 949 horsepower and over 663 pound-feet of torque, the LaFerrari tops its cutting-edge engineering with efficiency, power, and stunning designs to make this loaded gun of a car very comfortable to drive. A machine designed to take the tarmac wherever it goes and at whatever particular pace, the batteries even recharge under braking, making track day all the more tempting.https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfmr5lkDP7b/?taken-by=honeygerman

By Edward Jones – February 26, 2018

Drake Just Bought Himself a LaFerrari from Fusion Luxury ...

Drake. Drizzy. Champagne Papi. 6God. OVO. He's got a lot of nicknames, hit songs and a lot of horsepower in his garage thanks to his new Ferrari purchase. In an Instagram post, Drake showed off his brand-new car: Check out Drakes LaFerrari! This specific car, purchased from Fusion Luxury Motors, is finished in a rare Giallo Modena paint, complete with the optional black glass roof. Inside is black Alcantara with black leather seats, yellow piping and yellow deviated stitching. Other options found on Drake's new Ferrari include the iconic Scuderia Ferrari Shields, yellow brake calipers, and carbon fiber body trim. All signs point to this being a car with as much sauce as Drake himself. Official Ferrari LaFerrari Specs https://www.instagram.com/p/Bfong13DYXZ/ The best part about Drake showing off his new LaFerrari is the massive smile on his face in the Instagram pic. I mean, just look at that grin! That's a guy who's happy with his new purchase. Congrats on the new addition to your garage, Drizzy. Drake Buys a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren https://www.instagram.com/p/BfD3EedlGwa/ Source: Instagram

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2018

Jon Olsson Introduces "Phoenix," His New RS6+

Update: Added the VLOG down below. Check out that serious two-tone!It was just under three years ago that two armed criminals broke into Jon Olsson's garage and stole his Audi RS6 DTM. His hopes of having the car found and returned to him were dashed when it was discovered that the car had been burned to the ground.But from the ashes rise Pheonix, his new Audi RS6+. In an Instagram post from early this morning, Olsson introduced the world to the car. In the post's caption, he notes that he had been wanting to build another RS6 ever since he lost his last one.https://www.instagram.com/p/BfdtPuDAxwg/?hl=en&taken-by=jonolsson1

By Edward Jones – February 19, 2018

Tyga Shows Off his New Bugatti at Jamie Foxx's House

Looks like famous rapper Tyga has taken some time off from promoting his new album, Kyoto, to show off his Bugatti Veyron. According to The Hollywood Fix's YouTube channel, Tyga brought his new Bugatti over to Jamie Foxx's house and parked it next to another example of the French automaker's hypercar.It's pretty fitting that Tyga showed off his hypercar at this location, considering Foxx's impeccable taste in cars. Recently, Foxx has been all over the news for his vehicular purchases, including a Rezvani Tank and Vanderhall Venice. What's interesting about these purchases is that both Rezvani and Vanderhall are both younger companies that are based in the United States. Nothing like supporting your domestic automakers! Check back with us for more celebrity car news as it's released.

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2018

"Baby Driver" Star Pulls Off Donuts in Porsche 918 Spyder

Ansel Elgort, the driver and actor that starred in "Baby Driver," was recently introduced to the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar. Acting as a matchmaker between Elgort and the 918 was Lars Kern, a Porsche test driver.The event was uploaded to Porsche's YouTube channel where Elgort learns all of the finer aspects of the German hypercar. From its lightweight design to its aerodynamic superiority, Elgort definitely walked away from this experience with a greater knowledge regarding the hypercar.Porsche 918 Spyder: 10 Facts You Need To KnowElgort also mentioned that going to Germany and driving the best car ever was on his bucket list. And, well, he can definitely cross that one off of the list now. After being thoroughly introduced to the car, the actor finally had his chance to get behind the wheel to take the 918 Spyder for a spin. The first thing he does? Pull off some massive donuts, of course.The Porsche 918 Spyder is definitely a step up from the Subaru WRX Elgort drove in "Baby Driver"!

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2018

John Cena Says He did Nothing Wrong in Selling Ford GT

In December 2017, we reported that John Cena was being sued by Ford after he sold his GT supercar. Ford says that his resale of the car was "unauthorized" and that it caused “loss of brand value, ambassador activity, and customer goodwill due to the improper sale.” The American automaker is reportedly seeking the profit he made from the sale, as well as an amount to account for damages and losses accrued from the sale.Now, according to TMZ, Cena is saying he did nothing wrong.TMZ says that the new documents filed in the Michigan district court claim that the final contract did not mention a 24-month no-resale clause. They then go on to report that Cena said it was truly Ford's fault for not including the clause in the final contract and that he shouldn't be punished just because they "suck at paperwork." Cena is asking the judge to throw out the case that's been pinned against him.Stay with us for more information on Cena v Ford as it becomes available.2017 Ford GT Sells For $2.5 Million At Barrett-Jackson

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2018

Ford GT Delivery to Raj Nair, President of Ford North Ame...

Raj Nair is not only the Executive Vice President and President of Ford North America, he was also the person who led the Ford GT project. To put it bluntly, if it were not for Nair, the current GT and its race team would not exist.Story Behind the Riviera Blue 2017 Ford GTBeing such a force behind the company's supercar, he had to get himself his own GT, but one unlike any other. Our friends over at FordGTForum.com have just handled the delivery of Nair's 2018 GT, serial #0001.Nair's Ford GT is unlike any other, thanks to its "Victory" scheme that's only available to those within the company. In fact, Bill Ford and Mark Fields had their 2017 GT's (#0001 and #0002, respectively) in the same scheme, but in the 2016-2017 race team colors. For Nair's GT, he went with the 2018 race team colors, which include Liquid Red, Frozen White, and Lightning Blue.Huge thanks go out to Dave Bannister and Ford GT Forum for providing the information and images. Be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook!

By Edward Jones – February 08, 2018

New Top Gear Trailer Has Us Excited

A teaser for the upcoming Top Gear season was just launched onto YouTube today, giving us a look at how the new trio of Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris, and Rory Reid will mesh together as the hosts.The premise for the teaser is that they have run out of milk and need to get some ASAP. Naturally, they walk out of their building and are greeted with what seems like a pile of sports cars to choose from. Matt picks an Aston Martin Vantage V8, Rory hops in a massive Mercedes-Benz G550 4x4^2, and Chris goes for a Skoda rally car. Each car is completely different, leading them all to take different paths towards their destination of more milk.Top Gear: Chris Harris Drives the Ford GTThe action, cars, and driving was fun to watch in this teaser for sure. For me, though, it was the way this trio presents themselves together on-screen that gets me excited. After season 23's run with Chris Evans at the helm, this new trio has become more promising with each episode. Stay tuned for more from the Top Gear trio.How to Sell My Ferrari

By Andrew Nabors – February 06, 2018

Keanu Reeves Unveils New Motorcycle During The Big Game

One of the most inspiring commercials during the Big Game was Keanu Reeves standing on a motorcycle. It was the 5th ad for Squarespace that evening, and it made bike enthusiasts hold their breath. Standing atop a moving bike is a death-defying stunt made famous by Indian Larry.Keanu Reeves and Porsche 911 Carrera 4SKeanu was indeed standing on a moving bike, but the bike was like nothing you've seen before. Arch Motorcycle began with a custom bike built for Keanu by his friend Gard Hollinger. He was so impressed with the quality that the two decided to join forces and build them to order. It took three years to make his prototype ready for series production, and now they have delivered the KRGT1.The Keanu Reeves Grand Tourer is powered by a 124 ci (2,032cc) S&S engine. That means you will have an entire aftermarket of cams and go-fast goodies at your disposal. But you won't need to order anything else because for $78,000 they will build it to order. The videos on their Facebook page show us carbon fiber wheels, billet suspension parts, and a gorgeous LED headlight. We wish them well and hope to get a ride when they come to Daytona. Stay with us for more updates on this exciting new brand, and always ride responsibly!Learn More

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