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 – June 07, 2016

Cortland Finnegan's Back to the Future VW Bus For Sale

It's not every day you see a Volkswagen Bus turned into a time machine. Heck, I'd go as far as to say this is the first time you've seen such a thing.Available at Music City Motor Cars in Nashville, Tennessee is this 1967 VW Bus, which was modified by none other than BLVD Customs. This beauty was dreamt up by Cortland Finnegan, cornerback for the Carolina Panthers. He came to the shop with a shell of a VW Bus, parts and an idea in his mind. BLVD Customs was up to the challenge and went to work.The idea behind this project was to build a bus that embodied the spirit of the Back to the Future movies. To do this, BLVD Customs use their imagination to create a one-off vehicle you'll never see anywhere else.Once the project was complete, Finnegan was presented with one of the most creative and radical VW Bus' on the road. On the outside, a stainless steel vinyl wrap was applied, contrasting against the black trim. In order to get inside, you can either use the stock side door for the passengers or the custom-built gull-wing doors, just like the original DeLorean from Back to the Future. Having hopped in the bus myself, it's quite a trip to use gullwing doors to get into such a vehicle and makes it an absolute showstopper.Inside, the bus has been completely remodeled. Both the front and rear have the same color scheme for the aftermarket upholstery, a scheme that was chosen to mimic the hues used in the Back to the Future logo. In the front, the driver and passenger are greeted by a time machine module and flux capacitor, both of which, look like they were pulled right from Doc's own DeLorean. Passengers in the rear have the ability to relax in the jump seat or a custom built bench seat that folds out into a bed. No matter where they sit, they'll have the chance to either watch a movie on the TV mounted on the custom partition or enjoy the sun beaming through the massive ragtop.This VW Bus truly is a one-off that could never be recreated and that's why Finnegan picked BLVD Customs to get the job done. In fact, this wasn't the first time he has gone to them for work, as he has had multiple modified by then, including a 1975 Caprice, Ranger Rover and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.If you want to learn more or are interested, be sure to click the button below to see this bus' listing on duPonREGISTRY.com.View Listing and Price

By Edward Jones – June 06, 2016

Bumblebee's New Camaro For "Transformers: The Last Knight"

As a self-proclaimed Autobot, I always get excited when Michael Bay releases the new cars for his Transformers films. This is because cars as extravagant as the Bugatti Veyron have made their way into the films, meaning I get to see movies that have both hypercars and robots in disguise. What more do you need? Aside from a remake of the original 1986 Transformers cartoon movie.(Related: The Cars of Transformers 4)The upcoming film, "Transformers: The Last Knight," is slated to be released next year, one of the many that will be released over the coming years. Bay has not released the plot synopsis for the new film, but the movie title hints at possible scenarios. (Honestly, we just need some Beast Wars action in the Transformers cinematic universe.) Even though we don't know what will happen in the film, we do know that Autobot Bumblebee has undergone a pretty massive makeover. (Seen above) Bumblebee from "Transformers: Age of Extinction"Unveiled on Bay's blog and Twitter account is the new look for one of the fan favorites. In his tweet, Bay notes that General Motors were responsible for the car's overhaul. The front has been modified with a new fascia, including a massive splitter. Side skirts and air channels were added to the sides, while the rear gets a noticeable wing.Other noticeable additions are the new hood, side vents above the Autobots emblem and HRE wheels.What do you guys think about this Camaro? Best one yet? Let us know in the comments below. Personally, I loved the retro-mod one, but as far as the current gen Bumblebees go, this might be my favorite.Camaros For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2016

Shaq Goes Undercover As Lyft Driver

Lyft, the main competitor of Uber, wanted to surprise their riders with an all-star driver: Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq got dressed up and went undercover as he went out in Atlanta, Georgia to pick up riders.Alright, maybe his disguises weren't the best, because a couple of riders were quick to realize who was driving them to their destination. But still, how cool would it be to have a celebrity like Shaq chauffeur you? Even if he was dressed up as like a hippie, a Frenchman or goth, it would still be quite the trip. Check out the video below to see for yourself.Would you rather have Shaq pick you up, or ride in a Bugatti Veyron?

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2016

Drake Just Got A New Lamborghini Aventador Roadster

Update 6/1/2016: Driving Emotions Motorcar uploaded some new photos of Drake's Grigio Titans 2016 Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster to Facebook and gave us a little bit more info on the car itself. The pictures, taken by George Bucur, show the HRE S200 wheels that have custom Diamond center caps. They also note that the exhaust has been upgraded by Lamborghini, who also provided additional tuning.Sports Cars For SaleI want that Ferrari then I swerve, I want that Bugatti just to hurt. ---Drake, "Know Yourself"Well, it looks like he got a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster instead of a Ferrari or Bugatti.Tony Bet of Driving Emotions Toronto shared pictures of a Lamborghini Aventador Roadster that they customized specifically for Drake, aka @champagnepapi.https://www.instagram.com/p/BFmcVvgCACL/In the captions, Bet notes that Drizzy's new whip has HRE Wheels installed and that "stock is boring." But, even if the car was untouched, the Aventador Roadster is most definitely anything but a boring car. It comes with a 6.5-liter V12 engine that can pump out 700 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. This mean Drake can go from 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph.The best part about all of this? His Instagram post with the caption: "Like I'm Christian Bale."https://www.instagram.com/p/BFzxurbDQDv/

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 01, 2016

This Pagani Huayra Delivers Shoes to Christiano Ronaldo

Famed soccer star, Christiano Ronaldo undoubtedly has an extensive shoe collection. In fact, the collection might be so extensive he actually has too many options to choose from. So why not let one of the world's most exclusive supercars choose your shoes for you? That's precisely what Ronaldo decides to do in the video below. After walking through and electrically powered, secret closet door, Ronaldo passes up rows upon rows of shoes, only to come to yet another, secret passageway that leads to a room filled with a Pagani Huayra.Athlete shoe collections are something to be coveted, especially when you're endorsed by a major shoe maker like Nike. Together, Ronaldo and Nike have created the ultimate shoe for speed: the Mercurial Superfly V.Check out the new Mercurial Superfly Vs that the Huayra chooses for Ronaldo below.VIEW PAGANI CARS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2016

Batmobile Future Concept Is The Car Gotham Deserves

While "Batman v Superman Dawn of Justice" may currently be sitting below 30% on RottenTomatoes.com, the movie did introduce an incredible new Batmobile. This new vehicle comes in after the Tumbler, used in The Dark Knight trilogy. It comes with a futuristic design that is highlighted by a massive Chevy engine.To further enhance Batman's new ride, Encho Enchev created a new Batmobile Future Concept that is absolutely stunning. While Enchev did not specify what gadgets this thing is packing, we can see a pair of what look like 50 mm barrels on both sides of the cockpit.Check out this radical Batmobile in the slider below and let us know what you think was the greatest rendition of Batman's car in the comments below! Personally, I'm partial to the "Batman Returns" batmobile.Also, if you weren't a fan of the new superhero movie, check out the new "Suicide Squad" trailer below the gallery, which gives us a look at Batman in action and Joker's Vaydor G35 cruising through the streets.

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2016

Classic Batmobile For Sale At Fort Lauderdale Collection

At duPont REGISTRY, we've been known to have some unique cars for sale over our 31 years of existence, and this vehicle is definitely one of them.Over at Fort Lauderdale Collection in Pompano Beach, FL is the perfect car for vigilantes and those who like to wear capes: a replica of the Batmobile used in the 1966 TV series. Being a Batmobile, the first thing you'd want to know is if it has gadgets. Well, I can safely say it comes with a flame-throwing Rocket Exhaust, Bat-Ray Projector, Remote Bat Computer Switch, Bat-Phone, Emergency Bat-Turn Lever and a Detect-A-Scope. Of course, the biggest gadget would have to be the 383ci Blueprint GM crate motor that's capable of 462 hp and 471 lb-ft of torque.Built by Fiberglass Freaks, this Batmobile was one of a series of cars that were actually licensed by DC comics. It was built around a 1978 Lincoln Town Car and was completed recently in November of 2014.For more information on the car, be sure to click the button below.View Listing

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 08, 2016

Fast & Furious 8 Adds Charlize Theron to Cast

If there's anything we love, it's a good fight, and it looks like the Fast & Furious franchise is adding one of the baddest villains around. According to a Twitter post from the franchise, the Fast crew will "face its greatest adversary" yet. Theron is well-known for an array of roles, but she's definitely noted as a superior villain. It's pretty exciting to think of the role she'll play in Fast and Furious 8. The franchise has announced three more movies, and anticipation is at an all-time high.https://twitter.com/FastFurious/status/718132578784579584The franchise, which emerged as a humble, low-budget film in 2001, has turned into a box office powerhouse, which features highly sought-after Hollywood names and an incredible line of cars and special effects. Fast 7 not only killed it in the box office, but broke one record after another and became the best-selling film of the franchise. To sweeten the deal, Fast 7 featured an incredible lineup of cars including the Lykan Hypersport by W Motors, famously driven by Vin Diesel's character, Dom, in the film.Theron will join the well loved Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodrigues and Tyrese Gibson for Fast & Furious 8. Stay tuned for future updates.

By Edward Jones – April 06, 2016

Vaughn Gittin Jr. Tests Out His New 900 hp Mustang RTR

Automotive madman Vuagh Gittin Jr. unveiled the new Mustang RTR back in 2014. According to the car's website, the “Mustang RTR takes the best of multiple automotive cultures and tastefully meshes them together into a final product that anyone can immediately appreciate and see themselves behind the wheel of – whether they are ‘slaying’ a set of tires, blasting a straight, carving some turns, linking a section on the drift circuit, or simply just cruising along with their better half.”If you need to be convinced more about the power of the RTR, check out Gittin testing very own 900 hp 2016 Mustang RTR in a new video from Ford Performance found below. Now this is how you spin tires and burn rubber in a Mustang.Mustang For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 01, 2016

F1 Driver Scares Girlfriend With High-Speed NASCAR Donuts

If you're the significant other of a Formula One or IndyCar driver, there's a darn good chance you've never had them drive you around in their race car. That is unless they have access to one of those two-seater cars. For Max Chilton, IndyCar Series race and former F1 star, he wanted to give his girlfriend, Chloe Roberts, a taste of speed. Unfortunately, he didn't have a two-seater IndyCar on hand, but he did have access to an 800 hp NASCAR.Roberts strapped herself into the passenger seat, while Chilton was taught how to start the powerful American racecar. Once he was ready, the two took down the Goodwood Circuit, doing donuts along the way.After their spin in the car, they stopped and Roberts said it was "terrifying." And I'm not sure if it was from the vibrations of the car or not, but her hand was visibly shaking.Check out the video below to see her ride for yourself!

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