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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

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By Edward Jones – August 27, 2021

The Avondale Group Celebrates Their First Anniversary

In North Texas, the Avondale Group is celebrating its one-year anniversary after its rebranding. It's an exciting time for the Avondale Group, whose dealerships represent iconic automotive brands from around the world. Why? Well, it's their one-year anniversary! The Texan dealer group includes dealerships such as Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter of Grapevine, Porsche Grapevine, McLaren Dallas, Rolls-Royce Motors Dallas, Bentley Dallas, Maserati Dallas, Aston Martin Dallas, and Koenigsegg Dallas. As you can tell, they have quite a few showroom floors. However, they have more than showroom floors thanks to Avondale Select, the first Texas app-based, subscription automotive program, and Avondale Collision and Repair. Hesham Elgaghil, president of Avondale Group said, “We are proud of our success and the culture we have created which is supported by our core values.” Avondale’s employees, referred to as members, strive to embody the Avondale ‘Spirit’. Avondale S.P.I.R.I.T. is an acronym that stands for Service, Passion, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Trust. These are the values exemplified daily by its members and how they continue to create lasting relationships with their clients and the community. On top of providing their customers with exceptional cars and equally exceptional service, Avondale's founders continue to support the needs of communities in North Texas. They frequently host fundraising events, take part in community activations and recently refurbished the damaged truck of a Make-A-Wish teen. If you'd like to learn more about the Avondale Group or see what they currently have in their inventory, be sure to click the button below. View Avondale Group Inventory

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By Edward Jones – August 25, 2021

A Look at the First Lamborghini Huracan STO Deliveries

The Lamborghini Huracan STO was unveiled as a street-legal race car that features an aggressive appearance worthy of a track day supercar. With a naturally aspirated V10 engine that produces 640 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque, the Huracan STO is more than looks. When pushed for urgency, it will run from 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds and hit a top speed of 192.6 mph. All of these aspects combine to create a supercar that is wanted by collectors and drivers around the world. Now, months after Huracan STO's unveiling in November 2020, customers are finally receiving their examples. Below are a few of the first deliveries taking place, courtesy of the respected dealers. Be sure to keep an eye out for more specs of the Huracan STO to be revealed in due time. View All Lamborghini Huracan STO For Sale Lamborghini Charlotte @lamborghinicharlotte/Instagram @lamborghinicharlotte/Instagram Lamborghini Newport Beach @lamborghininewportbeach/Instagram Lamborghini Manhattan @lamborghinimanhattan/Instagram Lamborghini Miami @lamborghinimiami/Instagram Lamborghini Palm Beach @lambopalmbeach/Instagram Lamborghini Paramus @zuumy via @lamboparamus/Instagram Lamborghini Vancouver @lamborghinivan/Instagram Lamborghini Westlake Village @lamborghiniwestlakevillage/Instagram

By Edward Jones – August 24, 2021

Highline Highlights at Boston Motorsports

This week on duPont REGISTRY’s Highline Highlight, we are featuring The Collection, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. Down below is just a taste of what they have to offer in their expansive inventory. To see it all, click the "View Entire Inventory". View Entire Inventory 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R View Price and Listing 2020 Mercedes-AMG G 63 View Price and Listing 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder View Price and Listing 2019 Ferrari 488 GTB View Price and Listing 2017 Ferrari 488 Spider View Price and Listing 2020 McLaren 720S Spider Performance View Price and Listing 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera View Price and Listing 2019 McLaren 720S Performance View Price and Listing 2020 Lamborghini Huracan Evo View Price and Listing 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 View Price and Listing

By Edward Jones – August 24, 2021

Rezvani Opens Up Experience Centers in California and Nor...

Rezvani now has the East and West Coasts covered. If you're looking to get the new Rezvani Tank or Hercules 6x6 in your garage, it will now be easier than before thanks to two new experience centers that have just opened up. With one being located in California and the other in North Carolina, customers on both coasts will be able to visit in person. Within the new Experience Centers are Design Studios where customers are taken through the configuration and personalization of their vehicle by a Personal Designer. "Due to the uniqueness of Rezvani cars, many want to see a Rezvani vehicle in person, and our new experience centers allow clients to fully experience the cars and the level of detail and personalizations available," said founder Ferris Rezvani. They will also see how the car was designed from start to finish and even into production. "I want people to learn about the design process to better appreciate it and what goes into it; which is often kept secret by carmakers", said Ferris Rezvani. These two locations are now open by appointment only. You can view the addresses down below. 695 Town Center Drive. Suit 100 Costa Mesa, CA 92626 2205 Sardis Road N. Charlotte, NC 28227 Source: Rezvani Motors

By Edward Jones – August 20, 2021

Apocalypse Manufacturing Opens New Location in Palm Beach...

This is now their second location in Florida. Apocalypse Manufacturing has just announced that they have their second retail location in Florida. This new location is located on 2040 Indian Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33409, allowing them to showcase their four insane models along Okeechobee Boulevard. Customers will be able to walk onto the showroom floor and see models like the Hellfire 6x6 and TRX 6x6. From their Kevlar-coated exterior to the weather-resistant interior, there's much to discover through the Apocalypse models and this new location is the best place for it all. Also on display will be 4x4 builds from their sister company SoFlo Jeeps. "With over 90 of our luxurious, exotic trucks on the road today in states around the nation and countries around the world, it only made sense to have a presence in Palm Beach," said Joseph Ghattas, owner, engineer and head designer of Apocalypse Manufacturing. "We have Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce customers directly in our sights with the latest location. Those seeking horsepower, looks and functionality must stop by our showroom and experience an Apocalypse for themselves because driving is believing." View Inventory Source: Apocalypse Manufacturing

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2021

Highline Highlights at The Collection

This week on duPont REGISTRY’s Highline Highlight, we are featuring The Collection, headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida. Down below is just a taste of what they have to offer in their expansive inventory. To see it all, click the "View Entire Inventory" to see it all. View Entire Inventory 2021 Aston Martin DBX View Price and Listing 2019 McLaren 600LT View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin Vantage Coupe View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX View Price and Listing 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT R View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX View Price and Listing 2018 Ferrari 488 Spider View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Volante View Price and Listing

By Edward Jones – August 09, 2021

Highline Highlights at Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale -...

This week on duPont REGISTRY’s Highline Highlight, we are featuring Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale. Check out their current selection of the Aston Martin DBX luxury SUVs for sale down below. Each one is incredibly unique and ready for a new owner! View Entire Inventory 2021 Aston Martin DBX Jet Black/Obsidian Black View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX Lunar-White/Red View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX Xenon Grey/Black View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX Zaffre Blue/Tan View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX Liquid-Crimson/Tan View Price and Listing 2021 Aston Martin DBX Lunar White/Obsidian Black View Price and Listing

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2021

Personalized Perfection in Paradise: Explore Lamborghini’...

Schedule a private configuration session in Lamborghini Palm Beach’s state-of-the-art customization room. You will unlock special access to see and touch an extensive range of colors (over 350), leathers, stitches, wheels, and all of the special options to create your unique Lamborghini. Ad Personam now offers 4 very unique color families: SPORTIVA (inspired by the tradition of colors), CONTEMPORANEA (modern panorama of exclusivity), ECLETTICA (means freshness, and innovation), and CLASSICA (pays tribute to the origins of Italian excellence). Exclusive exterior liveries and interior contents are available, but, almost ever section of the car can be changed even down to matching the start engine flap to a special paint color. Their highly knowledgeable Master-Certified Professionals will guide you through the process and provide special access to almost limitless possibilities of customization. Lamborghini Palm Beach has created some of the most Dynamic, Elegant, and most importantly, Different builds imaginable. Owning a Lamborghini is special in itself, owning a custom Ad Personam Lamborghini which is uniquely yours is another level. Some of their extensive creations can be viewed below. Please contact the team at (561)370-7953 for your appointment. View Lamborghini Palm Beach Inventory

By Edward Jones – June 18, 2021

McLaren Newport Beach's New Orange County Showroom Coming...

A new location to purchase your next McLaren. McLaren Newport Beach has just announced that construction on their new Orange County showroom has begun. The dealership will be moving all of their operations to this location in Irvine, California. This new state-of-the-art showroom measures in at a massive 5,000 sqft and it will feature a special configuration area where guests can build out their next McLaren "McLaren Newport Beach is very excited to move all its main retail operations to a new dedicated space at the IRVINE Auto Center,” said Pietro Frigerio, Dealer Principal of McLaren Newport Beach. “After ten years of growth and success with the McLaren brand in Orange County, this new location will offer a luxurious but also convenient ownership experience to current and future McLaren drivers. Sales and Service operations will be under the same roof with easy access to three major freeways in Orange County. We look forward to welcoming our clientele in Irvine.” Stay with us for more information regarding this new and exciting showroom for McLaren Newport Beach. View Inventory Source: McLaren Newport Beach

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2021

Holman Motorcars Makes a Dream Come True With New "Aston ...

He's now riding in wheelchair fitting of his name. At just 18-months-old, Austyn Martin was diagnosed with a nervous system disorder that would leave him unable to walk. Because of this, Austyn has had to rely on wheelchairs to get around. Make-A-Wish wanted to give Austyn a new mode of transportation, so they teamed up with Holman Motorcars St. Louis to present him with a new ride. His new wheelchair was presented on the luxury dealership's showroom floor, alongside cars from his favorite automaker, Aston Martin. The cherry-on-top is the Aston Martin wings added to his wheelchair. This new wheelchair will allow Austyn to be at eye level with others, as opposed to being down below, which he notes in an interior with KMOV will help him socially. You can watch the video of the presentation by visiting KMOV.com. Source: KMOV, @holmanmotorcarsstlouis/Instagram

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