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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

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 07, 2016

Velocity Motorcars: From a Single Ad to a Booming Business

In April 2014, John Pasas, an independent broker in South Florida, reached out to a fellow in the car business with which he’d recently established a relationship. Pasas had a beautiful Ferrari F40 to sell, and he knew the duPont REGISTRY™ magazine was just the right fit for the rare exotic.Around that time, Pasas and friend Brian Wallin, while on a fishing trip, had also discussed a vision for a dealership that would offer the best exotics and luxury cars around. Little did they know, the ad for the F40 would lead to an uncanny chain of events that would make their dream into reality.Located in the heart of Tennessee in Nashville’s Music City, Velocity Motorcars is a thriving, one-of-a-kind exotic and luxury automobile dealership and brokerage. “I always like to say that God and duPont REGISTRY™ helped us get our start,” Pasas stated in a phone call. “Most people wouldn’t give me the time of day because I was just a broker,” he recalls, “but duPont gave me a chance.”A collector in California, who saw Pasas’ ad in duPont REGISTRY™, bought the F40. That same collector acquired an additional 15-20 cars from Pasas over the years. The ad for the F40 is also responsible for bringing Pasas and Wallin together with investor, Bob Steel. A savvy investor and exotic car enthusiast, Steel spent an estimated $40 million with the team, which gave them the opportunity to turn the independent brokering into a thriving business. “He’s somebody you not only look up to, but he’s a great mentor and took us under his wing,” Pasas stated, referring to Steel’s commitment to his and Wallin’s dream.With a little faith and his wife’s blessing, Pasas packed up his South Florida home and headed for Music City in Nashville, Tennessee. A year later, Wallin left his management position at one of the largest BMW franchise dealers in the nation and moved his wife and their three kids to Tennessee. Together, he and Pasas started their dream, Velocity Motorcars.Sportscars For SaleThanks to Steel’s investment and Pasas and Wallin’s unwavering dedication to their clients, Velocity Motorcars sells an average of 12-15 cars every month. The team offers everything from the Corvette to the Enzo. They have hired three additional team members.Pasas and Wallin believe in integrity and the importance of maintaining quality relationships and attribute this mantra to Velocity’s success. Pasas personally chooses each car that Velocity Motorcars offers while Wallin makes sure sales and daily operations at the office run smoothly. “It’s a perfect partnership,” Pasas stated, “and we know we’re only as good as the clients that we have.” This unwavering dedication to clients, and their esteemed relationships with vendors and others in the industry, indeed, sets Velocity Motorcars apart.Pasas and Wallin are looking forward to what the future holds, and they know that Divine Order and their relationship with duPont REGISTRY™ will continue to help Velocity Motorcars flourish.(This article originally appeared in the duPont REGISTRY April 2016 print issue. Check out more here.) View Dealer Inventory

By Edward Jones – March 03, 2016

BullFest Miami 2016 Lamborghini Gathering and Drive

South Florida is known for their exotic cars, and one of the city's main suppliers of these vehicles is none other than Lamborghini Miami. To bring together all of these exotic car owners, more specifically Lamborghini owners, this prestigious dealership and Driving Force Club (DFC) put on BullFest, a gathering of some of the world's finest Italian supercars.This year's event, held February 26-28, was a massive success that turned the streets of Miami into a supercar parade. There were Huracans, Aventadors, Aventador SVs, Murcielagos, Gallardos and more, all sporting an insane variety of colors.The first day of the weekend event started off at Lamborghini Miami's parking lot, where the group took off for the road. To wrap up the weekend, of travelling the roads in a display of Italian power and grace, they ended up at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Here, the owners were given a rare opportunity to take their cars around the famous race track."The 2015 experiment to bring BullFest to Miami was so successful that throughout the year people kept asking about the next one. Thanks to Brett and the team at Lamborghini Miami the 2016 Edition of BullFest MIAMI exceeded all expectations and brought together over 100 Lamborghinis! Cars came from as far as NY Tristate Area, PA, MA, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, CT and other states. We are looking forward to BullFest|2017 MIAMI Edition and will make sure that it will have another record turnout with participants coming from all over US, Canada and beyond." - Hovik Gevorgyan of Driving Force Club The BullFest was not only a great way to spend a weekend, but it also gave Lamborghini owners a chance to meet other like-minded individuals. Being around others who share the same passion as you can definitely brighten your mood, as does the sound of over 80 Lamborghinis.Check out the images above and below to see how incredible it looks when you gather a massive amount of Lamborghinis together for one event. And we can't wait to check out the other awesome events Lamborghini Miami has in store this year.View Dealer's Lamborghini InventoryduPont REGISTRY

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2015

Taggart Autosport: A Dealership Focused on the Fastest Cars

Just last year, 2014, Jim Taggart channeled his love for fast cars and successful business background in order to create Taggart Autosport: an exotic car dealership like no other, located in Cary, North Carolina.In an interview on TaggartAutosport.com, Taggart himself said, "The bottom line: Taggart Autosport cars have simply got to be fast. It's a Taggart thing." And he stands by this because they have some of the world's quickest cars for sale, including the Porsche 918 Spyder.This dealership all started when Taggart sold his successful company back in 2010. With what he had earned, he pursued his passion for racing. After having been named the SCCA National Rookie of the Year in 2012, he went on the race in the Pirelli World Challenge, where he was also named the Rookie of the Year.In 2014, he decided he wanted to not only race fast cars, but also offer them for sale. Thus, Taggart Autosport was created.Now, this dealership isn't a normal one where you walk in and pick out a car. Instead, you call ahead to make an appointment, and when you arrive, you'll have the entire showroom to yourself. It doesn't get much more personal than that," said Taggart in the interview.Along with having a building full of exotic cars for sale, they also build Rally Fighters on-site. Taggart said, "Other than us, there are just two ways to get the Rally Fighter. You can attend the Local Motors on-site build experience or purchase the kit and build it yourself."Taggart Autosport also specialized in customizing cars. Whether it's a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, or a Jeep, each of their customized cars was made with one thing in mind: speed.Think of Taggart Autosport as a one-stop shop for the automotive enthusiast that has a passion for all things fast. To learn more, visit TaggartAutosport.com or click the button below to see their inventory.View InventoryGallery

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2015

Rolls-Royce Dawn Unveiling at Dimmitt Automotive Group

The Rolls-Royce Dawn was only just introduced to the world in September and now, Dimmitt Automotive Group in Florida has unveiled the car to a select group of VIPs.The November 13 unveiling gave the guests a chance to see Rolls-Royce's new 2+2 convertible. The Dawn gets its name from the Silver Dawn, a car only built 28 times from 1950 to 1954. It comes with a stylish and luxurious interior and exterior, as do all models from the famed British car maker. Its powerplant comes in the form of a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine capable of producing 563 bhp and 575 lb-ft of torque.Along with the car, guests were also presented with $50 million in jewelry courtesy of the International Diamond Center.Be sure to check out the pictures below and view Dimmitt's inventory by clicking the button below.View Inventory Gallery (via Dimmitt Automotive Group) More Dealer News

By Edward Jones – August 04, 2015

Lamborghini Newport Beach Supercar Show - August 2015

This past Saturday, August 1, some of the nation's hottest cars showed up to Lamborghini Newport Beach's parking lot for a supercar display unlike any other. A massive crowd gathered at the California exotic dealership to see cars like the just-delivered Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 finished in "Giallo Orion," Bugatti Veyron L'Or Rouge, Porsche 918 Spyder, Saleen S7, McLaren 570S and many more.Images of these cars and the happenings can be viewed in the gallery below.Be sure to stay with us for Lamborghini Newport Beach's next Supercar Show.View InventoryGallery

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