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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

A person in a hat and jeans sits on the front bumper of a large off-road EarthRoamer HD RV parked in a lot on a clear day.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 06, 2025

Post Malone Takes Delivery of His New $1.5M EarthRoamer ...

In the ever-evolving world of music and entertainment, Post Malone has grown into one of the biggest names in the industry. His diverse music catalog spans from mainstream hip-hop to modern country ballads. While his diverse musical approach is more than apparent through award-winning singles with artists like Taylor Swift, 21 Savage, and Morgan Wallen, Post applied that same thought when curating his ultra-impressive collection of cars. Always on the hunt for the next adventure, Post Malone is making waves in the automotive world after recently collaborating on an Instagram post with the team at EarthRoamer to debut his new $1.5 million XV-HD build. The award-winning artist is known for owning everything from a 1-of-1 Bugatti Chiron and Rolls-Royce Phantom to a custom Lamborghini Aventador SV, high-performance when he wants speed, plush when he needs luxury, and now, with his newest addition, prepared for just about anything off the grid. The EarthRoamer XV-HD is recognized as one of the most capable luxury expedition rigs ever built. Built in Colorado on a Ford F-750, the XV-HD comes powered by a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 that gives it the power to haul a fully equipped home across mountain passes and deserts. Its carbon fiber body keeps it light and strong, while solar panels and a massive onboard lithium-ion battery system make it entirely off-road capable. Inside, you’ll find handcrafted wood cabinetry, heated floors, a king-size bed, a full gourmet kitchen, and a spa-style rainfall shower. Everything is built for Post to handle the wilderness without sacrificing an ounce of comfort; no campgrounds or hookups required. For someone like Post Malone, who’s often talked about his love of peace, privacy, and time away from the spotlight, the EarthRoamer feels like a perfect fit. It’s freedom on four massive wheels and a way to disappear into nature without giving up the finer things. Whether parked in the Utah mountains near his home or tucked deep into the Rockies where EarthRoamer calls home, the XV-HD gives him space to reset, write, or just breathe. It reflects how his life and career have evolved; he is still adventurous and authentic, but now with a touch of quiet luxury. For Post Malone, the open road has never looked more like home behind the wheel of his new EarthRoamer. All EarthRoamer Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by @postmalone Source: @postmalone/@earthroamer Instagram

Front view of a Ford ALPHA Raptor R by SoFlo Customs at night, showcasing illuminated LED lights on the grille, headlights, and bumper.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 11, 2025

T-Pain Takes Delivery of His New $160K Ford ALPHA Raptor ...

From fully-built drift cars to ultra-upgraded performance trucks, T-Pain continues to add to his growing car collection. T-Pain just added a new truck to his garage, and it's not your average pickup. The world-renowned rapper and producer recently took delivery of a custom Ford F-150 ALPHA Raptor R built by SoFlo Customs. The truck arrived at his home before sunrise, with T-Pain vlogging the 5:30 am delivery for an Instagram post that he later shared with fans and the rest of the automotive world. The upgraded Raptor R joins a fleet of drift cars, restored classics, and even his recently purchased Koenigsegg Regera. He documented the first startup, a short drive into his garage, and a quick walkaround of the truck inside and out before calling it a night. The Alpha Raptor R is designed to take the already capable Ford Raptor to a much higher level. Powered by a supercharged 5.2-liter V8, it produces 720 horsepower and sprints from 0–60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. The truck's high-gloss black finish is paired with a custom Raptor lift, extended fenders, and massive Ridge Blade 40x15.5 tires mounted on 22x14 black Apoc rims. Functional upgrades include a vented hood, LED headlights, a Raptor grille with integrated spotlights, and a color-matched Gobi bumper, all aiming to improve performance and off-road capabilities. Inside and out, the Alpha Raptor R blends off-road utility with custom craftsmanship. Features like steel sidesteps, a rear chase rack with a light bar, and a roll cage make it ready for more demanding terrain. The Fox Raptor suspension system and reinforced frame allow it to handle the oversized tires while maintaining ride quality. SoFlo's modifications give the truck an even more aggressive presence without sacrificing usability, making it as practical for the street as it is for off-road driving. For T-Pain, it's an early-morning delivery worth staying up for. All SoFlo Customs Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by T-Pain (@tpain) Source: @tpain Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 15, 2025

Travis Scott Buys A Brand-New Custom Apocalypse Omega Rex...

Travis Scott makes room in his collection for a custom off-road-ready RAM TRX. When he's not performing around the world or collaborating with Audemars Piguet and Nike on ultra-exclusive releases, Travis Scott is often behind the wheel of one of his many collectible cars. Whether it's his Mercedes-Benz G550 Cabriolet, widebody carbon fiber Lamborghini Urus, or Ferrari LaFerrari, Travis' diverse taste in cars has helped him to grow one of the most impressive celebrity car collections out there. The 33-year-old American rapper is now making waves in the automotive world once again after recently buying a custom RAM TRX build from the team at Apocalypse of Pompano Beach, FL. With a long list of A-list clients like Drake, Shaquille O'Neal, Guy Fieri, and many more, the Apocalypse team is no stranger to working with celebrities. The Apocalypse Omega Rex is an off-road powerhouse built for those looking to tackle anything in its path, using the already-impressive RAM TRX as its base. Powered by a supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 engine pushing nearly 800 horsepower, it's the type of truck that will keep up with any of Travis Scott's supercars. With a towering height of 94 inches and a 294-inch length, the Omega Rex easily dominates every terrain, towing up to 12,000 pounds. Inside, a custom marine-grade leather interior offers unmatched comfort and even features a special plaque for Travis' build. Whether he's conquering off-road trails or just cruising in style, the Omega Rex redefines what it means to be unstoppable. View all of Apocalypes' current inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Apocalypse Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apocalypse Manufacturing (@apocalypse6x6) Source: Apocalypse Instagram

By duPont REGISTRY – January 04, 2024

Dr. Dre Takes Delivery Of His New Becker Automotive Desig...

Riding in style with his new luxurious mobile office, Dr. Dre joins the Becker Automotive Design family. Becker Automotive Design is takes executive travel to the next level with their bespoke Cadillac Escalade ESV. The once-factory SUV is now a top-tier mobile office that brings together the best of luxury and practicality. Perfect for professionals who are always on the go, the custom, full-size GM SUV offers a mix of top-notch safety, sleek elegance, and functionality that's hard to beat. The team at Becker Automotive Design is proud to welcome the newest member of its community of owners, world-renowned American music producer, rapper, and entrepreneur Dr. Dre. Kicking off the Becker Design's new year with another exceptional delivery, Dr. Dre took delivery of the new Becker Cadillac Escalade ESV mobile office executive limousine at his lavish California mansion. Finished in Cadillac's factory gloss black paint, the upgraded Escalade ESV remains incognito until passengers are welcomed inside its spacious and comfortable cabin. The interior is a haven of luxury, showcasing a full infotainment suite with cutting-edge internet access, allowing Dr. Dre the ability to work, stay informed, and be entertained while traveling. Discover all of Becker Automotive Design’s inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Becker Automotive Design Inventory Source: Becker Automotive Design (@beckerautomotive)

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 02, 2024

Prestige Imports x Lamborghini Miami Welcome Romain Grosj...

Even having been behind the wheel of F1 cars, Romain was taken back by the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12. As a professional racing driver who has already dominated in both Formula 1 and the NTT Indy Car Series, impressing Romain Grosjean with supercars and hypercars proves to be a tough task in itself. The team of automotive professionals at Prestige Imports x Lamborghini Miami is proud to welcome Romain to Miami to show off some of the most exclusive and expensive cars at its dealership in sunny South Florida. Kicking off the tour with performance and practicality, the all-new 2024 Lamborghini Urus Performante caught Grosjean's attention with its vibrant green finish and extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber. The Urus Performante harnesses Lamborghini's track-inspired DNA while showcasing the ability to fit five comfortably in a daily drivable super SUV platform. Equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, the new Lamborghini Urus Performante generates an impressive 657 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque to its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. Pulling out the real gems to impress Romain Grosjean, Prestige Imports x Lamborghini Miami gave the French and Swiss racing driver an up-close look at the ultra-exclusive Lamborghini Essenza SCV12. The Essenza SCV12 flies under the radar as a track-only, limited-production supercar, engineered in collaboration with Lamborghini's Squadra Corse race division. The Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 was originally offered to top clients for $3.5 million, restricted to only 40 examples worldwide. Its powerplant is derived from the manufacturer's famous 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 that produces a mindblowing 820 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. With a stripped interior that solely focuses on-track performance, the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12 proves to be a cabin that Romain Grosjean is more than familiar with. Now that Prestige Imports has teased Romain with some of its best inventory, we are sure that you'll see Romain cruising South Beach in the near future. View all Prestige Imports x Lamborghini Miami inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Prestige Imports Inventory Source: Prestige Imports Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 31, 2023

Shaquille O'Neal Visits Apocalypse 6x6 In Fort Lauderdale...

Apocalypse 6x6 welcomes Shaq to Fort Lauderdale as he stops by for some quick car shopping. In addition to being an entrepreneur, TV personality, and former NBA all-star, Shaquille O'Neal is also a passionate car collector, showcasing an impressive lineup of exotic and custom vehicles in his garage. While Shaq has the taste and funds for any supercar or hypercar on the planet, his massive 7'1" stature makes everyday car buying a little more challenging. Having dealt with this his entire professional career, Shaq has become friends with a long list of custom car builders and aftermarket specialists who modify his rides to enhance style and comfort. The off-road customizers at Apocalypse 6x6 are proud to welcome Shaquille O'Neal to their Fort Lauderdale location to browse and shop their current inventory of hand-crafted Jeep, Ford, Hummer, and Rezvani builds. With a diverse taste in anything automotive, Shaq checks out everything from enormous Jeep 6x6 off-road machines to lowered performance-focused Ford F-150 trucks. Although Apocalypse 6x6's short Instagram clip doesn't show what Shaq bought that day, the captions give us a hint as it reads, "oh and did we mention he's buying an Apocalypse Super Truck." Now with an Apocalypse 6x6 in his extensive collection of cars, Shaquille O'Neal has a custom new ride to show off in Sunny South Florida. View all Apocalypse 6x6 inventory currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Apocalypse 6x6 Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apocalypse Manufacturing (@apocalypse6x6) Source: Apocalypse 6x6 Instagram

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By Tyler Rampersaud – September 28, 2023

Wires Only Debuts Custom Shop With Rolls-Royce For Bad Bunny

A Hollywood staple luxury car purveyor introduces customized masterpieces. Based in Los Angeles, Wires Only has established itself as a favorite among celebrities, with an ever-growing list of Hollywood clients looking for the pinnacle of automotive luxury, performance, design, and exclusivity. With an inventory full of some of the world’s most sought after luxury and exotic cars, Wires Only has even earned a place on streaming networks with a show centered around its exclusive and expensive cars. However, it doesn’t stop there, as the illustrious dealership has now introduced a customization shop to go along with it: the Wires Only Custom Shop. With a team of designers and fabricators, it is equipped to customize cars, private jets, and boats. Wires Only goes as far as asking clients to bring “their wildest ideas and dreams” hoping to make them come true with the new shop. Helping debut the new customs shop is musician Bad Bunny, for whom Wires Only customized a Rolls-Royce, giving it an off-roading Buggy-style makeover. The luxury sedan is completely transformed, going roofless, with a cage in the roof’s place. It also features extra lights and a lifted profile with off-road-ready tires and wheels to complete the unorthodox design. To debut its new customization shop, Wires Only partnered with one of the world’s most creative and celebrated artists, and proved its ability to deliver on the promise of unique and outside-the-box custom projects. Car enthusiasts the world over will surely be anticipating what the Wires Only Custom Shop will do next. View All Vehicles For Sale From Wires Only View this post on Instagram A post shared by RD (@wiresonly)

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