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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 Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: April 2019

Just when we thought Summer was here for good, Good Friday proved to be dark & stormy. A cool front arrived for Easter weekend, and it provoked many serious street machines to join us. At least a dozen McLarens and 10 Porsche 911 GT3 RS' overwhelmed our spectators. Other rarities included 4 Deputy Sheriffs who love cars and turned a blind eye to acceleration shenanigans. Our showroom display featured a Mercedes-AMG S65 next to a G550 4x4 Squared. Both have matching matte gray paint and designo interiors. The LaFerrari took center stage, flanked by another GT3 RS and a Callaway Corvette Z06 being raffled by Ronald McDonald House Charities. GM fans had dozens of Corvettes and Camaros, but the real surprise was the A-Body crowd. We had more Chevelles, Lemans, Skylarks, El Caminos, and GTOs than ever. A few of them were convertible, but the best looking drop top was a 458 Speciale Aperta. Of course we couldn't do this without T&T Coffee Roasters, Dimmitt, Reeves Import Motorcars, Bert Smith BMW, and all our dedicated fans. We have something special planned for next month, so we'll see you then. https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/603145596821307/

By Edward Jones – April 17, 2019

The Hottest New York International Auto Show 2019 Debuts

Ther New York International Auto Show is one of the world's largest automotive shows and the United States' pride and joy when it comes to car shows. Every year, there are plenty of debuts and reveals that happen at the NYIAS and the 2019 edition of the show aims to continue the tradition. Below are some of the hottest debuts that we can expect at the show! 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium This new limited edition Audi model celebrates that tenth anniversary of their V10 engine. Learn More Bugatti Chiron Sport “110 ans Bugatti” The Bugatti Chiron Sport “110 ans Bugatti” (110 years Bugatti) celebrates the automaker's 110th anniversary. Learn More Cadillac CT5 Cadillac is set to reveal their very first CT5 model at the NYIAS 2019. Learn More Dodge Challenger/Charger Stars & Stripes Edition New model meant to celebrate the men and women who serve our country. It features special "military-inspired" touches. Ford Mustang High Performance Package The most powerful American 4-cylinder sports car and it started out as a Focus RS engine swap. Learn More Mercedes-AMG A35 A new AMG model that's meant to appeal to young customers who want performance and space. Learn More Mercedes-AMG CLA35 The Mercedes-AMG CLA35 is a new entry-level model that comes jam-packed with the latest Mercedes technology. Learn More Mercedes-AMG GLC63 The new AMG GLC63 S lapped the north loop of Nurburgring in just 7.49.369 minutes, making it the fastest SUV in the world on the 'Ring. Learn More Mercedes-Benz EQC 1886 The Mercedes-Benz EQC 1886 is Mercedes' first battery-powered crossover. The name pays homage to their first car. Learn More Nissan 50th Anniversary Models Nissan is celebrating their performance heritage with some very special models based on the 370Z and GT-R. Learn More (370Z) Porsche 911 Speedster Porsche is creating just 1,948 examples of the new 911 Speedster, each of which honor 70 years of Porsche sports. Learn More Porsche Cayenne Coupe Porsche's Cayenne lineup just grew one model larger with the introduction of a new Coupe body style. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2019

Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2019 Preview

If you are in South Florida this weekend, come join us for the Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2019 Collector Car Auction. Held at the South Florida Fairgrounds, we have gathered an ensemble inventory from our local dealers. For the 3rd consecutive year, we've partnered with Barrett-Jackson for a booth of strategic importance. We are located between the bidding office and the main event, making our booth a must-see for all attendees. We wouldn't do this without the support of our clients, so you will see a new Airstream Interstate as the largest vehicle in our lineup. Next to it will be Ronald McDonald House who will be promoting their December Corvette Charity Raffle. Vanderhall is back with the latest in American 3-wheelers, and Braman Porsche is bringing a German surprise. Here are a few that you will see: Our friends at Terradyne have a new Gurkha on display, along with the Nostalgia BMW motorcycle from Nmoto. The Raging Bull comes from our friends a Lamborghini Palm Beach, so it is shaping up to be a fun weekend. If you would like to join us, click on the link below for all the details on our directory. We'll see you there! Learn More about Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/10156318296553256/

By Edward Jones – April 02, 2019

Gumball 3000 North American Route Revealed at Prestige Im...

The route for the Gumball 3000 North American route has officially been declared at an exciting event at Prestige Imports. Gumball 3000 took over Prestige Imports' Exotics & Espresso to announce the route that the Gumball 3000 North America rally will take. Brett David, the CEO of Prestige Imports, even turned his Pagani Huayra, named Project Vulcan, into a Hot Wheels toy car for the occasion. The route will be as follows: Toronto (May 22-23) Indy 500 (May 23-24) Nashville (May 25) Atlanta (May 26) Miami (May 27) Havana (May 28-29) That's right, the Gumball 3000 will conclude in Havana, Cuba! Now that will be an exciting trip for sure and we can't wait to see all the wild antics and impeccable cars that will be a part of the rally. view prestige imports' cars for sale

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2019

RM Sotheby's Amelia Island 2019 Auction Results

The 21st annual RM Sotheby's Amelia Island auction at the Ritz Carlton during the Amelia Island Concours d-Elegance finished up with over $38.1 million in sales and 84 percent of all lots were sold. Coming in as the highest seller was a rare Ferrari that become the most valuable car sold during the Amelia Island auction week. See the top 10 results down below. 10. 2017 Ferrari F12tdf - $967,500 9. 1992 Ferrari F40 - $1,017,000 8. 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder - $1,187,500 7. 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom Convertible Sedan - $1,325,000 6. 1926 Hispano-Suiza H6B Cabriolet Le Dandy - $1,352,500 5. 2015 McLaren P1 - $1,490,000 4. 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 'Sang Noir' - $1,650,000 3. 1930 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton - $1,650,000 2. 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra - $1,792,500 1. 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB - $2,205,000 Images: ©2019 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

By Andrew Nabors – March 12, 2019

duPont REGISTRY's Amelia Island Concours 2019 Recap

What began as a small group of classics has evolved into the 2nd largest automotive event. Only Monterey Car Week is larger than the Concours d'Elegance of Amelia Island. Our schedules were full as we hit the ground running on Wednesday. After procuring the supplies for 4 locations, our silver trailer was parked at the entrance of the Ritz-Carlton. A plethora of Porsches gathered at the Werks Reunion Friday morning. The adjacent fairway was being prepped for Festivals of Speed, and we positioned ourselves between our clients. Terradyne brought their latest Gurkha, and Superformance overloaded the crowd with several flavors of the Future GT Forty. This modern interpretation of the GT40 can be had with all the modern conveniences. Also on display were a few stunners from Naples Classic Car. The stunning HYT Skull watch. The Festivals of Speed was 10 am to 4 pm, which directly impinged on our ability to attend the Concours d'Lemons, a show aimed at misfits and odd survivors you forgot about. More importantly, our crew was split between Cars & Coffee, Motor Expo, and a Porsche Parade to downtown Fernandina Beach. We turned in early on Saturday night, in order to be ready for the 24th Annual Amelia Island Concours. We rallied at 7 am, ready to welcome our guests at Motor Expo, the main entrance, and our VIP Suite overlooking the field. The duPont REGISTRY crew rocking Robert Graham. Attendees were dropped off at Motor Expo, where we had a new Tommy Bahama Edition Airstream Interstate on display. Next to it were our friends from Nmoto, fielding their R7-inspired BMW motorcycle. Overfinch brought their latest in bespoke Range Rovers, and their carbon fiber trim caught everyone's eye. We couldn't look this sharp without the attire provided by Robert Graham. Check out their latest styles in the link above! @racecardyl on the NMOTO Nostalgia Project. Superformance brought the Future GT Forty examples with carbureted big-block and supercharged Coyote power. The crowds proceeded to the main gate, with the duPont REGISTRY command center welcoming them to the event. Opening the event was John Oates singing the National Anthem, and it was a wonderful day. The only casualty was a gorgeous Lamborghini Miura SV, whose carburetors flooded on the way to the podium. Valentino Balboni diagnosed the problem and brought it back to life. We'll see you this Saturday at Cars & Coffee, and stay with us for all your exotic car events. Shop Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2019

Bullfest 2019 Recap

Lamborghini Miami Hosted a Fabulous catered breakfast and a Stellar Send-off for BullFest 2019. After breakfast, Over 100 Exotics, & Hyper-cars left Lamborghini Miami, with Biscayne Boulevard lined with enthusiastic onlookers, family and friends cheering them on as they headed down to Key Largo for lunch and an epic South Florida drive. VIEW DEALER INVENTORY

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2019

2019 Cars on 5th Recap: Over 600 Cars!

The 2019 Cars on 5th show was the best one yet. There were 607 cars spread across many classes. This included more than 150 Ferraris and supercars, 70 Corvettes, 70 Porsches, 80 muscle cars, 20 antiques and classics, 30 British cars, and 30 cool cruisers. Photo by Hannah Worboys Photo by Hannah Worboys Cars on 5th added a new Ferrari Scuderia VIP area this year that had 30 vintage and limited edition Ferraris. The sponsored dealer, Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale, had a great display of new Ferraris and race cars. The event is the largest one-day event in Naples and raised more than $400,000 for St. Matthew’s House this year. The next show is currently scheduled for February 8th, 2020. visit carsonfifth.com

By Andrew Nabors – February 27, 2019

2019 Geneva Motor Show Preview

It's time for Europe's largest auto show, so get ready for a glimpse of the future. We have compiled the most significant cars heading to Switzerland, so here is our 2019 Geneva Motor Show Preview. Also, be sure to check back to see new cars that are added as we draw closer to the show. Hispano-Suiza This concept could inspire a revival of the historic Spanish-Swiss automaker. It looks like a carbon fiber monocoque, McLaren will be watching this one closely! Nathalie by Roland Gumpert Our old friend Mr. Gumpert is at it again. A stunning new carbon fiber concept arrives with battery power and AWD. Under the hood is a 5kW fuel cell that converts methanol into voltage. Since methanol is a byproduct of the alcohol business, Nathalie would be cheap to drive. Twisted Automotive Making news by purchasing the final 240 Defenders from Land Rover, Twisted's 'Remake History' series will include Series II, IIA, Lightweight and V8 models. Each build will highlight a specific milestone in Defender history. ABT Sportsline RS5-R One of the leaders in the German aftermarket, ABT has pushed the Audi RS5 into uncharted territory. You will see a 530 horsepower coupe with 509 lb-ft of torque. It will arrive on 21" wheels wrapped in meaty 275/25 tires. Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept Gazoo Racing worked with Toyota to build a perfect Supra before it was introduced. This hardcore example uses carbon fiber body panels and lexan instead of glass. Drifters rejoice, your new master has arrived. Hennessey Performance Did you expect to have a world-class car show without John Hennessey? The Venom F5 is named for the most powerful rating of a tornado, the 1,600 horsepower beast has a 7-speed single clutch sequential transmission and a curb weight of 2,950 lbs. Pininfarina- Hybrid Kinetic The historic Italian coachbuilders have joined forces with Hybrid Kinetic. This low-emission concept has a large capacity battery, twin electric motors, and a range extender. Zenvo TSR-S Our favorite Danish automaker is arriving with one caveat. Only one example will be sold in each nation annually. The TSR-S is a mid-level offering, using the best features of the street legal TS1 GT and the race-focused TSR. Italdesign Now that they are under the VW umbrella, Italdesign is poised to shakeup the world. This concept has no name or specs, so we will have them as soon as they are released. This is what we have so far, so tell us which ones you want to see more details on, and you will see them here first. Related: Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder Heading to Geneva TECHART GTstreet RS Unveiled Ahead of Geneva McLaren 600LT Spider by MSO Heading to Geneva

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By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2019

2019 Boca Raton Concours Recap

Last weekend marked the 13th annual Boca Raton Concours. What began as a small show by Rick & Rita Case has grown into a weekend unto itself. Friday night was our duPont REGISTRY Live Hangar Party. We were joined by our friends at Nmoto Motorcycles, Lux Lease Partners, Excell Auto Group, Global Trans, RENNtech, Overfinch, Airstream, and the best exotic cars in South Florida. The Master of Ceremonies was none other than Jay Leno. The event paled in comparison to his own collection, so he had no incentive to hold back on the automotive humor. All of the proceeds from the weekend went to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Judging started at 9am Sunday morning, as scorching heat was impending. We have to thank the Case family along with Jay Leno and Wayne Carini for making it the best show yet. Stay with Autofluence for complete coverage of the Amelia Island Concours March 8-10th! " width="680">

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