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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 Steve Chapman Jr – July 05, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the Car World – 7/5/2019

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We’ve selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! VIEW ALL EVENTS LEARN MORE LEARN MORE LEARN MORE LEARN MORE VIEW ALL EVENTS Finally, if you don't feel like going out we have another option. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is happening now so we have their live stream for you. Have a safe weekend from all of us at duPont Registry. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 03, 2019

What to See at Goodwood 2019

This year marks the 26th Goodwood Festival of Speed. Lord March is kind enough to allow spectators and participants race up his long & steep driveway. What started as a hill climb race has evolved into one of the biggest automotive events of the year. Although it usually coincides with the 4th of July, a majority of the action is streamed on YouTube. The theme for this year is "Speed Kings" and it will celebrate famous record-breakers from every era. The actual races will start on Thursday with manufacturers running their current lineups. An Air Show is scheduled for 3 pm, and the day will be punctuated by "First Glances" of upcoming production cars. Michelin Paddock Preview for Goodwood 2019 (c) Michelin Friday Morning starts with Pre-War, Road Racers & Bentley. Next up is the new Goodwood Action Sports Show. It will be held at an off-road course and drifting lot that was recently completed. Expect to see Stadium Super Trucks, Motocross, and the world's best drifters. Two sessions of NASCAR runs will take place at 9:30 am & 4:50 pm. Introducing the Airspeeder at Goodwood 2019 (c) Airspeeder Saturday will start with NASCAR, then move on to Bikes & Mercedes-AMG. Formula 1 starts at 10:50 am, and the Supercar Shootout is at 1:15 pm. Another Air Show starts at 4:15 pm, then qualifying begins for the race on Sunday. 30 Paganis to Gather at Goodwood (c) Pagani Autombili The Shootout begins at 8:30 am on Sunday and runs until 6 pm. In addition to the races, there will be several new cars on display. Jaguar/Land Rover will arrive with a Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic, SV XE Project 8 Touring Pack, F-Type SVR Rally Car, and a prototype of the new Defender. Finally, BMW will have the new M8 Competition in action, so this weekend is shaping up to be very entertaining. Below is a preview of the new skidpad, so be sure to tune in to the Goodwood channel on YouTube for all the action. Have a safe 4th of July! " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 03, 2019

Barrett-Jackson Northeast 2019 Recap

With Summer quickly approaching, the end of Spring signaled our annual pilgrimage to Connecticut. The Mohegan Tribe are wonderful hosts, and they allow us to be a major sponsor for Barrett-Jackson's Northeast Auction. This event has grown exponentially, so we had requests from many of our East Coast dealers to be part of our display. Because the manufacturer displays and salon cars took up a majority of the Expo Center, we were limited to 6 cars. First in was Ronald McDonald House Charities. For over 10 years we have been supporting their collector car raffle, and this year you can choose between a new Callaway SC 757 Corvette Z06, or a Backdraft Racing Roush Edition Cobra Roadster. Having driven both, it is a tough choice! Miller Motorcars arrived with two Ferraris that many spectators mistook for hardtops. The first was a new black Portofino, their latest convertible. Next in was a bright red SuperAmerica. If you haven't seen how its convertible top works it is pure brilliance. Our friends at Overfinch North America arrived in their latest "Redifined". It is the ultimate expression of what a Range Rover can be. The International Scout has a 4WD fan base unlike any other, so Taggart Scout was happy to display their latest restoration. The Scout was the main competitor to the Chevy Blazer and the Ford Bronco, and it caught many spectators off-guard! Our booth was located directly across from our friends at Xpel. Their new Corvette ZR1 was completely covered in their film, ensuring decades of paint protection. The highlight of the event was being able to watch the final C7 Corvette being donated to charity. Chevrolet was able to raise $2.7 Million to build smart homes for wounded veterans. It sets a new record for a manufacturer donated car, and it signals the end of the front-engine Corvette A big thanks to Craig Jackson and his team for facilitating our needs, and for gathering these amazing machines together for all to see. Take a look at the gallery below and tell us your favorite car in the comments below.

By Edward Jones – July 02, 2019

30 Paganis to Gather at Goodwood Festival of Speed

On July 4th, cars from around the world will take the stage at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed. For Pagani, the Italian automaker, they're bringing 30 examples of their cars to the event. Within the 30 Paganis that will be at the annual event, there will be a long list of variants from the Zonda and Huayra models. Pagani also notes that the combined value of all the cars at the event will be around $125 million. As with most big Pagani appearances, Horacio Pagani will also be on hand. There will be five very rare and important Zondas included in this gathering of Paganis. They include the very first Zonda ever built (Chassis #1 C25), a Zonda F, Zonda Cinque, Zonda Tricolore and Zonda Roadster. Additionally, a Zonda R that has been restored and upgraded through the "Pagani Rinascimento" program will be attending. If you're at this year's Goodwood, be on the lookout for a convoy of Paganis heading from London to the event! See All Paganis For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 28, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the Car World - 6/28/2019

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2019

Michelin Paddock Preview for Goodwood 2019

As we celebrate our Independence Day, England will host the world's fastest cars. So they lost a few colonies a few years ago. What they gained was a world-class hill climb race at Goodwood House. For the 26th annual gathering, the Duke and Duchess of Richmond have invited automakers and the OEM suppliers to showcase their new products. So here is the Michelin Paddock Preview for Goodwood 2019. First up are the new car introductions. The Prato Orage is a new French GT car sporting an 8.1L Big Block V8. It is rated at 900 horsepower, & with 737 lb-ft of torque, it can reach 62 mph under 3 seconds. Essentially a supercar body bolted to a Chevrolet 496, it has individual throttle bodies and a giant roller cam. Next up will be the resurrection of DeTomasso. This famous marque will unveil their Project P next to their cousins at Apollo. The Apollo IE uses unique Michelins to offer amazing grip, so the IE will also be returning. Their paddock (or booth) has outgrown all previous locations, so now it will have the premium spot next to the Starting Line. It will offer spectators a great view of a Koenigsegg Jesko in its first public outing. The Ginetta Akula is a small sports coupe with a V8 sitting between driver and passenger. Ginetta is an English racing technology firm that is looking to build its first street-legal machine. Lastly, we have an electric 1967 Mustang built by Charge Cars. Their battery is mounted low for great cornering, and the car offers a combined torque of 7500 Nm or 5,531 lb-ft of torque! Tell us which one you want to see race up the hill, and stay with us for all your Goodwood coverage. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Koienigsegg Jesko Debuts in Newport Beach Apollo IE GT1 Will Dominate in 2020

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2019

2019 Hot Rod Power Tour by Chevrolet Performance

Have you ever thought about being part of a road trip with 6,000 of the fastest street-legal cars? Our friends at Hot Rod Magazine started this tradition in 1995 with an epic drive from L.A. to Norwalk, Ohio. I decided to join in 2011 for the first leg: Kennedy Space Center to Valdosta, Georgia. As the Presenting Sponsor for this year's trip, we present you the 2019 Hot Rod Power Tour by Chevrolet Performance. Each night is a different drag strip, and this year they started at the 4-wide Z-Max dragway in Concord, N.C. Days of racing and camaraderie were punctuated by adverse weather and scenic back roads. Everything from classic Cobras to late-model Z06 and ZR1 Corvettes could be seen, and there are always Vipers! The tour is open to all makes and models, so you really should experience at least one leg of the journey. The route for 2020 will be announced soon, so stay with us for all your Hot Rod & Motor Trend news. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – June 21, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the Car World - 6/21/2019

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We've got you covered. We've selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! see all of this weekend's events The Experience Auto Group's New Porsche Macan Launch Where: 185 West Sunrise Highway, Freeport, NY, USAEvent Start: Jun 23 at 12:00PMEvent End: Jun 23 at 4:00PM Learn More Caffeine and Exotics Where: 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA, USAEvent Start: Jun 23 at 9:00AMEvent End: Jun 23 at 3:00PM Learn More Lingenfelter Cars and Coffee Where: 47451 Avante Drive, Wixom, MI, USAEvent Start: Jun 22 at 8:00AMEvent End: Jun 22 at 10:00AM Learn More Cruise Control Rally V.2 Where: 147 North Kinderkamack Road, Montvale, NJ, USAEvent Start: Jun 22 at 8:00AMEvent End: Jun 22 at 12:00AM Learn More Celebrity Cars Las Vegas Weekly Car Show Where: 9500 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV, USAEvent Start: Jun 22 at 7:00AMEvent End: Jun 22 at 10:00AM Learn More see all of this weekend's events

By Edward Jones – June 14, 2019

What To Do This Weekend in the Car World - 6/14/2019

Are you a lover of cars and looking for something to do this weekend? We've got you covered. We've selected a few events from the duPont REGISTRY Directory that are happening this weekend to help you make your weekend more enjoyable. Check them out! see all of this weekend's events duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee Where: 3051 Tech Dr, Saint Petersburg, Florida 33716, United StatesEvent Start: Jun 15 at 6:00AM Event End: Jun 15 at 9:00AM Learn More Exotics & Espresso @ Prestige Imports Where: 14800 Biscayne Boulevard, North Miami, FL, USAEvent Start: Jun 15 at 9:00AMEvent End: Jun 15 at 12:00PM Learn More San Diego GT Where: 11455 Sorrento Valley Rd, San Diego, CA 92121, USAEvent Start: Jun 15 at 8:00AMEvent End: Jun 15 at 10:00AM Learn More Lingenfelter Cars and Coffee Where: 47451 Avante Drive, Wixom, MI, USAEvent Start: Jun 15 at 8:00AMEvent End: Jun 15 at 10:00AM Learn More Exotics at Redmond Town Center Where: 7211 166th Avenue Northeast, Redmond, WA, USAEvent Start: Jun 15 at 9:00AMEvent End: Jun 15 at 11:00AM Learn More see all of this weekend's events

By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2019

Sights & Sounds of Supercar Sunday 2019

One of the best venues for a European supercar gathering is the Assen Motorsports Park in the Netherlands. Last year we reached out to Carspotter Jeroen for his great footage, and he didn't disappoint. This year he sent us the footage before everyone else, so here are the Sights & Sounds of Supercar Sunday 2019. Leading the pack was a Koenigsegg Regera, and following behind were all manner of high-performance rides. From Audi to Zenvo, and Aventador to Zonda, it was a gathering for the ages. Some of the unique participants included a Mercedes-AMG G500 4x4 Squared, classic Porsche 911 Targa, and a VW Golf R. Supercar Sunday 2018: $50 Milion Hypercar Gathering Lamborghini seemed to have the most entries, but we also saw several Corvettes and Panteras. Tell us your favorite from this footage, and stay with us for all your supercar news! Browse Exotic Cars FOr Sale Related: BullFest Miami 2017 Preview: Lamborghini Gathering & Drive Jay Leno's Car Collection

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