Events

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 – August 28, 2015

1952 Rolls-Royce Phantom IV by Vantage Motorworks Wins Tw...

Being invited to Pebble Beach is an honor that many collectors and owners will never experience, no matter how prestigious their cars may be. Winning an award elevates your car's notoriety to a level that only a handful of vehicles have ever reached. Winning two awards at the same showing is almost inconceivable. But it happened this year to one of the rarest Rolls-Royce models.Only eighteen examples of the Phantom IV were produced between the 1950 to 1956 model years. This was the twilight of the coachbuilding era, and while the bodies of HJ Mulliner are probably more well known, there’s no denying that Hooper’s Sedanaca de Ville limousine is the Phantom to have.As reported by Romania-Insider Aug. 17, this 1952 Phantom IV is owned by Ion Tiriac and has a half-century of awards under its belt. To make sure it was up to the rigorous standards of the Pebble Beach Concours, it was handed over to one of the most renowned Rolls-Royce restorers in the world, Vantage Motorworks of Miami, FL. Richard Gorman and his team of experts went through every system and surface of this Phantom, knowing full well that their attention to detail could result in history being made.History is something we are proud of also, as Vantage Motorworks has been a fixture in the duPont REGISTRY from day one. For over three decades we have worked together to find new homes for pristine classics and collectibles that Vantage has offered for sale. Mr. Tiriac’s spectacular Pebble Beach double award winner is another fine example of the automotive artistry that passes through the doors of Vantage Motorworks.To see Vantage Motorworks' incredible classic vehicles for sale, click the button below.View Inventory(Source: Vantage Motorworks, Romania-Inside.com) (Photo Source: Nadia Comaneci Facebook Page) See More Dealer News

By Edward Jones – July 27, 2015

Dimmitt Automotive's July 2015 Cars & Coffee Afterparty

This past Saturday, Dimmitt Automotive Group hosted their monthly Cars & Coffee Afterparty in St. Petersburg, Florida. Guests arrived at the Aston Martin and ultra-luxury pre-owned showroom at 8:30 am, immediately after the monthly duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee event.While enjoying a free light breakfast, guests and their families learned about some unique animals from the Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. Shirts and other items were raffled off to raise money for the zoo. Overall, $270 was raised and the Dimmitt Family matched this amount, bringing the grand total to $540.(Related: 570S Unveiling Party by Dimmitt Automotive & Isleworth Realty)The Dimmitt Automotive Group would like to thank Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo for bringing a few animals to the July Cars & Coffee Afterparty. Please visit their website for more information.We also encourage everyone to attend the August 15 Cars & Coffee at duPont REGISTRY and the Dimmitt Afterparty, where the Tampa Aquarium will have some aquatic creatures on display.To RSVP for the next event, click here.Gallery

By Edward Jones – June 09, 2015

Lamborghini Newport Beach June 2015 Supercar Show

Across the country from us in California on June 6, Lamborghini Newport Beach revived their world-renowned Supercar Show after a brief hiatus.A wide array of supercars showed up to their dealership for the event, including classics such as the Lamborghini Diablo and the De Tomaso Pantera, as well as modern hypercars like the McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder.(Related: Every Angle of the P1 GTR at McLaren Newport Beach Private Party)With such a successful event, Lamborghini Newport Beach is looking forward to the next event that is to be held August 1. If you happen to be in the area on that day, be sure to drop by their dealership to see one of the most amazing monthly gathering of supercars.View InventoryGallery

By Edward Jones – June 02, 2015

Lamborghini Newport Beach's Supercar Show is Back

After a brief hiatus, the popular Lamborghini Newport Beach Supercar Show is back on June 6 at 9 am. The event will be held on the first Saturday of every month, rain or shine, at their headquarters in Orange County.This "must-go-to" car event attracts a countless number of exotics, including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens and more. Notable mentions for past visitors include Lexus LFAs, Ford GTs, Carrera GTs, Saleen S7s, Jaguar XJ220s, Koenigsegg CCXs, Bugatti Veyrons, Mansory Bugatti Veyrons and many more above-average supercars.For those planning on attending the event, here are some quick guidelines that it is strongly recommended you follow: All supercar parking is on a first-come basis. Do not park in the parking lots of nearby businesses. Only park in the designated Orange County College parking lot. There will be shuttles provided. Follow all traffic laws. This includes speed limits and reckless driving. When leaving the event, do so in an orderly and quiet manner. For example: don't burnout and hit an illegal speed. We look forward to yet another showing of supercars at Lamborghini Newport Beach's headquarters. Stay with us for a recap on the event after it happens. For more information, click the button below to see their Event Page.http://www.lambonb.com/events/Gallery

By Caitlin Duffy – May 12, 2015

Every Angle of the P1 GTR at McLaren Newport Beach Privat...

Clients of McLaren Newport Beach are well aware of the dealership's reputation for regularly hosting incredible and exclusive events. In March, they hosted the LNB300 Weekend Rally, and they recently offered another opportunity to a select few guests.Hosted at a private home in Newport Coast, a stunning estate with distinctly Tuscan architecture and ample room in the motorcourt, the event was McLaren Newport Beach's private viewing party for the P1 GTR, McLaren's top of the line performance vehicle.Unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show Feb. 18, the P1 GTR is both the high performance, track-oriented version of the P1 and a more-than-worthy successor to the F1 GTR that had a podium finish during the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. This new GTR model improves upon the P1's performance and design in all the right ways, including an 80 mm wider front fascia and a fixed-height rear wing.The powertrain of this vehicle turns out an incredible 986 hp, and the entirety of the cockpit is designed to protect the driver while racing at high speeds. To do so, it utilizes a large amount of carbon fiber, and does so in a visually beautiful manner.(See Also: Only Tarocco Orange Peral P1 in US For Sale at McLaren Newport Beach)The P1 GTR is only available for purchase by current P1 owners, and comes with a price tag of approximately $3.1 million, though it is not yet known precisely how many will make it to production. Take a moment to enjoy the photos from McLaren Newport Beach's exclusive event honoring this historic creation, and then find yourself the qualifying purchase from our exclusive listings.View Inventory Gallery Source: See More McLaren News

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