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 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 Edward Jones – June 01, 2015

8th Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show

Prepare for your own good time at the 8th Annual Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show, June 5th and 6th, 2015. Taking place at Boys Republic, 1907 Boys Republic Drive, Chino Hills, CA, this year’s event takes another look at the documentary film, “On Any Sunday”. Directed by Bruce Brown, the cult classic is credited with setting the standard in motorcycle racing photography.The action will begin Friday evening, June 5th, with a silent auction and wine tasting. An “On Any Sunday” themed dinner, prepared and served by students of Boys Republic., will follow. Dave Kunz, ABC7 Eyewitness News Automotive Specialist and co-host of Los Angeles-based KPFK’s The Car Show will serve as master of ceremonies and television personality, Matt Rogers, will take to the podium for the live auction portion of the program.The car and motorcycle show will take place Saturday, June 6th from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Due to space limitations, pre-registered vehicles will receive priority display placement.The Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show has experienced steady growth and increasing popularity, witnessed by the exhibition of 375 classic cars and motorcycles at the 2014 event. Approximately 5,000-plus attendees perused the grounds, enjoying an up-close and personal view of these collectible vehicles.For 2015, Mecum Auctions is excited to contribute to that ever-growing list with its display of McQueen’s 1976 Porsche 930 Turbo at this year’s event—a vehicle which will also serve as a headline offering at the nearby Mecum Monterey Auction in August.Over the past seven years, the car and motorcycle show has raised more than $700,000, with a goal for 2015 of reaching the one million dollar mark. Last year alone, nearly $280,000 was donated to Boys Republic. Established in 1907 as a private, non-profit community for at-risk teens, Steve McQueen attended the school from 1947-49. The actor credited the school with turning his life around and pointing him on the path to stardom. McQueen never forgot Boys Republic and remained involved with the school, even after he became a Hollywood star and legend. The McQueen family continues that association today.Saturday schedule: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission is $10. Children under 12 are free.All proceeds from the event will benefit Boys Republic, 1907 Boys Republic Drive, Chino Hills, CA.For show updates and registration information: www.stevemcqueencarshow.com or check their Facebook page.(Photos by: Bruce Benedict) Sponsored by:

By Edward Jones – June 01, 2015

Lewis Hamilton in the Gumball 3000 Rally in a Koenigsegg

For the last leg of the Gumball 3000 rally, Lewis Hamilton, who has just signed a massive deal with Mercedes-Benz, joined in for some supercar fun. This last leg started in Los Angeles, California on May 28, and ended in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 30.(Related: Andrew Johnston Wins BMW M4 Coupe for Hole-in-One)His car of choice for the short leg of the rally was a one-off Koenigsegg Agera HH finished in a spectacular blue finish with exposed carbon fiber. The car belongs to David Heinemeier Hanson, who also owns a Pagani Zonda HH in the same color scheme.Below are some video of the Agera and Hamilton in the Gumball 3000 rally. (Source: YouTube) Click Here For More Celebrity Cars

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2015

Atlanta Motorsports Park's VIP Event with Ferrari of Atlanta

Just a short drive north from Atlanta is the historic town of Dawsonville. Known as a crossroads of moonshine culture and NASCAR history, its newest attraction is bringing a worldwide audience to small town USA. The roads along the Blue Ridge are a great way to exercise your car, but tourists and incredibly slow speed limits can limit your enjoyment. If you want to test your limits in a legal and lavish setting, Atlanta Motorsports Park is the place to be.AMP’s two-mile road course incorporates features from famous tracks around the world, including the Carousel turn from Nurburgring. Adjacent to the track is the new Driver Development Center, which features a 200 ft skidpad and an “Ice Hill.” The 7.5 percent incline can be flooded on command, making for a difficult test of throttle control.(Also Read: The Evolution of Ferrari from 1947 to Now)Our friends at Ferrari of Atlanta needed to stretch their legs, so on May 9 they partnered with Hublot Watches to rent the track for seven lucky customers. With the intention of honing their skills, expert instructors hit the track with the hottest models from the dealership. Sparing no expense, Roland Linder led the team of instructors for this all-day event. Pulled from Ferrari of Atlanta’s inventory was the new California T, an F12 Berlinetta, a 458 Italia and an FF.If you like to see exotic cars pushed to their limits, Ferrari of Atlanta is holding “Rides to Remember” at AMP. Their goal is to give pediatric cancer patients a chance to enjoy exotic cars. Proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House and other local charities. Contact Ferrari of Atlanta for more information. For all your Ferrari news, stay tuned to Autofluence.More Info on AMPGallery Sponsored by:

By Edward Jones – May 28, 2015

Das Renn Treffen 2015 Recap: A Porsche Lover's Dream Event

Das Renn Treffen - South Miami’s first annual Porsche Concours- was held on May 3, with over 6,000 Porsche enthusiasts showing up to see the showcase of unique and valuable German automobiles. For the event, a large strip of the ever-busy Sunset Drive from SW 57th Avenue to US1 was closed off.175 classic and new Porsches were registered for the event, including a 1-of-7 Carrera G5 356 four-cam, Carrera GT and a 918 Spyder. The value of all cars shown was close to $20 million. At the event, visitors voted on their favorites for 21 categories. These votes counted towards the winners of the People's Choice award. Additionally, judges decided on the Best of Show awards for five different categories. These results can be view below, as well as an extensive gallery of the event. (Also Read: Porsche 918 Spyder vs Carrera: Witness The Hybrid Power) The Ras Renn Treffen went off without a hitch and the show of support was incredible. And, what makes this event even more special is that proceeds will be donated to local charities in South Miami. Be sure to stay with us for next year's event, which is sure to be even bigger. Best of Show Winners Best of Show 1 Unrestored 1950 - 1998 (75 % original Paint & Interior) – Sebastian Hoelzel Best of Show 2 Best Paint All Years all models – Andres Martinez Best of Show 3 Best Interior All Years all models – Andres Missair Best of Show 4 Best Motor All Years all models – Alex McDougal Best in Show 5 Best of Show All Years all models – Larry Rodriguez People’s Choice Award Winners Class 1 All Years All 356 – German Valencia Class 2 1965 - 1973 All 911 – Paul Mazzei Class 3 1970 - 1976 All 914 & 914-6 – Autuum Sacramore Class 4 1965 - 1969 & 1976 All 912 – Andres Missar Class 5 1974 - 1989 All 911 G-series – Antonio Fernandez Class 6 1975 - 1989 All 930s – Bruno Ricci Class 7 1990 - 1998 All 964s & 993 Naturally Aspirated – Miguel Monnichmeyer Class 8 1990 - 1998 964 Turbo & 993 Twin Turbo – Sebastian Banchs Class 9 1999 - 2004 996s Naturally Aspirated – Sebastian Ducard Class 10 2001 - 2015 996TTs, 997TT & 991TT (All water cooled T/T) – Michael Sama Class 11 2005 - 2015 997s, 991s Naturally Aspirated – Rubin Alsin Class 12 All Years Carrera GTs & 918 Spiders – Francisco Perez Class 13 All Years All years GT2s & GT3s – Guillermo Saavedra Class 14 All Years 924s, 944s, 968s, 928s – Peter Olliviera Class 15 All Years All Boxsters & Caymans – Marcelo Cohen Class 16 All Years All Macan, Panamera , Cayenne – Alex Rodriguez Class 17 1999 - on Late Race cars, modified production, etc – Nick Ward Class 18 Pre-1998 Early Race Cars - RSR, 904,906,934,935,956,962, etc – Autuum Sacramore Class 19 Special Interest Factory - Prototype Build Low production cars – Miguel Monnichmeyer Class 20 Replicas All models – Manny Fernandez Class 21 Outlaw All Aircooled models – Alex McDougal Gallery

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2015

Collection of 6 Rare Lamborghinis Up For Auction

At Mecum Auctions' Seattle 2015 event, 600 vehicles will cross the block on June 5-6 and six of them are some fine examples of Lamborghinis. These six supercars come from the Roy Cats Lamborghini Collection. The vehicles being auction are listed below, with buttons to their respective listings and descriptions from Mecum.com.2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster "This special-order one-owner LP640 Roadster is loaded with optional extras that added up to an original MSRP of over $441,000, including the lightning-fast E-Gear semi-automatic transmission backing its 6.5L/631 HP V-12 engine." View Listing 1992 Lamborghini Diablo "Special features include a rear wing, SV wheels with Black painted centers wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero rubber, tinted tail lights, Gold painted brake calipers, color-matched Lamborghini floor mats and Alpine sound." View Listing 1989 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary "Finished in bright Bianco White with a Bone leather interior, this stunning 25th Anniversary Countach is one of only 658 produced worldwide and one of just 187 built for the North American market." View Listing 2001 Lamborghini Diablo VT "Finished in Giallo Orion (Pearl Yellow) with a Black rear spoiler and painted alloy wheels, it recently received a major engine-out service by an authorized Lamborghini Service center" View Listing 1999 Lamborghini Diablo Roadster "This 1999 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster is exceptionally rare by virtue of its special-order Titanium Silver Metallic paint, which is matched with a Black leather interior with Grey piping and accent stitching." View Listing 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago SV "Finished in Nero Alderbaran over a Nero Super Veloce interior with Yellow stitching, this menacing 2010 SV is number 300 of 350 built and one of 42 for the U.S. market." View ListingSource:

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2015

Tom L. duPont's Z-Livery at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach

We saw some amazing vehicles at this year’s Barrett-Jackson Auction in West Palm Beach, but this one was our favorite. Our Publisher is not afraid of custom builds, and he had this wild 1939 Lincoln built with a host of bespoke features. We knew it would be going across the block, and our friends at CarShowTV were able to catch it in action. Watch the video below as Thomas L. duPont gives you the history and unique features of this wild street rod.The Z-Livery has been in his collection for years, and everyone at the duPont REGISTRY has at least one story to tell you about it. We hope the new owner can appreciate the build quality and loving care that the Z-Livery has received. The upside is that now we have room for something new in the collection.(Source: CarShowTV) See More Event News

By Nicole James – May 14, 2015

Two Special Testarossas at Silverstone's May Auction

With a 4.9-liter V12 engine that produced 390 hp and an impressive 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 196 mph, the Ferrari Testarossa is a monster, and a monster that is quickly becoming a collectible.Testarossa prices have increased by 50 percent in the past six months and on May 23 a pair of one-off Testarossas will be offered at the Silverstone Auctions’ May sale at England’s Silverstone race circuit.“The sale provides a valuable opportunity for collectors to view and purchase classics that are not just in fine condition, but are also the most iconic and rare on the market today,” Silverstone Auctions managing director Nick Whale said in a news release.One of the two being offered at the sale is a 1986 Testarossa known as the “Flying Mirror.” The car was delivered to Switzerland in Bianco paint but was soon redone in Giallo Fly Yellow. The car remained in Switzerland until the current owner purchased it in 2004. The car, which has been featured in several European automotive magazines, is offered with only 45,000 miles on its odometer and with its original Pioneer stereo intact as well as its three-piece luggage set. 1994 Ferrari F512 MMeanwhile, a 1994 Ferrari F512 M also has had two owners, but has only seen 11,000 miles on the road and comes with service books, toolbox, flashlight and Tubi exhaust. It was delivered to Germany in Gaillo Modena with Nero leather upholstery. The car later was sold to a Japanese owner.Two additional Testarossas also will be offered at the sale, including a 1989 in Rosso Corsa.Bidders can register through Proxibid or Live Auctioneers. For more information, visit the Silverstone Auctions website.Photos courtesy of Silverstone Auctions Article Provided by

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

By Andrew Nabors – May 12, 2015

McLaren Ride and Drive Event by Isleworth Realty and McLa...

What happens when you combine two McLaren P1s along with fine jewelry at a Tuscan style villa? We asked ourselves the same question when we arrived at the exclusive event back on March 19. Our friends at McLaren Tampa Bay and Bay Hill Jewelers brought their finest offerings to a 7,221 square foot Golf Side Estate on display by Isleworth Realty, including the McLaren 650S and P1.Located on the 16th fairway, the property is listed at $5.3 million. “La Bellezza Dorata” has a heated saltwater pool with a white sand beach. To complement McLaren’s British roots, Chef Elijah Durham prepared Fish & Chips along with Beef Wellington. With over an acre of outdoor living space, it was the perfect venue to showcase such rare items.(Related: McLaren Automotive’s Headquarters Inside Look)We would like to thank our friends at McLaren Tampa Bay, Isleworth Realty, Chef Durham and the Isleworth Golf & Country Club for allowing this event to take place. For more info on the property, the address is 9905 Lake Louise Drive, Windermere FL, 34786. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more unique real estate and McLaren event coverage.Gallery

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