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 – March 22, 2021

duPont REGISTRY x Armature Works Cars and Coffee March 20...

Three months is a long wait to see old friends. While adhering to all safety precautions, the duPont REGISTRY x Armature Works March 2021 Cars and Coffee event was a great success. Tampa once had a giant network of streetcars powered by direct current. To make sure the trains ran on time, the Armatures were constantly serviced at the "Armature Works". If you haven't experienced the venue, it offers shopping and food with several areas for live performances. December was a trial run for an unprecedented automotive event, and it allowed us to hone the process. Staging dealer arrivals in 15-minute intervals, Ferrari of Tampa Bay was first-in. All of Dimmitt Automotive Group's luxury brands were represented up front, next to Paddock1 Luxury Garage. American Freedom Distillery arrived in a massive Ford Cab-Over emblazoned with the logos of their Horse Soldier Bourbon. Reeves Imports had a short drive from their headquarters while Buddy Brew had a never-ending supply of coffee. European Exotic Center is a great resource for sales and service, and they are the only authorized Koenigsegg workshop in the Southeast. Motor Enclave is about to open a 1.6-mile road course with storage for exotics, and their enthusiasm made for a great display. All parking lots were packed from 7 to 11 am, so it was all hands on deck. Our goal is to make this a more regular event, so we need your input! Tell us what could have been better in the comments below and we'll see you soon.

By Andrew Nabors – March 10, 2020

2020 Amelia Island Concours Recap

Timing makes all the difference. Bill Warner and his team started a small car show 25 years ago, and a majority of them have fell victim to Florida's erratic weather. It appears as if the curse has been lifted, as we enjoyed perfect weather. With so much to see and do during the weekend, we figured you would like to see a 2020 Amelia Island Concours recap. As a native of Amelia Island, I attended the first show at age 10. Since then, it has attracted several auctions, private unveilings, and a Porsche Werks Reunion. Our focus was on saturating the attendees with our latest issue. For complete coverage, we took the high ground of the 1st fairway. The MotorXpo was the entrance and exit for Saturday's Cars & Coffee show. As the public got a preview of the show field, Roger Penske was giving a seminar on his early racing years. As always, we could not attend this show without the support of our clients. That is why our friends at Specialty Vehicle Engineering stole the show by awakening a new 2020 Yenko 1000 Camaro. It was parked next to their 455 horsepower Syclone truck. A freshly restored 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha from Hummer1.com towered over a Vanderhall Venice. Next to them was a 2018 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet from World Imports (Lotus of Jacksonville). Luxury Lease Partners offered 0% interest to drive the world's best cars, and Airstream arrived in the all-new 2020 Interstate. After wowing the crowds, we awoke Sunday after losing an hour to Daylight Saving Time. Each one of us had a mission to cover the show's themed presentations. GM brought every mid-engine Corvette prototype to inspire a new generation of owners. McLaren unveiled the 765LT and took our breath away. Iconic Team Penske cars were shown in public for the first time in years. Lotus unveiled the Evija while the De Tomaso P72 roared with Ford ferocity. Apollo's latest IE looked into the future, much like Harley Earl's concepts did for the Greatest Generation. Tell us which car you want to see in person and stay with us for more amazing events. Used Sports Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2018

Top 10 Cars From Goodwood Festival of Speed 2018

If you didn't catch any of the live streams this weekend, you missed some serious action from this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed.10. Toyota SupraThis car will sell like hotcakes as long as it looks and sounds like this. Developed by BMW and Toyota, it will also be the new BMW Z4.9. VW I.D. R Pike's PeakThe same car that won Pike's Peak also delivered a blistering run up a much smaller hill8. Ford Raptor It jumps because the Fox Racing suspension is made to handle the world's roughest terrain.7. Singer Porsche 911The ultimate 964 Series 911, this air-cooled beast has a 500 hp 4.0L from Williams. Singer represents everything that is right with the restoration industry. Their team will transform your 1989 to 1994 Porsche into the ultimate 911.6. Nick Mason's Ferrari 250 GTOOne of the most highly valued cars at the event, Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason has a collection that will knock your socks off. In addition to this pristine Ferrari, he also has a McLaren F1 GTR and a few helicopters.5. Koenigsegg RegeraWho needs a transmission? The Regera uses a magnetic torque converter and 2.73 gears to do it all without shifting. Using a twin turbo V8, the engine is directly coupled to the driveshafts over 80 mph.4. NIO EP9This one came out of nowhere to become the fastest production car on slicks. With 1,360 horsepower, it ran a 6.45.9 around the 'Ring.3. Ford RS200 Pike's PeakThe RS200 is an icon of rally racing history, unfortunately, this one suffered a failure of the rear bodywork. The loss in downforce made the car lose control, but thankfully the driver walked away.2. Formula Drift CarsGoing up Goodwood hill a little slideways was neat to see. Everything from Ford's Eagle Squadron Mustang to a Viper ACR left trails of burning rubber and smoke in their wake.1. Porsche's 70th AnniversaryThis compilation represents Porsche's seven decades in building amazing machines. Many examples were shipped from the Porsche Museum, and it is nice to see them in action once again.Tell us your favorite run of the weekend and stay with us for more Goodwood news.

By Andrew Nabors – August 11, 2017

duPont REGISTRY's Top 10 Guide To Monterey Car Week

We've been a part of car week in Monterey since 1985. With so much to see and do, planning an itinerary can seem overwhelming. That is why we have distilled the week's events into the 10 essential events of the week. You can view them below, ordered in no certain way. Be sure to check out the ones that you can! 10. Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Billed as the largest event of the weekend, Rolex has invited 550 of the world's most valuable classics to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the famous track, the event is divided into 15 classes of racing. The main emphasis of the event will focus on the 60th anniversary of the Formula Junior series along with 70 years of Ferrari. Viewing your favorites in a static display is entertaining, but seeing them in action is a breathtaking experience. 9. Exotics on Cannery Row It may be one of the newest shows of the week, but EOCR has already outgrown its location. Taking place on Friday the 18th, you will need to get there early to find parking. Over 300 late model exotics and hypercars will be in attendance along with aftermarket vendors and major manufacturers. 8. Carmel By The Sea Concours on the Avenue returns for their 11th annual show. Eighteen blocks of downtown Carmel will be host to the world's finest cars. Also taking place on Tuesday the 15th, you should head here first before going to Cannery row. The picturesque small town is home to several celebrities and it has some of the highest property values in the US. Fun Fact: Clint Eastwood was mayor from 1986 to 88. 7. Gooding & Company Of all the week's auctions, Gooding takes place within earshot of The Lodge at Pebble Beach. As the official auction of the event, it is the only one to take place inside the gates of 17 Mile Drive. 6. Russo & Steele The fast-paced action of "auction in the round" was invented by Russo & Steele. Located at Fisherman's Wharf, it is within walking distance of other attractions and surrounded by great food. After viewing the auction lots, hang out at the pedestrian bridge to watch fast cars emerge from the Lighthouse avenue tunnel. 5. Mecum Dana Mecum and company have been a fixture of our magazine and website for years, and that is because they have the cars everyone is looking for. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency on the Del Monte Golf Course, their innovation is moving the big ticket items across during the daytime. We've been highlighing the most significant lots over the past 2 weeks, which is why you shouldn't miss it. But if it doesn't fit your schedule, it will also be shown on YouTube and NBCSN. 4. RM Sothebys Shelby collectors from around the world are already arriving at the Portola Hotel. Starbucks across the street was a great place to watch the event, but RM Sothebys surrounds the hotel with white fencing....So your best bet is to park in the garage and stroll through the lobby to view the featured cars. 3. McCall's Motorworks Revival If you thought you had seen it all, McCall's is one of the biggest events of the year. Taking place at the Monterey Jetport, it is a showcase of automotive and aeronautical history paired with amazing food. Last year I was able to meet Horacio Pagani and Reggie Jackson as they were both admiring a big block Cobra. Tickets start at $395 online and jump to $450 at the gate. For a preview of this year click here. If you are only allowed to attend one show a year, I would probably choose this one. 2. The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering For their 15th anniversary, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is focusing on Mid Engined Marvels, Originals, The Great Ferraris, along with categories for pre and postwar racing. Located on the grounds of Quail Lodge, it offers a backdrop of the Santa Lucia mountains and a special treat for guests. Located adjacent to the hotel is the 20th anniversary of Bonhams Motorcar Auction. As usual, tickets for Qual have already sold out, but you can join the waiting list along with thousands of others. 1. Pebble Beach Concours d'-Elegance The boss says it best. General admission tickets are still available so we will see you there!

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