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 – September 11, 2019

Greenwich Concours d’Elegance Acquired by Hagerty

What began as a small event in 1996 has evolved into one of the world's must-see car shows. We have been a part of this show since the beginning because it is a great way to interact with our fans and dealers from around the Northeast. Not only is it our target audience, but our friend McKeel Hagerty also had the same idea. That is why the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance has been acquired by Hagerty. As the nation's leader in Collector Car Insurance, Hegerty's vision for the future was reported by the Greenwich Free Press. McKeel had this to say: Car people love Concours events, and this is one of the absolute best. We think we can take it to a whole new level by adding immersive, experiential elements that appeal to a broader swath of the car community, including younger fans.” He and his team intend to add Ride & Drives. If you have attended in the past, you know how hard Mary Wennerstrom works to put on this show. That is why she is staying on, as the Executive Director. We look forward to expanding our presence as the show evolves, so we salute Hagerty on this new venture. Check out these photos from past years, and we'll see you May 29-31st at Greenwich 2020. Related: duPont REGISTRY Live at Greenwich Concours Greenwich Concours Recap

By Andrew Nabors – August 19, 2019

28th Annual McCall's Motorworks Revival Recap

Our friend Gordon McCall has been gathering the best in cars, aircraft, and luxury for nearly 3 decades. It has evolved into one of the must-see events of Monterey Car Week, and it takes place at the Monterey Jet Center. Starting with the amazing aircraft on display, it was wild to see a B-25 Bomber and P-51 Mustang alongside a Gulfstream G500 and a Cessna Citation Longitude. Also on display were the latest models from Dassault, Pilatus, Piper and Embraer. You probably know we have an affinity for nice watches, so the latest in timepieces were on display from Bremont, Eberhard & Co., H. Moser & Cie., Kerbedanz, Reservoir Watch SA, & Chronoswiss A.G. Cars are the reason for the event, so we were witness to the unveiling of the new Ford GT MKII track car along with the RUF CTR Anniversary supercar. Notable classics included one-of-two 1978 BMW 320 Turbo lightweight racers. The man himself, Gordon McCall had this to say: "The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation had a hugely successful night and variety of automobiles and aircraft, along with these unique displays have made 2019 one of our most successful events to date. We hope we can continue to grow McCall’s Motorworks Revival as one of Monterey’s must-see events in 2020 and beyond.” Tell us your favorite Monterey event in the comments below and stay with us for all Monterey coverage. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale https://www.facebook.com/MCCALLEVENTS/videos/391384648102913/ Related: What To See At Monterey Car Week 2019

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 – May 21, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: May 2019

Unless you are a sovereign citizen, you should have received your Tax Return by now. For car enthusiasts it means an upgrade or a finishing touch to your latest project. For Californians, it translates in to half a tank of gas. Thankfully, this Spring has been cooler than normal, and the perfect weather allowed us to have a great show on Saturday. Our friends from Dimmitt Automotive arrived first. Since they are only a few miles away, their salespeople brought examples from every brand. We were host to new Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, McLaren, & Rolls-Royce models. As our fans arrived, they noticed something hidden under a black cover. Try as they might, nobody had the right answer as to what it was. With the unveiling planned for 7:30, we noticed an abundance of classic GMC Syclones and Typhoons rolling in. Exactly on cue, Dave Hamburger and his father Ed pulled the wraps off of the 2019 GMC Syclone. This 455 horsepower beast is supercharged and ready for AWD launches. Much like the Yenko 1000HP Camaro they unveiled in 2017, our events are the best way to launch a new model. 2019 GMC Syclone Unveiled at duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee Because Sheriff Gaultieri sends his finest officers to keep the peace, there were no burnouts or crashes. What we did have was an abundance of high-dollar exotics. Most notable were three Ford GTs, a new 720S Spider, Huracan Super Trofeo Evo, 488 Pista, Scuderia Spider 16M, AMG GT R, and every version of the Porsche 911 GT2 & GT3. We couldn't do this without all the support from local dealers, so our hats are off to Bert Smith, Reeves, Ferman, Crown, Mercedes-Benz of Tampa, and everyone else that gets up early to make this happen. Tell us your favorite car of the show, and we'll see you in June! https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/322696711738741/

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 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

By Andrew Nabors – January 29, 2019

2019 Cavallino Classic Recap

Usually, winter in Florida is a perfect atmosphere for an Italian car show. But when we arrived at The Breakers, the skies were foreboding. This year marks the 28th annual Cavallino Classic, one of the world's largest Ferrari gatherings. Fans sporting their Scuderia Shields came from around the world, so join us for a 2019 Cavallino Classic Recap. This year's theme was the 60th Anniversary of the 250 GT SWB. Without a doubt the Ferrari 250 is among the world's most coveted cars, so it was nice to see these siblings back together after six decades. Even though most cars were covered throughout the weekend, it was nice to see an equal mix of race and street cars from each era. One of the most awe-inspiring machines was David Lee's 1972 Dino Monza 3.6 Evo, as it represents classic style with modern power. Attendance was steady, but it would have been better without the dismal damp conditions. Because the 288 GTO and the F40 were designed to race, they weren't scared away. It was also nice to see Ferrari's latest 488 GTB compared to Berlinettas of the past. Find Your Ferrari Here

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2018

duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: July 2018

Rain is in the forecast for this month, as we experience brief but torrential downpours on a daily basis. Saturday was not spared, and the storm arrived at 5am. Since our west parking lot has a tendency to become Lake duPont REGISTRY, we decided to set up our display in the garage. The fine folks at T&T Coffee rode the storm out, and surprisingly cars began to arrive.The sun eventually shined on our loyal fans, and it reminded us that some things are better when wet. Notable cars included a new Guards Red Porsche 911 GT3, the Green Hell Magno AMG GT-R, and a new 2019 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Manufaktur.Taking center stage and behind our stanchions are a Grigio Titanio LaFerrari and the first McLaren P1 GTR. Both of them are fully charged and waiting for you! The only force of nature that has ever canceled our event was a Hurricane last year. We have to thank the local Corvette and Camaro clubs, Sheriff Gualtieri and our neighbors at BIC for all the support and cooperation. So even if it rains next month, come to see us for a great start to your weekend.

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2018

Lingenfelter Collection Spring Open House

For 105 years, the American Cancer Society has been working to eliminate the disease and help those who are fighting it. This noble cause needs all the help it can get, so the Sultan of Michigan is opening his doors this Saturday, April 28th in order to help out.Ken Lingenfelter is a cousin of the late John Lingenfelter, whose performance took the aftermarket to new levels. John passed away in 2003 due to complications from a drag racing crash, so Ken carried on his legacy by continuing to build incredibly fast cars. He is also a collector of rare & exotic cars, with Corvettes taking up 40% of the 40,000 square foot building. Guests who visit this Saturday will also be able to see the world's first street-legal electric car to exceed 220 mph, made by Genovation Cars.If you are near Brighton, Michigan, you should try to make it to this event, because it doesn't happen often. Click the link below for more information and stay with us for all your Lingenfelter updates.Event Details

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2018

duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: April 2018

While other shows come & go, our Cars & Coffee event keeps expanding. If you weren't here on Saturday, you missed one for the record books. Without any other competition in the 6-8 AM time slot, our friends and fans came out to enjoy the nice weather.Multiplicity could be seen in several examples of rare cars. From Toyota Supras to Lamborghini Huracan Spyders, you could see it here. Allow us to clarify here for you. Our building might be the center of the action, but once our lot is full you will find exotic cars parked down the road and at the businesses next to us.That's why we have to thank our friends at Bic Graphics, along with the restaurants in close proximity. Front and center are our dealers, so let's hear it for Bruiser Conversions, Crown, Reeves, McLaren Tampa Bay, Bert Smith, Corsa America Rally, and Mercedes-Benz of Tampa.Since we have such loyal fans around Tampa Bay, we're heading across the bay for May. Last year was the first time in over a decade that we were rained out. Hurricane Season forced us to postpone our Davis Islands Event until next month. We'll see you at Peter O Knight Airport on May 19th. Until then, tell us your favorite Cars & Coffee story in the comments below.

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