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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 Edward Jones – July 08, 2019

Discover the Cover: BRABUS 700 Widestar

BRABUS is not in the business of creating anything slow. Whether it's a sports car or SUV, everything they put their name on is built around power, speed and class. Even their SUVs are absolute powerhouses, packing power figures that are on par with most supercars. One of the finest examples of BRABUS and their craftsmanship is the 700 Widestar, a super-SUV based on the new Mercedes-AMG G63. For this month's cover, we're pleased to present Mr. Alex Soltani's example of the Widestar 700, which was commissioned by Platinum Motorsport and photographed by Johnny "@paid2shoot" Beckett. Under the hood of the 700 Widestar is the same four-liter V8 BiTurbo engine found in the AMG G63. However, the engine has been handled by BRABUS engineers, and that means more power. More specifically, the 700 Widestar packs the B40-700 performance upgrade, which bumps up horsepower from 585 hp to 700 hp. Torque is also increased from 627 lb-ft to 701 lb-ft. With that power, the driver of the 700 Widestar can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.3 seconds. How many SUVs can do that? Being a BRABUS creation, the 700 Widestar is also visually stunning. As the name suggests, it's a widebody version of the AMG G63. To create the widebody appearance, new wheel arches add 3.9-inches to the vehicle's width. With bigger wheel arches comes more space and room for bigger tires to lay down all of the power. BRABUS has a long list of bespoke tire/wheel combinations that range from 20- to 23-inches. This includes the BRABUS Monoblock "Platinum Edition" 23-inch forged wheels, which were included on Mr. Soltani's Widestar 700. The front and rear of the 700 Widestar also have also been enhanced. New front and rear bumpers replace the production versions. Blending in with the wheel arches, these new bumpers create a more distinguished off-road appearance. BRABUS also included an auxiliary light bar on the roof, which consists of two powerful LED units. Inside, the 700 Widestar can be tailored to the owner's individual tastes. Their upholstery shop has a multitude of fine leathers to choose from, including BRABUS Mastik leather and Alcantara. Aside from upholstery, there are also different types of precious-wood and carbon-fiber inlays for the trim. If you want to stand out from the Mercedes G-Class crowd, there's no better way than to drive the BRABUS 700 Widestar. visit brabus.com for more info

By Edward Jones – April 09, 2019

duPont REGISTRY May 2019 Uncovered

Cover Car: Bugatti La Voiture Noire Back Cover: Lexus RC F Track Edition Dealers: Boch Exotics, Euro Car, Excell Auto Group, Fort Lauderdale Collection, Fort Lauderdale Collection South, Marshall Goldman Motor Sales, Prestige Imports, Starwood Motors Aftermarket, Etc.: Hennessey Performance, Lexani Wheels, Plycar Automotive Logistics Lifestyle: Casoro, Corum, Elevate Customs, Global K9, HYT Watches, OEM: Lotus, NMOTO Motorcycles, Porsche There are multiple ways to pick up the latest issue of duPont REGISTRY. We are stocked at newsstands across the globe if you're interested in picking up a physical copy while on the go. Individual issues can also be ordered from gear.duPontREGISTRY.com. If you're interested in a subscription, we offer multiple subscription options, including 12, 24 or 36 issues. buy this issue now

By Edward Jones – April 09, 2019

Discover the Cover: May 2019 - Bugatti La Voiture Noire

A modern interpretation of the Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic has been teased for quite some time and now the new one-off model is here, the Bugatti “La Voiture Noire.” Bugatti President Stephan Winkelman says that La Voiture Noire "is a coupé with the comfort of a luxury limousine and the power of a hyper sports car." " width="680"> Bugatti notes that every single component found on La Voiture Noire has been made by hand, an expected touch from the French automaker's craftsmen. Its exterior is made of carbon fiber, with a deep black gloss covering its entirety until it is beautifully interrupted by the ultrafine fiber structure. The car's engine is the well-known quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine that can be found in the Chiron. Pumping out of this engine is 1480 horsepower and 1180 lb-ft of torque, an extraordinary amount for such an elegant car. There may be plenty of power to be found in La Voiture Noire, but this one-off car is all about its beautiful styling. “We worked long and hard on this design until there was nothing that we could improve,” says Bugatti designer Etienne Salomé. “For us, the coupé represents the perfect form with a perfect finish. Bugatti states that La Voiture Noire’s price is €11 million, which translates to roughly $12.46 million. For those who were thinking they may be able to purchase it, that is very unlikely as it has already been sold to a Bugatti enthusiast. What’s more, that price tag makes it the most expensive new car of all time. buy this issue now

By Edward Jones – March 13, 2019

duPont REGISTRY April 2019 Uncovered

Cover Car: TECHART GTstreet RS Dealers: Boch Exotics, EuroCar, Excell Auto Group, Fort Lauderdale Collection, Marshall Goldman, McLaren Boston, McLaren Charlotte, Pierre Ford, Prestige Imports, Starwood Motors, St Louis Motors Aftermarket, Etc. : Brabus, Hennessey Performance, Excell Auto Group, Gateway Bronco, Lexani EXTV, Starwood Motors Lifestyle: Brown Safe, Corum Watches, Elevate Customs, HYT Watches, NetJets, Shooting Range Industries OEM: Maserati, Porsche There are multiple ways to pick up the latest issue of duPont REGISTRY. We are stocked at newsstands across the globe if you're interested in picking up a physical copy while on the go. Individual issues can also be ordered from gear.duPontREGISTRY.com. If you're interested in a subscription, we offer multiple subscription options, including 12, 24 or 36 issues. buy this issue now

By Edward Jones – February 05, 2019

Q&A: Sergio Alvarez's Car Collection and How It All Began

Sergio Alvarez, the CEO and Founder of Ai Media Group, is well-known for his company and his impeccable car collection. He's amassed a following on Instagram through his account @aimotorsports, where he continuously posts photos of his cars. If you aren't following him and are a fan of exotic cars, you're missing out. Here are the cars he currently owns and posts pictures of. • Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series • Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series • Mercedes-AMG GT R • Ferrari 458 Speciale • Ferrari F12tdf • Lamborghini Aventador SV • Lamborghini Huracan Performante • Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera • Porsche 911 Turbo S • Porsche 918 Spyder • Porsche Cayman GT4 • Bentley Continental GT3R • McLaren 675LT Spider • Porsche 911 GT2 RS • Porsche 911 GT3 RS • 1985 Pontiac FirebirdComing Soon • Porsche 913 Concept Build • Lamborghini Aventador SVJ 63 • Ferrari 488 Pista Spider • Porsche 911 Speedster Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Ferrari F12tdf and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series We recently had the chance to talk with Alvarez regarding his love for cars and his collection. When did you passion for cars start?: It started when I was 5-years old. I was going back home to Uruguay with my family. We were in a poor area, but we went to a richer part. That's when I saw my first Porsche. That's really the point I can remember where it all started. When I was a teenager, I lived in Brooklyn and worked doing valet. That gave me the chance to drive some exciting cars. His "fleet" ten years ago, including the Trans Am he bought in 1991. What was your first car? I feel in love with the "Knight Rider" television show and the car (KITT). KITT appealed to me because it was a Trans Am, which was an attainable car. That's why my first car was a 1985 Firebird, which I purchased in 1991. I still own that car to this day and I've probably put more money into it than any of my other cars. His Lamborghini Huracan Performante. Which car drives the best? I love the Mercedes-AMG GT R because of its old school rumble, but it comes down to two different categories: a Sunday driver and fun car. My AMG GT R and Lamborghini Huracan Performante are great Sunday drivers. In terms of fun, my Aventador SV is my pick and soon it'll be the Aventador SVJ which is better than the Huracan Performante all around and still tossable around corners. Alvarez checking out the SSC Tuatara. What's your next car? My Aventador SVJ 63 is coming in April, Ferrari Pista Spider in the summer and no date on my Porsche 911 Speedster. I do have my eyes on the SSC Tuatara as well. Hybrid power in his Porsche 918 Spyder. How do you feel about the move to hybrid supercars? I actually prefer the electrification over turbos, it feels more like a naturally aspirated engine. Turbos have come a long way, with engineers cutting out turbo lag but hybrid powertrains just give you that immediate boost. Ferrari 458 Speciale, 812 Superfast and F12tdf in the garage. How have cars influenced your business? I started Ai Media Group ten years ago. As the company became more successful, I bought new cars and started to build relationships. After buying a Ferrari, I started to go to the factory in Maranello. It's there that I met higher-ups in the company. As relationships grew, I started talking to them on how I could help educate them on new buyers, new money. We ended up doing business together and still are to this day. "Couldn't ask for a better way to spend my weekend!" - Alvarez

By Edward Jones – December 17, 2018

2018 duPont REGISTRY Holiday Gift Guide

Do you have someone in your life that wants some luxury goods but hasn’t put together a list yet? The 2018 duPont REGISTRY Holiday Gift Guide is here to help. The sections below will take you to handpicked luxury items, goods, experiences and services that will take your holiday to the next level. buy this issue now

By Edward Jones – November 12, 2018

duPont REGISTRY December 2018 Issue Uncovered

It's the last month of the year and that means 2018 is on its way out of here. To send the year off, we've put together one heck of a Holiday issue for our readers. On the front is the new Porsche 911 Speedster that was born out of a concept car and the brand's effort to revive iconic models. Throughout the pages are hundreds of exotic, classic and luxury cars for sale by dealers and private owners. There are also plenty of other services and goods featured in the pages that are perfect for the luxury lifestyle. And being a holiday issue, it wouldn't be complete without a luxury gift guide. Check it all out down below! Buy This issue now Porsche 911 SpeedsterPorsche is going ahead with production of the 911 Speedster concept that they unveiled not too long ago. The car is coming in as a limited production model, with only 1,948 examples planned to be produced. That number is a reference to June 8, 1948, the day when the Porsche 356 “Number 1” received its operating license. learn more HYT WatchesExtreme alchemists, HYT’s Hydro-Mechanical Watchmakers have turned utopia into reality – mixing mechanics and liquid within a wristwatch. While truly addicted to nonconformism, they have drawn upon the strictest codes in Fine Watchmaking – and felt entirely free to shatter them. view website CasoroCasoro Jewelry Safes provide impeccable security for your most prized possessions. Our unique, fashionable home jewelry and watch safes have become popular with distinguished clientele all over the world. view website Collection SuitesA massive private property harboring the most exclusive suites for elite collectors. An upscale sanctuary for those who seek the perfect space close to the heart of the city, yet secluded for enhanced privacy. view website Corum WatchesSince 1955, Corum has adopted creativity and boldness as its guiding principles. It is pursuing the path traced by the founders, more loyal than ever to the iconic collections while enriching them with a powerful modern touch bearing the hallmark of innovation and technological breakthroughs. view website Stärke Revolution SpeedsterThe Stärke Revolution Speedster was born out of a collective passion to create a classic, iconic body design reminiscent of the Roadster’s from the 1950’s combined with the modern day performance and comfort we all demand.view website ONEflightOur slogan clearly states, “You Don’t Need to OWN, You Just Need to FLY”. In definition, we take the burdens and costs of ownership out of the equation while you enjoy the comfort of your private jet flight at rates that represent true operating costs as you would if you owned the jet yourself.view website EUROCAREUROCAR in Orange County, CA welcomes you to our ever expanding luxury inventory of Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Porsche, Maserati, Rolls Royce. Buy with confidence from the most trusted online exotic car dealership. Offering the best internet prices, creative financing, great customer service plus same day delivery to nearby cities. view website Revology Cars“The concept for Revology Cars came to me many years ago, while I was working at Ford Motor Company. It was sparked by a question I would often be asked at auto shows: “Why doesn’t Ford bring back the original Mustang?”” view website The HangarTHE HANGAR® is a product of a lifelong passion for motorsports, aviation, music, wine, art, and an appreciation of the finer things in life, while also creating an exclusive social setting for collectors to interact, build new friendships and strengthen old ones.view website Genovation GXEThe Genovation GXE was designed first and foremost to change perceptions regarding the product essentials required to be considered a high-performance vehicle: Eight, ten or twelve cylinders – Check; turbocharging – Check; a “here I come” exhaust note – Check; rear weight bias – Check.view website OrbitaTheir watch safe models share security features that stem from 35 years of experience developing high-security safes for military use in high-risk locations. Bristling with the latest means of proven defenses, Brown Safe’s luxury watch safes boast a protection feature set like no other.” view website Starwood MotorsStarwood Motors’ passion and continued inspiration for all things automotive is evident through all of their people and our many dealer and custom services. They take pride in connecting people and cars, two things they all love there… because, after all, what they’re doing here is something much bigger; Starwood Motors is creating an unprecedented experience for our customers all over the world with custom Wranglers. view website duPont REGISTRY Holiday Gift GuideThis year's gift guide is filled with gear, goods and services that are perfect for the luxury lifestyle. This includes, but isn't limited to high-end watches, massage chairs, private garages, clothing, recreational items and much more. Be sure to pick up this issue to learn more. Lexani WheelsToday Lexani offers an expansive range custom alloy wheels, Lexani brand tires, luxury automotive grilles, and RBP off-road products. And since the inception of our Lexani Motorcars division, an extension of our purposeful quality and exquisite design, our mission remains intact. Build compelling designs coupled with precision quality and enthusiasts will follow. view website Shooting Range IndustriesThe MCSATS are completely customizable, from the number of lanes to interior amenities. Other satisfied customers include the Air National Guard of Nevada and New York, and consequently, more orders have been placed. If you have thought about owning or opening a range, ShootingRange Industries has the solution. view website Confederate MotorcyclesContinuing the tradition established by Matthew Chambers in 1991, Confederate Motorcycles builds strikingly innovative and powerful working art. Our clients deserve nothing less than the best and we will continue to strive to always exceed their expectations. view website Marshall Goldman Motor SalesYou are about to discover what thousands of automobile enthusiasts and satisfied clients already enjoy. Marshall Goldman Motor Sales has been in business for 40 years and has well over 300+ years of combined knowledge from a highly experienced staff. view inventory Excell AutoFounded in 2010 and servicing luxury and exotic vehicles in Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach, Excell Auto Sport & Service, has quickly become the most referred shop in South Florida. Excell Auto’s ability to perform modifications and customizations of customer vehicles allows them to offer a wide range of opportunities that you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. view inventory Prestige ImportsPrestige Imports has been in South Florida for over 30 years in North Miami Beach. The secret to our success is prompt courteous sales and service coupled with an unsurpassed knowledge of new and pre-owned motorcars and also unbeatable prices.view inventory The Dream Car Museum is ClosingCome in and enjoy seeing over 100 cars, 20 motorcycles and over 500 pieces of memorabilia. If you have been thinking of adding to your personal collection, or you want to build a museum, mancave, or garage of your own – each and every item on display is for sale! learn more Fort Lauderdale Collection SouthWe are privileged when a client decides to allow us to play a role in the choice of that “perfect” Luxury car or exotic sports car. Sometimes, the client is a well-known friend, at other times a first-time visitor who is just browsing through our select luxury cars and exotic sports cars. view inventory buy this issue now

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