Features

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 – March 14, 2019

Green Supercars For Sale For St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, bringing troves of green items along with it. There's going to be green shirts, green shoes, green hair, green beer and a lot of other green paraphernalia. Because of this, we figure it makes sense to pull up to where you're going in a green supercar. We've curated a list of green supercars for you to peruse down below and there's also a button below to see all of the green cars we have for sale. And in the spirit of the holiday, always remember to never drink and drive. When ridesharing is an app away, there's no excuse. View all green supercars for sale Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster view listing and price Lexus LFA view listing and price McLaren 675LT Spider view listing and price Porsche 911 GT3 RS view listing and price BAC Mono view listing and price Dodge Demon view listing and price Lamborghini Aventador Miura Homage Edition view listing and price Dodge Viper GTC ACR view listing and price Lotus Evora 400 view listing and price Lamborghini Huracan view listing and price McLaren 570S view listing and price

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 – March 12, 2019

Discover the Cover: April 2019 - TECHART GTstreet RS

Immense power and incredible aerodynamics are why the GT2 RS and GT3 exist. Along with a formidable price, both cars are only available in rear-wheel drive. That is why our friends at TECHART have unleashed the GTstreet RS. " width="680"> Based on the 991.2 Porsche 911 Turbo S, it will arrive with extensive upgrades and all-wheel drive. Taking inspiration from their 2017 GTstreet R, the only factory parts remaining can be counted on one hand. Starting with a new front spoiler, the fenders and hood are their proprietary designs. More than just a body kit, the NACA ducts and fender vents are the culmination of extensive aerodynamic modeling. Since it is wider than its predecessor, the extended rocker panels transition into flared quarter panels. The side intakes are also exaggerated in order to cool what lies beneath. They feed air into new turbos and intake of their own design. This results in 770 horsepower in a lighter car. Weight reduction was achieved by the use of forged carbon instead of traditional carbon fiber. The use of such an innovative material sets TECHART apart from lesser imitations, and it allows the GTstreet RS to be the only 911 to offer this state-of-the-art composite. Inside you are treated to the Clubsport interior. A floor of Alcantara is light & durable, and the seats are a 2-tone design of leather and virgin wool. TECHART has been improving the world’s best cars since 1987, so visit GermanTuningCorporation.com for all the details. Buy this issue now

By Edward Jones – March 07, 2019

Top 10 Geneva Supercar Unveilings

This time of the year is my favorite for two reasons. The first reason is that my birthday is March 7th. Secondly, this is when the Geneva International Motor Show kicks off and that means new cars. I'm not talking about new commuter cars or anything, I'm talking about new supercars and hypercars from the automakers we've come to love. Below are our top 10 Geneva supercar unveilings. 10. GFG Style Kangaroo 9. Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster 8. Aston Martin Vanquish Vision Concept 7. Ginetta Akula 6. Pininfarina Battista 5. Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Roadster 4. Ferrari F8 Tributo 3. Aston Martin AM-RB 003 2. Bugatti La Voiture Noire Number 1 ... The Koenigsegg Jesko

By Alyssa Mammano – February 28, 2019

Top 10 Mansions for Sale on duPontREGISTRY.com

duPont REGISTRY Homes is a display of the world's finest domestic and international luxury listings. We've compiled an array of the largest, priciest and most significant homes in the world. Here are the top 10 mansions for sale that will absolutely blow your mind. A modern marvel, Los Trancos sets the bar for self-sustainability on a property that is all-encompassing. Boasting 20 rooms with endless amenities, this 32,000-square-foot architectural work-of-art would allow its owners to never have to leave the premises as it caters to one's every need and desire. Not only does it offer five bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, it also features a pizza room, disco room with a dance floor, a spa complete with a sauna and massage parlor, a full-size sports court and the jewel of the estate; an ice arena that transforms into a tennis court with a pavilion and its own locker room. The combination of luxuries this home affords cannot be found in any other estate. Source: Rex Real Estate view listing Set on 33 acres of farmland, rolling pastures and mountain views draped in the most exquisite sunsets sits this distinctive French Romantic masterpiece. The estate took three years to reimagine with a boundless budget. In total, it comprises seven separate structures with the main house sprawling a grand total of 32,000 square feet. Of note is the Dolby-certified sound-proof cinema with a remarkable 20'x10' screen. Homeowner Thomas Tull, who was the former chief executive of Legendary Entertainment and owns a stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers football franchise, is listing his family compound to relocate to the Pittsburgh area. Source: Jordan Cohen Luxury Real Estate view listing The Penthouse of this sophisticated Fisher Island high-rise is the ultimate in luxury living with unfathomable amenities. Impeccably curated by Parisian designer Chahan Minassian, the 6,000+ square foot condominium is outfitted in light, bright couture appointments, setting the stage for captivating Atlantic Ocean views. Soaring 20-foot arched ceilings and oversized picture windows allow the outdoors in, and indoor-outdoor living is made exquisite on the expansive wrap-around terraces. Four bedrooms and four bathrooms accommodate family and friends in the most lavish of settings. Source: Dora Puig view listing https://conciergeauctions.wistia.com/medias/srwpkfibd5?fbclid=IwAR15wSn-nRMbsLpLzLqW7LxkoOi6y7h_PuPGc5IIAJtldL5fbP8UH4wirK8 The estate of the late Wayne Huizenga is set to go to auction next month with no reserve. Previously listed for $27 million, lush mature greenery creates a private waterfront setting for the 20,653-square-foot compound. Fronting more than 600 feet of the intracoastal, the mansion boasts a rare offering of deep water dockage and the ability to accommodate a mega-yacht up to 135 feet. Huizenga founded three Fortune 500 companies: Waste Management, BlockBuster and AutoNation. He also owned a trifecta of professional sports teams: the Dolphins, Panthers and Marlins. Source: Concierge Auctions and The Keyes Company view listing Impressive doesn't even begin to describe the incredible architecture of this San Benito River Valley home. A series of peaks mimic the surrounding mountains and ultimately camouflage this estate within its backdrop. Inside, the vaulted ceilings are clad with wood planks running the stretch of the room and culminating where walls of glass begin. The surrounding 10,000 acres make this one of California's premier equestrian estates and afford the utmost tranquil scenery. Set on the property are the 7,900-square-foot main house, three guest homes, five horse barns, four arenas and numerous additional structures. Source: Pacific Union International Inc. view listing Completely reimagined in 2018 by architect Wayne Swadron and Salcito Custom Homes, this award-winning contemporary masterpiece comes fully furnished and turn-key. Encompassing two home sites comprised of more than four acres, the 14,350-square-foot is a rarity among Scottsdale's canyons in the premier Silverleaf community. The artful mansion exudes drama and luxury, not only in its over-the-top finishes, but in its technological advancements, as well. The whole home is under audio and video streaming on true IP with $K quality imaging. Additionally, the surveillance system is backed on a digital server. Source: Silverleaf Realty view listing A newer build modern and minimalistic in design, this clean contemporary was featured as the cover story in Florida Home and Design magazine. The materials used to accentuate this home are unheard of. Italian white oak wood flooring runs throughout, while Bamboo veined limestone highlights architectural features both inside and out. Marine-grade stainless steel and Egyptian Grey hammered natural stone can be found in the sleek kitchen. Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to the 77-foot glass-tiled pool overlooking the waterfront. Owners of this estate are also eligible to join the exclusive Port Royal private beach club. Source: William Raveis Luxury Properties view listing Larger than any of our previous Top 10 Listings, Foxley Green is a modern-day castle spanning 21,630 square feet, with additional structures set on the 80-acre premises. Constructed of solid granite on the exterior, the main house boasts two elevators, an expansive indoor pool and a first-floor master suite in addition to three more ensuite bedrooms. A two-bedroom staff apartment is incorporated within the house, while an additional three-bedroom staff home sits separately on the property. A 3,800-square-foot guest house is also included. Horse stables, trails, a stream, deep pond and meticulous gardens create an enchanting estate home. Source: Moffat Dunlap Realtor view listing Presiding over one of the best waterfront lots in all of Miami, this award-winning Charles Pawley design is wrapped by water frontage on three sides. Dense mature landscaping on the opposite side ensures the utmost privacy and serenity within this unique estate. Yachtsmen delight in the 70-foot concrete dock that can accommodate up to a 120-foot vessel. A seawall and floor-to-ceiling impact glass protect this home, resulting in a tranquil residence for the most discerning homeowner. Enter to an indoor Koi pond and continue through double doors leading to the spacious open floor plan. Six bedrooms and eight bathrooms complete the 8,234-square-foot abode. Source: Brigitte de Langeron view listing Fittingly named, "The Castle by the Sea," this Naples residence is exclusively set among 12 private homes in Bay Colony. Abutting the Gulf of Mexico, separated only by a stretch of white, sugary sand beach, The Castle by the Sea sits just steps from the coveted amenities of the Bay Colony Beach Club and the Ritz Carlton Beach resort. An infinity-edge pool overlooks the beach from the second level of the home and is encompassed within the courtyard, which perfectly frames incomparable Florida sunsets through columns and arched openings. Ornate finishes outfit the interior to perfectly match the masterful architecture. Source: Gulf Coast International Properties view listing

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2019

Throwback Thursday: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Engineers at Mercedes-Benz could see the future in 2011. With an emphasis on fuel economy, their big V8 would be replaced by smaller ones with twin turbos. AMG was started by 2 Mercedes-Benz employees who refused to drive slow cars. Their answer was to stuff the legendary 6.3L V8 into everything. They made such an impact that Daimler purchased them in 2005, and AMG was chomping at the bit to build their own car. So once the ink was dry, they were given a blank check to develop their own supercar. It couldn't be mediocre by any means since it was going to be the successor to the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. What they did was shock the world. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG arrived as a gullwing coupe, a modern interpretation of the legendary 300 SL. As the first car ever built entirely by AMG, they went all out. The legendary 6.3L V8 was blessed with big cams, new valvetrain geometry, variable intake, tuned length exhaust headers, and a dry-sump oil pan. It arrived with 563 horsepower at a screaming 6,800 rpm. Not just for high revving, it made 479 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm. It is still one of the highest output naturally aspirated V8 engines to ever be produced. No silly turbos or blowers, it was all motor with an exhaust note more evil than the Ride of the Valkyries. Following the natural evolution of the original SL, we wondered if an SLS AMG Roadster was on the horizon. Our questions were answered when our Publisher secured the rights to order the first Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster for the US. Mr. duPont's collection is not subtle by any means, so he checked off every box. I had only worked here 3 weeks when it arrived. My previous career was in the Corvette aftermarket, so I was unprepared for German precision. I loved my Vettes, but this car left nothing on the table. It cornered with incredible feedback because it had traditional hydraulic power steering. Sure it had a tinge of understeer because of the long nose. That is why the brakes were better than anything I had experienced before. The sleek lines and "Alubeam" silver paint were pleasing in any light. And the most beautiful part was knowing you had Thor's hammer stuffed under the hood. No complicated menus or interface to distract you. It arrived with a 1,100 watt Bang & Olufsen surround-sound that could overpower the booming exhaust. Throttle response was instant, almost as if it was carbureted. No matter who makes it, every modern car has some delay from pedal to intake. This car was and is the end of an era. I have driven newer examples of the SL63 and the S63 cabriolet over the past 8 years, and nothing gets close to the SLS AMG. Don't believe me? Watch Mr. Leno extol its virtues below, then click the link to see all the great offers from our dealers. Shop Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2019

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2019

It's Valentine's Day and that means you're looking to pick up gifts for your significant other. Below are some great gifts to choose from pulled straight from the pages of the duPont REGISTRY magazine. And yes, a subscription to our magazine would make a great gift as well! Of course, you can always buy something for yourself if you are so inclined. subscribe now! Exotic Cars Let's face it, one of the ultimate gifts is a car and nothing is better than a high-end one. Where can you find them? On duPontREGISTRY.com, of course. shop now Corum Golden Bridge Get your significant other the gift of time with this beautiful timepiece from Corum. learn more ONEflight Fly away together on a stress-free private jet flight thanks to ONEflight's extraordinarily simple process. learn more Collection Suites Is your significant other looking to expand their garage? Surprise them with a luxury suite to house their cars in. learn more Elevate Customs Spend time playing some billiards together with one of Elevate Customs' fabulous pieces. learn more HYT Watches HYT Watches has a vast selection of fine timepieces, including one with 1,206 snow-set diamonds. learn more Gateway Bronco Fans of classic Ford will be thrilled to see a Gateway Bronco gifted to them: modern tech and classic styling. learn more Orbita Watch Safe Did you buy your significant other watches? Keep them safe with one of Orbita's safes. learn more Lexani EXTV If your trips are your thing, don't let an ending road stop you. Lexani's EXTV is meant for travel, no matter the path takes you. learn more Skip Barber Racing School Give the gift of racing thanks to the Skip Barber Racing School. Don't blame us learn more Wide Open Baja Sometimes, we just need some time out in the outdoors. Why not spending it flying across the desert in an off-road excursion? Learn more Global K9 Getting a new best friend is always welcome, especially when that best friend can protect you. learn more Shooting Range Industries Trips to the shooting range can be bothersome. Why not put the shooting range in your backyard? learn more Moduline Cabinet Systems Upgrade the garage and keep tools in check with Moduline's expansive cabinet solutions. learn more Autostacker Is your significant other looking to buy another car but doesn't have room? Give them the give of space for an extra car with Autostack. learn more

By Edward Jones – February 11, 2019

Pink, Purple and Red Exotic Cars to Buy Your Valentine

Valentine's Day 2019 is almost here and that means there are plenty of loved ones running around trying to figure out what to get their significant other. The mainstays in Valentine's gifts will always be flowers, chocolates and a nice dinner. Some people like the kick it up a notch and go big when it comes to Valentine's. Below are a nice selection of fitting purple, pink and red exotic cars to pick up for your Valentine for when you really want to go big for a Valentine's Day gift. view all purple cars view all red cars view all pink cars ♥ ♥ ♥ 1941 Cadillac Coupe de Ville Looking for a classic ride on Valentine's Day? Here you go. view listing ♥ ♥ ♥ 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS German engineering wrapped in a purple case. This is perfect for a track attacker. view listing ♥ ♥ ♥ 2018 Lamborghini Huracan Performante The Huracan Performante is red hot in this finish, just like your love. view price and listing ♥ ♥ ♥ 1970 Plymouth Cuda A purple powerhouse for the muscle car-loving person in your life. view listing ♥ ♥ ♥ 1987 Ferrari Testarossa Some people yearn for the 80's. Give them a taste of the 1980's with one of its most iconic cars. view price and listing ♥ ♥ ♥ 2014 Bentley Continental GTC Speed Convertibles are cars that keep on giving. What's better than a sunset cruise on the beach with the top down? view price and listing ♥ ♥ ♥ 1965 Backdraft Racing Roadster Let your love roar with this replica by Backdraft, powered by a 427 V8 engine. view price and listing ♥ ♥ ♥

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

Features

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe