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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 – August 06, 2019

Discover the Cover: Arno XI Ferrari Racing Boat x LaFerrari

For decades, Ferrari’s have been considered the pinnacle of luxury automobiles. From the iconic 250 GTO to the new and groundbreaking LaFerrari hypercar, Ferraris are some of the most sought after vehicles across the globe. But did you know that Ferrari has conquered both land and sea? buy this issue now On land, Ferrari is known for its automotive prowess. One of their finest creations is the LaFerrari, their hybrid hypercar. For this month's cover, we have an impeccable example of the LaFerrari featured, one which is actually for sale through @wiresonly. It comes finished in a stunning Giallo Modena paint that contrasts against the black gloss roof. Inside the hypercar is a black Alcantara interior with black leather seats, yellow piping, and yellow deviated stitching. Photos of LaFerrari by Dirk. A Photography (SupercarFocus.com) Quite a few options have also been picked out for this LaFerrari. On the outside is the obligatory Scuderia Ferrari Shields, matching yellow brake calipers and carbon fiber body trim (mirror caps included). This is just one of the 120 U.S. spec’d LaFerraris created and it's a true beauty. learn more about this laferrari While Ferrari is known for their automobiles, they also created a record-breaking racing boat back in the 1950's. That boat, the Timossi Arno XI hydroplane racing boat, is the only boat they have ever put their name on. Enzo Ferrari was personally involved in the creation of this boat and even had a 4.5-liter Type 375m 12-cylinder Ferrari engine installed in it. Between the engine and the purpose-built hull, Achille Castoldi managed to break the 800kg classic record by hitting a top speed of 150.19 mph in the Arno XI. This is a world record that still stands to this day. Now, the current owner of this iconic boat is listing it for sale through duPont REGISTRY. You can learn more about this incredibly rare and significant boat in the following pages of the magazine. learn more about this boat

By Edward Jones – August 05, 2019

Exotic Car Buyers Guide 2020 Reader's Choice Award

This year, we're asking our readers to choose what car will be crowned with the Reader's Choice Award in the 2020 Exotic Car Buyer's Guide. Vote on one of the cars below and stay with us for the winner's announcement. The Winner is the Bugatti La Voiture Noire!Thanks for voting!

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2019

The Unbelievable Story of Raiti's Rides

If you have been to any of our events, you might have noticed Joe Raiti. His passion for all things automotive began with racing. After hanging up his helmet, he decided to become a High School teacher. He spent 18 years inspiring and educating and began the AP Psychology program at Ridgecrest High School, here in the Tampa Bay area. All the while, he would attend almost every automotive event his schedule would allow. His knowledge from the racing world needed a way to express itself, so he purchased a microphone and a gimbal and started a YouTube channel. At first, it was just a hobby, but fans around the world began subscribing. Now he has surpassed 99K, we need your help to get Raiti's Rides to 100k. This prolific popularity has become more profitable than the meager wages Florida pays their educators, so YouTube is now his full-time career. To see what makes his channel unique among automotive content creators is that he explains the most intricate details in a way everyone can understand. He combines his years of teaching experience with automotive knowledge to produce great videos. He does so without the quirks, idiosyncrasies, and manufactured drama that other channels seem to live by. Without further adieu, here is my favorite review. Thanks, Joe for the inspiration and for making our events even better. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2019

Wheels x Wardrobe: American Supercar Style

The Ford GT is one of the most iconic cars ever, let alone one of the most iconic cars to come from the powerhouse that is the Blue Oval. It's elegant, blindingly powerful, and just as classic as the GT40 it pays homage to. And the only way to complement that is with an outfit that's timeless, fresh, and All-American. We curated an outfit with pieces from some of the biggest and best names in fashion, from sea to shining sea. The Ride Ford GT Shop Now The Watch autodromo.com Autodromo Ford GT Endurance Chronograph - Heritage 66 Dial shop now The Bracelet miansai.com Miansai Chamber Cuff shop now The Shades nordstrom.com Tom Ford 140mm Shield Sunglasses shop now The Shade Savers miansai.com Miansai Cuban Link Sunglass Chain shop now The Jacket nordstrom.com John Varvatos Suede Bomber Jacket shop now The Shirt ssense.com Saturdays NYC White Xavier Shirt ShoP Now The Pants nordstrom.com rag & bone Fit 2 Slim Fit Jeans shop now The Belt mrporter.com Tom Ford Reversible Leather Belt shop now The Kicks mrporter.com Common Projects Track Classic Sneakers shop now The Bag Common Projects Black Saffiano Simple Backpack shop now

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 15, 2019

Wheels x Wardrobe: Godzilla Street Style

The R35 Nissan GT-R has spent the last decade making its "Godzilla" nickname more true than ever before, with unprecedented levels of power and driving dynamics. That bold and fierce nature is something that can only be matched by an outfit inspired by the streetwear and fashion culture from the GT-R's home country, Japan. The Ride Nissan GT-R Shop Now The Watch Source: Grand Seiko Grand Seiko SBGC229 shop now The Shades Source: SSENSE Yohji Yamamoto Black Square Wire Frame Sunglasses shop now The Jacket Source: SSENSE Name. Reversible Black Track Jacket shop now The Shirt Source: SSENSE Kenzo Blue Classic Logo T-Shirt ShoP Now The Pants Source: SSENSE Kenzo Off-White Jumping Tiger Lounge Pants shop now The Kicks Source: SSENSE Y-3 White Ren Sneakers shop now The Bag Source: SSENSE Maison Kitsuné Black ADER error Edition Layout Backpack shop now

By Edward Jones – July 12, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Vehicle Spotlight Series || 1 || BRABUS 800

We're proud to announce the new duPont REGISTRY Vehicle Spotlight Series. These new videos show off exotic, luxury and classic cars for sale around the globe. It's a new and exciting way for us to showcase incredible cars that are for sale right now on duPontREGISTRY.com or in the pages of our magazine. For our first entry in the series, we're displaying the 2019 BRABUS 800, a monstrous SUV based on the Mercedes-AMG G63. Be sure to check out this video down below and get ready for more to be released on our Instagram account. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz00pL6nly7/

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 – July 08, 2019

Wheels x Wardrobe: The Porsche 911 GT2 RS Driver

If there's one thing that goes well with any Porsche, especially the 911 GT2 RS, is a good outfit. We're talking about an outfit that's stylish, simple and comfortable. For this week's Wheels x Wardrobe, we combined all of the characteristics into one outfit that can be found below. The Ride Porsche 911 GT2 RS Shop Now The Watch HYT H1.0 shop now The Jewelry Source: Mr Porter Gucci Eagle Head Sterling Silver Cuff shop now The Shades Source: Zappos rag & bone Sunglasses shop now The Jacket Source: AllSaints AllSaints Lark Leather Jacket shop now The Shirt Source: Mr Porter Alexander McQueen T-Shirt Show Now The Belt Source: Zappos Salvatore Ferragamo Wrap Belt shop now The Pants Source: AllSaints AllSaints Rex Twill Jeans shop now The Kicks Source: Zappos Alexander McQueen Spray Paint Runners shop now The Bag Source: Mr Porter Alexander McQueen De Manta Tote Bag shop now

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2019

Todd Werner's Colossal Car Collection: What's Next?

In an unmarked warehouse around the corner, our friend has amassed an incredible car collection. Todd Werner and his friend Nick Buis founded Statement Marine. Their innovative approach to building offshore Catamarans and V-hulls continue to be a major force in the powerboat market. With a few patents to his name, Todd had the flexibility to purchase a few muscle cars. While his warehouse has the obligatory Lamborghini and a few Corvettes, the overwhelming theme is MOPAR. Dodge & Plymouth fans seem to be the most dedicated. I think this is mostly because once the cars were raced, they were not preserved with the same care as a Chevy or Ford would be. The first duPont REGISTRY show I was invited to was in 2011. It was a Cars & Coffee at Innisbrook Country Club in Palm Harbor, Florida. I heard that a local collector was bringing a few vintage dragsters, but I had no idea what I was about to witness. Todd arrived with an original Dick Landy Hemi, and a Sox & Martin Super Stock racer. He has several cars from these legends, and the Marine Corps is thankful. That's because his Christmas tradition is to arrive here loaded with Toys 4 Tots donations. These cars are worth their weight in gold to drag racing fans, and it was just the tip of the iceberg. A walk through the shop will leave you in awe of altered wheelbase classics and extremely rare production cars. My personal favorite was the 1969 COPO Camaro RS. MOPAR didn't build many convertibles, so a soft-top Hemi 'Cuda will stop you in your tracks. Behind it is a Baldwin-Motion Phase III Corvette that is truly 1 of 1. Instead of the vertical rear window, this car has a slant back window. This allowed the owner to carry his golf clubs around in a 9-second big block monster. The pinnacle of the collection can be seen in two cars that are painted Petty Blue. Richard Petty's 1970 Superbird, and 1971 Road Runner. The former was lost and presumed destroyed until Todd arrived at Petty Enterprises. Richard and his 1970 team members found photos that were unmistakable, and it was treated to a full restoration by many of the original team members. The 1971 car has a full history, as it was how Richard won the NASCAR Grand National Championship. Mr. Petty and his crew will be attending the auction to see their old friends one last time. Nothing can cure a car addiction for people like us. Since Todd has owned these cars for many years, he is simply making room for something new. If you can't make it to Harrisburg on the weekend of August 1st, Dana Mecum and company will be live-streaming this unprecedented event.

By Edward Jones – June 26, 2019

Introducing the duPont REGISTRY Directory

Have you been searching for the right service or event that meets your luxury needs? Then you need to use the duPont REGISTRY Directory, the world's most prestigious directory. Within our new Directory, you will find businesses and events from a wide range of business across the United States. There are different ways to find these businesses as well. Type in the business name, location or category in the search bar at the top. There is also an advanced search bar on the homepage to help narrow down results. Want to browse a map for an event or business? We've got you covered. For businesses that are listed on the duPont REGISTRY Directory, there are plenty of categories to fall in to. This includes detailers, transport services, aftermarket shop and much more. Each company is listed with pertinent information and a contact form that goes directly to the company. Events are, of course, not left at. Each event has the pertinent information listed as well as a countdown clock that runs until the time of the event. This is great for cars & coffees, auctions and more. To see it for yourself, click the button below! visit directory.dupontregistry.com

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