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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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 17, 2020

Seiko 5 Sports Brian May Limited Edition Coming in May

What do you get when you cross an infamous watch company with one of the best guitar players in the world? The answer is the Seiko 5 Sports Brian May limited edition timepiece. The guitarist from Queen and Seiko have teamed up to create a wristwatch with what we believe is one of the coolest backstories. The dial of the watch signifies the “red special”, a guitar that Brian May and his father had created by hand using components such as the structure of an old fireplace, as well as motorcycle valve springs in the 1960's. The black curvature design on the dial is made to represent the faceplate of the original guitar. May was first introduced to the wonderful world of Seiko watches in Japan, purchasing his first model while on tour. The limited-edition Seiko 5 Sports model features a 42.5mm case with a red and black dial that reads “Red Special”. It includes a skeleton back case, magnifying the caliber 4R36 movement with Brian May’s etched signature. The release is limited to 9,000 pieces with each numbered below the signature on the backcase. The box included was modeled to look like a guitar case, which also includes a commemorative coin. The Seiko 5 Sport x Brian May will be released in May 2020, click below for more information on one of Seiko’s coolest collaborations! Learn More Image via Seiko

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 17, 2020

New Breitling Chronomat Collection Announced

Breitling plays a special role in the timepiece industry as a brand that stays current with new materials, technology, and style while still paying homage to where they have succeeded in the past. The most recent release of the Chronomat Collection best exemplifies this practice as the brand reimagined the sports collection originally launched in 1984. The chronomat is best described as an all-purpose sports watch with the style and elegance to be dressed up for any occasion. Breitling has recognized that the original purpose of the chronomat was a tool for aviation, but also continues to market the timepiece as a tool for “air, but also on land and sea”.The Chronomat Collection includes the mechanical Breitling 01 movement with a power reserve capable of 70 hours, as well as a water-resistance of 200 meters. Breitling is releasing ten different styles of the 42mm chronograph with different strap options available. The dial colors include silver, grey, gold, blue, black, and green, giving consumers a wide variety of styling options. They have even incorporated a limited-edition example named the “Frecce Tricolor”, which is limited to 250 pieces, each numbered on the caseback. All styles are currently available for pre-order on Breitling’s website, click below for more information on the Chronomat Collection! Learn More Source: Breitling

By Edward Jones – April 17, 2020

Ducati Panigale V4 R Lego Set Revealed

Ducati fans rejoice, as LEGO has just announced the new Panigale V4 R Technic set. Available on August 1, 2020, this new set is full of features and is incredibly detailed. One of the most notable features is the working 2-speed gearbox, which is actually a first for any LEGO Technic motorcycle. There's also working front and rear suspension, and steering. If you need to display it on your desk, there's also a kickstand that helps it stay up. The realistic features of this new set make it a must-have for any fan of Ducatis or motorcycles. If you're interested, its price tag will be set at just $69.99 and will be available for purchase on LEGO.com. Click the button below to add it to your wishlist now. Shop Now Source: LEGO.com

By Edward Jones – April 16, 2020

Puma Motorsport x Porsche Design LQDCELL in White Are Cle...

Within the Porsche Design collection in the Puma Motorsports lineup are the stunning LQDCELL shoes in Puma White. These are featured in the collection that consists of two colorways of Jet Black/Mist Green and Puma White /Ethereal Blue. With the all-Puma White appearance, the LQDCELL shoes look cleaner than ever. As for the construction of the shoes, they feature Profoam and LQDCELL tech in the midsole, while the upper consists of sheer overlays. Puma has also made these shoes super lightweight, as well as comfortable. If you've been looking for a sleek way to show your love for Porsche, this is a perfect way to go. The Porsche Design LQDCELL sneakers look to be as stylish as they ever have been now with this colorway, so click the button below to get your own pair. They're currently available in the US for $220, Shop Now Source: Puma

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 14, 2020

RWB Porsche 930 Hot Wheels is Now Available

It is not always true to say that as you grow older, the toys get bigger and more expensive. Hot Wheels continue to play a key role in the automotive diecast industry. Mattel Toys stays current with new releases just as the actual vehicles are being driven off the factory lines. Hot Wheels newest release pays tribute to infamous Porsche modifier Arika Nakai, responsible for Rauh-Welt Begriff, also known as RWB. He is best known for cutting fenders directly off Porsches and reengineering widebody setups that seem to take up the entire road. Nakai is a one-man show that travels all around the world completing personal builds, to which the waiting list carries into 2021. The RLC Hot Wheels release includes the casting of an RWB Porsche 930 in a black and gold livery including the notorious “RAUH-Welt” windshield banner, as well as other decals. Complementing the extremely accurate model is a figure of Nakai himself knelt next to the 930, as if it was just completed. The set comes enclosed in a clear titled display case and arrives in a box that matches the RWB Porsche’s paint job. Unfortunately, the figurine and car set is sold out but you can get the car by itself through the RWB website. Click below for more information. Shop Now Images via hotwheelscollectors.mattel.com

By Edward Jones – April 14, 2020

New Documentary is All About Maserati's Humble Beginnings

You may not believe it, but Maserati wasn't always a premium luxury brand. In fact, they had very humble beginnings. In the new documentary titled "Maserati: A Hundred Years Against All Odds," the history of Maserati is told from the very start. Interviews with the Maserati family, famous race car drivers, collectors and more are featured in the documentary, as well as historical imagery and footage. Celebrities in the documentary include Nick Mason, Sir Stirling Moss, and more. It's available for digital purchase now on platforms including iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, Xbox, Amazon, and FandangoNow. You can also buy it on DVD at all major retailers. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – April 10, 2020

Supreme x Lamborghini Collection For Sale

When the Supreme x Lamborghini collection dropped, it sold out in a matter of minutes. If you didn't get ready for the drop, odds are you didn't get anything. However, the resale market for fashion is alive and well. Items from the Supreme x Lamborghini are now starting to show up on resale markets like StockX and eBay. Items include the coveralls, shirts, hoodie, skateboard decks and more. Want to spice up your wardrobe? Click one of the buttons below to see what's currently being offered out of this insanely popular collection. Shop StockX Shop eBay

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 09, 2020

The Story Behind Singer Reimagined

Singer Vehicle Designs, best known for their modern creations on magnificent past generation Porsches, has been branching the company’s efforts into the watch world. Singer Reimagined is the venture started by Director of Singer Vehicle Design Rob Dickson and Italian watch designer Marco Borraccino. In a new article from Singer Reimagined, they detail how the company came to life. Click here to read the story for yourself. The company follows the same business model as they do constructing world-class Porsches, with attention to detail and constant development towards perfection. Singer Reimagined has been developing its automatic caliber, “The Agengraphe,” for over 10-years and believes this will change the way chronographs operate. The current Track1 model is a limited-edition collection that is presented on their website in five unique designs. Click below for more information on Singer Reimagined, as well as Singer Vehicle Designs! Visit SingerReimagined.com

By Alyssa Mammano – April 07, 2020

Overfinch Brings a New Level of Luxury to the Briefcase

Starting at $3,835.00, the Overfinch Briefcase is a timeless reimagined version of the staple piece, merging the highest form of luxury with utility. Soft leather and intricate stitching are keynotes of the piece with options to personalize by embossing your initials and choosing between a hexagonal or diamond pattern. Form undoubtedly does not compromise function, with a spacious interior for maximum storage featuring five pen holders, a zipped pocket and a separate pocket to store your laptop. A zipped pocket on the exterior provides convenient access to your most-used items. Hand made in Italy by leading automotive luggage maker Schedoni, the Overfinch Briefcase dates back to 1800. Stylings of personalized pieces can be crafted to match the interior of your Overfinch. Customize your new Overfinch Briefcase below. View Overfinch Briefcase Details Main image via overfinch.com

By Dylan Orluck – April 07, 2020

Gunther Werks Creates Limited Edition Clock To Benefit Re...

Gunther Werks, known for their re imagined 993, is inspired by the way we are all coming together during this crazy time. With a global pandemic sweeping across the globe the team at Gunther Werks has created a piece to symbolize that “the hard times will pass”. The Clock they've created looks like a remastered Fuchs wheel with the phrase “GREAT THINGS TAKE TIME | NEVER GIVE UP”, which is something that we should all remember in these trying times. Only available on a first come first serve basis, a portion of the proceeds from each piece will be donated to the Red Cross to help fight against COVID19. Visit GuntherWerks.com

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