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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 – March 31, 2021

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By Jordan Aquistapace – March 31, 2021

Wheels X Wardrobe: Style By McLaren

The 2021 McLaren 765LT is the new benchmark for the supercar manufacturer, continuing to not only push the boundaries of performance but also design. Alongside the impressive 755-horsepower track monster, the manufacturer also features a collection of apparel and accessories to compliment the vehicle. This week’s Wheels X Wardrobe features a compiled list of all the products that go hand-in-hand with the tire-slaying McLaren 765LT. Shop all of the products and accessories featured in this special by clicking the links below. Vehicle McLaren Automotive 2021 McLaren 765LT MSRP $358,000 View All McLaren 765LT For Sale Watch Watches of Switzerland Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Gold $31,650 Buy From Watches of Switzerland Top F1 Store McLaren Softshell Jacket $170 Buy From The Formula 1 Store Nordstrom Nike NRG Heavyweight T-Shirt $65 Buy From Nordstrom Bottom Rag & Bone Rag & Bone Skinny Fit Black Aero Stretch Jean $195 Buy From Rag & Bone Footwear Puma Puma Speedcat OG+ Sparco Motorsport Shoes $100 Buy From Puma Accessories Sunglass Hut Gucci GG0010S Sunglasses $390 Buy From Sunglass Hut F1 Store McLaren 2021 New Era 9FIFTY Stretch Snap Team Cap $40 Buy From The Formula 1 Store Best Buy Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition In-Ear Headphones $249 Buy From Best Buy TUMI TUMI x McLaren Aero International Expandable 4 Wheel Carry-On $1,550 Buy From TUMI TUMI TUMI x McLaren Velocity Backpack $995 Buy From TUMI The McLaren Style Breakdown 2021 McLaren 765LT MSRP $358,000 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Gold $31,650 McLaren Softshell Jacket $170 Nike NRG Heavyweight T-Shirt $65 Rag & Bone Skinny Fit Black Aero Stretch Jean $195 Puma Speedcat OG+ Sparco Motorsport Shoes $100 Gucci GG0010S Sunglasses $390 McLaren 2021 New Era 9FIFTY Stretch Snap Team Cap $40 Klipsch - T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren Edition In-Ear Headphones $249 TUMI x McLaren Aero International Expandable 4 Wheel Carry-On $1,550 TUMI x McLaren Velocity Backpack $995 For more Wheels x Wardrobe, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: Outfitted TRX

By Edward Jones – March 31, 2021

Bang & Olufsen Reveals New Wireless Gaming Headset

Bang & Olufsen steps into the gaming arena with the new Beoplay Portal headset. When it comes to gaming, the sound is just as important as graphics. Sure, a beautiful landscape is great to look at but it's nothing without a soundtrack that fully immerses the player. That's why I'm so excited to see that Bang & Olufsen have entered to gaming sector with the release of their new Beoplay Portal gaming headphones/headset. These new headphones take the company's experience and knowledge in the audio sector and put it all into a package that was designed for the gamer. With immersive sound, premium materials and a gorgeous appearance, the Beoplay Portals should be on everyone's mind when considering a new gaming headset. For Xbox gamers, the great news is that these were developed as part of the Design for Xbox program. This means the Beoplay Portals can be seamlessly connected to the Xbox Series X\S and Xbox One consoles through the Xbox Wireless protocol. They can also be connected to PCs and mobile devices via Bluetooth and USB-C. Features include Dolby Atmos for Headphones, Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation for the microphone, virtual boom arm and compatibility with the Bang & Olufsen app. The new Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portals are priced at $499 and are available in Black Anthracite, Grey Mist, and Navy. The Black Anthracite model is available exclusively in the U.S. and Canada at Bang & Olufsen, Best Buy and the Microsoft Store. To shop them now, click the button below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 30, 2021

Watch "In The Studio With Daniel Arsham" By Type 7 Films

From a blank canvas, to the street Daniel Arsham is not only a world-renowned New York City artist who collaborates with some of the most well-known luxury brands, but he is also a car enthusiast. We have covered his Crystal Eroded Porsche projects featuring the 992 911 as well as the 930 911 Turbo, which happens to be Daniel Arsham’s favorite vehicle. In a short film by Type 7 Films, Daniel breaks-down his artistic process and how projects like the Porsche help broaden the art community by captivating a new audience. The American artist goes on to explain how he paints in shades of grey and black using specialty marked bottles in order from darkest to lightest because of his color blindness. It goes to show that Daniel Arsham and Porsche continue to bridge the gap between art and the automotive world. Watch Daniel Arsham in the Studio with Type 7 Films by clicking the video link above. For more Lifestyle news, Check out Shop The New Bentley Spring ’21 Accessory Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 30, 2021

Formula 1 Announces Drive Coffee As 2021 Official Coffee ...

Formula 1 is proud to announce Drive Coffee as the Official Coffee Provider with a new multi-year partnership ahead of the upcoming 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship. The choice to use Drive Coffee was an easy one, as the Colorado-based coffee roaster and cold brew coffee drink manufacturer centers its business model around its commitment to the values and history of Formula 1. Along with its passion for incorporating automotive aspects into the product line, the main focuses of Drive Coffee are customer experience, quality, ethical sourcing, and sustainability. The partnership will see Drive Coffee served at each Grand Prix worldwide, including the exclusive F1 Paddock Club and Paddock area. Drive Coffee will soon be releasing a line of F1 co-branded coffee beverages for grocery and convenience stores globally. For more Gear news, Check out Why To Buy: Bugatti x Tidal Royale Home Audio Series

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 29, 2021

Why To Buy: Bugatti x Tidal Royale Home Audio Series

Discover the Bugatti for your living room As car enthusiasts, we dream of the day that we can take our own Bugatti home where it will continue its role as part of the family. Although the multi-million dollar hypercars are few and far to come by as a consumer, Bugatti partnered with premium audio manufacturer Tidal to help incorporate the brand into your household. The Bugatti x Tidal Royale Series is a collection featuring state-of-the-art at-home speakers finished in spectacular designs. The luxury home audio system uses top-of-the-line components to drive the 4-way hybrid-active multichannel powered loudspeaker, ensuring a true one-of-a-kind listening experience. Each speaker is equipped with LAN, XLR, and power cord input connections, and other adjustment functions to best compliment the acoustics of any home. The Bugatti x Tidal Royale Series comes in 4 uniquely designed color options, with two limited-edition Royale Edition Noir and Blanc models also available. The Tidal for Bugatti Royal Series is the most luxurious way to enjoy a premium listening experience from the comfort of your own home. Shop Bugatti x Tidal For more Gear news, Check out Hublot Takes The Big Bang Zermatt Chronograph To The Swiss Alps

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 29, 2021

Shop The New Bentley Spring '21 Accessory Collection

Accessorize your lifestyle to match the Bentley in the garage Considered one of the most luxurious brands in the world, Bentley continues to push the art of comfort and design through its high-end vehicle lineup. Alongside the Bentayga and Continental, Bentley also illustrates its attention to detail and quality through its new Spring 2021 Accessories Collection. As car enthusiasts, we look for any and all ways to accentuate our vehicle throughout our day, whether it be with a branded coffee mug or t-shirt. Inside the Bentley Spring ’21 Accessories Collection is a fine selection of leather baggage, small leather goods, premium Focal Radiance headphones, phone charging sources, coffee mugs, cologne, notebooks, cufflinks, and keychains. While other apparel and accessory releases from Bentley highlight the motorsport branch of the manufacturer, the most recent release focuses on craftsmanship and styling of the everyday commuter using the iconic Bentley badge. Shop all of the products featured in the Bentley Spring ’21 Accessory Collection by clicking the link below. Shop Now For more Gear news, Check out The Hot Wheels Design Shop: Team Racing Collection

By Edward Jones – March 26, 2021

The Hot Wheels Design Shop: Team Racing Collection

Be quick, because once this collection sells out, it's gone for good. Every month, the Hot Wheels Design Shop drops a new collection. Each collection is combines both car culture and streetwear in a stylish fashion. For example, their first drop was centered around Hot Wheels Racing while the second drop was the Vintage Car Club Collection. Now, for the third drop, the collection is named the "Team Racing Collection." Within the collection are t-shirts, longsleeve shirts and jackets, each of with have a blue and teal color scheme that's perfect for springtime. The new collection will be dropping tomorrow, 3/27/2021 at 12 PM EST. You can purchase the collection on the Hot Wheels Design Shop online.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 24, 2021

Wheels X Wardrobe: Outfitted TRX

The all-new RAM 1500 TRX embodies rugged performance, comfort, and functionality, just as everyone's wardrobe should. Ready for any outing, the TRX continues to push the boundaries while making a statement as the head-turning truck for 2021. What better way to compliment the 702-horsepower off-road machine, than with a functional outfit to match. Shop all of the products featured in this week’s Wheels x Wardrobe special by clicking the links below. Vehicle RAM Trucks 2021 RAM 1500 TRX MSRP $70,195 View All RAM 1500 TRX For Sale Watch Jomashop Panerai Luminor Marina 42mm Black Dial PAM02392 $6,395 Buy From Jomashop Top END. Carhartt WIP Wesley Jacket $149 Buy From End. Nordstrom Patagonia P-6 Logo Responsibili-Tee® Graphic Tee $35 Buy From Nordstrom Bottom Levi's Levi's® Made & Crafted® 511™ Slim Fit Jeans $180 Buy From Levi's Footwear On-Running On-Running Cloudultra Trail Sneakers $179.99 Buy From On-Running Accessories Pit Viper Pit Viper Sunglasses $119 Buy From Pit Viper F1 Store Melin Odyssey Brick Hydro Snapback Hat $59 Buy From Melin Leatherman Leatherman Topo Signal Multi-Tool $119.95 Buy From Leatherman Dango Dango M1 Maverick Wallet- Special-Ops Edition $129 Buy From Dango Backcountry Barbour International Ripstop Backpack $80 Buy From Backcountry The TRX Breakdown 2021 RAM 1500 TRX MSRP $70,195 Panerai Luminor Marina 42mm Black Dial PAM02392 $6,395 Carhartt WIP Wesley Jacket $149 Patagonia P-6 Logo Responsibili-Tee® Graphic Tee $35 Levi's® Made & Crafted® 511™ Slim Fit Jeans $180 On-Running Cloudultra Trail Sneakers $179.99 Pit Viper Sunglasses $119 Melin Odyssey Brick Hydro Snapback Hat $59 Leatherman Topo Signal Multi-Tool $119.95 Dango M1 Maverick Wallet- Special-Ops Edition $129 Barbour International Ripstop Backpack $80 For more Wheels x Wardrobe, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: St. Patrick’s Day Style

By Edward Jones – March 24, 2021

Jaguar Launches Classic Designer Gifts for 60th Anniversa...

The iconic Jaguar E-TYPE is celebrating its 60th anniversary and you can join in on the celebration with this new collection. The Jaguar E-TYPE is a true icon in the automotive world and even pop culture. Now, in 2021, Jaguar is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the model's unveiling at Geneva in 1961 with a new collection. Within this collection are some incredible pieces that are perfect for fans of the E-TYPE. First up is the new range of 1:18 scale models of the E-TYPE that's available in British Racing Green, Opalescent Dark Blue and Opalescent Gunmetal, each variant is limited to just 400 pieces each. Next is the pair of artwork titled From Coventry to Geneva' that celebrates the E-TYPE's public debut. This pair of framed artwork is limited to 60 examples. Lastly, there's the t-shirt that includes the "Journey to Geneva '61' that tells the story behind the reveal in a pop-art style. This shirt is limited to 960 examples while the unframed print of the artwork is limited to 600 prints. You can shop the entire collection now by visiting Shop.Jaguar.com. See All E-TYPEs For Sale Source: Jaguar

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