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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

LEGO Technic Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Main

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 04, 2022

LEGO Technic Releases The New Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 B...

A chance to build an iconic American muscle car with help from LEGO. With the fleet of automotive-inspired buildable LEGO Technic sets growing, enthusiasts looking to add to the latest and greatest releases to their collection. LEGO is proud to announce its newest American muscle addition for 2022, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Seen as a classic in the car community, the Shelby GT500 continues to captivate the minds of car lovers all around the world with vintage and modern renditions of the sports car. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now The new LEGO Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 set features a 544-piece construction that allows parents and children the opportunity to build their own drag race car. The set includes two pull-back motors that launch the Shelby GT500 across any surface, with the ability to enhance the experience using the LEGO Technic AR app to complete challenges and races. The all-new LEGO Technic Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 presents itself in a factory Grabber Green paint scheme and is available for $49.99 by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and releases. Shop Now Source: LEGO Technic

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 15, 2020

These Are the Best Lego Car Sets You Can Buy Today

The LEGO Company continues to participate in millions of holiday celebrations with the array of collections offered for family fun. The sets have transitioned from simple children designs to complex builds that involves the entire family. LEGO collaborates with all sorts of companies and categories, ensuring a set for everyone with a passion to create. We have compiled a list of the Best Automotive LEGO Sets for the car enthusiast family members. Click the links below to shop any of the products featured in this special. Amazon LEGO Technic Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 $72.30 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Creator Expert Ford Mustang $149.99 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Creator Expert Volkswagen T1 Camper Van $159.95 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Technic Land Rover Defender $199.99 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Creator Expert James Bond Aston Martin DB5 $238.98 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron $349.95 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 $379.99 Buy From Amazon Amazon LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS $669 Buy From Amazon

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2020

Saddle Up Your Ford Mustang With The Perfect Pirelli Tires

Presented by SimpleTire - It’s hard to think of a car in post-WWII America that’s more iconic and more influential than the Ford Mustang. Ever since it was introduced in 1965 (technically 1964 ½), the Mustang has been the kind of car that even people who don’t care about cars can identify just by its silhouette. With its short wheelbase, long hood, 2+2 seating, short trunk and a lot of engine, the ‘Stang singlehandedly defined the pony car segment, leaving Chrysler and GM to play catch-up and come up with their own versions. First Generation Considering how bland the automotive market of the early 60s was, the Mustang was nothing short of revolutionary at the time of its introduction. Ford’s projections for first-year sales of the Mustang were 100,000 units; by the end of that first year, the automaker had sold well upwards of 400,000 Mustangs, with a sizable waiting list of customers. With a wide list of options, you could make your first-gen Mustang as plain-jane or comfortable (or as sedate or fast) as you wanted. Never mind that the Mustang’s stodgy Fairlane and Falcon underpinnings gave it fairly sloppy handling, it was the car to have in the mid 60s. On the other hand, a great way to tighten up that handling is as easy as putting on a new pair of shoes. Pirelli Tires for your First-Generation Mustang If you’ve got a first-gen Mustang with the popular Handling Package, your tire size would be 195/60R15. A quick look at top Pirelli tires for your Mustang turns up the: Pirelli P4 Four Seasons: The Four Seasons is an excellent all-around choice thanks to its variable angle grooves and continuous central ribs, silica-enriched low-rolling resistance rubber formulation, central longitudinal grooves to resist hydroplaning and 90k mile warranty. Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus: All the features of the Four Seasons, except the Plus model is optimized for even better traction, ride quality, handling and braking distance. If you’re not committed to having period-correct bias-ply tires on your Mustang, these Pirelli P4 tires can greatly improve the driving experience with improved handling, noise levels, road manners, ride and true year-round traction. The first-generation Mustang went through several changes over the years, becoming longer, heavier and plusher before it was finally phased out in 1973. By the early 70s, the muscle-car movement was pretty much over due to rising gas prices and pressure from the insurance industry. It was apparent that the Mustang needed to be reinvented into a smaller, more fuel-stingy iteration, which leads us to… Shop Tires on SimpleTire.com Second Generation Ford chairman Lee Iacocca spearheaded the Mustang II, which was developed from the popular Pinto. The Mustang II had styling that called to mind the ‘65 model, and was a hot seller for its first year or two on the market. Unfortunately, Mustang II’s had a host of problems (including rust, build quality issues and a weak lineup of engines) and was quietly ushered offstage after only four years on the market. Third Generation Developed from the platform of the Ford Fairmont, the third-gen Mustang was introduced in 1979 and was changed little all the way up through 1993. These Mustangs were a lot more true to form, with a much more modern, aerodynamic body shell, a more comfortable interior and a wider range of engine options. For model year ‘82, a Mustang GT was introduced with a high-output 5.0L V8, and performance was finally back on the table in Mustang-world. Pirelli Tires for your Third-Generation Mustang Pirelli Cinturato P7: The Cinturato P7 is a grand touring tire that uses a low oil/high silica tread formulation, asymmetric tread pattern with separate tracton zones, sipes and circumferential grooves to resist hydroplaning, and two polyamide-wrapped steel belts for high-speed stability. Its forgiving ride and solid handling make it a favorite for sporty sedans and coupes. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus: The Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus’s combination of a silica-rich tread compound, sipes, circumferential grooves and innovative tread ribs add up to a tire that delivers solid year-round traction with responsive handling and road manners. Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II: The Cinturato P7 All Season Plus II incorporates many of the features of the All-Season Plus, except with an updated tread formulation that’s engineered for low rolling resistance to boost fuel efficiency and minimize environmental impact. While the third-generation Mustang was a pretty pronounced improvement over the janky Mustang II, a set of modern Pirelli tires can still up the game considerably when it comes to handling, ride quality and road manners. Shop Tires on SimpleTire.com Fourth Generation Introduced in ‘94, the fourth-gen Mustang was technically still based on the “Fox” Fairmont platform, but with a completely redesigned body that more closely resembled other Ford-family cars of the time. The Ford development team put in a lot of work on noise/vibration/harshness, overhauled the suspension, offered many more interior options and generally tightened up build quality, and it definitely showed in the final product. Fourth-gen Mustangs could be had with anything from a base 145 hp V6 to a 305 hp version of the 4.6L modular V8, for a truly potent performance package. The “New Edge” Mustang GT was enough of a success to be named Car of the Year by Motor Trend, and these 90s-era Mustangs are still desirable on the collector market. Pirelli Tires for your Fourth-Generation Mustang Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season: Drivers love the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All Season for its combination of predictable handling on wet or dry pavement, fuel savings (thanks to a low-rolling-resistance tread formulation) and low noise. The Cinturato P7 All Season incorporates an asymmetric tread pattern, sipes and circumferential grooves to resist hydroplaning, and and a robust shoulder element for even wear, a forgiving ride and low road noise. Pirelli P Zero Nero GT: If you’re looking for a summer ultra-high-performance tire for your 90s Mustang, the P Zero Nero GT is a great choice. It features an asymmetric wide-rib tread design that resists tread squirm, a super-sticky tread formulation and internal structure that’s designed for a big, stable footprint to enhance cornering ability. Like all summer/UHP tires, the P Zero Nero GT will stiffen up at sub-freezing temperatures and shouldn’t be used when temperatures drop below 45 degrees F. Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season Plus: The P Zero Nero All Season Plus features many of the same performance innovations as its UHP counterpart, except with an updated tread compound that’s engineered for year-round traction even in light snow or slush. While the Mustang started to come into its own again in the 90s, they were still rolling on 90s-era rubber. If you’re one of the people who got a fourth-generation Mustang 25 years ago, you might be surprised at what a truly modern set of premium tires can do for your car’s handling, ride and general road manners. Shop Tires on SimpleTire.com Fifth Generation By the mid 00s, the New Edge Mustang was starting to look a little stale and dated. Ford’s design team came up with an all-new version of the ‘Stang that’s “retro-futuristic”: a full slate of modern engineering and design ideas with styling that’s more than just a little reminiscent of a late-60s Mustang. The fifth-gen ‘Stang is available with everything from a 210 hp V6 to a 310 hp V6 or V8s that offer anywhere from 460 hp to a jaw-dropping 662 hp. Inside, features like adaptive cruise control, a backup camera, lane management, accident avoidance and a full traction control/stability control suite make the Mustang a state-of-the-art American muscle car. Pirelli Tires for a Fifth Generation Mustang Pirelli P Zero Rosso Direzionale: The P Zero Rosso Direzionale builds on some of the features of other Pirelli tires (asymmetric tread, closed shoulder, directional tread pattern, sipes) but is engineered specifically for high-displacement, powerful sports coupes and sedans equipped with vehicle stability control and traction control. Pirelli P Zero PZ4:The P Zero PZ4 is a summer Max Performance tire with a shoulder design and tread formulation that can be custom-fit for your vehicle’s needs. Internally, the P Zero 4 also features a hybrid nylon/Kevlar cap along with its two steel belts for enhanced stability, as well as Pirelli Noise Cancelling System, a layer of sound-absorbing foam in the tire’s inner layer. Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus Pirelli P Zero All Season This is where modern Pirelli tires really come into their own -- working with a completely modern platform like a fifth-gen Mustang to bring out the car’s best performance. Low rolling resistance that boosts fuel economy, features that resist hydroplaning, and handling that’s as sure-footed as a slot car -- it’s all the things you don’t get with a sub-premium set of tires. Shop Tires on SimpleTire.com Sixth Generation For model year 2015, the Mustang was freshened up again with some subtle styling revisions, a bit more interior room, an independent rear suspension and dual-pivot MacPherson strut front suspension. The new-generation Mustang is a bit wider, a bit longer and features a state-of-the-art infotainment and navigation suite. Under the hood, the post-2015 Mustang is available with a 317 horsepower 2.3L EcoBoost 4cyl, 300 hp 3.8 V6 or a choice of 5.0L V8s that offer up to 460 horsepower. That’s not even thinking about the GT, Bullitt or Shelby editions.Changes to the 6th-gen Mustang may be subtle, but they reflect the continuous improvements to the car that have been going on since 1965. Pirelli Tires for your Sixth Generation Mustang Pirelli P Zero Nero All Season: The P Zero Nero All Season incorporates many of the features of the P Zero, except with an all-season rubber compound and tread design. The P Zero Nero All Season also offers a 45k mile treadwear warranty. Pirelli P Zero: The P Zero is an ultra-high-performance tire that’s OEM on vehicles like the Audi A8, Mercedes C-Class and VW Tiguan. The P Zero features a combination of tread design, rubber formulation and casing design that offer drivers a phenomenal combination of traction, handling, braking performance and ride quality. Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus As the Mustang evolves by increments over the years, so do its tire choices. This particular group of Pirelli tires offers the kind of control, safety, ride quality and traction that are as perfect for the Mustang as mustard is for a hot dog. Shop Tires on SimpleTire.com Wrapping Up Automotive technology has come a long, long way since the Mustang hit the market in the mid 60s; for that matter, it’s come a long way since the Fox-body Mustang of the 90s. Tire technology has been right there the whole time, with tire companies like Pirelli working alongside automotive engineers to develop tires that will work the best with their systems. Regardless of what kind of Mustang you’re driving, there’s a Pirelli tire that has the sorts of features and performance that will make your driving experience safer, more confident and more fun. Tires that are engineered to work with modern suspensions and braking and can handle high speeds and allow you to push the handling envelope a little more -- that’s what you need to get your Mustang’s best ride.

By Edward Jones – July 12, 2019

Custom PC Built to Look Like the GT 500 "Eleanor"

While pumping gas this morning on my way to work, I killed time by browsing through my subscriptions on Reddit. I saw one post that really caught my eye, titled: "Under The Hood GT 500 Eleanor Build." Being a car and computer guy, I immediately clicked and I'm glad I did.Redditor u/rtrain25 posted an image of his latest personal computer build to the r/pcmasterrace subreddit, a build that was designed after the famous Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 "Eleanor" from the film 'Gone in 60 Seconds'. If you're a fan of the film or Mustangs in general, this build is a dream. It took him about a year to complete and he actually used the original Pepper Gray paint used on the original GT 500. He also fashioned the reservoir for the water cooling system to look like a Nitrous tank. That's attention to detail. As for the components, it's a beefy build: Intel Core i7-8700K, 2x Asus GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB, Corsair Dominator Platinum ROG Edition 32 GB DDDR4-3200 memory, Asus ROG Maximus X Code motherboard and a massive amount of SSD storage. He noted that a lot of the components are previous gen because it took so long to build. That being said, GTX 1080 Ti SLI is pretty insane. If you're interested in building a computer, definitely check out PCPartPicker.com and Newegg.com. shop computer parts Thanks to r/rtrain25 for letting us write about his build!

By Edward Jones – February 22, 2019

Build Your Own LEGO 1960s Ford Mustang:Over 1-Foot Long!

Desktops, garages and shelving around the world ought to rejoice. A new LEGO 1960s Ford Mustang kit was just unveiled, and it looks like the perfect display piece for fans of the famous pony car. Consisting of 1,471 pieces, this replica of a classic Mustang is on point. In fact, LEGO built this kit with input from Ford. It features a dark-blue body with white racing stripes. The details found within this LEGO Mustang are quite astounding. Inside the cabin are seats, a radio, working steering and a gearshift. Up front is a big block 390 V8 engine that's detailed with a battery, hoses and even an air filter. There are also a number of customizable pieces that can be added on, like license plates, a supercharger, rear spoiler, big exhaust pipes, front spoiler and, of course, a nitrous oxide tank. LEGO also notes that that the lift of the rear axle can be adjusted to give the Mustang a more serious look. When built, it measures in at over 3-inches high, 13-inches long and 5-inches wide. It definitely won't take up as much space as the real thing. Expect a price tag of $149.99 when it releases on March 1st in LEGO Stores and on shop.LEGO.com. visit shop.lego.com Also Check Out: McLaren Senna by LEGO Speed Champions: Fast & Affordable 2018 Dodge Demon and 1970 Charger R/T Get New LEGO Kits Full-Size LEGO Bugatti Chiron That Can Be Driven

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