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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 17, 2020

Supreme x Jacob & Co. Watches Revealed for Fall/Winter Co...

Supreme's new Fall/Winter 2020 collection has been revealed and a pair of very special watches are included. These new Supreme x Jacob & Co. Time Zone 40mm and 47mm watches are surely going to sought after by both watch collectors and fans of the Supreme brand. These watches come with the ability to read out four different timezones, and even have three of the subdials named for New York, Paris, and Tokyo. Surrounding the dial of the 40mm version are 52 white diamonds (~2.08cts), while the 47mm watch has 51 white diamonds (~3.06cts). Each comes with an alligator strap. You can see more of the collection by clicking the button below. View Collection Source: SupremeNewYork.com

By Edward Jones – August 17, 2020

New Lamborghini Edition Go Kart Announced

If there's one thing that all automotive enthusiasts, and just about everyone else, can agree on it's that go karting is way too much fun. If you're one of the many that goes to the track for league nights or just free races, like our own @racecardyl, you know that go karting is addictive and if you could do it every day, you would. Well, for Lamborghini fans, Xiaomi has just announced just the thing for you. The new Ninebot GoKart Pro Lamborghini Edition is a stylish and intuitive way to race around your neighborhood in a go kart. This special edition go kart actually consists of a Segway Ninebot S connected to a special kit that converts the two-wheel's transporter into a go kart. Making this Lamborghini Edition more special is the new livery, rear spoiler, custom tires and more. We haven't found a way to purchase this edition in the United States as it looks to only be available in China with a price tag of 9,999 Chinese Yuan, which equates to just under $1,500 USD. However, the Ninebot Gokart kit is currently for sale now at $849.99. You can see it by clicking the button below. Shop Now Source: Xiaomi/Facebook

By Edward Jones – August 14, 2020

Eberhard & Co. Introduces a New Look for the Traversetolo

The Traversetolo is one of Eberhard & Co.'s most popular watches and now it's getting a new look. This watch is known for its oversized case and stunning design. The new Traversetolo look is one that has been inspired by "hope" and that's why its called "Hope." Eberhard & Co. picked the color green for this dial because they say it is a "symbol of hope, rebirth and force of nature." The green dial also has a "soleil" finish, which gives it depth. Coming with the new Traversetolo is a closed caseback but the “Vitré” variant has a sapphire glass caseback. This new watch will be available at authorized Eberhard & Co. dealers this summer. Visit Eberhard-Co-Watches.com

By Edward Jones – August 14, 2020

New Bentley Fragrance Introduced for Men

Bentley has just introduced a new fragrance that's been added to their Bentley For Men range. This unique fragrance was developed by Ane Ayo, a young perfumer who is truly up and coming in the perfume world. This new fragrance is called "Silverlake" and it was inspired by the air of the outdoors. You know, the scent you can smell when cruising in a Continental GTC with the top down. While you can't smell this new fragrance through a screen, I can at least describe its notes. It starts with peppermint and lemon top notes that are crisp and refreshing. Then comes the middle notes of lavender, pink pepper and violet leaves that are reminiscent of a forest surrounding a lake. For the finish, the base notes consist of woody amber and white musks for a fantastic and deep trail. Bentley's new Silverlake fragrance comes in a beautiful bottle that's been lacquered in silver in a way that it's half transparent and half opaque. Bentley says this was done to echo the surface of a mountain lake. You can purchase this fragrance for yourself now on Bentley's online shop by clicking the button below. It has a price of $90.67, but it's unfortunately only available in the Europe. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – August 11, 2020

New Tag Heuer Watch Celebrates 104th Indianapolis 500

Tag Heuer is celebrating not only the 104th Indianapolis 500 but also their 16th year as the Official Timekeeper of the NTT Indycar Series with a new special-edition watch. Introducing, the new Tag Heuer 43 mm Formula 1 Indy 500 2020 Special Edition chronograph. This watch was designed to pay homage to the Indy racetrack itself and the Indy 500 race. For example, there are red accents and a brick motif on the dial that comes from the racetrack's "The Brickyard" nickname. There's also the Indy 500 logo on the 6 o'clock subdial and the words "INDY 500" engraved in red on the ceramic bezel. Fixing the watch to the wearer's wrist is a black rubber strap that could easily be fitted over a racing suit, according to Tag Heuer. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Visit TagHeuer.com

By Edward Jones – August 07, 2020

Oakley's Wild Precious Mettle OVERTHETOPs Launch at $2k

Oakley has launched the new Precious Mettle OVERTHETOP sunglasses, which celebrate the 20th anniversary of the original OVERTHETOPs. It's a bit of a somber story, because the original pair was created for the 2000 Summer Olympics and these ones are being released during a year when the Olympics have been postponed until 2021. Still, Oakley is celebrating the iconic sunglasses' anniversary with the new Precious Mettle colorway that consists of aged gold, silver and bronze. Basically, these sunglasses represent the entire podium. Only 20 examples of the Precious Mettle OVERTHETOPs will be created, each with a price tag of $2,000. You can check them out for yourself by clicking the button below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – August 07, 2020

New Bentley Continental GT Bespoke Model is Made of Over ...

The Bentley Continental GT is undoubtedly the most popular model in the British automaker's lineup. If you're one of the many who have fallen in love with the Continental GT, then you ought to check out this new model. The new Bentley Continental GT Bespoke model comes in 1:8 scale and has a wild list of bespoke options just like the real thing. These options include paint, seats, stitching, veneer effect, wheels, alloys. What's more the colors and finishes are made to perfectly made the authentic options used in the real Continental GT. Each model is built under Bentley Design Studio's supervision from start to finish. They take around 300 hours in total to create and consist of over 1,000 individual pieces. If you'd like to order a 1:8 Continental GT Bespoke model for yourself, Bentley suggests using their car configurator first to visualize what you want. When you do decide, you can order one for yourself by clicking the button below. The price is set at $9,181.92 and they take around 20 weeks from order confirmation to be delivered- you can't rush perfection. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2020

The Perfect Gear for Mercedes-AMG Enthusiasts

From elegant watches to sporty shoes, the AMG Performance Wear has highlighted what every AMG enthusiast should be rocking. Introduced in AMG's '63 Magazine', this collection of items has a lot of variety. The highlight of these items ahs to be the IWC watches for both men and women. If you didn't know, IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG have collaborated on watches in the past, like the Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition "50th Anniversary of Mercedes-AMG." Other items in the collection include the AMG Fall Jackets for both men and women, sneakers from the "Santoni for AMG" collection, and the weekender bag from the Mercedes-AMG Burn Out Bag collection. Check them out for yourself by clicking the button below. Browse the Collection https://www.instagram.com/p/CDbteAUqAQb/

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2020

Period Correct Drops New 009 030 Collection Inspired by t...

While we still wait for a real Apple Car to be released, we can still reminisce about the iconic and classic Porsche 935 K3 race car that donned an Apple Livery. This race car came to life after some pretty awesome circumstances. Long story short, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak went to a shop new their headquarter in Cupertino back in 1980 to have Jobs' 935 worked on. After talking to the owner, Bob Garretson, for some time, Apple ended up sponsored his race team. The Apple livery on a Porsche made perfect sense considering Jobs was a huge fan of German design. Period Correct knows just how important the 935 K3 Apple Car is to automotive and motorsports enthusiasts and that's why they've dropped a collection surrounding its mythos. The collection includes shirts, a jacket and hat, all of which feature the colors of the iconic livery in some way. Check it out for yourself by clicking the button below. Shop the Collection https://www.instagram.com/p/CDK7-ejjs1a/

By Edward Jones – August 03, 2020

Puma and Race Service Launch New RS-Fast Sneakers With Mc...

Puma has just launched their new RS-Fast sneakers, and Race Service has joined them to celebrate the new drop. At the Puma store in NYC, Race Service pulled up in their custom-wrapped McLaren 570S that matches the white, peach and blue RS-Fast colorway. If you want to promote a shoe with the word "fast" in it, there's no better way than to do it with a McLaren. As for the shoes, they are available in two colors ways, the aforementioned one and Red/Black. They follow the same silhouette as the previous sneakers in the RS collection but have new designs on the upper. The RS-Fast sneaker is available for sale now at $110 and comes with a signed autograph card by Gunna while supplies last. Shop on PUMA.com https://www.instagram.com/p/CDZmyXHHoHK/

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