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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 – June 26, 2020

Perrelet Debuts New Turbine CAMO Limited Edition Watch

Perrelet has just debuted their new limited edition Turbine CAMO watch, which will have just 100 pieces made. Like the other Turbine watches form Perrelet, this one features a spinning dial but this time it exposes a light green, olive green, beige and brown camouflage pattern. Joining the camo design of the turbine is the rubber strap that includes a buckle with a black PVD coating. The case that encapsulates the in-house automatic movement measures in at 44mm and is made of stainless steel with black PVD coating. The movement boasts a 42 hour power reserve. It comes with a price of CHF 4,780, which equates to around $5,000. To learn more, be sure to contact Perrelet by clicking the button below. Visit Perrelet.com

By Edward Jones – June 26, 2020

Koenigsegg is Opening Up a Pop Up Store

Are you in need of some fresh Koenigsegg gear? Well, I hope you live near Ängelholm, Sweden because Koenigsegg is opening up a pop up store there. You'll be able to get exclusive Koenigsegg merch and get a chance to meet the Koenigsegg team as well. If you're a Koenigsegg fan and happen to be in the area, you don't want to miss this. The pop up store will open up on June 29 and will be open until July 4, 2020. It will be open on weekdays from 11AM to 6PM local time and Saturday from 10AM to 3PM local time. The address is Storgatan 31 Ängelholm. See All Koenigseggs for Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CB2xqjNJi2k/ Source: Instagram/Koenigsegg

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2020

TAG Heuer Launches Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edi...

TAG Heuer is continuing their 160th anniversary with their new Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition watch. The name "Montreal" comes from the collection of automatic chronographs that were launched way back in 1972. This new reinterpretation of the classic White Heuer Montreal watch is now set to be limited to just 1,000 pieces. The original on the left and the new Carrera 160 Years Montreal Limited Edition. This new watch features the Calibre Heuer 02 manufacture that is comprised of 168 components and has a power reserve of 80 hours. The movement is also very thin, at 6.95 mm, allowing it to be less obtrusive on the wearer's wrist and more comfortable. As for the design of the watch itself, it has a blue and white opaline dial with blue "azurage" subdials and yellow Super-LumiNova highlights. The case measures in at 39 mm and is constructed out of polished steel. Keeping the watch on the wearer's wrist is a blue alligator leather strap with a polished steel folding clasp. It comes with a price tag of $6,750 and can be pre-ordered now by clicking the button below. View on TAGHeuer.com

By Edward Jones – June 24, 2020

Panasonic's New Lumix G100 Camera is a Vloggers Dream

Panasonic has just revealed their new Lumix G100, a digital single lens mirrorless camera that they say will be a perfect fit for vloggers and those creating digital content. This new camera can record high-resolution QFHD 4K videos in 3840 x 2160 resolution at 30p or 24p in MP4 and Full-HD at 60p that's incredibly smooth thanks to the five-axis hybrid image stabilizer. As for what makes this a perfect fit for vloggers, aside from the crisp videos, there are quite a few features. First is the new Video Selfie mode that makes capturing selfie video effortless without having to change out the lens. When creating a selfie video, what's being record can easily be seen on the screen that can be swiveled around. The Lumix G100 also includes OZO Audio by Nokia, which is designed for sharing and playback on social media platforms. For sharing to social media, Panasonic has made it seamless through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities as well as the Lumix Sync app for iOS and Android. The pièce de résistance is the new Tripod Grip DMW-SHGR1 that connects to the camera via Bluetooth, allowing the photographer to start/stop video recording, release the shutter and enable/disable sleep mode. It comes with a price $750 without the tripod grip and is available now for pre-order. Its release is expected at the end of July. Shop Now Source: Panasonic

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2020

Check Out This Actual, Full-Size LEGO Ducati Panigale V4 ...

LEGO Italia and Ducati have joined forces to create a full-size, 1:1 Ducati Panigale V4 R Model built out of LEGO Technic pieces. The model was built by artist Riccardo Zangelmi who spent 400 hours putting it together. He also built the motorcycle and disassembled it eight different times until he came up with the perfect build. "Taking part in this project of LEGO Italia and Ducati was the most exciting professional challenge I’d ever faced," says Zangelmi. "It pushed me well beyond any limit and I succeeded by crossing the finishing line as part of a team." This full-size model comes just after LEGO unveiled the Ducati Panigale V4 R LEGO Technic set that's much more consumer friendly. 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. Click the button to shop the kit now. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – June 22, 2020

Period Correct Drops Summer 2020 Collection

Period Correct has just launched their new Summer 2020 collection, which is now available online. In their new collection, you'll find bright tones that match the summer vibes and items that include jackets, quarter-zips, tees, hats and made in the USA bags. If you're familiar with Period Correct, you know that their brand includes plenty of nods to the automotive world, including classic motorsports, as well as specific cars and drivers. This trend continues with the new Summer collection, so automotive enthusiasts will be hard-pressed to not pick a few different pieces to order. You can check out the entire lookbook in the gallery below and if you click the button, you'll be taken to PeriodCorrect.com to view the collection. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – June 18, 2020

New Urwerk UR-210 Last Edition Debuted

Urwerk is sending off their UR-210 model eight years after its unveiling with one final watch called the UR-210 Last Edition. This new watch boasts the same design and mechanics of the other UR-210 models, but this one has plenty of stylistic differences. First, the case itself is made of steel and titanium with black DLC coating. Matching the case is the central carousel that tells the hour within it and the minutes on the end of its hand. The numerals and indexes of the watch are in orange, while hints of green can be found on the 60-minute marker and power reserve indicator. A black leather strap is also included to continue the black and orange color palette. This is a stunning way to send off the magnificent UR-210 model. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Learn More

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2020

You Can Buy a Batman and Batmobile Made of Swarovski Crys...

Batman fans looking to fill a space on their shelves or desk, I have what you're looking for. Swarovski now has a Batman and Batmobile for sale that's made of their famous crystals. The majority of the hero and his ride are made of jet black and gray Swarovski crystals, while a few other facets were also used to add detail. Unfortunately, you can't fit Batman inside his Batmobile and roll him around, but that's expected as these items are definitely not toys. You can purchase the two together as a set on Swarovski's website for $869 now. You can also purchase them separately for $529 a pop, so it's best to just spend the little extra and finish the set. Click the button below to shop them on Swarovski.com. Shop Now Source: Swarovski.com

By Edward Jones – June 12, 2020

Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer in Rose Gold Debuted

Frederique Constant has unveiled a new Rose Gold version of their phenomenal Classic Worldtimer Manufacture. This new watch has an 18-carat gold case for the very first time since the watch was added to Frederique Constant's collections about 10 years ago. New rose-gold accents can also be found on the four hands. On the dial, a map of the world is portrayed while the 24 world time zones and their 24 principal cities can be easily read. Creating the visual of the world map is a blue dial that matches beautifully with the rose golf. Below the map is a date counter at the 6 o'clock that has a sunray guilloché pattern in blue. For those who travel and want to tell time on their own watch no matter where they're at, this watch is a must-have. The new Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer in Rose Gold is limited to just 88 pieces and it comes with a price tag of $14,995. For more information, click the button below. Learn More

By Edward Jones – June 11, 2020

Gran Turismo 7 for the PS5 Revealed

The new PlayStatation 5 console has just been revealed and so has the new Gran Turismo 7 video game. This new iteration of the beloved automotive racing franchise is back to take advantage of the PS5's incredible capabilities and we couldn't be more than excited. Just imagine racing through your favorite track in your favorite car in 8K. Now that's a proper way to game. In the trailer for the new game, found down below, you can see that every type of car and racing circuit is coming to Gran Turismo 7. They even have the famous Porsche 917 in the Gulf livery featured in the trailer, as well as the Mazda RX-Vision GT3 concept car. The gameplay of the new video game is also included in the trailer below and it just looks incredible. An official release date has not been announced as of yet, but we'll bring you more information as it's release. Shop Gran Turismo Games " width="680">

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