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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 24, 2021

Daniel Ricciardo's "ALL GOOD / ALL WAYS" Collection Released

Show you support for Daniel Ricciardo with his new ALL GOOD / ALL WAYS collection that was made in collaboration with Ornamental Conifer and Race Service. Daniel Ricciardo is going into the 2021 Formula 1 season with positive vibes that can be summed up with one saying: "ALL GOOD / ALL WAYS." This message basically means everything is going to be alright no matter who you are. You can spread his positive vibes with his new ALL GOOD / ALL WAYS collection that was created in collaboration with Ornamental Conifer, who also designed his 2021 F1 helmet, and Race Service. Within this collection is a lot of gear, including hoodies, long-sleeve tees, short sleeve tees, hats and even a Nalgene bottle. When it comes to the shirts and hoodies, they come in both black/seafoam and seafoam/purple. The entire collection is worth adding to your wardrobe, so check it out for yourself by clicking button below which will take you to Shop.DanielRicciardo.com. Shop The Collection Source: shop.danielricciardo.com

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2021

Porsche Design is the GP Ice Race's Official Timing Partn...

For the third time in a row, Porsche Design is the GP Ice Race's Official Timing Partner, offering precise timekeeping in absolute style. Once a year at Zell am See, motorsports enthusiasts gather for a weekend of incredible motoring called the GP Ice Race. This location also happens to be the home of Studio F. A. Porsche, making them a perfect fit to be the Official Timing Partner of the GP Ice Race. The 2021 edition of the event marks the third time in a row that Porsche Design has been the official timing partner for the event. Porsche Design's watchmaking abilities are quite astounding, especially when you learn that their configurator has 1.5 million possibilist when it comes to watch designs. These custom-built timepieces are all built upon the Porsche Design Chronotime Series 1 and are created in their watchmaking factory in Switzerland. If you'd like to design the Porsche Design watch of your dreams, be sure to visit their configurator and get ready to use your imagination. Shop Porsche Design

By Edward Jones – March 23, 2021

Master & Dynamic Introduces the MW08 True Wireless Earpho...

Master & Dynamic have announced their new MW08 True Wireless Earphones that include premium materials and active noise-cancellation. If you were a fan of Master & Dynamic's MW07 True Wireless Earphones, which you should have been, you're going to love the new MW08s. These new earphones are a perfect culmination of design, quality, and precise audio engineering. The "D"-shaped design seen on previous earphones remains but now with a sturdy and lightweight combination of ceramic and stainless steel. While the exterior may be quite the sight, it's inside where the magic happens. The 11mm Beryllium drivers, Bluetooth 5.2, and 6-microphone system all combine to create the perfect wireless audio experience. When it comes to music, the active noise-cancellation (ANC) provides an incredibly immersive experience. If you've ever experience ANC before, you know just how much of a game-changer this technology is. For phone calls, the six-microphone system with noise and wind reduction provides clear calls no matter the situation. One other aspect that many earphone shoppers look for is battery life, and with the new MW08 True Wireless Earphones, there's plenty of juice. Master & Dynamic notes that the earphones themselves offer 12 hours of playtime while the case can provide an additional 30 hours, resulting in a total of 42 hours. To bring all of the features of the new MW08s together is Master & Dynamic's new M&D Connect app. This new app will allow users to customize their listening experience to their liking. The new Master & Dynamic MW08 Active Noise-Cancelling True Wireless Earphones will be available starting on March 30, 2021 with a price of $299. They will be available in Black Ceramic/Matte Black Stainless Steel, White Ceramic/Stainless Steel, Brown Ceramic/Stainless Steel, and Blue Ceramic/Graphite Grey Stainless Steel. You can sign up to be notified when they've available by clicking here. Shop Master & Dynamic

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 19, 2021

EveryDrive Carry: A Porsche Packed Weekend

Porsche operates as a brand that continues to push the boundaries of performance and design in all areas of manufacturing. Whether it's a 2021 Porsche 992 911 Turbo S or the Porsche Design P’8688 Sunglasses, the brand follows the same process of using premium materials and technology to create a line of premium products. This week’s EveryDrive Carry features a list of luxury watches, apparel, footwear, and accessories to compliment the German supercar. Shop all of the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. For more EveryDrive Carry news, Check out EveryDrive Carry: Lamborghini Lifestyle Porsche 2021 Porsche 992 911 Turbo S MSRP $205,750 View All Porsche 911 Turbo S For Sale Ever since Porsche introduced the Turbo model designation for the 911 flagship 45 years ago, the name has stood all over the world for the fastest, most exciting and best variant. The Turbo has become the synonym for the top-of-the-range model in the same way as Sellotape® stands for sticky tape or Kleenex® for tissues. Porsche Design Porsche Design Chronotimer Series 1 $4,750 Buy From Porsche Design Timepiece of the first series made by Porsche Design. Sevenfold coated Sapphire crystal. Sapphire case back. Automatic chronograph (caliber ETA-Valjoux 7750) with Porsche Design Icon rotor for highest precision. Glass bead-blasted titanium case and bracelet with matte black titanium carbide coating. Swiss Made. Porsche Design Porsche Design x Acer Book RS I7 $1,699 Buy From Porsche Design Compact, versatile, unmistakably exclusive: the high-end nature of the Porsche Design Acer BOOK RS Business & Travel Notebook is hard to overlook. The A-cover crafted from high-performance carbon, a material valued in motorsports, is not only visually unique but also incredibly light. Nike Porsche Design evoKNIT Backpack $280 Buy From Puma Move through the city in ease and style with the Porsche Design Backpack. Created with PUMA's lightweight evoKNIT material, this backpack features a comfortable, portable design and easily accessible storage to make your day smooth and seamless. Bric's Milano Porsche Design Wallet 6 CC COIN $99 Buy From Bric's Milano Modern style meets maximum utility in the spacious Tumi Tahoe Finch backpack featuring a padded laptop compartment and convenient waterproof cover. Puma Porsche Legacy RS-Fast Sneakers $120 Buy From Puma Meet the icons of fast. Faster and fresher than any of our RS kicks yet, RS-Fast from PUMA and Porsche Legacy combines early 2000s design with sleek motorsport elements, including a special edition keychain that pays tribute to the legacy of the 911 Turbo. Porsche Design Porsche Design Sunglasses P´8688 $635 Buy From Porsche Design Power intermingled with purist precision: inspired by the silhouette of the Porsche 911, the modern Porsche Design P'8688 Liquid Titanium sunglasses put a new spin on the Flowing Titanium series. Organic, elegant forms suggest the flowing movements of liquid metal, captured in a 100% ultralight titanium frame. Puma PUMA x NEMEN Men's Full Zip Racing Top $200 Buy From Puma The debut of PUMA x NEMEN draws inspiration from motorsport and military gear. With high-quality materials, premium executions and functional racing elements, this elevated racing layer is ready for action. LARQ LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle, 25 oz. $118.25 Buy From LARQ The LARQ Bottle PureVis is the world's first self-cleaning water bottle and water purification system. It uses UV-C LED light to eliminate up to 99.9999% of bio-contaminants from your water and bottle. Puma Porsche Design Duffel Bag $300 Buy From Puma Made from recycled materials, this sporty duffle bag features a special compartment for your sunglasses, another for your shoes, an exclusive internal mat and a padded handle. And, of course, it boasts the Porsche Design logo in 3D reflective technology. In short, it's made to be used and made to be seen.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 19, 2021

McLaren F1's New Hawaiian Tropical Shirt Is Daniel Riccia...

Just in time for the Season 3 premiere of the popular Netflix series “Drive To Survive”, McLaren F1 just announced the release of a Hawaiian Tropical Shirt to its web-store. Naturally, the vibrant McLaren orange and blue floral top is enjoyed by fun-spirited team driver Daniel Ricciardo, who has already posted a picture of him in the shirt to Instagram. The collar button-down shirt is made from premium materials, ensuring a comfortable wear while supporting McLaren F1. The McLaren F1 Hawaiian Tropical Shirt is currently available for $85.50 by clicking the link below. Shop Now McLaren F1 For more Gear news, Check out Shop The New Bugatti Lifestyle Collection Available Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2021

Shop The New Bugatti Lifestyle Collection Available Now

The Bugatti brand made its grand entrance into the automotive world as a manufacturer looking to push the boundaries of luxury, performance, and comfort. Bugatti is proud to announce that it is celebrating its line of vehicles with a commemorative lifestyle collection. The merchandise collection features jackets, t-shirts, hats, bags, and accessories sporting the powerful Bugatti logo. Made from premium materials, the merchandise line incorporates the same attention to detail as each vehicle assembled. Whether you are the lucky owner or a Bugatti enthusiast looking to add some performance to the closet, the Bugatti Lifestyle Collection has you covered. Shop the sleek black apparel and accessories from the Bugatti Lifestyle Collection by clicking the link below. Shop Bugatti Lifestyle Image Source: Bugatti For more Gear news, Check out EveryDrive Carry: Lamborghini Lifestyle

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2021

Hot Wheels Announces Its 2021 Legends Tour Competition

Hot Wheels by Mattel is happy to announce that the ever-popular Legends Tour competition will be returning for 2021. In partnership with Mobile 1, the event will be traveling to 14 countries and 5 continents offering global fans the unique opportunity to have their one-of-a-kind life-size car creations forever immortalized as the next Hot Wheels Garage of Legends 1:64 die-cast toy. The live and virtual events kicking off in April with Livestream stops in New Zealand (April 15), Australia (April 22), and the U.S. and Canada (April 29), with future stops to be announced soon. At each stop of the tour regional winners and a Mobile 1 Fan Favorite will be chosen, which will then enter them into a semi-final round before the Grand Final event in November. In addition to being immortalized as a Hot Wheels 1:64 scale die-cast, previous winners will soon be available for purchase and play through the Forza™ Horizon 4 video game through the Hot Wheels Legends Car Pack on Xbox, Windows 10, iOS, and Android devices. Look out for a Hot Wheels Legends Tour in partnership with Mobile 1 stop near you and shop Hot Wheels by clicking the link below. Shop Hot Wheels For more Gear news, Check out Lewis Hamilton Joins LG SIGNATURE As Its New Brand Ambassador

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 17, 2021

Wheels X Wardrobe: St. Patrick's Day Style

St. Patrick’s Day is the time for everyone to grab some green gear to celebrate with friends and family, as well as the ultra-green Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-R. The performance-focused coupe made its entry to the automotive world in its vibrant green launch color. This week’s Wheels x Wardrobe features a list of the best green apparel and accessories to bring to the festivities. Shop all of the products featured in this special Wheels x Wardrobe by clicking the links below. Vehicle Mercedes-Benz AMG Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-R MSRP $162,900 View All Mercedes-AMG GT-R For Sale Watch Jomashop Rolex Submariner "Hulk" Green Steel 116610LV $21,995 Buy From Jomashop Top Nordstrom VISVIM Lumber Uneven Dye Cotton Twill Shirt $493.50 Buy From Nordstrom Sak's Fifth Avenue Commes des Garçon PLAY Red Heart Tee $123 Buy From Sak's Fifth Avenue Bottom Rag & Bone Rag & Bone Fit 2 - Linen Rinse $225 Buy From Rag & Bone Footwear Puma Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Future Rider Sneakers $90 Buy From Puma Accessories Sunglass Hut Ray-Ban RB3689 Sunglasses $204 Buy From Sunglass Hut F1 Store Mercedes AMG Petronas Racer Cap $36 Buy From The F1 Store F1 Store Mercedes AMG Petronas Sports Bottle $179.99 Buy From The F1 Store Mulberry Mulberry Green Silky Calf 8-Card Coin Wallet $288 Buy From Mulberry Away Away Nylon Green Backpack $165 Buy From Away The St. Patrick's Day Style Breakdown Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-R MSRP $162,900 Rolex Submariner "Hulk" Green Steel 116610LV $21,995 VISVIM Lumber Uneven Dye Cotton Twill Shirt $493.50 Commes des Garçon PLAY Red Heart Tee $123 Rag & Bone Fit 2 - Linen Rinse $225 Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Future Rider Sneakers $90 Ray-Ban RB3689 Sunglasses $204 Mercedes AMG Petronas Racer Cap $36 Mercedes AMG Petronas Sports Bottle $30 Mulberry Green Silky Calf 8-Card Coin Wallet $288 Away Nylon Green Backpack $165 For more Wheels x Wardrobe, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: F8 Fashion

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 17, 2021

Puma Motorsport Releases New Apparel & Accessories For Sp...

Puma Motorsport continues its 2021 collection featuring top manufacturers and teams like BMW M Motorsports, Scuderia Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, Porsche Design, and Mercedes-AMG Petronas. Puma is proud to announce its most recent release featuring apparel, footwear, baggage, and accessories that are performance-focused for all drivers and enthusiasts of the sport. Throughout the new lineup, factory team branding is found stamped proudly on each piece. Using premium materials and state-of-the-art technology, Puma creates the perfect style for on and off the track. Shop the newest releases from the Puma Spring/Summer 2021 Collection by clicking the link below. Shop Puma Motorsport Image Source: Puma For more Gear news, Check out Discover The New Bugatti La Voiture Noire Lifestyle Collection

By Edward Jones – March 16, 2021

Nighthawk Custom: Handbuilding The World’s Finest Custom ...

Presented by Nighthawk Custom - At Nighthawk Custom, each pistol is built from start to finish by a single gunsmith. Our slogan and philosophy, “ONE GUN, ONE GUNSMITH,” is the direct result of how we build our firearms. Every part used in Nighthawk Custom 1911s have been Fully Machined from bar stock billet steel and are oversized to later be hand fit. In order to create the finest 1911’s in the world, only the finest materials can be used. Starting with oversized, raw parts, our gunsmiths handcraft the pistol part by part to create a functional piece of art. All 46 parts are fit to that certain pistol, making it a unique and unrivaled pistol. Once a pistol is hand built, the builder test fires the pistol to ensure that it meets both The Nighthawk Custom Standard, and their own. The next step is prep, which consists of the exterior of the pistol. This will be sanding out every machine mark, de-burring, smoothing, and putting on hand bevels on any 90-degree angles. The gunsmith then uses a personalized metal stamp with his initials to stamp under the left grip panel of the pistol. That gunsmith’s reputation, along with Nighthawk Custom’s, will live with that pistol for the life of the firearm. This creates the highest level of accountability! While this might not be the fastest, most efficient, or most cost-effective way to build a firearm, it is the way that our customers expect and deserve. The One Gun, One Gunsmith approach creates the highest level of ownership, and it signifies the pride and commitment our gunsmiths take in the work they do. Every Nighthawk Custom pistol comes with a lifetime guarantee. This is because we fully stand behind what we do. Ultimately creating heirloom quality firearms that are designed to be passed down from generation to generation. This applies to all of our 1911s handbuilt in the USA, Korth Revolvers of Germany, and Cosmi Shotguns of Italy. Please call us 866-618-4492 or visit us at nighthawkcustom.com. Visit NighthawkCustom.com

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