Gear

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 Jordan Aquistapace – March 05, 2021

Persol Releases Limited-Edition 24k Gold Steve McQueen Su...

Most if not all car enthusiasts can agree that Steve McQueen is one of the most influential figures in the automotive world, starring in the iconic motorsports film ‘Le Mans’. Persol is paying homage to Steve McQueen’s infamous style with its new 714SM Collection featuring a 24k Gold Plated pair. The Persol 714SM Havana sunglasses are inspired by the first-ever folding Pilot-style frames from the 1960s. Made in Italy, the tortoise-colored Acetate frames house 24k Gold plated crystal lenses, making the limited-edition design the most collectible of the four pairs. Each pair comes with a genuine brown leather case stamped with 'Steve McQueen' to signify the special release by Persol. The limited-edition Persol 714SM 24k Gold sunglasses are currently available through the manufacturer for the price of $790. Shop Now Image Source: Persol For more Gear news, Check out Hot Wheels Lifts Its Membership Limit On Collectors Community

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 05, 2021

Hot Wheels Lifts Its Membership Limit On Collectors Commu...

The Hot Wheels Collectors membership community allows adults 18+ access to some of the highest-quality cars. Hot Wheels is now proud to announce that the Collectors Membership limit will be lifted, opening the community to any adults with a passion for collectible cars. For 2021 the Hot Wheels Collectors club is expanding its membership plans to include a digital option with greater accessibility and more opportunities to get in on the fun. The Membership Car Kit option will include a limited edition 2021 Red Line Club ‘70 Boss 302 Mustang (while supplies last). Whether fans are renewing their membership or jumping in for the first time, 2021 Hot Wheels Collectors memberships will become available on March 9, 2021, at 9:00 AM PT. Click the link below to sign up for the 2021 Hot Wheels Collectors membership community. Hot Wheels Collectors Sign-Up For more Gear news, Check out The All-New Porsche Electric Sport and Cross eBikes Are Now Available

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 03, 2021

Wheels X Wardrobe: F8 Fashion

As temperatures begin to rise and garage doors are opening for supercar owners, we can’t be any more excited to be back on the road in our favorite super and hypercars. What better way to celebrate the season for car shows and rallies than with a 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo finished in Bianco Avus. In this week’s Wheels x Wardrobe, we pair the perfect performance outfit and accessories with the Italian supercar courtesy of Ferrari South Bay in Torrance, California. Shop all of the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. Vehicle duPont REGISTRY 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo $369,000 View All Ferrari F8 Tributo For Sale Watch Jomashop Hublot Big Bang UNICO Mat Black Dial Ceramic Chronograph $14,495 Buy From Jomashop Top Ferrari Store Ferrari Made In Italy Men's Leather Jacket With Shoulder Fit $1,450 Buy From The Ferrari Store Nordstrom ART COMES FIRST Logo Pocket T-Shirt $89 Buy From Nordstrom Bottom Ssense A.P.C. Black Petit Standard Jeans $220 Buy From Ssense Footwear Puma Puma Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat Motorsport Shoes $100 Buy From Puma Accessories Puma Puma Scuderia Ferrari Low Classic Motorsport Cap $40 Buy From Puma Sunglass Hut Ray-Ban RB2448NM Scuderia Ferrari Collection $262 Buy From Sunglass Hut End Clothing A BATHING APE ABC Neon Camo Case & Mask $25 Buy From End Clothing Ferrari Store Ferrari Hyperformula Horizontal Wallet, Made In Italy $140 Buy From The Ferrari Store Ferrari Store Ferrari Technical Fabric Hyperformula Backpack $390 Buy From The Ferrari Store The Ferrari Fashion Breakdown 2020 Ferrari F8 Tributo $369,000 Hublot Big Bang UNICO Mat Black Dial Ceramic Chronograph $14,495 Ferrari Made In Italy Men's Leather Jacket With Shoulder Fit $1,450 ART COMES FIRST Logo Pocket T-Shirt $89 A.P.C. Black Petit Standard Jeans $220 Puma Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat Motorsport Shoes $100 Puma Scuderia Ferrari Low Classic Motorsport Cap $40 Ray-Ban RB2448NM Scuderia Ferrari Collection $262 A BATHING APE ABC Neon Camo Case & Mask $25 Ferrari Hyperformula Horizontal Wallet, Made In Italy $140 Ferrari Technical Fabric Hyperformula Backpack $390 For more Wheels x Wardrobe, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: Outfitted In Overfinch Performance

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2021

Fly Like the Pros With DJI's New FPV Drone

Having flown a few drones myself, I know that the excitement of experiencing a view from up above that you control is unmatched. However, I've typically experienced these views via a controller and phone, and never through a headset. But that may just change with DJI's latest release. DJI is now making it easier than ever to get the most immersive drone experience with their new FPV drone. This new drone gives it's pilot a 4L/60fps Super-Wide 150° FOV through the accompanying goggles. What's more, this drone is easy to fly thanks to the new DJI Motion Controller that looks just like a joystick (sold separately for $199). If you've ever wanted to take your drone flying to the next level but didn't know where to start, the new DJI FPV is an excellent choice. You can purchase it now for $1,299. Click the button below for more info. Shop Now On DJI.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 02, 2021

Garage Welt Announces Its Delivery 2 Art Skateboard Deck ...

Throughout the history of motorsports, there have been drivers, cars, races, and teams that left a monumental impact on the automotive world. Garage Welt is a brand that continues to celebrate those milestones through curation of art and lifestyle. Along with its collection of apparel, Garage Welt is also known for creating limited production skateboard decks displaying some of the most iconic cars in the world. Garage Welt is proud to announce the upcoming release of its Delivery 2 Art Deck Collection. Three of the vehicles featured in the collection are from the personal collection of Chicago car enthusiast Richard Fisher (@fish2556). The collection of skateboard decks include PATINAE24 (M635csi), FISHRALLYE (Mk1 Gti), FISHGT3 (996 GT3), FISHMK4 (Mk4 Supra), TICTAC (BMW E30), DIESELPWR (BMW E46), PREPDK (997 GT3RS 4.0), and GT50 (Ferrari F50GT). Check back in for a How To Buy special on the Garage Welt Delivery 2 Art Deck Collection. For more Gear news, Check out The New 2021 Aston Martin F1 Team Collection Is Now Available

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 01, 2021

The New 2021 Aston Martin F1 Team Collection Is Now Avail...

As the 2021 Motorsport season kicks off, we see teams and manufacturers unveiling gear for fans to show support throughout the year. In celebration of returning to the world of Grand Prix, Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team is proud to release a head-to-toe collection featuring products and accessories sporting the manufacturer’s designs. The collection includes hats, jackets, vests, sweatshirts, t-shirts, bags, bottles, and accessories. Inspired to prove success throughout the season, the AM F1 Collection digs into the roots of the brand using infamous badging and color codes. No matter the condition, Aston Martin has you covered with its line of outerwear, commonly seen on team members at tracks with chilling temperatures. The 2021 Aston Martin F1 Team Apparel Collection is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Aston Martin F1 Collection For more Gear news, Check out The New C SEED 165″ 4K Television Self-Folds Away In Seconds And Costs $400,000

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 01, 2021

Lexus x RTFKT Design A Futuristic One-of-One Sneaker To C...

The automotive industry continues to play a role in the streetwear world, especially in the form of sneaker collaborations. To celebrate the launch of the 2021 IS, Lexus teamed up with the custom sneaker designers at RTFKT to create a one-of-one shoe featuring design elements inspired by the IS 350 F Sport Dynamic Handling Package. The virtual design presents a minimalistic silhouette that boasts performance and traction, just as Lexus intended with its 2021 IS collection. Aesthetically, the sneaker incorporates areas of the vehicle like the signature spindle grille and carbon fiber rear spoiler, while the styling reflects the paint code and performance accents. The sneaker collaboration by Lexus x RTFKT was documented by entertainment media company Complex titled “Rubber & Sole”, a three-part video series following the creative process. Although we aren’t able to purchase a pair, it's still a step forward in the world of automotive sneaker collaborations. For more Gear news, Check out The New Leica Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams is Both Limited and Stylish

By Edward Jones – February 26, 2021

The New Leica Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams is Both Lim...

If you didn't know, Daniel Craig is actually an avid photographer as well as an incredible actor. He recently teamed up with Greg Williams, a renowned photography, to create the new Leica Q2 Daniel Craig x Greg Williams compact camera. Making this camera so special are a few touches that make it a very stylish piece of equipment. The exterior is primarily black, but the gold engraving breaks it apart in a beautiful manner. Under the display cover glass, the serial number and name of the special edition camera can be found, signifying it's limited edition status. Accompanying the camera is a carrying strap made of vegetable tanned calf nappa leather. It comes with a price tag of $6,995 and only 750 units will be created. Pre-Order Now Source: LeicaCameraUSA.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 26, 2021

EveryDrive Carry: Weekend Excursions With The Rezvani Tank

After a long work week, it’s best to get some fresh air and enjoy the great outdoors, and the easiest way to find new roads is with the 2021 Rezvani Tank. Created to take you places that haven’t been traveled by normal production 4x4 vehicles, Rezvani allows for a complete custom build, ensuring all your needs are met. This week’s EveryDrive Carry features a list of the top essentials to take on the weekend excursion of a lifetime. Shop all of the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. For more EveryDrive Carry news, Check out EveryDrive Carry: Ferrari 812 GTS Delivery Day Rezvani 2021 Rezvani Tank MSRP Starting at $155,000 View All Rezvani Tanks For Sale Born from the vision of a pure driving experience, the Rezvani Tank was designed to be the most capable vehicle on and off the road. At it’s heart is an optional 500 horsepower 6.4L V8 Dodge SRT motor or a 1,000 Horsepower 6.2L Supercharged V8 from the Dodge Demon. A 3.6L V6 is standard. Garmin USA Garmin tactix® Delta - Sapphire Edition $899.99 Buy From Garmin USA Ruggedly designed to meet military standards, this premium GPS smartwatch offers specialized tactical features as well as mapping, music, advanced training features and more. Backcountry Outdoor Research Advocate Trucker Cap $28.95 Buy From Backcountry The Advocate Cap"”with its snap closure, mesh trucker back and vintage-inspired patch logo"”is at home in the backcountry or skating down the Venice boardwalk. Cabela's 5.11 All Hazards Prime Backpack - Double Tap $199.99 Buy From Cabela's The 5.11 Tactical® All Hazards Prime Backpack was designed with direct input from MACTAC instructors. It is the ultimate survival/duty pack, with all the key features you need to take care of business. The benefits of this pack include padded laptop and tablet sleeves, hydration compartment, compressions straps, tear-out medical pouches, interior web platform, quick-access side pockets, and a grab-and-go handle. The Medford Guy Medford Knife and Tool - Praetorian Swift FL Flipper $500 Buy From The Medford Guy This is an elegant frame lock take on our Swift Auto. For folks who love the Swift model but need a non-auto version for their EDC, work environment or to comply with local knife laws. The Swift FL is a hybrid Aluminum (handle) and Titanium (spring) chassis with CPM S35VN blade steel. The clip is Ti and has our signature style. It is a lot of blade and offers a very friendly EDC and has that snap and solid feel we are known for. Great feel, great sound, great knife. Oakley Oakley Portal Prizm Black Polarized $196 Buy From Oakley Inspired by those who want a lifestyle look with performance features, Portal combines an active, utilitarian frame design with a unique lens shape for an enhanced peripheral view. Its performance-oriented design, coupled with premium fabrication, optics, and stylish details make this a highly progressive eyewear piece. Backcountry Outdoor Research Hemispheres Jacket $329.42 - $598.95 Buy From Backcountry There's no need to sacrifice waterproofing for mobility and breathability with the Outdoor Research Men's Hemispheres Jacket. The Gore-Tex C-Knit 3L shell is lightweight and breathable while the Gore-Tex 2L panels with Stretch Technology adds movement-mirroring stretch. Huckberry Dango D01 Dapper Wallet $69 Buy From Huckberry What’s the everyday mission at Dango Products? Simply put, they design everyday products to solve everyday problems. Their Dapper Wallets are sophisticated yet sturdy, made with premium materials and ready for action. Yeti YETI Rambler 36oz Bottle With Chug Cap $54.99 Buy From Yeti The Rambler® 36 oz. Bottle is designed for a life in the wild. Scorching days on the ranch and keeping you hydrated through rugged terrain are this bottle’s calling, second only to keeping your drinks icy cold (or perfectly hot). Backcountry Backcountry Spruces Merino Face Mask $12.95 Buy From Backcountry If you’ve spent an extended period of time in one of those itchy cotton masks, then you know how not-so-comfortable they can feel after a couple of hours. Our fix for the itch—soft, odor-resistant merino wool construction and classic ear-loop design that makes the mask easy to put on and take off for all day comfort. The integrated filter pocket helps block micron-level particles if you desire the safest possible protection like we do.

By Edward Jones – February 25, 2021

"Hot Wheels Unleashed" Video Game Announced

Looking for a new racing game to play but just want to have fun and not deal with realistic controls? Welcome to the club. Now, let me drop some good news for you. "Hot Wheels Unleashed" has just been announced for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, Nintendo Switch and PC. This new game will be a true arcade racing game and it looks to be downright fun. If you're in the mood for fast-paced and insane racing, this may be the game for you. The game will allow players to design tracks, create liveries, collect cars and more. Online play will be available for up to 12 players while splitscreen is also included for two players. The release date is set for September 30, 2021 with a base price of $49.99 for the standard version. So far, the only online listing for pre-ordering that I could find was for Xbox which is provided below. Pre-Order For Xbox

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