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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 18, 2020

New G-Shock G-Steel Watches Feature a Rugged Carbon Core ...

G-Shock has just unveiled their new G-Steel watches, which features a very sturdy Carbon Core Guard. This new guard allows the watch to be more shock resistant than ever before, a feature that G-Shock is always aiming to improve. But it's not just the Carbon Core Guard that makes these new watches attractive. Their design gives off a rugged look, with plenty of stainless steel to go around. Functionality is also on display through the two digital displays, charge level indicator and a large front button. Each watch can also connect to the G-Shock Connected smartphone app, which takes care of time adjustments, can act as a phone finder and more. They are also solar power and 200-meter water resistant. To learn more, be sure to click the button below. Shop Now

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 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 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 – July 30, 2020

New Roger Dubuis Watch is a Lamborghini Hypercar for Your...

To go along with the release of the new Lamborghini Essenza SCV12, Roger Dubuis has launched the new Excalibur Essenza SCV12 watch. This new watch is the equivalent of having the 830+ horsepower on your wrist. Within the watch is a stripped-down version of their exclusive Duotor movement. When Roger Dubuis reworked this movement, they shaped the new skeleton flying mode to resemble the wheels on the Lamborghini Essenza SCV12. Like Lamborghini supercars that can be customized through the Ad Personam program, Roger Dubuis offers a similar program for their customers called "Rarities." Customers will be able to turn their Excalibur Essenza SCV12 into a one-of-a-kind watch through their ability to co-create it with Roger Dubuis. For more information on this hyper-watch, click the button below to visit RogerDubuis.com. Visit RogerDubuis.com " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 30, 2020

Jacob & Co. Launch New Billionaire Watch Has Over 189 Car...

Jacob & Co. has teamed up with ASHOKA® by William Goldberg to create a one-of-a-kind timepiece worthy of a spot in a museum. The ASHOKA® diamond is incredibly rare and truly brilliant, with only a few ever owning one. Each of these diamonds has a unique cut and 62 facets, making the diamond appear larger than it really is. As for the name of this diamond, it actually comes from King Ashoka Maurya, a legendary third-century warrior and one of India's greatest emperors. For the new Jacob & Co. Billionaire ASHOKA®, there are over 189 carats worth of these rare diamonds placed across its entirety, including its case, bracelet and clasp. This is a remarkable feat when you learn that less than one percent of all diamonds have the ability to become an ASHOKA® diamond. Inside the case is the JCAM09 hand-wound tourbillon movement that consists of 167 components and 19 jewels. It also offers a power reserve of 72 hours. Only one example of the Jacob & Co. Billionaire ASHOKA® timepiece will be created. Its price is set at $7 million. You can view more of Jacob & Co.'s incredible High Jewelry Masterpieces by clicking the button below. Visit JacobandCo.com https://www.instagram.com/p/CDM1LKQjJ4S/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CDM1QmJjDSI/

By Edward Jones – July 28, 2020

Omega Launches Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Alinghi ...

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By Edward Jones – July 27, 2020

Carl F. Bucherer Reveals New Manero Flyback With Blue Dial

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By Edward Jones – July 24, 2020

Tag Heuer's New Aquaracer Tortoiseshell Models Are the Pe...

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By Edward Jones – July 22, 2020

New Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Celebrate's Moon Landing ...

In July of 1969, 51 years ago, humans took their very first steps on the moon. The event will forever be enshrined in our history as the moment to explore the natural satellite we see in our skies. To celebrate the 51st anniversary of the event, Omega has released the new Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Stainless Steel. You may not know this, but Omega has a close relationship with the moon landing because the crew of Apollo 11 that made it to the moon were wearing Omega Speedmaster watches. Within the new Moonwatch is a recreation of the Calibre 321 that was found in the watches of the moon landers. The 39.70 mm case is made of stainless steel, with a polished black ceramic bezel ring and black dial. The use of black is a fitting choice for a watch that honors a mission that took place in space. If you flip the watch over, you'll find the sapphire crystal caseback that allows a glance at the Calibre 321. This non-limited timepiece is for sale with a price of $14,100. See on OmegaWatches.com

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