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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 Jordan Aquistapace – September 17, 2021

How To Buy: The RHUDE Delivery 1 Monaco Collection AW21

Celebrate the history of motorsports and the iconic location of Monaco with RHUDES new apparel collection. While we have seen the infamous streetwear brand RHUDE work with automotive brands like McLaren, it's safe to say that owners and enthusiasts have embraced the motorsport-inspired collection. RHUDE is proud to announce the upcoming release of the new Delivery 1 Monaco Collection AW21featuring modern and vintage style designs dedicated to one of the most famous stops on the Formula 1 racing circuit. The collection includes jackets, sweatshirts, polos, t-shirts, shorts, and accessories crafted from premium materials. The ever-popular automotive-inspired release is sure to sell out fast, as motorsport collectors and enthusiasts of all kinds share the same passion for racing. The all-new RHUDE Delivery 1 Monaco Collection is set to drop on September 17th at 10 am EST. Click the link below to be one of the first in line to shop the highly-anticipated release from RHUDE. When: September 17th at 10 am EST Where: RHUDE Website

By Edward Jones – September 16, 2021

New Bugatti x Gillette Heated Razor Revealed: World's Fir...

Get your face ready for a hyper-smooth shave. Are your current razors not providing the luxurious shave that you've been searching for? Well, that could all change if you switch over to the newly announced GilletteLabs | Bugatti Special Edition Heated Razor. This new razor will provide you with a warm shave with just the press of a button, giving you a comfortable shave every time. On top of providing an exceptionally comfortable shave, this new razor is absolutely stylish thanks to the Bugatti touches. The heated razor itself features a Bugatti Agile Bleu finish on its aluminum-zinc handle, as well as the Bugatti Macaron emblem. Coming with the razor is a magnetic wireless charging dock with Bugatti branding, two blades refill, a custom cleaning cloth, and a smart plug. The new GilletteLabs | Bugatti Special Edition Heated Razor is launching in September 2021 across select markets. Browse Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 16, 2021

Aston Martin Racing x Hackett London Release A New Appare...

Discover the new Aston Martin Racing by Hackett Autumn Winter '21 Collection. While Aston Marin Racing is best known for setting lap times on race circuits around the world, the brand also has a presence in the fashion world. With help from the fashion professionals at Hackett London, Aston Martin Racing is proud to announce the release of its new luxury apparel and accessories collection. The AMR x Hackett London Collection embodies the look, feel, and performance of an Aston Martin supercar, with premium materials and design to best highlight its qualities. The collection features a wide variety of styles and designs that vary from business casual to performance comfort. The automotive-inspired clothing line includes jackets, sweatshirts, polos, t-shirts, pants, shorts, hats, baggage, and accessories that all sport the Aston Martin Racing colors and logos. Each piece supports one of the best racing teams in motorsports while pairing perfectly to the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera in the garage. Celebrate that collaboration between Aston Martin Racing and Hackett London with the all-new performance-focused collection. The AMR x Hackett London is currently available to shop online by clicking the link below. Shop The AMR x Hackett Collection Media Source: Hackett London

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 16, 2021

Ferrari Releases Its New Fall/Winter '21 Apparel And Foot...

Velocity and dynamism take on new forms with the latest arrivals. As the cooler months start to approach, the Ferrari spider models will drop their tops for the perfect driving climate. Alongside providing one of the best supercar collections on the market, Ferrari also offers premium apparel and footwear for the owner looking to take out the F8 Tributo on a cool day. Ferrari is proud to release the Fall/Winter ’21 Collection. The all-new Ferrari styles incorporate vibrant new designs and colors that are inspired by the bodywork found on some of the Italian manufacturer’s most iconic models. The collection is best described as a sport-focused line that features premium materials to ensure a comfortable wear experience for all owners and enthusiasts. The head-to-toe release includes jackets, sweaters, t-shirts, pants, hats, footwear, and accessories. Ferrari is also happy to share that a portion of the new apparel line is focused on using recycled materials. The all-new Ferrari Fall/Winter ’21 Collection is now available through The Ferrari Store by clicking the link below. Shop Ferrari Fall/Winter '21 Collection Media/Information Source: The Ferrari Store

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 15, 2021

Shop The New Klipsch x McLaren T5 II ANC Earphones Availa...

The earphones feature McLaren accents in their signature papaya color. When it comes to a premium listening experience, the professionals at Klipsch are leaders in the industry. The brand is known for working closely with the team at McLaren to help develop a system that can withstand the lifestyle of its Formula 1 racing team. Klipsch x McLaren is proud to announce the release of the new T5 II True Wireless ANC earphones, the second product release from the dynamic duo. Boasting its lightweight design, the case is crafted from carbon fiber and features a rubber tire tread pattern that adds a sense of protection when on or off track. The earphones themselves have been redesigned to provide a comfortable almost not existent feeling for anyone looking to improve their listening experience throughout the day. The expert noise cancellation feature allows for complete pre-race focus for individuals like McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris. Alongside the premium performance of the T5 II earphones, the packaging includes a wireless dual-position charging pad for both the earphones as well as a cell phone. Push the 7-hour high-density battery to the test just as Lando Norris does with his Formula 1 McLaren race car on circuits around the world. The new Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC McLaren Edition Earphones are now available for $349 by clicking the link below. Shop Klipsch x McLaren Media Source: Klipsch

By Edward Jones – September 14, 2021

Stunning Ferrari F8 Tributo Model Released by Amalgam Col...

The perfect deskmate for any Ferrari fan. Amalgam Collection's creations are as intricate as a fine watch, making them much more than an average model car. That's why each release from the company is so exciting because they're all so incredibly special in their own right. The latest release is a Ferrari F8 Tributo model in 1:8 scale. Handcrafted and finished in Amalgam Collection's workshops, this new model is a perfect replication of the Italian supercar, albeit in a smaller size. To ensure that this model is up to Amalgam Collection's very high standards, they worked with CAD sourced directly from Ferrari's design office. To take it a step further, they sent the first prototype to Ferrari so that their engineering and design teams could ensure its accuracy. As you can see, from the exterior to the interior, this F8 Tributo scale model is exquisite. Just 199 examples of the Ferrari F8 Tributo scale model from Amalgam Collection will be created. To learn more, click the button below to visit their website. Shop Now " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 14, 2021

Adidas Announces Its New James Bond Collection

Honoring an icon of modern cinema with an iconic new collection. While the iconic James Bond movie series exemplifies the luxury lifestyle of a secret agent through perfectly fit tuxedos and performance-focused Aston Martin models, brands like Adidas are celebrating with their own originals to pay homage to 007. Adidas is proud to announce its new collaboration with James Bond featuring a collection of apparel and footwear. Stepping outside of the traditional style of James Bond, the upcoming release takes on a more sport-driven vibe with casual fits to provide premium comfort. The apparel portion of the collection includes matching jackets, pullovers, t-shirts, and pants. As part of the footwear side, Adidas decided to include the ever-popular Ultraboost sneaker to feature new subtle designs and styles to complement the James Bond theme. The Adidas x James Bond Collection is set to release on September 24th, with a collection preview on the Adidas website. Media Source: Adidas

By Edward Jones – September 10, 2021

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc Show Off Stylish New Fer...

Ferrari fans, here are some new additions to your wardrobe. Ferrari fans have it pretty good. Not only does their automaker of choice create iconic and groundbreaking vehicles, but they also have a successful Formula 1 team and a very stylish lifestyle brand. The Ferrari Style Instagram account recently posted photos of Formula 1 drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc showing off new apparel additions. On Store.Ferrari.com, you can not only find the exact items that the two drivers are wearing, but also an abundance of other stylish Ferrari gear that ranges from jackets to eyewear and even collectibles. You can view it all by clicking the button below. Shop on Store.Ferrari.com https://www.instagram.com/p/CThGGQXCqu8/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CTmuoUCIb4x/

By Edward Jones – September 09, 2021

McLaren Releases the Daniel Ricciardo Pink Collection

Support the Honey Badger with this vibrant new collection. McLaren's store has been updated with a new collection that's all focused around Daniel Ricciardo and the color pink. The name of this collection? Well, the Daniel Riccardo Pink Collection, of course. Within this collection are pieces for both men and women, and include a unisex hoodie, a men's t-shirt, a women's t-shirt, and a hat. Each piece comes in a pastel pink tone and sports Ricciardo's number, 3. For the hat and t-shirts, the price is set at $42.50, while the hoodie comes in with a price tag of $97.50. You can shop the collection by clicking the button below. Shop Now Source: McLarenStore.com

By Edward Jones – September 09, 2021

See the First Bugatti Pool Table Ever Built

The first of 30 Bugatti pool tables is ready for delivery. Earlier in 2021, Bugatti announced that they would be partnering with IXO (Iconic Xtrem Objects) to create a new and very exclusive pool table. The result of this partnership would be an exquisite pool table that would look perfectly at home next to a Chiron hypercar. With materials like carbon fiber, aluminum, titanium, and leather, this pool table borrows DNA from the hypercar and molds it into the form of a pool table. Now, the French automaker has revealed the first example of the first officially licensed Bugatti Pool Table. This example is destined for a customer in the US, who will undoubtedly enjoy it for years to come. The customer went for a blue theme, including blue carbon fiber, and has more than just a pool table coming their way. Complimentary items include the wall-mounted cue support that features a 13-inch touch screen for keeping score. Players will use this mount to select their pool cues, each of which is made from carbon fiber and features anodized aluminum ends that were inspired by the buttons of the Bugatti Chiron and Divo. Above the pool table is a lamp that also features the breathtaking blue carbon fiber, and it can also be controlled via the touchscreen on the cue support. Source: Bugatti

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