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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 – April 30, 2020

Only 100 Examples of the Hublot Big Bang One Click Marc F...

Hublot has collaborated with Marc Ferrero, the master of storytelling art, for a second time and the result is the magnificent Big Bang One Click Marc Ferrero watch. This new watch comes in either a white or black styling, a design that was chosen with a very specific reason. "I love the power of black and white. Shade and light. Yin and Yang. One is profound, unclassifiable, eternal. The other is subtle, ethereal, timeless. They symbolise antitheses and complementarity. Choosing black and white means getting straight to the point without an excess of tonalities. The black and white make ‘Lipstick’ even more graphic and its red lipstick—more magnetic." - Marc Ferrero The white watch comes with satin-finished steel and resin, with a lacquered dial and calf and rubber strap. As for the black watch, it's black ceramic with a lacquered dial and calf and rubber strap. Both watches, no matter the shade, have one point of color: red lipstick. The woman wearing the lipstick on the dial pays tribute to the woman of the 21st century. Only 100 examples of the Hublot Big Bang One Click Marc Ferrero will be created. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View on Hublot.com Technical Specs BIG BANG ONE CLICK 39 MM MARC FERREROCERAMIC BLACK & WHITE REFERENCE465.CX.1120.VR.1204.LIP20Limited to 100 pieces CASESatin-finished and polished black CeramicDiameter: 39mmThickness: 12.55mmWater resistance: 10 ATM (100m) CASE-BACKPolished black CeramicEngraved “LIMITED EDITION”XXX/100 BEZELPolished black plated CeramicSet with 42 diamonds for ~1.00ct DIALBlack and white lacquered dial designed by “Marc Ferrero” MOVEMENTHUB1710Self-winding movementFrequency: 4Hz (28’800 A/h)Power reserve: ~ 50 hoursNo. of Components: 166Jewels: 27 STRAP & BUCKLEBlack and white Calf leather and black Rubber strap, designed by “Marc Ferrero”Black Alligator and black Rubber strap with black stitchingStainless Steel deployant buckle clasp BIG BANG ONE CLICK 39 MM MARC FERREROSTEEL WHITE REFERENCE465.SX.2020.VR.1204.LIP20Limited to 100 pieces CASESatin-finished and polished stainless SteelDiameter: 39mmThickness: 12.55mmWater resistance: 10 ATM (100m) CASE-BACKSatin-finished stainless SteelEngraved “LIMITED EDITION”XXX/100 BEZELPolished stainless SteelSet with 42 diamonds for ~1.00ct DIALWhite lacquered dial designed by “Marc Ferrero” MOVEMENTHUB1710Self-winding movementFrequency: 4Hz (28’800 A/h)Power reserve: ~ 50 hoursNo. of Components: 166Jewels: 27 STRAP & BUCKLEWhite Calf leather and white Rubber strap, designed by “Marc Ferrero”White Alligator and white Rubber strap with white stitchingStainless Steel deployant buckle clasp " width="680"> Source: Hublot

By Edward Jones – April 30, 2020

Entire Jaguar Gear Shop is Having a Massive Sale

Jaguar has just announced a massive sale on their online shop, so if you're searching for new gear... now's the time. The online shop is offering up a 30% sitewide discount and select items are on sale up to 60% off. There's a lot that's for sale on their shop, including clothes, phone cases, luggage, scale models and a lot more. Below are a few of the awesome items that you can get with "employee pricing" right now. Jaguar F-Type 5-Piece Luggage Set Shop Now - 30% Off Jaguar Men's Heritage XKSS Polo Shop Now - 40% Off Jaguar Leather Card Holder Shop Now - 60% Off Jaguar D-Type Le Mans Winner 3 1957 Golf Umbrella Shop Now - 60% Off Jaguar Men's FE T-Shirt Shop Now - 40% Off Source: Jaguar

By Edward Jones – April 29, 2020

New Luxury Pool Table is Made Exclusively for Rolls-Royce...

11 Ravens is now crafting a luxury pool table exclusively for Rolls-Royce called the Stealth R11. This new pool table will be offered through WHISPERS, a private social network and shopping experience that's made only for Rolls-Royce owners. Its made with an aluminum frame that includes black-tinted lucite panels and 14-carat gold sheets. 11 Ravens also included Swarovski around the rails and LED lights as well. Coming with the table are custom balls, cue sticks, and the ability to convert into either a ping pong table or dining table. Only five examples of the Stealth R11 will be created, each with a price tag of $250,000. "I’ve been wanting to revisit this popular design for some time now," said 11 Ravens Owner Michael Zaretsky. "To be able to offer such a striking collection to Rolls-Royce owners exclusively made the reimagination process just that much more exciting." Visit 11Ravens.com Source: 11 Ravens

By Edward Jones – April 28, 2020

DJI Introduces the New Mavic Air 2

Flying a drone is undoubtedly fun, but it's even more enjoyable when said drone can capture stunning views from up above. The new DJI Mavic Air 2 is exactly what you're looking for if you do want to record and snap those aerial views. This upgraded version of the Mavic Air comes with a bevy of enhancements that make it a must-buy for drone enthusiasts or those looking to get into them. Perhaps the biggest upgrade for this drone is its ability to capture video at 4k/60fps and 48mp photos. And if you need that extra time to get the right shot, it can also now fly longer with a minimum flying time of 34 minutes and a maximum RC battery life of 240-minutes. One of the craziest features of this drone is the fact that it can transmit a 1080p/30fps livestream to the operator at distances up to 10 km (6.2 miles). That's quite the flying distance while having clear vision. To learn more about this incredible drone, click the button to learn more or pick yours up for just $799. Shop Now " width="680"> Source: DJI

By Edward Jones – April 27, 2020

Panerai Debuts New Submersible EcoPangaea Tourbillon GMT ...

Panerai and Mike Horn, the famous explorer, have teamed up to create a very limited new timepiece called the Submersible EcoPangaea Tourbillon GMT 50mm Mike Horn edition. This new timepiece is extraordinarily limited, with just five examples being crafted-- this there are good reasons as to why it's so limited. First, those who purchase the watch will have a chance to explore the Arctic with Mike Horn himself. Additionally, the EcoPangaea, steel case is composed of recycled material from Horn's sailing ship. Now this is how you create a truly limited edition watch. As for the watch itself, it has a gorgeous steel look with a skeletonized titanium movement visible from both sides of the watch. Vibrant blue details can be found on the dial's hands, the Panerai Submersible logo and Mike Horn's signature located on the caseback. If you're interested, it comes with a $189,000 price tag. To learn more about this limited edition wonder, click the button below. Learn More Source: Panerai.com

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2020

Panerai Unveils All-New Luminor Lineup

What first began with tritium has evolved into the brightest & longest lasting watch illumination. Using their top-secret Luminor technology, Panerai has an all-new lineup for their 70th anniversary. Instead of designing the entire collection in-house, they have partnered with explorer Mike Horn. First up are the 44mm Carbotech and Fibratech Luminor Marina Carbotech: Unique edition of 270 units FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, small seconds, date CASE Diameter 44mm, carbotech BEZEL Carbotech BACK Screw, titanium with DLC coating DIAL Black sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o'clock and small seconds at 9 o'clock WATER RESISTANCE "30 bar (~300 metres)" STRAP Stitching, 24/22.0 Standard size Luminor Marina Fibratech: Unique edition of 270 units CASE Diameter 44mm, Fibratech™ BEZEL Fibratech™ BACK Screw, titanium DIAL Anthracite sun-brushed with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. Date at 3 o'clock and small seconds at 9 o'clock WATER RESISTANCE "30 bar (~300 metres)" STRAP Stitching, 24/22.0 Standard size For the most exclusive members of this limited lineup, we offer the Luminor Marina Goldtech and the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for more amazing timepieces. Shop Panerai Watches

By Steve Chapman Jr – April 24, 2020

Melin Premium Headwear Introduces "The White Branded Pack...

If you haven't heard about Melin yet, then it's safe to say you're either not much of a hat person or well you just don't frequent our site much, because we love to cover our heads with Melin as well as new hats they release. The Melin Brand was created to push the boundaries of headwear with each one of their hats designed with premium materials and performance in mind. Today the brand announced its Limited Edition "White Branded Pack" which consists of two of their most popular models, The Trenches and The Hydro. So you ask yourself, what's so special about these hats, and why are the $60, well the answer is simple, when we say Premium Headwear we mean it, and these particular hats are a prime example of innovative design meets pure functionality. And oh did we mention they are completely waterproof and they FLOAT (just in case you happen to take it out on the yacht or want some extra sun protection while out surfing?) Needless to say if you're in the market for some new headwear then look no further, Melin Brand should be top of mind and on top of your head. So check out their newest editions and everything else they have to offer, we guarantee you won't be disappointed, and if you don't want to take our word for it then ask yourself why PGA Champion Phil Mickelson or F1 Driver Daniel Ricciardo chose to rock Melin? TRENCHES BRICK HYDRO - Performance Snapback Hat Trenches Brick HYDRO was engineered with a hydrophobic technology on the crown panels designed to bead away water and prevent absorption. Constructed with durable materials the hats are water repellant, floatable, and breathable. SHOP NOW ODYSSEY STACKED HYDRO - Performance Snapback Hat Odyssey HYDRO was engineered with a hydrophobic technology on the crown panels designed to bead away water and prevent absorption. Constructed with durable materials the hats are water repellant, floatable, and breathable. SHOP NOW

By Edward Jones – April 23, 2020

Exclusive and Rare Kobe Bryant Memorabilia Being Auctioned

Kobe Bryant has been posthumously elected into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this year, leading the Class of 2020 which will be enshrined on August 29, 2020. He left behind a legacy that's filled with historic moments and extraordinary feats. In Goldin Auctions' Kobe Bryant Hall of Fame Induction Auction, many items of memorabilia are being auctioned that mark the many milestones Bryant reached during his career. This 92-lot collection of items includes some incredibly rare and unique lots that could be found nowhere else in the world. Below are just a few of the items being auctioned. Each winning bid on the items in the auction will have 5 percent of the price donated to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation. You can also view the entire catalog by clicking the button below. View Catalog "The Lakers wore these white jerseys on Sunday home games and Bryant wore this Size 4XL (LENGTH +4”) jersey during the November 9th game vs Charlotte, where he scored 21 points in a 107-92 victory, the team’s first of the season. Bryant also wore this jersey the following two Sundays against Golden State on November 16th, a 136-115 loss where he poured in a season-high 44 points and on November 23rd against the Denver Nuggets where he dropped 27 points in a 101-94 defeat. All told, Bryant averaged 30.66 in three games that he wore this jersey." View Lot "Kobe Bryant averaged 24.6 points per game in the five-game series and scored 26 points in Game 5, where the Lakers closed out the Sixers in Philadelphia on June 15, 2001. This was Bryant’s second career title in a Hall of Famer career that saw the Black Mamba lead the Lakers to five NBA titles. Offered here are the very black sneakers worn by Bryant during Game 5 and they’ve been photo matched by Resolution Photomatching to Game 5." View Lot "Presented here is a 14K gold Kobe Bryant Team USA Olympic Gold Medalist ring, featuring a depiction of the famed Olympic rings centered on the face, with “LONDON” above and “2012” below. “GOLD MEDALIST” appears around the outer perimeter, with the two words separated on each side by a row of diamonds. One side of the ring reads “BRYANT” and “TEAM USA” in increasingly larger rows of letters. The opposite side displays an image of a basketball player above “USA” as “BASKETBALL” appears at the very top." View Lot View Lot "Renowned sports artist William Zavala’s mixed media “shrine” pays tribute to Kobe Bryant upon his retirement from basketball in 2016. This stunning piece of art has taken on more significance since the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant on January 26, 2020. Beautifully presented in this 39 x 52-inch framed display, Kobe’s image is in full uniform with his hand across his chest and is artfully placed over a larger image of his wife Vanessa, who is depicted with a bright smile across the back. These images are over the back of a yellow Kobe Bryant number 24 Lakers home jersey. Both Kobe and Vanessa Bryant have signed their names on the tackle twill “4” on this stunning piece." "Offered here is the very 14K gold 2000 Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers NBA championship ring gifted by Kobe to his mother Pam Bryant. Obviously proud of winning his first NBA Championship a mere three years out of high school, Kobe Bryant magnanimously ordered an additional ring to present to his mother, Pam Bryant." View Lot Source: Goldin Auctions

By Edward Jones – April 23, 2020

Yeti Announces New Precious Metals-Inspired "Elements Col...

Everyone who has a YETI cup knows just how exceptional they are. I can't count how many times I've left ice in mine overnight, only to wake up and still find my drink ice cold in the morning. Now, YETI is releasing a new collection for us who depend on the brand for our drinkware. This new collection is called The Rambler Elements Collection and it's inspired by rock formations and precious metals. There are two different colors in this collection: Copper and Graphite. Both of the options are eye-catching, to say the least, and will stand out in a world of stainless steel cups. There are plenty of items to choose from in this collection, ranging in size from 12 oz to 36 oz. You can order some of the items now, while others are coming soon. You can check them all out by click the button down below. Shop Now Source: YETI

By Edward Jones – April 22, 2020

Audemars Piguet Launches New 34 mm Selfwinding Royal Oak

Horologists rejoice because Audemars Piguet is now launching the first 34 mm Selfwinding Royal Oak timepiece. It comes into the world with a beautiful stainless steel case that's contrasted beautifully with a hint of pink gold. This design steel and pink gold color scheme continues on the bracelet. As for its dial, is has a silver-toned “Grande Tapisserie” pattern with pink gold hour markers and hands with luminescent coating. Audemars Piguet's choice for its movement is the Selfwinding calibre 5800, complete with a power reserve of 50 hours and hours, minutes, center seconds and date functions. You can purchase this stunning timepiece for $21,500 right now. For more information or to make an appointment with Audemars Piguet, click the button below. Learn More Source: AudemarsPiguet.com

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