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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 – September 11, 2018

Wheels x Wardrobe: Monochrome 720Style

If you want a monochrome style that comes with fashion and speed, look no further. We've put together a stylish outfit, complete with accessories, that goes perfectly with a white McLaren 720S. Step on the pedal in a pair of Givenchy George V Knit sneakers, check the time on the unique Devin Tread watch and peer onto the road before you through the Oakley Flak 2.0 sunglasses. Those looking for style without any flashy colors, look no further. Check out the lineup by scrolling down. McLaren 720S View All McLaren 720S for Sale Devon Tread Watch Shop Now Oakley Flak 2.0 XL Sunglasses Shop Now - $173 Melin Nubuck Leather Strapback Hat Shop Now - $99 Off-white Twill Bomber Jacket Shop Now - $1,770 Givenchy Fast Love T-Shirt Shop Now - $455 Fear of God Jersey Sweatpants Shop Now - $995 Givenchy George V Knit Sneakers Shop Now - $595 Harvest Label Nighthawk Backpack Shop Now - $520

By Edward Jones – August 23, 2018

The Grand Tour Video Game Has Been Announced

Growing up watching Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May made me realize how badly I wanted to race friends across countries in fast cars. Unfortunately, that opportunity will more than likely never come, but at least "The Grand Tour Game" has been announced by Amazon Game Studios.This new video game, due out for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One, will allow players to drive the cars that the trio are featuring in each episode. With four-player split-screen multiplayer added as a feature, this means you will be racing friends in the challenges that the real-life hosts are up against each week. Along with the racing, each player will get power-ups that will give players an edge. But these aren't normal power-ups. No, we're talking about "cheeky power-ups," or at least that's how the press release describes them. How cheeky are we talking about? They include the High Tea power-up that drops "tire-shredding cups and saucers." That's quite cheeky.Stealth Grey McLaren 600LT Heading to Pebble BeachThe game will act as almost a supplement to each weekly episode of Season 3 of "The Grand Tour." The game will have new chapters released alongside the episodes, which will coincide with each episode's theme. Players will also be able to play through the challenges of Season 1 and 2.Amazon Game Studios has not announced a release date yet, but they have put the game up on Amazon.com. It's listed as a "Digital Code" so a physical version of the game hasn't been announced yet.

By Edward Jones – August 01, 2018

Wheels X Wardrobe: SURF TRIP

A few employees at duPont REGISTRY and Autofluence are actually avid surfers and enjoy paddling out for a few waves. Unfortunately, we're located on the West Side of Florida, so we either have to wait for a cold front to roll through or a hurricane to pump up some waves, but that's not often. Our best bet? Traveling to the East Coast, where they are more prone to get surfable waves. But boy would I rather cruise some rugged coast in Mexico or Australia in a massive vehicle like the Hummer H1. For the trip, I would definitely need the right gear and attire. For that, we've compiled this week's Wheels and Wardrobe all around a surf adventure. Check it all out below. The Ride • Hummer H1 - Shop Now The Gear • Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto V Futureflex Surfboard - Buy Now ($774.95 - $824.95) •Tepui Autana Ruggedized Tent - Buy Now ($2,550.00) •DJI Mavic Pro - Buy Now ($999.00) • Incase Camera Pro Pack - Buy Now ($219.95) •The James Brand The Chapter Knife - Buy Now ($275.00 - $350.00) •GoPro HERO6 Black - Buy Now ($399.99) The Fit •Costa Pescador Sunglasses - Buy Now ($198.95 - $218.95) •S.E.A. Tee Pocket - Buy Now ($38.00) •Apex Trunk by Kelly Slater - Buy Now ($145.00) •Vans Knight UltraRange AC - Buy Now ($85.00)

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2018

Limited Edition Tesla Surfboard: Sold Out!

What would you do if you if the waves are perfect and you have some extra carbon fiber? If you are Elon Musk, you partner with the best in the industry to build the perfect surfboard. He knows his buyers. The "early adopters" are young urban professionals who tend to lead a more active lifestyle than our parents did. Much like the flamethrowers for "The Boring Company", this board hit their store and sold out in minutes. Surfing and high-tech composites go back to the early days of spaceflight. When NASA needed fiberglass specialists to build the insulation on the Saturn V rocket, Dr. Wernher von Braun had a problem. When the surf was up, his workforce called in sick to catch a perfect wave. This carbon fiber masterpiece was limited to 200 examples and was a collaboration between Tesla Design and Matt Biolos of Lost Surfboards. It has several layers of carbon fiber over a 1.5-pound EPS core. The bottom has 2 layers of 4 oz cloth, laid at right angles for the ultimate strength and dent resistance. The price was only $1,500, but eBay is awash in examples approaching $4,000. They are designed to fit easily inside the Model S, Model 3 or Model X, so click the link below to find the perfect car to go with this board! Treat Yourself To A Tesla

By Edward Jones – July 18, 2018

LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Kit Announced

LEGO just became a bit more special after the announcement of a kit designed after a famous special agent's iconic ride. What I'm talking about is James Bond's Aston Martin DB5. This new kit is part of the LEGO Creator series and is a great replica of the 1964 sports car.The kit is full of neat features that you'll discover once it's built Tihs includes the tracking computer (not a real computer, of course), door compartment with a secret telephone, a passenger ejection seat, rotating license plates, rear window that can be raised, wheel-mounted tire slashers and, of course, machine guns that appear when you pull on the gear lever. Basically, if you have a minifig that's in need of a spy car, this is it.LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron is a Thing of Beauty As just a car kit, this DB5 is also very impressive. It comes packing a straight-six engine up front, drum lacquered silver front and rear bumpers, silver-colored wire wheel arm inserts and the iconic Aston Martin badges. This is not only a perfect car for James Bond or LEGO fans, but also Aston Martin fans.This 1,290 piece kit will be available on August 1 for $149.99.Shop LEGO Now

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2018

Wheels x Wardrobe: B L U E Chill and Thrill

Sometimes you want to thrill and sometimes you want to chill. For each of these two different moods are different types of attire and gear you need. So, this week we decided to create a list of items that are a direct we think will help you chill and thrill when you want. Alright, so the thrilling part of this is really going to come from the wicked 2018 Audi R8 Spyder and technical masterpiece that is the HYT H20 watch. But the rest? That's all been picked out for optimum chilling. This includes the comfortable attire and funtional gear. The best part is that all of these items revolve around a cool blue theme. 2018 Audi R8 Spyder Shop Now HYT H²0 Watch Shop Now Melin Marksman Hat Shop Now Oliver Peoples Elias Sunglasses Shop Now rag & bone T-Shirt Shop Now rag & bone Fit 1 Jeans Shop Now Gucci Signature Leather Belt (Reversible) Shop Now New Balance Classics Shop Now Tumi Mason Global Leather Wallet Shop Now Tumi Alpha Bravo Davis Backpack Shop Now

By Edward Jones – July 03, 2018

What the Life-Size LEGO Porsche GT3 RS Would Look Like

The LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS kit is massive, complex and very true to the real deal. This plastic Porsche comes in as a 2,704-piece kit that unbelievably intricate, even down to the PDK dual-clutch transmission. Even with its size and intricacies, it's still not as big as the real-life 911 GT3 RS. For @makolski, he wanted to see what the car kit would look like in as a real car on the roads and in real-life situations. He may not have a ray gun that can enlarge the kit to real size, he does have photo editing tools.@porsche_newsroom shared images that @makolski created, featuring the LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS kit. In the images, we see how the toy car would look driving down the streets of Warsaw. The images may show a car that's unrealistic, but it makes me hope for the rise of wild Transformers looking cars in the future.Buy This Kit

By Andrew Nabors – June 27, 2018

Porsche Design Unveils New Chronograph

Every Porsche fan should try to attend the RennSport Reunion. Taking place at Laguna Seca on the weekend of September 27th, it will be a celebration of Porsche racing past & present. RennSport, or "Running Sport" is German for racing. The RS suffix on any Porsche GT2 or GT3 means it is ready to race. And to celebrate the 6th RennSport Reunion, Porsche Design has the perfect timepiece.The42mm titanium case has the RRVI logo on both sides, and all 70 examples will be engraved with their number. Both sides are sapphire lenses with 7 layers of anti-reflective coating. A power reserve of 48 hours comes from 4 hz frequency with 25 jewels. Only a few examples are left, and each one goes for $6,800. Click the link below to get yours and we'll see you at the track in September.View Price & Details

By Edward Jones – June 21, 2018

Mercedes-Benz x Argon High Performance Bikes

Mercedes-Benz and Canadian bike manufacturer Argon have teamed up to create a line of high-performance endurance bikes. This partnership has come about after years of planning, but the wait has been worth it.The first Mercedes-Benz Style Endurance Bike will be available in two different options: Ultegra Di2 and Ultegra. Electronic shifting and carbon wheels will come with the Ultegra Di2, while the standard Ultegra will have Trimax 30 wheels and a non-electronic gear system. 2019 Mercedes-Benz Model Changes “The bike blends perfectly with our design philosophy of Sensual Purity," says Martin Bremer, Senior Manager, Design Creation Brand Experience. "This expresses itself in the bipolarity of emotion and intelligence. The intricately designed carbon frame in conjunction with the typical Mercedes-Benz color scheme, provides dynamics even while standing still, thus ensuring an emotional connection. Perfectly integrated technical components and fascinating functions represent the high competence of our new partner.”The first Mercedes-Benz Style Endurance Bike will be available in fall of 2018.

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2018

Limited Edition Prestige Imports Shirt Pays Homage to Fou...

Prestige Imports was founded by Irv David back in 1977, a man who sought to create a dealership based upon providing the most excellent service and making sure his customers were happy. The dealership grew with each passing year, making it ones of the most prestigious dealerships in the world.Irv David passed away in 2007, leaving behind a successful business. His son, Brett David, took the reins of Prestige Imports and became the CEO at just 19-years-old. Since he took over, the dealership continued its rapid success and growth. But even with its success, Brett has never forgotten about his father and the dealership's beginnings.To celebrate his father and the company's heritage, Prestige Imports and Stampd have teamed up to create a limited edition T-Shirt. On the front is the original Prestige Imports logo, while the back features a stunning photo of Irv David himself. You can purchase this shirt online at the Prestige Imports Store, with all proceeds going to RIDE2REVIVE.Shop NowRIDE2REVIVE was founded by the brother and sister team of Brett and Brooke David in 2011. This organization shares the world of exotic supercars with children that are undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses. Their momentous events are aimed to help these children get their minds off of their struggles and give them an exciting time they'll never forget.

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