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 – February 10, 2021

Wheels X Wardrobe: Valentine's Day Date Night In The Ferr...

As Valentine’s Day grows closer, it’s time to get a fresh outfit and the car washed for the perfect date night. In this week's Wheels X Wardrobe, we are taking out the LaFerrari, but not without compiling a list of the essential products to romantically style yourself for that special someone. What says I love you more than a bright red Ferrari LaFerrari paired with luxury attire for dinner? The answer is, a few gifts to bring along to help celebrate a special Valentine’s Day, which we also included for you. Shop all of the products featured in this week’s special by clicking the links below. Vehicle Ferrari Ferrari LaFerrari MSRP $1,416,362 View All Ferrari LaFerrari For Sale Watch Hublot Hublot Big Bang Ferrari UNICO Carbon Red Ceramic $29,400 Buy From Hublot Top Nordstrom Rag & Bone Damon Garment Dyed Hoodie $275 Buy From Nordstrom Nordstrom Rag & Bone Printed Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt $125 Buy From Nordstrom Bottom Mr Porter Tom Ford Slim-Fit Denim Jeans $750 Buy From Mr Porter Footwear Happy Socks Happy Socks I Heart You Socks Gift Box 2-Pack $28 Buy From Happy Socks Nordstrom Moncler Leave No Trace Sneaker $825 Buy From Nordstrom Accessories Dior Black Suit 58mm Aviator Sunglasses $430 Buy From Nordstrom Nordstrom Salvatore Ferragamo Revival Double Gancio Bicolor Leather Wallet $396 Buy From Nordstrom Nordstrom Tom Ford Private Blend Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum $350-$475 Buy From Nordstrom Ssense Gucci Off-White GG Embossed Backpack $3,300 Buy From Ssense The Valentine's Day Breakdown Ferrari LaFerrari MSRP $1,416,362 Hublot Big Bang Ferrari UNICO Carbon Red Ceramic $29,400 Rag & Bone Damon Garment Dyed Hoodie $275 Rag & Bone Printed Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt $125 Tom Ford Slim Fit Denim Jeans $750 Hot Sox boys Sports Series Novelty Casual Crew Socks $28 Moncler Leave No Trace Sneaker $825 Dior Black Suit 58mm Aviator Sunglasses $430 Salvatore Ferragamo Revival Double Gancio Bicolor Leather Wallet $395 Tom Ford Private Blend Lost Cherry Eau de Parfum $350-$475 Gucci Off-White GG Embossed Backpack $3,300 For more Wheels x Wardrobe, Check out Wheels X Wardrobe: Big Game Bound In The 2020 Shelby Super Snake

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 08, 2021

Puma x Scuderia Ferrari Release The Mirage Mox Sneaker Co...

Recently, Puma announced its partnership renewal with Scuderia Ferrari with the Spring/Summer 2021 Collection release featuring a large variety of new products. One that stands out is the Puma x Scuderia Ferrari Mirage Mox, a 70s retro-style sneaker fitted with modern day footwear technology for days on and off the track. The all-new silhouette focuses on comfort, stability, and traction using a blend of premium materials. The Mirage Mox provides stability using a multi-layer upper styled using actual Ferrari color codes like Rosso Corsa. A thick midsole offers comfort through Puma’s iconic cushioning system, allowing for longer days on foot. Traction is what counts, which is why Puma added a layer of rubber on the outsole using a tread pattern similar to a car tire. The Puma x Scuderia Ferrari Mirage Mox is currently available in multiple colorways by clicking the link below. Shop Now For more Gear news, Check out Valentines Day Gift Guide For The Car Enthusiast In Your Life

By Edward Jones – February 04, 2021

Ferrari Luggage Giveaway by Ferrari Lake Forest

Presented by Ferrari Lake Forest - Ferrari Lake Forest is giving away a fine Italian Leather Ferrari suitcase ($3,700 value) and offering a VIP (and COVID friendly) tour of their dealership to one lucky individual. How to enter: 1. Like this post2. Follow @ferrarilakeforest3. Share this post on your IG story using #FLFgiveaway4. Tag at least 5 friends5. Make sure all 5 friends like this post AND follow @ferrarilakeforest That's it! As soon as your five friends follow us, your username is entered into their drawing for the suitcase. The giveaway ends on February 12th, so act fast. Details on the suitcase: ● Trolly Genuine, in yellow leather and black perforated yellow leather● Carbon fiber accenting and yellow leather edging of the bag● The interior of all the Collection items are lined with an attractive yellow fabric whose shade recalls the dominant color of the brand’s native city of Modena, also featured in the Ferrari logo itself as well as many of the best-known bodywork colors.● The essential design makes it a beautiful object to look at from any angle: the clean all-leather front has a subtle horizontal slip pocket in the top section to temporarily store and easily access a tablet device, papers, or travel documents. This, plus the special wheels covered in soft rubber and fitted with very low resistance bearings ensure smooth and easy wheeling of the Trolley Case on any surface.● The interior space is roomy and regular so that all your belongings can be organized perfectly. There are also elastic ribbons to keep everything tidy and hold it in place during the journey.● Measurements in cm:•Height:55•W idth:41•Depth:20● The exterior metal finishes, including handles, zippers and other details, are strongly inspired by the typical steering wheels from the ’60s and ’70s, particularly that of the legendary Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 25, 2021

Puma Motorsport Releases Scuderia Ferrari Spring/Summer 2...

Puma Motorsport and the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team continue their close relationship with the release of the Spring/Summer 2021, which began as a contract extension for the two brands. The Italian prancing horse participated in Formula 1 since its beginning in 1950. Puma jumped on board with the winning team in 2004. Fast forward, the relationship evolved into an apparel and footwear line balancing between track-focused and casual styles for all fans to enjoy. The Spring/Summer 2021 features head to toe products using new designs and Ferrari colors. Along with t-shirts and track pants, Puma x Scuderia Ferrari released two new motorsport sneakers, the women’s minimalistic Ridge Cat, and a comfortable men’s RCT XETIC Forza. The collection release and contract extensions are great news for the brand and also all fans of Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1. The Scuderia Ferrari Spring/Summer 2021 collection by Puma Motorsport is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Now For more Gear news, Check out How To Buy: Period Correct Reds Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 12, 2021

The Ferrari Store Winter 2020 Sale Now Offering Up To 35%...

As the seasons begin to change, we look for new designs and collections from our favorite apparel brands, just as we do with the newest supercars. Ferrari will continue production that exact way, but not without offering huge savings on its Winter 2020 Apparel Collection. The Ferrari online store is proud to offer premium clothing and accessories for any Italian supercar enthusiast in the family looking to spruce up the closet. Whether it's a pair of sneakers to match the 488 Pista in the garage or just a t-shirt to support the brand, Ferrari has you covered. Shop the Ferrari Store Winter 2020 Sale by clicking the link below. For more Gear news, Check out Porsche Design’s Fashion and Sport 30% Off Seasonal Sale Is Happening Now Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 16, 2020

Holiday Gift List For The Motorsport Enthusiast

In a world with so many motorsport divisions, teams, and manufacturers, it is unlikely that everyone in the family cheers on the same driver. This makes shopping for holiday gifts more of a rivalry when you have a Lewis Hamilton fan and a Scuderia Ferrari fan in the same household. Lucky enough, Puma has all corners of the motorsport industry covered with head-to-toe fashion featuring everyone’s favorite team and manufacturer. In today’s special, we compiled a gift list of Puma Motorsport products for every race fan in your family. Shop any of the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. BMW M Motorsport BMW M Motorsport Street Cap $30 Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport Street Hoodie $100Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport Graphic Tee $45 Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport RS-X³ Sneakers $120 Buy From Puma BMW M Motorsport Street Backpack $120 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas Mercedes-AMG Petronas Baseball Cap $30 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas MCS T-Shirt $40 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas RS-X³ Sneakers On Sale $69.99 Buy From Puma Mercedes-AMG Petronas Sweatpants $80 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari Fanwear Trucker Cap On Sale $24.99 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari Race MCS Sweat Jacket $110 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari Race Sweatpants $80 Buy From Puma Scuderia Ferrari R-Cat Motorsport Shoes On Sale $69.99 Buy From Puma Porsche Design Porsche Legacy Baseball Cap $40 Buy From Puma Porsche Design evoKNIT Active Midlayer $220 Buy From Puma Porsche Design Graphic Tee $60 Buy From Puma Porsche Legacy RS-2K Sneakers $130 Buy From Puma Porsche Legacy Backpack' $120 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing Aston Martin Red Bull Racing Lifestyle Flat Brim Cap On Sale $19.99 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing Street Jacket On Sale $94.99 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing Graphic Midlayer $90 Buy From Puma Red Bull Racing X-Ray Sneakers On Sale $49.99 Buy From Puma

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 10, 2020

Puma Releases The New Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat

The Scuderia Ferrari race team embraces the past and present historic aspects of the Italian supercar manufacturer, including its iconic Rossa Corsa color. When Puma Motorsport was developing the Speedcat with Scuderia Ferrari the goal was to create a fusion between a classic style that would perform as a future benchmark for track footwear. The new Puma Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat uses premium Rossa Corsa and Black suede for the low profile upper, making it lightweight. The midsole and outsole of the shoe are wrapped in traction grabbing rubber, allowing for better pedal control around the circuit or on the way to the car from work. An array of Puma and Ferrari logos are placed throughout the shoe, symbolizing the partnership that holds significant history in the motorsport world. Shop the Puma X Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat featured in Rossa Corsa and Black by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 10, 2020

Holiday Gift List For The Modern Day Supercar Enthusiast

As the holiday season approaches, many are scrambling to put together the perfect gifts for the loved ones in their lives. Buying the perfect gift for something is hard enough, let alone shopping for a car enthusiast that has an expensive taste for super and hypercars. Until the day where you can hand that special someone the keys to a McLaren 765LT for the holidays, we have compiled a list of gifts that will impress and not break the bank. The holiday gift list for the supercar enthusiast is the best one-stop-shop for the one in the family with expensive supercar taste. Shop all the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. Puma Puma X Porsche Legacy Baseball Cap $40 Shop Now Go everywhere in this classic baseball cap from Porsche Legacy and PUMA. With all-over graphics inspired by GPS mapping, bold 3D textured Turbo wording at the front and sleek Porsche branding, this cap celebrates racing style in its finest form. Amazon Top Gear Ultimate Supercars Book $47.95 Shop Now Supercars are the purest and most extreme expression of automotive performance there is - and no one knows the territory better than the TopGear team. With ever-increasing power outputs, radical new designs, and eye-popping price tags, this book is a celebration of the supercar in all its fabulous glory. B&H Photo Klipsch T5 II True Wireless In-Ear Sport Headphones (McLaren Edition) $249 Shop Now Combining a rugged design with audio clarity and deep bass, the T5 II True Wireless In-Ear Sport Headphones from Klipsch are an ideal set of earbuds for those with an active lifestyle. Amazon Ferrari Pilota Evo Stainless Steel Quartz Watch with Leather Calfskin Strap $250 Shop Now As the name suggests, the Pilota Evo collection elevates the design and functionality of the original Pilota, enhancing and refining the sophisticated character and unique, sporty styling of the family. Lego LEGO Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 $379.99 Shop Now This 3,696-piece LEGO Technic 1:8 scale model car brings you closer than ever to the real Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 Exotics Racing Ultimate Exotic Car Racing Las Vegas Motor Speedway Starting at $1395 Shop Now Get ready for the Ultimate Exotic Car Racing Experience of a lifetime and drive 5 of the world's most high-performance exotic cars in a day you'll never forget!

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 02, 2020

Kids Supercars For Sale

In the past, children would hang posters of their favorite hyper or supercar, hoping to one day have one in the garage. Nowadays, technology in the toy industry allows children of all ages to have a chance at driving their own, under parental supervision of course. Companies of all kinds are stepping it up this holiday with accurate mini-scale creations featuring some of the world’s best hyper and supercars for kids. In this special, we have compiled a list of The Best Super Cars for Kids available through Amazon for the holidays. Click any of the links below to shop the products featured. Bugatti Bugatti Divo Kids Ride On Car $239.99 Shop Now Bugatti Chiron Kids Ride On Car $229.99 Shop Now Ferrari Ferrari 458 Ride On Push Car $49.99 Shop Now Ferrari LaFerrari Kids Electric Ride On Car $549 Shop Now Lamborghini Lamborghini Urus Kids Ride On Car Electric Vehicle $199.99 Shop Now Lamborghini Huracán Electric Ride On With Remote Control $169.99 Shop Now Lamborghini Aventador SV Ride On Sports Car $279.99 Shop Now McLaren McLaren 570S Push Sports Car $84.99 Shop Now McLaren Senna Ride On Sports Car $399.99 Shop Now Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz AMG Electric Ride On Car $199.99 Shop Now Mercedes-Maybach G650S Electric Ride On $299.99 Shop Now Mercedes-Benz C63S Electric Ride On Sports Car $279.99 Shop Now Porsche Porsche 918 Battery-Powered Ride On Car $249 Shop Now

By Edward Jones – November 25, 2020

Ferrari 488 GTE LEGO Technic Set Announced

LEGO has just unveiled a new Ferrari 488 GTE Technic set that's modeled after the AF Corse #51 car. This new set consists of 1677 pieces and measures in at over 5-inches high, 19-inches long and 8.5-inches wide. Within the set's massive size are some pretty awesome functions that Technic sets are known for. This includes the front and rear suspension, opening doors, functioning steering wheel and even a V8 engine with moving pistons. Also included are stickers that allow the set to have a faithful color scheme that's just like the AF Corse #51 car. More information about the real race car can be found in the special building instruction book. LEGO will be releasing this set on January 1, 2021 with a price tag of $169.99. Shop On LEGO.com Image Source: LEGO.com

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