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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 – January 18, 2023

The GearBox: Ford Performance

The Ford GT stands out as a pinnacle motorsport icon for the American automotive manufacturer, helping to secure endurance race victories at iconic events like Le Mans. As Ford’s introduction into the supercar category, the GT features a timeless design that continues to be celebrated by enthusiasts and collectors of all kinds. This week’s GearBox focuses on creating a performance-focused style that compliments the 660-horsepower track beast. Shop all of the luxury products featured in this special by clicking the links below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming GearBox specials. Ford GT Ford The Ford GT delivers the thrill of the Le Mans-winning race car for drivers on the road, using more than 50 different sensors to monitor vehicle performance and behavior, external environment, and driver inputs for an optimized driving experience, alongside road car comfort and convenience. Price: MSRP $500,000 View All Ford GT For Sale TAG Heuer Autavia GMT AS06925 (1968-69) Watches of Switzerland This particular Autavia GMT, a Reference 2446C, dates to circa 1968-69 and features an excellent, perfectly sized 40.5mm case with an acrylic crystal, a signed crown, a bi-directional rotating bezel with a 24hr 'Pepsi' insert, and an excellent matte black Tritium 'MK4' dial with white sub-registers and a matching handset. Powered by the venerable Valjoux 72C GMT movement, this piece is paired to a black rallye-style leather strap to round off the package. Price: $10,950 Shop Now Rag & Bone Addison Baseball Cap Depuis Toujours The hat that started it all - the classic 6-panel 100% cotton velveteen cap. Unlike polyester velvet's shine, cotton velveteen is more muted and sturdier. Featuring our bold brand embroidery that’ll have people asking “What does Depuis Toujours mean?” Throw this hat on to instantly elevate your look or when you’re heading out to grab your morning coffee in sweats. Price: $65 Shop Now Forét Humid Liner Jacket Forét The power of a liner jacket is immeasurable. While it can be worn as the perfect outer layer during summer, it doesn’t lose any charm in winter as it becomes an essential mid-layer. Cut from recycled ripstop, this liner is all about versatility and circularity. Price: $223 Shop Now John Varvatos Tough Peach Raw Edge Graphic Tee Nordstrom An edgy peace-sign graphic emerges from this vintage-wash tee made of a breathable cotton and linen blend framed in raw, rolled edges. Price: $98 Shop Now FRAME L'Homme Slim Degradable FRAME FRAME's signature slim-fit jeans, this mid-rise silhouette is cut from degradable premium Italian stretch denim for a comfortable fit. Price: $218 Shop Now New Balance MADE in UK 920 New Balance Blending modern and classic styles, the MADE UK 920 shoe is a contemporary alternative ideal for everyday wear. A premium upper features leather and mesh with synthetic details, atop a classic ENCAP midsole that offers all-encompassing support and comfort. Part of the celebration of New Balance making shoes in the UK for 40 years, these sneakers deliver premium style. Price: $249.99 Shop Now SELFMADE Douglass Sunglasses SELFMADE The Douglass silhouette combines contrasting elements into a single statement design, inspired by the story of a man who walked between worlds. The lower-set temple arms divide the frame into a striking geometric upper and graceful round lower, and is available in five finishes. Each has Douglass’ words etched inside the right temple arm, “If there’s no struggle, there’s no progress.” Price: $65 Shop Now Maverick & Co. Forte Light Backpack Maverick & Co. Hold your valuables together in a slim and compact silhouette without burdening your pocket. Crafted from fine Italian leather and available in 5 stylish color options that symbolized your unique character. Go classy or go trendy, it is all your call. Price: $89 Shop Now Maverick & Co. Forte Light Backpack Maverick & Co. An understated but highly practical take, this backpack has an ultra-roomy interior and thoughtful compartment design for all your business and daily essentials. Price: $169 Shop Now

LEGO Technic Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Main

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 04, 2022

LEGO Technic Releases The New Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 B...

A chance to build an iconic American muscle car with help from LEGO. With the fleet of automotive-inspired buildable LEGO Technic sets growing, enthusiasts looking to add to the latest and greatest releases to their collection. LEGO is proud to announce its newest American muscle addition for 2022, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Seen as a classic in the car community, the Shelby GT500 continues to captivate the minds of car lovers all around the world with vintage and modern renditions of the sports car. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now The new LEGO Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 set features a 544-piece construction that allows parents and children the opportunity to build their own drag race car. The set includes two pull-back motors that launch the Shelby GT500 across any surface, with the ability to enhance the experience using the LEGO Technic AR app to complete challenges and races. The all-new LEGO Technic Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 presents itself in a factory Grabber Green paint scheme and is available for $49.99 by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and releases. Shop Now Source: LEGO Technic

By Edward Jones – July 20, 2021

Amalgam Collection Announces Le Mans-Winning Ford GT40 1:...

A model that celebrates the winner of the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans. Amalgam Collection has just announced a new 1:8 scale model that will surely be wanted by all motorsport enthusiasts and fans of Ford. This exquisite Ford GT40 is a recreation of chassis #1075, a race car that took a historic win against Porsche at the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans. Featuring the beloved Gulf Oil livery, this scale model is absolutely stunning. Each scale model of the #6 GT40 is hand-built and assembled by a small team of experienced craftsmen. No small detail is overlooked on this model as you can see from the images in this article. In fact, it took the team at Amalgam Collection over 4000 hours to develop the model and it takes over 400 hours to build each example. During the build, the craftsmen use thousands of precisely engineered pieces to build the 20-inch-long model. Just 199 examples of this Ford GT40 scale model will be created, each with a price of $13,048. You can pre-order yours by clicking the button below. Visit AmalgamCollection.com Source: Amalgam Collection

By Edward Jones – January 10, 2021

Rocket League Now Has a Ford F-150

Ford and Psyonix have teamed up to create a new vehicle to play Rocket League in and it's an F-150 truck. Named the "Ford F-150 Rocket League Edition" (no surprise there), this new vehicle will be able to be purchased in-game February 20-28. The bundle comes with the truck, chairman decal, two sets of F-150 wheels, F-150 Rocket League Edition engine audio, F-150 boost and F-150 player banner. See All Ford F-150s For Sale Ford has also announced that they will be the presenting sponsor of the Rocket League Championship Series Winter Majors esports tournament. The schedule is as follows: South American Winter Major: Feb. 13-14 European Winter Major: Feb. 20-21 Ford + Rocket League Freestyle Invitational: Feb. 24 and Feb. 28 North American Winter Major: Feb. 27-28 “As opportunities in gaming continue to grow, we’re really looking at this as its own marketing channel,” said Scott Denby, strategy manager, Ford brand content and alliances. “It’s the same way you would look at social media or TV and film integration. We’re identifying authentic ways to be involved in gaming and to do it in a meaningful way. We want to make sure we’re adding to the player communities’ experience.” Shop Rocket League Gear

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 24, 2020

Wheels X Wardrobe: Thanksgiving With The Ford Bronco

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we are thankful for, and in the automotive industry, we are thankful for Ford bringing back the Bronco platform. The rugged design of Ford’s new addition pairs best with clothing and accessories that can withstand the same climate and terrain. This week’s Wheels X Wardrobe focuses on what to wear and carry when pulling up to your Thanksgiving celebration in the new Ford Bronco. Shop all of the styles featured in this special by clicking the links below. Vehicle Ford Bronco MSRP $26,660 View All Ford Bronco For Sale Watch Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 MCMLIX $3,260 Shop Now Top Melin A-Game Scout Thermal $79 Shop Now Smith TR90 Polarized Sunglasses $143.20 Shop Now Buck Mason Dry Waxed Canvas Highland Jacket $275 Shop Now Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Henley $52 Shop Now Bottom Joe's The Asher Slim Fit Jeans $129 Shop Now Footwear Clark's Desert Boot Beeswax $150 Shop Now Accessories JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker $69.95 Shop Now The James Brand Hells Canyon Knife $295 Shop Now Yeti V Series Hard Cooler $800 Shop Now Traeger Ironwood Series 885 Pellet Grill $1,499.99 Shop Now Sunnydaze Cast Iron Outdoor Fire Pit $185 Shop Now YETI Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chair $299.98 Shop Now The Bronco Thanksgiving Breakdown 2020 Ford Bronco MSRP $26,600 Eberhard & Co. Scafograf 300 MCMLIX $3,260 Melin A-Game Scout Thermal $79 Smith TR90 Polarized Sunglasses $143.20 Buck Mason Dry Waxed Canvas Highlands Jacket $275 Buck Mason Prima Curved Hem Henley $52 Joe's The Asher Slim Fit Jeans $129 Clark's Desert Boot Beeswax $150 JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker $69.95 The James Brand Hells Canyon Knife $275 Yeti V Series Hard Cooler $800 Traeger Ironwood Series 885 Wood Pellet Grill $1,499.99 Sunnydaze Cast Iron Outdoor Fire Pit $185 YETI Trailhead Collapsible Camp Chair $299.98

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 23, 2020

EveryDrive Carry: Off The Grid With The Ford Raptor

The things that everyone grabs when heading out the door are classified as essentials because they are tools needed to get through the day, whether it is a day at work or an off-road adventure. The EveryDrive Carry highlights the essential products and accessories to keep in your vehicle, depending on the situation and road conditions. This week, we are focusing on pairing the Ford Raptor with the essentials needed for going off the grid. Click the links below to shop any of the products featured in the special. Ford 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor MSRP $53,455 View All Ford Raptors For Sale Huckberry Dissim Inverted Lighter $48 Shop Now Enter the Inverted Lighter. Specifically designed to be flipped upside down, the combo of a circular grip and angled flame port direct the fire at the wick of your candle or the tinder in your campfire with your fingers safely out of the way. Papier Papier Custom Pine Green Notes Journal $49.99 Shop Now The Papier Pine Green Notes cover is crafted from beautiful, upcycled leather with traditionally pressed foil details in a choice of colours. Inside, find 96 pages of lined paper to jot special plans, daily thoughts or notes and ideas. Blade HQ Boker Plus Tactical Pen CID .45 CAL Bolt Action $54.71 Shop Now This tactical self defense pen from Boker Plus is an ingenious design by Rainer Wenning and knifemaker Thomas Braunagel. It features a "bolt action" mechanism. The "click" open and close is quite fun, making this a tough one to put down. Home Depot Streamlight Stinger Pro Flashlight $108.53 Shop Now This NEW STINGER LED raises the standard to a whole new level. It features multiple lighting options, including a strobe and super bright, white hot, long range beam with a wide circle of light that increases your peripheral vision. Blade HQ Benchmade Mini Bugout AXIS Lock Knife $119 Shop Now The Benchmade Bugout offers a lightweight, ergonomic build designed with everyday carry and general outdoor use in mind. Its high-performance CPM-S30V blade sports a partial swedge to provide a finer point, and comes fitted with orange anodized dual thumb studs for easy one-handed operation. VSSL VSSL First Aid Kit $125 Shop Now This isn't your typical first aid kit; completely waterproof, a sleek compact design, adventure-ready durability, and a curated set of outdoor specific first aid components that are perfectly organized in our custom first aid roll for easy access. You can count on your VSSL First Aid to be ready when you need it most. Hammacher Schlemmer Hammacher Schlemmer Leather Glove Box Organizer $129.95 Shop Now This is the leather organizer that keeps a car’s glove compartment organized and clutter-free. Eliminating the frustration of rummaging through a jumbled heap, this organizer, crafted from deluxe genuine leather, keeps a driver’s essentials readily accessible for quick retrieval. Leatherman Leatherman MUT EOD Multi-Tool $169.95 Shop Now The Leatherman MUT EOD has everything you need in an easy-access configuration for your specialized line of work. Accomplish your mission, maintain your field gear and lighten up your kit. All in a day's work. Goal Zero Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD Power Bank $199.95 Shop Now Charge quickly on the move, Fast-charging Power Delivery gives you more power in less time. Charge USB-C laptops, phones, and tablets using the 60W USB-C Power Delivery port. Garmin US Garmin Instinct Solar Watch $299.99 Shop Now The Garmin Instinct is a GPS smartwatch built to break convention, conquer the elements and endure longer. It’s now taking battery life to a new level by harnessing the power of the sun. B&H Photo Video Leica D-Lux 7 Digital Camera $1,195 Shop Now Poised as the ideal pocket camera, the black Leica D-Lux 7 is a svelte, compact camera characterized by its large sensor design, versatile lens, and sleek styling. The 17MP Four Thirds MOS sensor offers impressive performance with a sensitivity range up to ISO 25600 along with an 11-fps continuous shooting rate and UHD 4K30p video recording to suit multimedia shooting applications in a variety of conditions.

By Edward Jones – August 05, 2019

Versace X Ford Hoodie Revealed and For Sale

BrownsFashion.com Are you a Ford fan looking to spice up your attire? How about a hoodie that shows off your appreciated for the American brand but also does it in the most fashionable way possible. The new Versace X Ford hoodie is here to take your comfortable wear to a whole new level. Donatella Versace actually created this hoodie with Ford in an effort to "channel the excitement of buying your first car," according to the item's description on BrownsFashion.com. You can purchase the hoodie now for $1,176 from Browns Fashion. Check it out by clicking the button below. shop this hoodie

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