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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 – July 21, 2020

New Hublot Big Bang Sky Blue is a Breath of Fresh Air

A new Hublot Big Bang is here and it's like having a Greek vacation on your wrist. Introducing the new Big Bang Sky Blue. The light blue color of the case and white accents on the dial and strap mimic the blue waters of the Aegean Sea against the lime-washed houses. If you've been looking for a new watch for summer, this is a perfect fit. The bezel and case of this watch are made of ceramic that's been polished and satin-finished. This material allows both of these components to be scratch-proof, so they won't get scuffed up during your summer adventures. If you happen to find yourself in the water during these hot months, the Big Bang Sky Blue is rated for 100m of water resistance. And let's face it, this watch would look fantastic in crystal clear waters. The Hublot Big Bang Sky Blue is limited to just 100 examples, so click the button below to contact Hublot if you'd like this stunning watch for yourself. Visit Hublot.com

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 20, 2020

Porsche Design x PUMA Fall/Winter 2020 Line Announced

If we know anything about Porsche’s cars, it’s that they are some of the greatest examples of form and function coming together to make some of the most beautiful (and powerful) cars the world has ever seen. Their fashion arm, Porsche Design, has credit in the same regard. This September, a new Porsche Design sportswear collection with Puma is being released, and the sleek and modern designs have plenty of technology and innovation to back them up. Some of this innovation includes the glow-in-the-dark fabric used in the RCT jacket, which is “charged” by exposure to daylight, and glows blue once it gets dark. Recycled polyester is used throughout the collection as well. Another innovative material in the collection is the BLOOM foam that is used in the shoes, which is an environmentally friendly, algae-based foam that makes the sneaker light and strong. Recycled polyester is also included in the shoes. If you’re interested in the new Porsche Design x Puma Fall/Winter 2020 Collection, it releases online on Puma and Porsche Design’s websites and at Porsche Design stores in September. A few of the items in the collection can be viewed in the gallery below. Shop Porsche Design

By Edward Jones – July 20, 2020

McLaren Launches Lando Norris Neon Gear Collection

If you've missed the 2020 Formula 1 season, you're missing out big time. Each race has been exciting and filled with drama to say the very least. During one of these races, the Austrian Grand Prix to be exact, Lando Norris found himself on the podium. If you want to support McLaren's young race driver, you can shop from the new Land Norris Neon collection. This collection includes various items like hats, shirts and a jacket, all of which include Norris' own logo. Each of the items also features a bright neon green color. McLaren launched this new collection to celebrate the upcoming 2020 Silverstone British GP on August 2. You can shop the collection by clicking the button below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – July 20, 2020

New Puma Motorsport Sparco Speedcat Hi OGs Now for Sale

Sparco is a brand that can be seen where ever there's motorsports. From shoes to racing suits and carbon fiber seats, they offer a ride-range of motorsport gear. That's a collaboration between Puma Motorsport and Sparco makes perfect sense. While the two brands have teamed up in the past for the Speedcat OG Sparco Motorsport shoes, they're back again with the new Speedcat Hi OF Sparco Motorsport shoes. This refreshed and hi-top version of the classic 1999 Speedcat Sparcos have a suede upper with a rounded driver's heel and ankle strap with a Sparco embroidered patch. Not only are these shoes stylish, they're functional as well. They're for sale right now in two different colorways: black/white and gray/white. Each comes with a price tag of $100. Shop Now Source: Puma

By Edward Jones – July 17, 2020

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and Xiaomi Announc...

Electric scooters allow city travel to be effortless, that's why so many companies are set on creating the best ones out there. One such company is Xiaomi, whose Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 is set to be one of the best. With 600W of max power, a range of about 28 miles, a top speed of 15.5 mph and a simple folding mechanism, it's phenomenal. Now, Xiaomi has announced a new edition of this scooter that they have created in partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team called the Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Edition. That's quite the long name. The scooter hasn't been unveiled in full as of yet, but Xiaomi notes it will be coming soon. Be sure to check back with us for more information as it's released. You can learn more about the Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 by clicking here.

By Steve Chapman Jr – July 15, 2020

Lamborghini Teams Up With 24Bottles For A Special Edition...

Lamborghini and 24Bottles have teamed up for a collaboration that makes sense considering both brands are born and based out of Italy's Bologna region. The result of this collab is the new 24Bottles for Automobili Lamborghini Clima Bottle. This double-walled, 18/8 stainless steel bottle can keep drinks hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. What's even cooler, or hotter, is the design that is found on this new bottle. Because the design is manually applied, each bottle is unique and original. And that's not all. The design picked for the bottle was actually inspired by the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ that broke the production track record at Nurburgring Nordschleife. You can pick up a bottle for yourself through the 24Bottles website by clicking the button below. Each bottle comes with a 39.00€ pricetag. Shop Now

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2020

New Superstrata Ion is a Custom-Fit Carbon Fiber e-Bike

The technology of carbon fiber and 3D printing are both marvels that still manage to amaze us even after years of practice. Every day, we figure out more ways to use both to innovate and make life easier, faster, and way more fun. In the cycling world, California manufacturer Arevo has launched a bicycle brand called Superstrata, and what they plan to offer is a 3D-printed carbon fiber bike frame that’s constructed mostly in one piece. The handlebars and front forks are separate, but the lack of parts means that Superstrata bikes are lighter and stronger than most of what they’re up against. The base “Terra” model is slated to be $2,799, but the $3,999 “Ion” model is an electrically powered model that undercuts most of its competition by thousands of dollars. While the battery is relatively small, and the motor provides less torque than its Bosch-powered counterparts, the price and weight savings make the Superstrata Ion an attractive offer, with 60 miles of range, 40 Nm of torque, and a 20 mph top speed. Arevo is crowdfunding Superstrata through Indegogo, and at the time of writing, they’ve eclipsed their $100,000 goal nearly 8 times, and the campaign still has a month left. With everything going to plan, 500 bikes are being delivered come December. Learn more on Superstrata.bike Source: Superstrata.bike

By Edward Jones – July 13, 2020

Urwerk Debuts the New EMC Time Hunter in Desert Sage

Swiss watchmaker Urwerk has just debuted a new EMC Time Hunter in a stylish Desert Sage variant. This military beige finish on the case matches the design of the watch amazingly, accentuating the strong properties of it even further. The case is made of steel, while the caseback is comprised of titanium. Covering them is the ceramic-type lacquer treatment that allows the watch to be that more sturdy and it also gives the watch a matte finish that's befitting of military equipment. At the heart of the watch is the UR-EMC2 caliber that's crafted, finished, assembled and adjusted by Urwerk. Interestingly enough, the movement of this watch is a hybrid one that is both electronic and mechanical. The electronic 'control unit' measure the amplitude and deviation of the mechanical 'engine', and keeps it as precise as possible. With this movement, Urwerk ensures that the watch is always telling the correct time. It also boasts an 80-house power reserve. Only five pieces of this watch will be created. For more information, click the button below. Learn More

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2020

Aether x Veldt One-of-a-Kind Motorcycle Helmets Being Sol...

Aether Apparel and Veldt, the creator of hand-crafted moto helmets, have teamed up for a collaboration that's benefiting a very good cause. Thirteen different artists have customized thirteen different Veldt motorcycle helmets, each with the artist's own distinct design. Each of these helmets is selling for $2,500 but tall of the proceeds from the sales will benefit Riders for Health, a non-profit organization that provides motorcycles/vehicles to health care workers throughout Africa. Throughout Africa, there are many roads that a car/truck could not traverse through but a motorcycle easily could. Riders for Health aims to give healthcare workers in those areas reliable transport so they can help those in need without having to worry about transportation. This collaboration is truly aiming to help a great cause and it helps that each of these helmets is individually beautiful. You can check them out for yourself by clicking the button below. View on AetherApparel.com

By Edward Jones – July 10, 2020

Audemars Piguet Debuts New Code 11.59 Models

Audemars Piguet had launched a new lineup of Code 11.59 models a year after the official launch of the watch. This includes five new Selfwinding date, hour, minute and second references and five new Selfwinding Chronograph models. These new models consist of five different colors, blue, burgundy, purple, light grey and dark grey. Each watch measures 41 mm and is designed for both men and women. Coming with each watch is a hand-stitched alligator strap that matches the color of the dial, completing the look. You can see the entire collection in the gallery below and can learn more by visiting AudemarsPiguet.com when you click the button right down below. Visit AudemarsPiguet.com

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