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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 – October 15, 2020

Cyberpunk 2077 to Feature a Classic Porsche 911 and Keanu...

On November 19, 2020, gamers around the world will be thrust into a futuristic world of Cyberpunk 2077, an upcoming video game from developer CD Projekt Red. Within this virtual world, players will play as the main character known as 'V' who will roam the streets of Night City either on foot or via one of the many vehicles that can be either commandeered or purchased outright. CD Projekt Red has released two videos that show off some of the vehicles that can be driven. This includes multiple classes of vehicles, including supercars and hypercars. Most interesting, however, were two partnerships that CD Projekt Red announced. These include Porsche and Arch Motorcycle. As far as the Porsche partnership goes, the game will feature a 1977 Porsche 911 Turbo that belonged to the character Johnny Silverhand who is played by Keanu Reeves. CD Projekt Red teamed up with Porsche to create the in-game model of the classic 911 Turbo. You can see it for yourself in the gallery up above. While we can't way to drive the virtual version of this 911 Turbo, we're also excited to learn that there's a real-life version that exists as well. Constructed to be a replica of Johnny Silverhand's 911 Turbo, this Porsche will be display at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart from October 15th to October 22nd. You can see it in action in the video below. “Johnny’s a legend of the Cyberpunk universe. When thinking about what kind of car he’d be driving through the streets of Night City, we knew it would have to be one just as legendary as he is. Having Johnny’s story in mind, and being huge fans of Porsche ourselves, the answer could only be the classic 911 Turbo,” said Paweł Mielniczuk, Art Director of Characters, Weapons and Vehicles, CD Projekt Red. " width="680"> Speaking of Keanu Reeves, he owns Arch Motorcycle. The game will feature futuristic versions of their motorcycles that will undoubtedly be a blast to race through the city on. Below is an awesome video with Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger explaining how they went about creating the in-game Arch Motorcycle and even how the sound was captured. It's cool to think that the sound you'll hear in the game is the sound of an actual Arch Motorcycle. Check tit out for yourself in the video below. Pre-Order Cyberpunk 2077 On Amazon " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

The KITH x BMW M3 & M4 Unveiled

The KITH for BMW 2020 Collaboration has caused high anticipation for streetwear and BMW enthusiasts of all kind, but the inspiration behind the partnership holds a story of its own. The release of the 2021 BMW M4 is much needed for the M Division, with the last new model being the 2018 version. This inspired Ronnie Fieg using his E30 M3 as the secondary focus point behind the new collection. Naturally, a completely new BMW M4 Competition would call for an E30 that could stand head to head with the completely new design to bridge the past and present. To help showcase the release both vehicles were designed using hints of KITH x BMW aspects. Ronnie’s M3 was shipped to Germany where it was completely rebuilt using original BMW parts to ensure the authenticity of the timeless classic. The idea of mirroring the two vehicles is carried out subtly using the Cinnabar Red, a color code that is no longer offered through BMW. Areas of the vehicles where the nostalgic M are placed such as badging and interior pieces, have been redesigned using the KITH logo. The new collection manifests where BMW started as a motorsports division and where it continues to lead as an automotive powerhouse. The two vehicles have been meticulously redesigned and will not be available for sale. Learn more about Ronnie Fieg’s BMW E30 M3 and the KITH inspired 2021 BMW M4 Competition by clicking the link below. Learn More

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

Shop The Porsche Design Fall/Winter 2020 Sportswear Colle...

We have seen the Porsche Design Fall/Winter 2020 Fashion Collection featuring urban styles that can be dressed up or down for any situation. The fashion branch of the German automotive company released a sport-inspired collection for the colder months. The Sportswear Collection focuses on head to toe lifestyle and activewear that will add the performance needed daily. Using premium materials, Porsche Design created jackets, sweatshirts, short/long sleeve shirts, pants, shoes, bags, and accessories. A wide variety of color options are available for each product to ensure a style for everyone. The Fall/Winter Sportswear Collection by Porsche Design continues to bridge the gap between high-quality lifestyle fashion and German automotive excellence. This line is sure to be celebrated by all Porsche enthusiasts. Shop Porsche Design's newest sports collection by clicking the link below. Shop Porsche Design Fall/Winter 2020 Sportswear

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

The KITH For BMW 2020 Collaboration Is Unveiled With A Cl...

Recently, A few Instagram posts from KITH founder Ronnie Fieg have led us to believe that the collaboration with BMW would be surfacing. After much anticipation, the KITH for BMW 2020 partnership announced with a mesmerizing video of classic BMWs traveling as a pack throughout the city and wilderness. The exploration takes the group to a spot where the newly redesigned 2021 BMW M4 is unveiled with KITH inspired options. A highlight of the video is Ronnie’s red E30 M3 with added KITH x BMW features such as a KITH logo leather interior and badging around the car. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGhr85cBf61/ The collection has yet to be fully released, but photos of jackets, sweaters, polos, t-shirts, and accessories are published. The collaboration celebrates the heritage of BMW Motorsports as well as the progression of streetwear in the fashion industry. Check out the KITH for BMW 2020 collection by clicking the link below. View KITH For BMW 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVPS1rhRyV/

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

The All New Nike Road Warrior Design Will Definitely Turn...

The technology in footwear design and manufacturing is geared towards creating something with a purpose. It includes silhouettes and features that cater to specific areas, whether it be basketball, training, or running. Nike has created the Road Warrior with innovation deriving from all aspects of the footwear industry. The result is an incredibly unique design using an array of materials and colors. The Road Warrior upper, made from multi-colored nylon featuring various cross straps and pull tabs. A split-toe column is added for stability giving the Nike Road Warrior a barefoot stance feels. The midsole uses a geometric construction with a floating heel separating the outsole. The bottoms layered in treaded rubber that provide traction in any situation or weather climate. The Nike Road Warrior releases in the Clear Jade color-way on October 23rd for the price of $500. Click the link below to learn more and to shop Nike’s newest sneaker when it releases. Learn More

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By Edward Jones – October 14, 2020

RED Launches New Compact, All-In-One Komodo 6K Camera

If you're looking to get into the videography world but don't know how to start, the new RED Komodo 6K cinema camera is a perfect way to start with a bang. This compact, all-in-one camera is RED's latest product and it has all of the quality and features you'd expect from the well-known brand. For starters, it comes packing a 6K S35 global shutter sensor that will capture video with stunning detail. What's more, the addition of a built-in Canon RF mount will allow users to switch between a long list of lens adapters. This includes lens adapters from Canon, EF, PL and Leica M mount. Also, because of its small size, the Komodo can travel easily. As far as quality goes, here are its max frame rates: 40 fps at 6K 17:9 (6144 x 3240) 50 fps at 6K 2.4:1 (6144 x 2592) 48 fps at 5K 17:9 (5120 x 2700) 60 fps at 4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160) 120 fps at 2K 17:9 (2048 x 1080) RED is also offering a couple of "starter kits" that come with some necessary components, like a card reader, cables and more. You can shop the new RED Komodo by clicking the button below. It comes with a base price of $5,995.00. Shop Now on BHPhotoVideo.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 14, 2020

Wheels X Wardrobe: Stealth

The transition from fall to winter relies on comfort and functionality for daily living in the form of fashion as well as vehicle choice. Audi equips its vehicles with the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system that can take on anything mother nature throws in its way. Lululemon follows a similar path, designing and manufacturing its ever-changing clothing line to adapt to diverse climates while still providing quality head to toe products. This week’s Wheels X Wardrobe focuses on the 2020 Audi R8 and its ability to complement a stealthy all-black performance attire. The Stealth Break Down 2020 Audi R8 V10 MSRP $169,900 Hublot Big Bang E $5,800 Lululemon Cold City Parka $598 Lululemon City Sweat Crew $108 Lululemon 5 Year Basic Tee $48 Lululemon ABC Pant Slim Warpstreme 32" $128 Lululemon Power Stride Tab Socks $18 On-Runinng Cloudnova Shoes $150 Lululemon Day Shade Ball Cap $38 Paul Smith Black Barford Sunglasses $380 Lululemon City Keeper Gloves $78 Lululemon Back to Life Sport Bottle 24oz $44 Lululemon More Miles Travel Wallet $29 Lululemon Command The Day Backpack 24L $148 Vehicle The R8 V10 Coupe and Spyder return in 2020 featuring sharpened design and enhanced performance – with all R8 models now achieving a top track speed of at least 200 mph. The updated front bumper includes a new honeycomb grille with R8 badge, front spoiler lip, and lateral air intakes. The updated rear bumper continues with honeycomb air outlets, oval exhaust pipes, and a new rear diffuser. View All Audi R8 For Sale Watch The Big Bang e is powered with Wear OS by Google™. The wearer can access apps on Google Play, get answers on the go with Google Assistant and make fast simple payments with Google Pay. Easily swipe to helpful information from a customized list of tiles and stay up to date with notifications and messages. Shop Now Top Go on, challenge the elements. This Lululemon Cold City waterproof parka is generously insulated with goose down to keep you warm and dry in cold, wet conditions. Shop Now The Lululemon City Sweat Crew is made from quality soft and breathable materials with a stretchy sweat-wicking factor. The comfortably casual top is the best way to take everyday living to the next level. Shop Now The Lululemon 5 Year Basic Tee is a breathable lightweight t-shirt made from the trademarked Vitasea fabric. The perfect option for any casual daily outing or at home living, with an array of color options available. Shop Now Bottom The five-pocket jean, reinvented. These slim-fit pants are engineered with ABC™ Technology to give you freedom of movement and all-day comfort. Shop Now Footwear With all the features you need to work, sweat, and rest, these Lululemon Power Stride Tab Socks will get you through your whole day (and then some). Shop Now Performance born, design bred. The On-Running Cloudnova fuses everything we know about running tech with a brand new style and silhouette. Think responsive comfort and urban energy. Shop Now Accessories Rain or shine, you're ready. This lightweight Lululemon Days Shade Ball Cap is made with water-repellent fabric. Shop Now The Paul Smith Barford aviator-style acetate sunglasses are presented in black. Integrated nose pads. Top bar. Gold-tone logo hardware at temples. Green lens with 100% UV protection. Silver-tone hardware. Shop Now Lululemon City Keeper Gloves incorporate tech-friendly fingers and grippers on the palms, these fleece-lined gloves help keep you connected and cozy. Shop Now This insulated water bottle features a leak-proof lid and slip-free texture, so no matter how rocky the adventure gets, your drink is safe. Shop Now Travel near or far knowing all your important documents are secure and in the Lululemon More Miles Travel Wallet, so you can focus on enjoying the journey—stress free. Shop Now Baggage If you love pockets, the Lululemon Command The Day Backpack keeps your commutes organized. Think storage for your laptop, cords, snacks, water bottle, and more. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2020

Master & Dynamic x Away Collection Benefits 'Musicares' C...

Master & Dynamic has just announced a new collection with Away that brings the worlds of sound and travel together. Within the collection is a line of luggage, headphones, earphones and travel accessories. This includes the limited-edition MW07 GO True Wireless Earphones in Midnight Blue in a custom anodized aluminum charging case that matches Away's signature suitcases. The MW65 Active Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones in Silver Metal/Tan Leather also go well with any of the leather bags from Away. Just imagine walking through the airport with a matching set of Away luggage and Master & Dynamic headphones-- you'd feel on top of the world. But it wouldn't be just your stylish appearance that makes you feel good. Master & Dynamic is donating 100% of net proceeds from the collaboration to the MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund. According to Master & Dynamic, "MusiCares is a non-profit organization that provides preventative, emergency and recovery support to the music community." You can shop the collection now by clicking the button below. Shop Now

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By Edward Jones – October 13, 2020

McLaren x Klipsch Wireless Earphones Now Available

McLaren and Klipsch have teamed up to create a new and sporty way to listen to your tunes or podcasts. Introducing the new Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren edition earphones. Both the earphones and case are dust and water-tight, so they're able to be worn in the elements. Even the case they come in has a moisture removal system to keep the earphones dry. And you'll want to keep these earphones clean and dry so they last a while because they look absolutely great. The Papaya Orange and carbon fiber accents give them a sporty appearance that's befitting of a McLaren sports car. When it comes to features, these are jampacked, with the case offering up to 32 hours of charge, earphones hold 8 hours of charge, best-in-class acoustic performance, anodized metal sign-boost exterior antenna, and six pairs of patented Klipsch ear tips. The Klipsch T5 II True Wireless Sport McLaren edition earphones come with a $249.99 price tag and are available for pre-order now. They are estimated to be shipped around August 10, 2020. Shop Now Source: Klipsch.com

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2020

Write It Down With the New Bentley "Limited Edition Barna...

In 1930, the legendary 'Bentley Boy' Woolf Barnato was living a life of luxury and was a three-time Le Mans winner (consecutive). If there was anyone in the world of motorsport that was living on top of the world, it was Barnato. To prove just how fast he was in his Bentley Speed Six, he made a bet that he could beat the Le Train Bleu from Cannes to London. With minutes to spare, Barnato managed to beat the train in the race and the story of the Blue Train Race has gone down in history. To celebrate the 90th anniversary of this race, Bentley and their partner Graf von Faber-Castell have announced the new Bentley Limited Edition Barnato pen series. Each of these pens is finished in the dark racing green that's commonly associated with Barnato. The pens also have Barnato's handwritten signature on the cap and the barrels are hand-guilloched in a diamond pattern. There are three different versions in the series: fountain, rollerball and ballpoint. The collection is limited to just 1,930 pieces to honor the year of the race. Click the button below to learn more or order one for yourself. Shop Now

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