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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 – September 02, 2021

The New McLaren F1 x RHUDE Collection Is Available Now

Celebrate McLaren's successful history in motorsports with the new RHUDE collection. The collaboration efforts between automotive manufacturers and luxury streetwear brands are becoming more popular in the fashion world, with exclusive collections selling out instantly. The McLaren Formula 1 Racing Team is proud to announce its second apparel and accessory line with RHUDE. After an extremely successful first drop, the duo is teaming up to highlight McLaren’s successful history in motorsports. The high-quality collection features jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, polos, t-shirts, pants, shorts, and accessories for all enthusiasts of the two brands. Alongside the apparel side of the release, McLaren F1 x RHUDE features a vintage-style racing helmet. The all-new McLaren F1 x RHUDE Drop 2 is currently available to shop by clicking the link below. Shop McLaren F1 x RHUDE Drop 2 Media/Info Source: RHUDE

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 01, 2021

Shop The McLaren F1 x Gulf Racing Apparel & Accessory Col...

Style yourself in the iconic colors of Gulf Racing branded with Team McLaren F1. The motorsport relationship between McLaren and Gulf Racing expands much further than iconic liveries displayed on racecars. The dynamic duo shifts its efforts towards the lifestyle sector with various apparel and accessory collection. Team McLaren F1and Gulf Racing is proud to restock its newest additions to McLaren Store. Styled in the iconic Gulf blue and orange colors, the collection features jackets, polos, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and wall art for fans and enthusiasts. Made from premium materials, the McLaren F1x Gulf Racing collection is set to style you like Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo. Shop the collection restock release by clicking the link below. Shop McLaren F1 x Gulf Racing Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 30, 2021

The New Balance XC-72: A Sports Car For Your Feet

The XC-72 reshapes elements from some of New Balance's top running shoes of the time into an aggressive new design. Whether it is vintage, modern, or futuristic, the automotive world inspires other industries with one-of-a-kind designs and styling. The streetwear fashion world is just one to name a few that incorporate patterns, color, shape, texture, and more into apparel and footwear collections. New Balance is proud to release its new XC-72 Collection inspired by the speculative technology behind 1970s concept cars. The low-cut cross country-style sneaker features a premium perforated leather and suede upper, with a thick foam midsole to provide comfort under contact. The most noticeable aspect of the New Balance XC-72 is the split outsole, which wraps around the entire silhouette in two different tread patterns. The center ‘racing strip’ confirms that the New Balance XC-72 Collection is best described as a sports car for your feet. Shop the all-new New Balance XC-72 Collection by clicking the link below. Shop New Balance XC-72 Media Source: New Balance

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 26, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Teases A New '40 Years Of Airbag' Fashion C...

Preston Heron incorporates Mercedes-Benz safety into his new collaboration collection. The worlds of art and fashion are easily influenced by the automotive industry, as they both share similarities in style and design. Mercedes-Benz is familiar with this process, as the German auto manufacturer recently worked with famous designers like Virgil Abloh. Mercedes-Benz is proud to announce its new collaboration project with designer, artist, entrepreneur, and DJ, Heron Preston. The new Mercedes-Benz x Heron Preston Collection is inspired by 40 years of airbags. The new apparel and accessories line is teased on Mercedes-Benz Instagram with a video breakdown of a traditional airbag and a quick shot of what looks to be the clothing material. Although images of the pieces included in the line have yet to release, it is an exciting move forward for the streetwear fashion and automotive worlds. Check back in for more information and a special on How To Buy the Mercedes-Benz x Heron Preston 40 years of Airbag Collection. Mercedes-Benz Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 26, 2021

Bugatti Announces A New Apparel/Footwear Collection With UYN

The UYN for BUGATTI Collection is sure to have owners and enthusiasts excited. As a true leader in everything luxury, the Bugatti brand continues to direct its efforts outside of producing some of the fastest and most exclusive hypercars on the market. With a multi-million dollar Bugatti Chiron, the perfect apparel and accessories are essential. Bugatti is proud to announce its newest venture with Italian performance apparel UYN, which features a new apparel and footwear collection sporting Bugatti logos. MUST-READ: The Bugatti x BUBEN&ZÖRWEG Timepiece Collection Available Now The "UYN for BUGATTI" collection initially includes eleven pieces of clothing (jackets, mid-layers, polo shirts, and technical shirts) plus two styles of shoes and will be expanded in the coming months. Just as each Bugatti hypercar exemplifies performance, UYN clothing does the same with breathability, drying speed, softness, and elasticity from its premium materials. The "UYN for BUGATTI" collection comes in the colors black, white, and the famous Bugatti Blue, the colors reflect Bugatti's identity and pays homage to the Molsheim-based company's racing heritage. Check back in for more release information on the all-new UYN for BUGATTI Collection. View All Bugatti For Sale Media/Information Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 12, 2021

Shop The New Ferrari NITEFOX Sneakers By PUMA Available Now

Bring performance and comfort to your closet with the new release from Ferrari x PUMA. Whether it’s creating an Italian supercar to crush lap times around the circuit or designing a fashionable fit for any occasion, Ferrari incorporates quality, performance, and comfort to achieve its luxury feel. Ferrari is proud to announce its newest footwear release as part of the lifestyle collection, the new Nitefox Sneakers by Puma. Inspired by the design of the legendary Ferrari Testarossa, the Nitefox sneakers are an ultramodern take on the Ferrari aesthetic, combining the bright energy of their silhouette with solid shape, their style, and functionality, all in one bold shoe with iconic charm. The anatomy of a car is transformed into a high-performance silhouette in this unisex athletic shoe, featuring oversized proportions and extreme aerodynamics. As a result, the unmistakable vent on the side becomes a structural as well as a distinctive design element, an expression of the unique personality of the sneakers that will be the hit of the season. The all-new Ferrari Nitefox sneakers by Puma are now available for $560 by clicking the link below. Shop Ferrari Nitefox By Puma https://www.instagram.com/p/CRMO43VpDaJ/?utm_medium=copy_link For more Gear news, Check out Essentials for Porsche Owners

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 12, 2021

Ferrari Celebrates The Monza SP1/SP2 With A New Limited-E...

Discover the historical timeline of the Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2. The Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 is considered to be one of the most extraordinary supercars in the brand’s history. Ferrari is proud to announce its newest special publication project featuring the one-of-a-kind Italian supercar. Throughout the process of designing and manufacturing, Ferrari compiled all of the original sketches, images, and documentation for owners and enthusiasts to enjoy. The “Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2” is a volume like no other: if the Monza is a kinetic sculpture, then this book aims to be an artwork in its own right too. Published in a stunning large format and printed on the highest quality eco-friendly Italian art paper, the book is enriched with details that reference the car itself: carbon-fibre binding, a spine in the same leather used for some of the cockpit trim and a stunning slipcover lined entirely in Alcantara. Inside, “Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2” book offers unprecedented access to the creative, engineering and manufacturing processes that culminated in this remarkable car through previously unseen photographs and images as well as words. The “Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2” book will be available in a limited edition of 499 pieces, matching the number of SP1/SP2 cars being made in this new special series. Each book are signed by the key people who helped realize the car and will be ready to be pre-ordered by clicking the link below. Shop Now Media/Info Source: Ferrari For more Gear news, Check out The GearBox: The Mercedes-AMG G63 Style

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 08, 2021

McLaren F1 Releases The 2021 British Grand Prix Collection

Celebrate McLaren F1's road to victory this weekend at the British Grand Prix. As the Formula 1 drivers continuously change locations around the world to compete at the most iconic circuits, so do their styles. McLaren F1 is celebrating the 2021 British Grand Prix with a commemorative apparel and accessories collection. Announced through an Instagram posted by McLaren F1, team drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris model the new pieces displayed in vibrant colors to match the personality of each. The new McLaren F1 British Grand Prix apparel collection is now available starting at $42.50. Shop and support Daniel Ricciardo and Lando Norris this weekend by clicking the link below. Shop McLaren F1 2021 British Grand Prix Collection https://www.instagram.com/p/CRBghZ7nmDR/ For more Gear news, Check out The GearBox: The Mercedes-AMG G63 Style

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 06, 2021

PUMA x BMW M Motorsports Release The Autumn/Winter '21 Co...

Celebrate the iconic BMW M1 with its collaboration collection with Puma. While we all continue to soak up the summer and enjoy the warm weather, Puma continues to think forward with its motorsport-inspired collections. As the later months are soon to come, Puma is teaming up with BMW M Motorsport to bring owners, collectors, and enthusiasts the right gear for the cooler weather. Puma x BMW M Motorsport is proud to announce the all-new Autumn/Winter ’21 Collection featuring an array of styles and products sporting the iconic German auto manufacturer's iconic colors. The inspiration behind the collection is the BMW M1, which was first released in 1978 and is into its own Pro Car Series just one year later. PUMA is celebrating this first concept car of BMW, implementing the iconic silhouette of the BMW M1 Procar as the main graphic inspiration of the street collection of the autumn/winter ́21 range. The assortment is featuring color-blocking elements infiltrating the range of jackets, hoodies, pants, and t-shirts for a casual look. Along with the variety of apparel and accessories, the Puma x BMW M Motorsport Collection also features footwear design to style any driver on or off-track. The Low Racer tunes up a classic silhouette with a motorsport twist resulting in a playful makeover of an 80’s piece while the RS-Connect rides the wave of the technological transformation with a future design, richly layered upper, and unique tooling. The women's footwear range is coming with the Cruise Rider Lace being inspired by vintage cars featuring a stacked outsole and TPU clip and the City Rider bringing extra-bright colors and the signature Rider outsole on the tarmac. Shop the all-new Puma x BMW M Motorsport Autumn/Winter ’21 Collection by clicking the link below. Shop PUMA x BMW M Motorsport Autumn/Winter '21 For more Gear news, Check out Porsche Design Releases The New P’2330 Roadster Hardcase 4W Business Trolley S Media/Info Source: PUMA

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 06, 2021

Porsche Design Releases The New P’2330 Roadster Hardcase ...

Pack your Porsche with the purpose-built Porsche Design luggage collection. Whether it’s packing your favorite essentials for the trip of a lifetime or grabbing the keys to start the perfect road trip, Porsche is always a leading contender. The Porsche Design luggage collection highlights the same use of premium materials, craftsmanship, and attention to detail that goes into each performance-focused vehicle that rolls off the production floor. Porsche Design is proud to announce the new P’2330 Roadster Hardcase 4W Business Trolley S, a new sleek luggage collection constructed for safe travel. Along with a series of sizes made to match your lifestyle, the new Roadster Hardcase 4W features a locking system as well as a rechargeable USB port for selling on the go. The newest luggage collection is presented in an array of classic Porsche paint codes, making it essential for any owner or enthusiast. The new Porsche Design P’2330 Roadster Hardcase 4W Business Trolley S is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Porsche Design Luggage https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_CUGbq5GC/ For more Gear news, Check out The Top 10 Luxury Driving Shoes For Car Enthusiasts

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