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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 – December 02, 2020

Kids Supercars For Sale

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2020

PUMA Motorsport x Mercedes-AMG Petronas LQDCELL Sneaker H...

Puma Motorsport and Mercedes-AMG Petronas have collaborated on an array of sneaker silhouettes that are able for both on and off-track use. The Puma LQDCELL is one of the shoes best described as an all-around comfortable daily wear. The mesh upper includes synthetic metallic overlays combined with various Mercedes-AMG Petronas branding. The midsole is made from thick cushioning to help ensure the most performance from the high-tech trainers. Puma Motorsport fitted the LQDCELL with a rubber outsole that provides durable traction and grip. A new colorway called Lu-Lu Purple is available for $110, while the Smoke Pearl version is on sale for $74.99. Puma Motorsport and Mercedes-AMG Petronas continue to bridge the gap between everyday life and the exciting world of racing. Shop the Puma Motorsport x Mercedes-AMG Petronas LQDCELL sneakers by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – October 05, 2020

New Mercedes-Benz eScooter Joins the Electric EQ Family

Mercedes-Benz's EQ family just grew by one thanks to the addition of the new eScooter. With electric scooters growing in popularity, primarily in downtown environments, it makes sense that Mercedes took their electric expertise and created a scooter of their own in collaboration with Micro Mobility Systems AG. The eScooter has a maximum power of 500W and a range of 15.5 miles. Mercedes has equipped the eScooter with large rubber wheels that will make potholes and cracked in the road less of a hassle. In the video below, you'll also notice that the eScooter can be connected to the Micro app that will display its range and more vitals. It seems like this new scooter will be a perfect companion for any Mercedes vehicle. This is one of those rare opportunities where you can put a Mercedes-Benz inside of another Mercedes-Benz. Stay with us for more information regarding price and availability as it's released. All Mercedes For Sale " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 29, 2020

The New Mercedes-AMG X Hartan Kinderwagenwerks Stroller

Safety and Performance is the main focus for Mercedes-Benz AMG, ensuring the most premium travel experience. That same thought has gone into the most recent partnership with Hartan Kinderwagenwerk. The luxury duo has released a modern designed stroller named the AMG GT to transition Mercedes driving experience for the newest addition to the family. The stroller is equipped with a comfortably stable seating unit with the ability to fold and recline. Leather-covered handles provide comfort, while a handbrake has been added to provide a safer option. Mercedes-AMG GT For Sale The wheels come directly from the original AMG design, the same satin black and chrome rim flange off an AMG GT63. Accessories are paired with the stroll such as an organizer, bed lining, umbrella guard, diaper bag, wind apron, and a protective headrest. The quality of materials used to make up the Hartan AMG GT stroller makes it both stylish and functional for the precious cargo. The stroller is available in two color options featuring red and green contour stitching. Shop the newest Mercedes-AMG x Hartan Kinderwagenwerks stroller collaboration by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 24, 2020

Mercedes-Benz AMG Offers More Storage In Performance Desi...

For the individuals who fill all the seats and pack their Mercedes-Benz AMG to hit the open road, a stylish accessory is being introduced. Mercedes-Benz AMG will be releasing a performance style roof box for their vehicle line up. The news came from the Mercedes-AMG Instagram page presenting the new roof box on an AMG GT63. The added storage compartment differs from traditional systems in a way that both focuses on a design using aesthetic accents while functioning as an aerodynamic structure. The extra storage roof box will be available in November of 2020.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 24, 2020

The All New PUMA Motorsports x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Spee...

PUMA Motorsports continues to release the Speedcat Pro model, a track-focused shoe designed with the help of Formula One’s best drivers. We have seen models that feature team collaborations such as Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing, but the most recent release being Mercedes-AMG Petronas. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas pro models will be released in a limited production reflecting the footwear used in each race. Source: PUMA Motorsport The idea behind the construction of the PUMA Speedcat Pro is to eliminate weight while still providing strength and grip. Materials such as lightweight fabrics and carbon fiber are used and help protect against fire. A low-profile rubber outsole added to make the grip transition between pedals effortless and more efficient. The PUMA Speedcat Pro is the perfect way to separate a daily commute to a weekend at the track. Shop the Mercedes-AMG Petronas x PUMA Speedcat Pro by clicking the link below. Shop PUMA Speedcat Pro

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 04, 2020

Modernica x Good Smile Racing USA Chair Collaboration

As automobiles and racing heritage become more popular and viewed as a true art form, we are seeing more entries into new markets that complement their visual aspects. Modernica, a fine hand-crafted furniture manufacturer has announced that they will be using Japanese racing culture as the inspiration for their newest release. The team over at Good Smile Racing USA is responsible for providing inspiration in the form of a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-3 racecar. More specifically, the vehicle’s vibrant race livery that was displayed during its championship win at the 2017 Super GT 300. The AMG has been featured with the automotive team at Race Service, making appearances at their headquarters. The collaboration will be featured on Modernica’s Side Shell Eiffel Chair in two unique versions. A checkered flag-inspired example as well as an overlaid design using Good Smile Racing’s logo, racecar number decals, and gold crowns signifying championship-winning years. The remarkable images of the Good Smile Racing AMG GT-3 and Modernica's construction process of each chair were captured by Kerion Berndt to show the detail behind the project. The chairs will be available on September 7th on Good Smile Racing’s website for the price of $595. For more information on Modernica and Good Smile Racing USA click the links below. Learn More On Modernica Learn More On Good Smile Racing https://vimeo.com/453644483 Source: Modernica.net / Keiron Berndt

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 Edward Jones – April 21, 2020

Puma Motorsport Drops New Mercedes AMG Petronas Slides

At this current point in time, many of us are swapping the sneakers and boots for sandals and slides. For fans of Mercedes AMG Petronas AND slides, we have the perfect footwear for you. The new Puma Motorsport Mercedes AMG Petronas Leadcat Men's Slides have been debuted and are now for sale online. They come in both black and white, with each featuring the Mercedes AMG Petronas logo in the striking Spectra Green color. As for the construction of the slides, they have a padded premium synthetic leather strap and molded footbed. Click the button below to pick up your own pair for just $40.00. Shop Now Source: Puma.com

By Edward Jones – October 03, 2019

New Mercedes-Benz vívoactive® 3 Smartwatch Adapts Cabin t...

Mercedes-Benz and Garmin have teamed up to create the new Mercedes-Benz vívoactive® 3 smartwatch, a piece of gear that any CLA or GLE owner should consider. This new watch utilizes the new ENERGIZING COACH Mercedes me app in both models. The new smartwatch monitors the driver's vital data and transmits it to the app. Then, the app can determine the driver's stress level and recommend an appropriate "ENERGIZING" program. 2019 Mercedes-AMG G63 Price & Specs Revealed Features such as the music, ambient lighting, temperature and massage function are altered according to the program's suggestions. Of course, these altered features depend on the vehicle's available equipment (you can't make massage rollers appear out of thin air). You can learn more about this watch and its functions by clicking here. see all mercedes-benz for sale

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