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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 05, 2021

Porsche Design's Fashion and Sport 30% Off Seasonal Sale ...

The best way to ring in the new year is to decorate the garage with a brand-new Porsche 992 911 Turbo S. If you are a future owner or enthusiast, then starting with the closet may be the best bet until you get a set of keys. Porsche Design is offering up to 30% off through its seasonal sale on head-to-toe clothing and accessories for all Porsche lovers. The fall/winter 2020 fashion and sports collection are part of the sales event, incorporating an array of casual and formal styles for the family. Porsche Design encompasses the same quality in both design and manufacturing using premium materials, just as the German automobile manufacturer does with each vehicle. The Porsche Design Seasonal sale is currently available through the website by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 08, 2020

The New Porsche Design x Bric's Roadster Backpack Collect...

Whether it is head to toe fashion or sport-inspired clothing and accessories, Porsche Design has the collection for any owner or enthusiast. Porsche Design’s close partnership with Bric’s, a leader in luxury luggage, is just one of the many collaborations that result in high-quality premium products for the public. The newest release from Porsche Design x Bric’s is the Roadster Backpack collection, a series of both nylon and leather backpacks sized to help with daily or weekend commutes. The sizes for each style include extra small and medium, with all the necessary space for laptops, cell phones, planners, etc. Made from durable materials, the Porsche Design x Bric’s Roadster collection not only looks great but also performs as a long-lasting accessory with the branding of German excellence. The Porsche Design x Bric’s Roadster Backpack Collection is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop The Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 08, 2020

Porsche Design x Type 7 Release A New T-Shirt And Hoodie

Type 7 is known for highlighting all that Porsche has to offer in past, present, and future forms, with complete backing from the manufacturer itself. The partnership continues with a Porsche Design x Type 7 merchandise release, featuring a minimal t-shirt and hoodie. Each style proudly sports the iconic Type 7 logo, ensuring that anyone wearing the collection is a Porsche enthusiast. The Porsche Design x Type 7 t-shirt and hoodie are currently available, with more product teased to release soon. Shop the Porsche Design x Type 7 clothing collection by clicking the link below. Shop Now Porsche Design

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2020

Porsche Design Unveils Two New Stylish Sunglasses

Porsche Design has just unveiled two new pairs of sunglasses that bleed sports car DNA. The first up is the P'8685 Hexagon Gold Limited Edition sunglasses (seen up above). The eight hexagonal screws and solid titanium in the front of these sunglasses were used as a way to interpret the design of an engine block into the design. If these look familiar, that's because the P'8685 sunglasses aren't new, but the gold design is. If you dig the look of the gold on the P'8685's design, act quick because only 500 pairs will be created, each with a suggested price of $1,150. The other pair unveiled by Porsche Design were the P'8928 aviators (seen below). These were created as a reinterpretation of the classic P'8478 sunglasses. The P'8478, the new P'8928 aviators also come with an interchangeable lens mechanism. Each pair will come with an additional set of color lenses and new colors can be purchased when they're unveiled each season. The Porsche Design P'8928 aviators come with a suggested starting price of $550. Shop Porsche-Design.com Porsche Design P'8928 (PRNewsfoto/Porsche Design)

By Edward Jones – November 05, 2020

Porsche Design Announces New and Stylish Soundbar

Porsche Design has just announced their new PDB70 Soundbar on Instagram and it looks downright stylish. With flat surfaces and modern design, it looks to be a perfect addition to any entertainment system. What's really enjoyable about this soundbar is the display for the controls and settings that shine through what looks to be a cloth-like covering. This design has been seen before in other items like the fourth generation Amazon Echo Dot and I personally love it. As for the specifics of this new soundbar, they're not known but we will surely learn more soon. In the meantime, you can also check out the other incredible speakers Porsche Design has for sale that are modeled after a 911's exhaust. Click the button below to see them for yourself. Update: The soundbar is now available. Click the button below to shop for it yourself. Visit Porsche-Design.com

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By Edward Jones – October 21, 2020

Porsche Design x Acer Reveal Carbon Fiber New Laptop

Porsche design and Acer have just unveiled a new laptop that combines the finest qualities from both brands. The new Porsche Design Acer Book RS is an exceptional piece of technology that's as powerful as it is stylish. Protecting the laptop is a carbon fiber cover that aids in it's low weight of just 2.65 lbs while also adding a rigid exterior. Inside are some pretty impressive internals, including the 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce MX350 GPU, and 16 GF of memory (RAM). Whatever these components conjure up will be displayed on a stunning 14-inch FHD IPS touchscreen with a layer of Antimicrobial Corning Gorilla Glass. Joining this laptop are a bevy of accessories that complete the Porsche Design x Acer experience, like the wireless Porsche design Acer Mouse RS with carbon fiber reinforcement for the left-mouse button. The Porsche Design Acer Book RS comes with a $1,399 starting price tag. Shop Acer Laptops

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 09, 2020

New Porsche Design X SONRA Sneaker Finds Inspiration From...

Porsche Design follows the same design and styling initiative for their footwear collections as they do with the vehicles rolled off the production line. They all follow the understanding that quality and functionality for the customer is the basis of each product. The newest collaboration from Porsche Design features a sneaker inspired by the Classic Porsche 912. World-renowned German sneaker collector and SONRA footwear founder, Hikmet Sugör, has teamed up with Porsche Design to create the SONRA “Porsche Design Edition” sneaker. The upper is made from a quality mix of cowhide and vegetable-tanned leather using Porsche’s Slate Grey as the color choice. Red highlights and the original 912 logos appear on the silhouette to complement the collaboration. A comfortably cushioned mid-sole and gripped outsole are added for functional daily wear. The strictly limited release will be available on October 24th. Porsche Design and Hikmet Sugör have created an even more limited-edition Signal Red pair, mimicking Hikmet’s personal Porsche 912. Residents of Germany can register for a lottery-style release and a chance to own the one-off sneakers. Shop and register for the Porsche Design x SONRA sneaker collaboration by clicking the link below. Shop Now

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By Jordan Aquistapace – October 02, 2020

Porsche Design X Bric's Announce Luggage Collection Release

Porsche Design has a new partnership with Italian luxury accessories designer Bric’s and have recently announced the first collaboration collection. The line-up includes an array of luggage options catering to both casual and business-focused pieces. The Roadster Hard Cases include suitcases and trunks that utilize its weight-saving materials paired with modern technology such as USB connections for on the go charging. The same unique styles and amenities are used in the leather collection as well. A Carbon Collection is manufactured for strength and security in its assortment of bags, weekenders, and small leather goods. The new Bric’s Porsche Design bags and luggage collection is available at the end of 2020 in selected travel-retail stores worldwide. View All Porsche For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 02, 2020

Porsche Design High OCTN Motorsport Sneakers Revealed

Porsche Design and Puma Motorsports recently released a new shoe that differs from more traditional minimalistic driving footwear. It's the thought of stepping out of the racecar and into the wilderness. The all-new rugged silhouette is called the High OCTN, which refers to a high-octane presence combined with a fully functional aspect. The newly designed mid-top sneaker constructed using a mix of both nylon and leather with added padding for protection. The most noticeable part of the High OCTN is the leather support strap that is secured to the upper portion of the sneaker and latches together using velcro. Thick nylon laces and rubber lace-lets located beneath the ankle straps. The bottoms are inspired by tread patterns from tires and are made from dense rubber to increase traction when off-road. Porsche Design and Puma Motorsports know the capability of using the High OCTN through whatever the weather throws at them, which is why the color-way uses dark earth tones. This style is a new approach from Porsche Design and Puma, one that leads to the possibilities of new unpaved roads. The new Porsche Design High OCTN Motorsport shoe is available for $270 on Puma's website. Shop Now

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