Gear

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 – February 08, 2021

Puma x Scuderia Ferrari Release The Mirage Mox Sneaker Co...

Recently, Puma announced its partnership renewal with Scuderia Ferrari with the Spring/Summer 2021 Collection release featuring a large variety of new products. One that stands out is the Puma x Scuderia Ferrari Mirage Mox, a 70s retro-style sneaker fitted with modern day footwear technology for days on and off the track. The all-new silhouette focuses on comfort, stability, and traction using a blend of premium materials. The Mirage Mox provides stability using a multi-layer upper styled using actual Ferrari color codes like Rosso Corsa. A thick midsole offers comfort through Puma’s iconic cushioning system, allowing for longer days on foot. Traction is what counts, which is why Puma added a layer of rubber on the outsole using a tread pattern similar to a car tire. The Puma x Scuderia Ferrari Mirage Mox is currently available in multiple colorways by clicking the link below. Shop Now For more Gear news, Check out Valentines Day Gift Guide For The Car Enthusiast In Your Life

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By Jordan Aquistapace – January 25, 2021

Puma Motorsport Releases Scuderia Ferrari Spring/Summer 2...

Puma Motorsport and the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team continue their close relationship with the release of the Spring/Summer 2021, which began as a contract extension for the two brands. The Italian prancing horse participated in Formula 1 since its beginning in 1950. Puma jumped on board with the winning team in 2004. Fast forward, the relationship evolved into an apparel and footwear line balancing between track-focused and casual styles for all fans to enjoy. The Spring/Summer 2021 features head to toe products using new designs and Ferrari colors. Along with t-shirts and track pants, Puma x Scuderia Ferrari released two new motorsport sneakers, the women’s minimalistic Ridge Cat, and a comfortable men’s RCT XETIC Forza. The collection release and contract extensions are great news for the brand and also all fans of Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1. The Scuderia Ferrari Spring/Summer 2021 collection by Puma Motorsport is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Now For more Gear news, Check out How To Buy: Period Correct Reds Collection

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By Jordan Aquistapace – January 18, 2021

Puma Unveils Spring/Summer 2021 Motorsport Partner Collec...

We recently covered a few instances of Puma teasing new sneakers for the 2021 motorsport season. The collection features Formula 1 teams such as Mercedes AMG Petronas, Red Bull Racing, and manufacturer division BMW M Motorsports. The team at Puma is proud to announce the new Spring/Summer 2021 Motorsport Partner Collection, which incorporates retro-futuristic designs blended with the established team colors translating on-track spirit into a street lifestyle. The collection will feature head to toe clothing and footwear celebrating the best years of each manufacture’s beginning in the world of motorsports. Whether it is on or off the track, Puma Motorsport offers the best styles to represent your favorite team during the 2021 season. Stay up-to-date with releases from the Puma Motorsport Partner Collection by checking back in and clicking the link below. Shop Puma Motorsport For more Puma Motorsport news, Check out Discover The Puma Motorsport Sparco Speedcat OG+ Shoe Collection

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 13, 2021

Puma Motorsport Hints At A 2021 Red Bull Racing Collectio...

As everyone is adjusting to the beginning of the new year with plans and resolutions, Puma Motorsport continues to stay on track with new product collaboration announcements. Puma Motorsport is proud to announce a new silhouette release presented in a traditional Red Bull Racing design. The new sneaker is best described as a low cut casual wear for daily commutes. Along with the sneakers, Puma Motorsport is preparing to release a track-ready Red Bull Racing Collection for 2021. Check back in for updates on the 2021 Puma Motorsport x Red Bull Racing Collection. For more Puma Motorsport news, Check out Puma Motorsport x Mercedes AMG Petronas Tease A New 2021 Sneaker Shop Puma Motorsport

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 07, 2021

Puma Launches The New Fuse Training Sneaker

Puma continues to drive the footwear market for motorsport with track-focused silhouettes like the Speedcat Pro, unfortunately, not everyone can be a world-class Formula 1 driver. Those looking to get physical, Puma created the Fuse training sneaker. The inspiration behind the sneaker is to provide grip and cushioning for high impact activity, making the long days at the gym more comfortable. The bottoms feature durable PUMAGRIP, which provides all-purpose traction while a TPU heel clip offers a boost of support. The Puma Fuse currently comes in a black, white, and multi-color colorway, with a unique blue version coming soon for the price of $90. Shop the new Puma Fuse training sneakers by clicking the link below. For more Puma news, Check out Puma Motorsport x Mercedes AMG Petronas Tease A New 2021 Sneaker Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 06, 2021

Puma Motorsport x Mercedes AMG Petronas Tease A New 2021 ...

Puma Motorsport has not wasted any time getting to work in 2021 with its most recent announcement of a new team Mercedes AMG Petronas sneaker. The motorsport apparel and footwear manufacturer took to Instagram for a sneak peek at the new low cut casual sneaker sporting the AMG Petronas F1 team logos. The sneaker takes on a new all-white silhouette with shades of blue and off white to contrast the styling. Although the information on a price or release is still unknown, be sure to check back in for a "How To Buy" on the Puma Motorsport x Mercedes AMG Petronas sneakers. Click the link below to shop all current products from Puma Motorsport. Shop Puma Motorsport

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 10, 2020

Puma Releases The New Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat

The Scuderia Ferrari race team embraces the past and present historic aspects of the Italian supercar manufacturer, including its iconic Rossa Corsa color. When Puma Motorsport was developing the Speedcat with Scuderia Ferrari the goal was to create a fusion between a classic style that would perform as a future benchmark for track footwear. The new Puma Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat uses premium Rossa Corsa and Black suede for the low profile upper, making it lightweight. The midsole and outsole of the shoe are wrapped in traction grabbing rubber, allowing for better pedal control around the circuit or on the way to the car from work. An array of Puma and Ferrari logos are placed throughout the shoe, symbolizing the partnership that holds significant history in the motorsport world. Shop the Puma X Scuderia Ferrari Speedcat featured in Rossa Corsa and Black by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 09, 2020

Discover The Puma Motorsport Sparco Speedcat OG+ Shoe Col...

Although highly competitive, motorsport racing also has a side to which companies come together within the industry to help create the best products for on and off the track. Puma Motorsport is working with Sparco, a leader in auto parts and accessories, on the release of the Speedcat OG+ Motorsport Shoe. The Speedcat has led the race in iconic track footwear with Sparco by its side for the past 20 years. The minimalistic track-focused silhouette offers the lightweight performance and grip needed to hold steady through any corner. The collection now features four unique colorways sporting the Sparco logo on the tongue of each shoe. Shop any of the Puma Speedcat OG+ Sparco Motorsport Shoes by clicking the links below. Maize Yellow/Puma Black $100 Shop Now Puma Black/Whisper White $100 Shop Now Star Sapphire/White/Black $100 Shop Now Quarry Grey/Violet/Energy Yellow $100 Shop Now

Porsche Legacy RS X³ 911 GT3 R Mens Sneakers main

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2020

New Puma x Porsche RS-X³ 911 GT3 R Sneakers Released

Porsche and Puma Motorsport recently teamed up to release a special collection paying homage to the eras of 911 Turbo models. The duo has gone from the public roads to the track with its newest release of the Porsche Legacy RS-X3 911 GT3 R sneakers. The low-cut silhouette is constructed from a mesh upper with suede overlays featuring a sleek black and red colorway. The midsole is made from a thick cushioning making the wear experience comfortable daily, whether on or off the track. The bottoms are covered in traction grabbing rubber, which is also seen on the toe cap, used for better pedal control. The Porsche 911 logo is placed throughout the sneaker, including a custom hang tag looped through the laces. The Porsche x Puma Motorsport Legacy RS-X3 911 GT3 R sneaker is currently available by clicking the link below. Buy Now Source: PUMA.com

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By Jordan Aquistapace – November 30, 2020

How To Shop Puma Motorsport Cyber Monday Deals

Puma Motorsport is best known for collaborating with automotive manufacturers and Formula 1 teams on unique collections for fans. The Cyber Monday Sale has hit the Puma Motorsport store and features track-focused clothing and footwear styles. The Motorsport collections offer an array of products for all in the family of car enthusiasts. Footwear is a highlight of the brand, with models ranging from comfortable everyday sneakers to aggressive racing boots that sport iconic teams such as Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Red Bull Racing, and more. The Cyber Monday Sale by Puma Motorsport is happening now, prepping enthusiasts for the upcoming holiday season. When: Available Now Where: Puma Motorsport Puma Motorsport

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