Lexus

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 Tyler Rampersaud – May 11, 2023

Lexus Teases The New Redesigned 2024 GX SUV

Lexus’s iconic SUV is about to make a big change.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 09, 2023

Lexus Teases The Upcoming New TX SUV

The iconic Japanese luxury brand has something new up its sleeve.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 13, 2023

Lexus Reveals RZ450e Pricing

Lexus’ first foray into the EV world is in full swing.

Lexus RZ 450e ChargePoint Qmerit 01 1500x1100 1

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 24, 2023

The New Lexus RZ 450e Will Feature ChargePoint At-Home Ch...

Lexus’s first all-electric model hits the ground running. The very first all-electric model from one of the automotive industry’s most ubiquitous marques, Lexus, is about to hit the road very soon, and like in most of its endeavors, Lexus is very keen on making sure that the introduction of the new Lexus RZ 450e is done right the first time. To this end, Lexus has announced a collaboration with ChargePoint and Qmerit, in order to provide the best charging solutions for Lexus RZ owners, including at-home charging, and installation solutions for it. MUST READ: Lexus Reveals Updates For The New 2023 RC And RC F Lexus foresees owners of the new RZ charging their vehicle primarily at home, and through the use of the ChargePoint HomeFlex charger, the battery can be fully charged overnight. Through Qmerit, installation services are made easy with free quotes and the introduction made during the vehicle purchase. Through ChargePoint, fast charging will also be available at various public charging stations making driving and owning the new all-electric Lexus RZ 450e easy, luxurious, and futuristic. View All Lexus For Sale Source: Lexus

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 11, 2023

Lexus Reveals Updates For The New 2023 RC And RC F

The celebrated luxury sports coupe gets a 2023 makeover. The Lexus RC is a sports coupe that embodies everything to love about timeless sports cars: luxury, performance, style, and driving character. Having been around for quite some time, Lexus is announcing plenty of updates to the iconic model for 2023, which will improve and refine the entire range, from the standard RC 300 to the brash RC F Track Edition. With an optional available 10.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment, the RC builds on its ability to deliver a luxury driving experience with technology and convenience. For updated and personalized style, RC models for 2023 come with a new available F Sport Special Appearance Package for 2023. This includes an Obsidian color roof and hood, as well as 19-inch Enkei wheels, for a two-tone configuration, which highlights a new exterior color called Incognito. MUST READ: Lexus Plans To Go All-Electric By 2035 With Its New ‘Inspired By People’ Campaign For the performance-oriented RC F, Lexus offers an available Carbon package, which highlights the performance characteristics of the V8-powered beast, with carbon fiber spoilers and roof, as well as carbon fiber trim in the interior. The RC F Track Edition, with further distilled performance nature, comes standard with carbon ceramic brakes from Brembo, a carbon fiber hood and roof, as well as a fixed spoiler and a special interior featuring black and blue Alcantara trim. With luxury, style, and performance in spades, the new 2023 Lexus RC continues to be one of the best luxury sports coupes out there. View All Lexus RCs For Sale Source: Lexus

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2023

Lexus Plans To Go All-Electric By 2035 With Its New 'Insp...

“Like Attracts Like” brings to life the idea that people are the power behind every Lexus. The market for electric vehicles continues to grow rapidly throughout the world, pushing manufacturers to evolve their current line of cars and trucks into more efficient platforms. The innovative team at Lexus is making its push to the future of mobility with its new Lexus Electrified: Inspired By People marketing campaign. Lexus Electrified gives insight into the versatility of its line of electric vehicles, including the RX Hybrid, RZ All-Electric, Electric Sport Concept, and NX Plug-In Hybrid. MUST-READ: Lexus x Adidas Create The New Black Panther: Wakanda Forever-Inspired Lexus RX 500h Vibe-Branium The brand’s forward-thinking first began in 2005 with the release of the Lexus RX 400h, the world’s first luxury hybrid sport utility vehicle. The inspiration comes from Lexus’ goal to transition to a carbon-neutral operation, aiming to achieve 100% battery electric vehicles in all models globally by 2035. View all current Lexus models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Lexus For Sale Source: Lexus

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 14, 2022

Lexus x Adidas Create The New Black Panther: Wakanda Fore...

At the intersection of luxury, technology, and pop culture is something special. One of the biggest draws to Marvel’s new Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film is the bold and stunning futurism displayed proudly throughout the movie. And that’s what inspired Lexus, Adidas, and Adidas S.E.E.D. to create a new custom Lexus RX SUV, called the Lexus RX 500h Vibe-Branium that paid homage to Wakanda’s futurism with both a custom wrap and a reimagined interior. MUST READ: Harris Reed Designs Massive Custom Wizard Of Oz-Inspired Rims For The New Lexus RX In celebration of the Wakanda Forever Collection from Adidas, the sportswear brand brought the collection to the automotive world by exploring the idea of a Wakandan national athletic team. It features phrases and lettering done in the Wakandan alphabet and the iconic purple color associated with the fictional nation. The interior features the same purple, along with plenty of touches of Wakanda-inspired gold. The collaboration also features a T-shirt designed by Adidas S.E.E.D. students featuring an African proverb written in the Wakandan alphabet reading: Educate a Woman, Educate a Nation. With students, iconic brands, and an incredible story as inspiration, this custom Lexus RX is truly something unique. View All Lexus RXs For Sale Source: Lexus

Photo Credit Holly Parker Harris Reed x Lexus Ruby Red Rims

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 14, 2022

Harris Reed Designs Massive Custom Wizard Of Oz-Inspired ...

Fashion, culture, and automotive luxury roll into one. After decades of it being one of the most famous stories of all time, The Wizard of Oz, and along with it, all of the settings and pieces of imagery seen along the journey have become idiomatic symbols in everyday life. One of the strongest symbols featured in The Wizard of Oz is the pair of ruby slippers that eventually bring Dorothy back to Kansas. Lexus and the new RX crossover and a stunning modern reinterpretation of the ruby slippers took part in the 50th Anniversary party for W Magazine, and that reinterpretation was envisioned by fashion designer Harris Reed. MUST READ: The New 2023 Lexus LC 500 Models Refine The Flagship Grand Tourer A car’s equivalent of shoes are wheels, and the Lexus RX got its own pair of ruby slippers in the form of amazing custom rims. With gloss-sealed glitter and a ruby Lexus logo, the massive wheels with a turbine effect and thin spokes dazzled like the original slippers. Reed’s inspiration for the design was his own passion for traveling in a different direction with his designs, which complemented the new Lexus RX’s launch campaign, which sees the crossover leaving the Yellow Brick Road in favor of a red brick road instead. The “Ruby Red Rims” Lexus RX will make more appearances in the future throughout the country with its incredible custom wheels. View All Lexus RXs For Sale Source: Leuxs

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 10, 2022

The New 2023 Lexus LC 500 Models Refine The Flagship Gran...

The stunning flagship grand tourer continues to be a hero for Lexus. In the years since it was first introduced, the Lexus LC 500 has, in true Lexus fashion, rolled beauty and brains into one stunning grand tourer, with one of the most eye-catching designs from the brand yet, a world-class interior, and incredibly impressive performance thanks to a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, rear-wheel steering, and other clever engineering. For 2023, Lexus continues to improve the performance and character of the LC 500 family, including its convertible counterpart. MUST READ: The New 2023 Lexus IS Adds Limited Edition Special Appearance Packages To F SPORT Models The suspension is further optimized, allowing for better driving feel and steering response, and the available sport package adds a Torsen limited-slip rear differential as well as Yamaha performance dampers, performance brake pads, and seats trimmed with Alcantara. The new model year adds new 21-inch wheels with polish finish and Gloss Black accents to the sport package. In addition, the incredible design is accentuated with a new Cloudburst Gray Color. The convertible also comes with suspension upgrades from the coupe, which are tweaked for the open top. The same goes for the HVAC system and the exterior design, which is smartly adapted to preserve the driving feel and luxury of the coupe in an uncompromising fashion. With luxury, performance, style, and elegance, the Lexus LC500 family continues to build the legacy of the luxury brand. View All Lexus LC 500s For Sale Source: Lexus

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By Tyler Rampersaud – September 15, 2022

The New 2023 Lexus IS Adds Limited Edition Special Appear...

The new Lexus IS builds on the luxury sport sedan’s legacy. The Lexus IS has been a highly successful luxury sedan for 20 years since it introduced the market to its engaging driving character, sharp looks, and elegant appointments. Now, we’ve been introduced to a new Lexus IS, with the IS 500 F SPORT Performance at the top with its 5.0-liter V8 engine that boasts 472 horsepower and a sonorous roar that will never get old. The days of burly, naturally-aspirated engines are soon coming to an end. While V12 engines have been the most visibly endangered species, V8 engines are slowly starting to fade away as well, which is why it is a relief that Lexus is not only continuing the IS 500 F Sport Performance, which happens to be one of the last of its kind, but doubling down with a new edition for the 2023 model year. MUST READ: The New 2023 Lexus RX Improves The Luxury Crossover And Adds An F SPORT Performance Variant The new 2023 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance Premium with a new Special Appearance Package adds to the V8-powered executive sedan’s elegant character with an available Molten Pearl color with a black NuLuxe interior, complete with color-matched floor mats and a set of matching key gloves. Limited to 150 units, the elegant but brawny sedan is set to go on sale this fall. In addition, the entire Lexus IS family receives performance and luxury tweaks for the new model year, and the Lexus IS 350 F SPORT also gets a Special Appearance Package, featuring Incognito paintwork with an Obsidian Black hood and roof with 19-inch Enkei wheels. The Appearance Package-equipped IS 350 F SPORT is limited to 480 units. View All Lexus IS For Sale Source: Lexus

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