Lifestyle

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 Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2020

Roger Dubuis Unveils Excalibur Diabolus in Machina

Roger Dubuis has chosen to tune its minute repeater to the sound of the tritone, the famous “Diabolus in Musica” chord outlawed in medieval religious music, the secret key to all clever and complex melodic harmony. A sin of pride is to wear a timepiece that combines a devilish flying tourbillon with a highly sought-after minute repeater. It is the first watch to ever have both features in the same calibre. This is only made possible by the expert watchmakers of Roger Dubuis. Caliber: A minute repeater coupled with a flying tourbillon, the RD107 is a blend of haute horlogerie made possible thanks to the highly skilled watchmakers of Roger Dubuis. Three different indicators - functions, all or nothing, chiming - are displayed on the upper side of the calibre. The RD107 is powered by two micro-rotors visible on the back of the calibre. " width="680"> Specifications: Case Size : 45mm Water Resistance : 3bar (30meter) Strap Material : Interchangeable 3D calf leather strap Clasp Material : Interchangeable titanium cover with titanium triple folding buckle Dial Material : Double surface flange with engraved minute track, transfered texts. Polished hour markers filled with SLN. Features: Type: Mechanical, automatic winding Function: Hours, minutes, minute repeater, function indicator, all or nothing indicator, chiming indicator Power reserve: 72 hours Components: 558 Jewels: 54 Diameter: 36.9 mm Thickness: 10 Frequency : 3 Hz (21’600 Alt/H) That last feature is what would make this forbidden in medieval music. Dividing any musical note by 3 was deemed irreverent to the Holy Trinity. The Church forbade triplet tones because they did not conform to the sacrosanct rhythm of hymns or chants. It's time for a change, and you should be the first to experience this innovation in timekeeping. Shop Roger Dubuis

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2020

Cabot Guns Offers Hand Built Perfection

You have many choices when shopping for a 1911. The common denominator among them is that no matter what you choose, it is one of many identical examples made by that shop. That is where Cabot Guns has chosen an unprecedented business model. Their specialty is in small batches, each one with a unique theme and inspiration. By limiting production to small groups assembled by the same Gunsmith, Cabot Guns offers hand-built perfection. Sure there are other companies that build pistols by hand, but even a skilled master can become complacent if they build the same gun. Groundhog day becomes real if your career is spent in repetition. At Cabot, they are not afraid to use unique alloys, custom wood finishes, and other unseen details to make their guns one of a kind. A quick glance at their website and you will fall down the rabbit hole of amazing firearms. Among my favorites are a pair made from extraterrestrial iron. Meteorites have some of the purest iron ever found. The Gibeon meteorite dates back to the dinosaur age, and it was discovered in Namibia in 1838. After carving a 77-pound chunk out of it, Cabot Guns built the "Big Bang Set". Mass-produced guns are made using high-speed CNC mills. Because Cabot Guns are often commissioned in hardened alloys, each one is carefully crafted using tools your grandfather would know well. Other popular models include Damascus Steel, each one requires hundreds of hours by a blacksmith who forges and folds the steel hundreds of times. Cabot Guns only builds these in limited runs, as their business is catered to one-off collector's items. If you need the strongest and most alluring 45 on the market, click the button below to learn more. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2020

Vyrus Unveils the 2020 Alyen With 205 Horsepower

Ducati builds amazing engines. The desmo-drive offers better valve control at top speed, with a soundtrack unlike any other. That is why Vyrus Motorcycles chose it for something out of this world. You should consider yourself warned, because Vyrus has unveiled the 2020 Alyen with 205 horsepower. This carbon fiber beast stands out for all the right reasons. First off, the front suspension is divorced from the handlebars. Instead of a traditional front fork, it has a swing arm with a drag link. The power steering system takes inputs from the handlebars, removing you and your arms from the impact, resistance, and braking forces. The frame is a mix of magnesium and carbon fiber that proudly displays the Ducati 1199 Panigale. Forged carbon wheels are wrapped in 120/70 ZR 17 front and 200/60 ZR17 rear tires. It has been bored and stroked to 1,285 cc to make 205 horsepower, torque has yet to be listed. The carbon fiber monocoque and inboard suspension make for a clean and aggressive appearance, so stay with us for more updates from Vyrus Motorcycles. " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 01, 2020

Red Bull Racing Launches New Website

Red Bull Racing has released a brand-new homepage to help fans all around the world stay connected with the formula one team while we remain in our homes. The team’s new platform gives visitors the capability to find news, driver information, vehicle specs, track layouts, and much more. The website features Red Bull Racing’s vibrant and modern style with more than enough content to keep you busy. This is a great resource to help stay up to date until the regular race season starts back up. The announcement of the new homepage came at the perfect time, so we thank Red Bull Racing for that! Check out the video below for a walkthrough of Red Bull Racing's new website featuring team drivers Max Verstappen and Alex Albon. See The Website https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Zh_saok2Y

By Andrew Nabors – March 24, 2020

MB&F Unleashes the HM10 'Bulldog'

A rounded, compact body of titanium or red gold, coupled with a generous ration of sapphire crystal. Two prominent aluminium time-display “eyes”, rolling at anyone who dares look its way. A collar studded with projections that allow you to wind the mainspring or set the time. Stout but flexible “legs” that wrap firmly around your wrist. A big heart beating steadily at 2.5Hz (18,000vph). And a massive jaw that opens and shuts, showing you how much power your canine friend has in store: fully closed tells you that he’s wound down and ready for a nap. If you can clearly see the rows of shining teeth, get ready, because Bulldog is full of energy. The manual-winding engine of HM10 Bulldog was designed and developed in-house, leveraging precious experience built up over the years: the flying balance wheel hovering just beneath the central dome of sapphire crystal, the unconventional 3-dimensional power reserve indication, the paper-thin aluminium domes, the dual crown system, separating winding and time setting... HM10 Bulldog is a highly-bred machine. One final piece of advice for those who come across HM10 Bulldog is engraved on its body. The beast may be intimidating, but it ultimately exists in service of another: “Forget the dog, beware of the owner”! HM10 ‘Bulldog’ is available in two launch editions:- Grade 5 titanium body with blue “eyes” (retail price before taxes: USD 105,000 / EUR 92,000 + VAT);- 18k red-gold and titanium body with black “eyes” USD 120,000 / EUR 105,000 + VAT) " width="680"> Learn More at MB&F Here

By Edward Jones – February 03, 2020

CollectionSuites: The Exclusive Destination for True Coll...

Presented by CollectionSuites - A few years back, avid car collector and real estate entrepreneur, Juan Manuel Fayen, had the vision of creating a private space for collectors to store and enjoy their assets. He understood the demand for a place like this, which suited a distinct lifestyle and created a sense of community with those who share a passion for the timeless. VISIT COLLECTION-SUITES.COM When conceiving CollectionSuites, Fayen knew what the place needed to be, what it should look like and what it should offer. But there was one key element that would help make this groundbreaking project successful, and this was its location in South Florida. Many things were taken into consideration when determining where to build CollectionSuites: safety, proximity to areas of interest, real estate appreciation, access to main highways and airports, weather, infrastructure and much more. City of Doral became the place to house this revolutionary project. Doral is a relatively small but economically advanced city located in the center of South Florida. It is located inside Miami-Dade County, only one mile away from Miami International Airport, and 13 miles from Downtown Miami, making it central and accessible for both the local and international audience. This is also one of the cities with the lowest crime rates in the US, making it ideal to safely store your exotic car collection and exclusive art pieces. Besides, it’s situated far from the coastal line, which also helps protect your assets from corrosive saline water and saltpeter found in the air. South Florida is a renowned international hub for business and entertainment, home to Art Basel, food and wine festivals, car and boat shows and many more. As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with real estate properties appreciating at a rapid rate, Doral has become an attractive playground to investors all over the world. On top of all the perks and benefits that come with being a CollectionSuites owner, when you invest in your luxury storage suite, you capitalize on a growing city with unlimited potential; a city that matches the lifestyle of the modern collector and the smart investor. Click here to learn more about CollectionSuites or schedule your private tour of our premises! VISIT COLLECTION-SUITES.COM Presented by Collection Suites Our goal was to offer collectors an exclusive space where they could store and admire their most prized collection.

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2020

Aman Private Aviation Will Now Add More Journey to Vacations

The new Aman Private Aviation service is now available for those looking for the most luxurious of vacations and adventures. This new service provides up to 12 guests with a fully-staffed private jet that will take them to and from Aman properties, home or even to another destination. The trips will be curated by the concierge service so guests won't have to worry about the meticulous details of air travel. As for the jet itself, Aman Private Aviation will be flying the Bombardier Global 5000. This jet can carry up to 12 passengers and comes equipped with all of the luxuries you'd expect from a private jet. For more information, click here.

By Edward Jones – January 03, 2020

Airbus and Aston Martin Release New ACH130 Helicopter

Do you want to know what goes perfectly with an Aston Martin sports car? Why, the new Airbus ACH130 Aston Martin Edition helicopter, of course. Both Aston Martin and Airbus Corporate Helicopters have been working together for over a year, combining the abilities of both brands into one helicopter. If you're interested in picking one of these luxury choppers up, you have some options. There are four interior and exterior designs that customers can choose from. Each of the options were created by Aston Martin and mirror the luxury you'd expect in one of their luxury sports cars. Of course, there's a Stirling Green theme, a staple of the British automaker. Other exterior schemes include Xenon Grey, Arizona and Ultramarine Black. Inside the helicopter, customers can select the following color schemes include Pure Black (ultra-suede), and Oxford Tan (leather), Pure Black (leather), Cormorant (leather) and Ivory (leather). If you're seriously interested, information on the Airbus ACH130 Aston Martin Edition is available upon request. Expect deliveries to take place Q1 2020. SEE ALL ASTON MARTINS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – December 16, 2019

What It's Like Flying in the World's Most Expensive Plane...

Flying on a plane can be plain awful most of the time. To get around the hassle and annoyances of typical air travel, you can fly private or buy yourself the most expensive plane ticket in the world. Called The Residence on the Etihad A380, this "seat" gives the passenger way more than you'd ever expect on a plane. What is the Most Expensive Car? The Residence has a "living room" area that has two massive seats with storage, a TV, refrigerator, and an insane amount of legroom. Walk down the hallway and you can get to the bathroom, complete with a shower, and the bedroom. Essentially, The Residence is a small apartment you're renting out for a flight. Well, not actually, because you also get free meals and service from the attendants. But how much does all of this cost? According to Business Insider, a round-trip flight from New York City to Abu Dhabi will cost $31,000 for one passenger and $41,000 for two. Casey Neistat recently took a flight and Etihad gifted him The Residence for his flight. Check out what it's like flighting in the most expensive and lavish airplane seat that we've ever seen by clicking play down below. " width="680"> Featured Image via YouTube Screenshot/Casey Neistat

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2019

Richard Mille Introduces the RM 11-04 Roberto Mancini

Coaching a world-class soccer team demands precision. That is how Roberto Mancini was able to transform FC Zenith St. Petersburg into Russia's most popular club. Now that he is back home, his goal is to transform Italy into a soccer powerhouse. Driven by the needs of the sport, Richard Mille has introduced the RM 11-04 Roberto Mancini. The latest in their Skeletonized series, this self-winding work of art offers 45 hours with the chronograph running. It is perfect for soccer coaches, as the face highlights 45-minute periods, 15 minutes of stoppage, and even an overtime indicator. If your team gets extra time, the flyback can be reactivated to show 15 extra minutes. Click Here to Learn More As with all of their skeletonized models, the case is an alloy of Grade-5 Titanium, blended with Vanadium. One of the best features is the balance wheel, it has 4 centrifugal weights suspended on springs. This keeps the movement impervious to shock or high-g-forces. Yes, it is more accurate than anything else in your collection. Related: Richard Mille Unveils RM 52-06 Tourbillion Mask Pharrell Williams x Richard Mille Watch is Out of This World

Lifestyle

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe