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 Jordan Aquistapace – January 14, 2021

Why Eco Friendly Apparel Is The New Luxury Style

A new year calls for new resolutions, and after the year the world had, we need to do all that we can to protect it. Sustainability does not solely rely on implementing recycling habits but instead opens up to an area where we are more commonly affected, like our closet. Our wardrobes are our best reflections, so why wouldn’t we want to be known as sustainable. Sustainable apparel, footwear, and accessories have to also comfortable and performance-driven to be allowed in our closets. This week we have compiled a list of the top eco-friendly brands that back up their goals and values with premium styles for everyone in the family. Shop the sustainable styles featured in this special by clicking the links below. For more Gear news, Check out Puma Motorsport Hints At A 2021 Red Bull Racing Collection With An All New Sneaker Image Source: Allbirds Allbirds Category: Men/Women Shoes and Clothing Price: $10 -250 Shop Allbirds A native of New Zealand, Tim Brown was always well versed in the magical qualities of merino wool. Inherently curious, he began asking himself why such a remarkable, sustainable resource was virtually absent in the footwear industry. And with that spirit of wonder, the Allbirds journey began. Image Source: Alternative Apparel Alternative Apparel Category: Men/Women Apparel Price: $5 - $113 Shop Alternative Apparel Always striving to do more to lessen our impact. We’ve refocused our forward-thinking Alternative Eco® collection to include even more eco fabrics as we continue our efforts to do good and feel good. Image Source: Everlane Everlane Category: Men/Women Clothing and Accessories Price: $10 - $250 Shop Everlane At Everlane, we want the right choice to be as easy as putting on a great T-shirt. That’s why we partner with the best, ethical factories around the world. Source only the finest materials. And share those stories with you—down to the true cost of every product we make. It’s a new way of doing things. We call it Radical Transparency. Image Source: Frank and Oak Frank and Oak Category: Men/Women Apparel and Denim Price: $9.50 - $349 Shop Frank and Oak While style is an expression of the individual, the common necessities of daily Canadian living shapes our relationship with style in significant ways. We design products that are made to last with the highest standards to keep up with our demanding lifestyles, while ensuring minimal impact on the planet we love. Image Source: Made Trade Made Trade Category: Men/Women Apparel and Footwear Price: $10 - $300 Shop Made Trade At Made Trade, we believe we can make the world a more beautiful place by holding ourselves to a higher ethical standard. We call it being “ethically elevated.” It means we put artistry above efficiency. Fair wages above profits. Sustainability above mass production. Quality craftsmanship above mindless consumption. And transparency above everything, as we painstakingly hand-select only the most beautifully-designed, ethically-made goods that put people and our planet first. Image Source: Outdoor Voices Outdoor Voices Category: Men/Women Apparel and Footwear Price: $10 - $140 Shop Outdoor Voices Outdoor Voices is on a mission to get the world moving. We believe freeing fitness from performance starts with having fun and generating endorphins. That's why we create high quality products for Recreation that make you feel strong, confident, and ready for doing things. Image Source: Pact Pact Category: Men/Women/Children Apparel Price: $15 - $90 Shop Pact Everything we make at Pact starts with Earth’s Favorite™ Fiber, Organic Cotton. Growing cotton organically saves vast amounts of water and uses no toxic chemicals.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 04, 2021

Top Sportswear Brands To Help Start A Healthy New Years R...

After a less than perfect year, the new year has individuals making the best of a fresh start in all aspects of life. The resolutions may include career goals, but most can agree that the biggest goal is healthy living. Most people agree that the thought of starting or maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the most common new years resolution. This week we have compiled a list of the top sportswear brands and the products they offer to help get anyone in the family started on a health-driven journey. Shop any of the products featured in this special by clicking the links below. Lululemon Category: Men/Women Athletic Apparel Price: $8 - $598 Shop Lululemon The first designs were made for women to wear during yoga. Through plenty of feedback from our guests, ambassadors and elite athletes, we now design for yoga, running, cycling, training and most other sweaty pursuits for women and men. Not to mention, our designers are athletes and sweat-minded people, too. Nike Category: Family Apparel, Accessories, and Sports Equipment Price: $18 - $300 Shop Nike Nike's mission is what drives it to do everything possible to expand human potential. They do that by creating groundbreaking sport innovations, by making products more sustainably, by building a creative and diverse global team and by making a positive impact in communities where we live and work. On-Running Category: Men/Women Sport and Footwear Price: $10 - $789.99 Shop On-Running On was born in the Swiss alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running. It’s all based on one radical idea. Soft landings followed by explosive take-offs. Or, as we call it, running on clouds. PUMA Category: Men/Women/Children Athletics Price: $9.99 - $300 Shop PUMA Sport has the power to transform and empower us. As one of the world’s leading sports brands, it’s only natural that we want to stand on the same playing field as the fastest athletes on the planet. To achieve that, the PUMA brand is based on the very values that make an excellent athlete. Reebok Category: Men/Women/Children Sport and Footwear Price: $10 - $300 Shop Reebok Reebok is an American-inspired global brand with a deep heritage in fitness. In fact, the mission is to be the best fitness brand in the world. At Reebok, it's know that greatness doesn’t come from standing still. We have a long history of pushing boundaries.

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2016

BMW Reveals New Shoes Based On Concept Car

First off, yes, you'll be able to buy BMW's new X-CAT DISC shoes.Back in 2008, BMW Design Group debuted the GINA Light Visionary Model. What made this concept stand out was the exterior, which was covered in fabric-- it was like the car was wearing a shirt. Now, in 2016, BMW has unveiled a new set of shoes that were designed after this 8-year old concept.(Also Read This - This Pagani Huayra Delivers Shoes to Christiano Ronaldo) Why? Because they can and every sneakerhead loves crazy new shoes.These new shoes, called the X-CAT DISC, designed by Designworks, a BMW Group subsidiary, for Puma's DISC range. The "DISC" range is named after the new lace system. Instead of painstakingly tying your shoes every morning, you can rotate the disc that rests on the shoe's tongue to tighten the laces. “With the X-CAT project, we wanted to unleash the innovative power of BMW and PUMA. We have transformed the essence of the shape-shifting GINA car into a streamlined and elegant shoe,” says Torsten Hochstetter, Global Creative Director at Puma.If you're interested in getting yourself a pair of these shoes, they'll be available at Puma stores worldwide come July 1.View All BMWs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 20, 2016

Lamborghini Unveils Spring Summer 2017 Fashion Line in Milan

With the help of a Huracan Spyder and an Aventador Roadster, Lamborghini debuted their Spring Summer 2017 collection, quite appropriately, on the first day of summer. The collection, which includes a full men's line, was met with high acclaim and much attention at Milano Moda Uomo.The collection consists four lines: the Classic line, the Casual line, the Casual Heritage line and the Squadra Corse line. Each of these embodies the brand's "Visionary" values, described in a press release as, "cutting-edge and pure, the stylistic codes of the most desirable super sports cars in the world with an emphasis on Italian design."(Related: Lamborghini Newport Beach’s Annual Weekend Getaway)Each line embodies unique elements of Italian design and Lamborghini flare from the iconic hexagonal shape to the lightweight, quality materials. The Classic line embodies the vision of refined masculinity with lightweight, waterproof and breathable cotton in a variety of fitted shirts and sweaters. The Classic lines includes everything a polished man needs including a single-breasted jacket and leather zip-up jacket in addition to the articles mentioned above.For the Casual line, Lamborghini focused on sporty style made of premium materials and designed for comfort. Bermuda shorts and graphic t-shirts compliment polos and sweaters as well as a bomber jacket. Graphic t-shirts dedicated to the Huracan Spyder and Aventador SV Roadster round out the Casual line.The Casual Heritage line, which is, "inspired in the graphics by the iconic Lamborghini models, one for each decade," includes t-shirts and polos with graphics of the Miura, LM002, Countach and Diablo.Finally, the Squadra Corse line marks the most bold of them all. Bright colors and high tech fabrics characterized by blunt cuts and lines perfectly dress the man who understands the understated elegance of Lamborghini's sport and style.Lamborghinis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 04, 2016

Cure Collection: Curing Cancer With Cars

Mason Watson is on a mission. The Art Center College for Design student fused together his passion for cars and background in design to form Cure Collection, a t-shirt design company. This is no ordinary t-shirt design company though.Started in 2013 when Watson was a full-time student, Cure Collection set out on personal, singular mission-- to further breast cancer research. In 2008, Waston lost his mother to breast cancer and wanted to do something to help the millions of women currently suffering with the disease. As noted on his site, "1 of 8 women in the US will develop some form of cancer in her lifetime." With Cure Collection, Watson hopes to help bring that statistic down.Cure Collection is an automotive lifestyle brand that features high-quality t-shirts with a variety of colors, styles and designs. Each t-shirt is made of 100% ringspun cotton with the designs hand printed. Cure Collection also features a host of framed posters and stickers to choose from. The best part? Watson's taking the proceeds and putting them to good use. When you purchase a Cure Collection t-shirt, 20 percent of the proceeds will go directly to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.Check out the video or click the button below to learn more about Cure Collection and how you can help.Learn More

By Caitlin Duffy – September 08, 2015

Bentley Lifestyle Collection to be Introduced at Frankfurt

In addition to the official launch of the Bentayga, Bentley is unveiling the newest additions to their lifestyle collection at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), which kicks off Sept. 17.Stunning designs, rich leathers and bright colors define the latest collection updates, and a press release from the marque shares a few details about these new options. Briefcases and travel bags for men and women, scarves, blankets and more expand the existing ways Bentley quality can follow you throughout your day, but it's the 1:43 scale model becoming available that's especially noteworthy.A total of 2,250 1:43 scale models of the Bentley Bentayga will be created, each in one of three colors that will be available on the production model. There will be 1,000 sporting Dark Sapphire, 1,000 in Glacier White and 250 in Bentayga Bronze, a new color that will be found on the launch model at the IAA.We have yet to see the Bentayga in its final production form, and this comes as the first official statement that it will be unveiled just a little more than a week from today. It's also the first mention of the colors that will be available for the model, giving us a better idea of what we might see on the streets once deliveries begin. However, no images of the scale replicas were released, leaving our imaginations to determine just what those paints will look like.The 1:43 models will be on display next to the actual Bentayga, and available for purchase at the Bentley stand or online beginning Oct. 1. An additional run of 1,000 1:18 models of the Bentayga will be made available for purchase in November, each sporting Extreme Silver paint.The Home collection is expanded with the addition of a cashmere equestrian blanket, a handmade desk clock from Breitling in Piano Black and a Portland leather and chrome photo frame, "a stylish addition to any room," as well as a vintage leather scented candle.Browse the gallery below to see some of the other additions to the Bentley collection, all of which will be available at Bentley dealers or online at www.BentleyCollection.com beginning Oct. 1, and find the perfect Bentley for your collection from our exclusive listings.Bentleys For SaleGallery (Source: Bentley) See More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – July 16, 2015

Bentley Teases New Fashion Film

Bentley is known for their ability to extend the experience of driving one of their handcrafted vehicles into every aspect of life.From their men's and women's fashion collections, to their fragrances and home decor, the British coachmaker has left its mark in countless places. As a new album on their Facebook page hints, they are about to extend the experience even further."We have something exciting in store for you," describes the caption of an album added today. "Take a sneak peek behind the scenes of today's filming." The title of the album reads "Behind the Scenes - Bentley Filming" and its location is tagged as "Taken at Mark Anthony Bradley."The album shows a wide variety of images, from a mirror on a floor, to a terrace scene through the strings of a harp, to a clock on the wall, closeups of who we can assume is the leading man, a lovely lady eating cake, a chandelier and a few empty rooms. No cars can be seen in any image, but that's just one reason why we believe this is a new fashion video.One photo shows us a partially complete blazer, while Mark Anthony Bradley's website tells us that he is an internationally acclaimed stylist, with clients including the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, Justin Timberlake and Lena Headey. Listed among his advertising clients is, of course, Bentley.(See Also: Keith Richards' Bentley "Blue Lena" Set for Auction at Bonhams)Take a moment to browse the behind the scenes images in the gallery below, and when you're finished, complete the Bentley lifestyle experience by finding your own model from our exclusive listings.Bentleys For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook, MarkAnthonyBradley.com) See More Bentley News

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