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 Alyssa Mammano – October 22, 2018

Mansion With Automotive Turntable & 3,300 Sqft Garage Lis...

With a garage bigger than most people's houses, 9 Del Mar along Newport Coast, California is a jaw-dropping property elevated over Pelican Hill South Golf Course with unimpeded views of seven holes, as well as Newport Harbor, Catalina Island and the open Pacific Ocean all the way to Palos Verdes. The property hit the market earlier this year for a whopping $35,000,000 and is only being shown to select serious buyers who will appreciate the home's resort-style nature and the use of high-end technology throughout.The property is the only one in Newport Coast to have an interior motor court and to kick it up a notch, it also has an automotive turntable for ease of egress. The 7-9 car garage is more like an automobile museum, as it has fire rated windows allowing for a sweet view from the adjacent walking corridor. Inside the garage is a full-service detailing workspace with an RO water system and drains, tile floors, art lighting, display cabinets and an abundance of storage space.https://vimeo.com/267300549Surrounding the garage on the same level is the 10-seat theater room with a 3D projector and soundproof walls, as well as a game room equipped with an HD golf simulator system and two racing seats for gaming. There's also another game room for billiards with a walk-out to the backyard and a view to die for framed by the stone wall of the pool. The interior also has a gym, a salt-water aquarium in the Great Room and technology to control almost everything within the home.The view is not all that will wow you in the home's rear yards. The infinity edge pool and spa have a walk-in reef, expansive sunning deck, sunken seating, a waterfall and a stream reminiscent of Crystal Cove. The covered pavilion offers outdoor shaded area and there's plenty of space to bask in the sun, as well. Cascading down to the lower levels, there's a viewing lawn with fire bowls, a putting green and a "hammock site." Altogether, the backyard can accommodate a gathering of 200-300 people, matching the total square footage of the home at 15,000 square feet each. In total, the estate covers 30,000 square feet of the premier Newport Coast lot.Check Out This Listing

By Edward Jones – October 13, 2018

Watch How Supercars Go Up Elevator to $40 Million Condo

In Miami, Florida is the new Porsche Design Tower, a building filled with luxury condominiums. This $560 million tower consists of 60 stories and 132 units, ranging in size from 3,415 to 6,684 sq. ft. While the luxuriousness of these condos is enough to catch your eye, it's the massive elevators in the building that steal the show.Built into the Porsche Design Tower are elevators that take the cars of residents up to their respective condos, where they can park them. Yes, that means you can pull your Ferrari up onto the elevator and drive right into your condo on the top floor where it will get a beautiful view of the Miami beaches.Recently, Lamborghini Miami | Prestige Imports had a few of their supercars up on the 56th floor of the tower. The cars included the Lamborghini Aventador SV, Pagani Huayra and more. In the video below you'll see how these cars were taken up to the 56th-floor unit and taken down. It's honestly incredibly interesting to see the elevator in action.

By Alyssa Mammano – September 14, 2018

Insane Mansion with 22+ Car Showroom Comes with Car Colle...

A Tuscan villa fit for a true car lover is on the market for a cool $35,000,000 and includes the collection of cars housed in its 22+ car garage. With two car lifts and a car wash station, arched brick ceiling, lantern tile floors and a complete HVAC system, it'd be easy to spend nearly all of your time in the garage among your most prized possessions. That is, if the rest of the house wasn't equally as impressive.The Man Cave with a poker table, shuffleboard, 20-foot bar, five TVs and an array of musical entertainment enjoys a straight shot view down the stretch of the showroom. And for the rare occasions when you do have to leave the garage and retire to your theater room, you'll still have a view of the vehicles through a glass panel floor.Heading out for a drive? You'll approach your automatic gated entry through a brick paver drive and over wooden bridges with reclaimed wood from the Coney Island boardwalk. Along the path are a massive waterfall and two separate ponds; one for Koi fish and the other for Large Mouth Bass.The views from the backyard aren't so bad, either. Overlooking Lake Sherwood and Lake Eleanor Sentinel are your infinity edge pool with a zero edge, Baja shelf and sunken seating, along with a generously sized spa. Prefer to stay dry? There's also a fire pit, additional sunning areas, landscaped gardens and a championship horseshoe pit from which to enjoy the breathtaking views.This 24,162-square-foot home (including the garage) has six bedrooms and eight and a half bathrooms, and a separate Casita for the Property Manager. Other notable features include the gym, massage room, 13-seat theater room, separate enormous his and hers closets, a huge ensuite overlooking the mountain range and incredible custom finishes throughout.Check Out This Listing Image Source: Redfin, Nicki & Karen Team (Photographer Unknown)

By Alyssa Mammano – August 28, 2018

Luxury Skyscraper Condos Will Come With Teslas

Slated to open in 2019, Vista Tower is the newest luxury skyscraper condominium building augmenting the Chicago skyline. The high-end homes will come with a notable feature: access to a garage full of shared Tesla vehicles. Residents will be able to schedule their drives through an app and won't have to worry about purchasing, parking or maintaining a vehicle of their own. They'll have access to Tesla's newer models and guaranteed parking for the automobiles.The car-sharing concept is gaining traction in more metro areas to cut down on traffic and emissions in big cities. Builders of Vista Tower hope to attract people who wish to live more sustainably with this program. The tower will be an ultra-modern addition to the city and is currently underway on the corner of Lake Michigan and Chicago River. The building will be 101 stories tall and provide 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom condos. Residents will also have access to the attached hotel's amenities, which include guest services, as well as exclusive amenities including an athletic room, business room, lounge and outdoor terraces.Vista Tower will be the third-tallest building in Chicago once construction is complete. It is a unique approach to luxury city living and driving, but the goal is for more urban dwellers to adopt similar lifestyles in the years to come.Browse More Luxury Condos & Estates Source: Vista Residences

By Alyssa Mammano – August 15, 2018

Endless Opportunity Awaits at the End of a Winding Drive

Sky Mountain is more than 300 stunning acres of unmatched and unobstructed vistas of the Pacific Ocean and one of the last few enchanting estates this size on the West Coast. Nestled in the heart of Montecito California in the highly coveted neighborhood of Santa Barbara sits endless opportunity in the form of a purely clean slate.The story begins as you enter grandiose gates and start your journey on approximately one mile of private road, and continues at the lower section where the terrain exposes a large swath of nearly flat, beautiful, lush land.The narrative unfolds as you drive past the open-air theatre complete with former water ballet pools, to a second area with jaw-dropping views where a reservoir once cascaded water to the lower areas of the property and beyond. The crescendo is heard at the pinnacle of the property as you arrive at the famed stone arches where tea parties used to occur in the early 1900s.Limitless possibility awaits and is being sold as a spectacular blank canvas for the new owner to create and build the ultimate California estate, or estates, at this truly 'King-of-the-Hill' property.Price: $53,700,000Please contact Listing Agents:Mike Herbert: 626-826-3333, Mikeherb@plgestates.comChristian Burkholder: 310-788-0700, cb@plgestates.comPeter Lorimer 310-788-0700, peter@plgestates.com

By Alyssa Mammano – July 27, 2018

Tommy Hilfiger's Famed Connecticut Compound is For Sale

Famously the set of the reality television shows "Rich Girls" on MTV and "The Cut" on CBS centered around fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger and his family, "Appleyard" just returned to the market for $6.75 million. The Greenwich, Connecticut Colonial is as epochal as its former owner and fit for a fashion legend. Residing on nearly five acres and encompassing just under 10,000 total square feet of living space, the home's timeless design epitomizes the American Dream.Seamlessly integrating an outdoor oasis with open-concept indoor family living, Appleyard houses seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms and one half bathroom between three levels.The interior spaces also include a theater room and a music studio designed for Hilfiger's daughter, Ally. The great room's soaring ceiling highlights floor-to-ceiling windows, drenching the exquisite living area in ample natural light. A commanding stone fireplace also stretches the height of the room. The first floor additionally features an impressive gourmet kitchen adjacent to the solarium and a three-bedroom suite, while the upper levels incorporate four more suites.Outdoors, the compound is enclosed by stone walls with a gated entrance opening to an extensive cobblestone courtyard. Resort-style amenities include a pool and spa, terrace and a tennis court.View More Greenwich Mansions

By Andrew Nabors – June 27, 2018

The Summer Collection: By Mercedes Benz

Did you know that Mercedes-Benz builds more than just amazing automobiles? Their impressive array of accessories is not limited to keychains and license plate frames. Sometimes a picnic is a great way to leave the city behind, and spend time with your significant other. Just in time for Summer, your local dealer has everything you need for a perfect day. First, you will need the ultimate picnic car, and our choice is the S63 Cabriolet. Because AWD twin turbo V8 with the top down is the perfect way to get there.First, you will need a blanket and a basket. Cotton pillows are stitched with the 1926 Mercedes logo, and they fit nicely into Mercedes-Benz folding chairs. A machined stainless thermos will keep your sangria cold and stylish, with a brown leather liner embossed with the famous logo. Other goodies include a wine stopper, Swiss Army Knife, vintage backpack, and LED flashlights (Large & Small). Ladies will like the new handbags and men might need a new chronograph. All of these are available from the parts department of your local dealer, so click the link below to find one near you and have a great summer!Browse Mercedes-Benz S-Class

By Alyssa Mammano – June 26, 2018

Most Expensive Home Ever Listed in Naples, Florida

The most expensive home ever listed in Naples, Florida, this nearly 22,000-square-foot Island-Colonial style mansion resides on just about five acres of direct Gulf-front prime real estate. With just under 300 feet of private beach property, this home is one of the most significant compounds ever created on the Gulf of Mexico. The listing came on the market in September 2014 for a record-breaking $68,000,000. The owner, Randal Bellestri, bought the mansion for $47,250,000 two years prior, which was still the highest price ever paid for a Naples home. Brilliantly designed and flawlessly orchestrated, 3100 Gordon Drive in Naples, Florida boasts western exposure, to be luxuriated in from a 93-foot terrace extending from the Great Room beyond five sets of French doors. Elaborate detailing and incomparable finishes adorn the five-bedroom, six-bathroom villa; namely, coral stone sourced from the Dominican Republic, exquisite Venetian plaster walls, intricate ceilings and raised-panel wainscoting. The Gulf loggia features motorized retractable glass walls facing out to the 66-foot pool and spa. Outdoors, a grand double staircase resembling the mansion's front entryway leads down from the rear terrace to the expansive pool area. Covered seating, manicured lawns and lush greenery frame stunningly beautiful sunset views over the Gulf. Botanical gardens and soaring palms provide serene privacy, creating a rarified grandeur only to be found at a property of this incredible magnitude. Nestled in the secluded enclave of the exclusive Port Royal neighborhood in Naples, the new homeowners of this estate are also eligible for Port Royal Club membership. Only three doors down from the clubhouse, Port Royal Club represents the finest in a private community experience. The organization offers sponsored social and dining events, a pristine beach and adjacent heated pool, world-class exercise and spa facilities with certified trainers and physical therapists and renowned tennis courts. Super Expensive Cars: View the Top 25 Bill Earls of John R. Wood Properties is the listing agent on the estate. He specializes in the Naples luxury market and has been the top sales-producer of John R. Wood, Inc. for the past 22 years. Earls said the listing has attracted buyer interest, but that he expects the sale to take some time. "It’s in very rarefied territory,” he said. “You don’t expect to sell a Rembrandt in a week.” View Listing

By Edward Jones – May 15, 2018

Ford GT Rides Up Elevator to $32 Million Condo in Porsche...

The Porsche Design Tower in Sunny Isles, Florida is a 60-story building that exudes luxury. The structure alone towers its surrounding skyline with an elegant design, but it's what's inside that will truly surprise you. You could experience its interior by walking in, but it's when you drive into the building that you'll really get a sense of just how opulent this building really is.Brooks of DragTimes recently visited the Porsche Design Tower in his new Ford GT to check out the building's private penthouse. To make his way up to the 56th floor, he took the building's intuitive car elevator that drops cars into each condo's respective garage. For the penthouse, its garage can fit up to 11 cars. After parking and getting a bit nervous, Brooks was whisked away and up 600+ feet to his destination. Waiting for him in the garage was a Lamborghini Aventador SV and many other exotic cars.2018 Ford GT Delivered to DragTimesAfter parking, he was given a chance to walk about the 20,000 square foot penthouse. One room that caught my eye was the massive closet that was more like the size of a guest room for those of us without $32 million to spend on this penthouse. Yes, that's its cost.Check out the entire experience for yourself in the video below and be sure to subscribe to DragTimes for more awesome videos.New Ford GT Price & Specs

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By Alyssa Mammano – May 09, 2018

Prince’s Turks and Caicos Compound Up for Auction

While it may not be the famed Paisley Park, Prince’s estate is auctioning off another one of his incredible properties in the truly breathtaking setting of Turks and Caicos. The secluded mansion will be available at an online luxury auction beginning July 12th at 5:00 pm ET. To register to purchase Prince’s beloved private compound, all you’ll need is a deposit of $100,000 in the form of a cashier’s check. The balance of the purchase price won’t be due until the close of escrow. Prince originally purchased the estate in 2010 for $12 million, but the current value of the home will be based on the market. Todd Wohl, founder of Premiere Estates Auction Company – the hosting company of the online auction – said that he expects considerable interest in this sale. “With a unique property like Prince’s Turks and Caicos estate, we anticipate significant interest and multiple bidders,” said Wohl.Located on the island of Providenciales and surrounded by turquoise blue waters with white sandy beaches, the residence stretches 10,000 square feet. A purple driveway leads to the six-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom home, complete with a tennis court, two private beaches, a 200-foot dock and panoramic ocean views. The Caribbean compound is one of seven properties that Prince’s estate is planning to sell this month.Tour the Property

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