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 05, 2021

Dan Clark Audio Releases Carbon Fiber Æon2 Noire Headphones

In a world with endless audio entertainment, headphone quality and styling are key aspects of any premium listening experience. Dan Clark Audio focuses on tackling those aspects with their Æon headphone collection. The premium audio company recently released the Æon 2 Noire, the latest edition of the award-winning closed headphone lineup, featuring a new lightweight and stylish design. The completely functional Dan Clark Æon 2 Noire headphone is made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and titanium, combined with comfortable leather ear pads. The newest edition to the Dan Clark Audio line is currently available, starting at $899, with multiple cable sizing options. Shop the Dan Clark Audio Æon2 Noire closed headphones by clicking the link below. Shop Now

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 Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2020

Porsche Design's New Speaker Makes A Perfect Gift

Nothing beats German Audio when it comes to precision & style. With the Holidays rapidly approaching, its time to give your loved ones something they will enjoy for years, and that is why Porsche Design's new speaker makes a perfect gift. What makes it worthy of such a noble name? Like their iconic cars, this chic design combines every feature you could ask for along with a few that will surprise you. Porsche Design Announces New and Stylish Soundbar Machined from billet aluminum, this obelisk incorporates full-range drivers, LED lighting and a bass reflex port to amplify low-range events. While it looks like 1-piece, lifting the upper portion reveals a wireless charging pad integrated with batteries that offer 20 hours of music. Using the latest Bluetooth protocols, perfect stereo sound can be had by buying a pair of them. Splashes are not a problem as it is IPX4 rated for water resistance. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for the latest in Porsche Design. Visit Porsche-Design.com

By Andrew Nabors – October 09, 2020

Moduline Cabinets Are Built To Last

Back in my college days, I was lucky enough to have an NHRA dragstrip not far from campus. So instead of wasting money downtown, I probably spent much more to get my car into to run consistent 11-second passes. Of everything I learned from the fastest professional teams is that organization and attention to detail is everything. As such, their trailers were surgically clean and loaded with Moduline cabinets. Starting to recognize a common trend, I learned that Moduline is the brainchild of Paul Gill, one of the fastest Top Alcohol drivers in the NHRA. He decided to apply his metalworking skills to build a storage solution for his team. The light and strong cabinets are made of aerospace aluminum with American bearings and sliders. That is how they can offer a lifetime guarantee on the entire system. These photos were submitted by a happy customer who is also a Ford fan, and they are inspiring to say the least. Because many racers have an engineering or military background, they took notice of how practical and durable his cabinets proved to be. Not only did other teams ask him to replicate the designs for them, but the modular design of each piece also caught the eyes of exotic car repair shops, aircraft mechanics, and NASA. Much like Legos, each cabinet is attached at several points to the walls and to each other. They can easily be repositioned as your collection changes, and accessories include power, LED lighting, and countertops that can support heavy rebuilds. Even after three decades, there is nothing comparable on the market. Take a look around your garage and imagine organizing and prioritizing your tools and supplies. Your significant other will approve, so you have nothing to lose.The garage of your dreams is only a click away, stay with us for more essential garage gear. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

Improve Your Lap Times & Technique With The Garmin Catalyst

Rubber and cash quickly disappear when you hit the track. That's why finding the perfect line through each corner will keep you ahead of the competition. Since you probably don't have a professional racer riding shotgun, you can improve your lap times and technique with the Garmin Catalyst. " width="680"> Truly revolutionary, it combines GPS, GNSS and accelerometers to track your car within an inch of accuracy. Also included is a remote-mount HD camera with a powerful image processer. Because Garmin has high-resolution maps of tracks around the world, it can project the optimal line through each corner. Enable the Bluetooth connection and a voice coach will give you pointers and encouragement. This way you can keep your eyes on the prize, and the video can be instantly played back thanks to the 32GB MicroSD card. It is a perfect gift for any gearhead, so click the button below for all the details and get ready to race. Shop Here

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2020

New Bose Sunglasses Are the Ultimate in Portable Audio

Dr. Bose was not only a sound and electrical engineer, he taught both subjects at M.I.T. Pondering the undulating pavement of Boston, he was also the first to develop a production-ready active suspension for Lexus, and his legendary speaker designs are still decades ahead of competitors. Bose was also the first to combine audio with eyewear, so now its time for an encore performance. In keeping with the latest trends in eyewear, the new Bose sunglasses are the ultimate in portable audio. The new frames are the "Tenor" for men and the "Soprano" for women. Their patented Open Ear Audio offers fuller and deeper sound compared to the previous models. The gloss black finish hides a beam-forming (windproof) microphone and a 5.5-hour battery. Polarized lenses eliminate glare, and the temples have tap, touch, and swipe controls for taking & making calls on the go. Mirror Silver and Mirror Blue lenses are also available and easy to swap. Perhaps the best feature is that your prescription is only a click away. Visit your Optometrist for an updated Rx, and Bose will make these to order. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for more practical and posh accessories. Shop Now

By Andrew Nabors – August 06, 2020

Oakley Teases the 20th Anniversary of Their OVERTHETOP

My mother has been an optician for over 4 decades, and I should always take her advice. Oakley unveiled their OVERTHETOP in 2000 at the Summer Olympics. They were machined from O-metal and featured the latest lens technology to give our athletes the best eyewear. Mom told me to buy a pair, as they would be sought-after by collectors. I laughed it off and missed out....Hindsight is 20/20. Since the Olympic games have been postponed, Oakley will unveil the 20th Anniversary Edition tomorrow at 7 am (Eastern). Only 20 examples will be produced, each with the production number embossed into the frame. If you are looking for a good investment, don't miss this opportunity. Check back tomorrow for all the details and stay with us for the latest in luxury eyewear. " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2020

Armin Strom Unveils Their Gravity Equal Force in Rose Gold

Horologists were taken aback in January with the debut of the Gravity Equal Force. Armin Strom's latest masterpiece has innovations that should be found in every self-winding watch. It is able to offer a power reserve of 72 hours thanks to a sprag clutch on the balance. Much like coasting your car in neutral, it saves energy when disconnected, and provides smooth & consistent power when engaged, hence the name "Gravity Equal Force". Their ASB19 movement has a frequency of 25'200 from 28 jewels, and it consists of 202 parts. The Rose Gold motif is just one of many ways you can configure yours, so click the button below to learn more. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – May 14, 2020

Bang & Olufsen Unveil Updated Waterproof A1 Bluetooth Spe...

Have you been playing with loud cars for years? If you are like us, hearing damage is a great excuse to own the world's best audio equipment. My first encounter with B&O was in Mr. duPont's 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. It had 1,100 watts of Bang & Olufsen audio that was perfectly sound-staged for top-down excitement. The same genius team that devised that system also wants you to have the best in portable sound, so they have unveiled an updated version of the A1 waterproof speaker. The 2nd Generation A1 has longer playtime, better frequency response, more powerful Bluetooth processor, and Alexa assistant. Offered in Grey Mist or Black Anthracite, it has 18 hours of playtime. Capable of being submerged at 3 feet for 30 minutes, it can shrug off even the meanest waterboarding interrogation. You can even pair them together for stereo sound, so order two and surprise your significant other. Learn More

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">

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