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 – September 23, 2023

How To Buy: Porsche Design's New Porsche Rennsport Reunio...

Get a kick out of Porsche's new limited edition sneakers, Mirage Sport Tech, launched for the upcoming Rennsport Reunion 7. If you consider yourself to be a passionate Porsche owner or enthusiast, gear up because the most anticipated Porsche event of the year, Rennsport Reunion 7, is around the corner. This world-renowned event is the epitome of automotive excellence, gathering the largest collection of Porsche race cars, drivers, and fans from September 28th to October 1st, 2023, at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California. So, how does Porsche elevate this already epic event? By launching a limited edition sneaker: the Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 Mirage Sport Tech. These fuel-driven sneakers embody the spirit of Porsche, designed for both comfort and performance to make them ideal for every Porsche fanatic. The Mirage Sport Tech sneakers offer bold design features and sport unique Rennsport Reunion branding. You even have the option to choose between a stealth black or pristine white colorway. In essence, these sneakers commemorate Porsche's enduring legacy, celebrating 75 years of success both on and off the track. Make sure to mark your calendars for Rennsport Reunion 7 and grab your pair of Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 Mirage Sport Tech sneakers. Shop the all-new Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 Mirage Sport Tech sneakers by clicking on the link below. Shop Now Source: Porsche Design

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 21, 2023

Lotus x Onoto Unveil A $4,056 Limited-Edition Pen Celebra...

The limited-edition fountain pen, priced over $4,000, celebrates 75 years of Lotus Lotus is world-renowned for applying cutting-edge engineering and design to its lineup of sports cars and supercars, creating an exceptional driving experience for anyone behind the wheel. In efforts to create a luxury lifestyle built around its automobiles, Lotus has announced a special collaboration with British luxury fountain pen maker Onoto. This fuel-driven partnership merges two iconic British brands known for top-tier craftsmanship, celebrating Lotus' 75-year legacy as a leader in the automotive and motorsports world. Priced at $4,056, the luxury fountain pen is made from premium recycled aluminum sourced from Lotus’ legendary cars, including the iconic Type 72 Formula One racer. The attention to detail is impeccable, down to the "ACBC" monogram of Lotus founder Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman displayed on the pen’s final. As a brand that has always been focused on performance and innovation, Lotus takes this collaboration as an opportunity to reflect on its contribution to its industry. Onoto is known for producing handcrafted writing tools for historical figures like Winston Churchill and Florence Nightingale. This exclusive writing instrument is not just a tool, but a reminder of Lotus' impact over the last 75 years. View all Lotus models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Lotus For Sale Source: Lotus

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 14, 2023

PUMA Teams Up With Mercedes-AMG F1 For Limited-Edition Si...

PUMA and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has announced the release of its limited-edition t-shirts for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix 2023. PUMA and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team are once again making waves in the motorsport world with their latest product announcement. The two fuel-driven brands have come together to release limited-edition t-shirts celebrating the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix 2023. With PUMA's long-standing history in motorsport apparel and Mercedes-AMG Petronas's successful presence in F1 racing, this collaboration is a match made in automotive and fashion heaven. At the intersection of motorsport and lifestyle, the limited-edition tees are anything but basic, drawing aesthetic aspects from Singapore's iconic Merlion and the electrifying night street circuit that the Grand Prix is known for. Offered in both black and white, these shirts are the ultimate keepsakes for fans looking forward to one of the season's most anticipated races. So, where can you snag one? Mark your calendars for August 2023. That's when these highly coveted t-shirts will drop. However, you'll have to be in Singapore or know someone who is, as they'll be exclusively available at selected PUMA stores, specific retailers in Singapore, and of course, on PUMA.com. With Formula One increasingly attracting a younger and more diverse audience, the PUMA x Mercedes-AMG Petronas collection is the perfect way to start combining your fan wear. Shop all the current PUMA x Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 apparel, footwear, and accessories by clicking the link below. Shop PUMA x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Source: PUMA