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 Edward Jones – July 14, 2017

Gentlemen's Best Gear for 2017

Everyone needs a solid repertoire of gear for their daily lives. Whether it be for the indoors or outdoors, there's always something out here that can make your life easier and even more luxurious. In our May 2017 issue of duPont REGISTRY, we put together a collection of fine gear, among other items, for our 5th Annual Gentlement's Best feature. You can view the gear and tech items that we included in the feature by scrolling down below.Buy This Issue Stefano Ricci Crocodile Leather Cigar Set The SR crocodile leather cigar set is a superior and unique assemblage. The cigar lighter and cigar cutter are functional and sophisticated with their elegant shapes and precious materials, enriched by crocodile leather and handcrafted metal detailing, especially notable in the iconic SR eagle motif. A must have for the modern gentleman.Price upon request • boutique.stefanoricci.com Stefano Ricci Crocodile And Calfskin Backpack This handmade backpack packs a punch with a defining durable dichotomy of calfskin leather and exclusive SR matted crocodile. The unique shape, leather interior and external zipper pocket are unmatched aesthetic winners. Price upon request • boutique.stefanoricci.com Porsche 911 SoundbarHigh-end audio unit housed in an original 911 GT3 rear silencer body and two exhaust pipes converted into a Helmholtz resonance subwoofer booster. The 911 Soundbar ensures wireless, lossless audio streaming and boasts a striking aesthetic. 200 watts system output. DTS TruSurround™. Made in Germany.~ $3,500 USD • porsche-design.com Pryma aria HeadphonesHandcrafted, stylish and completely wireless, the new Pryma aria headphones are tech’s newest must-have accessory. Launching this Spring, the Pryma aria by McIntosh Group seamlessly integrates Pryma’s hallmark, classically refined style with unparalleled sound from Sonus Faber – no headphone jack required. Available this Spring.Price upon request • pryma.com Porsche-Design LaptopThe Porsche Design BOOK ONE is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that was created with portability, aesthetics and power in mind. The stainless steel hinge, called VarioGear, allows the BOOK ONE to transform from a tablet into a high-performance laptop. Inside is a 7th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 7500U processor, 512 GB SSD of storage, 16 GB of memory and two lithium-polymer batteries.~ $2,495 USD • porsche-design.com PG Bugatti BikeIf you own a Bugatti Chiron or Veyron, you're undoubtedly obsessed with it. Why not add to your obsession by purchasing the PG Bugatti Bike? This high-tech bike weighs less than 11 lbs thanks to 95% of its composition being carbon fiber. And, just like the French hypercar, each of these bikes can be individually tailored to the owner's taste. That means you could have your Bugatti Bike match your Bugatti Chiron. Limited to 667 bikes worldwide.~ $39,000(Base Model) USD • pg.de Totem SpeakersCustomized drivers machined with the precision of luxury watches. Handcrafted cabinets and crossovers constructed with artisanal attention that is painstakingly tuned in the fashion of the finest musical instruments. Designed with proprietary formulas that are considered revolutionary. Audition Totem today and hear why we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary and prepared for many more milestones to come.Ranging from $500-$15,000 USDtotemacoustic.com Mark Levinson No.585 AmplifierWith proprietary advanced digital capabilities, the ability to accurately reproduce source materials to new levels of realism, patented Clari-Fi™ technology and a dedicated subwoofer output, the No. 585 proves that the future of integrated amplifiers has already arrived.Price upon request • marklevinson.com The Big Bang KnifeA blade made from the hardest metal on earth and adorned by 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite that forms the ultimate knife. It is a collaboration between meteorite pistol builder Cabot Guns and the world's foremost experts in tungsten carbide Sandrin Knives. Limited to 3 units, 1 unit remains.~ $10,000 USD • cabotgun.com

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2016

What to Wear When You Drive: Bianco Avus Ferrari 488 GTB

Bianco Avus 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Finished in Bianco Avus over Nero leather, the 488 GTB has been carefully driven by one previous owner. The 488 GTB is covered by a Ferrari Factory Warranty through February 26 of 2019, and further protected by FREE Ferrari Genuine Maintenance Service through February 26 of 2023. Ferrari 488 GTB For Sale Tom Ford Cambell FT0198 Sunglasses These black sunglasses from Tom Ford will keep your eyes safe from the sun as you cruise down the rode in the Ferrari 488 GTB. They come with a one-year manufacturer warranty and are avaialble in many color cominations. Buy Now Balmain Three-Pack Slim-Fit Distressed Cotton-Jersey T-Shirts The outfit we've selected would work with any of these cotton-jersey T-Shirts from Balmain. They are slim fit with slightly distresses trims. Heck, these shirts could go with many outfits you already own. Buy NowSaint Laurent Leather-Trimmed Wool Varsity Jacket For the cool days coming ahead, you'll need a jacket for those cruises in your new Ferrari. This varsity jacket is created from melton wool thats soft and tightly woven. Buy NowRick Owens DRKSHDW Detroit Slim-Fit Seam-Detailed Slub Denim Jeans Of course, you can't go outside unless you've got a nice pair of pants on and these jeans from Rick Owens fit the bill. They're slim cut and and crafted in Italy. Buy NowTom Ford Leather And Suede Sneakers When slamming on the pedal, you're going to need a fine pair of shoes. These sneakers from Tom Ford not only match our outfit, but are crafted in Italy, just like the car itself. Buy NowHublot Big Bang Ferrari Speciale Limited Edition Chronograph Men's Watch There's no reason to look at your phone when driving, even for the time. Instead, check the time on this Hublot Big Bang Ferrari watch, which matched the Ferrari 488 GTB in more ways than one. Buy Now Ferrari For Sale Houston

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 – November 11, 2015

Bugatti Showroom & Boutique Opens in Tokyo

Just two days ago, New York City and Miami both saw the opening of Bugatti showrooms sporting the marque's new design aesthetic, and now just two days later, another location has opened its doors.Tokyo saw the opening today of a first for Bugatti; a combined showroom and lifestyle boutique working under the motto of "The Blue of Tokyo." As a press release from the marque today describes, this is also their second stand-alone boutique, the first having opened in London in November 2014.Bugatti's Tokyo showroom and boutique covers three floors, with a private lounge in the basement created as a space for customers to configurate their new cars. The ground floor acts as the vehicle showroom, dominated by classic Bugatti blue. The second floor offers the boutique showcasing the EB Ettore Bugatti Collection. The entirety of the building is built with aluminum, glass and carbon fiber, all characteristic of a Bugatti car, and the entrance is defined by the marque's classic horseshoe shape.“For the first time the unique technical positioning of a Bugatti super sports car as well as the luxurious lifestyle of the Bugatti brand are expressed authentically in one joint presentation,” said Massimiliano Ferrari, Manager of Bugatti's Brand Lifestyle division, in the release. “Like Bugatti, Tokyo represents a great tradition at the same time as absolute modernity. We would like to thank our partner for the extremely successful implementation of our showroom boutique concept.”This new showroom and boutique will be open Monday through Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm, with the location closing on Wednesdays. Take a look at the showroom below, then find your own Bugatti to arrive in from our exclusive listings.Bugattis For SaleGallery (via Bugatti) See More Bugatti News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 02, 2015

Bentley Curates Lifestyle Collection for Christmas

With November starting and Daylight Savings Time coming to an end, Christmas shopping season has officially kicked off, and Bentley has a few suggestions.More than 300 items have been added to Bentley's collection since September, and in a press release today, the marque pulled together their top 10 recommendations from those 300. They've compiled the "top ten gift ideas for customers, brand connoisseurs and luxury motoring enthusiasts," including those who are still too young to drive a Bentley for themselves.For the younger fans of Bentley, they suggest the Sequin Blue or Magenta ride-on Continental GT, complete with functional steering wheel, horn and music selection. These are best for the enthusiast between the ages of two and four, up to a weight of 50 pounds.(See Also: Bentley Bentayga to Debut at Power on Ice 2016)For the enthusiasts who are able to drive a Bentley, there's a wide variety of beautiful items, ranging from blankets, candles and picture frames to scarves, fountain pens and handbags. Every item embodies the quality Bentley is known for and design cues inspired by the original Bentley Boys of the 1920s. The Heritage Race backpack embodies that look back toward history with the number "9," the number featured on Tim Birkin's 4.5-liter "Blower" driven during 1930 Le Mans race.Check out the items from their top 10 suggestions in the gallery below, and visit shop.bentleymotors.com to see the full collection. If the Bentley lifestyle items aren't quite enough, you can always consider an actual Bentley as your gift - just find the perfect one from our exclusive listings.Bentleys For SaleGallery (via Bentley) See More Bentley News

By Caitlin Duffy – September 08, 2015

The Ferrari Pirelli Cinetica Design Concept

The last design we saw from him featured classic styling in an aquatic form, but a new design concept from Fraser Leid's is better suited to time on solid ground.The Ferrari Pirelli Cinetica Racing Bike is, essentially, what Leid believes a cycling-based collaboration between Ferrari and Pirelli could look like. But it also shows a bicycle with innovative mechanics that would make it a worthy contender to bear the Ferrari and Pirelli names.Its inspiration came from watching the Tour de France, when Leid decided to find a way to recover and store energy expended by the cyclist, then utilize it at a later point in time."While peddling, the carbon and steel wheel rotates around a circular brush. This causes an electric direct current to build, which feeds into a capacitor located at the bottom of the frame," describes the design's caption on Leid's digital portfolio. "When demanded by the rider, the stored charge is used on a motor located at the front of the frame.... This energy feedback system allows the rider an opportunity to rest while the bike propels itself."A carbon fiber composition with hints of titanium would keep the bicycle's weight down, while housing of all cables and brakes internally keeps drag down and increases aerodynamic abilities. But beauty, as well as efficiency, guided the design process for this concept. A perfect example of form and function meeting beautifully comes in the handlebars. They allow for three grip choices while also adding to the ferocity of this bike's overall appearance."I wanted its stance to be fast and aggressive, but I also wanted it to look sleek and lightweight to the eye," Leid described. "In the end, it has something animalistic to its traits."Check out the gallery below to see a little more of this Ferrari Pirelli design concept, and find your own existing Ferrari from our exclusive listings. To see more of Fraser's designs, visit his profile on Behance.net.Ferraris For SaleGallery (Source: Fraser Leid) See More Gear News

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