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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 – November 19, 2018

5 Perfect Mansions for Car Lovers

You dreamt of your favorite cars as a kid. Flipped through the pages of the duPont REGISTRY, dog-earring the ones you'd buy someday when you became a multi-gazillionaire. And you finally made it to that point (sort of), went out and bought your dream car. Now, where are you going to garage it? These baller mansions are the quintisenntial homes for car-loving kids at heart. (Source: Royal Shell Real Estate Inc via Gulf Coast Associates, Realtors) (" title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>) Set on two pristine acres resembling a lush botanical garden, 1240 Coconut Drive in Fort Myers, Florida is available to the exclusive buyer at $15.95 million. The premier waterfront oasis is approached by two gated access roads leading to a motor court with seven separate garages. Enter from solid granite driveways to Italian marble floors throughout the expansive 10,493-square-foot palace fit for royalty. Enviable interior spaces include a home cinema, work-out gym above the garage and a 2,000-bottle wine cellar. Not to mention the 65,000-gallon infinity-edge pool and 16-person spa overlooking the water. View listing (Source: Tim Savage, Gulf Coast International Properties) Florida is also home to number two on our list: 1240 Gordon River Trail in Naples. On the market for $9.49 million with a 4.5-car collector's garage, this listing has it all. Every bedroom in this home is a suite and the living spaces promote true indoor-outdoor entertaining with giant retractable walls. There's also a dedicated library, a media room, a full bar and a 1,000-bottle wine room. The exterior was designed to impress, as well. Tucked away through an underpass are 4.5 handsome garage spaces, with additional garage parking in the guest home. Around back, the pools, spas and fountains are true works-of-art with golf and waterfront views. view listing (Source: Brant Didden) Delightfully private and pristine, 13792 Pacific Breeze Drive, Santa Rosa Valley, California claims its own mountaintop with miles and miles of 360º mountain views. This car lover's dream home hit the market last month at $6.495 million under the moniker, "The Grand Illusion." The 11,000+-square-foot home is double guard-gated and extremely secure, opening up to two immaculate acres. Five oversized garages offer the ideal storage space for a car collection, as do the additional covered parking spaces on the property. Inside, materials and craftsmanship of immeasurable quality are displayed throughout. This home has to be seen to be believed and truly appreciated. view listing (Source: Wendy Jacobsen RE/MAX SEDONA) At $4.25 million, 159 Horse Ranch Road in Sedona, Arizona coined the phrase, "Garage-Mahal," for its nearly 2,000-square-foot car and RV parking. Car collectors and equestrians alike will fall in love with this sprawling compound of incomparable garage, workshop and equine amenities. Set on five incredible acres adjacent to the U.S. National Forest, the home known as, "Spirit Lifter," is amid the most gracious red rock scenery. Capturing the very essence of true Sedona living, this 6,151-square-foot single-level residence was lovingly built and impeccably maintained. view listing (Source: D.W. Howard Realty Ltd. Brokerage) Reminiscent of Malibu architecture set on the beaches of Lake Erie, 679 Lakeshore Road East in Port Colborne, ON Canada is offered at $3.8 million. Waterfront breezes can be savored from the elevated terrace with a cozy wood burning fireplace, which conceals the garage complex underneath housing five car collector's bays. There's also a private ramp for direct beach access encompassed within this discreet, fully secured estate. State-of-the-art security and perimeter fencing provide peace-of-mind and an automated gate allows for approved visitors to enter this magical compound. Most people choose cedar for fencing projects because of it’s durability and affordability. No nails, fence staples or other materials are needed for a split rail fence, which helps to keep the cost low. view listing All five of these incredible compounds are equally as impressive as some of the world's most exquisite vehicles. So, which one do you choose to house your next automobile purchase?

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 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 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 Caitlin Duffy – September 01, 2015

Tucson Home Designed for the Enthusiast Fits 24 Cars

On 25 acres at the edge of the Saguaro National Park, just a short jaunt away from downtown Tucson, sits the ultimate home for a true automotive enthusiast, and it isn't just the location that makes it so.6501 West Sweetwater Drive, priced at only $1.5 million, is surrounded by beautiful Sonoran Desert scenery, the Rincon Mountains and plenty of space for more than 24 cars. Three separate garages can be found around this home, two attached, one detached, each with its own distinct purpose.The smallest of the three offers space for two cars, perfect for storing the daily drivers in an easily accessible location. The second garage is detached, but is much larger than the first - with full operational lifts already installed, this collector garage can fit 18 cars within. View Price and InfoThe third garage is the hobby garage. Also attached to the home, its walls are lined with workbenches and storage cabinets that rival those of the finest mechanics' shops. A car wash station and loading dock spans the space between the hobby and collector garages. Between the three garages, a massive total of 7,847 sq. ft. is covered, all dedicated to automotive purposes.Now comes the home itself. Expansive, warm, inviting and absolutely stunning, the 5 bedroom home encompasses nearly 6,000 sq. ft., with each room more interesting and beautiful than the last. Connected to the hobby garage is the bar-media-game room, an area that includes a private theater, a full bar and room for a pool table.The gourmet kitchen features custom alder wood counter tops and concrete counter tops, each in a warm, darker tone that plays off the rich colors of the Sonoran Desert. That theme is continued into the bedrooms, including the master suite, which feature massive his and hers closets and large bathroom. There's even an area down the hall specifically for washing your dogs.Guests will enjoy their own quarters, with full kitchen, bathroom, fireplace and loft, accessed by a beautiful spiraling iron staircase. To learn more about this listing from Douglas Trudeau of Tierra Antigua Realty, hit the button below, and be sure to check out the videos for a full look at each aspect of this stunning home.View Price and Info Gallery Sponsored by: duPont REGISTRY

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By Caitlin Duffy – August 24, 2015

Built for Classics: Waterfront Automotive Abode on Florid...

Halfway down Florida's Atlantic coast, closer to Cocoa Beach than Miami, sits a home in a private gated community with more than a few unique features.Indian River Shores in Vero Beach, Florida is a quiet community devoid of high-rise condo buildings and hotels that block the skyline of many other beach towns. Within Indian River Shores is John's Island, a 1,650 acre private community where residents and members have access to three 18-hole golf courses, 1- Har-tru tennis courts with a court-side cafe, a health and fitness center, professional croquet and 32-miles of private shaded roads.Ferrari For Sale Of course, the true draw to the area is the seemingly unlimited access to the water. Both the private beaches and waterways on John's Island Sound make boating, fishing and swimming daily activities. But at one home overlooking the Sound, there's another draw - with a little more focus on asphalt related activities."In 1984, Ben Caskey designed, with the help of renowned architect James Gibson, this 'one of a kind' personal residence to share with eight of his favorite classics," describes the description of this automotive-focused home. The center of the home, its two-story great room, wasn't made for the television to be on display; rather, etched glass windows look into the two four-car garages, showcasing each car stored within. Next to the cars is a custom bar, fully ready for mixing any drink after arriving home from a Sunday drive.There's room for another four cars out front underneath the porte cochere, just in front of the antique, double-front doors. Sourced from a Charleston hotel that survived shelling during the Civil War, these doors are simply the first statement of this four bedroom, three and a half bathroom home's purpose: to put fine history and classic beauty on full display for all to see.Which eight cars will you park in the garages when this becomes your home? Let us know in the comments, and click the button below to learn how this stunning automotive abode can be yours.View ListingGallery (Sponsored by Treasure Coast Sotheby's International) See More Automotive Abodes

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