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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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 21, 2022

The Cigarette Racing Team Debuts Its All-New Apparel Coll...

High-performance marine meets luxury lifestyle. While traditional racetracks provide the perfect environment for supercars and hypercars, the open waters of the ocean offer the same level playing field for high-performance marine crafts. The Cigarette Racing Team continues to push the boundaries of luxury boat design and performance since 1969, with a focus on delivering a one-of-a-kind experience to anyone who steps aboard one of the many vessels available in its lineup. The Cigarette Racing Team is proud to announce the release of their all-new luxury apparel collection, featuring elevated styles and custom designs to compliment a perfect day on the water. MUST-READ: The 13th Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat Unveiled The collection includes jackets, sweatshirts, long-sleeve shirts, t-shirts, and hats made from high-quality materials that sport the iconic logo of Cigarette Racing. Along with the excitement of its first-ever luxury apparel collection, the brand is happy to announce that the clothing line incorporates the use of solar power energy and sustainable materials. The all-new apparel and accessories collection from the Cigarette Racing Team is set to release online on April 21st at 3 pm EST. Click the link below to prep for the upcoming release and to discover all of the performance marine crafts from Cigarette Racing. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming lifestyle releases and luxury marine news. Shop Cigarette Racing View this post on Instagram A post shared by CIGARETTE RACING TEAM (@cigaretteracingteam) Source: Cigarette Racing

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 11, 2022

Richard Mille Joins The SP80 Performance Sailboat On The ...

The SP80 and its record-breaking sailboat speed. The traditional art of sailing offers a relaxing experience on the open water, leaving passengers in the hands of controlling both speed and direction. Once seen as a relaxing weekend hobby, sailing now takes on a performance-focused feel with help from Richard Mille and the SP80. Richard Mille is known for creating world-renowned luxury timepieces, as well as surrounding itself with athletes and industry leaders that share the same forward-thinking. Richard Mille x SP80 is looking to conquer the open water with its new concept vessel, a state-of-the-art kite-driven sailboat that boasts modern design and mind-blowing performance. MUST-READ: The Top 10 Best Richard Mille Watches Ever Created Always in contact with the water, the SP80’s low-profile construction ensures functionality and stability at any level of speed. Designing the 33-foot super sailboat took over 40,000-hours and achieves its 1,764-pound weight through the use of lightweight materials like carbon fiber. With two crew members aboard, the SP80 captures its power from the wind through the main hydrofoil that adapts for various speed changes. The most important feature of the SP80 is its power module, a mechanical system that efficiently distributes forces between the kite, hydrofoil, and boat itself. The all-new SP80 supported by Richard Mille reaches speeds over 92-mph, with plans to continue increasing that number with future updates. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming lifestyle releases and luxury marine news. Source: SP80

By Andrew Nabors – February 18, 2021

Sea Ray & BMW Unveil The Sundancer 370 Outboard

Nautical design and automotive styling often intersect, and that's why Sea Ray & BMW have unveiled the Sundancer 370 Outboard. Designworks is a BMW styling group responsible for concept cars, motorcycles and even a few Minis. Needing something special for the Sundancer's 45th anniversary, this collaboration has yielded inspiration for both brands. One of Sea Ray's first designers was none other than Harley Earl, the father of the Corvette. After several design studies addressing the needs and wants of modern boaters, four words emerged: sleek, confident, athletic, and distinctive. Inside, we can see the cabin is just as inviting and practical as a new BMW M4 Competition for sale. This new boat will influence Sea Ray’s future lineup and is for sure not the last collaboration between Designworks and Sea Ray. BMW For Sale Images (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – November 17, 2020

MonsterMax Chevrolet Silverado vs HCB 53 Sueños

Indiana doesn't have many boat ramps to the Gulf of Mexico. That's why WhistlinDiesel chose to set sail last weekend, pitting his MonsterMax Chevrolet against an HCB Sueños. Mr. Diesel is rising to fame around the world thanks to incredible fabrication skills and hijinx related to his builds. Since social media celebrities were in town to film FL2K, he decided to test MonsterMax at Longboat Key. This picturesque location is just a few minutes south of us, so we have had ample time enjoying it with our friends from HCB Custom Yachts. Perhaps the most elegant center console of all time, it makes use of a quartet of 7-Marine 627 outboards. Each packing the power of the Corvette ZR1, they offer an experience you won't soon forget. Should you catch a Silverado in open water, please let it go- they mean you no harm. Here's to @whistlindiesel for another wild upload and to HCB for building amazing boats. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2015

BAC Mono Marine Edition Is Built for Super-Yachts

Do you have a super-yacht and are looking for the perfect car to go along with it? Don't worry, Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has exactly what you need: the BAC Mono Marine Edition.Unveiled in a Sept. 21 press release from the Liverpool-based automaker, the Marine Edition is based on the 2016 BAC Mono. This means it features the same 2.5-liter engine that pumps out 305 bhp. This power combined with a weight of only 1,278 lbs makes for a fantastic power-to-weight ratio that will shine on any track.But, what separates this Mono from the rest is that it is built specifically for life aboard a super-yacht.Life on a super-yacht traveling the seven seas can get salty, so the Marine Edition's components have been covered in a specially-developed anti-corrosive coating, ensuring they are protected. If that's not enough protection for you, know that they deliver the car in an "Environmental Control Container System," which can be used to stow the car on board. This system controls the temperature and humidity of the stowage space's environment.To get the car on and off of yachts is a carbon-fiber crane arm that has been designed by BAC. This comes with the car and can be used with all yacht crane systems.(See Also: Steven Spielberg is Selling his $185 Million, 282 ft Mega Yacht) How did this all come about?“I started my career designing luxury yachts and I have wanted to combine my love of marine and automotive design ever since," says Ian Briggs, co-founder of BAC, in the press release. "The Marine Edition Mono represents purpose and style for a clientele that knows no compromise.”For those interested, the Marine Edition comes with a £500,000 price tag (approx. $762,000 USD with exchange rate at time of publishing). It is also completely customizable and is built-to-order.Gallery (Source: BAC)

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