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 Tyler Rampersaud – September 05, 2024

Maybach Launches An All-New Haute Parfumerie 6-Fragrance ...

A new perfume collection evokes Maybach luxury through fragrance. Maybach is one of the most respected names in automotive luxury, with a history and a current lineup of some of the most desirable and sumptuously appointed vehicles in the automotive industry. However, its legacy has transcended the automotive world as Maybach has also become its own luxury lifestyle brand, and its latest creations express Maybach’s refined, sophisticated luxury through fragrance. Maybach has unveiled its first Haute Parfumerie collection alongside the expansive Mercedes-Benz fragrance collection. The new Maybach collection, with scents developed by renowned Maître Parfumeur Anne Flipo in collaboration with INCC Parfums, consists of six different fragrances, all inspired by Maybach’s exclusivity, elegant design, and luxurious craftsmanship. The bottles themselves exude Maybach’s approach to luxury. They are finished on the sides with polished aluminum and have an engraved Maybach logo with the fragrance's name. The signature Maybach pattern adorns the front and back of the glass, and the bottles come with a wooden base for storage. The six fragrances are Radiant Green, Snow White Leather, Fascinating Oud, Vibrant Tuberose, Unexpected Orris, and Charismatic Rose. Radiant Green evokes springtime plants with notes of neroli oil and fig, among other accords. Snow White Leather combines white suede with notes like rum and patchouli, while Fascinating Oud, as its name suggests, highlights the coveted oud note set against mimosa blossom and plum. Vibrant Tuberose complements its titular floral note with hazelnut and vetiver. Orris is the root of the iris flower, and in Unexpected Orris, it’s paired with mint and a hybrid lavender called lavandin. In Charismatic Rose, rose pairs with oak wood for a luxurious, rich scent. With Anne Flipo’s globally renowned talent in perfumery and Maybach’s undeniable ultra-luxe appeal as a historic manufacturer and iconic brand, the new Maybach Haute Parfumerie collection expresses one of the most respected names in automotive luxury with sumptuous fragrances, which are available to buy on the Maybach Luxury shop or through Mercedes-Benz Parfums. Shop Mercedes-Benz Parfums

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 28, 2024

Shop Master & Dynamic's Automotive-Inspired MW75 Headphon...

Choose between Bugatti, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-AMG. Taking the audio quality of a supercar's sound system on the go, Master & Dynamic's evolving lineup of headphones and earphones features automotive inspiration from some of the most recognized OEMs in the industry. Master & Dynamic is proud to continue its collaborations with Bugatti, Automobili Lamborghini, and Mercedes-AMG with the release of its all-new MW75 Active Noise-Cancelling Wireless Headphones. Designed with weight-savings and elegance in mind, just like the Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Revuelto, and Mercedes-AMG ONE, Master & Dynamic crafted the MW75's ergonomic design in anodized aluminum, durable tempered glass, and soft lambskin leather. And let's talk performance, where Master & Dynamic's MW75 Headphones feature Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation that automatically adjusts the level of noise cancellation to match your surroundings, leaving behind nothing but the sound you want. Now listeners can choose between Adaptive, MAX, or All Day ANC modes for more tailored settings. Enjoy up to 32 hours of total battery life or up to 28 hours with ANC turned on. To get the most out of your pair, proximity sensors allow for on-head detection to auto-pause your MW75 Wireless Headphones so you get the most out of your listening time. So whether you're a fan of Bugatti, Lamborghini, or Mercedes-AMG, shop the all-new Master & Dynamic MW75 Wireless Headphones by clicking the links below. Shop Master & Dynamic MW75 Master & Dynamic Shop Now MW75 BUGATTI Master & Dynamic Shop Now MW75 Automobili Lamborghini Master & Dynamic Shop Now MW75 Mercedes-AMG Master & Dynamic Shop Now Source: Master & Dynamic

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 24, 2024

How To Buy: PUMA x Mercedes-AMG's Collection Inspired By ...

Explore PUMA's latest collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, reflecting the GT2's style in the new Spring/Summer 2024 collection. The latest PUMA x Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Spring/Summer 2024 Collection is here, and it's nothing short of spectacular. The race-ready collaboration is a thrilling union of PUMA's fashion-forward design and the high-performance spirit of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport, inspired by the legendary Mercedes-AMG GT2, a beacon of power and innovation in the Customer Racing program. The collection is a tribute to the Mercedes-AMG GT2, a track-only supercar that embodies exceptional performance and groundbreaking technology. Every piece in the collection reflects the AMG GT2's lightweight design and standout features, making it a wardrobe must-have for those who want to channel the dynamic vibe of this automotive beast. What sets this collection apart from the others inspired by motorsport? The color palette. Think tan and light blue, the perfect canvas for this cutting-edge collaboration. Add to that electric lime and active red accents, and you've got a wardrobe that's as fast and precise as the Mercedes-AMG GT2 itself. The woven pieces are a highlight of the head-to-toe collection, offering sophistication and style that mirror the meticulous craftsmanship of the GT2. For those seeking comfort without compromising on style, the hoodies and sweatpants are a perfect blend of casual and high-performance fashion. The newest PUMA x Mercedes-AMG Motorsport collection gives fans the opportunity to embody the spirit of motorsport in their everyday life. Available now at select PUMA stores and online at puma.com, it's time to gear up and make a statement. Shop the all-new PUMA x Mercedes-AMG Motorsport AMG GT2 Collection by clicking the link below. Shop The PUMA x Mercedes-AMG GT2 Collection Source: PUMA

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 13, 2023

How To Buy: Freddo Toys' New Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG Power ...

Freddo Toys launches a detailed Mercedes-Benz Powered Ride-On, perfect for young car enthusiasts. Freddo Toys invites young car enthusiasts to experience the luxury and performance of the Mercedes-Benz with their new collection of powered ride-ons. These officially licensed starter vehicles bring the high-end allure of Mercedes to your driveway, offering a stylish and thrilling backyard driving adventure for kids. Crafted with precision, the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Ride-On Car by Freddo Toys stands out as a fashionable and exciting new model for the car-lovng child in your life. It fetaures a host of realistic characteristics, including EVA tires, a padded leather seat for added comfort, authentic starting sounds, and LED lights to enhance the driving experience. Designed to accommodate a pair of young adventurers with its dual seating, this Mercedes-AMG G63 ride-on car offers the choice of manual control or parent remote control for added safety. Power is at the forefront with this ride-on, showcasing four robust motors and a 24V battery, ensuring a ride that's both exciting and reliable. LED lighting adds an extra touch of visibility and flair to every journey. Safety isn't compromised either, with adjustable seat belts and the option of parental remote control to manage the fun. Ideal for children aged 3 to 8, this 4x4 Mercedes Benz is a toy and a memorable first vehicle that any child will treasure. It comes with an unbeatable guarantee, allowing kids to focus solely on the joy of driving, with parents reassured of their safety. Shop the all-new Freddo Toys' Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG Ride-On and its entire lineup of vehicles by clicking the link below. Shop Freddo Toys' Power Ride-Ons Source: Freddo Toys

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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