Marine and Luxury Yachting News

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 – October 24, 2023

Dynamiq's New TransFORM! Program Builds Superyachts From ...

Dynamiq's TransFORM! initiative is a game-changer, offering bespoke superyachts built on commercial vessel platforms. Since its inception in 2014, Dynamiq has been pushing the boundaries of the luxury superyacht industry. A “dream team” of engineers, designers, and naval architects has fueled the brand's uprise, culminating in the creation of the world’s first "smart yachts." These yachts are the epitome of European engineering, design elegance, and peerless craftsmanship. But Dynamiq's latest initiative, TransFORM!, takes things to another level. This transformative program proposes the use of existing Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) as base models for creating bespoke superyacht builds that outperform the competition. Dynamiq’s TransFORM! initiative not only enhances the construction process but also optimizes the customization stage with limitless options and features for customers to choose from when configuring. Its groundbreaking online configurator allows potential owners to customize their yachts around the clock, detailing transparent costs and delivery dates. The focus is on versatile vessels suitable for family cruising, high-energy parties, or adventurous expeditions. Think fast yachts with ocean-going ranges and an endless list of customizable amenities like gyms, spas, and cinema rooms. But what really sets TransFORM! apart is its cost and time efficiency. By utilizing existing commercial vessels as donor platforms, Dynamiq can deliver a fully refitted superyacht much faster and at a fraction of the cost of building one from scratch. The conversions are completed at Dynamiq’s cutting-edge facility in the Antalya Free Zone, Turkey, capable of handling ships up to 80 meters and lifting up to 2,000 tons. In essence, TransFORM! offers the best of both worlds, a quick, cost-effective path to yacht ownership without compromising on luxury or quality. Make sure to stay up-to-date on all of the releases from the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show by tuning into duPont REGISTRY News. View all current luxury marine crafts for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below. View All Luxury Marine Crafts For Sale Source: Dynamiq

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 04, 2023

Experience Fast Fun Seafaring with This Luxurious Yacht f...

Experience fast, fun, spontaneous seafaring with this craft. Luxury boating and yachting is an undeniable pleasure, but with many vessels boasting immense sizes and large footprints, what’s lost is the essence of what makes boating enjoyable: the experiences that can be had on the water, and the simple joy of driving the boat. Navigating large vessels can introduce complications that smaller crafts don’t suffer, and that’s where boats like this Lekker 44 Outboard for sale come in. Thanks to its relatively compact footprint at 44 feet in length, the Lekker 44 is incredibly quick and agile compared to its larger peers, but that doesn’t mean it skimps on luxury. With double refrigerators, an ice maker, a full wet bar, a sink, and a grill, the Lekker 44, capable of seating up to 12, is ready to entertain. In addition, an air-conditioned cabin with two separate sleeping areas, and a full bathroom with a separate standing shower offers livable practicality. Combine the craft’s luxury and practicality with its agility and speed (with a top speed of 57 mph), and you have a luxury boat that’s ready for just about anything. Whether you’re island hopping, exploring, or cruising on a weekend, the Lekker 44 is prepared to deliver an excellent marine experience. The vessel earned its stripes at one of the world’s most prestigious yachting events, debuting at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival, and serving as a luxury tender at the Monaco Yacht Show. As the “Land Rover Defender of the Sea,” the Lekker 44 is a one-way ticket to unforgettable marine experiences. If you’re interested in owning this beautiful vessel, available for sale at Denison Yachting Sales, view the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Denison Yacht Sales

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 03, 2023

New U-Boat Worx Super Sub Is World's Fastest Private Subm...

$5.5 million could net you this unparalleled underwater experience. When it comes to redefining luxury and underwater exploration, U-Boat Worx's new Super Sub is making waves. Unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show, this new submersible offers high-performance and state-of-the-art technology with the title of the fastest private submersible ever conceived. Its astounding speed, agility, and depth capabilities put it in a class of its own, offering thrill-seekers and luxury aficionados an unparalleled underwater experience. One of the primary aspects of the craft that makes the new U-Boat Worx Super Sub so special its its speed. It churns out an impressive 100 kW of thrust, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 10 knots. That's 3-4 knots faster than a bottlenose dolphin and a staggering 7 knots faster than the average submersible. With such speed, U-Boat Worx's latest offering allows owners to effortlessly keep pace with large marine creatures like dolphins, sea turtles, and even sharks. The vessel's agility is enhanced by its ability to ascend and descend at inclines of up to 45 degrees and execute rapid banking turns. But it's not all about speed. The Super Sub also dives deep—up to 300 meters, to be precise. That's a significant improvement over most private submersibles, expanding the possibilities for marine exploration and underwater adventures. In the realm of safety, like all U-Boat Worx offerings, this one comes equipped with the best in class safety features. These include 'maximum depth protection,' which prevents the submersible from going beyond its certified depth, as well as an advanced PLC-based sensor network to deliver crucial information right when it's needed. Design-wise, U-Boat Worx made no compromises. With a crystal-clear, fully acrylic pressure hull at the forefront of the design, passengers are promised a completely unobstructed view of the aquatic world around them. Enhanced with hydrofoils that improve thrust direction and an auto-heading system to maintain a consistent course, the submersible ensures a smooth and thrilling ride for all onboard. With a starting price tag of roughly $5.5 million, the Super Sub is definitely a high-ticket item. But for those who can afford it, the Super Sub offers the most advanced and luxurious underwater marine experience on the market today. The first Super Sub unit is scheduled for delivery to its customer at the end of 2023, with additional units becoming available in 2024. So, for anyone seeking the epitome of underwater luxury and performance, the clock is ticking. Secure your spot for this once-in-a-lifetime underwater adventure and join the elite club of Super Sub owners. View All Yachts For Sale Image Source: U-Boat Worx

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 13, 2023

Pininfarina Nautical x De Simoni Unveil The CAT56 Catamar...

In a landmark collaboration, Pininfarina Nautical and De Simoni Yacht Design introduce the CAT56 catamaran. Since its start, the creative professionals at Pininfarina Design have incorporated expert Italian craftsmanship into a vast array of industries. The maritime world is buzzing with the announcement of the CAT56 catamaran, debuting the partnership between Pininfarina Nautical and De Simoni Yacht Design for Austin Parker shipyard. With a length of 17 meters and a width of 7 meters, this vessel embodies innovation and design finesse. CAT56 is the first project under Austin Parker after its acquisition by Baris Nalcaci, making it a monumental model in the shipyard’s portfolio. Crafted to redefine the perception of catamarans, CAT56 combines the spaciousness of a catamaran layout with the sporty aesthetics and high-quality finish usually found in higher-category yachts. The catamaran’s design signature features a long hull window, providing an stylish flow between the boat’s interior and exterior spaces. The flybridge comes equipped with luxury amenities like a sunbathing area and a wet bar, upping the onboard experience. The CAT56's sleek profile ensures easy docking, while the cockpit offers direct sea access, furnished with freestanding furniture for optimal convenience. Inside, the CAT56 pampers its occupants with well-lit spaces like an open-plan kitchen and living area that flows into an expansive cockpit. Quality finishes and refined materials complete the luxurious atmosphere. Set to begin production in September, the CAT56 is just the start of a series of nautical innovations from Pininfarina and De Simoni for Austin Parker. Whether it's the state-of-the-art technology, the exceptional comfort, or the groundbreaking design, CAT56 is poised to become a game-changer in the yachting industry. View all luxury marine crafts currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY Discovery by clicking the link below. View All Luxury Marine Crafts For Sale Source: Pininfarina Design

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 26, 2023

How This New 242-FT Superyacht Can Sail At 75 Knots

This yacht design is the future of seafaring. Italian design studio Lazzarini is known for its futuristic design and its use of forward-thinking and innovative technologies. Combine this with the luxurious lifestyle of yachting, and what results is nothing short of amazing. Lazzarini’s latest yacht design project is the Plectrum, a beautiful and immense 242-foot-long superyacht that makes use of hydrofoils and a trio of hydrogen-powered motors, each capable of 5,000 horsepower, totaling to 15,000. The yacht is positively immense, with room for cars, smaller vessels, helicopters, and four decks with six guest cabins and an owners suite, but it takes innovative measures to be an efficient and powerful vessel. MUST READ: Conor McGregor Took His Lamborghini Yacht To The Monaco GP Lazzarini says that the Plectrum will be composed “entirely of dry carbon fiber composite,” and that the design of the hull is inspired by America’s Cup sailboats, both of which will allow the boat to travel at a top speed of 75 knots. When the boat is anchored, the hydrofoils are able to retract slightly into the yacht to take up less space. With a creative approach to its design, the Lazzarini Plectrum yacht promises to deliver not only in the luxury aspect, but also in being a futuristic, technologically advanced, and all-around smarter yacht than most of its peers on the water. Source: Lazzarini Design Studio

By Edward Jones – November 22, 2022

Nothin But Wake: Check Out the Electric Arc One Boat

Equipped with an electric powertrain, the quiet Arc One lets nature dictate the soundtrack on the lake. In the automotive world, electric powertrains are becoming more commonplace. Other sectors are slower to make the renewable-energy transition. One company aiming to speed up the process for water vehicles is Arc Boats, founded in January 2021 by former SpaceX engineers. The Los Angeles–based firm’s first foray into the world of electric boating is the Arc One. A 500-horsepower electric powertrain propels the vessel to a top speed of 40 mph. Arc Boats has designed and built this propulsion system in-house, along with the boat’s battery packs, thermal control systems, and software. If you’ve ever owned a boat, you know the pain of parts breaking left and right. With the Arc One, the powertrain was designed with fewer moving parts, which in turn means fewer possibilities of breakage. One of the most important bonuses to having an electric boat is the power source. Boaters no longer need to fuel up at the gas station en route to the ramp or stop by a marina to fill the tank. Simply leave the boat plugged in while on a trailer or docked at your deck. The biggest perk to going electric is the silence. When cruising in a boat like the Arc One, which accommodates up to 12 people, there is no noisy motor or smell of gasoline. Instead, all you hear is the crashing of the wake against the hull, and the air you breathe will be fresher than ever. The Arc One will start being delivered to customers on the waitlist in fall 2022. Each comes with a starting price of $300,000.

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 21, 2022

The U-Boat Worx Super Sub Is The World's Most Flow-Dynami...

This vehicle is underwater but certainly not underwhelming. U-Boat Worx is known for its incredible submersible design, and its Super Sub is known as the manufacturer's fastest and most nimble design. It’s able to deal with strong currents and provide a dynamic dive, and the model has already been sold to its first owner with sea trials beginning as soon as next year. However, it’s gotten even better than it already was, with more speed and capability, making it, according to U-Boat Worx, the most flow-dynamic submersible ever conceived. MUST READ: The New BRABUS Shadow 300 Edition One Boat Will Make Its North American Debut At The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show With the help of Dutch maritime research institute MARIN, the flow dynamism of U-Bat Worx’s Super Sub was optimized to increase the estimated top speed from 8 knots to 10 knots, making it faster than a cruising bottlenose dolphin, and much faster than any average submarine. U-Boat Workx says that the Super Sub has the efficient flow dynamics of an electric car. Also boasting a 360-degree view, the submersible is easy to enjoy and provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience when piloted. Soon, the U-Boat Worx Super Sub will bring amazing engineering, innovation, and technology deep below the surface. Source: U-Boat Worx

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 08, 2022

The New Wally wallywhy150 Yacht Packs World-Class Luxury ...

Born in one of the world’s finest yachting destinations, this new vessel is ready to impress. Yacht-building brand Wally is based in Monaco, and that is a perfect location because it happens to be one of the world’s most famous destinations for luxury yachts and any enjoyer of the sophisticated nautical lifestyle. The brand’s new wallywhy150 yacht, successor to the wallywhy200, was designed and unveiled with the goal of being a perfect Monegasque maritime companion, with a 78-foot length and more exterior space than anything typical for its size, along with other design features that help the yacht make the absolute most out of its footprint. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce And Sanlorenzo Are Collaborating On A New Sustainable Methane-Powered Yacht The yacht boasts a full dining setting on the sundeck, as well as a sunbathing area and a shaded lounge, as well. Floor-to-ceiling windows also help bring stunning outdoor vistas into the interior spaces of the yacht. Accommodations come from a master cabin on the main deck that shows off a 270-degree view of the ocean, as well as a lower deck that can either be configured with 2 cabins or 1 VIP cabin and a guest cabin, which also has large windows and amazing views. The wallywhy150 is officially launching in February 2023, with its world debut coming in the spring of the same year. With smart, sophisticated, stylish, and simply luxurious design and engineering, some of the best yachting yet is about to set sail. Source: Wally

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 08, 2022

Rolls-Royce And Sanlorenzo Are Collaborating On A New Sus...

The world’s blue oceans are soon to be home to greener yachts. Rolls-Royce and Sanlorenzo, an Italian yacht builder are collaborating on what will be the future of marine travel. With a methanol-fueled propulsion system, the yacht of the future that the two companies are collaborating on plans to be run carbon-neutrally. Ahead of the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival, both Rolls-Royce and Sanlorenzo have announced that the project is going to be powered by two MTU methanol engines based on the Series 4000, and that the yacht will be making its maiden voyage in 2026. MUST READ: Denison Yachting Partners With Nobiskrug On 250-Foot Project Lycka Superyacht This innovation won’t just change yachting but the entire world of maritime travel, with more environmentally friendly shipping and other forms of transport, as well. The benefits of synthetic methanol, produced using electricity from renewable sources include the fact that is easy to manage and is already available at ports. The new methanol propulsion system will be sustainable and powerful, and the new yacht will be built with the new system specifically in mind, as part of Sanlorenzo's various efforts to build and design yachts with added sustainability, with considerations made like having larger fuel tanks because of the decreased energy density of methanol. Rolls-Royce will be presenting its methanol fuel innovation parallel with the Cannes Yachting Festival at the SMM maritime industry trade show in Hamburg, Germany from September 6-9. Source: Rolls-Royce, Image Source: SanLorenzoYacht.com

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 04, 2022

Denison Yachting Partners With Nobiskrug On 250-Foot Proj...

A Transatlantic partnership on a superyacht over 250 feet long is an epic new ocean-faring venture. Denison Yachting of Fort Lauderdale, Florida has announced an incredible partnership as a dealer with Nobiskrug & Tillberg Design of Sweden on an incredible superyacht dubbed Project “Lycka,” a yacht over 252 feet in length ready to accommodate absolutely every need, want, luxury and comfort an owner could desire. The design features a focus on sustainability and efficiency with electric propulsion, as well as amenities like a beach club and spa, gym, office, balconies throughout, and even an elevator to travel between the decks. MUST READ: Silent-Yachts Announces The New Silent 60 Solar Electric Catamaran And ST400 Tender Nobiskrug, the builder of this amazing superyacht, was founded in 1905 in Rendsburg, Germany on the Eider River, and is known for building superyachts that remain high-quality and innovative vessels years ahead of their time. The company started yacht building in 2000 and is known for its 262-foot Artefact yacht that boasts a hybrid electric propulsion system that allows it to fall under IMO Tier II emissions regulations. Tillberg Design of Sweden is known for its design expertise in cruise ships and yachts and was founded in 1964. This year, the firm established Viken Group,w which specializes in yacht design, which acquired Italian yacht design and architecture firm HotLab, poising Tillberg Design to make the Project Lycka a true one-of-a-kind vessel. With the international talent involved in its creation and marketing, Project Lycka is ready to take on the world’s waters in ultimate style and luxury. Source: Denison Yachting

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