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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 Edward Jones – April 09, 2021

Feadship's 180-foot Somnium Superyacht is Close to Being ...

This superyacht represent a family's dream come true. Feadship's latest vessel, Somnium, is just about ready to be delivered to its owner as the shipyard completes final finishing and sea trials. The owner picked Feadship as they were able to meet his bespoke needs without compromising quality. This yacht was designed to take three generations of the owner's family members on world cruises and it most certainly looks up to the task. Feadship notes that the owner poured his heart and soul into this project, participating in the various phases and even making bi-weekly appearances to enjoy a beer with the build team on Fridays. We can surely say that the owner must be more than happy with the result because Somnium looks incredible. The name itself is Latin for "dream" and it sure looks like a dream come true. With a length of 55 meters (about 180 feet), there are plenty of amenities and facilities for passengers of all ages. This includes the vast outside deck, exclusive lounge area on the foredeck, pool with an adjustable floor, Jacuzzi island on the sun deck, gymnasium, full-beam owner's stateroom, four spacious guest suites and so much more that has yet to be revealed. Be sure to stay with us for more information regarding Somnium as it's released. In the meantime, check out all of our latest yacht and boat news. Source: Feadship

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2021

50m Heesen Arkadia Superyacht Delivered

A massive superyacht is now at home thanks to Denison Yachting. Back in October 2020, Denison Yachting announced the sale of Project Trion from Heesen. This sale was quite exciting as Project Triton is a new vessel that was built to be a true blue-water yacht that can entertain all of its guests in many ways. Now, months later, Denison Yachting has announced that the delivery of the vessel is now complete but she now bears the name "Arkadia." David Johnson of Denison Yachting was responsible for the sale, introducing the client to Thom Conboy of Heesen USA and worked with the sales team at the shipyard in Oss, Netherlands to ensure everything went smoothly. Johnson had this to say regarding the sale and delivery: “I would like to thank Heesen for their support and coordination in making this project happen. The yard worked tirelessly to ensure the yacht is ready for the owners and their family to enjoy cruising this summer. A special thanks also to the owners’ team on board who have been an integral part of the success of this project. This is the most recent new construction sale for Denison Yachting, and we are excited to continue working closely with Heesen to facilitate the sale of future new builds.” Arkadia is the first of five yachts scheduled for delivery by Heesen this year, so be sure to check back for more delivery news. In the meantime, click the button below to see the incredible vessels Denison Yachting has to offer. Visit DenisonYachtSales.com Source: DenisonYachtSales.com

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2021

Check Out The $3.4 Million 80 Bertram EB Sportfish

Who says fishing can't be luxurious? When many think of fishing, they picture casting off of a 15- to 30-foot boat that can get cramped if there are too many onboard, but it doesn't have to be that way. That's where the 80-foot Bertram "Seven Thunders" sportfish comes in. She comes in with a beam of 22-feet, providing ample room for both fishing and relaxing. There's plenty of room aft for storage, fishing, spectating and even fighting a fish thanks to the fighting chair. Towards the bow is a dedicated cradle for an 18-foot inflatable tender along with a Marquipt Davit to maneuver it. While there's plenty of space outside, there's even more inside. A fully-equipped salon and galley provide everything needed to entertain guests in the air-conditioning when the sun is just a bit too much. When it's time to rest, there are two guest staterooms, a VIP stateroom, and a Master stateroom. There are enough beds to sleep up to about nine guests on board, and that's not including the crew accommodations. If this all sounds too good to be true, it's not. In fact, you can see it for yourself in the walkthrough by Denison Yacht Sales up above or in its listing on their website by clicking the button below. View Specs and Listing

By Edward Jones – April 02, 2021

Giorgio Armani and The Italian Sea Group are Making a New...

This could end up being one of the most luxurious yacht, ever. Even if you're not into fashion, you know that the name Giorgio Armani is one that's synonymous with luxury. When that name is tied to a project, you can bet that's it's going to be worth your time. For example, news just dropped that Giorgio Armani and The Italian Sea Group are collaborating to create a new megayacht. Not much is known about this new vessel, but what we do know is that it will measure in with a length of 72 meters (about 236 feet), the build will be handled by Admiral Yachts and it will be ready in early 2024. That's a lot of time from now, so expect to see more news being released. I'm excited to see the progress knowing The Italian Sea Group's capabilities. Ever heard of the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 yacht? That's under The Italian Sea Group's umbrella. Stay with us for more information as it's release, and be sure to check out all of our yacht news. Source: Facebook/Giorgio Armani

By Edward Jones – April 02, 2021

Sneak Peek at the Regulator 37 Center Console Sportfisher

Presented by Regulator Marine Regulator Marine gave duPont Registry the full details and features of the new Regulator 37, unveiling renderings that showcase the next evolution in one of America’s favorite center console sportfishers. The Regulator 37 will be formally unveiled at the Suncoast Boat Show in Sarasota, FL on April 23, with advance virtual access across Regulator’s digital and social channels. Triple Yamaha XF425s. 507-gallon fuel capacity. Digitally-enhanced helm station. Triple helm seating with aft bench seat and pump room. Deluxe cabin with queen berth, galley, head, and optional Tower coming soon! Regulator’s expert engineers and craftsmen have planned every inch of this 43-foot-plus ride to deliver fishability, comfort, and convenience at every turn. New Offshore Command Center features Garmin® Multi-Function Display with Digital Switching and Monitoring, along with proprietary Regulator MyHelm™ interface to seamlessly and intuitively connect key functions including engines, lighting, livewells, macerator pump, and more – all via touchscreen. Wireless Key Fob allows you to turn on lighting, batteries and other convenient systems as you approach or disembark with the touch of a button. Critical functions including horn, bilge pump and nav lights are still fully accessible on the LED push button switch panel, with manual override zones to ensure certainty in any condition. New E-Series Seating & Tackle Center features a raised deck with triple helm seating and aft-facing bench seat for two flanked by built-in armrests with Cup Holder Rod Holders. Tackle storage abounds port and starboard, with six rocket launchers built into the aft support frame. Add the E-Series Galley Upgrade for Electric Grill and Flushmount Refrigerator port side while maintaining plenty of tackle storage starboard. Seakeeper® 5 Gyro Stabilization System is optional, and beneath the aft-facing bench seat, you’ll find the illuminated pump room with access to fuel tanks, optional Seakeeper® 5 and other systems, as well as extra storage. Fishability is front-and-center, with more rod holders-per-foot than any boat in Regulator’s fleet, two aft in-deck fishboxes, a double-hatch fishbox on the transom, two 33-gallon livewells, new in-cabin rod lockers, and three insulated, illuminated forward fishboxes. Relaxation is never far away thanks to abundant forward seating, forward settee with extra deep cooler, and convertible electric pedestal table/sun bed. Visit Regulator Marine's Website Regulator Marine manufactures premiere center console fishing boats from 23-41 feet. For more information and to find your local dealer, visit regulatormarine.com. For up-to-the-minute news on the new Regulator 37, fans can follow @regulatormarine on Facebook and Instagram.

By Edward Jones – April 01, 2021

361-foot "Now" Superyacht Concept Unveiled by Piredda & P...

361 feet of luxury on the water. Piredda & Partners have just unveiled their new superyacht concept design called "Now" and it's massive both inside and out. From the outside, she's quite large with a length of 110-meters, or about 361-feet. With the large size, the designers have allowed the interior of "Now" to be expansive and spacious. Double-height ceilings and an abundance of windows allow spaces to open up in a beautiful manner. That space will be able to also accommodate 18 guests and a crew of 41. As for amenities on the deck, there's more than enough seating, a pool with a waterfall flowing into it, a helipad that can also be a basketball court and, of course, a jacuzzi. Hopefully, we'll be able to see "Now" launch in the near future, because this is one fantastic-looking vessel. For more yacht news, be sure to check out our Marine section. Source: Piredda.co

By Edward Jones – March 29, 2021

459-foot Solaris Megayacht Undergoes First Sea Trials

The massive 140m Solaris megayacht from Lloyd Werft is undergoing sea trials and putting on a show. Lloyd Werft has gone ahead and launched Solaris, their new 140m (459-foot) megayacht, so it can undergo sea trials. While not much is known about her, you can learn a lot from the video up above posted by the YouTube Channel "inselvideo." The first fact learned from observation is that Solaris is massive. Not only is she 459-feet long, there are also eight decks to travel through. Other features include a jacuzzi, pool, helipad, plenty of wooden deck space and a giant beach club area. While we wait for official details regarding Solaris to be release, be sure to check out the video up above. Also, check out our Marine section to read all of the latest yacht, boat and recreational watercraft news.

By Edward Jones – March 24, 2021

KAIROS Superyacht Concept Revealed by Oceanco, Pininfarin...

The new KAIROS superyacht concept seeks to "recalibrate" modern yacht design. Pininfarina's first time collaborating with Oceanco has resulted in an extraordinary superyacht concept that looks to shake up how we see modern yachts. Also joining in on the collaboration was Lateral Naval Architects who oversaw the technical design and engineering development. The goal of this design was to create a superyacht that can provide a "life onboard that is without boundaries," according to the Oceanco. One of the most exciting aspects regarding KAIROS is that it's developed around an E-Hybrid propulsion system. This eco-friendly propulsion system is in line with Oceanco's NXT initiative on sustainability and innovation. Oceanco hopes KAIROS can give insight into a future of sustainable yachting. More information regarding KAIROS will be released in the coming months so be sure to check back. In the meantime, you ought to see Antonini Navi's militaristic OPV 56 superyacht design. Source: Oceanco

By Edward Jones – March 19, 2021

Antonini Navi Reveals the Militaristic OPV 56 Superyacht

Antonini Navi has announced that a European owner has booked a construction slot for the OPV 56 superyacht and we are more than excited to see this journey begin. The OPV 56 is a very unique yacht that blends luxury with militaristic styling. In fact, the name "OPV" stands for Off-Shore Patrol Vessel. Measuring in at 56 meters, or 184 feet, this superyacht is one of the very few of this size that has a gross tonnage under 500 GT. This is how Antonini Navi explains the birth of the idea behind the superyacht: "The OPV series was conceived with the intention of expressing great solidity, powerful and strength and, at the same time, developing a new approach to cruising that can be summarized in the concept of an Off -Shore patrol Vessel." The exterior of the vessel is as sleek as can be, allowing the OPV 56 to look like a knife cutting through the waves. As for the decks, there's plenty of space for leisurely time, including a jacuzzi, pool and plenty of seating. While we wait to see the launch, be sure to check out our latest yacht and marine news. Source: Antonini Navi

By Edward Jones – March 18, 2021

Diana Yacht Design Reveals the R.50 Concept Yacht

Diana Yacht Design has just unveiled their new R.50 concept yacht which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Dutch studio. This new concept yacht measures 47 meters, or 154 feet in length and it packed with incredible features. “The goal was to create a yacht that feels huge and is full of superyacht features - all while remaining under that crucial 500 GT mark,” Bais says. “From the incredible toy storage and a touch-and-go helipad to the sun-drenched sundeck complete with Jacuzzi and full entertainment area, the result is something special. DIANA is a team passionate about life on the ocean, and R.50 is a yacht that fully represents that. There’s no better way to mark 50 years of DIANA.” The open interior layout of the R.50 ensures that every deck has a view of the sea, including the spectacular al fresco dining areas. On the sun deck, the jacuzzi, shaded dining area, sun loungers, large bar and helipad can be found. Below, the bridge deck has a fully-equipped bar as well as storage for two large tenders and jet skis. One deck below that, the main deck, is where the spacious beach area can be found with a fold-away transom door on the swim platform. Across the entirety of the yacht, 12 guests can be accommodated in six staterooms, which includes a full-beam owner's stateroom. Hopefully, we can see this concept hit the water in the near future. In the meantime, be sure to check out our latest yacht and boat news. Source: Diana Yacht Design

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