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 Edward Jones – March 15, 2021

How To Buy A Yacht With Bitcoin

Presented by Denison Yacht Sales - All anyone talks about these days is Bitcoin. Or so, it seems. Bitcoin is hot right now, and we recognize the need for clients to purchase yachts using cryptocurrencies. Denison’s response? We made our worldwide yacht database searchable using Bitcoin value. Yup, we’re staying ahead of the curve. Along with Tesla’s recent adoption. Search With Bitcoin Pricing Bitcoin is a form of digital, unregulated currency traded anonymously, without banks or middlemen. Payments are made through a digital wallet on a computer or smartphone. Cryptocurrency can be purchased from Bitcoin exchanges or obtained from other Bitcoin users. You can spend bitcoin like any other money via a mouse click or a cellphone app. Bitcoins flow from your digital wallet into the account of a retailer, just as dollars might flow digitally from your bank account into a store without you ever holding the printed $100 bill in your hand. Denison has been accepting Bitcoin since 2014 and was the first company in the yachting industry to do so. Since then, we sold five yachts using cryptocurrency. And in June 2018, Denison’s first charter was booked using Bitcoin as payment. The ability to safely accept various currencies, including a digital currency like Bitcoin, and distribute these funds in U.S. dollars is a valuable service to Denison’s clients. Bitcoin passed $20,000 for the first time in December, and it has tripled in value in three months. So while Tesla and BNY Mellon and Mastercard are only recently jumping on the cryptocurrency bandwagon, we’re going a step further by making our yacht database searchable and payable using Bitcoin. The Bitcoin price changes every hour according to its real-time value. Contact a Denison yacht broker to buy your next yacht using cryptocurrency. Search With Bitcoin Pricing

By Edward Jones – March 09, 2021

Experience the $11.15 Million '7 Diamonds' 2020 105 Ft Nu...

Denison Yachting recently completed a very thorough walkthrough of the 105' Numarine '7 Diamonds' superyacht and we can all now see it for ourselves thanks to their YouTube channel. In the video up above, Alex Clark of Denison Yachting walks us through the entirety of the lavish vessel. '7 Diamonds' was delivered in December 2020 and was actually displayed at the Palm Beach Boat Show. It features a six-cabin layout that can sleep 14 guests including a private owner's deck. A designated beach club area is larger than you'd expect from a yacht of this size and a boat deck that can carry a tender (up to 8.5m) and three jet skis. The cherry on top has to be the exterior which features a breathtaking and custom Awlgrip turquoise hull paint job. Every inch of '7 Diamonds' is begging to be seen, so be sure to click play up above, as well as the button below to view its listing on DenisonYachtSales.com. View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2021

1st Iguana Commuter With Diesel Outboard Engine Delivered

Iguana Yachts, famous for their amphibious yachts, have announced that they have delivered the first diesel outboard on their Commuter model. The boat was completed at the Iguana Yachts French factory, located in Caen, Normandy. This actually marks the first time in France that a boar was equipped with a diesel outboard engine of 300 horsepower. As for the powerplant, it's a quiet and powerful CXO300 engine. There are many benefits to a diesel engine on a boat, with the name ones being that they last longer and consume less fuel. And less fuel being consumed means more time out on the water. If you'd like more information on Iguana Yachts, you can contact Prestige Marine, an Iguana Yachts partner. View Inventory Source: Iguana Yachts

By Edward Jones – March 04, 2021

Walkthrough of the $18.5 Million Majesty Superyacht

If you've ever wanted to see what it's like inside a superyacht of incredible proportions, you have to check out Denison Yacht Sales' walkthrough videos. A great example is the video up above which takes you through the 140 Majesty superyacht that's for sale for $18,495,000. This 140-foot superyacht can sleep up to 10 guests in five staterooms, plus the crew. With that kind of room onboard, there's a lot to cover. In the 30-minute video, you'll be taken through each deck and given an in-depth description, courtesy of Ryan Alexander of Denison Yachting. From the immaculate engine room to the tender garage and every room, you'll see every single detail that this superyacht has to offer. Honestly, after watching the video, I feel like I was on board the Majesty 140 myself. Click play up above to walk aboard the superyacht and see it for yourself. If you would like more info, click the button below to view its listing. View Listing

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2021

Feadship's Groundbreaking 308-Foot Project 817 Superyacht...

Feadship's groundbreaking Project 817 has officially launched, according to the shipyard's social accounts. This new superyacht is quite substantial with a length of 94-meters, which is roughly 308-feet. While her size is most definitely noteworthy, what's so fascinating about this new vessel is that she houses a hybrid propulsion system. Project 817's diesel-electric power allows her to travel at speeds up to 12 knots in a quiet and much more nature-friendly manner. Feadship has also installed a number of other eco-friendly features, including the waste treatment plant, heat recovery systems, efficient air conditioning system, and more. Other notable facts that have been divulged so far include the noticeable and abundant presence of windows, 14-meter tender (largest tender ever on a Feadship) and a top speed of 20 knots when in diesel direct mode. Source: Feadship/Facebook

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2021

See the Massive 466-foot Nord Superyacht Docking in Gibra...

The 466-foot (142-meter) superyacht 'Nord' from Lürssen is an absolute giant. She holds five decks, 20 guest cabins that can accommodate 36 guests, two helipads, and a lot more that has not been divulged as of yet. What I'll say is that this superyacht is absolutely massive and is actually one of the largest yachts in the entire world. Being so large, it's hard to miss Nord when she pulls up into a marina to dock. YouTube Channel 'Gibraltar Yachting' recently spotted her docking in Gibraltar and captured the event on camera. You can see her docking in the video up above which gives great perspective into the size of this superyacht.

By Edward Jones – February 25, 2021

The Monaco Yacht Show 2021 Is Officially Happening

Good news, everyone. The Monaco Yacht Show 2021 is officially happening. This news comes after the 2020 edition of the show was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The silver lining to that postponement was that Informa Group, owner of the Monaco Yacht Show, took that time to work with the yacht industry and redesign the event. The result is a new event that will safe and meet the needs of both visitors and exhibitors. One change is that each visitor will be given one of three badges: Discover, Advise and Connect. The discover badge is meant for yacht clients; the Advise badge will be worn by advisors and consultants; the Connect badge is meant for trade visitors. With this new badge system, the event will have a better flow of visitors on the quaysides, giving it easier for private visitors to board the superyachts and tenders. As for the date, the event will run September 22-25, 2021. To read the full press release, click here. Source: MonacoYachtShow.com

By Edward Jones – February 23, 2021

Van Geest's "Pebble" is a Sleek 459-foot Superyacht Concept

Van Geest Design has revealed their latest superyacht concept and it may be the sleekest creation I've ever seen. Named "Pebble," this concept was design to look as though it had been shaped by nature over decades, like a smooth pebble. The design office says that Pebble is "the escape from our city landscapes, skyscrapers and mainly cubism shapes we encounter in daily life." In the water, Pebble looks right at home thanks to its windswept and smooth design. No exact specifics have been given regarding the concept, but I can't wait to learn more as the info is released. What I can say is that it looks to contain five decks, with every deck above the main deck being surrounding by endless glass. If this is true, I can't imagine you'd find a bad viewing area from inside Pebble. Source: Van Geest Design/Facebook

By Edward Jones – February 22, 2021

The 466-foot Superyacht "Nord" With 2 Helipads Has Been D...

The absolutely insane 142-meter (466-foot) Nord from Lürssen has been delivered. Delivery of Nord comes years after its announcement in 2015, but the wait has been worth it. With six decks that include 20 staterooms, Nord can accommodate 36 guests. It also includes two helipads, two custom tenders that can be stored and deployed from the discreet garage, submarine and so much more. I mean it when I say it would take days to truly discover everything the Nord has in store. While we can see it for ourselves, you can watch the video above of the superyacht and also check out the video below of the two custom tenders. If you're looking to buy a boat for yourself, be sure to check out the benefits of buying a new boat versus a used boat. " width="680"> Source: SuperYachtTimes.com

By Edward Jones – February 20, 2021

You Can Now Charter the New ALMAX 112-Foot Superyacht

Denison Yachting has just announced that they have added the ALMAX 112-foot superyacht as a new charter listing. This luxurious yacht features a main deck with an open plan that has a continuous zone from stern to bow. Towards the bar zone is a living area, followed by one of the dining areas. In total, eight guests can be accommodated on ALMAX thanks to the three large cabins: one for the owner and two VIP cabins. What's more, the lounge area can be transformed into an extra cabin with either one king-sized bed or two twin beds. Other amenities include gym equipment, 4G wifi system, and an interior control system for the A/C, curtains, cabins and audio-video appliances. You can charter this superyacht for $105,000/week. For more info, click here to visit DenisonYachtSales.com. Source: DenisonYachtSales.com

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