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

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Mercedes-Benz news fromduPont REGISTRY News, updated daily, covering the S-Class, the Maybach range, the AMG models, the G-Class and the electric line-up. Our reporting takes in reveals, first drives, bespoke builds and the auction results that set collector values. Mercedes-Benz competes across more segments than almost any rival, so the news here runs unusually wide. Our marketplace supplies the part most publications leave out entirely. A great many of these cars are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts a review and a real asking price side by side. For Mercedes-Benz news today, and the luxury car market news around it, start here.

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 06, 2022

IWC Schaffhausen Unveils The Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41...

The first official watch of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Being the perfect performance pair with eyes set on victory, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One and IWC Schaffhausen commemorate their partnership with a special release upon the anticipated 2022 Miami Grand Prix. IWC Schaffhausen is proud to present the all-new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition ‘Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team as the first official team watch. The special edition IWC Pilot’s Watch takes shape as a 41mm chronograph crafted from lightweight titanium, incorporating the same high-tech materials that go into engineering an F1 race car. The all-black dial design features Petronas green numerals, indexes, and sub-dials that beautifully display the functions of the watch during any point of the day. The engine driving the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition ‘Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is IWC’s in-house 69385 Caliber automatic self-winding movement, which accurately operates its hours, minutes, seconds, date, day, and chronograph functions. MUST-READ: Makes & Movements: Porsche Design 911 Sport Classic Chronograph x 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Defining itself as the brand’s most versatile sports watch, the Pilot’s Watch holds a lengthy 46-hour power reserve and 100-meter water resistance for the most active lifestyle. A sapphire backcase showcases the intricate movement in action, while the crystal includes green etchings that signify the special collaboration with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Keeping the Mercedes-AMG Petronas theme alive, IWC Schaffhausen fits each example with a Petronas green rubber or black nylon strap that uses a state-of-the-art interchangeable quick release system. The all-new IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition ‘Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team’ is currently available via pre-order with a price tag of $8,232. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury watch news and releases. View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: IWC Schaffhausen

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 03, 2022

The New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Night Edition Adds Darkness...

When the sun sets, this new edition of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class rises. A timeless way of making something look timelessly sleek, elegant, and modern is to add black, and this trick certainly works on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as Mercedes-Benz has introduced a “Night Edition” package that is available on all body styles and all trims of the car except the AMG models. What it does is give the E-Class an effortlessly dark and luxurious look with black wheels, black trim pieces, and a black soft top for the Cabriolet, along with an all-black interior complemented by open-pore ash wood. MUST READ: will.i.am And Mercedes-AMG Team Up On A Strange New Coupe The package is already available for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet, and it will be available on the Sedan and Wagon soon. To further signify the Night Edition, a “Night Edition” badge made out of polished aluminum with high-gloss black lettering is also placed on the center console, with “Night Edition” embroidered floor mats doing the same. Dealers will start to receive Night Edition E-Class cars in July. Source: Mercedes-Benz

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By Tyler Rampersaud – May 02, 2022

will.i.am And Mercedes-AMG Team Up On A Strange New Coupe

Mercedes-AMG teams up with one of the most avant-garde celebrities in the automotive sense. will.i.am is known for his musical endeavors, especially with the Black Eyed Peas, but many of us car enthusiasts know him for his collection of off-the-wall automobiles, like his custom DeLorean or his heavily modified Tesla Model S. Employing his unique vision to create a project car that even just the teaser images make clear is something we’ve never seen before, Mercedes-AMG has partnered with the musician to create quite the interesting project car. MUST READ: What is there to find in Kevin Hart's car collection? FIND OUT What we can tell from the dimly lit teaser images of this upcoming car is that it is a front-engined coupe with suicide doors, retro-inspired wheels, panoramic glass roof pieces across each side, and most interestingly, a front end that looks as though it came off of a Mercedes-Benz G-Class. As with any of will.i.am’s automotive creations, this new car is sure to be interesting. While we still have to wait for its reveal on May 5, we can say without a doubt that this new car is going to be a conversation piece. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mercedes-AMG (@mercedesamg) Source: Instagram/Mercedes-AMG

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 27, 2022

The New Mercedes-AMG C43 Uses Electrified Turbo Tech From F1

Performance, luxury, and innovation are what the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 does best. With what it’s been able to do with its 2-liter 4-cylinder engine, Mercedes-AMG has proved that the 4-cylinder absolutely has a seat at the table when it comes to luxury performance cars. With the M139 engine and its new, racing-derived turbo technology, Mercedes-AMG has announced the new SL43 convertible, and now, the same engine and electrified turbocharger are coming to the C-Class in the form of the new Mercedes-AMG C 43. MUST READ: The New Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Shocks The Luxury SUV World Having first used this technology on the Formula 1 track, the turbocharger used with the M139 engine works together with a 48-volt electrical system. What this does is spins the turbocharger whenever it needs to be spun before exhaust gas has the ability to do so in a more traditional way. This makes the turbo much more responsive than it would be without the electric motor, and as a result, the car is faster, more exciting, more dynamic, and easier to drive, with a total of 402 horsepower throughout the entire system, which gives the car an estimated 0-60 time of a mere 4.6 seconds. This new technology comes together with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive, a sleek new look with plenty of AMG performance-inspired touches, and the MBUX infotainment system to make a car that is sure to be a pleasure and a thrill to drive. View All Mercedes-AMG C43s For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 20, 2022

Mercedes-AMG Continues 55th Anniversary Celebrations With...

Small cars make for a big 55th Anniversary celebration for AMG. AMG, Affalterbach’s tuning house that dials Mercedes-Benz cars up, turning them into performance classics turns 55 years old this year, and to celebrate, “Edition 55” Mercedes-AMG cars have been released, complete with special graphics, interior touches, and special-edition cachet. The Mercedes-AMG G 63 was the first car to get this treatment, and now, the Mercedes-AMG A 35 and CLA 35 are getting the Edition 55 treatment as well. MUST READ: The New Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Shocks The Luxury SUV World The AMG Aerodynamics Package is the first thing you’ll notice about the Edition 55 of the A 35 and CLA 35. It features a spoiler, front apron, and side skirting for an aggressive, dynamic look and improved aerodynamics. Bold exterior graphics against the Cosmos Black Metallic or Digital White Metallic color continue the racing look and feel of the car, along with the chrome silver fuel filler cap. Inside, you’re greeted with black and red two-tone leather upholstery and Edition 55 badging all over the car to signify the special edition, most prominently on the bottom spoke of the steering wheel. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 55 years of success, performance, and luxury. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 19, 2022

The New Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV Shocks The Luxury SUV World

The Mercedes-Benz EQ family finally gets the SUV treatment. In today’s world, there couldn’t be a car that is more current than an all-electric luxury SUV. That’s why Mercedes-Benz has released the EQS SUV for the 2023 model year. It’s a vehicle that many of today’s drivers can identify with, and that luxury lovers are sure to enjoy. With up to 536 horsepower, over 370 miles of range, and dynamic, easy SUV driving, the new EQS SUV promises to be an excellent SUV, an excellent luxury car, and an excellent electric vehicle. MUST READ: Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX Achieves Incredible 1000-km Range By virtue of being an electric vehicle, the battery placed under the floor of the car makes the EQS a vehicle with excellent weight distribution and an incredibly low center of gravity, which is a feat that few conventional SUVs can match. Combined with the available 4MATIC, the EQS SUV has the potential for power and easy but exciting driving. And as a Mercedes-Benz should be, that driving is not just easy and exciting, it’s incredibly beautiful and luxurious as well. The EQS features an interior that is just as futuristic as the car itself, with the option of the entire dashboard being turned into a sophisticated and seamless infotainment system for both driver and passenger, dubbed by Mercedes-Benz as the MBUX Hyperscreen. And with practicality in mind, the EQS SUV is also available with 7 seats. When it comes to Mercedes-Benz, and the luxury SUV world as a whole, the future is here. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 14, 2022

Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX Achieves Incredible 1000-km Range

Mercedes-Benz has the range, and the Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX just proved that. Mercedes-Benz’s VISION EQXX has gone on a scenic European road trip, starting in the Swiss Alps, and ending in Cassis on the French Riviera. With over 1000 kilometers, or 621 miles covered, the trip included cold and rainy weather, everyday traffic, Autobahn cruising, and more. And the best part: it was all done on a single battery charge, arriving at Cassis with 15% battery, or 87 miles remaining. The battery consumption rate of just 7.1 kWh per 62 miles was record-shattering, and the technology involved will push electric vehicle technology even further into the future. MUST READ: The New Mercedes-AMG SL 43 Uses F1-Derived Turbo Technology This incredible feat makes the VISION EQXX the most efficient car that Mercedes-Benz has ever made, as a 1000-kilometer range is an incredible feat even for gasoline-powered vehicles to achieve. With low drag, lightweight construction, regenerative braking, a solar roof, and more helping the car, Mercedes-Benz plans to include the revolutionary efficiency technology in the VISION EQXX in future Mercedes-Benz cars. View All Electric Vehicles For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 08, 2022

The New Mercedes-AMG SL 43 Uses F1-Derived Turbo Technology

The new entry-level Mercedes-AMG SL takes a whole new approach. The iconic Mercedes-Benz SL roadster has gone through a lot of changes. For 20 years, the SL was a hard-top convertible, and the latest generation has returned to a soft fabric top. Along with that, the AMG models of the car have been powered by V8 and V12 engines for years, and with the new Mercedes-AMG SL 43, that’s all about to change. The newest entry-level AMG SL model comes equipped with the M139 four-cylinder engine, and while that might sound like blasphemy to AMG fans who remember the SL 63s and SL 65s of old, the engine has already proved its worth in smaller AMG models like the GLA 35 and 45, the GLB 35, and the CLA 35 and 45. VIDEO REVIEW: Mercedes-AMG E 53 Cabriolet The engine gives the SL 43 a total of 381 horsepower, thanks to unique turbocharging technology that can be traced back to Formula One. This unique electric exhaust gas turbocharger uses technology that comes from Mercedes-Benz’s own F1 Team. An electric motor drives the turbocharger directly before the exhaust gas does so itself, reducing the time it takes to get a response from the turbocharger and removing the compromise that exists between a turbocharger and a supercharger for efficient boost. This technology helps the SL, despite having a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to accelerate to 60 mph in less than 4.9 seconds, and climb up to a 170 mph top speed, which makes for a grand tourer with the performance to excite, more efficiently than ever before. View All Mercedes-Benz SL For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 06, 2022

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates The 2022 Masters With A Special ...

The German pro golfer will be pulling up to Augusta in style. The 2022 Masters tournament marks a special occasion for golf fans all around the world this weekend. As one of the main sponsors of the iconic event, Mercedes-Benz is proud to be on scene with some of the biggest names in the PGA aside their fleet of performance-focused sports cars. Mercedes-Benz The German automotive manufacturer is honoring two icons during the 2022 Masters, German professional golfer Bernhard Langer and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Bernhard’s decades-long career includes successful starts and wins at some of the most famous events, including his first Masters' appearance in Augusta, GA 40-years ago. Leading at the top of its class for over 40-years, it's only right to have Bernhard Langer arrive in style in the newly redesigned 2022 Mercedes-Benz G550. MUST-READ: New Virgil Abloh X Mercedes-Maybach S 680 Is Available To Buy Celebrating his dedication to the sport and its brand, Mercedes-Benz commissions a unique custom livery for the luxury 4x4 in collaboration with tape art artist Leah Abucayan. The once gloss white G550 now showcases a vibrant new design that features Bernhard Langer and his motto ‘Stronger Than Time’. Alongside Bernhard and the G-Class, Mercedes-Benz is also excited to see brand ambassador John Rahm as another prime contender for the 2022 Masters. Mercedes-Benz The golf-packed weekend is sure to be filled with intense competition and German automotive excellence. Look out for Bernhard Langer’s custom Mercedes-Benz G550, as well as the AMG SL and EQS at August National Golf Course during the 2022 Masters this weekend. View all of the current Mercedes-Benz G550 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming celebrity car news. View All Mercedes-Benz G550 For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

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By Tyler Rampersaud – April 05, 2022

The Mercedes-AMG G 63 Drifts In The Snow In An Epic Spect...

Mercedes-AMG sends the world’s favorite SUV sideways. The spring season may be on the rise, but snow and sliding are very much still on the schedule for the Mercedes-AMG G 63. In the Swedish Lapland, one of the automotive industry’s favorite spots for scenic and intense cold-weather testing, the G 63 went out on the ice and was both in and out of its comfort zone with the action that Matthias Malmedie and Peter Schoren, head of G-Class Sales and Product Management got it into. MUST READ: New 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan Pricing Announced With its comprehensive four-wheel-drive system, locking differentials, and plenty of power from its twin-turbo engine, hand-built in Affalterbach, the G Class is capable not only of conquering extreme conditions but also of turning vast frozen expanses into a complete playground, sliding around and kicking up ice and snow in its wake, just as well as a more traditional rear-wheel-drive sports car would on the asphalt. As it turns out, the G Class is great at both turning heads and turning sideways. Source: Mercedes-Benz

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