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

Mercedes-Benz News

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 Tyler Rampersaud – April 05, 2022

New Virgil Abloh X Mercedes-Maybach S 680 Is Available To...

Project MAYBACH makes the case very clear that there was nothing the late Virgil Abloh couldn’t do. The Mercedes-Maybach Project MAYBACH electric show car, developed in collaboration between Mercedes-Maybach and the late Virgil Abloh, was a stunning example of the prolific Abloh’s boundless creativity, talent, and avant-garde artistic vision. Finished in a two-tone scheme of gold paired with Obsidian Black, the car is boldly futuristic, opulent, and fashion-forward, as Virgil Abloh was in everything he did. MUST READ: What's in Cristiano Ronaldo's Car Collection? FIND OUT Abloh and Mercedes-Maybach’s collaboration is completed with the new limited-edition Maybach by Virgil Abloh Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S 680, an equally opulent and beautiful car that takes after its predecessor. The car features an identical color scheme on the interior, crafted in Nappa leather, and customers receive a sand-colored Nappa leather box with a 1/18 scale replica of the car inside, along with the keys and a carabiner hook. The car is available to purchase on Off-White, Farfetch, and Maybach Icons of Luxury online stores, along with a collaborative capsule collection between Mercedes-Maybach and Off-White, and being limited to 150 units worldwide, this bold statement of a car is bound to go quick. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 01, 2022

New 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan Pricing Announced

$147,500 is what it’ll take to get your hands on the first Mercedes-EQ electric AMG. It’s the beginning of a new era; Mercedes-AMG has combined the power, performance, and luxury that we have always known AMG cars for possessing with the revolutionary battery-electric technology that the Mercedes-EQ platform has provided, and created the Mercedes-AMG EQS, which is not only the first EQ-based electric AMG, but also one of the bes Mercedes-AMG cars yet. It’s priced starting at $147,500 and coming to US dealerships as soon as late spring of this year. MUST READ: The New Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series Is The Most Serious AMG GT Yet With up to 751 horsepower available thanks to a boost function, electric technology has opened the door for Mercedes-AMG to make one of its most powerful cars yet. AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive ensures that that power gets put to the road in the best way possible, and yet again, electric technology shines here in the fact that with the ability to distribute torque through electric motors is significantly faster than with a mechanical all-wheel drive system. The suspension optimizes both performance and comfort as well, with the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ capable of rear axle steering and adjustable damping for ultimate control whether driving for comfort or performance. And of course, what would a Mercedes-Benz be without luxury? The luxury of the new AMG EQS is better than ever, with the 56-inch MBUX Hyperscreen turning the entire dashboard into an interactive and intuitive infotainment center, heated and ventilated front seats, and an excellent Burmester sound system. Starting at $147,500, and arriving at dealerships in the US in late spring, the future of luxury and performance is here, and Mercedes-AMG is right at the front. All Electric Cars For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 23, 2022

The New Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series Is The Most Serious ...

You’ve heard of Black Series… Mercedes-AMG continues to celebrate its 55th anniversary with surprising announcement after surprising announcement. Plenty of AMG fans know and love Black Series, the collection of AMG cars that dial the dedication to performance up to the max, with extreme weight reduction, upgraded performance, and revised aerodynamics. But just when we thought the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series was the max, Affalterbach had more in store. MUST READ: Mercedes-AMG Celebrates 55 Years With the New “Edition 55” G 63 The AMG GT Track Series goes even further than the Black Series, using its Black Series counterpart as a base car. Power comes up to 734 horsepower thanks to new injectors and other upgrades, and the gearbox has been swapped out for a Hewland 6-speed racing gearbox. Aerodynamics have also improved, with increased downforce, new cooling ducts, and a generally optimized airflow. On the inside, the car lacks just about any creature comforts, being completely dedicated to track domination. Only 55 of these cars will be made, with each costing €369,000 plus VAT. If you own one, there will already be few cars on the track that can rival you, and only 54 others in the world are guaranteed to have a chance. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 22, 2022

Mercedes-AMG Celebrates 55 Years With the New "Edition 55...

55 years of one of the greatest houses of German performance is undoubtedly something to celebrate. Starting as a two-man startup in Affalterbach, Germany, AMG in only 55 years became an international symbol for incredible craftsmanship and the beautiful marriage of the best in automotive luxury and performance. With decades worth of dialed-up Mercedes-Benz models under its belt, as well as timeless grand tourers that pay homage to the brand's history like the Mercedes-AMG GT and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the AMG name is prolific in the automotive world, and its impact even beyond Mercedes-Benz is undeniable, with brands like Pagani and Lotus using AMG’s powerful engines in their own iconic cars. MUST READ: Check The Spec: F1-Inspired 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series To celebrate 55 years of unbelievable success, Mercedes-AMG has created the G 63 “Edition 55.” It’s a special edition of the ever-popular G 63 model, characterized by 22-inch cross-spoke wheels finished in matte gray, a silver chrome fuel filler cap, special side graphics, and a black and red interior with “55” badging throughout. The model celebrates AMG’s past, and heralds its future, with cars like the upcoming All-Electric Mercedes-AMG G Class, and record sales performance in the past year of 145,979 vehicle deliveries. AMG’s first 55 years were incredible, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2022

Mercedes-AMG and Palace Skateboards Launch 4 New Art Cars...

If we didn’t know better, we’d think the A in AMG stood for Art. Palace Skateboards and Mercedes-AMG are collaborating yet again, combining the pinnacle of German luxury and performance with the edgy, urban sensibilities of a skateboarding brand like Palace. Having launched a capsule collection last year that focused on the Nürburgring, Mercedes-AMG and Palace Skateboards have instead decided to take this new collection to the street. To complement the new collection, four Mercedes-AMG art cars have been created, each representing a city where a Palace Skateboards flagship store is located: London, Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. The one-off cars are presented in an ironic campaign called “Affalterbach to the world” taking AMG’s small hometown of Affalterbach, Germany, and placing it in a league with megacities like London, Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. MUST READ: Check The Spec: F1-Inspired 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S pays homage to London’s custom car scene with a white tiger on the hood and a bold color scheme, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 evokes summer in the City of Angels with a convertible top and yellow and red shifting paint job, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 gets a color scheme that goes from black to neon yellow, like the streets of New York, which it pays homage to, and the Mercedes-AMG G 63 honors Tokyo and Japanese fantasy culture with a “space horse” galloping across the side. Like the capsule collection, the art cars show a bold new side of both Mercedes-AMG and Palace, and as far as their collaborative collections go, there certainly isn’t a sophomore slump. Source: Mercedes-Benz

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By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2022

Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team Announces The New n+ Silv...

Formula E technology at the heart of the new Mercedes-Benz eBike. The advancements in EV technology allow enhancements not only benefits towards regular production vehicles but also for the world of motorsports and automotive racing. The Formula E series pushes the boundaries of electric vehicle performance with an action-packed season of racing on iconic circuits around the world. As the close cousin of Formula 1, the Mercedes-Benz EQ Team shares the same winning attitude as the team at Mercedes-AMG Petronas. The Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team is proud to announce its all-new n+ Silver Arrows eBike, featuring a sleek and modern design that pairs perfectly with state-of-the-art technology. The new eBike presents itself in a beautiful hand-polished and brushed aluminum finish with Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team logos. MUST-READ: How To Buy: A$AP Rocky’s Mercedes-Benz x AWGE Collection At PacSun The frame design comes in three different sizes to ensure the perfect fit for any rider looking for an electric kick to their daily bike ride. The n+ Mercedes-Benz EQ Silver Arrow features a 250W mid-drive motor that is driven by dual 36v batteries. With an advanced Enviolo constant variable transmission, the electric Mercedes-Benz bike holds a 62-mile range and 100-percent recharge time of 3.5-hours. The all-new n+ Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team Silver Arrows eBike is currently available for reservation with a price tag of $4,500 (10% deposit required). View all of the current Mercedes-Benz models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and releases. View All Mercedes-Benz For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 18, 2022

Check The Spec: F1-Inspired 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Bla...

Feel apart of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team with this AMG GT Black Series. The AMG GT Black Series stands out as the pinnacle supercar for Mercedes-Benz, embodying design and performance aspects from the generations that came before it. As the track-inspired beast that holds the glory of being a legal road production model, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series focuses on delivering a one-of-a-kind Formula 1-inspired feel to the community of dedicated owners, collectors, and enthusiasts. The supercar specialists at HGreg Lux are proud to present this incredible 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series as part of their ever-growing inventory of exclusive exotic vehicles in Pompano Beach, Florida. The exterior features a motorsport livery that mimics the championship-winning Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team race car design. The iconic colors of black, silver, and pearl Petronas green shift through the elongated body of the German supercar, which showcases a transitioning star pattern that fades off from back to front. The lightweight matte black 19/20-inch multi-spoke sport wheels also incorporate a touch of green with a pinstripe that runs around the outside of each wheel face. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: Tailor Made Inspirazioni Ferrari SF90 Stradale The interior design focuses on providing a driver-oriented feel through a sleek black leather and Alcantara layout that perfectly complements the gloss black trim accents. Adding to its track-ready design, the interior configuration features a set of sport-style carbon bucket seats with green racing stripes that travel down the center inserts. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series delivers over 730-horsepower from its hand-built AMG 4.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8, achieving an incredible top speed of 202mph. Managed by a responsive 7-Speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the new AMG GT Black Series launches from 0-60mph in just 3.2-seconds. This 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Black Series from HGreg Lux is currently available on duPont REGISTRY for $848,900. Click on the link below to view the vehicle listing for more information. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec specials. Sell My Mercedes Black Series: Get a Cash Offer View Vehicle Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 16, 2022

Mercedes-Benz Reveals The Interior Of The New EQS SUV

Future tech and classic luxury was most likely the brief for the new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. The new Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV isn’t just a leap into the future for its electric powertrain. Now that the interior of the car has been revealed, we can see that classic Mercedes-Benz sophistication has evolved into a futuristic oasis with comfort and technological innovation like never before. MUST READ: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and GT 63 S 4-Door Coupes Are Facelifted For 2023 The first noticeable part of the interior is the 56-inch, yes, 56-inch screen that occupies the entire dashboard. Dubbed the “MBUX Hyperscreen,” it features controls and OLED displays for both the driver and the passenger, optimizing comfort and entertainment for everyone in the vehicle, even allowing the front passenger to watch videos and stream content through the screen while the vehicle is in motion. A closer look at the details of the EQS SUV reveals the diamond-quilted leather seats, and a trim that is made from both magnolia wood and stainless steel to create a pattern of steel Mercedes-Benz three-pointed stars in the wood. This focus on luxury doesn’t skimp on practicality, either. The EQS SUV can be arranged to have up to 7 seats, and store up to four golf bags in the luggage compartment. To round out the luxury experience, Mercedes-Benz has included a highly advanced air filtration system, along with a new scent to come with the new luxury electric SUV, called No.6 MOOD mimosa, which emits an earthy and sophisticated fragrance throughout the car. Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 15, 2022

A$AP Rocky Teases A New Mercedes-Benz x AWGE Collection

Mercedes-Benz styled by the team at AWGE. With an ongoing influence on the fashion industry, Mercedes-Benz continues to collaborate with other industry leaders on luxury collections that bridge together the two worlds. In a recent Instagram post, American rapper A$SAP Rocky teases a new upcoming apparel collaboration with the German automotive manufacturer and the fashion professionals at AWGE. MUST-READ: Harley-Davidson x Todd Snyder Release Its New Limited-Edition Apparel Collection Although sneak peek images only highlight a small portion of the release, the product line is sure to feature head-to-toe essentials for an automotive lifestyle enthusiast. The two pieces seen in the teaser post take shape as a bomber-style jacket and designer work pants that feature classic Mercedes-Benz logos. The all-new Mercedes-Benz x AWGE Collection is set to release soon, so check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more updates on the drop. View all of the current Mercedes-Benz inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Mercedes-Benz For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by GRIM (@asaprocky) Source: @asaprocky IG

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 15, 2022

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and GT 63 S 4-Door Coupes Are Facelift...

Mercedes-AMG isn’t a brand known to rest on its laurels, and it won’t start now. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and GT 63 S 4-Door Coupes are known for combining four-door practicality with the excellent performance of the iconic AMG GT. With as little as a 3.1-second 0-60 time, and as much as a 195 mph top speed thanks to a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine and 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, two extra doors do absolutely nothing to hinder the amazing performance of the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. However, even despite this, Mercedes-AMG decided that the time has come to give the model a refresh. With more customizable options, an improved suspension, and design updates, the AMG GT 63 and GT 63 S 4-Door Coupes are as fresh as they are fast. MUST READ: The Best Mercedes’ You Can Buy Today The updates start at the front fascia, which was first featured on the E Performance model of the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, and is now featured on all 8-cylinder models of the car. And under the sheet metal, the AMG RIDE CONTROL+ air suspension receives two pressure limiting valves, increasing both driving comfort and driving dynamics, with damping force being adjusted by just a few milliseconds. “Manufaktur” being the designation for models that are created to the highest available degree of customization, individuality, and personalization, and to reflect that, the updated AMG GT 4-Door 8-cylinder models receive three new Manufaktur paint colors, as well as three new interior choices of diamond-quilted Nappa leather, including a two-tone AMG Performance steering wheel and exclusive AMG floor mats. With a facelift and as much as 630 horsepower, the AMG GT 63 and 63 S 4-Door Coupe are raring to go as soon as later this year. Source: Mercedes-Benz

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