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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 23, 2021

Mercedes-Benz Prepares To Go All-Electric

The future for Mercedes-Benz is transitioning into a fleet of electric vehicles. With electric vehicles becoming the norm for the automotive industry, many brands are not only entering with a new EV model, but beginning the switch for its entire lineup. Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to go all electric by the end of the decade, where market conditions allow. Shifting from electric-first to electric-only, the world’s pre-eminent luxury car company is accelerating toward an emissions-free and software-driven future. MUST-READ: Mercedes-Benz Unveils The 2022 EQT Van Concept By 2022, Mercedes-Benz will have battery electric vehicles (BEV) in all segments the company serves. From 2025 onwards, all newly launched vehicle architectures will be electric-only and customers will be able to choose an all-electric alternative for every model the company makes. Mercedes-Benz intends to manage this accelerated transformation while sticking to its profitability targets. To facilitate this shift, Mercedes-Benz is unveiling a comprehensive plan which includes significantly accelerating R&D. In total, investments into battery electric vehicles between 2022 and 2030 will amount to over $47 billion. Accelerating and advancing the EV portfolio plan will bring forward the tipping point for EV adoption. Check back in for more news on Mercedes-Benz's push to an all electric vehicle lineup. Daimler Global

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 22, 2021

BRABUS Announces The All-New 800 SUV Coupé Based On The G...

The new BRABUS 800 SUV Coupé can keep up with any supercar on tracks or open roads. While the performance-focused vehicles produced by Mercedes-AMG come with enough power to set lap times, some believe that the limits could be pushed even further. The professionals at BRABUS are the brains behind this thought, engineering AMG models with visual and performance upgrades to unleash its maximum capabilities. The newest vehicle to receive the BRABUS treatment is the Mercedes-AMG GLE Coupé 4MATIC, featuring an astonishing upgraded twin-turbocharged 8-cylinder engine that produces 800-horsepower and 737 lb-ft of torque. Likewise part of this transformation is the plug-and-play BRABUS PowerXtra auxiliary control unit, which is adapted to the engine electronics of the GLE 63 S. It provides the engine with new mapping for injection, boost pressure control, and ignition. MUST-READ: New BRABUS 900 Rocket Edition Revealed With Supercar Power Alongside the added performance, the exterior of the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is redesigned to present a more aggressive styling for the new super SUV. All components sport an exposed-carbon finish with a choice of high-gloss or matte sealer. A series of air ducts and diffusers allow for optimum cooling and aerodynamics to achieve the perfect balance at high speeds. Of course, BRABUS also offers BRABUS Monoblock alloys in different designs and with diameters from 22 to 24 inches for the GLE 63 Coupe. BRABUS enjoys world renown in the area of interior design as well. The company upholstery shop creates exclusive BRABUS fine leather appointments for the BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe by request, tailored to the customer’s personal preferences. The process is especially soft and breathable leather as well as Alcantara in any desired color meticulously by hand. The selection of upholstery designs with precise quilting and perforations is just as extensive. The precious wood and carbon BRABUS interior sets also offer maximum individuality in terms of colors and surface finishes. The BRABUS 800 SUV Coupe can be ordered as a complete car. Alternatively, any GLE 63 S can be converted to this specification all at once or in stages. Media/Information Source: BRABUS

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 14, 2021

Discover The All-New Mercedes-AMG SL Interior Design

With a new update of the SL approaching, Mercedes-AMG teases with a new interior layout. Mercedes-AMG prides itself on being a leader in the luxury automotive market, with each model boasting comfort and performance for drives around the world. The quality of the interior layout is what makes the German auto manufacturer such an iconic brand. Mercedes-AMG is proud to announce its exclusive interior layout for the all-new SL. The cockpit design focuses on the driver and impresses with a harmonious overall impression, right down to the adjustable central display in the center console. The completely redesigned space concept features a 2+2 seating configuration while offering more functionality and more space. The innovative MBUX infotainment system also gives a choice of several unique display styles and modes. The new cockpit design also creates a clear focus on the driver. For example, the instrument cluster's high-resolution 12.3-inch LCD screen was not designed to be free-standing but instead is integrated into a high-tech visor directly placed in front of the driver. This design also prevents reflections caused by sunlight. Similar to the center console, the surfaces in the doors also flow fluidly from the instrument panel. The result is a gradient accentuated with decorative topstitching, framing the entire interior and running past the turbine nozzles at the sides. The avant-garde seat design of the new Mercedes-AMG SL further develops the Mercedes sculptural seat design in a sporty way. It plays skillfully with layers and enveloping surfaces. This makes the seats appear lighter and less voluminous. The headrests are visually integrated into the backrest and thus contribute to the sporty proportions of the seat. When the all-new 2022 Mercedes-AMG SL roadster takes the stage later this year, it will advance the iconic series with high comfort, remarkable design, precise driving dynamics, and optimal packaging. View all of the current Mercedes-AMG SL examples available on View All Mercedes-AMG SL For Sale Media/Information Source: Mercedes-Benz For more Mercedes-AMG news, Check out The Best Mercedes’ You Can Buy Today

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2021

The 13th Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat Unveiled

They've done it again. As is tradition, the new Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing boat has been unveiled for the year and it's absolutely breathtaking. The new Cigarette 41' Nighthawk AMG Black Series special edition boat was unveiled alongside its twin, a Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. Both are finished in the vibrant Magnabeam orange finish and feature black accents from the front to back, or bow to stern. This special edition boat is actually the first in its model range to be powered by five racing-grade outboard engines. These five engines are 4.6-liter V8 Mercury Racing 450R engines, and together they create a total of 2,250 horsepower. That power allows the boat to propel to a top speed of over 90 mph. Signifying this boat's status as a collaborative effort are touches like the AMG logo on the sides, and the handpainted smaller AMG logos towards the bow in a repeating pattern. With a center console layout, the Cigarette 41' Nighthawk AMG Black Series' helm is loaded with technology like three Garmin 8617 displays. For passengers, there's plenty of seating, especially at the forward helm where two rows of three seats can be found. Cigarette 41' Nighthawk AMG Black Series. Passengers can also release at the bow bench seating. Loaded with technology and power, the new Cigarette 41' Nighthawk AMG Black Series is a marine masterpiece. See All AMG GTs For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2021

New 2021 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat Teased

The 13th iteration is coming soon. Mercedes-AMG and Cigarette Racing have just teased their next collaborative creation. Since 2007, these two companies have been creating a special boat each year and this year they will be showcasing their 13th example. It looks as though this new boat will be based on the new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which we are all for. Be sure to stay with us for more information regarding the upcoming Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing boat. In the meantime, you can check out the previous boats that these two companies have released. You can view them from the links below, according to their year. 2015 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat 2016 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat 2017 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat 2018 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat 2019 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat 2020 Mercedes-AMG x Cigarette Racing Boat See All AMG GTs For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CQd_T6uBdIO/ Source: Cigarette Racing/Facebook, Mercedes-AMG/Instagram

By Edward Jones – June 23, 2021

Wicked 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 Wagon Gets XPEL STEALTH Tre...

Presented by XPEL - If you're looking to protect your car's paint, there's no better way of doing that than with one of XPEL's products. They offer a wide range of solutions that will keep your car looking as clean as it was the day you bought it. They also offer XPEL STEALTH, which is perfect for those who either have a matte, magno, frozen or frosted finish. What's more, this solution can give a glossy car a new, matte look. Gotham Auto Works recently had a client request that their new 2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 be wrapped entirely with XPEL STEALTH and the results are amazing. To start the process, Gotham Auto Works fully washed, prepped and decontaminated the AMG wagon's exterior surfaces-- they even dismounted the wheels to ensure everything was spotless. " width="680"> Once cleaned up, they went to work sizing and plotting out the XPEL STEALTH treatment for the body. In total, it took the team about 45 minutes to complete this step. Once complete, it was time to to begin installing the film. While it only took Gotham Auto Works 45 minutes to get everything ready, the entire installation process took about three to four days. After every panel was protected with the XPEL STEALTH film, Shane Danahy captured the AMG wagon in the photos and video found in this article. If you're looing to keep your car's paint safe, you have to check out XPEL and their paint protection solutions. Click the button below to learn more. Visit XPEL.com Photo and Video Credit: Shane Danahy

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2021

2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Gets Updates and New Ed...

There's a lot of changes coming to the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. The new 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is coming into the world with a few upgrades and a new edition that will surely catch the eyes of prospective buyers. First up are the new interior trims, that include the new combinations of Exclusive Nappa Leather in Titanium Grey Pearl / Black with Yellow topstitching, and Exclusive Nappa Leather in Auburn Brown / Black with the STYLE finish (diamond stitching). There are also five more MANUFAKTUR colors, including Sienna Brown, Classic Red, Yacht Blue, Deep White and Neva Grey. What is the Most Expensive Car in the World? The United States will also be getting a new five-seat rear bench option. A new steering wheel will also be available, the new AMG Performance steering wheel with a twin-spoke design. As for the new edition, that would be the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe MANUFAKTUR Exclusive Edition. This edition is for the GT 53 model and has comes with the exclusive Rubellite Red Metallic paint, the Silver Chrome Exterior Package and new 21-inch AMG forged wheels. See All AMG GTs For Sale Source: Mercedes-Benz

By Edward Jones – June 13, 2021

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series To Be Offered at RM Sot...

Presented by RM Sotheby's - The 2015 launch of the Mercedes-AMG GT continued the brand’s momentum for continued sales and development which was initially set into motion by the preceding SLS AMG model introduced in 2011. In 2016, Mercedes-AMG released GT3 and GT4 Touring Car versions to privateer racing teams. Now, five years of racing developments have birthed the ultimate road-going example of the model, the brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. The drama of the GT Black Series is immediately apparent. The design’s gaping front fascia has been crimped from the GT3, channeling fresh air directly to the radiators via an isolated intake channel. An adjustable, carbon fiber front splitter can deploy from the bumper in moments, thereby maximizing the on-track effectiveness of the Venturi phenomenon for massive improvements in downforce. The Black Series’ bonnet is composed of carbon fiber, as are the roof and tailgate; the cabin glass is also of a thinner specification than the standard GT. The car’s widened fenders feature GT3-inspired gills and rear slats that vent pressurized air channeled by the car’s suite of underbody curtains, diffusers, and sealed panel joints. The wheel wells feature a network of cooling ducts for the massive carbon-ceramic brakes which have been cleverly integrated into the side skirts and rear diffuser. Being a road car, the GT Black Series could not make use of the GT3’s active rear wing. Instead, the Black Series’ exclusive rear wing design has retained the same surface area of the GT3 design but distributed it over an ingenious two-tier structure that is cantilevered over the rear tailgate. A retuned set of adjustable coilovers and carbon fiber chassis reinforcements throughout, all provide superior rigidity across the coupe’s 104-inch wheelbase. The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the ultimate GT not simply because of its repertoire of new features harvested from the GT3 Touring Car. At its heart lies the new ‘M178 LS2’ engine which has been exclusively developed for use in the GT Black Series. This new powerplant features a reconfigured 4.0-liter displacement constructed around a flat pane crankshaft; AMG literature states that the new firing order greatly improves thermal dynamics and throttle response. The pair of twin-scroll turbochargers have also been enlarged over previous iterations of the M178 blueprint; they operate at a ‘normal’ boost setting of 25 PSI. All told, the GT Black Series’ exclusive new powerplant is factory-rated at an astounding 730 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT with gear ratios optimized for rapid acceleration over top speed. Zero to 60 mph takes just three seconds, with 125 mph arriving just six seconds later en route to a reported top speed over 200 mph. All told, the GT Black Series’ exclusive new powerplant is factory-rated at an astounding 730 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT with gear ratios optimized for rapid acceleration over top speed. Zero to 60 mph takes just three seconds, with 125 mph arriving just six seconds later en route to a reported top speed over 200 mph. This vehicle will be offered in RM Sotheby’s new Milan Sale, taking place 15 June at Palazzo Serbelloni in Italy. The sale will be livestreamed and remote bidding options are available. View Online Listing

By Edward Jones – June 07, 2021

Mercedes-AMG C63 S Hits 192 MPH on the Autobahn

So fast that everything becomes a blur. The Autobahn is a road that many of us in the United States dream of driving on. Just think about pulling onto a road and knowing there's no speed limit to be found (but there are still rules). This allows AutoTopNL to journey across the Autobahn, testing out the top speeds of cars. Their most recent jaunt down the Autobahn had them in the driver's seat of a 620 horsepower Mercedes-AMG C 63 S that's donning a Formula 1 Safety Car livery. If you click play on the video up above, you'll see what it's like to travel at just about 200 mph from the driver's perspective. And props are in order for the C 63 S which handled it perfectly. If you'd like a C 63 of your own, be sure to click the button below to see what's for sale on duPontREGISTRY.com right now. All C 63s For Sale Source: AutoTopNL/YouTube

By Edward Jones – June 04, 2021

Watch a Mercedes-AMG G 63 Paint With Donuts

The driver becomes the artist. Mercedes-AMG have uploaded a video to YouTube that shows an AMG G 63 SUV creating art. You may be asking how an automobile can create art, but it's quite simple. All you need to do is have a massive canvas, in this case it's a massive landing of concrete, and a lot of paint. From there, you just dump the paint out on the ground and start driving like crazy. In the video, we see the driver doing donuts while they slide around in the paint, which looks like too much fun. At the end, it's revealed that they also painted "AMG" in paint with the tires. To be quite honest, the paint splatter on the G 63 looks pretty awesome. Check it out for yourself in the video up above. AMG G 63s For Sale Source: Mercedes-AMG/YouTube

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