Nissan

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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 01, 2023

Nissan Reveals The New Fairlady Z NISMO In Japan

Nissan has revealed the performance-enhanced Fairlady Z NISMO in Japan, and it's coming Stateside later this year.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 16, 2023

Two Heritage Colors Are Back For The New 2024 Nissan GT-R

Godzilla has new innovations in store for 2024.

By duPont Registry – April 10, 2023

2021 Nissan GT-R T-Spec Listed For Sale

It wears the R34 V-Spec's Midnight Purple III paint.

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 02, 2023

Nissan Reveals The New Max-Out Electric Roadster Concept

This new electric Nissan shows that “electric” and “exciting” aren’t antonyms. With a portfolio that includes some of the most exciting and celebrated Japanese performance icons to ever grace the automotive industry, Nissan surely knows how to make a car that is fun to drive and easy to enjoy. Whether it’s one of the many legendary GT-Rs or the iconic Z, Nissan is one of the most important contributors to putting Japanese performance on the worldwide map. Nissan’s future vision for sporty models is an exciting one, and with the reveal of its new Max-Out concept, that vision is an ambitious one. MUST READ: Nissan GT-R Price, Specs, Photos, Review The radically-styled Max-Out concept is a two-seat roadster that combines retro-inspired and avant-garde visions of the future, and keeping in theme, Nissan says that the electric concept will focus on allowing its driver to “ one with the car.” In addition, the concept features an enhanced feeling of motion through its lights and visuals, as well as seating that dynamically morphs to allow for different cargo situations. With a past full of some of the world’s greatest performance cars, the Nissan Max-Out concept will hopefully be a taste of a future of the same. View All Nissans For Sale Source: Nissan

NISSAN GT R NISMO Special edition MY2024 01

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 13, 2023

The 2024 Nissan GT-R Unveiled In Japan With Two Special E...

Ever since the Skyline first made its debut at the 1969 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan GT-R quickly became an icon in the Japanese Domestic Market. With six generations that embody the evolution of the brand's dedication to performance, Nissan is proud to debut the all-new 2024 GT-R with two special-edition models. Unveiled to the Japanese market, the standard Nissan GT-R model will be accompanied by the GT-R Premium Edition T-Spec and a limited GT-R NISMO Special Edition. The newly redesigned Nissan GT-R focuses on shaping itself as the perfect everyday supercar, representing its next-level balance between speed and comfort. Fans of the GT-R will be happy to hear that the JDM legend features improved aerodynamics and ride quality while maintaining horsepower and reducing sound for onboard comfort. MUST-READ: Lewis Hamilton Posts His Wild Ride Through Tokyo In A $250K R34 Nissan GTR The T-Spec represents Nissan’s philosophy of trend and traction, which is why the GT-R Premium Edition T-spec comes with a specially set suspension and carbon disc brakes. The Nissan GT-R NISMO stands out as a pinnacle for the automaker, maximizing the use of Nissan’s racing technologies. The 2024 GT-R NISMO is the highest-performance GT-R ever by refining aerodynamic performance, suspension tuning, and adding a limited-slip differential. The Nissan GT-R NISMO Special edition uses high-precision weight-balanced engine parts to achieve 592 horsepower and 470 ft-lbs of torque from its twin-turbocharged V6. Although news of the 2024 Nissan GT-R is exclusive to Japan, we are excited to take a sneak peek at what will soon arrive in North America. View all current Nissan GT-R examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Nissan GT-R For Sale Source: Nissan

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 29, 2022

Lewis Hamilton Posts His Wild Ride Through Tokyo In A $25...

F1's most popular driver experiences the legendary R34 Nissan GTR. They say if you do what you love then you will never work a day in your life, and for Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, his passion continues long after the last lap. Fueling his obsession for performance, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team driver enjoys driving all sorts of other supercars and hypercars. In August 2021, Lewis was spotted in his Pagani Zonda 760 LH in Monaco just days before the Monaco GP. Sir Lewis Hamilton is now back in the news as his recent Instagram post continues to cause a stir in the automotive community. MUST-READ: Nissan Reveals Details About The New 2023 GT-R and GT-R Nismo Lewis uploaded a video of his wild night out in Japan behind the wheel of a white R34 Nissan GTR to his Instagram page. Ripping through gears and maneuvering some smokey donuts, the Japanese joyride was all in good fun as Lewis enjoyed an experience with one of the most iconic sports cars of all time. Being that the $250,000 Nissan GTR is owned by Omoshiro Rent-A-Car, the company released a statement saying that the vehicle was driven without permission and that they prohibit that kind of driving. While both parties resolve the matters, it's easy to rake favor on either side of the issue. View all current Nissan GTR examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and celebrity car news. View All Nissan GTR For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) Source: @lewishamilton IG

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 28, 2022

Nissan Reveals Details About The New 2023 GT-R and GT-R N...

The iconic Godzilla continues to be one of the world’s favorite performance cars. Especially in the world of Japanese performance, there are names quite as storied and loved as GT-R. With a history that spans decades of high performance and a worldwide fandom of its legendary abilities, the Nissan GT-R, like the Nissan Skyline GT-Rs before it, has become one of the greatest Japanese performance cars ever. For the 2023 model year, it continues to build its legacy here in the United States, and its starting MSRP is $113,540. MUST READ: The New Nissan Z GT4 Race Car Is A Track Version Of The Performance Staple The 2023 Nissan GT-R will be offered in two trims, Premium, and NISMO. The premium shares the starting MSRP for the model, while the NISMO is offered starting at $210,740. Both are incredible performance cars, with the Premium's 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 capable of 565 horsepower and 467 lb/ft of torque, while the GT3 race car-derived turbochargers in the NISMO increase that to 600 horsepower and 481 lb/ft of torque. In addition, the NISMO features Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon fiber bodywork, an enhanced suspension, and other improvements. Both cars are stylish and well-appointed as the GT-R has been, with 20-inch wheels, driver-adjustable shock absorption, a Bose sound system with Apple CarPlay compatibility, as well dual-zone automatic climate control, and other luxurious features. The 2023 Nissan GT-R for sale is available at select U.S. Nissan dealers, and it’s still one of the ultimate Japanese performance cars. View All Nissan GT-Rs For Sale Source: Nissan

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 28, 2022

The New Nissan Z GT4 Race Car Is A Track Version Of The P...

Nissan’s new performance hero is ready for the track. The new Nissan Z is the culmination of decades of performance history, and the fervent love for every past iteration of the model as well as the current one is well deserved for the car’s power, performance, style, and excellent engineering. A car like the new Nissan Z is bound to excel on the track, and with the introduction of the new Nissan Z GT4, it’s ready to prove just that. Created with the help of Nissan Motorsports & Customizing as well as Nissan’s famous NISMO division, the car features improvements that groom it do dominate both apexes and straightaways. MUST READ: Nissan Debuts The New Ariya Single-Seater Concept The car features a tuned version of the VR30DDTT V6 engine, as well as chassis, suspension, aerodynamics, and weight reduction efforts that allow the car to adhere to GT4 regulations, with part of the development being a test entry at the Fuji 24-Hour race in June. The upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas at the beginning of November will feature more details about the race car, while customer deliveries will happen starting in the first half of 2023. View All Nissans For Sale Source: Nissan

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 02, 2021

Nissan Debuts The New Ariya Single-Seater Concept

Nissan gets an electric kick with its all new track-inspired EV concept. As technology for automotive design and manufacturing continues to grow, collectors and enthusiasts look forward to the concept vehicle releases from industry-leading brands. Concept vehicles aim to highlight the future path of the automotive brand, whether it’s continuing to dominate its traditional sector or moving into a new area of competition. Nissan is proud to debut the newest chassis as part of its concept collection, the all-electric Ariya Single-Seater Concept. The Nissan Ariya Single-Seater Concept explores what a future electrified performance style for Nissan could look like. MUST-READ: BMW Reveals XM Concept At Art Basel Miami Beach The exterior features an elongated carbon fiber body with contouring lines that add to the aerodynamics, while the front of the vehicle includes the Nissan ‘V’ motion design. The powertrain delivering horsepower to the Ariya Single-Seater Concept is a dual motor set-up that is managed by a revolutionary all-wheel-drive system from Nissan. Nissan's participation in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship also played a key role in inspiring the Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept. Check back into duPont Registry Daily for more information on the all-new Nissan Ariya Single-Seater Concept. View all current Nissan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Nissan For Sale Source: Nissan

By Edward Jones – August 18, 2021

Revealed: 2023 Nissan Z Price, Photo, Specs & Review

2023 Nissan Z Review The new 2023 Nissan Z has been revealed and it's a perfect homage to the original classic Datsun and Nissan Z cars. Across the exterior and interior, one will find nods to the classics like the original Datsun 240Z and Nissan 300ZX. The result is a brand-new sports car that brings the "Z" DNA back to life in a tremendous way. Engine The 2023 Nissan Z's engine is a 3.0-liter V6 engine that pumps out an impressive 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. That power output is more than any of the Nissan 370Z engines that we saw throughout its production run. In fact, Nissan notes that this engine has an increase of 68 horsepower and a 30 percent increase in torque when compared to the previous generation 370Z. It's safe to say that this new Z will be an absolute blast to drive. Transmission For the first time ever in a rear-wheel-drive Nissan vehicle, the new Z Performance model will actually have a manual transmission. This is fantastic for those who want a true sports car experience. The 2023 Nissan Z transmission will also come with a launch assist system for better performance off of the line. Nissan is also offering a 9-speed automatic transmission as well. Design Nissan designed the new 2023 Z with its predecessors in mind. There are many design cues that were inspired by the previous Z generations. The main source of inspiration was the first-generation Z, and that's made known through the long hood, low rear stance, and silhouette. Upfront is LED headlights with two half-circles that pay homage to the 240ZG that was only available in Japan. All the way in the back, the taillights have a design that was clearly inspired by the Z32 300ZX, but now feature a 3D effect. Price The 2023 Nissan Z price has yet to be revealed, but it's expected to have a starting cost of around $40,000. Interior What's a sports car without a sporty interior? Thankfully, the new 2023 Nissan Z interior delivers. In fact, Nissan sought knowledge from Nissan Super GT500 driver Tsugio Matsuda in regard to the cabin. In front of the driver is a 12.3-inch TFT display with three different display modes: Normal, Enhanced, and Sport. There is also a new center stack that includes three analog displays for boost, turbo speed, and voltage. For the seats, they were designed with expertise gathered from the GT-R and its development. The result is a seat that will keep the driver in place during hard cornering. Standout Features Nissan will be releasing the new 2023 Z in either the Sport or Performance grades. The Sport grade is essentially the base model, while Performance adds a Bose audio system, NissanConnect, limited-slip differential, 19-inch RAYS wheels, Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires, Nissan Sport Brakes, dual exhaust with a Performance muffler, and more. There's also the Z Proto Spec that's limited to just 240 examples in the US. This special edition includes yellow brake calipers, bronze-finished 19-inch RAYS wheels, an exclusive shift knob for the manual gearbox, Proto Spec leather seats, and exclusive interior trim. " width="680"> Source: Nissan

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