Polestar

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 – January 09, 2025

Polestar Reports Sales Growth In Q4 2024

Polestar finishes the year with a strong fourth quarter. With its rapidly expanding lineup of luxury electric vehicles, Polestar is one of the largest contributors to the electrification of the automotive industry, with a lineup consisting of two SUV models, with a grand tourer and a sports car soon to join. With its cutting-edge innovation, commitment to sustainability, and unique design principles, Polestar is revolutionizing the industry. 2024 is finished, and Polestar’s results for the fourth quarter of the year show growth for the new brand’s sales, thanks to its introduction of new models in various markets. However, 2025 will see the introduction of another new Polestar model to the lineup, as the brand promised to launch five new models in as many years, an ambitious goal for a young EV manufacturer. With 12,256 cars sold in Q4 2024, the quarter represented a 5.3% increase compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, in which 11,640 cars were sold. With a total number of 44,851 cars sold in the entire year, however, the full-year number is down 15% compared to 2023. With more new models on the horizon, Polestar is looking forward to what 2025 will bring. View All Polestars For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 29, 2024

Polestar Increases Deliveries By 82% In Q2 2024

Polestar’s second quarter shows its continued growth. Polestar is a rising star in the luxury electric automotive world, with a rapidly expanding lineup of luxury electric SUVs, grand tourers, and even a roadster. With its second quarter of the year in the books, Polestar is happy to report growing delivery numbers, as well as many new developments in the business itself. A new CEO, a new Head of Design, and the delivery of Polestar 4 examples and production of Polestar 3 examples in South Carolina have brought the electric luxury vehicle manufacturer into a new era. This past quarter, 13,150 cars were delivered, an increase of 82 percent compared to the previous quarter. Compared to last year’s numbers, Polestar has reported that increased discounts and slowed global sales have caused a decrease in revenue during the first half of 2024 and the second quarter of 2024. However, many of Polestar’s expenses have also decreased during the quarter, giving the company confidence in its expected strong second half of 2024. With its increased deliveries, new talent, burgeoning lineup of luxury cars, and reduced expenses, Polestar is continuing to be a trailblazer in electric automotive luxury. As 2024 continues, Polestar looks forward to continuing its innovation and automotive excellence and enjoying positive financial movement as a result. Finance A Luxury or Exotic Car For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 28, 2024

Polestar Appoints Michael Lohscheller As Its New CEO

Polestar enters a new era with a new CEO. Known for its rapidly expanding lineup of luxury performance electric vehicles, Polestar is one of the market's most ambitiously growing electric vehicle manufacturers, combining performance with luxury, electric innovation, and stylish Scandinavian design. Recently, Polestar introduced a new Head of Design, Philipp Römers, and now, Polestar has announced that its CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, has resigned effective October 1, 2024, and the new CEO that will be taking his place is Michael Lohscheller. Seasoned in the automotive industry, Lohscheller has previously served as CEO of Opel, VinFast, and Nikola. Under his new leadership, Polestar will continue to expand its global footprint and work towards leadership in the premium electric vehicle market. With its lineup consisting of the iconic Polestar 2, and the new Polestar 3 SUV and Polestar 4 SUV coupe, the manufacturer is preparing to introduce the Polestar 5 four-door GT and the Polestar 6 roadster. In its journey from Volvo’s performance division to becoming a new rising star in the electric luxury performance car market, Polestar has a cabal of new talent behind it. With its newly appointed CEO, Head of Design, and other leaders, and the upcoming reveals of two new performance-oriented models, the new era of Polestar is anticipated to be its most exciting chapter yet. Finance A Luxury or Exotic Car For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 23, 2024

Polestar Appoints Philipp Römers As Its New Head of Design

A new head of design changes the future of Polestar. With its ambitious outlook to launch five new electric vehicle models in as many years, Polestar has quickly risen to prominence in the highly competitive electric vehicle market. Its luxurious and sporty lineup of the Polestar 2 sedan, Polestar 3 SUV, Polestar 4 SUV coupe, and the upcoming Polestar 5 GT and Polestar 6 roadster combines cutting-edge EV technology with modern Scandinavian design. However, Polestar has a new person taking the helm of its Head of Design position, succeeding Maximilian Missoni, who held the position for six years and has now taken a new role outside of Polestar. That is Philipp Römers, who is joining Polesetar from Audi, where he was formerly head of Exterior Design. Before joining Audi, Römers was a designer with Volkswagen. With Missoni's contributions to the brand, Polestar has forged a recognizable look and a burgeoning lineup of eye-catching electric luxury performance vehicles. Still, the brand is looking forward to the future of its design with a new Head of Design, Philipp Römers. With the Polestar 3 and 4 launched and the Polestar 5 and 6 performance models coming soon, the manufacturer's future is one to look out for. Finance A Luxury or Exotic Car For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 11, 2024

Polestar Debuts New Concept BST At Goodwood

Polestar shows off future performance at Goodwood. As a relatively new all-electric luxury vehicle manufacturer, Polestar showed incredible ambition with its plan to introduce five electric models in as many years. The manufacturer is close to achieving that goal, with only the Polestar 5, a four-door performance-oriented grand tourer, and the Polestar 6, a roadster, left to be revealed. Polestar has announced that the Polestar 6 will be the pinnacle of its lineup when it is revealed, and at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Polestar 6 Concept BST previews the electric roadster’s futuristic performance and driving thrill. Making its global debut at the anticipated event, the new Polestar 6 Concept BST is a heightened vision of Polestar performance, with bespoke styling, livery-inspired graphics, 22-inch wheels, and aggressive aerodynamics. Demonstrating its performance, the Polestar 6 Concept will take on the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed hillclimb, and on display, it will be joined by the Polestar 2, 3, and 4 models. The Polestar 3 and 4 are available to order now, with the Polestar 5 grand tourer and the Polestar 6 roadster, which have been engineered alongside each other, coming soon. As Polestar grows, it shows off versatility, combining luxury, Scandinavian design, futuristic electric mobility, and performance with its cutting-edge lineup. This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will be the stage for Polestar to show off its latest performance-oriented electric luxury car creation. View All Luxury & Exotic Cars For Sale Image Source: Polestar

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 02, 2024

Polestar Reports 80% Growth In Deliveries Between Q1 & Q2...

Polestar is reporting growth as new models hit the road. One of the newest manufacturers of all-electric luxury vehicles, Polestar is on a path toward rapidly expanding its lineup with new SUV models, a grand tourer, and more. With the second quarter of 2024 over, Polestar’s growing lineup is proving to be growing the manufacturer as a whole, with results showing that deliveries are increasing from the first quarter to the second quarter of the year, along with other developments. With roughly 13,000 cars delivered in the second quarter of 2024, the improvement on Q1 2024’s number of 7,200 is 80%. Thus far, roughly 20,000 Polestar electric vehicles have been delivered year-to-date, and Polestar is poised to ramp up its growth even more. Production of the Polestar 3 in South Carolina is set to begin at the end of this summer, with Polestar 4 production beginning in 2025. As the Polestar lineup grows, it plans to enter seven new global markets in 2025: France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Thailand and Brazil. In addition, its partnership with Zaptec is poised to advance at-home EV charging solutions and further incentivize Polestar ownership. With 80% growth in deliveries between the first and second quarters of 2024, Polestar looks forward to a successful remainder of the year. Finance Luxury Cars For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 28, 2024

Polestar 3's First Customer Deliveries Mark A Milestone I...

The Polestar 3 makes its grand debut to public roads. The automotive world keeps pushing forward with its EV initiative, and industry leaders like Polestar are expanding their lineup to offer models that cater to every type of driver. Polestar is kicking off a significant chapter in its EV journey with the first customer deliveries of the Polestar 3, its SUV designed for the electric age. This marks an important milestone as Polestar now offers three models on the road, including two SUVs. The first batch of Polestar 3s is being delivered to customers across two continents, with the rest set to accelerate throughout the summer. As part of a special ceremony at Polestar's headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, the first Polestar 3 deliveries were completed at the manufacturer's iconic Cube. These first customers received their launch edition Polestar 3s, finished in vibrant colors like Magnesium and Space, and a special Polestar gift package to commemorate the occasion. Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, highlighted the value of this milestone, noting that test drives will commence at all Polestar dealers. With thousands of eager customers ready to experience this luxurious performance SUV, Polestar continues to solidify its position as a key player in the EV market. As customer deliveries begin worldwide, more delivery ceremonies are set to take place in Germany, Norway, and the USA. In the United States, the North American Polestar team is distributing the first Polestar 3s in states like California, Illinois, Indiana, and New York. The Launch Edition models, featuring both Long range Dual motor and Long range Dual motor with Performance Pack, are finished in colors like Snow, Thunder, and Magnesium.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 25, 2024

Polestar 2 Receives Redesign For The 2025 Model Year

Polestar refreshes one of its originals for the new model year. The Polestar 2 is one of the young luxury electric vehicle manufacturer’s original staples, showing off a practical all-electric luxury fastback made for everyday use with a specifically Scandinavian, futuristic approach to its design. Now that a few years have passed, and Polestar has expanded its lineup to include the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, and soon, the Polestar 5 and 6, the brand has significantly reworked the Polestar 2, reorganizing its pack structure, revising its design, and increasing the range for every variant of the model. Starting with what can be most easily seen, Vapour replaces Magnesium as the new standard color for the new 2025 Polestar 2. It’s a light metallic color inspired by cityscapes and architecture. In addition, Storm, introduced with the Polestar 4, replaces Thunder with a dark aluminum color. The update includes a new set of 19-inch wheels with aero inserts and 20-inch Pro graphite alloy wheels with the Pro pack. Bridge of Weir leather adds luxury to the 2025 Polestar 2, and the available Climate pack heats the rear seats, steering wheel, and washer fluid nozzles. The other packs are the Pro Pack, with Swedish Gold detailing and 20-inch wheels, Pilot Pack, Plus Pack, and Performance Pack. With the 2025 model year’s increased range, the Polestar 2 boasts up to 409 miles of driving range. An expanding lineup shows Polestar’s ambitious growth in the electric luxury vehicle market, while the update for its staple Polestar 2 model shows the continued excellence of one of Polestar’s original EVs. Finance Luxury & Exotic Cars For Sale Image Source: Polestar

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 11, 2024

Polestar Reports Delivery Of 7,200 Cars In Q1 2024

Polestar continues along its path of luxury EV growth. As a manufacturer, Polestar is one of the newest entrants into the electric vehicle world, let alone the automotive industry at large. However, it’s already rapidly expanded its lineup, with two new all-electric SUV models, a grand touring model coming soon, and a roadster set for an upcoming launch as well, according to the manufacturer’s plan to grow its lineup to 5 models in a 5-year period. As the new electric vehicle manufacturer continues along that path, its global results are in for the first quarter of 2024, and reflecting on its first-quarter performance, the brand optimistically looks forward to continuing to push the EV luxury car world forward. During the quarter, Polestar delivered roughly 7,200 cars. Showcasing its latest innovations and design, around 1,200 of those were Polestar 4 models, whose production is already underway in China. In addition, important financial developments took place for Polestar during the period, including securing $950 million in external funding to fuel its next phase of development, revising its ownership structure with Geely Holdings becoming a major new shareholder with 24%, and Volvo Cars retaining 18%, and starting production for the Polestar 3 and 4. Looking forward, Polestar plans to expand manufacturing of the 3 to the United States later this year, and the 4 to South Korea in 2025, as both cars enjoy positive media reception. As one the automotive world’s youngest manufacturers continues to grow, the EV landscape beomes more exciting than before. View All Luxury Cars For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 01, 2024

Polestar Makes A Massive Leap Towards 2025 Goals By Secur...

Polestar secures a nine-figure loan to finance its growth, aiming for a cash flow break-even by 2025 and expanding its SUV lineup. Polestar Automotive has just announced a massive financial milestone, securing $950 million in external funding, showcasing promising progress towards its 2025 targets. The inflow of capital, provided by a group of 12 leading international banks, marks a huge moment for the electric performance car brand, ensuring the resources needed for its next developmental phase. The funding agreement, highlighted by assistance from financial giants like BNP Paribas, Natixis, and HSBC, emphasizes the banking industry's confidence in Polestar's business course. With around $770 million in cash reserves as of the end of 2023, Polestar is now ready to pursue its improved business strategy, aiming for both operational and financial milestones by 2025. Under the guidance of CEO Thomas Ingenlath and with the backing of Geely Holding Group, Polestar is focusing on financial health and on expanding its product line. The introduction of two SUVs, the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, accelerates the brand's presence in the competitive SUV market, with the Polestar 5 GT on the horizon. Additionally, Polestar's partnership with Geely expands beyond financial support, giving access to cutting-edge technology and engineering expertise, which is essential for Polestar's future in the EV industry. As Polestar gears up for a significant year ahead, with expectations of production growth and improved sales success, the automotive world watches closely. View All Polestar EVs For Sale Source: Polestar

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