Porsche News

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 Jordan Aquistapace – November 18, 2022

This New Porsche 959 Book Covers The Supercar's Historic ...

Of all the exceptional automotive examples to hit the tarmac, the Porsche 959 holds a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts all around the world. From its role as a Paris-Dakar rally car to a multi-million dollar collectible, its historic lineage tells a tale of a pioneering supercar fit with performance and technology far ahead of its time. After 30 years of success, journalist Jürgen Lewandowski covers the timeline of the Porsche 959 in a detailed illustrated book. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: 1988 Porsche 959 Finished In Paint-to-Sample Emerald Green A fascinating boxed set with three volumes on different topics: technical data, history, and a coffee table-style book that showcases the 959. The publication filled with high-resolution images sheds light on Porsche’s innovative project, beginning with a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, an all-wheel-drive system, and a goal to achieve 200mph. Jürgen witnessed the development of the Porsche 959 more than 30 years ago and describes the difficult birth of the supercar. The Porsche 959 book from Jürgen Lewandowski is currently available for $135 by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear news and releases. Shop Now Source: Uncrate

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 17, 2022

L'Art de L'Automobile Releases A Limited-Edition Porsche ...

Down to every detail, this is as close as it gets to the real deal. Porsche’s influence on art carries just as much significance as it does on the track, creating timeless examples that seem to age like a fine wine. Exploring the beauty of Porsche through streetwear, L’Art de L’Automobile’s founder Arthur Kar has built his brand on pure passion. After working closely with Porsche on a one-of-a-kind Porsche 968 for the car’s 30th anniversary, L’Art decided that a small-scale version is a next step to complete its collection series. L’Art de L’Automobile is proud to release the limited-edition Porsche 968 L’Art Model Car. MUST-READ: The New 30th Anniversary Porsche 968 By L’Art de L’Automobile The collectible toy car made by Porsche comes with a 1:43 scale design that features the exact L’Art Pearl Green finish as the actual build. Embellishing every detail incorporated into the special project, the commemorative collectible includes accurate RECARO seats, space grey speed line wheels, a TAG Heuer watch, and BOSE sound system. Packaging also presents the Porsche 968 KAR on a numbered display stand that signifies each of the limited 1,968 models. The all-new Porsche Limited 968 L’Art Model Car is currently available on L’Art de L’Autombile’s website for $60. View all current Porsche examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Porsche For Sale Source: L'Art de L'Automobile

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 15, 2022

Porsche Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of The 996, The O...

Porsche celebrates an important milestone since its greatest icon underwent a transformation. For decades of its history, the Porsche 911 was known, loved, and revered for its air-cooled engine. However, with the introduction of the Porsche 996 generation of the car in 1997 for the 1998 model year, the Porsche 911 underwent a fundamental transformation, with a design that was significantly different than its predecessor, and an engine that was water-cooled instead. At the time, the air-cooled boxer engine with two valves per cylinder was approaching obsoletion due to its emissions and power capability, so Porsche knew that for the new generation of the 911 in the late 1990s, they would have to go to the drawing board. MUST READ: Porsche x SONRA Release Its New 50Y Edition ‘Sneaker Trilogy’ Collection Being in a crucial financial time for the company, Porsche needed to optimize costs, which is why the 996 911 and the first-generation Porsche Boxster featured similar interiors and similarly-styled exteriors. While the change in design and switch to the water-cooled engine was seen as an incredibly transformative and possibly controversial decision for the Porsche 911, it is still today one of the world’s most iconic, loved, desirable, and excellent performance cars, and 25 years down the road, Porsche’s decision made it successful, and at this point, the water-cooled Porsche 911 has been around for a period of time almost as long as the air-cooled version was. Now that the performance car world has seen more and more electric drivetrains, and more brands are announcing transitions, changes, and the ends of eras we’ve loved dearly, this example lets us know that even the iconic Porsche 911 has changed dramatically before, and Porsche is very good at it. View All Water-Cooled Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 15, 2022

Porsche x SONRA Release Its New 50Y Edition 'Sneaker Tril...

Porsche design DNA meets urban sneaker culture reloaded: the strictly limited Sonra sneaker 50Y Edition with the models Past, Present, Future. Inside Porsche Design’s extensive collection of luxury lifestyle offerings, its premium sneaker line stands out by incorporating aspects from Porsche’s fleet of performance sports cars. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Porsche Design is teaming up with SONRA on its second collaboration release. The all-new SONRA 50Y Edition Collection is inspired by past, present, and future Porsche milestone models. The special collection takes shape as a sneaker trilogy, featuring three unique styles combining the heritage of Porsche Design with the urban sneaker culture of the Berlin sneaker label SONRA. MUST-READ: These Porsche Design Speakers Add Luxury And Performance To Any Home Or Office The most innovative silhouette of the three is the Future Sneaker, a one-off design reminiscent of racecars and the exterior components that achieve optimal aerodynamics. The Present Sneaker includes elements from the special Porsche 911 Edition 50 Years of Porsche Design model. Strictly limited to 250 pairs, each pair comes with an NFC chip integrated into the tongue to ensure authenticity. Limited to 50 pairs and available exclusively from the Porsche Design Store in Berlin, the Porsche Design x SONRA Past Sneaker commemorates the restored Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa used in the 50th-anniversary celebration. The all-new Porsche Design x SONRA 50Y Edition sneaker collection is currently available by clicking on the link below. Shop Porsche Design x SONRA Source: Porsche Design

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 14, 2022

Watch Porsche Driver Leh Keen Race A Monster Jam Truck In...

Monster Jam driver Linsey Read invites experienced, and apparently fearless, Porsche racer Leh Keen to take her on at the NRG Stadium in Texas. The idea behind every Porsche model begins with the inspiration to conquer any road, track, or off-road surface in its way. The Porsche Taycan lineup heightens that forward-thinking by adding an all-electric powertrain to the equation, introducing a new area of performance for the EV market. Putting the new Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo to the ultimate test, Monster Jam monster truck driver Linsey Read challenges Porsche driver Leh Keen to some friendly competition on her home turf. MUST-READ: 344-Mile 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo Listed for Sale Home turf quickly translates to a massive dirt course under the lights of NRG Stadium in Texas, where Monster Jam puts on an incredible show for all 72,000 spectators to see. At first glance, Linsey’s methanol-fueled V8 monster truck shares little similarities with Leh’s comfortable Porsche equipped with dual electric motors. And yet the two are remarkably similar, at least when the road turns to dirt. Boasting similar power-to-weight ratios, the two deliver similar performance off the line while sending power to all four wheels through feature four-wheel steering. Excluding the 60-foot dirt jumps, watch Linsey and Leh battle it out by clicking the video link above. View all current Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 11, 2022

Porsche Design Teases A New 50th Anniversary Performance ...

The automotive-inspired lifestyle brand celebrates its 50th anniversary with an upcoming special sneaker release. With a year of celebration coming to a close, Porsche Design’s 50th anniversary commemorates the innovative mind of founder Professor F.A. Porsche. From luxury home offerings to state-of-the-art electronics, the lifestyle sector embodies the same modern approach as sports car engineering. After announcing its most recent winter collaboration with HEAD skis, Porsche Design took to its Instagram page to tease a possible new sneaker collection. Inviting fans to take a guess at what is to come, the comment section is flooded with suggestions for partnerships with industry-leading footwear brands. MUST-READ: The Best Porsches You Can Buy Today The post highlights new low-cut styles in three unique colorways, blurring each photo just enough to create mystery throughout its community of followers. Nonetheless, the collection is sure to be an anticipated release for the owner with a Porsche 911 GT3 in the garage. Although pricing and release information have yet to be announced, Porsche Design promises that this is definitely a highlight of its 50th anniversary. Shop Porsche Design’s current collections by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and gear releases. Shop Porsche Design View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porsche Design (@porschedesign) Source: Porsche Design

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 10, 2022

Porsche's SCOPES Events Come To Tel Aviv

Porsche’s SCOPES events come to the Mediterranean. A recently blossoming hub for nightlife, culture, and technology, Tel Aviv has become a major city on the Mediterranean Sea. Its youth, innovation, and vibrance make it the perfect place for Porsche SCOPES, an event format by the luxury performance auto manufacturer that combines creatives, musicians, and innovators in a space where ideas can be shared and explored. The event, which runs through the 12th of November, is situated in Tel Aviv’s city center and specifically at Beit Romano. MUST READ: Porsche x HEAD Prep For Winter With These Mountain Essentials, Available Now 40 artists were involved in the design of the event, which also had the collaboration of Orchid Sportscar Limited. The event features film screenings, discussions, book presentations, podcasts, and art showcases, and two art cars have been deployed around the city to get the word out. Two Porsche Taycans were used as canvases for abstract paintings by Eden Kalif and Shira Barzilay, who are together known as Koketit on social media. Also on display at the event in the middle of the mirror installation by artist Gal Vardi is a 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 Paris-Dakar, a car that serves as the main inspiration for the new Porsche 911 Dakar which will be revealed soon. Local artists, creatives, and technology pioneers came together to create a unique, insightful, and fun Porsche SCOPES event, adding to the ones that have already been held in Berlin, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and Warsaw. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 10, 2022

Porsche x HEAD Prep For Winter With These Mountain Essent...

These handmade high-performance ski products are the first result of the co-operation between the Stuttgart sports car company and Austrian sporting goods manufacturer HEAD. Already establishing dominance on tracks all around the world, the Porsche brand also ventures outside of vehicle manufacturing to showcase its talents in an array of other sports and industries. Teaming up with the leaders in ski technology at HEAD, the dynamic duo is proud to take on any mountain this winter with a collection of winter products. Highlighting the new lineup of Porsche x HEAD products at the SnowTime event on the Kitzsteinhorn glacier in Austria, winter sports fans were allowed to test out the brand-new Porsche 7 Series and Porsche 8 Series skis. MUST-READ: These Porsche Design Speakers Add Luxury And Performance To Any Home Or Office These handmade high-performance skis are the first result of the cooperation between the Stuttgart sports car company and the Austrian sporting goods manufacturer. Along with a fresh set of skis, the collection also features apparel and accessories that help ensure safety at high altitudes during tough winter conditions. Fans of winter sports can choose from a performance jacket, mid layer, snow pants, helmet, and a pair of performance ski poles. Shop any of the new Porsche x HEAD winter products featured in this special by clicking on the links below. PORSCHE | HEAD 8 Series Skis Faster, more stable all-mountain skis from PORSCHE | HEAD in a wide design for varied snow conditions. World Cup sandwich construction with wood core. Shop Now PORSCHE | HEAD 7 Series Skis Stable and fast: 70 mm racing skis from PORSCHE | HEAD in World Cup construction with a solid wood core and bindings with full heel release for advanced carvers. Shop Now PORSCHE | HEAD Carbon Ski Poles Light, stable, exclusive: PORSCHE | HEAD carbon ski poles, suitable for the 7 Series and 8 Series skis. Sizes: 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135 and 140 cm. Shop Now PORSCHE | HEAD Ski Jacket High quality PORSCHE | HEAD men's ski jacket with snow guard and detachable hood in an exclusive, sporty design. Warmly lined, wind and water repellent. Shop Now PORSCHE | HEAD Midlayer Designer men's ski midlayer by PORSCHE | HEAD with PrimaLoft padding. The sleeves and back of the zip-up ski pullover are made of body-mapped stretch. Shop Now PORSCHE | HEAD Radar Helmet High-end ski helmet with integrated, photochromic 5K visor, Sphere Fit protection system and MIPS safety system. Exclusive Porsche design in matte Black and White. Shop Now PORSCHE | HEAD Ski Pants Designer men's ski pants from the exclusive PORSCHE | HEAD collection. Warmly lined and wind and water repellent, with vents and cut protection. Shop Now Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 09, 2022

Porsche Design x Sotheby's Auction Off A 911 S 2.4 Targa ...

Making an appearance at Sotheby's Luxury Week in New York, these two Porsche legends come together as the perfect pairing. At the hands of Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, Porsche transformed itself from a producer of performance cars to a luxury lifestyle brand that embodies the same traditional values. From luxury watches to premium apparel, the DNA of the German auto manufacturer bleeds throughout its one-of-a-kind designs. As part of its 50th Anniversary in 2022, Porsche Design is pleased to be partnering with Sotheby’s Auction to showcase two designs during its Luxury Week in New York. The two auction offerings come courtesy of F.A. Porsche, taking shape as a Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa from 1972 and Porsche Design Chronograph 1. 1972 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa The 1972 Porsche 911 s 2.4 Targa presents an immaculate restoration done by the experts at Porsche Classic. The Factory One-Off was built as part of the new Sonderwunsch (special request) program, which took over two years to complete. The color black dominates the exterior while its interior is equipped with Sport-Tex in a classic checkered pattern in black and cool gray. View All Porsche 911 S For Sale Porsche Design Chronograph 1 Porsche Design This Porsche Design Chronograph 1 911 2.4 Targa Edition was made exclusively to pair with the sale of the actual vehicle, celebrating the anniversary of the brand and F.A. Porsche's innovative approach to luxury products. The dial, crown, wristband, and case back bear the historic Porsche Design logo. The most impressive characteristic of the watch is the design of the winding rotor on the back of the case, which mimics the historical Fuchs rims of the Targa from 1972. The 1972 Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa and special edition Porsche Design Chronograph 1 will be available during Sotheby's Luxury Week auction event in New York on December 14th. Shop all Porsche Design luxury timepieces by clicking on the link below. Shop Porsche Design Timepieces Source: Porsche Design

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 09, 2022

Porsche Teases The New Off-Road 911 Dakar To Be Revealed ...

A new Porsche 911 pays homage to rally history. The Porsche 911 is one of the automotive world’s greatest sports car legends, and that includes off-road prowess. In 1984, a purpose-built Porsche 911 won the legendary Paris-Dakar Rally, and it was the first 911 to ever be fitted with an all-wheel drive system. Since then, it’s been 38 years, and Porsche has decided to honor the legacy of that 911 and introduce the new Porsche 911 Dakar, the first two-door sports car from the brand to be off-road capable. It will be officially revealed on November 16 at 7:00 PM Pacific Time at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and it will show off the 911’s incredible versatility as a performance car. MUST READ: Porsche Has Produced Its 100,000th Fully-Electric Taycan The car has been in development for quite some time, as it has now covered over 6,000 miles of off-road testing, going from Weissach’s off-road proving grounds, to Château de Lastours in France, and locations with gravel, snow, ice, and sand. Including on-road testing, the car has been tested in extreme conditions globally for over 300,000 miles. Walter Röhrl, two-time world rally champion, was impressed by the new 911 Dakar’s composure on snow and ice. With off-road composure and all-around performance, the new Porsche 911 Dakar is going to take the brand’s biggest icon to new places. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Porsche

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