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 Tyler Rampersaud – September 21, 2022

This 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS For Sale Is Unbeatable On Th...

The Porsche 911 doesn’t need to prove itself, but the 911 GT2 RS does anyway. When it comes to sports cars, there’s quite literally nothing in the world quite like the Porsche 911. For decades, the car has captured the hearts of fans all over the world who love it for both its classic charm and ever-impressive performance potential. Realizing that performance potential just about to the fullest is the GT2 RS version of the Porsche 911, which in its 991 generation produced absolutely insane speed and power with its twin-turbo engine, rear-wheel drive, and lightweight setup. This example for sale is one of the best of the best, and it’s loaded with options and appointments that increase both performance and style, both things that the Porsche 911 excels in, to begin with. MUST READ: 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman T: 1,000 Mile Car Week Companion With only 612 miles clocked in, this 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is ready to be driven by a performance enthusiast who can appreciate its incredible engineering. On top of the monstrous power in this car, this example is equipped with the optional Weissach package, which adds performance appointments and details, as well as lightweight magnesium wheels that shave even more weight off the already-lean performance car. A leather and Alcantara interior with features like a Bose sound system, front axle lift, and a color scheme that pairs black with black, with more black, make this brash racing-ready machine elegant to look at and drive, as well. Available for sale by Canepa through the duPont REGISTRY, the opportunity to own an iconic machine capable of lapping the Nürburgring in less than 7 minutes is here, but not for long. VIEW PRICE AND LISTING

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 19, 2022

Daniel Arsham Debuts His 1955 Porsche 356 'Bonsai' Speeds...

Daniel's coveted Porsche 356 Speedster in its most natural form, celebrating the true beauty behind early German engineering. While some of the world’s most valued automotive examples showcase pristine full-scale restorations, collectors and enthusiasts can agree that an unrestored vehicle in its natural state holds just as much significance. Someone who understands the aging process of classic cars is artist Daniel Arsham, who actively voices his love for brands like Porsche through an array of artistic projects. Daniel Arsham is now proud to debut his original 1955 Porsche 356 Speedster, featuring a design inspired by the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi. The traditional Japanese aesthetic invites a new outlook centered around the acceptance of imperfection, explaining its raw construction and bare appearance. MUST-READ: Lewis Hamilton Shows Off New Helmet for Monaco GP by Daniel Arsham Making its debut at the prestigious The Bridge event in the Hamptons, Arsham’s ‘356 Bonsai’ Speedster sat on scene to display the natural age and patina of the nearly 70-year-old car. In partnership with Willhoit Auto Restoration and Bridge Hampton Motoring Club, its exterior includes all original components in a raw bare metal state. Inside is where Arsham’s creative abilities came to light, with an interior design that combines indigo dyed boro, Sashimi stitched canvas, and Japanese denim produced in Okayama. The breathtaking interior configuration continues the use of Wabi Sabi, glorifying the process of mixing Japanese textiles and colors. The 1955 Porsche 356 ‘Bonsai’ Speedster also highlights a sculpted patinated bronze 3D relief of a bonsai tree on the engine grille. View all current Porsche 356 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL PORSCHE 356 FOR SALE Source: @danielarsham IG

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 19, 2022

Porsche's Upcoming IPO Could Make $9.4 Billion For Volksw...

Car enthusiasts know that Porsche is a force to be reckoned with, but the anticipated IPO of the brand is further proof. Now that Volkswagen Group has clearly announced an IPO for Porsche, the anticipation for investors has continued to build, with trading set to begin for shares of the incredibly iconic sports and luxury car brand on September 29, 2022. The target that the Volkswagen Group has set for the IPO is a staggering number, which is as much as $9.4 billion. With the way things are shaping up ahead of the IPO, Porsche’s IPO will be quite the large event in the stock market, and the incredible amount of money that Volkswagen and Porsche are hoping to raise from the IPO is set to fund new developments for the brand and group as a whole. MUST READ: Icons Of Porsche Is Coming Back To The Dubai Design District In November Looking toward the future, the money raised from the IPO is going to be put towards the R&D required to come up with new electric mobility technologies, something that Porsche and Volkswagen have both already shown great interest in pursuing, and have already made great strides in moving forward. Cars like the Porsche Taycan and upcoming electric Porsche Macan model show an existing prowess and experience in the field, so whatever is going to come next with money coming from the future IPO and further investment is going to be even bigger, better, and hopefully for us car enthusiasts, faster. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Volkswagen Group

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 19, 2022

Icons Of Porsche Is Coming Back To The Dubai Design Distr...

Dubai’s Design District is hosting one of the automotive industry’s greatest icons. There are few brands in the history of the automotive world like Porsche, and so many cars that the brand has made have cemented themselves as some of the most important vehicles ever for enthusiasts all over the world. Only a brand with as much respect and cachet as Porsche could hold an event like Icons of Porsche, and the good news is that the event is returning to Dubai’s Design District. Last year’s event saw more than 7,000 visitors and 1,000 incredible Porsche cars, and it was a fantastic gathering for Porsche fans and owners to get together and share their passion. MUST READ: Porsche Klassik And Photographer Andreas Mühe Highlight Anatol Kotte’s Porsche 930 911 Turbo The next event promises an even bigger attendance, and it will be held on November 26-27. This year’s event will be special with a safari theme, and attendees will see special Porsches with rich history, and as the event is coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Porsche Cayenne, the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design, as well as the 70th anniversary of Porsche Clubs, there will be lots of special celebrations at the event. The special cars for the safari theme that will be featured are the 959 Paris-Dakar, the 911 SC “San Remo,” the 924 Carrera GTS Rallye, and the 911 SC Safari. While it will be hard to top the show put on last year, Porsche has its sights set on an even bigger and better experience, and we can’t wait to see it. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 19, 2022

Porsche Klassik And Photographer Andreas Mühe Highlight A...

The mission: the former assistant would photograph his ex-boss and his daily driver, a vehicle that was once the fastest production sports car in the world. Although the Porsche brand focuses its German excellence around performance, the brand’s historic lineage also presents a more practical lineup of sports cars. Art and photography continue to play key parts in Porsche’s lifestyle division, capturing milestone moments through the lens of a camera. For world-renowned photographer Anatol Kotte, his previous work involving Porsche encapsulates the beauty behind its performance. In his most recent project with Porsche, Kotte enlists the help of his former assistant Andreas Mühe to add his expertise on the use of natural light. 25 years since working for Anatol Kotte, Andreas now has his former teacher in front of the camera with his legendary Porsche. MUST-READ: The Best Porsches You Can Buy Today The collaboration featuring Porsche Klassik sent Mühe, Kotte, and Kotte’s Porsche 930 911 Turbo on a mission to capture the automotive icon in its most natural state. Anatol’s 930-generation 911 Turbo showcases itself as the manufacturer’s pinnacle model, displaying a magnificent gloss black finish that accentuates its wide body style. The classic 911 Turbo also includes a set of gold factory Fuchs wheels, now regarded as one of the most desirable wheel designs for Porsche fanatics. Being his practical daily driver, Anatol’s Porsche 911 Turbo came fit with a single-turbocharged air-cooled flat-six engine that generates 256 horsepower and 243 foot-pound of torque. The Porsche Klassik photography collaboration featuring Andreas Mühe and Anatol Kotte highlights the brand’s uncompromising everyday practicality and the perfect combination of tradition and innovation. View all current Porsche 911 Turbo examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL PORSCHE 911 TURBO FOR SALE Porsche Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 13, 2022

Rally And Le Mans Winners Walter Röhrl and Timo Bernhard ...

After 50 years, the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 has shaped the brand’s history. The Porsche 911 is one of the most important cars in the world of motorsport, and that remains true throughout different parts of the racing world. That’s why it was behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 where rally world champion Walter Röhrl and Le Mans-winner Timio Bernhard found common ground. When the car was first unveiled in 1972, it represented the pinnacle of 911 performance and served as the basis for excellent cars throughout the motorsport world. MUST READ: Over 500 People Came To A Former Factory For “The Factory” Porsche Gathering In Germany With a front and rear spoiler, the RS 2.7 was able to lower drag and increase top speed compared to its counterparts, and because of that innovation, the drive reminded both Röhrl and Bernhard of why the RS 2.7 was such an icon in the sports car world. The same went for the other car that the pair drove, which was a 2011 911 GT3 RS 4.0, a car that for its own innovation and racing prowess is considered a successor to the RS 2.7. The 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 has made for the perfect time for Porsche to look back on the success of one of its most important icons. Along with this drive, the Porsche Museum is hosting a new exhibition entitled “Spirit of Carrera RS” to celebrate the anniversary. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 09, 2022

Over 500 People Came To A Former Factory For "The Factor...

The love of Porsche makes a strong community. It’s no secret that Porsche makes some of the most iconic sports cars in the world, and the Porsche 911, for decades has arguably been at the top of that list for the entire automotive industry. With that kind of pull for car enthusiasts around the world, it’s obvious that communities form around the Porsche brand and its cars, and their gatherings are great times with people who are not only Porsche lovers but bonded through their passion for Porsche to become friends. Tom Gädtke of Onassis Porsches has a Porsche event series called Streetart.Motorsport.Revival, and unfortunately he missed the 2021 World Exhibition at the Mies van der Rohe Campus in Krefeld, so the 2022 iteration of the event had to be bigger and better than ever before. MUST READ: The Best Porsches You Can Buy Today For 2022, the event included a reception the day before to kick things off, and the event also broke a rule that stood for events previously, which is having the event at the same location that it was before. According to Gädtke, “the desire to experience the flair from the previous year was simply too great.” The venue was the Rhombuspark, a place that was once the site for the Bergische Eisenwaren plant, a factory that played an instrumental part in the industrialization of Wermelskirchen in Germany. The former factory’s concrete floors housed over 250 Porsches, ranging from the 356 to the latest 911, and the setting made “The Factory” event a truly special show. Beyond the Porsches and the former factory site, the event was made special by the people who shared a bond through their love for Porsche, and Porsche Classic and Porsche Manufaktur catered to them with unique exhibitions, like that of the new Porsche 911 Sport Classic, along with the Porsche 997 911 Sport Classic, as well as a virtual recreation of the special one-off Porsche 996 911 Classic Club Coupe. The Factory was a special event for everyone there, and with a renewed appreciation for the importance of gathering since the pandemic, events like The Factory will continue to be an important part of the car enthusiast’s lifestyle. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 08, 2022

Porsche's New Hard Case Roof Tent Is Perfect For The Next...

Experience the exhilaration of Porsche sports cars in a fresh way, in the great outdoors. The diverse lineup of performance cars and SUVs from Porsche are not only engineered to tackle the track but also to experience the great outdoors on undiscovered roads. Establishing its dominance as the perfect automotive brand for all your adventurous needs, Porsche offers Genuine Equipment Accessories that adapt your vehicle to the environment around you. Porsche is proud to announce the release of its all-new Roof Tent as part of its practical adventure equipment, transforming the sports car into nature's perfect hotel room. Developed at the Weissach Development Centre and co-designed by Studio F.A. Porsche, the aesthetically modern roof tent features a hardcore construction with a quick setup and take-down process. MUST-READ: Champion Porsche Wins the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge With A 1989 911 Turbo The all-season tent comfortably fits two people and includes a series of windows that can be fully opened for ventilation, which also incorporates an insect guard to protect against mosquitos at the campsite. A plush high-density poly foam mattress is also integrated into its structure. Porsche is excited to present the hard case tent for roof transport systems on 911, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Taycan models. Customers have the choice between the Black/Light Grey and Black/Dark Grey hard case, both of which showcase a matte black Porsche logo. The all-new Porsche hard case roof tent is currently available through an authorized dealer for $4,96, with delivery set to begin in November 2022. View all current Porsche inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and Porsche news. VIEW ALL PORSCHE FOR SALE Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 06, 2022

Champion Porsche Wins the Porsche Classic Restoration Cha...

In the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge, Champion Porsche lived up to its name. The Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge is an event in which Porsche dealers across the country are encouraged to find a classic Porsche that needs a little TLC to return to its original glory and bring it back to life to either be like new or even better. It requires teams of people to show hard work, team effort, creativity, and the ingenuity and knowledge required to work with and restore a classic Porsche with love and passion. This year, more than 60 Porsche dealerships took part, restoring cars like the Porsche 356, 914, 944, 928, Boxster, Cayenne, even the Carrera GT, and of course the Porsche 911. MUST READ: Porsche’s IPO Will Happen By The End Of The Year The dealership that won the entire competition was Champion Porsche, staying true to its name with an incredibly beautiful 1989 Porsche 930 911 Turbo, which beat out a 1996 911 Carrera 4S from Porsche Exchange, as well as a 1982 Porsche 911 SC from Porsche Palm Springs. The car was restored to exactly what the build sheet specified, making it a true factory restoration, with a gorgeous dark color scheme with black rims that speaks to the iconic heritage that the Porsche 911 has spent decades building. The Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge encourages Porsche dealerships to keep classic Porsches on the road, keeping the storied legacy of the incredible brand alive and well for generations to come. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 06, 2022

Porsche's IPO Will Happen By The End Of The Year

A new chapter for Porsche is beginning in the financial world. Earlier this year, the Volkswagen Group announced that it would begin consideration for an IPO for its beloved luxury sports car brand Porsche, and it is now announcing that Porsche’s IPO will be come onto the market by the end of this year, at which point the brand will be listed on the Regulated Market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. In preparation for this change, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG has been divided into 50% preference shares and 50% ordinary shares, and 25% of the preference shares will be held by investors within the Volkswagen Group. MUST READ: Makes & Movements: Porsche Design Sport Classic Chronograph x Porsche 911 Sport Classic Porsche Automobil Holding SE will acquire 25% plus one share in the ordinary share capital as well. Porsche’s financial statements, even after the IPO, will continue to be consolidated within Volkswagen AG’s financial statements, and Volkswagen plans to continue the existing partnership with Porsche, especially with regards to industrial and strategic cooperation. If the IPO is successful, Volkswagen plans to hold a general meeting this December at which it will propose to shareholders that a special dividend of 49% of the total gross proceeds from the placement of preferred shares and sale of ordinary shares be distributed to shareholders starting 2023. View All Porsches For Sale Source: Volkswagen Group

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