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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 Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2019

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Unveiled

Porsche does things their own way. Because they offer so many versions of the 911, there is an intense plan at work. As the factories wind down production on the 2019 model year, it signals the end of the 991.2 chassis. We have already been introduced to the future in the form of the 2020 Carrera S. This was a smart move to hit the ground running with a performance model. Yet, there are many among us who don't need 443 horsepower. Gladly, we now have a new benchmark for the competition to follow, as the 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera has been unveiled. Don't call it a base model, although it is the entry-level Porsche 911. Offered as a coupe and cabriolet, the 3.0L flat-six uses twin turbos to make 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. Speaking of torque, it is offered everywhere between 1,950 and 5,000 rpm. It weighs in at 3,354 lbs, and it can reach 60 mph in 3.8 seconds if you opt for the Sport Chrono Package. Pricing for the coupe starts at a competitive $97,400 and the drop-top is $110,200. For now, it appears as if the 8-speed PDK is the only transmission offered. Now that the Carrera is in the open, tell us which 911 model will be the next to debut. Our guess is the return of the Targa, followed by a GTS. Both of which will be offered in rear or AWD. Then the Turbo and Turbo S will eventually reclaim their spots as the flagship for the brand. Hopefully, the 992 chassis will yield GT2 and GT3 models, the waiting is the hardest part. In the meantime, our dealers have to make room for the new Carreras, so click the link below for great offers on remaining 2019 models and stay with us for all your Porsche news. Find Your Porsche 911 Here! " width="680"> Related: 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera S Configurator is Live! 2020 Porsche 911: Top 5 Interior Features

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2019

Porsche 935 Wins Back-to-Back at Spa

Teams came from around the world to race at Spa over the weekend. The main event was the 24 Hours of Spa, which saw first and second place clinched by a Porsche 911 GT3 R. But aside from the main race, Porsche Motorsport also held a pair of 30-minute races for their fastest cars. The GT2 Supersportscar Weekend welcomed Porsche 911 GT2 cars for a high-horsepower shootout, so it is no surprise who won. On Friday and Saturday, Norwegian Racer Egidio Perfetti in his Porsche 935 won back-to-back at Spa. The field consisted of 15 cars, three were the new 935, and the others were 911 GT2 RS Clubsports. Of course, the 935 is favored to win against the GT2 RS, because it uses the same powertrain and the ultimate in aerodynamics. Only 77 examples are being produced, which means something like this might not happen again soon. If you aren't among the lucky few to purchase one, the factory has an alternative. The artists at Porsche Driver's Selection have crafted a 1:18 scale model of the 935. Finished in Martini livery, it is correct in every detail and available from your dealer. Congrats to Team Mentos Racing on their fresh wins, and click the link below to find our Porsche dealer near you. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2019

Porsche Mission E Stars in PLAYMOBIL: The Movie

As the predecessor to the upcoming Taycan, the Porsche Mission E was both a prototype and design study. It captures the attention of young people and adults, as Stuttgart's first entry into all-electric sedans. If you want a preview of its abilities, the Porsche Mission E Stars in PLAYMOBIL: The Movie which opens August 30th. In their latest press release, Porsche celebrates their collaboration with the German Toymaker. Kjell Gruner, Chief of Porsche Marketing says: “Porsche was Playmobil's first licensed product. Since then we have brought out a carefully designed new set every year, each of which has been enthusiastically received by children, teenagers, and their parents”. Although the hero Rex Dasher will be driving a smaller version, the full-size Mission E is a glimpse of the future in the real-world. After wowing spectators at Formula E races, the Taycan will arrive in 2020 with three years of free charging from Electrify America. It can also be juiced by the 800-volt stations at every Porsche Dealer. This will get your battery to 80% in 15 minutes, a claim no other manufacturer comes close to. Expect a range between 280 and 300 miles, and a price starting in the mid-'80s. See it on the Big Screen August 30th and stay with us for all your Porsche news. In the meantime, check out these great deals on the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid from our dealers below. Browse Porsche Panamera For Sale Related: Porsche Taycan Trio Attacks the Hoover Dam Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2019

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S on the A...

This is the showdown we've been waiting for. Two of Germany's fastest sedans launched on the world's most famous highway. Our friends at AutoTopNL wanted to see how fast both cars reached 180 mph, so here is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S versus a Porsche Panamera Turbo S on the Autobahn. Representing Affalterbach is the most powerful AMG sedan. It is rated at 639 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. The Panamera Turbo S offers 671 horsepower and also makes 627 lb-ft of torque. Having identical torque numbers isn't a coincidence. It translates to 850 Newton-Meters in metric, and that is a figure that many exotic cars use as a benchmark. Both cars have 4.0L V8 engines and AWD. Tell us who wins on styling, interior layout and exhaust sound in the comments below and stay with us for more wild Autobahn action. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 For Sale vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S For Sale Related: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S vs Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid Revealed: Porsche Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid Sport Turismo

By Andrew Nabors – July 16, 2019

Porsche Taycan Trio Attacks the Hoover Dam

When building a new electric car it is important to make sure the car is ready for the world. Porsche wants the world to be ready for their new sedan, so a Porsche Taycan Trio attacked the Hoover Dam. Using power from their 90 kWh batteries, the cars power a projector to illuminate the historic structure. Compared to the 90 kWh found in the Taycan, the dam has an annual output of 4.5 billion kWh. It powers much of Nevada, Arizona, and California using a combination of gravity and the Colorado River. With a range of 310 miles, the Porsche Taycan could take you from the shores of Lake Meade, through Las Vegas, and end up in L.A. with power to spare. Owners will have 3 years of free charging at Electrify America stations, or the 800-volt quick chargers being installed at Porsche & Audi dealers. Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood Along with the new Audi E-tron, we are looking forward to a high-voltage future. In the meantime, production of the GT2 RS is coming to an end. The 992 Series 911 is ramping up production, but we won't see the Targa, Turbo, or GT cars for awhile. Click the link below to find the final GT2 RS for you. Find Your Porsche 911 GT2 RS Here! Related: Porsche Taycan Is Almost Ready For Launch Spider-Man Shows Off Audi E-tron Concept in Science Fair

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2019

Porsche 911 Wet Mode is Ready for Hurricane Season

Our thoughts and prayers are for those in the firing line of Tropical Storm Barry. Because we are located on Tampa Bay, storms are not to be taken lightly. Thankfully we have a massive generator and a fiber optic internet connection: duPont REGISTRY is prepared! Flooding is still an issue, and it took the life of my 1985 Corvette last year. If you need a car that can act as a submarine, the Porsche 911 wet mode is ready for Hurricane Season. In the south of France, a road was built to connect the island of Noirmoutier to the mainland. For reasons unknown, the builders didn't measure the tides, so the road is covered by the Atlantic Ocean twice a day. Fear, not French islanders, Porsche has a solution for you. In the latest clip from 9:11 magazine, a local laments this inconvenience. The YouTube video was accompanied by a press release explaining how Wet Mode is automatically enabled. Acoustic sensors in the front suspension are tuned to the unique sounds of water hitting the inner fenders. Once it detects a critical level, a warning appears on the tachometer. Once activated, the engine power is limited by a delayed throttle response and a lame ignition timing map. AWD cars move torque to the front wheels, and the rear differential is opened. Active aero flaps are configured for maximum front downforce. Traction control, stability management, and the ABS system thresholds are lowered, allowing for more intervention to keep you pointed straight. This system is standard equipment on the new 992 Series Porsche 911, which includes the Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4S and their Cabriolet models. Click the link below to find one near you, and stay with us for all your Porshe news. Find Your Porsche 911 Here

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2019

Porsche Repaved the Nardò Ring to be Faster & Safer

When Fiat needed a new facility for testing their cars, they decided to build a world-class facility in 1975. The Nardo Technical Center's main feature is a 7.8-mile circle track that's 4 lanes wide. It is easily seen from space, and it contains a road course, skidpad, and a quarter-mile inside, along with facilities for engineers to improve their designs. When the Porsche Engineering team at Weissach realized the Nurburgring had not changed in 70 years, they purchased the Nardo complex in 2012. In a press release this morning, we've learned that Porsche has repaved the Nardo Ring to be faster & safer. It took seven months and almost $400,000 to remove the old asphalt, install better guardrails, and lay down the fresh blacktop. It is our opinion that the perfect car to break-in the new surface needs to be sleek, AWD, and German. We choose the Audi R8 for several reasons. Audi is a corporate cousin to Porsche, and I can attest to the incredible performance of the R8 V10 Spyder. It is also worth noting that the Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Huracan are identical underneath, so the R8 should be welcomed by Italian enthusiasts. Our dealers have amazing Summer incentives on these stunning Spyders, so click the link below to find an R8 for you. Find Your Audi R8 Here " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2019

BMW & Porsche Beat Expectations With 6 Months of Positive...

Life is too short to drive boring cars. That is evident in the U.S. because Ford and Chevrolet have discontinued almost everything that isn't an SUV. It is a different story in Germany. The market for quality & performance has never been hotter, as BMW & Porsche beat expectations with 6 months of positive growth. Of course, these numbers arrive in separate press releases, but I am listing both brands in one article for the sake of brevity. BMW The big news from Bavaria is a 0.7% increase in June compared to the same month last year. Total deliveries for last month were 240,674 cars from BMW, Mini, & Rolls-Royce. Total sales since January 1st are a whopping 1,252,837 cars, which represents 0.8% increase. It is the first time they have delivered over 1.25 Million cars in the first half of a year. As the M3 and M4 are being prepped for a new generation, sales of the American made X-Series were unprecedented. Porsche Sales from Stuttgart are also on the rise. Porsche delivered 133,484 cars in the first half of the year. Not only does this represent 2% more than last year, the Cayenne saw a 45% increase with 41,725 delivered. The Macan remains their most popular model, with 47,367 examples delivered. Looking at the world market, China grew by 28%, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa are grouped together to form a 20% increase. Finally, the U.S. saw a 3% increase during this period. It is a great time to buy a Porsche 911, as the 991.2 cars have great incentives. This is being done as the 992 chassis is continually expanding across the 911 lineup. You will see many examples of both at this month's Cars & Coffee, so join us on the morning of July 20th. Tell us which brand you prefer in the comments below, and stay with us for all your German car news. https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/306334300248377/

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2019

Lamborghini La Jolla: Iridescent Wrapped 2018 Porsche 911...

It is safe to say that many exotic cars are overpowered. Sure, it is nice to have over 500 horsepower, but most modern cars will simply spin their tires or invoke the traction control system. But what if we told you about something unconventional? A car that can transform 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque into instant acceleration. Ferdinand Porsche realized that mounting the engine behind the rear wheels forced the tires into the pavement. For the past seven decades, Porsche has built rear-engine cars with ever-increasing power. Such is the case with the latest 911 GT2 RS. Tuned by their racing division at Weissach, the suspension uses ball joints instead of bushings. The front luggage compartment holds a tank of water at the bottom. Not only does this add front grip, but the water is also sprayed on to the intercoolers and evaporates to cool the intake. This cool air is then routed to twin expansion tanks above each cylinder head. Each pair of intake valves receives the perfect amount of air to maintain a standing wave behind the throttle body. Along with variable-geometry turbochargers, it allows the 3.8L flat-six to offer maximum torque from 2,500 rpm to 5,250 rpm. Given that a majority of the body panels are carbon fiber, this immense power in such a light package (3,240 lbs) is a recipe for unprecedented acceleration. If you enjoy scaring your passenger, 62 mph arrives in 2.8 seconds. Your speedometer will hit the Century mark in 5.8 seconds, and it keeps on pushing you to 211 mph. Having this level of power in reserve, you can leap from 50-75 mph in 1.5 seconds. Pushing the limits of engine and suspension design, the GT2 RS is where other manufacturers will be in 20 years from now. The future can be yours, so click the link below for a great deal. This 1-owner car has only been driven 2,865 miles and it has no signs of wear inside or out. It has been professionally wrapped in iridescent vinyl to protect the black paint underneath. Tell us what you think of this masterpiece in the comments below, and stay with us for more great inventory from Lamborghini La Jolla. View Price & Listing " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2019

Porsche Taycan Driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood

Nothing has intrigued the automotive world more than the notion of an electric Porsche. History repeats itself in that Ferdinand Porsche's first car was the Lohner-Porsche electromobile in 1900. Twelve decades later, their new electric supercar is poised to change the world. In a press release yesterday, they celebrate that the Porsche Taycan was driven by Mark Webber at Goodwood. With an extensive Formula 1 career under his belt, he said "The Taycan's power delivery is awesome". You might remember back to 2017 when he was chosen to send the Porsche 911 GT2 RS up the historic hill. We know that car is fast, and he said "I took part in this event in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS two years ago, so I already knew that it all comes down to power and traction. But, even for a thoroughbred racing driver like me, it is amazing how the Taycan – even though it’s still a prototype – accelerates off the start and out of the corners." Goodwood is the 2nd of the Taycan's Triple Demo Run. With a goal of three continents in three weeks, the first run took place in Shanghai last week. It will culminate at the Formula E Championship, July 13-14th in NYC. It will use a 90 kWh battery to send 800 volts to all corners. This equated to 596 horsepower at all wheels, and torque that overpowers conventional dynos. It will truly change the market for luxury electric cars, so stay with us for all your Porsche news. Browse Porsche 911 For Sale Related: Porsche Taycan is Almost Ready for Launch Porsche Taycan Will Include Three Years of free Charging

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