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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 Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2022

Sean Wotherspoon's Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo Was A ...

Sean Wotherspoon’s avant-garde Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo was right at home at SXSW. Porsche’s Unseen exhibition at SXSW gave Porsche fans and SXSW attendees a deep look at Porsche’s design processes, at the concepts that informed today’s and tomorrow’s Porsches, and at the inspirations and motivations behind Porsche design. The exhibition also served as a space in which inspiration, creative thinking, and creative dialogue could blossom, and with artist Sean Wotherspoon there, that’s exactly what happened. MUST READ: Daniel Arsham x Stone Island Showcase A Porsche 911 Turbo 930 & Unimog 404 For Its Upcoming Collaboration Release Sean Wotherspoon, an artist known for streetwear collaborations and presence in the streetwear world, came together with Porsche to create a one-off Taycan 4S Cross Turismo, a car finished with large splashes of bright color throughout. The car was a fixture at the Porsche Unseen exhibition, and it fit right in with its bold artistry and creative, forward-thinking philosophy. As an electric wagon with amazing practicality, performance, and optimism for an environmentally friendly future, the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo and its artistic livery are a perfect match. With SXSW's 2022 festival now over, we hope to see the inspiration that Porsche and Sean Wotherspoon gained result in more collaborations and more incredible artistic endeavors from Porsche. Just like Porsche, whether it be shoes or cars, Sean Wotherspoon does things in a way that’s hard not to love. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porsche (@porsche) Source: Instagram/Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 21, 2022

Porsche Unveils 911 Classic Club Coupe for the Porsche Cl...

The 996 generation 911 gets a restoration overhaul from Porsche. The classic styling of the Porsche 911 will forever live on as one of the most iconic sports cars in the automotive world, with a timeline of generations that embody their own characteristics and performance attributes. Although the German sports car manufacturer always looks to push the boundaries of modern design, technology, and performance, it also showcases its past with reimagined examples based on models from previous generations. Porsche is proud to highlight its creative talents with the new one-of-a-kind 911 Classic Club Coupe for the Porsche Club of America. The idea to transform an everyday 996 Porsche 911 Carrera into a rolling time capsule began at the hands of the Porsche Club of America and Head of Individualization and Classic at Porsche Alexander Fabig. The base vehicle is a neglected black 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera that was in poor condition after spending most of its life at a dealership in Columbia, Virginia, where PCA executive director Vu Nguyen found it. After its full nut and bolt restoration, the Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe now presents itself in a Sport Grey Metallic finish. The exterior also features twin race strips painstakingly painted in blue and light sport grey. The all-grey paint scheme is inspired by the Sport Grey Metallic finish of the 911 Sport Classic (Type 997). The Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe highlights updated exterior components from other 911 generations, like the rear fixed ducktail spoiler from the 1972 911 RS 2.7 or 18-inch forged wheels that replicate the legendary Fuchs rims. The 911 has also been upgraded to a second-generation 911 GT3 including the 3.6-liter engine that generates 375-horsepower. The chassis and brakes also come from the GT3 of that generation. The sport-focused theme exterior makes its way into the interior, highlighting Porsche’s modern take on its classic Pepita houndstooth woven leather design. The interior layout features a set of sport-style seats that include embroidered ‘911 Classic Club Coupe’ blue logos in the headrest, which complement the matching door cards and trim accents. Along with a newly remodeled interior, the configuration features updated period-correct technology and amenity options that help keep the 996 up to date. Completing the bespoke build and commemorating the group efforts achieved by the passionate team at Porsche, the all-new Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe includes a “911 Classic Club Coupe No. 001/001” dashboard badge. The new restoration from Porsche hopefully opens the door to upcoming special projects and builds. View all of the current Porsche 996 911 models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury gear releases and supercar news. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 18, 2022

Porsche Sets A New Goal For An 80% All-Electric Lineup By...

Porsche’s ambitious new goals include public trading and a comprehensive all-electric lineup. With over 300,000 vehicles delivered in 2021, Porsche had a year full of success and validation in the direction in which the brand is currently going. Its recent success has even gotten Porsche to consider trading publicly, allowing public investment to fuel quicker and larger developments. One of the most important highlights to come out of that announcement was the fact that sales of the Taycan more than doubled, soaring to 41,296 global deliveries. Despite the 911 setting a new record high for sales in 2021, the Taycan still managed to outperform it, which leaves no doubt in Porsche’s mind that the enthusiasm for electric cars is very real. MUST READ: Sean Wotherspoon x Porsche Unveil The Taycan 4S Cross Turismo Art Car As a matter of fact, 40% of Porsche’s deliveries in Europe were of vehicles that had some sort of electric component, like hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles, and Porsche has been developing an all-electric version of the Porsche Macan SUV, set to launch in 2023. Porsche has also announced that, by “the middle of the decade,” an all-electric version of the Porsche 718 Boxster and Porsche 718 Cayman sports cars will be released. Looking even further, Porsche has announced that by 2030, 80% or more of new Porsches should be all-electric. To help this goal along, Porsche is working on creating its own charging infrastructure, as well as battery systems, which are being developed in collaboration with Cellforce Group. Porsche’s current performance might be phenomenal itself, but its goals for the future are even more so. All Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 14, 2022

Sean Wotherspoon x Porsche Unveil The Taycan 4S Cross Tur...

The fully-electric Porsche gets a new artistic look. The art car has been at the hands of Porsche since its early beginnings, with iconic model designs reimagined by world-renowned artists. Decades later, Porsche continues its rich tradition of hand painting vehicles with a new collaboration project with American designer and artist Sean Wotherspoon. In a new chapter series, Sean Wotherspoon breaks down the SW x Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo and its one-of-a-kind multi-color paint scheme. Each panel of the Porsche Taycan’s exterior presents itself in a vibrant factory color and highlights the extensive color palette offered by the German automotive manufacturer. MUST-READ: Daniel Arsham x Stone Island Announce The Upcoming Porsche Safari Collection Release The artistic project is a dream come true for Sean, working with the creative team at Porsche to select the perfect array of colors that contrast with each other. The colors featured on the Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo are Nash Blue, Loretta Purple, Ashley Green, and Sean Peach. The Sean Wotherspoon x Porsche made its official appearance at the 2022 South by Southwest (SXSW). With his first official Porsche collaboration in the books, we are excited to see Sean Wotherspoon’s future influence on the automotive and art worlds. View all of the current Porsche Taycan 4S examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and supercar releases. View All Porsche Taycan 4S For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sean Wotherspoon (@sean_wotherspoon) Source: @sean_wotherspoon

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 14, 2022

Daniel Arsham x Stone Island Announce The Upcoming Porsch...

Celebrate the world of lifted Porsche 911s with the new upcoming apparel collection. With a growing presence in the world of art and fashion, Porsche continues to be the inspiration behind collaboration projects that highlight the heritage and lifestyle of the German automotive manufacturer. One of Porsche’s most influential art partners is Daniel Arsham, who features iconic models through an array of artistic avenues. Daniel Arsham is proud to partner with the fashion specialists at Stone Island on a special collection dedicated to the Porsche Safari builds. The inspiration behind the collaboration embodies Porsche’s versatility as one of the most well-rounded sports cars in history, reimagining the track-focused platform as a lifted off-road excursion chassis. MUST-READ: Sally From “Cars” Is Coming Back As A New 2022 Porsche 911 In a video directed by Jeremy Elkin and uploaded to the official Stone Island Instagram page, the brand announces the collection with a video of a Porsche 911 Safari displaying its agility on dirt with high-speed dirt drifts. Although a product list and media have yet to be released, the upcoming Porsche Safari Collection from Daniel Arsham x Stone Island is sure to be a highly-anticipated release for any car enthusiast. View all of the current Porsche 911 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming release information on the Daniel Arsham x Stone Island Porsche Safari Collection. View All Porsche 911 For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stone Island (@stoneisland_official) Source: @stoneisland_official

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 11, 2022

Sally From "Cars" Is Coming Back As A New 2022 Porsche 911

Remember Sally? After 20 years, Porsche and Pixar have brought her back. If you remember Pixar’s animated film Cars, you’ll remember Sally Carerra, a blue 2002 Porsche 911 who was dedicated to making the town she chose to settle down in, Radiator Springs, a better place for everyone living there. Decades passed since her original creation, and to commemorate her 20th anniversary, Porsche and Pixar have come together to recreate Sally in a new 2022 Porsche 911, which will be auctioned by RM Sotheby’s on a date and at a location to be announced, with all the proceeds going towards Girls Inc. to support US-based girls’ education programs, and USA for the UNHCR, an organization dedicated to supporting refugees and refugee families. MUST READ: Lowest Mileage Porsche Carrera GT For Sale The 911 being built will be inspired by Sally, updating her look and transforming her into a driveable 2022 911 with a windshield that its owner will actually be able to see out of. More information on the auction sale of the Sally-inspired 911 will come as the project progresses. And even while all we have currently is concept art, we know that the new 911 will be just like Sally: bright, eager, and with a heart of gold. Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 07, 2022

Check The Spec: 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 In PTS Carbon Steel ...

A chance to own a new Porsche GT3 with a new color. Making a positive mark on the automotive industry since its anticipated release, the new 992 Porsche 911 GT3 is the next generation to take the reigns of the performance category. The supercar specialists at Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida are excited to feature this 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 as part of its inventory of exclusive supercars. The exterior of this 911 GT3 features a special paint-to-sample Carbon Steel Grey finish, which includes a metallic flake that glistens in the sun upon direct contact. The stealth-like theme is further accentuated with red highlights that are incorporated into the 20/21-inch sport wheels and ‘GT3’ badging. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: Lamborghini Huracán STO Finished In Nero Noctis And Viola Pasifae While the exterior subtly highlights the styling of the 992 body style, the interior configuration continues its dark theme with a black leather and Alcantara design with red contrast stitching. The driver-oriented feel is achieved with a set of carbon sport bucket seats, Sports Chrono Package, Alcantara sport steering wheel, and carbon fiber trim. The Porsche 992 911 GT3 delivers over 503-horsepower from a 4.0-Liter Naturally-Aspirated Flat-Six engine, which is managed through a classic 6-speed manual transmission. The updated performance of the new generation 911 GT3 launches it from 0-60mph in just 2.7-seconds, with a new top speed of 198mph. This 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 from Ferrari Maserati of Central Florida is currently available through duPont REGISTRY with 100-miles for $349,895. Click on the button below to view the vehicle listing for more information. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming Check The Spec specials. View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 25, 2022

Porsche Dedicates A Museum Exhibit Its Most Iconic Lifest...

And rightly so, as the Porsche Design brand is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The brand has used Porsche’s iconic sporty and luxurious brand identity to create collections of all sorts of items that exude that same identity and possess beautiful, innovative, and timelessly sleek designs. MUST-READ: The Best Porsches You Can Buy Today Some of the items Porsche Design has created include watches, cellphones, fashion, and more. The brand, like Porsche itself, has always been dedicated to showing off the intersection of beauty and technology. Some of the pieces that will be exhibited include the Chronograph 1 watch, the P8478 sunglasses, the P9521 cell phone, and the P`3613 tobacco pipe. Some cars from F.A. Porsche’s private collection will be on display as well, as they were often the muses of the pieces that Porsche Design released. One of the cars on display will be the new Porsche 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design, which will be limited to 750 units and includes many small homages to Porsche Design motifs. The exhibition will be at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart until July 10. Shop Porsche Design View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porsche Design (@porschedesign) Source: Porsche Design

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 24, 2022

Porsche Opens Its Doors To The Make-A-Wish Foundation

Porsche x Make-A-Wish make dreams become reality. The Porsche brand continues to gain the love of automotive enthusiasts around the world, with people of all ages dreaming of the day when they can get behind the wheel for themselves. Porsche is a proud partner of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, aiming to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience for children, teenagers, and young adults worldwide with critical illnesses. At the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach, Porsche AG has recorded more than 30 heart-warming moments of happiness from Make-A-Wish participants, thanks to a donation of 200,000 euros from the German automotive manufacturer. MUST-READ: Porsche and Hugo Boss Bring Future to Show Off New Spring/Summer Collection The donation was announced as part of the Porsche Virtual Run initiative, where more than 2,300 Porsche employees worldwide laced up their running shoes for a cause. With each visit customized to the interest of each young person, Porsche unlocks its doors with open arms to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. View all current Porsche models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear releases and automotive news. View All Porsche For Sale Source: Porsche Newsroom

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 23, 2022

2022 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge Gives Classics...

Giving a classic Porsche some TLC is always a great opportunity, but when it’s a competition, it gets so much better. Porsche Classic’s Restoration Challenge started just a year ago, but it’s already back for its second year, which means that more classic Porsches will be brought to their original glory. In the challenge, Porsche dealerships across the United States are asked to find a Porsche that requires restoration and bring it back to life mechanically and cosmetically. This competition fosters love for classic Porsche cars and cultivates the passion for restoring classic cars and keeping the history of Porsche alive. MUST READ: VW Group In Talks About Porsche Going Public With IPO Models that are eligible to enter in the Porsche Classic Restoration challenge include the 356, the 914, earlier 911 models, and modern classics like the first generations of the Boxster and Cayenne. The entries are divided into three regions, East, South-Central, and West. Each of the regions has an event where one finalist is decided, which moves on to the national competition, for which the winner will be announced in September. Porsche Classic expects a 50% increase in participation with a total of 60 dealers participating in this year’s competition. Some of this year’s entries include 911s, 914s, Boxsters, and Cayennes. Image Source: Porsche Last year, a 1989 911 Targa G-Model restored by Porsche Ontario took home the grand prize. It went up against a 1990 Carrera 4, and a 1990 911 Carrera 4 Targa. The Porsche Ontario submission got a 3.2 Carrera engine, an upgrade from the original, and was given a black and red livery with a red “Carrera” badge on the side to honor its new engine. With the competition underway this year, and more dealers participating, the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge is bound to be even more of a show. See All Porsches For Sale

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