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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 Jordan Aquistapace – September 14, 2023

L'Art de L'Automobile x Porsche Reveal The 75 Years of Po...

L'Art de L'Automobile joins Porsche for their second collaboration. With a close creative partnership that bridges luxury streetwear with high-performance sports cars, L'Art de L'Automobile and Porsche continue to stay in close contact since its inaugural 30th Anniversary Porsche 968 project. Now evolving its relationship with more automotive icons from Porsche, L'Art de L'Automobile is excited to announce an all-new capsule collection that celebrates 75 years of Porsche. Being a collector and fan of rare Porsche examples, founder Arthur Kar focuses the vintage-inspired clothing line around models like the legendary Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion from 1997, Porsche Panamericana, 968 Roadster, and 968 L’Art. Using these pioneering Porsches as the design inspiration helps to further preserve their status as idols in the industry. The head-to-toe lineup includes hats, jackets, t-shirts, and accessories that sport period-correct graphics and font. Along with silhouettes of 911 GT1s and 968s, the L'Art de L'Automobile x Porsche Capsule Collection also showcases L'Art logos, French and German flags, and Porsche badges. The highly-anticipated 75 Years of Porsche Capsule Collection by L'Art de L'Automobile will be available on September 15th at www.lartdelautomobilekar.com. View all Porsche models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porsche (@porsche) Source: L'Art de L'Automobile Instagram

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 14, 2023

The New Porsche Panamera Is Coming In November

Porsche is adding a fourth hybrid model to the lineup. The automotive world is buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming 2023 Porsche Panamera, set to make its grand appearance in November at the Icons of Porsche Festival in Dubai. With its last finishing touches almost complete, this four-door sports car promises to elevate the driving experience to an entirely new level. If you're in the market for a slice of exotic German engineering with plush luxury, this just might be your dream ride. A few months shy of its official debut, the new Panamera is wrapping up final test drives in the picturesque landscapes of Barcelona. These aren't any ordinary test drives, though. Porsche engineers are scrutinizing the newly developed chassis with active damper control and a new Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) to ensure that the car meets its high expectations and the fastidious standards of Porsche. This thorough testing phase has spanned four continents, focusing on drivetrain performance at high altitudes, engine-cooling capabilities in extreme heat, and handling in low temperatures. When Porsche promises performance, comfort, and acoustics, they leave no stone unturned. But here's where it gets really interesting: the drivetrain. The 2023 Panamera will feature an entirely upgraded engine range, honed with a keen eye on sustainability and efficiency. Porsche will add a fourth E-Hybrid variant to its lineup, a response to surging customer demand. According to Dr. Thomas Friemuth, head of the Panamera product line, the E-Hybrid models are especially popular in some countries, making up almost 100% of Panamera sales. This new derivative aims to impress, offering a significant electric range and faster charging times. Specifically, Porsche claims that the electric performance has been increased to allow for 70% more range on electric power alone, compared to its predecessor. And speaking of electric performance, the Panamera's new E-Hybrid models will house a more powerful electric motor, seamlessly integrated into the new dual clutch transmission. The energy comes from a high voltage battery boasting a significantly higher capacity of 25.9 kWh. Plus, the 11 kW on-board charger ensures that the charging time is shorter, despite the increased energy content. That's music to the ears for those who value efficiency and speed in equal measure. Beyond the engine, Porsche hasn't skimped on the chassis and suspension. For the first time, the Panamera will offer an optional high-end active chassis with a wide range of functions. The car will come standard with a semi-active dual-chamber, two-valve air suspension system that fine-tunes both comfort and high-performance tuning. This means whether you're cruising through cobblestone streets or tearing up winding country roads, the Panamera promises an exceptional drive. With these exciting features, the 2023 Porsche Panamera is set to make an indelible mark on the luxury car market. Keep your eyes peeled for its grand unveiling in November; this is one release you won't want to miss. View All Porsche Panameras For Sale Image Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 13, 2023

The Bridge Event Welcomes Sacrilege Motors' EV-Converted ...

Sacrilege Motors takes center stage at The Bridge's annual auto exhibition with an EV-converted Porsche 911 named BLACKBIRD, blending heritage and innovation. Sacrilege Motors is turning heads in the automotive world. Fresh off their debut at Pebble Beach Concours, co-founders Phil Wagenheim and Bobby Singh are now gearing up for an exclusive showcase at The Bridge. Hosted at a private golf club on the historic Bridgehampton Race Circuit, this invite-only event is essential on the calendar for car collectors and enthusiasts. For the special occasion, Sacrilege Motors is bringing an electrifying exhibit, an EV-converted Porsche 911 America Roadster, one of only 250 ever built. Nicknamed BLACKBIRD, this performance-tuned classic pays homage to the iconic SR-71 Blackbird aircraft. The collaboration between Wagenheim, a finance entrepreneur, and Singh, a Porsche tuning expert, has yielded a Porsche 911 that retains its classic allure while embracing modern electric vehicle technology. Founded in 2020, Sacrilege Motors focuses on restoring 1974-1994 Porsche 911s to Concours-level quality with an all-electric twist. The aim is to merge Porsche's iconic driving dynamics with state-of-the-art electric power, striking a balance between tradition and innovation. While some purists might mock the idea of electrifying a classic 911, the duo behind Sacrilege Motors are firm believers in preserving the car's driving dynamics while reducing its environmental footprint. Catch this hybrid of classic beauty and modern tech at The Bridge on September 23, 2023. View All Porsche models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche For Sale Sacrilege Motors Source: Sacrilege Motors