Porsche News

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 14, 2022

Watch Porsche Celebrate 45-Years Of V8 Power On Valentine...

Porsche celebrates Valentine's Day with its love for V8 engines. Valentine’s Day not only marks a time to celebrate the love of a significant other but also the anniversary of Porsche’s introduction of the V8 engine platform into its fleet of performance-focused vehicles. 45-years ago, Porsche unveiled the 928 model at the 1977 Geneva Auto Show with ground-breaking 8-cylinder power. Since its debut, the V8 engine continues to operate as the beating heart behind Porsche brand icons like the 918 Spyder, multiple generations of the Panamera and Cayenne, and the most recent Cayenne Turbo GT release. MUST-READ: The Best Paint to Sample Porsche 911’s You Can Buy Today As a pioneer within the automotive industry, Porsche successfully delivered 61,000 examples of its first-ever V8-driven vehicle globally, which also took the title of the European Car of the Year. Alongside its presence as a performance road car, the Porsche V8 also found its role in the motorsports world with its participation in the Transsyberia Rally and Le Mans race series. From a modified Cayenne S speeding through the desert to an RS Spyder crossing the finish line at Sebring, the Porsche V8 established itself as a leader looking to continue its legacy. The Porsche V8 continues its longstanding involvement within the brand through modern examples of the Panamera and Cayenne models. Click the link below to view all the current Porsche models for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury Porsche news and releases. View All Porsche For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 09, 2022

Singer Vehicle Design Announces Its New Porsche 964 Turbo...

A new year and new Porsche generation for Singer Vehicle Design. When it comes to taking vintage Porsche chassis to the next level with modern performance, the professionals at Singer Vehicle Design accomplish the task with bespoke builds for passionate collectors. Singer took to its Instagram page to announce a new chapter of the brand, which begins with enabling a wide range of high-performance capabilities for the Porsche 964 911 generation. The first vehicle to receive the restoration process from Singer Vehicle Design is a 964 911 Turbo that features lightweight carbon fiber bodywork presented in a Wolf Blue paint code. The exterior is further enhanced with a custom set of OEM plus-size 5-spoke sport wheels that are complemented with a lower ride height and more aggressive suspension setup. MUST-READ: Richard Tuthill Drives Singer Porsche 911 ACS The goal of the interior layout is to best blend vintage and modern Porsche styling using a historic color pallet. The minimalistic Malibu Sand interior and Black Forest wood trim pair perfectly with the updated technology options that come equipped on the build. Singer owners can now drive comfortably with amenities that include electrically adjustable heated touring seats, air-conditioning, inductive phone charging, and navigation. At the heart of the Singer 964 Turbo platform lies a 3.8-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six that is managed through a traditional six-speed manual transmission. The addition of the Porsche 964 Turbo generation proves the dedication that Singer Vehicle Design has for the brand. Click the link below to view all current Porsche 964 911 models for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more supercar news and luxury lifestyle releases. View All Porsche 964 For Sale Source: @singervehicledesign

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 09, 2022

Porsche Will Open Its Vault Of Concept Cars At SXSW 2022

Porsche is coming to Texas to get creative at SXSW for the first time. Porsche is coming to the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas in March, and what their installation aims to do is let people in on the design process of the brand, as well as a look at design studies and unseen concepts in the Porsche Sketchbook. MUST READ: The New Porsche Design 50Y Coffee Table Book Is Now Available The space that Porsche will occupy is going to evoke the surface of a giant design desk that viewers can explore to see how Porsche formulates its incredible designs, and also get a look at never before seen design studies that Porsche created, which went on to inform the designs of cars like the Taycan, other Porsche models, and cars that we don’t even know about yet. The space will encourage rich creative dialogue and discussion, and allow for conference-goers to share ideas with people from the Porsche brand. With Porsche coming to one of the biggest events for creative thinking in the world and bringing an installment that displays the brand’s boldest creativity on offer, who knows? Maybe the next legendary Porsche car will have its start at SXSW.

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 03, 2022

Discover The Russell Built Fabrication Baja-Ready 1991 Po...

The Porsche 911 built to take on anything in its path. The market for modifying vintage air-cooled Porsches continues to grow with new designs and builds that reimagine chassis as one-off custom examples. The team at Russell Built Fabrication in Southern California is proud to showcase their prototype version of an aftermarket Baja-ready 1991 Porsche 911 964. The Russell Built Porsche pays homage to the German auto manufacturer’s early success in off-road racing during the 1980s. The exterior of the Baja Porsche is re-designed to highlight the classic body lines of the 964 generation. Russell Built Fabrication adds composite widebody fenders, molded rally-style hood, lightweight doors and hard top to achieve a 400+ pound weight reduction. MUST-READ: 1,012-Mile Seal Grey Porsche Carrera GT Being Auctioned Online Inside, the interior layout portrays a driver-oriented design that acts as a roomy race-ready setup that includes Motec control panels, a full roll cage, folding Sparco SPX carbon seats and a layer of sound-deadening ceramic coating. Delivering power to the Russell Built Fabrication Baja Porsche is a modified 3.8-Liter 6-Cylinder that makes 365-horsepower and is managed by a sequential gearbox. Sitting on a custom-engineered suspension fabricated from 7075-grade alloy and 4130 chromoly steel, the adventurous Porsche 911 features 12-inches of suspension travel on the front and 13-inches in the rear. A set of custom Baja wheels and off-road Toyo tires help provide maximum traction for high-speed driving on any road surface. The Russell Built Fabrication Baja 1991 Porsche 911 964 is now available via online auction with a current bid of $235,500. Click the link below to view all Porsche 911 964 models for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury car news and releases. View All Porsche 911 964 For Sale Source: Russell Built Fabrication

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 18, 2022

Porsche Design Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Celebrate 50-years of Porsche Design with commemorative 911s and timepieces. The Porsche Design division is responsible for incorporating the luxury aspects of the Porsche brand into a series of apparel, footwear, and accessory collections. Beginning the luxury lifestyle division in 1972, Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche designed the legendary Chronograph 1 to portray the styling of the historical Porsche 911 S 2.4 Targa. Porsche Design is proud to celebrate its 50th Anniversary with two iconic vehicles and a luxury sport-inspired timepiece. Shop Porsche Design The heart and soul of the 50th Anniversary takes shape as a 1972 911 S 2.4 Targa, an original chassis that went through 2-years of restoration at Porsche Classic in preparation for the milestone event. In tribute to Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, this one-of-a-kind vehicle features the same colors as the legendary Chronograph I watch that he designed in 1972, with black dominating both the exterior and interior. Porsche For the Porsche fanatics and watch collectors, Porsche Design is also presenting the all-new Chronograph 1 - 1972 Limited Edition with a historical look and feel. The special edition release commemorates the humble beginnings of Porsche Design watches and their ability to push the boundaries of modern-day watch design. Limited Capsule Collections in the fashion, shoes and sportswear, luggage and accessories ranges, as well as special eyewear collections, are also incorporated into the anniversary festivities. The newest addition to the Porsche fleet is the 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design, which features design characteristics that mirror the stylings of F.A. Porsche. The special edition is based on the Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS model and is produced in a limited run of 750-cars. The anniversary 911 is set to arrive in the European market in April with a sticker price of 185,606 Euros. Along with the 911 Edition 50Y Porsche Design, customers can also purchase a special version of the new legendary Porsche Design Chronograph 1. The celebration of Porsche Design’s 50th Anniversary highlights every aspect of the brand, along with its drive to provide a luxury experience for all to enjoy. Shop all of the current collections from Porsche Design by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more Porsche news luxury gear releases. Shop Porsche Design Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 12, 2022

Porsche's Record-Breaking 2021 Saw Over 300,000 Vehicle D...

Over 300,000 worldwide deliveries marks Porsche’s best year on record. While China remains the largest market for Porsche, sales increased the most dramatically in North America, where Porsche sold over 70,000 vehicles. The existing trend continues of SUVs being the largest volume sellers for the brand, with both the Macan and Cayenne selling over 80,000 examples each. MUST READ: The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Is Now A Guinness World Record Holder However, as with so many brands this past year, electric cars have proven to be a look into the future of the automotive industry, and sales are reflecting that. The Taycan doubled its sales compared to 2020 with over 40,000 units sold, which put it above the 911, Panamera, and both 718 models. With this amount of success for the brand as whole and for the electric Taycan model even in the face of adversity due to the pandemic and supply chain bottlenecks, it’s clear that Porsche’s future is bright, and that electric vehicles are an integral part of the success that is yet to come. In Europe, 40 percent of Porsche sales were either electric or plug-in hybrids. Is 2022 the yeast that you get behind the wheel of a Porsche? Click below to browse Porsches for sale on the duPont REGISTRY, you never know. Porsche For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 11, 2022

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Is Now A Guinness World ...

The performance Porsche EV sets its eyes on victory. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo continues to demonstrate its perfect blend of performance and functionality as a modern-day electric vehicle, adding a great sense of eye appeal to its aggressive body style. While the model highlights itself as a pioneer for the brand, Porsche enlists the help of television producer J.F. Musial and his team to push the Taycan Cross Turismo to its limits. The journey begins underground in a nickel and copper mine at the lowest drivable altitude in America, ending at its highest point on Pikes Peak with the goal of achieving a Guinness World Record for the German automotive manufacturer. With a vertical distance of 3-miles, J.F. Musial set off with his team on the 1,400-mile sprint to the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. MUST-READ: Porsche Sells 70,000 Cars For a Record-Breaking 2021 The journey was among the most challenging for J.F. Musial and the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, as it takes them across six states with oxygen level shifts occurring on the way up. In total, three groups of drivers working in tandem took on the driving duties. They conducted the whole attempt by the book, with separate, sealed GPS devices monitoring their route and altitude throughout, along with an analog altimeter and witness logs to satisfy the strict Guinness World Records requirements. After multiple stops for driver changes and vehicle re-charge, J.F. Musial and his dedicated team broke the Guinness World Record for the greatest altitude change ever achieved by an electric car. The record-breakers covered a total of 15,889 feet straight up, 1,413-miles along the ground, and covered it in 33 hours and 48 minutes. View all current Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more news and releases from Porsche. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 10, 2022

Check The Spec: A 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS With A $140K S...

A chance to own a one-of-a-kind Porsche 911 GT2 RS. With factory vehicle configuration processes allowing for endless possibilities, luxury automotive brands continue rolling one-of-one examples off the production line for lucky new owners. The supercar specialists at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale are proud to present this one-of-a-kind 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, featuring an ultra-rare factory paint job directly from the German automotive manufacturer. The exterior of the 911 GT2 RS presents itself in a Python Green Chromaflair paint code, a Porsche special wish customization option that adds $12,830 to the window sticker. The iridescent-like finish shifts color depending on the amount of light and angle of the supercar. Inside, the cabin includes a modest Black Alcantara and leather interior layout with Platinum Grey contrast stitching that complements the styling of Porsche’s coveted Weissach Package. Along with enhancing the visually pleasing aspects of the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, this build is also equipped with functional everyday options like a front axle lift system, Bose surround sound, sports chromo package with lap trigger prep, extended range fuel tank, and much more. The head-turning example highlights the craftsmanship and creative abilities of the Porsche brand, opening the doors to dream builds for collectors and enthusiasts. This 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS is currently available at Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale with 20-miles for $649,900. Click the link below to view the vehicle listing on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury supercar news. View Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 05, 2022

Porsche Interviews L'ART DE L'AUTOMOBILE Founder Arthur Kar

A sit down with Porsche and its biggest fan. With its rich heritage of incorporating automotive inspiration within art and fashion, Porsche surrounds itself with creative individuals that share the same passion for German engineering excellence. One of those prominent individuals part of the Porsche family is Arthur Kar, owner of French streetwear fashion brand and automotive dealership L’Art de L’Automobile. His most recent creative project takes shape as a modern Porsche 968 reimagined as an art car, shocking the car community as the ‘968 L’ART’. Porsche recently sat down with Arthur Kar in an interview to discuss his inspirations, passions, memories, and day-to-day interests. MUST-READ: The New 30th Anniversary Porsche 968 By L’Art de L’Automobile As a man who appreciates all aspects of the Porsche brand, Arthur explains his love for classic manual 911’s and how one of his fondest memories was the first drive in a Porsche 965 Turbo Leichtbau. The exact three words that Arthur describes the Porsche 911 are timeless, beautiful, and fast. When he is not longing to be behind the wheel of his Carrera GT, Arthur Kar is working towards growing his streetwear brand with creative collections that tie into his passion for hip-hop and Air Jordan sneakers. Arthur Kar and L’Art de L’Automobile operate under his best advice of “Believe in your dreams. Never give up.”, which is the reason why his brand holds a strong relationship with Porsche. View all current Porsche 968 models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury streetwear news and releases. View All Porsche 968 For Sale Porsche Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 05, 2022

Porsche Experience Center In Atlanta Announces Expansion

The Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta just got 33 acres bigger, but the thrill is impossible to measure. Since 2015, the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta has provided Porsche owners and fans alike with a complete Porsche emporium. It includes a museum and a driver development course for visitors to take Porsche cars out and get a true feel for what they are truly capable of. Now, that experience is becoming so much more, with the addition of a new standalone Porsche Service Center, a Porsche Classic Restoration facility, and most importantly, a new driver development course that can be combined with the existing one for a total of nearly 3 miles of track, with corners inspired by the Tail of the Dragon road, the Laguna Seca corkscrew, and the Nürburgring carousel turn. MUST READ: Joe Rogan’s New Gunther Werks Porsche 911 is a Dream Car The track also receives a new ice hill, a dynamic area for exercises like slaloms, and a low friction circle. The track expansion is said to be ready to roll in 2023, and the parking garage and Porsche Classic Restoration building will be in construction through 2023. Image Source: Porsche As environmentally conscious efforts continue to become a major part of the Porsche brand, the new facilities are expected to include sustainable design. The main One Porsche Drive building on the site boasts a LEED Gold Accreditation for sustainability, and Porsche hopes to do the same with the Classic Restoration facility, with the ultimate goal being company-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. This is exciting news, and if you're ready to get behind the wheel of a Porsche as soon as possible, check out the Porsches for sale on the duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Porsches For Sale Source: Porsche

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