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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 – November 29, 2021

TECHART Joins The TUNE IT! SAFE! Initiative With Its Pors...

While the world of aftermarket upgrades continues to grow with countless companies offering add-ons, it’s important to remember the safety and legality behind tuning. The performance upgrade professionals at TECHART Germany are proud to partner with the TUNE IT! SAFE! Initiative to show that appealing creative tuning does not have to conflict with legal requirements. Since 2005, TUNE IT! SAFE! continues to be supported by the German Association of Automobile Tuners (VDAT) and premium tire manufacturer Hankook. TECHART is supporting the initiative by unveiling its modified Porsche 911 Targa 4 as the campaign vehicle for 2022. The TECHART Porsche 911 represents all that the TUNE IT! SAFE! Initiative stands for while offering more insight as to what TECHART is capable of doing to upgrade modern-day Porsche models. MUST-READ: This Kobe Bryant Homage 2021 TechArt Turbo S Cabrio is a Fan’s Dream Car The Porsche 911 Targa 4 in the police livery is defined by the wind tunnel tested TECHART Aerokit, including TECHART Front Spoiler I, Airframes, Side Skirts, multi-part Rear Diffusor, Aerowings, and Rear Spoiler. The three-dimensional TECHART rear lettering as well as the police vehicle lighting and Carbon Aero Front Lid with integrated emergency lighting visibly set the TECHART Cabriolet from the series model apart. TECHART Formula V multi-spoke wheel impresses already at standstill with a turbine-like look wheel and two fine spokes in contrasting color. TECHART Sport Springs allow a lowering of 40 mm and provide sporty driving characteristics. A true specialty of the TECHART interior manufactory is the handcrafted TECHART Sports Steering Wheel. The sports steering wheel has a straight-ahead marker in contrasting color, while the hand rests, armrests, center console, and selected parts of the back seat in leather are perforated in the checkered flag design. The partnership between TECHART x TUNE IT! SAFE! demonstrates the need to incorporate a level of quality control and testing within the automotive aftermarket upgrade industry. View all the current Porsche 911 Targa 4 models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche 911 Targa 4 For Sale Source: TECHART Germany

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 24, 2021

Porsche Carrera GT Shows Off On The Autobahn

This is how you do justice to a Carrera GT. There’s no doubt that the Porsche Carrera GT is a legend. It represents the culmination of decades of Porsche racing and sports car history, from its racing-derived V10, to its extensive use of carbon fiber, to its beechwood shift knob, reminiscent of Porsche race cars. To this day, it’s still one of the fastest, rarest, and most coveted Porsche cars, in an echelon with the 959 and Speedster. This video shows a Carrera GT where it ought to be: the Autobahn. Where a car like this one truly shines, even after 17 years is a glass-smooth highway with miles of endless road and no speed limit, where the GT can let everyone hear its V10’s otherworldly roar, and truly prove that it’s capable of over 200 miles per hour. Even though cars have come out since that have better performance, the Carrera GT still holds up in beauty and visceral experience, and to see such a rare, beautiful, and mythical car get driven the way it was always meant to be is something we always want to see. If this is giving you the feels for a Carrera GT, have a look at some for sale on the duPont REGISTRY by clicking below: All Carrera GTs For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 23, 2021

Porsche Invites Dr Woo To Experience The Taycan 4S

Once just a dream, Dr Woo gets behind the wheel of a performance-focused Porsche. The adventurous side of Porsche looks to find new ways to incorporate outside influences within the automotive world, finding similarities that help to express the crossover between industries. The world of art is repeatedly brought up when discussing the topic of Porsche, as the German automotive manufacturer continues to collaborate on artistic projects using its fleet of vintage and modern performance cars. MUST-READ: The GearBox: Porsche Track Star Porsche is proud to invite renowned tattoo artist Dr Woo to experience the electrified Taycan 4S during the 2021 Porsche LA Auto Show. Along being prepped to experience the Porsche EV, Dr Woo shows up to the event styled perfectly to match the Taycan. Dr Woo explains his love for the Porsche brand and the journey he’s been on to help craft his dream into a reality. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more Porsche Lifestyle news. View all Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porsche (@porsche) Source: @porsche

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2021

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport Revealed as a Ne...

Ready to race out of the box. Joining the debut of the new 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, the track-ready race car that's based on the road car. It features many of the same exterior style cues, but as you can see, its overall design is much more fitting for a race car. This includes the enlarged front spoiler lip, enclosed underbody, 20 mm Gurney flap added to the rear wing, and more. For power, this new race car also features the same 500 hp 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine as the road car, which is 18 percent more powerful than the 3.8-liter engine found in the 718 GT4 Clubsport. With the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport being a race car, Porsche ensured that the suspension was ready for aggressive and precise driving. For that, they heavily modified the suspension system. Updated include revising the damper technology, updated adjustable shock absorbers, added adjustable double-blade anti-roll bars in the front and rear and Porsche also gives the ability to adjust between three different spring rates for the front and rear axle. The new 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport race car will be ready to compete when delivered thanks to safety measures like the welded-in roll cage, six-point harnesses, fire extinguisher system, built-in air jack system, and new foam on the driver's side. The 2022 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport's price is set at $229,000. View All 718 Caymans For Sale Source: Porsche

1 Taycan GTS and Taycan GTS Sport Turismo

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2021

New 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Variants Revealed

A new way to enjoy Porsche's electric advancements. The new 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS and GTS Sport Turismo have been unveiled as new variants that sit between the Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo. There are many similarities between the GTS and the Turbo models, but there's also plenty of new additions that allow the new variant to truly stand out in the Taycan lineup. For power, the GTS sedan and GTS Sport Turismo both rely on the same front and rear motors that provide 590 horsepower. This slots the GTS right between the Taycan 4S (462 hp) and Taycan Turbo (670 hp). Just like the Taycan Turbo models, however, the Taycan GTS comes with the 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus. This battery is able to launch the new Porsche from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and can charge from 5 to 80 percent in 22.5 minutes. Allowing the Taycan GTS models to stand out are a few exterior and interior enhancements when compared to other Taycans in the lineup. This includes the high-gloss black SportDesign front fascia, Sport Design side skirts, rear diffuser insert, and side window trim. Badging for the GTS models is done with a matte black finish that matches the satin-black finish on the standard 20-inch Taycan Turbo S Aero Design wheels. Inside, Porsche gave the Taycan GTS a Race-Tex interior package that you may find similar to other GTS models, as well as GTS logos on the headrests. As mentioned before, the GTS will be available for a Sport Turismo model. Porsche notes that while the Cross Turismo is meant for all-weather driving, the Sport Turismo features the same silhouette but is optimized for road driving. The new Taycan GTS Sport Turismo is a perfect choice for someone looking for plenty of cargo space, but are inclined to pick out a luxurious electric car-- you can't argue with Porsche performance, electric power, and 15.7 cubic feet of rear cargo space (42.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded forward). The new Porsche Taycan GTS sedan will have a starting price of $131,400 while the Taycan GTS Sport Turismo will come in at $133,300. Expect deliveries in the U.S. to begin in the second quarter of 2022. All Porsche Taycans For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 17, 2021

Porsche Design Releases The 718 Cayman GT4 RS Chronograph...

Like the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the chronograph is also available with the Weissach Package. While Porsche continues to release performance-focused vehicles to help crush lap times, the Porsche Design division is responsible for incorporating aspects of the car into luxury lifestyle products. With the brand’s exciting announcement of the all-new Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, Porsche Design hops into action with the new 718 Cayman GT4 RS Chronograph. The commemorative piece is available only for the lucky new owners of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. The Porsche Design GT4 RS Chronograph is presented in two configurations, one being the Weissach Package Edition. The case design is crafted from lightweight titanium, which is offered in natural silver or black PVD. MUST-READ: 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Revealed With Race Car DNA The chronograph dial layout clearly displays the multitude of functions with a choice of black or carbon fiber to style the timepiece. The engine that drives the new GT4 RS Chronograph is Porsche Design’s in-house Calibre WERK 01.200 movement, which provides a lengthy 48-hour power reserve. The transparent backcase features a GT4 RS wheel as the rotor, which allows for a close look at the inner working of the watch. Taking inspiration from the interior of its new performance chassis, Porsche Design adds a comfortable black Alcantara strap with the GT4 RS logo proudly stamped into the center. The all-new Porsche Design GT4 RS Chronograph is available for Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS owners, with the option to further customize the watch for select markets. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury watch news and releases. View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: Porsche Design

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2021

2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Revealed With Race Car DNA

The latest track-day weapon from Porsche. The lineup for the 718 Cayman continues to grow more enticing with the reveal of the new 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. This new variant is filled with upgrades that make it a more suitable choice for the track and, honestly, a very good-looking Porsche. It all starts with the engine, which in the new Cayman GT4 RS is the same flat-six found in the 911 GT3. Pumping out 493 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, the new 718 GT4 RS is able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, half a second quicker than the 718 Cayman GT4. Handling the gear changes for the 718 Cayman GT4 RS is a seven-speed PDK transmission that Porsche notes is the only option for the vehicle. From the images, you can see that the 2022 718 Cayman GT4 RS has new exterior components that offer up both functionality and good looks. Porsche has added a new fixed rear wing, rear diffuser, adjustable front diffuser, front spoiler lip, side-blades, air intakes behind the side windows, and also lowered the ride height by 30 mm. These modifications not only make the 718 Cayman GT4 RS look great, but also reduce the weight by 49 lbs (total weight is 3,227 lbs) and increase downforce by 25% when in Performance mode compared to the 718 Cayman GT4. Porsche has also announced an optional Weissach Package for the 2022 718 Cayman GT4 RS that makes carbon fiber the material used to create many of the exterior components (the example pictured in this article is equipped with the Weissach Package). Other enhancements from this optional package include the titanium exhaust tips, Race-Tex upholstery for the upper part of the dashboard, and a large Porsche logo on the rear window. The price for the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is set at $141,700. Expect deliveries to start in summer 2022. All 718 Caymans For Sale Source: Porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 16, 2021

Porsche x Sumo Unveil The New Taycan Art Car

Porsche enlists the help of Sumo when creating a one-of-one Taycan livery. An art car celebrates the collaboration between an industry-leading automotive manufacturer and a creative artist with the unique vision of reimagining a modern-day sports car. Porsche is known as a brand that supports the movement of artistic inspiration within the automotive industry. As a result, the German auto manufacturer also has its own collection of one-of-a-kind art cars. Porsche is proud to announce its most recent collaboration project with renowned Luxembourgish artist Sumo. MUST-READ: The Greatest Ever Porsche Art Cars The vehicle that acts as the blank canvas for the creative piece is the electrified Porsche Taycan. Although we have seen a Taycan as the base for previous art cars, the Porsche x Sumo Taycan is the first to feature paint applied to the actual body of the EV. Using an array of vibrant colors and patterns, Sumo re-designs the Porsche into a rolling piece of art for all enthusiasts to enjoy. Along with the vehicle, Sumo also displays his skill and attention to detail by including a pair of hand-painted Porsche Taycan key fobs. The Porsche x Sumo Taycan embodies the greatest aspects of the art and automotive worlds combined into one. View all of the current Porsche Taycans for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale Source: Porsche

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2021

Porsche and Big Wave Surfer Partner to Take Surfing to th...

Porsche is taking on big wave surfing. Porsche has announced Big Wave World Champion surfer Sebastian Steudtner as their new partner, and the fruits of this partnership could change the world of big wave surfing. This new partnership will make Porsche Steudtner's official technology and mobility partner. So, not only will he assumedly be able to cruise around in a Porsche to check the waves, he's getting an experienced engineering team to join him. Porsche notes that the current plan is to use their expertise alongside Steudtner's to create surfboards that are more capable when it comes to tackling the world's largest waves. By using Porsche's simulation methods and wind tunnel testing, and combining it with Steudtner's knowledge, the two parties will surely create some spectacular innovations. “We are bringing together our experience in flow and structural optimization from vehicle development with the practical expertise of world-renowned surfer Sebastian Steudtner – with the goal of an optimized board for surfing particularly high waves,” says Michael Fuerstner, project manager at Porsche Engineering. “And this is just one of several projects we are tackling together as part of the partnership.” Porsche 911 997s For Sale What else could they create together? There are a few other components that factor into big wave surfing like the vehicle used to bring the surfer up to speed with the big waves and inflatable vests that keep them afloat if that surfer happens to fall. Who knows, maybe we'll see Steudtner taking on big waves on a Porsche surfboard while being towed by a Porsche watercraft and wearing a Porsche inflatable vest. Source: Porsche Newsroom

By Edward Jones – November 10, 2021

Take a Virtual Tour of the Porsche Museum's New Special E...

The Porsche Museum may be in Stuttgart, but you can take this tour anywhere. The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart has just announced that they have made a virtual tour of their new special exhibition titled "50 Years of Porsche Development Weissach." As a celebration of the 50th anniversary since the Weissach Development Centre was opened, this new exhibition will give both virtual guests and those in-person insights into the department within Porsche. From the Weissach Development Centre's beginnings to the current and very sophisticated departments, it's all explained in wonderful detail within this exhibition. If you click play up above, a trained museum guide will walk you through the exhibit so you don't have to fly overseas to see it for yourself. See All Porsches For Sale

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