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 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

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 21, 2022

Porsche Reveals The History Behind Its Three-Digit Numbers

They might look like area codes, but Porsche’s numbering system has more meaning than that. Porsche is known for its iconic sports cars, all designated with three-digit numbers. From the 911 to the 918, to the 914, to the 944, to the 718, to the 356, and so many more, it can start to get confusing which Porsche is which, let alone what the numbers might mean. This guide will help you understand the origin and system of Porsche’s nomenclature, and in doing so, Porsche's history and heritage will be unlocked and explored. MUST READ: The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Test Drive With Professional Kitesurfer Liam Whaley It starts with the Porsche that started the brand: the 356. In his design house, Ferdinand Porsche had been giving consecutive numbers to each order he fulfilled, starting with 7 in 1931. In 1948, that number had come up to 356, and the car with that number was the first Porsche to be given the Porsche brand name. The iconic, mid-engined Porsche 550 came soon after in 1953. By the time Porsche had gotten to 900, the numbers 901 and 902 were designated for the six-cylinder and four-cylinder versions of a new sports car respectively. But Porsche ran into a problem: Peugeot had a naming system that also used three-digit numbers and already used the numbers Porsche wanted to, so Porsche had to come up with a quick solution. With the typeface for the “1” in 901 already created, they simply printed the letter twice on the brochure and other printed material. And thus the name of the new Porsche came about in 1964: 911. After that came the 914, the 924, 928, and then the 944. Eventually, numbers starting with 9 became a major staple for Porsche. With there being only a limited number of three-digit numbers that start with 9, Porsche started to take a different approach, which is what we see in the brand today. While the 911 will still get an internal code, which was the system that caused the 911 name to be made in the first place, it will still be called a 911 in the market, hence the 964, 993, 996, and 997 generations of the 911, for example. The Carrera GT became the 980, the Boxster became the 986, and even the Cayenne, with a 955 internal code, received an internal code. So next time you wonder where the three-digit numbers on your Porsche come from, know that the name on your 911 has 91 years of history behind it. Porsche For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 21, 2022

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo Test Drive With Professi...

Liam Whaley hops out of the water to test two Porsche Taycans on the sand. With a community of dedicated enthusiasts and brand ambassadors, Porsche establishes its presence in a multitude of industries through its fleet of vehicles that add a performance feel no matter the surface type. Presented by Porsche South Africa and Porsche Centre Cape Town, Former Kitesurf World Champion Liam Whaley sets out to the sand dunes to test the new Porsche Taycan 4 and 4S Cross Turismo in a video posted to the Porsche Instagram page. As an action-packed professional, Liam pushes the all-electric platforms to their boundaries using Porsche’s state-of-the-art EV performance and sophisticated all-wheel-drive system. MUST-READ: The Best Porsche 911s You Can Buy Today Although there isn’t much dialogue between Liam and his passenger during the drive, the smiles and laughter are a telltale sign that Porsche continues to master the ultimate driving experience. The capabilities of the new Porsche Taycan 4 and 4S Cross Turismo redefine the meaning of traditional electric vehicles, with various configurations that help complement any lifestyle. View all current Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear releases and Porsche news. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Porsche (@porsche) Source: @porsche

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 17, 2022

Porsche Debuts The All-New Macan T

The new Porsche SUV with a story to tell. The Porsche SUV fleet focuses on incorporating track-like performance into a luxury daily drivable four-door. The Macan model first debuted in 2018 as the younger sibling to the already popular Cayenne and continues its legacy as a leader in the lineup today. Porsche is proud to announce the new Macan T, the four-door sports car that captures the true spirit of the classic 911 T from 1968. The new Porsche Macan T features an updated body design that boasts a lightweight and aerodynamic feel. The aggressive exterior styling is complemented with its own special Agate Grey Metallic paint option, with 13 other plain, metallic, and special finishes available. At a lower ride height achieved from an active suspension management system, the Porsche Macan T sits on a set of 20-inch sport wheels that come exclusively in a dark titanium finish. MUST-READ: Watch Porsche Celebrate 45-Years Of V8 Power On Valentine’s Day The Macan T interior layout is designed to present its own ambiance as a driver-oriented cabin with room to fit the whole family. Standard configuration options for the new model include eight-way electrically adjustable heated sport seats, a multifunctional GT heated sports wheel, Sport Chrono stopwatch, and a 10.9-inch touch screen with online navigation. The powertrain delivering over 261-horsepower to the new Macan platform is Porsche’s 2.9-Liter Twin-Turbocharged 4-Cylinder, which provides plenty of pickup power while operating more efficiently. The all-new Porsche Macan T blends the historic beginnings of the iconic `911 T with a modern sports SUV design. View all current Porsche Macan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury lifestyle news and Porsche releases. View All Porsche Macan For Sale Source: Porsche

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

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