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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 – March 23, 2022

Experience Porsche in the Virtual Porsche Golf Circle Clu...

Porsche enlists help from one of the best professional golfers in the world. As a sponsor and dedicated fan of golf, Porsche surrounds itself with professional athletes to help blend the two luxury worlds together. Being a brand ambassador and seasoned professional on the PGA Tour, Paul Casey is proud to take on a new golf-inspired collaboration with the supercar specialists at Porsche. The dynamic duo is proud to announce the launch of the Porsche x Paul Casey Digital Event featuring an exclusive livestream from the Porsche Golf Circle Clubhouse. Making his first appearance as an official member of the Porsche Golf Circle, Paul Casey will talk about his life as a professional sportsman and a Porsche lover, give tips for the golf course, and share his thoughts on topics of interest to the community. There is also the chance to win VIP tickets for the Porsche European Open in a Community game. MUST-READ: Why to Buy the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 The main focus at the Porsche Golf Circle Clubhouse is the all-electric Taycan Cross Turismo, the German automotive manufacturer’s intro into the EV market and the perfect choice when deciding which car to take to the golf course. Participants additionally have the chance to get to know the Taycan Cross Turismo exclusively as a part of a Tech Talk with Product Trainer & Instructor Lars Berg. Along with key information on Porsche and the wonderful sport of golf, the event also presents a livestream with TAG Heuer discussing the potential for a new Connected Watch Golf Edition. The all-new Porsche Golf Circle Clubhouse virtual experience with Paul Casey opens on Tuesday, March 29th at 5:30 pm (CET). Registration for the upcoming digital event is currently available through the Porsche Website. View all of the current Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming gear releases and supercar news. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale Source: Porsche

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2022

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 14, 2022

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

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

By Jordan Aquistapace – 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 – 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 – December 09, 2021

Travis Barker Puts The Porsche Taycan Sound System To The...

Travis Barker and Kenny Hoopla enjoy some quality time with the Porsche Taycan. The Porsche brand aims to deliver the perfect luxury automobile by incorporating state-of-the-art design and technology with track-inspired performance. Within the German auto manufacturer’s line of vehicles, the all-electric Taycan stands tall as one of the most popular models for collectors and enthusiasts. Although the sound of a traditional exhaust system is non-exist, the quiet interior cabin and the premium audio system allow for a special driving experience for anyone behind the wheel. MUST-READ: Kevin Hart Receives The First Ferrari SF90 Spider In The U.S. Putting its sound system to the test, Porsche was happy to lend the Taycan to world-renowned drummer Travis Barker and artist Kenny Hoopla after just finishing their new album. The Porsche team spent some time with the duo to see some behind-the-scenes work in the recording studio. All in all, the Porsche Taycan lives up to the rockstar lifestyle while still providing one of the most efficient ways to travel. View all the current Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more celebrity car news. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale Media Source: @marvin_thebrand

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 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 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 Jordan Aquistapace – November 04, 2021

The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo x Db Discoverberry Bundl...

The new Porsche EV just got more adventurous with help from the team at Db. While sports cars display their performance abilities on track, Porsche prides itself on developing its fleet of vehicles to tackle more than just tarmac. Throughout its years as a leader in the automotive industry, the brand incorporated adventures sport chassis that focus on discovering new roads. One individual taking advantage of all that Porsche has to offer is Norwegian former World Cup alpine ski racer Aksel Lund Svindal. In a recent post on the Porsche Instagram page, Aksel expressed his love for the new Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo x Db. MUST-READ: The Best Porsche Taycans You Can Buy Today This one-off example features a matte Burgundy design that highlights the collaboration with the travel gear specialists at Db. The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is equipped with all-terrain tires, a rally-style light setup, and a matching Burgundy full-size rooftop tent. The EV highlights its incredible storage capabilities with the array of baggage and gear that Aksel carries along his long journeys with the German EV sports car. The new collaboration Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is part of The Discoverberry Bundle from Db and includes the Strøm 2385L Rooftop Tent, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo (Vehicle), Strøm 60L Roller Bag Raspberry Edition, Strøm 30L Backpack Raspberry Edition, and a camping kit. The all-new Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo x Db Discoverberry Bundle is currently available for $250,000. View all current Porsche Taycan models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Porsche Taycan For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Source: Porsche

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