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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 Alyssa Mammano – August 11, 2020

Home of the Day: $40 Million Los Altos Hills Estate

Location: Los Altos Hills, California Address: 27500 La Vida Real Price: $39,998,000 Bedrooms: 5 bedrooms Bathrooms: 12 total bathrooms Square Feet: 20,982 total square feet View Listing The long driveway entices you toward the arched beam portico that only hints at the magnificence within. This five-bedroom, seven full and five half bath residence of 20,982 square feet (per county) rests on more than eight acres (per county) of resort-like grounds. Globally-inspired architecture, flawless construction by an award-winning builder, the finest selection of materials, finishes and technology and exquisite interior and landscape design create spaces that are both inspiring and comfortable. From its sumptuous master suite, supremely appointed kitchens and indoor pool under retractable skylights, to its 15-seat theater, 3,000-bottle capacity wine cellar and comprehensive home automation, this haven offers every conceivable amenity. A separate office structure is amply-outfitted to host executive-level meetings and serve other business needs. As much as an heirloom to be cherished as a place to call home, this prestigious estate is surrounded by verdant views and is just minutes from all the major Silicon Valley tech companies, Sand Hill Road VCs, top-10 ranked California schools, major airports and central to the best of Bay Area attractions. View Listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By Alyssa Mammano – August 05, 2020

Home of the Day: Golf Course Estate Home with Immaculate ...

Location: Windermere, Florida Address: 5507 Worsham Court Price: $5,959,000 Bedrooms: 5 bedrooms Bathrooms: 9 total bathrooms Square Feet: 10,200 total square feet View Listing Immaculate custom estate perfectly situated on the 14th green of the Isleworth Country Club. This Isleworth mansion features an exquisite transitional, contemporary and timeless interior, beautiful golf views and plenty of space for perfect family gatherings. The unparalleled grand open floor plan greets you with a massive, soaring two-story foyer and living room featuring floor-to-ceiling windows with spectacular golf-front views. Entertain friends and family in the fully-equipped theatre or the generous summer kitchen area complimented by an expansive private pool and spa. Retreat and relax in the elaborate main floor master suite, complete with a spectacular marble bathroom featuring deluxe spa, extensive his and hers vanity, multiple showers, a very generous closet and a private terrace to the spa. Create the ultimate atmosphere for entertaining in the formal dining room or al fresco dining in the covered lanai and extensive terraces. This magnificent home and its unique hand-selected finishes include artisan-crafted cabinetry, grand marble stairs, wood and marble floors, exquisite door frames, unique chandeliers, a formal study with custom fireplace, a spectacular home office, an additional second-floor master bedroom, a five-car garage: two of which have been converted to flex study/office/playroom areas (can be converted back), elevator, plenty of private outdoor space and basketball hoop. This picturesque home site is move-in ready! View Listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By Alyssa Mammano – July 28, 2020

Home of the Day: Entertainer's Dream Home with Basketball...

Location: Westlake Village, California Address: 940 Candlecrest Drive Price: $7,995,000 Bedrooms: 5 bedrooms Bathrooms: 7 total bathrooms Square Feet: 15,815 total square feet View Listing The ultimate Westlake Village View estate! An awe-inspiring contemporary Mediterranean atop 2.3 privately gated acres in the prestigious, guard-gated North Ranch Country Club Estates. World-class amenities and quality finishes throughout. Expanded and remodeled with magnificent taste and detail. Interior features include an amazing one-of-a-kind indoor full court basketball/sports gym. In addition, there is a separate guest house, newer state-of-the-art theater, grand two-story entry, gourmet double-island kitchen, library, professional gym and much more. The resort-quality grounds are sensational and truly second to none. A newer massive infinity-edge pool boasts dual slides, water features, and spa. There is also a tremendous covered outdoor kitchen, low-maintenance manicured turf, viewing decks, sunken trampoline and more, all with complete privacy and unobstructed panoramic views. Other amenities include newer indoor and outdoor security cameras, Smart home technology and an expansive solar system. A true one-of-a-kind masterpiece View Listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By Alyssa Mammano – July 17, 2020

Mansions with the Best Entryways You Can Buy Today

After approaching an estate through guarded gates, through a winding drive lined with meticulously kept vegetation and circling the motor court, being welcomed into an impressive entryway with soaring ceilings and a double staircase is an unmatched first impression. Enchanting entryways are an idyllic space to receive guests and to make them feel at-home. Behind handsome front doors, an entryway boasting wrought iron railings, sleek stone or warm wood floors and a dramatic glimpse into the home is sure to present an initial wow-factor. A rounded staircase with lavish finishes welcomes family and friends to the second level, while floor-to-ceiling windows in the Great Room seen from the grand foyer draw visitors into the common areas. An opulent entrance entices invited guests to come in, be at ease and enjoy the home’s ambiance. Choose from some of the premier entryways on offer among the enchanting options to follow. Oakland, California4X Realty Brokers, Inc.Na'il Benjamin, Esq.510.362.7152www.4XRealty.com Magnolia, TexasCarswell Real Estate Co, Inc.Lisa Carswell281.351.2606 | 713.206.8345lisac@carswellrealestate.comcarswellrealestate.com Toronto, Ontario, CanadaHarvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., BrokerageElise Kalles416.441.2888 x 292ekalles@harveykalles.comharveykalles.com Knoxville, TennesseeTarget Auction800.476.3939TargetAuction.com Boca Raton, FloridaThe Corcoran GroupNathan Zieman | 954.234.7452 | nathan.zieman@corcoran.comCameron Sydenham | 561.704.5559 | cameron.sydenham@corcoran.comcorcoranfl.com Ponce Inlet, FloridaRealty Pros AssuredBill Navarra386.334.9991Bill@RealtyProsAssured.comwww.billnavarra.com View More Top Entryways

By Alyssa Mammano – June 29, 2020

Alaska's Most Expensive Listing is a $9 Million Fairytale...

Soaring past local comps, Alaska's priciest pad is a $9 million mansion spanning 17,000 square feet with themed rooms straight from a fairytale. Listed just a few weeks ago, "Second Star," as it has come to be known, will set a state record if it sells for anywhere near its list price. In comparison, the next most expensive Alaskan listing is asking $3.5 million. The home was named for its influences from the "Peter Pan" books. In the fairytale, Neverland is accessed through the "second star to the right and straight on till morning." In reality, Alaska's "Second Star" is sited near Homer, AK on 2.5 acres of oceanfront property overlooking the Kachemak Bay and surrounding mountains. The magical home was constructed in 2011 for the most high-end family living Alaska has to offer, as the U.S.' 49th state had nothing like this before. It was intended to be a vacation home for the owner and currently serves as a rental often used as a wedding venue. The home has eight bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, two kitchens and a surplus of common areas. It can comfortably sleep up to 30 people and entertain many more. The home is offered fully-furnished with its existing custom and one-of-a-kind appointments. It is estimated that the furniture alone is worth approximately $300,000, with an additional $250,000 in custom lighting and chandeliers. While maintaining its extremely high-end status, the home is also supremely livable. Its adornments are unimposing and instead provide the ultimate in comfort and usability. The Most Expensive Cars Ever Made There is ample kitchen space to serve an event - a main kitchen that can seat up to 30 people with a hidden scullery for preparation, not to mention the expansive pantry and dishwasher, as well as a secondary kitchen upstairs near the game room. Entertaining is also well-served in the 30-seat theater room, the Parisian marketplace connecting the theater and the library, a luxurious spa area with indoor pool, Turkish bath, sauna and massage room and many more gathering spaces. The fairytale continues to the sleeping arrangements, where guest rooms are themed to submerse you into the world of "Peter Pan." Adult spaces have a nautical touch, while children's rooms are completely immersive. The "Darling" bedroom is decorated to resemble Wendy Darling's bedroom in the storybook and has access to the "Neverland" suite. In "Neverland," a wooden ship serves as a play area with a bed inside it. A suspension bridge leads to more play areas with climbing structures, slides and hideaway nooks. Paintings of crocodiles, mermaids and magical places are a child or child-at-heart's dream come true. The family-friendly home currently rents for $3,500 per night and is often booked out a year in advance. View Listing Photogaphy via Keller Williams Realty Alaska Group/Ryan Black

By Alyssa Mammano – May 29, 2020

Pharrell Williams is Selling Another Architectural LA Man...

Pharrell Williams' impressive real estate portfolio has made headlines several times this year. First, his glass-clad Beverly Hills hilltop mansion hit the market for a whopping $17 million. Then, Williams reportedly purchased a private Miami mansion in which he intended to spend the quarantine. Now, another one of his properties in Hollywood Hills is up for sale for nearly $12 million. The syle of the home resembles that of his other Los Angeles mansion in that it boasts a unique architectural design wrapped in walls of windows and set on a hilltop overlooking the city below. Williams reportedly purchased the home for $7.1 million about five years ago. It is a Hagy Belzberg design sited on 1.5 acres in Laurel Canyon. The 5,800-square-foot home has six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and two half baths. According to the listing agency, Westside Estate Agency, the home has won several awards. The open floor plan is styled in a contemporary modern design with views from every room. It also has a two-story guest house with one bedroom and its own kitchen. Rare 280-degree views of the city and valley can be enjoyed from the infinity pool, which seems to hang over the mountainside. The front garden also features a movie projector screen. View Listing Photography via Westside Estate Agency

By Alyssa Mammano – May 18, 2020

$100 Million Bel Air Estate is Most Expensive New Listing

We've touched on the benefits of Wellness Real Estate in the past, but this new-construction spec home in the exclusive Bel Air neighborhood takes wellness to a whole new level. The $100 million home has a regulation indoor basketball court that transforms into a ballroom with the touch of a button, an amenity-packed wellness center with a sauna and steam room, a 75-foot indoor salt-water lap pool and a workout facility. And it doesn't end there. Many of today's most luxurious resorts don't offer all of the accoutrements that this home has. Dubbed, UNICA, the enormous estate includes every nicety a discerning buyer can imagine within its 41,000+ square feet. Not only does the one-of-a-kind trophy estate encompass eight bedrooms and 21 bathrooms, it also incorporates a decadent multi-level wine tasting room with 1,200-bottle climate-controlled wine cellar, 36-person theater room with tiered seating and a concession galley, eight bars and a 20-car auto gallery with electric car charging ports. World's Most Expensive Cars https://vimeo.com/411482690 Only the finest finishes were curated from around the globe, including marble from Antolini Italy, American black walnut and burl walnut floors, Amendoa Limestone and honed and flamed black basalt. Premium La Cornue appliances are featured in the gourmet show kitchen, which also highlights a custom petrified wood center island. The highest quality technology is incorporated throughout, including multiple Samsung wall video boards, Circadian Rythm lighting, Lutron light and shade control, Crestron audio and video distribution, Savant automation control and commercial-grade WiFi. View Listing Photography/video via www.unicabelair.com

By Alyssa Mammano – May 14, 2020

$20 Million Colorado Mansion has a Huge 100-Car Garage

With seven bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and almost 23,000 square feet, this enormous Colorado mansion is outsized by its 27,000-square-foot garage that can easily house more than 100 vehicles. This listing is every car enthusiast's dream home and ever a lover of automobiles, owner Richard Berry built the warehouse to contain his notable collection. Of the autos Berry kept inside are one of the first Bugatti Veyrons ever to be made and a Koenigsegg CCX, among many others. The massive garage also includes a bedroom and two-bathroom caretake space. The impressive structure is supremely well-kept and well-lit. It is also climate-controlled and has a sound system. To tend to the cars, wash, fuel and service stations are also featured, which include lifts and electric car charging ports. Unfortunately, the car collection is not included in the sale, however, what is included is still pretty impressive as this one of the best garages of all times, plus, it is fully covered, continue reading. Sited on 74.51 acres, the sprawling compound has an indoor pool with waterfalls and a grotto, a Star Trek-themed screening room and a salon. There's also wet bars, a wine room, several fountains and more extravagant features. The entire home is designed to follow the guidelines of Feng Shui with much attention to precision engineering. The mountaintop home offers the quintessential Colorado lifestyle with almost 360-degree unobstructed views of the surrounding mountaintops. View Listing Photography via LIV Sotheby's International Realty ®

By Alyssa Mammano – May 08, 2020

Home of the Day: Custom Canadian Waterfront Mansion

Location: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Address: 1941 Crescent Road Price: $5,700,000 Bedrooms: 5 bedrooms Bathrooms: 6 total bathrooms Square Feet: 5,026 total square feet View Listing This custom Zebra Designs beachfront residence surpasses all expectations! More than 5,000 square feet of living space extends over three architecturally stunning levels with an elevator for convenience. Sweeping ocean and mountain vistas are framed by walls of glass. The interior is visually captivating with soaring coffered ceilings, elegant pillars, superior craftsmanship and artistic detailing. Entertain on the main with a well appointed chef's kitchen that opens to the refined dining room, which shares a fireplace with the dramatic living room. A family room and study, each with their own fireplace, complete the main level. Above, a regal master suite with a fireplace, lavish five-piece ensuite and massive walk-in closet and two more bedrooms, each with an ensuite. Lower level offers a full one-bedroom suite, as well as another bedroom, bathroom and media room and private wine cellar – ideal for guests or in-laws, or both! Outside living at its best: an amazing infinity pool, hot tub, outdoor fireplace, tons of patio and deck space and private beach access. View Listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By Alyssa Mammano – May 07, 2020

Luxurious Waterfront Living: Our Top Waterfront Properties

The idyllic lifestyle of waterfront living is highly coveted for its picturesque views and immediate access to waterways. Waterfront living affords an array of activities at your fingertips, often including admittance to private beaches and boat docks. Proximity to the water is a luxury typically reserved for the most affluent homeowners in high-end neighborhoods. Evident of an unmatched way of living, waterfront homes are truly the top tier of luxury real estate and a wise investment opportunity. Mark Pieloch, who owns a magnificent waterfront property in Marathon, Florida, says of waterfront living, “Paradise and inner peace are realized upon viewing the spectacular turquoise and sea foam green waters of the Florida Keys. Pelicans, diver ducks and ibises fly overhead while manatees swim along the sandy shores of your tropical retreat.” His unique perspective describes the waterfront lifestyle dreams are made of. The purchase of a waterfront property is generally a process that involves a luxury waterfront specialist. Realtors who have experience assisting with waterfront transactions can guide buyers and sellers through this specialized negotiation. Some fortuitous agents also enjoy waterfront living and have the pleasure of helping their clients to realize their waterfront living aspirations. John Christie, President/Managing Broker of HG Christie, says, “There is nothing like living on the ocean. I love waking up in the morning and seeing the sun sparkling on the sea and feeling the sea breeze. It reminds your senses that you are alive and well, and ready to take on the day.” A waterfront home allows homeowners to spend more time on the water, boating, jet skiing and water skiing, or under water snorkeling and scuba diving. “Nothing beats having your boat in the backyard, ready to ‘Seas the Day’ and take to the open water,” says Cynthia Joannou, Broker/Associate of Barefoot Beach Properties. This convenient access to water toys provides a plethora of options to spend each day enjoying the water. If the waterfront lifestyle is one you seek, find admirable options for your next waterfront home in the properties to follow. Miami Beach, FloridaDora Puig305.673.6787 | 305.613.2118dora@dorapuig.comwww.dorapuig.com View Listing Nassau/New Providence, BahamasH.G. Christie Ltd.John Christie242.322.1041 | 242.357.7572www.hgchristie.com View Listing Marathon, FloridaJesse Piccolo386.338.2929jesse@veltracon.com View Listing Fort Myers, FloridaRoyal Shell Real Estate239.839.2468www.royalshellrealestate.com View Listing Interested in expanding your real estate portfolio to include a new waterfront property? Explore more listings below! More Top Waterfront Listings

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