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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 – March 16, 2020

Top 5 Mansions of the Week

Unique and impressive architecture defines our Top 5 Homes of the Week – from mountain moderns to waterfront castles. In designing, building and outfitting each of these homes, expert architects worked diligently to create delightful works of master craftsmanship. Which of these unique listings defines your architectural style? High in the mountains or near sea level, each of these homes offer distinctive characteristics. see all 5 listings

By Alyssa Mammano – March 06, 2020

Home of the Day: This Home is Unrivaled.

Location: Montgomery, Texas Address: 80 Benthaven West Price: $2,900,000 Bedrooms: 4 bedrooms Bathrooms: 5 total bathrooms Square Feet: 5,522 total square feet View Listing Thirty-foot glass walls offer 180º views of the lake over the infinity-edge pool. Bi-fold sliding doors open to seamlessly allow the great room and dining area to become part of the terrace. The two-story vertical glass wine room is unforgettable. A handsome top-of-the-line kitchen utilizes exceptional materials and premium appliances to fulfill every home chef’s dream. The master suite is enticing, yet comfortable, featuring a full lake-facing glass wall to take in the exquisite views. A cozy sitting area is sectioned off by a commanding copper fireplace. Show-stopping design is highlighted in the master bathroom with a stunning black stone feature wall and attached private outdoor garden shower. Two bedrooms on the second level each encompass private balconies and full bathrooms, with a 25-foot glass bridge connecting the two rooms. The mezzanine office is suspended over the great room and has amazing views overlooking the lake. Walls of glass transcend indoor living and outdoor entertaining, which is made easy with a spacious summer kitchen equipped with state-of-the-art appliances. Adjacent to the inner courtyard are a guest apartment and art studio. This home has an unmatched list of features and modern prestige finishes. It is being sold fully-furnished. A Bentwater Grand Pines Golf Club membership is also available. view listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing

By Alyssa Mammano – February 27, 2020

Home of the Day: Classic Connecticut Home on Long Island ...

Location: Fairfield, Connecticut Address: 1125 &1111 Pequot Avenue Price: $16,500,000 Bedrooms: 7 bedrooms Bathrooms: 9 total bathrooms Square Feet: 11,760 total square feet View Listing Considered the most significant new custom waterfront estate on New England's coastline, The Nest was skillfully and artfully designed by acclaimed architect Mark Finlay in collaboration with noted landscape architect Doyle Herman Design, to capture sweeping, ever-changing water views and the pure serenity of its setting. Just a short walk from Southport Village, you're embraced by a sense of calm and transported to a quieter time from the moment you arrive at the gated entry. Architectural landscaping melds to the spectacular backdrop and an allee of historic trees leads to the majestic home on over three private acres at the edge of Long Island Sound. view listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing here

By Alyssa Mammano – February 26, 2020

Home of the Day: Mansion with Unparalleled Cinema

Location: Encino, California Address: 5359 Oak Park Ave Price: $3,999,000 Bedrooms: 6 bedrooms Bathrooms: 7 total bathrooms Square Feet: 7,500 total square feet View Listing Prepare to be impressed when you step inside this private-gated two-story Tuscan-inspired residence in the sought-after Amestoy Estates! Featuring chic finishes from top to bottom, you'll swoon over the elegance emanating throughout. Generous dimensions, vaulted and coffered ceilings, wine cellar, media room, wet bar, and more are just some of the fine features found on the main level. Elevate your culinary experience in the stunning kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances. Enjoy the resort-style, pebble-tech pool and BBQ + bar area in privacy. Five bedrooms upstairs have en-suites, each with their own balcony. A master bedroom with a luxurious bath with steam, plus an additional bedroom on the main level for your convenience. The Kaleidescape offers an unparalleled home cinema experience with the ability to store favorite movie and music collections to access right from the screen at any time, bypassing any commercials. view listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing here

By Alyssa Mammano – February 24, 2020

Home of the Day: Texas Dream Home

Location: Spring, Texas Address: 31 N Fazio Way Price: $3,825,000 Bedrooms: 6 bedrooms Bathrooms: 8 total bathrooms Square Feet: 10,958 total square feet View Listing Elegant French-inspired estate with soft contemporary elements offers impeccable attention to detail and style with a graceful, easy living floorplan. The impressive entry opens to stunning views of the pool and the 11th and 12th holes of the Tom Fazio Golf Course. Highlights include a Control 4 Home Automation System, Total Home Generator, newly-remodeled full-service bar, two climate-controlled wine chillers and custom built-in 550 bottle cooler, a stunning kitchen with Wolff & Sub-Zero appliances, which opens to the breakfast bar and den. The master suite boasts an exercise room and steam shower. An impressive theater has tiered seating, acoustic panels and a bar area. The game room has a full-service kitchenette. Laundry room features custom pet cubbies. Gorgeous updated wall and ceiling paint and paper, lighting, chandeliers, ceiling fans and plumbing fixtures take this home to a whole new level. Outdoors, features include a full-size sports court, summer kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, fire pit, artificial turf, puppy yard barrier, storage closet and a mosquito-fertilizer-sprinkler control system. view listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing here

By Alyssa Mammano – February 21, 2020

Affluent Buyers Will Pay More for Wellness Real Estate

An emerging trend in recent years, Health and Wellness have taken root and continue to flourish as focal points in new real estate developments in 2020. The paradigm shift in technology allowing us to live longer lives while also enabling us to adopt more unhealthy, sedentary habits has awoken a movement toward Health and Wellness as a priority in all areas of our lives, including where and how we live. Interest in exercise and healthy habits has risen and continues to rise as we step into 2020. According to the recently-released Coldwell Banker Global Luxury® Report for 2020, affluent buyers are likely to pay more for healthy, eco-friendly amenities where they live. Consider hire a good moving company, take one look at Moving Company gives you all you need to know. This guy has is strong, smart, nice, and fair. His crew are good, his prices are excellent, and his knowledge of furniture assembly/disassembly is top-notch. Nowadays, wellness has outgrown the categorization of simply just exercise and has evolved to include personal care, beauty, anti-aging, mind-body health, pools and spas. As a whole, these products and services have amassed an international wellness market worth $4.5 trillion, according to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI). Of these industries, spas, wellness tourism and the expanding market for wellness real estate have experienced the strongest growth. learn more

By Alyssa Mammano – February 20, 2020

Home of the Day: $19 Million Canadian Mansion

Location: West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Address: 830 King Georges Way Price: $18,800,000 Bedrooms: 6 bedrooms Bathrooms: 9 total bathrooms Square Feet: 9,031 total square feet View Listing Walk into your dream home in the highly sought-after British Properties! This three-level masterpiece boasts six bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Enjoy an HRV Smart Home system, security system, elevator to all levels and two double garages. The main floor consists of a 20-foot ceiling foyer, breathtaking living and dining area, kitchen with Miele appliances and a massive island with a built-in breakfast bar. Also on the main level is a beautiful guest bedroom with walk-in closet, office with built-in cabinetry and so much more. Walk upstairs to find additional bedrooms, including two stunning master beds with private balconies, walk-in closet and luxurious ensuite bathrooms with jetted tubs and rainfall showers. Head below to a wet bar, recreation/gym room, theatre room and a backup Tesla generator. Relish in indoor/outdoor living with covered decks, outdoor pool, balconies and hot tubs. view listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing here

By Alyssa Mammano – February 14, 2020

Jeff Bezos Buys Most Expensive Home in LA for $165 Million

Imagery ©2020 CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA Farm Service Agency, Map data ©2020 Setting an unprecedented new record in luxury real estate, Amazon CEO and the world's wealthiest billionaire, Jeff Bezos, has just purchased the former home of David Geffen for $165 million. According to reports, the two hashed out the details of the transaction sans real estate agents aboard Geffen's yacht, the Rising Sun. Source: © 2020 Google Famous for the founding of Geffen Records and an early investor in Apple, Geffen made an excellent counterpart to Bezos in the transfer of this sprawling 13,600-square-foot estate. He had been looking to sell the home for about two-and-a-half years, while Bezos has been in the market for a new home for himself and girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, for the last few weeks. The sale topped last year's record for a $150 million purchase of the Beverly Hillbillies Chartwell Estate by businessman Lachlan Murdoch. Bezos' new abode was originally constructed as the Warner Estate for movie mogul Jack Warner in a Spanish Colonial Revival style. In the 1930s it was reimagined as a classic Georgian. Geffen had owned the property since 1990, when he paid $47.5 million cash for it. view more high-end homes Photography Source: Google Maps Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing

By Alyssa Mammano – February 14, 2020

Home of the Day: Mid-Century Modern Connecticut Compound

Location: New Canaan, Connecticut Address: 81 Cross Ridge Road Price: $4,995,000 Bedrooms: 5 bedrooms Bathrooms: 6 total bathrooms Square Feet: 6,275 total square feet View Listing An Elliot Noyes Mid-Century Modern transformed and reimagined for 21st century living by architect Joeb Moore. This spectacular light and airy, solar-powered main residence is located high on a private, gated 2.8 acres with seasonal views of the reservoir, feature walls of glass, a floating staircase joining all three levels, and natural wood and stone elements. A separate pool house and newer guest house is self-contained with a kitchen, bedroom, living room and den, located aside a heated gunite pool and spa. Features a two-car garage in the main residence and three-car garage in the guest house. A magical living experience is available to you in this artistic integration of space, form, light and function, all in harmony with nature. Every room enjoys breathtaking views of the property, landscaped by Reed Hilderbrand, with mature plantings, water features and stone walls. view listing Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below showcase your listing here

By Alyssa Mammano – February 13, 2020

Top 5 Mansions of the Week

An array of quality listings are always on display in our monthly print magazine, on our website at homes.dupontregistry.com, across our social media platforms and in our email newsletters. This week, we’ve hand-selected five of our most prestigious properties on offer through our realtor partners. Of the highest craftmanship are these all-encompassing estates throughout the nation. As seasons evolve and climate changes, vacationing or primarily residing in any one of these offerings is a tempting offer. see all 5 listings

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