Real Estate

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 02, 2021

Motor Mansions: A Mountainside Malibu Estate For Vintage ...

A luxurious lifestyle is complete with large homes on premium landscape, high-end supercars, exotic race cars, and state-of-the-art watercraft. In this special, we pair a lavish home listing with the toys needed to fill the garage, as well as the dock. This week, we find ourselves in Malibu, California on a modern mountainside with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. This mansion is complete with a guest amenities and plenty of space to keep modern super and hyper cars. Direct water access from the house makes it easy for boat days on the water. Click any of the links below to view the local dealership inventory we'd suggest outfitting this home with, as well as the real estate listing. Luxury Home for Sale duPont REGISTRY Homes Address: 5046 Carbon Beach Terrace, Malibu, California 90265, United States Square Footage: 12,909 sqft Bedroom/Bathrooms: 5/7 Garage: Attached Water Access: Available Price: $49,995,000 View duPont REGISTRY Homes Listing For the Garage 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spyder Series II duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Copley West Condition: Call for Mileage Engine: 1,985 CC Tipo 111 DOHC Inline 4-Cylinder Engine Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 173.5 BHP at 7,000 RPM Price: Call for Price View Copley West Inventory 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills Condition: 157 Miles Engine: 3.6L Twin-Turbocharged V6 Engine Displacement: Mid-Engine Performance: 647hp/550ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 3.0 Seconds Price: $1,148,900 View Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills Inventory 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 duPont REGISTRY Dealership: iLusso Condition: 630 Miles Engine: 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged 8-Cylinder Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 577hp/627ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 4.5 Seconds Price: $224,999 View iLusso Inventory For the Water 68' Prestige 2018 Denison Yacht Sales Dealership: Denison Yacht Sales Length: 68ft Engine: Volvo Performance: Cruising Speed Price: $2,450,000 View Denison Yacht Sales Inventory For more Mansions & Motors, Check out Motor Mansions: A Comfortable Cape Cod Estate To Keep Luxury Collectibles

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 23, 2021

Motor Mansions: A Comfortable Cape Cod Estate To Keep Lux...

A luxurious lifestyle is complete with large homes on premium landscape, high-end supercars, exotic race cars, and state-of-the-art watercraft. In this special, we pair a lavish home listing with the toys needed to fill the garage, as well as the dock. This week, we find ourselves in Dartmouth, MA on an isolated northeast peninsula surrounded by the Atlantic ocean. This mansion is complete with a guest house and plenty of space to keep classic cars. Direct water access from the house makes it easy for boat days on the water. Click any of the links below to view the local dealership inventory we'd suggest outfitting this home with, as well as the real estate listing. Luxury Home for Sale duPont REGISTRY Homes Address: 192 & 187 Mishaum Point Road, Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02748, United States Square Footage: 21,848 sqft Bedroom/Bathrooms: 8/12 Garage: Attached Water Access: Available Price: $25,000,000 View duPont REGISTRY Homes Listing For the Garage 2019 McLaren Senna duPont REGISTRY Dealership: McLaren of Boston Condition: 230 miles Engine: 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8 Engine Displacement: Mid-Engine Performance: 789hp/590ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 2.7 Seconds Price: Call for Price View McLaren Boston Inventory 2021 Audi RS Q8 4.0T Quattro duPont REGISTRY Dealership: McLaren of Boston Condition: 1,150 Miles Engine: 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8 Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 591hp/590ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 3.8 Seconds Price: $149,990 View McLaren Boston Inventory 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo S duPont REGISTRY Dealership: McLaren of Boston Condition: 9,105 Miles Engine: 3.8L Twin-Turbocharged 6-Cylinder Engine Displacement: Rear Engine Performance: 572hp/640ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 2.7 Seconds Price: $169,990 View McLaren Boston Inventory For the Water Cartouche '95 Blue Coast 2011 Denison Yacht Sales Dealership: Denison Yacht Sales Length: 95ft Engine: Cummins Diesel Performance: Cruising Speed Price: $6,250,000 View Denison Yacht Sales Inventory For more Mansions & Motors, Check out Motor Mansions: Iconic Exotics Complement this Modern Miami Mansion

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 16, 2021

Motor Mansions: Iconic Exotics Complement this Modern Mia...

A luxurious lifestyle is complete with large homes on premium landscape, high-end supercars, exotic race cars, and state-of-the-art watercraft. In this special, we pair a lavish home listing with the toys needed to fill the garage, as well as the dock. This week, we find ourselves in Miami, Florida on a modern masterpiece located directly on the water. This mansion is complete with plenty of space to keep classic cars and water access to house a boat for days on the water. Click any of the links below to view the local dealership inventory we'd suggest outfitting this home with, as well as the real estate listing. Luxury Home for Sale duPont REGISTRY Homes Address: 508 Dilido Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, United States Square Footage: 5,985 sqft Bedroom/Bathrooms: 4/4 Garage: Attached Water Access: Available Price: $15,800,000 View duPont REGISTRY Homes Listing For the Garage 2004 Lamborghini Murcielago duPont REGISTRY Dealership: CURATED Condition: 5,747 miles Engine: 6.2L V-12 Engine Displacement: Mid-Engine Performance: 571hp/479ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 3.6 Seconds Price: Call for Price View CURATED Inventory 2010 Bugatti Veyron duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Prestige Imports Condition: 6,061 Miles Engine: 8.0L W16 Quad-Turbo Engine Displacement: Mid-Engine Performance: 1,001hp/922ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 2.4 Seconds Price: $1,899,950 View Prestige Imports Inventory (2) Bentley R-Type Continental Fastbacks duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Vantage Motorworks Inc. Condition: Inquire for Information Engine: 4.6 L IOE Straight-6 Engine Displacement: Front Engine Price: Contact Vantage Motorworks Inc. for pricing View Vantage Motorworks Inc. Inventory For the Water 2020 Carver 40' Denison Yacht Sales Dealership: Denison Yacht Sales Length: 40ft Engine: Cummins Diesel Performance: Cruising Speed Price: $699,800 View Denison Yacht Sales Inventory For more Mansions & Motors, Check out Mansions and Motors: The Beverly Hills Estate Made For Exotic Cars

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 09, 2021

Motor Mansions: Beverly Hills Estate Made for Exotic Cars

A luxurious lifestyle is complete with large homes on premium landscape, high-end supercars, exotic race cars, and state-of-the-art watercraft. In this special, we pair a lavish home listing with the toys needed to fill the garage, as well as the dock. This week, we find ourselves in Beverly Hills, CA on a property best described as an architectural masterpiece. This mansion is complete with plenty of space to keep cars with a short trip to the marina to take the boat out. Click any of the links below to view the local dealership inventory we'd suggest outfitting this home with, as well as the real estate listing. Luxury Home for Sale duPont REGISTRY Homes Address: Beverly Hills City View Villa, Beverly Hills, California Square Footage: 9,393 sqft Bedroom/Bathrooms: 6/8 Garage: Attached Water Access: Not Included Price: $19,995,000 View duPont REGISTRY Homes Listing For the Garage 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Wires Only Condition: 997 miles Engine: 6.7L Twin-Turbocharged V-12 Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 563hp/627ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 4.3 Seconds Price: Call for Price View Wires Only Inventory 2018 Koenigsegg Agera RS duPont REGISTRY Dealership: iLusso Condition: 1,919 Miles Engine: 5.0L Twin-Turbocharged V-8 Engine Displacement: Mid-Engine Performance: 1,160hp/944ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 2.8 Seconds Price: Call for Price View iLusso Inventory 2020 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills Condition: 1,398 miles Engine: 4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V-8 Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 577hp/627ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 3.9 Seconds Price: $184,900 View Marshall Goldman Beverly Hills Inventory For the Water 2020 Uniesse 50' Denison Yacht Sales Dealership: Denison Yacht Sales Length: 50ft Engine: Cummins Diesel Performance: 35kn Cruising Speed Price: $2,395,000 View Denison Yacht Sales Inventory For more Mansions & Motors, Check out Mansions and Motors: Tampa Bay Treasures To Keep In Tom Brady’s Former Home

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 02, 2021

Motor Mansions: Tampa Bay Treasures to Keep in Tom Brady'...

A luxurious lifestyle is complete with large homes on premium landscape, high-end supercars, exotic race cars, and state-of-the-art watercraft. In this special, we pair a lavish home listing with the toys needed to fill the garage, as well as the dock. This week, we find ourselves in Tampa Bay on a property previously owned by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. This mansion is complete with plenty of space to keep cars, boats, and other toys. Click any of the links below to view the local dealership inventory we'd suggest outfitting this home with, as well as the real estate listing. Luxury Home for Sale duPont REGISTRY Homes (Image Source: Smith & Associates Real Estate / Stephen Gay Group) Address: 58 Bahama Circle, Tampa, Florida 33606 Square Footage: 21,796 sqft Bedroom/Bathrooms: 7/16 Garage: Attached Water Access: Dock Slips and Jet Ski Lifts Price: $29,000,000 View duPont REGISTRY Homes Listing For the Garage 2020 Bentley Continental GT W12 duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Dimmitt Automotive Group Condition: 2,959 miles Engine: Twin-Turbo 12-Cylinder Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 626hp/664ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 3.3 Seconds Price: $249,900 View Bentley of Tampa Bay Inventory 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Porsche of South Orlando Condition: New Motor: Electric Range: 192 miles Battery-Only Performance: 616hp/774ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 4.8 Seconds Price: $203,440 View Porsche of South Orlando Inventory 2020 Ferrari 812 Superfast duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Ferrari of Tampa Bay Condition: 982 miles Engine: Naturally Aspirated V12 Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 788hp/530ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 2.8 Seconds Price: $419,985 View Ferrari of Tampa Bay Inventory For the Dock 2020 Ocean Alexander 112' Denison Yacht Sales Dealership: Denison Yacht Sales Length: 112ft Engine: MTU Engine Performance: TBD Price: $14,500,000 View Denison Yacht Sales Inventory For more Mansions & Motors, Check out Mansions and Motors: A 50-Foot Yacht & Fast Cars Finish this Presidential Florida Waterfront Estate

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 26, 2021

Motor Mansions: 50-Foot Yacht & Fast Cars Finish this Pre...

A luxurious lifestyle is complete with large homes on premium landscape, high-end supercars, exotic race cars, and state-of-the-art watercrafts. In this special, we pair a lavish home listing with the toys needed to fill the garage, as well as the dock. This week, we find ourselves in Saint Petersburg on an ocean peninsula with plenty of space to keep cars, boats, and other toys. Click any of the links below to view the local dealership inventory we'd suggest outfitting this home with, as well as the real estate listing. Luxury Home for Sale duPont REGISTRY Homes Address: 2040 Brightwaters Blvd NE, St Petersburg, Florida Square Footage: 12,412 sqft Bedroom/Bathrooms: 7/9 Garage: Attached Water Access: Dock Slips and Jet Ski Lifts Price: $15,000,000 View duPont REGISTRY Homes Listing For the Garage 2020 McLaren 720S Spider duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Dimmitt Automotive Group Condition: New Engine: 4.0L 8-Cylinder Twin-Turbo Engine Displacement: Mid-Engine Performance: 710hp/568ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 2.7 Seconds Price: $367,820 View McLaren Tampa Bay Inventory 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Dimmitt Automotive Group Condition: New Engine: 6.8L V-12 Twin-Turbo Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 561hp/627ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 4.8 Seconds Price: $387,500 View Rolls-Royce Motorcars Tampa Bay Inventory 2020 Aston Martin DB11 V8 duPont REGISTRY Dealership: Dimmitt Automotive Group Condition: Used 1,914 Miles Engine: 4.0L V8 Engine Displacement: Front Engine Performance: 503hp/513ft-lbs Torque 0-60 Time: 3.6 Seconds Price: $234,941 View Aston Martin Tampa Bay Inventory For the Dock 50' UNIESSE 2021 Denison Yacht Sales Dealership: Denison Yacht Sales Length: 50ft Engine: Cummins Turbodiesel Performance: Cruising Speed 35kn Price: $2,395,000 View Denison Yacht Sales Inventory For more Mansions & Motors, Check out Mansions and Motors: Toys to Complement a Timeless New Jersey Mid-Century Modern

Real Estate

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe