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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 duPont REGISTRY – September 30, 2021

Home of the Day: Entertaining Estate in The Sanctuary of ...

Presented by The Rodgers Group - Location: St. Charles, Illinois Price : $1,895,000 Square Feet: 11,000 View Listing Lakefront Estate in The Sanctuary of Fox Glen. Big Family? Guests that stay longer than expected? Enjoy 6-7 Bedroom Suites & expansive living space. Three Levels of intricate millwork & detail: elevator, 1st Floor Master Retreat, magnificent Great Room with incredible views of the lake. Gourmet Kitchen with beamed ceiling & breakfast bar – new stainless steel appliances (2021) and granite countertops. Entertaining opportunities abound: pool parties, Lower Level Bar, Movie Theater, Racquetball Court. All this on 1.5+ acre lakefront lot. Parking for 6 Cars in the oversized Garage (plus Porte Cochere) – paver brick motor court. View Listing Contact Jay RodgersCall 630.377.1400 | 630.816.7632www.rodgersgroup.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – September 28, 2021

Home of the Day: Lakefront Estate on Rockford Bay

Presented by Century 21- Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Price : $13,950,000 Square Feet: 7,734 View Listing Rockford Bay, 401′ frontage (2 lake lots Home has 251′ and vacant lot 150′) High quality main home with 6022 sq ft 5 bedrooms and 5 Bathrooms. Beautiful attached guest quarters with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, and 1712 sq. ft. 4 Car attached garage. Extensive patio’s and decking, Gazebo patio and Fire pit patio area. Each lot has a boat dock, float plane lift. Home has been remodeled to fantastic quality. Landscaping is impeccable with great lawn to water and sandy beach. View Listing Contact Bill FanningCall 509.321.1132 | 509.999.5444www.century21.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – September 23, 2021

Home of the Day: Graceful Mediterranean Residence in Nap...

Presented by Frank Sajtar- Location: Naples, Florida Address: 4444 Gordon Drive Price : $29,900,000 Square Feet: 7,000 View Listing Naples’ ultra-luxe enclave of Port Royal provides a highly coveted setting for this graceful Mediterranean residence privately situated on a rare 1.5 acre beachfront parcel overlooking the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Appropriately named Posada Del Sol’’Inn of the Sun’’the property welcomes residents to a lifestyle that is comfortable and carefree, highlighted by powdery-soft sand beaches and vivid technicolor sunsets. Once home to the heiress of the Campbell’s Soup fortune, the home is surrounded by a profusion of tropical plantings and mature landscaping and spans 150 feet of direct beach frontage. Inside the 7,000 square foot home are view-inspired rooms of understated elegance. Stately columns, wainscoting and a fireplace add a touch of formality to the living room while the adjoining sun room with its walls of glass and wood-plank ceiling is perfect for casual get-togethers with family and friends. Meal preparation is enhanced by breathtaking Gulf vistas in the sprawling chef’s kitchen which is outfitted with ample storage and work space, dining nook and an outdoor serving station. A sanctuary unlike any other awaits owners with a suite that encompasses the entire second floor. Enjoy morning coffee and evening cocktails on the private terrace overlooking the Gulf or relax beneath a soaring vaulted ceiling in the sprawling bedroom. Additional accommodations include three main level bedrooms and for overnight visitors there is a separate guesthouse featuring a bedroom, bath, kitchen and living area. Strategically positioned at Port Royal’s southernmost tip, Posada Del Sol invites you to relax, renew and recharge in this inspiring place of quiet sanctuary. View Listing Contact Frank SajtarCall 239.776.8382frank.sajtar@raveis.comwww.franksajtar.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – September 21, 2021

Home of the Day: The Historic Five Bridges Farm

Presented by Accord Realty- Location: Wisconsin Price : $4,900,000 Square Feet: 4,413 View Listing Majestically placed overseeing 80 acres of Wisconsin’s most pristine prairie, woods and watershed, the historic Five Bridges Farm is one of those rare places where the old world and new exist together in spectacular harmony. With six modern and four historic structures, five bridges, and eighty acres of carefully preserved, pristine hardwoods and watershed, it’s hard to believe Five Bridges Farm is located only 6 miles from Downtown Madison. This rare private sanctuary is currently available for discerning buyers who crave space and rich embellishments with access to infinite forms of leisure. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience your dream lifestyle today. View Listing Contact Brandon GrosseCall 6008.577.9860brandon@sellingdane.comwww.thefivebridgesfarm.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – September 16, 2021

Home of the Day: Stunning Oceanfront Views in Naples, Flo...

Presented by William Raveis- Location: Naples, Florida Address: 4540 Gordon Drive Price : $49,500,000 Square Feet: 8,081 View Listing Situated on one of the most enviable beachfront locations in Naples, the breathtaking Gulf of Mexico can be seen in panoramic glory from this outstanding residence. Completed in 2014, the home has a sense of beauty and grace rarely achieved anywhere else in the world. The home was built to exacting standards by one of Naples’ preeminent builders and designed by one of the area’s top architects. Port Royal Club membership eligibility. $49,500,000 4 beds + den, 6 full & 3 half baths, 8,081square feet View Listing Contact Thomas L. CampbellCall 239.860.4923 | 239.307.4612www.raveis.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – September 07, 2021

Home of the Day: Ocean View Beauty in Port Aransas, Texas

Presented by Laffoon Real Estate Group- Location: Aransas, Texas Address: 520 Ocean View Dr Price : $5,795,000 Square Feet: 8,099 View Listing Nestled along 18 miles of Texas shoreline is a coastal town where the vibe is laid-back and the lifestyle is easygoing. Set against a backdrop of warm Gulf water and soft Texas sand lies the epitome of island life, filled with an unlimited range of recreational opportunities from sport fishing to dolphin watching and from seaside golf to boutique shopping. Designed to withstand the forces of nature, the Ocean View Estate was built with construction elements of a magnitude not often found in coastal properties. In addition to being highly energy efficient, the structure is hurricane and flood resistant and is equipped with a back-up power system. Superior craftsmanship and extraordinary appointments continue throughout the three-story residence. Meticulously planned to the smallest detail, the sprawling layout has been artistically arrayed with reclaimed oak wood floors, a hand-hammered brass sink from Istanbul, walnut fireplace mantle from Brazil, alder wood cabinetry and doors, custom wine room and more. Augmenting the main residence are a six-car garage and a spacious apartment comprising a full kitchen, game room and a theater. This resort-style offering is the perfect family compound, corporate retreat or vacation getaway. The six-bedroom layout sleeps 16 and the relaxing warmth of the beach is just a two-minute walk away. Furnishings convey. View Listing Contact Jacob LaffoonCall 210.391.7470www.sanantonia.kw.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – August 20, 2021

Home of the Day: Lovingly Renovated Luxury Condo in Ashev...

Presented by Beveryly-Hanks Realtors- Location: Asheville, North Carolina Address: 23 Rankin Avenue Price : $3,150,000 Square Feet: 4,852 View Listing Lovingly renovated luxury condo, a blend of modern and turn of the century architecture in the heart of downtown Asheville. Step into this exquisite home and take in the original exposed brick, beautiful Biltmore Estate hemlock floors, unique built-ins, steel beams and floor-to-ceiling wood trusses that create a relaxed urban feel. Entertain in the chef’s kitchen with leathered granite countertops and a spacious island with breakfast bar. Relax in the bright, inspiring living area with city and mountain views from every window, or settle in for a movie in the home theatre in the raised den. Take the custom staircase with wrought iron railings by B&R Welding and hickory stringer stairs by Jack Plemmons to a semi-circular concept upper level with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a laundry hallway, and access to a private 2,000 SF deck with breathtaking city and mountain views. Two deeded, indoor parking spaces plus storage. This is luxury living elevated above all else. View Listing Contact Todd KaderabekCall 828.712.1982www.beverly-hanks.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – August 11, 2021

Home of the Day: A Residential Work of Art Located in Tar...

Presented by zenlofts- Location: Tarpon Springs, Florida Address: 100 Shore Drive Price : Upon Request Square Feet: 3,896 View Listing An unprecedented pre-construction opportunity awaits the discerning buyer of this modern masterpiece overlooking the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Interior spaces are a blank canvas to be imagined and realized by the owners working in concert with the team at zenlofts. Complementing the impressive stature of this unique property is a location of notable appeal, Tarpon Springs. Presenting an array of eclectic eateries, unique boutiques and an 11-acre beachfront park nearby, this quaint historic village is located just minutes to major airports and award-winning Gulf beaches. Incorporated in 1887 and once known as the “Venice of the South”, Tarpon Springs Florida is the oldest town in Pinellas county. 100 Shore is located approximately 15 miles North of Clearwater Beach, which has been rated the number 1 beach in the country multiple times and in 2019 was ranked the number 6 beach in the world. A private augmented reality tour of this offering is available. View Listing Contact Rudy ArnautsCall 813-525-8049www.100shore.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – August 03, 2021

Home of the Day: Luxury Home Auction Located in Dallas, T...

Presented by Supreme Auctions- Location: Dallas, Texas Auction Date: August 26-28 Price : Upon Request Square Feet: 8,656 sq. ft. View Listing Prepare to be mesmerized by elegance, meticulous architectural detail and unmatched custom finishes at Glen Gables. Nestled in the highly sought-after Preston Hollow community of north Dallas, this impressive English Tudor-style estate delivers incomparable executive-style luxury living, while providing an awe-inspiring sense of comfort and warmth. This estate features seven spacious bedrooms, six bathrooms, three-car garage, four fireplaces, elevator, whole-house generator, gourmet kitchen, finished basement complete with media room and wet bar, wine room, picturesque covered patio, heated saltwater pool/spa, home theater, breathtaking great room, formal dining room, private study, and a library. Preston Hollow is a renowned neighborhood located a brief eight miles from the heart of Dallas. Glen Gables is ideally set for a smooth commute to the city for business or pleasure. Also recognized as home to some of the most affluent and influential people, Preston Hollow is the crown jewel of the golden corridor. With a brief commute to downtown Dallas, you will have your own personal paradise in which to live, work and play. View Listing Email info@supremeauctions.comCall 888.660.6456 | 866.929.2243www.supremeauctions.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

By duPont REGISTRY – July 22, 2021

Home of the Day: Spokane River Home Located in Post Falls...

Presented by Century 21 Beutler & Associates- Location: Post Falls, Idaho Address: 3869 E Marine Dr Price: $6,100,000 Square Feet: 5,309 View Listing This immaculately designed home is located on the Spokane River. The interior decor offers stunning finishes of wood & stone. A chef’s dream kitchen featuring a Wolf 6 burner double oven w/a French cooktop, 2 Sub-Zero refrigerator/s, 2 dishwashers. 4 bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms, 2 w/steam showers. The soft ambiance is highlighted w/tiki torches, surround sound & exterior lighting. The dual-slip dock system has been recently redesigned for a large yacht, w/water, 30-amp & 50-amp service. Plus, a 30×40 dream shop with 800 pound jib crane for easy storage to the upper mezzanine. This stunning property has so much to offer, please request additional information on amenities. View Listing Contact Kira KellyCall 208.765.5554www.century21.com Have an incredible property to share with our audience?Click below Showcase Your Listing

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