Rolls-Royce News

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

rolls royce announces end of production for the dawn.jpg

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 02, 2023

Rolls-Royce Ends Production Of Its Dawn Convertible

Dusk has finally arrived for the Rolls-Royce Dawn.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 21, 2021

The All-New Mansory Softkit For The Rolls-Royce Dawn & Wr...

The luxury styling of Rolls-Royce gets aggressive with help from the team at Mansory. When it comes to upgrading the world’s most exclusive and desirable supercars, Mansory is one of the leaders in the automotive industry. Mansory took to its Instagram page to launch the all-new Softkit for the Rolls-Royce Dawn and Wraith. Traditionally viewed as a luxury-focused brand, the Softkit reimagines the chassis with a more aggressive look and feel. The exterior of each vehicle features a lowered suspension and carbon fiber ground effects to eliminate wheel gaps while maintaining the premium ride quality that Rolls-Royce is known for. Mansory The configuration allows owners of the Rolls-Royce Wraith and Dawn the option to upgrade the wheels to a larger and more sporty option. The most noticeable aspects of the new kit from Mansory are the exposed gloss carbon fiber hood and trunk, transforming the look while improving weight savings. While aesthetics prove to be the main focus, Mansory also includes an available performance upgrade to the already high-horsepower output from the factory 624-horsepower twin-turbocharged 6.6L V12. The all-new Mansory Softkit for the Rolls-Royce Dawn and Wraith is currently available for owners. View all Rolls-Royce examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Rolls-Royce For Sale Media Source: Mansory

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 27, 2021

Check Out This Bespoke Rolls-Royce Dawn In Iced Twilight ...

This Bespoke Rolls-Royce Dawn will turn heads no matter what road its on. In the past, we’ve covered some truly unique vehicles released from the Bespoke division of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Rolls-Royce is proud to present its newest creation, a bespoke Dawn finished in a vibrant Iced Twilight Purple paint. The Rolls-Royce dawn embodies a luxury automotive experience for not only the passengers but also the driver. Allowing complete visionary control, clientele work closely with the professionals at Rolls-Royce Bespoke to sort every single detail, ensuring the perfect vehicle specification. In the case of this perfectly purple Dawn, the client chose to transport the idea of vibrant colors into the interior layout, which is finished in genuine Yellow leather with purple contrast stitching. Complimenting the yellow interior are other purple components like the steering wheel as well as the back portion of the seats. Alongside it being one of the most head-turning specifications, the Rolls-Royce Dawn has the ability to retract the top for everyone to see the mind-blowing color combination in full. This Rolls-Royce Dawn is the perfect example of the freedom and capability of the Bespoke team at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. View All Rolls-Royce Dawns For Sale Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 13, 2021

Rolls-Royce Creates A Bespoke Phantom & Black Badge Dawn ...

What better way to say I love you than a set of bespoke Rolls-Royce motorcars. While each Rolls-Royce chassis that rolls off the production line embodies luxury comfort and state-of-the-art technology, there is a segment of the brand where customers can create the vehicle of their dreams. To mark a very special moment in time, their 40th anniversary, Riverside California residents Glenn and Gigi Moss, have commissioned one of these rare and spectacular cars for themselves. The exterior of Mr. Moss’ Phantom Tempus is presented in a bright and stunning Crystal over Arctic White. The couple chose the bright color to signify the light and infinite nature of time in their marriage. This brilliant finish is highlighted by a hand-painted black coach line, and detailing. Upon opening the coach doors, an illuminated treadplate reads, ‘Phantom Tempus Collection – Hand-built in Goodwood England for Glenn L. Moss Sr.’ The interior of the Moss Phantom Tempus carries over the ‘light’ theme with Arctic White hand-crafted leather offset by black highlights, piping, and contrast stitching. The fascia is finished in black Sparkle Piano reminiscent of the deep darkness of space glittering with the timeless brightness of the constellations. Only 20 examples of this stunning Bespoke creation have been built at Rolls-Royce’s Global Center of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence in West Sussex, England. Media/Information Source: Rolls-Royce Motorcars In addition to creating a very personal Phantom Tempus, Mr. Moss asked the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to create a singular Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge for Mrs. Moss. With an exterior finish of Crystal over Bright Red, the vibrant swathe of color stands in stark contrast to the bright white hues of the Phantom Tempus. Equipped with a Bespoke Aero Cowling, the four-seater convertible quickly and stylishly transforms into a sleek two-seater roadster. Complementing the treadplate of Phantom Tempus, the treadplate for this Dawn Black Badge reads ‘Hand-built in Goodwood England for Gigi Moss’. This Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge commission provides a stunning, darker ‘after-image to the light and infinite nature of Phantom Tempus, leaving the couple with a lasting memory of their very special relationship. For more Rolls-Royce news, Check out Justin Bieber’s New Rolls-Royce is Out-Of-This-World

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2021

One-Off Rolls-Royce Dawn Commissioned By Tokyo Developer

A great way to invite new tenants "The Kita" is a new luxury residence in downtown Tokyo, and its the brainchild of designer Kengo Kuma. Needing a new way to invite prospective homeowners, this gorgeous Rolls-Royce Dawn was built with white gloves in Goodwood. Now on the other side of the Earth, it is the centerpiece of the Kita Tea House. This comes on the heels of the Shanghai Auto Show where Rolls-Royce unveiled three wild one-off builds. Gavin Hartley is the boss at Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designs, and he had this to say about the build: “It was an honour to collaborate with Kengo Kuma to create a serene and timeless motor car for a serene and timeless building. From the inception of the marque over 100 years ago, Rolls-Royce has transcended the automotive field, taking the tangible entity of a car and delivering its patrons the intangible: a truly unique experience. As this project demonstrates, through the authentic application of unique designs and materials, we can provide rare sensory experiences that reflect and enhance our owners’ multi-faceted lifestyles.” Browse Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale Images (C) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Edward Jones – August 21, 2020

See the First Images of the Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet

Rolls-Royce has just released the first official images of the new Dawn Silver Bullet. These images were taken at Lake Garda as it careened through hairpin turns and cruised down straight open roads. The scenery fits the elegance of the car perfectly and Rolls-Royce says the images capture the Dawn Silver Bullet "in its natural habitat." The paint you see in these images was chosen for a specific reason as it calls upon models of the past, like the Silver Dawn, Silver King, Silver Silence and Silver Spectre. As for the car, the Dawn Silver Bullet is a four-seater that can be turned into a two-seat roadster that's accompanied by a rakish Aero Cowling. Only 50 examples of the Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet will be created worldwide, so this ultra-luxury, transforming car will certainly be a rarity. See All Dawns for Sale

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2020

Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Collection Announced

Just announced is the new Rolls-Royce Dawn Silver Bullet Collection, a new collection that's limited to only 50 cars worldwide. While the English automaker has yet to unveil the cars, they did give us a few details about the Dawn Silver Bullet collection. First up is the Aero Cowling which Rolls-Royce says "shifts the persona of the car’s high-shouldered silhouette, heightening the sense of speed and purpose." They also note that the exterior cars will have dark exterior detailing, a new dark front bumper finisher, part-polished wheels, and more. Inside, there's an open-pore carbon fiber fascia, quilted transmission tunnel designed after leather jackets, and plenty of fine materials. A date for this car's reveal hasn't been given yet, but hopefully we'll learn more soon. Exotic Sports Cars for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2019

Rolls-Royce Unveils Pebble Beach Pastel Collection

You can't deny the success of the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Editions. Aimed at a younger demographic, they ride on carbon fiber wheels and the interior has immaculate carbon fiber accents. The name might be deceiving to some because the skilled coachbuilders will paint your Black Badge any color you desire. To show the world what they are capable of, Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Pebble Beach Pastel Collection. Their inspiration was the return of vibrant wildflowers to the Monterey Peninsula. Years of drought gave way to much-needed rain, and gorgeous flowers have added a perfect backdrop for this year's show. Starting with the Black Badge Ghost, it is a new finish named Light Green Solid. It represents the rebirth of the local fauna. The hand-stitched interior is black with Serenity Green highlights. Next is the Black Badge Dawn in Coral Solid. This finish took 7 coats with color-sanding between each. The interior is Arctic White with accents in Sunset. The final member of this trifecta is a Black Badge Wraith in Semaphore Yellow. It was meant to stand out as it is the most powerful model in their lineup. Inside you are treated to Selby Grey and Lemon along with the Starlight headliner. Given a blank canvas, tell us how you would build configure your Rolls-Royce in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Pebble Beach news. Browse Rolls-Royce FOr Sale Related: Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Specs, Price, Photos & Review Rolls-Royce Dawn Black Badge Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2018

Google Exec's Bespoke Rolls-Royce Delivered in Style

Saturday night at Pebble Beach was a frenzy of owners preparing their cars for the morning. It was also the venue for Rolls Royce to unveil the latest Black Badge. This bright yellow Dawn was commissioned by Google VP Ben Sloss, who fell in love with the Wraith back in 2014. After buying one of the first examples, his wife Christine purchased a Dawn as a daily driver.2014 Foreign Cars that are Illegal in the USA "My Dawn has over 13,000 miles on the clock because both Ben and I drive it regularly, and we enjoy its open-air experience so much that Ben decided he wanted one too." So her husband began the search for a Dawn unlike any other. The Black Badge Edition caught his eye thanks to incredible performance and dark details. Because many cars in their collection are inspired by the flag of Modena, the Home of Rolls Royce in Goodwood turned to their Bespoke Collective. The artists rendered the car in 3D and Ben was elated at their concept. "The first time I saw the livery the Rolls-Royce team had created for the Dawn, I burst out with 'O my God, that's unreal, I love it!!' It's outrageous, its over the top... it's perfect. I still grin every time I see it." The custom finish was named 'Superflare', and it is contrasted by 'Pike's Peak Blue' leather on the inside. The dark blue leather even covers the cowling above the rear seats for a perfect finishing touch. If you are ready for the Dawn of your new collection, click the link below and stay with us for all your Rolls Royce news. Browse Rolls Royce Dawn For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2018

Rolls-Royce Dawn: The Sky Is Waiting For You

One of the best features of any recent Rolls-Royce has to be the Starlight Headliner. It is an option for the Rolls-Royce Wraith that uses hundreds of fiber optics to simulate a starry night. But our friend Henry at Carfection wished the same technology could be integrated into the convertible top of the Rolls-Royce Dawn. So he took a trip to Cornwall to experience what the handmade automobile has to offer. We won't spoil the highlights; so click the link below to find our Rolls-Royce dealer near you and experience the Dawn for yourself.Browse Rolls-Royce Dawn For Sale

Rolls-Royce News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe