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

By Caitlin Duffy – October 12, 2015

Rolls-Royce's Marquetry: Hand-Crafted Masterpieces in Wood

It's no secret that Rolls-Royce specializes in the creation of bespoke one-off cars for its clients. From the front to the back, inside and out, painstaking detail goes into every part of a Rolls-Royce, which is just one reason why their cars are so highly coveted.But one detail that's a subtle centerpiece to the interior's entire motif is the wood veneers and inlays used on the doors, dashboard and panels throughout. These have featured anything from a simple logo to an incredibly detailed cityscape, and each takes an immense amount of time to create - often, as long as a month.But as a gallery shared on the marque's Facebook page Oct. 10 shares, that process is why they are recognized as the world-class designer that they are. The finest woods are selected from around the world, and patience is the key to the completion of their marquetry.“We can make something as understated as a set of initials to something that uses over 200 different pieces of wood. With the varying veneers and grain directions, we can produce some remarkable effects,” explains Jim Fowles, a Rolls-Royce Woodshop Associate, on their website.(See Also: Dark Indigo 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith)Learn more about selecting the design for your Rolls-Royce vehicle and take a look at some of their creations in the photos below, or find an existing masterpiece from our exclusive listings.Rolls-Royces For SaleGallery (Source: Rolls-Royce, Facebook) See More Rolls-Royce News

By Edward Jones – September 25, 2015

Dark Indigo 2015 Rolls-Royce Wraith

There is no questioning that the Rolls-Royce Wraith is one of the world's most luxurious two-door performance automobiles. It achieves this through an interior that you could live in and performance that could wake the dead. And if this is the kind of car you're looking for, Fields Motorcars Orlando has a very special Wraith for sale.Finished in a spectacular Dark Indigo paint, this 2015 Wraith is one of the most unique and finest examples of the car we have ever seen. When light hits its finish, the car comes to life in a way you wouldn't believe. Inside is an equally stunning cabin that contrasts light Seashell leather against Black trimming and wooden door panels.Also included with this car is The Wraith Package. This consists of many exclusive features, such as a the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Audio system, 21-inch 7-spoke forged alloy wheels, a camera system, Rolls-Royce embroidery, the Comfort Entry System, a glass roof and much more. This example also comes with the famous Starlight Headliner.Under its hood is a twin-turbo 6.3-liter V12 engine mated to an 8-speed automatic ZF transmission. This engine provides the Wraith with 624 bhp and 590 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 4.4 seconds.This car is currently for sale at Fields Motorcars Orlando, located in Longwood, Florida. To see the price and more info, be sure to click the link below.View Price and ListingGallery

By Caitlin Duffy – September 22, 2015

Rolls-Royce "Wraith - History of Rugby" Celebrates Britis...

In 1823, at a private school founded in 1567, a young man by the name of William Webb Ellis broke the rules while playing a game of football. And it is this rule breaker that Rolls-Royce is honoring in their newest one-off creation.The Rolls-Royce "Wraith - History of Rugby" is a stunning coupe in English White, with details throughout that pay tribute to one of England's most popular sports. As a press release issued by the manufacturer today tells us, the Wraith's individuality is a perfect reflection of Ellis' on the day he picked up the football (or soccer ball, for us Americans) and began running. He was a student at Warwickshire's Rugby School, where a plaque on their field commemorates the beginning of a new sport.The English White exterior is an homage to the white rugby shirt worn at the Rugby School, while the red rose of Queen Elizabeth I is embroidered in the headrests and featured on the door sill."Folklore has it that the rose originates from Rugby School and Queen Elizabeth I, her red rose emblem placed with her permission on the school crest by its founder," describes the release.The red rose motif is continued with Hotspur Red on the dashboard's accent panel, as well as the piping on the seats and doors. The dashboard itself is Piano Black, with an English rose inlaid in the center panel, while the main colors are Seashell and Navy Blue.The Seashell and Hotspur Red colors also extend past the car itself in the form of specially crafted rugby balls from Gilbert, an iconic creator of rugby balls and the creator of the soccer ball that Ellis broke the rules with. A limited number of rugby balls that match this bespoke Wraith have been created to accompany the car.(See Also: Rolls-Royce Dawn Officially Unveiled)Take a look at this stunning creation in the gallery below, then find your own Wraith from our exclusive listings.Wraiths For SaleGallery (Source: Rolls-Royce) See More Rolls-Royce News

By Edward Jones – September 08, 2015

Rolls-Royce Dawn Officially Unveiled

Today, England officially has a new luxurious family member: the Rolls-Royce Dawn. Unveiled in a press release by the marque, this new model is "like no other Rolls-Royce to date." It gets its name from the incredibly rare Silver Dawn, which was only built 28 times from 1950 to 1954.Based on the smaller Ghost and Wraith models, this new 2+2 convertible is, as the press release describes, the "sexiest Rolls-Royce ever built." Most convertibles with four seats see a compromise in the rear, with a reduction in legroom for passengers. But, Rolls-Royce has never had a compromising attitude and decided to give the Dawn enough space for four adults to "travel together in the pinnacle of style." And, while the new English ultra-luxury model may only have two doors, each one adds to the strength and stiffness to the body, allowing for an uninterrupted A-pillar.Being a Rolls-Royce, the cabin is teeming with luxury. From the leather interior, to paneling created by the fine craftspeople in the Woodshop at the home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, there is not a surface inside the Dawn that is not striking.On the outside, Rolls-Royce has given the Dawn an appearance that is surprisingly aggressive. In fact, it looks to be one of their sportiest models yet. One specific design line, accentuated by an orange pinstripe in the example pictured, runs in a relatively straight line until it reaches the rear wheels, where the Dawn's wide rear tapers off. The press release notes that the rear track is 24 mm wider when compared to the Ghost.These design aspects definitely upgrade the car, but what makes it its own is the retractable roof. According to the press release, the "only choice for a Rolls-Royce was a fabric roof for reasons of aesthetics, romance and brand appropriateness." I'd have to agree with this sentiment, as there is nothing quite like a luxurious ragtop.Rolls-Royce's engineers wanted to create a quiet convertible experience, whether the roof is raised or lowered. They state that two techniques were used to accomplish this feat. The first is the tailored "French Seam," which refers to the ragtop's perfectly smooth surface that ensures air can flow freely across it without creating wind noise.The second is the opening and closing mechanism itself. The time it takes to raise or lower the roof is only 22 seconds, and each of these seconds is incredibly quiet. In fact, the engineering team invented a phrase for what they achieved - The Silent Ballet.Under its hood is a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine, a well-known powerhouse. It provides the new convertible with 563 bhp and 575 lb-ft of torque.The Rolls-Royce Dawn is set to be a fine automobile that will make its namesake proud.Rolls-Royces For SaleGallery (Source: Rolls-Royce) See More Rolls-Royce News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – September 03, 2015

Rolls-Royce Dawn to be Unveiled Sept. 8 Ahead of IAA

It's said to be "the embodiment of each day's new possibilities," and we're just a few days away from seeing it ourselves: the Rolls-Royce Dawn.Stay with us for more information about the latest from Rolls-Royce as we draw closer to its official unveiling, and find your own model from their existing lineup from our exclusive listings below.Rolls-Royces For Sale (Source: Rolls-Royce, Autoblog) See More Rolls-Royce News

By Edward Jones – August 21, 2015

Purple Velvet and Gold Rolls-Royce Phantom

Wraps are seemingly more popular now than they ever have been before. They can range from chrome and matte, to...velvet. Yes, velvet wraps exist, and have been especially popular for the cars visiting London during the well-known supercar summer.On August 10, 458MRP uploaded a video of a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead covered in a purple velvet wrap. Contrasted against the purple are gold accents found on various trim pieces and wheels.(See Also: Man Buys and Immediately Races Porsche 918 Spyder, Carrera GT and McLaren P)Now that London is looking into banning excessive revving of supercars, these outrageous wraps and designs could be a visual replacement for the outgoing aural showcases.What do you think about this wrap, or velvet wraps all together? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to check out the Rolls-Royce Phantoms we have listed on duPontREGISTRY.com by clicking the button below.Phantom For Sale (Source: YouTube via Autoevolution) See More Rolls-Royce News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2015

Rolls-Royce Phantom Nautica - Luxury Yacht Inspired

Rolls-Royce unveiled the Phantom Nautica on their official Facebook page today, a special model "inspired by the clean lines and fresh colours of a classic yacht."Like the crashing waves of the ocean, its exterior is finished in a two-tone Orchid White and Arabian Blue color scheme. Running alongside the lines of the ultra-luxury automobile are blue pinstripes that meet an anchor motif on its fenders.(Related: Bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith & Phantom EWB for Entrepreneur Michael Fux)Inside, the cabin also takes a heavy amount of consideration from the ideal luxury yacht. White instrument dials are centered in front of the driver, while Tudor Oak veneer and Boxwood inlays surround both the driver and passengers. Tudor Oak is also found as the door capping.Adding supple luxury to the interior is Forest Fall leather seating highlighted by appropriate Navy Blue piping.The pièce de résistance for the cabin is a bespoke compass neatly tucked away in a drawer in the dashboard.The Phantom Nautica is just one of Rolls-Royce's models that highlights their "Inspiration is Everywhere" campaign for their bespoke work. For more from Rolls-Royce be sure to check back as more news is released. In the meantime, be sure to browse our fine selection of Rolls-Royces for sale by clicking the button below.Rolls-Royces For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook) See More Rolls-Royce News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – August 19, 2015

Bespoke Rolls-Royce Wraith & Phantom EWB for Entrepreneur...

Michael Fux is many things. An entrepreneur, a philanthropist, a savvy car collector, an American success story. But, to Rolls-Royce, he is the man who created a color.Fux has spent his entire life as an automotive enthusiast. In their Summer/Fall 2011 issue, NJ Inspire Magazine described how the man recognized for philanthropic endeavors by the House of Representatives first found his love of cars on his grandfather's lap in Cuba. Before emigrating to the United States in 1958, at the age of five, he would "help" steer the wheel while his grandfather, a taxi driver, drove.His family landed in Newark, New Jersey, in a one-bedroom apartment in a seven-story walk up. But Fux knew he wanted a different life, and through decades of work and genius levels of ingenuity, he's helped create the Michael Fux Family Center at the Miami Children's hospital and become the owner of more than 100 rare and exotic cars.During the past week, that collection grew by two more, each bearing the Rolls-Royce name and a color unique to Fux: Jade Pearl."The Bespoke colour scheme was personally commissioned by Mr Fux," describes the caption from a gallery posted to Facebook by the marque Aug. 12. "Finished in an Aqeuus Green with a Cornish White roof, Fux’s Jade Pearl Wraith is truly unique."In the gallery, we can see his new Bespoke Rolls-Royce Jade Pearl, another stunning creation from the marque's customization program. The exterior's colors continue to the interior, where lambswool floormats meet the plate engraved with Mr. Fux's name.At Pebble Beach, Fux also accepted delivery of a Rolls-Royce Bespoke Phantom EWB featuring the same stunning jade interior as the Wraith. You can see both in the gallery below, and the unveiling of the Phantom EWB in the video above. If you're interested in finding your own Rolls-Royce, browse our exclusive inventory at the button below.Rolls-Royces For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook, The Michael Fux Foundation, NJ Inspire Magazine) See More Rolls-Royce News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 04, 2015

Rolls-Royce Wraith "Inspired by Music"

Of all the creations to come from Rolls-Royce, it's possible that the Wraith has received the most customized iterations of them all. Wraith Inspired by MusicPhoto: James Lipman / jameslipman.comFrom Porto Cervo, to St. James, Rolls-Royce Bespoke has had no trouble finding inspiration for their designs. They recently set out to create a trilogy of Wraiths inspired by the arts. The first was "Inspired by Film," the second "Inspired by Fashion," and today the marque unveiled their latest: the Wraith "Inspired by Music."Every detail of this exclusive creation attempts to make the experience of music tangible. As a press release issued today tells us, the Lyrical Copper paint finish on the exterior reflects the copper used in fine audio systems. The copper theme continues inside, where the bespoke audio system features copper speaker grilles engraved with the words "Bespoke Audio."Since Elvis Presley bought a Rolls-Royce Phantom V in 1961, the marque has been providing rock stars with luxurious transportation. As the release recalls, John Lennon enjoyed time owning a Phantom V as well. Keith Moon, drummer of The Who, also spent time as the owner of a Rolls-Royce, though his ownership came to an end after his 21st birthday in Flint, Michigan. Rumors about surrounding the ordeal, but the press release tries to set the record straight."Legend goes that a somewhat high spirited Mr Moon drove his Rolls-Royce into the hotel’s swimming pool. This is categorically untrue and is probably an overblown conflation of two stories. The first, involves a regrettable yet entirely understandable lapse of concentration, with Mr Moon failing to fully secure his Rolls-Royce’s handbrake. Unfortunately he had parked on a slope leading to a half-constructed swimming pool. The car made a characteristically graceful descent down the hill before coming to rest at the bottom of the unfilled pool. The second is a little closer to the legend. On purchasing a new American car he tried to charge it to the band’s account, naturally they refused to indulge his request. Mr Moon expressed his displeasure by parking the car in an ornamental pond before telephoning the dealer to take it away. Not something he would ever have done to his beloved Rolls-Royce."With the Wraith "Inspired by Music," you can now experience the same level of driving luxury as the kings of rock 'n' roll, with an interior design and sound quality that elevate it to being "the most exclusive music venue" in the world.Wraiths For Sale Gallery (Source: BMW Group) See More Rolls-Royce News

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By Caitlin Duffy – July 10, 2015

Rolls-Royce Retraces 1907 Scottish Reliability Trials

There are few doubts that we are on the brink of the next big stages for automotive innovation. Driver's assist programs are turning toward complete automation, hybrid and electric engines are reaching levels of power unthinkable just a few years ago and infotainment systems have become so advanced that cars of 2020 may be more of a computer with wheels.So what better way to prepare for the next steps than to remember the very first ones?On June 18, Rolls-Royce told us in a press release that they revisited a site in Scotland where the marque first proved its quality 108 years ago. Yesterday, July 9, they shared a full album of photos from their visit on Facebook, chronicling the rolling hills around the scene of the 1907 Scottish Reliability trials.At the turn of the 20th century, gas powered vehicles were of rudimentary design, the construction more fragile and prone to problems than anything we experience today. As the release described, "...the greatest concerns for the motorist were a car’s ability to cope with gradients, the ease with which it could be steered, stopped and started again, but above all, its reliability."So a test was devised. Sir Henry Royce and Charles Rolls would build a car that could travel 5,000 miles without visiting a mechanic, and in those 5,000 miles, complete 748 of them consecutively in the Scottish Reliability trials. The trials' pathway covers "the most demanding and remote roads in Great Britain," and included steep elevation changes and tight turns.With about 50 hp, the Silver Ghost was their contender, and it completed its journey effortlessly, finishing with a gold medal.(See Also: Rolls-Royce Red St. James Wraith Shared for Independence Day)Four of the Silver Ghost's modern day successors, a Wraith, Ghost Series II, Phantom and Phantom Coupe, revisited spots from the route, and remembered the place they first affirmed their mission, "to produce the best cars in the world." See the photos from their journey below, and find a Rolls-Royce for sale.View ListingsGallery (Source: Rolls-Royce, Facebook) See More Rolls-Royce News

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