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 Andrew Nabors – August 14, 2019

Rolls-Royce Ghost Zenith Collection Celebrates 10th Anniv...

It is hard to believe that the production of the Rolls-Royce Ghost began a decade ago. It was inspired by their 200EX concept car, and it has been a great success for the brand. To commemorate this achievement, the Rolls-Royce Ghost Zenith Collection celebrates the 10th anniversary. Limited to only 50 examples, each one will have engraved blueprints of the 200 EX on the dash. CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös said: "The Ghost Zenith Collection presents an entirely forward-looking study of the unique characteristics that have seen Ghost ascend to the status of the most progressive super-luxury saloon ever conceived. This unique Collection provides patrons of the marque with a rare opportunity to own a motor car truly evocative of our time. Ghost is the most successful Rolls-Royce ever created and the Zenith Collection marks an important milestone in our modern history.” We hope a few of these special cars make it across the pond, and we need you to make it happen. Click the link to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Rolls-Royce news. Browse Rolls Royce Ghost For Sale " width="680"> Related: Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge Price, Review & Specs Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – August 10, 2018

Rolls-Royce Ghost With Surf Racks Stars in France

Rolls-Royce is returning to the Mediterranean coast again for a summer display of their finest creations. In Cannes, on the French Riviera, Rolls-Royce will be showing off their entire lineup, including the new Cullinan SUV. One of the most exquisite cars on display is a bespoke Ghost that comes equipped with a surf rack.Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan ComparedIt's not every day you see a Rolls-Royce with a surf rack, but the board this car is carrying is quite exquisite. The board was commissioned by a Rolls-Royce customer. It was created by Woodpop, a contemporary marquetry studio out of the U.K. The nine-foot longboard is crafted out of American Walnut, Ripple Sycamore, Figured Anigre and Birch veneers. This board also comes with 24-carat gold leaf highlights. You can see it for yourself if you're in the French Riviera until August 12, 2018.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – February 04, 2016

Revealed: Rolls-Royce Presents Ghost 'Eternal Love' in China

At the Minsheng Art Museum in Beijing, China, Rolls-Royce debuted the new Ghost 'Eternal Love' collection, which is available exclusively in the China market. The new collection was inspired by the beauty and grace of the white swan. The swan is a well-known and cherished symbol of love in both eastern and western culture. In Chinese culture specifically, the swan is the resident 'love bird', due to "their genuine commitment to everlasting love," as described in a press release from Rolls-Royce.The Eternal Love collection embodies the pristine lines and soft embrace that might come to mind when one thinks of the swan. As stated in the press release,An image of two swans forming a perfect heart is depicted on the Eternal Love’s signature coachline and leather seatbacks. It is worth mentioning that the delicate swans in the interior are elaborately adorned with a hand-embroidered embellishment. The impeccable luxury and first-class engineering of the car interior elevate the artistry to a new height. With the swan in mind, Rolls-Royce decided on a two-tone exterior-- English White complimented by Silver Satin. The interior features leather in a creamy Seashell color while the stitching and embroidery are Hotspur Red. The engine boasts the "beloved" 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12.Rolls-Royce Ghosts For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – October 26, 2015

Bespoke Rolls-Royce Ghost 1001 Nights Inspired by "Arabia...

If any manufacturer can claim their name to be synonymous with bespoke luxury, it's Rolls-Royce. Since their inception, the English coach builder has striven to craft one-off beauties for each customer, sparing no expense to ensure that design inspiration can come from literally anything.In the case of their latest bespoke Ghost, the inspiration comes from a centuries old story, one that's been told a dozen ways in two dozen countries and even more languages. "One Thousand and One Nights," also known by many as the "Arabian Nights" tale, is one story comprised of hundreds, with estimates for its first telling reaching as far back as the 8th century. It's one of the oldest stories still told today, and its title is now inscribed on the coachline of a Ghost.A gallery shared on the marque's Facebook page Oct. 23 shares photos of the car's exterior and a few interior detail shots, showing complex designs inspired by the complex designs of arabesque mosaics. On the sides at the rear, behind the back seat, "1,001 nights" is written in Arabic, a tribute to the lengthy lifesaving stories of Scheherazade.(See Also: Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II Review Brings Visual Poetry to Life)"Inspired by the immortal storytelling of the tales in 'The Arabian Nights’, the Bespoke Ghost 1001 Nights features a distinctive two-tone exterior with an exquisite hand-painted coachlines," describes the gallery's caption.Take a look at these stunning designs in the gallery below, then find your own Rolls-Royce creation from our exclusive listings.Ghosts For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook) See More Rolls-Royce News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 23, 2015

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II Review Brings Visual Poetry t...

"I'll start with the Spirit of Ecstasy, as she rises and falls, right at the fore," begins a review unlike any before. It's poetry in motion, a Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, the latest video from Recombu.Rory Reid, editor of Recombu Cars, takes an entirely new approach to delivering a video review in an Oct. 22 video, delivering every impression and detail in poetry form. Striking visuals and detail shots of Rolls-Royce's Ghost Series II accompany an equally arresting narration.(See Also: Rolls-Royce's Marquetry: Hand-Crafted Masterpieces in Wood)The verses flow in free format, with slant rhymes throughout and emotion raw, in a way that conveys a true passion for cars and an honest reaction to one of the finest creations on the road."It doesn't matter what they built you of / it's how they built you up / The methods and techniques / are not effortless, believe / hours of hard work on indefinite repeat / until elegance is peaked / but the end result is definitely sleek," says Reid.Watch this video to understand the Ghost Series II in a way you never have before, and find your own to enjoy as unapologetically as Reid from our exclusive listings below.Ghosts For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Rolls-Royce News

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