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 Tyler Rampersaud – January 09, 2025

Custom Rolls-Royce Spectre Listed For Sale

Rolls-Royce revolutionized its celebrated ultra-luxury lineup with the introduction of the new Spectre, its very first all-electric production model. While it’s different than every Rolls-Royce that came before it as an electric vehicle, it retains and even enhances the same conventions that make Rolls-Royce vehicles some of the most celebrated ultra-luxury cars in the world, like its near-silent drive, its ample power, it’s timeless elegance, its artisan craftsmanship, and its fine materials. View Price And Listing However, if you’re looking for a Rolls-Royce Spectre for sale with extra unique touches, TOYZ Autoart has this 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre for sale. Elegantly finished with an all-black exterior, the custom Spectre boasts a set of custom 24-inch Vossen S21-13 wheels, as well as a satin PPF treatment that protects the vehicle and gives it a sleek, elegant look. Inside, bright leather upholstery is contrasted with black accents throughout, and a black Starlight Headliner adds a touch of signature Rolls-Royce luxury. If you’re looking for an ultra-luxurious vehicle with unique features that make it stand out as a custom masterpiece, this 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, listed on duPont REGISTRY at TOYZ Autoart is the car for you. View the price and listing by clicking the button.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 29, 2024

The Only MANSORY 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre In The U.S. Is ...

That's right, the only Mansory Rolls-Royce Spectre for sale in the U.S.! The name Rolls-Royce will forever be synonymous with success and luxury, delivering a truly unique driving and ownership experience through renowned models like the Phantom, Wraith, Ghost, and Cullinan. Introducing the Spectre as the next generation of Rolls-Royce, with it being the marque's first fully-electric vehicle, the automotive world has raved at its perfect blend of comfort, performance, and technology. Taking things just a step further, car modification specialists like Mansory have designed custom carbon fiber body kits exclusively for the Rolls-Royce Spectre, completely transforming its once-factory look. The team of professionals at Fort Lauderdale Collection South is proud to showcase the only Mansory Rolls-Royce Spectre for sale in the U.S., as part of its incredible inventory of exotics listed on duPont REGISTRY. View Listing With only two Mansory kits distributed worldwide for the Spectre, this Rolls-Royce was comissioned as a one-of-a-kind, full Mansory build and done by the professional at Platinum Motorsports in Los Angeles. This example features a sophisticated Diamond Black Metallic finish with the Single Turchese coachline that runs down the side of the car, which also ties into the matching interior. The Mansory kit includes brand-new front fenders with the addition of a secondary rain light and a much more aggressive carbon fiber front splitter. As for the rear, the use carbon fiber continues with a lightweight rear diffuser and central brake light, much like you'd see on a Formula 1 car. The kit also includes carbon fiber fender flairs with branding and carbon fiber side skirts with front winglets. The Spectre comes fitted on a set of 24-inch Forged FD.15 Mansory Wheels with custom Turchese accents. Opening its coach-style doors, the Rolls-Royce Spectre reveals a comfortable cabin with stunning Turchese leather with the Beluga accents scattered throughout. And with options being an important highlight when configuring a Rolls-Royce, this build comes well-optioned with factory upgrades like the Spectre Package($22,000), Starlight Door Inserts($13,300), Starlight Fascia($5,425), Bespoke Audio System($11,425) and much more. Whether you're behind the wheel or enjoying a comfortable cruise from the passenger seat, this Mansory Spectre aims to please with its well-balanced, practical design. With the addition of this Spectre being built at Platinum Group, the team took the liberty of documenting the entire process of the build, even going as far as hosting a special event focused on the car's debut. This 1-of-2 2024 Mansory Rolls-Royce Spectre from Fort Lauderdale Collection South is now for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Listing

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 09, 2024

2023 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan Listed For Auction ...

Opulent luxury and spirited driving make this a must-have. Rolls-Royce is in a league of its own when it comes to automotive luxury. With power, smoothness, incredible craftsmanship, and meticulous engineering, Rolls-Royce makes some of the most desirable cars in the automotive world, including the Cullinan, an ultra-luxury SUV that has already become a staple among luxury car drivers and collectors in only 6 years. However, when it comes to driving character, Rolls-Royce also offers the Black Badge Cullinan, a variant that offers greater driver focus and heightened performance. 591 horsepower coming from its twin-turbocharged V12 engine, and other enticing specs show off the Black Badge Cullinan’s robust character, while also enveloping the driver in sublime comfort. Your chance to own an excellent example of the 2023 Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan is here, and you can bid on it at Sotheby’s Motorsport, where it’s up for auction online ending on May 20, 2024. It’s finished in Rolls-Royce’s timeless and elegant paint color Black Diamond, with aftermarket 24-inch wheels and an interior that blends the same luxurious elegance with bold accents. Black leather is paired with bold Mandarin orange, which is paired with exposed carbon fiber finishes that indicate the Black Badge Cullinan’s performance-oriented edge. With 7,322 miles on its odometer, the ultra-luxe SUV has been beautifully kept and ready for its next owner to enjoy. If you’re interested in having this opulent SUV in your garage, you can bid on it now on SOMO. Bid Now On Sotheby's Motorsport

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 11, 2023

O'Gara Coach Showcases Matching Rolls-Royce Black Badge S...

Along with incorporating exceptional comfort, technology, and performance into its lineup of luxury cars and SUVs, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars also prides itself on showcasing an extensive personalization program when configuring your dream car. Whether you're choosing an exclusive paint shade or interior seat materials, the creative specialists at Rolls-Royce's bespoke division use a limitless portfolio of resources to help create true one-of-a-kind specs. The team at O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills is excited to showcase the marque's customization abilities with a matching Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost and Cullinan pairing. Offered as an upgrade for each Rolls-Royce model, the coveted Black Badge option stands out with bolder performance, more personalization capabilities, and a stealthy black trim package. The exterior of the Cullinan and Ghost feature Rolls-Royce's Tempest Grey finish, which acts as the perfect base for the contrasting gloss black Spirit of Ecstasy emblem, front grill, accents, and wheels. Inside, O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills took advantage of the Black Badge's range of color options by styling both interiors in an extraordinary monochrome Tailored Purple design. As if the show-stopping cabins weren't enough, drivers and passengers are welcomed with Rolls-Royce's world-renowned starlight headliner. With more than 1,900 individual stars illuminated above your head, you'll have to keep your eyes peel for the shooting star that travels across the headliner. Gloss-woven carbon trim add an extra layer of luxury to the comfort-focused interiors, with rear entertainment that make these Rolls-Royces the ultimate daily drivers. The Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cullinan Black Badge models come fit with a 6.75L twin-turbocharged V12 engine. In the Ghost Black Badge, this engine delivers an impressive 592 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque while the Cullinan Black Badge ramps up the power with 600 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Showcased as the perfect his and her pairing, the matching Rolls-Royce Ghost and Cullinan Black Badge models from O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills are currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills Inventory 2024 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge View Price And Listing 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge View Price And Listing Source: O'Gara Coach x Rolls-Royce Beverly Hills

By duPont Registry – April 11, 2023

1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Limo Listed For Sale

It's listed with a $32,000 asking price.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 14, 2021

Check The Spec: 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Finished In Indy Red

A chance to own a true one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Ghost with help from Indigo Auto Group. The Rolls-Royce brand continues to display automotive excellence through its fleet of luxury-focused vehicles. The Rolls-Royce Ghost recently received a body style update for 2021, leaving collectors and enthusiasts running to dealers to secure a chassis. While most Rolls-Royce Ghost configurations boast modest designs to accentuate comfort, the supercar professionals at Indigo Auto Group are here to display an example that is looking to turn heads on the road. MUST-READ: Check The Spec: A Ferrari SF90 Stradale Finished in Giallo Triplo Strato Indigo Auto Group is proud to offer this 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost in a one-of-a-kind configuration, perfect for customers with a vibrant personality to match the car. The luxury sedan is finished in a factory Indy Red paint scheme that helps to highlight the elongated body lines, while a set of black sport style wheels adds contrasts to the exterior. Powered by a 563-horsepower 6.7L Twin-Turbocharged V12, the Rolls-Royce Ghost combines the perfect blend of performance and luxury. Opening the coach-style doors, the Ghost debuts its custom Cashmere Grey interior layout that also features hints of Indy Red and Black to pull together the vision of the configuration. This 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost is now available with only 28-miles at Desert European Motorcars in Rancho Mirage, CA. View the listing for this 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost by clicking the link below. View This 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Listing

By Edward Jones – July 22, 2021

Ultra-Rare Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos For Sale

Your chance to buy a car with a mystery. Listed on duPontREGISTRY.com by Miller Motorcars is a truly rare ultra-luxury car that you have to check out. What I'm talking about is a 2021 Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos. Just 50 examples were created for the Kryptos collection, making this a true rarity in the automotive world. But it's not just the limited production run that makes this vehicle special. Each Wraith Kryptos includes a secret code. This is what Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, had to say regarding the code: “On closer examination, a series of messages are hidden behind a unique Rolls-Royce cipher. I look forward to seeing whether any of our clients will crack the code!” So, not only will you be getting a rare Rolls-Royce but also a puzzle. I can't imagine there are many vehicles out there that were created with a mystery for their owners to solve, so this is a special opportunity. For more information, be sure to click the button below. View Price and Listing

By Andrew Nabors – September 02, 2020

Can’t Wait for the New Rolls-Royce Ghost? Here Are The Be...

English Poet Alexander Pope wrote "Angels fear to tread" to describe a scary place. Some ghosts should be feared and others revered, and the latter is what you'll see here. The new Rolls-Royce Ghost will be arriving next year with more aluminum and less steel, but that doesn't mean the 2020 models and their older siblings aren't as refined. Ghost Series II arrived in 2015 with more leather, lambswool, all-new suspension and hydraulic bearings for the axle shafts. Needless to say, they are silent as a library at triple-digit speeds with 580 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque at your driver's command. I have had the opportunity to display them at our events around the U.S., and each one has been a respite from the hustle of an auto show. Therefore, have a look at these great offers or be haunted by missing a great opportunity. 2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost $357,075 :: 1,853 miles View Listing 2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge $434,675 :: 27 miles View Listing 2020 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge CALL FOR PRICE :: 38 miles View Listing 2019 Rolls-Royce Ghost $259,900 :: 216 miles View Listing 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge CALL FOR PRICE :: 7,253 miles View Listing 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost $214,950 :: 15,650 miles View Listing 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge $219,990 :: 34,365 miles View Listing 2017 Rolls-Royce Ghost $194,500 :: 12,209 miles View Listing 2018 Rolls-Royce Ghost CALL FOR PRICE :: 4,101 miles View Listing

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2020

Highly Optioned 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale

England's most iconic luxury brand entered a new era with the 8th generation of their flagship. Starting from a clean sheet, engineers delivered an all-new Phantom for the 2019 model year. The first Rolls-Royce to be built on an aluminum spaceframe, and to offer rear-wheel steering. Designers also added unprecedented means of customization, so we're proud to offer this highly optioned 2020 Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale. Finished in black with Mandarin leather, the normally dark starlight headliner matches the interior. Immersive seating includes massaging front buckets with contrast piping. Rear passengers are treated to their own HD screens and wood tables. It currently rides on forged Vossen 24" wheels built specifically to handle this car's weight and performance. In total, you are looking at over $50,000 in options and accessories, so don't let this one get away. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing inventory from TOYZ Autoart. View Price & Details https://www.instagram.com/tv/B_NMRLcF4Ez/

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2020

1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud James Young For Sale

In the classic age of luxury motoring, you bought a chassis and then sent it to a coachbuilder. These master craftspeople would build your car to order, any almost anything was possible. Back in the late '50s, the big players were H.J. Mulliner, Park Ward, Jensen, and Tickford just to name a few. They became famous for elegant builds that were sold to royalty and business magnates around the world. However, the truly talented builders only accepted a few commissions a year. Such was the case with James Young. Based in London, they only built two examples of the 1959 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, and this one is for sale. Starting with a hand-built aluminum body, it was loaded with St. James red leather, burled walnut, power steering, windows, and Air Conditioning. Because it was left-hand drive, this is a truly unique masterpiece. It was built to U.S. specs because it was ordered by Hollywood Producer William Goetz, the founder of 20th Century Fox. Knowing the significance of this car, each owner has fully documented history of awards and a concours-quality restoration. Invited to Pebble Beach in 2004 and 2015, it won 3rd place. Included are the original order documents, and even blueprints used to assemble it. This opportunity will not come your way again. So click the button below for all the details and stay with us for more amazing collector cars. View Price & Details

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