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 – December 14, 2022

Rolls-Royce Unveils "The Six Elements" New One-Off Phanto...

These six one-off Rolls-Royces combine luxury, tech, and art. The new “The Six Elements” collection of one-off Rolls Royce Phantoms features six bespoke Phantoms, each created using the elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Air, and the sixth, Humanity, as its main inspiration. In addition, the famed Phantom Gallery installed in each car is a hand-painted artwork by celebrated British artist Sacha Jafri. Created as a collaborative project between Jafri, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective in Goodwood, the Rolls-Royce Private Office in Dubai, and Rolls-Royce’s dealer partners in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the cars were unveiled at a private gala in Dubai. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Unveils ‘Cullinan – Inspired by Fashion’ For Art Basel Miami 2022 Made to benefit charity, each car in the series comes with a tradable NFT, accessible through a QR code inside the glove compartment. Every transfer of the NFT will include a donation to charity, making it the “Rolls-Royce That Keeps On Giving.” With the sale of the cars, the project has already surpassed its goal of raising over $1 million for charity, and all six cars have been sold to customers in Dubai and the Middle East Region. These incredible, beautiful, luxurious, artful, and unique Rolls-Royce Phantoms might be some of the world’s most excellent examples of luxury cars, but they’re also much more than just that. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 01, 2022

Rolls-Royce Unveils 'Cullinan - Inspired by Fashion' For ...

While fashion trends continuously change to keep up with runway standards, luxury car brands follow by incorporating inspiration from the year’s hottest and most popular styles. The House of Rolls-Royce is proud to showcase its ‘Cullinan - Inspired by Fashion’ campaign, featuring two prêt-à-porter collections that include the bold Re‑Belle and striking Fu-Shion. Presented by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective, high fashion plays a crucial role in the fine line of Cullinan examples that reflect vibrant hues and textures. The works of art are set to be unveiled to guests and clientele of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars during Art Basel in Miami. View All Rolls-Royce Cullinan For Sale The Cullinan Re-Belle is the ultimate statement piece by introducing head-turning exterior finishes such as Lime Green and Wildberry. Each interior offers pristine white leather as the base, while Lime Green and Peony Pink accents enhance the cabin with a splash of color. The fascia is finished with extraordinarily detailed handwoven stainless-steel fabric as a nod to the styles seen on the catwalk this year. The Cullinan Re-Belle also comes available in Gunmetal or Arctic White colors, depending on the selected interior. On the more aggressive Black Badge end, Rolls-Royce Cullinan Fu-Shion takes on an appearance reminiscent of evocative streetwear and its functional elements. Starting with the interior, designers at Rolls-Royce created two astonishing configurations, using combinations of Military Green, Navy Blue, and Mandarin or a blend of Arctic White and Cashmere Grey leather with Forge Yellow accents. Depending on the choice of interior, each Cullinan’s exterior can be commissioned in Military Green, Burnout grey, Forge Yellow, or Tempest Grey. The ‘Cullinan - Inspired by Fashion’ also introduces a new Starlight Tailgate, which takes over 22 hours and 192 softly illuminated starts to manufacture. Clients interested in the once-of-a-lifetime opportunity will also be invited to purchase matching luggage sets, compromised of the 24hr Weekender, 48hr Weekender, Holdall, Tote Bag, and Organiser Pouch. View all current Rolls-Royce Cullinan examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Rolls-Royce Cullinan For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 03, 2022

Rolls-Royce X AllRightsReserved X Javier Calleja Reveal N...

This small Rolls-Royce boasts big artistry. The Rolls-Royce Ghost is the brand’s highly desirable and competent luxury sedan, with sumptuous appointments, ample power, and a commanding presence with exquisite design. In the automotive world, the Rolls-Royce Ghost is a piece of art. However, for this piece of art, the Rolls-Royce Ghost served as an inspiration, a muse, and a canvas, as creative brand AllRightsReserved and Spanish artist Javier Calleja collaborated with Rolls-Royce on this project. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Hosts An Autumnal Drive For The New Phantom Series II In The South Of England The project is a pair of two sculptures, called Untitled, and NO WINGS TO FLY. Untitled is a miniature Rolls-Royce Ghost, brought down to 1:8 scale and meticulously constructed with similar quality and level of craftsmanship to its full-size counterpart. Calleja finished the miniature Ghost with a stunning custom paint job that represents his bold and youthful style, with bright and pastel pinks, blues, and yellows set against the car’s elegant silhouette. Also inspired by Rolls-Royce, NO WINGS TO FLY is a stainless steel sculpture by Calleja featuring his well-known cartoonish style. It features a boy posed similarly to Rolls-Royce’s famous Spirit of Ecstasy. The sculptures were made available on DDTStore, and limited to six, they are only sold as a pair. Shipping for the art pieces begins in March 2023. View All Rolls-Royce Ghosts For Sale Source: AllRightsReserved

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 03, 2022

Rolls-Royce Hosts An Autumnal Drive For The New Phantom S...

The season is right for Rolls-Royce to celebrate its flagship at home. Rolls-Royce’s British heritage is one of the most important aspects of the brand, providing important and noticeable context to the brand’s very specific approach to luxury. The new Phantom Series II represents the latest flagship of the Rolls-Royce brand, and to show it off, Rolls-Royce is hosting an incredible event in the South of England, the home of the Rolls-Royce brand, set against the lovely backdrop of the British autumn season. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Spectre Arrives As The Brand’s First Fully-Electric Luxury Coupe The event starts in London at Rolls-Royce’s Mayfair flagship showroom, near Hill Street where Charles Rolls was born. From London, the invited guests of the event will travel to The Newt, which is a country estate in Somerset. There, guests will get to experience the Phantom up close and personal, with all of the flagship sedan’s incredible luxury, craftsmanship, and attention to detail right at their fingertips. Rolls-Royce will chauffeur-drive the guests home afterward, perfectly ending their flagship Rolls-Royce experience. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce

By Tyler Rampersaud – October 10, 2022

The New All-Electric Rolls-Royce Spectre's Name Has A 112...

Like most Rolls-Royce names, the automotive history buff might find this hauntingly familiar. Rolls-Royce’s tendency to name its vehicles after supernatural entities is quite well-known at this point, and with the brand’s first all-electric model being called the Spectre, it’s strange that the name hasn’t been used before for a series-production Rolls-Royce. If you’re thinking that, it’s because the Spectre name has been used before, just not in a series-production model from the brand. The name actually has a long history with the Rolls-Royce brand and bringing it back not only continues the trend of “ethereal” names for Rolls-Royce but shows how despite being an electric model, the Spectre fits right in with the philosophy of the Rolls-Royce brand. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Celebrates The 100th Anniversary Of Its Most Important Model, The ‘Twenty’ Besides the Cullinan, all Rolls-Royce models have historic names, and the Spectre name has its origin with Claude Johnson, the commercial managing director of Rolls-Royce during its earlier days, responsible for individually naming nearly 50 early Rolls-Royces, most famously The Silver Ghost. Chassis 1601, built in August 1910 and used for trials and demonstrations, was named The Silver Spectre by Johnson, marking the first recorded use of the name by Rolls-Royce, and the car was re-bodied three times and passed along until its last known whereabouts were with a firm of engineers in Sheffield in 1933. It would be more than 20 years later that the Spectre name would be used again, for an experimental model that Sir Henry Royce began developing in 1930, with a new V12 engine, a new chassis, and an independent front suspension. He passed away in 1933 before the car, the 30EX would be ready for road testing in 1934. It was codenamed the Spectre, and the name would carry on to nine more experimental cars until the model was introduced as the Phantom III in 1936. The experimental, forward-thinking connotation of the Spectre name in Rolls-Royce history made it the perfect name for the brand’s first battery-electric model, which is coming soon to make a radical change in the Rolls-Royce brand the same way that the Spectre of the 1930s did, which introduced the V12 engine to the brand, which is still today used in all Rolls-Royce models. View All Rolls-Royces For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 03, 2022

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Celebrates The 100th Anniversary O...

The first Rolls-Royce primarily designed as an owner-driver car, and a direct ancestor of today’s product portfolio. Starting as a pioneer in coach-building, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars quickly gained traction and became one of the most influential luxury brands in the world. The U.K.-based automaker is responsible for continuing the tradition of hand-building luxury examples intended for the rich and famous. Today, Rolls-Rolls is proud to mark yet another astonishing milestone with the 100th anniversary of its iconic ‘Twenty’ model. Launched on October 6, 1922, the ‘Twenty’ refers to the model designed by Sir Henry Royce and its legacy as the most important model for the marque. It plays a significant role in history as it was the first example intended to be owner-driven, rather than the chauffeured-use versions. This ultimately would be the driving factor and mechanical template for many generations of Rolls-Royce vehicles. MUST-READ: The Best Rolls-Royce Cullinans You Can Buy Today Although a distant memory retaining the look of early automotive engineering, the Rolls-Royce Twenty prides itself on being the direct ancestor to today's Ghost, Wraith, Dawn, and Cullinan. Ending its successful and innovative production series in 1929, the Rolls-Royce Twenty saw no fewer than 2,940 examples built. Its lineage lives on as past, present, and future models continue to incorporate characteristics and aspects of the early 1920s pioneer. Above all, they embody Sir Henry Royce’s most famous dictum: “take the best that exists and make it better”. View all current Rolls-Royce models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL ROLLS-ROYCE FOR SALE Source: Rolls-Royce

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 30, 2022

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Collaborates With Artist Sacha Jaf...

Describing Rolls-Royce cars as “artful” is even easier now. The art of automotive luxury is a well-respected one, and one that Rolls-Royce has become masterful in as a brand in its long history, but staying at the top requires creativity, and that’s exactly what Rolls-Royce exercises in this latest project: “The Six Elements” Phantom. The project began as a phone call with artist Sacha Jafri and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Middle East & Africa. Rolls-Royce dealer partners in the UAE, one of the world’s luxury capitals, and Jafri are joining to create a one-of-one Phantom that captures each of the elements of nature: Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, and Air, alongside Humanity, the sixth element. MUST READ: The Best Rolls-Royce Cullinans You Can Buy Today The cars are being created with the goal of raising $1 million for charities working in education, health, and sustainability. Jafri was selected by Rolls-Royce to craft a unique Phantom Gallery for each Series II Phantom in the Six Elements collection, which will each feature a unique NFT digital element called “The Rolls-Royce That Keeps on Giving.” Each time any of the 6 NFTs are traded, a 20% royalty will be donated to the chosen charity. While the NFTs are linked to their respective Phantoms, owners can sell the NFTs separately. With this artistic and luxurious expression of a brighter future, Rolls-Royce is getting ready to drive change. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 23, 2022

Stüssy Teases An Upcoming Collaboration With Rolls-Royce ...

With an Instagram caption that reads "no traffic on the pch...", we can only imagine what Stüssy and Rolls-Royce has planned. With streetwear making a huge impact on the luxury lifestyle industry, world-renowned brands are teaming up with iconic manufacturers to highlight the significance of both product offerings. Since the late 80s and early 90s, the creative team at Stüssy have specialized in building a popular clothing and accessories line with inspiration born from the Southern California surf scene. Although its influence began at the beach, Stüssy now operates as an industry-leader with plenty of successful collaboration collections. Stüssy is now making automotive news after teasing collectors and enthusiasts with an Instagram post of a custom Rolls-Royce front end. MUST-READ: The Best Rolls-Royce Cullinans You Can Buy Today Quietly hinting towards a possible upcoming partnership with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the legendary emblem is redesigned to read “STUSSY MOTORS” in the same elegant font. Along with the logo, the streetwear-inspired Rolls-Royce also features a bent crown emblem that replaces the brand’s famous Spirit of Ecstasy. Although specific information has yet to be announced, a Stüssy x Rolls-Royce release is sure to be highly anticipated for any car enthusiast. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for information on the Stüssy x Rolls-Royce collaboration and more automotive news. View all current Rolls-Royce inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. VIEW ALL ROLLS-ROYCE FOR SALE Source: @stussy IG

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 25, 2022

The New Rolls Royce Phantom Series II Will Make Its UK De...

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II makes its anticipated debut on its home turf. The revised Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II has captivated the world with its introduction. Rolls-Royce has managed to further improve what has already been the ultimate luxury sedan with subtle design touches and additions to increase the luxury, style, and personalization potential of the Phantom. In Rolls-Royce’s home country of the UK, the Phantom Series II needed to impress with its debut, which is why the venue chosen for the debut was Salon Prive, which is one of the most prestigious automotive events in the United Kingdom and one of the most luxurious Concours d’Elegance events in the world. MUST READ: Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Debuted in North America For First Time The new Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II will be showcased along with a highly bespoke Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge at the event, starting August 31 at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, which serves to show not only how luxurious Rolls-Royce’s cars are but also how personal and customizable they can be, with the design process being a collaborative effort between Rolls-Royce and the client from start to finish. Changes in the Phantom Series II include an updated grille, new wheels, and other added options. View All Rolls-Royce Phantoms For Sale Source: Rolls-Royce

By Edward Jones – August 22, 2022

Rolls-Royce Unveils The Pebble Beach Collection For 2022

A fine way to celebrate one of the most exciting weeks in the automotive industry. While thousands of automotive enthusiasts descended upon Pebble Beach for the Monterey Car Week, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars took the opportunity to display two never before seen color finishes from Goodwood. These included a Black Badge Cullinan and a Ghost, both of which were joined by the Phantom Series II that was making its North American debut. First up is the Black Badge Cullinan that's finished in Forbidden Pink. Rolls-Royce notes that this specific SUV is a perfect example that Black Badge vehicles do not have to be Black. This Cullinan also features Grace White leather with Cashmere Grey highlights and Lime Green details. In the rear is the Bespoke Viewing Suite in Peony Pink leather. The next Rolls-Royce being shown was a Ghost in the bespoke Crystal over Sagano Green. Rolls-Royce created this finish through six layers that were each delicately hand polished before the next was applied. For the final two clear coatings, the Crystal finish was applied to give the Ghost a deep shimmer. "We have matched colors from flower petals to shades of lipstick and incorporated gold, silver and even diamonds into Bespoke finishes," said Jonathan Simms, Head of Bespoke, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in a press release. "We welcome creative and technological challenges from our patrons as it drives us to redefine our own creative and technical limits. The inspiration for Rolls-Royce color and finish is limited only by one’s imagination." You can view the collection down below, and you can shop for Rolls-Royces for sale by clicking the button. View All Rolls-Royces For Sale

Rolls-Royce News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe