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 Jordan Aquistapace – September 21, 2021

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

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

By 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 – April 19, 2021

Rolls-Royce Unveils Three Wild Builds in Shanghai

Creativity is the spice of life To give potential customers a starting point for their imagination, Rolls-Royce has unveiled three wild builds in Shanghai. Starting with a Black Badge Cullinan, the others are a new Ghost Extended, and a Wraith Black Badge, all wearing snazzy colors. The Wraith was named "Pop Explosion". Finished in Muscari Blue and Arctic White, the Koi Red pinstripes were painted by hand. Mid-Century Modern takes inspiration from the Fender Stratocaster and the Eames Rocking Chair, it shows how bright a Black Badge can be. The long-wheelbase Ghost Extended is the "Urban Sanctuary" it is loaded with intricate woodwork inspired by wooden window shutters are the Yu Yuan Gardens. They dug into Chinese culture big time to pull this off, so tell us which one you would drive in the comments below and stay with us for all your Rolls-Royce news. Shop Rolls-Royce Images (C) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Andrew Nabors – January 13, 2021

Rolls-Royce Bespoke Commissions Set New Records In 2020

Lockdown was a time to reflect and focus on what's important. For those who value individuality and craftsmanship, Rolls-Royce bespoke commissions set new records in 2020. The artists and coachbuilders at the House of Rolls-Royce delivered an unprecedented number of unique models, addressing and surpassing the owner's wishes. Rolls-Royce Inspiring Greatness: Gennadiy Golovkin Their latest press release highlights achievements in embroidery, paint, constellations in the Starlight headliner, and the hidden messages in the Wraith Kryptos Collection. The most prominent area for customization remains to be the Gallery found on the dash of the new Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale, and the Dawn Silver Bullet was crafted to cut through the air. Here is an opportunity to order the car of your dreams, so click the button below to tell your story. Browse New Rolls-Royce For Sale Images (C) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2020

Rolls-Royce Inspiring Greatness: Gennadiy Golovkin

One fighter enjoyed a streak of 23 knockouts from 2008 to 2017. From fighting on the streets of Kazakhstan to beating the world's best middleweights, he is the inspiration for the latest episode of Rolls-Royce Inspiring Greatness: Gennadiy Golovkin. Even though his Wraith Black Badge is the latest in luxury, he enjoys the brand's dedication to being "old school". His orthodox stance and precise hits have yielded the highest knockout-to-win ratio in middleweight history, ending over 6 of his opponents' winning streaks. He applauds Rolls-Royce for continually improving their lineup to offer the best in luxury cars. To understand what he means, click the button to find a Wraith near you and stay with us for more great uploads from Rolls-Royce. Browse Rolls-Royce Wraith For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2020

Rolls-Royce Releases More Clues To The Wraith Kryptos Code

Owners around the world are starting to take delivery of the new Wraith for sale. The allure of the car deepens by the minute as Rolls-Royce has released more clues to the Wraith Kryptos code. This cryptographic cipher involves details on the interior and exterior that are unique to the Kryptos edition. Their latest press release reaffirms that the answer will remain locked in a safe, inside the home of CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. His message to all 50 owners is: 2021 Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection Deepens the Mystery "The Spirit of Ecstasy, the figurine that graces the bonnet of every Rolls-Royce motor car, holds the key to uncovering this code. The word KRYPTOS is engraved in Rolls-Royce cipher around the base of the figurine, and with this information, clients will be able to embark on their cryptographic journey. The first client to decrypt this code will receive a unique gift from Rolls-Royce in recognition of their extraordinary talent!” Once your Wraith arrives, use their "Whispers" app to submit your answer. Two employees know one half of the answer, and they will not combine their efforts until the Torsten confirms a winner. So, dust off your Enigma machine and head to your Rolls-Royce dealer for all the details. Browse Rolls-Royce Wraith For Sale Images (C) Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 27, 2020

Rolls-Royce Delivers An Amazing Earth Inspired Bespoke Wr...

Rolls-Royce is all about experiencing personalized comfort for the driver and passengers when entering one of the luxurious models offered in the lineup. A bespoke division allows customers to incorporate their vision into the production of the vehicle. The Bespoke Rolls-Royce Inspired by Earth is one of the best examples featuring design cues from the entire Solar System and our planet as seen from space. The Wraith commissioned through Rolls-Royce Abu Dhabi is presented in a Royal Blue exterior finish, which represents the water that takes up 75% of the Earth’s surface. The hand-painted hood design signifies a satellite view of the Middle Eastern Region. View All Rolls-Royce Wraith For Sale Inspiration finds its way into the interior, where the Moccasin leather seats mimic the sands of the Middle Eastern Deserts. Interior trim pieces have been redesigned using Navy, Cobalto Blue, and Emerald Green to help symbolize nature in all of its forms. The passenger fascia highlights the Piano Milori veneer with an extravagantly air-brushed satellite image of the Middle East. The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Starlight Headliner features all the planets of the Solar System, centered on the Sun. The Bespoke Wraith by Rolls-Royce Abu Dhabi is a work of art and a glimpse into the future of visionary designed vehicles.

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By Andrew Nabors – July 28, 2020

2021 Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection Deepens the My...

The world's first encrypted car has just gained another variable. Appealing to the intellect of their target audience, 30 cars will be built with unique ciphers and cryptograms throughout. If you don't have an Enigma machine on hand, they provide a few starting clues. While you are trying to crack the codes, you might want to spend a weekend away from home. Rolls-Royce’s New Wraith Kryptos Collection Holds a Secret Code That is why their master tailors have crafted a unique luggage set. All six pieces are available individually, and they have been crafted to maximize your trunk space. Our dealers have all the info, so click the button below for all the details. Browse 2021 Rolls Royce Wraith For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 07, 2020

Rolls-Royce's New Wraith Kryptos Collection Holds a Secre...

Katrin Lehmann, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer, has always been fascinated by cryptography and that's why this very subject for the inspiration for the new Rolls-Royce Wraith Kryptos Collection that's limited to just 50 examples. “The name Kryptos is derived from Ancient Greek, referring to something unseen, hidden and coded, mythical even," said Lehman in a press release from Rolls-Royce. "Ciphers can be traced through millennia, capturing the imagination of some of the world’s most brilliant minds." The Wraiths within this collection have a stunning Delphic Grey exterior paint. This bespoke paint has a base color of Anthracite with blue and green mica flakes. These green flakes match the hand-painted Kryptos Green double coachline. Inside, the Kryptos Green color is used as a contrast against the grey tones. Altogether, the appearance of this collection is exactly what you'd expect in a sci-fi film. Rolls-Royce has also included a secret code across the cars in the Wraith Kryptos Collection. Regarding this code, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commented: "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!” See All Rolls-Royce Wraiths for Sale

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2019

Rolls-Royce Unveils Their Most Detailed Embroidery Ever

Rolls-Royce has just unveiled the most detailed single embroidery that they have ever featured in one of their vehicles. The embroidery itself is of a Peregrine Falcon, the fastest bird in the world and a true bird of prey, and it's found in a new Wraith. It consists of just about 250,000 stitches and took the embroidery team over one month to develop. "The design required hours of observation of a Peregrine Falcon – we needed to understand the musculature, the movement, the shading of the feathers," said Josh Liles, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke Embroidery Specialist. "We created multiple iterations of the embroidery – the direction, length and spacing of the stitch can have a great impact on the final image. We purposefully shaped the beak and angled the eye to create a sense of aggression." SEE ALL ROLLS-ROYCES FOR SALE

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