Tesla

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

Two men stand smiling in front of a white Tesla S-APEX parked in a driveway. One man wears a beanie and green hoodie, while the other sports a black jacket, clearly pleased with their recent delivery.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 28, 2025

Joe Rogan Takes Delivery Of His New Unplugged Performance...

Meet Joe Rogan's newest EV. No stranger to the art of spirited driving and car collecting, Joe Rogan shares a love for all things automotive, and it shows through an impressive fleet of cars and trucks. And when he's not recording for the world's most listened-to podcast, Rogan is most likely tearing up the tarmac in his Gunther Werks Porsche 911 or tackling terrain in his Hennessey VelociRaptorR 1000. In addition to high-horsepower combustion-driven sports cars and trucks, Joe also shows an interest in modern EVs that give supercars a run for their money. The team at Unplugged Performance recently took to its Instagram to document the delivery of Joe Rogan's brand-new UP Tesla S-APEX. The performance junkies at Unplugged Performance are known for elevating the look and feel of everyday Tesla EVs with tons of exterior and interior upgrades. The once-factory Model S features a carbon fiber widebody with a custom white and blue pearl paint job, protected by satin PPF. Exposed carbon trim adds to the sleek look, and it was handpicked by Joe and the team during the build process. Inside, the cabin combines white Banbū leather and black Alcantara, with meticulous hand-stitching for a clean finish. Performance-wise, the S-APEX comes equipped with the same carbon ceramic brakes found on the shop's renowned Dark Helmet build. Now in the possession of Joe Rogan, look out for his one-of-one UP Tesla S-APEX on Austin, TX roads. View all Tesla EVs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Tesla EVs For Sale Source: Unplugged Performance

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 11, 2024

Philadelphia 76ers Kelly Oubre Jr.'s 2024 Tesla Cybertruc...

The NBA shooting guard is parting ways with his EV pickup. Upon its first release to the automotive world, the Tesla Cybertruck quickly became one of the most desirable new cars on the market, evening trading upwards of $100,000 over MSRP. And while most customers waited patiently for their factory orders, A-list celebrities and top professional athletes seemed among the first to secure Cybertrucks nationwide. The team of professionals at Chicago Motorcars is proud to showcase Philadelphia 76ers Kelly Oubre Jr.'s personally-owned 2024 Tesla Cybertruck as part of its extensive inventory of exotics for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Dubbed the Signature Tsunami Cybertruck by the NBA star, the AWD Foundation Series configuration comes finished in a saint black wrap that protects its damage and bullet-resistant stainless steel alloy body. The custom gloss black Forgiato wheel further differentiates this Cybertruck from all others on the road while maintaining its ruggedness with off-road tires. In addition to the EV truck, the buyer of this Tesla Cybertuck will also receive a pair of sneakers and a basketball autographed by Kelly Oubre Jr. The Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series packs a dual-motor powertrain that generates over 600 horsepower and advanced tech for everyday driving. With full self-driving capabilities, Tesla easily handles everyday commutes, while access to Tesla's expansive supercharger network makes charging simple and quick. Kelly Oubre Jr.'s personally-owned 2024 Tesla Cybertruck is now for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View Listing

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By Jordan Aquistapace – September 09, 2024

Shaquille O'Neal Takes Delivery Of His New Carbon Widebod...

With an energetic personality as big as his massive 7'1" stature, Shaquille O'Neal has grown into an A-list celebrity with an impressive Hollywood resume alongside his successful 19-year career in the NBA. Shining in the spotlight through movie and TV show cameos throughout the years, it's more than apparent that Shaq has a passion for collecting cars. While height does pose the problem of owning supercars, Shaq has put that statement to rest after buying and modifying a silver Ferrari F355 Spider with extra legroom. This weekend, Shaquille O'Neal took to his Instagram page to give fans and followers an exclusive look at his brand-new Tesla Cyberbeast, customized with a list of upgrades that make it a true one-of-one build. Starting at the exterior of Telsa's EV pick-up truck, Shaq opted for a stealthy gloss black vinyl wrap over the manufacturer's factory raw aluminum finish. The body itself is upgraded with the first-ever carbon fiber widebody kit for the Tesla Cyberbeast, giving it a more aggressive appearance while adding more contrasting geometry to the truck. In addition, the front and rear bumper also feature custom "CyberDiesel" decals in Tesla's Cybertruck font. If the bright red headlight or matching underglow didn't grab your attention, the custom 26-inch black Forgiato wheels and off-road tires sure did. The interior remains factory in its minimal and spacious layout as Shaq needs no further interior upgrades for leg room or head space. Now with a brand new, one-of-one Tesla Cyberbeast in his fleet, courtesy of Effortless Motors, Shaq can now casually cruise South Beach in his custom EV truck. View all Tesla Cybertrucks for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Tesla Cybertrucks For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hot Freestyle (@hotfreestyle) Source: @shaq Instagram

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 05, 2024

Watch A Gold Tesla Cybertruck Race A $3M Koenigsegg Agera

TheStradman pits two very different high-performance machines together. Known for his diverse and unique collection of supercars, TheStradman has one of YouTube’s most interesting automotive channels. In a new video, however, he brings two cars with very different approaches to performance together to see which one is the fastest. One is the Koenisgesgg Agera, a celebrated and well-known hypercar with a V8 engine, lightweight construction, and engineering innovation that defies convention, pushing the entire automotive industry forward. The other is the Tesla Cybertruck, which is similarly pioneering by being a heavy pickup truck that uses electric power to boast formidable, surprising performance. Together, the two were present among other hypercars for a gathering at a drag strip where all of the performance cars in attendance could be put to the test. One of the most intriguing pairings was the Cybertruck and the Agera. The hypercar crossed the finish line quicker than the iconic electric pickup truck. Still, it was a surprisingly close match thanks to the Cybertrucks’ immense power and innovative electric engineering. Despite the Agera being roughly a decade old as a model and Koenigsegg introducing new models since, it still has incredible performance as a hypercar that few other vehicles, both old and new, can replicate. View All Koenigseggs For Sale View All Tesla Cybertrucks For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 03, 2024

Lil Baby Shows Off His Custom Red Tesla Cybertruck On For...

Lil Baby's Cybertruck is unlike any other you've seen before. The Tesla Cybertruck has finally hit the streets, captivating onlookers and igniting excitement among early adopters eager to leave their mark on the highly-anticipated EV pickup truck. Since its debut, owners have been working tirelessly to be among the first to personalize their futuristic rides. From unique paint jobs to cutting-edge tech upgrades, the Cybertruck community is already setting new standards in automotive customization. One of the fortunate few to get their hands on a Cybertruck is 29-year-old American rapper Lil Baby, whose impressive car collection includes a Ferrari SF90 Stradale, BRABUS G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz S680 Virgil Abloh, Lamborghini Urus, and more. Lil Baby recently took to Instagram to showcase his newly customized Tesla Cybertruck. While we're used to seeing the Cybertruck in its raw, stainless-steel design, Lil Baby opted for a vibrant red wrap. Along with the new color, his Cybertruck features matching red window tint and a massive set of custom Forgiato wheels that completely transform its appearance. These upgraded wheels pair perfectly with the Nitto all-terrain tires, making the Cybertruck the most efficient and sustainable off-road machine. Posing for Instagram photos on the roof with stacks of cash, it's clear that Lil Baby is thrilled with the new look of his Tesla Cybertruck. View all Tesla Cybertrucks for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Tesla Cybertrucks For Sale Source: @lilbaby Instagram

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By Tyler Rampersaud – May 07, 2024

MrBeast Is Giving Away 26 Teslas For His 26th Birthday

The YouTube magnate’s latest stunt is electrifying. Known for high-budget shenanigans and an online presence that is nothing short of immense, YouTube personality MrBeast is one of the most influential and well-known individuals to forge a career on the platform. With extravagant giveaways, exorbitant purchases, and unfathomable projects and ideas making up much of his content, MrBeast was determined to celebrate his birthday this year in a unique way. Turning 26 this year, the YouTube icon decided to ring in his birthday with a giveaway of 26 Tesla electric vehicles. Currently, the giveaway is taking place on MrBeast’s Instagram page, where fans of MrBeast can follow the post’s instructions to enter for the chance to win one of the 26 cutting-edge all-electric cars that are being offered. Winners of the giveaway are set to be announced in 7 days, so time is ticking for fans of MrBeast’s YouTube channel to enter for the chance to win one of the more than two dozen EVs that are being given away. With all sort of expensive stunts and displays making MrBeast’s content simply impossible to ignore, this new 26-Tesla giveaway is making the YouTuber’s 26th birthday one to remember. View All Teslas For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by MrBeast (@mrbeast)

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 01, 2024

Elon Musk Tweets That The Tesla Roadster Will Have A 0-60...

And he said that's the least interesting part! We all remember the viral video from 2019 of a Tesla Roadster prototype sprinting off in front of an audience, leaving them all speechless from the instant torque and absence of normal combustion engine noises. While the idea of performance-focused EVs have been thoroughly exercised with cars like the Model S Plaid, Tesla is always striving to push the boundaries and limits of what its vehicles can achieve. As we wait in anticipation for the Roadster's release, Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk recently updated the automotive world on some mind-blowing news that he tweeted on his X account. His first tweet read, "Tonight, we radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster. There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car." And while that may not give us any more insight into what to expect, a follower pushed for more answers by asking, "Targeting a 0-60mph time of -1 second with the fastest spec?" For clarity, the Dodge SRT Demon 170 holds the current 0-60mph time at 1.66 seconds, achieved from a 1,025 horsepower supercharged V8 and a ton of drag racing upgrades. Elon responded to the tweet by saying, "0-60mph < 1 sec And that is the least interesting part." Leaving Tesla fans and the rest of the automotive world jaw-dropped, we can only expect that the Tesla Roadster is about to break into the performance realm of multi-million dollar hypercars. In addition to the metaphorical mic drop he left on social media, Elon also expressed the project comes as a Tesla x SpaceX collaboration and that the production design phase is complete. Expecting to showcase "the most mind-blowing product demo of all time", Elon plans the Tesla Roadster to ship next year. View all current Tesla EVs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Tesla EVs For Sale https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1762716007913652650?s=46&t=s2GpjYe3YRXzyOlSIgDYTA Source: Elon Musk X (@elonmusk)

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 22, 2024

Watch The World's First Tesla Cybertruck On Snow Tracks T...

Get ready to witness the first Tesla Cybertuck on a winter off-road adventure. While it seems like it's taken forever since its initial debut into the EV world, the Tesla Cybertruck is finally here and they've been seen on social media driving on roads all around the country. And while many have been trying to be the first to do things like tint or a custom wrap, custom vehicle builder Dave Sparks (@HeavyDSparks) is taking things to a whole new level with how he's prepped a Tesla Cybertruck for the ultimate winter adventure. Known for his support in helping with off-road recoveries and having fun in the Utah mountains with friends like David "Diesel Dave" Kiley, Cleetus McFarland, Whistlin Diesel, and Roman Atwood, Dave figured a Telsa Cybertruck on tracks seemed to be the perfect idea for more fun in the snow. Dave and his team have prior knowledge of how to fit snow tracks on vehicles that wouldn't normally need them, like a lifted ex-school bus that has since been converted into the ultimate snow cruiser. And just like that, the guys managed to custom-fit four extremely wide, traction-grabbing snow tracks on Elon Musk's first Tesla truck. Now is the time to start thinking of your hypothesis when considering the outcome of an electric venturing through deep Utah snow. As we wait in anticipation for a HeavyDSparks YouTube video on this, we congratulate him on being the first to upgrade a Tesla Cybertruck with snow tracks. View all Tesla EVs currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Teslas For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dave Sparks (@heavydsparks) Source: @heavydsparks Instagram

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By Tyler Rampersaud – November 01, 2023

Watch Joe Rogan Shoot An Arrow At A Tesla Cybertruck

This one-dollar bet makes for an exciting watch. The Tesla Cybertruck is highly anticipated, and constantly talked about, whether for its unorthodox design, its potential ability, or most prominently for its lofty claims. One of the most discussed aspects of the Cybertruck is its toughness, and recently on an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the famed podcast host and Elon Musk put the Cybertruck to the test. While discussing the Cybertruck being tested for its ability to be bulletproof on the podcast, Rogan suggested to Musk that he try to penetrate the stainless steel body of the truck with a hunting bow and arrow. Of course, Elon Musk agreed, betting one dollar that the Cybertruck would be able to withstand the attack. Once Rogan shot the arrow at the truck, the arrow bounced off the body, flattened, leaving only a small dent in the truck’s exterior. Elon Musk also explained that bullets and arrows are typically able to penetrate straight through car doors, and that the Tesla Cybertruck can withstand various firearms. Musk went on to say that the Cybertruck is designed this way because he thought bulletproofing was a desirable measure of a truck’s toughness. As anticipation for the cybertruck continues to build, Joe Rogan and Elon Musk show that its incredibly tough body is capable of withstanding the force of an arrow shot by a powerful hunting bow, and among its other acclaims and attributes, it remains one of the most exciting additions to the truck world. View All Teslas For Sale Joe Rohan shatters an arrow on Cybertruck that would easily go through a normal car pic.twitter.com/XSMjnoE5Xp— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2023

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