Videos

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 Edward Jones – June 02, 2020

Rolls-Royce ‘Inspiring Greatness' With Cory Richards

Rolls-Royce's latest iteration of their 'Inspiring Greatness' series stars none other than award-winning National Geographic photographer and explorer Cory Richards. In the film, found above, you'll find what pushes Richards to embark on his treacherous expeditions and what it means to him. Did you know that Richards is the only American and one of the few people to climb the 8,000-meter peak of Pakistan's Gasherbrum II in winter? Richards also took a Rolls-Royce Cullinan to remote parts of Scotland, the UAE and the US as part of 'The Final Challange." He tested to Cullinan to "the point of destruction," taking it through some treacherous terrains. On what Rolls-Royce means to him, Richards says: “Everything I do is driven by risk-taking. If we don’t take risks, we don’t fail, and when we don’t fail, we don’t learn. Rolls-Royce, to me, occupies a space that I resonate with in terms of perfection, where there is an absolute attention to detail that is unrivalled. There’s a willingness to take time in order to create something that is beyond compare that encourages us to dream about what we can accomplish.” Check out the video for yourself up above. See All Cullinans for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 12, 2020

Rolls-Royce Phantom Rose is Cultivated for Discerning Cus...

One of the best features of a new Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale is "The Gallery". The passenger side of the dash is a blank canvas, able to display whatever your heart desires. We have seen everything from classical music stanzas to the DNA sequence of the owner's children. Now it appears the House of Rolls-Royce has outdone themselves again. Turning to famous breeder Philip Harkness, the "Phantom Rose" is a gorgeous flower that only grows in a purpouse-built flowerbed lined fringed with lavender. Located next to the Sir Nicholas Grimshaw assembly plant, they can be easily seen by workers through the floor-to-ceiling windows. This is just one of the ways you can customize your Phantom, so click the button below to learn more from our dealers. Browse Rolls-Royce Phantom For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 20, 2018

Taking the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV Up a Mountain

The SUV hype has been building up for years and it's culminated into the release of off-road vehicles from brands we never would have expected. One of the most unexpected SUVs has to be the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. When you think of a Rolls-Royce, you think of something along the lines of a Ghost or Phantom. Basically, you think of a super-luxury car that's perfect for being chauffeured in. Now that the Cullinan is out, things have changed, but has the overall DNA of the Rolls-Royce vehicle changed in the SUV? To answer that, Peter Valdes-Dapena of CNN Business took the Cullinan up a mountain to see how it performed. Fastest SUV's in the World It's an odd sight seeing a Rolls-Royce get down and dirty on a dirt road but the automaker's engineers did a great job of making it a capable SUV. The Cullinan is stocked with loads of features that make it competent when the road gets tough. Check it out for yourself in the video above. Also Check Out: Rolls-Royce & Fabergé Unveil the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg Rolls-Royce EW Phantom Gets “Privacy Suite” Lamborghini Urus and Rolls-Royce Cullinan Compared

By Andrew Nabors – October 23, 2017

Icon Derelict 1958 Rolls Royce On Jay Leno's Garage

Owning a classic English car is rewarding when it comes to comfort and build quality. Service and maintenance can be the deal breaker. Much like the Toyota Supra-powered Rolls Royce Phantom, the cost of original parts is why engine swaps are so popular. Johnathan Ward of Icon 4x4 likes to add modern technology to classic cars in their Derelict series. The latest build is a 1958 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud I that almost looks original at a distance. In the latest upload from Jay Leno's Garage, it's easy to see how a Corvette Z06 engine and modern chassis make for incredible performance. The 7.0 liter LS7 can be found in the Z06 from 2006 to 2013. It is good for 550 reliable horsepower and torque along with thrifty fuel mileage. Behind that, Icon uses a 4L85E transmission, which is undoubtedly the strongest 4 speed automatic on the market. Art Morrison supplied the suspension, but Icon was forced to integrate a percentage of the original steel to comply with Australia's tax laws. This wild build is destined to go down under, so we're glad Jay was able to film it before it leaves. Would you replace a tired straight six with modern V8 power? Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's Garage. View the Compete Jay Leno Car Collection Here

By Andrew Nabors – October 03, 2017

Toyota 2JZ Powered Rolls-Royce Phantom

If your car taxes are based on engine size, what happens when you need more power? The Rolls-Royce V12 is force-fed by twin turbos. It makes enough power and torque you could ever need, but rebuild parts can get pricey. One Japanese owner decided to infuse their car with some home-grown power, and TheSpeedHunters encountered a unique Phantom. Under the hood lurks a 2JZ-GTE engine purported to make 900 horsepower. Inline-6 engines have been embraced by Japan's automotive industry from the beginning. The indestructible reputation of the FJ series was due in-part to the Chevrolet stovebolt 6 Toyota built under license.Gordon Ramsay's LaFerrariCountless Toyota sedans and performance cars used straight 6 power. From the Cressida, to Celicas and Supras, they are known for smooth running & low maintenance. The JZ series was made popular by the 4th generation Supra and several early Lexus models. Only the Supra offered them in forced induction, with two sequential ceramic turbos. To make monster power, the complex system is usually dumped in favor of a single larger turbo, and this Phantom has a compressor the size of a watermelon. Although the block is cast iron, a fully dressed engine is probably half the weight of a V12. Thankfully the Phantom rides on air suspension that can adapt to keep it level. The idea of losing weight and gaining power should appeal to everyone, so click below to find a good starting point. This reminds us of a Tokyo drifting movie that swaps a straight six into a classic Mustang...It is a proven formula for success, so tell us what you think of this swap and stay with us for more overpowered luxury cars.Rolls-Royce For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=57&v;=0Mg34Cu40Ds

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2017

Rolls-Royce Dawn Races 0-155 mph on Autobahn

Our minds are automatically wired to relate size with speed. But bigger doesn't always mean slower. Larger vehicles usually take longer to reach top speeds, because acceleration is not a top priority. Rolls-Royce builds some of the finest vehicles in the world, so no compromises are made to luxury or power. The largest object I have ever controlled was 5 minutes at the helm of the USS Wyoming. It taught me that size is irrelevant if you have power. The Rolls-Royce Dawn doesn't have a nuclear reactor, but it sure feels like it.Also Check Out: Rolls-Royce Unveils The Dawn Black BadgeUnder the hood is a 6.6 liter BMW V12 with twin turbos. Since it was designed for Autobahn cruising, our friends at AutoTopNL decided to show just how capable it is. Offering 523 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque, the Dawn could probably tow more than most medium-duty trucks since maximum torque happens at only 1,550 rpm. While older British models accelerated eventually, the Dawn will surprise you. In keeping with tradition, the left gauge is not a tachometer. It is a power indicator that factors in boost, engine speed, and fuel injector load to show the driver how much power is available. The 8 speed automatic will recognize your intentions by carefully monitoring the accelerator, and it's nice to have an automatic that knows how to keep boost on tap. If you don't believe us, check out these Rolls-Royce Dawn for sale and you will understand why it is worth every penny.

Videos

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe