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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 Caitlin Duffy – October 15, 2015

B.R.M. Chronographes: duPont REGISTRY's 2015 Watch Guide

B.R.M. Model R46-TN-ABLThe Model R46-TN-ABL Racing watch is an intriguing rhapsody in blue and black that catches the eye and captures the attention. The 46mm automatic watch is crafted in titanium and features racing blue coils, hands and calipers against a skeletonized dial that reveals many intricate gears and wheels. The movement parts are designed in Arcap material. The rotor, with special pattern, is made of Fortal HR (a high-tech aluminum with improved strength, density and elasticity) with a tantalum weight. The complex in-house-made movement consists of a double bearing system and offers 48 hours of power reserve, indicated at 6 o’clock on the dial.Buy Now $24,750 | 1.214.231.0144 | www.brm-manufacture.com B.R.M. Model V16-46 Ringmaster WatchBRM is known for its top-notch, auto-inspired watches. The 12-year-old French brand was founded by Bernard Richards, whose initials form the BRM name (along with the letter M for Manufacture). Inspired by the high-tech auto industry, BRM utilizes Nano-technology to build some of the most advanced-looking watches in the industry – watches made of cutting-edge materials and interpreted in bold designs. Such is the case with the Model V16-46 Ringmaster AR watch. Crafted in titanium with black PVD lugs and crown and pushers, the 46mm chronograph – with engine-like cutouts on the dial – features bold red hand and accents. The watch is powered by the ETA Valjoux caliber 7753 that has been modified in house by BRM. The caseback is sapphire for viewing the movement.Buy Now $8,950 | 1.214.231.0144 | www.brm-manufacture.com Buy This Issue Now

By Caitlin Duffy – October 15, 2015

Audemars Piguet: duPont REGISTRY's 2015 Watch Guide

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore DiverThe Royal Oak Offshore Diver has become an integral part of Audemars Piguet’s Offshore line thanks to its functionality, ease of use and top craftsmanship. The 280-part self-winding watch offers dive-time measurement and date, as well as 60 hours of power reserve. The Mega Tapisserie patterned dial is equipped with an inner bezel with diving scale. Hands and markers are coated in luminesce for easy underwater visibility and the sapphire crystal and caseback is glare proof. Thanks to rubber-clad screw-locked crowns, the watch is water resistant to 300 meters. The monobloc case is crafted in gold. It is finished with a rubber strap for diving. Retail: $19,000Buy Now 1.888.214.6858 | www.AudemarsPiguet.com Audemars Piguet Roual Oak SelfwindingRepresenting the first time Audemars Piguet has combined stainless steel and 18-karat rose gold in a watch, the Royal Oak Selfwinding is an exceptional work of sophistication and craftsmanship. The self-winding watch with date display features a silver-toned dial with the brand’s signature “Grande Tapisserie” pattern. The dial is accented by 18-karat pink gold hands (with luminescent coating) and markers and a pink gold bezel. The 280-part automatic movement offers 60 hours of power reserve and is visible via a sapphire caseback. The bracelet is stainless steel with pink gold links. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters. Retail: $25,600Buy Now 1.888.214.6858 | www.AudemarsPiguet.com Buy This Issue Now

By Caitlin Duffy – October 14, 2015

Armin Strom: duPont REGISTRY's 2015 Watch Guide

Armin Strom Skeleton Pure FireIndependent Swiss watch brand Armin Strom excels at creating highly sophisticated timepieces built into categories that replicate Earth’s four key elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The Fire collection is characterized by its 18-karat rose gold case. The Skeleton Pure Fire boldly grasps attention thanks to the layered skeletonized movement construction of the ARM09-S caliber – accentuated thanks to a 3D PVD coloration of the elaborate 146-part skeletonized movement. The manual-wind double-barrel movement offers 8 days of power reserve. Skeleton Pure Fire is created in a limited edition of just100 pieces. The 43.4mm rose gold case is water resistant to 50 meters. The watch is finished with a genuine alligator strap.Buy Now $44,800 | www.ArminStrom.com Armin Strom Tourbillon Gravity EarthBy deftly blending top-notch craftsmanship and watchmaking prowess with visionary design, Armin Strom achieves winning appeal in its Tourbillon Gravity Earth watch. The Tourbillon Gravity Earth is created in stainless steel black PVD to replicate the dark earthy elements. The watch is powered by the ATM13 movement and offers hours, minutes, small seconds and tourbillon. The automatic 197-part caliber includes a micro-rotor turning on the dial side – opposite the constantly moving tourbillon (an escapement that compensates for errors in timekeeping due to the effects of gravity on the watch in different positions). The mainplate and tourbillon bridges are hand decorated and the escape wheel and pallets are made of solid gold. The watch offers a full 110 hours of power reserve. Just 50 pieces will be made.Buy Now $86,700 | www.ArminStrom.com Buy This Issue Now

By Caitlin Duffy – October 14, 2015

Hublot: duPont REGISTRY's 2015 Watch Guide

Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Speciale Grey CeramicAlways awe-inspiring, the Hublot Big Bang Ferrari line is now joined by the Big Bang Ferrari Grey Ceramic watch. This timepiece also celebrates Hublot’s 10th anniversary of the Big Bang. Crafted in specially made grey ceramic, the watch is inspired by the historic North America Racing Team (NART). The 45 mm watch is authentically automotive thanks to a Ferrari grid style protector over a skeletonized aerodynamic portrayal of the watch mainplate and movement parts. The Manufacturemade UNICO automatic flyback chronograph movement provides the power and functions. The dial features the applique of the famed prancing horse at 9 o’clock, and the minute counter and date window are in Ferrari shield colors. The oscillating weight recalls the five-spoke Ferrari wheels. Just 250 pieces will be made. Retail: $29,800Buy Now 1.212.308.0408 | www.Hublot.com Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Carbon King GoldWith the collaboration between Hublot and Ferrari now firmly in its third year, Hublot unveils two new Big Bang Ferrari racing watches to join the incredible lineup of Hublot Ferrari watches. Among them: the Big Bang Ferrari Carbon King Gold watch – in a limited edition of just 500 pieces. The watch features an exclusive new bezel made of layered and structured carbon and gold that took six months for Hublot’s R&D team to bring to fruition. The resulting carbon bezel encrusted with gold exudes a bold vintage look that embodies the Big Bang spirit. Additionally, the case of this watch is made of King Gold, an alloy of 18 carat gold combined with platinum for a rich reddish gold luster, then micro-blasted for extra hardness and a silky metallic-effect. The brand’s in-house-made UNICO movement, an automatic flyback chronograph with all black PVD components, powers the watch. The dial naturally features the iconic Ferrari prancing horse logo. Retail: $43,600Buy Now 1.212.308.0408 | www.Hublot.com Buy This Issue Now

By Caitlin Duffy – September 18, 2015

9th Annual duPont REGISTRY Watch Guide Preview

The intricate mechanics of fine timepieces and powerful cars are some of the world's most complex, requiring subtle balances between power and function encased in a stunning body. For 30 years, the duPont REGISTRY has been connecting the buyers and sellers of intricately beautiful vehicles, and beginning in 2006, we created an annual guide to the finest timepieces to complement those vehicles.For October 2015, we have our Ninth Annual Watchguide, with nearly 50 watches from more than 15 companies who specialize in crafting the world's most impressive timepieces. Ranging from watches with attachable laser pointers, to a face that can tell you what time it is anywhere in the world, these are the ultimate watches for a person on the move. Take a moment to see a brief preview of what the guide entails below, and see the full guide in our October issue. Buy This Issue NowHublot Big Bang Ferrari Speciale Grey Ceramic $29,800 Buy Now Armin Strom Tourbillon Gravity Earth $86,700 Buy Now Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding $25,600 Buy Now B.R.M. Chronographes R46-TN-ABL $24,750 Buy Now Carl F. Bucherer Patravi ScubaTec $25,900 Buy Now Cecil Purnell V18 Tri-Axial World Time Tourbillon $270,000 Buy Now Corum Dragon & Phoenix Golden Bridge $120,000 Buy Now Buy This Issue Now Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Churchill $4,000 Buy Now Curtis & Co. Big Time World 57MM 4 Time Zone $12,000 Buy Now Louis Moinet Derrick Gaz $290,000 Buy Now Snyper One Vintage $10,700 for the timepiece, $1,300 for the laser module Buy Now Tutima M2 Pioneer $7,500 Buy Now U-Boat by Italo Fontana Flightdeck 925 Elementium $23,300 Buy Now Ulysse Nardin Freaklab $95,000 Buy Now Buy This Issue Now

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