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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 Edward Jones – April 24, 2020

Watches & Wonders is Going Virtual for 2020

Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the highly-anticipated Watches & Wonders 2020 event has been canceled. But that hasn't stopped the event from showcasing this year's most illustrious and remarkable watches to the world. The event is pivoting to a digital showcase for 2020, allowing the entire world to preview timepieces from the world's most prestigious watchmakers, like Arnold & Son, Cartier, Girard-Perregaux, HYT, IWC Schaffhausen, MB & F, Panerai, Roger Dubuis, Ulysse Nardin and more. You will be able to preview the watches on their new virtual platform, which is set to launch tomorrow, April 25, at 6:00 AM EST. All of the watches will be easy to navigate through and explore, and you'll even have the opportunity to connect with participating companies. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the finest watchmaking brands in the world to bring the Watches & Wonders concept to life online at a time when our industry needs it the most," said Fabienne Lupo, Chairwoman and Managing Director of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie. Visit WatchesAndWonders.com Featured Image Source: Instagram/WatchesandWonders (MB&F HM10 Bulldog)

By Edward Jones – April 24, 2020

Hublot Debuts the Big Bang GMT All Black Yohji Yamamoto

May 2020 marks the official grand opening of Hublot's new flagship Boutique in Ginza, Tokyo. So what better way to celebrate than to collaborate with world-renown designer Yohji Yamamoto to create a limited edition Hublot Big Bang GMT All Black Yohji Yamamoto. Yamamoto is known for his work with the shade of black, especially for having created "the Shock of Black." His ability to create a visual masterpiece with black is on full display across this new Hublot timepiece. "We are honored to celebrate the opening of our new flagship Boutique in Tokyo with fashion designer super star Yohji Yamamoto," said Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO. "This All Black limited edition we created together expresses a simple beauty through the fusion of Yohji Yamamoto’s black design signature and the complicated GMT manufacture movement." For the watch's movement, it is equipped with the Hublot Unico manufacture movement HUB1251. This allows it to display two different time zones, an important feature for Yamamoto. "This watch can easily display the time zones of the two cities where I'm based, Tokyo and Paris," said Yamamoto. This movement is encapsulated in an all-black case with, you guessed it, black hands, a black dial, and even smoked sapphire crystal. Yamamamoto's signature can be found right on the six o'clock of the watch. This watch will be limited to just 50 examples and will be exclusively available at Hublot Boutique Ginza. Learn More Technical Specifications REFERENCE471.CI.1114.RX.YOY20Limited to 50 pieces, only in Japan with limited availability at Hublot Boutique Ginza CASEMicro-blasted and polished black CeramicDiameter: 45mmThickness: 15.85mmWater resistance: 10 ATM (100m) CASE-BACKMicro-blasted black CeramicEngraved “SPECIAL EDITION”XX/50 BEZELMicro-blasted and polished black Ceramic DIALBlack Sapphire dialSatin-finished black PVD plated appliques with black luminescent MOVEMENTHUB1251UNICO Manufacture self-winding GMTFrequency: 4Hz (28’800 A/h)Power reserve: 72 hoursNo. of Components: 328Jewels: 41 STRAP & BUCKLEBlack Rubber strapBlack plated Titanium deployant buckle clasp Source: Hublot

By Edward Jones – April 23, 2020

Bid on Bubba Watson's Richard Mille Watch and a NASCAR Ri...

Bubba Watson and Denny Hamlin have teamed up for Fanatics' "All-In Challenge" and are auctioning off something very special. First up is a true 2021 Daytona 500 experience with Hamlin. It starts with a meet-and-greet, four hot passes, four suite passes, four seats on top of the FedEx pitbox and a ride-along Hamlin on the track. The winner will also either receive a signed, race-worn helmet or fire suit. After that, it's time to play 18 holes of golf at Michael Jordan's private course, The Grove XXIII. Joining Hamlin and the auction winner is Bubba Watson. After the final putt on the 18th hole, it's off to lunch where the winner will be gifted two sets of PING golf clubs complete with a custom fitting. The cherry on top is Watson gifting the winner the Richard Mille RM 39-01 Automatic Winding Flyback Chronograph Aviation watch. This watch has a retail price of over $150,000! Whatever the winning bid on this auction is, 100% of the money raised will go directly to Feeding America, Meals On Wheels, World Central Kitchen and No Kid Hungry. For more information, click the button below! Learn More https://www.instagram.com/p/B--WAs_j9hU/?igshid=1si572iqn00qs Source: Fanatics.com, Image Source: Richard Mille

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By Edward Jones – April 16, 2020

Breitling's New Superocean Heritage '57 Capsule Collectio...

Breitling has just launched the new Superocean Heritage '57 Capsule Collection, which acts as a tribute to the surfers of the 1950s and 1960s. You know, the guys with the long hair out in California that cruised around on massive longboards. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take some time and watch the film "Big Wednesday." This new collection is available with two different dial options: one with a classic black dial and another with a blue dial. Breitling is also offering a two-tone version with a bidirectional rotating bezel in 18k red gold with a black ceramic ring. No matter which watch you pick, they're all beautiful and modern reinterpretation of a truly classic sea watch. As for what's inside the case of these watches, that's a Breitling Caliber 10. This movement features a power reserve of around 42 hours. Superocean Heritage '57 The Capsule Collections let us tell some of our brand’s most inspiring stories while we produce some remarkably unique watches for a limited amount of time," says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. "With the Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection, we’ve focused on the relaxed Southern California fun-in-the-sun culture that defined an era. The surfing itself in the 1950s and 1960s is at the heart of our storytelling here, but those times offered so much more: the great music, the amazing cars, and the almost spiritual connection to freedom found on endless sandy beaches and in the search for the perfect wave." Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition Breitling is also launched the new Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition. This new watch is similar to the Capsule Collection, but is much more vibrant. Around the dial are color markings at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. The Superocean Heritage ’57 Limited Edition is limited to only 250 pieces, with each caseback having the words "ONE OF 250" engraved. If you want to pick one up for yourself, be sure to find a local Breitling boutique. Visit Breitling.com Source: Breitling

By Edward Jones – April 08, 2020

Jacob & Co. Launch New Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon, Sportin...

Jacob & Co. have just debuted a new watch that actually adds some horsepower to your wrist. The new Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon features a 16-cylinder "engine" that actually turns, prompting the 16 pistons to move up and down just like an engine. It even has two turbochargers that rest on either side of the engine block spin when the engine is running. The entire movement of this watch consists of 578 components, making it an incredibly complicated watch. Although, you really didn't need to know that in order to figure out this is a complex piece of art. It actually took Jacob & Co. just about a full year to develop this watch and its complex movement. Don't believe me? Check out the video below form Jacob & Co. where you can learn all about the watch. This is a watch that any Bugatti Chiron owner should add to their collection. Images via Facebook and YouTube/Jacob & Co.

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 06, 2020

TAG Heuer Aquaracer GMT Gets a New "Batman" Variant

TAG Heuer added a new watch to their lineup that we believe is simplistic and aesthetically pleasing, while providing an individual with the ability to adjust to multiple time zones with ease. The new Aquaracer GMT is exemplified in a familiar blue and black bezel with a matching blue dial. Underneath the steel 43mm case lies the Calibre 7 Automatic movement with a maximum power reserve of 46 hours. The look of the Aquaracer GMT has the ability to be dressed up, but with it being a sport model by TAG Heuer, is also functional at 300 meters underwater. It certainly holds the aspect of looks and function, which is why we believe that TAG has done well with the new timepiece. Click below for availability and more information on the TAG Heuer Aquaracer GMT! Learn More Images via Tag Heuer

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By Edward Jones – March 12, 2020

Roger Dubuis Launches an Icy New Watch in Aspen

Roger Dubuis journeyed to Aspen earlier this year to put on an exclusive event for their guests. During the event, guests were treated to a lot of experiences, including a chance to drive a Lamborghini on ice. Roger Dubuis also took this opportunity to unveil their new Excalibur Pirelli Ice Zero 2 Spider America Edition. This new watch is named after the new studded winter tire by Pirelli. "Icy blue" accents can be found all over the watch, including the additional bimaterial strap. For movement, it features the astral skeleton signature (820SQ calibre). Roger Dubuis will be limiting this watch to just 28 examples.

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2020

Girard-Perregaux Quasar Light: Limited to Only 18 Examples

Girard-Perregaux's new Quasar Light has just been unveiled as a truly epic watch. Using the term "epic" for a watch doesn't happen often, but for the Quasar light, it's fitting. Just look at it. The tourbillon, in all of its glory, can be seen thanks to the watch's transparent appearance. (Side Note: Girard-Perregaux Releases New Laureato Absolute Light) Allowing the watch to have a transparent appearance is the use of sapphire for the case. However, Girard-Perregaux had to use three times more sapphire than typically used in order to get the perfect gloss for the watch. But the use of sapphire doesn't end with just the case. You may notice the lack of bridges, but they're actually there but are just made out of sapphire. But this watch is more than just sapphire. The tourbillon cage features a micro-rotor made of white gold and the barrel is made of Ruthenium. If you're interested, Girard-Perregaux is only creating 18 examples of the Quasar Light.

By Edward Jones – February 18, 2020

IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition “Laureus Sp...

IWC Schaffhausen is celebrating the 20th anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards in with both style and compassion. Before the awards ceremony, the IWC and Laureus families visited a community project in Germany that's supported by Laureus. This community project is part of Laureus Sport for Good, which supports programs worldwide that "use sport to promote social change and put an end to violence, discrimination and disadvantage." The program they visited in Germany help integrate socially disadvantaged girls through soccer (football). IWC also unveiled the new Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” watch. Limited to just 500 pieces, this is the first Portugieser watch to have a monopusher chronograph. It's assembled with a stainless steel case that encompasses a Laureus blue dial. For the movement, there's a hand-wound 59360 calibre with an eight-day power reserve. On the back of the watch is an engraving designed by this year's winner of the annual IWC drawing competition. This competition is open to participants of Laureus projects. The winner of this year's competition was 15-year-old Yi Xin, who is a participant of the "Special Olympics China" program. Source: IWC

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2020

New Chronoswiss Regulator Classic Blue Steel Debuted

Chronoswiss has just added another stunning watch to their Regulator Classic lineup. The new Regulator Classic Blue Steel takes the stylish formula behind the Regulator Classic and gives it all all-blue appearance. Don't get it wrong though because the multiple shades of blue combine in a magnificent way that offers depth and variance. The Regulator Classic Blue Steel's case measures in at 41mm and has a stainless steel composition with a blue PVD coating. Matching the blue case is the Louisiana alligator leather strap that has been hand-dyed blue. For the dial, you can find guilloché patterns just like the Regulator Classic. There are also Roman numerals on the hour subdial while the minutes and seconds feature Arabic numerals. Unlike the standard Regulator Classic, the seconds subdial has a window that peers into the movement. For the movement, this watch uses the Caliber C. 295, automatic that has a 42-hour power reserve. For more information, be sure to click the button below. VISIT CHRONOSWISS.COM FOR MORE INFO

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