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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 Jordan Aquistapace – November 02, 2020

Zenith Releases A Full Carbon Fiber DEFY Classic Model

The Zenith DEFY watch collection highlights not only the technology and craftsmanship that goes into each timepiece but also the premium materials used to provide a comfortable wear experience. The Swiss watch manufacturer recently releases the DEFY Classic model featured in Black Carbon Fiber. The 41mm watch showcases the elite in house skeletonized movement through a transparent dial, allowing for a closer look at the inner workings. The inspiration behind the special release is weight savings, which is why carbon fiber is incorporated in the optional solid bracelet. The Zenith DEFY Classic Carbon bridges the gap between performance and aesthetics. The carbon bracelet model is currently available for $19,500 and a strap version for $11,500. Click the link below to shop for the new Zenith DEFY Carbon Classic. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2020

New Chronoswiss Open Gear Tourbillon is Limited to 15 Pieces

Chronoswiss is celebrating thr 20th anniversary of their first regulator tourbillon with a vibrant new special edition timepiece. The new Chronoswiss Open Gear Tourbillon dons ten different shades of blue in a magnificent manner, making it a perfect celebratory watch. For the case, Chronoswiss went with stainless steel construction that has an electric blue CVD coating. The other blue elements of the watch includes just about everything aside from the internals-- even the exposed bridge has a blue hue. Right at six o'clock is where you can view the flying tourbillon, which stands apart from the blue tones of the watch allowing it to be the true star of the watch's face. To get more specific, the movement employed for the Open Gear Tourbillon is the manual winding Caliber C303 which has a power reserve of about 60 hours. Chronoswiss is creating just 15 examples of this timepiece, so if you're interested, you ought to click the button below to visit Chronoswiss.com to learn more and contact them. Visit Chronoswiss.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 30, 2020

Ressence Releases The Type 5 Watch Featuring An Active Oi...

The watch industry is full of manufacturers designing and constructing examples that separating themselves from the rest of the pack, whether it be visually or functionally. Ressence is a watchmaker that perfectly balances that combination with the Type Collection. The newest addition to the Ressence line up is the Type 5. The watch has a unique feature that uses 37.5ml of oil that is separated by a sealed chamber to cancel out total internal reflection as a tool for divers. The Type 5 by Ressence is equipped with functions such as hours, minutes, runner, oil temperature, and the current time. It features an organic design that is aesthetically pleasing on the eyes and comfortable on the wrist of the user. There are available color options in black/silver, black/black, and night blue/silver with matching rubber straps. Shop the Ressence Type 5 Collection by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – October 29, 2020

Ulysse Nardin's New R-Strap is Made of Recycled Fishing Nets

Ulysse Nardin has teamed up with Ben Lacomte, the first person to swim across the Atlantic ocean with a board, to create the very special R-Strap. This new strap, which is compatible with the Diver 44 mm, Diver 42 mm, Diver Chronograph, Marine Torpilleur and Freak X watches, is made of a polyamide yarn made of recycle fishing nets. Ulysse Nardin created this strap after Ben's 300-nautical-mile voyage to bring awareness to not only the plastic polluting the ocean but the 300 million tonnes of plastic produced every year. Regarding his interaction with plastic polluting the ocean, Lacomate has this to say: "I’ve discovered endless masses of confetti. Swimming in a concentration of microplastics is like crossing a snowstorm where the flakes are millions of plastic particles. I realized that it was a huge problem. I felt distraught." Ulysse Nardin actually has a very close relationship with the ocean and marine wildlife. Not only have they been creating marine chronometers since 1846, but they also have close ties with the boating/yachting world. In fact, they are the official timekeepers of the 2020 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. If you happen to make it down to the boat show, Oct. 28 - Nov. 1, Ulysse Nardin will be exhibiting some of their incredible timepieces at the Windward VIP. Visit Ulysse-Nardin.com

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 29, 2020

Paul Newman Rolex Daytona And Steve McQueen TAG Heuer Mon...

Watches hold historic significance throughout time, whether it’s a highly collectible reference released by the manufacturer or an example owned by someone special. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo will be auctioning the Racing Pulse, two magnificent timepieces owned by Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. The Rolex featured in Racing Pulse is a Paul Newman personal Reference 6263 “Big Red” Cosmograph Daytona. This Daytona is one of the world’s most important Rolex watches. As it was the watch, he wore the most in a two-decade span. It was a 25th anniversary present from Joanne Woodward that features an engraving on the caseback that reads “Drive Slowly, Joanne” The watch is currently being cosigned by Clea Newman. She received the Rolex before the passing of her father. A timepiece with such significance behind it will surely be a highlighted item during the auction. The TAG Heuer Monaco presented as part of Racing Pulse was personally owned by Steve McQueen and featured in his iconic racing film, Le Mans. This example is the last of two known Monaco watches owned and gifted by Steve McQueen to be offered publicly, making this an incredibly rare collectors’ piece. The watch consigned by Haig Alltounian, McQueen’s mechanic, received it as a gift during the filming of Le Mans. An engraving that reads “To Haig Le Mans 1970” was put on the caseback of the Reference 1133 Monaco by Steve McQueen. This TAG Heuer Monaco is an incredible example of automotive and cinema excellence.

By Edward Jones – October 28, 2020

Garmin Launches the Instinct Esports Edition Watch

Garmin has just launched a new watch that's great for its wearer as well as entertaining for the wearer's stream viewers. Alright, you might be wondering what I'm talking about so I'll fill you in. The new Garmin Instinct Esports Edition watch has just been unveiled and it offers some very unique integrations that are gaming-focused. The most interesting integration is the ability to broadcast your street level and heart rate to game streams. This means the viewers will be able to see the streamer's heart rate spike when they're in an intense fight or scared by a spooky ghost that jump-scared them. Having seen this integration in action, it's quite amusing. Of course, this watch has a ton of other features that Garmin wearables are known for like sports apps, phone notifications, sleep monitoring and more. It comes with a $299.99 Shop On Garmin.com " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 27, 2020

How To Buy The Grand Seiko X Hodinkee Yūgure Automatic GM...

In the past, the well-known watch website Hodinkee has collaborated with luxury watch manufacturers, resulting in examples deemed sought after collectors’ pieces. Grand Seiko recently announced a partnership with Hodinkee, featuring a limited-edition GMT. The Grand Seiko Automatic GMT SBGM236 Limited Edition for Hodinkee is named Yūgure, which means dusk in Japanese. The name, inspired by the bluish-gray colored dial encased in a 39.5mm stainless steel case. The newest release is limited to 500 pieces, with each caseback specially engraved with Hodinkee. Shop the limited-edition Grand Seiko x Hodinkee GMT watch by clicking the link below. Date: October 27th, 2020 Time: 10 am EST Where: Hodinkee Website Source: Grand Seiko Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 23, 2020

TAG Heuer Releases Ayrton Senna Special Edition Formula 1...

Ayrton Senna is considered one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers all, displaying his talents by pushing the limits of speed as well as making consistent podium appearances. TAG Heuer is celebrating the motor racing legend and his lasting impact on the sport by releasing a tribute model. The TAG Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition watch features a 44mm steel case driven by an automatic caliber 16 movement. The chronograph dial includes three sub-dial counters as well as the Senna “S” located at the 6 o’clock position. TAG Heuer redesigned the tachymeter to display “Senna” and 400 km/h, instead of the traditional 240 km/h, paying homage to Ayrton Senna’s pursuit to become the fastest of all time. The case back is engraved signifying the Senna Special Edition with a helmet portrayed as well. The newest addition from TAG Heuer is present in Black and Senna Yellow, with a bracelet and leather strap version available. Shop the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Senna Special Edition Chronograph by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 22, 2020

The New Bell & Ross BR 05 Chronograph Is Now Available Fo...

Bell & Ross announced the upcoming release of a modern take on the classic BR 05 model. The newest addition to the collection features a BR-CAL 301 chronograph movement encased in a 42mm stainless steel case. The functions of the two sub-dials include small seconds at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. A transparent case back was added to allow for a closer look at what drives the Bell & Ross BR 05 Chronograph. The collection is present in both a black and blue version, with the ability to choose between a traditional steel bracelet or a color-matched rubber strap. Bell & Ross is currently taking preorders for late October 2020, starting at a price of $5,900. Shop the new Bell & Ross BR 05 Chronograph by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – October 22, 2020

Angelus U52 Luis Campos Edition is a Soccer Fan's Dream W...

If you're a fan of the beautiful game, soccer, then you've more than likely heard of Luis Campos. Famous for his scouting abilities, he has discovered some of the game's most popular players including Anthony Martial, Bernardo Silva, Bakayoko, Fabinho and Mendy. Not only does he know soccer like the back of his hand, he knows watches very well, too. Speaking a bit more specifically, he's a fan and friend of Angelus who has just unveiled their new U52 Luis Campos Edition. This new watch was designed in collaboration with Campos, who helped pick out the blues of the watch, its strap, football motif on the small seconds and technical specifications. The watch itself runs on the Angelus calibre A-300, a skeleton movement with a one-minute flying tourbillon and 300-meter water resistance. Thanks to this skeleton movement and 45 mm case made of grade-5 titanium, the U52 is both lightweight and very sturdy. This was an aspect Campos sought in a watch because it allows him to wear it during demanding situations without having to worry about vibrations or impacts. One other feature that soccer fans will like, aside from its solidity, is the 60-minute timing system inside the case on the flange. Running along with this system are blue markings from zero to 45, signifying the halves of a soccer match. If you're a soccer fan or watch collector and are interested in the limited edition Angelus U52 Luis Campos Edition, be sure to act quick because only 25 examples are to be created. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Visit Angelus-Watches.com

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