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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 – 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

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 22, 2020

How To Buy The Jacob & Co. X Supreme Watch

Recently, we covered a story featuring the announcement of a Jacob & Co. X Supreme collaboration. The Jacob & Co. Time Zone Watch will be the face of the new partnership, coming in both a 40mm and 47mm option. The dial includes three worldwide time zones for New York, Tokyo, and Paris. The iconic Supreme box making an appearance as well. The Jacob & Co. X Supreme watch will be released with the Week 9 Fall/Winter 2020 drop. Date: October 21, 2020Time: 11 am ESTWhere: Supreme New York Website Source: Supreme Instagram Source: Supreme Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2020

Zenith Celebrates The Sixties With A North America Exclus...

Zenith has announced a commemorative watch release inspired by the 1960s. A time where the world was continuing to reinvent itself in all aspects of life. The Swiss watchmaker crossed a monumental milestone in 1969 with the Zenith El Primero caliber, the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph movement. In celebration, a Chronomaster Revival Liberty watch will be available in the United States only and limited to 150 pieces. Sticking to the '60s inspiration, the watch design was reinvented using the original blueprints from the Zenith A384 from 1969. The 37mm sharp edge stainless steel case holds a blue chronograph dial with red and white accents. The Chronomaster Revival driven by Zenith’s infamous El Primero movement has a 50-hour power reserve. The blue leather strap continuous the U.S. theme with red contour stitching. The newest watch release from Zenith is currently available for the price of $8,700. Shop the limited edition Zenith Chronomaster Revival Liberty watch by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 21, 2020

Watch The Porsche Design Sports Chronograph Configurator ...

In the past, we covered the Porsche Design Sports Chronograph Configurator program that allows each customer to fully customize a watch using an array of Porsche colors and other design aspects. Porsche owners and enthusiasts can match their current or dream car to a luxury sports watch. Porsche released a video on YouTube that shows behind the scenes content on how each watch is constructed and displayed for each lucky owner. It highlights the attention to detail and quality of materials that Porsche Design uses when crafting the chronograph. Build a Porsche Design Sports Chronograph using the Configurator by clicking the link below. Configure The Porsche Design Sports Chronograph " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 20, 2020

Panerai Celebrates Paneristi Community 20th Anniversary ...

The watch industry is growing. Manufacturers are releasing new technology and products daily, which means that the community for watch enthusiasts is also at a steady increase. Panerai is a watchmaker with an online following of individuals deemed Paneristi. Panerai announced a new Radiomir model commemorating the group’s 20th anniversary. The 45mm stainless steel case is paired with an elegant brown and beige dial. At night is where the Panerai really shines, using its Super-Luminova numerals. The back case includes an etching signifying Paneristi’s milestone as an online community. A Scamosciato Brown leather strap is added to complement the earth tones used throughout the watch. The new collection is limited to 1,020 pieces for the price of $6,500. Shop the Panerai Radiomir Paneristi 20th Anniversary by clicking the link below. Shop Now Source: Panerai Website

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 20, 2020

The New Hublot Meca-10 Clock Is Inspired By A Previously ...

Hublot is known for designing and manufacturing luxury watches with an enlarged case size to help draw focus to the inner workings using transparent dials. The Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 is the prime example, a 45mm watch with a 10-day power reserve. The team at Hublot announced that they have rescaled and designed the January 2016 release to be available as a Meca-10 Clock. The Swiss watchmakers enlisted help from world-renowned clockmakers at L’Epée. A manual-winding skeleton power reserve movement with two barrels drives the 134.6mm clock and includes a 10-day power reserve. The limited-edition Hublot Meca-10 Clock comes in both silver and black stain polished finishes. Learn more about the large scale Hublot Meca-10 Clock by clicking the link below. Learn More

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