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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 – March 29, 2022

The New Yellow Sapphire Bugatti Chiron Watch By Jacob & Co.

The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron takes on a new yellow design. With a presence in the automotive industry and luxury watch world, Bugatti continues to diversify its portfolio with exclusive products that pair perfectly with its fleet of performance-focused hypercars. Bugatti is proud to work with the luxury specialists at Jacob & Co. on a commemorative Chiron Tourbillon that features a full sapphire case with a vibrant new look. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron takes shape as a 44mm grand complication crafted completely from yellow-tinted sapphire with 18k rose gold highlights. The pushers that operate the multitude of functions are also made from sapphire with the Bugatti logo proudly stamped in the center of each. MUST-READ: Jacob & Co. Releases The Limited-Edition $250K Jean Bugatti Collection Inside the clear sapphire crystal walls lies an intricate skeletonized dial design that mimics the engine bay of the Bugatti Chiron hypercar. The in-house Jacob & Co. JCAM37 manual-winding movement is made to represent the iconic W16 motor that powers the Bugatti, which accurately operates as the cylinders pump to apply power to the watch. Adding to its luxury look and feel, Jacob & Co. fits the new Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon with a comfortable white rubber strap and matching 18k rose gold deployant clasp. The all-new Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon embodies the craftsmanship and attention to detail of the New York City-based watchmaker. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury watch news and releases. View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY Watches (@dupontregistry_watches) Source: Jacob & Co.

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 03, 2022

Watch Manny Khoshbin Unveil His Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiro...

Manny Khoshbin x Jacob & Co. design a magnificent Bugatti Chiron watch. The partnership between Bugatti and Jacob & Co. highlights the similarities between the hypercar industry and the luxury watch world. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Collection embodies the craftsmanship of both luxury brands by incorporating the same design and performance onto a much smaller scale. In a recent video uploaded to Manny Khoshbin’s YouTube channel, the long-time Bugatti collector announces his upcoming collaboration with Jacob & Co. on a custom 1-of-1 watch. The process begins with Manny selecting his Bugatti Chiron ‘Hermes’ Edition as the inspiration behind the piece, incorporating the same colors and materials featured on the custom spec. After reviewing the different variations of the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron, Manny chose to select the ceramic version as the blank canvas that would showcase the vision behind the Bugatti build. MUST-READ: Post Malone’s 2019 Bugatti Chiron is For Sale The creative team at Jacob & Co. worked closely with Manny on a perfect configuration that includes a Craie off-white paint scheme, rose gold components, and red highlights. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron is powered by a JCAM37 movement that mimics the design of Bugatti’s famous W16 engine, which uses the same engine firing pattern while the movement is in motion. Even the backcase is personalized for Manny by including a transparent finish with a detailed horse pattern and commemorative ‘1-of-1’ engraving. Needless to say, Manny Khoshbin is extremely excited to take delivery of his new Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron watch that matches his Bugatti Chiron ‘Hermes’ Edition. Click the link below to view all the current Bugatti Chiron examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury watch news and releases. View All Bugatti Chiron For Sale Source: Manny Khoshbin YouTube

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 22, 2022

Makes & Movements: Jacob & Co. Chiron Tourbillon x Bugatt...

Exotic cars and fine handcrafted timepieces complement each other in a similar way that salt and pepper do. They just work. In many cases, watch manufacturers create pieces that tailor to the exotic automotive industry and even specific vehicles altogether. Makes and Movements will be selecting spectacular products available through duPont Registry and pairing them with current or pre-released watches. The diversity of both the vehicles and timepieces will shed light on different brands and help educated on new areas of each industry. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon The partnership between Jacob & Co. and Bugatti began in 2019 with both industry leaders looking to embody the true spirit of both brands through a collection of never-before-seen luxury timepieces. The dynamic duo aims to incorporate the luxury qualities of hypercar and high-end timepiece development to help bridge the gap between the two industries. After the release of the iconic Bugatti Chiron chassis, the team at Jacob & Co. took to the drawing board to create a collection dedicated to taking watchmaking to impossible heights. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillion is the response that helps complement the multi-million dollar hypercar. Styled to mimic each other on two different scales, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon and Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport work in unison as the perfect performance-focused pair. Jacob & Co. Continuing to highlight the vision of Bugatti and its journey towards pushing the boundaries of performance, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon features a perfect blend of luxury design and state-of-the-art movement technology. The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon takes shape as a 44mm hyper watch crafted from DLC treated titanium, making its design lightweight and reliable for any collector. Beneath the clear sapphire crystal lies the true beauty, a skeletonized dial layout that is reimagined to represent the W16 engine platform developed by the Bugatti brand. With a quick push on the right-hand crown, the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon comes to life with a crankshaft that turns and operates 16-pistons to mimic the process of an internal combustion engine. Delivering power to the timepiece is Jacob & Co.’s in-house JCAM37 manual-winding movement, which features a ‘flying’ tourbillon that is inclined to offer a closer look at the inner workings of the mechanism. With a highly-complex movement developed in-house, the JCAM37 provides a lengthy 60-hour power reserve that is indicated through a gas pump gauge on the dial. The transparent backcase gives owners a closer look into the craftsmanship and attention to detail of Jacob & Co. With hopes of it being a functional everyday timepiece, Jacob & Co. fits the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon with a comfortable black rubber strap and matching black DLC titanium deployant buckle. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is limited to only 126-pieces in its collection with a price tag of $1,500,000. Jacob & Co. Why To Buy A “why to buy” quickly turned into a “why to own” considering the Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon is made in a limited batch of 126-pieces for those with the keys to a Bugatti in the garage. The long-standing heritage of Jacob & Co. and Bugatti mark the Chiron Tourbillon as a milestone for the two luxury powerhouses, making its appreciation on the secondary market skyrocket each day. The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon represent a bridge between the two worlds, marrying engines with watches. Discover The Jacob & Co. Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport While the EB110 and Veyron models began the hype around the Bugatti name, the French automotive manufacturer represents more than a decade of design and engineering to help compete at the highest level. The Chiron platform help to carry the brand into a new generation performance, with more powerful variations of the chassis being developed behind the scenes at the Bugatti Atelier in Molsheim, France. The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport separates itself as an exclusive chassis that boasts mind-blowing performance spec, with only 60 examples available for the brand's most qualified clientele. The hypercar defines itself as a reminder that Bugatti is continuously striving to achieve more power as the benchmark brand for the automotive industry. Check the Price of the Bugatti Chiron Bugatti The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport features lightweight exterior upgrades that add aggressive styling geared towards agility. The body design is reimagined using a new front bumper, bigger air intakes, a larger rear diffuser, and a wider version of the iconic horseshoe grille. One of the most noticeable changes on the Chiron Pur Sport comes from the fixed rear spoiler, which sports an X-shape design that generates massive amounts of downforce for high-speed driving. At the heart of the beast lies Bugatti’s famous 8.0-Liter Quad-Turbocharged W16 engine, capable of producing over 1,500-horsepower and 1,180-pound-feet of torque. Managed by a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Bugatti Pur Sport launches from 0-60mph in just 2.59-seconds. The track-inspired interior layout includes a minimalist design, from the two-tone sport seats to its carbon-fiber trim elements that help to save weight while adding support. The interior of the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport deliberately presents a raw and sporty atmosphere to highlight its driver-oriented cockpit. Along with a newly updated exterior and interior, the Chiron Pur Sport receives updated technological features and driving dynamic modes to help connect a driver with any experience to the road. The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport perfectly embodies the brand at its current moment in history, with plenty of motivation to chase a new high top-speed. Bugatti Why To Buy The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is the best new addition to the garage because of the brand’s heritage as a pioneer in the hypercar world. Along with there only being 60 examples produced, the value of the Chiron Pur Sport will carry on as it becomes one of the most sought-after models in Bugatti’s multi-million dollar fleet. For owners looking to diversify from the other Chiron Pur Sport models in existence, Bugatti offers a one-of-a-kind configuration experience to help make the visions of your dream build a reality. View all current Bugatti Chiron models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti Chiron For Sale For more Makes and Movements, Check out Makes & Movements: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Countach DT/X x Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 27, 2021

Jacob & Co. Releases The $580,000 Twin Turbo Furious Buga...

The perfect watch to wear when breaking 300+ mph in a Bugatti. While Jacob & Co. continues to expand on its partnership with Bugatti, the luxury watchmaker is there to commemorate the hypercar manufacturer's performance milestones with special edition pieces. Jacob & Co. x Bugatti is proud to announce its newest release signifying the accomplishment of reaching 300+ miles per hour in the Chiron Super Sport. The new Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+ embodies all the design and technical aspects that go into a multi-million dollar hypercar, for your wrist. The 57mm chronograph is handcrafted from forged carbon fiber and grade 5 titanium to provide strength pithing its lightweight design. MUST-READ: Jacob & Co. Releases A Piece Unique Twin-Turbo Furious Bugatti Sapphire Crystal The stealth-like vision behind the piece incorporates an all-black dial design that proudly displays the Jacob & Co. and Bugatti logos. The partial transparent dial allows for a closer look at the engine driving the list of functions within the Twin Turbo Furious. Delivering power to the luxury timepiece is the in-house JCFM05 Double Triple Axis High-Speed Tourbillon, acting similarly to the quad-turbocharged W16 engine in the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. The state-of-the-art movement supplies the watch with an incredible 50-hour power reserve, making it a perfect daily wear for any collector. Completing the all-black styling of the Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+, Jacob & Co. adds a black Cordura strap with a black DLC grade 5 titanium deployant buckle. The all-new Jacob & Co. Twin Turbo Furious Bugatti 300+ is limited to only 3-pieces for $580,000. View all Bugatti Chiron examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti Chiron For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CUVqpr-sGQW/ Media/Information Source: Jacob & Co.

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 23, 2021

The Bugatti x BUBEN&ZÖRWEG Timepiece Collection Available...

Bugatti is not only meant for the road, but also the wrist. As a leader in the luxury hypercar market, Bugatti surrounds itself with brands that share the same passion for quality, performance, and exclusivity. Buben&Zorweg takes the same luxury approach when creating its line of extraordinary time, storage, and presentation objects. Bugatti is proud to announce its newest partnership with Buben&Zorweg featuring a limited-edition collection. The Buben&Zorweg for Bugatti Collection focus on the storage of luxury timepieces with three new additions including two multifunctional safe objects and a watch winder. MUST-READ: Bugatti Smartwatch Revealed: A Hypercar for Your Wrist The “Chiron 300+” case pays homage to the legendary power of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+, the first series-production vehicle to break the barrier of 300 mph.The Grande Illusion Chiron is the pièce de resistance of the collection. Crowned by the iconic B&Z Flying Minute Tourbillon Clock, it’s a multifunction safe whose contents elegantly slide upward upon being unlocked—the latter being something that happens exclusively via a biometric fingerprint sensor or transponder chip. The Illusion Chiron and Grande Illusion Chiron multifunction safes come in two color and material combinations, while the Spirit Chiron watch winder comes in two color and material combinations. All pieces of the Buben&Zorweg for Bugatti collection have been limited to 30 units per combination and are available by visiting the authorized dealer below. Authorized Dealer: Princess World Jewelers Address: 281 Bridge Street, Vail, Colorado 81657 Phone: (970) 393-5649 Media/Info Source: Bugatti x BUBEN&ZÖRWEG

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 18, 2020

Jacob & Co. Unveils Four New Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Wa...

The Bugatti brand exemplifies the idea of pushing the limits of luxury, performance, and design, which is the same mantra that Jacob & Co. follows when creating one-of-a-kind handcrafted timepieces. The well-grown partnership resulted in various collaboration pieces with inspiration deriving from the same hypercars that roll off the Bugatti production line, like the iconic Chiron model. Jacob & Co. and Bugatti are proud to announce a limited-edition Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon collection featuring five new styles. The uniquely designed watch, released in April 2020, is meant to portray an engine compartment view of the quad-turbo W16 that delivers 1,500-hp to the Bugatti. The timepieces are driven by the Manufacture Jacob & Co. Manual Winding JCAM37 movement, which is held within the case by miniature Chiron-style shock absorbers. The current style features an 18K Rose Gold case with set White Diamond Baguettes. The four new watches include light and dark styled cases paired with precious metals. The Bugatti Chiron Tourbillon Collection by Jacob & Co. is limited to 52 pieces, making it a collector’s edition piece for any owner and enthusiast of the brands. View the Bugatti Chiron Tourbillons and all other collections from Jacob & Co. by clicking the link below. Shop Jacob & Co.

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