Aftermarket

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 Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2019

TECHART Porsche 911 is the Perfect Stocking Stuffer

When snow hits the ground below the Mason-Dixon Line, it means our big December issue is rolling off the presses. And because it is the last month of the year, only one model is allowed on the cover. We won't spoil all the juicy details, but the TECHART Porsche 911 is the perfect stocking stuffer. TECHART offers complete conversions or every individual upgrade for your new Porsche 911. You will need to order a stocking from Stuttgart, but you've been good all year. Thanks to TECHART for another great Christmas cover, and Happy Holidays from all of us at duPont REGISTRY. Purchase December 2019 Issue Here!

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2019

TECHART Reveals Program for New Porsche 911 (992)

TECHART is a company that would never sleep on a new generation of the Porsche 911. In fact, they celebrate each new generation of the 911 with a new program that takes the German sports car to the next level. The 992 generation is no exception and they actually just announced their new individualization program for the new 2020 Porsche 911. visit techart's website To create the components within their new program for the 911, TECHART went above and beyond. The aerodynamically driven body parts were styled in both virtual reality and clay modeling. They then refined the pieces through testing on both the track and in the wind tunnel, resulting in new components that unite form and function. TECHART is also introducing new materials for the exterior parts. There are also a few other notable announcements for this 911 (992) program by TECHART. New textures and raw materials from TECHART's interior department are coming for the new Porsche's interior. They have also created a new forged wheel call the Daytona II. Be sure to stay with us for more information and exact details on TECHART's program for the 2020 Porsche 911. visit techart's website

By Edward Jones – June 28, 2019

TECHART GTstreet RS Heading to Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Fourth of July is not only Independence Day, but also the start of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. During the event, TECHART will be showing off their GTstreet RS in the Michelin Supercar Paddock. Michelin's setup at the event will be a must-see as it will be filled with an insane amount of hypercars and supercars. As for the TECHART GTstreet RS, here's the lowdown on the car. For starters, it was actually the cover car for our April 2019 issue. Secondly, it's an insane take on the already potent Porsche 911 Turbo S. TECHART states that this car will run from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 8.1 seconds. Next week is going to be very exciting in the car world. Learn About The TECHART GTstreet RS

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By Andrew Nabors – January 21, 2019

Gemballa Unveils Beastly GTR 8XX EVO-R BITURBO

Everyone is singing the praises of the new Porsche 992. It is the latest and greatest version of the Porsche 911, but what about us? The fans and owners of the 991 series? These proven beasts arrived in 2012 and the Turbo and Turbo S models survived up until the 2019 model year. Our dealers have several new & certified examples for sale, and the Turbo S will offer a whopping 540 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Those are impressive numbers, but the new Gemballa GTR 8XX EVO-R BITURBO has been unveiled and its numbers are even better. Based on any 991 series Turbo or Turbo S, they have pushed the 3.8L to 818 horsepower and 810 lb-ft of torque. 60 mph arrives in 2.38 seconds and after 7.5 you will be at 124 mph. The body is 2" wider thanks to flared carbon fiber. Even with the aerodynamic upgrades, it is capable of 230 mph with ease. Click the link below to find your Porsche 911, then contact Gemballa for pricing & details. View All Porsche 911 For Sale Related: Gemballa GT Concept Ben Chen & His Gemballa Mirage GT 991 Porsche 911 Turbo S Review

By Edward Jones – October 12, 2018

New Porsche 911 GT3 RS TECHART Carbon Sport Pack

TECHART is adding some carbon flair to the normal Porsche 911 GT3 RS 991.2 for sale with their new Carbon Sport Package. This new package adds visual enhancements German sports car, making it stand out from the standard models. Within this package is a long list of parts that can be included in the package, as customers can choose if they want the entire set or just parts of it. The list includes: TECHART carbon-coated Front Spoiler Airblades Front Air Outlets Louvers Side Air Intake Trims Side Skirts Rear Lid Cover Sport Design Mirror Window Triangle Diffusor Rear Apron Shaft Panels TECHART Carbon Fiber Parts Aero-Front Lid Roof Spoiler Rear Wing Panels Rear Spoiler Winglets NACA Air Intakes Pricing on TECHART's new Carbon Sport Package changes depending on what configuration is selected. They provided a few price examples: aerodynamic visible carbon front lid starts at ~$7,799, front air outlet louvers cost ~$1,450, front spoiler costs ~$3,224 and the diffuser costs ~$1,837. All of these prices are excluding VAT. For more information, click the button below. Learn More About This Pkg

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2018

TECHART GTsport: 1 of 30

If you feel like your Porsche 991.2 Turbo S simply blends in with the crowd, our friends at Techart have the answer. Only 30 examples of the GTsport will be produced, mostly because this is a comprehensive conversion. The hardest decision you will be faced with is matte or glossy carbon fiber. Inside you will be treated to their own leather and the comfortable Techart sports steering wheel.Beautiful and functional are the enhancements because their carbon fiber components were extensively tested in a wind tunnel and computer modeling. From the rocker panels to the roof spoiler, they help increase downforce and airflow into the engine. Of course, the upgrades are not limited to the body, their TECHTRONIC Powerkit offers 640 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. It will have you at 62 mph in 2.7 seconds. It also raises the top speed to 210 mph, not too shabby. Click the link below before all 30 are sold out, and stay with us for all your Techart updates.Learn More

By Edward Jones – January 30, 2018

One-of-One Full TechArt Porsche 911.2 GTS

TAG Motorsports knows their way around a TECHART body, as they are one of the aftermarket company's authorized dealers in the United States. TAG Motorsports' recent TECHART project involved a Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, which is what they consider to be one of the finest in Porsche's lineup.The project started with a 911 Carrera GTS painted in Chalk, one of my personal favorites when it comes to Porsche colors. Options that were ordered included red dials, red seat belts and interior trim in the Chalk finish. Each of the options was picked to blend harmoniously with the TECHART catalog they were ordering for the project. Below is the full list of modifications ordered for the Porsche.Modification list:- TechArt Front Aero Lip Spoiler (New for GTS)- TechArt Side skirts- TechArt Rear Diffuser (For PSE Exhaust)- TechArt Rear Air Trim- TechArt Roof Spoiler- TechArt Type II Rear Wing- TechArt Front Air Outlet Trim- TechArt Headlight Surrounds- 20x9 & 20x12 Centerlock Formula IV Wheels (custom painted in gloss black)- TechArt Center lock caps (new and now available in black)- TechArt hood emblem- TechArt Floor Mats with chalk piping- Pedal set including dead pedal- TechArt Steering Wheel with Chalk Stitching, Chalk Painted Accents, Alcantara Sides, Red 12 O’clock Stripe & Mode Selector- TechArt Quad Tip Valved Exhaust System with Carbon Tips- TechArt Lowering SpringsAdditional Modifications included:- 245/35/20 & 305/30/20 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Tires- Rennline Front Mesh Grill Kit- AWE Tuning Hi-Flow Cats- AWE Tuning Wind foils- TAG Custom painted Porsche keyAfter matching the new kit with the original Chalk paint, it was time to assemble. Because TAG Motorsports' technicians are quite familiar with TECHART products, the entire build was finished in under a week. After that, they sent the car to Gabriel Milori for an incredible photoshoot, seen in this article.

By Edward Jones – December 01, 2017

TECHART's New 911 GT3 Package Adds More Flavor

TECHART has put their tech to use and created some serious art with their Carbon Fiber Sport Package for the Porsche 911 GT3. So, what's in this new package? It includes a front lid with integrated air outlet, a front spoiler and airblades, aerodynamic winglets, side skirts, a rear wing profile, ram-air scoops and a rear diffusor. Each of these pieces are crafted out of carbon fiber and can be ordered in either matte or high-gloss finishes.TECHART also has their 20-inch Formula IV Race forged wheel ready to roll out onto the new 911 GT3. And if you were looking to personalize the interior of your 911 GT3, TECHART can personalize it to your liking with carbon fiber, leather, Alcantara or lacquered surfaces, creating a cabin experience you won't want to leave.First TECHART GT Street R in the USA

By Edward Jones – September 29, 2017

First TECHART GT Street R in the USA

TECHART has just revealed the first GTstreet R in the United States. That momentous car was built by Autodynamica in The Woodlands, Texas.The new GTstreet R starts with the foundation of either a 911 Turbo or a Turbo S, but just about every facet of the car is changed with TECHART's modifications. Active aerodynamics can be seen on the sports cars exterior, which provide over 700 lbs of downforce. This downforce is needed because not only was the weight reduced, but power was increased. With their ECU upgrade, TECHART unlocks an additional 40 horsepower and 95-lb-ft of torque for the GTstreet R. When challenged, this sports car will run 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 210 mph.

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2017

Singer Vehicle Design Joins Forces With Williams For New ...

When Porsche's GT1 race cars needed more power, Hanz Mezger delivered a masterpiece. Not only did he design the original engine for the Porsche 911, his revolutionary water-cooled flat six began life on the track and ended up on the street. That is why he was tapped to be a consultant on the latest project from Singer Vehicle Design. Rob Dickinson founded Singer to bring classic 1989 to 1994 (Porsche 964 series 911) cars into the modern era. The name is a nod to Norbert Singer, who led Porsche to 16 overall victories. If you haven't seen a Singer 911 restoration in person, you are missing out on a masterpiece. Every aspect of the cars is perfected. Instead of steel, the body is formed of carbon fiber, with power coming from a resto-modded 911 air-cooled engine. The original dimensions of the block and cylinders are good for 400 horsepower all day long. One of their return customers is 911 collector Scott Blattner, and he asked for something more. Considering the GT3 RS makes 500 naturally aspirated horsepower, Singer turned to Hanz Mezger and Williams for something new. The new engine is 4.0 liters of perfection. Starting at the top, Mezger and Williams devised a carbon fiber intake that will replace the quarter windows. The tuned-length runners and resonators are designed for massive torque in the mid-range, and they work in conjunction with tuned headers made of Inconel. A perfect mix of fuel is provided by twin injectors. One fuel rail is aimed at the back of the intake valves and the other is upstream in the trumpet. This allows for efficiency and a perfect air/fuel ratio at all speeds. Inside the crankcase, you will find titanium rods, priority oiling with twin feed circuits, four valves per cylinder and no water. The air-cooled beast makes 500 horsepower with a red line above 9,000 rpm. Computational Fluid Dynamics were used to create the perfect cooling fan to keep the beast reliable. No mention of price was made, but we suspect our publisher might be interested in retiring a certain leaky 2.4 liter in the Targa downstairs. Be sure to stay with us for all your Porsche news, and more updates from Singer Vehicle Design.

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