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 Edward Jones – April 09, 2018

Overfinch Teases Their New Velar

Overfinch has been tuning Range Rovers for decades. In fact, they note that they are the originators of Range Rover tuning thanks to their history of such dates back to the mid-1970's. Ever since they started, Overfinch has been taking Range Rover models to the next level through their expertise. This means they've been keeping up with all model launches and fine-tuning their skills to each and every Range Rover that is released.Their latest task involves the new Range Rover Velar, the latest model from the luxury SUV automaker from England. Sitting in between the Evoque and Sport models in the Range Rover lineup, the Velar has only been met with praises since it was launched. In fact, it recently won the award for "World’s Most Beautiful Car." New 2018 Range Rover Velar Prices and Specs RevealedEven though it's already a beautiful car, that doesn't mean Overfinch is going to stay away from it. In fact, that just means they have a lot of work to do. Or had a lot of work to do, because they've released teaser images of their final take on the new Velar. These new images show off a redefined and enhanced Velar that will undoubtedly be the talk of all Range Rovers when it's released. It should looks like Overfinch has done an incredible job, but that was expected. Check out the teaser photos in this article and get ready, because we'll have all the details on the Overfinch Velar with it releases.Can't wait for the release? Click the button below to sign up for updates from Overfinch.Sign Up for Updates

By Andrew Nabors – March 28, 2018

BRABUS Unveils The 2018 E700

If you demand the best out of everything in life, BRABUS has something you will enjoy. Their latest E700 is the first 2018 example in the US. Sparing no expense, it started life as a Mercedes-AMG E63 S Edition 1.Wasting no time, they upgraded almost every piece of trim. The iconic B logo can be found on the illuminated grille badge, leather floor mats, and even in a 3D form on the Distronic shield. Their stainless steel dual-mode exhaust outflows the factory system, to handle more boost. The turbos and wastegates are upgraded to make 700 horsepower, and the transmission is recalibrated for more aggressive shifting.List Your Exotic Car For SaleA full carbon fiber kit consists of front and rear spoilers, a rear diffuser, rocker panels and more. The monoblock forged wheels look great with the optional 0.6" lowering kit. As with all BRABUS cars, it is 50-state legal and backed by a warranty. Click the link below for all the details.Buy One Now

By Andrew Nabors – March 28, 2018

Lamborghini Domination At TX2K18: Easy 200 MPH

If your stock Aventador or Huracan needs more speed, Underground Racing has perfected the twin turbo Lamborghini. Our friends at 1320video traveled to Texas for the annual TX2K race. Qualifying and testing brought cars from around the country. As the slower cars were sent packing, every competitor in the semifinals was driving an Underground Racing machine packing 4-digit horsepower.Underground Racing Gallardo vs World’s Fastest Corvette Z06You might think that the transmission and differential gears might not be optimal for 1/4 mile racing, but at these power levels drivers are forced to go easy on the launch. The boost builds up progressively until the cars are making over 2,000 horsepower by the 1/8th mile. It's slightly depressing to watch cars post top end speeds over 100 mph faster than my heavily modified LS car, and it proves that Underground Racing has a recipe for dominance. If you want to get in on the action, you will need a great deal on a Lamborghini Huracan. So click the link below and let the journey begin.Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2018

RENNtech E63 S AMG Shatters Quarter-Mile Record

Just when you thought Mercedes-AMG built the ultimate E63, RENNtech has allowed it to reach its full potential. At a recent testing session at Palm Beach International Raceway, they set a new record for the 4MATIC equipped E63 S. The unassuming sedan has their Stage 1 kit, which consists of new turbos, ECU, exhaust, and a new fuel system.RENNtech AMG GT R: The Orange BeastWhen tested on an engine dyno this combination makes 842 horsepower and 779 lb-ft of torque. This is sent to all wheels through the 4MATIC+ system. Vossen makes the wheels exclusively for RENNtech, measuring 20 x 10 front and 20 x 10.5 rear. Wrapped in Michelin Sport Cup 2 rubber, it allowed for a flawless holeshot in the record-setting run. This was done on 93 octane pump gas, so if your AMG needs an upgrade click on the link below.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – March 21, 2018

600 HP Lincoln Navigator By Hennessey Performance

No matter where your allegiances lie, you can't deny the appeal of Lincoln's new Navigator. Using lessons learned in the F150 trucks, the Navigator is almost completely aluminum. Under the hood is the familiar 3.5 liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6.You Can Now Order the Hennessey VelociRaptor 6×6 (w/ Price)This engine is no stranger to John Hennessey and his team. They dream of boost every night, so when the Navigator arrived it was time to dispense with the stock intake and exhaust. Using the same secret sauce that powers the VelociRaptor 600 in the video below, a giant intercooler and dual 3" exhaust allow the stock turbos to reach their full potential.Two big blow-off valves allow for quick changes in boost, and the wastegate control is matched to the increased exhaust flow.The result is a full-size family hauler that will reach 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and run a 12.9 quarter-mile at 107 mph. This is faster than most cars at your local drag night. How sad it must feel to be beaten by a V6 SUV! Just like all other builds from Hennessey Performance Engineering, the HPE 600 Navigator comes with a 3 year/36,000 warranty and each one is tuned on the dyno and on the street. Options include Brembo front brakes (recommended), 22" monoblock wheels and a 2" lowering kit. Click the link below for more information and stay with us for all your Hennessey news.View Details

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2018

Range Rover Velar Gets Wide-Body Treatment from STARTECH

STARTECH is bringing a brand-new take on the Range Rover Velar thanks to new body pieces that the aftermarket has created for the English SUV.Up front is a new bumper that gives the Velar a new face. This new bumper has an integrated front spoiler, larger air intakes and daytime running lights that have also been integrated into the bumper. Out in the back is a new rear insert that offers a new diffuser and integrated exhaust "embellishers."To work in unison with these new additions is a new STARTECH widebody kit. This new 16-piece conversion kit gives the Range Rover Velar an extra 2.36-inches of width. A wider car needs larger wheels and for that there are the 10Jx22 STARTECH Monostar M wheels that come shod in 295/35 R 22 tires.STARTECH Bentayga Built: First of its Kind in North America To see more from the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and STARTECH, be sure to check back with Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – February 26, 2018

TECHART GrandGT Takes Porsche Panamera to New Levels

Having its global debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show is the new TECHART GrandGT. This new model is the start of TECHART's range for the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo. The example that will be unveiled at the show is painted in Racing Green. Its exterior also features 22-inch TECHART Formula IV wheels, TECHART sport exhaust system titanium/carbon fiber tailpipes, and the new TECHART GrandGT styling package that's now available for the Panamera Sport Turismo. Giving the GrandGT its new body is a distinctive kit created by TECHART. In the front is a front apron with an integrated splitter and larger air intakes to allow for better cooling and aerodynamics. On top of the engine is a new hood that's made entirely out of carbon fiber, dropping the weight of the car by a bit. As for its side, the new side skirts and wheel arches widen the GrandGT by 50 mm in the front and 80 mm at the rear. Out in the back, TECHART has a diffuser with four fins that border the tailpipes. From the factory, the new Panamera comes with 21-inch wheels as the maximum size. With TECHART, however, the GrandGT comes with 22-inch alloy wheels in the weight-optimized Formula IV design. These wheels are shod in 285/30 ZR 22 at the front and 335/25 ZR 22 at the rear. TECHART also offers their wheels in a wide range of colors and spoke designs to further customize the GrandGT. Inside is a lush and luxurious cabin that's fit for royalty. The un-embossed Nappa leather has a smooth and natural texture that's free of chromium. What's more, TECHART's craftsmen don't use any solvents when finishing the premium leather hides. This leather can be found throughout the show car's interior, and it sports multicolor stitching to give contrasting tones. One-of-One Full TechArt Porsche 911.2 GTS For power, the GrandGT sees a power increase over the standard Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo. With the aftermarket company's enhancement equipped, the power is increased to 640 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque-- increase of 90 hp and 97 lb-ft. Its 0-62 mph time is also shortened to 3.4 seconds (0.2 seconds quicker). Be sure to stay with us for more TECHART releases and more Geneva news as it's released. Exotic Cars for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 26, 2018

SVE unveils 800 HP Yenko Silverado

Have you ever wondered what happens if you shove a supercar engine into a pickup truck? Some people just like trucks more than cars. The Chevrolet Silverado and its twin GMC Sierra have always shared the same basic engine designs as their car lineups, but the performance managers have never wanted to allow it to compete with the more profitable cars. The closest that Silverado has been in the near future is the recent availability of the 6.2-liter LT1 engine found in the Escalade and base model versions of the Corvette and Camaro. The engine has proven itself to handle mad levels of boost and power, so SVE uses it as its base for the Yenko 800 and Yenko 1000 Camaros. SVE Unveils 800 Horsepower Yenko Camaro After a complete teardown, it is bored and stroked to 6.8 liters (414 cubic inches) and filled with forged internals. Ported LT4 heads and a giant supercharger allow the Yenko Silverado to offer 800 horsepower. If you need torque to tow your toys, 750 lb-ft will scare you at almost any rpm. Up Close & Personal With SVE's Yenko Stage II 1,000 HP Camaro Click the link below for more info and stay with us for all your SVE updates. View SVE's Website

By Andrew Nabors – February 14, 2018

Hennessey Tests 2018 Dodge Demon On The 1/4 Mile

It took countless hours of tuning and testing to transform the Camaro ZL1 into the Exorcist, and now it has a playmate. Hennessey Performance has received their first Dodge Demon, and now it is time to see what it's capable of. Using their chassis dyno and the adjacent Lonestar motorsports park, they have given us an idea of the car's potential. It arrived with only 50 miles on the odometer, so without wasting time John suited up and brought the tires up to temperature.https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=fVHgPoGJ4XgOne of the best features of the Demon is the trans-brake. Inside the transmission, first and reverse are engaged and they cancel each other out. When you are ready to go, hit the button for an instant launch. You shouldn't be so hard on a new car, so the feature is only unlocked after 500 miles. That is a non-issue for John, being a veteran drag racer. Foot-braking is a class for mostly stock cars without fancy launch control systems. Your left foot holds the brake while the right is used to turn up the volume on the big V8. Going this fast off the showroom floor is simply evil. Even the most potent muscle cars of the 60's would be several seconds slower. The secret is in the screaming supercharger, which allows it to make 840 horsepower on race fuel. On Shell 93 it is limited to 808 hp, so they strapped it down to the dyno to confirm it.First Retail 2018 Hennessey Performance VelociRaptor 600To see how quickly it can put that power to the ground, he then took the Demon to a closed course for a top speed run. You can't deny this car is lethal, so check out how fast it reaches max speed.Demon owners are having to wait for their crates to arrive, so once John's arrives at the shop, you will see an 840 hp run on this mean machine.Learn More

By Edward Jones – February 07, 2018

Hennessey Mustang Hits Over 200 MPH

The madman from Texas, John Hennessey, has proved once again that his creations perform well-beyond the limitations created by auto manufacturers. In a 2015 Hennessey HPE750 Supercharged Mustang, professional driver Brian Smith drove to a top speed of 207.9 mph. To witness the event was Jay Leno, who was filming the occasion for an upcoming episode of Jay Leno's Garage. Smith accomplished the feat at the high-speed oval located at the Continental Tire Proving Grounds in Uvalde, Texas.Can the Hennessey Venom F5 Actually Hit 300 mph?“If at first you don’t succeed, just add more horsepower and rpm and try again,” said John Hennessey. “It’s pretty cool to be able to offer an American muscle car that delivers supercar performance for under $70,000."

Aftermarket

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe