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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 Andrew Nabors – December 18, 2019

Genovation GXE Breaks World Record Again

Andrew Saul was looking for a carbon-neutral C7 Corvette for sale. After years of planning and perfecting the details, his Genovation GXE has shocked the automotive world. After setting a new electric car top speed in September, they've announced that the Genovation GXE has broken the World Record again. Since the Space Shuttle is retired, our friend Johnny Bohmer has leased the Shuttle Landing Facility and the 2.8-mile runway. Using the body & suspension of a Corvette Z06, the electric motors can be bolted to the factory 7-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic. Using a transmission keeps the engine at its optimal speed, and it allowed Johnny to reach 211.8 mph. Browse All Corvette C7 For Sale Verified by the International Mile Racing Association, Genovation is building 75 examples. Each one will have a minimum range of 175 miles, so we offer congratulations to Mr. Saul and Mr. Bohmer on this achievement. Stay with us for all your Genovation updates. " width="680"> Related: C7 Corvette Z06 Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – November 21, 2019

Hennessey Goliath 700 is a Beastly Supercharged Sierra or...

Twice a day for 40 days, a Philistine Giant taunted the Israelites. As a nod to the Old Testament bully, the Hennessey Goliath 700 is a beastly supercharged Sierra/Silverado. It took almost 60 years for GM to offer the Corvette 6.2L V8 in the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado. This potent engine responds well to boost, so John Hennessey and his team have dialed this truck to 11. Making use of a proprietary 2.9L supercharger, you will have 700 horsepower without breaking a sweat. While the base model can be had without any suspension or body upgrades, Hennessey offers Stage 1 and Stage 2 packages. The latter combines new front & rear bumpers (with integrated LEDs), Hennessey 20" wheels, 6" suspension lift, stainless side-exit exhaust, powered running boards, and massive 37" Toyo tires. Like all Hennessey vehicles, each one is tuned on the street in real-world conditions, and it is backed by a 3 year/36k warranty. These upgrades are for the 6.2L trucks, and Hennessey offers similar equipment for the 5.3L GMC/Chevrolet trucks and SUVs. Click Here To Learn More Related: Hennessey Resurrection 1,200 HP ZL1 Unveiled at SEMA Hennessey Performance Unveils Maximus 1000 Jeep Gladiator

By Andrew Nabors – September 27, 2019

2020 Silverado Badlander by Tuscany Literally "Raises The...

Presented by Tuscany Motor Company - For years, General Motors has been making strides to make their workhorse Silverado pickup not only the most durable but also an item of luxury. Now more than ever trucks are transitioning from “work vehicles” to functional daily drivers for families everywhere. Tuscany Motor Company is here to take that image to the next level. Tuscany is a special vehicle manufacture with General Motors and Ford. " width="680"> Click Here To Find A Dealer Near You The all-new Badlander Silverado is the perfect example of the future for truck sales. Founded in 1988 by the Graber family Tuscany produces OE spec custom vehicles that are for sale with partnering dealerships across all 50 states. Three decades later Tuscany is a division of FOX FACTORY and is pushing the limits of truck design and functionality. President of Tuscany, Mike Graber is no stranger to the high-end truck market. Tuscany’s ongoing partnership with Shelby led to the production the Shelby F-150, Shelby SUPER SNAKE F-150 and the 2nd Gen Shelby Baja Raptor, along with the limited-production Harley-Davidson F-150. All General Motors models are all equipped with an exclusive BDS suspension system, Fox 2.0 performance series aluminum body shocks, and Red Powder Coated Lateral Stability Bars. This Performance tuned suspension provides the necessary clearance for the 325 BFG KO2 All-Terrain tires and exclusive 20 in. Custom Fire Wheels. Unlike other “box” lift kits, the BDS Suspension on the Tuscany Truck maintains the factory ride qualities and turning radius. Tuscany wanted to enhance the appearance of the truck, but sacrificing quality was never an option. With the Tuscany polycarbonate full hood replacement, the truck truly stands out from the rest of the pickup selection even those offered by FORD and RAM. The Badlander comes with a full front and rear bumper redesign with 20 LED light bar, red tow hooks, active air “Badlander” fender vents and a full replacement dual exhaust system with quad merged tips. All of these features are designed and manufactured by Tuscany and only available on the limited production trucks. Just when you think you have seen all that this truck has to offer, we haven’t even opened the door. The upgraded interior comes with “Badlander” stainless steel gauges, upgraded leather interior for the RST model and a full carbon fiber interior trim kit. These trucks are truly in a class of their own. Black Ops Silverado Tuscany works with hundreds of dealers across the country and are currently in the early stages of production for the 2020 model year. The Badlander is offered on both the RST and LTZ chassis. For more information or to schedule a test drive contact Tuscany Motor Company at (817) 769-4719 and one of their trained staff members will be happy to help. Tuscany also offers 2 other models for the Silverado. For more information on the 2020 ZRX and limited production Black Ops please click the link below. Presented by Tuscany Motor Company What began in 1988 as a small idea has grown into a company recognized and respected throughout the industry. We have the same mission today as we did when we started: design fun, expressive vehicles that make people happy.

By Andrew Nabors – September 06, 2018

AEV & Chevrolet Unveil the Colorado ZR2 Bison

If you are in the market for a midsize truck, your options for offroad performance have been limited. That's why Chevrolet turned to our friends at AEV to build the 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison. The original ZR2 was an aggressive suspension package on the S10, and they are somewhat collectible in the world of small trucks.Stake Your Claim With the AEV Prospector XL Tray BedEngineers are hard at work on the mid-engine Corvette, so they turned to the best in the industry. American Expedition Vehicles builds everything from the Prospector XL Tray Bed to the JK350, and their American-made parts have transformed them from an aftermarket company to a Tier1 OEM supplier.Their ZR2 concept caught the eyes of Chevrolet's truck division, who decided to give them the green light. The Bison is available to order from every Chevy dealer, or you can order the parts from AEV if your Colorado needs an upgrade. Stay with us for all your AEV & Chevy updates.Click Here To Learn Morehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=b2XxLPBqeYg

By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2018

Dale Jr's Winning 2012 Chevy Impala For Sale

If you have ever wanted to compete in NASCAR, here is your best opportunity: Rick Hendrick and his team are offering a winning car. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the 88 Team won the June 2012 race in Michigan, so this car was fielded at most shorter tracks until it was retired in 2014.Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Preview: Dale Jr’s 1970 Chevelle SSThe paint & vinyl graphics are from "The Dark Knight Rises", making it even more unique. Under the hood is a new Hendrick Motorsports R07 Chevrolet V8. The fuel injected 358 makes much more than the 800 horsepower rating so you can run 0-60 in first gear.The four-speed manual and the differential are geared for 9,000 rpm at close to 200 mph so you might want to check your local speed limits before you buy. If you despise your Homeowners Association, or if you need an engine for your project car, click the link below for all the details.View Price & Listing

By Edward Jones – July 24, 2018

1,000 HP Yenko/SC Corvette Announced

A little while ago, Specialty Vehicle Engineering came to our headquarters to show off a couple of wild cars. Let me tell you, these cars are no joke. I stood behind one of the Camaros and the sound it emitted was so incredibly raw and ferocious. It blew me away... almost literally. So, when I heard that SVE had created a 1,000 modified C7 Corvettes, I got excited. The 2019 1000HP Stage II YENKO/SC® Corvette gets its power from a Grand Sport's 6.2-liter V8 engine that has been stroked to 6.8-liters (414 cubic inches). Working with this engine is a 2.9-liter supercharger that helps boost power up to 1,000 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque. But that's not all. SVE also installed new forged components (aluminum pistons, H-beam rods and crankshaft), LT-4 cylinder heads, a larger throttle body, exhaust system with higher flow and upgraded fuel system. Mid-Engine Corvettes Caught In Colorado On top of these mechanical upgrades are the visual ones that let the owner show off that their Corvette is unlike any other and it holds a 1,000 horsepower secret. As for price, it starts with your purchase of a Corvette Grand Sport which starts at $65,495. On top of that, SVE will charge $68,955 for a Stage II YENKO/SC® kit if the car is equipped with a manual transmission and $77,995 if it's equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission. How do you get one? It's as easy as going to a Chevrolet dealership that's authorized to sell SVE kits. Each car comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile engine and supercharger assembly limited warranty. Learn More From SpecialtyVehicleEngineering.com

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 Edward Jones – February 10, 2017

Hellcat vs Hennessey ZL1 Camaro Part 2

The first time Hennessey Performance pitted the Dodge Challenger Hellcat against Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (watch it here), the Hellcat ended up taking the win. Now, the ZL1 is back, but now with a Hennessey HPE750 upgrade package.(Camaro ZL1 vs Challenger Hellcat)In this new race, both cars are equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions and roll race from 2nd gear through 4th gear. While the Hellcat has the legendary stock 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque on tap, the Hennessey ZL1 is rated at 661 hp and 695 lb-ft of torque. Hennessey did this through a long list of upgrades. Click play on the video below to see who wins this time.Sports Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 03, 2017

Corvette AeroWagen by Callaway

Do you need more cargo space in your Stingray? If so, Callaway has your answer. The AeroWagen kit bolts in place of the rear hatch, and uses factory hinges and latch. Corvette wagons are nothing new, my previous workplace (Eckler's Corvette) offered conversion kits since the early 70's. Reeves Callaway and his team have been building Corvettes since 1973. Tinkering with turbochargers, he built the world's fastest production car in 1988. The Sledgehammer twin turbo Corvette had air conditioning and a full interior and held the speed record of 254 mph until 1999. GM was so impressed with the quality, the Callaway package became a production option on the C4. As the owner of the world's slowest C4, I will cover that story another day.Designing wild body parts is also one of their specialties, and the carbon fiber AeroWagen can be yours for $14,990. Color matching and the upper spoiler are optional, but clear coated carbon looks good in any situation. It was supposed to be unveiled later this year at the National Corvette Museum, and in a video for Mother's car care. CarScoops was able to find photos from the shoot, which took place at Chuckwalla raceway. Its time to trade in your C6, so check out our listings for your next Vette.Corvette For Sale

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