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 – August 12, 2020

TECHART Launches 3D Configurator for 911 Models

TECHART has an insane catalog of components for the Porsche 911 models. So many, in fact, that you could spend hours building a custom TECHART 911 with these components through their new 3D configurator. This new configurator is for the 992 generation 911 models, including the Coupe and Cabriolet. Within the configurator, you can pick out the paint color, wheels, styling/aerodynamics components, interior options, performance upgrades and more. While you're configuring, you can spin the Porsche 911 around, look inside and even share images of it to social media when you're done. Click the button below to build the TECHART Porsche 911 of your dreams. Use Configurator " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2020

BRABUS INVICTO Filmed in Action

Back in May, we broke the news of the new BRABUS INVICTO. Starting with their most powerful G-Class, our friends at BRABUS have built an indestructible shelter cell on wheels. The armored beast is rated at VR6 + ERV, so it can shrug off the 30 caliber rounds of an AK-47. A 22lb roadside bomb is also no worries thanks to hot-formed ballistic steel and triple seals at every opening. Click the button below for all the details and stay with us for all your BRABUS news. Learn More " width="680">

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2020

Meet Tuscany's New F-350/F-450 FTX & Black Ops

FTX All Terrain Tuscany Motor Co.’s flagship truck blends Ford’s off-road technology and aggressive stance with graceful styling and luxury finishes, including custom fender flares, front bumper cover, grille, and more. The FTX is first class in innovation and sophistication. Since ‘88, Tuscany has been a leader in the specialty vehicle manufacturing industry. Our first truck model ever produced was the FTX All Terrain. Though it has seen many changes and improvements throughout the years, the vision has stayed the same: “To be the original gentleman’s truck.” This goal is achieved through stylishly designed, exclusive components and utilizing high quality package features. The FTX All Terrain F-350 & F-450 models share the goal of being the original gentleman’s truck while also being one of the most capable trucks on the road. The FOX 2.0 Performance Series tuned shocks and FOX Dual steering stabilizers provide unrivaled handling and ride quality. The full replacement dual ram air hood and functional front fender vents allow for air to pass through the engine compartment leading to improved engine performance. A forty inch LED light bar integrated into the front bumper cover will light up the path while driving in off-road situations. From concept to creation, the FTX All Terrain F-350 and F-450 trucks have been a crown jewel for Tuscany, and are a proud standout in the market. Learn more on DriveTuscany.com Black Ops Over the past decade, the Black Ops has been the front-runner of the lifted, off-road truck market. The blacked out color scheme and attention to every detail on the Black Ops aid in it standing as a tribute in honor of those who have served and are currently serving in the military. The Black Ops F-350 and F-450 models are some of the most colossal trucks on the road today. The FOX 2.0 Performance Series tuned shocks and FOX Dual steering stabilizers provide unrivaled handling and ride quality. The full replacement dual ram air hood and functional front fender vents allow for air to pass through the engine compartment leading to improved engine performance. A forty inch LED light bar integrated into the front bumper cover will light up the path while driving in off-road situations. The blacked-out appearance extending from the exterior to the interior providing a stealth driving experience, all of the performance upgrades enhancing its off-road capabilities, and the military tribute design features makes this one of the most sought-after truck on the market. The Black Ops is armed and ready for Your Next Mission! Learn More on DriveTuscany.com

By Andrew Nabors – July 20, 2020

Hennessey Performance Venom F5 Prototype Nears Completion

Perfection can't be rushed, and it is no small task for an aftermarket business to evolve into an automaker. While the first generation Venom relied on Lotus for the chassis, the upcoming Venom F5 is all American. With a carbon fiber chassis and 1,817 horsepower, this car will be going for 300 mph. John Hennessey realized the limits of every production V8 engine through testing Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet examples to destruction. That is why the Venom F5 uses a block and heads of their own design. Using the Corvette's LT1 as inspiration, every aspect was scaled up by an order of magnitude. Working late into the weekend, they uploaded the first combination of engine and chassis. A teaser of the rear diffuser was uploaded on Saturday, so we should see the first car in action very soon. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2020

SVE Unveils 800 HP 2021 Yenko S/C Silverado

Chevrolet has built an amazing truck in the new 2021 Silverado. It can be had with plush interior options and a reliable 5.3-liter (325 ci) V8. Should you want the most power, they offer a de-tuned version of the Camaro's 6.2-liter LT1, but it is optimized for towing. Since 1990, if you want a GM product with incredible power, your dealer turned to Specialty Vehicle Engineering. What began as SLP, the team of engineers in Toms River, NJ have delivered over 65,000 performance vehicles to GM dealers around the world. As a Tier-1 supplier, they often solve problems and supply solutions that automakers can't seem to tackle in-house. As such, this 2-way street allows them proprietary access to test and upgrade vehicles long before they are formally announced. What you see here is just such a project. Starting nearly a year ago, the 2021 Yenko S/C Silverado was dissected in the virtual realm to see how much power it could reliably offer. While their Yenko S/C Camaro can easily make 1000 horsepower, a proper truck still needs to be able to haul toys, tools, kids, and groceries without worry, and without being uncivilized. Therefore they scaled up their own centrifugal supercharger that is offered on the GMC Syclone along with an Air-to-Water intercooler. Under it lies a handbuilt 6.2 with forged internals and CNC-ported heads. This would be a death sentence to a stock transmission, so they upgrade the clutch packs and add their own torque converter. The blower has a planetary reduction instead of helical gears, so it doesn't waste horsepower when boost is not needed. SVE also builds their own long-tube headers and a full stainless exhaust to give each example a deep rumble without rasp or drone. Their commitment to quality also includes their beefy sway bars, progressive springs, and a 2"/5" drop. Not only does it look imposing, but it will also attack corners with the utmost composure. It can be had with 2WD or 4WD, sending power to SVE 22"x 10" wheels in 3 optional finishes. Brembo brakes measure 16.1" up front, and the calipers can be painted any color. You will have 800 horsepower and 720 lb-ft of torque backed by a 3 year/36,000 warranty. Available to order and to be serviced at any Chevrolet dealer, SVE is only building 50 examples. As always, you will see all SVE news here first, so stay with us for the world's fastest Chevrolets. Visit SpecialtyVehicleEngineering.com

By Andrew Nabors – July 01, 2020

Watch the Brabus Shadow Collection in Action!

When the Buschmann family decided to go boating, nothing was up to the quality standards of their Brabus cars & SUVs. That is why they have partnered with Jobe for a limited lineup of Brabus aquatic accessories. The collection consists of PFDs, body warmers, standup particleboard, and a 3-person inflatable raft. It comes with a canopy for lounging by the beach, 4 cupholders, a dozen handles, an inflator pump, and durable duffel for storage. Pulled to the riverside by a Brabus 800 G63 Widestar, the award-winning Brabus Shadow 900 is the perfect boat for any occasion. Only 777 examples of each Jobe Shadow Collection will be made, so get yours before the boat ramp gets crowded. Stay safe on the water, don't flip people off the raft unless they truly deserve it, and obey all boating laws. View Brabus x Jobe Collection

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By Andrew Nabors – June 30, 2020

Ford GT "Le Mansory" is Limited to 3 Examples

Nothing beats a play on words to sell supercars. "Le Mansory" is their tribute to the Le Mans-winning Ford. Choosing to take on such a high-profile car was done to celebrate 30 years as a coachbuilder to the wealthy. "One car per decade" has been their modus operandi, and it is truly quality over quantity. Starting with a new carbon fiber exterior, the color is "Bleurion Race". Keeping the car's race-winning aerodynamics in-mind, they spent countless hours using the latest in aerodynamic software to increase downforce and decrease drag. Forged monoblock 21" wheels complete the exterior, then they crafted a new interior of the finest leather. Before the engine bay was treated to the new color, they achieved 710 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque. Click the link below to find your Ford GT and stay with us for all your Mansory news. Browse Ford GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 29, 2020

Meet 'Optimus Prime', the World's First Handicap Accessib...

T.J. duPerier is a disabled outdoorsman that doesn't let anything get in his way, especially when it comes to off-road trails. That's because he has 'Optimus Prime' to ride around in, the world's first handicap-accessible Ford Shelby Raptor. Optimus Prime has been heavily modified to allow duPerier's wheelchair to be lifted into the truck's passenger side in a simple fashion. Whoever modified this truck did a fantastic job because when the door is closed, you wouldn't even think that the entire passenger side opens up like a wing. On top of that, Optimus Prime is also an extremely powerful Shelby Raptor Baja truck, meaning it packs over 525 horsepower and 610 lb-ft of torque. It also has all of the off-road features it needs to tackle mountain trails and more. Seriously, Optimus Prime is one of the meanest and groundbreaking trucks out there. Also, as a fan of Transformers, that's the best name ever. You can see the adventures of the truck by following @optimusprimeraptor. While you're at it, you should check out his cousin's non-profit called "Disabled Outdoorsmen USA" in which duPerier was the inspiration for. See all Shelby F-150 for Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/B-aDKczBQB2/ https://www.instagram.com/p/B92U7Zllla4/

By Andrew Nabors – June 24, 2020

2021 GMC Syclone Combines 750 Horsepower & AWD, Limited t...

GMC took on the world by adding an intercooled turbo to their smallest truck. The first generation Syclone has had a dedicated following for three decades, and their pleas were answered last year. Specialty Vehicle Engineering (formerly SLP) has built over 60,000 cars, trucks, and SUVs for General Motors. As a Tier-1 supplier, their engineers solve problems and deliver niche cars that wouldn't be profitable for GM. I explained their modus operandi in our July issue, so click the link below for all the details. Discover the Cover-July 2020: American Muscle Edition With SVE The 2020 Syclone made its world debut at our Cars & Coffee, and it was also the centerpiece of our display at Amelia Island. It packs 455 horsepower from a supercharged V6 with optional 4WD. For this year they upped the ante by replacing the 3.6-liter with a 5.3-liter V8. Utilizing the same block found in the 6.2-liter Sierra and Silverado, they chose to build a forged 5.3-liter bottom end along with a meaty cam & ported heads. Like the V6 version, the supercharger is their proprietary design that doesn't load the crankshaft when boost isn't needed. Other standard equipment includes their own 13.6" brakes, solid sway bars, full-length traction bars, and All Wheel Drive. Driving the V6 model around Clearwater and Amelia Island was a blast, so expect a full review when the V8 arrives. Click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your SVE news. Learn More https://www.facebook.com/SpecialtyVehicleEngineering/videos/681921282376310/

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2020

Arkonik Announces New Headquarters in Charleston

Something about South Carolina has makes it ideal for attracting automakers. BMW opened their largest factory in 1994 outside Spartanburg. Last year Mercedes-Benz opened a Sprinter plant, and now Arkonik has announced their North American headquarters. Charleston was established by and for trade with England. As such, it still has advantages when it comes to logistics, along with favorable incentives for foreign investment. Sales of the latest Land Rover Defender have surpassed all expectations, and it has spurred a resurgence in classic Defenders also. With over 200 custom builds to their credit, Arkonik has a proven business model. What began as a custom shop has evolved into complete restoration. With many aged Land Rovers in need of factory parts, it made sense to build them in England while limiting their audience to Canada and the U.S. Now that Defenders are aging out of the 25-year import ban, there is ample opportunity to do more on this side of the pond. CEO Andy Hayes said: “Less than a year ago, within the foundry of Arkonik’s ambitions, a brand-new objective was cast: locate and develop a U.S. business hub from which to better serve our North American clients. Multiple prospective locations in various states were considered, visited, and then reviewed. In the final analysis, no other setting came close to offering the unique home we felt Charleston could provide. Arkonik is thrilled to call Charleston home.” Also mentioned in the press release was their intention to hire a dozen employees. In addition to over 70 workers in England, Arkonic Ltd. will have more workers than many Tier-1 suppliers. We are packing our bags for Berkeley County, so stay with us for all your Arkonik updates. Browse Land Rover Defender For Sale

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