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 – May 14, 2020

DJ La Fuente's New TECHART 911 is a Masterpiece

DJ La Fuente is no stranger to TECHART, having ordered a stunning GrandGT back in 2018. Now, he's picked up a magnificent Porsche 911 that has been completely upgraded by TECHART. The famous DJ from the Netherlands unveiled his new ride on Instagram, as did Alex Lanoue, better known as Mr. TECHART. This new 911 comes full loaded with the following upgrade from TECHART: new bodykit, wheels, power upgrade (to 510 hp), sport exhaust system and a custom interior. If you want just as mean as La Fuente's, TECHART can make it happen. What's more, you can your Porsche completely customized to your liking through their options. To learn more, be sure to click the button below. Visit TECHART'S Site https://www.instagram.com/p/B_9WucTAGJz/ Source: Instagram/@djlafuente

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By Andrew Nabors – May 13, 2020

4Play Wheels New G2 Series Now In Stock

Before I got into exotic cars I had several potent 4WD toys. Growing up on the beach and in the Florida mud demands the strongest wheels on the market, but times have changed. Thanks to our friends at 4Play Wheels, you can put incredible power to the ground without the need for spacers, hub rings, or dangerous adapters. That is why we are excited that new styles and fitments of their G2 series are now in stock. To capture all popular makes and models, here are the dimensions of their latest wheels: 20" x 10" (24 mm Offset) 22" x 10" (18 mm Offset) 22" x 12" (44 mm Offset) As usual, they are available in Brushed Black or Brushed Gunmetal, in 5, 6, & 8-lug bolt patterns. What's more, if you need something unique for your rig, they can build it and back it by the best customer service in the wheel industry. Is your tire light driving you crazy? 4Play also owns Titan TPMS sensors. They can be included with your wheels to get your truck back in shape. The Commander-in-Chief didn't give us $1,200 for nothing, so why not make your truck gorgeous with those Federal Reserve Notes. Click the button below to browse their inventory and tell them where you saw these. Browse Inventory @ 4Play Wheels

By Andrew Nabors – May 04, 2020

Hennessey Goliath 700 vs Stock Silverado

Walk into any Chevrolet or GMC dealer and you can leave with a great truck. Because the 6.2-liter V8 shares 99% of its parts with the C7 Corvette and the Camaro, you will have 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. While these are fine in a car, modern trucks are twice the weight that a standard cab pickup we grew up with. With all the safety, luxury, and connectivity, they could use a bit more power. My 68 Chevy C10 short bed had no options, and it was fast, even by modern standards. To achieve that level in a new truck, John Hennessey and his team have worked their magic under the hood. Once the intake and valve covers are off, the tiny stock camshaft is tossed in the scrap pile. In its place is a new cam ground to a unique specification. It retains stock drivability while making use of incredible boost. Also in the trash can is the intake manifold, replaced by a 2.9-liter supercharger. It has a dedicated cooling circuit with a heat exchanger added in front of the radiator. All of this is covered by their 3-year 36k warranty. If you want to go all-out, the optional upgrades are: GOLIATH OFF-ROAD STAGE 1 PACKAGE • GOLIATH Front Bumper• 5 LED Lights in Front Bumper• 20 inch Hennessey 10-Spoke Wheels• 35 inch Toyo Off-Road Tires• 6” Lift Kit (*depends on trim level)• Hennessey & GOLIATH Exterior Graphics• Professional Installation• 3 year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty ADDITIONAL UPGRADES • GOLIATH Diamond Stitched Interior• GOLIATH Ram Air Hood• Brembo Front Brake Upgrade• Stainless Steel Cat-back Exhaust System• GOLIATH Rear Bumper• Retractable Electronic Bed Cover• Upgraded Electronic Fold Out Steps To see how a Goliath compares to a stock Silverado, turn up the sound and get ready for the action. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance news. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2020

NOVITEC Unveils Tasteful Upgrades for the Huracan Evo

As one of the most popular models in their history, the Lamborghini Huracan Evo is ripe for customization. If you want to set yours apart from the other raging bulls, our friends at NOVITEC have released a slew of upgrades. Starting with the exterior, the carbon fiber aerodynamic parts are offered in several flavors. From subtle to scorching, you can pick and choose from several flavors of front splitters, rocker panels, and rear diffuser. Most prefer bare carbon, but they can be painted any color before delivery. Working with Vossen, the NL4 forged wheel package that is lighter than the original. They measure 20" x 9" front and 21" x 12.5" on the rear. They look perfect with NOVITEC springs that lower the car by 1.3" all around. Choose between stainless or Inconel exhaust. Stainless looks great, but the Inconel system is much lighter and has a very good reference since is wrapped in gold insulation. The interior is a blank canvas, as their leather shop is capable of any color or pattern. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your NOVITEC news. Learn More " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2020

Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Unveils SCG 008 "004/Mini Boot"

When you need to get from Paris to Dakar in style, many racers spend a ton of money preparing for the rally. Always thinking outside the box, Jim Glickenhaus and his team have something unprecedented to offer. In order to take on the world's toughest terrain, the Mini Boot will be nimble and fast. In order to make SCG cars more affordable to the masses, this is their first model offered in installments. Top 50 Sports Cars Of All Time It will arrive as a crate of parts along with easy instructions. Meeting DOT laws in all 50 states, the chassis is designed to use a turbocharged Chevrolet EcoTec along with a Sadev transaxle. Both are capable of incredible power and known for bulletproof reliability. Kit cars are great fun, especially when teaching kids how to turn a wrench. Tell us how you would make yours unique in the comments below and check out the full size boot #1 that is almost near completion!

By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2020

BRABUS 800 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ For Sale

Owning a supercar is beneficial to your health. Smiling as you unlock your BRABUS releases endorphins that promote happiness, virility, and a feeling of accomplishment. It was only a matter of time before the masters in Bottrop worked their magic on the new AMG sedan. As a CTS-V owner, I welcome the competition even though I would have to sell both kidneys to reach this level of power. This is why you need one: BRABUS 800 AMG GT 63 Power BRABUS performance kit PowerXtra B 40S: 800 horsepower & 737 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 RPM (electronically limited) BRABUS valve-controlled sports exhaust incl. ceramic coated tailpipes 0.84 mm and carbon fibre housing BRABUS Monoblock Z light alloy wheels "Platinum Edition" 21"x 10.5" Front and 22"x 12" Rear BRABUS Massive Carbon Ceramic Brakes BRABUS Tuned Airmatic sports-suspension Exterior BRABUS front spoiler glossy carbon fibre BRABUS front bumper add-on glossy carbon fibre BRABUS rear diffusor glossy carbon fibre BRABUS rear bumper add-on glossy carbon fibre BRABUS double-B Logo for radiator grille BRABUS radiator grille Logo, illuminated BRABUS special painting of all exterior chrome parts in car color BRABUS carbon mirror caps BRABUS logo for bonnet BRABUS logo for boot lid Interior BRABUS fine leather interior (leather/alcantara) Nappa black with red stripes and grey stitching Headliner in alcantara A- and C- pillars in alcantara Set of sunvisors in alcantara Gear lever in leather BRABUS floor mats in leather / alcantara combined Design-Appointment in "shadow chrome" (168 parts) BRABUS entrance panels BRABUS aluminium pedal pads BRABUS doorlock pins 4-pcs. BRABUS shift paddles View Listing Contact BRABUS USA Website: BRABUS Cars For SalePhone: 949-449-1596Address: Brabus-Allee, Bottrop, Germany

By Edward Jones – April 27, 2020

TECHART Launches New Performance Options for the New Pors...

Porsche 911 owners rejoice, because TECHART has just launched a new lineup of performance options for your beloved sports car. For both the 911 Coupe and Cabriolet, TECHART's new options will take the iconic Porsche to the next level. First up is the new titanium TECHART sports exhaust. This is for those who want a little more growl out of their 911. With just the press of a button, this exhaust system can open up to provide a fierce sound. You can pair this exhaust system with TECHART's powerkit for the Carrera S or Carrera 4S, so when the drive mode is set to Sport or Sport Plus, the car gets louder and more powerful (+ 60 hp). Finishing off the exhaust system are new TECHART carbon exhaust tips that can be finished in either high-gloss or matte. To learn more about what TECHART can do to take your new Porsche 911 to the next level, click the button below to see everything they have to offer. Learn More Source: TECHART

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2020

RENNtech Unveils RPS 10.2 Forged Wheels

The RENNtech Performance Series (RPS) 10.2 wheel is the latest evolution of RENNtech’s exclusive Performance -series wheels. Representing 30 years of motorsports experience, the RPS 10.2 brings the same level of performance to the streets. Made out of 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum and designed with Mercedes-Benz and AMG vehicles in mind, the forged, TUV compliant wheels are strong and lightweight, built for high-performance driving. Made to order, each set of RPS 10.2’s is engineered and optimized for the make and model of the customer’s car. To ensure the highest manufacturing quality, RENNtech turned to VOSSEN Wheels. Their 8-step manufacturing process ensures consistency in the forging and machining of the RPS -series wheels, visible in the fine detail and craftsmanship for each wheel. Unique to the RPS 10.2 wheel is the RENNtech designed Infiniti -spoke. The outer rim between each spoke is deeply scalloped creating an optical illusion of spokes reaching past the outer edge of wheel. Machined 1-piece, or 3-piece laser-cut center caps can be ordered in custom designs and colors to complement or contrast any of the 48 available colors. Starting at $7,580, and a lead time of 6-8 weeks, it is best to get your order in soon, so that you too can hit the streets in style this summer. Click the button below to learn more. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 17, 2020

Lister Stealth Previewed as 666 Horsepower F-Pace

One of our coworkers daily drives the meanest Jaguar to ever prowl the road. The F-Pace SVR is sleek and incredibly fast. A supercharged V8 sends 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. While this is more than enough for most owners, a meaner cat is about to be unleashed. Lister Motors is a British supercar builder. In addition to building their own models, they have been modifying Jaguars for three decades. In 2018 they unveiled the Lister Thunder, a 666 horsepower version of the F-Type. Now they have teased something new, as the Lister Stealth is previewed as a 666 horsepower F-Pace. Extensive carbon fiber upgrades, no mufflers, and more boost are what we like, so tell us what you think of this mean cat in the comments below. Browse Jaguar F-Pace For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2020

New BRABUS Documentary Takes You Behind The Scenes Of The...

The Frankfurt Auto Show was an unprecedented success last year, so we decided to visit BRABUS Headquarters in Bottrop, Germany. They have been our client for over 3 decades, building the ultimate examples of Mercedes-Benz and AMG models. We spent a week with their automotive, aircraft, and marine divisions. We saw as much as they would allow, but a camera crew would have been imposing on their hospitality. That's why we are happy to share the latest documentary from Welt. They are a popular YouTube channel that focuses on history and technology, both of which are in abundance at BRABUS. What you are about to see is unprecedented in the aftermarket, so tell us which BRABUS model you like most in the comments below. Browse BRABUS For Sale " width="680">

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