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

A BRABUS AMG GT hybrid supercar is parked on a mountain road, surrounded by trees and rocky cliffs with misty mountains in the background.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 29, 2025

BRABUS Unveils New AMG GT-Based 1000 Hybrid Supercar

BRABUS dials up AMG’s hybrid performance to the max. BRABUS has spent decades as one of the world’s premier customization firms, especially when it comes to the lineup of Mercedes-Benz, with the brand earning a reputation for transforming the historic luxury manufacturer’s vehicles into unique performance-oriented masterpieces with a signature style. However, BRABUS continues to push its repertoire and customization achievements forward as the Mercedes-Benz lineup evolves over the years, and the new BRABUS 1000 is one of the greatest culminations of that yet. Based on the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E-PERFORMANCE 2+2 coupe, the new 1000 boasts an absolutely incredible 986 horsepower and 1,342 lb/ft of torque, thanks to improvements made to the 4.5-liter (after increasing its displacement) twin-turbo V8 and electric hybrid team. In addition, that power is sent to all four wheels, bringing its 0-60 time to under 2.6 seconds, with a top speed that is electronically limited to 200 mph. In addition to providing a unique look in BRABUS’s signature design language, the carbon fiber body kit seen on the new 1000 is the result of intense wind tunnel testing and precise aerodynamic optimization, and is available with either a glossy or matte finish. Also enhancing its luxury, visuals, and craftsmanship are bespoke wheels, a BRABUS Masterpiece bespoke interior, and other stunningly unique touches. Carrying a price that roughly equates to $515,000, the new BRABUS 1000 is a new pinnacle for BRABUS supercars. View All Mercedes-AMG GTs For Sale Image Source: BRABUS

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 07, 2023

How The New RENNtech RIIIx Has Over 1,000 Horsepower

This upgraded Mercedes aims to be the ultimate four-door performance machine.

By Edward Jones – March 17, 2021

RENNtech Makes the 1,000+ HP Family Car a Reality

Presented by RENNtech RENNtech’s R3 Performance package for AMG E and GT 63 M177 Twin Scroll BiTurbo V8 delivers uncompromised power and performance. After a year of development and testing, RENNtech is proud to announce the first four-figure performance package for the M177 Twin Scroll powered Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé(X290) and Mercedes-AMG E63 (W/S 213). RENNtech’s R3 Performance package is developed specifically for the AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupe and AMG E63, making the 1000 HP family “sleeper” sedan or station-wagon a reality for the fortunate few. Producing 1017 HP and 873 LB-FT of torque, RENNtech’s R3 AMG GT 63 is one of the most powerful and fastest 4-door cars in the world. Performance figures show 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds, 60 – 130 mph in 6.5 seconds, and an estimated top speed north of the 200 MPH mark. With RENNtech’s philosophy of bringing Racing Performance for the Streets and the functional design of the GT 63 and E 63 vehicles, the R3 Performance Package is made for daily-driving and use. When in “daily” or Street -mode, RENNtech’s R3 tune produces a massive 940 HP and 795 LB-FT of torque and will run on regular 93-octane pump gas. When the need arises, owners can unleash the full 1000+ HP with a quick switch into 100 Octane -mode using the HHT and fueling up with 100 octane gas.During the development of the R3 Performance -Package, the R3 AMG GT 63 4-Door consistently recorded 1000+ HP DYNO runs and logged a record of 1017 HP and 871 LB-FT, the highest power figures measured at RENNtech to date. Tested with 100 octane fuel and calculated with a 16% drivetrain loss, the power output is 336 HP and 137 LB-FT over the DYNO tested baseline for the AMG GT 63! Learn More AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupe To achieve this, RENNtech replaced all the internals of the standard AMG M177 twin scroll turbos with their Stage II Turbos. Equipped with larger exducer, inducer, and lightweight forged billet turbo wheels, the upgraded turbos deliver more boost without sacrificing throttle response or increasing turbo lag. AMG E63 In addition to the larger turbo’s, the R3 -package includes RENNtech’s Performance HHT ECU -upgrade (engine control), a CPC (powertrain control) -upgrade to handle the added power, pair of Stainless Steel Downpipes with 200 Cell Catalytic Converters, a Fuel System Upgrade, Blow-Off Valves, and BMC Air Filters. Shop RENNtech R3 Package Available for 2019+ AMG GT 63 4-Door (S and non-S) as well as the AMG E 63 Sedan and Wagon, the 1000 horsepower R3 Performance -package transforms the AMG’s into a new category of family-first supercars. Key Features: The RENNtech R3 Performance Package includes:Stage II Turbo Software RENNtech HHT ECU Tuner with 100 Octane Tune RENNtech Stainless Steel Downpipes w/200 Cell Catalytic Converters RENNtech CPC Software RENNtech Blow-Off Valve Adapters BMC Air Filters RENNtech Fuel System Upgrade. Precision machined impeller and turbine housings Larger and stronger cartridge shaft for supporting the larger wheels Entire cartridge is balanced as an assembly Up to 1,017 HP and 873 TQ @ crank with 100 Octane Fuel Up to 965 HP and 817 LB-FT @ crank with 93 Octane Fuel Ability to switch between 93 and 100 Octane -tune Less friction resistance for quicker spooling Virtually no lag, with quick throttle response

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 – May 29, 2019

BRABUS 800 Revealed: Supercar Based on the Mercedes-AMG G...

BRABUS, known for refining Mercedes-Benz vehicles, is back with their take on the AMG GT 63 S. Introducing the new BRABUS 800. Under the hood of this monster is a four-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that pumps out an additional 158 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque. That means the new BRABUS 800 has an output of 789 hp and 737 lb-ft. When fully pushed, this monster will run 0 to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds. The added power comes from the BRABUS PowerXtra B40S-800 performance upgrade, which includes modifies the car's computer and upgrades existing components. Two new turbochargers with a larger compressor unit and modified core assembly. BRABUS also equipped the new 800 with new exterior pieces that make it more alluring than before. New components can be found all around the car, including the front, where a new front fascia introduces large air intakes and a front spoiler. BRABUS also specially designed wheels for this car, which they say "emphasize the wedge shape of the four-door coupe." They measure in at 21-inches in the front and 22-inches in the rear. Being BRABUS, the exterior can also be completely refined in just about every way possible. Those interested can either order the BRABUS 800 as a complete car or have their Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ converted. See All Mercedes-Benz For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 14, 2016

The Red Beast: From Car-Spotter To RENNtech AMG GT S Owner

Car spotting has transformed into a full-blown sport for car enthusiasts, thanks to social media and the recent popularity explosion in the supercar scene. Every carspotters dream is to someday own one of the very supercars they’re chasing. Constantly trying to capture the perfect picture or shoot the next viral automotive video. Enter Paul Wallace, seven years ago Paul decided to share his passion with the world and created his own YouTube Channel – Supercars of London. SOL just recently hit the 500,000 subscribers’ milestone, making Paul one of the most followed supercar enthusiasts in the world.Supercars For SaleIn the early days of SOL, Paul spent his spare time in the busiest and most highly affluent streets of South Kensington, London, trying to get the best shots of the rich and famous elusive supercars. Paul’s natural talent of creating unique and visually stunning content quickly became apparent, which rapidly turned his YouTube channel into a massive success. The fruits of his labor finally paid off and Paul not only became well known as an elite YouTube personality, but also made the SOL brand profitable.Paul had turned Supercars of London into a real business. At the young age of only 23, he was able to make one of his dreams come true and purchased his very first supercar, an Audi R8. His car spotting channel quickly evolved into ‘real world’ reviews of the R8 and the process of modifying the car, which helped take Supercars of London to the next Level.In 2015, after owning the Audi R8 for a year, Paul decided to add another supercar to the Supercars of London garage. In one of his most competitive review competitions, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 made the cut. While owning a Lamborghini was a dream come true for Paul, he came to realize the bull was not exactly a comfortable road trip car. Paul was constantly on the road, traveling to events and shows all over Europe. His next vehicle needed to be enjoyable during these longer trips, without sacrificing the supercar aspect.One of the finalists was the all-new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S. Paul however, was not 100% convinced that the AMG GT S had established itself as a true supercar. A simple Instagram video of the RENNtech AMG GT S project car changed his mind quickly. With its performance, exhaust and exterior upgrades; RENNtech has transformed the AMG GT S into a real supercar with hypercar capabilities. Paul’s decision was made, Supercars of London’s next supercar had to be the AMG GT S and a collaboration with RENNtech was mandatory.RENNtech unveiled the first prototype of their AMG GT S project car at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Since then, the RENNtech modifications have gone through rigorous testing and countless development miles on the world’s most demanding race track, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. With 154 turns throughout a grueling 13 miles of pavement and a total altitude change of 984ft, the Nordschleife has proven to reveal the true potential of the RENNtech GT S performance. Rest assured, the products tested and validated in the Green Hell are ready for the streets.In the first upgrade stage, RENNtech equipped Paul Wallace’s True Blood wrapped AMG GT S with their R1 Performance Package. The R1 consists of a proprietary ECU Upgrade, Stainless Steel Downpipes with 200 Cell Sport Catalytic Converters, Blow-Off Valve adapters and high-flow air filters.This RENNtech R1 equipped AMG GT S has truly unleashed the Red Beast. The 4.0L V8 BiTurbo now produces 625HP and 601 LB-FT of torque, overpowering Mercedes-AMG’s newest addition to the GT lineup, the AMG GT R. The RENNtech Downpipes ensure that everyone knows an angry supercar is lurking nearby, before it can even be spotted. After unleashing its newfound power during a mandatory lap on the Nordschleife, the Red Beast now deserves the title ‘Tested in the Green Hell’.With the success of Stage 1, the collaboration between RENNtech and Supercars of London has only just begun. Make sure to check out the videos of the transformation, test lap on the Nordschleife and RENNtech Europe HQ tour. Stay tuned to see what’s planned next for the Red Beast.Learn more

By Edward Jones – February 16, 2016

RENNtech AMG GT-S: Next Level of Performance

The Mercedes GT-S is the second Mercedes-Benz vehicle fully developed by AMG, the company’s Affalterbach based performance division and long fabled engine builder. The resulting vehicle is nothing short of spectacular and the 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine within is an incredible platform to build performance upon. RENNtech company founder, Hartmut Feyhl, is no stranger to AMG performance - having worked at their Headquarters in Germany for over 10 years and served as North American Technical Director for AMG before he branched out on his own. Feyhl and the team at RENNtech took to the challenge of making one of AMG’s best even better by developing a new tuning suite specifically for the GT-S within their R-Performance tuning line.RENNtech’s GT-S R-Performance line begins on the software side, having developed an original engine management tune which increases performance across the entire RPM range. The R1 package couples the tuning software with performance air-filters and high flow, 200 cell sport catalytic down pipes, increasing performance by an additional 75 hp and 125 Lb/Ft over stock.Taking performance to the next level, RENNtech shifted their focus to the twin turbos on AMG’s 4.0L V8 BiTurbo engine. Countless hours of development and real world testing were performed at both, the US and German Headquarters. This includes several test sessions on the world’s most demanding race circuit, the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The result lead to a set of upgraded turbochargers featuring lightweight billet compressor wheels and larger impellers. RENNtech’s performance turbochargers bring race track proven performance to the streets, without sacrificing any reliability or daily driver comfort.Ensuring all the power from RENNtech’s performance upgrades is transmitted to the road, RENNtech developed a suspension kit which allows full ride height adjustability and maximum lowering of 1.5 inches. Within the RENNtech Super-Light Wheel Series, they developed an all-new 3-piece forged variation, specifically for the GT-S. Their Super-Light Series is available in three distinct designs, the 10-spoke, 10.2-spoke and 15-spoke wheel.RENNtech’s aerodynamic components unveiled at the 2016 SEMA Show in Las Vegas include full carbon fiber front splitter, side rocker panels, rear diffuser and adjustable DTM-Style Wing. The aerodynamic upgrades give the GT-S’s exterior a seriously aggressive aesthetic, perfectly complementing the performance upgrades. These all-around enhancements transform the GT-S into a true standout, which sets RENNtech’s product line-up above the competition.RENNtech’ next in-house project objective is to bring the GT-S to over 850HP. For more information on their line of performance products for the GT-S, contact a member of RENNtech’s sales team, visit their website at www.RENNtechmercedes.com or click the button below.Learn More

By Caitlin Duffy – June 26, 2015

Fastest Mercedes-AMG GT S Ever: 10-second 1/4 Mile

The Mercedes-AMG GT S crafted for the 2016 manufacture year is already a powerful, beautiful and impressive machine.Priced at $129,900, it's the second car to be completely designed from the ground up by Mercedes-AMG, and its AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine can launch it from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, as we learned Jan. 23. It's capable of reaching a top speed of 193 mph thanks to 510 hp, with a standing quarter mile completed it 11.5 seconds.But what happens to those performance numbers when RENNtech and ADV.1 get their hands on one?At the very least, we know that quite a bit of time gets shaved off of the quarter mile.A video added to YouTube June 23 by RENNtechTV shows a first-hand look at the Palm Beach International Raceway completing a quarter mile in 10.94 seconds at 128 mph. A series of photos shared to their Facebook page from June 19-22 previewed this run, giving us a look at their take on Mercedes-AMG's powerhouse.Check out the video above, and find yourself the perfect GT S from our exclusive listings at the button below.Mercedes-AMG GT S Listings (Source: YouTube, Facebook) See More Aftermarket News

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