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 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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By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2020

2021 Alpina B5 Arrives With Big Power & Plush Amenities

We said goodbye to the F90 Series M5 over the Holidays. It had a great run since early 2018, but BMW is moving quickly to stay ahead of the competition. With an all-new 5-Series on the horizon, get ready for something wild. That's because the 2021 Alpina B5 will arrive with big power & plush amenities. Starting where it counts, the 4.4-liter twin turbo has been boosted to 621 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. The sedan has been clocked at 62 mph in only 3.4 seconds along with a top speed of 205 mph. Maximum torque arrives at only 2,000 RPM, so hang on! Inside you will find wood and machined aluminum along with their trademark Lavalina leather. Alpina forges new 20" wheels in silver, black, or Himalaya Gray. Behind them are 15.6" brakes on floating calipers. As always, each Alpina model can be built-to-order with any interior or exterior colors you desire. Our dealers have all the info, so click the link below and stay with us for all your Alpina updates. Browse BMW 5-Series For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 09, 2020

Tuscany Unveils Satin Steel Black Ops Silverado

Nothing beats the style and quality of a Tuscany truck. Starting with the latest in Fox Racing suspension, they offer the only truly coach-built pickups. The Black Ops edition has been an unprecedented success, so they have decided to take it to a new level. In my humble opinion, a metallic gray is one of the few colors that looks imposing in sunlight or in the shadows. That is why the Satin Steel Black Ops Silverado is really tempting to me. Their paint shop only turns out a few dozen trucks each year, so the quality is an order of magnitude better than any assembly line. Every surface is color sanded and buffed to a mirror shine, and each truck is numbered to set it apart from any lesser imposter. As with the normal Black Ops, it will arrive with: 20″ Tuscany Custom Black Ops Wheels 325 BFG KO2 All Terrain Tires Tuscany Custom Red Brake Caliper Covers BDS System w/ Rear Fox 2.0 Shocks Tuscany Exclusive Red Front Sway Bars Powdercoated Suspension Two-Piece Powder Coated Black Mesh Grille Tuscany Premium Front Bumper Replacement with LED bar and 2 LED Cubes Induction Hood Tuscany Fender Vents Active Air Fender Flares Black Ops Body Cladding with Badging Tonneau Cover with Bed Rug XL Power Running Boards with Rock Sliders and Lights Tuned Stainless Steel Exhaust Exclusive dual Merged Satin Black Powder Coated Exhaust Tips Limited Edition Number Plate Tuscany Custom Leather Seating Package (RST Chassis Only) Black Ops Custom Leather Seats Flag Patches on Headrest “Black Ops” Logo Embroidered Floor Mats Carbon Fiber Interior Trim Kit Deep Tinted Windows 3 Yr / 36,000 Mile Warranty As a division of Fox Factory, only Tuscany can offer such a potent design with only the best parts. No sacrifices were made to ride quality or comfort, so it will be a truck you can keep for the long run. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for the latest Tuscany builds. Learn More

By Edward Jones – June 08, 2020

STARTECH Teases New Refinement Program for 2020 Land Rove...

Now that the new Land Rover Defender 110 is starting to make its way to North America, we're going to start seeing a lot more of this incredible SUV. Also, we're going to start seeing another side of the SUV thanks to STARTECH's new refinement program for the 2020 Defender. While the details are still under wraps, they have released some details as well as renderings so we can start frothing at the mouth now. Their new refinement program will include a widebody conversion, new front grille, hood air intakes, roof element, roof spoiler and 23-inch wheels. If you're interested in learning more, be sure to click the button below to visit STARTECH's website so you can contact them directly. View Website Shop 2020 Defenders

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2020

Hennessey Performance Design Director Explains Their Uniq...

As a great way to start the weekend, Alex filmed a tour of what Hennessey Performance has in the shop. But the real treat is an interview with Nathan Malanick, Design Director for Performance and Special Vehicles (most notably the Venom F5). His notion of a perfect interior does without distractions like touchscreens in the dash. Not only do they force you to take your eyes off the road, but the tactile feedback of machined metals knobs and switches are also gratifying and timeless. Top 50 Best Exotic Cars And Supercars of All time They discuss the finer points of a Lamborghini Huracan before the drivetrain receives twin turbos, intercoolers, upgraded oil systems, and everything else needed to make 912 horsepower. Click the button below to find your own Huracan and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates. Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – May 21, 2020

TECHART's New Video Series Details Their Incredible 911 (...

TECHART's ability to upgrade the Porsche 911 (992) both visually and functionally is incredible. They have a long list of parts that they have designed, engineered and created, and now they have a new series dedicated to explaining each of them. The first part of the series is a simple intro that showcases the end result. As for the second part, they delve into the exterior components for the new 911. Explaining each of the components is Simon Pisano, who is responsible for sales markets in Germany and Austria. From the front to the rear, he goes into detail on each of the components. Most interesting ahs to be the "floating" rear wing that they have created. Check out the series for yourself down below and stick with us for the next iteration. You can also visit their website to see everything they offer for a wide-range of Porsche models. Visit TECHART Website " width="680"> " width="680">

By Edward Jones – May 20, 2020

Custom Rolls-Royce Cullinan Comes With Matching Surfboard

A typical Rolls-Royce car wouldn't be ideal for a surfing excursion, but not that the English automaker has the Cullinan SUV, you can drive to the beach in style. Platinum Group has just unveiled a new custom Cullinan that is ideal for a luxurious surf trip. The Cullinan itself comes with a full Mansory aero body kit, giving it a stylish new look. It's also been lowered and now rides on 24-inch Mansory wheels. Matching the Cullinan's grey paint finish is a custom surfboard that Platinum Group mad in-house. It has a retro fish style that would be perfect for the stylish cruises on the waves. The images down below of the Cullinan were uploaded to @platinum_group on Instagram and were taken by @paid2shoot. Check them out! All Cullinans for Sale Source: Instagram/@platinum_group

By Edward Jones – May 20, 2020

BRABUS Unveils New INVICTO Armored G-Class

BRABUS has now unveiled their new "INVICTO Shelter Cell," a new protective cell that will protect occupants from small arms fire, as well as explosives. This new advancement by BRABUS has given way to their new INVICTO vehicle that's based on the G-Class. On top of the protective cell, BRABUS offers further protection through bulletproof glass. During testing by the German National Testing and Certification Office for Weapons and Security Engineering, the INVICTO withstood 7.62x39 caliber rounds (ammunition used in rifles like the AK-47), hand grenades and 12.5-kg PETN explosive charges. Needless to say, the INVICTO can most definitely protect it's passengers. There are three different variants that BRABUS is offering the INVICTO in, INVICTO Luxury, INVICTO Pure, and INVICTO Mission. Each of these variants offers different styles as well as some serious capabilities. They have even created a variant that's specifically designed for armed forces, police, emergency services, special forces and security guard companies. You can learn more about these variants down below. See All BRABUS for Sale INVICTO Luxury This is the top of the range version, It comes with the BRABUS Widestar widebody, fine leather interior, Alcantara and a lot more. If you're looking for protection as well as luxury, this if the pick for you. INVICTO Pure For the INVICTO Pure, it's indistinguishable from the production version on the outside but it comes packing in protective cell and 20-inch INVICTO wheels. Looking to go undercover with some protection? Then you need the INVICTO Pure. INVICTO Mission BRABUS designed the INVICTO Mission for armed forces, police, emergency services, special forces and security guard companies. It includes 20-inch off-road tires, winch and more that make it perfect for rough terrain.

By Andrew Nabors – May 18, 2020

Hennessey Performance 2020 Corvette Stingray Sets New Wor...

Climbing the ladder in SCCA racing takes years of experience. If you aren't an automotive engineer, you will be one after spending two decades on the nation's most demanding tracks. Only 1 person can claim to have won back-to-back championships while also being the Assistant Chief Corvette Engineer. That is why John Hennessey and his team tapped John Heinricy to set a new 2020 Corvette Stingray Top Speed Record. C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review To test how much sustained power the stock drivetrain can withstand, the stock exhaust was swapped for Hennessey's new stainless system. While the twin-turbo car is still testing at their headquarters in Sealy, the Continental Tires Proving Grounds in Uvalde, Texas was the scene of the action. Nitrous Express supplied the latest in progressive N2O injection to add 135 horsepower. A few test runs revealed the rear spoiler to be a speed limiter, so it was deleted. It allowed John to reach 205.1 mph, confirmed by VBox GPS. Congratulations to everyone at Hennessey Performance for this achievement. Our June issue has their twin turbo car on the cover with an excerpt by Yours, Truly, so pick it up on your next venture outside. Be safe and stay with us for all your Hennessey news. Learn More " width="680">

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