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 – August 14, 2018

BRABUS Tunes the Mercedes G500 to 500 Horsepower

If your new Mercedes-Benz G500 doesn't stand out from the crowd, our friends at BRABUS have cooked up something spicy. This model year marks the introduction of the second generation of Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The new Geländewagen is the first total redesign since 1979, so it has been long overdue. A new body and chassis also demand new power, but so far the factory has only offered two versions of the 4.0-liter twin turbo V8.Much like everyone these days, it is easier to detune a powerful engine than to offer several engine choices. BRABUS realized this when tuning the 4.0 found in other Mercedes & AMG models. So, by applying their unique resources to the factory computer of the G500, they have introduced the B40-500 PowerXtra Performance Upgrade. A plug & play tuner recalibrates the turbos and timing to make 500 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque. You will reach 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, as your new 23" x 11" forged Platinum Edition wheels struggle to keep up. Your top speed is limited to 130, which is fast enough when going offroad. Click the link below to see what BRABUS has to offer and stay with us for all your aftermarket news.Browse BRABUS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 02, 2018

Hennessey Performance Creates 10,000th Car

When a teenager starting modifying his Mitsubishi in his parents' garage, he never dreamed it would evolve into a world-class engineering company. Yesterday, our friend and longtime client John Hennessey gathered his team and his family for something unprecedented. The Hennessey Heritage Edition Mustang takes inspiration from the Ford GT Heritage Edition, except it makes much more power. Only 19 will be available for sale because John is keeping the first one for himself.This 808 horsepower Mustang is the 10,000th car to have a Hennessey badge. It has 677 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. That is enough to reach 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and cruise comfortably above 200 mph. It has been a long way to the top, and I know from experience that the aftermarket business is always a bumpy ride.I have driven his HP 1000 Ford GT and their twin-turbo Ferrari 599 GTB, and the quality of their builds speaks for itself. There would probably not have been a Dodge Demon or a Corvette ZR1 without Hennessey showing the world that superchargers and proper tuning are a recipe for success.John, thank you for being a fixture in our magazine and our websites, and congratulations from all of us at duPont REGISTRY!Check Out Their Lineup Herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=OVWpQPa2aRg

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2018

Hennessey HPE1000 Dodge Demon Unleashed

If you have ever wanted to harness 1,000 horsepower, Hennesey Performance can make it happen. The Dodge SRT Challenger Demon is capable of 840 horsepower on race fuel, thanks to a 2.7L supercharger. When it comes to blowers, bigger is always better. That is why the team at HPE worked with Whipple to build the ultimate 4.5L belt-driven intake manifold.2018 Dodge Demon Specs, Photos, Price, & ReviewThe HPE 1000 is actually the lower kit offered for the Demon. If you need more, the HPE1200 will offer 8 second quarter mile times given the right conditions. Using the conservative 1000 horsepower package, John Hennesey cut a 9.14 @ 152 mph. In a car that can sit in traffic with the A/C on all day. Strapped to a dyno, it offers 880 horsepower and 806 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.The package includes a new fuel system, stainless steel exhaust, 200 miles of road testing and a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty. A high-bypass boost control valve allows power to come on in a linear fashion. This saves your transmission and axles from overloading at launch. To see it in action, they uploaded this video to YouTube last night. Click the link below to learn more and stay with us for all your Hennessey updates.Hennessey Performance Challenger Upgrades

By Edward Jones – July 24, 2018

1,000 HP Yenko/SC Corvette Announced

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

By Andrew Nabors – July 20, 2018

ICON Unveils 1966 Derelict Bronco

If you don't need the hassle of new paint or flashy wheels, perhaps you should consider one of ICON's Broncos. Jonathan Ward and his team built the ultimate sleepers by hiding the latest in engine and suspension technology under a normal looking body. Of course, their main business involves full restorations to a quality better than the factory could offer. But they also have the Reformer and Derelict series for those of us who don't need trophy queens. Icon Derelict 1958 Rolls Royce On Jay Leno’s Garage This is the first Bronco Derelict, and at first, you might wonder what makes it so special. Who needs doors? The jambs were smoothed out and welded to make it a true roadster. Jonathan posted a rendering of the car on Instagram and he had a customer in less than an hour. From there, the new owner asked for a 5.0L V8 from a 2018 Ford Mustang GT along with a five-speed manual transmission. Instead of the original leaf springs, it borrows the Fox Racing coil suspension from the Raptor. An Atlas transfer case sends power to Dana axles which include ARB lockers. Giant Brembo brakes hide under their 18" steel wheels, and that would have been enough for most Bronco fans. But first-generation Broncos aren't known for strength, so the body and all the fancy driveline rides on an Art Morrison tube frame chassis. To protect the original paint, they scuffed it up and clear coated over the entire body. A center console was fabricated with storage and cup holders, then painted to match the faded white finish. Click the link below to find your Bronco and stay with us for all your ICON updates. Browse Ford Broncos For Sale

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By Edward Jones – July 20, 2018

New BMW i8 Roadster Kit by AC Schnitzer Released

AC Schnitzer sees the new BMW i8 Roadster as more than just a new body. No, they see it as a new canvas and a chance to further the sportiness and capabilities of the new i8 variant. On the exterior, AC Schnitzer implemented a new aerodynamic conversion kit that's made entirely of carbon. This kit includes a center front spoiler, carbon front side wings, side skirts and a rear "racing" wing. There is also the inclusion of carbon door handle shells and mirror covers, aluminum pedals, and much more. AC Schnitzer also lowered the i8 Roadster's suspension by 20-25 mm and installed 21-inch AC1 Forged Lightweight Rims in BiColor or Anthracite. For more information, visit AC-Schnitzer.de.LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5 Kit Announced

By Edward Jones – July 19, 2018

West Coast Customs and Xbox Make a Real PUBG Bus

Playerunknown's Battlegrounds has become one of the world's most popular games, right next to Fortnite. Its battle royale gameplay has captured the controllers and keyboards of gamers around the world, prompting Xbox to create the Xbox One Summer of PUBG event. This event will include a lot of announcement, but most importantly a giveaway. Prizes include items you'd expect, like copies of the game, Xbox Elite Wireless Controllers and Xbox One X systems. But the grand prize comes as a surprise: a real-life PUBG bus.This custom bus was created by West Coast Customs, who had held from their CEO's son, @dynamitedylan. The bus was directly inspired by the game and comes full of goodies like four monitors hooked up to Xbox systems, green LED lights and a steering wheel with a "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" emblem.To enter the contest and try your chance at winning this epic bus, click here.

By Andrew Nabors – July 16, 2018

TECHART's New Wheels For Panamera & Cayenne

Go big or go home is how many view their wheels, and that is why your Porsche needs to step up to 22".This multi-spoke design is the latest addition to TECHART's catalog. Impressive, elegant and clean. The independent spoke design makes the wheels look bigger than they really are. And 22"s are not small, to begin with. An optical advantage that meets the demands of the bigger Porsche models like the Panamera and Cayenne. They are the logical starting point for body kits that will be released in September.TECHART Upgrades For Your Porsche 718 Series GTSThe color design sets highlights at the perfect spots. There are two standard bicolor combinations. Glossy grey with machined highlights as an understatement choice and gloss black with machined accents for the sporty touch. Just the right thing for all tastes. Should it once be more special? There are no limits for individual color combinations! Besides the standard color choices, all TECHART wheels are also available in individually matched custom colors. They are designed for the 2017 and newer Panamera and the new 2019 Cayenne. But since both of those share wheel fitments with other VW models, they could potentially fit anything from a Bentayga to a Urus.Find Your Porsche Here!

By Edward Jones – July 02, 2018

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Supercar for the Track

When Mercedes and McLaren combined their efforts in the early 2000’s to create a true supercar, they competed with two of the – until today – most iconic models, which created the definition “supercar”. Porsche’s Carrera GT and Ferrari’s Enzo.With the Carrera GT and the Enzo reaching stratospheric values, the SLR McLaren is just as legendary as his two competitors. Powered by one of AMG’s most vigorous and most reliable engines, their 5.5L supercharged V8 – best known as the ’55 AMG Kompressor’. This for the SLR evolved M113 engine produced up to 617 HP and 580 LB-FT from the factory.The design team took their inspiration from the historic Mercedes-Benz 300SLR race car and created the unmistakable front end with the legendary nose design. This design allowed the driver to be placed behind the engine, while the engine itself is still mounted behind the front wheel. Therefore, the SLR McLaren is defined as a Mid-Engine car while the driver gets a unique perspective and seating experience for a supercar. In memory of Mercedes’s legendary gullwing doors, the SLR McLaren was equipped with Mercedes-Benz unique scissor-style doors, just in case you need that extra bit of attention.But the design aspect was not the only area where the SLR excelled. Upgraded by RENNtech with their R3 Package the SLR McLaren reached up to 752 HP and 745 LB-FT. RENNtech then took the SLR McLaren to their backyard, Palm Beach International Raceway and cemented their status as the world’s leading Mercedes-Benz tuner. With a time of 9.76 seconds @ 140.8mph through the 1/4Mile, the RENNtech R3 SLR McLaren set the record for the World’s Fastest street legal Mercedes.So even though the Carrera GT or the Ferrari Enzo might be mentioned ahead of the SLR McLaren, the Mercedes is just as iconic in design and iconic status as his supercar brothers. When you take all of them on the track, however, the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren will show his Bro’s why it’s the real Supercar on the track, if they can keep up…View RENNtech SLR McLaren Products

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2018

TECHART GTsport: 1 of 30

If you feel like your Porsche 991.2 Turbo S simply blends in with the crowd, our friends at Techart have the answer. Only 30 examples of the GTsport will be produced, mostly because this is a comprehensive conversion. The hardest decision you will be faced with is matte or glossy carbon fiber. Inside you will be treated to their own leather and the comfortable Techart sports steering wheel.Beautiful and functional are the enhancements because their carbon fiber components were extensively tested in a wind tunnel and computer modeling. From the rocker panels to the roof spoiler, they help increase downforce and airflow into the engine. Of course, the upgrades are not limited to the body, their TECHTRONIC Powerkit offers 640 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. It will have you at 62 mph in 2.7 seconds. It also raises the top speed to 210 mph, not too shabby. Click the link below before all 30 are sold out, and stay with us for all your Techart updates.Learn More

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