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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 – October 03, 2019

Smash Customs: Making A Difference for our Armed Forces

Presented by Smash Customs - There is no better training for the long, hard, and emotionally draining early days of getting your business up and running than the military life. Smash Customs was founded by Dwayne Dundore, President (Air Force), has Dustin Dundore, Vice-President (Marine Corps.), Joshua Carmona Executive VP (Army), and others. Smash Customs is contributing to the community in various ways. For several years Smash is the main sponsor of USO Benefit Ride, one of the best and largest fund-raising events of its kind. The mission of USO Benefit Ride is to show the men and women in Armed Forces that Central Florida’s motorcycle community has not forgotten their sacrifices. To thank them for the job they do by supporting the Greater Jacksonville USO “Care Package Program”. Visit SmashCustoms.com Smash Customs originally began building and working on restoring Ferrari’s, and Fords, among others. With time and experience, the full-Service Restoration business offers everything from mechanical to the body to interiors to paint. This year the shop decided to specialize in one of the most iconic, capable and beloved British cars, the reliable Land Rover Defender. Currently, it has in its inventory the exotic classic two-seater 1984 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole, an exciting and affordable classic car to drive. The 1975 Porsche 914, the most satisfying, modestly priced Porsche available and they are surprisingly rare on the market. A 1969 Porsche 911 Baja it was originally built to be part of a SEMA Show, a reliable and exciting off-road street-legal racer. The Triumph TR6 which is a perfect vehicle for the classic car collector always has high demand in the marketplace, and the 1937 Ford Phaeton a reliable Rat Rod. Smash Customs is passionate about classic and exotic cars, which is poised to engage and deliver high-quality, award-winning auto restoration and resto-mod 2services to the public. If you are a classic car connoisseur or just want to buy your dream car, click the button below Visit SmashCustoms.com Don’t forget to follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also visit their shop at 622 East Myers Boulevard, Mascotte, Florida. To contact Smash asap call them at (352) 356-4492. Presented by Smash Customs We are a custom car shop, specialized in classic exotic cars. We offer a range of customization services such as: Restoration, Restomod, Custom Paint, Upholstery, Off Frame and more.

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2019

TECHART Reveals Program for New Porsche 911 (992)

TECHART is a company that would never sleep on a new generation of the Porsche 911. In fact, they celebrate each new generation of the 911 with a new program that takes the German sports car to the next level. The 992 generation is no exception and they actually just announced their new individualization program for the new 2020 Porsche 911. visit techart's website To create the components within their new program for the 911, TECHART went above and beyond. The aerodynamically driven body parts were styled in both virtual reality and clay modeling. They then refined the pieces through testing on both the track and in the wind tunnel, resulting in new components that unite form and function. TECHART is also introducing new materials for the exterior parts. There are also a few other notable announcements for this 911 (992) program by TECHART. New textures and raw materials from TECHART's interior department are coming for the new Porsche's interior. They have also created a new forged wheel call the Daytona II. Be sure to stay with us for more information and exact details on TECHART's program for the 2020 Porsche 911. visit techart's website

By Andrew Nabors – September 27, 2019

2020 Silverado Badlander by Tuscany Literally "Raises The...

Presented by Tuscany Motor Company - For years, General Motors has been making strides to make their workhorse Silverado pickup not only the most durable but also an item of luxury. Now more than ever trucks are transitioning from “work vehicles” to functional daily drivers for families everywhere. Tuscany Motor Company is here to take that image to the next level. Tuscany is a special vehicle manufacture with General Motors and Ford. " width="680"> Click Here To Find A Dealer Near You The all-new Badlander Silverado is the perfect example of the future for truck sales. Founded in 1988 by the Graber family Tuscany produces OE spec custom vehicles that are for sale with partnering dealerships across all 50 states. Three decades later Tuscany is a division of FOX FACTORY and is pushing the limits of truck design and functionality. President of Tuscany, Mike Graber is no stranger to the high-end truck market. Tuscany’s ongoing partnership with Shelby led to the production the Shelby F-150, Shelby SUPER SNAKE F-150 and the 2nd Gen Shelby Baja Raptor, along with the limited-production Harley-Davidson F-150. All General Motors models are all equipped with an exclusive BDS suspension system, Fox 2.0 performance series aluminum body shocks, and Red Powder Coated Lateral Stability Bars. This Performance tuned suspension provides the necessary clearance for the 325 BFG KO2 All-Terrain tires and exclusive 20 in. Custom Fire Wheels. Unlike other “box” lift kits, the BDS Suspension on the Tuscany Truck maintains the factory ride qualities and turning radius. Tuscany wanted to enhance the appearance of the truck, but sacrificing quality was never an option. With the Tuscany polycarbonate full hood replacement, the truck truly stands out from the rest of the pickup selection even those offered by FORD and RAM. The Badlander comes with a full front and rear bumper redesign with 20 LED light bar, red tow hooks, active air “Badlander” fender vents and a full replacement dual exhaust system with quad merged tips. All of these features are designed and manufactured by Tuscany and only available on the limited production trucks. Just when you think you have seen all that this truck has to offer, we haven’t even opened the door. The upgraded interior comes with “Badlander” stainless steel gauges, upgraded leather interior for the RST model and a full carbon fiber interior trim kit. These trucks are truly in a class of their own. Black Ops Silverado Tuscany works with hundreds of dealers across the country and are currently in the early stages of production for the 2020 model year. The Badlander is offered on both the RST and LTZ chassis. For more information or to schedule a test drive contact Tuscany Motor Company at (817) 769-4719 and one of their trained staff members will be happy to help. Tuscany also offers 2 other models for the Silverado. For more information on the 2020 ZRX and limited production Black Ops please click the link below. Presented by Tuscany Motor Company What began in 1988 as a small idea has grown into a company recognized and respected throughout the industry. We have the same mission today as we did when we started: design fun, expressive vehicles that make people happy.

By Edward Jones – September 24, 2019

Hennessey Porsche Taycan Announced

Hennessey Performance has just announced that they will be putting their tuning skills to work on the new Porsche Taycan. This will be the first electric vehicle that Hennessey Performance has ever modified. They plan on taking delivery of their Taycan development car in 2020 and will get straight to work. “We’ve been planning to do something with electrified vehicles for a while now,” said company founder & CEO, John Hennessey. “We felt that the new Porsche Taycan was the right platform from which to modify our first EV. Initially, we will start with simple modifications such as wheels, tires and interior upgrades as well as exterior modifications such as more aggressive front and rear bumpers. After that we will see what might be possible in terms of adding more power.” see all porsches for sale

By Edward Jones – September 11, 2019

Lamborghini Urus Receives Upgrades from Novitec

Novitec Group has just introduced a new slew of products for the Lamborghini Urus that adds quite a bit of flare and power. Their new performance kits for the Urus crank the power up to 782 horsepower (+132 hp) and 761 lb-ft of torque (+134 lb-ft). This power brings the 0 to 60 mph time down to 3.3 seconds. see all lamborghini urus for sale They have also introduced 14 new body components for the Urus that give the Super SUV a widebody makeover. To further their enhancements for the Urus, Novitec also has new tire/wheel combinations that work with or without the widebody conversion. For the wheels, Novitec worked with Vossen to develop new wheels sized 10.5Jx23 at the front and 12Jx23 in the rear. Of course, Novitec also has the ability to create exclusive interiors for their clients. Also Check Out: BRABUS at IAA 2019 in Frankfurt RENNtech: From Great to AWESOME!

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2019

New NOVITEC Range for the McLaren 720S Spider

Are you looking to take your new McLaren 720S Spider to the next level? Then you should check out the new range of products for the English drop-top by NOVITEC. Offering both form and function is a slew of body components that NOVITEC created and fine-tuned in the wind tunnel. Each component is crafted from forged carbon fiber, which looks visually stunning. These pieces include a new front spoiler, front blade, side flaps, rocker panels, side air intake covers, rear wing, rear spoiler lip, rear fascia, diffuser, diffuser fins and more. There are also wheels produced by Vossen that are exclusive for NOVITEC. NOVITEC also has three different tuning options for the McLaren 720S Spider. The most powerful out of the three options adds an extra 86 horsepower and 80 lb-ft of torque, bringing the total output up to 806 hp and 648 lb-ft. For more information, be sure to visit NOVITECgroup.com. Also Check Out: New McLaren Ultimate Series Model Announced in Pebble Beach McLaren 600LT by Novitec Includes Incredible Power

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2019

BRABUS Upgrades for the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC

BRABUS has just announced a new product range for the Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC which take the German hatchback to a whole new level. At the heart of the new product range are two performance upgrades created by BRABUS Product Engineering. For starters, there the PowerXtra B 35 tuning kit, which pumps the power output of the A 35's turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine by 44 hp and 44 lb-ft of torque. The result? 350 hp and 339 lb-ft. Then, there's the PowerXtra +. That extra "+" jumps the power up to 365 hp and 359 lb-ft, and it also adds a new rear muffler that optimizes exhaust flow. BRABUS also has more products for the A 35, like the BRABUS RACE aluminum paddle shifters, front spoiler, rear wing, Monoblock alloy wheels and more. For more information, be sure to visit BRABUS.com for more information. see all mercedes for sale Also Check Out: Brabus Unveils Black Ops 800 & Shadow 800 G63 AMG BRABUS 800 Revealed: Supercar Based on the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2019

Novitec Reveals Enhancements for the Tesla Model 3

Novitec has just announced a new line of refinements for the popular Tesla Model 3 electric car. These new enhancements take the entry-level Tesla to a whole new dimension, allowing it to stand out amongst the ever-growing sea of EV's on the road. These new enhancements include the following: body parts with a naked carbon fiber finish, 21-inch forged wheels that are produced by Vossen and interior refinements that include fine leather and Alcantara appointments. For the body components, there are quite a few new pieces. Upfront is a front spoiler lip that provides a bit of extra downforce that helps alleviate front axle lift. There's also a rear spoiler lip, diffuser and rocker panels. The new wheels are designed by Novitec, but are produced here in America by Vossen. Called the Novitec NV2 wheels, these 21-inch wheels are constructed using a forging process and feature a five double-spoke design. Customers can have these wheels finished in 72 different color variants. As for the tires, they're 245/30 ZR 21 up front and 295/25 ZR 21 in the back. Novitec also offers suspension solutions for the Model 3 that can drop the ride height by around 30 mm. Being Novitec, they also offer a wide range of interior refinements for the Model 3. Want a new cabin appointed in fine leather? Done. Alcantara? Of course. They offer a massive selection of upholstery designed as well. For more information, be sure to visit NovitecGroup.com. see all teslas for sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 22, 2019

Porsche 718 Cayman & Boxster Upgrades by TECHART

Porsche has pumped serious power into the latest 718 Series. Many owners who want the latest power might consider a trade-in, but hold on for a minute. Your four-cylinder can run with the GT series thanks to the Porsche 718 Cayman & Boxster upgrades by TECHART. For a limited time, our friends are offering a GT Package for all Caymans. A new front spoiler and GT-Style Rear Wing II are available for the 718 Cayman, 718 Cayman S, 718 Cayman T, and the 718 Cayman GTS. Convertible owners are treated to a new TECHART Aerokit for the 718 Boxster (or Cayman). A new 2-piece front spoiler has an integrated splitter. The central air outlet reduces front end lift at high speeds, and it is available in Resin Impregnated Material, or carbon fiber. If your car is a GTS or has the Sport Design package, an even more aggressive front end is offered. Exclusive to the Cayman is the fixed Rear Wing II, or the smaller Rear Wing I is available to both cars. Transform your car into a carbon fiber masterpiece with their complete exterior/interior kit. Each part is available a la carte, but it looks so good! Now we come to the real upgrades. If you want to keep up with the new GT4 cars, TECHART will have you at 62 mph in 3.8 seconds. In the Cayman S & Boxster S, the 2.5L engine offers 400 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. GTS owners are treated to 415 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. All of these modifications are covered by the TECHTRONIC warranty that covers engine and driveline parts. A new option is the TECHART PROTECT warranty for the entire car. If you are interested, click the link below and stay with us for all your TECHART updates. View Details Related: Porsche Cayenne V6 Receives TECHART Upgrades Discover the Cover: April 2019- TECHART GTstreet RS

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2019

Porsche Cayenne V6 Receives TECHART Upgrades

Luxury SUV sales are dominating the market, and Porsche announced yesterday that the Cayenne is still their best-selling model. But not everyone wants the brutal power of the V8. That's why the Porsche Cayenne V6 has received TECHART upgrades. Starting with the body, a host of carbon fiber parts are available for the Cayenne, Cayenne S, and the Cayenne E-Hybrid. They include a front spoiler, rocker panels, roof spoiler and rear diffuser. Inside, the interior is a blank canvas. The master upholsterers at Rolf Benz furniture can cover every surface in leather or Alcantara to make your Cayenne 1 of 1. With all these upgrades to the style and substance, we now must address the V6 engine. Because Porsche over-engineers everything, TECHART has done extensive testing to unlock more power. The TECHTRONIC engine software is integrated into the car's operating system. So when you select Sport mode, it releases an additional 40 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque. It will launch you to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds while shaving 2 seconds off the run to 100 mph. The Cayenne V6 is an affordable and efficient family machine, so allow TECHART to realize its true potential. Click the link below to find a Cayenne near you and stay with us for all your TECHART news. Visit Techart Here " width="680"> Related: Discover the Cover: April 2019- TECHART GTstreet RS TECHART GrandGT Selective Edition

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