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

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By Tyler Rampersaud – April 01, 2024

Apocalypse Reveals Its New Custom Defender Build

An off-road legend ups the ante. Defender is a name with plenty of weight when it comes to the world of off-roading. It carries a decades-long legacy of some of the most capable and iconic off-roaders ever made, and custom Land Rover Defenders have become a collector favorite, as well. However, with the new version of the Defender being on the market for some time, the renowned creator of custom off-road vehicles Apocalypse 6x6 got their hands on the new model, and is now showing off its new custom Defender, which is the first of its kind. The vehicle features a 9-inch lift, which comes courtesy of extended shocks, as well as an entirely new subframe and spindle. With custom skid plates, the original geometry, and the air suspension technology in the Defender are beautifully preserved, as well. The new custom Apocalypse Defender 4x4, priced at $99,999, is available to test drive today, with the manufacturer offering the conversion for existing Defender owners, as well. Defender is one of the most respected names in the off-roading universe, offering a highly capable, high-tech, luxurious off-roader with an unmistakable look, and with the help of Apocalypse 6x6’s new customizations, it can do what it does best even better. View All Vehicles For Sale From Apocalypse 6x6 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apocalypse Manufacturing (@apocalypse6x6)

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

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 15, 2020

1986 Land Rover Defender 110 Transformed By Osprey Custom...

Anyone can wax a Defender and offer it for sale. We are fans of classic Land Rovers in any condition, but we also pride ourselves on offering the best examples ever built. That is where the team at Osprey Custom Cars takes pride in their work. Choosing the hardest part yields the greatest results, so they disassemble each Defender when it arrives. Every body panel, switch, and even the trim screws are replaced with New-Old-Stock Land Rover parts, or upgraded to new parts that are usually made in-house. What you see here was a custom Defender 110 treated to their meticulous process. Starting with a new firewall, the body was treated to new doors, rockers, floors, and a late-model interior. Using the latest in Chevrolet Performance, the LS3 and 6-speed automatic are 50-state emissions legal. Aaron Richardet, owner and founder of Osprey Custom Cars said to us: "We’ve rebuilt this truck from the ground up with all the finest components and finishes. This includes a GM LS engine, automatic transmission, custom paint, and much, much more. This vehicle is actually more capable off-road while looking and feeling much more luxurious than the original. If you dream it, we can build it!" Click the button below to learn more, and stay with us for the next build from Osprey Custom Cars. Learn More Chassis & Power: 465 hp LS3 engine with 6180e transmission Dual Magnaflow performance exhaust with custom fabricated headers New Galvanized chassis New Galvanized crossmember Electric fans Stainless oil cooler lines Stage 3 lift kit by terra firma with castor corrected radius and trailing arms Hd drag link Hd track rod Adjustable Panhard bar Hd rear axles Hd front axles and CVs Double Cardan U-Joint driveshafts front and rear Slotted and drilled rotors front and back 17-inch Land Rover Predator Wheels General Grabber Red Letter Tires New transmission cooler lines Stainless brake lines Stainless fuel lines Oversized fuel tank Body: New body panels All new weather stripping New front bumper winch bumper and super winch Rock Sliders Terra Firma front skid plate New hood New doors - all 5 All-new glass and gaskets New Masai style glass New SVX style front end Stainless hardware kit HD rear swing-away tire carrier Interior: New custom center console New bulkhead with upgraded style and dash. 7 leather seats, front heated New door handles new interior trim, new seat belts Kenwood stereo with DVD, Bluetooth, navigation, apple car play, and back up camera etc 10 speaker JL audio system Led headlight kit Power windows Keyless entry Front heated windscreen Alcantra Suede headliner

By Andrew Nabors – April 14, 2020

Arkonik Announces Unprecedented Defender Sales

Are you trapped at home trying to choose the perfect SUV? If you want to take social distancing to the next level, we have the answer. Because each example is more capable and powerful than you could dream of, Arkonik has announced unprecedented Defender sales. The last half of March saw more sales and inquiries than the previous month before lockdown began. Arkonik Debuts LS3 Defender "UJO" Our friend Andy Hayes was the victim of a motorcycle accident in 2005. In order to motivate himself through the pain, he bought a well-worn Defender and set about restoring it. Now his team takes each one down to bare metal before injecting them with more power, modern brakes, and anything else you desire. Here are a few examples of what they can do, so click on the button to unlock your imagination. Learn More

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2019

Defender Specialists Launch Twisted North America

Press Release, October 7,2019 - Twisted Automotive is expanding its operations into North America, with two key appointments and a team of technicians working from facilities in Virginia. North Yorkshire-based Twisted – a leading global authority on the Defender since the business was established in 2001 – will launch Twisted North America this month, with Twisted Middle East set to follow next year. Twisted aims to be the go-to Defender modification specialist in the USA. The company was the first to incorporate an American engine, the LS3, into a UK Defender back in 2012. The new business, based in a 40,000 sq ft facility in South Boston, has been three years in the making. Work is currently underway on the first three vehicles, with orders invited from October followed by delivery in April 2020. Elements of modification will take place in Yorkshire with completion and vehicle handover carried out in the US. All UK Twisted vehicle and specification options will be available in the US, including petrol V8 on a 90, 110 or 130 wheel base, with an LT engine. Prices will start at $250,000. Twisted North America vehicles will be powered by a California-compliant V8 matched to an 8 Speed Automatic transmission. Every US Twisted will be built with drivetrain upgrades, high quality panels, central locking, electric windows and rear seat air conditioning. In the future, a small batch of vehicles will be built each year on the new Twisted by LUCRA chassis, developed in California – giving Twisted a coast-to-coast presence. Developed to Baja race specifications, the chassis is powered by a 6.2L GM Gen V LT4 supercharged, direct injection engine with 650bhp and 650 ft-lb of torque. The platform also boasts 18 inches of suspension travel. Overseeing operations in the US will be director Tom Maxwell, from York. A former business development director for an automotive firm, Tom has considerable experience in the US market, having led 60 staff and exporting around 250 Defender from the UK to North America in his previous role. He was instrumental in the company breaking into the US market and establishing a presence there. Tom Maxwell, who is heading up Twisted North America, with Twisted founder and MD Charles Fawcett. Also joining the team is senior technician Ryan Dimery-Seek, who has 12 years’ experience restoring and rebuilding vehicles for the US market. Both will divide their time between Twisted’s North Yorkshire HQ and Virginia. Twisted founder and managing director Charles Fawcett said: “North America has been part of our plans for a number of years as demand there for the classic Defender is incredible. We want to position ourselves as the go-to specialists who offer the very best on the market. “Ours will be a classic Defender that doesn’t look anything like any other SUV on the roads there. It’s quirky and it’s a quintessentially British icon. “Tom is the perfect person to head up the North America operation – he’s very driven and has considerable experience in the sector.” Tom added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Twisted; I have followed the brand for many years. Defender is a vehicle I am very well acquainted with, and I have vast experience exporting into North America. The key is keeping clients involved in the process and ensuring that the end product exceeds their expectations. This is something that I have no doubt I can do working with Twisted.” Twisted Automotive is dedicated to making the Defender the very best it can be. In March, sister company LR Motors won an epic three-year legal battle with Jaguar Land Rover over the use of two letters – LR. Founder Charles Fawcett described it as a victory for the ‘little guy’ over an industry giant. visit twistedautomotive.com

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By Edward Jones – December 04, 2015

Red Bull Land Rover Combines Stealth Jets With Partying

I can't imagine any of you will be contracted with hosting a stealth party in the near future, but if you are, Red Bull has created the perfect mode of transportation in case you are. According to an article from Carscoops.com, this new SUV was built around a Land Rover Defender 130 and packs a couple secrets.On the outside, this SUV looks like your everyday 4x4 that was designed around the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. Actually, when's the last time you saw an SUV look this sharp? It features the Red Bull logo that contrasts against a thematic matte black finish. Honestly, it looks like it came straight out of a military program.Range Rover UsedBut, the neat thing about this SUV is that it has some "pop-up" features that will turn any parking lot into an instant party. I'm not exactly sure how they pop up, but somehow a DJ deck, speakers and a large TV emerge from the SUV's roof, transforming it into a club stage. Essentially, this is as close as you'll get to Soundwave from Transformers - minus the guns, of course.The real question is: where would you take this party-mobile? Let us know in the comments below.Land Rover Defenders For SaleGallery (Image and News Source: Carscoops)

By Edward Jones – November 06, 2015

Arkonik: Bringing Land Rover Defenders Back to Life

First established in 2007, Arkonik quickly became the United Kingdom's leading independent retailer of Land Rover Defender vehicles. Today the company is known globally for its friendly and informative approach to customer services and its ability to cherry-pick and holistically prepare, rebuild and restore used Defenders to the very highest, show class quality.Arkonik scours the European and UK markets for Defenders in tip-top mechanical and structural condition. They then test, restore and improve each of these vehicles, allowing them to offer a wide range of made-to-order services for customers.They sell and ship vehicles to customers all over the world, predominantly 25-year-old fully restored platforms to North America. Wherever you are, Arkonik can source and prepare a Land Rover to suit your exact requirements, and can provide full Land Rover export, shipping and importation services - right to your very doorstep.After you purchase a Defender from Arkonik, they'll also offer post-sale technical support when you're in need and will help you into what they call "the hacky world of Land Rover Defender ownership."If you're looking to start a journey with a Defender, visit Arkonik.com or click the button below.More Info

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By Andrew Nabors – May 15, 2015

Flying Huntsman 105 Defender Pick Up Prototype by Kahn De...

Last we heard from Afzal Kahn of Kahn Design, he had worked his magic on a late model Land Rover Defender 90, outfitting it with Harris Tweed and diamond stitched leather. In a May 14 press release, they formally announced a pickup version of their “Flying Huntsman.”They have raised the bar again, this time starting with the Defender 90 pickup. Leaving no body panel untouched, they have added over 15” to the wheelbase by building a custom frame and all-new body panels. Initially, they offered the Flying Huntsman as a traditional hardtop. For the Geneva Auto Show, they added a third axle to create a 6x6 version. If your sensibilities lie in practical pickups, the utility of a half-cab can’t be overlooked.Under the longer bonnet lies a Chevrolet 6.2-liter V8 and six speed automatic. That level of power in such a small truck will translate into a virtually unstoppable off-road athlete. A modern suspension and big brakes were also fitted to keep the Huntsman shiny side up.Kahn’s prowess in machining is shown in even the smallest detail. From the fabricated bumpers, to the billet pedals, not much of the original remains. At this level of custom coachbuilding, the Flying Huntsman is no longer a Land Rover. This loophole would make importing much easier, and we hope to see them over here in the near future.(See Also: James Bond's Supercars of Specter)Pricing is listed as starting at £58,875, or approximately $92,962 USD at the time of publication. This pricing does not include the country specific vehicle arrival tax. Sadly, there was no mention of a left-hand drive variant found in the release. That comes in cheaper than an Escalade, with just as much power and prestige. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more wild updates from Kahn Design.View All Land Rover ListingsGallery (Source: Kahn News/Kahn Design) See More Land Rover News

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