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 – April 27, 2021

Say Hello To The Hennessey Mammoth 1000 SUV

Incredible power with seating for 7 Family haulers keep getting bigger, yet relying on the same engines launched a decade ago. While Ford is hooked on their EcoBoost V6, and Cadillac continues running detuned Corvette engines, John Hennessey and his team have built the first Hennessey Mammoth 1000 SUV. This elegant machine combines the best aspects of the Durango Hellcat and the Ram TRX. Because Hennessey has over a decade in building late-model Hemi power, you will have 1,012 horsepower and 969 lb-ft of torque. Due to the extensive engine revisions and the need to build a chassis capable of the power, only 20 examples will be offered. Each will arrive with the ability to reach 60 mph in 3.2 seconds with an all-inclusive price of $375,000. Mr. Hennessey said: “I have a big family with five kids and have always enjoyed owing big, powerful SUV’s. In 2012 we converted the first-generation Ford Raptor into our VelociRaptor SUV – I still own one today and love it. Now, we are excited to offer something very similar, but with a lot more horsepower, using the new Ram TRX truck as our base vehicle. Creating this king of SUVs offers our customers the ultimate combination of space, power and exclusivity.” Learn More

By Edward Jones – April 23, 2021

Meet the 'Ultimate Traveler' - The Next Level of Luxury a...

Presented by Ultimate Toys. Looking to get away for a while? How about just a trip to the golf course or even a family trip out to dinner? The new Ultimate Traveler by Ultimate Toys is the perfect vehicle for just about any occasion thanks to its unmatched versatility. Loaded with amenities and unique features, the Ultimate Traveler is a truly luxurious Sprinter that will maximize your lifestyle. Inside the Traveler is an interior replete with handcrafted woodwork and other luxury appointments. Passengers can take advantage of the middle row captain chairs' ability to swivel. This allows the seats to either face the driver and front passenger or the rear for a club seating setting. In the rear, two comfortable sofas can be folded down to create a bed for a quick nap after a long day or even an overnight stay. This spot is further enhanced by the Apple TV setup, so you and your guests can relax and enjoy live TV, sports, a movie or their favorite series. Another huge advantage of the Ultimate Traveler - and all Ultimate Toys products - is the cavernous rear bathroom. Up to nearly 50% deeper than their competitors, the 44" bathroom is the largest in the industry and makes the roadside pitstops a thing of the past. A microwave, sink and under-counter refrigerator can also be found in this area. The new Ultimate Traveler by Ultimate Toys is truly a jack of all trades. A handcrafted interior, modern technology packages, superior ride quality and more all combine to create the ultimate ride for those on the move. For more information, be sure to click the button below. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2021

Hennessey Unleashes Helephant HEMI Swap Madness

If it fits, it rips! Like all great MOPAR commercials, imagine your HEMI doing what it does best. Hennessey Performance has the ability to summon the Hellephant. It is a beastly 426 Race Hemi that needs a car or truck that can handle brutal power...And it sure would look great in John Hennessey's Mammoth 900! Just because it shares a few parts with the Demon and the Hellcat Redeye doesn't mean you can drop it in your car. The forged bottom end has a 4" bore and a stroke of 4.125". Topped by a massive supercharger, it makes 1,000 horsepower at almost all rpm. That means you will need a transmission, axles, wheels, tires, and underwear to handle 1,000 horsepower. That's why we're not surprised that John Hennessey and his team are going to cage the Hellephant. What will this do to his Ram TRX? Stay tuned! Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2021

Hennessey Venom F5 Aerodynamic Testing By A Legendary Eng...

John & John are at it again Dropping big power into a small car is a great way to have fun, but you need to make sure its safe at high speeds. For the latest supercar by John Hennessey and his team, there was only 1 driver they trust. As a veteran Corvette racer and former leader of GM Performance, John Heinricy is credited with the Z06, ZR1 & Camaro 1LE projects along with the Cadillac CTS-V. For a quick refresher, the Hennessey Venom F5 is the successor to the wild Venom GT. Making use of their own bespoke V8, their goal is for a top speed well over 300 mph. Just as the Venom GT brought the production Land Speed Record back to the U.S. the F5 is poised to offer 1,817 horsepower in a car that only weighs 2,998 lbs. Click the button to join in their 30th-anniversary celebration and stay with us for all your Hennessey news. Learn More Image (C) Hennessey Performance

By duPont REGISTRY – April 19, 2021

2022 Mansory Ferrari F8XX Price & Specs Revealed

It ain't easy being green! What happens when the German aftermarket gets their hands on a new Ferrari F8 for sale? Well, for the talented team at Mansory, they deliver a wild beast in forged carbon. Catania Green is an appealing shade, and its a perfect contrast to the acres of beige leather. Each part of this build is available separately, including the wild forged YT.5 wheels. They measure 21"x9.5" and 22"x12", much needed when you have 880 horsepower and 708 lb-ft of torque. You will need your own F8 to begin the journey, so click the button and stay with us for all your Mansory news. Sell My Ferrari F8 Tributo: Get a Cash Offer Shop Ferrari F8 Tributo For Sale Images (C) Mansory

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

Brembo Highlights Where To Brake At Imola This Weekend

It's never too late to stop Turning left is often a jab used to provoke fun at American drivers. But if you tune in to this weekend's F1 race at Imola, you will see the world's fastest cars running counter-clockwise. The track is officially named for Enzo and Dino Ferrari, because not only could they build amazing cars, they also knew how to slow them down. That's why Brembo Brakes has highlighted the optimal braking points for the historic track. The press release today also includes the same map that has been recalculated for the MotoGP series. No matter how you get around the course, your rotors and pads will need to be the world's best also. Both of my cars have Brembo brakes, which make a decent amount of dust. Driving in Florida demands the utmost in safety, so Brembo is the only way to go! Image (C) Brembo

By Matthew Bessette – April 15, 2021

Top 10 Aftermarket Companies

For years, duPont REGISTRY has worked with aftermarket companies including some of the oldest and most well-known ones. However, we are also a platform for new aftermarket brands to introduce themselves with. Because of this, we have worked with an incredible range of companies, each with their own specialties and expertise. Sports Cars For Sale To give you an idea of these aftermarket companies, we’ve put together a few that are currently found either in the pages of the duPont REGISTRY magazine or on our digital platforms. Scroll down below to see what we're talking about and click on their respective buttons to learn more about each brand. BRABUS Listed as the “Best Brand 2013” by Auto Motor und Sport, making this is the eighth time the company has taken the title. Founded in 1977, BRABUS began by building high-luxury, high-performance cars. The founders have been installing audio multimedia systems since 1982 and have more than mastered it since. They can modify and enhance just about any vehicle offered, or you can just buy a vehicle straight from their shop. The company tests their work all throughout the year to ensure anything with the BRABUS badge is nothing but the best. Selecting your vehicle from a tuner has never been more engaging, as the company recently created a Car Configurator to allow you to create and modify your own car online. Choose anything, from the sound of your vehicle to the body kit and wheels, even the hand-tailored interior, before you buy, then get your price. It’s outstanding. Learn More Hennessey Performance Hennessey Performance is a company that needs no introduction. They take your car, tune it their way and send it back to you with more power than you ever thought possible. They’ve recently begun distributing cars of their own, as well as shipping some to dealerships, such as Hendrick Cadillac in Kansas City, Miss. Hennessey is best recognized for their very own creation, a Veyron killing Venom GT, which currently holds the world record for the quickest 0-300km/h time. For a moment, that Venom was the fastest production car in the world, and, we believe, not far from taking that title once more. The Hennessey team is among the best of the best and offers nothing but the finest and quickest available today. Go to their site to buy your own vehicle and see some videos of them in action. Learn More RENNtech Founded in 1989 by Hartmut Feyhl, RENNtech celebrates its 30th year in the business of shattering performance records. Feyhl is an essential part of the past, present and future of Mercedes-Benz and AMG performance development, and RENNtech continues setting the pace on the streets and the track. Born with a passion for motor racing and a mind for engineering, Feyhl’s career began in Affalterbach, Germany, landing his first summer job with Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher at AMG in 1976, at their original facility, the old Mill in Burgstall. At AMG Feyhl had a vital role in both the development and launch of the W124 AMG E300 6.0 “Hammer”. When AMG entered the North American market in 1986, Feyhl was appointed Technical Director and placed in charge of car development in North America. In 1989, Feyhl made the decision to go out on his own. He incorporated RENNtech, and set up shop in Delray Beach, Florida, with the blessing of Hans-Werner Aufrecht in order to serve the existing AMG VIP customers in the U.S. Learn More Tuscany Motor Company Our goal is to be the undisputed leader in styling and quality, setting the standard by which perfection is measured. Our design and innovation lead to an array of market-leading products. We design vehicles that stand the test of time – technologically, structurally, mechanically, and always beautifully. We’re General Motors' and Ford's most innovative specialty vehicle manufacturer in the personal-use segment. No one pushes the limits of design like Tuscany. That’s because we’re not bound by limits. Our heritage and market versatility makes us one of the most respected companies in the specialty vehicle industry. Being great is simply in our DNA. With everything we do, beginning with our lavish and stylish designs, we strive to be bold, fast, and aggressive. And, we promise to continue to innovate and surprise with more fun products in the future. We love our products and hope you will as well. Enjoy the drive. Overfinch As the originator of after-market Range Rover tuning, our pedigree can be traced back to 1975. Since launch, we have remained dedicated to the sympathetic enhancement of the world’s best luxury 4×4. This is achieved through a programme of continuous Research & Development, the maintenance of top class production facilities, and a commitment to designs that enhance the dynamics and enjoyment of the vehicle. The same year, OVERFINCH are presented the “Special Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Design” award, given by Ford at the SEMA show, Las Vegas. This is awarded for the Overfinch Supersport package. Browse Land Rover For Sale Specialty Vehicle Engineering SVE is the largest Tier-1 Supplier for GM. They handle the assembly of high-performance cars and trucks that GM doesn't have the room to build. In addition, they have resurrected the Yenko SuperCar, Typhoon and Syclone. If you need 1,050 horsepower late-model muscle, SVE cars are sold and serviced at any GM dealership. Their patented superchargers and innovative solutions allow SVE to be a problem solver for big automakers, and this attention to detail is found in every build. Browse SVE For Sale Shelby American Inc. Founded by legend Carroll Shelby, Shelby American manufactures and markets performance vehicles and related products through dealers and partners worldwide. They're responsible for some incredible vehicles like the Shelby GT500, Shelby F-250 Super Baja, and authentic continuation Cobras. F150 Shelby Shelby Baja Raptor Shelby GT500 TECHART TECHART is the international premium brand for the individualization of any Porsche model. Driven by the highest demands on design excellence, high technology development competence and our responsible attitude towards emotion and reason. Our core principle: OE manufacturer quality – visible and invisible. All genuine TECHART products are the result of this maxim. Learn More Sintor Trucks The Sintor features carbon fiber body panels that are hand fabricated in the USA. Sintor's exclusive suspension system includes King coilover shocks & bypass shocks. The shocks are built to our exact specs giving Sintor the proper on-road handling with off-road toughness. A complete F450 axle conversion improves turning radius, axle strength, and disc brake size in order to handle the increased rotating mass. Hundreds of hours go into fabrications and body work of each Sintor to make sure we have the perfect fit. Fabricated steel bumpers from Sintor are installed on the front and rear. Sintor is powered by a 6.7L Powerstroke Engine pushing out 935lb-ft stock with power options to push this power plant well over 1,000 lb-ft. Learn More

By Edward Jones – April 07, 2021

Insane 6x6 Ram TRX By Apocalypse Manufacturing Revealed

The world's most powerful pickup truck just got even better. Apocalypse Manufacturing's expertise regarding 6x6 vehicles is incredibly impressive. Since they started, they've made a name for themselves with their powerful and downright menacing creations. Now, they've just unveiled their latest creation that's an absolute beast of a vehicle. What is it? A hulking 6x6 Ram 1500 TRX. That's right, they took the most powerful production street-legal truck and turned it into a 6x6 monster. It honestly makes sense when you consider that the TRX's 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine can pump out 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque to all six wheels, albeit with the addition of a new proprietary middle axle. This truck also comes with a ton of other incredible features, like: Eight-speed Automatic Transmission Heavy-duty Advanced Four-Wheel-Drive System Bilstein® Black Hawk® e2 shock system Steering wheel with integrated aluminum shift paddles, a flat-bottom shape and available carbon fiber and Alcantara® suede accents Eight different driving modes, including sport, snow, custom, mud sand, rock, Baja, Wide fenders Air intake scoop 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system High tech head-up-display Gear shifter with manual shifting mode AUX switch bank (up to six) To learn more about Apocalypse 6x6, including their lineup and what they can create for you, be sure to visit their website. You can also click the button below to see what they currently have for sale. Trust me, you won't regret that you checked it out. Their 6x6 creations are worth it. View Apocalypse 6x6 Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2021

Hennessey Performance: 30 Years Of Making Fast Cars Even ...

What began as a hobby in his parents' garage has spanned three decades of high-performance. It all started with one car. A Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 is one of the most complex cars of the modern era. But that didn't John Hennessey from turning up the boost. After conquering Pike's Peak and the Silver State Challenge, he met an amazing woman and they decided to open a shop near Huston. What began with two employees now has over 50 team members and their 5 children. From specializing in Japanese forced induction, it was the Dodge Viper that really opened doors for the brand. When Jay Leno took asked for more power and refinement, Hennessey Performance started attracting business from around the world. No car was too big of a challenge, and I had had the privilege of driving John's Ferrari 599 GTB and his twin-turbo 1,200 hp Ford GT when we had a co-branded display at the Orange County Auto Show. One of the perks of representing such a powerful force is watching them grow. Hennessey has single-handedly built an empire of fast trucks, SUVs, and muscle cars. After developing their own flavor of six-wheel drive, the Venom GT brought the land speed record back to the USA. Now they are aiming to smash the 310 mph barrier with the Venom F5. Here's to another 30 years of breaking records, from all of us at duPont REGISTRY. What Can Hennessey Performance Do For You?

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2021

Hennesey Velociraptor 700 F-250 is Big Block Domination

In case you missed it, Ford debuted an all-new 7.3-liter last year. Unlocking its full potential, the Hennessey Velociraptor 700 F-250 is big block domination. While other trucks are going to smaller engines topped with turbos, this beast is rated at 430 horsepower/475 torque from the factory. The Velociraptor is a comprehensive upgrade to the engine, chassis, and even the leather, as Joe Rogan can testify. Instead of overhead cams, Ford has returned to overhead valves with one cam doing all the work. This opens the door for John and his team to grind a custom bumpstick and pour in their secret sauce with a new tune. This allows you to have 527 horsepower and 560 torque at the rear wheels. That deep growl from 445 cubic inches sounds just as mean as a 427 FE, and we suspect they will soon be stuffing it into a late-model Mustang. Tell us what you would do with this beast in the comments below. Learn More

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