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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 – November 20, 2018

2017 Ford Raptor 5.11 Tactical For Sale

Society has collapsed a few times in human history. Great civilizations like Egypt, Babylon, and Rome dissapeared so quickly that many who were unprepared were decimated. That is why Preppers have been growing in number. Our friends at 5.11 Tactical are suppliers for Law Enforcement and the Armed Forces, so it was only natural to offer their rugged products to civilians. To showcase their abilities in the automotive world, they transformed a 2017 Ford Raptor into the ultimate survival rig. If I woke up tomorrow with zombies at my window, I would be thankful for this truck. The sum total of the parts is over $225,000, not considering the time it took to build. Anderson composites supplied the carbon fiber fenders and hood. Under them is a 5.11 grille, and fabricated bumper. It incorporates stainless steel wires to the roof rack to protect the windshield from impacts. Fenix LED lights are everywhere and they are protected by steel in most areas. SPA Technique supplied a 10-lb fire suppression system with their auto/manual thermal block. It can be activated by a handle in the center console, or by the 173* automatic switch. It is plumbed with hard lines to critical areas on the truck should you encounter a hot situation. Rotiform offered their CCV-OR 20" forged beadlock wheels (including the spare) wrapped in 37x12.50" Coopers. A Decked bed storage tray holds two SPA HHex 2kg fire extinguishers along with ample room for food and water. The tubular roll bar serves as a large storage tank for the onboard Viair 400C compressor. It has quick-disconnects at multiple spots to run air tools or quickly inflate tires. It also holds four tactical cases from 5.11. Above them are two Gryphon BrakeN'Rake entry tools that are more medieval than a battleax. Inside you are treated to Katzkin leather on the seats and door panels. An AEM CD-7 auxiliary instrument display is mounted in the center of the dash to display everything happening under the hood. That is because the Jet-Hot coated Corsa exhaust is bolted to twin TurboSmart wastegates. Allowing the turbos to spin up faster is critical when you need to get out of a bad situation. A Cobb handheld tuner is included if you need more power, but the tune has never been uploaded to the truck. This SEMA star is up for sale by our friends at Pagani Newport Beach, so click the link below for all the wild details! View Listing " width="680">

2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody

By Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2018

Hennessey Announces 1200 HP Hellcat Redeye

Our friends at Hennessey Performance are easily able to get a "normal" Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat to 1,000 horsepower. So they have been patiently waiting for the final details of the 2019 Hellcat Redeye. Dodge's SRT division is making use of the Demon's engine, but without the ability to run race fuel. The same triple intake uses the hood and both inboard lights to allow the supercharger to breathe. Now that the color options have been released, Hennessey has announced the immediate availability of their HPE1000 specs. The HPE1200 is coming soon, and it will join the Jeep Trackhawk HPE1200 along with the Charger HPE1000. Your color options for the Redeye will be: Go Mango Orange, Destroyer Grey, White Knuckle, F8 Green, B5 Blue, Pitch Black, Yellow Jacket, Octane Red, TorRed, and of course, Plum Crazy Purple. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp7OAREg0wE/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1g6jna0l56ymv Once they arrive at Hennessey Headquarters, the skilled technicians will treat the 6.2-liter to a massive 4.5-liter WhippleCharger. A full stainless exhaust includes headers and high-flow cats along with a warranty! Tell us which color you like in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Hennessey updates. Related: Hennessey Unleashes The V8 Velociraptor Hennessey Trackhawk: World's Fastest SUV Hennessey Venom F5: 1,600 Horsepower

By Edward Jones – November 07, 2018

Classic Mustang With Ferrari Engine Makes Debut - Corrupt...

There are plenty of Ford Mustang purists in the world that would cry foul at the notion of their favorite pony car having an Italian engine. However, today we're talking about a Mustang with a twin-turbo Ferrari engine and that's pretty dang wild. The car I'm talking about is the Corruptt Mustang, which made its debut at SEMA 2018. Under the hood of this car is the Ferrari/Maserati F136 engine. This is a V8 engine that has been used in many models, like the California, 458 Speciale and F430. American Legends, the team behind the build,have not only installed this engine but have also equipped it with a pair of Nelson Racing T4 turbochargers. A safe number for the car's total output, according to American Legends, is around 750 hp. Match that power with its six-speed manual transmission and you have a recipe for a truly wicked drive. Check it out for yourself in the video below from 1320video. " width="680"> Related: Chevrolet's New Crate Engines Heading to SEMA in Classic Style Hennessey Performance Creates 10,000th Car 2019 Roush Stage 3: Ready to Rumble With 710 HP

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2018

1,012 HP Audi RS6 Goes 203 MPH on the Autobahn

We're sure you have seen top speed runs before, but nothing like this. Our friends at AutTopNL have set a new benchmark for high-speed filming. With multiple cameras and twin turbos, this Audi RS6 has no regard for aerodynamic disadvantages. Audi sells the RS6 in many markets around the world. It was only officially sold in the US in 2003, but only as an automatic. Their S6 is fast enough, having 450 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The RS series has 560 horsepower, and it is capable of much more. Armed with Akrapovic pipes and a host of upgrades, this car jumps from 120 to 203 mph faster than you can read this. Click the link below to find an Audi for yourself and stay with us for all your Autobahn action! Related: View All Audi S6 For Sale 2019 Audi R8 Gets More Power! Audi S4 vs Bugatti Chiron

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2018

Brabus 700 Widestar: Wicked Details

If you are in the market for a luxury SUV, Monaco is the setting for Brabus' latest masterpiece. Underneath all the carbon fiber and quilted leather is the solid foundation of a Mercedes-AMG G63. Aside from being over a foot wider than a normal Geländewagen, it incorporates proprietary tuning for unprecedented power. Starting with the AMG 4.0-liter V8, the turbos deliver more boost to push the performance figures into the Stratosphere. The press release says your 700 Widestar will offer 700 horsepower and 701 lb-ft of torque. Speaking of that stump-pulling torque, it arrives at only 2,500 rpm. This will launch you to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds, spinning all four tires. Your choice of 305/35/ R 23 tires comes from Continental, Pirelli, or Yokohama, depending on your national allegiances. They arrive on Brabus 'Platinum Edition' one-piece forged 23"x 11" wheels. Of course they are an option, and you can opt for 20" or 22" versions also. Other exterior upgrades are the carbon fiber LED pods atop the windshield, and a rear spoiler to keep you stable at 149 mph. The top speed is limited to protect the 4WD tires, because they don't like supercar speeds. The flared fenders incorporate LED turn signals, and they make no apologies for their aggressive looks. Click the link below to view our lineup of Brabus vehicles for sale, and their staff will be happy to give you all the details of their latest model. Stay with us for all your Brabus updates. " width="680"> Related: View All Brabus For Sale Brabus G500 Is Too Fast For You Brabus 125R: The Pocket Rocket

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2018

Icon's 1949 Mercury Derelict has Tesla Power

At first glance, you might be wondering what is special about a rusted 49 Mercury. My first instinct is to wonder how this car was built in LA without a chopped roof and wild paint. Post-war Mercurys were and are the foundation of Low Rider culture. Dayton wire wheels and hydraulics would be my preferred upgrades, but Icon has charted a new course.Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really FastJonathan Ward and his team could have swapped in a Chevy and done it like everyone else. But they chose a different mode of propulsion. What you see here is their latest Derelict. A car that has just the right wear and patina, with amazing power under the hood. The power is displayed in two high-voltage AC/DC inverters. Instead of gas, this Mercury has a Tesla Model S P85 battery. By dividing the battery into its smaller modules, Icon has kept an even weight bias and a very low center of gravity. The transmission tunnel houses a pair of Synchronous AC motors with a total output of 400 hp. Working with Stealth EV, they placed a Tesla Supercharger connector under the gas cap, and a CHAdeMO port behind the license plate. This offers 200 miles of range and a full charge in 90 minutes. Cloth insulation on the HV wires is a vintage touch, and the digital gauges have a vintage appearance. Check it out at SEMA in Optima's booth and stay with us for all your Icon updates.View All Tesla For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2018

Hennessey Unleashes the VelociRaptor V8

We were very excited to take delivery of a new 2nd generation Ford Raptor. It uses the best off-road hardware along with innovative 4WD to take the F-150 into the wilderness. It has great horsepower and torque...as long as the turbos are spinning. Hennessey Performance Engineering solved this problem by unchoking the intake and exhaust, allowing their VelociRaptor to put 602 horsepower and 622 lb-ft to all four wheels, or 6 if you order a VelociRaptor 6x6. But many old-school Ford fans love the sound of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8. So Hennessey's latest offering is the VelociRaptor V8. Starting with a new Ford Raptor, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost is removed and replaced by a Hennessey-built V8. The 5-liter is topped by their 2.9-liter supercharger. It uses Ford wiring harnesses and computer, so it can be serviced at any Ford dealer. The 10-speed transmission is the same across all F-150 models, but it receives new shift points to make the most of 758 horsepower! It reaches 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, with consistent low 12s in the quarter mile. Click Here To Learn More

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2018

New Limited Edition Ford Series 1 Mustang RTR

Ford Performance has teamed up with Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his team at RTR Vehicles to create the new Ford Series 1 Mustang RTR. “Our goal was to take the driving and owner experience of the iconic Ford Mustang to the next level,” said Gittin. “This collaboration has created a Mustang that offers smile-inducing street driving, diverse capability on the track and a very distinctive owner experience for those looking to stand out from the crowd.”The highlights of this new model include a few features, most of which are visible to the naked eye. One addition that many won't notice right away is the new adjustable sway bars for the Ford Performance suspension. Here's everything else that comes with the package: Staggered wheel package - 19 x 9.5-inch front and 19 x 10-inch rear Performance Pack 1 spoiler with RTR Gurney flap RTR grille w/ lighting Body and aerodynamic packages Graphics "RTR" fender badges, floor mats, shift knob and puddle lamps "RTR Powered by Ford Performance" desk lid trim panel badging and radiator cover badge Serialized dash plaque Vaughn Gittin Jr Drifts the Nurburgring in His Mustang RTR“Ford is bringing more Mustang magic to more customers than ever,” said Eric Cin, Director of Vehicle Personalization and Accessories at Ford. “Vaughn is a great partner, bringing a new flare for Mustang to younger audiences through drifting and other exciting performance fueled fun – we can’t wait to see what he’ll do with this car.”Only 500 examples of the Series 1 Mustang RTR will be created, so be sure to order one at your local Ford dealer as soon as you can. See All Mustangs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 26, 2018

TECHART Unveils new Porsche Macan Upgrade Packages

If you haven't noticed, the market for super SUVs is hotter than ever. This has led Porsche to build the Macan Turbo with a whopping 440 horsepower. The unassuming small SUV packs a punch from the factory, but the looks and throttle response could be more defined. That's why our friends at TECHART have developed new Sport and Sport+ packages for 2019. Thanks to their careful engineering, these upgrades are available for standard, GTS, and Turbo Macans. Great Incentives on Porsche 911 GT3 Here! Compared to a normal Porsche Macan, their appearance package makes a bold statement. From the front end, the changes to the rocker panels, mirrors, roof and rear spoiler make for a comprehensive aerodynamic and aesthetic improvement. Lighter and stronger than factory rollers, the Techart Formula IV wheels will reduce unsprung weight. This improves handling and ride comfort in any situation. Moving inside, the new 14" steering wheel is smaller and uses the finest hand-stitched leather. If you want more than just styling, the 'Powerkit' offers 80 additional horsepower and 73 lb-ft of torque. If your Macan needs to stand out from the crowd, click the link below to see what TECHART has to offer. Click Here To Learn More

By Edward Jones – October 24, 2018

TECHART GrandGT Selective Edition Debuts in Black and Blue

TECHART's new GrandGT is getting a new level of personalization courtesy of the new Selective edition. This new edition is based around the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo model and it sets next near the top of the TECHART GrandGT equipment lineup. Its exterior of the car has been spruced up with new full carbon fiber attachments. These include the aero hood, side mirrors and rear panel. There are also carbon-coated attachments that include the front apron, rear apron, front splitter, rear diffuser, air outlet panel and extensions. The GrandGT Selective's exterior also features titanium tailpipes with carbon fiber coating, and TECHART 22-inch Formula V alloy wheels.Inside, TECHART can personalize the cabin to the customer's liking. For its power, TECHART can equip the car with their Powerkit for the Panamera Turbo. This kit turns the power up from 550 hp to 640 hp, and 568 lb-ft of torque up to 664 lb-ft.To introduce the GrandGT Selective, TECHART debuted a black and blue example of the car. The exterior is primarily black with striking blue accents. Inside, this color scheme continues across the Alcantara interior. Seriously, there's a lot of Alcantara in this example. Even the floor and trunk mats are made of a wool/Alcantara combo.To learn more, visit TECHART.de.

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