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 – May 10, 2018

Hennessey Sets New Dodge Demon Record Quarter-Mile Time

It was only a week ago that John Hennessey ran a blistering quarter-mile in his 2018 Dodge Demon. In stock form, Dodge says the Demon is capable of running the 1,320' in 9.65 seconds. If you consider this slow, Hennessey will donate your stock 2.7-liter supercharger to charity, and install their monster 4.5-liter blower. It allowed their HPE1000 Demon to reach the top end in only 9.38 seconds at 146 mph. If this makes you sad because you are barely into the 11-second range, I feel your pain. The team at Hennessey Performance is never satisfied, so yesterday they uploaded new footage from their test & tune sessions.The quest for an 8-second time slip is a worthwhile effort, although it is more expensive than many bad habits. Chipping their way through the 9's, this blistering pass will show you just how capable the HPE1000 truly is. A quick look at the 60-foot time shows tire shake at launch. You have to remember that this car has independent rear suspension, so traction is the issue. Even so, this is incredibly impressive, so congratulations gentlemen, you've earned it. Click the link below to learn more about Hennessey upgrades for your car and tell us what you think of this run in the comments below.Check Out the Dodge Demon Prices & Specs Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – May 04, 2018

Go Anywhere in the BRABUS 550 ADVENTURE 4x4²

Bodo Buschmann, the founder of BRABUS has just recently passed away. He started BRABUS in a small garage with the goal of transforming production cars and trucks into powerhouses. Nothing was too sacred to leave in stock form, not even the rarest Mercedes-AMG models. In keeping with his love for power and performance, the 550 Adventure 4x4² is ready for any situation. As one of the final builds he was able to oversee, no expense was spared in design or execution. Starting with the already potent G550 4x4², the transformation begins with forged 18" one-piece wheels. Thanks to careful engineering, each wheel only weighs 33.9 lbs, with the combined wheel/tire package saving 33 lbs at each corner. These are wrapped in 37"x12.50" rubber, and you can choose between street-friendly or mud-slinging tread patterns. The real secret sauce is in the suspension. Mercedes-AMG shocked the world by using portal axles under the G Wagen. Sure they have decent shocks, but you have to climb under to make adjustments. This is where the BRABUS Touchpad Controller comes in. The BRABUS suspension is not only adjustable from inside, you can control front and rear axles independently. This is something never offered in production or in the aftermarket, and it is just one of the ways BRABUS stays at the cutting edge. The controller also integrates auxiliary lighting.Two carbon fiber fairings on the front house several high output LEDs, and the rear corners of the roof have power-adjustable searchlights. Headlights and taillights are protected by welded wire mesh, and every piece of chrome has been backed out. An instant blackout is proved by one button that kills all interior and exterior lights. Snorkels of carbon fiber rise along the A-pillars, increasing the water fording depth to new levels. Of course, all of these upgrades would be worthless without more power, so the stock turbos had to go. In their place are bigger units with more robust bearings. The BRABUS 550 Adventure 4x4² arrives with 128 additional horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque. A total of 543 hp and 590 lb-ft will be at your command, with full torque between 2,500 and 4,750 rpm. You will be at 62 mph in 6.7 seconds, not bad for a 3-ton body-on-frame SUV. Everything is backed by the BRABUS 3 year/62,000 mile warranty and the components are also available separately. We think Mr. Buschmann would be proud of his son Constantin and all of his employees who build the best upgrades in the aftermarket. Click the link below for more details and stay with us for all your BRABUS updates.

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2018

Range Rover 6x6 Arriving Later This Year

If you own a Superyacht, why would you have a normal Tender? You need something to run errands and haul provisions back to the dock, so a 6WD Land Rover is the perfect runabout. The German Naval Architects at T. Fotiadis Design spend most of their time building ships for the wealthy.Range Rover Velar is the World's Most Beautiful Car Their creations and style is forward thinking to say the least, so they decided to turn their talents to Range Rover's Autobiography. Starting with the long wheelbase model, the rear bodywork was clipped and extended to become an enclosed cargo area. It kinda resembles what Land Rover would build to compete with the Mercedes-AMG G63 6x6.Under the hood will be the same supercharged V8 found across the Jaguar/Land Rover SVR series. Images were uploaded to their Facebook page, and the concept has been dubbed the SLT or Superyacht Land Tender. It will be formally unveiled at the Monaco Yacht Show later this year, so stay with us for all the updates. Tell us if you think they went too far, or not far enough in the comments below!Browse Range Rover For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2018

Hennessey Performance Tests the HPE1000 Demon

If you plan on clocking out and leaving work in style, why not do it with a wheelie? This is easy if you own a Dodge Demon. Owners who opted for the Demon Crate have the ability to run race fuel. You will have 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque, but what if you need more?Hennessey Performance used their tuning expertise to dig into the Demon and find even more power. The Dodge Demon HPE1000 is their entry level package. It makes 880 horsepower and 806 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. If you are really adventurous, the HPE1200 is almost ready, and it will arrive with a roll cage, parachutes and all the necessary SFI approved parts. But until it is ready, they are dialing in the first one at their adjacent motorsports park.If you have ever competed in drag racing, you know the launch is everything. What happens in the first 60 feet will determine what happens after 1,320'. If you are on street tires, anything under 1.8 is considered decent, but this car is simply bonkers. Because it has a line lock and a trans brake, it comes off the line like an ACME rocket. If you want your Demon to act like the car below, click the link for more information.

By Andrew Nabors – April 27, 2018

BRABUS Founder Bodo Buschmann Has Passed Away

It is with a heavy heart that we have learned our friend and client Bodo Buschmann has passed away. An inspiration to many, his cars have been a fixture in our magazine since day one. BRABUS is a combination of his last name along with the other co-founder, his friend Klaus Brackman. Bodo's visions for performance and styling were too extreme for Klaus, and he sold his half of the company to his partner for the equivalent of 100 euros.What began in a small garage in 1977 has become a powerhouse in the aftermarket world. Something about the way he could see a finished product before the project began, it is a sign of a true artist. That is why Brabus expanded into high-end boat customization, BRABUS Aviation for private jets, and STARTECH for the ultimate Jaguar/Land Rover parts. The big manufacturers realized how well BRABUS cars were assembled, so BRABUS CRD (Car Research & Development) was established for OEM projects.His obituary is a tough way to start the weekend, but we take solace in knowing he genuinely loved what he did. His son Constantin, formerly the Chief Marketing Officer, is now in charge. Our deepest condolences to him and the Buschmann family. If you happen to own any of his creations, share your love of his builds in the comments below.Bodo Buschmann August 27, 1955 – April 26, 2018Goodbye Herr Buschmann

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2018

TECHART Upgrades For Your Porsche 718 Series GTS

If you love your Porsche Boxster or Cayman, TECHART has a few classy ways to personalize your car. For owners of the GTS or 718 series with the optional SportDesign Package, say hello to carbon fiber. The front spoiler is a new multi-piece design, and it compliments the new Airblades, side intakes, and mirrors. Each part is available separately, so don't feel pressured to do it all at once! But we won't stop you if you do.That new front spoiler looks imposing, and it does lower the approach angle slightly. So a new front axle lift system will give you 60mm (2.3") more ground clearance whenever you need it. The comprehensive kit comes with new springs, lines, and a compact hydraulic pump- all backed by TECHART's warranty. As we've shown you in the past, their engine upgrades are just as impressive. For non-GTS owners, the TECHTRONIC upgrade offers 50 more horsepower. The big news is coming this summer when the GTS is expected to make 415 horsepower once the kit is finalized. As you probably know, their upgrades aren't limited to external enhancements. So click the link below to browse TECHART's interior accessories also.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 19, 2018

Underground Racing Twin Turbo V10 Audi R8 Lamborghini Hur...

At one of WannaGoFast events, high-performance cars from around the country met up in rural North Carolina. The NC 1/2 Mile Shootout was held at the Stanly County Airport on their 5,500 ft runway. Underground Racing has made a name for themselves by developing turbo kits for exotic cars. With kits ranging from 800 hp to over 1,750 hp, they will have you over 200 mph easily. One of their biggest fans is Gidi Chamdi, and he owns several examples of their builds.Check Out - Jaguar C X75: By The NumbersTo see how his V10 Audi R8 compares to a Lamborghini Huracan, both cars have similar UGR twin-turbo kits and the same driver. If going through a quarter mile at 187 mph is not scary enough, the Audi reached 244.28 mph in only 2,640 feet. The boosted Huracan was one mph faster in the 1/4, but it reached a blistering 250.27 at the half. Differences between the two could be attributed to aerodynamics since these cars are very similar. From the factory, both engines are identical, and even the AWD systems use the same parts. Aside from exterior styling, the gears inside the transmission are the real determining factor. Closer ratios = better accelerationFirst and second gears are identical, but 3rd to 7th is more aggressive in the Huracan along with better differential ratios. Seventh gear in the Audi R8 is 0.65 with a 3.58 differential. Top gear in the Huracan is 0.84 with a 3.94 final drive. Without getting over technical, Audi prefers cruising at a lower rpm for a relaxing drive, and Lamborghini likes blasting through each gear to put the most available power to the ground. These small differences in mechanical advantage make all the difference at top speed, so congrats to Underground Racing for unleashing the true potential of both cars.

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2018

AC Schnitzer Unveils BMW X3 Upgrades

In the Appalachian foothills of South Carolina, BMW USA is building the third generation of their X3. This popular crossover has been a runaway success, being exported from the US to dealers around the world. Sure, the aftermarket for the X3 is popular, but if you want more power instead of the usual cosmetics, AC Schnitzer has a comprehensive group of upgrades for the new G01 chassis X3.A popular version around the world is the X3 diesel, and they have intake an exhaust upgrades for a crowd that is normally overlooked. Gas-powered models are treated to performance upgrades along with a slew of appearance parts. Forged lightweight wheels are offered in 19" to 21", even with the lowering spring kit. Visual upgrades include rocker panels, exhaust, and new fascias front and rear. Of course, you will need a new BMW X3 to begin with, so click the link below to find yours. Stay with us for more great hardware from AC SchnitzerBrowse BMW X3 For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 09, 2018

Overfinch Teases Their New Velar

Overfinch has been tuning Range Rovers for decades. In fact, they note that they are the originators of Range Rover tuning thanks to their history of such dates back to the mid-1970's. Ever since they started, Overfinch has been taking Range Rover models to the next level through their expertise. This means they've been keeping up with all model launches and fine-tuning their skills to each and every Range Rover that is released.Their latest task involves the new Range Rover Velar, the latest model from the luxury SUV automaker from England. Sitting in between the Evoque and Sport models in the Range Rover lineup, the Velar has only been met with praises since it was launched. In fact, it recently won the award for "World’s Most Beautiful Car." New 2018 Range Rover Velar Prices and Specs RevealedEven though it's already a beautiful car, that doesn't mean Overfinch is going to stay away from it. In fact, that just means they have a lot of work to do. Or had a lot of work to do, because they've released teaser images of their final take on the new Velar. These new images show off a redefined and enhanced Velar that will undoubtedly be the talk of all Range Rovers when it's released. It should looks like Overfinch has done an incredible job, but that was expected. Check out the teaser photos in this article and get ready, because we'll have all the details on the Overfinch Velar with it releases.Can't wait for the release? Click the button below to sign up for updates from Overfinch.Sign Up for Updates

By Andrew Nabors – March 28, 2018

BRABUS Unveils The 2018 E700

If you demand the best out of everything in life, BRABUS has something you will enjoy. Their latest E700 is the first 2018 example in the US. Sparing no expense, it started life as a Mercedes-AMG E63 S Edition 1.Wasting no time, they upgraded almost every piece of trim. The iconic B logo can be found on the illuminated grille badge, leather floor mats, and even in a 3D form on the Distronic shield. Their stainless steel dual-mode exhaust outflows the factory system, to handle more boost. The turbos and wastegates are upgraded to make 700 horsepower, and the transmission is recalibrated for more aggressive shifting.List Your Exotic Car For SaleA full carbon fiber kit consists of front and rear spoilers, a rear diffuser, rocker panels and more. The monoblock forged wheels look great with the optional 0.6" lowering kit. As with all BRABUS cars, it is 50-state legal and backed by a warranty. Click the link below for all the details.Buy One Now

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