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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 23, 2022

The New Ruf Speedster Is Revealed As A 1-Of-1 Homage To A...

Ruf continues to combine classic heritage and modern performance. The Speedster is a silhouette and model that has become an integral part of the legacy, fame, and legend of the Porsche 911, and it’s for good reason as the more powerful, two-seat variant is desirable in every generation and every way. Famed Porsche tuner Ruf is known for bringing Porsche’s incredible sports cars to the next level, and now the iconic Speedster is getting the same treatment. The new Ruf Speedster perfectly captures the incredible essence of the powerful and charming speedster while making it the fearsomely innovative Ruf-powered Porsche fans and enthusiasts the world over have come to know and love. MUST READ: RM Sotheby’s Auctions The Porsche 911 Sally Special For A Record $3.6 Million What’s incredibly special about this Speedster is the fact that it’s a 1-of-1, but it doesn’t need to be incredibly rare to capture our hearts. The open-roofed car features a beautiful green exterior with an interior that uses Alcantara throughout its entirety and makes use of a 1.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer-6 engine for an incredible 410 horsepower and 306 lb/ft of torque. The car gets to a blistering top speed of 185 mph, and while it’s far from the Ruf everyone can have, it’s the Ruf anyone would want. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Ruf

By Edward Jones – August 23, 2022

Experience The 2022 1100HP Stage 2 Yenko®/SC Camaro

Presented by Specialty Vehicle Engineering. For more than 30 years, Specialty Vehicle Engineering (formerly SLP) has been a Second Stage Vehicle Manufacturer and Tier One Supplier to GM and its dealers, having built over 65,000 cars, trucks, and SUV specialty vehicles; making us the #1 GM Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer in the USA! That's why our company was chosen as the exclusive vehicle builder of all the current generation YENKO® Supercars. In 1969 the muscle car wars were in full swing, with GM, Ford, and Chrysler each developing their own big-block-powered performance cars. Not to be outdone, Chevrolet's Central Office Production Order (COPO) system produced a limited run of Camaros with the now infamous ZL-1 all-aluminum big-block engine. Now in the spirit of those awesome vehicles, Specialty Vehicle Engineering will build 50 of these 2022 YENKO/SC® Stage II Camaros with manual transmissions, and with 1100HP, they'll all go very fast literally! Our powerhouse Stage II engine delivers 1100HP with 910 lb.-ft. of torque and features a blueprinted LT-1 aluminum block, computer-balanced race-quality rotating assembly, including forged 4340 steel crankshaft and H-beam steel rods, forged aluminum pistons, CNC ported high-flow LT-4 cylinder heads with ARP high-strength head, and main studs, a custom supercharger with a 10-rib dedicated belt drive system utilizing an upgraded fuel system and injectors, a larger throttle body, and custom stainless steel exhaust system. Learn More

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 19, 2022

The New Hillclimb-Inspired 450-HP Ruf Bergmeister Debuted...

Leave it to RUF to combine a gentleman’s philosophy with high-tech performance. Hillclimb is one of the most intense and respected forms of motorsport, where cars and drivers combine the ultimate ability in speed, precision, and power to take on some of the most challenging driving courses the world has to offer. Many iconic cars have made their name at hillclimbs, and a brand that has many cars made famous by the hillclimb is Porsche, with its 906, 909 Bergspyder, and the 718 RS 60 Spyder, and the legacy of those cars inspired a new creation from famed Porsche tuner RUF, the new Bergmeister, an all-carbon “skinned roadster” with a rear-mounted 3.6-liter turbocharged flat-six engine with 450 horsepower and 442 lb/ft of torque. It’s got classic looks and fearsomely modern performance and combines its retro-inspired roofless design with a racing-inspired interior that can only be described as an ocean of black Alcantara. MUST READ: The All-New Porsche Design 992 911 GT3 RS Chronograph, Exclusive To Owners Only At The Quail, RUF debuted the Bergmeister, alongside for the first time in North America, RUF’s SCR prototype. The SCR features more classic looks but is done with a carbon-fiber monocoque. In the SCR, its 4.0-liter flat-6 engine is naturally aspirated and generates 510 horsepower and 346 lb/ft of torque, and that power is controlled by the driver with the help of a 6-speed manual gearbox. Both of these incredible cars brought classic RUF and racing heritage as well as contemporary innovation to The Quail, which is exactly what makes Monterey Car Week such an awesome time of the year. View All RUFs For Sale Source: RUF

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 17, 2022

Singer Vehicle Design Debuts New Turbo Study Restoration ...

Singer Vehicle Design lets its Porsche 911 restoration customers feel the breeze. Renowned for its prowess and ability for bringing modern performance to classic Porsche 911s, Singer Vehicle Design’s Turbo Study for the 964 generation of the world’s favorite sports car gives the classic and iconic 911 an incredible 510 horsepower from a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine. Now, Singer has announced that the Turbo Study restoration is available for the Porsche 911 964 Cabriolet, marking the first time that Singer’s restoration capabilities are available on a Porsche 911 with a fully-opening roof. As the Sport 356/1, the first Porsche was a cabriolet, the driving pleasure of an open top is something very important to Porsche as a brand. MUST READ: TECHART Announces A New Customization Program For The Porsche 911 GTS The restoration injects a dose of contemporary performance, luxury, and style into the 964 911, with a reimagined rendition of the signature whale tail spoiler and shark fin of the era’s 911 Turbos, carbon fiber bodywork which in this example is finished in Cadiz red, a 6-speed manual transmission, carbon-ceramic brakes, power-adjustable seats, wood accents, inductive phone charging and more. Signer’s first Turbo Study Porsche 911, which debuted at Goodwood in the UK, will be making its North American debut at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering on Friday, August 19 during Monterey Car Week, and it will be the third project by Singer Vehicle Design to have its North American debut at The Quail. It’s the dream Porsche 911 for enthusiasts who just can’t decide between classic charm and modern capabilities. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Singer Vehicle Design

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 01, 2022

A Brabus 6x6 And A Custom Ford MegaRaptor 6x6 Battle On T...

These trucks go off the beaten path and off the charts, in just about every aspect. When BRABUS tunes cars, the objective is set out to create something that’s over the top, and what is just about the most over the top BRABUS ever is its G-Class G700 6x6 truck, which in its exclusive carbon fiber bodywork is only 1 of 2 in the world, and costs roughly $2 million. It’s long, tall loud, powerful, attention-commanding, and luxurious all in more excess than just about any other car on the road, and few vehicles can compare. MUST READ: The All-New Exclusive NOVITEC Range For The Ferrari Portofino M However, the YouTube channel Throttle House found one, and it’s a custom “MegaRaptor” truck that takes an already customized Ford F-350 MegaRaptor truck by MegaRexx and makes a gigantic 6-wheeled monster, complete with up to 1000 horsepower and the formidable sound of its diesel engine, and that car cost its owner roughly over $300,000 to build. Both of these cars can only be described as unnecessary and they look completely out of place in the Canadian towns they drive through, and Throttle House makes them look even more out of place when they are put together to take on the drag strip. Once there, both trucks are impressively quick as their massive proportions are matched by even more massive performance. The Brabus 6x6 won, although the MegaRaptor wasn’t far behind, reaching impressive speeds in the process. Leave it to the automotive industry to constantly test how far it can go over the top. View All Trucks For Sale Source: YouTube/Throttle House

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 14, 2022

The New Apocalypse Juggernaut Is Apocalypse's Biggest 6x6...

Combine 6 wheels, 8 cylinders, and 850 horsepower, and you have one unfathomable vehicle. Apocalypse Manufacturing is known for its 6x6 creations, which are all big, tall, beastly vehicles that are ready for situations that most drivers and vehicle owners don’t even think to anticipate. However, just when we thought that Apocalypse couldn’t top the monstrosity of its work, the Juggernaut has been announced. It’s an Apocalypse truck just like the others: large, powerful, luxurious, and unreasonably capable, but this time, it’s even more of all of those things. MUST READ: Tesla Motors Reacts To The Real Life Guys’ Off-Road Model 3 Build Built using a Ram Truck as the basis, the Apocalypse Juggernaut features a 6.2-liter Hellcat V8 pushing out 850 horsepower with full-time six-wheel drive. With massive 40-inch tires that impressively dwarf 22-inch wheels, the Juggernaut is 88 inches tall, 98 inches wide, and 272 inches long. It’s Apocalypse’s largest truck yet, and that’s saying something. It’s big, but it’s anything but cumbersome, as Apocalypse thanks the open wheel wells and adjustable suspension for the truck’s ability to ramp launch ten feet off the ground. Five off-road modes, and the ability to preset and save a custom off-road driving mode make this truck capable of just about any terrain. While “hyper-truck” is quite the loaded term, it’s appropriate that it’s used to describe the Apocalypse Juggernaut. When it comes to luxury, power, capability, and an eye-catching presence, you’d be hard pressed to find better than the Apocalypse Juggernaut. It’s available for sale at $279,999, and it’s built by Apocalypse Manufacturing in Fort Lauderdale, FL. View All Apocalypse For Sale Source: Apocalypse Manufacturing

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2022

TECHART Announces A New Customization Program For The Por...

TECHART works its magic on the Porsche 911 GTS. Known for working even more performance out of the Porsche sports cars that we know and love, TECHART is a performance powerhouse. Now, the Porsche 911 GTS gets to reap the benefits of TECHART’s expertise with a new customization program offered for the model, which includes increasing power and torque, new wheels, body components, and interior changes. Porsche is already known for cars that are powerful, dynamic, and iconic, and TECHART brings them to a new level. MUST READ: NOVITEC Upgrades The Ferrari SF90 Stradale For More Than 1,100 HP With TECHART’s new customization program, the Porsche 911 GTS receives through the TECHART TECHTRONIC performance upgrade an increase of 80 horsepower, bringing the total power to 560 horsepower, and an increase of 74 lb/ft of torque, bringing the total torque to 494 lb/ft. This brings the 0-60 time down to less than 3.1 seconds, making it 0.3 seconds faster than the production version of the car, and the top speed of the car climbs to 199 mph. The looks of the car are enhanced with a new TECHART Formula VII wheel, which features a central lock. The customization program also offers an adjustable suspension with a TECHART Noselift System that allows the suspension to be lifted for additional ground clearance at the touch of a button for models that are not equipped with the 911’s available front axle lift system from Porsche. The aerodynamics kit for TECHART’s Porsche 911 GTS features exposed carbon throughout the exterior, with an option for the TECHART Rear Spoiler II fixed rear wing, or the TECHART Rear Spoiler I lip. The interior features a TECHART sports steering wheel, as well as leather, Alcantara, and carbon throughout, with a hand-welded roll bar and six-point harnesses that are, like the car, ready for the track. View All Porsche 911 GTS For Sale Source: TECHART

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 11, 2022

The Newest Creation From MANSORY Gives The Ferrari Monza ...

With MANSORY, Ferrari’s most exclusive models can become even more special. The Ferrari Monza SP1 and SP2 are like no other modern Ferrari. They were the inaugural members of Ferrari’s Icona series of cars, which indicates a Ferrari that’s rare, unique, and shows off a different side of what the brand is capable of. Being a roofless speedster, the Ferrari Monza is as exciting to look at as it is to drive. MANSORY, whoever, specializes in taking cars to the next level when it seems like they’re already at the pinnacle of performance and style, and the Monza is the next canvas for its work. MUST READ: NOVITEC Upgrades The Ferrari SF90 Stradale For More Than 1,100 HP The first thing you’ll notice is that MANSORY gave the Monza its signature sporty and edgy update, with YT.5 Air rims, which are one-piece, ultra-light forged wheels that give the Monza an unmistakable MANSORY touch. Along with it is a body kit that complements the look of the wheels and brings it around the whole car, with pieces constructed of visible carbon. Blending the Ferrari and MANSORY style is the use of Ferrari’s signature red, Rosso Corsa, which is seen on the edges of the carbon parts, making the look of the car cohesive. The asymmetry of the Monza, which was inspired by classic race cars, is highlighted by an interior that features one black seat and one red seat. The performance of the car is enhanced, as well. The engine makes an increased 830 horsepower and 545 lb/ft of torque, which was achieved through an upgrade of the electronics and a modification of the air intake system. In case you don’t hear the incredible sound coming from the tailpipes of this incredible car, MANSORY has also painted them red to bring the look of the entire car together. MANSORY’s creations never fail to impress, nor do Ferrari’s, so when they come together, there’s no doubt that what results will be great. View All Ferraris For Sale Source: MANSORY

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 15, 2022

Singer's New Turbo Study Restoration Services For The 964...

Singer Vehicle Design’s stunning reinterpretation of the Porsche 911 gets even better. Singer Vehicle Design specializes in creating new life into one of the most iconic sports cars in the world: the Porsche 911. Specializing in the 964 generation of the car, originally made between 1989 and 1994. The brand’s stunning reimagination of the 911 with their Turbo Study restoration services features lowered suspension, a revitalized interior, bespoke finishes, plenty of carbon fiber, and most excitingly, increased power. Singer has announced that Turbo Study restorations increase power to an incredible 510 horsepower, all in an iconic and historic air-cooled 911. MUST READ: Guntherwerks 400R Old Fashioned Commission Arrives at duPont REGISTRY Along with that, Turbo Study-restored 911s feature sleek lowered ride height and custom carbon fiber bodywork, including the iconic vintage 911 whale tail spoiler. The interior features a bespoke houndstooth cloth upholstery and carbon fiber accents that combine vintage appeal with modern technology. The old and the new combine in the Singer Turbo Study 911 with manual transmission and features like wireless phone charging. Singer Vehicle Design set out to create the ultimate vintage Porsche 911, and now, it’s even better. View All Porsche 911s For Sale Source: Singer Vehicle Design

Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 Glamis Dunes 002

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 14, 2022

The Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 Takes On Californian Deser...

For Hennessey’s VelociRaptor 600, sandy dunes are a welcome challenge. Known for taking performance to new heights, it’s no surprise what Hennessey was capable of doing to create its VelociRaptor 600, but while it isn’t surprising how much of a performance monster the VelociRaptor is, it isn’t any less impressive. Hennessey makes sure that said performance is just as impressive regardless of the weather conditions, which is why the VelociRaptor 600 went out to the Southern California desert, and braved dunes up to 300 feet high in temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. With 672 lb/ft of torque as well as other upgrades from bumper to bumper, the truck didn’t even break a sweat through jumps, steep inclines, and low-traction surfaces. MUST READ: Guntherwerks 400R Old Fashioned Commission Arrives at duPont REGISTRY While this undoubtedly makes for awe-inspiring footage, the hot weather testing program is an important way for Hennessey to make sure that its cars are capable in varying situations, and hot weather isn’t the only extreme situation that Hennessey ensured the VelociRaptor 600 could handle. Earlier this year, the VeociRaptor 600 and the Mammoth 1000 TRX by Hennessey underwent cold-weather testing in the frigid Colorado winter. As useful as this intense testing is, it’s quite convenient, as well, because as you can see, it makes for quite the epic video once all is said and done. View All Trucks And SUVs For Sale Source: Hennessey

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