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 – March 12, 2020

BRABUS Wins Best Tuner by Auto Motor und Sport

Germany has no lack of aftermarket companies, so it might seem hard to choose the leader of the pack. However, one brand stands far ahead of the others. Not simply in satisfied customers, but also as an OEM supplier for automotive, boating, and other projects we aren't allowed to tell you. That is why BRABUS has won Best Tuner by Auto Motor und Sport. BRABUS: Behind the Scenes As Germany's most popular motoring magazine, they polled 102,974 readers who responded with 48.3%. This far outshined the myriad of other potential winners, and it is the 14th time they have won this award. We were lucky to see their operations behind the scenes last year, so we applaud our friend Constantin Buschmann and his dedicated staff for this prestigious award. Browse All Brabus For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – March 12, 2020

MANSORY Xerocole Provides Off-Road Fun and Luxury

Mansory is taking their expertise off-road with their new Xerocole. This new model is based on the Can-Am Maverick, it features the same conversion treatment you expect from Mansory. For the body, just about all of the components have been replaced with carbon fiber pieces. This includes the roof that now features two LED headlights and the new doors. Inside, the interior is just as refined as any other vehicle that Mansory that converted. Now, to move on to more technical upgrades. For power, Mansory raised the power output up by 30 horsepower for a total of 225 hp. With a weight of just 1627 lbs, this power-to-weight ratio makes for a fun drive, no matter the terrain. Keeping the Xerocole gripped to the ground are 30x9x14 inch (front) and 30x11x14 inch (rear) tires. For more information, be sure to visit Mansory.com.

By Edward Jones – March 05, 2020

BRABUS 800 Black & Gold Edition Unveiled

The BRABUS 800 Black & Gold Edition is here, donning a black appearance with striking gold components. This new model is based on the BRABUS Mercedes 800 G63, but it has been greatly upgraded by the famous tuner. (Side Note: BRABUS Classic Restorations: Better Than New) For the SUV's appearance, as the name suggests, the black and gold color scheme is on full display. The black body is contrasted by gold in the brake calipers, emblems and logotypes. There's also the gold BRABUS Monoblock Y "Platinum Edition" wheels. As if the exterior couldn't get any more brilliant, they included the BRABUS WIDESTAR widebody package, which allows the 23-inch wheels to fit perfectly. " width="680"> Inside, the black and gold color scheme continues in a glorious manner. Like the exterior, the cabin is primarily black leather but the gold accents can be found on components like the controls, BRABUS labels, air vents, loudspeaker grilles and surrounds. For the BRABUS 800 Black & Gold's power, it relies on its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine but will extra sauce added in. That extra sauce? Two new high-performance turbochargers and a list of other modifications. In total, the output is raised by 233 hp for a total of 800 hp and the torque is raised by 111 lb-ft for a total of 737 lb-ft. The BRABUS 800 Black & Gold price is set at 380,672 euros. If you'd like to learn more, visit BRABUS.com now. VIEW ALL BRABUS FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – March 04, 2020

BRABUS Concept for the Mercedes-Benz EQC Unveiled

BRABUS has just unveiled a new vehicle that's unlike anything you've seen from this famed company. The new BRABUS refinement concept for the Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 4MATIC is a glimpse into the electric future of the automobile. For power, the new BRABUS PowerXtra ELECTRIC performance upgrade kicks in when "S" drive mode is selected. When selected, power is increased from 561 to 612 lb-ft of torque, and 402 to 416 horsepower. With this power, the BRABUS-enhanced EQC can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds. " width="680"> With this new concept, BRABUS has introduced a new list of exterior and interior options for the EQC as well. As you can see from images, the exterior can be enhanced in a great manner. For the wheels, BRABUS has their Monoblock Z "Platinum Edition" wheels, measuring in at 21-inches. Inside, BRABUS offers a wide range of exclusive options like they do with every model they personalize. For more information, click here. SEE ALL BRABUS FOR SALE

By Steve Chapman Jr – March 04, 2020

Sintor Trucks Presents the 2018 Ford F350 with Sintor Con...

Presented by Sintor Trucks - Ford F350 Lariat w/ Sintor conversion, 6.7 Powerstroke Powered, F450 front axle, King Coilover Shock conversion, Sintor trucks suspension kit, 46” Michelin tires with 20” wheels, This is the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything superduty with Raptor looks. This is our demo vehicle always stored indoors and is in great condition. $195,000. LEARN MORE Sintor trucks is a truck upfitter based out of California. We specialize in converting Ford Super Duty’s into a one of a kind Super Truck. We start out with a 2017 to current Ford F350 platform. Our Sintor Trucks suspension system is installed using King bypass shocks and the front end is converted to a coil-over setup. We can set up the truck’s suspension specifically for the customer's needs, Towing, daily driving, off-road etc. We swap out the factory front axle to an upgraded F450 axle. The upgraded 450 axle is wider which gives the truck a better turning radius and it includes bigger brakes which give it way more stopping power. All of our trucks sit on DOT approved Michellin 46” tires and 20” wheels with rock rings. To match the massive stance of the 46” tires we have developed Carbon Fiber body panels that give it our signature aggressive look. A Sintor is 14” wider than a stock F350 (still 2” narrower than a stock dually). To achieve this look a new substructure is fabricated and installed on the front end of the truck. This substructure is what allows us to run a widened grille and F150 headlights. Each build has a slew of options and customizable features that make every Sintor truck unique, also having a good car recovery dublin helps us to ensure a quick and prompt delivery of the trucks since they work 24/7. These featured Sintor trucks have aluminum body panels that are hand fabricated in the USA. Hundreds of hours go into the fabrications and bodywork of each Sintor truck to make sure we have the perfect fit. Already own a Super Duty and want to make it a Sintor Truck? We can do that too. For more info about a Sintor build for yourself please contact us at 855-866-4231 or online at sintortrucks.com GET YOURS

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2020

Rob Dahm and the World's First 1000 HP AWD Billet 4-Rotor...

Rob Dahm has been hard at work creating a wild billet 4 rotor RX-7 for a long time. He has been documenting the process from start to finish on his YouTube channel and has kept everyone waiting for the next video update. His latest update was one of, if not the most, exciting one yet. In the video, found below, he takes his wild RX-7 for some dyno testing. After quite a few runs, Dahm and his team knew they could push the RX-7 to over 1,000 horsepower. Then... it happened on the final run. The heat wrap exploded, wheels stopped and screen read a power output of 1,014 horsepower. This readout made Dahm's RX-7 the world's first 1000 HP AWD Billet 4-Rotor RX-7. Honestly, Dahm and his team deserve a serious round of applause. This has been an awesome project to see come together and we can't wait to see where it goes next. SEE ALL RX-7 FOR SALE " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2020

Singer Porsche 911 Review by Carfection

My first encounter with a Singer 964 was at the Amelia Island Concours in 2012. The emotion it evoked is love. From the carbon fiber body to the fit/finish of every part, Singer shows pure love for each build. It is best explained by an eloquent Englishman, so here is a Singer Porsche 911 review by Carfection. Not a restoration, this Reimagined car is a bargain, even at $500,000. The chassis is an order of magnitude stronger than the original. Singer collaborated with Öhlins for a new suspension tuned to the car's strong foundations and lesser weight. The Williams 4.0L flat-six to send 390 horsepower and 315 lb-ft to a six-speed transmission and locking differential. Everything you could ask for includes power windows, Becker audio, modern Air Conditioning, and four seats. Fully loaded it weighs 2,645 lbs, offering a better power-to-weight ratio than a new Porsche 911 for sale. Find a classic 911 contact Singer, you won't regret it. Browse All Porsche 911 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Porsche 964, Specs, Photos, Price, & Review

By Andrew Nabors – February 20, 2020

Transform Your 2020 Silverado or Sierra Into a Hennessey ...

Ford fans have been singing the praises of the VelociRaptor for years. You can't deny the power and abilities, but what about the other guys? Call me whatever you want, but I will always see the USA in my Chevrolet. If you feel the same way, why not transform your Silverado or Sierra into a Hennessey Goliath? You can't deny the 420 horsepower offered by the stock 6.2L V8. It is adequate for most, but capable of much more. Our favorite Horsepower Evangelist has previously offered the "Excorcist" and "The Resurrection" Camaros has now unleashed a potent Philistine. Send your truck to Sealy, Texas and it will return with a 6" lift kit, 20" Hennessey wheels, and 35" tires. The front bumper is fabricated from plate steel and integrates LED aux lighting. Many would be happy with that as is, but the secret sauce is saved for last. After removing the intake manifold and camshaft, the team installs a 2.9L supercharger and a new camshaft ground to John's proprietary lift and duration. The best part is that the packages are sold separately. If you want the aforementioned Stage 1 Offroad package, it can be had without the engine mods for only $14,950. For 700 horsepower and a 3- year warranty, the engine package includes: • 2.9 Liter Supercharger System• High-Flow Intercooling System• High-Flow Air Induction System• Custom HPE Camshaft• Chromemoly Hardened Pushrods• Crankcase Ventilation System• HPE Engine Management Calibration• All Necessary Gaskets, Fluids & Hardware• Professional Installation• Chassis Dyno Testing• Road Testing – Up To 200 Miles• Serial-Numbered Dash Plaque• Serial-Numbered Engine Plaque• Shell V-Power 93 Octane Gasoline• Shell Rotella RGT Synthetic Oil• Hennessey Embroidered Headrests• Hennessey Exterior Badging• GOLIATH 700 Exterior Badging• Supercharged Badging• 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty That is a ton of time and hardware for only $26,995. Like all Hennessey Vehicles, the Goliath can be ordered new from any Chevrolet or GMC dealer, so click the button below to view all the details and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance news. View Hennessey Goliath 700 Specs & Options " width="680"> Related: Hennessey Resurrection 1200 Camaro ZL1 Unveiled at SEMA

By Andrew Nabors – February 19, 2020

Jetman Dubai Soars to New Heights

Vince Reffet got tired of waiting at the airport. Instead of chartering his own private flight, he strapped a new JetWing to his back. As part of Dubai's Expo 2020, he hovered for the camera before turning skyward. His altitudes reached are as follows: 328 Feet in 8 Seconds 656 Feet in 12 Seconds 1,640 Feet in 19 Seconds 3,280 Feet in 30 Seconds 2020 Private Aviation Guide With 15 minutes of fuel, you could potentially leave the scene of an accident, escape from jail, or allow a Coyote to catch an animated Roadrunner. We reached out to the ACME rocket company for their response, but they declined to comment. Tell us how you would use your JetWing in the comments below. Browse Supercars For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 17, 2020

2020 Chevrolet Xtreme by SVE

Chevrolet designed the Colorado to handle anything you can throw at it. As one of the most popular mid-size trucks on the market. Sure, they could have dropped a V8 into it, but the 3.6L is a smooth & reliable V6. We know that it can handle massive boost, clearly evident in the Cadillac ATS-V. To that is why Ed Hamburger and his team have unveiled the 2020 Chevrolet Extreme by Specialty Vehicle Engineering. 2019 GMC Syclone Unveiled at duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee Ed is a legendary drag racer who retired to build street-legal cars & trucks with more power and styling than the factory thought possible. The brains behind the Pontiac Firehawk and the 96-02 Camaro SS, his most recent achievement was the revival of the GMC Syclone. After patenting a new supercharger, both the Syclone and the extreme offer 455 horsepower, 425 lb-ft of torque & All Wheel Drive. The blower uses a vicious drive to remain silent while providing incredible boost. Other goodies include full-length ladder bars, massive front & rear sway bars, and a 2"/5" drop kit. SVE's optional brakes measure 13.6" and they easily fit under the standard 20x9 wheels. Just like the Syclone, the Extreme is 50-state legal and backed by a 3 year/36k warranty. Serviceable at any GM dealer, they put the fun back in midsize trucks! Check out their latest builds in our booth at the Amelia Island Concours, we'll see you there! Custom Sports Cars For Sale https://www.facebook.com/SpecialtyVehicleEngineering/videos/173191060638426/

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