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 28, 2018

Lamborghini Domination At TX2K18: Easy 200 MPH

If your stock Aventador or Huracan needs more speed, Underground Racing has perfected the twin turbo Lamborghini. Our friends at 1320video traveled to Texas for the annual TX2K race. Qualifying and testing brought cars from around the country. As the slower cars were sent packing, every competitor in the semifinals was driving an Underground Racing machine packing 4-digit horsepower.Underground Racing Gallardo vs World’s Fastest Corvette Z06You might think that the transmission and differential gears might not be optimal for 1/4 mile racing, but at these power levels drivers are forced to go easy on the launch. The boost builds up progressively until the cars are making over 2,000 horsepower by the 1/8th mile. It's slightly depressing to watch cars post top end speeds over 100 mph faster than my heavily modified LS car, and it proves that Underground Racing has a recipe for dominance. If you want to get in on the action, you will need a great deal on a Lamborghini Huracan. So click the link below and let the journey begin.Browse Lamborghini Huracan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2018

RENNtech E63 S AMG Shatters Quarter-Mile Record

Just when you thought Mercedes-AMG built the ultimate E63, RENNtech has allowed it to reach its full potential. At a recent testing session at Palm Beach International Raceway, they set a new record for the 4MATIC equipped E63 S. The unassuming sedan has their Stage 1 kit, which consists of new turbos, ECU, exhaust, and a new fuel system.RENNtech AMG GT R: The Orange BeastWhen tested on an engine dyno this combination makes 842 horsepower and 779 lb-ft of torque. This is sent to all wheels through the 4MATIC+ system. Vossen makes the wheels exclusively for RENNtech, measuring 20 x 10 front and 20 x 10.5 rear. Wrapped in Michelin Sport Cup 2 rubber, it allowed for a flawless holeshot in the record-setting run. This was done on 93 octane pump gas, so if your AMG needs an upgrade click on the link below.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 22, 2018

Genovation GXE: Your Electric Corvette Has Arrived

Electric vehicle technology is advancing by leaps and bounds. You can't deny the appeal of not using gasoline, so Genovation has unveiled an all-electric Chevrolet Corvette. They had an amazing display next to our booth at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, so our team found themselves bewildered by the car. It is based on a late-model Z06, except instead of the supercharged V8, it has two AC motors fed by 800 volts.Most production electric cars are based on a 400-volt system, so doubling the voltage allows for lighter components and more efficient power delivery. This all adds up to a cruising range of 175 miles and a top speed over 200 mph. This is achieved by retaining the stock Corvette 7-speed manual or the 8-speed automatic transmission. Electric motors don't need gear reduction, but the Corvette's gearbox is part of the rear suspension, and it allows the engine rpm to be optimized to a lower operating RPM.High-Speed Aerodynamic Testing with Johnny Bohmer RacingWe first encountered their C6 test car at Johny Bohmer's proving grounds. NASA has basically turned over the Shuttle Landing Facility to him, and it is perfect for high-speed testing.The conversion starts at $750,000 which doesn't include your donor car. It involves a complete disassembly to treat the interior to full Aniline leather and a Harmon/Kardon audio system. Every component from the DC inverters to the turn signals is integrated into a new Can-Bus, with all system information available via BlueTooth and WiFi. No detail was too small, and the LED body accent lighting will show the battery's level of charge by the color it emits as you approach the car. The process is available for any Stingray back to 2014, and only 75 cars will be produced. So if you are interested, click the link below and stay with us for more electrifying news.Browse Corvettes For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=22&v=oLs0mgjv1Bw

By Andrew Nabors – July 28, 2017

Hennessey Performance HPE1000 Hellcat Gets LOUD on the Dyno

You can't deny the abilities of the Dodge SRT Hellcat. It makes 707 horsepower at the crank, and thanks to an efficient transmission it puts 664 horsepower to the ground. That was the baseline measurement from the DynoJet at Hennessey Performance. In order to see how potent their HPE1000 package is, John decided to show us a before and after comparison. To make more power from an already potent machine, the car demanded more fuel and air. The Hellcat has half-inch fuel lines from the factory, but they weren't enough. So everything from the pump to injectors was upgraded.Also Check Out: Jeep Reveals Hellcat Powered Grand CherokeeAnd if you were wondering about the shiny object under the hood, the supercharger was also upgraded. The factory blower measures 2.38 liters, and it is a fine upgrade for any SRT V8. But if you need all the boost, the HPE1000 comes with a 4.5 liter supercharger. If your daily driver is under 4.5 liters in displacement, this car is probably not for you. It is the equivalent of force-feeding another V8 into the 6.2 liter Hemi. The results speak for themselves. At only 4,400 rpm the HPE1000 is making the same power as a stock Hellcat at its redline. You will have 863 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque at your disposal. Watch the Air/Fuel ratio display on the dash. We had no idea the car had this ability, and the team has it safely tuned around 10 to 11:1. The previous builds used a 4.0 liter supercharger because it was the largest available. It allowed the car to run reliable 9.90s at over 140 mph. Dodge is trying to discourage dealer markups on the new Demon, but its not working. So if you don't like paying the dealer a ton of extra cash, give Hennessey Performance a call. Find the perfect Dodge Hellcat for sale from our dealers, ship it to Texas, and you will have Demons begging you for mercy! Stay with us for all your Hennessey updates.

By Andrew Nabors – July 13, 2017

Ride Along UGR's Lamborghini Huracan During its World Rec...

Boosted cars run better in cool weather, which is why WannaGoFast invited half-mile racers to North Carolina back in May. Underground Racing's twin-turbo builds are popular in these events due to their reliability and performance. Gideon Chamdi is probably their best customer, as his cars are always pushing the limits. Originally started as a way to promote his jewelry business. "Diamonds By Wire Racing" has evolved into a record-breaking powerhouse. His Underground Racing Audi R8 reached 244 mph at the event, and we heard rumors of the Lamborghini's blistering pass.The car is owned by Mohammed Bourashid of Kuwait-based Drag965, and he put Gidi behind the wheel to make sure it broke the record.Also Check Out: Underground Racing Gallardo vs World's Fastest Corvette Z06In stock form, the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 delivers 602 horsepower and 412 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Given a flat stretch of road and favorable winds, it will reach a top speed of 201 mph. But this isn't enough for some. That's why Underground Racing had to ditch the dual-clutch 7-speed automatic in favor of an air-shifted 6-speed sequential transmission. Air shifters use a tank of compressed air to slam shift each gear. Normally found on pro-mod dragsters, the systems are expensive and complex. We're amazed the camera stayed attached on this run, so hold on for a wild ride. Where do you draw the line between street car and track machine? Tell us how far you would go to push your car to a new world record, and stay with us for all your UGR updates.

By Edward Jones – June 22, 2017

World's Fastest Nissan GT-R Has 3,000 Horsepower

Congratulations to Extreme Turbo Systems for their achievement of having the world's fastest R35 Nissan GT-R. Just how fast did their 3,000 horsepower GT-R go? I'll put it into perspective, thanks to 1320video's description on the world record run.Previously, the fastest GT-R ran 255.2 mph in a standing mile. The ETS GT-R managed to run 255 mph in a half-mile. Yes, it went just as fast in half the distance. That is... incredible, almost unbelievable.Also, Check Out - Lamborghini Gets Stunned by Insane Nissan GT-R1320video noted that the run took place in Colorado, making the altitude and less-dense air not a perfect fit for the turbochargers. However, it did make it easier for the car to cut through the air as it sprinted down the strip. He noted that the ETS team's goal was "pushing as much boost as they can out the turbochargers as fast as they can."Check out the world record run in the video below for yourself!

By Andrew Nabors – June 16, 2017

Hennessey Performance: Ford Raptor vs VelociRaptor 600

Many people thought the V6 Raptor would be a lame duck, but it has proven to be a mean bird of prey. In stock form, it offers 510 lb-ft of torque and 450 horsepower from the 3.5 liter V6. But if that isn't enough for you, John Hennessey & Company have ruffled some feathers in their latest build. The VelociRaptor 600 makes 600 horsepower and 622 lb-ft of torque thanks to some ingenious & proprietary upgrades. In order to showcase their talents, a stock Raptor was used for comparison in a quarter-mile showdown.Any engine that uses turbos or superchargers will benefit from intake and exhaust upgrades. Your first clue to the potential of the VelociRaptor is the aggressive V6 soundtrack. To keep it emissions friendly the stock catalytic converters are left in place, but it sounds like straight pipes after them. To unlock more ignition timing, a cooler intake was needed. A new intercooler measuring large by huge was placed behind the grille. The blow off valve will scare pedestrians when boost isn't needed, but the VelociRaptor will be limited to only 100 examples. Each one will be capable of going 1,320 feet in 12.9 seconds and hitting 60 mph in only 4.2. Make your V8 friends angry as blow their doors off! You can't argue with results, so check out the details here and stay with us for more wild Hennessey Performance updates.

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2017

Lamborghini Huracan DCT 1/2-Mile World Record Set at Insa...

Underground Racing has been going pretty wild with Lamborghini Huracan modifications, and Mohammad's twin-turbo 2015 model is a perfect example. With about 1,800 whp on tap, his Huracan is a sprinting monster.At the recent WannaGoFast 1/2 mile event in North Carolina, Mohammad took his Huracan out for a few passes. His runs, in order, were 211, 217, 219, 220, and 222 mph. That last run, the 222 mph run, set a new DCT transmission Huracan world record. To accomplish the faster runs, Underground Racing turned up the power to the 1,800 whp mark. You can view the world record run in the video below.In the description of the video, we learn that the engine is fully built with billet connecting rods and pistons, as well as a JRR MoTeC M1 ECU. However, the DCT transmission is entirely stock, with a Dodson sportsman clutch cage and Underground Racing's own custom clutches.

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2017

Ten Modded Cars in Epic Half-Mile Drag Race

If you are a performance shop, racing is the best way to show your abilities. Levella is a German aftermarket shop with their own line of wheels and parts. Since most supercars for sale are geared for high-speed stability, a traditional quarter-mile race is a waste of time. Half-mile events are popping up across the world. At an undisclosed runway in Europe, Levella gathered ten of their builds for a heads-up shootout. Each driver was masked for maximum intimidation, with identities ranging from President Trump to Iron Man. The list of competitors is impressive, and each car is far from stock. The lineup consisted of Lamborghini's Huracan and Aventador facing an Audi RS6, VW Golf R, Porsche 991 Turbo S & Panamera, Aston-Martin Vantage, BMW M3, Mercedes-AMG C63 S, and Nissan GT-R.With engines ranging from four to twelve cylinders, aerodynamics battle against torque on the top end. Before you watch, consider who would win if all cars were stock...We told you it would be a surprise finish! The differential ratio is what makes or breaks top speed runs, but aftermarket gears are not available for every make and model. Tell us who should have won and stay with us for more racing footage here on Autofluence.

By Edward Jones – December 18, 2015

Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Aventador Hits 217 MPH in Half-Mile

The half-mile racing events found around the world bring in some of the most powerful cars, especially twin-turbocharged exotic cars. At a recent half-mile event in Maricopa, Arizona, a twin-turbo Lamborghini Aventador showed up to compete and laid down some impressive numbers.RemRob was on hand at the event to film the car's run. According to his YouTube video, this car "comes with a completely built race spec short block including billet connecting rods, custom CP race pistons...custom clutch, billet flywheel, billet axles, front and rear billet differentials."The video's description also notes that this is the first twin-turbo Aventador to "compete in any kind of event." And, for reaching 217 mph, it's not a bad start for the car. Check out the video below.Aventadors For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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