Articles

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 – June 08, 2016

Ken Block's New M-Sport Ford Transit Van

Say what you want about van culture, it is definitely making a comeback. Custom vans are no stranger to our in-house artists at BLVD Customs, as they have built a time machine and a mystery machine for celebrity owners. Hoonigan prefers to build rally-capable AWD monsters, but for their first Signature Vehicle something more practical was needed. Working with UK based M-Sport, they have unveiled the Ken Block Signature Ford Transit.Taking inspiration from their Ford Fiesta rally car, the murdered out Transit has several body enhancements to increase downforce. The exterior motif was designed by artist Felipe Pantone. Forged 18" wheels and lowering springs keep it planted in corners while occupants ride on hand stitched leather. The only van to feature a carbon fiber rear diffuser has been on a shakedown cruise through Norway, with Block putting it to the test. Final specifications on price and power should be released soon so stay tuned for updates.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 07, 2016

United Boys & Girls Clubs 3rd Annual Rally 4 Kids Recap

What do a secret envelope, a checkered flag and matching wits with a fifth-grader have in common? The Third Annual United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County Rally 4 Kids.More than 150 enthusiastic men and women participated in a weekend car rally that took 75 drivers and their navigators from QAD’s Summerland campus to the Santa Ynez Valley and back. This year’s Rally was the most successful yet, selling out with a wait list and far exceeding last year's numbers with nearly $350,000 net raised in support of the United Boys & Girls Clubs and its programs.The Rally 4 Kids was co-chaired for the third year in a row by event co-founders Diana Starr Langley & Monte Wilson and was supported by a fantastic event steering committee including all-stars Karla Blackwell, Scott Campbell, Jeff Clark, Louise Cruz, Caroline Harrah, Gretchen Lieff, Grace Neumann, Carla Tomson, Maria Wilson, Leanne Wood and Christina Zolotova. Major event sponsors included the duPont Registry, Sheila Herman, Michael Hammer and the Armand Hammer Foundation, Deckers Brands, SeaDream Yacht Club, Sunstone Vineyards and Winery, Exclusive Resorts, Ferrari Los Angeles, Montecito Bank & Trust, Pat & Ursula Nesbitt, Eric & Nina Phillips and Lieff Wines.The two-day car lover’s extravaganza kicked off on Friday evening with a sunset cocktail party for drivers and their navigators at an exclusive Montecito estate. The rally began Saturday morning as drivers began their 100-mile adventure, which included a scavenger hunt, a contest of local trivia and a road rally. © All Rights ReservedOnce back in Summerland, weary teams converged at Bella Vista Ranch & Polo Club for a celebration dinner, entertainment by The Tearaways, a live auction masterfully emceed by Andrew Firestone, dancing and the chance to show off their cars, admire others, and share stories from the day’s adventures.In all, about 350 guests enjoyed the finale event. The 2015 winner, Chris Ebertz, was slated to present the award to this year’s winner. But after it was announced that Ebertz and navigator Lark Cobb had won this year’s contest, the duo took the stage and joked about getting to keep the trophy for another year. © All Rights ReservedSecond-place winners were Karen Kahn and Roy Hildestad, who drove a 2013 Porsche 911. Third place went to Peter Sperling and Sean McCue in a 2014 Lamborghini Murciélago 640 LP Roaster.The rally was not about speed, but rather required teams to locate places, answer trivia questions and demonstrate physical skill. After leaving QAD, participants drove to the Santa Barbara Bowl, where they got to experience the stage in a way that only performers and their roadies usually do.Once on stage, a member of the team was required to hula hoop for 20 seconds to earn the clue about the next secret location. That happened to be Roblar Winery in Santa Ynez. From there the adventure continued driving along winding country roads to The Solvang Motorcycle Museum and then to The Farmstead where more challenges and trivia awaited.From the Valley, teams traveled back to Santa Barbara, where they stopped at the Goleta Boys & Girls Club and matched wits and knowledge with some of the club’s kids, engaging in a version of Are You Smarter Than a 5th-Grader? Although all teams were able to earn their next clue, we hear the kids “schooled” most of the participants, giving them a real run for their money.The evening was buzzing with energy from start to finish and all 350 guests were kept warm long after the sun went down thanks to Tina Datta of Sun Electric who provided gorgeous pashminas for all who attended. Next year’s rally is once again bound to sell out, so if you want to participate, mark your calendar and buy your ticket early.Click here for more information about the United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, or call 805.681.1315. Click here to make an online donation.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 07, 2016

McLaren Reveals Limited Edition Carbon Fiber LT

When McLaren Special Operations (MSO) revealed the carbon fiber McLaren P1 at the Geneva Motor Show, fans of the brand fell in love. Because of such positive reception, MSO is at it again, this time creating a carbon fiber bodied LT based on the 675LT Spider. The special edition will also feature an exclusive gloss finish.The MSO Carbon Series LT is limited to 25 examples, all of which have already been pre-sold.As with McLaren's other LT models, the MSO Carbon Series LT focuses on a light weight body and aerodynamic performance. The model is truly one-of-a-kind and includes 40 percent more carbon fiber than the original 675LT. Additionally, McLaren's MSO engineers have tweaked and modified the engine to match the already superior performance of the LT line.MSO Carbon Series LT Specs Engine: 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 Horsepower: 666 bhp Torque: 516 lb-ft 0-60: 2.9 seconds Top Speed: 203 mph The specs includes a "heavily-revised: 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine, though torque and horsepower have not changed. Still over half the parts in the engine have been changed, which MSO states, "ensures optimized levels of power, torque and drivability." Changes include improved turbos and a faster-flowing fuel pump, among others.Production is slated for the fall with delivery commencing at the end of the year.McLaren 675LTs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 06, 2016

Number One Plate Sells for Nearly $5 Million in UAE

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) winning car number plates were all the craze over the weekend as bidders put up millions to secure their own piece of car racing history.One such bidder, an Emirati businessman by the name of Arif Ahmad Al Zarouni paid a whopping 18 million dirhams (nearly $5 million U.S.) for the Shajah Number 1 plate. The bid for the No. 1 plate started at 1 million dirhams (approximately $3.6 million U.S.)Gulf News Transport reported the event was a major hit, and organizers struggled to control the crowds and the bidding. Winning plates were in extreme demand, many of them selling for hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

By Edward Jones – June 03, 2016

Revealed: 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S Cabriolet, Spec...

The main story here is that Mercedes-AMG is putting out a convertible with a biturbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, available in two output ratings: the 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S. With these cars, that makes for a total of twelve different C-Class versions, including the Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet. Details on both Cabriolet models were unveiled in a press release issued today."The C-Class is a decisive factor in our company's success. The new combination of intensive open-air ambience and powerful V8 engine is unique in the segment and perfectly supplements our large C-Class range", said Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, in the press release.(Related: New 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT R Spied Testing, With Engine Sound)Now, time to get back to that previously mentioned engine, the reason why we're all here. Mercedes notes that the C63 Cab is the only car in its segment that offers an "8-cylinder biturbo engine." And what an engine it is. For the "S" version, power is rated at 510 hp at 5500-6250 rpm and 516 lb-ft of torque at 1750-4500 rpm, while the base C63 sits at 476 hp at 5500-6250 rpm and 479 lb-ft at 1750-4500 rpm. That's decent torque at low revs, I will say. As for performance, Mercedes says the C63 S will run 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds, with the base model coming in just .1 second slower.Mercedes has also included a litany of options for customers to choose from. You can check these all out by clicking that little "plus" button below. AMG Performance exhaust system with flap control at the push of a button Greater differentiation of the tonal characteristics through two additional exhaust flaps Tonal characteristics dependent on selected transmission mode – clear differentiation between full in the C and S modes and distinctly sporty in the S+ and RACE modes Additional control of the tonal characteristics via button on the centre control panel in the centre console AMG ceramic high-performance compound braking system with compound brake discs measuring 402 x 39 mm at the front and integral brake discs measuring 360 x 26 mm at the rear as well as specially painted brake callipers with "AMG Carbon Ceramic" lettering AMG Night package: Silver chrome louvre in the radiator grille High-gloss black A-wing of the front bumper and A-wing trim strip Side sill panel inserts in high-gloss black Rear bumper trim strip in high-gloss black Exterior mirror housings in high-gloss black Sports exhaust system with two chrome-plated twin tailpipe tip AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package I: Silver chrome louvre in the radiator grille A-wing of the front bumper in carbon Side sill panel inserts in carbon Upper trim panel of rear bumper in carbon AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package II: Exterior mirror housings in carbon Spoiler lip in carbon AMG interior: AMG Performance seats for driver and front passenger with more heavily contoured seat shape for enhanced lateral support, integral head restraints and "AMG" badge in the seat backrests Two-tone nappa leather red pepper/black or platinum white/black, perforated Carbon-fibre/light aluminium trim with longitudinal grain Matt silver glass fibre/aluminium with bright longitudinal grain trim Pricing for both cars hasn't been unveiled yet, but that will come shortly. In the meantime, enjoy the pics below and get ready for one of the finset open-top rides out there.C63s For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 03, 2016

This Car Color Might Attract Your Perfect Woman

Obviously, I realize the mere color of your car won't attract the girl you want. Im fully aware it'll take a little more than color choice to attract the kind of girl you're looking for. Let's hope you accompany said car with some style, some grace, intelligence, humor and respect. Now we're talking.But let's roll with this for a moment. Let's say the color of your car could attract the woman of your dreams. With a some research and a little fun, here's what we've come up with:1. The Highly Successful Business Woman Blue She's classy, intelligent and highly motivated, She's likely interviewed people for a job and worked diligently to stay ahead of the game in business. Interview Rules 101 state avoid wearing red to an interview, because it could signify a domineering or rebellious personality. Blue though, blue is the way to go. Blue, according to Style Caster, implies credibility, trustworthiness and the ability to work well as part of a team. Choose blue and show her you're trustworthy and understand the importance of working together as a team. This pristine, tech-heavy Mercedes-Benz S600 has the amenities she's used to and plenty of room for last-minute client dinners. View Listing 2. The Country Cowgirl GreenThis meadow-frolicking, horse-riding lover of nature knows a thing or two about enjoying the greenery around her. She's addicted to line-dancing, loves a good pair of boots and wants to ride through the mud on big wheels with a fun-loving stud beside her. In fact, she might drive you. Go with green for this one. Green is the ultimate symbol of the natural environment she loves and cherishes. And don't come with anything too pretty. This girl wants to live careless and free in a vehicle equally as fun.This earth-toned, green Jeep Wrangler has everything your country cowgirl could want... in a vehicle, that is. View Listing3. The Bronzed Beach Beauty OrangeShe craves the sunset and the feeling of the salty air in her hair. She'll no doubt serve as a bright spot in your life, and she knows how to have a good time. She's all about saving the sea turtles and can tell you the name of each shell beneath her feet. Orange is a good choice for this oceanic maven. The symbol of warmth and happiness, orange is one of the main hues adorning the sunset. It's fun, carefree and tantalizing, just like she is.She's a top-down, cruise-down-A1A kind of girl, so this bright orange Bentley Continental GTC is a perfect choice. View Listing4. The Ultra-Cute Tech Nerd WhiteShe's all about the latest device and loves how tech is enhancing everything from our communication to how things operate. She can tell you all the pros and cons of all the tech brands, she builds her own computers and she's in the process of putting a handy robot together to find her missing socks---just for fun. The more the better, but what this tech-cultured lady loves is how clean modern tech has become. For that reason, white is a great color to go with. It's clean and crisp, just the way she likes her devices.Chances are she's all about electric, which makes this Tesla Model X a stellar choice. View Listing5. The Car Girl RedShe gets it. The speed, the horsepower, the start-up sounds, the exclusivity of the exotics. She'll talk cars with you into the wee hours of the morning. She understands what makes a classic stand out and can pick out a supercar by make and model from a mile away. She requires something exclusive. Something she won't see everyday. As for color though, she's as classic as they come. If you're coming with a supercar, she wants to see it in red. Rosso Corsa to be exact.The only way to go with a true car girl is a Rosso Corsa Ferrari Enzo. Bring together the legendary and the notoriety for this one. View Listing6. The Free Spirit Earth TonesShe's all about organic. You'll find her at music festivals and among the artists of the world. She'll tell you about the value of minimalism and wants experiences rather than things. It won't be easy to impress this one. If you're coming with something ultra-flashy, she's not interested. She has her own garden, doesn't believe in plastic and expresses herself through art and music. When it comes to cars, she needs something earth-saving or retro-stylish. Bring her back to the 60's and 70's and you might just have a chance. Stick to an earth tone-- symbolic of her favorite element.Take it back to 1973 with this retro, Sepia Brown Porsche 911. View Listing7. The Comic Book Lover Specialty Paint Job She doesn't do main stream. She's all about the heroic, but don't mistake her for a damsel in distress. She can hold her own without a problem and loves a little nerdy comic-con fun. She's not your average girl so she doesn't want to see an average paint job. She's not easily impressed by the "standard flashy", so it'll take something truly special to entice her. For this one, try a specialty paint job--- something with a story behind it.This Kaves Art Basel Edition Aston Martin Vanquish Volante could do the trick. View Listing8. The Track Day Girl YellowShe lives for the high-revving, high-octane day at the track. From circuits to drag races, she's ready to roll. She's not one to ride passenger, though, so expect her to have her own ride out there on the track. She's seen it all, so make sure you stand out and make an impact. She wants to see something with a little racing history of it's own, and don't even think about feeding her a line. She'll leave you in the dust. Yellow might just get her attention.This yellow, Ferrari 458 not only has the color down but also carries with it a little track history. View Listing9. The Stiletto-Wearing Mystery Girl BlackShe's a mystery in black stilettos. She draws a stare wherever she goes. She wears a sly smirk dotted with red lips to match her red bottoms. She's caught your attention, but it'll take something truly special to catch hers. She's not about the mundane, and she won't bat an eyelash at anything ordinary. She's all about understated elegance with a little surprise, though, so hit her with black. But not just any black. Want to show her something special? Show her how you'll match her style.This super black Rolls-Royce Wraith with red leather interior will be sure to spark her interest. View ListingLadies, what color makes you look twice? Anything to add? Let us know in the comments below.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 02, 2016

Winners of the 2016 International Engine of the Year Awards

This year's Engine of the Year Awards have officially been announced, and we're here to give you the low down.This year's judging panel included a total of 62 judges hailing from all over the globe. In order to choose a winner for each category, each judge compared the shortlisted engines to each other in their prospective categories. Qualities like performance, fuel economy and noise, among others, were all taken into account. The maximum possible score for each category was a 15 while the lowest score was a 1.Last year's International Engine of the Year, the BMW i8's 1.5-liter three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid engine, was bumped out of first place by the Ferrari 3.9-liter biturbo V8 which powers the 488 GTB. In fact, Ferrari's 3.9-liter Biturbo V8 cleaned house, winning many of the awards it was eligible for.Here's a list of the rest of the winning engines: International Engine of the Year – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8 (Ferrari 488 GTB) Performance Engine – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8 (Ferrari 488 GTB) New Engine – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8 (Ferrari 488 GTB) Green Engine – Tesla full-electric powertrain (Tesla Model S) Above 4-liter – Ferrari 6.3-litre V12 (Ferrari F12 tdf) 3-liter to 4-liter – Ferrari 3.9-litre biturbo V8 (Ferrari 488 GTB) 2.5-liter to 3-liter – Porsche 3-litre six-cylinder turbo (Porsche 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera 4, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera 4S) 2-liter to 2.5-liter – Audi 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo (Audi RS3, RSQ3) 1.8-liter to 2-liter – Mercedes-AMG 2-litre turbo (Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG, CLA45 AMG, GLA45 AMG) 1.4-liter to 1.8-liter – BMW 1.5-litre three-cylinder electric-gasoline hybrid (BMW i8) 1-liter to 1.4-liter – PSA Peugeot Citroen 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo (Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, 3008, 5008, Citroen C3, C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4, DS3, C4 Picasso / Grand Picasso, DS4) Sub 1-liter – Ford 999cc three-cylinder turbo (Ford Fiesta, B-Max, Focus, C-Max, Grand C-Max, Mondeo, EcoSport and Tourneo Connect/Courier) Ferrari 488 GTBs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2016

Street Legal Conversion For Aston Martin Vulcan

Track cars are great on the track, and street cars are fun on the street. But crossing between the two worlds is often nearly impossible. A few Aston Martin enthusiasts have derided the Vulcan as being an illogical purchase since it is not street legal anywhere in the civilized world. Those fortunate enough to have purchased them are relegated to having the car transported to and from events.Even Mr. Spock had to use the transporter every once in awhile, but now there is an alternative. Based in Northamptonshire, RML (or Ray Mallock Limited) is a racing & motorsport engineering firm that has been a dominant force in Touring Car racing for three decades.By working with Aston Martin engineers they have developed a conversion process to make them street legal in the UK. If you can spare your car for three months, the metamorphosis will produce one of the meanest cars on the street.Since track cars have no need for pollution, cleaning up the exhaust is a great starting point. This will undoubtedly involve the addition of catalysts along with a more conservative fuel tune. Crash test simulations will be done in the virtual world, as crashing a production model would be incredibly expensive. Improved lighting and convenience features will be addressed, all while keeping Vulcan ready for the track.Our friends at Cleveland Motorsports have the only Vulcan for sale in the US, so we hope this conversion will be legal on this side of the pond. RML hopes to have the first conversion done shortly, so stay tuned to Autofluence for more Aston Martin updates.

By Andrew Nabors – April 18, 2016

In the Driver's Seat: 2016 GMC Yukon XL Denali

GMC has been building trucks and SUVs since 1909. William Durant used his profits from Buick to buy several small truck manufacturers and combined them to form GMC Trucks. Although GMC and Chevrolet have shared chassis and many body parts since 1920, stylists and marketing wizards have kept them from overlapping.The latest generation of GM's full-size boxes all share a common chassis, but that is where the similarities end. Two years ago GMC sent us a 2015 Yukon XL powered by the 5.3L V8. Because it was one of the first of this generation, they promised to send us a fully loaded Denali once production got up to speed.Better late than never. We recently spent a week with a new 2016 Yukon XL Denali. The Inuit name for the highest mountain in North America, the Denali, is loaded with much more content than lesser trim levels. I won't elaborate on the additional features, because they are very similar to the Cadillac Escalade.We like the 5.3L V8 because we have several older trucks and SUV's around the office equipped with these reliable small blocks. Denali comes standard with the 6.2L V8, and it feels more capable than a Caterpillar D9. New for 2016 is the eight-speed automatic transmission, and it is light years beyond the six-speed box it replaces. Sharing many internal components with the transmission found in the Corvette Z06, it is able to skip multiple gears and cruise just above idle at highway speeds.Cadillac Escalade For SaleIn summary, Yukon Denali uses Chevrolet for power and Cadillac for luxury at a competitive price point between the two. Our fully loaded example carried a sticker price of $78,520. Escalade was less than $12 grand more, but the only real differences between them are styling and the audio interface. To make it even more confusing, Suburban beats them both on price with only slightly less content. Print this out and take it to your local GM dealer and use it as your bargaining chip. You can't make a wrong decision because they are all great SUVs. Stay tuned to Autofluence more reviews from In the Driver's Seat.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 18, 2016

Hennessey Venom GT: Price, Specs, Review and Photos

Hennessey Venom GT Specs Price: $1,300,000 Engine: 90 degree V8 Horsepower: 1387 hp 0–60: 2.4 seconds Top Speed: 278 mph Transmission: Ricardo 6-speed manual Torque: 1191 lb-ft Review In February 2014, Hennessey Performance took their Venom GT to the runway at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Before reaching the end of the runway, the supercar hit a speed of 270.49 mph. Unofficially, it was one of the fastest cars in the world. Officially, it was awarded the world record for fastest 0-300 km/h, or 186 mph, time at only 13.63 seconds. For 2016, it’s back, and it’s even more powerful than before. Through the magic workings of Hennessey Performance’s workshop, the Venom GT’s engine has been improved to the point of being able to reach a new top speed of 280 mph. Of course, to reach such a top speed, many other things also had to increase as well. Power has been cranked up to a behemoth 1,387 horsepower while torque is strong enough to pull down a building at 1,191 pound-feet. With these amounts, a sprint from 0 to 60 mph can be achieved in 2.4 seconds, and 0 to 200 mph in just 12.9 seconds. That’s right—the new Venom GT can reach 200 mph faster than the 2014 Venom GT reached 186 mph. Buy Your Issue Now

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