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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 Edward Jones – October 06, 2016

Ford Introduces Four Extreme Trucks for SEMA 2016

Every year Ford brings a party to SEMA in the form of trucks and this year looks to be like they're throwing it down yet again. For SEMA 2016, Ford will be bringing four trucks: the EraThr3 F-150 by Hulst Customs, Bojix Design F-150 SuperCrew, Gold Standard F-150 Project Truck and the BMX-themed F-150 Lariat SuperCrew. Below are brief descriptions on each from Ford's website.Ford has won multiple "Hottest Truck" awards at the show. Do you think Ford will win that award this year with these trucks? Let me know what you think in the comments below.View All F-150 For SaleEraThr3 F-150 by Hulst Customs "The EraThr3 F-150 by Hulst Customs is not for the faint of heart. This independent, free spirited, trail blazer turns heads and makes hearts pound with a powerful stance. Boasting a Whipple supercharger capable of boosting the Ford 5.0L V8 to 750HP and a custom made 4-link rear suspension, this truck is ready to rumble."BMX-themed F-150 Lariat SuperCrew "This BMX-themed extreme F-150 lives up to the fast paced sport by offering the strength, speed and handling that can tackle any obstacle – on or off road. Equally amped for drivers and riders alike, the Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew is equipped with action sports accessories and gear including Ssquared Bicycles bike frames, Answer BMX bicycle parts, and GoPro action cameras that can capture all the finish-line action."Gold Standard F-150 Project Truck "The 2016 Gold Standard Ford F-150 Project Truck built by A.R.E. Accessories brings great products from across the industry together on one build. The custom paint job reflects a rich brilliance while the A.R.E. CX Series cap with the TopperEZLift system protects technology like TV’s, a storage system and charging station located in the bed of the truck. This truck is built up from bumper to bumper to show off medal-worthy products on the gold standard truck – the 2016 Ford F-150. "Bojix Design F-150 SuperCrew "This F-150 SuperCrew is more than ready to take on the most severe off-road duties and look good while doing it. Sleek Nardo Grey paint with Bojix Orange accents are illuminated by 30”, 40” & 50” Radius light bars. Equipped with a Full Race intake system and twin Borg Warner EFR turbo upgrades on the 3.5L EcoBoost engine, this truck has outstanding power and a quick response to tackle every type of terrain with agility and authority."

By Andrew Nabors – August 09, 2016

Legendary Valentino Balboni Creates Exhaust for Aventador SV

Italian artisans are trained to make works of art by using traditional methods. Lamborghini's latest Aventador SV is just such a creation, but all modern production exhausts are mass-produced using automation to save time. In his career as Lamborghini's chief test driver, Valentino Balboni spent 35 years ensuring the quality and performance of the brand. Having driven 80% of their total production, he probably has a few opinions on how the V12 should sound.If you want your new Aventador SV to be the loudest car for miles, simply unbolt your factory system. Straight pipes hurt performance at cruising speeds and might provoke attention from the authorities. If you demand the best for your car, Valentino's new system is the most beautiful aftermarket creation we've ever seen. Rejecting the mass production methods of automated pipe benders, he chose to have master welders fabricate each bend with individual tig welds.Using the latest in titanium alloys, each mirror-imaged system takes 350 hours to build. Billet titanium hangers in the factory locations require no modifications to your rare car. Probably the lightest bolt-on exhaust ever offered, both sides add up to 13.8 lbs. Only 30 examples will be produced, with each set polished to a mirror shine. For more information and beautiful images, head over to his new website. And if you need an Aventador SV to attach to this system, be sure to check out listings from our dealers below.Lamborghini Aventador SV For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 04, 2016

Hennessey HPE1000 Challenger Hellcat Hits the Dyno

You knew it was bound to happen. John Hennessey and team have added twin turbos to the supercharged Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Being the most powerful production muscle car, it makes 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque at the engine without any modifications. Automatic transmissions consume a percentage of that power in exchange for not having to shift your own gears. Our Cars & Coffee events are always packed with the mean Mopars, and owners tell us they usually make anywhere from 630 hp to 650 hp at the rear wheels when measured on a dyno. Incredible numbers for any showroom stock vehicle, but how does one boost that which is already boosted?While tuned exhaust on naturally aspirated cars helps to build power at low RPMs, the exhaust on a supercharged car is essentially wasted energy. By adding two turbochargers into the mix, the Hellcat is taken from 11 to 15 pounds of boost pressure. Before you mention that it's only 4 psi, consider how a supercharger works. It takes 500 hp just to spin the blower on a Top Fuel dragster. While that might be an extreme comparison, superchargers use a significant amount of the engine's power- to make more power. I drove Mr. Hennessey's twin-turbo Ford GT at the Orange County Auto Show in 2013, and he explained that by adding boost at low engine speeds, the supercharger's inefficiencies are negated. Using the same logic on the Hellcat, they are able to make 848 hp at the rear wheels, 200 more with only 4 pounds of additional boost. Considering the power lost inside the automatic, it equates to 1,060 hp at the engine! Also available for the Charger Hellcat, head over to Hennessey Performance for more information.Used Challenger SRT Hellcat

By Andrew Nabors – August 02, 2016

New TechArt Wheels for Porsche Cayman GT4 and Panamera

If you own a Porsche 911, you have an entire industry at your disposal when it comes to aftermarket wheels. But for Cayman and Panamera owners, limited availability is an understatement. Based on the runaway success of TechArt's split 5-spoke Formula IV series, they have developed a specific fitment for the Cayman GT4 and the Panamera.Porsche Panamera For Sale Using the same machining techniques as OE manufacturers, all unnecessary metal is removed to offer the lightest & strongest wheel on the market. The Cayman GT4 arrives with 20" racing rubber that wears out quickly on the street. Saving the original tires for track days would be a wise investment, so TechArt has pushed the limits beyond what we thought possible. Included with a 5mm rear spacer, their new wheel measures 21"x 9" front and 21" x 11" rear. This will allow you to run a 245/30 tire up front and a massive 305/25 out back.If your Porsche sedan needs a custom touch, Formula IV wheels for the Panamera measure 22" x 9.5" front and 22" x 10.5" rear. A clever use of increased offset, it will allow you to have 265/30 tires up front and 305/25 on the rear. All TechArt Formula IV wheels are approved by the factory and will not void your warranty. Larger wheels have shorter sidewall tires. This helps cornering by decreasing deflection, and the weight savings help your brakes work easier. For technical data and color options, click here. Stay with us for more custom options for your Porsche.Cayman GT4 For Sale|Panamera For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – July 22, 2016

Super Limited Hennessey 25th Anniversary VelociRaptor is ...

Hennessey Performance is known for leaving an impression. With its line of high-performance supercars, trucks, muscle cars and more, Hennessey doesn't disappoint on the track or on the streets. So for their 25th anniversary, it's only right they do it big. They're celebrating in glorious fashion with a fierce VelociRaptor 700 Supercharged Ford Truck. According to the Hennessey website, the VelociRaptor is coming equipped with some serious upgrades. VelociRaptor 700 Supercharged Ford Truck Upgrades 2.9 Liter Supercharger System Air-to-Water Intercooler High Flow Air Induction Fuel Injector Upgrade Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust Professional Installation HPE Engine Management Calibration Chassis Dyno Tuning & Road Testing Serial-Numbered Dash & Engine Plaques Hennessey & VelociRaptor Exterior Badging 3 Year / 36,000 Mile Limited Warranty Think you want one of these crazy trucks? Better act fast. Hennessey is only putting 25 into production. Price and release date hasn't been publicly displayed, but you can click the button below for more info.Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2016

Hennessey Venom 800: Drag Radials Required

Next year will be the final model year for the Dodge Viper. Several special editions have been announced and already sold out, but no major mechanical upgrades are offered. Before these ten cylinder snakes slither off into sunset, a few have been caught by Hennessey Performance as the ultimate expression of this American supercar.John Hennessey began his career by modifying Vipers in his parents' garage. Being the cornerstone of the business, they have pulled out all the stops to make 808 hp and 790 lb-ft of torque. The giant X-brace across the engine prohibits the use of a roots style supercharger, and good luck finding room along the exhaust for turbos. So they have turned to the largest centrifugal blower we have ever seen.At only 5 psi of boost pressure, Venom 800 reaches 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. Bold wording on their website warns potential buyers that optional drag racing tires are needed to prevent wheel spin. With a prepped drag strip the Venom offers 10.5 seconds in the quarter mile at 143 mph. The fuel and exhaust systems are all new, and each car will be dyno tuned before delivery. This package is available for all Vipers from 2013 to present and comes with a 1 year/12,000 mile limited warranty. For more information, please head over to HPE's Venom 800 page here.

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2016

Mansory Builds 1 of 1 Mercedes-AMG GT S

No build is too intimidating for the masters at Mansory, because they have made a name for themselves by improving on perfection. The Mercedes-AMG GT S is a potent machine, but one discerning enthusiast needed more. Turning his vision into reality, their creation is a bespoke GT S that can not be recreated.(Related: Mansory Aventador J.S. 1 Edition is Carbon Overload)Everyone knows Mansory for exaggerating and accentuating factory designs, but the owner asked for more. From turbos to tailpipes, the exhaust system is all new and unrestricted. Intake and tuning upgrades push horsepower to 720, and the top speed is now 205 mph. To provide stability at those speeds, more traction was required. Front tires are 9.5" and rears are 10.5 on 21" forged wheels. New fenders and quarter panels were handcrafted to flare the body around the rubber. Out back is a rear spoiler that would scare any Viper, with the carbon fiber finished in ruby red.The red theme continues through the interior, with hand-sewn seat covers and trim. We know little about the owner, except that his name is Bandar. We applaud his attention to detail and we hope to see this wild GT S in the future. Stay tuned for more wild Mansory builds!GT S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2016

Modified Lamborghini Huracan Hits 236 mph, Breaks Record

Puerto Rico is a mecca for modified cars, but space is at a premium on the island. With the popularity of standing mile events here on the mainland, enthusiasts in Aguadilla decided to organize a half-mile top speed invitational.Underground Racing loves to take normal supercars into uncharted territory, and their latest Huracan is nothing short of incredible. With the increased abilities of the new V10, larger turbos and intercoolers were combined to reach a new top speed record for Puerto Rico. Given a longer runway, it would be wild to see how fast this car really is. Ride along as this raging bull assaults the tarmac, and stay tuned to Autofluence for more wild rides..Huracans For Sale

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