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 – July 29, 2020

New BRABUS GLB Revealed With More Power & Style

Hauling kids and groceries was once the job of the Minivan. Now that they are thankfully in the past, its time to embrace the ability of the Mercedes-Benz GLB. Our friends at BRABUS will take on any project, from 800 horsepower G-Wagens to an impressive Shadow Speedboat. From the factory, the GLB is a bit homely, so styling was their starting point. From stem to stern, their aero kit is better than OEM quality. A 2-piece front spoiler along with inserts to the lower intakes will scare traffic in front of you. What good is a crossover without a roof rack? The BRABUS Power Beams integrate LED bars to illuminate the trail ahead. They are also a great safety feature in bad weather, wired into the high-beam switch to not clutter the interior. Out back, the rear spoiler cuts down on wind noise, while the 3.5" quad-tip exhaust plays your soundtrack. Your choice of 18", 19" or forged monoblock 20" wheels can be had with Continental, Pirelli, or Yokohama rubber. The 20" wheels are 8.5" wide and designed for 255/40 tires. The BRABUS suspension was optimized for AWD traction and it rides 1.2" lower than stock. If you don't like going low, the BRABUS offroad kit raises all corners by 1.4". Under the hood, their new ECU allows the GLB to offer 267 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. If you want the ultimate Mercedes-Benz, BRABUS USA is ready to help. Click the link below and stay with us for all your BRABUS news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – July 23, 2020

STARTECH Will Give Your Tesla Model 3 a Makeover

Do you like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain? Let's hope you don't have a new Tesla Model 3. It seems as if the rear bumpers are falling off when exposed to precipitation, but fear not. Our friends at STARTECH are about to make your Model 3 standout from the crowd. From the factory, the entry-level Tesla has styling that is conservative to say the least. Being the American division of BRABUS, they have already reverse-engineered the Model 3 to give it improved aerodynamics and an aggressive look. Starting with a drop, their coil springs are wound progressively to lower your car 30mm, or just over an inch at all around. This allows their 20" Monostar wheels to handle staggered 245 & 285 tires neatly inside the fenders. Learn More https://www.facebook.com/startechusa/videos/3583124471716371 Each part of their body kit is available separately if you don't want the full conversion. Going all in you will have new front and rear bumpers, 3-piece rear spoiler, LED center brake light, vented rocker panels, rear diffuser, and they will even color match your window stainless and door handles. Click the button above to find a STARTECH shop near you, and tell them where you saw this. You won't be disappointed, so stay with us for all your STARTECH news.

By Andrew Nabors – July 02, 2020

Addictive Desert Designs Unveils New Fabrication Tables

Look around your shop and zero in on the most abused object you own. Dealing with snap rings, welding a consistent bead, or turbocharging your lawnmower require a steady surface. That's why our friends at Addictive Desert Designs have unveiled a trifecta of fabrication tables. Made of 3/16" and 1/8" high strength steel, the mechanic's table measures 6 x 3, and it has a fluid tray to keep your floor clean. Cutting sheet metal sends sparks and shavings in all directions. Therefore, the Cutting Fab Table is meant to support your project and catch the flak. We've all had pipe or tubing hanging off the edge, damaging the table and making a mess at the same time. Not only does it resemble a medieval torture device, but it can also be one if you are into that kinda fun. Learn More Last but not least is the Welding Fab Table. In my humble opinion, it is the most practical, thanks to insert clamps. The table surface has a grid of holes that are precisely drilled to hold your project while you weld. It has the same dimensions as the other two (6 x 3) and also made of 3/16" and 1/8" steel. Click the button above for all the details, and send your old table to Valhalla!

By Andrew Nabors – June 17, 2020

TECHART Unveils Tasteful Upgrades for the Porsche Taycan

As children, we are taught that knowledge is power. While motivational, it is helpful to see how insightful engineers apply time and effort to increase efficiency. Normal aftermarket outfitters are reticent to jump on the electric bandwagon, however, our friends at TECHART always enjoy a challenge. If your car is powered by a battery, knowledge literally is power. Their expertise in composite materials and wheel forging has allowed them to blaze a trail where no one saw the opportunity. TECHART's New Video Series Details Their Incredible 911 (992) Starting with new 22" wheels, they have forged a design that is appealing and much lighter than the factory equipment. Along with a slightly larger diameter, this cut in rolling inertia requires less battery power to accelerate. While their aerodynamic enhancements are normally aimed at increased downforce, TECHART has reversed the process to decrease drag. So, not only is the car easier to get moving, it requires less power to maintain at a constant speed. What has not changed is their attention to detail. The interior of your Taycan is a blank canvas, open to wood, microfiber or leather on every surface. Click the button below to find your new Porsche Taycan for sale and stay with us for all your TECHART news. Browse Porsche Taycan For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 11, 2020

Liberty Walk Adds Style & Grip to Toyota Supra

Big power in a small car requires massive tires. Due to the complexities of modern suspension and stability systems, there isn't much room inboard for wider wheels. Spinning rubber it a serious aerodynamic roadblock, and that is why wide body kits are designed. 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review Until now, tackling the 5th generation (A90) Toyota Supra was considered insurmountable by traditional Toyota aftermarket vendors. One team took up the challenge and now we see the fruits of their labor. Available in carbon fiber or fiberglass, Liberty Walk adds style & grip to the Toyota Supra. The complete kit includes the following new parts: Front & Rear Diffusers Rear Spoiler Front Fenders Doors Quarter Panels Dive Planes Hood The difference in price between fiberglass and carbon is only $2,000, so click the button below to find a new Supra and stay with us for all your aftermarket news. Browse Toyota Supra For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2020

Glickenhaus 007 LMP Chassis is Ready to Race

When the Hypercar class was announced, we assumed only the world's biggest automakers would rise to the challenge. Before they could respond, our friend Jim Glickenhaus announced he would be flying the Stars & Stripes. Development of the SCG 007 was already underway, so building the ultimate version was a no-brainer. That is why we're glad his son Jesse has confirmed the 007 LMP chassis is ready to race. Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus Unveils SCG 008 "004/Mini Boot" Relentless testing in the wind tunnel and in the virtual realm has yielded an unprecedented American hypercar. Their dynos are being calibrated to begin testing the "Pipo" engine later this year. Perhaps the most shocking news is the addition of a 2nd car. Both will be fielded at Sebring and Spa to prepare for LeMans. For icing on the cake, Jim said: “Ever since I listened to the 24 hours of Le Mans on my ham radio as a young boy I've dreamed of building a car to compete at Le Mans. I'm so happy that we are getting there.” The 2021 season will be one for the record books, so stay with us for all updates from Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus.

By Andrew Nabors – April 23, 2020

2020 BRABUS Ultimate E is fun For Two

Electric cars don't have to be boring. It seems to us that every manufacturer is in a battle to add range and options to their battery powered cars. That is why our friends in Bottrop chose to go another direction. As Germany's leading design and performance engineers, the 2020 BRABUS Ultimate E is fun ForTwo. Top 50 Best Sports Cars Of All Time Based on the Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio, they have injected it with more power, premium leather, and carbon fiber. Starting where it counts, they reverse-engineered the 3-phase motor. We can't tell you what they did to make if more efficient, but it now offers 92 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. That is enough to reach 62 mph in 10.9 seconds. Due to the short wheelbase, the top speed remains limited to 80 mph, but that is plenty fast in such a small machine. Other goodies include 18" forged BRABUS wheels along with their Widestar fenders, rockers, and bumpers. If you want a Smart ride from BRABUS, click the button below and stay with us for all your BRABUS updates. Browse BRABUS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2020

Fully Loaded 2020 Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra #27 For Sale

Last year GMC shocked the world with an all-new Sierra. Bigger, stronger, and finally more distinct than its cousins at Chevrolet. With more abilities than ever before, it caught the eye of Mr. Davidosn. It took a few months for the motorcycle masters in Milwaukee to infuse it with current and classic HD style, so we're glad to offer this limited edition fully loaded 2020 Harley-Davidson GMC Sierra for sale. Starting with the ZRX off-road package, no less than 65 proprietary body and interior upgrades were added. Starting with the grille and skid plate, HD added a ram-air hood, heat extractors on the fenders, their own tonneau cover, and plush bed carpeting. Moving inside we find HD sill plates, floor mats, piano black interior accents and Harley-Davidson orange trim in several places. The piece de resistance is a new center console proudly displays the truck's build number (#27). You will hear a tuned HD stainless exhaust. It is not available separately to make sure your truck sounds unlike any other. The roar is provided by the same 6.2L V8 found in the Corvette and Camaro SS, sending 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque to all wheels via an innovative 10-speed automatic. This bulletproof transmission is shared with the Camaro ZL1 1LE, so it has been proven to offer years of crisp shifts and over 20 mpg on the highway. Each truck is built to order, and no two are alike. That's why #27 deserves to be in your driveway. Click the button below for all the info and Ride Safe! View Price & Specs

By Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2020

SVE Yenko 1000 Stage II on the Dyno

Ed Hamburger and his son David have been building fast cars for over 3 decades. During the mid-'80s, GM's Camaro and Firebird had great potential, but they were choked by bureaucracy. The Corvette team would not allow a competitor from within. So there was room for more power and torque while still being able to meet clean-air laws. Ed is a veteran drag racer, winning numerous races and building a wealth of knowledge along the way. That is how he and his team were able to reverse-engineer a 1990 Trans-Am, and the Firehawk was born. Specialty Vehicle Engineering builds street-legal production cars that can be ordered from any GM dealer. I ordered my 2002 Camaro SS with every option, and it still runs like new. So I am thankful that I was able to drive their latest creation at this year's Amelia Island Concours. Taking delivery of a new Yenko 1000 Stage II along with their new GMC Syclone, I can truly say I have felt over 1,000 horsepower. I have spent 9 years at duPont REGISTRY driving fast cars and writing about them for you. This one is not like the others. Whatever is inside the supercharger should be kept under lock and key. Cruising along the beach on Florida's A1A, their torque management program knows when to enable boost. With this much power, you can easily shift 1-3-5 or 2-4-6 without any objection. It is able to get loose in 4th without effort thanks to the hand-built 416 bottom end and their proprietary supercharger. If you want a 9-second daily driver, Don Yenko would approve of the SVE Stage II Yenko Camaro. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – April 03, 2020

Adam's Polishes Unveils Potent Hand Sanitizer

Stories like this show us that American Industry is capable of taking on the world's worst problems. Adam Pitale saw a need for better quality car care products and founded his company in 2000. Use the quick detailer one time and you will be hooked, as such, I keep a bottle in every car. But desperate times require a safe & healthy customer base, so his team has switched gears. That's why we're glad to announce Adam's Polishes has unveiled a potent hand sanitizer. "Adam’s has shifted our chemical manufacturing to produce an FDA registered Hand Sanitizer! This formulation was developed and is manufactured in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Our Hand Sanitizer quickly reduces the number of microbes on hands and contains a natural humectant that also leaves your hands feeling moisturized, smooth, and soft and won’t dry out your skin with repeated usage. This formula is also fragrance-free, so it doesn’t contain any potential allergens or cause irritation." Due to unprecedented demand, orders are limited to 4 per person. Than you to Adam and your team for helping our nation in this time of need. Order Here

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe