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 Edward Jones – November 01, 2017

Hennessey Venom F5: 300mph Rival to the Bugatti Chiron

Watch out Bugatti, because Hennessey Special Vehicles is here with the new Venom F5 and it's looking to be the 300 mph monster we've dreamt about. With this car, Hennessey has set out to do one thing: create the fastest road car on Earth. Watch out, Bugatti Chiron.“We’ve designed F5 to be timeless so that in 25 years it will still have a level of performance and design that will be unmatched,” said John Hennessey, company Founder and CEO. “The F5 is an all-new car, designed and built from the ground up, from the engine to the chassis. We expect the Venom F5, named for the most powerful tornado speed winds on the Fujita scale, to be the first road car capable of achieving more than 300 mph and have worked closely with Pennzoil to get us across the finish line.”The Venom F5's predecessor, the Venom GT, had an insane 1,244 bhp on tap and hit a record-breaking-kind-of top speed of 270.49 mph. Now, the Venom F5 has 1,600 bhp at the ready, which is enough power to propel the hypercar to speeds over 300 mph. This power comes from Hennessey's own twin-turbo V8 engine that's mated to a 7-speed single-clutch transmission that sends power to the rear wheels. Thanks to its light weight of 2,950 lbs and a low-drag coefficient, the Venom F5 will rocket from 0-186 mph in less than 10 seconds-- that's quicker than current Formula 1 race cars. Zero to 249 mph and back to a stop will be accomplished in under 30 seconds, faster than Koenigsegg's current world record.Hennessey Special Vehicles will create 24 examples of the Venom F5 at their Sealy, Texas location and each will cost $1.6 million. For more information, head over to VenomF5.com.Used Sports Cars for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 19, 2017

Hennessey Performance Venom F5 Aims For 300 MPH

Sometimes the best motivation is inspired by those who say "it is not possible". Engineers told General Chuck Yeager that airplanes would explode if they broke the sound barrier. Condescending male journalists told Nellie Bly she couldn't go "Around the World in 80 Days". So she did it in 72.In an ever-escalating war of top speed, the automotive industry seems to think 300 miles per hour is not achievable with current technologies. Perhaps this is why Hennessey Performance uploaded an image of the upcoming Venom F5 next to a speed limit sign. Just like the people who told him the Venom GT wouldn't go 270 mph, it seems John Hennessey is looking to silence other top speed rumors coming from France.Hennessey Calls Out Bugatti ChironThe goal of the Venom F5 has been to build a street legal American car with 1500 horsepower. The engine will probably be a twin turbo Chevrolet V8, with some of the secret sauce from the Venom GT. To make it a reality, other patriotic brands have stepped up to help with development. It will be formally revealed at SEMA on November 1st, so tune in to our Facebook Page for video and details. This doesn't mean the other projects are on hold, so check out the VelociRaptor 6x6 if you are in the market for a wild truck. Tell us what you think it will do, and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates.

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2017

How to Order the Hennessey Exorcist Camaro

Texas is larger than most nations of the world, which is why it is also home to some very fast cars. If you find yourself on Interstate 10 on the west side of Houston, don't challenge anyone to a race. That's because the Exorcist Camaro will have you begging for mercy. Hennessey's rebuke of the Dodge Demon is based on the Camaro ZL1. The transformation involves new cylinder heads, monster camshaft, a new supercharger and high flow stainless headers. Lifters and pushrods are also replaced in order reach a higher redline.The result is 1,000 horsepower at the crank and a subtle nature when cruising. To show just how tame the Exorcist really is, John took us on an interstate ride to explain the ordering process. Hennessey Performance is not a Chevrolet dealer, but they receive new cars directly from the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant. You can send your new Camaro ZL1 to Texas, or the salespeople at Hennessey will be happy to work with your local dealer to spec-out your new ride.Yes, Camaros are still built to order and certain options are crucial to beating the latest from Mopar. The 10-speed automatic transmission keeps the supercharger in its powerband above 4,000 rpm, making us stick shift driver pay for the privilege of a 3rd pedal. Sit back and watch the Exorcist point to the heavens at the top of each gear and listen to the blower scream. If you want to leave highway traffic standing still, click here for more details and stay with us for more updates from Hennessey Performance.

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2017

The Exorcist Camaro From Hennessey Performance

If you or your loved ones find yourselves at the mercy of a Demon, John Hennessey's latest creation will bring forth a deliverance. He teased us a few weeks ago with the name and photos, leaving many to speculate about the details of the build. So in a YouTube upload last night, The Exorcist was strapped to the dyno to measure its power. Dropping a monster cam into the 6.2 liter LT4 would be more than enough to deal with your in-laws or possibly an ex who is off their medication, but something unprecedented is needed to rebuke Dodge's evil creation. Roots superchargers are all the rage because they include the intercooler in a convenient location in the engine valley. But even the most well-engineered examples are limited by their physical size.Also Check Out: Popular Cars That Are Illegal In The USAThat is why Hennessey Performace took a page from the history book and worked with ProCharger to make the largest centrifugal blower we've ever seen. The matte black monster is mounted above the steering column and it sends boost to a front-mounted intercooler that is larger than your radiator. It feeds a carbon-fiber tunnel ram intake that looks like something out of Formula1. No detail was overlooked, as a Crucifix can be found in the graphics and hanging from the rear view mirror. You probably have the Demon's horsepower and torque memorized by now, but those readings were at the flywheel, not the ground. If you factor in drivetrain losses, The Exorcist is among the most powerful cars in the world. Click here to learn more, and stay with us for all your Hennessey updates!

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2017

The Exorcist - Hennessey Performance's Dodge Demon Rival

Well, this is amazing.Hennessey Performance (HPE) has an answer for the upcoming Dodge Demon and it's called The Exorcist. No, this isn't the kind of exorcist you'd see on the movie screen that's used on. Instead, it's the kind of exorcism that is looking to exorcise the Demon out of the drag strip.The Exorcist is actually a heavily modified 2017 Chevrolet `Camaro ZL1. Hennessey took the car's LT4 V8 engine and worked some holy spirits into it in the form of a larger supercharger and intercooler system, ported cylinder heads, new camshaft, long-tube stainless steel headers, high-flow air induction system and a custom engine management calibration. All of these modifications have allowed the engine to produce 1000 bhp @ 6,400 rpm and 966 lb-ft of torque @4,400 rpm.Those wanting their own Exorcist can either pick one up as a turnkey vehicle from Hennessey or order one from Chevrolet dealers. Additionally, those who already own a ZL1 Camaro can send their car into HPE for the conversion. The engine upgrade and graphics cost $55,000 and come with a 2 year/24,000 mile warranty. Ther is also an optional drag pack ($8,995) that includes 20-inch wheels shod in 315/30-20 Nitto drag radials, drive shaft upgrade, floor jack and took kit. The road race pack ($6,995) comes with 20-inch lightweight Hennessey wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 wheels.Only 100 examples of The Exorcist will be created each year.Learn More

By Edward Jones – March 01, 2017

2017 Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 is a 2017 Raptor on Steroids

Nobody will argue that the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor is one of the most epic trucks on the road. It comes with a fantastic 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine that has an output of 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, and suspension that will take on just about anything thrown at it.Yeah, while the base 2017 Raptor is great, that doesn't mean aftermarket tuners aren't going to up the capabilities of this truck. In fact, Hennessey Performance has just released their new VelociRaptor 600, based on the new Raptor.The new Hennessey VelociRaptor 600 packs 605 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 622 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm. That's a massive increase over the stock model, but that's thanks to a huge list of upgrades that the Texas tuner has installed into the truck. The stars of the list include the upgraded twin-turbocharger system, ECU upgrade, high-flow air induction system and more.When Hennessey tested the truck, it ran 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and completed a quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds @ 110 mph. Yeah, this truck is no slouch by any means.If you're interested in picking one up or want to learn about the Off-Road Stage 1 Package, be sure to click the button below.Learn More

By Edward Jones – January 19, 2017

This is the Final Hennessey Venom GT, Ever

Well, it's official: the last Hennessey Venom GT car has been produced.In a press release from Hennessey Performance, they announced that production of the American supercar has concluded. The final example of the car is dubbed as the "Final Edition" and is finished in a gorgeous "Glacier Blue" paint with white stripes running down the center. Powering the car is the same twin-turbo 7.0-liter V8 engine found in preview examples, each of which are capable of 1,451 hp.Additionally, Hennessey did note in the press release that fans of the car can bid on the Venom GT that was built for Steven Tyler of Aerosmith at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. The car will be crossing the block this Friday evening.“We’ve attained some pretty incredible achievements with the Venom GT,” said company founder & CEO, John Hennessey. “It was always my dream to build the fastest car and we did just that. Our Venom GT retires as one of the fastest cars on the planet along with being one of the most exclusive. I’m so grateful to our customers, employees, suppliers, and our technical partners, Pennzoil & Shell V-Power, who have helped make this special car a reality. We look forward to introducing our next car, the Venom F5, sometime later this year.”You read that correctly, the Venom F5 will be revealed later this year.In the meantime, here is a breakdown from the press release of the achievements that the Venom GT has made over the year. January 2013 – Guinness World Record for the fastest 2-seat sports car from 0-300 kmh in 13.61 seconds. February 2014 – World’s fastest 2-seat sports car by attaining a top speed of 270.4 mph on the Shuttle Landing Runway at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. March 2016 – World’s fastest open top vehicle by attaining a top speed of 265.6 mph at the United States Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California. This record beat the previous record holder, the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, by 11 mph. All Hennessey Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 09, 2016

Hennessey Makes 1,000 HP Camaros Possible

Hennessey Performance recently showed us how powerful the new 2017 Camaro ZL1 is when stood up against the Corvette Z06. Now, they're showing us that they're capable of creating a 1,000 bhp Camaro ZL1.On their website, the Texas-based automotive performance company details the HPE1000 package that make this much power possible in the new ZL1. They include:• High-flow Supercharger System• Forged Pistons• Forged Steel Rods• Custom HPE Camshaft• Ported Cylinder Heads• Upgraded Fuel Injectors• Upgraded Fuel System• High Flow Intercooling System• Intercooler Heat Exchanger Upgrade• Long-tube Stainless Steel Headers• Stainless Steel Midpipes• High Flow Catalytic Converters• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids• HPE Engine Management CalibrationOn top of these upgrades, the HPE1000 upgrade includes dyno tuning and road testing, serial-numbered plaques, Hennessey badging, and a 1 year/12,000 mile limited warranty. They also offer their own carbon fiber door sill plates and Hennessey H10 Monoblock wheels. So, if you were looking to take your new ZL1 to the boss level, this looks like the way to do it. Learn more at HennesseyPerformance.com.All Chevrolet Camaro For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 05, 2016

Battle of the Chevys: 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Corvette Z06

John Hennessey is not known for leaving anything in stock form. But in order to know how effective his modifications are, it's necessary to know how fast each car is before the transformation. In a new YouTube video uploaded by Hennessey Performance, we have a rare opportunity to see a roll race between a new 2017 Camaro ZL1 and a Corvette Z06. In a rare move by Chevrolet, both cars are rated at 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The supercharged LT4 V8 is a 6.2 engine with direct injection and an all-aluminum construction. Camaro has a traditional layout of front-engine with the transmission close behind it, but the Corvette has the transmission mounted out back, connected by a torque tube. Since this is the last time both cars will be in factory form, why not see what they are capable of? (Also Watch Hennessey HPE800 Shelby Mustang GT350 is Loud Loud Loud) Depending on options, the Camaro can be anywhere from 300 to 500 pounds heavier than its fiberglass cousin. To simulate a true street race, both cars lined up for a roll race at Hennessey's Lonestar Motorsports Park. Both cars are manual transmission -- the seven-speed Z06 vs a six-speed ZL1. This is a battle of weight, aerodynamics and gear ratios, so tell us who you think should have won. Stay with us, as we will show you what these cars will do once he works his magic with them once they are completed. He will turn your car from mild to wild, so if you need a Z06 or ZL1 to send him, be sure to check out the listings from our dealers below.

By Edward Jones – October 13, 2016

Hennessey HPE800 Shelby Mustang GT350 is Loud Loud Loud

The Ford Mustang GT350 is already remarkable and sounds like heaven, but for Hennessey, it just wasn't enough. So naturally, they have a new performance upgrade for the car that makes it more bonkers than ever before. Introducing the new HPE800 supercharged upgrade for the Mustang GT350 and GT350R.As for the upgrade components for the 5.2-liter V8, this is the list from the Hennessey website:• 2.9 Liter Supercharger System• 11.0:1 compression forged aluminum pistons with steel wrist pins• Forged steel connecting rods• Carbon Fiber High Flow Air Induction• Upgraded Fuel Injectors• Upgraded Fuel Pump System• Carbon Fiber Coilpack Covers• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids• HPE Engine Management Calibration(Related - Ken Block's Hoonicorn V2: 1,400 hp, Twin Turbo, AWD Mustang)With all of that added in, what do you get? How about 808 hp and 657 lb-ft of torque. That 808 hp alone is almost 300 more hp than the stock's 526 horsepower rating. When this new power is put to the test, the HPE800 GT350 will run 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds and can run a quarter-mile in 10.8 seconds at 133 mph.As of right now this upgrade is limited edition and is limited to 50 units for the 2016 model year. For more information, be sure to contact Hennessey Performance.Hennessey Vehicles For Sale

Articles

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe