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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 Andrew Nabors – April 13, 2017

Jeep Reveals Hellcat-Powered Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Popular culture wants us to believe that everyone needs a crossover. These unsightly boxes have put a dent into the SUV market, which has made the big automakers go to extremes to keep them viable. This is where the Super SUVs have gained a cult following. Jeep has a history of building powerful Grand Cherokees. The latest example was just revealed at the New York Auto Show, and it packs serious power into a potent chassis.Challenger Hellcat For SaleThe first super Jeep was the 5.9-liter Limited Edition in 1998. It used a modernized version of the Chrysler 360 small block to send 345 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Next up was the SRT-8 Grand Cherokee which packed the 6.1 liters Hemi from 2006 to 2010. They are coveted by collectors because of launch control along with 420 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. When the Hellcat arrived with 707 horsepower, Jeepers began asking how they could get in on the fun. The usual response would be a "sorry, not sorry" from the engineers because of fuel economy standards, but SRT chose to build something wild.Jeep's 2018 Grand Cherokee Trackhawk will arrive with the Hellcat power and 645 lb-ft of torque. The press release also mentions the cast iron block is cooled by a water jacket around the cylinders-- what a groundbreaking innovation! Stuffing a monster motor into a stock Jeep is a recipe for destruction, so the eight-speed automatic transmission was beefed up along with the transfer case and axles. Launch control returns, but now it has an ace in the hole. A new torque reserve system builds boost by killing half the cylinders and leaving the supercharger wide open. Much like a two-step used in drag racing, it allows the engine to launch at full boost.To make sure it stays cool, the fog lights were deleted to direct more air at the radiators. Trackhawk rides one inch lower on Bilstein adaptive suspension. Brembo brakes are the largest ever (13.78") offered on a Jeep to provide a 60-0 of only 114 feet. Gloss black accents in the headlights and rear diffuser offer a menacing appearance, and the quad tip exhaust will be heard for miles. The only response from the competition was Chevrolet announcing the Escalade's 6.2 will be offered in the Tahoe, but it will need a Z06 transplant to even be in the same ballpark. If you want a beastly Jeep, our dealers will have all the info. Stay with us for more Mopar news and coverage of the NY Auto Show.View All Jeep News, Articles and Videos

By Edward Jones – April 13, 2017

Special Edition Maserati Ghibli "Nerissimo"

Maserati North America has just pulled back the sheets on the new Ghibli Nerissimo Edition. Limited to only 450 examples, this edition will be available exclusively to North America and Canada.What is the Nerissimo Edition? First off, the name Nerissimo comes from the Italian expression for "extremely black," a fitting name considering the style of this car. Available for the Ghibli, Ghibli S and Ghibli S Q4, the Nerissimo includes Glossy Black finished 20-inch Urano wheels, black door handles, black window trim and black grille features. Well, that's just the exterior. In the cabin, there's black extended leather interior with red stitch, Dark Mirror interior trim, Sport Seats, a Sport Steering wheel, and a badge that highlights the fact that each car is one out of 450.Pricing for the Nerissimo edition is as follows according to Maserati: Ghibli ($77,250), Ghibli S ($84,000) and Ghibli S Q4 ($86,500).View All Maserati New, Articles and Videos

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2017

McLaren Premieres New Special Edition Models

China's auto industry doesn't like foreign competition, but McLaren have made record sales in only three years. The 3rd anniversary is also taking place with the launch of the new 720S along with a special edition of the 570GT. Although it won't be available for order until July, the 720S is creating quite a buzz. A new 4.0 liter V8 and twin turbos deliver 720 metric horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. The dihedral doors and other styling cues are taken from the original F1. With a dry weight of 2,829 lbs, it will be incredibly fast on the track and street.The 720S show car is finished in Saros exterior with black/yellow leather interior. It will share the stage with a Commemorative Edition of the 570GT, of which only three examples are planned. Painted in Pacific Blue, the side hinged rear glass offers an additional 220 liters of storage space on the leather lined package tray. The interior is a mix of black and cream Nappa leather with carbon black seat belts. Not missing any options, all three with have 12 speaker audio by Bowers & Wilkins along with front nose lift and rear view cameras. McLaren Special Operations worked their magic and delivered rocker panels and other exterior trim in carbon fiber. If you find yourself in Shangai between April 19-28, stop by Hall 8.1 and look for booth 8A25. As always, if you are looking for a McLaren for sale be sure to check our dealers first and stay with us for more McLaren updates and news.View All McLaren News, Pics and Videos

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2017

Dodge Finally Unleashes the Demon: World's Fastest Quarte...

Yesterday the internet was ablaze with rumors of the new Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. To put an end to the speculation and strike fear in the competition, the Demon was revealed on its own microsite "ifyouknowyouknow.com" After the live stream, Dodge threw up a redirect to pull the teaser site on to their main page. The video speaks for itself, and a press release this morning outlines the finer points of this historic achievement. Everyone figured it would be a modified Hellcat, but the Demon makes a sharp departure from any notions of street civility. A four point harness holds you in the driver's seat because that is the only seat installed on the assembly line. As far as the engine is concerned, only the cylinder heads are shared with its predecessor.View the Dodge Demon SpecsStarting with a new block, the supercharger now displaces 2.7 liters and is chilled by a larger intercooler along with a shot of cool air from the A/C. This allows boost to reach 14.7 pounds at launch. And the launch is the most brutal acceleration ever offered in a production car. Last week we learned that it will be the first production car equipped with a trans-brake. They are banned in many racing classes because it allows the driver to preload the drivetrain and it simplifies the launch. The results are shocking. The Demon is the first street legal car to pull a wheelie at launch and even set the world record for the longest wheelie from a standing start by a production vehicle. Certified by the Guinness book of world records, both front tires are in the air for 2.92 feet. Made possible by drag radials and a ton of VHT, 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque will have you at 60 mph in 2.3 seconds. It only takes 9.65 seconds to cover a quarter-mile, going thru the top end at 140 mph. It is so fast that the NHRA immediately banned it from competition. Unlike the Super Stock competition cars of the old days, Dodge is covering the Demon with a 3-year limited warranty with 5-year powertrain coverage. Only 3,000 cars will be built for the US and 300 for Canada, which will make the Demon a hot commodity. This is great news for all of us looking for a Hellcat for sale because Dodge dealers will be inundated with demonic deposits. Tell us what you think of it in the comments below and stay with us for all your Dodge & SRT updates.View All Dodge News, Review and Pics

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2017

Koenigsegg Agera RS1 Debuted at 2017 New York Auto Show

First thing I'd like to excitedly announce is that the newly unveiled Koenigsegg Agera RS1 is actaully bound for the United States. Exciting? Yes, because this means we're finally getting more Koenigseggs on our roads.The RS1, which debuts at the New York Auto Show, was named by the owner of the car. Its exterior is finished in Arctic White with blue highlights. In my opinion, the carbon fiber, blue and white work together so wonderfully and make it one of the best looking Ageras out there. Inside is an extremely blue cabin with carbon fiber and anodized aluminum accents. If you're familiar with the Ford GT90 concept, I'll say it reminds me of that car, without the 90's styling. View All Koenigsegg News, Pics and Videos

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2017

McLaren Has Officially Begun Production on the 720S

Get ready to celebrate, because McLaren have announced full-scale production of the new 720S. A press release this morning signals the end of the first generation "Super Series". What began as the 12C and evolved into the 675 LT. The 720S is the first in a new generation that is destined to raise the bar for everyone else. McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt said: “The new McLaren 720S entering volume production is a momentous occasion for McLaren Automotive, marking the first time since the company was formed in 2010 that we have replaced a model family with an all-new generation" Also included in the release are three photos contrasting the differences between the 720S and its predecessors.A corporate plan known as Track22 seeks to introduce 15 new McLaren models by 2022, which seems daunting for any automaker. A new engine was needed for the new series, so the 3.8 was bored and stroked to 4.0 liters to make 720 horsepower. It allows the coupe to reach 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and 124 mph in only 7.8 seconds. Top speed is a blistering 212 mph thanks to a new carbon fiber monocell. The composite one-piece monocoque that underpinned the previous generation was given a clean sheet redesign for the new cars. McLaren has a lot riding on the success of the new series, so they built a dedicated microsite for more information. If you would like to experience what sets McLaren apart from all the rest, contact our dealers and see for yourself. Stay with us for all your McLaren updates. The McLaren 720S Super Series

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2017

Rick Hendrick Buys First Camaro ZL1 1LE at Barrett-Jackson

If your supercharged Camaro isn't enough for you anymore, your wait is over. The new Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE is lighter and more capable than any Chevy in recent history. To make it faster on the track, engineers cut 60 lbs with clever improvements. I saw it firsthand at Barrett-Jackson last weekend, and it made us smile knowing it would help the less fortunate. NASCAR owner and philanthropist Rick Hendrick likes low VIN numbers, especially the first production models of each new Chevrolet Performance car. A gentleman's agreement with Craig Jackson allows him the rights to give 100% of the proceeds from the hammer price to go to charity, and that means the United Way received $250,000 for ZL1 1LE #001. So they added carbon fiber to the ZL1? No, the 1LE is much more focused. The shocks are DSSV from Multimatic, offering brutal tire control and light weight. Wheels are an inch smaller in diameter but much wider. In combination with Goodyear tires developed to warm up quickly, the 1LE is much more competent on the track. Sway bars, camber and ride height are easily adjustable for perfect grip. To shave every last ounce, the rear seats are now fixed because hinges are heavy. 1LE has always translated to the ultimate track day Camaro. In the 80's you couldn't order it with A/C or radio. Times have changed but 1LE will always dominate. If your local dealer attempts to adjust the retail for such a rare model, our dealers will be happy to work with you. Stay with us for all your Camaro & Chevy Performance news.

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2017

Amusement Park for Car Fans: Ferrari Land in Spain Opens Up

Living in Florida, I'm surrounded by theme parks. I feel like if I throw a rock in any direction, I'm bound to hit a roller coaster or costumed character. However, there's one theme park we don't have in the Sunshine State, and that's Ferrari Land. Luckily for Spain, at least, they just had their Ferrari Land open up as the first one of its kind in Europe.Related - You Can Actually Buy Every Ferrari Halo Supercar Right NowThis new automotive-themed park takes up 229,659 square feet in the PortAventura World Resort, which is about an hour away from Barcelona. Currently available are 11 different attractions. Ferrari says their most spectacular attraction is Red Force, "the highest and fastest vertical accelerator in Europe." This ride goes up to 367.4 feet high and hits 112 mph in just five seconds (take that, LaFerrari). Other attractions include Racing Legends and Flying Dreams, two rides that allow riders to "fly" through F1 and GT history. To see all of the available rides, check their website.

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2017

Heaven is $62 Million Worth of Supercars in One Place

To celebrate the start of Supercar Season in England, 210 cars were gathered by Supercar Driver for a wild runway meet. It's always Supercar Season for us, but the dreary English Winter can be a buzzkill. Michelin was on hand to launch the new Pilot Sport 4 S tires, with the ultimate cars being in their paddock. Around $62,000,000 of supercars made for a memorable experience, with proceeds going to Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. The historic Bruntingthorpe proving grounds are used as storage and salvage for older RAF planes and airliners. Once owned by Chrysler, it has been host to several high-speed motoring events.The front row included an F40, F50, Enzo, Carrera GT, and 918 Spyder. A new Bugatti Chiron was flanked by two Veyrons. Behind them was a row filled with winning. A Jaguar XJ220 and XJR15 were alongside a Porsche GT2 RS and 911.R. Ferrari was well represented with an F12tdf, 599 GTO, Scuderia Spyder 16M and a 360 Challenge Stradale. Row three was reserved for Ferrari's 70th anniversary, but no one could have foreseen another 9 rows behind it.Although it was listed as a "secret meet", Supercar Driver puts on a wild display, so be sure to check out the photos of the event. If you plan on attending, you will need to find a Supercar for sale, so we have some enticing deals for you.

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2017

2018 Corvette Carbon 65: It's Anniversary Time

Next year will mark Chevrolet Corvette's 65th model year, so a celebration is in the works. To be offered on top trim levels of the Grand Sport and Z06, the Carbon 65 edition will be limited to only 650 cars. To put that into perspective, only 300 cars were built in 1953 and each one was white with a red interior. Dealers didn't know how to sell a straight six fiberglass car with an automatic transmission, so many sat on the lot well into 1954. It wasn't until Zora Duntov wrote Chevrolet a scathing letter addressing the car's faults did marketing and engineering realize its potential.Anniversary edition Corvettes have been a hit or miss with collectors, as there were no restrictions on production in the old days. The 25th-anniversary model was so popular that dealers ordered over 6,300 of them! My own misfortune was in spending every dime I had on a 50th-anniversary model in 2003, only to see them everywhere in just a year. But instead of focusing on the numbers, let's look at what will make the Carbon 65 one for the ages. The new exterior is Ceramic Matrix Gray, and it has many pieces of exposed carbon fiber. Convertibles will have a blue soft top with carbon fiber tonneau cover, and all cars will have black wheels. It will be known as option code Z30, with a price tag of $15,000.Other changes for 2018 include magnetic ride as a stand-alone option. It was first offered in 2003 on the anniversary cars only. It is the best suspension I have ever encountered, so we're glad it's available on base model cars now. Cosworth has upgraded the Performance Data Recorder to include four more data channels. Individual tire speeds, intake air temperature, suspension loading, and yaw rate are now recorded. Base model wheels are now 19" front and 20" rear with 5 new wheel options. If your dealer doesn't receive an allocation for the Carbon 65, our dealers will be happy to reserve one for you. Stay with us for more Chevrolet news and congratulations to Team Corvette for this historic milestone.

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