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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 – May 22, 2019

2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport Unveiled

For the past 30 years, Land Rover enthusiasts who didn't want or need the full size Range Rover often settled for its little brother. Commonly known as the "Disco", they are no less rugged or agile than their other models. Now that SUV sales are hot again, the 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport was unveiled earlier today. It might look similar to its predecessor, but it is all-new. Starting with a new chassis, the Land Rover Premium Transverse Architecture is 13% stronger than the unibody it replaces. Both front and rear subframes have solid mounts, which kills most of the vibration that enters the cabin. Under the hood is their new 2.0L mild hybrid four-cylinder. It uses a 48V starter/generator along with a battery under the floor. It offers more efficiency in daily driving by creating a load under braking, and assistance when accelerating. Rated at 286 horsepower, this allows it to tow 4,409 lbs. Jaguar Land Rover is investing big bucks even on their smallest models, so you should check this one out at your local dealer. Click the link below to find one and stay with us for all your Land Rover news. Find Your Land Rover Discovery Here Related: duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: May 2019 Jay Leno's Car Collection

By Andrew Nabors – May 10, 2019

Prince Harry & Land Rover Prepare for Invictus Games

Prince Harry became a father this week, but that doesn't mean he has forgotten about his comrades. He founded the Invictus games in 2014 to allow wounded warriors to compete on the world stage. The Duke of Sussex served 10 years in the Royal Army, with two tours in Afghanistan. Next year his games will be held in The Hague, and the countdown has begun. To build anticipation for the event, Prince Harry and Land Rover are preparing for the Invictus Games. Jaguar Land Rover Limited holds a Royal Warrant from his father and grandparents, so he could probably ask for anything in their lineup. But nothing has generated more press than the return of the Defender. That's why a Defender prototype was wrapped in wild camouflage in their latest press release. Technically, he doesn't have to give it back, so perhaps it will be the perfect ride for baby Archie. The new Defender will arrive soon, so our dealers need to make room. Click the link below for great deals on classic Defenders near you. Browse Defenders For Sale " width="680"> Related: Land Rover Announces Limited Run of V8 Defenders

By Andrew Nabors – September 10, 2018

New Infotainment from Jaguar Land Rover Classic

3.5" Touchscreen 4 x 45 watts Built-in Bluetooth Microphone If your English classic needs modern connectivity, Jaguar Land Rove Classic have something for you. In a press release this morning, they have unveiled four new infotainment systems for older cars. Two Land Rover and 2 Jaguar designs are now available, and they pack the latest in Bluetooth, Navigation, and Satellite Radio into a traditional DIN size.European customers will also have receivers for DAB and DAB+, with 4 channels of 45-watt power. Jaguar examples are black and chrome, while Land Rover radios are silver or brushed aluminum. Memory storage for up to 1,250 contacts can be accessed by up to 4 Bluetooth devices, all without cutting your dash. Preserving your car's interior style and bringing it into the modern era is now possible, so check with your local dealer for more information.Browse Exotic Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – March 07, 2018

2019 Range Rover SV Coupe Revealed: First Full-Size Luxur...

Land Rover chose the 2018 Geneva Motor Show for the unveiling of the new Range Rover SV Coupe. The English automaker is saying this is the world's first "full-size luxury SUV coupe."This limited edition Range Rover comes with just two doors, but a lot of style and power. Powering the SV Coupe is a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 that powers it to the ranking of the fastest-ever full-size Range Rover. Power is rated at 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque thanks to this engine, which launches the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in just 5 seconds and to a top speed of 165 mph. Range Rover Velar Gets Wide-Body Treatment from STARTECH“The introduction of the new SV Coupe brings a new level of individual expression to the Range Rover portfolio and builds on the success of Special Vehicle Operations’ existing bespoke Range Rover program,” says John Edwards, Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director. “Feedback from SV clients who have already seen the vehicle in confidential commissioning sessions has been overwhelmingly positive.”

By Andrew Nabors – March 05, 2018

Fusion Motor Company Unveils New Defenders

If you are in the market for a rugged SUV, you probably think the Land Rover Defender is off-limits. Land Rover's iconic design has been found all over the world, but they have been banned for purchase here for several years. The government bans importing foreign-market cars until they are 25 years old. We don't want you to feel like age is creeping up on you, but the 1991 Land Rover Defender is now legal to drive in the US.The process to federalize them is still complicated, so Fusion Motor Company stepped up to the challenge. Based in Chatsworth, California, they are the same team that builds and owns the rights for the Eleanor Mustang, Their ISO-level facility looks more like a 75,000 square-foot clean room than an assembly line. And that is because each build is done by hand. The Defender was in continuous production for decades, so this caused some of the molds and tooling to loosen up over time. Fusion takes each donor down to its shell to address issues like panel gaps and insulation.Drake Just Bought Himself a LaFerrari from Fusion Luxury MotorsThe press release also says many hinges and moving parts are now machined billet instead of cast metal. Premium leather and a 1,000-watt Pioneer system are complemented by piano-black trim. In its original form, the Defender 110 would have been powered by the Rover 3.9 liter V8. What began life as the Buick 215 was used by Rover until 2004. The problem lies in meeting modern emissions laws. So Fusion has turned to the 50-state legal Chevrolet LS3 V8. The 6.2 liter is rated at 430 horsepower and was found in Corvettes from 2008 to 2013, and it comes mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.The full-time LT230 transfer case is left in its original location, but buyers can opt for an Atlas case if desired. Other goodies include 285/65/18 Nitto Ridge Grappler tires, Fox Racing suspension and LED projector headlights. I had a chance to drive the prototype at last year's Orange County auto show, and it is flawless. Click the link below to view their impressive inventory, and stay with us for more masterpieces from Fusion Motor Company.View Inventory

By Andrew Nabors – January 24, 2018

Land Rover To Unveil 2-Door Range Rover At Geneva

In order to celebrate 70 years in the business, Land Rover has commissioned their Special Vehicles Operations department to build something iconic and modern. The original Range Rover launched as a 2-door SUV back in 1970. So in a press release this morning, they announced a limited run of Range Rover SV Coupes.Sports Cars For SaleChief Design Officer Gerry McGovern said: “The Range Rover SV Coupe is a highly compelling design with peerless refinement and uncompromised sophistication from its breathtaking exterior proportions to its sumptuous, beautifully appointed, interior. This is a vehicle that will resonate on an emotional level,” Only 999 examples will be built, which includes left and right-hand drive models.The image shows a gorgeous interior with stitching worthy of royalty. Wood and 2-tone leather should be standard on every SUV, so we applaud them on this project. With such a limited production, these are destined to be instant collectibles. Tell us what you think it will resemble in the comments below, and stay with us for the live stream unveiling and all your Land Rover updates.Browse Range Rover For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 17, 2018

Land Rover Announces Limited Run of V8 Defenders

It has been seven decades since the launch of the original Land Rover. The Defender can be identified on every continent, its iconic style and rugged dependability have made it an immortal SUV. To celebrate the 70th anniversary, Land Rover has announced the V8 Defender. Only 150 examples will be produced, each one packing a 5.0 liter V8. Available on the Defender 90 and 110 wheelbases, they will offer 400 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque to a ZF automatic transmission. A two-speed transfer case has torque bias capabilities. Exclusive diamond-machined 18" wheels are wrapped in 265/65 series all-terrain tires. The suspension is also bespoke, with high-performance springs, shocks, and sway bars. 2 Millionth Land Rover Defender Sold, Most Expensive Ever Inside you will be treated to Windsor Leather on every surface along with Recaro seats. Land Rover Classic provided the infotainment system, which offers modern connectivity and audio. Eight body colors include two satin finishes, all contrasted with a Santorini black roof. Tim Hanning is the director of Jaguar/Land Rover Classic, and he said: “It’s fitting that we’ve been able to release the full potential of the iconic Defender, whose much-loved shape remains synonymous with Land Rover, 70 years since it was seen in public for the first time. "The idea of reintroducing a V8 Defender was something we were discussing as far back as 2014, when we were still building the Defender in Solihull. We knew the demand was there for a powerful and fast Defender; the Land Rover authenticity is the ultimate finishing touch for discerning clients purchasing these collector’s edition Defenders.” These collector's edition Defenders will keep the name alive until the new Defender is ready for launch. We've heard rumors of its abilities, so stay with us for all your Land Rover updates. Browse Land Rover Defenders For Sale Sultan of Brunei & His 5,000 Car Collection

By Andrew Nabors – August 01, 2017

Land Rover Unveils Driving Discoveries In Utah & Namibia

To fully comprehend the abilities of a 4WD SUV, an urban test drive is not the ideal setting. Land Rover wants you to get behind the wheel of their new Discovery, so they went looking for a perfect location. In order to appeal to a majority of planet Earth, two spots were chosen. The first is located in Namibia, where guests will travel across the Namib desert to Etosha National Park. The all-inclusive trip will begin on May 1, 2018, with prices starting at $6,943 per person. We spent a week with a new Discovery, and can attest to its comfort and abilities. Also Check Out: Land Rover Discovery Dominates World's Largest Lego Structure On the other side of the world, Land Rover's Western Adventure will be based in Moab, Utah. Guests will tackle the harsh trails of Arches National Park and the Canyonlands. Starting on October 21st, the 5-day trip will include the Seven Mile Rim, Poison Spider Mesa, and Hell's Revenge. Also an all-inclusive trip, prices will start at $5,250 per person. Mark Cameron, Global Experiential Marketing Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said, “Adventure plays a key part in what makes for an exhilarating drive – whether it be an iconic road trip or on the road-less-traveled. To do this from behind the wheel of the new Discovery makes it unique. These driving adventures will offer an exceptional driving experience where our customers will get the chance to push the vehicle to its limits and enjoy unforgettable surroundings.” If you are interested in a Discovery of your own, our dealers have many to choose from. We applaud Land Rover for providing such unique offerings to their customers and stay with us for all of your Land Rover news

By Andrew Nabors – June 10, 2017

Reviewed: 2017 Land Rover Discovery HSE

Get your leisure suit ready, because Disco is back! No, not the infernal audio craze of the 70's, the rugged 4WD SUV from Land Rover. The Discovery is all new for 2017, and it shares nothing with its predecessors. Riding on the same chassis as the full size Range Rover and sport, the designers dropped a smaller body onto a proven foundation. We spent a week with a fully loaded example and made is forget discoveries of the past.At first glance it is an appealing design. Since it rides on a full size chassis, there isn't much overhang in front or behind the wheels. Not only does it make the Discovery appear larger, it allows it to be much more stable than its top-heavy ancestors. Our only gripe is the extreme forward rake of the C-pillar. It looks too much like every other midsize SUV. We also had the dynamic package which adds an aggressive body kit and 22" wheels. It also replaces body color for dark accents and an ebony headliner. It will cost you $2,000 for the luxury and an additional $650 to black out the roof.Driving the disco is a real treat. Starting at the top, the headrests are pillow soft with miles of adjustment. Shorter folks will also be happy that the infotainment screen is not as far away from the seats. The front interior is essentially a scaled-down Range Rover Sport with the same attention to fit & finish. Second row passengers have three seats that are perfect for three medium sized adults. Out back are two good sized seats that fold away on command. All surfaces are covered in Windsor leather in pleasing patterns.Two sunroofs will brighten your day and ambient lighting rules the night. Because of the smaller size, the V8 engine won't fit. The most potent offering is the 3.0 liter supercharged six shared across Jaguar and Land Rover and it makes 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. Visibility is better than the full size models thanks to the sqared-off rear end. Unless you live in a gated community, the 22" wheels are overkill. The ride quality is not on par with the Range series because the 22" anchors are too heavy for cracked pavement.Underneath is the venerable Terrain Respons 4WD system. With one of the only 2-speed transfer cases left in production, the differentials can be locked for a muddy or sand filled adventure. The offroad prowess is another reason to ditch the big wheels and keep a set of 20" with all-terrain rubber. We kept it on the street, where acceleration could be better. You won't win races but you will have seating for 7 and the ability to go anywhere. Of course, all the safety tech is included, and the lane keeping assist is on-point. The new Discovery HSE has a base price of $63,950 and a window sticker of $82,100. If you have been mulling a new Range, the Discovery is better in many ways and worth your consideration. Laird Hamilton and his wife were the first to receive theirs, and the photoshoot turned out better than our rain-soaked shots. Stay with us for all your Land Rover news.

By Edward Jones – March 02, 2017

New 2018 Range Rover Velar Prices and Specs Revealed

Land Rover has officially unveiled their new Range Rover Velar model in a spectacular fashion at the Design Museum, London. The Velar will sit between the Evoque and Sport models in the Range Rover lineup.According to a press release from Land Rover Jaguar, the Velar was created "using the Jaguar Land Rover Lightweight Aluminium Architecture, the Range Rover Velar continues the brand’s history of innovation, incorporating advanced technologies, compelling design and absolute attention to detail."Inside, Land Rover has made a few advancements that set the Velar apart from the rest. For instance, Land Rover is now offering a sustainable and premium textile seat material as an alternative to leather. This "Dapple Grey" material compliments the Suedecloth inserts. Outside of the car are full LED headlights, flush door handles that deploy out and very attractive Burnished Copper detailing on the vents and blades."Two high definition 10-inch touchscreens are your window into the world. The connected infotainment system learns from you and anticipates your needs, serving you what you want, when you want it – but never intrudes letting you enjoy the drive, while it takes the stress out of daily life, like any good butler or digital personal assistant should." - Peter Virk, Director of Connected Car & Future Technology As for power, the Velar will be available with three engines in the U.S.: 180 hp 2.0-liter Ingenium diesel engine, 247 hp 2.0-liter Ingenium gasoline engine and a 380 hp supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. Additionally, Land Rover currently have six different models available for sale: Velar ($49,900), Velar S ($54,700), Velar SE ($67,400), Velar R-Dynamic SE ($60,100), Velar R-Dynamic HSE ($67,600) and Velar First Edition ($89,300). The range-topping supercharged V6 engines will take the Velar SE from 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds, making it the quickest out of the bunch. Every model comes with a limited top speed of 155 mph.Customers can configure their cars on the Range Rover Velar page of LandRoverUSA.com.

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