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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

The 2020 Camaro SS sports an updated new front fascia derived fr

By Andrew Nabors – May 02, 2019

2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS Undergoes Emergency Surgery

GM's Styling Department gets it 100% right, usually around 73% of the time. Let me clarify this. I have owned 7 examples of the Chevrolet Camaro, but Chevy let me down last year. New styling for 2019 made the V6 more appealing, but the updated to the SS model were hideous. Thankfully, the 2020 Chevrolet Camaro SS has undergone emergency surgery. To refresh your memory, here is a 2019 Camaro SS: Srsly? But this isn't the first time Chevrolet has done this. Remember the 2012 Malibu? It was also a one-year mistake that was solved with a new front end in 2013. Chevy had a hard time selling them, so they were given to rental car companies. How designs like this pass for appealing is beyond me, so we're glad they will be forgotten. 2020 Camaro LT1 Have faith Camaro Comrades, today's press release is cause for celebration. First off, the V6 cars will receive the 10-speed automatic. The big news is the Camaro LT1. It is a base model (LT) with the SS engine. It is a 455 horsepower bargain at $34,995. It is 3,000 cheaper than my 2002 SS was new, inflation hits me in the feels...Our dealers will be receiving the 2020 models in a few weeks, so click the link below to find one near you. Browse All Camaro For Sale 2020 Camaro LT1 Related: Chevrolet Unveils Restyled 2019 Camaro Lineup 2020 Camaro ZL1 1LE Receives 10-Speed Automatic

By Edward Jones – May 02, 2019

Porsche's April 2019 Sales: Preparing for the 992

Porsche Cars North America has just announced their April 2019 sales. In total, 5,018 vehicles were sold, an increase of 5 percent from March but down 9.9 percent from April 2018. PCNA notes that this decrease could be due to the new Macan coming out this month, prompting some to hold off for the refreshed model. Even still, retail sales in the U.S. for the first four months of this year are up 2.7 percent when compared to last year. “We are already feeling the excitement for the refreshed Macan and later this year for the eighth generation of the iconic Porsche 911,” said Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA. “In September we will unveil the first all-electric Porsche, the Taycan, so all in all we have a thrilling year to look forward to along with our 191 U.S. dealer partners.” Yes, the eighth generation (type 992) Porsche 911 has been rolling out and the world is excited. As of right now, there is only four 911 type 992 models out, all in the 911 Carrera S range. We're stilling waiting on the other trims, like the Carrera T, Targa, GTS, Turbo and, eventually/hopefully, GT2 and GT3. It may be some time before we see a GT2 or GT3 in the 992 style, but the Turbo should be coming relatively soon. Back to the sales, this is how the sales figures looked for each model. see all porsches for sale Model April Sales Year-to-Date 2019 2018 2019 2018 ALL 911 655 804 3,549 3,315 ALL 718 612 604 1,277 1,956 ALL PANAMERA 992 1,026 2,690 2,942 ALL CAYENNE 1,645 884 7,204 4,171 ALL MACAN 1,114 2,252 5,322 7,140 GRAND TOTALS 5,018 5,570 20,042 19,524

By Andrew Nabors – May 02, 2019

New Chevrolet Corvette to be Unveiled July 18th in Orange...

Rumors abound that the 8th-Generation Corvette was supposed to be unveiled at the New York Auto Show. But this car represents a turning point in Corvette history. After hiring 400 more employees and adding a second shift, it is also a major investment by GM. So instead of unveiling it at a race or at the National Corvette Museum, the new Chevrolet Corvette will be unveiled July 18th in Orange County. Cruising from Newport Beach up to Huntington, you will encounter dozens of mid and rear-engine cars. Pagani chose it as his second US dealer, and it is close to Ferrari, Lamborghini,& McLaren dealers. We know this will be the first Corvette with an engine behind the cockpit, so there is no better place to launch it. One member of MidEngineCorvetteForum received an invitation to the event. Outside of warfare, this bold move will go down in history. It will undoubtedly divide automotive fans and journalists into two groups. Optimists will see the C8 among its competitors as a Trojan Horse, nothing to see here, you have no reason to worry. Foreign car lovers will see it as irresponsible "fools rush in where angels fear to tread". Whatever camp you find yourself in, get ready for a fight. Chevrolet is taking on the world, and the war will begin in enemy territory. Tell us what you think in the comments below. Is it a smart move, or has Chevy bitten off more than they can chew? Stay with us for all your Corvette updates, and click the link below for great offers from our dealers. Browse New Corvettes For Sale Related: Did Chevrolet Just Leak the Corvette's Lap Time? New Corvette to be Unveiled July 18th

GM to Add Second Shift and More Than 400 Hourly Jobs at Bowling

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2019

Chevrolet Corvette Plant to Add 400 New Jobs & 2nd Shift

This morning we told you that GM's CEO Mary Barra would be making an announcement at the Corvette plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In a press release this afternoon, they revealed why the plant has seen $900 Million in upgrades since 2011. Mrs. Barra said: “The Corvette’s iconic status owes so much to the men and women of Bowling Green, where it has been built exclusively for almost 40 years. This is the workforce that can deliver a next generation Corvette worthy of both its historic past and an equally exciting future, and today’s announcement gets us one step closer to its reveal on July 18.” After building over one million Corvettes since opening in 1981, the plant is being re-tooled to build the C8. It will be the first Corvette to have a mid-mounted V8, placing Chevrolet up against the best cars in the world. Each one will pass through a new paint shop and receive an engine built downstairs at the Performance Engine Build Center. The 2nd Shift takes the total workforce to over 1,300, providing Kentucky with $76 Million in wages and $15 Million in Income Tax. Mary has made major labor cuts this year, so this news is long overdue. Congrats to UAW Local 2164, we will see your new car at the unveiling on July 18th. Stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here P.S. The camouflaged Prototype is known as ZERV, in honor of Zora Duntov. His CERV (Corvette Engineering Research Vehicle) prototypes were mid-engine V8 monsters that easily outran Indy cars of their day. It only took them 60 years to build it! " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2019

Aston Martin Unveils DBS Superleggera Volante

If you want to learn how to improve upon perfection, ask Aston Martin. Their flagship is a masterpiece of carbon fiber and horsepower. There was only one aspect it was lacking, a convertible top. And now the wait is over as Aston Martin has unveiled the DBS Superleggera Volante. An 8-layer soft top was tested in Death Valley and the Arctic to simulate 10 years and all weather conditions. It is the first time customers can choose carbon fiber for the windshield frame and the deck lid. In order to provide the same level of performance as the coupe, many reinforcements were added to critical areas. Starting with the transmission tunnel, a new carbon fiber torque tube is connected to a new 8-speed automatic. It has more aggressive gearing for snappy acceleration, and hardened internals for longevity. Under the carbon fiber hood is the same twin turbo V12. It offers 715 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, but here is the real shocker: it makes 664 lb-ft of torque at only 1,800 rpm. That glorious grunt is available all the way to 5,000 rpm. This insane torque is something that small V8 twin turbos will never be able to compete with. Like Carroll Shelby said: "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." Using your left foot to brake-boost a launch, you will be pinned to the hand-stitched seats. It is the fastest convertible Aston Martin has ever built, with a top speed of 211 mph. It only takes 3.6 seconds to reach 62 mph, so Aston Martin have raised the bar for convertible supercars. Deliveries will begin this fall, so click the link below for all the information from our dealers. Find Your Aston Martin DBS Superleggera Here! " width="680">

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By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2019

Hoonigan & SVC Unveil Ken Block's new Raptor

You can't deny the popularity of the 2020 Ford Raptor. It has breathed new life into the off-road aftermarket and raised the bar for performance pickups. Several improvements were recently released, so Hoonigan and SVC have unveiled Ken Block's new Raptor. We all know that Hoonigan's goal is to push the limits in all forms of racing, so they chose to partner with the best in the Raptor aftermarket. The week leading up to Easter is normally reserved for Jeeps at Moab, but Mr. Block took trolling to the next level. Find Your Ford Raptor Here! Related: Ken Block's Hoonitruck Secrets Revealed Ken Block Takes on Britain in the Hoonicorn

By Andrew Nabors – April 17, 2019

Karma Unveils the 2020 Revero GT

Karma Automotive purchased the rights to the Fisker Karma in 2015 and began an audacious project. Their first job was to reverse-engineer the quirks. This prompted a redesign of the high and low voltage systems. The chassis and handling were capable of much more, and now their efforts have paid off. Karma has unveiled the 2020 Revero GT with cleaner lines and more power. While its predecessor used the Chevy 2.0L turbo found in the Cobalt SS, their new engine is the BMW 1.5L turbo from the i8. Coupled to the latest in battery technology, it offers 80 miles of electric cruising and 360 miles on gas. We had two early production Fisker Karmas back in 2012, and all they needed was a few finishing touches. Kudos to Karma for the new Revero. Pricing has yet to be announced, so stay with us for all your relevant Revero revelations. Browse Karma Revero For Sale Related: Karma Miami Created a Wild Art Car Meet the 2018 Karma Revero

By Andrew Nabors – April 17, 2019

2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe & SUV Revealed

Although it might cause a few laughs, you can show up to the next track day with groceries and baby seats. That's because you are looking at the fastest crossover to ever lap the 'Ring. The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupe & SUV have revealed a fresh styling. Not just a stunning design, it was clocked at 7.49.369 on the Nordschleife. Tobias Moers is the Chaiman of AMG, and he had this to say: "The lap record on the North Loop has proven to impressive effect that the GLC 63 is right at the top of its segment in terms of vehicle dynamics. With our V8 biturbo, we hold a decisive USP in the competitive environment. With AMG DYNAMICS we were able to hone the vehicle dynamics even more and also further increase the suitability for everyday use and the connectivity with MBUX. This makes the GLC 63 an all-rounder for every occasion." GLC 63 S SUV The major updates are to the headlights and taillights, along with 21" wheels. Inside you will find the ubiquitous AMG steering wheel. It has touch pads for easy control of all systems. Under the hood, the GLC 63 S offers 503 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. You will be floating at 174 mph thanks to the latest AMG Ride Control. It actively controls the air suspension and the electronic differentials. As before, the SUV has a traditional square roof while the Coupe has a fastback design. Both are just as potent, so it might be a difficult choice. Click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news. Browse Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 For Sale GLC 63 S Coupe Related: Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Track Review by Carfection Modded Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Hits 199 mph on the Autobahn

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2019

New Bugatti Couch and Chairs For Supreme and Luxurious Re...

You may know Bugatti because of their hypercars like the Veyron and Chiron, but now they're branching out into a new direction with the new Bugatti Home Collection. Unveiled at the Salone del Mobile 2019, the Bugatti Home Collection was created in collaboration with the Living Luxury Group. Inspiration for the collection came from Carlo Bugatti, the father of Ettore Bugatti (founder of Bugatti Automobiles) who was actually an interior designer. 2018 Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review Highlights of this collection include the Bugatti Home Cobra Chair, which was directly inspired by a piece of work from Carlo Bugatti back in 1902. The curves and lines of this chair are reminiscent of the Chiron's, and it even features a carbon fiber backing. They really did a great job translating the essence of their hypercars into furniture. Bugatti Home has limited this chair to just 110 pieces in the blue and white version, which celebrated Bugatti's 110th anniversary. There are plenty of other pieces in this collection as well, including sofas, a coffee table, chairs and more. see all bugattis for sale now

By Edward Jones – April 11, 2019

The 100th BAC Mono is Here and It's Marvelous

The BAC Mono was first launched all the way back in 2012 as a single-seater, street-legal supercar. Now, Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has created their 100th Mono and it's one that needs to be seen. BAC rolled the 100th Mono off of the production line at their Liverpool factory back in the beginning of March. This specific example of the Mono is quite different than the others we've seen. It's finished in a British racing green paint with visible carbon fiber body panels. The bodywork also features "BAC" in gold across its left side, contrasting beautifully with the dark green paint. Other notable features include the "Chassis 100" golden plaque below the driver headrest, gold trimming and gold stitching. The Strøjer Samlingen car museum in Assens, Denmark ordered this specific BAC Mono. It took its place smack dab in the middle the museum's main room. Neill Briggs, BAC Co-Founder and Director of Product Development, had this to say about Mono #100: "Over the past decade, there have been a number of occasions where I’ve had to stop and pinch myself – and delivering Mono #100 to Strøjer Samlingen is one of those times! The collection is absolutely phenomenal; these are the cars that I used to have posted up on my bedroom wall as a youngster, and now the Mono is lining up in the middle of all of them. It’s been a humbling and emotional experience." view all supercars for sale

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