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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 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

By Andrew Nabors – August 10, 2016

2018 Ford Mustang GT500 Spied Testing in Dearborn

Automotive manufacturers work hard to keep their designs undercover, but camouflage only goes so far. The avid Mustang fans over at Mustang6G.com have been waiting for the arrival of the GT500 since the launch of the GT350, so it's no surprise they spotted it first. In a video uploaded last night, a disguised Mustang test mule was spotted returning to the Dearborn Proving Grounds and it could be the heavily anticipated GT500.Rolling on carbon fiber wheels from the GT350R, the unique exhaust note is leading many to believe the GT500 will have forced induction. Being absent from the lineup since 2014, it has large shoes to fill. The previous GT500 made 662 hp and 631 lb-ft of torque from a 5.8L supercharged version of their modular V8. In the meantime, they've built a naturally aspirated monster with the 5.2L-powered GT350. It uses a flat-plane crankshaft to deliver 526 hp and 429 lb-ft by screaming to 8,250 rpm. Rumors are that Ford has taken the lessons learned in this design and added a supercharger or turbos for an unprecedented level of power in the GT500. If you can't wait for 2018, check out the listings from our dealers by clicking below.View All Mustangs For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 03, 2016

Ford's One-of-a-Kind Shelby GT350 Mustang, "Old Yeller" R...

Last week at the annual Gather of Eagles charity event, "Old Yeller," a one-off, yellow mustang with aviation influences crossed the stage for auction. It sold for $295,000 to Hank Menke, who is the president and CEO of OFS Brands. All of the proceeds from the sale of the Mustang will benefit EEA's youth education programs.EEA youth programs are dear to the company's heart, and "Old Yeller" marks the "ninth one-of-a-kind vehicle" created by Ford's engineering teams specifically designated to benefit the EEA."Old Yeller" is a Shelby GT350 Mustang equipped with a 5.2-liter Ti-VCT V8 engine. It boasts 526 horsepower and 429 l-ft of torque accompanied by a 6-speed manual transmission. According to Ford, it is "the most track-read, road-legal Mustang ever produced."Ford's dedication to the EEA's youth programs and education means much to the organization. As stated by EEA's CEO and chairman of the board,“We’re truly grateful Ford is, and has been, such a committed sponsor of EAA and AirVenture.” With its ninth Mustang donation, Ford has definitely delivered something exceptional that any auto or aviation enthusiast would love to own. The Ford “Ole Yeller” Mustang will allow EAA to provide support to our valuable programs helping us grow the next generation of aviators.” Shelby GT350s for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 18, 2016

Ford Reveals Shelby GT350 Based on WWII Fighter Plane

If you have been to an Air Show in the past 20 years, you have seen "Ole Yeller". The beautiful yellow P51D Mustang was the inspiration for a new 2017 Shelby GT350, which will be auctioned to support Youth Education programs of the Experimental Aircraft Association. In a press release Friday night, Ford outlined the significance of the build. With parts donated by the biggest names in the aftermarket, it has more carbon fiber parts than any previous Mustang. Forgiato built a bespoke set of lightweight wheels on Pirelli tires, Focal supplied the audio system and Mustang tuner Carbon 2 Carbon offered the exterior accents.(Also Check Out - Hennessey Performance's 800 Horsepower 25th Anniversary Mustang) For the 9th year in a row, Ford has donated a Mustang in support of EAA's Young Eagles. Dedicated to empowering the next generation of aviators, the car will be the centerpiece of the EAA's Gathering of Eagles gala. Chris Magnum of MAD Industries performed the customization, including matching the historic P51's wild yellow paint. No changes to the powertrain were needed, as the 5.2L V8 is ready for the flight line. Making 526 hp and 429 lb-ft, the flat plane crank allows it to rev past 8,000 rpm. Ford was an early pioneer in the aviation industry with their rugged TriMotor, but we'll cover that another time. If you are a fan of anything that flies, head to Oshkosh, Wisconsin next week for the best air show in the world. The Gala will take place on the 28th, and for more info on how to become an EAA sponsor please visit http://www.fordairventure.com/ Mustangs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 23, 2016

Hennessey Performance's 800 Horsepower 25th Anniversary M...

John Hennessey and team are celebrating a quarter century in the business with a limited run of 800 hp Mustangs. By reverse engineering Ford's latest 5.0L V8 and adding a massive supercharger, the new HPE800 offers 804 hp and 648 lb-ft of torque. To reach this level of power undoubtedly involves changes to the valve train, and exhaust. Ford's 5.0L "Coyote" V8 is a masterpiece of design, but variable valve timing and multiple chains add complexity to any engine work. So as long as they are going that far, why not replace the intake with a 2.9L supercharger?To keep it 50 state legal, the factory catalytic converts are retained, but a new axle-back system reduces back pressure. Their own H10 forged wheels are wrapped in Michelin Super Sport tires. Suspension is a collaboration of Hennessey and KW, with progressive rate springs to retain a comfy ride. Putting a stop to this incredible power are Brembo 15" front brakes. Each car will have numbered badges inside and out, along with embroidered headrests. Their test mule was capable of going 10.7 seconds in the quarter mile at 133 mph. With drag slicks you will be at 60 mph in only 3.1 seconds. So if you think you can handle it, click the button below to learn about how you can get yourself one.Learn MoreOne notch below this car is the HPE750, and it went 207.9 mph at their proving grounds. Mustangs For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 07, 2016

2017 Shelby Mustang GT350 Gets Features Customers Asked For

The customers asked and Ford delivered. For the new 2017 Shelby Mustang GT350, the American automaker has added a number of offerings that they say are the "the best of what customers have been asking for from the most track-capable, race-ready Mustang ever built."“Ford Performance is always listening to customer feedback,” said Dave Pericak, global director at Ford Performance, in a press release. “At the end of last year we started offering a back seat option for Shelby GT350R due to customer demand. Now, we have adjusted the packages available to continue to provide more of what customers want on the Shelby GT350R Mustang.”These are the new packages: Standard Track Package featuring aluminum tower-to-tower brace; high-downforce decklid spoiler; engine oil, transmission and differential coolers; MagneRide™ damping system Three new colors – Ruby Red Metallic, Lightning Blue, and Grabber Blue – replace Deep Impact Blue and Competition Orange Two new available packages – Electronics Package includes SYNC® 3, voice-activated navigation and nine-speaker audio system; Convenience Package includes the same options and replaces manual Recaro seats with leather-trimmed power sport seats Available audio system upgrade from seven to nine speakers with Electronics Package, Convenience Package, and R-Electronics Package I wasn't exactly sure how they could make the pony car housing a flat-plane crankshaft any better, but these packages are most definitely sweetening what the GT350 has to offer.Mustang For Sale

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