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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

2019 GMC Sierra Denali CarbonPro Edition

By Andrew Nabors – April 11, 2019

GMC Sierra CarbonPro is the Future of Full Size Trucks

Carbon fiber and trucks are not normally seen in the same sentence. While their competitor spend millions developing an aluminum body, engineers at GM began work on composites. The result was announced this morning, and the GMC Sierra CarbonPro is the future of full size trucks. Available on the 2020 Sierra Denali and the AT4 models, the carbon fiber bed offers many benefits compared to steel or aluminum. It is stronger, lighter and scratch resistant. Because it is thinner, the bed also offers an additional cubic foot of cargo space. Steel rusts and aluminum corrodes, but the CarbonPro bed will never give oxidize. This new blend of carbon fiber is not UV sensitive, and it has a unique grain to help with grip in wet conditions. Tests made sure the touchpad for the Kicker audio system was also up to years of tailgaiting. Over a year of testing involved catching a running snowmobile. It had steel studs in the track and a 250-lb rider. The bed didn't scratch. Next up was a running generator with exhaust aimed at the bed side, no damage. Finally it was abused from Arizona to Ontario to prove the strength in hot and cold climates. The Sierra Denali arrives with the same 6.2L engine found in the Stingray. Since it lost 60 lbs over the rear tires, the GMC CarbonPro has the ability to murder tires and perform epic donuts. Sadly, GMC and Chevrolet have cancelled their standard cab models, so the CarbonPro will only be offered in this body style. Click the link below to find our Buick/GMC dealer near you and stay with us for all your truck news. Browse all GMC Sale

By Edward Jones – April 05, 2019

1,900 Horsepower Pininfarina Battista Electric Hypercar A...

London, U.K. is launching a new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) that aims to drop emissions through tighter exhaust emission standards. They're calling these ULEZ standards. If they're not met, drivers can expect to be hit with a daily charge in order to drive through the area. One car that won't have to deal with emissions issue is the new and pure-electric Pininfarina Battista, which made its way to London for the launch of the new ULEZ. The Battista may be electric, but it packs a whopping 1,900 horsepower, putting it well into hypercar territory. That means the Battista will be able to roll through the ULEZ without any trouble and take modern hypercars to task on the circuit. "The Battista is a truly beautiful, guilt-free hypercar – the first EV to really fall in love with – because electricity enables us to develop it with zero emissions and as the most powerful car that will have ever been designed and built in Italy," says Michael Perschke, CEO of Automobili Pininfarina. Expect deliveries of the Pininfarina Battista to begin in late 2020. That's also around the same time that the ULEZ will extend to the whole of Greater London in 2021.

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2019

Bullitt Mustang Stolen from Showroom in Evansville, Indiana

Last week, a brazen thief orchestrated a well-planned theft. Early Wednesday morning, a new Bullitt Mustang was stolen from the Showroom in Evansville, Indiana. The security cameras at Town & Country Ford captured none of the activity. General Manager Larry Oldham told NBC 14 News: “Our DVR was not working and it’s been repaired now, but we don’t have video. They are checking some other local businesses videos to see if they got anything.” The 2019 Mustang Bullitt is a 5.0L ,480 horsepower tribute to the 1968 Mustang GT used in the eponymous movie. A 1968 Mustang GT borrowed the Thunderbird's 390ci (6.4) engine to offer 325 horsepower and 427 lb-fr of torque. These are the old gross measurements, not the modern SAE Net engine tests. Given the modern output of 429 lb-ft of torque, the new car is easily twice as potent as its predecessor. It has 15" front, and 13" rear rotors, magnetic suspension, and a six-speed stick. Because the iconic green paint and unique exterior, Evansville Police found the car a few blocks away at an apartment complex. Town & Country Ford is repairing the car to sell it at a discount. They also arrive with 3.73 gears, making the car incredibly fast. Given the starting price under $41,000, they are an incredible collectible bargain. Our friends at Ferman Ford have this loaded example ready for you, so click the link below and own a piece of history. 2019 Mustang GT Bullitt at Ferman Ford " width="680"> Related: First 2019 Mustang Bullitt Sells Big For Charity Ford Unveils 2019 Mustang Bullitt

Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC Limousine // Mercedes-AMG A 35 4MATIC S

By Andrew Nabors – March 27, 2019

Mercedes-AMG Unveils the A35 Sedan

If you are looking for the perfect small & sporty sedan, allow us to introduce you to your next car. Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the A35 sedan. In all honesty, I didn't believe the AMG badge should be seen on the A-Class. The CLA45 changed perceptions of what a four-cylinder is capable of, so their latest creation has me considering a new daily driver. Announced in a press release last night, Mercedes-AMG's entry-level model arrives with 302 horsepower and All Wheel Drive. Riding on a 107.4" wheelbase, there is ample room for four adults. Rear headroom is also best in class, at 37.4". The driver is faced with a completely digital display that changes with each driving mode. Another first for the A-Class is AMG Track Pace. It records telemetry to make you a better driver. With 295 lb-ft of torque at all wheels, 60 mph arrives in only 4.7 seconds. Lastly, because of the AMG badge, it will hold its value long after it's paid off. For all the details, click the link below to find our dealer near you. Shop Mercedes-AMG A Class

By Andrew Nabors – March 26, 2019

McLaren Senna by Lego is Their First Interactive Collabor...

Lego's full-scale examples of production cars have been life-size models with intricate details. But the latest creation from the Danish toy company incorporates functional details. The McLaren Senna by Lego is their first interactive collaboration, and it has infotainment and several interior parts from the real car. This will allow kids of all ages to get behind the wheel, turn on the headlights, and operate the touchscreen. Surrounded by almost a half-million bricks, you will realize the time and effort that has gone into this build. Several teams of 10 builders spent 2,725 hours building the car. The design started with a laser scan of a new Senna, then it took 4,935 hours to translate it into Lego bricks. This amounts to the time it would take to build 9 real McLaren Senna models, which are 1,102 lbs lighter than the Lego versions. Of course, it is a great promo for Lego's latest Speed Champions Edition. Your own Senna will be 5" long and composed of 219 pieces. Or check out our dealers to find a real McLaren for yourself. Shop McLaren For Sale https://www.facebook.com/mclarenautomotive/videos/410479129517973/ Related: McLaren Senna GTR Unveiled McLaren Senna 0-183 MPH Test Run

By Andrew Nabors – March 20, 2019

2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is Sleek & Stylish

It has been a few years since the GLC series was introduced, so it has been treated to a snazzy facelift. Once again, Mercedes-Benz has produced a fastback 4-door and called it a coupe. They use the coupe designation not only for 2-door models, it also designates a 4-door with window frames. In contrast to the GLC SUV, the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe is sleek & stylish. If you need more space, the 2019 GLC SUV was the first to receive the new lines. It has a traditional SUV roof instead of the fastback so you might have a tough decision on your hands. Both versions will be produced at the Bremen plant, while their GLE cousins are built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We would like to end the confusion about these four models. The larger GLE coupe and SUV are based on the E-Class, and the compact GLC models are based on the C-Class. Each one has its own merits, so click the link below to find one near you. Shop Mercedes GLC Shop Mercedes GLE Related: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Sedan Sounds Ready to Race! Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster Unveiled!

By Andrew Nabors – March 19, 2019

duPont REGISTRY Cars & Coffee: March 2019

"Beware the Ides of March". We were careful last Friday, as it has been 2,063 years since Julius Caesar was taken out by the Senate. Thankfully our attention to detail averted a "brutal" scene, and Saturday morning offered beautiful weather. The "Rides of March" included newly completed winter projects, many wild 4WD rigs, and a sparkling new Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Photo by Michael Brs Photo by Michael Brs The weather forecast called for morning showers, and they finally arrived today... Photo by Michael Brs Photo by Michael Brs It was such a nice morning that the LaFerrari made a rare appearance outside the showroom. We are on a quest to become a greener company, not just for St Patrick's day. Our guests were pleased to see our showroom is now lit by LED. The diffusers and a warmer color temperature make photography much easier. Usually, it is a tough decision to choose the Car of the Month, but a stunning white Ford GT could not be ignored. Not only is it brand new, it is one of the limited edition Carbon Series. Tell us your favorite car of the show and we'll see you next month https://www.facebook.com/dupontregistryautos/videos/356557338279072

The CT5 Sport showcases Cadillac’s unique expertise in craftin

By Andrew Nabors – March 18, 2019

Cadillac CT5 Has Arrived To Replace the CTS

What began in 2003 is coming to an end. The CTS sedan spawned a new era at Cadillac, with its popularity spawning a coupe and wagon version for the 2nd generation. But the 3rd generation car is large & expensive, which places it as a direct competitor to the CT6. So Cadillac announced the new CT5 in a press release this morning. The Cadillac CT5 has arrived to replace the CTS This new model also does away with the 640 horsepower CTS-V. In its place will be a 2.0L four cylinder or the 3.0L twin turbo six found in the mid-level CT6. Our first impression is that the front and rear styling is chic and appealing, but the side profile could easily be confused with Lexus, Acura, etc. It will arrive with Luxury and Sport trim levels when it is formally unveiled at the New York Auto Show next month. If you want a great deal on the last CTS, click the link below and stay with us for all your Caddy news. Shop CTS For Sale Related: Pre-order your Cadillac CT6-V Here Hennessey HPE1000 CTS-V is a 10-Second Sedan

By Andrew Nabors – March 13, 2019

Ford Confirms Shelby GT500 Top Speed Limiter

We are still waiting on official performance numbers on Ford's latest flagship. Hopefully we will have a good idea of what it is capable of before production begins. Thanks to our friends at Car & Driver, we know what it won't be able to do: 181 mph. That is because Ford confirmed the Shelby GT500 top speed limiter. In their latest press release, they mention that maximum downforce was achieved at 180 mph. The track package cars will utilize the Mustang GT4 spoiler to make 550 lbs at 180 mph, while the base model cars generate 379 lbs. This is possible thanks to the "swing" a new combination of spoiler, wing, and a Gurney flap. The reasons for limiting the top speed make perfect sense. If you want a car that cruises above 200 mph, there are many choices for you. But they won't offer the cornering or performance of the GT500. Going faster will only generate more heat and drag. The first is addressed by a secondary radiator along with a 50-Amp brushless fan, and the second is handled by active aerodynamics. It might even give you a break on your insurance premium, depending on your driving record. Your mom will rest easy after you explain it to her, so why not? Stay with us for all your GT500 updates. Shop Shelby GT500 For Sale " width="680"> Related: 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Price, Specs, Photos & Review 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 Breaks Auction Record at Barrett-Jackson

By Edward Jones – March 07, 2019

Ginetta Akula Revealed in Geneva: The Shark of the Road

The new Ginetta Akula has been revealed as a new supercar. This menacing car was given the name Akula because it's actually the Russian word for 'shark,' a fitting name when you see just how menacing the car looks. Also, its side vents are reminiscent of gills you would find on a shark. Power for the Akula comes from a 6.0-liter V8 engine, producing 600 hp. Ginetta notes that the Akula has a top speed of 200 mph, which will most likely be reached quickly thanks to a weight of just 2535 lbs. There will be only 20 units of the Ginetta Akula made in 2020 and 60% of this allocation has already been named for. If you're interested, the Akula has a price tag of GBP 340,000, translating to roughly $445,000 USD. view exotic cars for sale

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