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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 – August 18, 2017

Dodge Viper: Goodbye Old Friend

Yesterday at the Connor Avenue Assembly Plant, the final Dodge Viper was completed. Forgive us for being sentimental here, but the Viper has been a part of our magazine since its inception. From its beginning in the 80's as a collaboration between two legends, Lee Iacocca and Carroll Shelby gave Americans another choice for a domestic supercar. I have always been a Chevy fan, but my eyes were opened by the mean snake when Hulk allowed us to take the 1993 Hulkster around the country.Sure we've had late model examples here also, and each one has stayed true to its roots. Every Viper has a big naturally aspirated V10 engine. It essentially an evolution of the 440 Magnum, so it revs quickly and makes power from 500 rpm to past 5,000. A brutal clutch pedal is also a trademark, but it is predictable and easy to launch. The Viper doesn't have stability control, active differential, or an optional automatic transmission. It has a steering wheel, short throw six-speed shifter and more grip than you will ever need. Fiat Chrysler is trying to focus on Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati in the US, so they can no longer justify the hand-built beast or it's dedicated assembly plant. Posing in for a photo opportunity, FCA VP Ralph Gilles uploaded a few shots to his Instagram page: So long... #Viper A post shared by @ralphgilles on Aug 16, 2017 at 6:38am PDT The skilled workers of Connor Avenue Assembly face an uncertain future, and Dodge dealers have lost the centerpiece of their showrooms. The Viper died at 25, a shame if you ask us. As you are reading this, the final new Dodge Vipers are on their way, so check with our dealers before they are gone forever. The End

By Andrew Nabors – July 03, 2017

Viper ACR Heading To The 'Ring

Going out on top is the wish of any athlete, and a dedicated group of Viper fans are giving the snake a proper farewell. FCA has announced that production of the Viper will end in August. The dedicated crew at the Connor Avenue Assembly Plant have built a world-class sports car. But the plant doesn't have a paint shop. Keeping up with paint technology is expensive for automakers, which is why Prefix Automotive has hand painted every Viper panel for years. Each panel is sanded, painted, cleared, and buffed in a state-of-the-art facility in Auburn Hills before traveling down the road to meet the assembly plant. Prefix is not about volume, but their goal is to produce show quality cars in limited numbers. That's why the film industry and many of the big manufacturers turn to them for movie cars and concept builds.With so much of their business centered around Viper culture, they spearheaded a crowdfunding campaign for a trip to the 'Ring. Aiming for a new track record, the Viper ACR Extreme has backing from Kumho Tire USA, The Viper Exchange, BJ Motors, and Viper owners around the world. The list of supporters has been hand painted on two white Viper ACR Extremes with blue stripes. “Prefix has a long history with the Viper and with the many Viper club members around the world.” explained Prefix Sales & Marketing Director, Jhan Dolphin. “This is a huge challenge, but regardless of the outcome, supporting this effort is a great way to celebrate the car and our passionate friends who drive them.” Transporting cars and a support team from Detroit to Germany might seem easy for the factory teams, but we can't imagine the logistics of this. Godspeed to Team Prefix, bring the record home with you.

By Andrew Nabors – February 22, 2017

Dodge Viper ACR: Track Day Superstar

In early May 2015, Dodge issued a press release that surprised sports car enthusiasts everywhere with the release of the fastest street-legal track car to ever come from Dodge: the 2016 Viper ACR. With a design focused around improved aerodynamics, the Viper ACR comes equipped with the Extreme Aero Package, which includes an adjustable dual-element rear wing, rear carbon fiber diffuser, SRT hood with removable louvers, a detachable extension for the front splitter and four dive planes. The resulting downforce reaches nearly one ton, producing a top speed of 177 mph.Dodge armed this beast with some serious braking power thanks to Brembo’s Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes that use 15.4-inch two-piece front rotors and 14.2-inch two-piece rear rotors. These brakes pair with the largest brake pad area to ever come standard on a Viper, now ready to stop on a dime. If you have wondered about the suffix, ACR stands for American Club Racer. It has been the most track-focused version of the Viper to date.Powering this machine is a robust 8.4-liter V10 engine, guided by a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. This winning combination generates 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any naturally aspirated car engine in the world. The results are sure to be an extraordinarily visceral driving experience, from the racetrack to the streets. For an even more in-depth experience with the Viper ACR, Dodge offers a “1 of 1” customization program, which allows the buyer to tailor their car while tracking the build process. Pricing for Dodge’s most ruthless supercar to date starts at $117,895. Our dealers have plenty of mean snakes to choose from, so stay with us for all your Viper updates.Price: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $117,895Engine: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.4-liter V10Horsepower: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645 hp0–60: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 secondsTop Speed: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 mphTransmission: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-speed manualTorque: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 pound-feet

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2016

Dodge Viper Ordering Actually Reopening Again

Earlier this year, fans of the Dodge Viper were disappointed when they learned that orders for the American monster had been closed. This was done so that Dodge could reassess just how many cars they would be able to create for the car's final year in production. Well, it seems that this closure of orders ramped up the interest in the car, prompting the automaker to reopen them.“We actually had to shut down the ordering because we outran our headlights,” Tim Kuniskis, head of Fiat Chrysler-North America passenger-car brands, told Detroit News at the Los Angeles Auto Show this year. “We didn’t know if we were going to have enough parts to build all the cars that people ordered.”(Related - Chris Harris Drives and Reviews the Dodge Viper ACR)Additionally, the automaker also ran into a short of its carbon fiber aero wings for the ACR models. "The demand for ACR is off the charts — way more than we ever expected,” Kuniskis told Detroit News. “We are close to opening it back up now that we know how many more we can build."Those looking to order the Viper should know that they will be able to do so before the year's end. However, they are looking to sell out very quickly. As a reminder, this will be your last chance to order the Viper...for the time being.All Dodge Viper For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2016

Hennessey Venom 800: Drag Radials Required

Next year will be the final model year for the Dodge Viper. Several special editions have been announced and already sold out, but no major mechanical upgrades are offered. Before these ten cylinder snakes slither off into sunset, a few have been caught by Hennessey Performance as the ultimate expression of this American supercar.John Hennessey began his career by modifying Vipers in his parents' garage. Being the cornerstone of the business, they have pulled out all the stops to make 808 hp and 790 lb-ft of torque. The giant X-brace across the engine prohibits the use of a roots style supercharger, and good luck finding room along the exhaust for turbos. So they have turned to the largest centrifugal blower we have ever seen.At only 5 psi of boost pressure, Venom 800 reaches 60 mph in 2.9 seconds. Bold wording on their website warns potential buyers that optional drag racing tires are needed to prevent wheel spin. With a prepped drag strip the Venom offers 10.5 seconds in the quarter mile at 143 mph. The fuel and exhaust systems are all new, and each car will be dyno tuned before delivery. This package is available for all Vipers from 2013 to present and comes with a 1 year/12,000 mile limited warranty. For more information, please head over to HPE's Venom 800 page here.

Dodge is celebrating the 25th anniversary and final year of Vipe

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – June 21, 2016

For Viper's Final Year Dodge Plans Five Limited-Edition M...

2016 marks the 25th anniversary, as well as the final year, of the Dodge Viper. To commemorate a long, prosperous run, Dodge will join in the well-established tradition of releasing a limited edition version. Dodge is taking things a step further though. Instead of releasing one limited edition version of the Viper, they'll be releasing five. That's right, five.(Related: Unbelievable Lamborghini Huracan and Dodge Viper Drag Race Finish)Each edition will be fully customizable with 50 million configuration options and include a panel badge with the model name engraved. Owners can also have their names engraved as well. Here's a little more about each special edition:Viper 1:28 Edition ACRLimited to 28 units, this edition commemorates the 1:28.65 lap time set by Randy Pobst in the 2015 Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, CA. This particular edition will be painted in black and outfitted with red ACR stripes across the rear wing. It will include the Extreme Aero Package, Carbon Cerami brakes, specialty decals and stitching. Viper GTS-R Commemorative Edition ACRThe 1998 white and blue color combination was one of the most sought after finishes in Viper history. The GTS-R Commemorative edition will include this iconic color scheme along with the Extreme Aero Package, Exterior Carbon Package and specialty decals. This particular Viper version is limited to 100 examples. Viper VoooDoo II Edition ACRThis special edition, which features a black exterior complimented by a "graphite metallic driver's stripe and red tracer outline" is modeled after the 2010 Viper VooDoo. Limited to 31 units, the VoooDoo's interior includes an ACR style interior with silver stitching and the driver's name etched above the side door. Viper Snakeskin Edition GTCSnakeskin covers this special edition from end to end. This Viper comes decorated in a snakeskin green paint with a snakeskin patterned SRT stripe. It will include an Advanced Aerodynamics Package with GT black interior. This edition is limited to only 25 units. Dodge Dealer Edition ACRAvailable at only two dealerships, this special edition is specifically designed in tribute to the dealerships with the highest volume sales: Tomball Dodge of Tomball, Texas and Roanoke Dodge of Roanoke, Ill. This particular Viper will be finished in Viper White and accented with the Competition Blue stripe and Adrenaline Red stripe. It will also include the ACR interior and Extreme Aero Package.Customization options for all models include: 16,000 Exterior paint options 24,000 stripe options 16 interior trim options 11 wheel options 7 aero options Brake and suspension options With all of the available options, owners will have over 50 million ways to customize their car to their liking. No release date or pricing is listed at this time, but we'll update you once the information is available.Vipers For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 04, 2016

2016 Dodge Viper ACR: Price, Review, Photos and Specs

2016 Dodge Viper ACR Specs Price: $117,895 Engine: 8.4-liter V10 Horsepower: 645 hp 0–60: 3.3 seconds Top Speed: 177 mph Transmission: 6-speed manual Torque: 600 lb-ft Review In early May 2015, Dodge issued a press release that surprised sports car enthusiasts everywhere with the release of the fastest street-legal track car to ever come from Dodge: the 2016 Viper ACR for sale. With a design focused around improved aerodynamics, the Viper ACR comes equipped with the Extreme Aero Package, which includes an adjustable dual-element rear wing, rear carbon fiber diffuser, SRT hood with removable louvers, a detachable extension for the front splitter and four dive planes. The resulting downforce reaches nearly one ton, producing a top speed of 177 mph. Dodge armed this beast with some serious braking power thanks to Brembo’s Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes that use 15.4-inch two-piece front rotors and 14.2-inch two-piece rear rotors. These brakes pair with the largest brake pad area to ever come standard on a Viper, now ready to stop on a dime. Powering this machine is a robust 8.4-liter V10 engine, guided by a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission. This winning combination generates 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque, the most torque of any naturally aspirated sports car engine in the world. The results are sure to be an extraordinarily visceral driving experience, from the racetrack to the streets. For an even more in depth experience with the Viper ACR, Dodge offers a “1 of 1” customization program, which allows the buyer to tailor their car while tracking the build process. Dodge Viper For Sale Buy Your Issue Now

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