Bronco

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 Tyler Rampersaud – October 15, 2024

Ford Revives Baja Legacy With New 2025 Bronco Stroppe Spe...

A new Ford Bronco pays homage to off-roading legacy. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Stroppe Baja Ford Bronco cemented the Ford Bronco as an important name in off-roading motorsport by winning the Baja 1000 in 1969, marking the first and to this day, the only outright win from a stock 4x4. Bill Stroppe and the incredible legacy that the Stroppe Bronco built are being celebrated 55 years later, with the introduction of the new 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Special Edition, honoring the motorsport ambition of the original Stroppe Bronco. The Stroppe Bronco of today offers Fox Internal Bypass Dampers for off-road performance, the 2.7-liter Ford EcoBoost V6 engine, and Baja G.O.A.T. mode. Exclusively available as a retro-inspired two-door model, the 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Special Edition comes with 35-inch Goodyear tires, Stabilizer Bar Disconnect, and HOSS 3.0 suspension. Inspired by the original Stroppe Bronco’s liveries of Calypso Coral mixed with Wimbledon White and Astra Blue, the unique configuration of the Stroppe Special Edition features Code Orange mixed with Oxford White and an Atlas Blue hardtop. The matte black hood serves a practical purpose, preventing drivers at high speeds off-road from being blinded by the blazing Baja sun. Available at the start of 2025, the new 2025 Ford Bronco Stroppe Special Edition is a stunning revival of an incredible off-road racing victory. View All Ford Broncos For Sale Image Source: Ford

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 25, 2022

Custom Bronco Pope Francis Center First Edition Heading t...

This beautiful Bronco has a story that’ll take you to church. In 1979, the Pope, John Paul II came to the US, and for that visit, he needed a Popemobile. America’s answer: a Ford Bronco. Finished in an appropriate Wimbledon White and with an open back for the Pope to stand and wave, the vehicle became famous and made a chapter of Bronco history, along with other white Ford Broncos. MUST READ: 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Finally Revealed: Most Powerful Street-Legal Bronco Ever Created To honor the Bronco that the Pope had for his visit, and to raise money to support Detroit’s Pope Francis Center, Ford has custom-made a Bronco First Edition in the same Wimbledon White color, which today isn’t available to simply buy, with Wimbledon White wheels with a vintage look courtesy of Detroit Steel Wheels, and a white dashboard to match. This special Bronco inspired by the 1966 Bronco is going to be auctioned by Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, with an exclusive color, as well as plenty of custom touches that make the car unique for whoever its owner might be. Who that owner is will be determined on Thursday, January 27, at 4:30 PM Mountain Time, and it will undoubtedly be an exciting auction. Source: Ford

By Edward Jones – January 24, 2022

2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Finally Revealed: Most Powerful S...

The Bronco we've really been waiting for is finally here. The new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor has been completely revealed and it lives up to the hype. In fact, the new Bronco Raptor is the most powerful street-legal Bronco model that Ford has ever created. That title is possible thanks to the SUV's twin-turbo 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine that produces more than 400 horsepower. It should be noted that this engine will only be mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission. The Bronco's power can be put to use off-road with help from the new Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, steel frame, 37-inch all-terrain tires, upgraded transfer case, higher-capacity clutch, and more. That new suspension system lifts the Bronco Raptor well off of the ground, providing 13.1 inches of ground clearance, which is 4.8 inches more than the base four-door Bronco. But the new Bronco Raptor isn't just tall, it's also wide as it sees its width increased by 9.8 inches when compared to the standard model. Complimenting the newfound stance is a meaner appearance courtesy of the new styling cues like the two-piece grille, hood, fender flares, and quarter panels. The new 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor's price will start at $69,995 and it will appear in dealerships later this year. All Broncos For Sale Source: Ford

By Edward Jones – January 21, 2022

2022 Hennessey VelociRaptor 400 Bronco Is Now in Production

A bucking bronco straight out of Texas. Hennessey Performance has announced that the production of the new 2022 VelociRaptor 400 Bronco is now underway. With 200 units planned per year, Hennessey will be hard at work creating these range-topping Broncos so customers can enjoy the added features and power. Each example of the VelociRaptor 400 Bronco comes with an upgraded twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 engine that pushes out 411 horsepower and 602 lb-ft of torque. That power is enough to propel the Hennessey Bronco from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Hennessey is also offering customers the ability to outfit their VeliciRaptor 400 Bronco with an Off-Road Package. This package includes 35-inch offroad tires, 18-inch Hennessey wheels, front and rear VelociRaptor bumpers, and VelociRaptor badging. Each example also comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty included in the price which will be about $80,000 (that price includes the base Bronco Badlands). View Hennessey Trucks For Sale Source: Hennessey/Instagram

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2021

Meet the SoFlo Stallion, the Ultimate Bronco

Behold the SoFlo Stallion, SoFlo Jeeps’ answer to the long-awaited Ford Bronco. Heralded as the hottest, most coveted SUV/truck of 2021, the Ford Bronco gets a full customization from the world’s premier lift, tire, rim specialists. To create this jaw-dropping vehicle, dubbed by the Fort Lauderdale team as the SoFlo Stallion, the truck is lifted 3.5” with a steering stabilizer to ensure full control at high speeds and off-road scenarios, before getting 37” Patagonia (quiet and center thread riding everyday driver of a tire), Fuel SFJ 20” alloy bronze rims, a custom front steel bumper which is fabricated in house and finished in black Kevlar, steel sidesteps and a decadent King Ranch marine-grade tan and dark brown leather interior on seats, dash and doors (this interior is weather resistant). Finally, the piece that truly transforms the truck into something sure to stop onlookers dead in their tracks is the handcrafted solid fiberglass composite slant back top with solid plexiglass windows built into the sides and tail. The SoFlo Stallion ranges in price from $79,999 to $89,000 and can be shipped worldwide right to a customer’s doorstep. For those lucky enough to already have a Ford Bronco, SoFlo Jeeps can upfit their vehicle or even ship them out their proprietary parts on existing Broncos (both four door and two-door versions), including those in Base, Big Bend, Black Diamond and Outer Banks 4×4 SUV package levels. Interested? Contact SoFlo Jeeps today at (954) 306-6163 Fort Lauderdale, or visit the website at soflojeeps.com and on Instagram at @southfloridajeeps.

By Edward Jones – December 01, 2021

See the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor Off-Road

See and hear the new Ford Bronco Raptor in action. While we wait for the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor's inevitable revelation next year, we get to spend our time waiting for every teaser video and picture that's revealed. Thankfully, The Bronco Nation has released a video that should satisfy most people's want for good Bronco Raptor content. In the video, found above, we see the new Bronco Raptor going off-road on a track while under some pretty light camouflage. The sounds this new Raptor SUV makes are quite delectable and the way it handles the track points to a very promising SUV from Ford. Check it out for yourself by clicking play up above. Broncos For Sale

2021 Bronco RTR Fun Runner by RTR Vehicles

By Edward Jones – October 22, 2021

Ford Unveils the Custom Broncos Heading to SEMA

Expect to see some wild Broncos at SEMA this year. When Ford unveiled the new Bronco, one of the highlights was that it would be easily customizable. Now, Ford is proving that fact with four Broncos and two Bronco Sports that will be attending the SEMA Show, November 2-5. You can find each of the Broncos down below. What's even more exciting about these unveilings is that all of the Ford components and parts on these SEMA builds can be ordered on Accessories.Ford.com. Ford also notes that there will also be vintage and race Broncos in attendance at the Ford Out Front display near the main entrance to the Las Vegas Convention Center. If you currently own a Bronco or are planning on purchasing one, you ought to check out this year's SEMA to see what's capable. 2021 Bronco by Tucci Hot Rods 2021 Bronco by BDS Suspensions 2021 Bronco RTR Fun-Runner by RTR Vehicles 2021 Bronco BAJA FORGED by LGE-CTS Motorsports 2021 Bronco Sport BAJA FORGED by LGE-CTS Motorsports 2021 Bronco Sport by CGS Performance Products Source: Ford

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