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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 – December 10, 2019

Cadillac Live: The Future Is Here

Before you were born, your grandparents went to a dealer and ordered their car. Once the down payment was made, their order was mailed to the factory. A few weeks later, their car arrived with just the right options. Fast forward a few decades, and we were forced to buy what was on the lot. It seems as if history repeats itself as Cadillac Live is the future of car buying. In a press release this morning, Cadillac previews configuring a new car with a real product specialist. Nothing beats face-to-face interaction, so shoppers can enter a virtual showroom with 10 examples of their 2021 models. Browse All Cadillac For Sale Cadillac Live agents are available Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 1 am (Eastern), Friday 9am-9pm and 11am to 7pm on the weekend. Tell us what you think of live.cadillac.com then click the button above for great offers from our dealers. In the meantime, here is our old friend Gale Banks unboxing his Christmas Present: " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 24, 2019

2016 Cadillac Escalade EXT Limo For Sale

This is a mobile office like no other! No expense was spared when this vehicle was crafted and there is over $200,000 invested. Important business meeting? Chauffeur? Want to pull up to the G5 in Style? This one of a kind meticulously designed vehicle boasts more bells and whistles than a private jet on wheels. Custom built to not only turn heads from the outside but more jaw-dropping is the luxury awaiting on the inside. A few of its distinguished amenities: LED Raised roof light show, Alcantara suede trim with red and white leather seats, Gold plated handles, built-in Massage/footrest, 24-inch wheels, and 2-tone leather The driver partition is a 28" Apple TV, that lowers into the chassis. You will have aircraft-style tables, a lockbox to keep valuables safe, makeup mirrors, XM radio, built-in trash can, coat hangers, fridge, interior curtains and much more. Only 30,000 miles. Asking $150,000. Click the link below for all the details View Price & Listing

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2019

Cadillac Unveils New 2020 CT4-V & CT5-V Sedans

It was 15 years ago that GM Performance Division did something unprecedented. They borrowed the Corvette Z06 engine and transmission to build the CTS-V. Built in limited numbers, the first generation was built for the Nurburgring. As such, it had 405 horsepower and no option for an automatic transmission. Times have changed, and the CTS-V went out on top for 2019. That's because the fine folks at Lansing Grand River Assembly were preparing for something new. In a press release this morning, Cadillac has unveiled the new 2020 CT4-V & CT5-V sedans. As an owner of a 2004 CTS-V, it was exciting to see the 2nd generation arrive in 2009 with the sedan joined by a coupe and wagon. You can't deny the brutal 640 horsepower of the 3rd generation, but it came with a six-figure price tag. There will always be a market for super sedans, so the CT6-V offers 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft to all wheels. CT6-V, CT5-V, CT4-V Because of GM's recent advances in turbo technology, it has allowed Cadillac to offer two new cars with exciting power. First off, lets look at what they share. Both cars are RWD and based on the Alpha chassis. This means both are available with AWD with a curb weight under 4,000 lbs. Sharing the latest in suspension, both cars have the 4th generation Magnetic Ride Control. Finally, both cars share the indestructible 10-Speed automatic transmission and SuperCruise autonomous driving. Starting with the CT4-V, it has a wheelbase of 89.6", and weighs 3,600 lbs. It also has 12.6" Brembo brakes. It is a direct replacement for the ATS-V, making 320 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. To do this, they borrowed the 2.7L turbocharged four cylinder from the Chevy Silverado. Both camshafts have 3 lobes for each valve, and they slide front to rear in a 3-step motion. Not only do they slide, each one has variable timing. This allows 33 lbs of boost to offer great fuel economy. Big brother CT5-V has a 116" wheelbase and weighs in around 3,900 lbs. The brakes are an inch larger and it offers 4" more leg room for the rear passengers. Under the hood is the same 3.0L twin turbo V6 found in the CT6. It offers 355 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. From our experiences driving CT6 press cars, this smooth & silent six should be offered across GM's lineup. In conclusion, we are happy to see new members of the V-Series. All brands are going to smaller engines with larger turbos, and the CT5-V AWD will undobtedly be a mean machine. Tell us which one you would own in the comments below, then click on the link for great deals on the remaining CTS-Vs. Browse CTS-V FOr Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 28, 2018

2019 Escalade Sport Edition Isn't Afraid of the Dark

Sales of GM's full-size SUV's are booming, and so is the aftermarket who customizes them. One of the more popular themes has been the absence of color or chrome. Nothing is more imposing than a "Murdered Out" motif, so Cadillac has decided to jump on the bandwagon. Cadillac Unveils Pedestal Edition ATS-V & CTS-V In a press release this morning, the new Escalade Sport Series is ready for the LA Auto Show. Gloss black can be found on the grille, window trim, bodyside moldings, and even the roof rack. The 22" wheels are finished in Midnight Silver. It is available as a $2,700 option on the Luxury, Premium, and Platinum models, in 2 or 4WD. What hasn't changed is the 6.2-liter V8 offering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This black beauty will reach 60 mph in less than 6 seconds with all the amenities included. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Cadillac news. View All Escalades For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 25, 2018

Cadillac Unveils 2019 Pedestal Edition CTS-V & ATS-V

It has been 15 years since Cadillac decided to shock the world. Their customers were getting older, and the brand was the loyal favorite of the greatest generation. The solution was to build a performance brand. Someone at Lansing Grand River Assembly noticed the CTS sedan had plenty of room under the hood, so why not borrow the engine from the Corvette Z06? The first CTS-V arrived in 2004 with a six-speed manual transmission, automatics were not even an option.Great Deals on New & Pre-Owned Corvette Z06Along the way, it spawned a coupe and wagon, both supercharged to 556 horsepower. The ATS-V was launched in 2016 to offer a smaller performance car, but now it is time for the V-Series to become something even more powerful. Cadillac announced this in a press release last night, saying farewell in style. The 2019 Pedestal Editions of the CTS-V and ATS-V Coupe will be limited to 300 examples each. They will be finished in a unique Bronze Sand Metallic with black chrome trim. Standard equipment includes all available carbon fiber along with "After Midnight" forged wheels. Both cars will have the performance data recorder and the Cosworth tuning toolbox.No manual transmission has been offered on the 3rd gen CTS series, so we hope the ATS-V coupes arrive with three pedals. Click the link to find our dealer near you, and tell us your favorite V-Series story in the comments below.View Cadillac ATS For Sale View Cadillac CTS-V For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 14, 2018

Reviewed: 2018 Cadillac XTS V-Sport

It has taken 15 years to transform Cadillac from the retirement home to twin turbos, but good things are worth the wait. While the CTS and ATS have brought many German enthusiasts back to the USA, Cadillac has not forgotten the senior citizens. The XTS was refreshed last year, and it rides on the same Front Wheel Drive chassis as the LaCrosse and the Impala. We've reviewed both of those, and found them to be better than several imports in terms of power, efficiency and noise insulation.But GM has always saved the best for their top marque, and the new XTS is no exception. The magnetic suspension made its world debut on the STS back in 2002, and the latest version offers a very plush ride. However, if you choose sport mode, it instantly firms along with more steering feedback. The other obvious change is the display reconfigures into a giant tachometer and a full-size boost gauge. This is not a normal XTS.The XTS V-Sport has the same 3.6-liter twin turbo V6 found in the CTS V-Sport, and it is also the top engine option in the ATS-V. The only difference is that the XTS mounts the engine east-west instead of north-south. So engineers were forced to pull out some power to keep the AWD system reliable. Make no mistake, this is a big car. But it has 410 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission responds instantly to downshift and we didn't notice any turbo lag.On a closed road in a typical Florida afternoon monsoon, we tried to get it out of shape. This car grips, all the time. It allows for a hint of brake-boosting for a clean launch, and the 6th to 4th gear kickdowns on the highway are fun. It is geared for the highway to prevent it from outrunning the other cars in their lineup, but the locking differentials and Brembo brakes are something Buick and Chevy would never offer.New 2018 Cadillac XTS Breaks CoverFront seats have 22-ways of adjustment, and the rear bench has over 40" of leg room. Like other Caddys, the Cue system has a hidden compartment for your phone or valuables, along with several USB ports. Haptic feedback is much improved, as is the aforementioned instrument cluster. If you are looking to carve up the corners and outmaneuver an M3, this isn't the car for you. If you want a relaxing ride with a hammer under the hood, the XTS V-Sport is as good as any other full-size luxury sedan.Browse Cadillac XTS For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 21, 2018

Cadillac Unveils 550 HP CT6 V-Sport

We've had the opportunity to test a few flavors of the Cadillac CT6, and we all agree that the power was adequate. There were rumors of a new V8 for their flagship sedan, and now we have confirmed them. In a press release earlier today, the CT6 V-Sport is the one you've been waiting for.The first in a new line of Cadillac performance vehicles, it arrives with an all-new 4.2 liter V8 under the hood. To keep up with European competitors it has twin turbos inside the engine valley, and reverse flow cylinder heads. Dual overhead cams and air-to-water intercoolers allow it to make 550 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque.Autoline Network Confirms Cadillac Escala ProductionA 10-quart oil pan is designed with AWD in mind, and it sits in front of the 10-speed automatic found in the Camaro ZL1. To slow it down, Brembo developed new 19" rotors with fixed monoblock calipers. Everything has been recalibrated to make the V-Sport a track monster. Rear steering, magnetic suspension and the AWD torque split are optimized for ultimate grip.Cadillac began their V Sport line with the CTS V Sport. It uses the ATS-V's twin turbo V6 to give buyers a mid-level option between the four-cylinder and the wild 640 horsepower CTS-V. The same 420 horsepower engine is also offered in the XTS V Sport, which will catch anyone off guard. So given the mid-level orientation of the V Sport models, is Cadillac implying a CT6 V could be coming? If 627 lb-ft of all-wheel torque doesn't excite you, maybe nothing does.Styling and interior amenities have been refreshed for all CT6 models, clearly influenced by the Escala concept car. Click the link below to find a CT6 near you, and tell us how this compares to the CTS-V in the comments below.Browse CT6 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2017

Cadillac Unveils V-Series Championship Editions

If you have never been to an IMSA race, you are truly missing out. Legions of factory-backed teams battle it out, and the action is often nailbiting. One manufacturer seems to consistently dominate the series, and Cadillac is celebrating in style. The V-Series cars proved their worth by bringing home the Manufacturer, Driver, Team, and Endurance Championships for the 2017 season. A press release this morning outlines this significant achievement.In the Driver’s Seat: 2017 Cadillac CTS-VFor a proper celebration, all three V-Series cars will be dressed up in a Championship Edition livery. Offered on the 2018 ATS-V Coupe, Sedan, and the CTS-V, the Championship Edition is offered in Black Raven or Crystal White Tricoat. Aggressive V-Series graphics and mirrors finished in Red Obsession are sure to steal your concentration. The logo of the DPi-V.R race car is found on the quarter-glass, as a tribute to their wild Daytona Prototypes. It was the DPi that began the season with 7 straight wins, securing the manufacturer's trophy.Bringing home victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, both wins are combined into the "36 Hours of Florida". The celebration continues on the inside, where you are greeted by Jet Black RECARO seats and Morello Red trim. Standard equipment includes the Performance Data Recorder, which is augmented by the Cosworth Toolbox. This Windows program allows for complete data logging of an entire race. Everything from fuel trims to tire temperatures can be played back frame-by-frame. Pricing for the ATS-V will start at $72,190, and the CTS-V will arrive at $105,730. If that is too steep, our dealers have great incentives on leftover 2017 examples, so click the links below and stay with us for all your Cadillac news.Browse ATS-V For Sale Browse CTS-V For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 19, 2016

Cadillac Escala Concept Revealed, Shows Future Design

Cadillac has released images and information on their new Escala Concept, a new vehicle that shows what's to come from the American luxury automaker. The concept officially debuts tonight in California and will give guests a chance to see what's to come from Cadillac.“Escala is a concept with two clear objectives,” said Johan de Nysschen, president of Global Cadillac. “First, Escala is a statement of intent for the next iteration of the Cadillac design language, and also technical concepts in development for future Cadillac models. Secondly, Escala builds Cadillac’s aspirational character, signaling the brand’s return to the pinnacle of premium.”(Related: In the Driver's Seat: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V Review) The name Escala does not come as a shortened version of the SUV, but it's actually Spanish for "scale." Why would they name a concept car scale? It's because it's a "concept for a larger, more elite and expressive companion to the recently launched 2016 Cadillac CT6." Having spent a week with the CT6, I can tell you that it provides one heck of a luxurious drive. Massaging seats? Yes, please. Cadillac’s Escala concept previews craftsmanship and technical ideas in development for future models.Cadillac notes that the new design cues will start appearing on production models very soon. The most noted cue would have to be the new vertical lightning, which are now thinner and set deeper within the front fascia. Inside, the interior houses two different zones. In the front is an area dedicated to technology, while the rear is a haven of luxury. Cadillac’s Escala concept previews craftsmanship and technical ideas in development for future models.As for power, the Escala uses a new 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. This powertrain is a prototype for a new system to be used in future Cadillac models.View All Cadillacs For Sale The Escala Concept introduces the next evolution of Cadillac design.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – August 17, 2016

Cadillac Brings New Concept to Monterey

Monterey Car Week, one of the biggest automotive events to date, is ripe with exclusive auctions, unveilings and appearances by some of our favorite brands. This year, Cadillac is joining the ranks and plans to unveil their new concept vehicle. While not much has been revealed yet, the automaker states the concept, "will feature an array of curved OLED screens."(Related: McLaren 570GT by MSO Concept Debut at Pebble Beach)Cadillac hasn't been very active with concept cars since the Elmiraj (pictured above and below) in 2013, so we're definitely excited to see what they've come up with. Curiosity piqued? Ours too. Look out for more information as details are revealed!View All Cadillacs For Sale

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