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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

The first-ever CT5-V builds on the precision-focused details of

By Andrew Nabors – September 15, 2020

Cadillac CT5-V V8 Surprises Everyone At Cars & Coffee

Say what you want about the latest Cadillacs, the have transformed one special edition into their performance division. While originally intended to arrive with their Blackwing DOHC Twin Turbo, that beast proved too heavy for proper handling. That's why engineers updated the LT4 Supercharged 6.2 from the CTS-V and gave it a new home. That's why a pair of CT5-V V8 cars surprised everyone at Cars & Coffee. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFCh4qRn8Xs/ Browse CTS-V For Sale While we are hoping its the 755 horsepower beast from the Corvette ZR1, their confirmation of a manual transmission makes this notion a bit unruly. If you don't need V8 power, the normal CT5-V offers 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 3-liter to all wheels. This means late-model CTS-Vs will become very affordable, so click the button above and find one for yourself.

On Jan. 13, 2019, Cadillac released the first images of a future

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2020

Cadillac Lyriq to be Unveiled August 6th

Back in March, GM's CEO Mary Barra announced their new Ultium Battery technology. It is a joint project with LG to offer a modular design capable of 200 kWh at 800 volts. Their goal is a range of 400 miles in city driving, and the first example will be the Cadillac Lyriq. While the CT6 was a great car, it had to be discontinued to make way for the future. Cadillac Confirms Manual Transmission CT4-V & CT5-V Blackwing Last year she mentioned that Cadillac will be the starting point for GM to phase out gas and become an EV-only automaker. In case you forgot, Cadillac did offer the ELR as a luxury version of the Chevy Volt. I thought it was a great car but the press ridiculed it to death. Next Thursday at 7 p.m. (Eastern) we will see the future of GM's flagship brand. Browse Cadillac For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 24, 2020

Hennessey HPE850 Cadillac CTS-V is a Perfect Daily Driver

Eight years ago we gathered around the proofing table to look for any final errors before the World's Greatest Car Magazine went to print. I saw a black Cadillac listed with a V8 & manual transmission for $15,000. I called the owner and asked why the price was so low, and it was a divorce sale! I hated to low-ball the gentleman, but he didn't care. It was the perfect Cadillac CTS-V for sale. I never considered driving a Cadillac until I paid him, and I have never looked back. Since then, it has only required a differential brace and regular fluid changes. The moral of this anecdote is that the harder you drive, the more you are rewarded, and it has been the most reliable car I have owned. Sure you could get it to 1,000 horsepower and still be reliable, but you will need new rear tires every other week. That is why the Hennessey HPE850 Cadillac CTS-V is a perfect daily driver. 2017 Cadillac CTS-V Review, Specs, and Pics To make 850 horsepower, their master technicians install ported heads, a new cam, lifters, valvetrain, and a supercharger pulley. Because the stock fuel pump and blower are potent, the only other upgrade is a larger heat exchanger for the intercoolers. Without the optional H10 monoblock wheels, it could pass for a stock V to many average enthusiasts. After remapping the transmission points and firmness, this beast will cruise on happily on premium fuel for years. Yes, even our unfortunate states where 91 is the highest octane offered can enjoy the HPE850. It is available for 2016 to 2020 cars, so call John and his team at 979-385-1300, or click the link below for more information. View Hennessey Cars For Sale

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By Andrew Nabors – February 13, 2020

Rule The Streets in Al Capone's Armored Cadillac

There was a time when South Chicago was safe and peaceful. Wherever this car was seen, everyone gave respect to the owner. As the head of the "Chicago Outfit," Al Capone killed over 33 rivals to gain control of the city. Tomorrow marks the 91st anniversary of the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Capone sent his Captains to the northside and dispatched all 7 leaders of the North Side Gang with a pair of Tommy Guns. This is the armored car that they used. VIEW MORE DETAILS Celebrity Cars Las Vegas is offering this piece of American History for $1,000,000. In the last decade, the term "Gangster" has seen resurgence in the automotive lexicon. No matter how mean your car might be, this is where it all started. Scarface ordered this 1928 Cadillac Series 341-A with every option. The 1928 Caddilac lineup were the first cars designed by Harley Earl, and they revolutionized the industry. Fisher body delivered a plush Town Sedan, and it was placed on Cadillac's strongest chassis. Boilerplate steel in the doors and floor was hidden for a stock appearance. All glass was replaced with bulletproof laminates, and the HC (High Compression) V8 made it one of the fastest production cars. Instead of the standard 3 on the tree, this car has 4 on the floor, giving it more acceleration and top speed than the FBI. After being tailed by Eliot Ness and his "Untouchables", Capone was arrested for tax evasion and sentenced to Alcatraz. Almost immediately, Chicago descended into the mayhem that continues to this day. This car represents an era when La Cosa Nostra brought order to chaos, and now Al Capone's armored Cadillac can be yours. VIEW MORE DETAILS

Oscar®-winning actress and acclaimed director Regina King behin

By Andrew Nabors – February 07, 2020

Cadillac Previews new #MakeYourWay Campaign

Sunday marks the 92nd Oscar Awards, and it is primetime for luxury automakers. With so many updates and new models, Cadillac has previewed their new #MakeYourWay ad campaign. These new spots were uploaded last night to their YouTube page, and the first ones feature director Spike Lee along with Oscar winner Regina King. It is a compelling way to introduce the 5th generation Escalade, along with the XT and CT lineups. Click the button below to find our Caddy dealer near you and stay with us for all your automotive news. Browse All Cadillac For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – January 27, 2020

Cadillac Dominates Rolex 24 at Daytona

To mark the beginning of Daytona Speedweeks, the world's fastest drivers and cars came to Florida. The cool and clear weather made for a perfect weekend and Cadillac dominated the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Racing twice around the clock for a priceless Rolex watch, we congratulate Team Konica Minolta in their Cadillac DPi. Finishing 1st, they also ran the race's fastest lap, ad 1:34.652. Leading the way to victory lane, Mustang Sampling/ JDC MotorSports took 3rd and 5th place. Whelen Engineering crossed the line in 7th place, with all drivers thankful for their Cadillac DPi cars. This is a testament to the 6.2L V8 found in the CTS-V, Camaro ZL1, and the previous-generations of Corvette. By Chad Donohoe/C12Productions.com This was Team Corvette's first outing with the mid-engine 2020 Corvette C8, and its new 5.5L Dual Overhead Cam V8. They finished 4th and 7th respectively in the GTLM class. First place in GTLM was the new BMW M8 GTE by BMW Team RLL. 2nd and 3rd were Porsche 911 RSRs, fielded by the factory Porsche GT Team. Five Huracans Competed in GTD Class GT Daytona class was won by Paul Miller Racing in a Lamborghini Huracan GT3 from Paul Miller Racing. Runner up was another Huracan from GRT Magnus. Click Here For Race Results https://www.facebook.com/IMSA/videos/764473914074141/

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

The first-ever 2020 CT4-V and CT5-V are driven by Cadillac’s l

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">

The Escalade Sport Edition is a bold new look for those who aren

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">

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