Chevrolet

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 Corvette C8.R is Chevy’s first mid-engine GTLM race car.

By Andrew Nabors – March 25, 2020

GM Enables Free WiFi to Fight the Virus

Every late-model GM vehicle has some form of their OnStar system. It offers the usual concierge functions, but many don't realize it can act as a hot spot for up to four devices. To help everyone stay connected in these trying times, they have enabled free WiFi on every car. As reported by engadget, the reception is limited to 50 feet, and the service is limited to 3 gigabits for the next 3 months. Nevertheless, this is an honorable move that could help First Responders, Hospital Staff, and families stay in communication. P.S. If you are within 50 feet of my CTS-V, I have been coughing a lot lately. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale " width="680">

Regular production of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray coupe

By Andrew Nabors – February 03, 2020

First 2020 Corvette Stingray Rolls Off Assembly Line

Congratulations to UAW Local 2164 for turning dreams into reality. Zora Duntov was Corvette's Chief Engineer from 1954 to 1975, and he never stopped pleading with GM to build a supercar with a mid-engine V8. It has taken a few years and over 100 test cars to reach this moment, and we're happy to announce that the new 2020 Corvette Stingray for sale has rolled off the assembly line. Zora tested several mid-engine Corvette prototypes, but they were dangerous without modern computer control Bowling Green Assembly Plant was nearly sold out for the 2020 model year, which will run until September. That's when GM decided to add a graveyard shift to turn them out around the clock. Highly-optioned orders will be filled first, so its going to be Z51 with all the trimmings for the time being. Why to Buy a C7 Corvette Stingray Unless your local dealer has invested thousands in new tools and training, they won't be able to sell one. Our dealers are Corvette-certified, and they are offering tremendous C7 Corvette discounts before the new cars arrive. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find your Corvette Dealer Here " width="680"> Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

By Andrew Nabors – November 07, 2019

2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 & Quarter Mile Confirmed

Amid all the big news from SEMA 2019, Chevrolet has managed to grab the attention of the entire automotive world. We figured the 8th Generation plastic fantastic would be fast, but this is wild. In fact, the new Corvettte for sale is a bargain for what it is capable of. In a press release last night, the 2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 & Quarter Mile were confirmed. A few years of development on the Z51 option package has yielded a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds. Prices starting at $59,995 make it half the price of a base model 911 Carrera, and yet it travels 1,320 feet (1/4 Mile) in 11.2 seconds at 123 mph. With a top speed of 194 mph, it is the fastest Corvette ever built, and one of the fastest production cars on the market. " width="680"> Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

Chevrolet’s E-10 Concept Electrifies Hot Rodding World

By Andrew Nabors – November 05, 2019

Chevy Unveils 1962 "E-10" Electric Concept at SEMA

Electric cars are here to stay, so where are the electric trucks? That question has been answered as Chevrolet unveils their 1962 E-10 electric concept at SEMA. Using the guts from the latest Chevy Bolt EV, two 60 kWh batteries are mounted in the bed. Giving a combined 120 kWh at 400 volts, it has more capacity than any production electric vehicle. Two electric motors are double-stacked under the hood. They send 450 horsepower to a 4L75-E four-speed automatic transmission. Browse all Chevrolet C-10 For Sale The batteries, motors and HV hardware will comprise the new eCrate powertrain. Imagine having 20 more kilowatts than a Tesla Model S P100d packaged in a classic Chevy. The possibilities are endless! Find your C-10 by clicking the button above and stay with us for more SEMA coverage.

By Andrew Nabors – August 15, 2019

2020 Corvette Pricing Announced

We were shocked to learn that the C8 Corvette Stingray would be available for under $60,000. In a press release today, they announced it would be $5 under that price. The best aspect of the 2020 Corvette pricing announced is that it also includes the MSRP of the option packages. Your standard car is the 1LT. It arrives with more features than we anticipated. Corvette 1LT has 4-Corner E-boost brakes, stability control, launch mode, and the driver mode selector. But you only get 10 Bose speakers. Corvette 2LT starts at $67,295, and it adds a full-color HUD, power lumbar seats, heated steering wheel, Performance Data Recorder, garage door opener, and 14 Bose speakers. Corvette 3LT is $71,945, and it includes all those features and arrives with a full-leather interior and GT2 seats. No Alcantara here, its real suede on the roof and upper interior panels. A few options can be added to trim level. Performance exhaust is needed to achieve 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque: $1,195. A front suspension lift is available on 2LT and 3LT, and it stores 1,000 locations in GPS for $1,495. Finally, the Z51 Performance Package is available across all trim levels. It includes performance exhaust, adjustable coil-over suspension, front splitter, rear spoiler, larger brakes, a 3rd engine radiator, performance differential gearing, and brake cooling ducts. All this can be had for $5,000. We know the Corvette convertible is coming soon, and these packages might be adjusted for being able to topless. I would order a 1LT Z51 along with the magnetic ride suspension and the tinted glass roof panel. Head over to their visualizer to build your ideal combination, and tell us in the comments below. Stay with us for all your Corvette news. Browse Corvettes For Sale " width="680"> Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 08, 2019

C8 Corvette Convertible Caught Wearing Camouflage

Chevrolet's list of Corvette accomplishments is growing longer each day. Not only is the 2020 Corvette Stingray their first mid-engine model it also has the best interior GM has ever offered. After viewing multiple angles of the engine bay, we assumed that a convertible would not be possible. Then they decided to plant a few Corvette Convertible teasers into the latest promo film. This test mule was caught by Brendan Macie in the parking lot of a Dick's Sporting Goods. He says the driver identified himself as an employee at GM's Warren Tech Center, and their latest 0-60 test was 2.7 seconds! GM has done folding hardtops before, the most recent being the Cadillac XLR, a cousin of the C6 Corvette. The roof panel hinge points and the buttresses are inspired by a hint of McLaren 650S Spider along with a sprinkling of Ferrari 458 Spider. How this will work into the engine bay will remain a mystery. They can't call it a "Spyder" because that name is trademarked by Audi. I wrote Spider vs Spyder awhile back to clear up the confusion. If you prefer a traditional cloth top, click the link below to find great deals on remaining 2019 Corvettes, and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here " width="680"> Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2019

2020 C8 Corvette Stingray Revealed with 495 Horsepower & ...

If you didn't stay up to watch the Livestream, it was an event for the ages. We've been waiting long enough, so the crowd of invited guests went wild then 3 new Corvettes made their appearance. The exotic car world is now on notice, as the 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray was revealed with 495 horsepower and a low price. Starting at the front the low nose and dash offer great visibility. Without an engine in the way, the steering system is 50% stronger than the C7. Moving the cockpit forward puts more weight on the rear tires. This allows the base model to reach 60 mph in under 3 seconds. This also puts the driver of mass and rotation very close to the seats. If you want to drift, the car rotates around the passengers. This means you won't feel any G-Forces when cornering. A first for any American car. Not only is the aluminum frame lighter, but it also uses die-cast junctions to be much stronger than the C7. Upfront where the engine used to be, there is room for groceries or luggage under the hood. This is the first Corvette to offer a 5-piece luggage set, and the bigger pieces can be stored in the rear trunk. A deep cargo well behind the transmission can hold the Targa top or almost anything you need to carry. It is surrounded by the first carbon fiber crash structure on an American car. Styling was handled by my favorite GM designer: John Cafaro. He is responsible for two cars I have owned: 4th Gen Camaro (1993-2002) & C5 Corvette (1997-2004). His style is unmistakably Italian, and he was given help by Top Peters. He designed the C6 and C7, so that is where this car gets its angles and inlets. Both of them retired last night, leaving the C8 Corvette as their coup de grâce after decades at GM. C8 Corvette Price and Specs 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Moving forward, the transmission is an 8-speed transaxle developed by Tremec. The first six gears are close ratio for blistering acceleration, and the last two are deep overdrives for highway cruising. The 6.2L V8 is an improvement of the current LT1. It uses gorgeous stainless headers and revised internals to make 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Thrills continue inside. Cheap plastics have been replaced by machined metal. The squared-off steering wheel was inspired by the C7.R racing program, and all controls are aimed at the driver. A 12" screen handles infotainment and various apps, both of which receive updates over the air. Separating the seats is a spine covered in leather. It contains all A/C, seat heat, and comfort controls which keeps the dash free of clutter. Bose developed a 14-speaker system to keep you entertained, and the front suspension rises 2" to prevent scrapes. This system is GPS-linked, so the car remembers where you need to raise the front end and does it for you. The Performance Data Recorder now has higher resolution cameras front and rear, the latter serves as a panoramic backup view in reverse. It appears as if the manual transmission is dead, at least for now. We can deal with this because the price will make you happy. Base model Corvettes will start under $60,000. If this is all too much for you, our dealers are offering great incentives on the remaining C7 models. Click the link below and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here! " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 15, 2019

2020 Corvette Stingray Emblem & Logo Revealed

We are three days away from the launch of the 8th Generation Corvette. As we have noticed, the majority of classic Corvette owners have described the new car with profanity, but it does have a proper name. In fact, the name and the engine's firing order are probably all that will be shared with the C7. That's because the 2020 Corvette Stingray emblem and logo were uploaded to GM's media site a few hours ago. Few people realize the Stingray name dates back to 1959 when the XP-87 Corvette prototype was named "Sting-Ray" Public Doman via Wikipedia From there, the name stuck to the 2nd Generation (C2) cars from 1963 to 1967 (C) Mecum Auctions 1968 was the first year of the C3, but it arrived with several quirks and without a name. However, the "Stingray" now as one word returned for 1969 and remained until 1976. (C) Mecum Auctions After a long hiatus, the Stingray name returned in 2014 for the base model cars. (c) Chevrolet I left the Corvette aftermarket to join duPont Registry, and I have owned C3, C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes. I do not own denim shorts nor do I have a mustache, so I think a mid-engine Corvette is long overdue. Tell us what you think of the new logos and emblems below, and what your thoughts are on the new car. The live stream of the reveal will be 10:30 p.m. Eastern/7:30 Pacific, and we will have all the details for you once they are announced. Stay with us for all your Corvette news, and long live the Stingray. Find Your Corvette Here

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2019

Chevrolet Corvette Reveal Event Schedule

Corvette fans make up a large part of our events, and they are divided over the details of the car's next generation. We learned the mid-engine C8 would be unveiled in Southern California a few weeks ago. With the help of CorvetteBlogger, we now know the Chevrolet Corvette reveal event schedule. Make plans to be in Tustin on July 18th. Although the exact location has not been disclosed, we know that 75 Corvette owners from around Orange County were invited to attend. These lucky few will have a private party with food & drinks at 4 PM. The doors open at 7 PM, and the car will be unveiled at 8 o'clock. Chevy will live stream the event, so make note these times are Pacific. Like we keep mentioning, many people are scared of such a radical departure from tradition. This unfounded panic has caused many of our dealers to experience a rush to buy the last C7 Stingrays, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 models. Production has already ended and the last cars are en route. So click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here Related: C7 Corvette Price, Specs, Photos, & Review Last C7 Corvette Heading to Barrett-Jackson Northeast

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2019

2020 Chevy Silverado: Power to the People!

You can't deny the aggressive styling of the latest Chevrolet Silverado. The fresh lines are not the only upgrades, and the real treat is under the hood. Ever since the Silverado replaced the C/K trucks in 1999, you couldn't order the big V8. The most powerful engine were reserved for the Escalade and Yukon Denali. Thankfully those days are behind us, because the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado offers power to the people! Starting at the top, the brutal 6.2L is now available in all Silverados. It is the base engine in the Stingray and the Camaro SS...and its fast! Last year, the only way to have Corvette power was to order the High Country or the other high-priced models. But now you can walk into your dealer and find a Silverado Trail Boss 6.2 for $43,865. It is rated at 435 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. If that is not enough, the parts department will sell you the supercharger from the Corvette ZR1 (insert smile here). 2020 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss Rides 3" Higher on Rancho Suspension The 5.3L V8 isn't going anywhere, except up in fuel mileage. Along with its big brother, they offer an industry first Dynamic Fuel Management. This offers no less than 17 distinct modes of cylinder deactivation. Not only will this respond quicker to changing loads, it prevents uneven wear of the engine when running on less than 8 pistons. It is rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque New 2.7L Turbo,, By David Kimball If you don't like new technology, the 4.3L V6 is still making 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. All the cool kids will be opting for two new engines. A 2.7L turbo four offers 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. Last but not least, a new 3.0L straight six Duramax diesel makes 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 10-Speed automatic found in the Ford Raptor will be found behind the most powerful engines. That's because Ford & GM built it together to handle incredible power. Our dealers have plenty to choose from, so click the link below and keep on truckin'. Browse Chevy Silverado For Sale

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