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

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2019

GM CEO Mary Barra to make an Announcement at Corvette Pla...

UPDATE: Mary Barra announces 400 new jobs & 2nd Shift at Corvette Plant. We told you last week that the 8th-generation Corvette will be unveiled on July 18th. In the meantime, what does this mean for the workers of the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky? We will know later today when GM CEO Mary Barra makes a major announcement at the factory. The National Corvette Museum is located next door, and their Facebook page serves as the official media outlet for enthusiasts. But their post also says that local government officials and representatives from the United Auto Workers will also be present. If the UAW is invited, it is probably great news. Last year, GM spent $439 Million to add a second assembly line and a new paint shop. If you look closely at the mirrors on the prototype, there is a small profile of Zora Arkus-Duntov. As Corvette's Chief Engingeer for 30 years. He always wanted a mid-engine AWD Corvette Supercar, and we might be getting close to seeing one. GM Trademarks Zora Around the World This allowed the performance engine center to be located on-site, as it was located in Wixom, Michigan for years. In addition to building the Z06 and ZR1 engines, they also build the Blackwing V8 for the Cadillac CT6-V. So something wild will probably start production once the final C7 is shipped to Barrett-Jackson Northeast on June 28th. The black Z06 is being auctioned with all proceeds going to families of 9/11 victims. Whatever she says, we will update this ASAP. Tell us what you think of this in the meantime. Great Deals on The Final C7 Corvettes " width="680"> Related: 2019 Corvette Drivers' Series Announced

By Andrew Nabors – April 12, 2019

New Chevrolet Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th

When he saw the first Corvette, Zora Duntov was so angry he wrote a letter to Chevrolet engineers. A sports car shouldn't have a six cylinder or automatic transmission. They hired him to work out the bugs and he was Corvette's Chief Engineer for three decades. During those years he always wanted to build a mid-engine car, but Chevrolet rebuked him after each prototype was unveiled. Times have changed and his vision has finally been fulfilled. In a press release last night, we learned the new Chevrolet Corvette C8 will be unveiled July 18th. To give the current generation a proper farewell, the final C7 will be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Mohegan Sun in June. The black Z06 will be the last Corvette to have an engine up front, and all proceeds will go to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation. GM Chairman & CEO Mary Barra said: “GM, GMC and Chevrolet support the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its commitment to injured and fallen military members, first responders and their families,” said Barra. “The sale of this iconic Corvette will help the foundation continue its good work, and pave the way for the Next Generation Corvette that we will introduce on July 18.” If you can't wait for the next generation, our dealers have great incentives on Stingrays, Grand Sports, and even a few Z06s. Click the link below to see for yourself, and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Browse Corvettes For Sale Related: Corvette C8.R Caught Testing at Sebring 2019 Corvette Grand Sport to Pace 103rd Indy 500

The 2019 Corvette Grand Sport will serve as the Official Pace Ca

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2019

2019 Corvette Grand Sport to Pace 103rd Indianapolis 500

If we are to believe the hype surrounding Chevrolet's next flagship, this year's Indy Pace Car will be the last of its kind. In a press release earlier today, Chevy announced their 2019 Corvette Grand Sport will pace the 103rd Indianapolis 500. Presented by Gainbridge, it will be a battle of 33 drivers on May 26th. This car represents the 16th Corvette to pace the race, and the 30th Chevrolet to be chosen as the Indy Pace Car. As to what we alluded to in the 1st sentence, the 2020 Corvette could possible be a mid-engine design. The current C7 Corvette for sale has been in production since early 2013, and it could be the last Corvette to have its V8 up front. Perhaps as a way to celebrate this, 33 additional Pace Cars are being assembled. Known as "Parade Cars" each Indy driver takes part in the IPL 500 Festival Parade. Chevrolet has not done this since 2007, and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to own one. I also had a ponytail and a crummy job at a bank that ends in "of America", so I will save you from an attached image. The reason for that anecdote is that Festival Cars hold their value much longer. Everyone wants to envision bringing the field across the yard of bricks, so contact our Chevrolet dealers below to make sure yours is reserved. View All Corvette Grand Sport For Sale Related: Hennessey HPE1000 Corvette Grand Sport is a Supercharged Beast 2019 Corvette Drivers' Series Announced

By Andrew Nabors – August 23, 2018

GM Trademarks "Zora" Around the World

General Motors files patents and trademarks on a regular basis. Most are on mundane parts or technology, but their latest one is very significant. Car spotters around the country have spotted a mid-engine "somethings" that are being tested with heavy camouflage. The strange part is that Corvette Stingrays are used as blockers to keep the project away from prying eyes.We know it has a mid-mounted V8 but many have figured it was Cadillac's new supercar until today. CorvetteBlogger.com found a post by "Quinten" on MidEngineCorvetteForum.com. He did some digging at the US Patent Office and found GM registered Zora as a trademark. It has also been registered in China, the U.K., European Union, and Australia. Augie Pabst, Zora, & Roger PenskeZora Arkus-Duntov was Corvette's first Chief Engineer. He and his brother were Russian Jews who barely escaped the Nazis and opened a speed shop in NYC. There they patented an overhead cam conversion kit for Ford's Flathead V8, doubling its power and torque. When he saw the Corvette prototype in the lobby of the Waldorf-Astoria, he wrote "The Letter". 1953 Corvette- notice the poor fit of the hood and doors :(He ripped on the poor build quality and straight-six boat anchor under the hood. Their response was to offer him a job, and he was Corvette's Chief until he retired in 1975. He invented Chevrolet's first fuel injection system, independent rear suspension, and built several prototypes with mid-mounted engines. His goal was for Corvette to have over 500 horsepower, All Wheel Drive, and active suspension. But Chevrolet was not in the business of taking on the world.After designing the Corvette SS for LeMans, he decided to build a mid-engine prototype in 1960. CERV was the Chevrolet Experimental Research Vehicle. It was owned by Mike Yeager of Mid America for years until we found it at the staging lanes of Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale in 2017. A bidding war erupted over this piece of Corvette history, and the winning bid was from Chevrolet....Why would the spend so much money on a car they threatened to crush 50 years ago? Perhaps the Zora will finally be Chevy's answer to the Ford GT. It wasn't the only mid-engine prototype.CERV II was the first Chevrolet with All Wheel Drive. It is also the first car to have torque-vectoring, a feature that has only been reintroduced on recent exotics. It had inboard brakes and fluid couplings that could send torque to any wheel. CERVII at Daytona- 1961Even though he was retired, he oversaw CERV 3 in 1990. It uses the C4 ZR1's overhead cam V8, mounted east-west like the Lamborghini Miura. It has all wheel drive, all wheel steering and the world's first active suspension. The twin-turbo V8 made 650 horsepower while meeting clean air regulations, something the Z06 finally achieved in 2015. He trained his successors Dave McLellan, and Dave Hill to always push for a mid-engined model, so its long overdue. Dave Hill (Chief Engineer of C5 & C6) Zora Arkus-Duntov, and Dave Hill (C3 and C4 Chief Engineer)Chief engineer of the C7 is Tadge Juechter, and his ZR1 has pushed Corvette into uncharted territory. GM spent nearly half a billion dollars expanding and re-tooling the Corvette plant, which includes a second production line and performance engine assembly center. Something wicked is coming from the hills of Kentucky, and it will change your perceptions of what GM is capable of. At the bottom is a link to Amazon for Zora's biography. Even if you hate 'vettes, the story of his life and achievements makes for a great read. If you like your engine in front of you, we have been the best resource for new & pre-owned Vettes since 1985, click the link below to find your Plastic Fantastic and stay with us for all your Corvette updates.Browse Corvettes For Sale Click Here To Order

By Andrew Nabors – April 19, 2018

Chevrolet Unveils Corvette ZR1 2018 Indy 500 Pace Car

Louis Chevrolet and his brothers came to America to race. Their Chevrolet Motor Car Company was started in 1911, mostly as a way to fund their race teams. Arthur Chevrolet ran in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 the same year and their efforts eventually led Gaston to a 1st place victory in 1920.2019 Corvette ZR1: Fastest Production Car At VIRThis year marks the 102nd running of the Indy 500, and it will be the 29th time that Chevy has led the field in the form of a pace car. In a press release this morning, they also mention it will be the 15th Corvette pace car. Not just any Corvette will do, so the new ZR1 has risen to the challenge. With the ability to reach 60 mph in 2.85 seconds and a top speed of 212, it is the most powerful Corvette ever. The coupes will arrive with unique graphics and integrated strobe lights, along with the Performance Data Recorder.With 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque on tap, it will be fun to see them in action on May 27th. No mention of Pace Car Replicas was mentioned, but we're guessing a few special ZR1's might be heading to dealers. Tell us which Corvette Pace Car is your favorite in the comments below and stay with us for all your Chevy news.Browse Corvette ZR1 For Sale 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to pace 102nd Indianapolis 500

2019 Camaro RS’ new front-end styling, including the fascia, g

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2018

Chevrolet Unveils Restyled 2019 Camaro Lineup

You might've noticed the snazzy new Mustangs roaming around your neighborhood. Ford has given their pony car a new fresh look, so that means Chevrolet's Camaro is close behind. This Cat & Mouse game goes back to 1965 when Ford beat Chevy to the market with the Mustang. Since then, they have battled for the newest & sleekest design.A press release this morning shows that Camaro's 6th Generation was all-new for 2016, sharing updated suspension with the Cadillac ATS and power from the Corvette. Only 3 years in, designers have sculpted a leaner visage with enhanced abilities for all models. First off, the Flowtie is now standard equipment. Instead of Chevrolet's signature bowtie emblem, it has been hollowed out to increase airflow. To differentiate the RS package from the base-model LS cars, the new headlights are LED with light bars, and the grilles have Galvano-chrome inserts. Along with specific 20" wheels, it will make the Camaro RS package a must-have.217 MPH in the Hennessey Performance Exorcist CamaroEvery Camaro has a new rear end. LED taillights and specific rear diffusers for each model allow the dual-mode exhaust to sing to the masses. Yes, even the 4-cylinder Camaro is improved. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine makes 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. But now it can be ordered with the 1LE suspension package previously only offered on the V6 and V8 cars. The ZL1 10-speed automatic is standard on the upper-level cars, but if you want a Turbo 1LE, the six-speed manual is your only option.1 of 11 – 1968 Yenko RS/SS Camaro Heading To Florida AuctionThe Turbo 1LE is the only 4 cylinder car on the market to offer 20" tires in 245/40 and 275/35 front to rear. Brembo brakes and stiffer suspension change the weight bias to almost 50/50. A flat-bottom steering wheel allows for aggressive driving. The latter is offered by the driving mode selector. Other new features include a revised performance data recorder, backup displays in the rearview mirrors, and an 8" touchscreen. Camaro 1LE has always been aimed at performance on the track so it would be nice to compare the original 1LE to the new Turbo to see how they compare. Tell us what you think of the new Camaro in the comments below and stay with us for all your Chevrolet news.Find Your Camaro Here

By Andrew Nabors – March 21, 2018

Chevrolet Begins Corvette ZR1 Deliveries

It has been years in the making and now the wait is over. The Chevrolet plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky has shipped out the first batch of 2019 Corvette ZR1s. As we've mentioned before, the ZR1 wasn't planned to be part of the C7 generation, but engineers began playing with new supercharger designs and it was given the green light.2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Most Powerful ‘Vette Ever ProducedThe project was known internally as "BAS" or "Big @## Supercharger." They took lessons learned in the Z06 to push their 6.2 liter V8 to 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. It has dual heat extractors in front of the intercooler, which has its own carbon fiber cover. In total, the ZR1 arrives with 13 heat exchangers. Your transmission options are an 8-speed automatic or a 7-speed manual with rev-matching. Pricing starts at $119,000, a bargain for going faster than 210 mph.2019 Corvette ZR1 Spits Flames for 12 Seconds StraightWe saw Rick Hendrick donate $925,000 to charity at Barrett-Jackson in order to purchase the first ZR1, so it is only fitting that he was able to drive it out of the National Corvette Museum. If you are interested in getting in on the action, find a Chevy dealer near you for all the details. Browse Corvettes For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 19, 2017

Chevrolet Unveils Redesigned 2019 Silverado

With a century of building trucks under their belt, Chevrolet has released the 2019 Silverado. In a press release over the weekend, we see a recap of a historic party that was held in Dallas. The event was held at Texas Motor Speedway, with the new truck arriving via a big Sikorsky helicopter.2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Most Powerful ‘Vette Ever ProducedInstead of starting with engine or efficiency improvements, Chevy hit the competition right in the bed. Making light of the aluminum used by the blue oval team, the new Silverado has a bed of high strength steel. Eight models will be available at launch, being led by the LT Trailboss. It combines the heavy-duty Z71 suspension with a 2" lift, making it the only lifted pickup backed by a factory warranty.Over 7,000 Silverado owners provided feedback in the design phase, which is a drop in the bucket when considering the 85 Million trucks that Chevy has built. Hopefully, a few of the focus groups advocated for the Corvette ZR1 engine in a regular cab short bed, so stay with us for all of your Chevrolet news.Browse Classic Chevy Trucks For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 03, 2015

Chevrolet's Sixth Generation COPO Camaro Revealed

There's a lot to be said about Chevrolet's ability to keep the muscle car enthusiast entertained. Case in point is their brand new, sixth generation, COPO Camaro.Unveiled today both at SEMA 2015 and in a press release, this new Camaro was built through a collaboration between the American automaker and NHRA Camaro Funny Car driver Courtney Force.Its lighter and stronger body results in a car that has its rigidity increased by 28 percent and a body-in-white mass that is 133 pounds lighter. For reference, "body-in-white mass" is the mass of the car before parts like the body panels, engine, doors, trim and electronics are added.The show car used at the premiere dons a red hot paint finish with Courtney Force's signature used in the graphics. Of course, we can't fail to mention the concept 350 racing engine powering the car, paired with a Whipple 2.9-liter supercharger.As for the production model, there will be a number of engines to choose from. These engines include the supercharged 350, naturally aspirated 427 and a new LT-based 376.Production models of the new COPO Camaro will also have racing chassis and suspension parts, like a unique solid rear axle and an unassisted rack-and-pinion steering system.Chevrolet is planning on creating just 69 examples of the COPO Camaro race car for 2016, so they're looking to be a hot commodity.(via Chevrolet) More Chevrolet News

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