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

Two black SUVs, including a Hennessey-tuned Chevrolet Tahoe, are parked on an open pavement under a cloudy sky, grassy fields stretching in the background—a true Suburban Upgrade.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 01, 2025

Hennessey Reveals New 625HP Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban Up...

Hennessey transforms a large American SUV staple. The Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban are a dynamic duo that, together, comprise one of the most popular corners of the full-size SUV market, with instantly recognizable style, three rows of seating and a spacious interior, and a wide range of potential for luxurious appointments and customization. One of the most prominent specialists in customization, specifically regarding performance, is Hennessey, one of the premier engineering titans in the realm of American performance, with an incredible repertoire of custom high-performance vehicles and even hypercars emerging from its facility in Texas. Its latest reveal is of a new 625-horsepower version of the Tahoe and Suburban, thanks to a series of upgrades from Hennessey, as well as various visual tweaks that help the large SUVs stand out as unique custom creations. With the new H600 performance package, the 6.2-liter V8 engine of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban gets a new Magnuson supercharger and an upgraded exhaust to be upgraded by a factor of over 200 horsepower, bringing its total figures to 625 horsepower and 633 lb/ft of torque. In addition to its performance upgrades, the custom SUV features special 24-inch wheels, lowered ride height by 2.5 inches, and Brembo brakes for stopping power in accordance with its increased brawn. The upgrade is available to purchase through Hennessey’s approved Chevrolet dealerships, and is backed by GM’s own warranty, and also includes a three-year/36,000-mile Hennessey warranty. Those interested in the package can also contact Hennessey directly to unlock a new level of performance for two of the most iconic full-size SUVs. View All Chevrolet Suburbans For Sale " width="680"> Image Source: Hennessey Performance

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 02, 2021

The New Chevy Beast Makes Its Way To SEMA 2021

The Beast by Chevy incorporates the best between off-road and performance capabilities. The SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association) show is where automotive driven brands showcase its best of the best when it comes to their upcoming product line. The participants at the event range from automotive manufactures to performance wheel specialists, and everywhere in between. Chevrolet is making a show-stopping appearance with the new Chevy Beast, a concept vision of the ultimate in the high-performance desert running. The Chevy Beast is a product of blending all that Chevrolet has to offer in the truck and performance sectors. Designers and engineers started with the chassis of a Silverado short-bed model and modified it for high-speed desert running. MUST-READ: First Look: LOKI Basecamp Icarus The modified Silverado chassis is powered by a Chevrolet Performance LT4 650-horsepower supercharged crate engine. A long-travel off-road suspension system is custom for the Chevy Beast to help withstand any terrain thrown its way. Inside, the customized cab has a minimalist, functional design, featuring a quartet of Recaro® performance seats with four-point harnesses, as well as a pair of 7-inch-diagonal LCD screens that monitor vehicle functions and performance data, including pitch and roll during off-road driving scenarios. The new Chevy Beast is just one of the eight new chassis that Chevrolet will have on display at SEMA 2021. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more release information on the Chevy Beast, as well as a recap of the 2021 SEMA showcase. Source: Chevrolet

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

Your Callaway Champion Will Arrive With 757 Horsepower

Every Corvette fan knows of Callaway. Their twin-turbo tuned port C4 would run down a ZR1 without breaking a sweat, so Chevrolet offered their upgrades as a Regular Production (RPO) code. What you might not know, is that Reeves Callaway began by tuning German supercars. His turbo kits and upgrades for BMW and others became very popular in the German aftermarket. Therefore he opened Callaway Competition in Leingarten, Germany in 1995. Jay Leno Drives the Callaway Corvette AeroWagen Based on their SC757, the Callaway 25th Anniversary Edition is limited to 25 cars. However, they still build competition cars if you need a few more podium finishes. The Champion Edition fully loaded with their Trak Pak is the culmination of everything Callaway has learned about building world-class supercars. Each one has their iconic Double D exhaust system, level 2 cooling system, GT3 rear spoiler, S3 shifter, and an integrated roll cage. Once again, they have surpassed the ZR1 to build a show-stopping American supercar. If you want the last and best C7 Corvette, the pricing is available on request. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your Callaway news. Learn More

Used-1993-Chevrolet-Corvette-Convertible-CALLAWAY-SUPERNATURAL-AERO-BODY-1-OF-1-COLLECTOR-CAR

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2020

1 of 1 Callaway Corvette SuperNatural AeroBody Convertibl...

Reeves Callaway invented the Twin Turbo Corvette B2K. Ely Callaway invented Big Bertha. Both are great tools for managing big power. Reeves was producing cars long before Ely was making golf clubs. In fact, Reeves and Company developed many of the machines and processes that enabled Callaway Golf to make their superb golf clubs. Son helping Dad. Very cool for both. Starting out with turbo systems for BMWs, Volkswagens, and Porsches, Callaway Cars were next hired to make the TwinTurbo systems for Alfa Romeo. General Motors evaluated Callaway Cars’ work and a phone call lead to GM making the Callaway TwinTurbo Corvette into a Regular Production Option. Today, the relationship has grown to the point where the full line of General Motors trucks, SUVs, Corvettes, Camaros, and Cadillacs is upgraded with Callaway Cars equipment and the warranty stays intact. " width="680"> As a demonstration of top speed. Callaway engineered a special version of the twin-turbo Corvette, the Sledgehammer, that achieved 254.76 mph in a car with full interior and air conditioning. Using lessons learned at high speeds, the Callaway AeroBody was developed to address drag reduction and stability. Project Sledgehammer would hold a production car closed-course speed record until the Bugatti Veyron went 2 mph faster, 20 years later. The Best 2023 New Convertibles For Sale Before Mr. duPont hired me, I was a marketing manager at one of the world’s biggest Corvette parts companies. At one of our shows in 2006, I passed on an opportunity to trade my new 2007 Indy Pace Car Corvette for an AeroBody, and it was a huge mistake because they are selling between 80 to 90 grand to collectors. View Listing Today Reeves Callaway is joined by his son Pete and they were both shocked when I sent them this listing. Father and son said it is a great bargain for a piece of history. Ordered and built for their cousin Mark Callaway, it has every option they offered for 1993. First off, the 5.7-liter engine was removed and replaced with a hand-built 383 stroker. Instead of 330 horsepower, you will have 402 bhp. Their proprietary coil-over suspension replaced the leaf springs and eliminating the spare tire allowed for a center-exit dual 3″ stainless exhaust. Combined with their Honker intake, the car has a crisp exhaust note that is unmistakable. The Run-Flat tires were invented by Bridgestone and mounted to bespoke Callaway wheels.There were a pair of Run Flat Corvettes that were driven for the One Lap of America with no air in one tire for the entire race. It is pre-approved by the NCRS for Top Flight certification and this piece of history needs to be in a museum. Our friends at Chicago Motor Cars have it listed for only $55,800, and they offer in-house financing. So buy it before I do, and take it to Mecum or Barrett-Jackson for a nice profit!. Callaway is still building fast Chevrolet Cars & Trucks, and Golf accessories using the latest in composites. Click the button below to view their lineup. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2020

Hennessey Goliath 800 Becomes World's Most Powerful 2020 ...

When Chevrolet introduced direct fuel injection, the aftermarket world was discouraged at the complex system. The latest V8 engines use an extra cam lobe to send fuel at almost 3,000 psi into the combustion chamber. Hennessey Performance was the first to find ways to deliver more fuel. It was the foundation of their supercharged Goliath, a truck that offers more than twice the power it arrived with. Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time After several camshafts were tested, they settled on a unique grind that allows the 2.9-liter supercharger to fill the cylinders without just enough overlap to offer meaty torque. Hardened pushrods, Hennessey stainless exhaust, their own wheels, and fabricated steel bumpers are also along for the ride. The primary cooling system is upgraded to keep the fans running full blast, and the intercooler has a straight shot to deliver cool boost. As with all Hennessey Performance builds, no expense was spared. Click the link below for all the details & turn up the volume to let Goliath roar! Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 02, 2020

Fab Fours Unleashes the Kymera

Greek children had plenty of reasons to be afraid of the dark, and the most fearsome monster was the Chimera. The beast written about by Homer was a combination of lion, goat and snake. Splicing together the most lethal parts of each is a recipe for dominance, and that is why Fab Fours has unleashed their Kymera. What began life as a Chevy Colorado shop truck inevitably became a statement to the world of 4WD. Known around the world for their rugged, American made parts, the fabricators began by removing all the stock suspension. Fox Racing supplied a special blend of rock crawling with a hint of Stadium Super Truck. With coil springs taller than your truck, it gives the look of a classic body-drop without cutting up the floors. Before dropping in a Cummins 12-Valve diesel, a roll cage was tied into the frame and suspension mounts. A compound turbo setup offers boost in any situation, with a soundtrack that echoes from Charlotte to Charleston. I have had the opportunity to showcase their builds at auto shows across the country. One underlying fact of each is that the 4WD community hates junk products. The industry is full of foreign-sourced imitations, and they are a recipe to leave you stranded. That's why you should click the link below to see what Fab Fours offers for your truck. Learn More " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2019

John Hennessey Explains the Chevy Goliath in Detail

Four wheels are great, and six are amazing. That has been the formula for Hennessey Performance over the past decade. After perfecting the 6x6 conversion process on the Velociraptor, the team turned their attention to the Silverado. It has a base price of $375,000, so our friends at The Fast Lane Truck asked John Hennessey to explain the Chevy Goliath in detail. If you missed our coverage when it was first released, this build starts at the back of the cab. A new bed is 20" longer than the original, and it covers their ingenious suspension system. Fabricating a new rear frame allows them to move the factory locking rear axle to the rear. Between it and the transfer case is a custom fabricated middle axle. A pass-through pinion shaft turns an open differential and sends uninterrupted power to the rear. Riding 8" higher on a custom BDS lift kit, both the front and rear diffs retain their lockers. Hennessey Performance Unveils the 1st Production Goliath 6x6 Having an open center differential is nice, as it will vary its power left and right depending on conditions. Due to the size and weight, I would recommend the 6.2L V8, but Hennessey will build 5.3L versions like we see here. Due to the complex fabricated parts and time, only 23 more examples will be built. As soon as he cracks the encryption on the late-model truck computers, expect to see the Goliath doing things a Silverado could never dream of. Stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates. Click the link below to see the Hennessey Velociraptor, and contact them for all the details. Hennessey Velociraptor 6x6 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – February 01, 2017

SVE Unveils 800 Horsepower Yenko Camaro

Known for building some of the fastest Chevrolets of all time, Don Yenko would be proud to see his name living on. Specialty Vehicle Engineering (formerly known as Street Legal Performance, or SLP) have built incredible versions of GM cars since 1992. Back then it seemed impossible to reach 350 hp while keeping the EPA happy but Ed Hamburger and his son David designed a revolutionary intake and exhaust system for Camaro and Firebird. Fast forward to 2017 and they are still as innovative as ever. To take a 2019 Yenko Camaro for sale to 800 hp is no easy task, so the stock 6.2 liter V8 is bored and stroked to 6.8 liters (416 cubic inches). The new bottom end is completely forged and topped by CNC ported & polished heads. The camshaft is a top-secret design, but it probably has a longer intake duration to make use of the boost. The blower is also proprietary to SVE, and it probably moves more air than most V6 engines. To fit all that goodness under the stock hood would be impossible, so a new carbon fiber hood is painted to match the Camaro's factory paint. I can attest to the quality of their paint as I am restoring my 2002 Camaro SS. My hood and rear spoiler look new, while the GM paint has aged in a less than graceful manner. A rarity in the aftermarket, SVE includes a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on the engine, supercharger and body panels. The best feature of the beastly engine is that it's not limited to the Camaro. SVE offers this package for the Escalade, Corvette and Silverado. As soon as we get our hands on one, expect to see some wild footage here on Autofluence. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – February 24, 2016

Callaway's New 610 hp Camaro SC610

Reeves Callaway, founder of Callaway Cars, has been adding boost to Chevrolet's sports cars since the early 80's. Setting numerous speed and endurance records since then, he and his team have introduced an intimidating version of the 2016 Camaro SS.Superchargers generate a significant amount of heat by compressing air into the engine. While many would be content with adding additional heat exchangers and radiators, Callaway solved the heat issue with a simple solution: cut a hole in the hood. By exposing the lid of the blower to outside air, they are able to run more boost than anyone before. This is how the new SC610 is able to add 155 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque to the already potent Camaro, resulting in 610 hp and 610 lb-ft.Aside from the big 2.3-liter supercharger, the air intake is also new in order to feed cool air into the blower. Each car comes with carbon fiber bodywork, forged wheels, and is backed by a 3 year/36,000 warranty. The package is available for coupe and convertible, for both automatic and manual transmissions. The new Callaway SC610 has a sticker price of $54,290 and is available through authorized Chevrolet dealers. Considering the price of the ATS-V coupe and the Stingray, the latest Callaway Camaro is a bargain.Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Camaro news.Camaros For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 02, 2015

Chevrolet Corvette Police Car You Can't Run From

For every good tuning shop, there are a dozen amateurs that are guaranteed to butcher your car. In order promote safe & legal modifications, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and their National Association of Automobile Tuners (VDAT) chose to build a wild Stingray Corvette Police Car for this year’s Essen Auto Show, according to WorldCarFans.com.They turned to TIKT Performance for the build, and they set out to push their build to the limits of German motoring laws. The first matter to address was body styling, and they built a carbon fiber kit utilizing Z06 hardware and that of their own design. Hella supplied the Police-spec lighting kit, and the car was wrapped in Polizei livery.Engine modifications in Europe are subject to federal pollution regulations, so the powertrain was left alone- the 6.2-liter V8 and seven-speed manual are more than enough to run down evading suspects. Hankook supplied their latest Vertus tires on 19”/20” wheels to give this American plenty of grip on the Autobahn.For more details of the build, check out the video below and stay tuned to Autofluence for more wild (and legal) builds.Corvettes For Sale Gallery (Source: WorldCarFans.com, TIKT Performance Parts/Facebook)

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