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 – July 09, 2019

2020 Corvette Reveal Livestream Schedule

"It is not the beginning of the end, only the end of the beginning". Winston Churchill was trying to inspire faith in his people that WWII was changing for the better. In terms of Corvette owners, many of the Old Guard have expressed unfounded confusion and anger at the notion of having a V8 behind the cockpit. However, Corvette's legendary Chief Engineer pleaded for a mid-engine supercar since it was introduced in 1953. Zora Arkus-Duntov has been vindicated, and the 2020 Corvette reveal Livestream schedule looks very promising. In a press release this morning, they announced they reaffirmed the launch date of next Thursday, July 18th. If you weren't invited to the big party in Tustin, California, the festivities will be streamed on https://media.chevrolet.com/nextgenCorvette. It will also be shown on their social media channels to make it easier to view on your phone. The stream will begin at 10:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. PDT. After the show is over, the cars will be loaded up for a cross-country tour. Stopping at 125 dealerships, fans will be able to interact and learn about the new car. This itinerary will be released on the 19th, so stay with us for all your Corvette news. If you think the 2019 cars are the last real Corvette, click the link below before they're all gone. Browse Corvettes For Sale https://www.facebook.com/corvette/videos/363452197650749/ Related: New Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th Last C7 Corvette Hammers for $2.7 Million at Barrett-Jackson

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2019

Did Chevrolet Just Leak the C8 Corvette's 'Ring Lap Time?

Chevrolet must know we love finding Easter Eggs. In their latest teaser for the 8th Generation Corvette, we have glimpses of the past along with a look inside the new engine. Starting off with Zora Arkus-Duntov preparing to race, it ends on a curious number. Did Chevrolet just leak the C8 Corvettes's 'Ring Lap Time? From a shot of him drifting up Pike's Peak in CERV1 to his last creation, the CERV3, there are several subliminal shots of mid-engine Corvette prototypes. The CERV2 was AWD with a 577 big block, and the Aerovette was a turbo rotary tester. The final teaser is a cutaway of the new LT2 V8. It is the base model engine and it has brilliant details. Check out the 2-stage oil pump along with two timing chains. Where in world is that front chain going? Perhaps the high pressure fuel pump is now up front? In the closing shot we see the C8 cross the finish line with 7:13.10 on the clock. They could be random numbers, but what if they represent a lap of the Nordschleife lap time? It would be .80 seconds faster than the current Corvette Z06, and only .10 seconds slower than the Porsche 918 Spyder. Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your C8 Corvette Here Related: Prototype Corvette Surprises Everyone New Chevrolet Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2019

Prototype Corvette Surprises Everyone at the NCM Bash

Chevrolet calls all Corvettes to come home at the end of April. Last week we told you the Bowling Green Assembly Plant is hiring 400 new workers and adding a 2nd shift due to the anticipated demand of the new C8. They will be busy building the crash test cars and fine-tuning the assembly line. But one of these pre-production models managed to make an appearance next door. In thier latest YouTube upload, we see a prototype Corvette surprising everyone at the NCM Bash. The National Corvette Museum is located across the street from the factory, and for a small fee you can have your car delivered there. Its halfway between Nashville and Louisville, just off Interstate 65. The new LT2 engine has a familiar sound, but the driver chose not to open the exhausts. They are saving all the juicy details for the unveiling in July, so stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here Related: New Chevrolet Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th Corvette C8.R Caught Testing at Sebring

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2018

Corvette C8.R Caught Testing at Sebring

We are thankful for our WWII Veterans, especially on the 77th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Many of those veterans got into motorsports, and General Curtis LeMay allowed races to be held at Air Force bases around the country. That is how Hendricks Field was transformed into Sebring International Raceway. It was a training base for B17 bombers, but it has also fielded top secret projects. Corvettes have been tested to destruction here since the late 1950s. Zora Duntov and his team included young racers like Roger Penske and Augie Pabst. In recent years, Tommy Milner, Ricky Taylor and his brother Jordan have led C6 and C7 Because Sebring is relatively isolated in the middle of Florida, it is the last place the press would be waiting. But thanks to social media, Lanky Turtle was lurking in the infield. The exhaust note is unlike any GM product before, and it some of us are convinced it is a V10. Chevrolet's press release on the Silverado HD earlier this week mentioned an all-new big gas engine later next year, so tell us what it might be. Until then click the link below for great deals on leftover 2018 Vettes from our dealers. View All 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 Andrew Nabors – October 26, 2017

Chevrolet Unveils 2018 Camaro COPO & Hot Wheels Package

Is your drag car worn out? If so, Chevy has a few nice upgrades for the new 2018 Camaro COPO. In a press release last night, the new Hot Wheels package will coincide with the release of an identical Hot Wheels car. The color is named "Supercrush" and it will be available on upper-level SS and RS models. They celebrate the 50th anniversary of the famous diecast toys, and the package will add around $4,000 to the window sticker.Ford GT Vs Camaro ZL1 At Mid-OhioIn another unprecedented throwback to 1968, Chevrolet Performance has revived the 302 cubic inch V8. As an option for 2018 COPO Camaros, the new engine combines the big bore of the SS' 6.2 liter and a very short stroke crankshaft. The same recipe used in 1968 to create a 9,000 rpm screamer. It will complement the other NHRA legal engine options that include a 7.0 liter (427ci) and a supercharged 5.7 liter (350ci).Also returning is the solid rear axle and spherical suspension bushings. The COPO is aimed at winning the Stock Eliminator class, and it's much cheaper than building one from a street car. As always, the COPO cars have no VIN and are not legal to drive anywhere except North Korea. If the Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary brings back memories of childhood, our Chevy dealers are ready to take your order. More Chevrolet updates are coming in preparation for the SEMA show, so stay with us for complete coverage.View Camaros For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 08, 2017

Corvette ZR1 Prototype Caught On The Street

It must be nice to be an engineer for General Motors. In recent years their efforts at the Nurburgring have led to potent versions of everything from the Cadillac CTS-V to the Cobalt SS. Needless to say, every Corvette design since 1996 has been influenced by the twists and turns of The Green Hell. We've seen and heard heavily disguised Corvette Prototypes testing in the US, but now it looks closer to production. Caught on the streets of Germany, carspotterjeroen was able to get a few seconds of the new car in action.As with all great racetracks, Nurburgring was once an unrestricted area. But now with hotels and tourists complaining the track has imposed noise limits on exhaust. It has forced the Corvette team to fabricate left exit tailpipes to force the exhaust to the inboard side of the track. It certainly sounds supercharged, but it still remains uncertain if it will resurrect the dual-overhead cams that were found on the 1990-95 ZR1. This would truly split Corvette fans down the middle. Many love the breathing advantages of overhead camshafts, but the increased weight and complexity are serious drawbacks. Looking at how sharply the hood scoop rises from the fenders, there is plenty of room for taller cylinder heads. Tell us your best ZR1 guesses in the comments below and stay with us for all your Corvette updates.

By Edward Jones – November 09, 2016

3,500 hp C7 Corvette Takes Flight Down Dragstrip

Cars aren't supposed to fly, right? Well, somebody needs to tell this Alepa C7 Corvette that fact because it just can't stopping going for the air when it rockets down a runway. Alright, so this Corvette isn't literally taking flight, but DragTimes.com notes that until this car, they've never seen "a car that consistently goes airborne while not only remaining competitive but qualifying near the top. (Related - Gi Automotive Unveils the Black Manta Corvette at SEMA) The reason this car can take off like it does is because of its massive power output. Powering the car is a 548 cubic-inch Pro Line HEMI with two 102-mm turbos attached. This entire setup is good for 3,500 horsepower being sent straight to the rear wheels, hence the wheelies. With this power, it was able to run 1/8-mile passes at around 3.8 seconds at well over 200 mph. Check out the video below to see the monster C7 for yourself. All Chevrolet Corvette For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 27, 2016

Underground Racing Gallardo vs World's Fastest Corvette Z06

Drag races can be won or lost at the starting line, so what happens when two of the world's fastest street cars square off? At what looks like a private event, High Tech Corvette was on hand to capture an Underground Racing Lamborghini Gallardo attacking the 1/4 mile next to a record holding Corvette Z06. In cars that make this level of power the driver's reaction time can make or break the winning pass. It is measured from the green light until the car leaves the starting line, and it is the one factor completely controlled by the driver. Sometimes the first car with the faster time loses to the driver who acted first, and this is a perfect example.(Also Watch - Bugatti Veyron Vitesse "Hellbug" Hits 230 mph on Highway)All-wheel drive takes the guesswork out of making a perfect holeshot, with the Lamborghini Gallardo representing the state of the art in launch control. Launching a stick shift V8 is not easy, and Corvette's independent rear suspension multiplies the level of difficulty. Both cars sound imposing as they approach the Christmas tree, and thanks to Drag Times we know the Lamborghini is more suited to 1/2 mile events. Many of us were surprised at this outcome but that is what racing is all about. Practice makes perfect so find your local track for a Wednesday night Test & Tune.P.S. Look at the Lambo's trap speed, let's hope he considers parachutes for his next runs, ceramic brakes are expensive!

By Andrew Nabors – April 04, 2016

Watch Out Hypercars: Nelson Racing Unveils 260 mph COPO C...

Tom Nelson and his team have put the finishing touches on a COPO Camaro build for the Texas Mile. Using a 632 ci (10.4L) Big Block and symmetrical turbos. A Lenco 3 speed manual with a Bruno converter send power to a triangulated 9" rear. To be stable over 200 mph, a boost regulator is wired directly to a wheel speed sensor, taking the human out of the safety equation.Two parachutes fill in the license plate holes, and the trunk is filled with two fuel systems. Nelson's patented intake has two injectors for each cylinder. One runs 91 octane (non-ethanol), and the other is race fuel. As the turbos awaken, the computer gradually adds race fuel and timing. Where the fog lights normally reside are the inlets for the turbos. No matter how expensive his microphone may be, it can't translate how loud this probably is on the street. Turn down your volume for a wild shakedown cruise.Camaros For Sale

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