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 – November 29, 2017

Chevrolet Unveils the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible

If you are in the market for a supercar with a soft top, Chevrolet has something worthy of consideration. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 has been boosted to 755 horsepower, but we had no idea a convertible was in the works. Introducing, the 2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible. "The ZR1 convertible is a no-compromise supercar,” said Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter. “Thanks to the strong structure, the suspension tuning between coupe and convertible models is identical, meaning the ZR1 convertible offers the same benchmark performance, including a top speed of over 200 mph.” My previous ride was a 2007 Corvette Pace car, and it had Z51 suspension that gripped in any situation. I had LS2 power with a 6 speed automatic. It was fun, but more power was all that was lacking. Unlike the steel C6 frame, all late model Corvettes have hydroformed aluminum as their basis. A decade of innovation has led to the death of the steel chassis, as aluminum is lighter, without rust issues of steel. 2019 Corvette ZR1 Convertible Specs Engine: Supercharged LT5 6.2-liter Power: 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque 0-60 mph: Under 3 seconds Top Speed: Over 200 mph Price: $123,995 The Corvette C7 was built as a convertible from the beginning so it will have no problem handling such wild power. The press release shows a bulging hood with the top down and it makes for a unique persona, but don't tell me a 7-speed manual with comfortable magnetic suspension is not appealing. We have no problem with a late-model Corvette convertible, but we only wish the top was offered without the power assistance. Something about the Miata's simplicity would be nice on the ZR1. As for weight, the curb weight difference between the Coupe and Convertible is less than 60. An increase in weight for a convertible version of a coupe is just about always expected. Stay with us for more updates on Chevy's supercar here on Autofluence.

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By Edward Jones – November 17, 2017

Chevrolet to Auction First Corvette Carbon 65 Edition for...

GM, Chevrolet, and the George W. Bush Presidential are teaming up to auction off the first Corvette Carbon 65 Edition coupe. This auction will take place at the Barrett-Jackson event in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 20, 2018. President George W. Bush's signature can be found on the car.Money raised from the auction of this Corvette will benefit the Bush Venter's Military Service Initiative, which aims to ensure "that post-9/11 veterans and their families make successful transitions to civilian life, with a focus on gaining meaningful employment and overcoming the invisible wounds of war." About the Corvette Carbon 65 Edition:The 2018 Corvette Carbon 65 celebrates the 65th anniversary of the plastic fantastic. Only 650 examples will be produced, as options for the Grand Sport 3LT and Corvette Z06 3LZ trim packages.Ceramic Matrix Gray with blue graphics will compliment the carbon fiber on both cars, and convertibles will have blue tops. The rear spoiler is all new, as are the quarter-panel ducts. Power and suspension upgrades are being saved for the ZR1 so the Grand Sport will carry on with a naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8. The Grand Sport is rated at 460 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, while the Z06 is good for 650 hp and 650 lb-ft.

By Edward Jones – November 13, 2017

2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: Most Powerful 'Vette Ever Pr...

Chevrolet has created and unveiled the most powerful and fastest Corvette in the history of the automaker: the 2019 Corvette ZR1.Powering the car is the LT5 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, but it now features a new intercooled supercharger system (52 percent more displacement than the Z06) and GM's first dual-fuel-injection system. The result is the production of 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. Mated to this engine can either be a seven-speed manual (thank you!) or an eight-speed automatic transmission. Corvette ZR1 Prototype Screams at the 'RingWith great power comes great speed. Chevrolet states that the top speed of the new ZR1 is an astonishing 210 mph. Because of the American supercar's ability to hit such an insane speed, Chevrolet engineers have created two new aero packages to help with downforce. Although, the standard Low Wing package delivers the high top speed and also creates 70 percent more downforce than that of the Z06's base aero package. The fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever – the 755-horsepower 2019 ZR1.

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 – August 10, 2017

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 For Sale

Chevrolet's Chief Engineer and father of the Corvette was Zora Arkus-Duntov. His lasting impact on the automotive world brought many racing technologies into mass production. Most of his accomplishments are well known, but some have been hiding in plain sight. He built the CERV prototypes, the Corvette SS race car, the Stingray, Grand Sport and Z06. One more Corvette model is not often associated with him, and that is the ZR1. Most Corvette fans associate its origins with the ZR1 with the 1990-95 examples. Fast for their day, their name came from a high-performance package offered on the early C3. Aimed at road racing, the original ZR1 was only offered from 1970-72, and it combined heavy duty suspension, big brakes, heavy duty cooling, and the high-output LT1 engine. Sales minimal because it could not be ordered with power windows, A/C, radio, or even hubcaps. Times have changed, but the ZR1 is still reserved for the fastest production Corvette. Rumors of the C6 ZR1 were rolling in as soon as the Z06 was released in 2006. What could be better than a 500 horsepower naturally aspirated V8? It turns out that smaller displacement with a big supercharger is a recipe for 638 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque. Built in limited numbers from 2009 to 2013, they marked the Corvette's transition from fiberglass into carbon fiber. Designed to compete on the world's toughest tracks, the blue prototype survived a fall into Middle Earth when it was swallowed by a sinkhole. Each example arrived with a six-speed manual transmission and a hole in the hood. A plexiglass cover shows off the engine for all to see. This example was ordered with the 3LZ luxury package. It includes Bose 7 speaker audio, telescoping column, cargo shade and heated seats. With a sticker price of almost $119,000, it's your turn to experience one of America's fastest cars. The original owner must have been scared because it was only driven 2,896 miles since new. If you like the idea of saving money, click on the link below and get ready for supercharged fun. As always, stay with us for the coolest cars in the world. Corvette For Sale By Owner 2009 Corvette ZR1 For Sale

By Edward Jones – June 22, 2017

America! 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE Sets Record at Nurburgring

The automotive world is already very well aware that the Camaro ZL1 is an incredibly capable car. However, it seems that the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE is a surprising amount more capable when compared to the ZL1 without the 1LE package.Chevrolet announced today that the ZL1 1LE has beaten the ZL1's Nurburgring Nordschleife record by an astonishing 13.56 seconds, completing the lap in 7:16.04. That's... insanely impressive.The difference between the two cars is the "1LE," which is more than just three characters in the model name. This designation means the car has added racing suspension, new aero components, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R summer-only tires, and a lighter weight. Ultimately, these leads to better performance, as the lap time clearly states.“With chassis adjustability unlike any vehicle in its peer group, the Camaro ZL1 1LE challenges supercars from around the world regardless of cost, configuration or propulsion system,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. “To make up more than a second per mile on the Nordschleife compared to the ZL1 automatic is a dramatic improvement and speaks to the 1LE’s enhanced track features.”Want the fastest Camaro around Nurburgring in your garage? The 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE will have a $69,995 MSRP when it releases later this summer.

By Edward Jones – May 23, 2017

Hennessey Camaro Runs 0-60 in 2.7 Seconds

Do you want to go 0-60 mph in under three seconds in a Chevrolet Camaro? Well, you're not going to do it in a production version. Because of this, it's best to leave it to an aftermarket tuner like Hennessey Performance who has a monstrous upgrade for the American muscle car. The HPE850 upgrade for the 2017 Camaro ZL1 takes the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine and pushes its power all the way up to 725 hp and 706 lb-ft of torque (858 hp and 830 lb-ft at the motor factoring a 15% driveline loss through factory manual transmission). How to they do this? With a pretty lengthy list of upgrades that can be found on their page dedicated to the package. After Hennessey Performance installs the new package on a Camaro, they claim that it will run 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds, run a quarter-mile in 104 seconds at 135 mph and hit a top speed of 210 (top speed for examples equipped with 10-speed automatic). Hennessey does not that these "acceleration times are achieved by using optional rear drag radial tires on a prepped dragstrip."

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 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 Edward Jones – December 16, 2016

Get Your Tissues Out: Son Buys Dad His Dream Car From Chi...

Being it's December, that means it's the season of giving. Whether you're giving to a charity, friends, family or strangers, we should all take some time to give. The son of "The Angry Grandpa" on YouTube recently gave his dad a gift that will most certainly evoke some emotions from our readers.(Also Read - Battle of the Chevys: 2017 Camaro ZL1 vs Corvette Z06)The dad in the video has told his son time and time again the story about how he lost his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air-- it was an unfortunate incident that he has not forgotten about, even decades later. So, to make his dad's dreams come true, he went out and found an identical Chevy to give to his father.The setup and reveal for the handing off of the Bel Air was perfect. They saw the car in a parking lot and the dad immediately started fawning over the car and even started tearing up as he retold the story of his long lost car. When they came back out to the parking lot, he was disappointed that the car had left. When they arrived home, the same Chevy pulled into the driveway and that's when the waterworks truly start. Check out the video below to see this awesome act of appreciated and kindness.What would your buy your dad? Let us know in the comments below. For my dad it'd have to be a 1967 Mustang.All Chevrolet Bel Air For Sale

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