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 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

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – March 07, 2016

2017 Chevorlet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition: Price, Review, ...

2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 C7.R Edition Specs Price: $80,395 (coupe), $84,395 (convertible) Engine: 6.2-liter V8 Horsepower: 650 hp 0–60: 2.95 seconds Top Speed: 196 mph Transmission: 7-speed manual, 8-speed automatic Torque: 650 lb-ft Review For 2016, The Z06 receives a C7 .R Edition in Team Corvette livery. Only 500 will be built, each with numbered dash plaques. The Stingray’s updates are mostly aesthetic in nature, and include three new design packages, new options for the exterior color, updated wheel designs and more. The three new design packages are truly the Stingray’s most significant alteration, with each focusing on a different color as the main theme. The Twilight Blue, Spice Red and Jet Black packages bring together new interior and exterior colors along with a new rear spoiler and motorsport steering wheel. Available as coupes and convertibles, these will make the ordering process much easier. The new Corvette C7 .R edition combines the most exclusive options offered on the Z06. In addition to the numbered dash plaques, each car from this limited run will feature a new hood and a C7 .R graphics package. The Z07 package is also included, featuring adjustable spoilers and carbon-ceramic brakes. A single run will be responsible for producing all 500 examples, with the first bearing VIN #700001. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 For Sale Buy Your Issue Now

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

C7 Corvette Z06 Specs include a stunning design

By Andrew Nabors – February 23, 2016

Top 10 Reasons Why You Need A New Corvette Z06

If you're on the fence about the latest super Corvette from Chevrolet, allow us to distill our favorite features of the new plastic fantastic. The latest generation of Corvette was the first clean sheet redesign since 1997. Engineering and design were given a blank canvas to work with, and what they produced puts Chevrolet on-par with the most potent cars in the world. Here is why we think the Z06 should be your next car.1) The 2016 Corvette Z06 is available as a coupe and a convertible. This is the first time Chevrolet has gone topless with their supercar.2) If you like power, Z06 arrives with 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Many owners are finding the published numbers are slightly underrated, and you could be at 700 hp with a few basic mods.3) Technology is in abundance with features such as the Performance Data Recorder and password protected valet mode. Apple CarPlay and 4G LTE are both standard for 2016.4) If you cherish a smooth ride, the magnetic suspension is able to change from silky smooth to track mode faster than you can blink.5) Sixty mph arrives in under 3 seconds. You won't find another car anywhere near $79,000 capable of doing that6) Build it yourself. For a small fee, you can spend the day at the Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, KY. After helping the assembly line crew build your baby, you take delivery next door at the National Corvette Museum.7) Slick shifting: The new eight speed automatic is faster than most dual-clutch boxes, and the optional seven speed manual has triple cone synchros for smooth shifts.8) Customization is an understatement for the Z06. Chevy has 3 aero packages and several interior trim levels, allowing you to build the car exactly to your liking.9) If you plan on taking your new Z06 to the track, you will need a new trophy case. These cars were built to dominate, and their recent 1-2 finish at the Rolex 24 in Daytona is another reminder of its abilities.10) For the time being, gas prices are enjoyable, but once they start to climb, Z06 rewards you with 22 mpg on the highway. Considering the fuel economy of its closest competitors, it will save you a few dollars at the pump.Corvette Z06s For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 22, 2016

Win the Most Powerful Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Ever

Now, you have the chance to drive away with a dream car, the Camaro 2SS, the top-of-line model of the car just named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year for 2016.On Saturday, February 27th, one lucky recipient will win the 2016 Camaro 2SS in the Atlantic City Classic Car Show & Auction. (Presence at the drawing is not required to win.) Only 2,000 tickets at a $100 donation each will be sold (Enter Now). Little Girl with Type I DiabetesThe proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Diabetes Foundation (DFI), a 501(3) organization dedicated to improving the care and quality of life for people with diabetes. DFI provides short-term diabetes medications to needy people with diabetes, offers support services that provides information and resources for diabetes self-management,presents free diabetes education programs and sends children with diabetes to summer camp.Enter Now duPont REGISTRY AUTOS

By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2015

2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS Dyno Tested

For years, Chevrolet has rated the Camaro’s V8 as being slightly less powerful than Corvette, in the name of keeping the natural hierarchy in order. To build a host of new performance packages for Camaro’s latest generation and bring it up and above a stock Corvette, Mr. John Hennessey of Hennessey Performance needed to know exactly just how much power the new car puts to the ground.So, he strapped a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS to his dyno.This car is so new that the piston rings were still getting acquainted with the cylinders- if it wasn’t broken in yet, it is by now. Listen along as this SS spins the rollers for impressive results by watching the video below.Keep in mind both the Corvette Stingray and Camaro SS are both rated at 455 hp for 2016, so tell us which one you would choose, and why. If you are not a fan of the new body, our dealers are heavily discounting the 2015 cars to make room for the new ones, so be sure to click the button below.Right now, the engineers at Hennessey Performance are working their magic with forced induction and computer tuning, so stay tuned to Autofluence to see the results.Camaros For Sale (Source: YouTube)

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)

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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