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 – September 14, 2015

2016 Chevrolet Camaro: Lighter, Faster, More Powerful

Fans of the F-Body, rejoice; the sixth generation Camaro’s official performance numbers have been released by Chevrolet. The all-new, 455-hp (336 kW) Camaro SS coupe – the most powerful Camaro SS ever – sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and covers the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds, when equipped with the all-new eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission.In a press release earlier today, quarter mile and 0-60 mph times for all three engines were revealed, and the biggest news comes from their smallest offering. The Camaro’s new turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder is rated at 275 hp and reaches 60 mph from a standstill in 5.4 seconds. Covering the quarter mile in 14 seconds flat is also very impressive, as it is much faster than many classic muscle cars.Chief Engineer Al Oppenheiser and his team used the new lighter Alpha chassis, which is shared with Cadillac’s ATS and CTS to make sure the Camaro's handling is as good as its looks. More aluminum and less steel help to make the new car up to 390 pounds lighter than last year's iteration.“The performance numbers only tell half of the story," described Oppenheiser in the release, "because the lighter curb weight also makes the new Camaro feel more responsive and agile behind the wheel. It brakes more powerfully, dives into corners quicker, accelerates faster and is more fun to drive than ever.” Chevrolet spent 9 million hours of engineering time looking for areas to cut unnecessary weight, and what emerged was a stiff and modular chassis that doesn’t require specific changes for each engine.The 3.6-liter V6, which is shared across all GM divisions, is good for 335 hp. 60 mph arrives in 5.1 seconds, and 1,320 feet will be gone in only 13.5 seconds. Those numbers are almost identical to the V8 powered models of just a few years ago. If you need a Super Sport, the SS will arrive with a 455 hp 6.2-liter V8, the same engine found in the base model Stingray. Torque is equally as impressive; 455 lb-ft is channeled through the eight speed automatic, blasting through the quarter mile in 12.3 seconds.A comparison chart in the Press Release shows that the automatic SS crossed the finish line at 116 mph, making it the fastest and most capable SS model to date. With a lateral grip of 0.97g, SS will also be fun in the corners. Sixty to zero happens in only 117 feet thanks to a Brembo system made exclusively for Camaro.(See Also: duPont REGISTRY Cover Car Being Auctioned - '57 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible)Many critics have derided the 2016 Camaro as being more evolutionary than revolutionary, but these numbers don’t lie. All three engine choices offer better acceleration than almost all competitors in their price range. The 2016 Camaro 1LT starts at $26,695, and the 1SS package will be $37,295. Production will begin soon as all models will go on sale this fall. For more Camaro updates stay tuned to Autofluence, and find your own from our listings.Camaros For SaleGallery (Source: Chevrolet, YouTube) See More Chevrolet News

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2015

duPont REGISTRY Cover Car Being Auctioned - '57 Chevrolet...

Back in March 1990, the cover of our magazine was graced by a classic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible. This issue, in fact, was our "Great American Car Issue," and the Bel Air was a very fitting cover car.After its restoration in 1984, it was one of the finest examples of the '57 Bel Air, featuring just about every option available when the car was ordered. This includes the rare Rochester fuel injection system, three-speed manual transmission, power brakes and steering, power windows, power operated red vinyl soft-top, vacuum smokeless ashtray, twin rear fender skirts and antennas, factory locking fuel cap, and more that is detailed below.And now, in 2015, this car is looking for a new owner as it heads to Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers' September 19 live auction.“This auto would be the crown jewel in any collection, with 14,500 original miles and every option that was available in 1957 except for air conditioning,” said Chuck Yarbro in an Aug. 4 press release from Chuck Yarbro Auctioneers. “It has been professionally restored to exceed original expectations and was last appraised in 2008 at $185,000.”What's more, the car also recently underwent a total show detail, as well as an overhaul on the Rochester Fuel Injection System. And, even with all of these precise restorations, the car still retains its original parts.Now is your chance to own one of the finest American automobiles ever created, as well as a car prominent enough to be one of our prestigious classic cars.For more information about the car's auction, visit its listing by clicking the button below. To place an online proxi-bid, visit Yarbro.com.More Info VEHICLE OPTIONS: Original 14,500 miles Matching numbers Full off restoration High factory option car Correct EJ block Three piece chrome front bumper Chrome 'bumperetts' T-3 headlights 283-cubic inch motor, 250 hp Factory Rochester fuel injection system Power assisted 'Hyraboost' brakes Saginaw 605 power steering system Factory glass windshield washer bottle 3-speed manual transmission Factory silver & red vinyl upholstery Wonderbar radio Black Carpets Red rubber floor mats GM tissue box Rare factory vacuum smokeless ashtray (only 300 installed; this option was only offered in 1957) Power operated windows Power operated white vinyl soft top Twin rear fender antennas (one power operated) Twin rear fender skirts and spinners Full Continental kit Factory option locking gas cap Matador Red exterior paint White wall tires Original 1957 shop manual, dealer books & literature Original duPont REGISTRY magazine with car featured on cover & placard from duPont Won the Antique Automobile Club, Nationals first place winner in 1984 (see award placket on car) Gallery Sponsored by:

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By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2015

18-Year-Old Hits 8 Second Quarter Mile in Twin-Turbo '68 ...

Some would tell you that a Camaro and an 18-year-old behind the wheel could be a recipe for disaster. Rather than prove them right, Alex Taylor has driven her twin-turbo 1968 Camaro to achieve an incredible 8.99 seconds at 153 mph for her quarter mile during the Rocky Mountain Race Week.From July 12-17 the 6.0-liter twin turbo was driven on the highway across Colorado to compete at five separate events. Rocky Mountain Drag Week is a tour of the state’s ¼ mile drag strips, and features some of the fastest cars in the country. In a YouTube video uploaded July 22, our friends at 1320Video were there to film the pass and learn about Taylor's attempts to hit that quick quarter mile.The problem with racing in the mountains is simply lack of oxygen. Enter the turbochargers. If the air is thinner, simply turn up the boost pressure. Turbos make everything better. There are only a handful of street legal cars in the world that can run 8s consistently, and it has been a boys-only club for years. Congratulations to the Alex on putting many racers to shame as the race's youngest contender.Stay tuned to Autofluence for more drag racing action, and find your own Camaro to prep for Rocky Mountain Race Week from our listings.Camaros For Sale(Source: YouTube) See More Automotive Videos

By Andrew Nabors – June 08, 2015

The C7 Corvette Z06's Official Nurburgring Lap Time Is Set

Corvette Chief Engineer, Tadge Juechter, is an active member of CorvetteForum.com, and Corvette enthusiasts around the world have been waiting for him to disclose anything concerning the new Z06’s performance at the Nurburgring.(Related: 2,400 hp Twin Turbo Corvette Spits Flames)He has been reticent to respond to inquiries as testing was underway, but we do know that the time is now confirmed. In a response dated May 29, he stated that a press release and video are coming shortly, and they are very happy with the results.We know the Aventador SV's time is 6:59:57, but is Chevrolet right behind the Italian supercar? As soon as we have the press release with the official lap time, you can read about it here. Let us know what you think the Z06 is capable of, and stay tuned to Autofluence.Z06s For Sale(Source: CorvetteForum.com) Click Here For More Corvette News

By Andrew Nabors – May 26, 2015

GM CEO Mary Barra's New Triple-Black Corvette Z06 Convert...

The dedicated workers at Chevrolet’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant build Corvettes for celebrities and soccer moms alike, but a special order came down the line last week. On Friday, May 22, CorvetteBlogger.com reported that GM CEO Mary Barra ordered a new Z06 Convertible.This sinister looking black convertible packs 650 hp and torque from the supercharged LT4 V8, which sends its power to an eight-speed automatic transaxle. The only items of color are the yellow Brembo brake calipers of the Z07 Performance Package. If you thought they forgot the front splitter, it was on purpose. Corvettes are shipped sans the splitter, which is dealer installed at delivery.Running one of the largest companies in the world probably keeps her busy, which is probably why she didn’t opt for Museum Delivery at the adjacent National Corvette Museum. This new Z06 is on its way to the Renaissance Center, GM’s headquarters in Detroit, and hopefully it will be her daily driver.If you are looking for a new Triple Black Z06, browse our Corvettes for sale and stay tuned to Autofluence for all your Corvette news.Gallery (News and Image Source: CorvetteBlogger) See More Corvette News

By Andrew Nabors – May 18, 2015

2015 Chevrolet Colorado 4WD Z71 Crew Cab Short-Bed Review

Small trucks are making big profits these days. GM has breathed new life into this popular segment with the new GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. They love us so much that we received a new Canyon for Valentine’s day, and we liked it so much that our request for the Chevrolet cousin was granted. We spent a week with the new Colorado with 4wd trim and it was just as impressive.The Colorado’s exterior styling is almost identical to the Canyon, only lacking in chrome and polished wheels. These trucks have great proportions, especially in crew cab short-bed configuration. While the GMC sports a flat front end in a similar style to its big brother, the Sierra, the Colorado’s hood and grille are angled to give the front bumper a masculine stance. The Canyon sports polished stainless trim around the windows while Chevy prefers a more sinister treatment. Aside from minor tailgate curves, those are the only easily discernible differences between them.Inside, these two are nearly identical. A central 8” screen houses the MyLink system that offers 4G LTE tethering and a host of useful apps. The audio system has every form of input along with four USB ports. The cabin is well insulated and makes great use of the Bose speakers. Every other interior option is a carbon copy of the Canyon. These trucks were years in the making, and their development spared no expense in ergonomics or quality of materials. The ignition switch is mounted beside the column and the console shifter allows for an unobstructed view of the instrument cluster.Under the hood is the familiar 3.6-liter V6 from the Camaro. A tough little mill, it cranks out 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to clever gearing in the transmission and differential, this is plenty of power for a daily driver. A six speed manual would be nice to have, but unfortunately they are only offered with the 2.5-liter four banger.On our urban test loop the Colorado performed identically to the Canyon. Coil springs at all corners soak up even the roughest pavement. The electric power steering has no feedback from the road, and is quite relaxing in traffic. The only item of dissention among us was how quiet a truck should be. We know this 3.6-liter has a great soundtrack in the Camaro and CTS, but the Colorado and Canyon are as silent as a library inside and out. A less restrictive intake and exhaust would unleash more torque, and that’s why we love our aftermarket advertisers. Braking is firm and quick with StabiliTrak intervening if you try to misbehave.The Colorado represents the state of the art, and as such our friends at Motor Trend bestowed it with their prestigious Truck Of The Year® award. If you have never considered a truck, it will change your mind. These twins offer more civility and better build quality than a majority of the cars we have reviewed. Our Z71 had every available production and dealer option for a grand total of $36,710. While they’re more expensive than lesser equipped Silverados and Sierras, you can’t argue with 24 mpg. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more Chevrolet news and reviews.

By Andrew Nabors – May 18, 2015

2016 Camaro Unveiled By Chevrolet

We’ve waited long enough, and it was worth it. Over the weekend of May 16, Chevrolet hosted a party in Detroit for the debut of the Camaro’s sixth generation. Just as we predicted in the Exotic Car Buyers Guide, the latest 2016 Camaro is smaller and lighter. As described in a May 16 release, the Camaro has lost over 200 lbs partially due to extensive use of aluminum in place of steel, and it is moving to the Alpha Platform shared with the Cadillac ATS.Major changes to the engine lineup start with a new four-cylinder option. The 2.0-liter turbo four makes 275 hp and 295 lb-ft, which is eight more pound-feet than the midlevel V6 offers. For SS buyers, they are treated to the Stingray’s 6.2-liter LT1 V8. In order to keep the Corvette on top, the Camaro’s power is advertised at 455 hp and torque, making it the most powerful SS ever built.(Related: 2016 Corvette Stingray Updates Unveiled by Chevrolet)The Camaro’s interior is all new. New “Spectrum Lighting” offers 24 different interior lighting options while two large HD screens keep you in control. With all the important information being displayed on-screen, the console gauges were axed. In their place is a stylish HVAC panel with large vents. The best feature is the Drive Mode Selector. Borrowed from the Stingray, it offers customizable settings for bad weather, tour, sport and track modes. This system is integrated with Magnetic Ride Control, another standard feature of the SS.Engineers and stylists have been working on this car for years, and it shows. The new Camaro will arrive later this year as a 2016 model, to be built alongside the ATS and CTS at the Lansing Grand River plant. The first Camaro to be built in the US since 1993, and it looks to be an efficient and powerful pony car. As production ramps up, stay tuned to Autofluence for Camaro updates.Camaros For SaleGallery (Source: GM) See More Chevrolet News

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