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

Chevrolet Captures GT Le Mans Manufacturers Championship 2 1

By Andrew Nabors – November 16, 2020

Team Corvette Wins GTLM Manufacturer's Championship

Nothing beats the sight of #3 on victory lane. Over the weekend Chevrolet fans around the world watched as the C8.R concluded its first season, and it culminated in Team Corvette winning the GTLM Manufacturer's Championship for 2020. It has been a long year of learning how to push an all-new car to its limits. After 19 years behind the wheel, lead driver Oliver Gavin announced his retirement back in October. Perhaps he knew their victory was in the bag. The team is celebrating seven pole positions, six wins, and five new GTLM lap records this year. This is Corvette's 3rd championship in 5 years, and you will see this winning engine design arrive at your dealer next year. Click the button below to find your new Corvette and stay with us for all your Chevrolet news. Browse Corvette For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

Your Callaway Champion Will Arrive With 757 Horsepower

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

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

2021 Chevy Silverado HD Can Tow 18 Tons While Having Fun

Although it took them a few years, the engineers behind the bowtie brand are back on top. With improvements to almost every component, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD can tow 18 tons while having fun. The fun part comes from more standard entertainment and connectivity, centered around Android, Apple, and wireless charging. The real gravy is when it comes to heavy hauling. When equipped with the Duramax Diesel, the new Silverado 3500 HD is rated at 36,000 lbs. https://twitter.com/ChevyTrucks/status/1313858435570688005 To celebrate being back at the top of the towing world, the Carhartt Special Edition will arrive with an all-weather interior. Jet Black and Carhartt Brown leather seats are heated and cooled, and the bed has a Carhartt tonneau cover. Other exclusives are the 20" wheels and Mosiac Black Metallic paint. The unique body color is also found on the grille and bumpers, and its nice to see a special edition that isn't overdone. The other editions include Midnight, Z71 Sport, and Z71 Chrome, and they remain mostly unchanged for the new model year. Our dealers have all the details, so click the button and see the USA in your Chevrolet. Browse Chevrolet Silverado For Sale

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

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2020

1 of 1 Callaway Corvette SuperNatural AeroBody Convertibl...

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

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By Andrew Nabors – August 14, 2020

2020 Corvette Z51 Unveiled as Indy 500 Pace Car

Corvettes at Indianapolis are like peanut butter and jelly. Chevrolet has offered 30 unique pace cars since 1948, and the Corvette has held the honor for 16 of those races. I was lucky enough to find a 2007 example, #48 of the driver introduction cars. Since then we have seen various examples of the Z06, Grand Sport and ZR1 lead the field, so get ready for an amazing race on next Sunday. That's because the 2020 Corvette Z51 has been unveiled as the Indy 500 Pace Car. It is the 17th Corvette to hold the honors, so we hope they offer a few examples to the public. But due to the car's demand, they are still filling orders from months ago. Click the button to find your Corvette, and stay with us for all your Chevy news. Browse Corvette For Sale

General Motors today announced the all-new 350 small-block engin

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2020

Chevrolet Unveils All-New 350 (5.7L) Engines

It has been almost two decades since Chevrolet said goodbye to an old friend. The 350 V8 was the ultimate example of their small block that was introduced in 1955. With so many cars and trucks on the road, the price of rebuilds has risen in the last few years, mainly because of the time and machine work involved are becoming a lost art. That is why GM purchased new tooling to build the first all-new new 350 small blocks in nearly 20 years. Each one is being built by hand in Springfield, Missouri, bringing GM Powertrain jobs back to the U.S. Since 1955, Chevrolet has built over 100,000,000 small block engines, and this is the first one using modern metallurgy, roller lifters and Vortec heads. 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Receives More Colors & Features The blocks and heads are new castings with the latest metallurgy, and the heads are CNC machined. A forged steel crank is held by 4-bolt mains, and the oil pan has dipstick tubes on both sides. This beast will fit every Chevy or GMC from 1955 to 1997 (or 2002 for delivery trucks). It would be a smart move to buy one and save it, as these will be quickly scooped up by collectors. If your classic Corvette or Camaro is tired, these are available at any GM dealer, & backed by a 3 year/36k warranty. Tell us what you would drop this into and stay with us for all your Chevrolet news. Browse Chevrolet For Sale

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Coupe and Convertible (far righ

By Andrew Nabors – July 08, 2020

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Receives More Colors & F...

Until this year, the rule of thumb was to avoid the first year of a new Corvette generation. What was supposed to arrive in 1983 was so bad that only 7 cars were built. Those dark days are behind us because Chevrolet made sure to hit a home run in the 1st inning. We have been wondering how 2021 would offer more, and many assumed a price increase. But today's press release confirms the same MSRP starting at $59,995 for the coupe and $67,495 for the convertible. My 2003 Corvette was a 50th Anniversary Indy Pace Car, and it came standard with magnetic suspension. The only way to have this option in 2020 was with the $5,000 Z51 package, which left discerning buyers a bit peeved. Now it is a stand-alone option available on any trim level. The aforementioned performance package still includes an additional radiator and an electronic differential, but if you choose to add magnetic ride along with it, you also receive Performance Traction Management for no additional cost. C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review Other no-cost upgrades include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with "Buckle to Drive". Should you take off your seat belt, the transmission shifts to park until you put it back on. Driving mode visualization on the main screen includes a revised tachometer for track mode. The remaining upgrades are expansions of the color palette. Red Mist Metallic and Silver Flare are new exteriors, and a new 2-tone interior is comprised of Sky Cool Gray & Yellow Strike. The stripe packages we previewed the other day are also in the works, so as soon as pricing is released on the new options you will see it here first. Click the button below for all the info from our dealers. Browse Corvette Stingray For Sale https://twitter.com/chevrolet/status/1280185285603721216

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By Andrew Nabors – July 06, 2020

Team Chevrolet Wins 100th IMSA Race at Daytona

Later this year, we will be introduced to something unprecedented. The 2021 Corvette Z06 for sale will arrive with a 5.5-liter V8, and it will be Chevrolet's first V8 to feature a flat-plane crankshaft. If you were watching the action this weekend, that new engine is what allowed Team Chevrolet to achieve Pole Position, and win their 100th IMSA race at Daytona. While we first saw the mid-engine C8.R at the Rolex 24, its debut was a learning experience. C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review To put the past behind them, Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor won 1st place in car #3, while Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner drove from the Pole to 5th place. Independence Day, Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays, and Daytona, it was a patriotic evening that proves the potency of every C8 Corvette Stingray for sale. Click the button below to find yours and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Browse Chevrolet Corvette For Sale https://twitter.com/CorvetteRacing/status/1279591729776205824

U.S. Army has awarded GM Defense LLC, $214.3M production contrac

By Andrew Nabors – June 29, 2020

GM Awarded $214 Billion to Build Army's Infantry Squad Ve...

When your squad needs to attack in style, why roll up in a Hummer that is 20 years old? The Army asked every automaker to submit a bid for a light, tough 4WD that could haul 9 soldiers and their gear. A grueling series of 11 consecutive races across all types of terrain saw 434 individual entries. In the end, four vehicles survived, and one stood out from the others. Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time GM Defense's Infantry Squad Vehicle is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, which features DSSV suspension by Multimatic. The 2.8-liter Duramax diesel offers 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on the street, but converting it to run on military JP8 has unlocked over 100 additional horsepower. Without a body to lug around, it might even surpass Colorado's 30 MPG. Their target is to build 2,065 examples, with each one sharing 90% of its parts with the Colorado ZR2. All we can tell you is that it and the squad easily fit inside the CH-47 Chinook, so the squad will be gone before the enemy knows what happened. Here's to the squad of UAW Local 2250 in Wentzville, Missouri for winning the contract! Click the button below for great deals on new Colorados and stay with us for all your GM news. Browse Chevrolet Colorado For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2020

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

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

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