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

2021 Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Edition

By Edward Jones – January 27, 2020

New 2021 Silverado Realtree Edition Revealed

Calling on adventurers of the wild, there's a new truck that begs for your attention. The new 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Realtree® Edition has been unveiled as an outdoor-ready truck built for everything offroad. This is actually the second collaboration between Chevrolet and Realtree, with the first collab being the 2016 Silverado Realtree Edition. What makes this special edition truck stand out is a long list of features that have been specifically picked for offroad capabilities. This includes the 2-inch factory suspension lift, 20-inch wheels with Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT On-Off Road Tires and the Silverado Z71 Off-Road Package. As for the Realtree touches, those come in the form of camouflage graphics on the exterior and interior door trim. To see more, be sure to check the truck out for yourself at the 2020 SHOT Show. SEE ALL SILVERADOS FOR SALE 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Edition 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Edition 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Edition 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Realtree Edition

By Andrew Nabors – January 03, 2020

2020 Hennessey HPE850 Camaro ZL1 1LE Shakedown Runs

Need a little more excitement in your life? There is no doubt that the latest Camaro is a great car, but we know a guy who reliably take it beyond 800 horsepower and throw in a warranty. So sit back and get ready for the 2020 Hennessey HPE850 Camaro ZL1 1LE shakedown runs. The ZL1 1LE is the culmination of decades of Camaro development. John Hennessey and his team port & polish the heads and install larger valves. After only changing the lower supercharger pulley, it consistently offers 850 horsepower and 860 lb-ft of torque. In fact, it is their base model package, as they offer the 1,000 horsepower Excorcist and 1,200 horsepower resurrection. Click the button below or call 979.885.1300 for all the info. " width="680">

Hennessey_HPE700_TwinTurbo_Corvette_Stingray-05

By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2019

Hennessey HPE750 Grand Sport Customer Testimonial

The year was 2012, the setting was the Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island. It was the first time in Corvette history that all 5 original Grand Sports were together. The notion of a naturally-aspirated Corvette race car scared Chevrolet management, and they ordered them destroyed. Thanks to Roger Penske and a few other racers, the cars were hidden for decades. The Grand Sport returned in the 7th generation, offering the same body and suspension as the Z06. Until the new Corvette arrives, Chevrolet is offering nearly 12,000 off new Grand Sports. Mr. Watson decided he needed 460 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The top model C7 ZR1 makes 755 horsepower, but Chevy won't offer any incentives. So the smartest way 215 horsepower is to call John Hennessey. He and his team ported the heads, added their secret camshaft and transformed this Grand Sport into a screamer. Browse All C7 Corvette For Sale It makes 751 horsepower and 734 lb-ft of torque with a soundtrack to match. Being much cheaper than the ZR1, congratulations Mr. Watson for being a savvy shopper, and enjoy your new Hennessey HPE750 Corvette Grand Sport. Click the button above for amazing incentives on new Corvettes and stay with us for all your Hennessey updates. " width="680"> Hennessey HPE 1000 Grans Sport is a Supercharged Beast C7 Corvette Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – December 03, 2019

Hennessey Performance Previews HPE1200 Corvette

Behind the cockpit of the new C8 Corvette is a familiar friend. The LT2 V8 is an improved version of the 6.2-liter LT1, which has been in production since 2013. Since the design is shared across Chevrolet, GMC, & Cadillac, a certain shop in Sealy, Texas has turned out hundreds of boosted examples. That is why Hennessey Performance has previewed their HPE1200 Corvette. Over 500 C7 Corvettes have received upgrades by John Hennessey and his team. The cramped engine bay of the C7 is gone, as Chevrolet has big plans in the next few years. Because the LT2 has gorgeous exhaust headers, fitting twin turbos is a no-brainer. Browse New Corvette For sale To ensure years of reliability, the bottom end will be replaced with forged rods and pistons. Thanks to direct-injection, a 10:1 compression ratio will spool the turbos in the twinkling of an eye. It will take several late nights to crack into the new Corvette's programming, so in the meantime, there will be exhaust upgrades and the CarbonAero body parts. Of course, you will need to supply them with your new Corvette, so click the button above to order yours now. Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible

By Andrew Nabors – November 07, 2019

2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 & Quarter Mile Confirmed

Amid all the big news from SEMA 2019, Chevrolet has managed to grab the attention of the entire automotive world. We figured the 8th Generation plastic fantastic would be fast, but this is wild. In fact, the new Corvettte for sale is a bargain for what it is capable of. In a press release last night, the 2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 & Quarter Mile were confirmed. A few years of development on the Z51 option package has yielded a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds. Prices starting at $59,995 make it half the price of a base model 911 Carrera, and yet it travels 1,320 feet (1/4 Mile) in 11.2 seconds at 123 mph. With a top speed of 194 mph, it is the fastest Corvette ever built, and one of the fastest production cars on the market. " width="680"> Related: C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

Chevrolet’s E-10 Concept Electrifies Hot Rodding World

By Andrew Nabors – November 05, 2019

Chevy Unveils 1962 "E-10" Electric Concept at SEMA

Electric cars are here to stay, so where are the electric trucks? That question has been answered as Chevrolet unveils their 1962 E-10 electric concept at SEMA. Using the guts from the latest Chevy Bolt EV, two 60 kWh batteries are mounted in the bed. Giving a combined 120 kWh at 400 volts, it has more capacity than any production electric vehicle. Two electric motors are double-stacked under the hood. They send 450 horsepower to a 4L75-E four-speed automatic transmission. Browse all Chevrolet C-10 For Sale The batteries, motors and HV hardware will comprise the new eCrate powertrain. Imagine having 20 more kilowatts than a Tesla Model S P100d packaged in a classic Chevy. The possibilities are endless! Find your C-10 by clicking the button above and stay with us for more SEMA coverage.

Chevrolet introduces the 2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition at

By Andrew Nabors – November 04, 2019

2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition Arrives at SEMA

One name strikes fear in the hearts of Top Fuel and Funny Car competitors: Force. That's because John Force and his daughters have redefined the sport for over 3 decades. Because his career began with Team Chevrolet, the 2020 COPO Camaro John Force Edition has arrived at SEMA. Announced in a press release this morning, the 16-time NHRA champion has partnered with Chevrolet to build this 1 of 1 Camaro. It will cross the auction block at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale next year, with proceeds going to DonorsChoose.org. It will be the centerpiece of the booth, surrounded by the new 2020 Corvette, Silverado, and a host of upgrade parts from Chevrolet Performance. Browse All Camaro For Sale In other Forceful news, Brittany Force won the Las Vegas Nationals yesterday running 3.652 at 338 mph. A new Top Fuel speed and time record. Related: Camaro ZL1 Price, Specs, Photos & Review C8 Corvette Stingray Price, Specs, Photos & Review

Chevrolet Introduces 2021 Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition

By Edward Jones – November 04, 2019

2021 Chevrolet Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition Reve...

Carhartt and Chevrolet have teamed up to create the new 2021 Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition pickup truck. This new model comes after they showed off the 2017 Silverado 2500HD Carhartt concept truck at the 2016 SEMA Show. This new truck is based on the Silverado 2500 LTZ crew cab, but comes with the Z71 Off-Road Package. There's also the Mosaic Black Metallic exterior paint that's contrasted by a Carhartt gold pinstripe and Carhartt badging. Across the truck's exterior, there are quite a few additions that many will notice, like the tow hooks, black vent hood detailing, soft rollup tonneau cover with a Carhartt logo and more. Inside is a Carhartt-themed cabin with exclusive two-tone Jet Black and Carhartt Brown leather seats. Those attending the 2019 SEMA Show will be able to see the 2021 Silverado HD Carhartt Special Edition truck. Anyone who wants to buy one can do so at their local Chevrolet dealership in Fall 2020. shop carhartt.com

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2019

Chevy Awards 2020 Corvette to MVP Stephen Strasburg

"Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie & Chevrolet" is a timeless jingle from my childhood than can't be unheard. That's because Chevrolet and Major League Baseball have a bond that is older than our grandparents. In keeping with this tradition, Chevy has awarded a 2020 Corvette to MVP Stephan Strasburg. Washington D.C. hasn't won an MLB championship since 1924, and never achieved World Series Success. If you are wondering how Stras got one before anyone else, the Red Z51 model seen behind him is a prototype. (C) Fox Sports He can hang on to it until production starts, then this little red Corvette will be disassembled to find any potential defects. Stephen will have his choice of colors and options, as the new 2020 Corvette has around 17 Million possible configurations. If you want a shot at the new car, click the button below to reserve yours, and Congratulations to the Nationals on this historic win. Browse All Chevrolet Corvette FOr Sale (C) MLB & Chevrolet Related: C8 Corvette Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – October 03, 2019

2020 Corvette Stingray Convertible Revealed With Hardtop

The new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible has been revealed and it comes with a few important firsts. This new model is the first hardtop and mid-engine convertible Corvette, ever. What's more, this new model is priced only $7,500 more than an entry-level 1LT, according to Brian Sweeney, Chevrolet U.S. Vice President. Interestingly enough, the 2020 Corvette was engineered as "first and foremost" as a convertible. Because of this, Chevrolet says it offers the same storage as the coupe-even when the top is down. “Our goal from the beginning was to make sure customers didn’t have to sacrifice any functionality, performance or comfort when choosing the hardtop convertible,” said Josh Holder, Corvette program engineering manager. “We managed to keep the same design theme as the coupe, as well as the exceptional storage capacity and track capability.” 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible When designing the new Corvette Convertible, Chevrolet used fighter jets as inspiration. No, it has a powerful 6.2-liter Small Block V8 LT2 engine (495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque). Instead, they used the extreme look of these jets for the inspiration for the convertible's design. If you take a look at the tonneau cover, the nacelles were designed after jet engine housing. If you want to build and price out your own 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, you can configure your own by clicking here. Or you can click the button below to see already-built Corvettes, from all generations, for sale now. see all corvettes for sale " width="680">

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