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 – July 15, 2019

2020 Corvette Stingray Emblem & Logo Revealed

We are three days away from the launch of the 8th Generation Corvette. As we have noticed, the majority of classic Corvette owners have described the new car with profanity, but it does have a proper name. In fact, the name and the engine's firing order are probably all that will be shared with the C7. That's because the 2020 Corvette Stingray emblem and logo were uploaded to GM's media site a few hours ago. Few people realize the Stingray name dates back to 1959 when the XP-87 Corvette prototype was named "Sting-Ray" Public Doman via Wikipedia From there, the name stuck to the 2nd Generation (C2) cars from 1963 to 1967 (C) Mecum Auctions 1968 was the first year of the C3, but it arrived with several quirks and without a name. However, the "Stingray" now as one word returned for 1969 and remained until 1976. (C) Mecum Auctions After a long hiatus, the Stingray name returned in 2014 for the base model cars. (c) Chevrolet I left the Corvette aftermarket to join duPont Registry, and I have owned C3, C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes. I do not own denim shorts nor do I have a mustache, so I think a mid-engine Corvette is long overdue. Tell us what you think of the new logos and emblems below, and what your thoughts are on the new car. The live stream of the reveal will be 10:30 p.m. Eastern/7:30 Pacific, and we will have all the details for you once they are announced. Stay with us for all your Corvette news, and long live the Stingray. Find Your Corvette Here

By Andrew Nabors – July 09, 2019

2020 Corvette Reveal Livestream Schedule

"It is not the beginning of the end, only the end of the beginning". Winston Churchill was trying to inspire faith in his people that WWII was changing for the better. In terms of Corvette owners, many of the Old Guard have expressed unfounded confusion and anger at the notion of having a V8 behind the cockpit. However, Corvette's legendary Chief Engineer pleaded for a mid-engine supercar since it was introduced in 1953. Zora Arkus-Duntov has been vindicated, and the 2020 Corvette reveal Livestream schedule looks very promising. In a press release this morning, they announced they reaffirmed the launch date of next Thursday, July 18th. If you weren't invited to the big party in Tustin, California, the festivities will be streamed on https://media.chevrolet.com/nextgenCorvette. It will also be shown on their social media channels to make it easier to view on your phone. The stream will begin at 10:30 p.m. EDT/7:30 p.m. PDT. After the show is over, the cars will be loaded up for a cross-country tour. Stopping at 125 dealerships, fans will be able to interact and learn about the new car. This itinerary will be released on the 19th, so stay with us for all your Corvette news. If you think the 2019 cars are the last real Corvette, click the link below before they're all gone. Browse Corvettes For Sale https://www.facebook.com/corvette/videos/363452197650749/ Related: New Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th Last C7 Corvette Hammers for $2.7 Million at Barrett-Jackson

By Andrew Nabors – July 01, 2019

Last C7 Corvette Hammers for $2.7 Million at Barrett-Jackson

We were in Connecticut over the weekend, as a sponsor for Barrett-Jackson's Northeast Collector Car Auction at the Mohegan Sun Casino. This event is growing exponentially, so if you didn't catch the live coverage it was an epic event. The prime time cars were poised for Saturday night, and that is when we witnessed the last C7 Corvette hammer for $2.7 Million at Barrett-Jackson. Like we have been mentioning, the next-generation Corvette will be a mid-engine design. This has split enthusiasts into two camps: Ones who embrace what the Corvette has always wanted to be and "That's not my Corvette!" C8 Corvette under camo. Accordingly, the chance to acquire the final production C7 was destined to cause a commotion. Instead of dealers fighting over who would receive the allocation, Chevrolet decided to auction it for charity. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation honors the life of a First Responder who gave it all on 9/11. With all proceeds going to help our veterans, the hammer dropped at $2.7 Million dollars. Frank Siller and the foundation build Smart Homes for injured veterans, and this fully-loaded black Z06 will provide for at least 5 new homes for veterans in need. This car also set a new record for a manufacturer-donated car, and we're glad the money is going to a good cause. Our dealers still have a few C7 Stingrays, Grand Sports, Z06 and ZR1 Corvettes for sale. Click the link below to find one for yourself, and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Browse Corvettes For Sale Related: C7 Corvette Z06 Price, Specs, Photos & Review 2020 Corvette Reveal Event Tickets Being Auctioned For Charity

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2019

2020 Corvette Reveal Event Tickets Being Auctioned for Ch...

Across the street from the Corvette Assembly Plant is the National Corvette Museum. Although it represents Chevrolet's history, the facility is operated by donations and it is a 501(c)(3) that supports charities around the nation. Their latest fundraising effort surround the launch of the 8th generation plastic fantastic. That is why the 2020 Corvette Reveal Event tickets are being auctioned for charity. Announced last night on their Facebook page, a picture of the prototype car contained a link to the auction. The winning bid includes a pair of tickets to the 2-day extravaganza in Orange County, California. July 18th and 19th will see a gathering of Vettes unlike any other. It will also be live-streamed by GM, so set a reminder for 8 pm Pacific Time. Find Your Corvette Here https://www.facebook.com/corvettemuseum/posts/10156049234077441 Related: Chevrolet Corvette Reveal Event Schedule C7 Corvette Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2019

Chevrolet Corvette Reveal Event Schedule

Corvette fans make up a large part of our events, and they are divided over the details of the car's next generation. We learned the mid-engine C8 would be unveiled in Southern California a few weeks ago. With the help of CorvetteBlogger, we now know the Chevrolet Corvette reveal event schedule. Make plans to be in Tustin on July 18th. Although the exact location has not been disclosed, we know that 75 Corvette owners from around Orange County were invited to attend. These lucky few will have a private party with food & drinks at 4 PM. The doors open at 7 PM, and the car will be unveiled at 8 o'clock. Chevy will live stream the event, so make note these times are Pacific. Like we keep mentioning, many people are scared of such a radical departure from tradition. This unfounded panic has caused many of our dealers to experience a rush to buy the last C7 Stingrays, Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 models. Production has already ended and the last cars are en route. So click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here Related: C7 Corvette Price, Specs, Photos, & Review Last C7 Corvette Heading to Barrett-Jackson Northeast

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2019

2020 Chevy Silverado: Power to the People!

You can't deny the aggressive styling of the latest Chevrolet Silverado. The fresh lines are not the only upgrades, and the real treat is under the hood. Ever since the Silverado replaced the C/K trucks in 1999, you couldn't order the big V8. The most powerful engine were reserved for the Escalade and Yukon Denali. Thankfully those days are behind us, because the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado offers power to the people! Starting at the top, the brutal 6.2L is now available in all Silverados. It is the base engine in the Stingray and the Camaro SS...and its fast! Last year, the only way to have Corvette power was to order the High Country or the other high-priced models. But now you can walk into your dealer and find a Silverado Trail Boss 6.2 for $43,865. It is rated at 435 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. If that is not enough, the parts department will sell you the supercharger from the Corvette ZR1 (insert smile here). 2020 Chevrolet Silverado LT Trail Boss Rides 3" Higher on Rancho Suspension The 5.3L V8 isn't going anywhere, except up in fuel mileage. Along with its big brother, they offer an industry first Dynamic Fuel Management. This offers no less than 17 distinct modes of cylinder deactivation. Not only will this respond quicker to changing loads, it prevents uneven wear of the engine when running on less than 8 pistons. It is rated at 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque New 2.7L Turbo,, By David Kimball If you don't like new technology, the 4.3L V6 is still making 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque. All the cool kids will be opting for two new engines. A 2.7L turbo four offers 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque. Last but not least, a new 3.0L straight six Duramax diesel makes 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 10-Speed automatic found in the Ford Raptor will be found behind the most powerful engines. That's because Ford & GM built it together to handle incredible power. Our dealers have plenty to choose from, so click the link below and keep on truckin'. Browse Chevy Silverado For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 08, 2019

How to Buy a Chevrolet Corvette C8

It seems that the CorvetteForum has people looking into every aspect of the new Corvette. One of them was eavesdropping on GM's monthly dealer Podcast and overheard some interesting news. Not all dealers will be able to sell the new model. Because it is so different, here is how to buy a Chevrolet Corvette C8. Walking into your local dealer with cash on the barrelhead won't do anything. Chevy built thousands of C7 Stingrays, Grand Sport, Z06 & ZR1 in case the new car was delayed. They will sweet talk you by offering a Stingray cheaper than a fully-loaded Camaro, so be strong! This is where it gets tough. You will need to find out if the dealer is ready to take your deposit because they have two choices to be able to sell the C8. Two Prototypes Had A Big Mac Attack The first involves sending a salesperson to Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch to experience the new car. A mid-mounted engine will not react like any Corvette before it, so buyers need to be aware of its abilities. This costs $3,500 for each salesperson. At the same time, the senior service technician will be required to complete hours of training and purchase C8 specific tools for $1,500. 'Ring Time Or they can complete the Corvette Participation Agreement. Details of this program were redacted, but it will list that dealer on Chevy.com as a Corvette Signature Dealer. It will also allow them to sell new Corvette merchandise and sign up for the C8 Mobile Tour. Chevy is taking the C8 on the road, stopping at dealers around the country to allow employees and the public to see it in person. C8 Corvette Price & Specs Sebring C8.R All dealers have a deadline of June 6th to enroll, so you might need to conduct some espionage of your own. Call the service department and ask if they have a Corvette technician, or just drive around to an open bay and ask the oldest Technician in the shop. Tell them what you read here, and I assure you he will be heard across the lot. The big Chevy dealers have no choice in the matter, but they could also tack on a premium for the first cars that arrive. We will update this process as it evolves, so stay with us for all your Corvette news. C8 Corvette For Sale " width="680"> Related: New Corvette to be Unveiled July 19th in Orange County Did Chevrolet Just Leak the C8 Corvette's Ring Time? Sources: Corvette ED on Corvetteforum.com; C8 at McDonald's from American GT on YouTube; C8 at Nurburgring from L'Automobile Magazine on YouTube; C8.R at Sebring from Lanky Turtle On YouTube

By Andrew Nabors – April 30, 2019

Did Chevrolet Just Leak the C8 Corvette's 'Ring Lap Time?

Chevrolet must know we love finding Easter Eggs. In their latest teaser for the 8th Generation Corvette, we have glimpses of the past along with a look inside the new engine. Starting off with Zora Arkus-Duntov preparing to race, it ends on a curious number. Did Chevrolet just leak the C8 Corvettes's 'Ring Lap Time? From a shot of him drifting up Pike's Peak in CERV1 to his last creation, the CERV3, there are several subliminal shots of mid-engine Corvette prototypes. The CERV2 was AWD with a 577 big block, and the Aerovette was a turbo rotary tester. The final teaser is a cutaway of the new LT2 V8. It is the base model engine and it has brilliant details. Check out the 2-stage oil pump along with two timing chains. Where in world is that front chain going? Perhaps the high pressure fuel pump is now up front? In the closing shot we see the C8 cross the finish line with 7:13.10 on the clock. They could be random numbers, but what if they represent a lap of the Nordschleife lap time? It would be .80 seconds faster than the current Corvette Z06, and only .10 seconds slower than the Porsche 918 Spyder. Tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your C8 Corvette Here Related: Prototype Corvette Surprises Everyone New Chevrolet Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th

By Andrew Nabors – April 29, 2019

Prototype Corvette Surprises Everyone at the NCM Bash

Chevrolet calls all Corvettes to come home at the end of April. Last week we told you the Bowling Green Assembly Plant is hiring 400 new workers and adding a 2nd shift due to the anticipated demand of the new C8. They will be busy building the crash test cars and fine-tuning the assembly line. But one of these pre-production models managed to make an appearance next door. In thier latest YouTube upload, we see a prototype Corvette surprising everyone at the NCM Bash. The National Corvette Museum is located across the street from the factory, and for a small fee you can have your car delivered there. Its halfway between Nashville and Louisville, just off Interstate 65. The new LT2 engine has a familiar sound, but the driver chose not to open the exhausts. They are saving all the juicy details for the unveiling in July, so stay with us for all your Corvette news. Find Your Corvette Here Related: New Chevrolet Corvette C8 to be Unveiled July 18th Corvette C8.R Caught Testing at Sebring

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2019

GM CEO Mary Barra to make an Announcement at Corvette Pla...

UPDATE: Mary Barra announces 400 new jobs & 2nd Shift at Corvette Plant. We told you last week that the 8th-generation Corvette will be unveiled on July 18th. In the meantime, what does this mean for the workers of the Corvette factory in Bowling Green, Kentucky? We will know later today when GM CEO Mary Barra makes a major announcement at the factory. The National Corvette Museum is located next door, and their Facebook page serves as the official media outlet for enthusiasts. But their post also says that local government officials and representatives from the United Auto Workers will also be present. If the UAW is invited, it is probably great news. Last year, GM spent $439 Million to add a second assembly line and a new paint shop. If you look closely at the mirrors on the prototype, there is a small profile of Zora Arkus-Duntov. As Corvette's Chief Engingeer for 30 years. He always wanted a mid-engine AWD Corvette Supercar, and we might be getting close to seeing one. GM Trademarks Zora Around the World This allowed the performance engine center to be located on-site, as it was located in Wixom, Michigan for years. In addition to building the Z06 and ZR1 engines, they also build the Blackwing V8 for the Cadillac CT6-V. So something wild will probably start production once the final C7 is shipped to Barrett-Jackson Northeast on June 28th. The black Z06 is being auctioned with all proceeds going to families of 9/11 victims. Whatever she says, we will update this ASAP. Tell us what you think of this in the meantime. Great Deals on The Final C7 Corvettes " width="680"> Related: 2019 Corvette Drivers' Series Announced

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