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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 Charles Bradley – May 20, 2026

Ram Reveals 777-hp, 170-mph Rumble Bee SRT Muscle Truck

When Ram discontinued the ferocious Viper-powered SRT-10 nearly two decades ago, the American muscle truck segment lost one of its most outrageous icons. Now, the brand is bringing the formula back with even more force. Enter the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee SRT, a supercharged, 777-horsepower performance pickup designed to blur the line between luxury grand tourer, drag-strip bruiser, and track-capable machine. At the top of the new Rumble Bee lineup, the SRT variant arrives as the most powerful V8-powered production pickup truck ever built, capable of sprinting from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, running the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds at 116 mph, and reaching a targeted top speed of 170 mph. Ram says the truck was engineered under SRT’s “last tenth” philosophy, applying the same motorsport-inspired mindset now tied to the brand’s NASCAR program. The result is a pickup that delivers the kind of acceleration figures once reserved for exotic supercars while retaining the capability expected from a modern Ram. Even with its focus on outright speed, the Rumble Bee SRT still offers up to 8,890 pounds of towing capacity and 1,160 pounds of payload. “There was a time when pick-up trucks were considered work vehicles. Today, Ram has a truck for every customer – from the work ready Tradesman to full-blown luxury in Tungsten,” said Tim Kuniskis, head of American Brands, SRT Performance and North America Marketing at Stellantis. “Somehow, the idea of muscle trucks was labeled unnecessary, but since that describes so many products that captivated enthusiast’s hearts, minds and wallets, Ram is going all-in – pushing for the last tenth with a full-range of Rumble Bee Muscle Trucks.” Powering the halo-spec Rumble Bee SRT is the familiar yet still devastating 6.2-liter supercharged Hellcat HEMI V-8. Producing 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque, it becomes the most powerful internal combustion engine ever offered in a production pickup. The twin-screw 2.4-liter supercharger generates 13 psi of boost, while a reinforced TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission channels power through an active four-wheel-drive system. Yet Ram’s engineers clearly wanted the truck to retain a more playful personality. A dedicated button next to the console shifter disconnects the front axle, enabling true rear-wheel-drive operation. Another activates the electronic spool differential for aggressive launches, burnouts, and controllable oversteer. The engineering changes extend far beyond brute force. To create what Ram describes as “untrucklike” handling dynamics, engineers shortened the wheelbase by 13 inches through an exclusive Quad Cab short-bed configuration. The modified frame reduces flex by 10 percent, while a widened track, adaptive Bilstein Damptronic Sky suspension, and massive Brembo brakes help transform the Rumble Bee SRT into what Ram claims is the world’s most track-capable production pickup. Aerodynamics also played a critical role in the truck’s development. A dramatic front splitter, aggressive cooling channels, rear spoiler, and available hard tonneau cover work together to generate 192 pounds of downforce at 170 mph. Massive 325-mm rear tires mounted on 22- x 12-inch wheels – the widest tire and wheel package Ram has offered since the Dodge Viper – further reinforce the truck’s race-inspired intent. Visually, the Rumble Bee SRT embraces unapologetic American aggression. Widebody fenders, deep aerodynamic elements, a functional induction hood, and Satin Black and Spitfire Orange graphics give the truck a stance more akin to a modern muscle car than a traditional pickup. Ram’s designers even revisited Mopar-inspired graphics from the 1960s to create an updated Rumble Bee emblem specifically for the SRT. Inside, however, the atmosphere shifts from raw aggression to something far more refined. The cabin combines race-inspired ergonomics with upscale craftsmanship, blending performance cues with luxury materials throughout. Ultra-premium Natura Plus leather and suede bucket seats feature unique Desert Orange stitching inspired by the engine’s orange-painted block, while suede wraps the headliner, visors, and cabin pillars. Carbon Fiber Deco trim appears throughout the interior, including an engraved Rumble Bee badge integrated into the passenger-side upper glovebox panel. A leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters, metal pedals, and a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster further reinforce the SRT’s driver-focused mission. Technology is equally extensive. The flagship SRT receives a 14.5-inch portrait-style Uconnect 5 touchscreen with Performance Pages, configurable displays, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, launch control integration, and downloadable performance telemetry. A 10-inch configurable head-up display is also available. For audiophiles, Ram fitted the SRT with a Harman Kardon 19-speaker premium audio system – the first time the brand has integrated such a setup into the Quad Cab body style. The system includes a 10-inch subwoofer and 12-channel amplifier, turning the cabin into a rolling concert hall when the supercharged HEMI soundtrack is not commanding attention. Beyond the flagship SRT, the new Rumble Bee family also includes a 395-horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI variant, a 470-horsepower Rumble Bee 392, and a more focused 392 Track Pack model. Together, they form what Ram calls an entirely new muscle truck subsegment aimed directly at enthusiasts who want the emotion of American performance in a more versatile package. Production of the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee will begin in Saltillo, Mexico. The standard 5.7-liter HEMI model arrives in late 2026, while the Rumble Bee 392 and Rumble Bee SRT are scheduled to launch in the first half of 2027.

2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet special edition veh

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 20, 2024

Dodge Celebrates 20 Years Of HEMI Power With Two Special-...

Dodge marks two decades of HEMI-powered Durango SUVs by introducing the 2025 Durango SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet and R/T 20th Anniversary models. Dodge is celebrating 20 years of HEMI-powered Durango production with the release of two special-edition models, the all-new 2025 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet and the Dodge Durango R/T 20th Anniversary. These limited-edition models honor the legacy of the legendary HEMI engine that has powered the Durango since its introduction in 2004. The Silver Bullet stands out as the first special-edition model of the Durango SRT Hellcat, offering exclusive options like a Satin Black painted hood, Grey metallic SRT Hellcat badging, and 20-inch Lights Out finished wheels. Powered by the supercharged 6.2L HEMI Hellcat V-8 engine, the SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet delivers an impressive 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph, making it the most powerful SUV on the market. The 2025 Dodge Durango R/T 20th Anniversary model also pays tribute to two decades of HEMI power with an array of special features, including a Black HEMI hood graphic, “345” fender badging, and Brass Monkey wheels. Inside, the R/T 20th Anniversary model features SRT seats with unique stitching, a premium wrapped instrument panel, and a range of advanced safety and driver-assistance systems. Available in four exterior colors and two trim options, this special-edition model offers a blend of performance and practicality, with the top-tier Premium option adding a Harman Kardon audio system, suede headliner, and more. Both special-edition Durango models are available for order now, with the SRT Hellcat Silver Bullet starting at $113,325 and the R/T 20th Anniversary model starting at $66,970. Dodge owners and enthusiasts can use the Dodge Horsepower Locator tool to find nearby dealers with these special-edition models in stock. View all Dodge Durangos for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Dodge Durangos For Sale Source: Stellantis

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 24, 2023

Dodge Announces Exclusive Products For Challenger SRT Dem...

Dodge unveils an exclusive lineup of personalized items for 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 owners, available for a limited time.

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2023

The New Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 Is The Quickest Do...

This is it. And it’s amazing.

For the first time ever, Shaker hood scoop available on Challeng

By Andrew Nabors – November 21, 2019

50th Anniversary Dodge Challenger Unveiled in L.A.

At first, we figured the Dodge Challenger would be a limited run of retro-inspired muscle cars. Introduced in 1970, the car shows no signs of slowing down, with unprecedented sales in 2018, and a record-setting 3rd quarter this year. To celebrate the continued success, the 50th Anniversary Challenger was unveiled in L.A. Available on the Challenger GT RWD, R/T Shaker, R/T Scat Pack Shaker, and the R/T Scat Pack Shaker Widebody, all four trim levels will have 70 numbered examples. A new "HIP" (High Impact Paint) known as Gold Rush was introduced for the anniversary. Browse All Dodge Challenger Hellcat For Sale Each car will receive Nappa Leather with Sepia stitching, carbon fiber trim, and 50th logos throughout. The additional cost for these upgrades is only $4,995, and deliveries will begin in early Spring. The passenger-side IP badge displays the Challenger 50th Anniversary logo and is color-matched to the exterior; each vehicle is identified as “x out of 70” on 50th Anniversary Edition models. Related: Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat Specs, Price, Photos & Review Dodge Demon Specs, Photos, Price & Review

By Andrew Nabors – October 29, 2019

Dodge Announces Horsepower Challenge with Bill Goldberg

Fiat-Chrysler challenged themselves this year. In order to make their most powerful cars more accessible to buyers, the Dodge Power Dollars program offers a cash allowance of $10 cash per horsepower on Challenger, Charger, & Durango. Their goal was to sell 500 Million Horsepower for MY 2019, and they achieved this 2 months ahead of schedule. To celebrate these unprecedented numbers, Dodge has announced the Horsepower Challenge with Bill Goldberg. Five contestants will take home a new "TorRed" Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye. The contest will be 5 weeks, with a multiple-choice question every Tuesday at 8 AM ET and running through the following Monday at 11:59 PM ET. Browse All Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcats For Sale The winners will become part of the "Brotherhood of Muscle", their new catchphrase for SRT & HEMI owners. The answer for each question will be uploaded to Dodge.com after a week, coinciding with the next question. Clues will be found on Twitter and Instagram images. Click the button above to find your Hellcat and stay with us for all your Dodge news. " width="680"> Related: 2019 Dodge SRT Hellcat Widebody Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2019

2010 Dodge Challenger Richard Petty Signature Series For ...

When the King first drove the 2010 Dodge Challenger, he could see the potential of the HEMI-powered coupe. The NASCAR engines that powered him to 7 Daytona wins were built by Buddy Arrington. Since Arrington Performance still builds the meanest HEMI on the market, they supplied a 625 horsepower supercharged beast. Backed by a six-speed manual, the Hurst shifter looks right at home. If you run through the gears too fast, Brembo 6-piston brakes have 2 piece rotors to keep you safe. Richard and his team initially planned to build 43 examples, to honor his iconic NASCAR number. But Arrington was too busy building race HEMI engines for dragsters. Only 19 cars were built, and this is number 15. Alex Borla designed a custom exhaust that is not offered in their catalog. Wheels were supplied by Forgeline, with 20" examples of their SP3S in a 2-tone finish. The chin spoiler is from the SRT8, and the embroidered leather interior was handmade by Katzkin. A real shaker hood is connected to a custom intake box. The adjustable coil-over suspension was dialed-in by Petty Enterprises to eliminate bump-steer. The front strut-tower brace was designed for this car, and it has been a hit with the Challenger community. Both the front and rear sway bars are adjustable, technology they developed decades ago at the superspeedway tracks. This car was not built in a custom shop. It was built by a team that brought home 200 NASCAR wins. As such, the King autographed the car in several places, and this car comes with a truckload of documentation. The VIN is not from Dodge, it carries a Petty Garage VIN, noting that they have been building fast cars since 1949. These cars are the centerpiece of many MOPAR collections, so don't miss this opportunity! View Listing

The 1968 Dodge “Super Charger” Charger Concept incorporates

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2019

MOPAR Announces Pre-Orders for 1,000 HP Hellephant HEMI

Last year at SEMA, MOPAR displayed a monster. Taking the same formula used in the Hellcat and the Demon, they whipped up a 1,000 horsepower version of their supercharged HEMI V8. You are probably thinking it needs race fuel like the Demon, but they were able to achieve that power on 93 octane pump gas. That's because they stroked the 6.2L to 7.0L, or 426 cubic inches. It also makes 950 lb-ft of torque, and today MOPAR announced pre-orders for the 1,000 hp Hellephant HEMI have begun. MOPAR is the performance division of Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep and formerly Plymouth (RIP). They developed the original 426 HEMI to dominate NASCAR and Drag Racing and it did both. NASCAR banned the engine, and all modern Top-Fuel and Funny Car engines are based around the HEMI. The press release reminds us that 4/26 is national HEMI day, and that MOPAR will be live streaming something wild at 4:26 p.m. (Eastern Time). The engine and supercharger (P/N P5160194 ) have a retail price of $29,995, and several accessories like Air Conditioning, oil filter relocation, and the accessory drive are available separately. This would be an easy swap into a Charger Hellcat, Challenger, Ram, (or Wrangler if you are nuts), but your stock transmission will be on death row. Click the link below to find a Hellcat near you and reserve your Hellephant at CrateHemi.com Someone please do this to a Viper or an SRT-10 truck, double the power in a weekend. Find Your Challenger Hellcat Here!

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