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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 Andrew Nabors – December 01, 2020

2021 Ram Heavy Duty Offers More Luxury, Torque & Towing C...

Diesel engines might not smell or sound appealing, but their power won't soon be eclipsed. In order to retake the high ground in the battle for truck supremacy, the 2021 Ram Heavy Duty offers more torque and towing capacity. Thanks to innovations discovered along with their engine supplier, the Cummins 6.7 is up to 1,075 lb-ft of torque. For those with gooseneck trailers, you will have the ability to pull 37,100 lbs without breaking a sweat. 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Debuts as World’s Fastest Production Truck In order to shame Ford and GM, the 5th-wheel and Gooseneck provisions are now part of the bed, along with several trailer wiring connectors. Under the bed, the frame is thicker and its mounting points are formed of high-strength steel. You will have a 400-amp AC receptacle shielded from the weather and the ability to haul nearly 8,000 lbs of cargo. Inside, buyers of the Laramie and Limited models are treated to leather on almost every surface. The Uconnect 12" screen is within easy reach of both front passengers, and it has USB ports of all generations to keep you charged and connected. Harmon/Kardon audio incorporates noise cancelling along with ample insulation in the roof, floor and doors. While the Ram HD is not inexpensive, you get what you pay for. Click the button below to learn more. Browse Ram Trucks For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 25, 2020

2021 Ram Special Edition Is Built To Serve

As a way to honor all branches of our Armed Services, Dodge has unveiled the 4th edition of their patriotic pickups. That is why the 2021 Ram Special Edition is "Built To Serve". Offered in two exteriors, Ram has comittedd to building 1,000 examples of each. All services are represented with Medium Greystone accents, with room for customization by the owner. Styling Includes: "Built to Serve" instrument panel badge Lockable console storage (optional) Deeply bolstered cloth and vinyl Sport seats Black Onyx Chrome interior trim All-weather rubber slush mats " width="680"> Behind the visuals, the truck has also receives: All-terrain tires Electronic-locking rear axle Hill-descent control Front suspension skid plate Steering gear skid plate Fuel tank skid plate Transfer case skid plate Tow hooks Heavy-duty off-road-calibrated front and rear shock absorbers As the 4th truck in the series, Ram has been offering unique trucks for each branch of the service in three-month intervals. "These ‘Built to Serve’ models offer a unique way to honor all those who serve or have served in the United States armed forces with distinction. Whether civilian or military, Ram truck owners are very familiar with this adage as it’s something we strive to build into every truck and van we produce.”-Mike Koval Jr., Head of Ram Brand. Click the button below to find our Ram dealer near you and have a Happy Thanksgiving. Ram Trucks For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 11, 2020

2021 Ram Power Wagon 75th Anniversary Is Ready For A Fight

First off, here's to all our heroes on this Veteran's day. By early 1940 the tides of war could be felt around the world. In order to protect our allies the Government asked all automakers to submit concepts for a rugged 4WD that could handle front-line assaults while supplying food, fuel and munitions to keep the Armies moving. Because Dodge was the first mass-produced 4WD pickup, the 2021 Ram Power Wagon 75th Anniversary is ready for a fight. Pulling out all the stops, this anniversary will be celebrated in style. You will have a six-ton Warn winch, 33" tires on beadlock wheels, 17 speakers of Harmon/Kardon audio and a 750-watt amplifier. Both differentials can be locked and the sway bars disconnected at the touch of a button. Additional information comes from the infotainment screen in the form of ride height, pitch, roll, and accessory pages. All this can be yours for $66,250 making it a bargain for the impressive abilities. Click the button to browse our Ram dealers' inventory and stay with us for all your truck news. Ram Trucks For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – October 02, 2020

2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock Will Be Super Limited

Most of us missed out on the opportunity to purchase a new Dodge Demon for sale because only 3,300 cars were built. It offered 808 horsepower and 717 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8. Capable of 9-second quarter-mile times, it was banned by the NHRA until a roll cage and other safety equipment could be installed by the owner. Fast forward a few years and the engineers have figured out how to offer the same performance without using race fuel. You better act fast because the 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock will be super limited. 2018 Dodge Demon Specs, Photos, Price, & Review Due to the extensive modifications to the Challenger Hellcat, Dodge announced that only 200 examples of the Super Stock will be offered. Each one will have 807 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque for only $81,090. It will arrive with all their drag racing technology like the Power Chiller, Launch Assist, and adjustable suspension modes. The forged 18" wheels are lighter than those offered on the Demon, but only 4-piston brakes will fit behind them. With 3.09 gears in the differential, there is plenty of room for improvement. Due to their limited numbers you need to get your deposit in ASAP. Click the button below to find our SRT dealer near you and stay with us for all your Dodge news. Browse Dodge Challenger For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

2021 Ram 1500 TRX Debuts as World's Fastest Production Truck

You were warned on Friday. We told you Ram was about to unchain a beast of a truck. Now it is time to contemplate the capabilities of a Hellcat Hemi-powered Pickup. Officially rated a 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, it offers consistent quarter-mile times under 13 seconds. It reaches 60 mph in 4.5 and 100 mph in 10.5 ticks. This power is sent to all wheels by a full-time active transfer case. The control arms are forged aluminum, and they are bolted to 2.5" Bilstein Black Hawk e2 adaptive suspension. RAM TRX Specs, Price & Horsepower The front end is independent and the rear is a Dana 60. Both have locking 3.55 differentials and offer over 13" of travel at each corner. The body is 8" wider thanks to composite fenders and wider steel bed sides. They are needed to house the 325/65/18 tires mounted on 9" wide wheels. It has 11.8" of ground clearance and the ability to ford 32" of water. " width="680"> Fiat-Chrysler spared no expense, as the AFS headlight system offers 15 degrees of motion in sync with the steering angle. It was borrowed from their cousins at Ferrari. With a payload capacity of 1,310, it can also tow 8,100 lbs with ease. It offers 5 driving modes for the street and three offroad modes that were developed over a year of testing across the U.S. With an approach angle of 30.2 and departure of 21.9, you will have no problems navigating rough trails. Over 100 performance parts and upgrades are already available from MOPAR, and this proven engine will respond to the same modifications used by Hellcat owners to outrun anyone else.

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2020

2021 Ram TRX Hellcat Teased Ahead of Next Week's Reveal

Back in 2002, Dodge dropped a 2001 Viper V10 engine and six-speed manual into a Ram. It was a concept for the Detroit Auto Show and it was so wild nobody figured they would build it. Now we look back at the 2004 Ram SRT-10 as one of the meanest trucks ever offered. That will change on Monday when the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX is revealed. Never tell Fiat-Chrysler they can't do anything. The Durango Hellcat will scare your kids or pull a massive trailer. The Jeep SRT-8 is a shorter wheelbase with the same abilities and the Trackhawk cures depression. Yesterday they announced the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte can now be ordered with a Ferrari 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8. RAM TRX FOR SALE The notion of a Ram that can easily make 800 horsepower with a pulley swap will make you forget about COVID, politics, and murder hornets. This is probably why the 3rd generation Raptor is rumored to arrive with the supercharged heart of the GT500. GM is too busy transitioning to all-electric, and that's why their performance trucks are built by SVE. We will have all the Ram TRX details for you on Monday. " width="680">

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 – June 05, 2019

2019 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Octane Edition Unveiled

If you want a sedan that makes no apologies, the Hellcat has received some nice upgrades. In the latest press release from FCA, the 2019 Dodge Charger Hellcat Octane Edition was unveiled to the world. Starting with a new grille, there is a more direct path for cool air to reach the intake. All Chargers have independent rear suspension, which is prone to wheel hop when launched. A new Launch Assist system uses wheel speed sensors to pull engine timing until the car hooks up again. Borrowed from the Dodge SRT Demon, the Line Lock holds the front brakes for a proper burnout, and Torque Reserve holds boost in the supercharger anticipating the green light. Once the action is over, the After-Run Chiller keeps circulating coolant between the supercharger and the heat exchanger. This prevents heat soak and ensures your Hellcat delivers reliable, consistent power. In case you need a refresher, it offers 707 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque thanks to a 6.2L supercharged V8. To set it apart from lesser Hellcats, Octane Editions have a full-length satin black stripe with Octane Red tracers. Low-gloss black 20" wheels are borrowed from the Scat Pack, and the Brembo brakes are painted Octane Red. Inside you will find leather seats with Houndstooth inserts. This retro theme makes a nice contrast for the black and dark brushed metal trim. All this can be yours for an additional $1,495, and deliveries will begin in this Fall. Click the link below to find a Dodge SRT dealer near you and stay with us for all your Hellcat updates. Browse Dodge Charger Hellcats For Sale Related: 2019 Dodge SRT Hellcat Widebody Price, Specs, Photos & Review Hennessey Announces 1200 HP Hellcat Redeye

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!

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2019

2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock is a Retro-Inspired Throwback

Dodge has never been afraid of sorcerers or Demons, so they decided to build a mean truck in 1977. The blacked-out Ram had custom graphics and aggressive styling from the factory. Now its time for an encore performance with the 2019 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock. Just like its predecessor it is aimed at younger buyers. Starting with the imposing grille from the Ram Rebel, it rides 1" higher on 20" semi-gloss wheels. The bumpers are powder coated black and incorporate LED fog lights. Inside you are treated to Diesel Grey cloth and the intuitive 8.4" Uconnect touchscreen. Choose between the 305 hp V6 or the 395 hp HEMI V8, which also packs 410 lb-ft of torque. It can be ordered in RWD or 4WD in Quad Cab or Crew Cab bodies. Pricing starts at only $35,345, so this Warlock is sure to scare every other 1/2 ton pickup. Click the link below to find our Ram dealer near you and stay with us for all your Dodge news. Shop All Ram Trucks For Sale Related: FCA Confirms Production of Ram TRX 2017 Ram Rebel Black Unveiled

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