Dodge

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 – June 04, 2018

FCA Confirms Production of the Hellcat-Powered Ram TRX

Remember that time Dodge dropped a Viper engine into a Ram pickup truck? The 2002 Ram SRT-10 was and is one of the craziest trucks ever built. It actually wasn't their first high-performance truck, that honor goes to the 1978 Ram "Little Red Express". Big engine, standard cab, and a performance transmission. Well, it looks like they have upped the ante for every other pickup with the confirmation of the new Ram TRX. We first saw it as a concept last year, and it stunned everyone. Ram Rebel TRX Concept Revealed: Hellcat of Rams It looks like they have the Ford Raptor in the crosshairs because under the hood is not the 5.7 or the 6.4 HEMI, it's the vicious 6.2-liter Hellcat V8. We say that tentatively because FCA's recent shareholder meeting confirms a new 7.0 liter V8 codenamed Banshee. This will be the return of the legendary 426 HEMI, and Mopar fans will jump for joy. The concept was dialed back to 575 horsepower to keep the transmission from detonating. Now that the Demon production is over, its time to get trucking. An open front differential will use brakes to send power left to right, and the rear is a Dynatrac Pro 60. If you need electronic lockers and 35-spline axles, this Ram is for you. Baer brakes have developed 15" front and 14" rear rotors to keep this truck under control. You will have 37" tires and 13" of suspension travel along with the scream of a supercharger to make you smile. We only wish it would arrive with a Demon crate and tuning for race fuel. But the aftermarket will have that figured out in no time. If you can't Dodge it, Ram it- and take a look at our Ram SRT-10 listings until the TRX arrives. RAM TRX FOR SALE From concept to reality. #Ram #TRX A post shared by Ram Trucks (@ramtrucks) on Jun 4, 2018 at 9:00am PDT

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2018

Dodge Demon Production Has Ended

It seemed like only yesterday that we learned the Dodge Challenger Hellcat had led to something evil. Our friends at Motor Trend knew the 2018 Dodge Demon was developed years ago in order to see how far the Hellcat could be pushed.The last Demon will be a primetime feature at Barrett-Jackson's Northeast Auction (June 20-23). The press release also mentions it will be joined by the final Dodge Viper as part of "The Ultimate Last Chance", with 100% going to the United Way.The winning bidder will have 1,485 horsepower and two pieces of automotive history. Dodge's SRT division has never built boring cars. The Challenger and Charger Hellcat aren't going anywhere, so if you need more Mopar in your garage, click the link below and stay with us for live coverage from Barrett-Jackson Northeast later this month.If you missed out on ordering your Demon, our dealers have new examples that won't last long. Click the link below and stay with us for all your Dodge updates.Browse Dodge Demon For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 02, 2018

Report: Dodge Demon Won't Return For 2019

No matter how many Mopar fans are waiting in line, Dodge has confirmed the Demon will be done after Model Year 2018. Our friends at Motor1.com said Dodge chief Tim Kuniskis told fans on Allpar.com that they are sticking to the production total of only 3,300 cars.Complete Dodge Demon SpecsThe assembly line is still running so you might want to act fast if you have been considering one. It is such a specialized car, the $84,995 price tag probably doesn't cover all the unique parts and years of development it took to make it happen. Cars like these don't come along very often, and you can bet on their prices going wild once they are no longer available. You might think that 3,300 cars will keep the market somewhat stable, but consider they will fall into two categories: show queens and racers.Dodge Demon vs Hellcat 1/4 Mile ShootoutOwners who choose to race their Demon and drive it on the street are another variable. Having 840 horsepower on the street is a recipe for twisted metal. It is simply a matter of time before someone gets too happy with the gas pedal. The cars that are raced will be modified because they can't even show up to an NHRA event without a roll cage and other hardware. So buying an unmolested example in the future will be an expensive proposition. Click the link below to get your order in, because the clock is ticking!Browse Dodge Demons For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 21, 2018

FCA: Viper Plant To Become Classic Car Museum

It seems like only yesterday that the Dodge Viper said goodbye. It was built by hand by the fine folks at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit. The facility began life as the assembly plant for Champion spark plugs in 1966, and Dodge purchased it in the early 90's for special projects. It was there that the V10 engine was also assembled, along with the short-lived Plymouth Prowler.Then & Now: 1998 Dodge Viper GTS-RIn a press release around noon today, we've learned that Fiat-Chrysler will transform the building to house their historic car collection along with meeting rooms for the top-brass. The Viper has shed its skin for the last time, and most of the remaining Viper parts and merchandise will be sold by the United Way in an online auction. Over 1,800 lots include signed hoods, body panels, prints, posters and all things Viper will be included.Then & Now: First Generation Dodge Viper“With a storied history of its own, the Conner Avenue facility is an ideal location to showcase the vehicles that have sustained the Company for more than 92 years,” said Brandt Rosenbusch, Manager, Historical Services. “We are proud of our history and have been working diligently in the daily care and restoration of these important vehicles. This move will allow us to house all of our collection under one roof and have the space to share that history with our employees.”Browse Dodge Viper For Sale

By Edward Jones – January 31, 2018

Trackhawk Tows Hellcat to Drag Strip, Then Beats It

Dodge has been hard at work slamming their Supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 engine into vehicles, making them some of the most powerful production cars on the road today. Both the Challenger Hellcat and Grand Cherokee Trackhawk have this engine installed, putting them both at the 707 horsepower mark. However, with one being an SUV and the other a muscle car, the engine, and badge are the only similarities between the two.Dodge Demon Destroys Competition at Drag StripHot Rod Network just posted a video that shows just how different the two vehicles are. After having the Trackhawk tow the Hellcat Widebody to the 1/8 mile drag strip, they were placed in opposing lanes for a race to see which was faster. It's important to mention that the drag strip they raced on was an 1/8 mile strip, the traction abilities of the SUV stood out against the rear-wheel-drive muscle car. If the race were at a 1/4 mile strip, I'm assuming that the Hellcat would take the checkered flag.It's pretty interesting to see an SUV tow a muscle car like the Hellcat to the dragstrip and actually beat it in the long run. Check it out for yourself in the video below and let us know in the comments which of these two you'd rather have.

By Andrew Nabors – December 11, 2017

Viper-Powered 1968 Dodge Charger RTR on Jay Leno's Garage

If you missed this year's SEMA show, Jay Leno found one of the wildest builds we've seen. Burbank, California is a long way from Sweden, but Johan Eriksson and his team are proud of their latest build. The 1968 Charger RT/R has been chopped, channeled, and made to fit on a C6 Corvette chassis. We actually have a 68 Dodge Charger downstairs waiting to go under the knife, so we approve of the new undercarriage. The reason for the Corvette suspension is that the unibody chassis and torsion bar suspension aren't much fun in the corners. See Jay Leno's Car Collection Before you get upset and assume its an LS-powered Dodge, listen to the unique exhaust soundtrack. It comes from none other than the Viper's V10 breathing through twin turbos. A Viper six-speed transmission was also included, along with a sleek billet shifter. Power is sent to tiny 24"x15" rear wheels, which required a few hours of metalwork for a proper fit. Every body panel was cut & welded to create a Charger unlike any other. With 1,000 horsepower on tap, it will give the new Challenger Demon a run for its money with traction being the great equalizer. Tell us what you think of the RT/R and stay with us for more updates from Jay Leno's garage. Search Dodge Challenger For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2017

2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme For Sale

We would like to think automakers build cars that people want to own, but sometimes it seems their priorities become misguided. Fiat-Chrysler is betting the farm with the return of Alfa-Romeo and the expansion of Maserati. As these new models arrive, they have bid farewell to the Dodge Viper. What began in 1988 as a project headed by Carroll Shelby and Lee Iacocca has been a venomous V10 American Supercar. The Gen 5 Dodge Viper can be a comfortable cruiser or a track-day bruiser. The transformation from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde is easy, just dial up the suspension and relax the stability control. The Viper has been and will remain one of the street & track cars for sale.Also Check Out: Dodge Viper Ends Production August 31stEngineers at SRT along with the assembly line workers want to make sure the Viper goes out on top, so the 2016 Dodge Viper ACR Extreme Aero is the ultimate example. It has dive planes on the nose, fender vents, heat extractors, and the largest production rear wing. This car was ordered with every possible option, including bezels for all four brake ducts, carbon fiber x-brace, red seat belts and a lightweight Li-ion battery. Other ready-to-race parts include a differential cooler, 10-way adjustable shocks, 5-mode stability control and carbon ceramic brakes. Viper has never offered an automatic transmission, and the beefy six-speed manual has triple-cone synchros for years of smooth shifting. Power adjustable pedals make for a perfect seating position, and visibility is better than almost every competitor since the rear spoiler is above your line of sight. These final few Vipers offer no apologies. They will make America question why crossovers and family haulers are everywhere. If you can handle 645 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque, click on the link below and give this snake a proper home. 2016 Viper ACR Extreme For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 12, 2017

The Dodge Viper Dies on August 31, 2017

Well, we knew it was going to happen soon, but now we have a date. On August 31, 2017, the Conner Assembly Plant will close says ClickOnDetroit.com. Along with the plant's closure, the production of the Viper SRT & GTS and V10 engine will cease.As of right now, 87 employees are currently employed at the Conner Assembly Plant. Fortunately, FCA will reportedly be offering the employees positions at other locations.I first reported that the Viper could be facing an end to its production come 2017 all the way back on October 23, 2015. Since 1992, the Conner Assembly Plant has produced over 30,000 Vipers.In 2012, Dodge reintroduced the Viper back into the SRT lineup with the model that is currently being produced. Since the beginning of 2016, Dodge has introduced limited edition Viper models for the final year, reopened ordering for the model and even had the largest group delivery of Vipers, ever. It's been a roller coaster, but it will all come to an end on August 31.

By Andrew Nabors – June 20, 2017

Dodge Announces Production Numbers for the Demon

How Many Dodge Demons Were Made?To celebrate the pagan festival of the Summer Solstice, Dodge will open the books for Challenger SRT Demon orders on June 21st. Only 3,000 cars are planned for the US, and Canadian fans are limited to 300 cars.View the Dodge Demon SpecsDetailed in a press release this morning, they have shocked the world by effectively killing dealer markups. "The last will be first, and the first will be last". Production and order acceptance will be based on the lowest sticker price. The dealer most willing to part ways with padding their profits will be most likely to gain a new customer.We've learned from multiple sources that the 840 horsepower Demon was the product of engineering the Hellcat back in 2014. The world wasn't ready for a 9-second street car, and neither was the NHRA. Rules exist to keep drivers safe, and the National Hot Rod Association had every right to ban the Demon from competition. But it won't take long to add a roll cage and the few other parts needed to qualify. All you need is $84,995 for the car, and we suggest spending $4 more for the options. A fist full of dollars will have you every which way but loose, because $84,999 is all you should pay for a fully loaded SRT Demon. To make sure your order is received, our dealers are ready to help you. Take a look at new Dodge Challengers for sale and get ready to race. Stay with us for all your Dodge updates.

By Andrew Nabors – June 02, 2017

Dodge Releases Detailed Specifications of the Demon

All of us have been wondering how a production car is able to pull a wheelie, so Dodge has released some incredible facts about the car. Starting at the bottom, the Hellcat block wouldn't handle the power, so a new cast iron block with deep skirts is bored with deck plates and filled with forged goodies. The crank journals are induction hardened, and the oil system is new. The valvetrain gets 33% more oil to keep it cool, and the piston jets are twice the size of the Hellcat. In total, the Demon has 62% new parts compared with the Challenger Hellcat. Owners that opt for the crate of accessories will have 840 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 770 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. Those numbers are made possible with 100 octane race fuel, which can only be used with the tuner included with the crate. The custom-painted Demon Crate contains components that maximize the Challenger SRT Demon’s flexibility, exclusivity, and future collectability.Not only does the Demon have the largest production hood scoop, the air box measures a staggering 903 cubic inches. At wide open throttle, the intake sucks in 1,150 cubic feet per minute. To put that into perspective, a quarter-mile run would use 173 cubic feet of air, or the lung capacity of 816 adults. The radiator and intercoolers are rated at 258 kW of heat, which could boil a quart of water in 1.2 seconds. The fuel injectors flow 1.36 gallons per minute, while most shower heads are rated at 2.0 gpm. When the spark plugs fire, each piston, and connecting rod is hit with 11 tons of force. They have somehow built an independent rear suspension capable of 2,500 lbs of weight transfer to lift the front wheels. The 9" ring gear is hit with 11,164 lb-ft of torque at launch. The axles have 8 ball bearings in the CV joints with 41 spline connections. The press release has a dozen more facts that are hard to believe, but they all add up to a seriously well-engineered automobile. We hope some of these hardcore parts will be made available for pre-owned Dodge Challenger.Engineers have somehow built an independent rear suspension capable of 2,500 lbs of weight transfer in order to lift the front wheels. The 9" ring gear is hit with 11,164 lb-ft of torque at launch. The axles have 8 ball bearings in the CV joints with 41 spline shafts. The press release has a dozen more facts that are hard to believe, but they all add up to a seriously well-engineered automobile. We hope some of these hardcore parts will be made available for Challenger owners because building a car as capable of the Demon with aftermarket parts would be well over the $84,995 retail price. Stay with us for all your Demon updates and listings from our dealers.

Dodge

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe