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 Jordan Aquistapace – August 16, 2022

Dodge Dealerships Announce New Third-Party Challenger Con...

Drop Top Customs prides itself on being the oldest convertible coachbuilder in the U.S. There’s no better feeling than taking a top-down convertible cruise on a perfect sunny afternoon, letting the wind flow through the open cabin with your favorite song playing through the speakers. While convertible models seem to be a common configuration for most early automotive manufacturers, they now take up a small percentage of the modern-day market. With convertibles only offered to its Challenger production line in 1970 and 1971, the performance professionals at Dodge are now proud to announce third-party convertible modification options available through authorized dealerships. The new third-party Challenger Convertible fulfillment process was announced during the Dodge Speed Week event series, helping customers order their dream convertibles through a simply integrated transportation process. MUST-READ: 2018 Dodge Demon Specs, Photos, Price, & Review The streamlined process connects customers with Drop Top Customs and their Dodge dealership, configuring a vehicle order that fits their exact specifications. Drop Top Customs has 46 years of modification experience, creating the best new convertibles, including modern-era Dodge Challenger convertibles, that feature a fully hydraulic power top with structural reinforcements that reduce body flex while retaining interior space. Dodge dealerships will schedule unmodified customer vehicle orders to ship directly from Stellantis’ Brampton (Ontario, Canada) Assembly Plant to Drop Top Customs for third-party modifications. The one-stop assembly approach provides a more efficient build time, allowing owners to take the keys after completion. The Drop Top Customs convertible modifications retails at $25,999, with expedited transportation available for Dodge Challenger R/T, R/T Scat Pack and SRT models. Visit your local Dodge dealership for more information on the new Challenger convertible third-party conversions. View all the current Dodge Challengers for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more luxury lifestyle releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL DODGE CHALLENGERS FOR SALE Source: Stellantis

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 07, 2022

Ken Block Takes The All-New 702-HP Ram TRX Sandblast Edit...

Ken Block takes the latest Ram TRX to the desert, and it’s right at home. The new Ram TRX Sandblast Edition was made for the desert. With Mojave Sand paintwork that matches the sandy, rocky landscape, large, 35-inch off-road tires, and a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that puts out 702 horsepower and 650 lb/ft of torque, there’s no place to take a truck like this quite like the open desert where it can challenge terrain and kick up dust and dirt for quite the spectacle. With elite power, luxury, and dynamism, the Ram TRX Sandblast Edition is a thoroughbred desert driving machine. MUST READ: Ken Block Debuts His 1,400HP Porsche SVRSR ‘Hoonipigasus’ For Pikes Peak 2022 The TRX Sandblast Edition features a luxurious, leather-upholstered interior that combines comfort with formidable performance. Speaking of that formidable performance, the TRX Sandblast Edition features launch control and even a Baja driving mode for ultimate performance in the desert. There’s nothing quite like the experience of pushing a vehicle to its limits in the open desert, and when you’re at the helm of a Ram truck with a 702-horsepower 6.2 liter, supercharged V8, you truly have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on our hands. View All Rams For Sale Source: YouTube/Ken Block

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 02, 2022

Ram Announces New Electric Truck With Teaser Images

When it comes to the wave of new electric trucks, Ram is not to be counted out. The Ford F150 Lightning and the Chevrolet Silverado EV are both coming sooner than ever, in 2022 and 2023 respectively, but that only accounts for two of the three well-known American trucks having electric versions. The Ram, however, is coming to change that. MUST READ: Chevrolet Announces New Silverado EV For 2024 In a recent announcement of Stellantis, Ram’s parent company’s, long-term strategic plan, it was announced that Ram would have fully electric options for all of its product categories no later than 2030, with most of their bases being covered by 2025. The pictures that accompanied this announcement, however, told an even more exciting story. The images give the merest hint at what is going to be an electric Ram 1500, and this electric truck will be arriving in 2024, and while out of the electric trucks being announced by the main three American brands, the Ram will be the last, it’s much better late than never. Source: Stellantis

By Edward Jones – January 20, 2022

Dodge is Looking to Hire a Chief Donut Maker, The Coolest...

Donut makers, it's time to prove your worth. Dodge is hiring for a position that may be the coolest job in the world: Chief Donut Maker. This position will make the person a Dodge ambassador and the company will provide them with an SRT Hellcat, Dodge apparel, invites to automotive events, time at the Radford Racing School, and a check for $150,000. The best part? The CDM can do all of this while maintaining their day job. So, how does one apply? Go to DodgeGarage.com and upload a video that explains why you deserve the position. Once ten finalists are picked, they will be given a set of scenarios that will play out like a reality TV show with one winner remaining at the end. Even if you don't apply for the position, you can still witness the hiring process for yourself through Dodge's social media channels. Applications will be accepted from January 20th to February 28th.

By Edward Jones – December 30, 2021

Ram TRX Takes an Insane Lap Through Nurburgring

Not something you see every day on the Nurburgring. When people take to the Nurburgring for an exciting lap, they don't expect to see a massive American truck joining them. Well, that's what happened recently thanks to BTGDale who brought a massive Ram TRX to the famous circuit. Seeing the driver's perspective as they wait in line to enter the circuit is honestly hilarious due to the truck looking down on the sports cars in front of it. What's even funnier is seeing the TRX fly through the circuit itself, passing by cars because I can't help to think about what's going through the drivers' heads. And when I say pass by, I mean it, because this TRX laps the Nurburgring with pace. Its ability to sprint through a circuit is all thanks to its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that pumps out a mean 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Click play up above to see the off-road-ready TRX take on the Green Hell, you won't regret it. Ram TRXs For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2021

Dodge is Giving Away 25 Dream Cars

An awesome chance to add a Dodge to your garage. Dodge has just announced Operation 25//8, a campaign that will see 25 different ambassadors give away 25 Dodge dream cars. This new campaign will last eight weeks, hence the 25//8 name. The ambassadors include the following: Ambassadors: Amazon Jay Leno (@jaylenosgarage) Supercar Blondie (@supercarblondie) Francis Ngannou (@francisngannou) Draft Kings/Dan Le Batard (@LeBatardShow) Motor Trend-Road Kill (@roadkillshow) Bill Goldberg (@Goldberg95) Travis Barker (@travisbarker) Ben Baller (@benballer) Tim Kennedy (@timkennedymma) Imaray Uluoa (@imarayulloa) David Hoffmann (@davidsbeenhere) Radford Racing School (@radfordracingschool) Richard Rawlings (@rrrawlings) Chiqui Delgado (@chiqui_delgado) Cain Velasquez (@officialcainvelasquez) Kenny Wayne Shepard (@kennywayneshepherd) Parris Goebel (@parrisgoebel) Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) Chanel Iman (@chaneliman) Swae Lee (@swaelee) BarStool Sports (@barstoolsports) Westen Champlin (@westengw) Omar Raja (@omar) Doug Marcaida (@dougmarcaida) In order to enter, fans will need to follow these ambassadors on their respective social media platforms where 25//8 campaign content will be uploaded. Fans will be asked to write, in 250 words or less, why they should be the ones to win one of the 25 Dodge dream cars. Cars included in the giveaway include a new Charger, Challenger or Durango. For the Amazon giveaway, they will be giving away a Challenger Hellcat. To enter, visit this Amazon page where more details are given. “To recognize the Dodge spirit, the belief that 24 hours a day, seven days a week simply isn’t enough effort, Operation 25//8 will enlist a team of 25 people and companies that are all superstars in their fields, including Amazon, Travis Barker, Jay Leno, Cain Velasquez, Supercar Blondie and Draft Kings, to give away 25 Dodge dream cars during the last eight weeks of 2021,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge Brand CEO. “Operation 25//8 adds 20,000 horsepower to the Brotherhood of Muscle and is the first step in building awareness for our two-year transition plan to redefine the future of American muscle.” Source: Dodge

By Edward Jones – October 28, 2021

Dodge Charger and Challenger Get New Hemi Orange and SRT ...

Just in time for Halloween. Dodge has just announced two special packages for the Charger and Challengers and the timing of this announcement couldn't be any better. The new HEMI Orange and SRT Black packages are both new and ready for Halloween. 2022 Dodge Challenger SRT Super Stock (near) and 2022 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, with SRT Black appearance package. The HEMI Orange package is a nod to the early HEMI engine that features orange paint. Within this package are orange and black exterior and interior color accents. These accents include the vehicle length orange and Gunmetal striping, orange brake calipers, orange outlines on the badging, orange stitching, and more. This package can be equipped on the GT RWD and Scat Pack Widebody Chargers and Challengers. Pricing for this package is $2,995 for the GT RWD and $1,500 for Scat Pack Widebody. Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat Specs, Price, Photos & Review As for the SRT Black package, this is one for those who preferred a "blacked-out" look for their car. Features of this package include the blacked-out exterior badging and accents, and Black Nickel exhaust tips. This package is available for the Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcat and SRT Hellcat Redeye models. The price sits at $695. All Challengers Hellcats For Sale Source: Dodge

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2021

Ram TRX Jumps Over a Dodge Viper ACR

That was... close. It was a few months ago that Street Speed 717 jumped his Ram 1500 TRX over a little creek. This not only totaled the truck but also prompted authorities to slap him with $53,000 worth of fines. Why? The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission charged him with 18 counts that included "disturbance of waterways and watersheds," and "pollution of waters." That's quite a bit of money he was out if you consider the Ram 1500 TRX price. Still, that hasn't stopped him from his jumping antics as he recently jumped his new TRX over a Dodge Viper ACR. What's crazy about this stunt is how close the TRX's tires were to the roof of the Viper. I mean... we're talking centimeters or even millimeters of space between the two. You can check it out for yourself in the video down below from Vehicle Virgins. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2021

2022 Ram 1500 TRX Ignition Edition Revealed

Orange you glad they made this edition? The Ram 1500 TRX continues to be an unbelievably popular truck, but that's for very good reasons. Not only does it look absolutely menacing, but it also has the power to match. Now, a new variant has been unveiled which will surely draw in those who are thinking about adding the truck to their garage. The new 2022 Ram 1500 TRX Ignition Edition's main feature has to be the vibrant Ignition Orange exterior with exterior graphics. Other upgrades include the 18-inch wheels, panoramic room, spray-in bed liner, orange interior stitching, and special orange TRX logos. Just 875 examples of the new Ram 1500 TRX Ignition Edition will be created. Browse Ram TRXs For Sale 2022 Ram 1500 TRX Ingition Edition interior Source: Stellantis

By Andrew Nabors – May 04, 2021

Hennessey Mammoth 1000 Ram TRX Floggs Their Dyno

Thats a ton of torque! Hats off, its time to salute the Dyno Room at Hennessey Performance. It has been subjected to millions of horsepower over the years, and their latest Dodge Ram TRX has an achievement unlocked. With their special blend of boost and tuning, it has proven to be a consistent badass. Mild-mannered in traffic, they loaded the rollers to simulate highway rolls to dial-in the transmission for more power. This prototype will form the basis for the Mammoth 1000 SUV, with seating for 7 and 761 horsepower at the ground. Torque at the tires is a blistering 701 lb-ft, and it does this without E85. Your Dodge, Jeep, Ram, & Chrysler Hemis can also be treated to Hennessey upgrades ranging from mild to wild. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your Hennessey news. Learn More

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