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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 – 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 – July 02, 2020

2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye & Durango SRT Hell...

It has been an odd year so far. We're all in the same weird mess, so thankfully our friends at Dodge's SRT Division have given us hope for the future. A pair of simultaneous press releases offer a combined 1,507 horsepower and 1,352 lb-ft of torque. That is the perfect way to celebrate Independence Day, with a new Widebody Charger Hellcat Redeye and a new Durango Hellcat. The sedan evokes Demon power to offer 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque, and the SUV offers 710 & 645 (respectively). While the Durango will only be offered for one year, the Jeep Trackhawk for sale offers the same power without 3-row seating. Both can easily tow almost 9,000 lbs and offer low 11-second timeslips. The Durango and Jeep are nearly identical with the Dodge offering a 5" longer wheelbase, so either one is a great decision. " width="680"> What makes the Charger so brutal is the largest supercharger ever offered on a production car. The 2.7-liter blower sends 14.5 lbs of boost into the 6.2-liter. The most powerful sedan on the market makes use of Torque Reserve to hold 3.9 lbs of boost in the intake to offer 55% more torque at launch than a standard Hellcat. Other Demon goodies include the SRT Power Chiller, After-Run Chiller, and massive 41-spline axles. All four wheels are 20" x 11" wearing 305/35 Pirellis. The car has been relentlessly tested to offer consistent 1/4 mile times of 10.6 @129. With a top speed of 203 mph, Germany's fast sedans are on their back foot. Browse Charger SRT Hellcat For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 05, 2020

Hennessey Performance 1000 HP Hellcat Redeye Customer Tes...

It is an eye-watering experience watching customers take delivery of a supercar. Someone who has worked hard and saved every penny can now enjoy the sacrifices made. That's why we're glad to show you another satisfied customer of Hennessey Performance. POWER: • 1035 bhp @ 6,500 rpm (*on race gas tune)• 948 lb-ft torque @ 4,200 rpm INCLUDES: • 2.65L Supercharger System• Supercharger Pulley Upgrade• Throttle Body Upgrade• Stainless Steel Long Tube Headers• High-Flow Catalytic Converters• High-Flow Supercharger Bypass Valve• Upgraded High-Flow Fuel Injectors• HPE Calibration Upgrade• High-Flow Air Induction System• Professional Installation• All Necessary Gaskets & Fluids• Chassis Dyno Testing• Road Testing (up to 200 miles)• Hennessey Exterior Badges• HPE1000 Badges• Serial-Numbered Plaques• Hennessey Premium Floor Mats• 1 Year /12,000 Mile Limited Warranty In stock form, the Challenger Hellcat Redeye offers 797 horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque. Essentially a Demon without the option for race fuel, John Hennessey and his team build a motor capable of 1,000 horsepower on Shell 93 premium. It involves a new top end, supercharger, heat exchanger, and a few other proprietary parts I can't mention. Needless to say, Mr. Haggard is happy with his new toy, so stay with us for all your Hennessey news. Learn More

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 30, 2019

1970 Dodge Charger R/T Crushed by Angry Seller

Some cars are worth saving while others are not. Before you get mad, hear me out. I've sold a dozen Camaros, three Buicks, and four Corvettes. Dealing with scammers, tire kickers, and lowball offers can be infuriating, so that is why this 1970 Dodge Charger R/T was crushed by an angry seller. This video by MoparRapidTransit is hard to watch, as it shows a small block Dodge Charger for sale meeting an untimely end. There are 2 sides to every coin, and the rust looks significant. He was only asking $10,000 which could easily be made by parting the car out. Browse All Dodge Charger For Sale Finding a buyer is hard if your car isn't visible to the world. That is how I discovered the power of duPont REGISTRY. Hindsight is 20/20, and if the owner would've listed the car with us this video would not exist. If you are looking for a Charger without drama, click the button above. If you want to sell a car for your asking price, you know where to go. " width="680"> Related: Dodge Demon Specs, Photos, Price, & Review 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition Revealed

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 Edward Jones – August 30, 2019

New Mopar 2019 Dodge Challenger Celebrates a Decade of Cu...

Dodge is celebrating a decade of factory-vehicle customization with the new and exclusive Mopar 2019 Challenger. This limited-edition Challenger comes with Mopar performance parts and accessories you won't find in any other car. Dodge will be offering the Mopar '19 Challenger in either Pitch Black or White Knuckle, and they come with the Mopar Shakedown graphics. There's also the Shaker Hood package that provides an extra "muscly" touch. As for the engine, it comes equipped with the HEMI V8 (485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque) that's mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox. Inside the car are performance front cloth seats with a two-tone Mopar logo on the seatbacks. An extra touch from Dodge is the Owner's Kit, which has a "birth certificate" of the car, full-color Mopar booklet, an engraved keepsake and a Mopar '19 rendering. Dealers will start taking orders on the Mopar 2019 Dodge Challenger in September with a starting MSRP of $45,835. see all dodge challengers for sale Also Check Out: 2010 Dodge Challenger Richard Petty Signature Series For Sale Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat Specs, Price, 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

By Edward Jones – August 15, 2019

2020 Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Daytona 50th Anniversar...

Dodge has just revealed the new 2020 Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition, a limited edition model that celebrates that 1969 Charger Daytona. Just like the original '69 Charger Daytona, this new Charger SRT Hellcat special edition will be limited to just 501 examples. Aside from the limited production numbers, there are a lot of other aspects that make this a special muscle car. For starters, Dodge gave its 6.2-liter V8 engine a little boost, pushing the power up to 717 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. In the rear is a "Daytona" decklid and rear-quarter decal, both of which pay homage to the car's inspiration. As for the paint, it will be offered in four different colors: B5 Blue, Pitch Black, Triple Nickel and White Knickle. The B5 Blue paint is exclusive to the Daytona 50th Anniversary Edition. A price point has not been given as of yet. see all challengers for sale Also Check Out: Dodge SRT Challenger Hellcat Specs, Price, Photos & Review 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody Revealed

By Andrew Nabors – July 03, 2019

Lee Iacocca: 1924-2019

We have lost an icon of the American auto industry. Lee Iacocca passed away last night at the age of 94. A native of Allentown, PA, he was born to Italian immigrants on October 15, 1924. He was a brilliant student who achieved a scholarship to Princeton. After graduation he started his career at Ford. During his tenure, he pushed for small & fun cars, and he was responsible for the Mustang and the Pinto. His management style was unique, in that he hired the smartest engineers and designers, then giving the freedom to build great cars. After decades at Ford, Chrysler made him an offer he couldn't refuse. They were nearly bankrupt and in-need of a miracle. Lee went to work by killing all the junk cars in their lineup. After that, he gave his engineers a daunting assignment: Build an entirely new lineup using the same engines, suspensions and other parts. This bold move resulted in the K-Platform. It was the basis for almost every Dodge, Chrysler, & Plymouth car from 1981 to 1995. Models ranging from the Reliant, Aires, New Yorker, Laser, Daytona, and the amazing LeBaron. All cars were initially powered by the Chrysler 4-cylinder, but Mitsubishi offered a better engine for less money. When critics said the cars were underpowered, Lee called up the same man who transformed the Mustang into a performance machine. Carroll Shelby came onboard, and his turbocharged Omni and Daytona are still fast by modern standards. The K Cars literally saved Chrysler. So for a followup performance, Lee gave us the Minivan. The Dodge Caravan, Town & Country, and the Voyager were runaway successes, and they proved to be very reliable. Riding high on a wave of profits, he saw his career as complete...almost. Lee & Carroll decided to retire after one last project. Looking back on their past performance cars, they decided America needed a new hero. A secret project began in 1988 to build a supercar, and after extensive development, the Dodge Viper debuted in 1991. He was never shy of the camera, so he used TV to show how his cars were more affordable and economical than the competition. Aside from a minor role on Miami Vice, retirement treated him well. He became golfing buddies with Snoop Dogg, and gave lectures about being a leader during tough times. Fiat-Chrysler and Ford issued statements on his passing, with Bill Ford saying: “Lee Iacocca was truly bigger than life and he left an indelible mark on Ford, the auto industry and our country. Lee played a central role in the creation of Mustang. On a personal note, I will always appreciate how encouraging he was to me at the beginning of my career. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed.” Our condolences to the Iacocca family. " width="680">

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