Escalade

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 Tyler Rampersaud – September 13, 2024

The First Cadillac Escalade IQ Example Is Going Up For Au...

The electric version of Cadillac’s icon is crossing the block. Cadillac made waves when it announced that part of its rapid efforts toward electrification would include introducing an electric version of its most iconic SUV: the Escalade. The new Cadillac Escalade IQ resulted in a more aerodynamic and futuristic rendition of the legendary luxury SUV that has built a legacy as one of the most predominant American luxury vehicles. For those who are anticipating the new electric luxury SUV’s arrival on the road, the chance is coming to own the very first example. The first retail production all-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ, with the VIN 001, will be up for auction this October as part of Barrett-Jackson’s 2024 Scottsdale Fall Auction. The entire hammer price of the vehicle will benefit the Detroit Children’s Fund. The new Escalade IQ is an exciting addition to the world of electric luxury SUVs, combining the Escalade’s unforgettable full-size luxury SUV footprint with GM’s pioneering electric vehicle technology. The Escalade IQ boasts an estimated maximum of 750 horsepower and 785 lb/ft of torque. With a 0-60 time estimated to be under 5 seconds, an estimated range of 460 miles, and features like Super Cruise hands-free driving, the new Cadillac Escalade IQ combines performance, stately luxury, and high-tech convenience, efficiency, and comfort. For those who want to be the first to experience the future of the iconic Escalade legacy, Barrett-Jackson’s 2024 Scottsdale Fall Auction offers the chance to be the owner of the first example of this new full-size electric luxury SUV sensation. View All Cadillac Escalades For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 23, 2024

Watch Jon Olsson Take Delivery Of His Newest All-Black Lu...

This celebrity car collection delves into darkness. Former professional alpine ski racer Jon Olsson has a very recognizable and specific aesthetic. He shares his lifestyle in over 1,000 vlogs on YouTube, which are drenched in matte black. From his house to his cars, Olsson is surrounded by the sleek, modern elegance of matte black. In his latest vlog, he is adding more black cars to his extensive collection, which features cars from Rolls-Royce, Audi, McLaren, and more. In the new vlog, Olsson takes delivery of a new Cadillac Escalade, which is, of course, finished in black. There is work to be done, though, because the color is gloss black, and there are still chrome accents, which the rest of Jon Olsson’s car collection has had darkened to matte black instead for a cohesive look. However, the Escalade is a luxurious and practical addition to Olsson’s lifestyle as an active father, and its ample space and sumptuous appointments will add ease to everyday drives. One of the more practical additions to his black car collection besides his high-performance Audi RS 6 Avant wagon, Jon Olsson brought a beautiful new Cadillac Escalade into his expansive fleet of all-black luxury and exotic cars. With a refined aesthetic and some of the greatest cars in the market in the fleet, it’s always interesting to see what enters Jon Olsson’s all-black car collection. View All Cadillac Escalades For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 18, 2024

Cadillac Unveils The New 2025 Escalade & Escalade-V

Meet the new American luxury SUV icon. After more than 25 years, the Cadillac Escalade has become one of the most monumental milestones in the American automotive industry. It’s a titan in its physical proportions and footprint, and it is a long-standing staple luxury SUV and a favorite among American drivers and luxury vehicle enthusiasts. Introducing the new Cadillac Escalade-V added a high-performance variant to the mix, and the new Cadillac Escalade IQ brought electrification to the picture. However, Cadillac has now revealed the new 2025 Escalade, the new iteration of its timeless staple. It updates everything that makes the Escalade a pop culture icon and one of the country’s favorite luxury vehicles. Visually, the exterior design has been refreshed, with touches derived from the futuristic new Escalade IQ and available 24-inch wheels, the largest ever offered on the Escalade. New exterior colors: Aegean Stone, Deep Sea Metallic, and Latte Metallic add effortless luxury to the 2025 Escalade’s aesthetics. The interior also receives updates reminiscent of the Escalade IQ, with futuristic touches against classic luxury trappings like leather upholstery and high-gloss wood veneers. The Escalade-V features a black interior that hints at its intimidating performance character. A curved display spans the entire dashboard, offering the driver and passenger rich information readouts, entertainment features, and convenient tech. A 19-speaker AKG Studio audio system is standard, with an optional AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker system available. With the available Executive Second Row option, the 36-speaker system becomes a 40-speaker system. Power-operated doors are optional but standard on Platinum and V trims, offering limousine-level luxury. Magnetic Ride Control, independent suspension, and more deliver the signature ride comfort that earned the Escalade its reputation. Continuing on the success of the current generation, the new 2025 Cadillac Escalade-V offers 682 horsepower from a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, bringing serious brawn to the large luxury SUV. In late 2024, the new 2025 Cadillac Escalade production is set to begin, with the new luxury SUV legend set to hit Cadillac showrooms nationwide soon after. Pricing will be announced soon. View All Cadillac Escalades For Sale Image Source: Cadillac

By Edward Jones – January 21, 2022

2023 Cadillac Escalade-V Announced and Revealed

Well... this came out of nowhere. If you were expecting the new 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V to be revealed this year, kudos to you because we did not see this one on the horizon. Announced by Cadillac, this new V-Series Escalade will be the very first SUV to wear the badge. As far as the exact details regarding the powertrain and upgrades, those will come in Spring 2022 when the full reveal is set to happen. However, there are some rumors that its powerplant could be the same supercharged V8 found in the CT5-V Blacking and Camaro ZL1. This engine pumps out 650-668 horsepower, depending on which vehicle it's in. Those numbers would be incredibly impressive for the Escalade which normally comes packing just 420 hp. Be sure to stay with us for more information as it's released. All Escalades For Sale Source: Cadillac

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