Ford News

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 Edward Jones – September 10, 2024

Whatever Happened To The Ford GT90?

Back in 1995, Ford made a dramatic reveal at the Detroit Auto Show. Dressed in white, the new 1995 Ford GT90 concept car. For a brief amount of time after its unveiling, the entire automotive industry was abuzz about what was then the world’s fast and most powerful car. For the GT90’s engine was a magnificent 6.0-liter V12 that had four turbochargers attached. This put the power output of the concept car at 720 hp, which was preposterous in the 90’s and is still an accomplishment by today’s standards. Albeit, a quad-turbocharged V12 could garner more power with today’s technology. That being said, that much back in the day was enough to make the exhaust system so hot that Ford needed to install ceramic plates around it in order to prevent the body panels from melting. Just like in a space shuttle. Featured Image Source: Facebook/Need For Speed " width="680"> The Engineering Behind the Horsepower The GT90's power output was so enormous that it created a unique challenge: the exhaust system would get hot enough to melt the body panels. Ford's solution was as extraordinary as the car itself. They installed ceramic plates around the exhaust system to protect the vehicle, a technology akin to what is used in space shuttles. How Many Ford GT90s Exist? The exclusivity of the GT90 is in its rarity—it remains a one-off concept. Ford never took the next step to mass-produce this automotive wonder, leaving it forever as a tantalizing glimpse into what might have been. The Specs: A Space Shuttle on Wheels Beyond its horsepower, the GT90 boasted specs that were revolutionary for its time. Its 0-60 mph speed was a mere 3.1 seconds, and it claimed to reach a top speed of 253 mph. Both figures were practically inconceivable in 1995 and still turn heads today. In essence, driving the GT90 was likened to piloting a space shuttle, both in terms of speed and the technology packed into it. Source: Facebook/Ford Armenia The Philosophy Behind Its Creation So, what drove Ford to create this mechanical marvel? The GT90 was intended as a spiritual successor to the legendary Ford GT40, a race car that had its heyday in the 1960s. The project was a clandestine affair that took a mere six months to complete. When Jeremy Clarkson questioned the American ethos behind creating a European-styled supercar, Fred Goodnow, a GT90 Project Engineer, responded that they wanted to prove they could outperform the Europeans. And by most accounts, they succeeded. The "New Edge" Design The GT90 wasn't just about brute power; it was also a showcase for Ford's "New Edge" design philosophy, characterized by the use of many edges and angles. The design was so ahead of its time that even today, with minor modifications, it wouldn't look out of place among modern supercars. Why Didn't It Go Into Production? One of the most significant mysteries surrounding the GT90 is why it never saw the production line. While we can speculate that the astronomical production costs and the extreme engineering requirements may have played a role, the exact reason remains a company secret. Source: Facebook/Salinas Valley Ford Lincoln Where is the GT90 Now? In 2009, the GT90 was briefly listed for auction by RM Auctions but was withdrawn just before the event. Currently, the Ford GT90 is on display at Hajek Motorsport Museum in Oklahoma. The Legacy And What Could Have Been The GT90 may have been a one-off dream, but it was far from a waste. It's widely believed that the groundbreaking technologies developed for the GT90 filtered down into other Ford models and even made their way into cars from other manufacturers like Aston Martin. While Ford did eventually revive the GT series in 2004 and introduced a new Ford GT in 2017, the GT90 remains the tantalizing "what if" of the automotive world. Maybe, just maybe, Ford will once again push the envelope in the future, bringing to life a car that could rival today's hypercars from Koenigsegg and Bugatti. Until then, the GT90 remains a dream—unrealized but never forgotten. View All Ford GTs For Sale

Expedition Timberline Off Grid concept 15

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2021

Ford Has Just Unveiled the Perfect Off-Road SUV

Everything you need for an epic adventure. Ford has just unveiled the new Expedition Timberline Off-Grid concept, based on the 2022 Expedition Timberline series. This concept SUV was designed to offer everything you need during off-road adventures, and it delivers. As you can clearly see from the images in this article, it's abolutely loaded with features. For starters, the Expedition itself has been given an extra two inches of lift thanks to custom FOX Performance Elite Series 2.5-inch shocks. This lift gives room for the 17-inch Method Race Wheels shod in 35-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires. On top of the Expedition itself is a Thule Tepui Explorer tent that rests on crossbars, as well as a Overland Vehicle Systems’ Nomadic 180-degree awning. Being an off-road vehicle, there's also a 50-inch Rigid light bar mounted right in front of the tent. Inside the Expedition, is a custom aluminum dual storage drawer unit that can be found underneath the custom Luno camping mattress that can sleep two. Accompanying the Expedition Timberline Off-Grid concept is a matching Turtleback Expedition Series Trailer. This trailer features room for additional gear, a two-burner propan stove, deep-weel sink, two dropdown tables, 42-gallon water tank, six-gallon water heater with a shower hookup and a pancake propane tank. If you'd like to see this awesome concept for yourself, it will be on display October 8-10 at the Overland Expo East at Oak Ridge Estates in Arrington, Virginia and then at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, November 2-5. View All Ford Raptors For Sale Source: Ford

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2021

Ford Evos Debuts in Shanghai

By China, for China While it looks as wild as a concept, the new Ford Evos is very real. As the flagship of their China plan, it is their first electric crossover designed by, and built for Chinese owners. Sharing much of its running gear with the Mach-E GT, and the body exemplifies 'Progressive Energy in Strength'. This means no detail was overlooked because every component could potentially carry a culturable taboo. Ford hired locals to help with the aesthetics in details like the 3D parametric grille and the scale pattern on the taillights. Could we be looking at the return of the Fusion thanks to battery power? Tell us why or why not in the comments below. Images (C) Ford

By Edward Jones – December 18, 2020

Team Fordzilla's P1 Race Car Debuted

The Team Fordzilla P1 has been revealed in full-scale form and it's unlike any Ford vehicle in existence. This new race car had two Ford designers creating it's appearance: Arturo Ariño was in charge of designing the exterior and Robert Engelmann took care of the interior. When designing, the two designers had to include the features that gamers voted to include in a Twitter poll earlier this year. The design itself includes a wide-open rear and a front end that would fit perfectly in an LMP series of the future. Drivers of the Fordzilla P1 race car will be seated in a jet fighter-style canopy filled with LED notifications that inform them of the track status. For the gamers, the designers added a few special touches like the AFK (away from keyboard) message in front of the co-pilot's seat and GLHF (good luck have fun) on the front lower spoiler. See All Ford GTs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

Ford Bronco Overland Concept Is Loaded With Accessories

Broncos of all ages are converging in Townsend, Tennessee this weekend. By all estimates it will be the largest Bronco gathering of all time. That's why owners and aftermarket outfitters we be together to enjoy their favorite 4WD. Earlier this week, a social media post mentioned that dealers would not be charging installation fees for upgrades, and that is why the Ford Bronco Overland concept is loaded with accessories. Your local Ford dealer already has a nice offering of upgrades that can be installed before or after you take delivery. Because Dearborn has the ability to purchase the parts cheaper than anyone else, they are passing the savings along to the customer. Based on the 4-door Badlands Edition, the color scheme is "Area 51". It rides on 35" BFGoodrich Mud Terrains with 17" wheels bolted to their High Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.). The 7-speed manual is a six-speed with a Granny-low crawling gear for attacking tough terrain. " width="680"> Other goodies include tubular bumpers, a Warn winch, and Rigid Pod lights. Inside you are treated to an ARB refrigerator, cooking kit, and stove that stores neatly away. Yakima supplied the 2-person tent that bolts to the factory roof rail crossovers. What you see here will soon be offered at your dealer, so tell us your ideal spec in the comments below. Thanks to Bronco6G for the unveiling and stay with us for all your Bronco news. Browse Ford Bronco For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 23, 2020

Ford Debuts All-Electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Dragster

Every drag strip is filled with gas-powered monsters waiting to rip down the tarmac in hopes of getting that perfect launch and quickest time. For that launch, many of these cars rely on serious torque, something that electric cars typically have an abundance of. Knowing this, Ford Performance has revealed the new all-electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype. “Ford has always used motorsport to demonstrate innovation,” said Dave Pericak, Global Director, Ford Icons. “Electric powertrains give us a completely new kind of performance and the all-electric Cobra Jet 1400 is one example of pushing new technology to the absolute limit. We’re excited to showcase what’s possible in an exciting year when we also have the all-electric Mustang Mach-E joining the Mustang family.” " width="680"> The Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 prototype has some serious battery power, resulting in over 1,400 horsepower and over 1,100 lb-ft of torque. That is some serious power that will result in insane launches and remarkable numbers on the time slip. Ford Performance will be debuting the Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 at a drag racing event later this year. See Mustang Cobra Jets for Sale Source: Ford Motor Company

By Edward Jones – March 10, 2020

Ford to Make New Race Car With Help From Gamers

Ford is calling on their gamer friends to help them design a completely new race car. Being called "Team Fordzilla - P1," this new race car will be Ford's first virtual car that's not derived from an already-existing model. Helping design the car will be the captain's of Ford's esports teams (Fordzilla). Ford also notes that they will be gathering input from a wider gaming community as well. “Coming up with a no-holds-barred race car for the virtual world is when the gloves come off and the design team can really let their imaginations fly. The expertise of gamers is crucial to ensuring that this will be the best-looking car on the grid,” said Amko Leenarts, director, Design, Ford of Europe. SEE ALL FORD GT FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2019

Ford Invests $500 Million in Rivian

What do you do if you have developed a game-changing electric car platform? Rivian is planning to launch 2 new American electric vehicles using a common chassis for both. The R1T and the R1S will launch next year, the fist is a pickup and the second is an SUV. Their range of 400 miles is unprecedented, so Ford invested $500 Million in Rivian. It is a major part of Ford's $11 Billion EV program. The press release from Dearborn also confirms the Mustang-inspired crossover and an electric F-150 are far along in development. Ford President & CEO Jim Hackett said: " As we continue in our transformation of Ford with new forms of intelligent vehicles and propulsion, this partnership with Rivian brings a fresh approach to both. At the same time, we believe Rivian can benefit from Ford’s industrial expertise and resources.” While the percentage of ownership was not mentioned, President of Global Opereations Joe Hinrichs is now on Rivian's board of directors. This is very similar to Porsche, who sourced electric parts from Rimac before purchasing 20% of the company. " width="680"> Related: Porsche Joins Forces With Rimac

By Edward Jones – February 25, 2016

Could This Be A New Ford Bronco? Please Say Yes...

Now that the Ford GT is back, why not bring back the Bronco, right? Well, if the thought of a Bronco revival isn't enough, here's something a bit more tangible.Bronco6G.com uploaded a rendering of what they think the 2020 Ford Bronco could look like (seen above). It's definitely very different than the FourWheeler April Fool's concept they rendered up in 2014.For their concept, Bronco6G combined the stylings of the 2004 concept with the design cues of the modern Ford trucks and SUVs. The most noticeable cues that fans will enjoy are the round headlights and the grille.The overall look of the body is very reminiscent of the first generation Bronco. Its tall and boxy stature, along with its "no frills design", heavy-duty tires and custom roof rack all scream "off-road." I can only assume that the interior is just as functional as the interior, similar to the cabin of the newer F-150's.Bronco6G also notes in their revealing article that Ford is expected to bring the Bronco back in 2020 as a direct competitor with the Jeep. Their sources told them that Ford has already purchased Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons for reference.What do you guys think of this concept? Hot or not? And, come on, who else is excited about the Bronco revival? Let us know in the comments below.Ford Broncos For Sale

Ford News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe