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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 – September 21, 2020

2021 Ford Bronco Sasquatch Gains 7-Speed Manual Transmisison

Nothing is more rewarding than conquering a tough trail with a manual transmission. Not only are they more efficient than automatics, but you can also choose the perfect gear for each situation. That is why we are happy to learn that the 2021 Ford Bronco Sasquatch editions will offer a 7-speed manual transmisison. Ford Bronco Celebrates 55th Birthday With Five Wild Concepts In a press release this morning, we have learned you will have six gears for the street along with a granny (crawler) gear below first. If you have never driven a granny gear, it is so low that the truck will crawl at a snail's pace when idling. The mechanical advantage offers a crawl ratio of nearly 95:1, so you could idle through a concrete building without touching the skinny pedal. This transmission (and the Bronco Sasquatch) will be embraced by enthusiasts, and it was their pleas that made it happen. Mr. Ford listens to his fans and gets it done, so we salute you. https://www.facebook.com/22166130048/videos/286978022402974

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 04, 2020

Graham Rahal's Purple 2018 Ford GT For Sale

The Ford GT announcement is still considered to be one of the most anticipated vehicle releases throughout the automotive industry. Desired owners of all kinds filling out applications and doing whatever it took to try and secure a chassis to spec. As the mandatory two-years of original ownership before selling begin to end, we start to see more Ford GTs listed for sale. One of the most impressively spec’d builds coming from six-time Indy car race winner Graham Rahal. The 2018 Ford GT features a vibrant purple paint that was not included in the 8-original color code options, making this paint to sample even rarer. He had told Ford Performance in an interview when asked about the color choice, “My favorite color is orange. But I saw that orange had been done on a GT already. So, I wanted to do another color that wouldn’t likely be replicated”. The vehicle is finished with silver racing stripes streaking down the center. Exposed carbon fiber is the next most noticeable piece on the Ford GT, where it can be found on the ground effects including the front lip, side skirts, and rear diffuser. Graham had optioned for the 20” gloss carbon fiber wheels but has also fitted the car with HRE wheels courtesy of Graham Rahal Performance. The heart that drives the Ford GT is a twin-turbo 6-cylinder capable of 647-horsepower which makes an incredible sound from the titanium exhaust. The perfectly purple 2018 Ford GT is currently available at Graham Rahal Performance and can be viewed by clicking the link below. View Listing

By Edward Jones – September 03, 2020

See the All-Electric Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 Prototype's M...

The all-electric Ford Mustang Cobra Jet 1400 was unveiled in April with plans of it being debuted at a drag racer on a later date. That drag race has happened and it was actually the NHRA U.S. Nationals. During its debuted, Ford managed to rip the electric Cobra Jet down the drag strip for a quarter-mile time of 8.27 seconds at 168 mph. During this run, it reached 1,502 peak wheel horsepower, an amount that Ford notes is equal to more than three 2021 Mustang GT V8 engines. That's astounding and it was enough to launch the front wheels way up into the air. You can see it in action for yourself in the video up above. I will admit that the sound of its electric powerplant is pretty awesome. "Since revealing the car, we’ve continued to fine-tune it and now know we're just scratching the surface of what we may be able to achieve with this much electric horsepower in a drag racing setting,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. See All Shelby GT500s for Sale

By Edward Jones – August 21, 2020

Idris Elba and Ford Drop Mustang Mach-E First Edition Res...

When Ford first announced the Mustang Mach-E last year alongside Idris Elba, reservations for it went fast. I'm talking very fast. If you missed you, we have good news for you. Both Idris Elba and Ford have teamed up again and dropped a small amount of Mustang Mach-E First Edition in Grabber Blue. If you're interested, you have to call 844.802.6634 to unlock access for a pre-order. Ford also notes that more of these secret drops for reservations will be coming in the future so be on the lookout and follow @ford for more of them. https://www.instagram.com/p/CEJzIXYHKHM/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CEJ2JzKB1C6/

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

2021 Ford GT Heritage Edition & Studio Collection Unveiled

Fans at Daytona watched in awe is car #98 took first place. After 24 hours of trial and tribulation, the 1966 Ford GT took on the world's best. To celebrate the car's first win, the 2021 Ford GT Heritage Edition was unveiled this morning. If you want to express the modern lines of the car, the 2021 Studio Collection Graphics Package is also an option. Due to the time-intensive nature of each car, Ford has only committed to 40 cars for the next two model years. " width="680"> About the Heritage Edition, it is an homage to Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby, who led the Fords to claim spots 1-2-3-5 at the finish line. It is their first livery to celebrate a race other than LeMans. 20" gold wheels with red calipers are standard, but the Heritage Update Package includes glossy carbon fiber wheels with red barrels and black calipers. Browse Ford GT For Sale The new Studio Collection Graphics Package is a digital way to customize your car. While Ford will still send you the acceptance box if you are chosen to buy one, you can now see it in the virtual realm. You can customize the colors on the air intakes along with other trim to make it truly your own.

By Andrew Nabors – August 03, 2020

Shelby Unveils GT350SE and GT500SE Signature Editions

In addition to building amazing cars, Carroll Shelby was a philanthropist. That's why proceeds their special edition models go to the Carroll Shelby Foundation. Their latest builds continue his legacy of making faster cars even faster, and treating customers like royalty. The new 2021 GT350SE is a $9,995 upgrade package that will be limited to 100 cars. Each will arrive with caster/camber plates, stiffer sway bars, and 19 x 11 forged wheels. It can be ordered without rear seats and with a harness bar, along with Pirelli SC2 tires. A dry carbon hood and widebody package are also offered. Best Ford Mustangs Of All Time Big brother gets a nice performance increase, as the 2021 Shelby GT500SE for sale makes just over 800 horsepower. It is a $29,995 package that is also limited to 100 examples. Each car gets stronger axles, massive intercooler, an all-new suspension, and 20 x 11.5 tires. The dry carbon hood is 30 lbs lighter, and like above, the rear seats can be deleted in favor of a harness bar. The "First Fifteen" examples of each will be delivered at Shelby American headquarters in Las Vegas. Owners will be treated to a banquet dinner, factory tour, and a 1-night stay at "The D Las Vegas". Our Shelby dealers have all the info, so click the button below for all the details. Browse Shelby GT500 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 29, 2020

Raiders Coach Jon Gruden Buys 2020 Shelby GT500

Las Vegas is not kind to bland cars. We doubt he has any regrets about leaving Oakland, and he also won't regret buying the most powerful Ford ever sold. In a Tweet by the dealer (@FordCountryLV), we see Coach Jon Gruden take delivery of a new 2020 Shelby GT500. The beast has 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque from a supercharged 5.2-liter. The Track Package rear spoiler has a massive Raiders logo, and he ordered every option. From the panoramic roof to carbon fiber wheels, this celebrity car will bring big money in the coming years. Click the button below to find your Mustang and stay with us for all your Shelby news. Best Mustangs Of All Time

By Andrew Nabors – July 21, 2020

Ford Mach-E 1400 Unleashed by Vaughn Gittin Jr.

Engineers can only test a car so far in the virtual realm. Much like the new Bronco for sale, Ford wants to make sure the Mustang Mach-E arrives without any issues. Instead of boring laps at the proving grounds, the team decided to let RTR and Ford Performance work their magic. After receiving the latest prototype, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his team dropped it, flared all the fenders, and carfully sculpted carbon fiber to offer 2,300 lbs of downforce at 160 mph. To achieve 1,400 horsepower, seven electric motors are onboard. Having 5 more engines than the Mach-E GT, RTR is pushing the Mach-E chassis, suspension, and battery system far beyond their limits. The battery is only 56.8 kWh, but it circulates dielectric coolant around each cell for optimal range and performance when needed. Several body panels are made of organic composites, which are proving to be lighter, stronger, and more sustainable than the carbon fiber that makes up the rest of the sedan. Our Ford dealers are ready to take your deposit, so browse the latest customized Mustang GT for sale below and stay with us for all your Ford news. Browse Custom Mustang GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 13, 2020

Introducing the New 2021 Ford Bronco

After years and years of waiting the new 2021 Ford Bronco has officially been unveiled. Technically, the new 2021 Broncos have been unveiled because Ford is introducing the two-door and four-door variants of the next-generation Bronco. Carrying over from the first generation of the Bronco is the term G.O.A.T., a nickname given to those first American SUVs. Now, the term G.O.A.T will be found in the modes that allow the Bronco to traverse just about any terrain. These modes include: Normal, Eco, Sport, Slippery and Sand, with Baja, Mud/Ruts and Rock Crawl. “Bronco’s advanced four-wheel-drive technology is at the core of its off-road capabilities, and at the heart of it all is Bronco’s exclusive Terrain Management System™ with G.O.A.T. Modes™ that is designed to help drivers better navigate any type of terrain,” said Mark Grueber, Bronco consumer marketing manager. Pre-production versions of the all-new 2021 Bronco family of all-4x4 rugged SUVs, shown here, include Bronco Sport in Rapid Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Bronco two-door in Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat and Bronco four-door in Cactus Gray. Paired up with the new G.O.A.T. system are two different 4x4 setups: base and advanced. The base system has a two-speed electronic shift-on-the-fly transfer case, while the advanced has a two-speed electromechanical transfer case that has an auto-mode for "on-demand engagement to select between 2H and 4H," according to Ford. All of the power for this system is transferred to both the Dana 44 AdvanTEK solid rear axle and Dana AdvanTEK independent front different unit. See All Broncos for Sale As for power, there are options to be had. Ford notes that there will be a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine with 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It should be noted that these power figures are currently projected. Mated to the engines can be the segment-exclusive 7-speed manual transmission or SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmissions. Whichever model you pick, two-door or four-door, you can make your driving experience an open-air one in an instance thanks to the standard three-section roof system. What's more Ford does note that the removable roof sections or cloth soft top can be removed easily by one person, so you don't have to beg for help when you want the wind in your hair. Because the new Bronco is an off-road-ready SUV, Ford has set it up with a lot of options that make it a formidable vehicle for trails. One feature that will catch the eye of any adventurer are the topographic map trails that include more than 1,000 curated trail maps, powered by NeoTreks’ AccuTerra® Maps, Trails Offroad trail guides and FunTreks trail guides. When on those trails, the Bronco's optional 35-inch off-road tires will and best-in-class 94.75:1 crawl ratio will make waste of any rocks that get in the way. Ford also says that the Bronco has a best-in-class fording capability of up to 33.5-inches, which is a talking point that unfortunately rarely comes up nowadays. So, when is the new 2020 Ford Bronco coming out and how much will it cost? Ford says that the production of the new Broncos will begin in early 2021 with first models arriving in dealership in spring 2021. If you're interested, you can drop a $100 deposit not yo reserve a Bronco for yourself. As for price, it depends on the model. The 2021 Bronco price is set at $29,995 for the two-door while 2021 Bronco four-door comes in at $34,995. As for the 2021 Bronco Sport, that will start at $28,155. Source: Ford Motor Company

By Andrew Nabors – July 07, 2020

Custom Lifted 2020 Ford Raptor on 40" Tires For Sale

There is a reason Elder Ford can offer a Lifetime Warranty on every new vehicle. They sell more inventory by repeat business than any other dealer we have represented. Because they won't lose a sale over price, you will find Tuscany, Shelby, Roush, Harley-Davidson and Ford Performance under the same roof. In addition to those premium brands, their talented technicians know what works well in the mud and the sand of the Gulf Coast. " width="680"> That's why this truck has Elder's own 4.5" suspension lift. It allows the 20" forged Fuel wheels to handle 40" Maxxis tires without sacrificing Ford's proprietary suspension tuning. Also onboard are powered AMP running boards, panoramic roof, adaptive cruise control, Bang & Olufsen audio, and every other option. Equipment Group 802A Luxury means you will have a custom Raptor with 3 years of included service. Elder's convenient location on North Florida Avenue has a showroom that will take your breath away, so click the button below to learn more about this Race Red Raptor and stay with us for more amazing Elder offers! View Listing

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