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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

2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition 11

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2021

New 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition Announced

An homage to the original. Ford has just announced the new 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition, a special variant that pays tribute to the original through new and exclusive touches. Paying tribute to the original '67 Shelby GT500, this special edition will feature an exclusive Brittany Blue exterior finish. Joining this finish are two Wimbledon White stripe options: painted striped with a unique GT500 logo or vinyl stripes with a vinyl side stripe that features the GT500 logo. The cost for these special editions is an extra $2,140 for the vinyl stripes, while the handpainted version cost is set at $12,140. Those prices would be tacked onto the 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500's base price of $72,900. View Shelby GT500s For Sale Source: Ford

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 03, 2021

Watch Jay Leno Take Out The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 On J...

The Mustang Mach 1 is known as a staple to the American muscle fleet of Ford with its initial debut in August 1968. Ford is happy with the return of the Mustang Mach 1 for 2021, featuring a 480-horsepower 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V8. In a recent YouTube video, legendary car collector and American television host Jay Leno put the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 to the test with Ford’s VP of Marketing Jim Owens in the passenger seat. Although the Mustang Mach 1 offers a traditional 6-speed manual transmission, Jay Leno opts to test the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. MUST-READ: 2021 Mustang Mach 1 Combines Historical Influences With Shelby Hardware The state-of-the-art transmission allows for the vehicle to select the optimal gear by learning the driver’s driving patterns and habits. Along with the new smart shifting technology, Jay expresses his love for the new steering feel while laying down the power throughout the test drive. The full walk-through includes a breakdown of all the new features added to the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1. Watch Jay Leno and Jim Owens experience the new 2021 Mustang Mach 1 by clicking the video link above. View all the current Ford Mustang Mach 1 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Ford Mustang Mach 1 For Sale on duPont REGISTRY

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 03, 2021

The New Ford Bronco Desert Racer Is Designed To Take On T...

The new Ford Bronco receives some off-road upgrades from Ford Performance. The new Ford Bronco redesign continues to grow in popularity throughout the automotive world, with customers anticipating the day that their chassis is delivered. Along with being one of the best new SUVs on the market, the Bronco features an aftermarket-friendly platform that acts as a blank canvas for off-road enthusiasts. Ford is proud to announce that it's saving adventurous customers time and money with its first-ever production Bronco Desert Racer. The heavily modified Ford Bronco is designed to take on the iconic Baja 1000 race. Delivering power to the upgraded chassis is Ford’s third-generation 400-hp Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine. Bronco DR features a 10R80 transmission and electric shift on the fly transfer case from the Built Ford Tough F-150. MUST-READ: Kevin Bacon Test Drives the Ford Bronco With Jay Leno While final specifications will be shared closer to the on-sale date, Bronco DR packs a long list of hardware specifically for off-road desert racing. Longtime Ford Performance collaborator Multimatic is enhancing the Bronco brand-exclusive High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (H.O.S.S.) system, adding Positional Selective DSSV Dampers with 80-millimeter bodies with finned fluid cooling channels, as well as Multimatic-designed billet aluminum lower control arms. The Bronco DR prototype will make its race debut in 2022 and is targeting entry in the 2022 SCORE Baja 1000, wearing Ford Performance red, white, black and blue livery honoring the Baja 1000 victory. The first 50 units of 2023 Bronco DR will be available for sale in late 2022 with a starting price in the mid-$200,000 range. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming release information on the new Ford Bronco Desert Racer View all current Ford Bronco examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Ford Broncos For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Source: Ford

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 01, 2021

Kanye West Is Auctioning Off His Wyoming Ford Fleet

Along with his ranch, Kanye is selling his six Ford models used on the property. After recent news of Kanye West listing his $11 million Wyoming Ranch on the market, the American musician, artist, designer, and entrepreneur is also selling off his fleet of vehicles at auction through Musser Bros. Auctions. The collection of ranch-style vehicles includes a 2017 Ford F-250, 2016 Ford F-350, 2020 Ford Expedition, 2020 Ford Expedition Limited Stealth, 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor, and 2019 Ford F-150 Raptor. The fleet features matching matte black designs with modest aftermarket upgrades to withstand the Wyoming ranch lifestyle. The celebrity auction listing for Kanye West’s Wyoming vehicles is currently available through Musser Bros. Auctions with an end date on November 5th at 5:02 pm. Check out the collection of Fords from Kanye West by clicking the link below. View Kanye West's Ford Auction on Musser Bros. Source: Musser Bros. Auctions

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 27, 2021

Watch Vaughn Gittin Jr. Take On The Faro Islands In His 1...

Vaughn Gittin Jr. shows his skills behind the wheel in Ford Performance x Race Service's new video. With advancements in electric vehicle technology at an all-time high, it allows drivers to discover new roads in the most eco-friendly way possible. Professional American drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. teams up with his team at Ford Performance to put their Mustang Mach E race car to the test. In the most recent YouTube video filmed by the professionals at Race Service, Vaughn Gittin Jr. travels to the Faroe Islands of north Scotland with the electrified 1,400-horsepower Mach E. VIDEO REVIEW: Ford Mustang Mach E Pushing its performance to the limits, Vaughn Gitten Jr. drifts some of the most challenging roads paired with breathtaking views of the secluded islands. Shocked by the Mustang Mach E, locals can only smile at the sight of the race car casually strolling through the narrow streets of the village. Watch Vaughn Gitten Jr. in Free Rein Farrow Islands from Ford Performance x Race Service by clicking the video link above. View all the current Ford Mustang Mach E examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Ford Mustang Mach E For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Source: Ford Performance

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 25, 2021

Kid Trax Releases Its New Ford Bronco Power Ride-On Toy

Inspired by the Ford Bronco, this ride-on toy is perfect for any aspiring automotive enthusiast. While the Ford Bronco release continues to become one of the most anticipated releases of the year, the new redesign is now a family favorite for all. As for the younger car enthusiasts, there is no need to wait to have a driver's license in hand before owning one. The professionals at Kid Trax are proud to now offer the Ford Bronco as part of its fleet of powered ride-on cars. MUST-READ: 2021 Aston Martin DB5 Junior is fun for Kids & Parents The Kid Trax Ford Bronco is an accurate representation of the real thing with horn and engine sound effects, FM radio, an MP3 player plug-in, and stylish iconic Ford running lights. Although it's not equipped with 330-hp twin-turbo V6, the Kid Trax version comes with two speed settings for 2.5mph and 5mph. The Ford Bronco ride-on comes with a One Year Bumper to Bumper Limited Warranty on the truck and a Six-Month Limited Warranty on the battery. The all-new Kid Trax Ford Bronco ride-on is now available for $399.99 just in time for the upcoming holiday season. View all current Ford Bronco examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Ford Broncos For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Media Source: Target

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 19, 2021

McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Ford CEO Jim Farley to Headline...

While the automotive world continues to change with new advancements in technology and performance, the Motorsport industry follows closely incorporating new aspects out on the track. The topic will be thoroughly discussed at The Future of Motorsports Panel Discussion and Auction held by the Petersen Museum in partnership with Velocity Invitational. The automotive-packed event will be held at the famous WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with some of the most influential figures in the industry. The event will feature a panel of several high-profile figures in the motorsports world, including Jim Farley, CEO of Ford; Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren Racing; Richard Varner, CFO of MotoAmerica and chairman of the Board of Directors at the Petersen Museum; Jay Frye, President of INDYCAR and Jacob Hawksworth, Founder and CEO of Hypercraft. Guests will have the opportunity to listen to these legendary automotive personalities discuss the future of motorsports through their respective lenses. Alongside the panel discussion, the event will include a live auction featuring a list of highly desirable motorsport memorabilia. The Future of Motorsports Panel Discussion and Auction takes place on November 12th from 5 pm to 9 pm PST at the Turn 1 Hospitality Pavilion. Zak Brown Jim Farley Media/Information Source: NewspressUSA

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 Edward Jones – October 07, 2021

2022 Ford Mustang Gets Two New Packages: Stealth Edition ...

The 2022 Mustang range just got a bit bigger and better. Ford has just announced that the new 2022 Mustang will now feature the all-new Stealth Edition Appearance Package, as well as the California Special with the GT Performance Package option. These new offerings will surely be hot selections for new Mustang customers due to them being offered for the very first time. The new Stealth Edition is a brand-new introduction to the Mustang lineup. This package gives the Mustang an awesome new blacked-out appearance thanks to the 19-inch Ebony Black aluminum wheels, black badges, performance rear wing, black mirror caps, new LED taillight covers. Inside, the blacked-out theme continues with the black instrument panel badge that can come in either matte or gloss. Ford will be offering the Stealth Edition in Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, Dark Matter and Shadow Black. Ford has also introduced the 2022 Mustang GT California Special that's based on the Mustang GT Premium model. This special edition package includes GT/CS side stripe, special California Special badges, and features from the GT Performance Package that enhance the Mustang's performance and driving experience. Inside, the GT/CS logos can also be found in embossed and embroidered forms, as well as black Miko® sueded-trimmed door inserts and sueded-trimmed seats. Ford will be offering the new 2022 California Special in Atlas Blue, Carbonized Gray, Cyber Orange, Dark Matter, Grabber Blue Metallic, Iconic Silver, Rapid Red, Shadow Black and Oxford White. Source: Ford

By Edward Jones – September 21, 2021

Ford Bronco Raptor Announced For 2022

It was bound to happen. So while we all knew that a Ford Bronco Raptor variant would more than likely happen, we finally have some news. Ford has just announced that there will be a Bronco Raptor available in 2022. Unfortunately, that's literally all that Ford has announced so far. That being said, it's a small statement that carries quite the punch. Alongside the announcement, Ford also released a short teaser video that can be found up above. Now... we play the waiting game. See All Broncos For Sale Source: Ford

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