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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, 2019

Brown Lee Ford Unveils Gulf Licensed 808 HP Mustang

We knew about this project for a little while, but it took many late nights to hammer out the details and negotiations. The owners of Gulf Oil's Intellectual Property will not license their iconic colors to just anyone. As the world leader in selling high-performance Mustangs, our friends at Brown Lee Ford just unveiled a Gulf licensed 808 horsepower Mustang. It also offers 675 lb-ft of torque, and only 119 will be assembled. Here is just a small list of what you will receive: Available as a coupe or convertible (2019 or 2020) Available with 10-speed Auto or 6-speed Manual Custom painted Gulf blue and orange racing livery (Iconic to 1968 and 1969 24 Hours of LeMans Ford victories) Custom full leather and Alcantara interior with Gulf racing accents (available for Recaro and Non-Recaro seats) 3.0 Liter Stage 2 Supercharger System Air to water intercooler system Upgraded Fuel Injectors High-flow Air Induction System Gulf Mustang front grille delete Gulf Mustang rear decklid with Gulf logo Gulf Mustang CarbonAero front carbon fiber splitter Gulf Mustang CarbonAero carbon fiber side sills Gulf Mustang CarbonAero rear diffuser Gulf Mustang CarbonAero rear spoiler with gurney lip Lowered sport suspension (springs on magnetic ride cars, coilover on non-magnetic ride cars) Gulf Orange Brembo 6-Piston calipers with 15.1 inch rotors front Gulf Orange Brembo 4-Piston calipers with 15.1 inch rotors rear 20-Inch alloy wheels finished in gloss gunmetal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 Tires (285/30ZR20 front & 305/30ZR20 Rear) Chassis dyno calibration Special serial number plaques on dashboard and engine bay – 1 of 119 limited build This car is only available from Brown Lee Ford, and it comes with a great warranty for only $139,995 Click Here To Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – August 12, 2019

2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R Receives GT500 Upgrades

The latest & Greatest Shelby Mustang has had us waiting for years. For the sake of brevity, we're combining the pertinent information into one post. Last week Ford announced the 760 horsepower GT500 is capable of supercar performance. It is able to run 0-100-0 mph in 10.6 thanks to uninterpreted power from the Tremec 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It can shift in 130ms. This makes it the fastest shifting Mustang so far, although Chevrolet claims the C8 can shift in half that time. Moving on to today's news, the extended development of the new car has allowed the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT350R to receive GT500 upgrades. Lessons learned on the track have led to a new front suspension. Not optional on the base GT350, the GT350R has new hubs, tie-rods, and steering geometry. by moving the tie-rods further away from the wheel's centerline, it gives the electric steering rack more mechanical advantage and feedback. PROTIP: Every C2 and C3 Corvette had this option, with dual holes for the tie rods on each spindle. Why can't all cars be like this? You can change your steering from Grandma to Grand Am in minutes. Not to be left out, the GT350 receives two new colors: Iconic Silver and Red Hot Metallic. They are available to order now, along with the GT500. If you need help making your decision, our friends at Brown Lee Ford sell more Shelby Mustangs than any other dealer. Click the link below and tell them we sent you. Browse Brown Lee Ford Inventory " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 25, 2019

Ford Mustang55 Anniversary Edition Unveiled in Germany

You can't deny the looks and power of the latest Mustang GT. With world-class build quality and the classic 5.0L V8, it enjoys popularity around the world. Europe accounts for a large chunk of Ford's sales, so that's why they are getting two unique versions. In a press release this morning we learned that the Ford Mustang55 Anniversary Edition was unveiled in Germany. To celebrate the car's 55th birthday, the car has a unique exterior, graphics, and an optional rear spoiler. Because the European Union taxes are based on engine size, the 4-cylinder Mustang also gets a few upgrades. The 2.3L EcoBoost cars now have styling inspired by the Shelby Mustangs, and the active exhaust is now standard equipment. New colors include Twister Orange, Grabber Lime, Iconic Silver, and Lucid Red. FordPass Connect allows the car to be a mobile WiFi hot spot for up to 10 devices. Also onboard is the Bang & Olufsen surround sound system. The biggest news is the European customers can order the Bullitt Mustang for another model year. Unprecedented demand for the iconic model is thanks to Steve McQueen being loved by gearheads around the world. To stay in-line with emissions and efficiency standards, the European Bullitts are limited to 464 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. We hope the domestic sales are also extended because our version offers 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Congrats to Ford for 55 years of the Pony Car. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your Mustang news. Browse Mustangs For Sale " width="680"> Related: 2019 Bullitt Mustang Top Speed Run on the Autobahn First 2019 Bullitt Mustang Sells Big For Charity

By Edward Jones – July 24, 2019

Shmee150 Puts His New Ford GT on the Dyno

The famous YouTuber Shmee150 recently bought a new Ford GT and he's been taking it on a world tour. He recently flew the American supercar out to New York and has driven it down to Fabspeed in Philadelphia where he put it on the dyno. After a quick spin, they finally got the results and saw how much power the twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine was making. Shmee150 notes in the description of the video up above that the "GT officially runs at 647bhp / 656PS from the crank and of course you'd expect to see a 10-15% loss into the wheels." This would mean that they would be expecting a result of around 550bhp at the wheels. However, the results showed a very different story. Check the video out up above to see the results for yourself! see all ford gt's for sale right now

By Andrew Nabors – July 16, 2019

2019 Bullitt Mustang Top Speed run on the Autobahn

This one probably caught a few Germans off-guard. Our friends at AutoTopNL like to push cars to their limits, and we're glad they filmed a 2019 Bullitt Mustang top speed run on the Autobahn. Ford pulled out all the stops for the 50th Anniversary of an epic film. Because Detective Frank Bullitt drove a green big-block Mustang GT, Ford Performance has delivered the most powerful 5.0L V8 ever offered. For only $47,810 you will have 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Engineers used a larger throttle body and a cold air intake for better flow, and the engine's tuning was remapped for a nice bump in power. Every example also has the latest in magnetic suspension and a short-throw shifter. Driven casually it will also reward you with 24 mpg. It is only offered in Bullitt Green with a six-speed manual transmission. Turn up your audio and listen to the soundtrack at 7,500 rpm. The car reaches 161 mph in 5th gear: Achievement Unlocked! Bullitt Mustang Stolen from Showroom in Evansville, Indiana The driver has years of experience driving fast cars, so we don't advise you to replicate this on any public roads. Production will be limited to Model Year 2019 only, but our dealers have a few left in their showrooms. Click the link below to find yours and stay with us for all your Autobahn action! Find Your Bullitt Mustang Here! Related: 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Price, Specs, Photos, & Review Ford & Roush Unveil "Old Crow" P-51 Inspired Mustang

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2019

Roush F-150 Nitemare Launches Into the Record Books

Back in the glory days of NASCAR, Dale Earnhart had a few run-ins with Jack Roush. The Intimidator gave him the nickname of "Cactus Jack" because he was "Prickly". Coming from Dale, this is a genuine compliment and the name has stuck ever since. With over 4 decades of building fast Fords, their latest achievement is downright amazing. Starting with a V8 F-150, they add a host of performance and styling upgrades. The heart of the beast is a 2.7L "Roushcharger". Their own supercharger has proprietary internals, and it has allowed the Roush F-150 Nitemare to launch into the record books. In their latest Youtube upload, two versions of the Nitemare were tested at a dragstrip. Both were 4WD, with one standard cab and one crew cab. After installing Vbox telemetry equipment, both trucks were brake-boosted for incredible acceleration. The smaller truck reached 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds. They can claim to have the world's fastest production truck because Roush is a manufacturer. Each Roush vehicle has a Roush VIN, and (for the most part) their owners are like one big family. Jack Roush Jr. says the Nitemare is "Street Style for an American Icon", and that hits the nail on the head. Our friend Brock Patterson at Brown Lee Ford has sold more Roush Mustangs, F-150 and F-250 trucks than we can count, so click the link below to check out their inventory and stay with us for all your Roush news. Roush F-150 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2019

2020 Ford GT MK II Will Arrive Ready to Race

You can't deny the abilities of the Ford GT, as it dominated LeMans in 2016. The car had one purpose: Win at all costs! So it was designed around the GTE Pro class, and it outperformed every other manufacturer. Unfortunately, racing series tend to change the rules a little each year. This supposedly forces innovation and maintains a high level of entertainment for the fans. Unfortunately, cars that are purpose-built for one class have a hard time coping with new rules. That is why the Ford GT was disqualified at LeMans earlier this year. Engineers went back to the drawing board to cut weight and increase downforce, so the 2020 Ford GT MK II will arrive ready to race. Starting with weight, the dual-mode suspension was dropped in favor of static ride height. This dropped 200 lbs, allowing them to focus on better cooling. Turning up the boost to reach 700 horsepower, a roof scoop feeds air to a massive intercooler. Tiny nozzles spray the intercooler with water under hard acceleration, making sure the intake valves stay in one piece! The car does not conform to any class, this will allow the owner to adapt it to conform to changing rules. It will arrive with 400% more downforce, and over 2G of lateral grip. If you think you can handle it, only 45 cars will be built. Each one carries an MSRP of $1.2 Million, and they are available for order. It will be racing at the Goodwood Shootout on Sunday, so be sure to tune in to the Goodwood channel on YouTube. Click the link below to find a street-legal Ford GT and stay with us for all your Ford news. Browse Ford GT For Sale Related: 4 Ford GTs in Historic Liveries Mark End of an Era 2018 Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & Review

Ford to Deliver Exciting Ford GT Supercar News at Goodwood Festi

By Edward Jones – June 21, 2019

Ford GT "Ultra-High-Performance" Supercar to be Unveiled ...

A new and more extreme version of the Ford GT supercar is likely to come soon after a tease from the American automaker. Ford says that Hermann Salenbauch of Ford Performance and Larry Holt of Multimatic will be on hand for the announcement. Best part? It's happening on July 4th (4:45 am EDT). America! This news comes after Ford dropped the news that the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 would be their most powerful street-legal car ever with 760 horsepower on tap. After the Ford GT announcement, I wouldn't be surprised if the GT took the crown from the GT500. Only time will tell! See All Ford GTs For Sale Related Video: " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – June 19, 2019

2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Horsepower and Torque Reve...

If you see a Shelby in your future, be warned that it has a venomous bite. In a press release this morning, it was announced that the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 makes 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque. Although the engine shares similar dimensions with the 5.2L found in the Shelby GT350, it does not use the exotic flat-plane crankshaft. Instead, Ford opted for their traditional firing order for several reasons. Not only does it have more torque down low, but this twist is also needed to spin the massive supercharger. If you missed out on the 2013 GT500, it had a supercharged 5.8L that offered 662 horsepower and 630 lb-ft. It had a primary goal of making the Corvette ZR1 the 2nd place American supercar. They have done it again, by beating the current ZR1 by 5 horsepower. Chevy makes 90 more lb-ft of torque, and it can be sent to a 7-speed manual. Mr. Shelby said it himself "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races". 2020 Shelby GT500 Price, Specs, Photos & Review Keep in mind the Corvette is 6.2L vs Ford's 5.2L, and that fact makes the new Shelby GT500 the most power-dense supercharged production V8 engine. The only transmission offered is a dual-clutch automatic, so it will be a quick and consistent competitor. Stay with us for all your Ford news Browse Ford Mustang GT500 For Sale " width="680"> Related: 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Price, Specs, Photos & Review Ford Confirms Shelby GT500 Top Speed Limiter

By Edward Jones – June 17, 2019

These Ford Raptors Are Perfect for the Toronto Raptors Pa...

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByyiImyBBjf/ The Toronto Raptors have been crowned the 2019 NBA Champions and you know what that means... PARADE TIME. After any championship game, the most exciting event is the team's parade around their city. For the Raptors, they have the perfect vehicle for their slow trip around the city: the Ford Raptor truck. Seriously, it couldn't be any more perfect. Not only do they have the same name, but those trucks have enough power and space in the back to carry plenty of players. Both @tonybet and @fordcanada posted up photos of the trucks on their Instagram accounts. Ford Canada also posted a video of the entire parade lineup, which includes four Mustangs and ten Raptor trucks. See All Ford Raptors For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/Byz8c3tD1Nc/

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