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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 – November 13, 2018

Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s New Ford GT

We're glad Ford has strict criteria when selecting new owners of the new GT. The LeMans-Winning supercar demands respect, and it steals the attention of everyone on the road. Almost as imposing as the Mustang RTR. As a Formula Drift World Champion, Vaughn Gittin Jr. was the first driver to drift the entire Nurburgring. As a professional driver and brand ambassador for Ford Performance, we figured this day was inevitable. So in a YouTube video uploaded by Ford, Vaughn explains his love of racing and scares his mother with launch mode. This is the first in a 2-part series entitled "The Dream," so stay with us for Part 2 along with all your Ford Performance updates. Related: 2019 Ford GT Carbon Series Drops Weight, Adds Style Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & Review Vaughn Gittin Jr. Drifts The 'Ring

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2018

Max Root Racing Applies for Ford GT

Sometimes the best way to sell a supercar is to tell someone they can't have it. Ford took this strategy to heart when they announced the application process for the latest Ford GT. As their flagship, the Top-Brass in Dearborn want to make sure it doesn't end up in the hands of Hoonigans (myself included). Of all the application videos, it seems that Ford appreciates brand loyalty. So many applicants who show their love of the 2005 Ford GT stand a better chance than most. But what about a Porsche GT3 Cup winner? Max Root is 19 years old, and his abilities on the track impressed my hometown hero, Hurley Haywood. As the receiver of Mr. Haywood's IMSA Scholarship, he knows what it takes for a Podium Finish. In his garage are two late-model Ford Raptors along with a 2014 first-generation example. The prerequisite 2005 Ford GT is shown cruising SoCal and also performing a proper smoke show. His daily driver is a Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca, one of the most potent Pony Cars in recent history. So take a look at this honest video and let's see if we can get Ford's attention. View All Ford GT For Sale 2019 Ford GT Carbon Drops Weight- Adds Style 2018 Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – October 30, 2018

Custom Ford Rangers Arrive at SEMA

A few days ago, Ford announced the 2019 Ranger was in full production. One of the most anticipated pickups in recent history, they are the centerpiece of Ford's SEMA booth. In a press release this morning, we see that Ford Performance and Ford Accessories have joined forces to showcase over 50 vehicles in their booth. Seen above is the Ranger Pre-Runner. Based on the FX4 off-road model, it arrives with a 3.73 locking differential, Fox-BDS suspension, BFG KO2 tires, & 17" wheels.Hennessey and Post Malone Collab in the Works?Accessories include a Rigid LED light bar, spray-in bed liner, Borla exhaust, Desert Racer front bumper, illuminated rock slider steps and a chase rack fro Addictive Desert Designs. The extra range comes from twin 3.5-gallon Rotopax tanks, and a WARN recovery kit in case you get stuck.The next concept is the Ranger Base Camp. It uses the same Fox-BDS suspension and adds a WARN 10k Zeon winch. Yakima provides the Skinny Warrior roof basket, Outpost rack kit, and a Slim Shady awning.Next up is a collaboration between Addictive Desert Designs and Xbox Design Lab. This one has dual screens in the bed along with two built-in Xbox One X consoles. The same suspension as the trucks above is fitted with BFG KM3 mudders on 17" 883 wheels. Check it out in Forza Horizon 4.If you need a Ranger that is at home in the city, Project Nightfall has Bushwacker fender flares, Airlift load-adjusting rear suspension, and Ford Performance stealth bumpers. Lynch Concepts designed the cool matte gray with green highlights, it represents a stylish return to the US market. All of these concepts share the venerable 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbo four cylinders. Backed by a 10-speed automatic, the Ranger combines power and economy with the deep ratios needed to head off-road. The press release has a dozen more examples, but we'll leave you with the Project Ranger X. BDS Suspension went all out. It has a Knapheide utility bed, 6" lift, Fox 2.5 DSC coil-overs & airbags. Until we get our hands on one, check out great deals on Raptors in the link below and stay with us for all your Ford news.View Ford Raptors For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 30, 2018

2019 Ford GT Carbon Series Drops Weight, Adds Style

Lightest Ford GT Four Accent Color Choices The Third Special Edition Ford GT Ford has just announced a new edition of their supercar: the Ford GT Carbon Series. This new series was designed to be the lightest of all GTs through the loss of 40 pounds. This loss of weight comes from the loss of a few pleasantries, like the cupholders and driver's side seat storage bin. However, the air condition system and radio remain. Along with the loss of weight, this new series is also visibly striking. Ford says it has more visible carbon fiber than any previous model. On the outside are two exposed carbon fiber stripes, as well as exposed carbon on the A-pillars, lower body panels and wheels. Inside, matte carbon is found on the fiber sills, air registry pods and center console. John Cena's Ford GT Sells Big at Mecum Dallas “The Ford GT Carbon Series stands out on the road with its striking carbon fiber-rich design and on the track with its athleticism,” says Hermann Salenbauch, global director, Ford Performance. “It is yet another example of how we can bring to life our Le Mans-winning supercar in new and exciting ways so our customers can share in that magical legacy.” There are also four different colors that customers can choose from: blue, orange, red and silver. This accent colors cover the mirror caps, center stripe and calipers. It may not be a lot of paint, but its enough to add a little bit of flair to the GT. Ford says approved customer applicants can order their GT Carbon Series now. They are also opening the final owner application process on November 8. Interested? You will be able to fill out your form at FordGT.com. View Ford GTs For Sale Ford GT Specs

By Andrew Nabors – October 19, 2018

Ford Announces 350 Additional GT Supercars

Auctions are a great way to take the pulse of the supercar market, and Dearborn has seen runaway success with the 2018 Ford GT. So in a press release from headquarters yesterday, they have given the green light to 350 more examples of their supercar. This takes the total build numbers from 1,000 to 1,350, with production concluding in 2022.2018 Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & ReviewAnother round of applications will be accepted for 30 days, starting on November 8th. If you didn't make the cut on the first two rounds of applications, you will need to confirm or modify your original application. The ambiguous wording of this might envoke anger and anxiety, mostly because we don't know their highly guarded selection criteria. Director of Ford Performance Hermann Salenbauch said “The response to our Ford GT has been unprecedented, with initial demand outstripping supply by more than six-to-one. By extending the Ford GT production run for a limited period, we’re able to maintain the exclusivity of the ultra-desirable supercar while offering the ownership experience to a greater number of customers.”The chosen will work with Ford GT's Concierge Service to ensure their car is personalized in every way. Tune up your application and hope for the best. But in the meantime, click the link below to browse our inventory of Ford GTs for sale. View Ford GT For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 04, 2018

Watch Out: New Ford is Quickest Cop Car in America

Are you a driver that likes to go fast? I've got bad news for you. First off, if you go above the posted speed limit, that's illegal. Secondly, Ford is testing their new Police Interceptor Utility that they are saying is the quickest cop car in America, according to test data from the Michigan State Police. Ford says that the new all-wheel-drive Interceptor is posting up the fastest 0 to 60 mph and 0 to 100 mph times when compared to other police cars. Powering the vehicle is a 3.0-liter EcoBoost® V6, which Ford is proud to say is outperforming V8-equipped models.Racers Beware: Japan Just Got a Nissan GT-R Police CarAnother thing Ford is proud about with this new police vehicle is that it provides superior performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The all-new 2020 Police Interceptor Utility offers significant potential fuel savings with no trade-offs in safety, passenger or cargo space – on top of bringing improved performance,” says Stephen Tyler, police brand marketing manager for Ford.Related Video:

By Andrew Nabors – September 10, 2018

2019 Ford Raptor Gets Off-Road Cruise Control

One of the main challenges of rock crawling is choosing the perfect line. In the old days, 4WD trucks had "granny" gears that would offer gear reductions of over 60:1. This allowed the engine to idle up a mountain without input from the gas pedal. Although the Raptor has the latest in 10-speed automatics, granny gears are hated by the EPA. So Ford has the answer to perfect crawling, an off-road cruise control system. 2014 Foreign Cars that are Illegal in the USA In a press release this morning, a YouTube video shows the capabilities of the system. Dial-in your speed from 1 to 20 mph and the Trail Control sends torque where it is needed to keep your momentum. Our dealers have a few already, so click the link below to find your Raptor 2019 Ford Raptor For Sale https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=iwDq2Kwan6U

By Edward Jones – August 27, 2018

2019 Ford GT Gets Heritage Gulf Livery

In the automotive world, there are a few racing liveries that truly stand out in motorsport history. For the Ford GT, the American Gulf Oil livery is just about as iconic as they come. “Many view the Gulf Oil paint scheme as the most famous in motorsports,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, global operations. “The 1968 GT40 quickly became a global sensation after beating its European competitors on the track four times in a row, and in honor of the 50th anniversary of its win, we’re paying fresh tribute to the original with a new heritage limited edition.”2018 Ford GT Specs, Price, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 20, 2018

UPDATE: Ford Eagle Squadron Mustang sold at Woodward

In the summer of 1940, Hitler was finalizing his plans to invade England. Only one thing stood in his way, the brave & outnumbered Royal Air Force. The Battle of Britain tested the resolve of the Commonwealth, with pilots and planes coming from every colony in the empire. On paper, the Luftwaffe had better planes, but after 3 months of daily raids, England prevailed. Winston Churchill said this of the Royal Air Force: "Never was so much owed by so many to so few". A few American volunteers decided to push back the attackers, and they formed the Eagle Squadron.Ford’s One-of-a-Kind Shelby GT350 Mustang, “Old Yeller” Raises $295,000 for Education ProgramsWe also owe the RAF a few things. Their invention of Radar allowed the world to have microwave cooking, and their turbo-supercharged Rolls-Royce Merlin engine transformed the slow & anemic P51 Mustang into the best fighter of the war. Without this engine, the Mustang would have been relegated to the back of the history books. It was the RAF that supercharged the Mustang, which flew from airfields near Goodwood house. That is why Ford has delivered the Eagle Squadron Mustang GT to Goodwood Festival of Speed.The press release says one car will race up the hill this weekend, with Vaughn Gittin Jr. behind the wheel. Riding shotgun will be RAF Veteran Paul Miller, whose father Dusty flew with the Eagle Squadron. The other car will remain at Ford's display for all to see. This GT is loaded with a Ford Performance supercharger to make 700 horsepower, and it wears the RTR widebody kit to keep the massive 305/35/20 tires inside the body. A few details from the Spitfire fighter were added for the anniversary. This is the 10th Mustang Ford has built to support the Experimental Aircraft Association, and it will be on display at AirVenture Oshkosh on July 26th.Ford has given 100% of the proceeds to the EAA, over $3 Million so far. The EAA supports young people who want to be aviators, and it makes Oshkosh, Wisconsin one of the biggest airshows in the world. The cars will go to auction later this year to support the EAA. From the shifter to the supercharger, Ford offers every part to replicate this 700 horsepower/610 lb-ft beast. Find your Mustang in the link below and remember the 100,000 young airmen lost between our 8th Air Force and the Royal Air Force. Update: August 20thIn a press release by Ford, we have learned the Eagle Squadron Mustang was auctioned for $420,000 over the weekend. The Woodward Dream Cruise is a homecoming for American horsepower. Taking place the weekend before Pebble Beach, cars come to Detroit from all over the world to relive the glory days. Vaughn Gittin Jr and his team from RTR handed the keys to Brayton Williams, marking the 20th year Ford has supported the Experimental Aircraft Association. The funds will go to encourage the next generation of American pilots, so stay with us for all your Ford news.Find Your Mustang Here!

By Andrew Nabors – August 18, 2018

2017 Ford GT Heading to Mecum Monterey

Ford has taken limited production seriously with the latest GT. This carbon fiber masterpiece combines a 647 horsepower twin-turbo V6 with a suspension that is unlike anything on the road. Because the car is so unique, less than 200 were built in 2017. The only 2017 Ford GT on the market will be a primetime feature next Saturday afternoon. It wears a brilliant Ingot Silver finish that’s contrasted with black racing stripes that run down the center.Inside is a Dark Energy interior that’s complete with carbon fiber seats wrapped in Ebony Alcantara. The same Ebony Alcantara is also found on the steering wheel, instrument panel, door sills, center console, pillars, headliner and more. It also comes with the exterior carbon fiber package. A seven-speed dual clutch transmission sends 550 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. To keep you safe, the car has 5 driving modes: Normal: Everyday driving Wet: Driving in the elements Sport: For a spirited drive Track: Leave everyone in the dust V-Max: Maximum straight-line speed Underneath the wild styling is the world's first production car to have 2 suspension systems connected to each wheel. Multimatic engineered coil-overs with their DSSV shocks for normal ride height, but it can instantly drop down 2" onto torsion bars for the ultimate in grip. With only 8 miles on the odometer, If you haven't received your acceptance letter it would behoove you to register now. Because this is as affordable as these cars will ever be. Be sure to tune in to Mecum's live stream on YouTube and stay with us for complete coverage of the event.View This Car's Listing Here

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