Hennessey

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 Jordan Aquistapace – August 18, 2021

Hennessey Venom F5 Unveiled At Monterey Car Week In 'Moja...

Hennessey Performance brought the new Venom F5 in 'Mojave Gold' to display at The Quail and Pebble Beach Concours. The 2021 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance was full of desirable and historic vehicles displayed throughout the week, exemplifying the best of the best in the industry. Part of the celebration was dedicated to a select few concept vehicles that were unveiled during the event for future owners, collectors, and enthusiasts. Hennessey Performance was one of the brands to show out with one of its newest examples, the all-new Venom F5. Unveiled earlier this year in Speed Devil Blue, the Hennessey Venom F5 boasts an incredible 1,817-horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 8-cylinder engine. MUST-READ: Hennessey Venom F5 to Debut at Amelia Island Concours The U.S. hypercar manufacturer was proud to display the second Venom F5 chassis in a ‘Mojave Gold’ version during The Quail - A Motorsport Gathering on Saturday, which later on made its way to the Concept Car Line on Sunday for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The bright metallic gold paint scheme highlighted the body lines and aerodynamics of the new hypercar while giving future clients a new color option for their specification orders. The interior is also highlighted in an ultra-clean white leather and carbon fiber configuration. Viewed as one of the most anticipated automotive releases of the year, the new Hennessey Venom F5 is the next U.S. manufactured hypercars to break lap times and top speed records. Hennessey Cars & Trucks For Sale

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By Edward Jones – July 28, 2021

New 1000 HP Hennessey Exorcist Camaro Edition Celebrates ...

Celebrating 30 years of "making fast cars faster." Hennessey Performance is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a very special Exorcist 30th Anniversary Camaro. Each of these examples will come with an anniversary logo on the front panels behind the wheels and a chassis plate denoting its place in the production run. While these numbers are special, the power under the hood of each example is downright insane. Hennessey has tuned the Exorcist Camaro so the power output is raised all the way up to 1,000 bhp and 883 lb-ft of torque. That power will propel the muscle car from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.1 seconds. It will also complete a quarter-mile run in 9.57 seconds. "The Exorcist is the epitome of the American Muscle car and has the off-the-line performance to embarrass almost any car on the planet," said John Hennessey, found and CEO of Hennessey Performance. "We’ve been making fast cars faster since 1991, so our 30th Anniversary Exorcist pools all we know into one ferocious supercar slayer." Hennessey will be offering the Exorcist 30th Anniversary Camaro at a price of $135,000, which also includes the price of the base Camaro ZL1. Each example also comes with a two-year/24,000-mile warranty. Customers can order this special model as either a coupe or convertible and with either a manual or automatic transmission. If you'd like to order one, that can be done through an authorized Chevrolet dealer or by calling (866)838-0979. See Hennesseys For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 19, 2021

Hennessey Venom F5 "Howie P Edition" Looks Oustanding

The first of many to be revealed. Hennessey has just unveiled a rendering of a Venom F5 that was customized by none other than Howard Panes (@howardpanes). The exterior is finished in a bright blue paint that's accented by orange trim, similar to that of a Gulf Oil livery. Inside is a one-of-a-kind orange leather interior that matches the exterior trim. I've got to hand it to Howie P. because this is a brilliant spec. Of course, this is the first of many customer Venom F5s that will be unveiled, so be sure to stay with us for more news from Hennessey. Shop Hennesseny Vehicles For Sale Source: Instagram/@howardpanes

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By Edward Jones – May 14, 2021

Hennessey Venom F5 to Debut at Amelia Island Concours

The time has come for the Venom F5. The highly anticipated Hennessey Venom F5 is set to make its public debut and we can't be any more excited. The debut will occur at the Amelia Island Cars & Coffee show on May 22 ahead of the May 23 Concours event. Hennessey notes that the Venom F5 is just coming off of its production validation program and has just completed its aerodynamic testing where it hit 200 mph on 50 percent power. Once the Venom F5 leaves the Florida event, it will head back to Texas for dynamic road and track testing. John Hennessey, company founder and CEO, had this to say about the upcoming debut: “Sharing the Venom F5 with car enthusiasts at the Amelia Island Concours will be a special moment for the Hennessey family and all of our team. We’ve spent years designing, developing, refining, building and testing our special hypercar, so we’re excited for customers and fans to see it in person for the first time.” If you would like to see the Venom F5 for yourself, the Cars & Coffee at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is free of charge so anyone can get in and witness the hypercar's magnificence. Hennessey Cars & Trucks For Sale Source: Hennessey Performance

By Andrew Nabors – May 10, 2021

Hennessey Performance Unleashes The 2021 HPE1000 Dodge Ch...

You car runs 10's? That's cute! Super Stock was and is intensely competitive. Chevy's COPO Camaro, Ford's Mustang Cobra Jet and Super Stock Dodges have been fighting for showroom stock supremacy since your parents were in Middle School. Now, Hennessey muscle cars has injected their secret sauce to up the Ante. So, in order to see what the 807-horsepower Super Stock Hellcat is capable of, John Hennessey and his team took a page from their HEMI handbook. Films like these truly catch us wanting to tell you how they offer 1,000 horsepower along with a 3 year/36 warranty. But since you are reading this, you know Hennessey Performance only uses the best quality parts, most made in-house. Choosing between this and a 6x6 Ram TRX will be tough, so follow along as the Mammoth SUV is coming soon! Learn More

By Edward Jones – May 06, 2021

Hear the Absolutely Brutal 1000 HP Hennessey Trackhawk

That's the sound of 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds. Hennessey Performance has just released a video that allows the world to hear the insane growl of their HPE Jeep Trackhawk. This upgrade includes a number of upgrades that turn the Hellcat-powered Jeep into a much more powerful monster. These upgrades, including the upgraded supercharger system, a number of new engine internals and more, raise the Trackhawk's power all the way up to 1,012 horsepower and 969 lb-ft of torque. Those are absolutely incredible numbers. Of course, that kind of power isn't all the fun if the vehicle doesn't sound good. Thankfully, Hennessey took care of that and ensured the HPE1000 Trackhawk sounds as brutal as it should. You can hear it for yourself in the video up above. If you're looking to add a Hennessey to your garage, be sure to click the button below to see what's currently listed for sale. View Hennessey's For Sale Source: Hennessey Performance

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2021

Hennessey GT500 vs Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat

V8 + Boost = Excitement The roar of superchargers can be heard in downtown Houston. That's because once John Hennessey and his team get their hands under your hood, brutal power will soon appear. On Monday Dodge announced that limiting the production of the Durango Hellcat was a mistake. The 2,000 reservations evaporated within minutes, so they told the plant to keep building them. We're happy because Hennessey has proven the ability to offer 1,000 horsepower at all wheels in a reliable (and tame) daily driver. This is done without even touching the camshaft because that is the realistic limit of the Hemi's bottom end. To see it in action, a GT 500 Mustang was used as the control at the Pennzoil proving grounds. This is another potent platform they can take to 1,000 horsepower should you have a need for speed, so click the button to see what Hennessey can do to your daily driver! Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2021

2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Hennessey Venom 1000 GT500

Borrowing the boss's car for a street race is always a great idea, except when your opponent combines boost and ethanol. To see how Germany compares to the republic of Texas, let's watch a 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S vs. Hennessey Venom 1000 GT500. When we learned he had pushed the latest Shelby into 4-digit power we tried to imagine likely competitors. The latest flagship Porsche sends 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft to all wheels. So even with the big blower, the Mustang is at a disadvantage being rear-wheel drive. It would be nice to brake-boost these two at the line, but a rolling race is easier on these brand-new supercars. Tell us which one you would drive in the comments below and stay with us to follow this 911 Turbo S into uncharted territory. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – February 09, 2021

2018 Dodge SRT Demon vs. Hennessey HPE900 Hellcat Charger

Every automaker is on an electric push while Dodge has stuffed their supercharged Hemi into the Jeep Wrangler and the Ram TRX. To see how capable it truly is, let's watch a 2018 Dodge SRT Demon vs a new Hennessey HPE900 Hellcat Charger. For a quick refresher, the Demon was the most powerful muscle car in recent history. When the fuel tank sensed race fuel, it unlocked 840 horsepower and 770 lb-ft of torque. While this package was not offered on the 4-door Charger, they share the same architecture. While John Hennessey and his team have offered 1,000 horsepower examples for a decade, one lucky customer chose the HPE900 kit because it isn't as thirsty. Removing the upper and lower supercharger pulleys, their master technicians port the intake and fabricate an all-new stainless exhaust. Without removing the blower, heads, or touching the cam, the car receives a 200-mile shakedown along with a street-tune for the highest octane you can buy at the pump. This results in having 912 horsepower and 873 lb-ft of torque without having to spend big bucks on race fuel. Should the customer ever want to reach 1,000 horsepower, most of the hard work is already done. Tell us which car you would choose in the comments below and stay with us for all your Hennessey news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – January 21, 2021

2020 Hennessey Performance Mustang HPE800 For Sale At Eld...

When it comes to superchargers, bigger is always better. If you haven't experienced a 3-liter blower on a 5-liter Coyote, this 2020 Hennessey Performance Mustang HPE800 is for sale at Elder Ford. Because they sell more fast Fords than anyone in the Southeast, this Heritage Edition was ordered to be the centerpiece of the showroom. In terms of unbridled power, the Hennessey 3-liter supercharger is nearly 14 cubic inches larger than any other production car (The Dodge Demon can only handle 2.7 liters). This allows 808 horsepower and and 677 lb-ft of torque to reach the massive Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires. Elder also made sure it has all the bells and whisles. From voice control to 15.1" Brembo brakes, this car is a bargain at only $79,995. It can stay above 200 mph for as long as you dare, so get ready for the ride of a lifetime. View Listing https://www.instagram.com/p/CKUNl4sHP9B/

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