Hummer

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 – May 13, 2021

GMC Hummer EV Flexes Off-Road At Moab

Your truck can't do this! Utah is home to some of the toughest trails on Earth. Now that engineers are finalizing their calibrations, the GMC Hummer EV has flexed its abilities at Moab. The powertrain is rated to offer 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque in the SUV, so the pickup shouldn't be far off. This comes on the heels of the Tactical Tech preview we saw last month. Edition 1 models will arrive with air suspension, crab walk, extract mode, and terrain mode. The latter allows for one-pedal driving, and that means rock crawling and holding fast to steep obstacles. When you are back on level ground, 60 mph arrives in 3 seconds at a starting price of $79,995. Production will start soon, so stay with us for all your Hummer news. https://players.brightcove.net/1050888044001/bNJ5EPvlNA_default/index.html?videoId=6253707358001 Image and video (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – April 06, 2021

2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV Arrives With Tactical Tech

Your SUV can't do this! You might think the Hummer EV SUV is just their truck with room for a family. However, the differences are so great that it could be a standalone model. From the ability to map off-road trails via satellite to buttons you configure, you haven't seen anything like this before. This is how GPS was intended to be used. Heading off the pavement enables trail mapping. This app estimates how much power the trail will use, along with your nearest charging point. To keep your eyes on the road, several buttons within easy reach can be programmed to handle your most common tasks. Because the wheelbase is 9" shorter than the pickup truck, it can crab-walk to freedom with or without the hardtop. Starting at $79,995, it has the potential to change the way everyone looks at General Motors. Perhaps the boldest move comes from the Power Station Generator. This massive inverter can reverse the power flow into the battery in order for you to help other EV owners. Your Hummer EV can output 6 kw at 240v, or 25 amps to run power tools or give a boost to stranded EVs. Don't try to loop the cables back into the Hummer and get a free charge, we know you! The fully-loaded models will have 3 motors that offer a combined 830 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. A turning circle of 35 feet on 35" Goodyear Wranglers is also unprecedented, so stay with us for more Hummer updates. Browse Hummer For Sale Images (C) GM

By Andrew Nabors – March 08, 2021

2022 GMC Hummer EV SUV Arrives April 3rd

Last week we saw how much LeBron loves his new Hummer EV truck, and GMC is about to add more to the story. In a teaser this morning we've learned the 2022 GMC Hummer EV SUV arrives April 3rd. Now that their Ultium batteries are in production, we expect to see 200 kWh with a nominal range approaching 400 miles. Cadillac is working late nights to get the Lyriq ready to go, so where does that leave Chevrolet? The Patent Office shows a recent GM filing for "E-Ray" so an electrovette should be coming soon. Until then, we have a nice helping of used Hummers for sale, so tell us your thoughts in the new SUV in the comments below. Shop Used Hummer

The 2022 GMC HUMMER EV is designed to be an off-road beast, with

By Andrew Nabors – October 21, 2020

2022 GMC Hummer EV Unveiled As World's First Supertruck

Last night we witnessed a preview of the most-anticipated truck in recent decades. Arriving next year with unprecedented abilities, the 2022 GMC Hummer EV was unveiled as the world's first supertruck. Starting with the basics, it uses 3 motors to send 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Their double-stacked Ultium battery is encased in armor and sealed to ford over 2 feet of standing water. Not only can it crab walk at nearly 45 degrees, but the adaptive air suspension also has an emergency Extract mode. This uses emergency stored air to lift all corners by 6". No less than 18 cameras show you obstacles above and below, the truck has several off-road widgets like tire friction monitors for rock climbing and a drift gauge for having fun where the pavement ends. Not only will you have full control of the differentials, they will send power to 35" Goodyear Wranglers. The fenders have room for 37" tires while retaining all-wheel steering. " width="680"> The latest Supercruise was borrowed from Cadillac, allowing hands-free driving and lane changes on over 200,000 miles of American highways. Because the HV system operates at 800 volts, it can charge at 350 kW to give you 100 miles of range in 10 minutes. You will have over 350 miles on a full charge, that's more than any old Hummer could do on a full tank. The front cockpit roof is completely removable, with rear passengers having T-tops over each seat, and all 3 can be stored in the frunk ahead of the windshield. Their EV plant in Detroit is undergoing a $2.2 Billion renovation to make sure the Edition 1 trucks launch without a glitch. Browse Hummer For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 08, 2020

GMC Hummer EV To Be Unveiled October 20th

Like a Phoenix from the ashes, Hummer is back. GMC has resurrected the American icon with an electric heart. Ready to take on the world, we will see the beast at 8 PM Eastern Time on October 20th. The open-air SUV has a removable hardtop, 4WD, and all-wheel steering. Rated at 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque, they are claiming a 0-60 time of 3 seconds. This coincides with an announcement by Epic Games that the Hummer will use their Unreal Engine for the infotainment system. The event will be live streamed by GMC, so click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your Hummer news. Learn More " width="680">

GMC HUMMER EV Quiet Revolution Grille Featuring LeBron James

By Andrew Nabors – May 20, 2020

GMC Teases Hummer EV Open Roof Cockpit

Electric trucks are poised to takeover the world in a few years. Not leaving anything to chance, GMC has delayed the return of Hummer to make sure no detail is overlooked. Going head to head with the Cybertruck is a daunting task, so it appears that GMC is appealing to aesthetics using a soft spot among enthusiasts: T-tops. In their most recent press release, we see the view from the cockpit of the GMC Hummer EV is nearly unobstructed thanks to removable roof panels. Tapping LeBron James to introduce the new truck, it must undoubtedly be roomy inside. As we mention a few months back, the Hummer EV is rated at 1,000 horsepower and a whopping 11,500 lb-ft of torque. It might not be bulletproof or made of stainless, but our guess is that it will be more affordable than the competition. Stay with us for all your exotic car and truck news. Browse All Hummer For Sale https://www.facebook.com/gmc/videos/1093900324319469/

Hummer

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe