Industry Reports

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 – October 01, 2018

Elon Musk Fined $20 Million, Resigns as Tesla Chairman

If you intend on manipulating the Stock Market, Twitter seems to be filled with Zealous quotes from famous people. We can only surmise that Elon Musk's trials & tribulations over the Tesla Model 3 provoked his anger at the free market. In a tweet back on August 7th, he hinted at buying back Tesla stock.Check Out the Sultan of Brunei's CollectionThe only problem is, it's not legal. Buyouts and hostile takeovers are great for movie plots, but the Securities and Exchange Commission scrutinizes such procedures. Pierre duPont took a troubled GM and gave William Durrant a loan to re-organize and buyback General Motors in 1917. Henry Ford was so paranoid of his investors, he took Ford private, but these procedures were done with complete transparency. Because Elon has top-secret clearance, thanks to SpaceX, he is under the utmost in government scrutiny. His recent tweets about unionized employees losing their benefits are also unbecoming.Autonews.com has reported that Tesla was fined $20,000,000 and that Musk has resigned as Chairman. We see this change as positive for the automaker. It allows Elon to focus on his space program and it will make Tesla's board more accountable to their shareholders. This will make their great products even better, so click the link below to find a Tesla of your own.Browse Teslas For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 07, 2018

Aston Martin Is Aiming For Gender Equality

Car companies have a history of being a male-dominated business. Ladies have long been relegated to assistants and brand ambassadors, which las led to narrow-minded decisions by the top brass. GM has cut a ton of debt and become much more profitable with Mary Barra at the helm, so Aston Martin is looking for a few good women before they launch their IPO.View the Sultan of Brunei's Car CollectionAccording to Bloomberg, if they chose to move forward without a female presence in the boardroom, it would place them among the 10 all-male boardrooms left in the U.K.'s FTSE 350 index. The timing is also appropriate as the U.K. government is wanting FTSE 350 boards to have 33 percent female representation by 2020. This recommendation, by Lord Davies, would add 350 more women in top positions according to U.K government's website.Laura Schwab is currently the President of Aston Martin of the Americas, so allow her to show you the finer points of the new DB11 in the clip below.Browse Aston Martin DB11 For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 07, 2018

Mercedes Delivers Over 1.35 Million Cars in 2018 so Far

Mercedes-Benz is on a complete roll in 2018, having delivered a record amount of cars across the world. They have recently announced that their sales in the first seven months of 2018 are up 2.4%, which is a brand-new record. The total amount of passenger cars that were delivered hit 1,356,350 examples so far this year, an incredible amount. As for last month, Mercedes-Benz saw their second best July ever, even though the number of vehicles sold worldwide was down -7.9%.S-Class model sales increased in July by 16.5% (4,906 units). In Germany, sales doubled for the S-Class, while Japan's sales of the cars actually quadrupled. Another notable Mercedes range that showed up with big numbers were their SUVs. Across the world, 484,275 Mercedes-Benz SUVs were delivered, a growth of 7.7%.2018 Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG Specs, Photos, Price & Review“Never before have so many customers taken delivery of their new Mercedes-Benz in the first seven months of a year. Since the beginning of 2018, we have increased our unit sales by 2.3 percent to more than 1.35 million passenger cars sold,” stated Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. “Since the market launch of the C-Class Saloon and Estate, more than 9.5 million of these models have already been sold. Since July, our new models of the C-Class family have been in the showrooms of the European dealerships, with whom we intend to continue the success story of our bestselling series.”Overview of Mercedes-Benz Cars Unit Sales July 2018 Change in % Jan.-July 2018 Change in % Mercedes-Benz 167,518 -7.9 1,356,350 +2.3 smart 11,404 +11.1 77,064 -3.8 Mercedes-Benz Cars 178,922 -6.8 1,433,414 +1.9 Mercedes-Benz unit sales in the regions/markets Europe 65,568 -13.9 542,358 -3.2 - thereof Germany 22,272 -16.5 173,721 -2.7 Asia-Pacific 73,484 +4.6 566,842 +11.4 - thereof China 52,616 +8.3 392,780 +15.1 NAFTA 24,884 -19.0 216,133 -3.6 - thereof USA 20,034 -22.7 178,882 -4.8

By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2018

Why Ferrari is Immune to Trade Wars

One of the best financial moves in automotive history was Ferrari's IPO. This move was headed up by the late Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne, who passed away just two days ago. Even though he's gone, the plans he laid out for Fiat-Chrysler and Ferrari, and the moves he made will be taught in universities for years to come. Many thought it was unsafe to remove Ferrari from FCA, but he remained as CEO of both companies.If President Trump does enact a tariff on Italian cars, it could potentially hurt shares of FCA, who operates many factories and dealers in the US. Adding another $1,000 to the Dodge Journey could make it too expensive for many in its target audience, forcing them deeper into sub-prime loans. On the other end of the spectrum, adding $1,000 to a new Ferrari 812 Superfast is probably less than the cost of any of their Tailor-Made options. Buying a few shares or a 488 Pista will both offer returns on investment, depending on how long you are willing to wait. Ferrari 488 GTB Looks Great On Wall Street Or Your StreetIf you have the means to purchase a new Ferrari, a small tariff would be like tossing a match onto a bonfire. In fact, adding to the price might make the car slightly more exclusive, another reason to buy one. But the price is so negligible when its such a small percentage of the overall price. While it might hurt mainstream automakers that caters to the more mainstream customer, keep a close eye on Ferrari's ticker (NYSE: RACE). A few dollars today could have nice returns in the near future.Find Your Ferrari Here

By Edward Jones – July 23, 2018

Sergio Marchionne Leaves Ferrari and FCA as CEO

Sergio Marchionne, during his recovery from a recent surgery, has had unexpected health complications arise. Due to this, he has stepped down as CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA). This also means that he's stepping down as Chairman and CEO of Ferrari.Replacements for his position have already been announced. For FCA, Mike Manley will be the CEO of FCA. He has been the head Jeep since 2009 and Ram brands since 2015. His direction at Jeep has lead to tremendous success and a new life for the iconic truck brand. At the next FCA shareholder meeting, which will be held in the coming days, members will propose his new position.2017 Pagani Huayra Lampo For Sale Mike ManleyAt Ferrari, John Elkann has been named as Chairman. Elkann has held a chair at FCA and is the CEO of Exor, which controls Ferrari and the famous soccer team Juventus F.C. His grandfather was Giovanni Agnelli, who was once the head of Fiat.Louis C. Camilleri is to be named the CEO of Ferrari. Camilleri joined Philip Morris Europe in 1978 and rose through the ranks to become the company's CEO in 2002.All Ferraris for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 19, 2018

Lamborghini Hits Production Milestones for Aventador and ...

When the Lamborghini Aventador first arrived, they told the world it would be limited to 4,000 examples. This was due to the molds for the body were only capable of being used 500 times before they wore out. But once the Aventador sales surpassed everyone's expectations, new molds were built. The Aventador and Huracan have no limits to ownership. If you have the cash, you can have your own Raging Bull.Lamborghini Smashes Six Month Sales RecordSo that is why every employee at the factory took time to celebrate 11,000 Huracans and 8,000 Aventadors so far. The press release last night shows an Aventador S Roadster in Grigio Telesto which was ordered by a customer in Japan. The Blue Nethuns Huracan Spyder was built for an Italian dealer. Sales for the 1st half of the year are up 11% YTD, with 2,327 cars finding their owners. Congratulations to Lamborghini on another production record and to our dealers who know the right place to advertise their inventory. Click the link below to find your Lamborghini and stay with us for all your exotic car news.Find Your Lamborghini Here

By Andrew Nabors – July 13, 2018

Lamborghini Smashes Six Month Sales Record

A massive factory in Sant'Agata Bolognese is turning out cars around the clock. That is because Lamborghini has posted the highest sales numbers of any six-month period in their history. It was announced in an Instagram post this morning, with the latest Aventador rolling off the assembly line. The sales numbers are only based on the Huracan and the Aventador, so the Urus is just icing on the cake.Bloomberg: Lamborghini Growing Every YearIn terms of age, this doesn't make sense. The Aventador has been in production since late 2011 and the Huracan has been with us since 2015. The average consumer would think demand would slow at this point, but many people forget a few things about the brand. Lamborghini never stops innovating. I drove an Aventador S through the crowded Milwaukee convention center to get to our booth.Nobody suspected I could weave between Mazda and Buick, but the rear wheel steering offers a smaller turning circle than your car. Visibility is also 100% better than the first Aventadors. Instead of the brutal ride offered in the earlier cars, the magnetic suspension soaks up any bumps in Strada (Street) mode. The Huracan is a daily driver for many. It has better visibility than any other coupe. Yes, I find it easier to drive and maneuver than a Camaro or a Civic.It also has 3rd generation magnetic ride and the fastest AWD system on the market. One final note, you won't be at the dealer. Both the Aventador and the Huracan have proven to be reliable. Because they don't suffer from short-sighted engineering, both cars hold their value better than most. You can even change your own oil without having to fork over your treasury notes. Congratulations to Automobili Lamborghini for keeping the raging bull as mean as ever.Find Your Lamborghini Here

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2018

McLaren to Create 18 Cars and All Hybrids by 2025

Some press releases are not exciting at all, but this one took everyone by surprise. We've mentioned McLaren's Track 22 plan several times which laid out their goal was and is to release a host of new cars before 2022. With the recent launch of the 600LT, they are still on target to meet that plan. In a shocking release this morning we've learned the details of the new Track 25 plan.McLaren 720S vs 675LT on the AutobahnFirst off, they are going to spend $1.58 billion on developing new models. By 2025, all McLaren cars will have hybrid technology. No less than 18 new cars are on the way, and that includes a new "Ultimate Series" successor to the P1. While autonomous technology was not mentioned, they are considering "augmentation" to possibly change the driving experience.A production goal of 6,000 cars annually is a bold claim. Even more is that each one will have a battery and regenerative braking. This plan is riding on the $66 Million investment to composite technology. The new McLaren Composites Technology Centre is almost ready to open. This will allow 57% of their parts to be built inside the UK. The dealer network of 86 locations is projected to grow beyond 100 dealers in the next seven years. The first time I drove a 12C I knew the resurrection of McLaren's street legal supercars was poised for greatness.View All McLarens for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 21, 2018

Ford Buys Historic Detroit Train Station

If this looks familiar, it is because you saw this iconic landmark in Transformers. Michigan Central Station is in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood, and it was Motor City's connection with America. If it looks similar to Grand Central, it is because it was designed by the same architects. In fact, Grand Central was supposed to have the same office building above it, but the Vanderbilts didn't want to disrupt the view of Park Avenue.Detroit has built so many cars and trucks, the great railroads lost their passengers to the Interstate. The last train left on January 6, 1988, and the station was abandoned until yesterday. Ford announced in a press release that they are transforming it into the Corktown Campus for innovation. Bill Ford took a few inspirational quotes and installed laser projection for nighttime motivation.Once refurbished, it will be Ford's home for electric, autonomous and future vehicle development. It will be the starting point of an autonomous mobility corridor leading to Dearborn and ending in Ann Arbor. It will also give them a chance to give Dearborn a much-needed makeover. Three decades of neglect will be wiped away, and it will bring life back into a city that has fallen on hard times. The 2019 Mustang GT is faster than any train, so click the link below for an afFORDable 460 horsepower pony, and stay with us for updates on this project.Find Your Mustang Here!https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=0nLn5vq325o

By Andrew Nabors – June 12, 2018

BMW Delivers Over 1 Million Cars in 5 Months

Over a million new vehicles in only 5 months? In a press release from the BMW group, sales are up by 1.6%. Combining the sales from BMW, Mini, & Rolls-Royce, they delivered 1,000,573 vehicles to new owners. Even despite China's increased tariffs on foreign cars, BMW Board Member Pieter Nota said:"To have sold over a million cars by this point in the year is a real milestone”.“We’re particularly pleased to see that our X vehicles are more popular with our customers than ever, with record sales figures despite the lack of X3 availability in China. In the second half of the year, the X3 will once again become fully available worldwide, bringing increased sales momentum in the third and fourth quarters. Meanwhile, sales of our electrified vehicles are growing really strongly, with customer deliveries up by over 40%.”BMW M5 Co-Stars in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout”A voltage spike in electric car sales saw the BMW iSeries and Mini's electric models are up by 41%, for a total sales of 46,849. Sales of BMW's X Series of SUV are up by 3.4%, with 303,202 vehicles rolling of the production line in South Carolina. The 4th generation X5 is arriving at dealers, and it will be a stunning success. The only division to see a slump was Motorrad, BMW's motorcycle division with a loss of 1.6% YTD. BMW's quality speaks for itself, so click the link below to find your Bavarian (or American) Masterpiece.Browse BMW For Sale

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