Mustang

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

A Ford Mustang Dark Horse sports car speeds along a tree-lined, two-lane road under a clear sky, embodying the power and style of Clive Sutton’s renowned vehicles.

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 30, 2025

Clive Sutton Announces 788HP Ford Mustang Dark Horse Upgrade

Clive Sutton gives the Dark Horse even more horses. While the Ford Mustang is known as one of the most prominent poster children of American performance, and the latest generation’s Dark Horse variant is Ford’s most ambitious performance-focused version of the Mustang yet, London-based performance specialist Clive Sutton decided to take the Dark Horse a step further, adding a supercharger to the mix and giving its take on the Dark Horse, which it calls the ‘CS800DH Mustang,’ to an even higher echelon of performance. Thanks to the addition of a Ford Performance 3.0L Whipple supercharger, Clive Sutton was able to increase the Dark Horse’s power figure by a whopping 76 percent, while also increasing its torque by a factor of 61 percent, bringing the numbers to 788 horsepower and 642 lb/ft, respectively. In addition to the power increase, Clive Sutton also added carbon fiber aerodynamic components to the Mustang Dark Horse, giving it a raised rear wing, a larger diffuser, a new hood, front splitter, and side skirts. Vossen wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires further transform the look and performance character of the iconic performance car, while a lower and stiffer suspension improves handling, and a Borla exhaust system enhances the sound experience of the V8, along with the supercharger whine, of course. Other enhancements include an MGW short-throw racing shifter and adjustable Recaro racing seats with heating and cooling. With the performance engineering expertise of Clive Sutton, the already groundbreaking Ford Mustang Dark Horse gains even more high-performance edge. View All Ford Mustang Dark Horse For Sale Image Source: Clive Sutton

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 04, 2024

1-of-45 Ford Mustang 45th Anniversary Edition For Sale Ow...

The Ford Mustang is arguably one of the world’s favorite sports cars and certainly one of the biggest highlights of the American performance car world. Its unmistakable looks, incredible performance potential, and wide range of variants have made it a veritable legend in its nearly 60 years of existence. Over the years, some special commemorative editions have been created to celebrate milestone anniversaries. View Listing & Financing One is this rare 45th Anniversary Edition model, introduced in 2009 as a unique tribute to one of the American automotive industry’s legends: Lee Iacocca. Michael Leone designed it, and the Gaffoglio Family Metalcrafters fabricated its unique bodywork. A custom interior and special wheels set it distinctly apart from any other Mustang. The Iacocca name can be seen on the steering wheel and the badging. It’s a unique tribute to an automotive legend and a beautifully captured moment of incredible automotive history. One of only 45 examples made of this very special 2009 Ford Mustang 45th Anniversary Edition is available for sale. Specifically, this example is chassis number 4, and it was initially owned by none other than Lee Iacocca himself. Its 4.6-liter V8 features a Ford Racing supercharger, helping it deliver 400 horsepower, and the Ford Racing Handling package in the car also enhances its dynamics. Available at Fusion Luxury Motors in Chatsworth, CA, this 2009 Ford Mustang 45th Anniversary Edition for sale, formerly owned by Lee Iacocca, is a true gem of automotive history available right now for sale, and if you want to add a unique American performance creation to your collection, you can click the button to view the listing and financing options for this car for sale.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 12, 2024

Ford Unveils The New Mustang GTD Performance Pack For Fas...

Ford takes its track-ready Mustang to the next level. The introduction of the Ford Mustang GTD has transformed the legendary pony car into a world-class performance machine. Its sights are set on achieving incredible lap times on challenging courses like the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Its advanced dynamics and power are meant for well-rounded racing performance, and the new Performance Pack for the Ford Mustang GTD Carbon Series has taken it a step even further. Unveiled in Le Mans, France, ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, arguably the world’s most daunting motorsport challenge revered for 100 years, the new Performance Pack for the Ford Mustang GTD adds components with which Ford aims to achieve a sub-seven-minute lap time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. With the Performance Pack, the new Ford Mustang GTD Carbon Series features magnesium wheels, active aerodynamics, a revised front fascia with dive planes, and more. The new Carbon Series car with the Performance Pack was revealed with eye-catching Chroma Flame paint, and with the GTD’s features like a carbon fiber body and a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 engine with over 800 horsepower, the Ford Mustang GTD with the Performance Pack is ready to take on one of the most respected and difficult performance car challenges and has been unveiled at one of the most revered courses ahead of this year’s legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. View All Ford Mustangs For Sale Image Source: Ford

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 12, 2024

1-of-1 Saleen Ford Mustang With $29K Paint Color For Sale

The Ford Mustang has earned a near-60-year legacy as one of the greatest performance cars in American automotive history, and it’s also served as the basis for some of the most iconic muscle car creations. When it comes to the Ford Mustang, one of the most closely associated names is Saleen, responsible for creating Mustang-based sports cars that are good-looking and powerful alike. One of the most unique Saleen Mustangs is now available for sale at Sarchione Ford of Randolph in Randolph, Ohio, and it’s head-turning, beautiful, and powerful, everything a Saleen Mustang should be, with a unique twist. View Price And Listing The first thing you’ll notice when seeing this 2022 Ford Mustang Saleen 302 Black Label is its iridescent, rainbow-colored paint job, which cost $28,750 as optional equipment. Its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine is capable of an incredible 800 horsepower, and it features additional custom touches like custom 5-spoke wheels, an upgraded interior, a high-performance exhaust system, and commemorative Saleen badging throughout. With its unique specification, not only is this 2022 Ford Mustang Saleen 302 Black Label for sale a beautiful and powerful Ford Mustang-based performance car, but also a 1-of-1, unique muscle car creation, perfect as the next addition to any luxury or exotic car garage. View the price and listing for this American muscle masterwork by clicking the button.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 11, 2023

Ford Announces A New Documentary Series For The Mustang GT3

The newest chapter in Ford’s racing legacy is set to be captured in film. Ford has had decades of an incredible racing legacy, with the endurance racing arena being the stage for some of Ford’s most legendary moments, like its intense rivalry with Ferrari at Le Mans, and the Ford GT’s incredible victories. With the new Ford Mustang GT3, Ford is not only continuing to build its motorsport legacy, but also opening a new chapter in its endurance racing history. The racing-ready version of the iconic pony car is built to dominate racing’s most intense and demanding stages, and to capture the dedication and effort put into the car’s development, Ford has announced a new documentary series that will chronicle not only the development of the new Ford Mustang GT3, but also the intense leadup to the new race car’s inaugural season, full of daunting endurance races that test driver, car, and team alike around the world. For those with a passion for motorsport or a love for the decades-long history of both the Ford Mustang and Ford’s racing pedigree, this new documentary series is sure to be an exciting look at the painstaking journey of creating a race car and testing its might against the world’s endurance racing titans. The first episode of the new documentary series is set to be released on YouTube on December 15. View All Ford Mustangs For Sale

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