Range Rover

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 Edward Jones – October 20, 2021

First Look at the New Range Rover

The global debut will happen on October 26th. Land Rover has just released an image that gives the world a first look at the new Range Rover. While the image is quite blurred, we can still obviously see that the vehicle in the image features the well-known Range Rover silhouette. When it comes to the fine details and what has changed, we will have to wait until the full global debut which is set for 3:40 PM EST on October 26 on LandRoverUSA.com. Prof Gerry McGovern OBE, Chief Creative Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said, “The new Range Rover is a vehicle with a peerless character, from the impeccable restraint of its exterior to the flawless tranquil sanctuary of its cabin. Informed by creative intellect and a desire for perfection, it doesn’t follow fashion or trend, but by a modernist design philosophy, combined with over 50 years of evolution, it is quite simply the most desirable Range Rover ever created.” Land Rover Defenders For Sale Source: Land Rover

By Edward Jones – September 14, 2021

Range Rover Sport SVR Takes Flight During Insane James Bo...

Not sure if that stunt looks fun or terrifying... or both. Driving a Range Rover Sport SVR is a safe affair thanks to the multitude of safety features included. For the stunt team behind the new James Bond film 'No Time To Die', however, they had to ensure all of these safety features were off. Why? Just take a look at the photo down below. That image, provided by Land Rover, shows off what kind of action you can expect from the upcoming 007 film. In the video up above, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how this stunt was performed, as well. In the film, there will be plenty of Land Rover vehicles represented. This includes the two Range Rover Sport SVRs in this chase scene. a Range Rover Classic, tree Defenders, and a Series III Land Rover. Get ready to scene this exciting scene on the big screen On October 8, 2021, when 'No Time To Die' releases. Shop Range Rover Sport SVRs For Sale Source: Land Rover

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 24, 2021

Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations Creates The Range R...

The Range Rover lineup is always looking to tackle new roads while providing the ultimate luxury comfort for its driver and passengers. The British auto manufacturer is also known for its SVR version, which features a supercharged 8-cylinder combined with a more performance-focused exterior and interior. Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations is proud to unveil the new Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate Edition, the brand’s fastest and most powerful SUV. The SVR Sport Ultimate Edition made through SV Bespoke in England features exclusive paint color combinations and tailored interior detailing by the vehicle personalization team. MUST-READ: 2022 Range Rover SVAutobiography Ultimate Editions Unveiled The Range Rover’s exterior received new upgrades including a Navik Black contrast roof, gloss Black 22-inch five split-spoke forged alloy wheel, and black brake calipers. Powering the new Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate Edition is a 575-horsepower version of the 5.0-liter V8 supercharged engine, producing 516 lb-ft of torque. The new performance platform launches the SVR Ultimate Edition from 0 to 60mph in just 4.3 seconds, making it the fastest SUV in Range Rover history. The new Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate Edition is now available to order via Land Rover retailers starting at $141,600. View All Range Rover SVR For Sale Media/Information Source: Land Rover

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 12, 2021

Discover The First-Ever U.S. Tesla-Powered Range Rover By...

E.C.D. Automotive Design is considered the pioneer in restoring and upgrading classic Land Rover Defenders. As innovators, the dedicated team works to implement state-of-the-art performance and luxury comfort options to overhaul chassis at the 30,000 sqft facility in Kissimmee, Fl. E.C.D. is proud to announce its newest venture, fitting the first classic Range Rover RRC with an electric Tesla drivetrain. Enlisting help from the specialists at Electric Classic Cars, the mere idea of launching the classic model into the future became a reality. The inspiration behind the idea is to blend modern EV technology with the classic styling of 90s automotive design. Although a tough task to take on, E.C.D. is familiar with engine swaps, as they offer multiple powertrain options for any build. Holding 100KWH of power, the Electric Range Rover has a 5-hour three-phase charge-time and an estimated driving range of 220 miles. In total, the job of successfully transplanting the Tesla drivetrain took over 3,000 man hours. Once inside the electrified RRC, the experience of driving a classic Range Rover is put on hold while the immediate torque from acceleration sinks you into the back of your seat. After a few moments to adjust your mind and body, the Tesla powered Range Rover RRC begins to show its historic roots with firm mechanical steering and period-correct interior components that have been modified to comfort any enjoying the one-of-a-kind experience. Each custom build through E.C.D. Automotive Design allows for the owner to be in complete control of the design, while the team aims to offer support throughout the process. The team has mastered the art of creating one-of-one examples through an incredibly detailed design program paired with a knowledgable staff of master mechanics. As a true one-of-a-kind build and driving experience, the Tesla-powered RRC from E.C.D. Automotive design is headed to a charger near you. E.C.D. Automotive Design

By Andrew Nabors – March 11, 2021

Chieftan Xtreme Arrives With 700 Horsepower

What began as a restoration service for 4-door Rovers has evolved into a complete lineup of modernized classics. If you need Chevy thunder in an English 4WD, the Chieftan Xtreme arrives with 700 horsepower. Starting with a new example of the original chassis, fabricators box every connection and the suspension points are gusseted. While the 4-door will always be iconic, their 2-door is more enticing. The non-supercharged 6.2 is the LS3 first seen in the 2008 Corvette. It offers 430 horsepower to an 8-speed automatic. Opting for the supercharger will send 700 hp to a fully independent suspension backed by AP Racing brakes. All control arms have rod-end connections, and you can choose the interior and exterior colors. Xtreme has side-exit exhaust BFG All-Terrains, and meaty fender flares, so tell us where you would take it in the comments below. Images (C) JIA

By Andrew Nabors – October 29, 2019

Prestige Imports: Overfinch Explained

Can you imagine yourself in a Range Rover? If so, you should also allow it to be an expression of your personality. That is what our friends at Overfinch have been up to since 1975. Their goal is to make your dreams a reality, so here is how it happens. For their 2nd episode of "Inside the Lab" here is Prestige Imports with Overfinch Explained. Browse Overfinch at Prestige Imports Click the button above to browse the Overfinch selection at Prestige Imports, and stay with us for the next episode of Inside the Lab. Related: Prestige Imports Announces New YouTube Series: Inside the Lab

By Edward Jones – May 13, 2019

Range Rover Astronaut Edition Built for Future Astronauts

Land Rover has announced the new Range Rover Astronaut Edition, which will be produced by Land Rover Special Vehicle Operations. If you're a fan of everything space-related, like me, this SUV sincerely interests you. However, if you're not part of the Virgin Galactic Future Astronaut community, like me, you won't be able to get one. This new SUV will only be available to Future Astronauts, thanks to a partnership between Land Rover and Virgin Galactic. To make the SUV "out of this world," there are quite a few special touches. For instance, the Astronaut Edition logo can be found everywhere. This logo features the silhouette of the Virgin Galactic SpaceShipTwo. There are even discs inside the cup holders that were fashioned out of the landing skid from the Virgin Spaceship Unity's first flight in December 2018. Land Rover even took the opportunity to debut the car to Richard Branson, the man behind Virgin Galactic. He's the guy you're going to want to talk to if you want to be a Future Astronaut and get one of these Range Rovers. view all land rovers for sale

By Edward Jones – August 06, 2018

Range Rover Gets Swept Away Into the Sea

Being from the beach, I'm aware of how tides work: tide goes in, tide goes out. It's all due to the gravitational pull of the moon on Earth's oceans. But it seems the moon's pull almost caused a Range Rover to be swept away into the ocean.In Suffolk, England, the owner of a Range Rover decided to park their SUV next to the shoreline while visiting the shores. Unlike where I'm from in Florida where high tides come up about 3-4 feet, the tides in the UK can rise and fall greatly and can go up as high as 11+ feet. When relaxing on a beach where tides can rush up high, you have to be aware of how the water is moving.10 Multi-Million Dollar Florida Waterfront MansionsFor the owner of this Range Rover, they apparently didn't get the memo about the tides and left their luxury SUV for Mother Ocean to handle. Once the tide came in, the SUV began to take on water. Luckily, the sand had a tight grip on the wheels, so it stayed put but the salt water damage seemed to have been done. Eventually, the coastguard and workers pulled the SUV out of the ocean's clutches but that's when they began to investigate how the car got stuck there in the first place.

By Christina Avila – November 19, 2015

Range Rover Drives Over Paper Bridge for 45th Anniversary

Because a convertible version of the best-selling Evoque wasn’t enough this week, Land Rover decided up the ante and tested the limits of its flagship Range Rover SUV by driving it over a bridge – made entirely of paper.In a press release from the UK-based brand today, Land Rover announced a successful trip over a paper bridge, located in Suzhou, China, ahead of the Guangzhou Motor Show. A project commissioned to celebrate the company’s 45th anniversary, the bridge was hand-build over the course of three days, vacant of any glue or bolts to maintain its structure. The freestanding structure fit right into historical Suzhou’s landscape, which is commonly referred to as the ‘Venice of the East’ best known for its bridges and waterways.Director Group Engineering Jaguar Land Rover, Nick Rogers, stated in the release: “China is a hugely important market for Range Rover, so we have picked the perfect place to celebrate 45 years of our luxury SUV family.”But breaking records is nothing new for the Range Rover, which debuted as the first luxury vehicle SUV in 1970. Two years later, the Range Rover became the first ever vehicle to cross the Darien Gap in Central America, and in 1992 was the first to introduce Electronic Traction Control and electronic air suspension to the 4x4 market. The fourth and latest version of the Range Rover was the first all-aluminum SUV at the time of its debut 3 years ago.Rogers went on to say, “Range Rover’s advanced lightweight body and peerless all-terrain capability were crucial factors in making this unique drive possible.”Range Rovers For Sale (via Land Rover)

By Andrew Nabors – June 26, 2015

Head to Head: Range Rover HSE vs. Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG

Nearly every minute of every day, our lives are filled with choices. When it comes to selecting a high-powered SUV, only a few come to mind as a good choice.Two in particular are long lived names steeped in traditional off-roading, but their posh modern offerings are rarely seen in their native environment. The most popular offerings in this segment are the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG and the Supercharged Range Rover HSE.(Related: The Saleen S7: America’s First Production Supercar)Both of these capable SUVs can seat five adults and tow your toys with ease. They are both capable of fording shallow creeks, and both allow for locking of all three differentials. With traditional body-on-frame construction and solid axles, the G63 AMG offers a more traditional SUV ride quality, but the weight savings of the Range Rover’s aluminum chassis can’t be overlooked. The choice between the two really comes down to your personal style and how much added value the dealer is willing to include.Check out the spec comparison between the two below, and let us know in the comments why you would choose one over the other. 2015 Range Rover HSESupercharged 5.0-liter V8Horsepower: 510Torque: 461 lb-ftChassis: Aluminum uni-body with fully independent axlesDrivetrain: Full time 4WD with 2-speed shift on the fly transfer case.Curb Weight: 5,320 lbsPerformance: 0-60: 5.1EPA Rated Fuel Economy (City): 13 mpgMSRP: $137,995 (Autobiography Short Wheelbase)Browse Range Rover Listings 2015 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMGTwin Turbo 5.5-liter V8Horsepower: 536Torque: 560 lb-ftChassis: Body on frame (steel) with solid axlesDrivetrain: Full time 4WD with 2-speed transfer caseCurb Weight: 5,622 lbsPerformance: 0-60: 5.3 (manufacturer estimate)EPA Rated Fuel Economy (City): 12 mpgMSRP: $137,150Browse G63 AMG ListingsSee More Listings For Sale

Range Rover

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe