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 Tyler Rampersaud – August 07, 2024

New 2024 Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two Revealed With F...

Range Rover evolves its high-performance luxury again. Since Jaguar Land Rover has restructured its brands, Range Rover has taken on a more important role than ever in creating luxurious SUVs. The new Range Rover SV has been introduced as Range Rover’s newest luxury performance SUV. With 626 horsepower and sleek looks, the Range Rover Sport SV Edition One redefined Range Rover’s approach to performance, and the newly revealed Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two is its next chapter. The new Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two's reveal highlights various new design features, including new colors and forged carbon finishes. Blue Nebula Matte, Ligurian Black Gloss, Marl Grey Gloss, and Sunrise Copper Satin are the four color themes. Blue Nebula Matte is paired with the new satin forged carbon fiber finishes, 23-inch wheels, Blue Nebula brake calipers, and an interior finished in Light Cloud and Ebony leather. All four color themes are specially curated to imbue the new Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two with a unique and luxuriously tailored look. However, customers can configure their own Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two to match their preferences. This includes opting for Forged carbon fiber or carbon fiber Twill, equipping new 22-inch Diamond-turned wheels, or a body-colored roof. With new design tweaks and more options, the new Range Rover Sport SV Edition Two adds more luxury to the stunning high-performance SUV. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 26, 2024

Land Rover Reveals New Bespoke Range Rover Sport SV Celes...

Range Rover’s performance SUV gets a bespoke twist. The previous generation of the Range Rover Sport saw the Range Rover Sport SVR, a performance-oriented benefit with a brawny V8 engine and all the proper trappings of a hot-blooded luxury performance SUV. However, the new generation of the Range Rover Sport has the Range Rover Sport SV, swapping the SVR’s 5.0-liter supercharged V8 for a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, going from 575 horsepower to a staggering 626. With a 3.6-second 0-60 time and a 180-mph top speed, the Range Rover Sport SV sits comfortably in the highest echelon of luxury performance SUVs. Now, it’s taking the luxury factor even further, as Land Rover announces the new Range Rover Sport SV Celestial Collection, a limited group of five bespoke iterations of the Range Rover SV inspired by celestial bodies and their importance to ancient mythology. The bespoke vehicles are the Range Rover Sport SV Gaea Curation, Theia Curation, Io Curation, Vega Curation, and Sol Curation. The Earth inspires the Gaea Curation, with Green Terre Matte exterior paintwork, carbon fiber accents, a black roof, and Carbon Bronze ceramic calipers evoking a nature-inspired look. Inside, Caraway leather, Kvadrat steel-cut backboards, and Natural Brown Silver Birch wood accents continue the theme. The Theia Curation, named after the mythological daughter of Uranus and Gaea and a hypothesized ancient planet that collided with Earth to create the Moon, features Ilmenite Grey Satin paint on the exterior, with a metallic flake inspired by the moon. Inside, black gloss accents evoke outer space, complemented by Ebony and Pimento Windsor leather and a satin-finish forged carbon fiber center console. The Io Curation is named after one of Jupiter's moons, the most volcanically active body in the Solar System. Cyllene Gloss paintwork evokes this characteristic, along with Ebony and Lunar Windsor leather seen in the interior, with the bespoke luxury performance SUV’s 3D knit seats, carbon fiber seat backboards, and carbon fiber seat collar bezels. Verrier Blue, a specially developed blue gloss color that is named after astronomer Urban La Verrier, adorns the exterior of the Vega Curation, inspired by the Vega star, a bright star in the Lyra constellation with lots of blue in its spectrum. The exterior also features a carbon fiber contrast hood, yellow brake calipers, and 23-inch wheels. Inside, Ebony and Perlino leather is paired with Natural Cream Ash Burr wood finishes. The Sol Creation is inspired by the Sun, and as such, its exterior is finished in Aurora Yellow Gloss, which hints at the Aurora Borealis with hints of green. Inside, yellow stitching contrasts with the leather-free Ebony interior upholstery to mimic the Sun’s brightness in space. With the wonder of the cosmos as its inspiration, this stunning collection of bespoke Range Rover Sport SV examples combines luxury, performance, and artisan design. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 30, 2024

Land Rover Reveals First Images Of Range Rover Electric P...

A luxury SUV icon is about to be electrified. In the luxury SUV world, Range Rover is one of the most respected names, and for good reason. Its unmistakable silhouette, all-terrain capability, timeless style and luxurious appointments have made it a staple for years among luxury drivers, families, and more. However, Land Rover is changing the landscape of the luxury SUV world with its announcement that an all-electric version of the legendary Range Rover is coming soon. The waitlist for the upcoming Range Rover Electric is already open, and the vehicle aims to evolve the capable yet opulent spirit of the Range Rover with a futuristic all-electric drivetrain. Towards that goal, Land Rover is currently testing the new Range Rover Electric and has revealed the first look of the all-black Range Rover Electric prototype. The testing is taking place in the challenging cold-weather environment of the Arctic Circle, and also the 122-degree desert environments of the Middle East. There, the electric drivetrain’s resilience is being put to the test to make sure that, as Land Rover’s reputation suggests, the Range Rover Electric is prepared for a wide range of situations and conditions. In addition, the electric drivetrain also seeks to evolve the Range Rover’s existing capabilities in low-grip situations, with greater control and adaptability than ever before thanks to torque reaction times going from 100 milliseconds to just 1. With testing in extreme conditions beginning for the upcoming Range Rover Electric, the new electric version of the luxury SUV icon is already shaping up to be something great. View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Land Rover

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 05, 2024

2025 Range Rover Sport Debuts New Matte Black Stealth Pack

The Range Rover Sport activates Stealth mode. Black-on-black is one of the most popular luxury car specs, thanks to its inherent elegance, understated nature, and modern feel. Delivering an elevated version of an all-matte black spec is the new Stealth Pack, announced for the Range Rover Sport. Available exclusively for the 2025 Range Rover Sport Dynamic SE, the optional package features a sleek Carpathian Grey exterior with Satin Protective film, offering both a matte finish and scratch protection. Accents are featured in gloss black, providing continuity and contrast at the same time, while the interior can be finished with either Ebony or Light Cloud Windsor leather upholstery. In addition, Natural Black veneers and a Meridian audio system add to the vehicle’s luxury factor, and the look is completed with the addition of black wheels. The Dynamic SE trim level that the Range Rover Sport with the Stealth Pack is offered on is available with a six-cylinder engine, assisted by mild-hybrid technology. The new Stealth Pack for the Range Rover Sport offers one of the most popular luxury car configurations to one of the most iconic luxury SUVs on the market. Available for the 2025 model year in the United States, the new Range Rover Sport Stealth Pack is available for $10,305 as an option for configurations. View All Range Rovers For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 13, 2023

Land Rover Opens Waitlist For Range Rover Electric

The luxury SUV legend is officially going electric. “Range Rover” has been a household name for decades, a gold standard and symbol of luxury, and a trusted benchmark in what makes a luxury SUV deserving of that name. With unmistakable presence, enviable capability, cutting-edge tech and plush creature comforts, the Range Rover’s reputation in the automotive world is iconic, and it’s about to undergo a big change, like the rest of the automotive industry. Whether they’re radically changing or being left behind, most of the world’s favorite cars are being affected by the automotive world’s transition to electrification, introducing a wildly different approach to not only drivetrains but automotive design as a whole, and this turning point begs the question of how to consider icons like the Range Rover, which is known for boasting powertrains like V8 engines. Jaguar Land Rover’s answer is to electrify it, and with a new announcement, they are closer than ever to making that come to fruition. As the testing phase of Range Rover Electric prototypes begins, Jaguar Land Rover has announced that the waitlist for the upcoming EV luxury SUV is open. The goal is to go electric whilst still maintaining all the typical trappings of the Range Rover we all know and love: the plush luxury, the classic, timeless design, and especially the off-road capability, with the engineering sign-off program seeking the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, a range of terrain conditions, and a wading depth of nearly 3 feet of water. Along with that, electrification is said to bring added perks, like being the quietest Range Rover yet, along with having an even more luxurious interior than before. Its performance will be comparable to a V8-powered counterpart, as well. With testing in full swing and an open waitlist, the anticipation continues to build for a new era of the Range Rover to begin. The question is: will the Range Rover Electric live up to the celebrated Range Rover name? View All Range Rovers For Sale Image Source: Jaguar Land Rover

By Gabriel Vega – December 17, 2021

2022 Land Rover Range Rover SV Revealed: Over 1.6 Million...

It's been less than two months since the 2022 Range Rover broke cover with its evolutionary styling, powerful engine options, and promises of an electrified future. However, Land Rover has just announced the most customizable version of its new Range Rover, the range-topping SV. Developed by Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations department, the SV offers over 1.6 million possible configurations. Distinguishing this new SUV are upgraded materials such as ceramics, sustainably sourced wood, and plated metals throughout. From the outside, the SV gets a new front bumper, which features a five-bar grille design, while the lower front fascia houses five metal-plated blades stacked neatly on top of one another. You'll also find new metal-plated trim pieces throughout the front and rear of this SUV. Those aforementioned ceramics make an appearance in the SV badge in the rear. According to Land Rover, this new badge will distinguish all future models launched by its SVO division. Rounding up the exterior upgrades are an optional trim-specific set of 23-inch forged wheels. While there are physical changes to the exterior, what sets the SV apart is the extent to which you can customize its finishes and trims. According to Land Rover, the SV can be styled to the customer's request or following one of seven pre-determined themes. The SV Serenity, for example, features an Atlas Silver exterior contrasted by Bronze accents found in the SUV's trim, roof, and wheels. The theme carries over to the interior, where you'll find a blend of white and brown leather along with wood panels in the center console. The goal of the themes is to help give this SUV a unique aesthetic that's perfectly tied in and balanced, evoking a specific mood. Inside, the Range Rover SV lets its upgraded materials shine. As standard, the SV gets semi-aniline leather with a unique embroidery pattern. However, a softer near-aniline leather option is available with a more natural look and less pigmentation. If you want to go leather-free, the SV is available with what Land Rover calls Ultrafabrics. Essentially, it's a polyurethane material that feels similar to genuine leather but produces a quarter of the CO2 during production. In the center console, an optional mosaic marquetry is available, featuring hundreds of hand-laid laser-cut wooden pieces. On the longer wheelbase models, this marquetry is available on most horizontal surfaces giving the SV's interior a unique look. According to Land Rover, the Range Rover SV will be available to order starting in early 2022. However, as of writing, we don't have official pricing. Thankfully we do know that it'll be available as both a standard and long-wheelbase model. See All Range Rovers For Sale

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 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 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

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