Luxury and Exotic Car Reviews

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 – March 29, 2019

Reviewed: 2019 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Limited

What comes to mind when you hear the word "Jeep"? To many it is the eponymous 4WD that won WWII. But in this age of global manufacturing, Jeep is building a crossover. The Cherokee is named for one of the 5 Civilized Tribes, the best one in my humble opinion. I am a descendant of that tribe, and glad that Fiat-Chrysler named it in their honor. It was introduced in 2014 with bold styling and seating for five. A nice refresh in 2019 added LED lighting and a more pronounced grille, and we received one of the first examples. As the 3rd Cherokee we have reviewed, our initial reactions were to notice the improvements in quality and value. For the 2018 model year, production moved from Jeep's legendary Toledo plant to Belvidere , Illinois. The home of the K-Car and the Neon has built quality small cars. Because the plant was already building the Dodge Dart, it was easy to build a Jeep on the same chassis. Other siblings include the Chrysler 200 and the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which we have thoroughly enjoyed. This is the first modern Cherokee we've driven with a V6, and the 3.2 is a smooth runner. It offers 19 mpg city and 27 on the highway thanks to the 9-speed automatic. The transmission has a neat feature of disconnecting the rear axles while cruising, which helps save fuel. The issue with having 9 gears is that it is always shifting. It only has 271 horsepower and 239 lb-ft of torque to play with, so any movement of the accelerator causes a downshift. It either needs more power or fewer gears to provide a calm experience. Both differentials are open, and the brakes are used to send power to any wheel that is slipping. While this is great for going off-road, there is not enough torque to safely handle 2 tons and low ground clearance. Inside, we were treated to premium leather everywhere. The controls are in logical places and the touchscreen interface is first-rate. We are so happy to have a real console shifter. The rotary dial found in other competitors is a failure point we won't abide. Road and engine noise are not a concern thanks to great insulation, and the 9-speaker system has a powerful subwoofer. It supports Apple and Android, and includes Jeep's best feature. The steering wheel controls are so intuitive that every other automaker should copy them. This dates back to the mid-90s, and it is still Chrysler's gift to the world. In conclusion, you and I both know this isn't going off-road. But if you encounter bad weather or hit the dirt roads, the Cherokee has your back. It is an American icon with a sticker price of $34,445. Because crossovers are stacking up, Jeep is offering great leasing terms, so click the link below and tell them a Cherokee reviewed it. Shop Jeep FOr Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 27, 2017

Reviewed: 2017 Jeep Renegade Altitude

The Jeep Wrangler has been popular "Since 1941". That script is emblazoned on the dash of all 2017 Jeep models, even the Renegade. The new Altitude package takes the renegade to new heights, and it also helps clearly define the model. A Renegade is someone who breaks from tradition. Someone who deserts and betrays their allegiances and organizations. We didn't know how this would apply to a small SUV, so Jeep sent us a new example for a week of review.Anyone can tell the Renegade is a Jeep from miles away. The familiar grille & headlights are an unmistakable trademark. The overall shape is eerily familiar, but we'll get to that in a moment. It is a rectangle with fender flares. Sharp angles on the top transfer into curves around the wheel openings. Your eyes are enjoying everything until they fall upon the lower body cladding. The famous Rubbermaid plastic found across the industry a decade ago, we assumed it had gone extinct. As the owner of a first-gen Avalanche, I still wonder what made us accept such a cheap alternative to painted panels. Jeep Unveils Hellcat Powered Grand Cherokee TrackhawkIn all seriousness, the small amount of cladding will help with lower body protection until it greys away in a few years. Another retro-inspired design is the roof. Two removable panels are easily stowed in the back if you want to be open to the sky. If you don't want to go completely topless, the front panel is also powered and it opens as a moonroof. It is a very neat feature, and both panels are well insulated. It made us wonder about another unique convertible: the Fiat 500. That's because the Jeep Renegade is essentially an American version of the Fiat 500x. The engine and transmission are built in Ohio, then shipped to Melfi, Italy to meet their Jeep.The Jeep brand has had many owners over the years. Fiat is the latest dance partner, they have been a subsidiary of Daimler-Chrysler, Cerebus Capital, American Motors, and Willys-Overland. Each era has its own highlights and errors, but we feel that the current lineup is the best they've ever offered. Is the Renegade for everyone? No, because it has a cloth interior and durable plastics that aren't top-notch, but they will last for a long time. The interior is user-friendly, with controls in a logical layout. The infotainment screen is only 6.5", which might seem smallish. But thanks to Jeep's steering wheel controls you won't have to take your hands off the wheel. They are the same buttons found on almost every Jeep and Chrysler since the mid 90's. If only the other automakers would learn to leave good features alone.Driving the Renegade is unremarkable for an AWD SUV. Yes, Jeep sells it as 4 Wheel Drive, but technically its not. The transfer case is full-time, without a 2WD mode. Since its a Fiat underneath, the chassis is set up primarily for FWD. It has heavy steering with a strong return pulling your hands back to 12 o'clock. Italians know you want to feel proper feedback from the road. Our car had the larger of the two engine choices. The 2.4-liter MultiAir is smooth, but it needs each of the transmission's 9 speeds to provide any motion. That's because all you have to play with is 180 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque.The Renegade corners well and rides smooth, with room for 4 adults and moderate cargo space. It is not powerful enough to get into trouble, and the SelecTerrain system is smart enough to keep you safe. Rear seat and rollover ratings are only 3 stars for a grand price of $32,195. Highway mileage is rated at 29 mpg and 21 in the city. The novel design and features are worth it, so check your local dealer for more details.

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2016

2016 Jeep Cherokee SRT Review

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has always been a staple in the SUV market. Heck, my family has gone through multiple model years of the SUV and each of them was just as capable as the last. As for 2016, the Grand Cherokee's strengths are still there and the SRT version amplifies each of them.On the outside, the Grand Cherokee SRT is very similar to the base model, with a few modifications, including the front and rear fascias, headlights and exhaust tips. So, it's an SUV everyone will recognize as a Jeep, but those familiar with the brand will recognize the SRT-ness that's been added. For me, one of the most noticeable changes has to be the 20-inch x 10-inch 5-Spoke wheels, wrapped in the 295/45ZR20 BSW All Season Tires. 2016 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRTInside our test example was a cabin that's been dressed to the nines thanks to the optional SRT Premium Laguna Leather Package ($1,495). On top of the plush leather was other useful features like the heated front and second-row seats, effortless Uconnect system, rear seat dual-screen Blu-Ray DVD player (optional $1,995) and more. As for comfort, if you've ever been in a Grand Cherokee you know that the front and second-row seats are comfortable as can be, even for long road trips.Now, about the power. Being an SRT model, this Grand Cherokee packs a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that's worth every penny. Capable of 475 hp, this SUV acts as a pretty solid sleeper vehicle and even comes equipped with launch control. Did I try it out? You bet. Did it feel weird launching an SUV? You bet, but this wasn't the first time Jeep has implemented this feature in their Grand Cherokee SRT.The 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT is a jack-of-all-trades, capable of taking you off of the road, on the highway for a road trip or on the drag strip for exciting launches. The best part? You can partake in all of these activities in an incredibly comfortable interior. If you've ever driven or owned a Grand Cherokee, just think of the SRT as a powered-up version that's louder, faster and more luxurious. 2016 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT

By Edward Jones – August 05, 2016

2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4 Review

The Jeep brand is synonymous with off-road capabilities, but they still manage to create vehicles that luxurious as can be. Case in point, the 2016 Cherokee Overland 4x4. This new SUV provides the drive with the ability to potentially do some rock climbing, use it as a daily drive and cruise in comfort.On the outside, this SUV is unmistakably a Jeep, featuring the iconic "boxy" body, grille and updated headlights. With the Overland edition, the main difference is the edition specific badging and the standard Bi-Xenon headlights. For wheels, ours was fitted with 18 x 7 inch polished aluminum wheels, shod with 225/60R18 BSW Touring tires.Inside is where this SUV enters a world of its own. Because we were given the Overland edition, we were greeted with a leather-trimmed interior. The brown leather covered just about every surface, even the instrument panel, center armrest, shift knob and door panels. As for technology, it was equipped with 7-inch display that you could use to control the Uconnect system and audio system that sent out sound to 9 speakers and subwoofer. When sitting in the Overland edition, you can tell that Jeep went above and beyond to create a more luxurious driving experience.I didn't get a chance to take the Jeep offroad, as Tampa, Florida isn't known for its dirt roads, but on the road I can say that it was a pleasure to drive. Its 3.2-liter V6 provided 295 hp, which was provided enough pep to keep you entertained. This SUV won't be winning races, but it will be there when you have to take roads less traveled.For fans of the Jeep brand and all thing luxurious, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland 4x4 is an obvious winner.View All Jeeps For Sale

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