Tesla

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 – April 06, 2020

Tesla's Ventilator Design Team

Elon Musk and his engineers seem capable of achieving the impossible. From landing rockets to "Ludicrous Mode", they have destroyed the walls between thought and production. That is why we're awestruck at Tesla's ventilator design team. If you ever needed a proper example of how fuel injection works, this would be it. Using parts from the Model 3, their apparatus mixes hospital oxygen to a desired pressure, flow, and saturation. An O2 sensor and a mass airflow meter in the exhaust send commands back to the intake to constantly make adjustments. Although it looks complicated on the bench, this design is poised to change the world of Respiratory Therapy. Well done to all involved! Find Your Tesla Here " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 22, 2019

Tesla Cybertruck Unveiled by Elon in L.A.

If you must know one fact about Elon Musk, his ability to keep projects hidden is unparalleled. That's why the world was shocked when the Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled last night in L.A. Having nearly perfected the latest techniques in stainless fabrication, the Cybertruck will arrive with a cold-rolled exoskeleton. Capable of shrugging off 9mm rounds, he had a strongman attempt to tarnish it with a sledgehammer. As listed on Tesla's media site, the Cybertruck will feature the following: Range: 500+ miles 0-60 mph acceleration: <2.9 seconds Towing capacity: More than 14,000 lbs Payload: Up to 3,500 lbs Vault length: 6.5 feet Storage capacity: 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable storage including the vault, frunk, and sail pillars. Suspension: 4” in either direction Touchscreen size: 17” Body: Ultra-Hard 30X Cold-Rolled stainless steel. If there was something better, we’d use it. Seating capacity: Up to six adults Charging: Can be charged at home, at Destination Charging locations, and with our network of more than 14,000 Superchargers, including on our newest V3 technology, which is helpful for long hauls and towing It is worthy to note that the styling makes it appear larger than it actually is. Their benchmark for width and length was the Ford F-150. Three powertrains consist of a rear motor, dual motor (front and rear) and tri-motor. Hopefully, the latter will be able to supplement all four wheels, as this would be another game-changer for the industry. " width="680"> Related: Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Drag Race Inside Tesla's Crash Facility

By Edward Jones – October 17, 2019

Woah: Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Drag Race

When Porsche Taycan was announced, the first thing that came to mind was the Tesla Model S P100D. Both of these models are electric vehicles that tout extreme acceleration and luxury. But which one would win out in a drag race? To test that was Vox auto mobil, a German TV show. They tested both the acceleration of both cars and even put them through a moose test as well. In the end, the car that took the drag race win was quite surprising. In the comments of the video found up above, there was a lot of exasperation. It seems the comparison between these two cars is going to bring out a lot of hype from Porsche and Tesla fans. see all porsches for sale

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2019

Inside Tesla's Inhouse Crash Testing Facility

Tesla Motors create some of the safest vehicles on the road today. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 has been awarded the 2019 Tp Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Another interesting tidbit about Teslas and crashes is that Folksam, a Swedish insurance company, couldn't put a Tesla on their annual study on their country's safest cars. Why? They just don't crash enough. Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really Fast While they may be safe, Tesla still has to crash test their cars. In a recent video from the electric vehicle company, they gave us a tour of their crash test facility and even show off some of the vehicles being given a crash treatment. Check it out up above. see all teslas for sale Also Check Out: TeslaCam Records Crash, Proves Driver Wrong Tesla’s New Software Update Includes Smart Summon, Caraoke, ‘Cuphead’ and More Tesla Model S “Plaid” Laps Laguna Seca in Record Time

By Andrew Nabors – September 12, 2019

Tesla Model S "Plaid" Laps Laguna Seca in Record Time

Elon Musk is apparently preparing for a run at the 'Ring, at least according to Tesla's tweets. In a video uploaded last night, we saw the Tesla Model S Plaid lapping Laguna Seca in record time. This test mule is running a special tune to push the Model S to its limits. It appears as if the work paid off, in that Elon says the lap time of 1:36.555 is 1 second faster than the previous sedan lap record. Brose All Teslas For Sale Another "shocking" tweet was from Mr. Musk's personal page. He confirmed the Model S seen at the 'Ring is a 7-seat model. Essentially it is the same P100d equipped with the "Plaid" drivetrain and the optional rear jump seats. A rear-facing view of the Nordschleife would be fun, but sitting atop a 100 kWh battery might be disconcerting to the uninitiated. Hopefully, this is a test mule for the 2nd-generation Tesla Roadster, so stay with us for all your Tesla updates. https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1171953646898012160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1171953646898012160&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.motor1.com%2Fnews%2F370347%2Fmodel-s-seven-seats-nurburgring%2F Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really Fast McLaren 720S Races Tesla Model S P100D

By Edward Jones – July 26, 2018

Tesla Model S Avoids Accident by Going Really Fast

I never thought I'd compare a car to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, but here I am doing exactly that. If you're unfamiliar with the SR-71, which I don't know why you would be, it was a reconnaissance aircraft that could operate at insane altitudes and speeds. In fact, the Blackbird holds the record for the "fastest air-breathing manned aircraft," being able to reach speed around 2,200 mph. Because of this insane speed, the SR-71 had a very special tactic when it came to avoiding incoming missiles: outrunning them. Seriously, in the off chance a missile could actually lock-on to the Blackbird, the pilot was alerted, giving him time reach speeds and altitudes the missile could not match.(Related - Gas vs Electric: McLaren 650S Spider vs Tesla Model S P100D)Now, what in the world does this plane have to do with a Tesla? In a video published yesterday, Jason Hugh recorded his drive in his Tesla Model S P85D. During his drive he noticed a Toyota Prius driver coming up on his rear quite quickly. Because he knew just how fast the car could accelerate, he decided to stomp on the pedal from a dead stop in order to get away from the distracted Prius driver. Thanks to his quick thinking, he outran the incoming Prius just like the SR-71 outrunning a missile. Check it out below, it's pretty amazing.All Tesla Model S For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 15, 2018

Tesla Model X Tows Boeing 787 For Guinness World Record

Have you noticed gas prices lately? Tesla has, so they decided to remind us of what their Model X is capable of. The world forgot about electric cars around a century ago due to cheap fuel. Just like how Space X reminded the aerospace industry that kerosene rockets are incredibly cheaper than hydrogen. Elon Musk thinks outside the box, and that is how they were able to tow a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.As the Flag Carrier for Australia, Qantas is the largest airline in the world. Being the biggest means staying ahead of the curve, and what they have done is sending shivers through the aircraft tug industry. Those tiny workhorses that push and pull planes to their gate are not required to meet emissions laws, so battery power seems like a no-brainer.Porsche Cayenne Turbo S Tows Jumbo JetThe Model X P100D is rated at 518 horsepower and 713 lb-ft of torque. Torque is multiplied in the differential before it reaches the wheels. Your car probably has a 2.73 or maybe even a 3.73 gear ratio. The Model X has 9.34 gears. This means it has the potential to send 6,659 lb-ft to the tarmac. Officially rated to tow 5,000 lbs, it seems to have no problems moving the 244,000 lb Dreamliner, which set the Guinness World Record for the "heaviest tow by an electric production passenger vehicle."Please don't try this at home, Boeing will void your warranty. If you want to see some wild airport action, join us this Saturday at Peter O Knight field in Tampa for Cars & Coffee. If you can't make it, stay tuned to our Facebook page and here for complete coverage.Browse Tesla For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 23, 2018

Slo-Mo Tesla Model S Launch is Hypnotic

Drag racing and electric cars were once mutually exclusive, but Tesla has changed that forever. Owners of the top-level Model S are endowed with 778 horsepower and 734 lb-ft of torque. However, if you choose to enable Ludicrous Mode, our friends at DragTimes achieved 920 lb-ft and 588 horsepower at all wheels.Tesla Model S vs Model X Ludicrous Mode Drag RaceMore torque than several Nascars is how these silent beasts are able to shame almost any muscle car at the drag strip. We're not sure how many runs the 100kWh battery is capable of, but not having to deal with wheel spin is worth it. If you are wondering why the Camaro SS in the right lane didn't launch, this is Bracket Racing. Each driver races against his best time, and the win goes to the most consistent car. So the Camaro's green light is delayed so both cars will cross the finish line close to each other. Tell us your favorite Tesla story in the comments below and have a great weekend!Browse Tesla For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – October 03, 2017

Easter Eggs Hidden in Tesla Model 3

A growing trend in automotive design is to hide unique features in small details or in the software. Chevrolet does this with the Corvette by etching the cross-flags logo into the headlights, rear window defogger, and a few other locations. Take a close look at a Jeep and you will find silhouettes of the original Willys from WWII. Tesla chooses to make us smile with childhood memories and nerdy fun aimed directly at their target audience.Also Check Out: Base Model Tesla Destroys Competition At Drag StripBefore Tesla Tampa was opened, we stored a dozen Model S sedans in our showroom. Aside from the tremendous torque that burned our carpet, we discovered the lane-keeping display was able to show the car on Rainbow Road, the hardest track from Nintendo's Mario Kart. Two months ago at our Cars & Coffee show, one of our fans arrived in a new Model X. The rear doors and battery range is nice, but the real treat is dance mode. It uses the rock-orchestra soundtrack that is synchronized to the lights and doors. Now that the Model 3 is in production, it was inevitable that customers would discover its funny bone. In a video uploaded to Green Car Reports by Steve Jurvetson, he shows us three features every car should have. Watch the video and then tell us about hidden parts of your car in the comments below.

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 01, 2016

Revealed: Tesla Model 3 - Specs, Price and Pics

All of the Model 3 anticipation is finally over. Tesla is known for a cult following, and many turned out for the unveiling of the Model 3 last night. To great applause, the brand's first affordable, high-volume model rolled out on stage for their official debut.Tesla Model 3 Specs 0-60: <6 seconds 215 mile range Supercharging Capabilities 5-star safety rating During the unveiling, Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, revealed a five-star safety rated, 0-60 in under six seconds, electric sedan. Even the base Model 3 will have these features. They will also have autopilot options and a range of 215 miles (or better). Tesla's newest sedan is also designed to seat five adults in comfort and the roof is, as Musk describes it, "One continuous pane of glass" giving it more space and an incredible view no matter which seat you're in. Supercharging capability is also standard among all Tesla 3 models. Superchargers are charging stations Tesla has built across the world, which means your Tesla 3 can go anywhere, anytime.So what about price? The Tesla Model 3 will start at $35,000, which after federal and state tax credits, could be lowered to $28,000. Musk asserts that production will begin in 2017 and deliveries will start at the end of 2017. He also stated that at the time of the unveiling, 115,000 Model 3s had already been reserved.Learn more about production, buying capability and all things Model 3 in the video below. What do you think? Will you be reserving a Tesla Model 3?

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