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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 Jordan Aquistapace – August 23, 2023

The Top Supercar & Hypercar Reveals From Monterey Car Wee...

From Maserati track-only examples to hand-built Rolls-Royce models, Monterey Car Week 2023 definitely did not disappoint.

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 24, 2023

We Made AI Rank The 10 Best Luxury Cars Under $100K

We use cutting-edge tech to find out which luxury car has the best bang for your buck.

By Emet Evjen – August 18, 2022

Who To Follow on Social Media for Live Updates From Monte...

Keep up to date on Monterey Car Week with these Instagram accounts. Monterey Car Week 2022 is underway and with it comes a ton of incredible automotive happenings. From unveilings to multi-million dollar auctions, there is always so much to see during this exciting week. If you can't make it out West for the event, we've compiled a list of Instagram accounts that you should follow. The accounts on this list are comprised of official automaker accounts, photographers, journalists and more. They will be perfect for seeing what's going on in Monterey as soon as it happens. Be sure to scroll down below and follow them. View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY (@dupontregistry) View this post on Instagram A post shared by duPont REGISTRY NEWS (@dupontregistrynews) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victor Gomez IV (@victorgomeziv) View this post on Instagram A post shared by racecardyl (@racecardyl) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BUGATTI (@bugatti) View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Speedy Guidy (@thespeedyguidy) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hennessey Performance (@hennesseyperformance) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gabriel Vega Cortés (@gabvc_) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ed Bolian (@edbolian) View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Coyne (@davidcoynephotography) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Team Santiago Cars (@tsantiagocars) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Phil Trig  (@mrtrig) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taylor Shenuski (@tshenphotography) View this post on Instagram A post shared by JP Logistics & Motorsports???? (@jp_logistics) View this post on Instagram A post shared by McLaren Automotive (@mclarenauto) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nathan Craig (@nathanlovesbacon) View this post on Instagram A post shared by RM Sotheby's (@rmsothebys) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cool Car Pics TRUTH (@sparky18888) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mecum Auctions (@mecum_auctions) View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Peninsula Signature Events (@thequailevents) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bentley Motors (@bentleymotors) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lamborghini (@lamborghini) View this post on Instagram A post shared by pebblebeachconcours (@pebblebeachconcours) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ethan (@amazingcars_atl) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aston Martin (@astonmartinlagonda) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Adam Bornstein (@adam_bornstein) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Creative Bespoke International (@creativebespoke) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Reliable Carriers Inc (@reliablecarriers) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BMW M GmbH (@bmwm)

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 01, 2022

The Best Pre-Owned $100k Driver Cars You Can Buy Today

2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody View Price And Listing 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition View Price And Listing 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 View Price And Listing 2021 BMW M3 Competition View Price And Listing 2022 Audi e-tron GT Premium Plus View Price And Listing 2022 Jaguar F-Type P450 View Price And Listing 2022 BMW M3 View Price And Listing 2022 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray View Price And Listing 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus w/Full Self Driving View Price And Listing 2021 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat SRT View Price And Listing

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2021

Top 10 Best Jaguars of All Time

Jaguar is one of the few automakers that has iconic cars that can be found in multiple eras. Whether it's the sleekness of the E-Type or the ferocious roar of an F-Pace SVR, there are many Jaguar models that many would regard as the best Jaguar cars. Because there are so many different Jaguar models that have been created since the automotive company was officially founded in 1935, we've put together a list of what we consider to be the ten best Jaguar cars ever made. So, be sure to scroll below to see the 10 best Jaguars of all time. Jaguar For Sale Jaguar XK120 Manufactured from 1948 to 1954, the XK120 is regarded as one of the most beautiful cars of all time and we agree. When many think of classic Jaguar, they think of the XK120. Jaguar XE SV Project 8 The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 was launched as a limited edition version of the XE. It packs a monstrous supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine that is capable of producing 592 horsepower. Jaguar D-Type Source: Jaguar As far as Jaguar race cars go, none are as iconic as the D-Type. In fact, it may just be one of the most iconic classic race cars of all time. Jaguar knows this fact and actually decided to make recreations of the race car. Jaguar F-Pace SVR While Jaguar is known for its cars, the F-Pace is the automaker's SUV. And while the F-Pace is a great SUV, the F-Pace SVR is a step above. With more power and a very loud exhaust note, this SUV makes a statement wherever it goes. Jaguar E-Type The beauty of the Jaguar E-Type is undeniable. Different generations of automotive enthusiasts were introduced to the car in different ways, most recently being the Austin Powers movies. No matter the year of which you fell in love with the E-Type, we all respect it for its beautiful appearance. Jaguar C-Type The aforementioned XK120 is certainly one of the best Jaguars of all time and so is the race car based on it, the C-Type or XK120-C. Produced from 1951 to 1953, the C-Type was very successful in racing, having won the Le Mans 24 Hours race twice. Jaguar F-Type Project 7 Jaguar built the F-Type as their modern sports car and a spiritual successor to the E-Type. Like the XE SV Project 8, the F-Type Project 7 is a limited edition model that came with more power and bold styling. Jaguar SS 100 The name "SS100" comes from Swallow Sidecar, the company that became Jaguar in 1935. Jaguar produced the SS100 from 1936 to 1939 and it was their very first model. Being the first of many, it just had to be on this list. Jaguar XJ220 In the 1990s, not many cars were as exciting as the XJ220. Its design was unlike anything the public had seen before, offering a low-slung, sleek design that you could spot from a mile away. What's more, it had a top speed of 212.3 top speed which would make it the fastest production car in 1992 and 1993. Jaguar XJR 15 Source: RM Sotheby's Before the XJ220, there was the XJR 15. While 282 examples of the XJ220 were produced, only 53 XJR 15 cars were ever made. Due to its limited production, not many people knew about the XJR 15. That being said, it's a very important model in Jaguar history. It's not only fantastic looking but it was also a superb race car.

By Edward Jones – August 31, 2021

Top 10 AWD Sports Cars

It's cold on the East Coast. Like, really cold. We're in Florida, the state that's supposed to stay frost-free, and this past Friday morning, Feb. 20, had a wind chill of 29 degrees thanks to what the Weather Channel calls the "Siberian Express." So, that means the roads are still stuck in winter-weather-mode, and your car needs to be, too. Though we're in Florida now, decades were cumulatively spent by our staff living north of the Mason Dixon, in New Jersey, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and so on and so forth. (See Also: Top 10 Best Porsches of All Time) So trust us when we say that nothing can quite come close to the added grip of snow tires, but without all-wheel drive, those snow tires won't do much to help your car stick to the road. But just because a car has a good grip doesn't mean it can't be good-looking. In fact, there are quite a few models that are just as comfortable topless in summer as they are on ice in the winter. Luckily for you, we've compiled a list of our 10 Best AWD Sports Cars with that all-too-necessary drivetrain. Can you think of any others that we might have missed? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Ferrari SF90 Stradale Source: Ferrari View Listings Ferrari's new SF90 Stradale was unveiled as the most powerful car from the Italian automaker. Powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine and an electric motor, the SF90 Stradale's powertrain sends 986 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. Porsche 911 Turbo S Source: Porsche View Listings One of the most popular and exciting cars in Porsche's lineup is none other than the 911 Turbo S. This AWD sports car can lay down supercar numbers like a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.6 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. There's a reason why the 911 Turbo S has been a must-have for many collectors. Nissan GT-R Source: Nissan View Listings An electronically controlled AWD system in the GT-R offers something few AWD drivetrains can. Traditionally, AWD splits torque 50/50 between the front and rear wheels, but in the GT-R, 100 percent of the torque is available to the rear, while the front has access to 50 percent. This means you can trust in the AWD when hitting slippery spots, but can also enjoy a rear-wheel drive feeling on drier days. Lamborghini Aventador SVJ Source: Lamborghini View Listings While the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ wasn't the final Aventador Model, it most certainly is the most extreme. With an AWD setup that has 770 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque running through it, this supercar is a force to be reckoned with. Rimac Nevera Source: Rimac View Listings The Rimac Nevera stepped into the record books when it broke the quarter-mile time for a production car. This kind of feat was made possible thanks to its enormous output of 1,914 horsepower and the fact that this power comes from four separate motors. With power being pushed to each wheel independently, the Nevera can rocket across drag strips and circuits. Audi quattro Source: Audi View Listings Though it might not appear to be much from the outside, when the Audi quattro was introduced at the 1980 Geneva International Motor Show, it was the first to bring an AWD drivetrain to the world of mainstream and supercar production models. Without the quattro, it's possible none of the cars on this list would be here. And now, Audi is looking to resurrect the quattro. Audi R8 Source: Audi View Listings The Audi R8 is developed and produced entirely by quattro GmbH, the high performance private subsidiary of Audi AG. The name "quattro," Italian for "four," comes from the 1980 Audi Quattro, or the Ur-Quattro, which was the first to introduce AWD to the mass market. But while the Quattro was the first to offer Audi's quattro drivetrain, the R8 is the impressive result of 35 years of development. Porsche 918 Spyder Source: Porsche View Listings It's the latest hypercar from one of history's most successful automotive brands. It's a hybrid. It has a 4.6-liter 8 cylinder thatproduces 887 hp and 944 lb-ft. And it has an AWD option, as well as front-wheel and rear-wheel drive modes. There isn't anything about this car that lends itself to an ordinary driving experience, only an extraordinary one. Bugatti Chiron Source: Bugatti View Listings As the successor to the Veyron, another truly remarkable AWD hypercar, the Chiron has been a shining star in the automotive world thanks to its abilities. Take the Super Sport 300+, for example. This AWD hypercar was the first of its kind to exceed 300 mph. That's downright incredible. Acura NSX Source: Acura View Listings Acura may be sunsetting the NSX, a fantastic AWD sports car, but they're at least they're letting it go out with a bang. That bang is the NSX Type S, the most powerful NSX to ever be created. What's more, it also features Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®). READ: The 50 Best Sports Cars to Drive

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 18, 2021

The Best Dad Rides For Father's Day

Celebrate this Father's Day with a list of all the best cars for dads. With Father’s Day right around the corner, we think of the passion and hobbies that empower all the fathers out there to incorporate into the perfect gift. For most dads, cars seem to find their way into the hearts of many, which is the reason for many future enthusiasts. This week we compiled a list of the Best Dad Rides for Father’s Day. The diverse list includes everything from museum-quality classics to modern-day exotics. View all of these listings part of this week’s special by clicking the links below. The Classic Dad 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS 350 duPont REGISTRY View Listing 1987 Buick GNX duPont REGISTRY View Listing 1971 Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupe duPont REGISTRY View Listing 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 duPont REGISTRY View Listing The Supercar Dad 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2020 Ferrari 488 Pista duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2020 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2021 McLaren 765LT duPont REGISTRY View Listing The Racetrack Dad 2018 Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2021 Backdraft Racing Roadster duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 duPont REGISTRY View Listing The Off-Road Adventure Dad 2021 Apocalypse Hellfire 6x6 duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor View Listing 2021 RAM TRX duPont REGISTRY View Listing 1973 Ford Bronco Custom Resto-Mod duPont REGISTRY View Listing The Everyday Driver Dad 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant 4.0T Quattro Avant duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2021 BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2020 Porsche Taycan Turbo S duPont REGISTRY View Listing The Hypercar Dad 2018 Bugatti Chiron duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2008 Koenigsegg CCX duPont REGISTRY View Listing 2014 Pagani Huayra duPont REGISTRY View Listing For more News, Check out Intriguing Interiors of Exotic Cars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2020

RM Sotheby's Online Only Monterey Auction Top 10 Sales

Each year it seems that Monterey Car Week gets more congested. With so much to see and do, it can become downright stressful. To keep bidders and consignors safe, RM Sotheby's Online Only Monterey took place over the phone and the internet. This new approach didn't seem to influence the bidding, as total sales reached $30,412,810. As their events are a strong indicator of automotive trends, here are the top 10 sales: 10. Lot 143 1960 Porsche MOMO 356 RSR Outlaw: $858,000 9. Lot 122 1980 BMW M1 Procar $913,000 8. Lot 151 1972 Porsche 916 $957,000 7. Lot 1231960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster $1,045,000 6. Lot 248 1932 Packard Deluxe Eight Individual Convertible Victoria $1,056,000 5. Lot 244 1991 Ferrari F40 $1,386,000 4. Lot 115 1964 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta Lusso $1,496,000 3. Lot 154 2014 Pagani Huayra $1,848,000 2. Lot 227 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB $1,980,000 1 Lot 240 2001 Ferrari 550 GT1 Prodrive $4,290,000 Its odd for a race car to win top honors, but this car was the driven by Luca Cappellari and Fabrizio Gollin to win the 2004 FIA GT Championship. Not only the overall winner at Spa, it is the last V-12 Ferrari to win a 24-hour race overall.

By Andrew Nabors – May 19, 2020

10 Facts About Supercars and Sports Cars

The holidays are just around the corner, which means it's time to come up with your dinner time conversation pieces. There are a few things that everyone knows about the major supercars in today's market, their power specs, engine and transmission options, where it sits in a legacy line or how quickly it can accelerate from zero to 60 mph. But then there are the things that only a few people are aware of, little known supercar facts that might make you look at a supercar in a different light, or at least understand how truly awe-inspiring these mechanical feats are. (See Also: Top 10 Production Cars With The Most Torque) To help jump-start your research, we've compiled 10 of some of the most interesting or unique facts about the best sports cars and some of the most powerful supercars out there. Read them up, memorize them for later and be sure to let us know when you get to show off your knowledge. Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Fuel Injectors 1.) The thirsty fuel injectors of Dodge’s Challenger SRT Hellcat could drain an Olympic-sized pool in 361 days. Each of the eight injectors can flow 600 cubic centimeters per minute, for a total of 4,800 cc/minute. An Olympic pool is approximately 2,500,000,000 cc. Some simple arithmetic gives us 8680.5 hours, or 361 days, for the engine to drain that amount of fuel. (Source: Dodge) Radiators 2.) Due to the heat generated by its massive sixteen cylinder quad-turbo engine, the Bugatti Veyron has 12 radiators strategically placed throughout the body. To cool such an engine with a single radiator would require it to be about the size of a pool table. In order to create a sleek profile, smaller radiators are used in areas of high air pressure to keep the beast from a meltdown. (Source: Car and Driver) Big Blocks 3.) In the early 1990s, when McLaren was developing the transmission and brakes for their upcoming F1, they used a 454ci (7.4L) Chevrolet Big Block V8 to ensure that their components could handle the power of the BMW sourced V12. (Source: UltimaSports.co.uk) Tractors 4.) Ferruccio Lamborghini started a successful tractor and farm implement business after WWII. Gifted with mechanical expertise, he disassembled his Ferrari to investigate why the clutch repeatedly failed. He improved the design and created an enemy out of Enzo Ferrari. The rest is history. (Source: Lambocars.com) Slow Down Buick 5.) The fastest American car in 1987 was the 245 hp turbocharged Buick GNX. Based on the Regal Grand National, it was much quicker than the Corvette. Chevrolet was not amused, and the GNX was canceled with only 547 cars produced. (Source: GM) Zero Options 6.) The first production Dodge Vipers had no windows, exterior door handles, or even anti-lock brakes. (Source: Edumunds) 8 is better than 6 7.) For 1953 and 1954, Corvettes were powered by the ancient “Sovebolt” inline six-cylinder engine. It was a sales and performance failure until the V8 arrived in 1955. (Source: 69corvette.com) Show Me the Money 8.) The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO is the most expensive supercar ever sold. Last year a pristine example sold for $52 million to an unidentified buyer. (Source: Bloomberg) Twins 9.) Lamborghini’s Gallardo and Audi’s R8 are cousins. Sharing the same chassis and interior layout, the differences are mostly cosmetic. Bolts 10) The Pagani Huayra uses 1,400 titanium bolts at $80 each, resulting in a cost of $112,000 for the bolts alone. Mr. Pagani has pioneered new techniques for titanium machining, and his grade-7 hardware has his logo etched into the bolt heads. Read more about these bolts in our article here. All images (C) Respective Manufacturer or Dealer

By Edward Jones – November 16, 2018

Top 10 Roads to Test Your Car's Limits

In the span of a car's life, it usually never gets its chance to prove what it is truly made of. Its life is typically spent on a highway, city roads or residential roads. Why not test what your car is truly made of? Do you know its top speed? How safe it truly is? How it handles around fast corners? Here are some places you can take your car to see what your automobile is really made of. (Autofluence does not, in any way, encourage reckless driving on any road. This includes drifting, speeding and, of course, crashing. Always comply with local traffic regulations when behind the wheel.) Nardo Ring (Source: NASA) Where can I drive my car fast? Everyone wants to test the top speed of their car, and there is no better place to figure it out than at the Nardo Ring. I'ts a 7.8-mile long track that is 53 ft wide. What makes the Nardo Ring interesting is that it has "neutral speeds" for each lane, where the car can drive at a designated speed and not have to turn the steering wheel, thanks to the track's banking. For example, a driver in the outermost lane can travel at 149 mph without having to turn the steering wheel. Staying within the law, this is the best place to speed legally. Our Car of Choice: Bugatti Chiron The Dragon's Tail This stretch of road in Tennessee/North Carolina is world-renowned for being one of the most exciting stretches of road, but also one of the deadliest. Through the 11 miles of road, the Dragon's Tail has a 1,085-foot change in elevation and 318 curves. Sadly, there have been 30 recorded deaths on this road since the year 2000. On this road, you would, hypothetically, be able to test your cars handling, power and, if necessary, safety features. Our Car of Choice: Porsche 930 - 1987 911 Turbo Nihon Romantic Highway (Source: Google Maps) Have you ever wondered why Japan is so enthusiastic about drifting? It's because they are surrounded by magnificent roads, like the Nihon Romantic Highway. Don't let the name fool you; the only romantic thing about this road is the connection you will feel between you and your car as you drift around the hairpin corners. On this road, you would, hypothetically, be able to truly test the handling of your car and your drifting skills. Watch the video below to see what I'm talking about. Our Car of Choice: 2018 Acura NSX California State Route 243 State Route 243, or Esperanza Firefighters Memorial Highway, is an incredibly scenic 30-mile road that runs from Banning to Idyllwild in Southern California. This road was actually where our Managing Editor, Caitlin Duffy, learned to drive. She recalls the twists and turns that are visible from the satellite imagery, as well as spans of straight road, making it a perfect road to, again, hypothetically, test the power of your exotic car. Our Car of Choice: Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder Pan-American Highway (Source: Wikipedia) Want to know how tough your vehicle really is? Sure, automakers may test their car in intense conditions, but would it last the entirety of the Pan-American Highway? This incredibly long highway reaches from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina. In the road's 30,000 mile journey, it passes through 19 countries. If you have ever wondered about your car's efficiency or durability, try a trip down the Pan-American Highway. Our Car of Choice: Mercedes Sprinter Autobahn Everyone has heard of the Autobahn and knows it as "that road in Germany with no speed limit." This motorway system has no general speed limit, but there are certain areas that do, in fact, have a speed limit. For the other stretches of road where there is no limit, you can, hypothetically, travel at any speed you wish, making it a great place to test your cars top speed, if traffic permits. Watch the above video to see two Lamborghinis playing on the Autobahn. Our Car of Choice: Mercedes AMG GTR Fiorano Circuit (Source: InsideFerrari / Twitter) Do you ever wonder how Ferrari makes such incredible cars? Well, we can at least tell you that their cars are each tested on this very track. Yes, the famous Fiorano Circuit, privately owned by Ferrari, is known worldwide as the testing place for each Ferrari model and is where many new Ferraris can be spied as they are being taken through their paces. The circuit has a length of 1.86 miles, and the fastest speed an F1 car has ever reach on the track is 180 mph. If you want to see if your car is on par with a Ferrari, take it to the Fiorano Circuit. Our Car of Choice: Ferrari LaFerrari San Bernardino Pass San Bernardino Pass is regarded as one of the greatest driving roads in the entire world. Top Gear even included this route as they searched for the best driving road in the world. Being endorsed by Top Gear is a feat that this Swiss Alp road should be proud of. Here, you will test your cars handling and much more, but be sure to pay attention to the road in front of you, and not the stunning scenery. Our Car of Choice: Lamborghini Aventador SV Roadster Halsema Highway (Source: Panoramio.com) The Halsema Highway is one of the ten most dangerous roads in the world, but at the same time is incredibly gorgeous and features some great driving. Unfortunately, to get to these stretches of amazing twists and turns, you will have to endure an incredibly unkempt road system. Parts of the road literally fall off the mountainside and slippery conditions are frequent. If you have ever wanted to test your car's safety features, traction control and handling all in one place, Halsema Highway is a (un)safe bet. Our Car of Choice: Maserati GranTurismo Convertible MC Nurburgring (Source: xinu.nl) Does anything really need to be said about Nurburgring that hasn't been said before? Nowhere else will you find such an incredible strip of road. Looking for some sharp corners? Long straights? Whatever you are looking for, Nurburgring has it. It's no wonder automakers from around the world bring their new cars here to test their capabilities. Our Car of Choice: Porsche 911 GT3 RS

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