Toyota

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 – July 16, 2019

2020 Toyota GR Supra Track Day

There was a time when Toyota had a complete lineup of fun & sporty cars. In the mid 90's you could choose from two versions of the Lexus SC, Toyota's "Epic" Wakeboat, the mid-engine MR2, and a supercharged AWD mid-engine Previa minivan. But by far, the most iconic Toyota of the 90s was the Supra. The fun was over by 1998, and we have been waiting 22 years for it to return. Thanks to the efforts of Akio Toyoda, we can watch the new 2020 Toyota GR Supra Track Day. Set to a timeless soundtrack by Rodgers & Hammerstein, the first official Toyota Supra advertisement was uploaded to YouTube. While it makes all the right moves and lays waste to the rear tires, we still have two issues with the car. First is the lack of a manual transmission. The car was co-developed by BMW, and they build amazing manual gearboxes. Toyota Supra #1 Delivered to John Staluppi The other issue is 335 horsepower. Sure it has a healthy 365 lb-ft of torque, but the 1998 Supra was underrated at 320 hp. Not everyone is in the market for a supercar, so the power will be enough for most. Of course, the aftermarket is hard at work reverse-engineering the engine, so stay with us for all the latest Toyota Supra news. Find Your Toyota Supra Here Related: 1998 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 25, 2019

2020 Toyota Supra #1 Delivered to John Staluppi

As one of the most prominent car dealers in the Nation, our friend John Staluppi has an amazing inventory. After getting his start at a Chevrolet dealer, he had the foresight to begin importing Japanese cars. His empire now consists of the 3rd largest privately-owned dealer group in the U.S. That is how he was able to place the winning bid on the first production Supra. And in a press release earlier today, we learned that the 2020 Toyota Supra #1 was delivered to John Staluppi. Earlier this year, we watched him outbid everyone else at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale. The hammer fell at $2.1 Million, with proceeds going to charity. It is probably en-route to his Cars of Dreams Museum in North Palm Beach, Florida. It will arrive wearing a VIN ending in 20201 to signify the first production car. Also included is a racing suit, valve cover, and photo signed by Akio Toyoda. Congratulations John, from all of us at the duPont REGISTRY. Browse ToyoTa Supra For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – June 17, 2019

See the Toyota GR Super Sport Hypercar Being Tested

The 2020-2021 FIA World Endurance Championship season is getting a new hypercar class. Just saying "hypercar class" is enough to get me excited. After seeing Toyota's entrant into the series, I'm even more excited. Coming into the world soon is the Toyota GR Super Sport, a hypercar that will be competing in the new hypercar racing class. While developing the race car, Toyota is also said to be making a road-going version of the GR Super Sport. It's expected to be powered by the same turbocharged 2.4-liter V6 engine as the TS050 LMP1 race car. However, it will also have a hybrid system backing up the V6, putting its power output to around 1,000 horsepower. The best part about this car is that it's not a pipe-dream. In fact, Toyota's CEO, Akio Toyota, took the car out for a couple of laps at the Fuji Speedway. You can see the car in action in the video up above. There are also great shots of the GR Super Sport's cabin that show off it's race-ready design. A release date or price of the street-legal Toyota GR Super Sport hasn't been announced as of yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to get that info before the year's end. See Supercars and Hypercars For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2019

ICON Unveils Joe Rogan's 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser

At the intersection of rugged and practical is the Toyota FJ. When war erupted in Korea, the US Army asked Toyota to build Jeeps since it would be easier than shipping them from the U.S. After improving the design, the Land Cruiser would evolve into a prolific 4WD. It is still in production, but it has evolved in a giant luxury SUV. That is why "CruiserHeads" prefer to restore classic examples like the FJ80 (1990-2008). To realize its full potential, ICON has unveiled Joe Rogan's 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser. See Joe Rogans Car Collection The straight six engine struggled to accelerate because of full-time 4WD. Mr. Rogan chose the Chevrolet LSA V8, the beating heart of the Camaro ZL1 and Cadillac CTS-V. It was treated to a few upgrades to make 560 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque. It is backed by a 4L85 transmission, the only 4-speed automatic capable of handling such power. The stock transfer case sends power to the stock axles because Toyota really built them to last. After adding ARB lockers front and rear, the entire body and chassis was taken down to bare metal. Every bolt was polished or replaced with stainless, and fabricated bumpers add to the aggressive looks. Jonathan Ward and his team have raised the bar for all classic Toyotas, so click the link below to find your Land Cruiser! Find Your Land Cruiser Here!

By Edward Jones – March 19, 2019

New 2020 Toyota Supra Colors Show Up Online

When revealed, the 2020 Toyota Supra came out in a special Launch Edition paint scheme. In this scheme was an Absolute Zero White body with reed accents on the calipers and mirror caps. Now, we get our chance to see what the new Supra will look like in a variety of other colors, thanks to Toyota's website. Paint colors like Nitro Yellow and Downshift Blue are a stark difference from the Launch Edition colors that we've seen thus far. Check out all of the colors by clicking here. The page also includes the pricing for the Launch Edition, 3.0 Premium and 3.0 trims.

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2019

Is Jay Leno the 1st Non-Toyota Employee to Drive the 2020...

You read that right! The Instagram page for Jay Leno's Garage uploaded a very suspicious photo earlier today. We can see Mr. Leno behind a new 2020 Toyota Supra that is wearing Texas plates. So he could potentially be the first person outside of Toyota to drive their latest model. It would make sense for Toyota to sponsor his show, as their rivals at Acura have placed the NSX in several episodes of Seinfeld's Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. It has been 2 decades since the last Supra was sold in the US, and the 5th generation model has been co-developed with BMW as their Z4. We are trying to wait patiently to get our hands on one, so stay with us for all your Supra news. Shop Toyota Supra For Sale Related: Check Out Jay Leno's Car Collection First Production Supra Just Sold For Big Money

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By Andrew Nabors – January 15, 2019

2020 Toyota Supra Launch Edition & Pricing

Yesterday we were glad to see the return of the Toyota Supra. Since it left the US in 1998, even bad examples have skyrocketed in value. If you need a new Japanese halo car, their latest press release outlines the 2020 Toyota Supra Launch Edition along with pricing. Initially the car will arrive in 2 trim levels: 3.0 and 3.0 Premium. The first has a retail price $49,990. The 3.0 will offer the same 335 horsepower straight six BMW engine that offers 365 lb-ft of torque. Also shared is the adaptive suspension, electronic rear differential and launch control. Where it differs is in the infotainment department. A 6.5" display is controlled by a wheel on the center console. The Alcantara seats will hold you in place as you attack the corners. If you need premium audio, a 12-speaker JBL system will be an additional $2,460. If you need all the gadgets, the 3.0 Premium comes standard with the aforementioned JBL audio along with an 8.8" touch screen to control all systems. Other goodies include heated leather seats, full-color Heads Up Display, wireless phone charging, and a navigation system. The first 1,500 cars built for the US market will be Launch Editions. Based on the 3.0 Premium package, they are available to order in Absolute Zero White, Nocturnal Black, or Renaissance Red 2.0. A carbon fiber dash plaque display's the car's number on the dash with a signature from Akio Toyoda. The 2-tone leather interiors and matte black wheels of the Launch Edition are also exclusive, and it all adds up to only $55,250. Sadly, a manual transmission is one option that we deeply miss. But the new paddle-shift 8-speed automatic was tested on tracks around the world. Our dealers can lead you through the process of ordering a new Supra, but they also have a few well-preserved MKIV cars you might like. So click the link below for more information. View All Toyota Supra For Sale " width="680"> Related: Say Hello to the 2020 Toyota Supra Watch the Toyota Supra at Goodwood

By Edward Jones – January 11, 2019

2020 Toyota Supra Official Video Leaked

The new 2020 Toyota Supra is supposed to be unveiled on January 14, 2019, but the Japanese manufacturer's Mexico branch didn't seem to get the memo. The @ToyotaMex Twitter account tweeted out an official video of the new sports car last night, giving us the full look we've been waiting for. The tweet, when translated, reads: "Our new #Supra in Japan, and this is the story that #AkioToyoda tells us about its return." We have all of this information because of the quick acting of Jalopnik's David Tracy who spotted the tweet. Since their story, the video has been ripped, screencapped and shared all across the internet. Below is the leaked video from AUTO.RIA.com's YouTube channel. Check it out to see the new Supra! " width="680"> Also Check Out: Nissan GT-R Price, Specs, Photos, Review First 2020 Toyota Supra Will Be Auctioned for Charity These Guys Mounted a Fighter Jet Cannon on a Toyota Prius

By Edward Jones – December 14, 2018

First 2020 Toyota Supra Will Be Auctioned for Charity

The new 2020 Toyota Supra is finally going to be a reality in early 2019, according to the automaker behind the sports car. They will be auctioning off the very first 2020 Toyota Supra at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 19, 2019. Additionally, the next-generation Supra will be debuted on January 14, 2019. That's right, we at least now know that we will be seeing the new Supra by that date. Granted, the exact car that will be shown that will be on display is a prototype, but Toyota says it "will be representative of the actual production vehicle that will be delivered in the first half of 2019." Also Check Out: Watch the 2019 Toyota Supra’s Goodwood Hill Run Specifically, the Supra set to be auctioned off will come with the VIN #2021. Its covered in a matte gray paint with red mirror caps and matte black wheels. Inside is a red leather interior to match those flashy mirror caps. The interior will also have a carbon fiber badge that will signify that it is, in fact, the first 2020 Supra. Barrett-Jackson will be taking the proceeds from the sale of the new Supra and share it between the American Heart Association and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 29, 2018

Nurse Risks Life to Save Patients with his Truck During C...

Update 11/29/2018: It seems Toyota USA kept good on their word and gave Pierce a new Tundra! Images of the new Pandra 2.0 were posted on the @the_pandra Instagram account, which show off the new Tundra TRD Pro. Good on you, Toyota, for helping out this good samaritan! Toyota USA also posted a photo of the two trucks together on their Facebook page. In the photo, Toyota USA says they'll match donations to American Red Cross up to $500,000. All you have to do is text CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to donate $10 between 11/28/2018 and 12/9/2018. https://www.instagram.com/p/BqrD-1dht0x/ Paradise, California, a small town in Northern part of the state, has been ravaged by the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history. The fast-moving fire, called the "Camp Fire" has taken 42 lives and destroyed over 7,00 structures. While this fire was destroying lives, there were many good samaritans that were risking their own lives to save others. One such good samaritan is Allyn Pierce, a nurse at Paradise's hospital, Adventist Health. During the fire, he helped start evacuating patients from the hospital. Then, he and two colleagues got in Pierce's Toyota Tundra truck, named The Pandra, and left for safer ground. Unfortunately, they were met by gridlock. Pierce and his passengers were stuck in the middle of a fire that was quickly closing in. As they sat, they watched as cars around them were being engulfed by flames. Things were not looking good for them. In fact, he recorded a goodbye message for his family just in case he was met with a worst case scenario. As The Pandra sat in the midst of the Camp Fire, a bulldozer appeared and pushed away a burning truck that was next to them. This gave them just enough room to drive away and ultimately turn around to face the fire again. Pierce's view from inside his truck. (via GoFundMe) It was at this point that Pierce drove back to the hospital ito help the residents of Paradise. Pierce, along with other nurses, doctors, paramedics and police, setup a triage center in the hospital's parking lot. They began treating residents as quickly as possible. Eventually, their makeshift triage had to be abandoned when the hospital caught fire. This prompted the relocation of the recovery operation. They remained there until a clear path to safety was created and they could drive everyone out in a caravan. Pierce, made it out alive, as did everyone else they led to safety. The Pandra, however, has sustained serious damage which prompted Pierce to share his story on social media. He says his truck saved his life and allowed him to help others, twice. Toyota USA caught wind of Pierce's story and have actually offered him a new Tundra. Source: Facebook This is all one bittersweet story that's just one of the many that will be told of the Camp Fire tragedy. Many lives have been lost and changed forever, but thankfully there are people out in the world willing to risk their lives to save others. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help Pierce in this time of need, as his family lost their home in the fire. You can view the campaign by clicking the button below. View the gofundme campaign Feature Image via Facebook, Story via @jacknicas

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