Videos

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 – August 02, 2017

Hennessey Performance Donut Recipe: Dodge Hellcat & 1,000...

Everybody has that "one friend" who chastises them for eating poorly. This might offend you, but we like Doughnuts. Not just the confectionery treat, we also like to see tires and pavement being punished. The same friend who extols the virtues of paleo food also drives a boring car. Life is too short to not enjoy all it has to offer, so Hennessey Performance have perfected the doughnut. The Dodge Challenger Hellcat comes with a 2.3 liter supercharger that allows the 6.2 liter V8 to make 707 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque at the engine. While power of that level can sure spin a tire, you know it is capable of much more. After swapping the stock blower for a 4.5 liter and installing new exhaust, the Hellcat HPE1000 puts down 863 hp and 770 lb-ft of torque to the ground. This equates to around 1,000 horsepower at the engine because the automatic transmission becomes a hindrance at these power levels. We warned you about it last week. We told you not to listen with headphones, but you did it anyway. Now you are deaf & the HPE1000 offers no apologies. It shows up to a knife fight with a grenade launcher. It costs much less than dealers are charging for the new Dodge Demon, and it will run 9's all day long. If you have a Challenger, Charger, or Hellcat, Hennessey will transform it into a killer.For more information click here and stay with us for all your Hennessey Performance updates.

By Andrew Nabors – August 02, 2017

How Porsche Makes Special Badges for the 911 Exclusive Se...

Most manufacturers love to cut costs by replacing emblems and trim pieces with vinyl or plastic. But Porsche still creates the most important pieces in traditional ways. We've shown you how the 911 Exclusive Series is assembled, and they do it the right way. No details are overlooked and the skilled workers are not racing the clock. In the latest video uploaded last night, we are taken behind the scenes at the Zuffenhausen assembly plant and into the new Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. A new name for their in-house custom shop, it was formerly known as Porsche Exclusive. The first name of the department wasThe first name of the department was Porsche Sonderwunsch, which translates to "Special Wish". Their first major project was building a 1980 Turbo S to look like the 935 race car. The result was the legendary 930 Slant Nose, and the rest is history. If your week is not going according to plan, what you will see next might lift your spirits. Expensive CNC tools are often used to make intricate metal objects because they are cheaper for mass-produced items. Nothing can copy the skill of an artist, so Porsche chooses to keep the skilled trades alive for to build the Exclusive Series 911 Turbo S. Watch as Fraulein carefully turns gold blanks into badges with two strikes of the forge. Then they travel to a goldsmith who trims and polishes, and the final step will take your breath away. Quality over quantity is a trademark of all Porsches, which is why we could watch videos like this 24/7. If you want to view the car up close, Porsche has a webcam that you can control from a custom landing page. So take a look at the finer details and then call one of our dealers to get the ball rolling. Stay with us for all your Porsche updates.View Porsche 930 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 01, 2017

Pagani Huayra Tempesta Transformation by Pagani Miami

If your Pagani Huayra doesn't stand out at your local Cars & Coffee, we don't suggest modifying it by yourself. Mr. Pagani and his team wanted to give something back to their loyal owners, so the Tempesta Package is a series of upgrades to the Huayra. It can be ordered from the factory or installed at an authorized Pagani service center. The only issue is that only two authorized service centers exist in the Western Hemisphere. One is in Beverley Hills, and the other is Pagani Miami. A division of Prestige Imports, their master technicians give all cars the white glove treatment. Late last year, owner Brett David announced the availability of the Tempesta package for all prospective buyers and Huayra owners. Also Check Out: Breathtaking Supercars Heading to RM Sotheby's Monterey We covered the first transformation back in January, and it sparked comments from around the world. Mike Supercars TopSpeed has a hotline to someone on the inside because he was on the scene again to film another Pagani Huayra being transformed. The parts are shipped from the factory in a well-insulated crate because their contents are worth $181,000. In a quest for increased downforce, the kit contains a new front splitter, rocker panels, and a new rear end. To offset the increased forces, a new Ohlins suspension is included along with new wheels. The 4-way adjustable shocks are tuned to the reduced weight of the wheels, which improves ride quality in every situation. Don't let the camera fool you, this package is not installed in an afternoon. It's a great way to add value because RM Sotheby's is expecting 2.8 Million for a 2014 Tempesta at their Monterey Auction. Stay with us for all your Pagani updates.

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2017

2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 S vs BMW M5 vs Audi RS7

If you are having a difficult time deciding which German sedan is right for you, our friends at AutoTopNL would like a few minutes of your time. Many factors play into your driving satisfaction. Everything from interior layout to the exhaust note can make or break your enjoyment. So before you sign the paperwork it's a good idea to get the car up to speed for a realistic test drive. Testing the fastest sedans from each of Germany's big three would be a blast, but we are not lucky enough to have an Autobahn nearby.The Teutonic Trifecta are each powered by small V8 engines with reverse flow twin-turbos. Exhaust flows into the V of the engine and directly into the turbos. This eliminates turbo lag and allows the engine to fit into a smaller car. Each turbo is fed by opposite cylinders on each side, which allows them to have equal pressures on the intake and exhaust. The downside is the engine's soundtrack. Reverse flow V8 engines sound less like a supercar and more like farm equipment. You can't deny their abilities, as the new Mercedes-AMG E63 S is rated at 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It has a 9-speed dual clutch automatic and 4MATIC+ AWD. A new BMW M5 is arriving for the Holiday season, but for now, we can abide with 575 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Offered in RWD only, it is the only car that offers a manual transmission. The 7-speed dual-clutch was chosen to make it a fair fight. Audi's RS7 is a hatchback sedan that offers more cabin space along with 605 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.You can't deny their abilities, as the new Mercedes-AMG E63 S is rated at 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It has a 9-speed dual clutch automatic and 4MATIC+ AWD. A new BMW M5 is arriving for the Holiday season, but for now, we can abide with 575 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. Offered in RWD only, it is the only car that offers a manual transmission. The 7-speed dual-clutch was chosen to make it a fair fight. Audi's RS7 is a hatchback sedan that offers more cabin space along with 605 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. No matter where your brand you are loyal to, each of these cars is a potent & well-built machine. Tell us which one you would buy, and stay with us for more Autobahn action.

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2017

Motor Trend Tests Lamborghini Huracan Performante at Imola

After a few minutes behind the wheel, you know the Huracan is destined for greatness. As the successor to the Gallardo, it has even cast a shadow on the abilities of the Aventador. That's because the Huracan Performante is the fastest production car for sale. It beat the Porsche 918 Spyder's Nurburgring lap time by almost 5 seconds thanks to innovative aerodynamics. We don't know how Audi & Lamborghini always find more power in their naturally aspirated 5.2 liter V10, and we'll cover its evolution later this week. The 2003 Gallardo arrived with a 5.0 liter V10 rated at 493 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque. The 2018 Huracan Performante has 631 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque without any turbos or a supercharger.Also Check Out: Lamborghini Huracan Specs, Reviews & PhotosThe Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Huracan are fraternal twins, each one is always trying to outperform the other. Both teams learn from each other, but this time the Italians played their cards close to the chest. Developing and patenting a new way to control downforce, the patented ALA system uses active air ducts front and rear to keep it glued to the track. The front system constantly divides air between going up through the cooling system or down to the belly pan. On the rear is a big spoiler of forged carbon. It is hollow and features vents under the leading edge. High-pressure air that is sucked into the quarter panels is shot out of the spoiler to kill the low-pressure turbulence that forms behind every car. Like drafting on a superspeedway, it allows the Performante to cut a cleaner path through the air. If you think you can handle it, we have a nice selection of Huracan for sale, so stay with us for all your Lamborghini updates. https://blog.dupontregistry.com/ecbg-2018/2018-lamborghini-huracan-performante-price-specs-review/

By Andrew Nabors – July 26, 2017

Ford GT vs Camaro ZL1 At Mid Ohio

Being stuck behind a V6 in the fast lane is what living in Florida is all about. We didn't know it was a national problem until Luke McGrew uploaded his track footage to YouTube. From one Camaro owner to another, I feel his frustrations. But the car he was tailgating was no ordinary machine. The new Ford GT is a twin-turbo V6 that won LeMans in 2016. The carbon fiber chassis is motivated by 647 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. Following close behind was Luke in his 2017 Camaro ZL1. It borrows the supercharged 6.2 liter V8 from the Z06 Corvette. It offers 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque.Also Check Out: Ken Block Tests New Ford GTThe Ford GT looks to be at a disadvantage in power, but the Camaro loaded with the 10-speed automatic weighs in at 4,100 lbs. The Ford GT is around 500 lbs lighter, and probably a bit more slippery thanks to its smaller size. Each car also makes power in different ways. Ford's EcoBoost engines need to rev in order to spool the turbos, but Chevy's belt-driven intake manifold has available boost at all times. The Ford owner had to pay a premium to get his car this early, as supplier issues are slowing down production. Both drivers need an award for taking their new cars to the track instead of lining up on the street. A little courtesy goes a long way, so always remember to let the faster cars pass you. Ok Ford fans and Camaro comrades, tell us what happened at the end and stay with us for more supercars in action.2004-2006 Ford GT Prices, Specs & Review

By Andrew Nabors – July 18, 2017

2016 Ford Mustang GT350R Carbon Spec on Jay Leno's Garage

Saving weight is the best way to make your car faster. It might not be the cheapest way to increase your performance, but less weight means less fuel used and ultimately less pollution. The aftermarket has embraced carbon fiber, not only for looks but also the incredible strength of the composite. Supercars were the first to use it on the street, and now that the technology has become more affordable the aftermarket s poised for a revolution. SpeedKore Performance is located a few miles north of Milwaukee, and their autoclave is turning out everything from mirrors to full quarter-panels. That's because they have developed a complete carbon copy of the 2016 Ford Mustang GT350R. Also Check Out: Ford Unveils Race-Ready FP350S Mustang After scanning every panel into their CAD system, the car was literally skinned down to the chassis. Instead of spot welds and a thousand 10mm bolts, the new panels are bonded to the chassis. The result is additional strength, lower center of gravity and around 600 lb reduction in curb weight. The Ford Mustang GT530 and GT350R are the first American car to use a flat-plane crankshaft, which means it can spin to over 8,000 rpm. It makes a majority of its power above 4,500 rpm. Maximum torque of 429 lb-ft happens at 4,750 and max horsepower of 526 at 7,500. The effects of less weight are hard to immediately notice in traffic, so Jay hit the highway with SpeedKore VP David Salvaggio. Car engines are most efficient when cruising because the transmission is not stealing power. See the Complete Car Collection of Jay Leno In most manual transmissions, 4th gear is 1:1. That means the engine and drive shaft are turning the same speed. This is where any change in weight makes a big difference. Jay notes the car pulls much harder in the upper gears, and we would love to get behind the wheel. If you have ever put your car on a diet, tell us in the comments below and stay with us for more footage from Jay Leno's Garage.

By Edward Jones – July 17, 2017

Get Chased by Hypercars on the Track

In Assen, Netherlands, the Supercarsunday 2017 event brought the world's most insane hypercars together on one track. Cars like the Koenigsegg Agera RS Prototype, Koenigsegg Agera RS ML, Bugatti Veyron WRC Edition, Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport, LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and even a McLaren P1 GTR and many more were on hand to put on a show for the crowd.Exotic Cars For SaleYouTube channel rickadelic1 was at the event and was also in a car that was being followed by the hypercars during their laps. He took incredible footage of the cars chasing his car, allowing us all to see just how exciting a car chase involving the fastest hypercars would be. Click play on the video below to see what could be a once-in-a-lifetime car chase.

By Andrew Nabors – July 17, 2017

Rolls-Royce Dawn Races 0-155 mph on Autobahn

Our minds are automatically wired to relate size with speed. But bigger doesn't always mean slower. Larger vehicles usually take longer to reach top speeds, because acceleration is not a top priority. Rolls-Royce builds some of the finest vehicles in the world, so no compromises are made to luxury or power. The largest object I have ever controlled was 5 minutes at the helm of the USS Wyoming. It taught me that size is irrelevant if you have power. The Rolls-Royce Dawn doesn't have a nuclear reactor, but it sure feels like it.Also Check Out: Rolls-Royce Unveils The Dawn Black BadgeUnder the hood is a 6.6 liter BMW V12 with twin turbos. Since it was designed for Autobahn cruising, our friends at AutoTopNL decided to show just how capable it is. Offering 523 horsepower and 605 lb-ft of torque, the Dawn could probably tow more than most medium-duty trucks since maximum torque happens at only 1,550 rpm. While older British models accelerated eventually, the Dawn will surprise you. In keeping with tradition, the left gauge is not a tachometer. It is a power indicator that factors in boost, engine speed, and fuel injector load to show the driver how much power is available. The 8 speed automatic will recognize your intentions by carefully monitoring the accelerator, and it's nice to have an automatic that knows how to keep boost on tap. If you don't believe us, check out these Rolls-Royce Dawn for sale and you will understand why it is worth every penny.

By Andrew Nabors – July 13, 2017

Corvette ZR1 Prototype Screams at the 'Ring

In 1883, the Indonesian island of Krakatoa exploded. It was the loudest sound in recorded history, being heard over 3,000 miles away. Barometers recorded the shockwave as it made four passes around the world. The Earth literally rung like a bell. As someone who has permanent hearing damage from Chevrolet's small block V8, my perforated eardrums are somewhat attenuated to their distinctive exhaust. Or at least I thought they were until now. Testing at the Nurburgring is a rite of passage for every new supercar. Usually, its easy to match the audio to an approaching car, but PDriveTV captured something wild. Krakatoa, Ktulu, and the Kraken will all be humbled by this roar.Also Check Out: Corvette ZR1 Prototype Caught On The StreetIf your value the longevity of your audio system, dial it back because this monster goes to 11. Several sources have made light that GM registered LT5 as a trademark. The last time they used this designation was in the 1990-95 ZR1. It was the codename for the dual-overhead cam engine that was engineered by Lotus and produced by Mercury Marine. The 5.7 liter V8 was built exclusively for the Corvette ZR1, and it shared almost nothing in common with any other engine. Since then, Corvettes have only had a single camshaft operating a traditional overhead valve design. But if Chevrolet has found a way to harness the power of their late model V8 designs and combine them with overhead cams, it will be a Sledgehammer. Previous prototypes were seen fitted with exhaust pipes aimed to the left. The 'Ring does have noise laws when races are not scheduled, so don't leave home without your mufflers. A DOHC engine is taller than what is currently offered in the Z06, so the new hood makes room for innovation. A faint hint of blower wine is drowned out by the loudest pipes we've heard in awhile, so it sounds like the ZR1 is returning with a vengeance. We have several examples of the wild C6 Corvette ZR1 for sale, but if 638 horsepower doesn't appeal to you the new model should be released this fall. Tell us what you hear, and stay with us for more Corvette news.

Videos

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe