It’s Not a 911, but the Porsche 911 GT1 Is a True McLaren F1 Rival

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Even today, the McLaren F1 and its racing-inspired analog design make it a legend in the supercar world. The Porsche Carrera GT is an icon for similar reasons. But while the Carrera GT wasn’t truly an F1 competitor, Porsche did make another car that was. And recently, YouTube team Carfection got a chance to drive that car: the Porsche 911 GT1.

The Porsche 911 GT1 is part 911, part 962, and all Le Mans-winning racer

1998 Porsche 911 GT1 24 Hours of Le Mans race car | MARCEL MOCHET/AFP via Getty Images

‘GT’ is Porsche shorthand for models with a solid performance and/or motorsports focus. The original 911 GT3, for example, was a true homologation special with racing-derived tech. However, while the Porsche 911 GT1 is also a homologation special, it’s more extreme than any GT3.

In the ‘90s, Porsche wanted to race a car in the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And to do so, it had to homologate that race car by selling a certain number of street-legal versions, Road & Track explains. That’s why the Porsche 911 GT1 street car (‘Straßenversion’ or ‘Strassenversion’) exists. But despite its name, it’s not a 911—or rather, it’s not fully a 911.

A red-and-white-Coca-Cola-liveried 1986 Porsche 962 at the 24 Hours of Daytona
1986 Porsche 962 | Porsche

Here’s how this works. The front half of the Porsche 911 GT1—including the steel crash structure and carbon-fiber A-pillars—are from the 993-gen 911, R&T reports. However, the 911 GT1’s rear half comes from the 962 Group C Le Mans race car, R&T explains. That includes the 3.2-liter twin-turbocharged water-cooled flat-six engine that, unlike the engine in any other 911, is mid-mounted. Though admittedly, in 1997 Porsche gave the 911 GT1 some 996-gen 911 touches, most notably in the headlights and engine bay.

Compared to the race car, the road-going Porsche 911 GT1 is slightly detuned, with 537 hp instead of 592 hp, Automobile and DriveMag report. But that’s still good for a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds. The later Evolution models are even faster, not to mention successful race cars in their own right, R&T notes. And the Porsche 911 GT1 was the last road car to win at Le Mans, its reliability letting it beat other contenders in the 1998 race, R&T reports.

Compared to the McLaren F1, the Porsche 911 GT1 is a much friendlier supercar

An orange 1993 McLaren F1
1993 McLaren F1 | McLaren

RELATED: What Happened to El Chapo’s Missing McLaren F1

To be sure, the McLaren F1 is even faster than the Porsche 911 GT1. Car and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds in an F1, and it famously still holds the naturally-aspirated speed record of 240.1 mph. The 911 GT1 Strassversion, in comparison, tops out at ‘just’ 191 mph.

Plus, compared to the Porsche, the McLaren F1 is arguably the more exotic machine. The Toyota Sera-inspired butterfly doors; the gold-leaf-lined engine bay. It has a built-in Internet modem and the driver’s seat is in the middle. And even by modern standards, “the F1 feels legitimately quick for a supercar,” R&T reports.

RELATED: Before the McLaren F1, Gordon Murray Made a Rocket

However, as Carfection’s Henry Catchpole explains in the video above, driving a McLaren F1 demands your attention. The suspension, though comfortable, means the F1 rolls quite a bit for a supercar. And the relatively narrow tires add to both ride quality and roll. Add in responsive but unassisted steering and a narrow-gated but slick shifter, and it makes for an intense experience.

In contrast, the Porsche 911 GT1 is in some ways less and in some ways more of a true road car. On the one hand, it has an exposed interior roll cage and only two seats. And while it has a trunk, the F1 has two. It also lacks an audio system; the McLaren F1 at least has a CD changer. But the 911 GT1’s interior is straight out of a 993 911, with supportive leather seats and conventional doors.

RELATED: The Last Mezger: The 997 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

And compared to the F1, the Porsche 911 GT1 is a significantly easier car to drive, Carfection reports. The steering is light and communicative, the shifter stiff and satisfying to use, and the supercar remains balanced through corners. And yet, in many ways, it still reminds Catchpole of a ‘normal’ 911. As a result, “you feel like you can push this much harder much more quickly” than the F1, he says. It might just be, Catchpole says, “the ultimate 911.”

Seeing on the road is a rare occasion

While the Porsche 911 GT1 might be easier to drive than the F1, it’s also noticeably rarer. McLaren made 107 F1s, almost all of which still exist. Reports differ on exactly how many 911 GT1s Porsche made, Autoweek notes, but the consensus is ‘around 25.’ And not all of those are in public hands, Autoblog notes.

RELATED: The 992 911 GT3 Is Even Faster Than Porsche Says It Is

As a result, seeing a 911 GT1 is a rarer event than seeing an F1. Getting a 911 GT1, though, is easier on the wallet. In 2017 one example sold at a Gooding & Co. auction for $5.66 million, The Drive reports. However, a McLaren F1 can easily go for three times that amount.

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What Makes a Rolls-Royce Car Special?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to legendary cars, some say none are more special than the Rolls-Royce. These vehicle gems are popular among the Hollywood elite and collectors. The notable style, incredible quality, and famed hood ornament make the Rolls-Royce recognizable to almost anyone. But what is it about these cars that truly makes them so iconic? As it turns out, there is so much more to these cars that you may not know.

A look back at the iconic Rolls-Royce

To appreciate the vision behind the Rolls-Royce, it’s best to take a look back at its origin story. Henry Royce built his first car back in 1904. The electrical and mechanical business founder met up with vehicle company owner Charles Rolls later that year.

Together, the two agreed to move forward with an exclusive manufacturing endeavor that would be called Rolls-Royce, according to the official Rolls-Royce website. Defining the brand’s look, the iconic hood ornament debuted in 1911 and was called The Spirit of Ecstasy.

These cars embrace performance and speed too. By the ’30s, there were V12 engines capable of harnessing 2,300 horses with their supercharged 36.7-liter machines. The speed record set in 1933 was with one of these beefy engines. The Robb Report points out that the run clocked a blistering 301.33 mph. From its ground-breaking inception, the Rolls-Royce continues to impress with innovation, luxury, and performance even more than 100 years later.

Why these cars are so special

Most can’t dispute that from roof to road, one of the most impressive aspects of a Rolls-Royce is the handcrafted attention to paint and interior. These cars aren’t mass-produced like most cars today. And as Money, Inc. points out, there aren’t assembly lines either. Each piece is put together by skilled hands, with a keen eye for perfection and under the strictest quality supervision.

From the 300 pounds of noise-canceling acoustic insulation to the detailed paint job, each vehicle is meticulously done by one person, as well. And according to an interview in Business Insider, David Dean points out there is a palette of more than 44,000 colors. Rolls-Royce buyers often want to match their beloved ride with a favorite color lipstick or a sentimental shade. Some even choose to import diamonds into their paint. It’s this extraordinary workmanship and attention to every hand-assembled detail that is, in part, what makes these cars so incredibly special. It’s also why these vehicles tend to be so pricey.

There have been several revolutionary Rolls-Royce models over the years. The original Royce creation featured a 1.8-liter two-cylinder engine capable of offering 10 hp. It also had twin camshafts and a three-bearing crank, paired with a three-speed manual transmission, as shared by The Robb Report. And believe it or not, more than 60% of Rolls-Royce cars ever made are still on the road.

Technology evolved over the years, and so did Rolls-Royce. With each new introduction, the same attention to quality and precision proves even the Rolls-Royce can get better. There is the Rolls-Royce Dawn convertible or the Rolls-Royce Wraith coupe. And now there is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, named for the largest diamond ever discovered. Celebrity favorites include the Ghost, the Phantom, and the Rolls-Royce Black Badge as well.

These unicorns are expensive

RELATED: Rolls-Royce Will Sell You a Foldable Chair for $8,769

Since it takes up to 16 total hours just to build the Starlight Headliners, you can see why a Rolls-Royce tends to be expensive. There’s actually one employee earning a six-figure income, whose only job is to hand paint pinstripes with an arsenal of squirrel hair brushes. And since much of each model is customizable, it’s hard to put a viable price range.

One of the most expensive models was the Sweptail costing $13 million. The most fuel-efficient model may be the Rolls-Royce Wraith, earning 14 mpg. And the cheapest model you can buy right now is the Rolls-Royce Ghost, with its starting MSRP of $311,900. Of course, that’s only if you choose not to incorporate any diamonds into your paint.

Of all the cars considered “haute couture,” the Rolls-Royce models may just take the cake. There is no expense spared during production, and it’s why these cars are so special.

The post What Makes a Rolls-Royce Car Special? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Police Chase Goes Awry as Gas-Hoarding Woman Crashes Setting Off Multiple Explosions

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As we come out of the weird and unnecessary “fuel shortage” after the Capitol Pipeline was hacked, the stories of foolish gas hoarding are starting to surface all over the internet.

Pontiac G6 after the crash | Picken’s Co. Sheriff Department

Clearly, something as volatile and explosive as gasoline needs to be handled and stored with extreme care. However, one fuel-hoarding woman led the police on a wild chase until she crashed the stolen Pontiac she was driving, and it exploded. 

Gas-hoarding woman stole a car and blew it up

Pickens-County-Sheriff squad car
Pickens County Sheriff | PCSD

Just last week, we saw a Hummer H2 explode in Florida because the woman driving it was hoarding fuel to the tune of 20 gallons in the trunk. Now we are here again but even more dramatic. 

According to the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office press release, on May 13th, officers pursued a 2007 Pontiac G6 that had recently been reported stolen. When the officer flipped the light and hit the siren, the Pontiac took off and made it clear it had no intention of stopping. 

According to the officer, before he had time to radio the station, the Pontiac driver lost control of the car and ran off the road and flipped. The officer said, “The vehicle immediately caught fire, and multiple explosions were heard inside the vehicle.”

Once the officer approached the crash site, he observed the driver, 28-year-old Jessica Patterson, exit the car and, in his words, “was observed to be on fire.” The officer quickly pushed Patterson to the ground and rolled over to attempt to put the fire out. Patterson was transported to a local hospital shortly after. 

What was the cause of the explosion? 

Before leaving the crash site, Patterson told the local authorities that she was transporting multiple fuel containers full of gas that she was hoarding in the trunk from fear of the “shortage.” Of course, when the car rolled over, the fuel splashed around the cabin of the Pontiac and became the catalyst for the multiple explosions heard by the officer. 

The woman is clearly lucky to be alive after the insanely risky stunt of running from the police with a trunk full of gasoline. Again, this comes on the heels of multiple warnings urging drivers to please stop hoarding gasoline. 

The perceived “gas shortage” has been drummed up and eventually made a reality by over-reporting on the Capitol Pipeline situation and panicky people who frantically bought more fuel than needed. 

Gas hoarding is a bad idea

This particular situation was a bit more foolish than the “normal” gas shortages we have seen over the years. This one was completely speculative and then exasperated by reporters and customers being afraid. 

Now that the Capitol pipeline is up and running again, the fuel is flowing, and people can stop waiting in lines to stockpile fuel. Transporting fuel and storing fuel is dangerous. Even with the proper equipment, as we have seen, stuff happens. 

Also, remember, fuel goes bad. So, if you stockpile fuel and don’t use it quickly, it can spoil and, in turn, gunk up your engine, making the fuel supply issues a moot point. 

The post Police Chase Goes Awry as Gas-Hoarding Woman Crashes Setting Off Multiple Explosions appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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Welcome the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross to America

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Sometimes other countries get cool trucks and SUVs that we wish we had in the United States. A few examples that come to mind include the Suzuki Jimny and Ford Ranger Raptor. But now, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross could come to America! See what to expect with the new Toyota Corolla Cross once it lands on our shores. 

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross could come to America 

2022 Toyota Corolla Cross | Toyota

We have exciting news! According to CarBuzz, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross could be coming to the United States. Several reports are suggesting that a camouflaged Toyota Corolla Cross has been seen being tested around different states. 

When the Corolla Cross was revealed last year as an overseas model in Thailand, Toyota never confirmed that it would arrive in the United States. But now, clues suggest that the Corolla Cross could make its debut soon as a 2022 model. 

Is the Toyota Corolla Cross a good crossover? 

RELATED: 5 Reasons the Toyota Corolla is Still the Most Sold Car on Earth

Yes, the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross is an excellent crossover option to consider. It’s a little bigger than the Toyota C-HR and slightly smaller than the Toyota RAV4. It serves as another option in a different size to suit a variety of different driver’s needs. 

The Corolla Cross is built on Toyota’s TNGA-C platform, like the Lexus UX, and it could be made in the new Alabama plant that Toyota shares with Mazda. It’s unclear if the Corolla Cross will keep its name or be rebadged for the North American market. 

Also, the powertrain options may vary. Currently, the Toyota Corolla Cross uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 hp and 129 lb-ft of torque. This is similar to the amount of power that the Toyota C-HR has. The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid uses a 98 hp gas engine with a 72 hp electric motor. 

We would like the Corolla Cross to serve up a little more bite to take on rivals such as the Kia Seltos and Jeep Compass. If the Corolla Cross does get released in America, there is a strong chance that an all-wheel-drive variant will be available. 

What are the Toyota Corolla Cross features like? 

An interior shot of the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross
2022 Toyota Corolla Cross Interior

The 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross hasn’t released a lot of information to go on yet. We are still in the dark about pricing, trim levels, and available features. It may be a little more expensive than the Toyota C-HR, which begins at around $21,595. 

Plus, the interior looks similar to what’s found in the Toyota C-HR. The dashboard is wrapped in faux leather, there is soft ambient lighting, and a digital cluster display may sit behind the steering wheel. 

You can see a square infotainment display surrounded by a few shortcut buttons too. A similar setup is found in a  variety of Toyota models with 7.0 and 8.0-inch displays. The infotainment software should include Toyota’s interface as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s safe to expect integrated navigation software too. 

Toyota emphasizes safety, so standard features may include automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

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