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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

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By Tyler Rampersaud – January 26, 2022

Replacement For Bugatti Chiron Will Have A Combustion Engine

A replacement for the Chiron is nigh, and Bugatti has a history of upping the ante. When Bugatti announced a merger with Rimac, it was crystal clear that electric vehicles were in the brand’s future. But now, in 2022, Mate Rimac himself surprisingly noted his faith in the combustion engine in a video. In this video (a shortened version can be found down below) Mate Rimac told the world that combustion-powered cars would remain in Bugatti’s future, and that they’ll continue to be the Bugattis that have shocked and amazed us all for nearly twenty years. MUST READ: Check The Spec: The Copper Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport For Tristan Tate At least one of the combustion-powered cars in question will be the replacement for the Chiron, and that is currently in development. During Monterey Car Week, Mate Rimac hinted to Manny Khoshbin that the car could arrive in 2024, and he also said that the car will feature things that we have never seen before. There is one big question, however, which is what kind of engine will be in the car. Emissions restrictions continue to get tighter, and the answer for many brands has been to move towards electric performance cars and discontinue V12s and similar powertrains. Bugatti’s iconic W16 engine is incredibly powerful, but emissions restrictions may mean that Bugatti will have to find another powertrain to break records and change automotive history. Whatever the powertrain is, we are promised an incredible vehicle that will continue to astonish and impress as Bugattis have for so long. Source: Motor1

By Andrew Nabors – September 04, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ & Chiron Pur Sport Attack...

Astronauts have a great view of the world's greatest test track. Located in the heel of Italy's boot, Fiat built a perfect 8-mile circle. Since the track is banked over 12 degrees, drivers don't need the steering wheel, as this angle simulates a straight line. Records have been broken here since 1975, so that is why the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ and the Chiron Pur Sport attacked the Nardo Ring. Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Stops in Switzerland Before Coming to the USA Two cars and 37 employees evaluated the cars before, during, and after each run, always looking for ways to go faster. This is the beginning phase of a series of tests. Four examples of each model are planned to accumulate over 12,500 miles to make sure their customers get what they pay for. Only 30 examples of the 300+ will be built, each with 100 more horsepower than a normal Chiron. Because tire technology is not quite ready for the average consumer, the production cars will be limited to 273 mph. To cover the middle ground between the base model and the 300+, the Chiron Pur Sport nearly production ready. Only 60 cars will be built, with an emphasis on handling and grip instead of top speed. Therefore they have different suspensions, transmissions, engine calibrations and cooling systems. Both models will arrive next year with the Pur Sport priced at 3 Million Euros, and 3.5 Million for the 300+. Tell us which one you have ordered in the comments below and have a great weekend. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 03, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport vs. Chiron Super Sport 300+

The average enthusiast assumes all Bugattis are created equal. However, this couldn't be farther from the truth. While the Divo is a race car, the Chiron Pur Sport combines the ultimate in luxury with maximum grip. Every Chiron is a capable contender on the track, but the Pur Sport (above) is the result of innovations discovered after the first Chirons were already delivered. Engineers were able to cut 110 lbs of weight, shorten the transmission gear ratios, and add downforce. Only 60 examples will be produced later this year. Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review If you enjoy top speed runs, the Super Sport 300+ (below) was designed to break the 300 mph barrier. Officially clocked at 304.7, Bugatti will prepare any customer's car for such an attempt. The car is 9.8" longer than a normal Chiron, and it has a very tall differential ratio in order to achieve incredible speeds. Only 60 examples are being produced. Both of these cars are powered by a 1,578 horsepower W-16 engine with two pairs of sequential turbos. Tell us which one you would pilot in the comments below and click the link to find yours. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 15, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Tour Arrives in Hamburg

During the dark days of the outbreak, many automakers chose to unveil their latest models online. This might work well for economy cars, but not for the world's most renowned automaker. Bugatti has poured thousands of hours and millions of dollars into revealing the Chiron's pure nature. Because it is unlike anything before, it must be experienced in person. Starting at their headquarters in Alsace, the team spent a week in Paris to before turning west. Now they have arrived in Germany's ancient Port City to the delight of all Hamburgers. Bugatti has four German dealers, with Hamburg being the most-northern. As such, they handle every order from Denmark to the North Pole. Because production is limited to 60 cars, this road trip also serves as a shakedown before production begins. Any issues deemed detrimental to customer satisfaction are being addressed and rectified by engineers and assembly personnel. This further justifies the price of three million Euros, or $3.375 Million Dollars. It might be the last Bugatti to not have some form of electric power, so stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 28, 2020

How Bugatti's Plant Manager Works From Home

France is under strict lockdown. With police imposing massive fines for unnecessary travel, we have been wondering how the Bugatti factory was holding up. Every morning Patrick Burk leaves home to inspect the grounds. Six massive buildings are spread across 57 acres, and he must keep them in working order. He is able to do this because his home is located on-site. It allows him to trim the orange trees, feed the deer, and monitor every system of each building. He mentions in the press release it is very lonely, as he has strong friendships with his coworkers. President Stephan Winkelmann stops by once a week to check in on his longest-serving employee. After 20 years, Patrick knows every valve, circuit breaker, and A/C unit. Although he is only 58 years old, he doesn't see a future apart from the company he loves. Oh, and if you think about trespassing, he can view all cameras from his house or phone. Protecting hundreds of millions of dollars in cars and equipment is a big responsibility, so rest assured he is packing heat. Dedication like this is hard to find these days, so we salute you, Monsieur Burk here's to another 20 years! Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 17, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Unveiled in Molsheim

Many lessons have been learned as the Chiron has evolved. As such, their customers have been reticent to wait for its successor. Going back to the drawing board, management and workers united to develop something aggressive and innovative. That's why we're elated to announce the new Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport has been unveiled in Molshiem. Starting with a revised engine, lightweight internals have raised the redline from 6,700 to 6,900. Not only does it allow for 1,500 horsepower at ever gear shift, 1,180 lb-ft of torque is available between 2,000 and 6,000 rpm. To make use of this, the 7-speed dual-clutch has 80% new internals. Every gear ratio is 15% shorter to keep the W16 near maximum power. It blasts from 37 mph to 75 mph 2 seconds faster than a "normal Chiron". Bugatti Chiron Sport Specs, Prices & Photos For icing on the cake, the aerodynamics have been optimized to eliminate the active rear spoiler. A new fixed rear spoiler does away with the complex hydraulic systems. This is just one of the ways over 110 lbs was shaved from the curb weight. Spring ratios were stiffened 66% front and 33% rear to maintain perfect weight distribution while increasing lateral grip. Magnesium wheels with carbon fiber turbine blades keep the brakes cool by sucking air from under the car. Not only do they increase downforce, they are each 9 lbs lighter. Traction control has been recalibrated to intervene later thanks to the car's increased abilities. That being said, this isn't a car for everyone. Therefore, only 60 examples will be produced. This car will be brutal on the street and on the track, so the regular Chiron provides a perfect blend of comfort and performance. Click the button below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse All Bugatti For Sale " width="680">

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