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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 Tyler Rampersaud – March 10, 2022

The New BMW iX5 Hydrogen Is Put To The Test Near The Arct...

The BMW iX5 gets a new letter: H. While much less popular than battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars are another very viable way of going about making a car that lacks CO2 emissions. In the new BMW iX5 Hydrogen, the contents of two carbon-fiber, 700-bar hydrogen tanks are converted into electric power, which is then used to move a motor with 170 horsepower. However, power can also be stored in a battery, which receives power from energy recovery or from the fuel cell. When needed the iX5 Hydrogen can produce up to 374 horsepower from the total system. BMW has been testing the iX5 Hydrogen at their testing grounds far north in the Swedish Lapland, and that’s because hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have a unique set of advantages over both gasoline internal combustion engines and battery electric vehicles, and that has everything to do with their ability to perform in the most extreme cold weather. MUST READ: BMW’s New i4 and iX Get A Google Cloud AR Experience Ahead Of US Launch We all know what driving a gasoline car in the cold is like. Starting the car, driving it, and getting heat in the interior is all a struggle, full of discomfort and added aspects to remember and attend to ensure that your car stays in good condition. And the extreme cold isn’t the kindest to batteries, either. From experience with smartphones and other battery-powered devices in our everyday lives, we know that the cold can be tough on batteries when it comes to power consumption, and recharging technology still hasn’t managed to catch up with the speed of pumping gasoline. Hydrogen offers unparalleled performance in these temperatures, with unfazed performance in the extreme weather, and a refueling experience with speed and efficiency more similar to gasoline cars. Along with this, BMW sees the iX5 Hydrogen as an option for those who lack access to electric charging infrastructure, but still want to drive with minimal environmental impact. BMW plans to release a small series of the iX5 Hydrogen later this year and has also announced a commitment to improving hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Source: BMW

By Andrew Nabors – May 11, 2021

Hans Zimmer Scores The Soundtrack For Electrified BMW M M...

Life is too short for silent cars One of the most prolific composers, musicians, and philanthropists of the modern era is Hans Zimmer. From The Lion King, to Crimson Tide, The Rock, Inception, and Interstellar, his tunes evoke our best cinematic memories. As such, the fine folks at BMW M tapped him to make their upcoming electric cars sound better than anything else. Starting with the i4, they then moved on to the M version, and then to the iX. It is a collaboration with Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound at the BMW Group. Hans chose to set the M cars apart from the lesser models, saying: "Every BMW has its own character, which is reflected in the sound it makes. So for the electrically driven BMW M models we have developed a driving sound which accentuates their emotional driving experience particularly vividly and ensures their performance can be felt with even greater intensity.” So if you are in the market for the Ultimate (Electric) Driving Machine, click the button below and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW For Sale Images (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – February 15, 2018

BMW Reveals Pricing For The i8 Roadster

It has been two months since BMW formally revealed the convertible version of their hybrid i8. In the meantime, they sent us a 2018 BMW i8 coupe to drive for a week of thrills. It never failed to disappoint, with great handling and hardly using any fuel. To incorporate a disappearing hard top, the rear seats have been lost. Like most other German drop-tops, the action will take place up to 31 mph.Upcoming BMW i8 Roadster Teased All convertibles need extra reinforcements to make up for the folding roof. Instead of simply guessing the corners, BMW chose to 3D print the braces for the ultimate in top-down technology. The top and its mechanism bump the curb weight up by 132 lbs, but this isn't an issue. That's because you still have the 1.5-liter turbocharged three making 228 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. A fraction of this power is sent to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, but under most circumstances, it is used to power the 141 horsepower electric that makes 184 lb-ft of torque.Pricing for a no-frills roadster will start at $163,300, which arrives without big brakes or laser headlights. Be prepared to spend an additional 10 grand to make it the roadster of your dreams and stay with us for more BMW updates.Browse i8 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 12, 2016

BMW Considers M Performance Versions of i3 and i8

If you need more vitamin M, BMW's performance division is looking to become a global force in performance cars. In an interview with Motoring.com.au, Vice President of sales Peter Quintus has alluded to expanding the lineup into the i Series cars. Purists will decry a dilution of the venerated M badge, but who wouldn't like more power? Not known for jumping into unproven technologies, BMW takes ample time ensuring the quality of their engineering before it is unleashed to the public. Case in point, we have been teased with the M2 for years and the waiting list keeps growing. He then went on to say that all of the building blocks are in place for electricity to become a part of the M Brand, but weight will need to be kept to a minimum.As the Ultimate Driving Machine, the best power to weight ratio is still achieved with traditional performance builds. Using the lessons learned on the 7 Series, the use of carbon fiber will be limited to smaller components along with aluminum and steel. Big changes to the popular models could alienate a dedicated customer base, or this could be an elaborate disinformation campaign to keep the competition in the dark. The i8 is a quick coupe that is capable of 28 mpg on a bad day, so an M version might tarnish its clean reputation. On the other hand, the boxy i3 could use a few hundred additional horses to be the ultimate sleeper. Battery boosted Bavarians could be in the works, so stay with us for all your BMW news.i8 For Sale|i3 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 30, 2016

Hybrid Havoc: BMW i8 vs Acura NSX

Innovations in hybrid technology have allowed the hypercar to reach power levels we thought were impossible. But the same advances that brought forth cars like the Porsche 918 Spyder or the La Ferrari have been worked into cars attainable by the middle class. BMW took a unique approach with the carbon fiber i8. It uses a 1.5 liter three cylinder along with a turbo and a 7.1 kW hybrid system for a total output of 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. Even with the exotic construction of the composite unibody the curb weight is above average for a performance coupe at 3,455 lbs. An electric motor takes the place of a front differential to deliver all-wheel drive.(Also Check Out - New Acura NSX Autobahn Top Speed Test)Honda has teased us with a 2nd generation NSX for a few decades, but the latest from Acura is built in Ohio instead of Japan. Power comes from a more traditional 3.5-liter twin-turbo six and three electric motors. The battery has 12 kW of storage which offers a combined output of 573 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. Comparing these two high voltage coupes is a preview of what our daily drivers will be in the near future, so allow Carfection to extol their virtues. Stay with us for more electrifying news and reviews.i8 For Sale|NSX For Sale

By Edward Jones – November 09, 2016

Austin Mahone's Rust-Wrapped BMW i8

Typically, you never want your car to be covered in rust, but when it's a wrap and not actually oxidization it's another story. Take Austin Mahone's BMW i8 for instance, it's been covered in a very special "rust wrap" designed by @zachonthat and applied by MetroWraps.While it may look like the car has been sitting underneath a sprinkler for ages and is made out of iron, it's actually just a well-done wrap. To make the appearance even more grandiose are the golden Vossen wheels.But, what do you guys think about this wrap? Hot or not? I think it's pretty wild, in a good way. While everyone focuses on making sure their cars look like mirrors, Mahone wanted his new i8 to look like a rust bucket without the damage. And what's great is that the colors, including the gold and black trim, go together so well with the wrap. But, then again, everyone has their own tastes. Let me know what you think in the comments below.All BMW i8 For Sale Austin Mahone got crazy with this one! MetroWrapz #rustedi8 #vossenforged #vossenPosted by Vossen Wheels on Monday, November 7, 2016

By Andrew Nabors – August 24, 2016

BMW i8 Convertible Spied at the Ring

Duct tape and prototype cars seem to be inseparable, so BMW has used the wonder adhesive to camouflage the new i8 convertible. Spotted by Gumbal at the annual Industrypool testing sessions, this new hybrid is ready for top-down cruising. Because the car is built around a one piece carbon fiber cockpit, significant reinforcements are needed to meet roll over crash safety requirements.(Related: BMW 2002 Hommage Debuts at Pebble Beach)While its unclear if this is a folding hardtop or simply a removable targa roof, this new model appears just as potent on the track. The i8 is powered by a rear-mounted 1.5L turbo three cylinder and an electric motor powers the front axles. Total output is 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque, which outclasses almost every other plug-in hybrid. BMW has a knack for giving their chassis just the right amount of power. Capable of cruising on battery power for over 10 miles, i8 is a sensible choice for a daily driver. Stay with us for the formal unveiling in the near future.Search BMW i8 For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 08, 2016

Entire Leicester City Team Given Blue BMW i8

According to Leicester Mercury, the entire Leicester City roster has been given a BMW i8 for winning the Premier League. The cars come from their chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who spent a rumored £2 million (approx. $2,600,000 USD) on the gifts.Why the massive gift? The Leicester City Foxes did the unthinkable last year and won one of the most coveted titles in soccer. Having just been brought into the English Premier League, nobody expected the team to come out on top, but they proved the world wrong.https://twitter.com/Coral/status/761542805479100416What makes the gift even better is the fact that each car is finished in blue, matching the team's color. AND the team also gets £6.5 million to split among themselves, courtesy of a bonus agreement from the Premier League.The team definitely deserves all the gifts they get, because their 2015-2016 season was a fairy tale to say the least. And now it's not too long before the next season starts back up again!All BMW i8s For Sale

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