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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 – November 29, 2021

BMW's M Division Is 50, And They Have Quite the Golden Ye...

For half a century, just one letter has been synonymous with the best of German performance and precision. That letter is M. BMW is going to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its M division in 2022, and a Golden anniversary calls for a golden age for BMW, BMW enthusiasts, and especially BMW M or M Sport package owners. 2022 is ushering in special paint colors and emblems for M and M Sport cars, and it’s going to be legendary. BMW Motorsport was first established in 1972, and the first iterations of its logo first started appearing on race cars in 1973, in the form of shifted semicircles in the iconic blue, red, and purple. Blue represented BMW, red represented the racing world, and purple represented the two coming together to form BMW Motorsport. The BMW M1 was the first car to wear the logo as we know it today in 1978, with three diagonal stripes set against the iconic M, and while since then the purple has changed to a darker blue, the logo has always been an indicator of a dynamic, innovative, high-performance car that would stand the test of time and be loved by car enthusiasts of all kinds. BMW BMW M or M Sport package vehicles with a production date starting March 2022 can be fitted with a classic BMW Motorsport-inspired logo on the front, back, and wheels, with the red, blue, and dark blue semicircles surrounding the BMW logo. According to BMW, these vehicles can be ordered starting at the end of January 2022. In addition, BMW is offering various classic and iconic M paint colors like Imola Red, Dakar Yellow, Daytona Violet, Macao Blue, Fire Orange, and Frozen Marina Bay Blue on select models. BMW We can expect even more to come from M’s golden year. While it won’t be coming to the US, international M enthusiasts will be receiving an all-new touring wagon model of the M3. BMW also tells us to look forward to a special model of the M4 Coupe, and a successor for the M2. Most interestingly, however, is the promise that in the anniversary year, BMW’s first electric M performance model will be revealed. BMW also plans to celebrate the anniversary at various events this year, like Villa D’Este, the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance, and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. BMW fans, get excited. The coming year is going to be a good one. View all current BMW inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW

By Edward Jones – March 08, 2018

New BMW M2 Coupe Edition Black Shadow

A new edition is being added to the M2's lineup that adds a bit of darkness to the model's lineup. The new BMW M2 Coupe Edition Black Shadow comes exclusively in a deep Sapphire Black metallic finish. This exterior paint is further accentuated by a number of other features that make this car fit for Batman.Joining the dark paint is side mirrors and rear diffuser with a carbon finish. The grille and trim bars in high-gloss black, while the tailpipes have a black-chrome trim. As for wheels, there are 19-inch matte black forged light alloys with a Y-spoke design.BMW Unveils Concept M8 Gran Coupe In Geneva BMW will be offering the M2 Coupe Edition Black Shadow in April 2018.

By Andrew Nabors – January 23, 2018

BMW Group Announces Record Sales For 2017

It is lucky number 7 for the brands of BMW Group. For the 7th consecutive year, they have recorded ever-increasing annual sales. The core brands of BMW and MINI were the big winners, but the M Division and BMW i also had record numbers. For those who prefer two-wheel action, BMW Motorrad sold a record number of bikes.How To Sell A Ferrari 458 ItaliaBMW's core brands are split between cars and the BMW X series of SUVs. Cars saw a 4.2% increase, and the American-built X series is up by 9.6% from 2016. The launch of the innovative 5 Series Sedan with its carbon composite structure saw a jump of 6.3%.The press release also contained shocking news. BMW set a goal of selling 100,00 electrified cars for the year. Sales of the i Series along with the electric MINI models combined for a total of 103,080 cars. If you haven't driven an i8, you are truly missing out. The future is here, and it can be found at your local dealer. This achievement has spurred them to aim for over half-million examples on the road by the end of 2019.Reviewed: 2017 BMW i8Not to be outdone by voltage, the M Division also ended the year on a high note. One caveat is the M Performance versions are tallied along with the M2, M3, M4, etc. Sales are up by 19.1%, which is attributed to the first full model year of the M2 along with M Performance versions of the new 5 Series. Tell us which BMW piques your interest in the comments below, and stay with us for all your BMW news.

By Andrew Nabors – May 16, 2017

BMW Unveils Limited Edition M240i M Performance Edition

For those who couldn't wait for the new BMW M2, it was preceded by the fun M235i. And now that the M2 has a few miles under its belt, some of its most popular features will be shared by the new M240i M Performance Edition. Finished in Alpine White, only 750 examples will be produced. Carbon fiber and black accents make for a classy and confident look. Two-tone 19" wheels have 225 tires up front and 245 on the rear. They are potent and nimble machines, which makes a new BMW M2 for sale a very worthwhile adventure.The unmistakable dual grilles are finished in gloss black along with the rocker panels. A giant trunk-mounted rear spoiler will keep the rear tires on the pavement, as the carbon fiber exhaust tips sing a story of straight-six power. It will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic. All-wheel drive is optional on automatics, which allows them to leap to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 to keep the lawyers happy, but it would be fun to bury the needle. Big brakes and all the stability goodies are standard equipment so it will be a nice addition to your collection. We have several new BMW M240i coupes for sale, so check with our dealers for great incentives.

By Andrew Nabors – December 07, 2016

Hamann Motorsport Unveils Upgrades for BMW M2

If you need something new for your potent BMW M2, if stock power is leaving you blue, then follow along as we sing you a song of carbon and boost pressure too. Hamann Motorsport has developed an entire accessory line for the BMW M2, and it looks as if the sun visors are the only parts they left in original form. By reverse engineering the body and engine, power has been increased and carbon fiber has infiltrated almost every surface. New front and rear diffusers work with spoilers along the rocker panels to control the air along the lower body. The trunk-mounted rear spoiler is available in carbon or body color and it has small winglets to reduce turbulence behind the car.To improve suspension response and along with appearance, Hamann has commissioned new 20" wheels in a forged one-piece design. Offered in silver or black, the staggered sets are 8.5" wide on the front and 10" for the rear. An optional set of lowering springs have progressive coils to remove 20mm of ride height. More grip demands more power, so a new ignition control module piggybacks between the engine and its computer to raise horsepower to 420 and torque to 390 lb-ft. A comprehensive exhaust package includes a new down pipe with high flow cats and a free-flowing muffler. Hamann is so proud of their efforts that insurance on the parts is available as part of the package. Capable of reaching 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, a Hamann equipped M2 will walk away from an E39 M5 without breaking a sweat.BMW For Sale

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