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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 Anthony Alaniz – April 12, 2023

Watch BMW M4 CS Blast Down Autobahn, Fly By Traffic At To...

The coupe hits 177 miles per hour.

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 Andrew Nabors – January 18, 2021

2021 BMW M3 & M4 Tire Sizes Explained

Summer is just around the corner, and cornering is essential to all of us. To make sure you are getting the most from your rubber, here are the 2021 BMW M3 and M4 tire sizes explained. While lesser automakers will take advantage of tire technology, BMW's M Division has pushed tire makers back to the drawing board. 2021 BMW M3 & M4 Cooling System Explained Thanks to the quick response of the differential, the new M3 and M4 are offered with 275mm-wide front tires. The rears are only 10mm wider, with diameters staggered by an inch. Much like the performance increases and weight cuts, improvements to the contact patch offers incredible driving dynamics. Imagine the crisp turn-in at your fingertips, then click the button below for the ultimate driving machine. Browse BMW M3 For Sale Browse BMW M4 For Sale " width="680"> Image (C) BMW.com

By Andrew Nabors – October 29, 2018

BMW Unveils 2019 M4 DTM Turbo

If you have dreamed of watching new BMW M4s best battle it out on the track, you need to discover the world of DTM. Essentially it is a German version of NASCAR, with factory-backed teams trading paint in epic battles. For the upcoming 2019 season, BMW has dropped the V8 in lieu of a throwback, their 2.0-liter turbo four. The car was given a proper shakedown over the weekend, emerging from the Dingolfing plant with BMW Werks driver Bruno Spengler behind the wheel.2018 BMW M4: Price, Specs, & ReviewMotorsport Director Jens Marquardt said: "BMW Turbo Power has enjoyed success in motor racing for almost 50 years. In the first year with a BMW turbo engine, back in 1969, Dieter Quester was immediately crowned European touring car champion with the BMW 2002 TI. In 1973, the BMW 2002 turbo became the first German production automobile to feature a turbocharger. We are now adding a new chapter to this story in the DTM.It will take a few more revisions and prototypes before the car is ready for homologation. The Class 1 rules will involve changes to the inlets and aerodynamics, and it will be seen in a test race in Estoril, Portugal from November 11th to the 14th. The notion of a featherweight M4 with incredible handling and turbo power is music to our ears, so click the link below to find an M4 for you. Stay with us for all your BMW news. Find Your BMW Here!

By Andrew Nabors – February 20, 2018

BMW Unveils The M4 Convertible 30 Jahre Edition

It is hard to believe the M Division of BMW has been building convertibles for three decades. Everyone seems to have a story of the E30 series. The light and nimble E30 M3 lost its top in time for the summer of '88. Convertibles had fallen out of style by the mid 70's, and America's last drop top was the 1976 Eldorado. When Corvette brought back the ragtop in 1988 they were forced to add 500 lbs of chassis bracing to keep it from shaking to death.BMW M5 Drifts For 8 Hours, Breaks Two World Records BMW has never accepted compromises like the other manufacturers. That is why each successive M convertible has been an instant collectible. Knowing how much we love them, BMW has pulled back the curtain on a 30th-anniversary edition. Times have changed, and the 2-door is now the M4 instead of the M3. Only 300 examples of the M4 Convertible 30 Jahre (year) will be produced. It will arrive with 450 hp thanks to the M Sport exhaust. The Adaptive M suspension has been returned to a specific Sport mode for this limited run. Tuning for the Active M differential and the sway bars were also revised.2018 BMW M4: Price, Specs, & Review Only two colors will be offered: Macao Blue Metallic and Mandarin II. Both colors have decades of history with the M division, and they look great riding on the 20" Orbit Grey forged M alloy wheels (also specific to this edition). The interior is full Merino leather, in a color scheme that matches either of the body colors. Of course, the dash will have 30 Jahre Edition badges that feature each car's number of the 300. Spartans would approve of only 300 examples, and we can't wait to put the top down. So tell us your favorite M car story in the comments below and click the link to find an M4 near you.Browse BMW M4 For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 19, 2017

New Model: BMW M4 CS Adds Power to the Lineup

Sitting below the M4 GTS will be the new BMW M4 CS. This new model sees an increase in power, as well as a decent of modifications that aim to make the car lighter and more competitive on the track.The most important feature in this car is the inclusion of the Competition Package, which bumps up the car's power by 10 hp, up to a total of 460 hp. This power and the seven-speed M DCT (manual is not an option) allow for a 0-60 mph time of 3.9 seconds. Thanks to the Competition Package, the top speed limit is also increased up to 174 mph. View All BMW News, Articles and Videos

By Andrew Nabors – October 19, 2016

BMW Unveils M4 DTM Champion Edition

German racing is popular the world over, but for most of us, it conflicts with a good night's sleep when time zones are considered. The DTM series is basically Stock Car racing and it has been dominated by BMW in the past few years. Team BMW driver Marco Wittmann took home the trophy at the 2016 season's grand finale at Hockenheimring, so the company is celebrating with a special edition of the BMW M4. Only 200 cars will be produced, and each one is receiving a healthy dose of boost along with snazzy graphics.(Related - Pokemon-Themed BMW i8 is Your Childhood Dream) By using the magic of turbochargers, you will have 500 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque at your command. Sixty arrives in 3.8 seconds but your top speed is limited to only 189.5 MPH. In essence, BMW took the inline six cylinder engine from the M4 GTS and refined it for street manners. Alpine white is the only color to be offered, and exposed carbon fiber spoilers are reminiscent of the aero package developed by the race team. If your E46 just isn't fun anymore, consider the new M4 listings from our dealers and stay with us for all your BMW news.BMW M4 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 28, 2016

BMW: Largest M Delivery Of All Time 34,000 Horsepower

If you choose to have your BMW delivered at the factory, the BMW Welt in Munich is your next destination. Usually the deliveries are of the more normal production models, but last month was a milestone. In a record-setting move, one day was set aside for performance-minded customers, and 73 new Bavarian masterpieces met their new owners. Of those new cars, 45 were the new BMW M4 GTS.The BMW Welt (BMW World) is a futuristic customer interaction center located on the grounds of company headquarters. Adjacent to their museum, it has interactive displays of cars and motorcycles, meeting spaces for special events, and even a restaurant. Rarely do customers get to meet the engineers and employees who built their car, so we're glad a film crew was on hand for the occasion. Be sure to check in with our main site, as you will undoubtedly see a few of these M's for sale in the near future.M4 for sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 14, 2016

Reviewed: 2016 BMW M4 GTS

Pushing the limits of their legendary straight six engine, BMW has unleashed a brutal new track car: the 2016 M4 GTS. The proof is in the lap time: 7.28. For those needing to lap the 'Ring in a Bavarian masterpiece, a host of new features will be at your disposal. For the 30th anniversary of the M3, BMW is building 700 examples, each one destined to be an instant collectible. To make more power, water injection is used to cool the intake charge. By turning up the boost, the 3.0L twin turbo six makes 500 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. In addition to the wild power, engineers stripped all nonessential weight and made extensive use of carbon composites. No manual transmission will be offered, but the seven-speed M-DCT has tougher internals and a revised launch mode to cope with the power. An optional club sport package offers an Acid Orange roll cage behind the rear seats with provisions for a six-point racing harness. Covering the carbon fiber seats is a mix of Alcantara and Merino leather, with cut outs to save weight. Each owner will receive a suspension tuning box which includes a spanner wrench for the springs and a dial for tuning shock rebound. The prototype from the Amelia Island Concours displayed an MSRP of $134,200, which is a relative bargain for such a potent machine. Stay tuned to Autofluence for more BMW news. BMW M4s For Sale

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