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

BMW News

BMW news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, M division launches and electric range developments. Our coverage runs from the 7 Series through the M cars and across BMW's growing electric line-up, alongside the earlier models that still trade strongly. Reporting comes from first-drive access and from the auction results that determine collector values. Many sites carry performance car news, but few carry it beside live inventory. A great many of the BMWs covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so a review and an asking price appear together. For BMW news today, and the luxury car news around it, start below.

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 03, 2022

Shop The New PUMA x BMW M Motorsport 50-Year Autumn/Winte...

PUMA is honoring the legacy from the iconic Le Mans winning ‘Shark Nose’ 3.0 CSL race car, to the very latest BMW M4 GT4. Celebrating 50 years of racing domination, innovation, and creativity, BMW M Motorsport takes a look back on its historic timeline dating back to its beginning in 1972. With a focus on building lightweight performance chassis for on-track competition, BMW achieved success behind the wheel of iconic race cars like the Le Mans winning ‘Shark Nose’ 3.0 CSL. BMW M is proud to commemorate its milestone with a special edition collection in collaboration with its performance apparel partners at PUMA Motorsport. The all-new BMW M Motorsport Autumn/Winter ’22 Collection defines the brand and its forward-thinking on engineering faster, lighter, and more agile sports cars. MUST-READ: McLaren x APL Release The Automotive-Inspired HySpeed Sneaker Collection The creative apparel lineup incorporates the historic red, light blue, and dark blue colors of BMW M, along with logos and graphics that showcase motorsport elements. The collection includes a complete line of t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, and jackets sure to rev up interest from all fans of PUMA and BMW M Motorsport. The all-new PUMA x BMW M Motorsport Autumn/Winter ’22 Collection is currently available by clicking on the link below for more information. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and releases. SHOP PUMA X BMW M MOTORSPORTS Source: PUMA

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 28, 2022

BMW and Tomorrowland Join Forces With A New Custom iX1 De...

BMW is helping make Tomorrowland’s return after a long time away even more special. After almost two years away, the Tomorrowland music festival has returned, and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. In an effort to deliver on this promise, BMW has forged a partnership with Tomorrowland that extends past the local stage and goes to the European level, and at the center of the partnership is BMW’s new all-electric SUV, the iX1. In June, Brussels Airport was home to BMW’s “Magical Forest of Joy,” where BMW and Tomorrowland celebrated Sustainability and the simple joy of music. MUST READ: The GearBox: An M3 Wagon Wardrobe At the festival, which kicked off on the 15th of July, the “Magical Forest of Joy” theme continued, this time with a custom BMW iX1 that boasts a bold wrap with a nature-themed print and “Messages of Joy” written all over it. This custom wrap was created in collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer, artist and designer Steve Aoki, who derived these Messages of Joy from a campaign BMW and Tomorrowland created where festival visitors shared messages with #UnitedInJoy. The car will be on display in the Magical Forest of Joy during the three weekends of the festival at Tomorrowland, and visitors will be able to visit the BMW stand where they can pose for pictures and videos with the all-new, all-electric BMW iX1. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 15, 2022

BMW Fires Up The Engine Of Its LMDh Car For The First Tim...

BMW’s LMDh prototype is being powered by an engine with experience. The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will see LMDh prototype race cars battle it out in the GTP class, and while the chassis and hybrid drive systems of the cars come from suppliers, the combustion engines of the cars are provided by the team. BMW is announcing that it has elected to use a P66/3 turbocharged V8 engine in its LMDh car, which will be paired with the hybrid system, and while this engine itself is new, it’s a descendant of an engine with motorsport experience of its own. MUST READ: PUMA Motorsports Releases The New BMW M 50 Years Collection The P66/3 engine started life as the P66/1 engine, a naturally aspirated V8 engine used in the BMW M4 DTM during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Of all of the engines BMW had to choose from to use as a basis for the LMDh engine, the P66/1 was the closest to being LMDh-ready. However, it still took quite a bit of effort to transform it from a DTM engine into one for the LMDh race car. First, turbochargers had to be added and the engine had to be adjusted accordingly. Once this engine, the P66/2, was tested, the P66/3 was created, this time made to fit specifically to fit the chassis supplied from Dallara and the other components in the LMDh race car. It has a regulated 640 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque. Now, BMW has announced that the engine and hybrid system have successfully fired up together, and testing for the car will begin soon in preparation for the first race at Daytona in 2023. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 14, 2022

Braman Motorcars' Lisa Solodar Awarded BMW's 2022 Top Nat...

The prestigious BMW award commemorates a winning performance of five consecutive years. The luxury automotive industry and its leading manufacturers aim to set high standards for its network of dealerships, establishing a comfortable environment to ensure the ultimate car buying experience. BMW showcases its best-performing dealers and individuals through its acclaimed Profiles in Achievement Program, highlighting those that can accomplish consistent winning performance for five consecutive years in a row. The automotive specialists at Braman Motorcars of West Palm Beach, FL are proud to announce that General Sales Manager Lisa Solodar is named BMW’s Top National Manager for 2022. For over 30 years, Braman Motorcars has been providing South Florida with a world-class luxury automotive experience. With locations in West Palm Beach and Jupiter, Braman is an authorized dealer for new Bentley, BMW, MINI, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, and quality pre-owned automobiles of all brands. MUST-READ: The New BMW M3 Touring Is Both Practical And Powerful The award is open to the thousands of BMW center Sales and Aftersales employees, including technicians, client advisors, service advisors, shop foremen, geniuses, and managers. Lisa was amongst only three sales managers receiving the award, the only woman to do so, joined only by two other non-management women amongst the forty-three award recipients. President and CEO of BMW North America expressed his gratitude for Solodar by stating “Your devotion to our great brand does not go unnoticed by the executive team of BMW of North America.” Along with obtaining the prestigious management award, Braman Motorcars BMW is also a multi-year winner of BMW’s Center of Excellence award and ranked #1 for sales volume nationally in May. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury automotive releases and dealership news. Source: Braman Motorcars

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 28, 2022

PUMA Motorsports Releases The New BMW M 50 Years Collection

PUMA together with BMW M is celebrating the historic 50th anniversary; with a special edition apparel and footwear collection. As BMW M celebrates 2022 as its 50th Anniversary, the German automotive manufacturer works with its partners at PUMA Motorsport to create a commemorative apparel and accessories collection. Making its start in 1972, BMW began its iconic M Division with the goal of developing a successful race team. BMW M Motorsports helped to evolve the world of automotive racing, as well as the production of faster, light, and more agile road cars. Highlighting its 18-year partnership, PUMA Motorsport is proud to release the all-new BMW M 50-Years Collection. MUST-READ: The New BMW M3 Touring Is Both Practical And Powerful The main focus behind the collection incorporates the iconic BMW M colors, using vibrant red, light blue, and dark blue finishes to style the perfect head-to-toe fit for any enthusiast. Each piece part of the special collection includes the 50 Jahre badge, which defines the brand’s historic lineage in the road car business and motorsport activities. From the iconic Le Mans-winning ‘shark nose’ 3.0 CSL race car, to the very latest BMW M4 GT4, any BMW M badged car is simply synonymous with performance worldwide. The BMW M 50-Years Collection features a performance jacket, celebration t-shirts for women and men, a unisex hoodie, and a baseball cap. Along with the clothing line, PUMA x BMW M also includes a Blaze of Glory sneaker with patented Trinomic technology and a 3D printed metallic BMW and M logo. Shop the all-new PUMA Motorsports BMW 50-Years Collection and all other PUMA x BMW M collaboration pieces by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and BMW M news. SHOP PUMA MOTORSPORT X BMW M Source: PUMA Motorsports

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 22, 2022

The New BMW M3 Touring Is Both Practical And Powerful

At long last, a new body style for the iconic BMW M3 has arrived. In the 50 years that BMW’s M division has been making its mark on the world of automotive performance, the M3 has been one of its most iconic creations. For years, a version of the M3 has been hinted at that would take the form of the Touring body style of the BMW 3 Series. Finally, it’s here and fully unveiled, the first-ever BMW M3 Touring, joining the M3 Sedan, and the M4 Coupé and Convertible, ready to make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It’s anything but secretive about its performance potential, with a large vertical BMW kidney grille, side air intakes, and big, aggressive wheel arches. However, as we know to be the case with the BMW M3, the new Touring model promises both the M3’s bark and its bite. MUST READ: The GearBox: Old Soul The straight-six engine in the M3 Competition models produces an incredible 510 horsepower and 479 lb/ft of torque, serving as the basis for the engine featured in the BMW M4 GT3 race car, and it features an exhaust system with electronically controlled flaps that makes driving the car an exhilarating experience in sound as well as feeling. With all of this in mind, the BMW M3 Competition Touring with M xDrive gets from 0-60 in less than 3.6 seconds and climbs to a top speed of either 155 or 174 mph with the M Driver’s Package. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes, staggered 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels which can be optionally wrapped in track tires and driving modes for any situation make the new M3 Touring a versatile, dynamic, and well-rounded performance machine. The Touring body style and BMW’s luxury know-how make the M3 Touring able to do more than just drive fast, however. The body style makes for a car that’s just as impressive for everyday use as it is for thrills, with a standard BMW Curved Display touchscreen, optional head-up display, three full-size back seats, room for plenty of luggage, and three-zone automatic climate control. The new BMW M3 Touring is the formidable world-class performance car that’s just as prepared for the track as it is for daily life. Production will start at the BMW Group Plant in Munich In November 2022, after orders commence in September. View All BMW M3s For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 13, 2022

The New BMW M2 Undergoes Final Testing At Austria's Salzb...

The new BMW proves itself at a true proving ground. The new generation of the BMW M2 is coming soon, with the final phase of testing currently in progress. The new version of the car has already proven that it improves upon the current generation, with performance figures that compare to the current BMW M2 CS, with racetrack-ready performance on tap in a small, agile coupe. Coming available with both a 6-speed manual and 8-speed Steptronic transmission, the M2 also promises to remain a driver’s car in the BMW M spirit, with a brake system derived from the M3 and M4, and options like carbon bucket seats and a carbon roof. MUST READ: BMW Will Celebrate 50 Years Of M With Special Appearances At The Goodwood Festival Of Speed Being a racing-ready car, the racetrack proved the perfect place to test it and push it to its limits, which is why BMW took it to the Salzburgring in Austria to put it through its paces. BMW says that the final phase of testing is already in full swing and that the premiere of the M2, in time for BMW M’s 50th Anniversary celebrations will be in October of this year, with the market launch for the new BMW M2 slated for April 2023. View All BMW M2s For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 08, 2022

BMW Motorrad Debuts The R 18 Magnifica At Top Marques Monaco

The BMW motorcycle that boasts a classic hand-built design. The motorcycle professionals at BMW Motorrad not only specialize in building superbikes that crush lap times, but also modern examples that pay homage to the models that paved the way. For its most recent project, BMW Motorrad enlists help from owner of Office Riunite Milanesi Raffaello Polchi and Andrea Radaelli of Radikal Chopper. The two-wheel trio is proud to debut the all-new BMW R 18 Magnifica during the exclusive Top Marques show in Monaco. Known as the most exclusive supercar shows in the world, the Top Marques Monaco event is the perfect setting to introduce the one-of-a-kind BMW R 18. MUST-READ: BMW Debuts its New M Hybrid V8 For The 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series The inspiration behind the Magnifica is vintage motorbikes from the 1920s-1930s, and more specifically, the BMW R 37. The modern reinterpretation is built from a BMW R 18 chassis and features an elegant gloss black finish with chrome highlights, beautifully showcasing its craftsmanship and attention to detail. Being hand-forged from premium materials, the BMW R 18 Magnifica features all hand-made parts with the exception of its billet and machined wheels from Radikal Choppers. The design even includes a set of innovative brake discs and calipers that were made special for the bike. The rear end presents a floating effect from the one-piece tail and seat, which operate on a single suspension to give the idea of floating in the air. While the motorcycle takes on a completely different appearance, the new parts remain to stock spec to ensure its functional bike that is perfectly serviceable. View all of the current BMW models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and motorcycle news. View All BMW Motorcycles For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 07, 2022

BMW Will Celebrate 50 Years Of M With Special Appearances...

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will feature a unique intersection of celebrations in automotive history. The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an event with a long heritage, and to this day it remains one of the world’s most important automotive events. This year, the Goodwood Festival of Speed will feature even more automotive heritage as this year marks the 50th anniversary of BMW’s M division. To celebrate the occasion, BMW will be premiering the BMW M3 Touring for the first time globally at Goodwood, and the M4 CSL will make its UK debut at the event, with both completing the iconic hill course. Other models that will be making an appearance at the festival are the new iX1, i7, i4, and the iX M60. MUST READ: The New BMW X1 Introduces The First-Ever All-Electric BMW iX1 Along with other modern, future, and historic BMW M cars, like the M1, the E30 M3, and the iconic M3 CSL, that the new M4 CSL has succeeded. Throughout the weekend, the past, present, and future of BMW M will be at the forefront of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which is going to be held for 4 days between June 23 and 26. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 06, 2022

BMW Debuts its New M Hybrid V8 For The 2023 IMSA WeatherT...

A new design from BMW that celebrates its legacy as a motorsport icon. Built off its dedication to the competitive world of motorsports, BMW continues to adapt to new styles of racing and performance with innovative vehicles that push boundaries. Endurance racing defines itself as a proving ground for automotive manufacturers, unveiling new aerodynamic body designs and high-tech engine platforms. BMW is excited to unveil its new BMW M Hybrid V8 design during testing for the LMDh prototype’s 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. The camouflage livery, designed by BMW Group DesignWorks, incorporates the traditional colors of BMW M Motorsports. MUST-READ: BMW Updates Model Lineup With New Powertrains And Features For Summer 2022 The new body design features 50th Anniversary logos that celebrates iconic race chassis like the 1976 BMW 3.0 CSL, BMW M3 E36 GTS-2, and BMW Z4 GT LM. The attention-grabbing aspect of its new design is the pair of wide kidney grilles on the front bumper, which allows for appropriate aerodynamics and cooling at high speeds. Along with implementing historic design features, the BMW M Hybrid V8 also includes twin BMW icon lights, dynamic body side, Hofmeister kink window graphic, M ‘hook’ mirrors and tail-lights. Make sure to look out for the BMW M Hybrid V8 during the upcoming 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. View all of the current BMW models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW

BMW News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe