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 Tyler Rampersaud – June 01, 2022

The New BMW X1 Introduces The First-Ever All-Electric BMW...

BMW’s entry SUV gets a fresh new look and feel. The X1 is BMW’s premium compact SUV, and it proves that big things can come in small packages when it comes to luxury SUVs. While the new X1 will be launched with two gasoline and two diesel engines, it will soon be followed by the all-new BMW iX1, an all-electric version of the compact SUV, as well as two plug-in hybrid models and two 48-volt mild hybrids as well. Fresh yet unmistakable BMW styling characterizes the exterior, while the option to equip wheels from 17 to 20 inches and choose a Frozen paint finish from BMW Individual make the X1 unique and bold for its owner. MUST READ: 50 years of BMW M: The BMW Museum Is Marking The 50th Anniversary With A Special Exhibition The interior features BMW’s Curved Display, with the option of perforated Sensatec or leather upholstery, and other options like memory adjustment, lumbar support with massaging, and standard improvements to safety and comfort. Dual-zone climate control comes standard, along with a leather-wrapped Sport steering wheel and the BMW Maps navigation system. Driving the new BMW X1 will be as gratifying as it is comfortable, especially the all-electric iX1 xDrive30, with all-wheel-drive and 313 horsepower, along with 364 lb/ft of torque. Expect the 0-60 sprint to happen in a short 5.7 seconds. The new BMW X1 is a small SUV with big impact. View All BMW X1s For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 31, 2022

BMW Updates Model Lineup With New Powertrains And Feature...

This summer sees new updates coming across BMW’s lineup. Known for technology, performance, innovation, and simply for being the Ultimate Driving Machine, a BMW promises to be a car with the latest and greatest, and with the updates the brand is bringing to its lineup for summer 2022, it delivers. Infotainment, powertrains, and more option keep BMW’s lineup fresh and cutting-edge. From plug-in hybrids to the BMW Curved Display to the new BMW M440i Gran Coupé, BMW has plenty in store for the second half of this year. MUST READ: BMW Motorrad Debuts Its New Urban Collection The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will introduce two new plug-in hybrids and a diesel-powered model with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. For the 2 Series Coupe, a new 156-horsepower 2.0-liter 4 cylinder engine is added to the lineup, as well as a new M model, the M240i Coupe, which boasts 374 horsepower from its inline 6-cylinder engine. Along with this, the BMW Curved Display is standard on the 2 Series Coupe starting in July, updating the ever-important infotainment aspect of the car. A new 4 Series Gran Coupé adds an inline 6-cylinder diesel engine, as well as the new M440i Gran Coupé, which will be available, along with all M models in the BMW 4 Series, with a new M Sport Package Pro that changes the lights, seat belts, and adds a new braking system with red calipers. This new M Sport Package Pro is also available for the 5 Series and 6 Series Gran Turismo. Finally, the Curved Display is also coming to the M3 Sedan as standard equipment in the summer of 2022, with options for a Personal eSIM, Wireless Charging, and new cosmetic options. This summer, prepare for a BMW brand that has more tech, options, and style than ever. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 26, 2022

50 years of BMW M: The BMW Museum Is Marking The 50th Ann...

All of BMW M's iconic brand history underneath one roof. The BMW M division shapes itself as the automotive manufacturer’s motorsport branch, incorporating track-inspired design, performance, and technology into road-legal vehicles for everyday use. BMW M is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a commemorative exhibition at the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany, featuring 26 special vehicles that make up 8 different rooms for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The new BMW M exhibition opened on 24 May 2022, marking the very day that BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded on 24 May 1972. It is dedicated to the hugely successful BMW M brand, which emerged from BMW Motorsport GmbH. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Debuts Its New Urban Collection Visitors can walk through the museum along a specially made BMW M Circuit race track, acting as a physical timeline that tells the story of its beginning more than half a century ago. The exhibit includes a stage set for the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL, the most successful touring race car in the early days of BMW Motorsports. While the past presents a behind-the-scenes look at the humble beginnings, BMW M highlights other successful examples like the BMW M1 and BMW M3 as well as design concepts, prototypes, BMW M classics, and winning racing cars such as the BMW V12 LMR. The BMW M 50th Anniversary also incorporates guided museum tours and workshops for the whole family of automotive enthusiasts, bringing the BMW M’s racing history to life. 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 BMW news. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 26, 2022

BMW Motorrad Debuts Its New Urban Collection

BMW adds fashionable storage accessories for roadtrips on two wheels. BMW Motorrad specializes in applying the same automotive values and performance to motorcycles, creating the ultimate riding experience for those looking to explore on two wheels. With a fleet of performance, off-road, and adventure platforms, BMW Motorrad prides itself on offering an extensive line of motorcycles for any type of riding. Making sure that you are well prepared for your next road trip, BMW Motorrad is happy to announce the launch of its new Urban Collection. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Celebrates 50 Years of M With An M 1000 RR Anniversary Model The Urban Collection features the perfect lifestyle solution when it comes to storing luggage and other travel necessities. The new generation of accessories includes tank bags, a backpack, side bags, and rear bags. All of the products are made of high-quality and easy-to-care-for materials, sporting modern designs that complement any one of BMW Motorrad’s models. The all-white theme is a choice that contrasts against the last Black Collection. View all of the current BMW motorcycles for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and BMW news. View All BMW Motorcycles For Sale Source: BMW Mottorad

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 24, 2022

The New BMW M3 and M4 BMW M 50 Jahre Editions Celebrate 5...

Half a century has gone by since one of the most iconic names in European performance was first established. BMW M started life on May 24, 1972, when the partnership agreement for BMW Motorsport GmbH was first signed. Exactly 50 years later, the brand’s two most iconic models, the M3 and M4, get a “BMW M 50 Jahre Edition” to celebrate the momentous anniversary. Different regions throughout the world will be receiving different limited editions of these models, with Europe and other selected regions getting the BMW M4 Coupe BMW M 50 Jahre Edition in Carbon Black, Macao Blue, Brands Hatch Grey, Imola Red, and San Marino Blue. MUST READ: The New BMW M4 CSL Continues An Incredible Track-Focused Legacy The Chinese market receives the BMW M4 BMW M 50 Jahre Edition in Fire Orange and Stratus Grey to celebrate the Year of the Tiger coinciding with the 50th anniversary of BMW M. In the United States and Canada will receive a BMW M3 Sedan BMW M 50 Jahre Edition, and production will be limited to 500 units, in the colors Cinnebar Red, Techno Violet, Interlagos Blue, Fire Orange, and Limerock Grey. In the interiors of all of the BMW M 50 Jahre Edition models, badging, lettering, and a plaque will designate the limited edition, and with the limited M3 models, the number out of 500 will be displayed as well. If any performance brand knows how to celebrate a 50th anniversary, it’s BMW M. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 20, 2022

The New BMW M4 CSL Continues An Incredible Track-Focused ...

The track-focused legend of the BMW CSL returns. The CSL designation of BMW’s cars has represented a car for those dedicated to performance. CSLs decrease weight and increase power compared to the cars they are based on, and when you drive one, it’s clear that it is most at home on the track. This couldn’t be more true for the new BMW M4 CSL, which BMW says is more like its BMW M4 GT3 competition-spec counterpart than ever before, and embodies the “Competition, Sport, Lightweight” legacy in the greatest way yet. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Celebrates 50 Years of M With An M 1000 RR Anniversary Model With 543 horsepower, the M4 CSL gets an additional 40 horsepower compared to the standard M4, and 240 pounds were shaved off of the total weight of the car, bringing it down to 3,640 pounds. With those improvements, which include the removal of the rear seats, chassis upgrades, the inclusion of carbon fiber throughout, light-alloy wheels, and carbon-ceramic brakes, the BMW M4 CSL takes performance to a whole new level. The 0-60 time is only 3.6 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 191 mph. However, one of the most epic indicators of performance for a track-focused car like the BMW M4 CSL is its lap time on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, which for the M4 CSL was 7:20.2, which is the fastest time that a series-production BMW has ever posted. If you want to get your hands on a new BMW M4 CSL, production will start in July 2022, and the base MSRP of the car is $139,000 plus a $995 destination charge. However, it isn’t quite that simple, as BMW is limiting the production of the new M4 CSL to 1,000 units worldwide, and they’re sure to sell fast. A car this powerful and iconic is sure to cause quite the stir. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 20, 2022

BMW Motorrad Celebrates 50 Years of M With An M 1000 RR A...

The new superbike that stands proudly beside other BMW M icons. The BMW M Division specializes in creating a track-like driving experience within everyday production vehicles and motorcycles, paying homage to its historic lineage in motorsports. BMW Motorrad is proud to celebrate 50-Years of BMW M with an exclusive M 1000 RR superbike. The M RR 50 Years of M represents the first-ever M model for BMW Motorrad, honoring its debut alongside other BMW M Motorsport icons like the 3.0 CSL Race Car and M1 Procar. The BMW 3.0 CSL holds significance as the first racing car of BMW Motorsport GmbH in 1973, making its debut at the European Touring Car Championship. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Announces First Ever M-Division Super Bike Declared The BMW M 1000 RR The exterior features a vibrant Sao Paulo Yellow finish with striking red, purple, and blue highlights, accentuating the famous colors of BMW M. Establishing dominance as a track-ready monster, the M RR 50 Years of M comes standard with the M Competition Package, M milled parts package, M carbon package, and a lighter silver anodized aluminum swing arm. For those days out on the track BMW's new superbike comes available with an unlock code for the M GPS lap trigger/endurance chain, a pillion package, and pillion seat cover. With a build that incorporates all the best that BMW M has to offer, the special edition M 1000 RR follows the philosophy of sporting the most powerful letter in the alphabet. Although production numbers and pricing have yet to be announced, the new BMW M RR 50 Years of M is sure to be a highly-anticipated model release for any motorcycle collector or enthusiast. View all of the current BMW M 1000 RR examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more luxury lifestyle news and release information on the BMW M RR 50 Years of M. View All BMW M 1000 RR For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 18, 2022

The New BMW 3 Series Gets A Facelift And Upgraded Technology

BMW’s 3 Series gets updated with a facelifted exterior and loads of new tech. BMW says that the 3 Series is the “core” of the brand. For over 45 years in the case of the sedan, and 35 in the case of the Touring model, the BMW 3 Series has been a popular and successful luxury mid-size car and a representation of some of the best and most iconic work that BMW has done. These new updates help the 3 Series maintain its status into the future, and add plenty of new features to the car that make it look, feel, and drive refreshed. The exterior gets a facelift with a new front apron with air intakes that help cool the braking system, a rear apron, and redesigned lights and grille. MUST READ: The New BMW XM Is A Hybrid Luxury Performance SUV Coming This December It’s in the technology, however, that the 3 Series really starts to show that it’s been updated. Now standard is the BMW Curved Display, utilizing iDrive’s latest BMW Operating System 8, and consisting of a 12.3-inch screen behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch screen for infotainment coming together to form a seamless and beautiful infotainment system that becomes more efficient and intuitive by swapping buttons with touch and voice input where possible. Also standard is three-zone climate control, BMW Maps navigation, and BMW’s 8-speed Steptronic transmission. With a fresh face, the BMW 3 Series is ready to continue being a hero for the brand. View All 3 Series For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 16, 2022

The New BMW XM Is A Hybrid Luxury Performance SUV Coming ...

The striking BMW XM concept is quickly developing into a real and game-changing luxury performance SUV. Just a few short months ago, BMW’s XM concept vehicle showed off a bold and strikingly futuristic design language for a BMW performance SUV. Now, the development of a prototype for a production version of the BMW XM is in full swing. Promising to “redefine high performance, luxury, and sovereignty,” the BMW XM is going to feature a hybrid drive system for the first time on a BMW M vehicle. A newly developed V8 engine teams up with an electric drive system to create a total system output of 650 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. That power gets put onto the road with BMW M’s first hybrid-specific M xDrive four-wheel-drive system to make a luxury performance SUV like we’ve never seen before. MUST READ: BMW Reveals XM Concept At Art Basel Miami Beach Power isn’t the only thing the BMW XM will have to offer. It will feature an estimated all-electric driving range of 30 miles, as well as a 50:50 axle-load distribution that makes it just as much an incredibly confident BMW M performance car as it is an SUV. Serendipitously, the development and reveal of the new BMW XM will coincide with BMW M’s 50th anniversary year, which has already been full of celebration. The car will begin production this December at the BMW Group’s US plant in Spartanburg, and when it does, the worlds of luxury cars, performance cars, SUVs, and the intersection of all of those things will change forever. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 05, 2022

The BMW M4 GT3 Gets A 50th Anniversary Livery For The Nür...

BMW is celebrating M’s 50th anniversary by doing exactly what M stands for. That would be “motorsport.” In fact, BMW’s M division was originally named BMW Motorsport, because what it was born to do was race. 50 years later, racing is what BMW M has set out to do, with the BMW M4 GT3, and it’s getting a special livery to celebrate 50 years of incredible BMW M racing legacy. This M4 GT3 with its 50th anniversary livery will be at this year’s 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, and the livery is going to be unveiled during the qualifying races. MUST READ: The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Will Celebrate 50 Years Of BMW M And 75 Years Of Ferrari The livery features the traditional BMW colors of blue, red, and violet, which were established in 1972 at the birth of BMW Motorsport. These classic colors are seamlessly integrated with the modern look of BMW M Motorsport liveries, and the number 50 on the livery has been done in a special foil that will glow in the dark. The car is going to be driven at the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring by Jesse Krohn, Jens Klingmann, Alexander Sims, and Niklas Krütten from May 28 to May 29. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

BMW News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe