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 – May 04, 2022

The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Will Celebrate 50 Ye...

Lake Como once again serves as the stunning backdrop for stunning cars, and this time, even more special celebrations coincide. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events, for its beautiful location and dedication to amazing cars and automotive history. For over 20 years, the BMW Group Classic has partnered with the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este as the event’s organizer, and this year, there are 7 categories of competition for this incredible show: Class A - The golden age of elegance: the art deco era of motor car design, Class B - Kompressor! The supercharged Mercedes-Benz, Class C - Celebrating 150 seasons at Villa d’Este: how grand entrances were once made, Class D - The Cavallino at 75: eight decades of Ferrari represented in eight icons, Class E - Born for the racetrack: “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday,” Class F - 50 years of mean machinery: BMW M cars and their ancestors, and Class G - Breaking the speed barrier: pioneers that pursued the magic 300 kph. MUST READ: 9 of BMW’s 19 Art Cars Are Coming Together For An Exhibition In Luxembourg With BMW Group Classic being the organizer of the event, the 50th anniversary of BMW M makes this Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este a very special one for BMW. At the event will be lots of BMW M cars, as well as historic racing BMWs, and two cars that will be making their debut. The anticipated BMW M4 CSL will be making a global debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza, and the new, all-electric BMW i7 will also be making its debut Concorso d’Eleganza appearance. Other special appearances will include the next chapter of the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail and a judging class that honors Ferrari’s 75th anniversary. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este starts May 20th in Lake Como, Italy, and goes until the 22nd. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 02, 2022

9 of BMW's 19 Art Cars Are Coming Together For An Exhibit...

The 50th Anniversary of BMW M spurs a rare union of BMW’s Art Cars. BMW’s Art Cars have for decades been a bold and unabashed expression of creativity combined with BMW’s excellent engineering and design, and they never fail to create something truly special. 19 Art Cars have been made, and each one is a stunning, iconic symbol of its time in the art and automotive worlds, and beautiful far beyond its age. In an incredibly rare union, 9 out of the 19 Art Cars are going to be displayed at the AES Steel Plant in Luxembourg from May 7 to June 14. MUST READ: The BMW i7 Uses New Soundscapes Made With Help From Hans Zimmer The exhibition will be available to see free of charge, with cars on display designed by Jeff Koons, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and more. The May 6 opening of the exhibition will feature an appearance by Hervé Pulain, the man who initiated the Art Car program in 1975 with the 3.0 CSL painted by Alexander Calder. That very first BMW Art Car will also be one of the cars on display. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 28, 2022

The BMW i7 Uses New Soundscapes Made With Help From Hans ...

An Academy Award-winning composer is working with BMW to make sure the BMW i7 always has something to say. One of the most noticeable differences between gasoline and electric cars is the fact that electric cars lack engine noise. In luxury cars, this is an easy way to create a sumptuous and serene experience, but that quiet nature also serves as a blank canvas on which automakers can build new sound experiences that inspire drives in a way we’ve never seen before. BMW’s new all-electric i7 flagship luxury sedan takes advantage of this with its new IconicSounds Electric soundscapes, which combine with the incredible rear-seat 31-inch Theatre Screen in the car to create a whole new driving experience. MUST READ: BMW Becomes The Kentucky Derby’s First Official Luxury Automotive Partner Created in collaboration with Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, the soundscapes work in conjunction with the natural noise that the car does make, and amplifies it or mutes it depending on your mood. With Sport, Expressive, and Relax modes available, your BMW i7’s soundtrack perfectly adapts to your mood to turn every drive into a beautiful and moving experience that all your senses can enjoy. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 27, 2022

BMW Becomes The Kentucky Derby's First Official Luxury Au...

Roses, mint juleps, and BMWs will be staples of this year’s Kentucky Derby. One of the most iconic luxury events in the United States now has an equally luxurious and iconic brand as a partner this year, and it’s BMW. With this partnership, BMW becomes the first luxury automotive brand to officially partner with the Kentucky Derby, and through this partnership, the brand plans to turn the most exciting 2 minutes in sports into a long-lasting collaboration between two loved icons. MUST READ: The New BMW 7 Series Is More Powerful, Luxurious, And Electric Than Ever BMW features 3 main efforts as part of this partnership, called Club 7, The American Turf presented by BMW, and The Ultimate Macaron Bar. Club 7 is a display that will showcase the new BMW 7 Series, as well as the first-ever all-electric BMW i7 among a flower wall that features over 7,000 roses and lilies. The display will feature walkarounds and a 360-degree photo booth. The American Turf Stakes race will feature extensive BMW branding and sponsorship throughout, along with an advertisement for the new BMW i7 that will be displayed before the race on the world’s largest 4K screen. Finally, the Ultimate Macaron Bar is part of BMW’s status as the Official Luxury Vehicle of Taste of Derby, a prestigious culinary event held before the derby. At the official BMW macaron bar, guests will be able to customize and curate their own macaron flavors and fillings. With BMW by its side, the Kentucky Derby is quite the event, in both the equestrian and automotive worlds. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 22, 2022

The BMW Open by American Express Tennis Champion Will Rec...

BMW celebrates 100-years in Munich with a i4 M50 prize car. Born with a core value of competition both on and off-track, the BMW brand defines itself as a sport-focused manufacturer aiming to deliver a line of performance vehicles that stay ahead of the pack. BMW is proud to embrace the true spirit of competition by acting as the title sponsor for the upcoming BMW Open by American Express tennis tournament in Munich, Germany. This year, BMW is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of its Munich factory by assembling a special i4 M50 to present to the winner of the prestigious tennis event. The innovative BMW i4 M50 presents a one-of-a-kind driving experience that blends EV efficiency with traditional German performance engineering. MUST-READ: Best Luxury Electric Cars You Can Buy Today The four-door Gran Coupé is the first fully-electric BMW that consistently focuses on driving dynamics. Along with the all-new BMW i4 M50, the winner of the BMW Open by American Express will also receive 250 valuable world ranking points and a total prize purse of $579,000. The BMW Open by American Express will kick off on April 23rd, with the championship match taking place at Center Court on Sunday, May 1st. View all of the current BMW models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW Photos by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 20, 2022

The New BMW 7 Series Is More Powerful, Luxurious, And Ele...

The new BMW 7 Series is coming to change the luxury game. BMW has teased just a few of the features that we are going to be able to get in the new 7 Series luxury sedan, and even that preview was incredible. With features hinted at like the all-electric BMW i7, the 31-inch Theatre Screen for rear-seat passengers, and the dramatically illuminated signature BMW kidney grille, we have known for quite a while that the 7 Series was going to wow us, but now that it’s been fully revealed, it only gets better. While the new 7 Series is available as a gasoline model, as well as an M plug-in hybrid, the center of attention belongs to the new BMW i7 xDrive60, which is BMW’s first all-electric 7 Series, and BMW doesn’t plan on stopping there. The future top-of-the-line 7 Series, coming in 2023, will be the BMW i7 M70 xDrive, which is slated to have 600 horsepower, 737 lb/ft of electric torque, and an incredible 0-60 time of under 4 seconds. MUST READ: The New 2023 BMW X7 Gets A Bumper-To-Bumper Refresh However, more than speed or power, the BMW 7 Series has always been about luxury, and for drivers, passengers, and even onlookers, luxury is what the new 7 Series delivers. Starting at the exterior, Crystal headlights and the illuminated kidney grille gives an elegant and stately appearance that remains timeless, yet modern and futuristic. The doors, which can automatically open and close, reveal beautifully quilted seats, available in Merino leather or a combination of Merino leather and cashmere wool. 5G connectivity makes infotainment better than it’s ever been with the ability to stream video and use beautiful, large, and fast touchscreens to do more than you ever imagined a car could. But of course, it only gets better in the back. The rear doors feature 5.5-inch touchscreen displays that help control climate and infotainment settings, and the most striking feature for the rear seats is the BMW Theatre Screen, a 31-inch display that comes down from the ceiling and allows passengers to stream video content at 8K resolution. Combined with a passenger’s side rear seat with a gapless leg rest and reclining function, the new 7 Series is one of the automotive world’s ultimate luxury oases. Electric powertrains are changing the landscape of the luxury sedan world, as the new i7 features a total system output of 544 horsepower, all while maintaining a range of up to 310 miles. While making the luxury appointments of the car more sumptuous than ever, the new i7 eliminates much of the hassle and environmental impact of a gasoline-powered luxury car. The new BMW 7 Series, and especially the i7, proves that there’s a bright and luxurious future ahead for the automotive world. View All BMW 7 Series For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 13, 2022

The New All-Electric BMW i7 Luxury Sedan Gets Revealed In...

The reveal of BMW’s new flagship sedan is bound to be shocking. BMW has announced that it will be releasing the i7, an all-electric rendition of the brand’s long-standing flagship luxury sedan that features all the luxury and iconic status of the 7 Series we have always known, with the new capabilities of an electric powertrain, including the most power that a 7 Series has ever seen. MUST READ: The New i7 Is BMW’s Electric Flagship Sedan With A 31-Inch Screen In The Back Other incredible features announced for the i7 include the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof, and a 31-inch, 8K screen that comes down from the ceiling for the passengers in the rear seats, where cars like the 7 Series truly shine. The full reveal of the already-stunning i7 will be streamed live on bmwgroup.com, and it will take place in just a week, on the 20th of April at 2:00 PM CEST, where more details and a closer look at the future of BMW’s flagship luxury will be revealed. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 13, 2022

The New 2023 BMW X7 Gets A Bumper-To-Bumper Refresh

BMW’s flagship SUV is coming into 2023 with a fresh face. While still relatively new to BMW’s lineup, the X7, BMW’s flagship SUV, has been around long enough that the brand has decided to give it a bit of a facelift. With that comes an updated look that matches BMW’s latest design language, new colors, and loads of improvements throughout. The powertrains available for the X7 have all been updated, with the X7 xDrive40i coming with a new 3.0-liter straight-6 engine that adds 40 horsepower compared to the previous model, along with 52 lb/ft of torque. VIDEO REVIEW: BMW X4 M Competition The X7 M60i will come with an updated 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, which will now produce 523 horsepower and 553 lb/ft of torque, and rocket the X7 M60i from 0-60 in just 4.5 seconds. Another addition to the M Sport model is the M Sport Professional package, which adds celebratory details for the 50th anniversary of BMW M. The eclectically luxurious Alpina XB7 model takes the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine even further, with 630 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. It gets to 60 mph in just 4 seconds and tops out at an incredible 180 mph. Other features in the new BMW X7 include added stability technology, new 23-inch wheels, a first for BMW, a curved touch display, and 5G connectivity. Even while the X7 is BMW’s beautiful new flagship SUV, BMW refuses to rest on its laurels. Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 05, 2022

Only Artist-Signed BMW M850xi x Jeff Koons Sells Big At A...

The art-inspired BMW 8 Series sold for a cause. Earlier this year, BMW announced a creative collaboration for a cause with American artist Jeff Koons. The partnership took shape as a vibrant BMW M850xi Gran Coupé that features Jeff Koons’ famous comic book designs and patterns. The interior layout is designed in a multi-colored fashion made from premium leather that sports a vibrant red and blue superhero-like look. The luxury auction house professionals at Christie’s New York are proud to announce the sale of the first and only artist-signed THE 8 X JEFF KOONS chassis during its charity auction yesterday. MUST-READ: BMW Announces Its Special Edition M850xi Gran Coupé With Artist Jeff Koons After intense intentional bidding both online and on-site, the one-of-a-kind BMW M850xi Gran Coupé sold for an astonishing $475,000. The highlight of the entire event was the announcement that all proceeds from the six-figure sale would go directly to benefit the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children. The CMEC charity is one that Jeff Koons continues to advocate for after being involved with them for over 2-years. The partnership between BMW and Jeff Koons blends the best of both worlds while bringing awareness to a growing worldwide conflict. View all of the current BMW 8 Series models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury gear releases and supercar news. View All BMW 8 Series For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 01, 2022

Alpina Releases New 4 Series-Derived B4 Gran Coupé

The BMW tuning house known for generous power and luxurious comfort is back again with a four-door coupe. The iconic Alpina B7 has long been known as a unique take on the BMW 7 Series sedan. With added power, unique design touches, and an added commitment to luxury, the B7 has always been the enthusiast’s luxury sedan. Alpina has extended the same principles to much of the BMW lineup, and the latest offering from the brand is the new Alpina B4 Gran Coupé. MUST READ: The New i7 Is BMW’s Electric Flagship Sedan With A 31-Inch Screen In The Back Available to order now, the B4 Gran Coupé takes a BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and adds power, style, classic Alpina pieces, and an added level of luxury. With twin turbochargers, the B4 Gran Coupé’s straight-six engine produces 495 horsepower and a formidable 538 lb/ft of torque. With a rear-wheel biased all-wheel drive system based on the xDrive system, the B4 is capable of getting from 0-60 in as little as 3.7 seconds, and climbing to an incredible top speed of 187 mph. Alpina’s classic aero kit, and 20-inch Alpina 20-spoke wheels make it absolutely unmistakable that you’re driving an Alpina, with the heritage and craftsmanship that come with it. Another reminder of this craftsmanship is in the interior, where optional naturally tanned Lavalina leather is available for the entire interior, known for its superior softness and put together bespoke in Alpina’s in-house leather workshop. The new Alpina B4 Gran Coupe is the latest statement of German automotive heritage and dedication to performance and luxury, and it’s available to order now, with deliveries slated to commence in July. Source: Alpina

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