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 Khris Bharath – September 29, 2026

2027 BMW 3 Series Makes U.S. Debut With Gas And Electric Power

Since its 1975 debut, the BMW 3 Series has evolved from a little two-door into the Bavarian automaker's definitive compact sport sedan, spawning coupes, wagons, convertibles, and generations of potent M3s along the way. With more than 18 million examples produced, the eighth-generation G50 is launching in the U.S. for the 2027 model year, as its biggest transformation yet: four- and six-cylinder gasoline power remains, now sharing the stage with the first fully electric 3 Series, the i3. Despite reviving a familiar badge, this new i3 is not the successor to BMW’s pioneering carbon-bodied electric hatchback from a decade ago. duPont REGISTRY has followed the Neue Klasse story from the outset, from pre-series i3 production in Munich, to the electric sedan's reveal, testing of combustion prototypes and more recently a first look at the upcoming M3. The production car finally brings those threads together with a common design and digital architecture. The design is radical by 3 Series standards and a big departure from the outgoing G20 seventh-gen 3 Series. While the side profile appears conventional, the biggest changes can be found upfront and at the rear. A low and sleek sharknose flows into horizontal kidneys available with illumination, while a long wheelbase, short overhangs, flush door handles, set-back greenhouse, and muscular rear shoulders preserve familiar sport-sedan proportions. Sculpted surfaces replace visual clutter, and the wide, three-dimensional taillights reinterpret BMW's L-shaped signature. The M350 xDrive adds quad exhaust outlets, a rear spoiler, and optional yellow running lights inspired by BMW's endurance racers. <- Gallery -> Inside, the traditional gauge cluster has made way for BMW Panoramic Vision, which spans the lower windshield, working with an available 3D head-up display and a driver-angled 17.9-inch central touchscreen running Operating System X, but physical controls remain for essential functions. A panoramic glass roof is standard, and buyers can choose Veganza or Merino leather. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while available Harman Kardon audio supports Dolby Atmos. The powertrains give the new 3 Series real breadth. The rear-wheel-drive 330 and all-wheel-drive 330 xDrive pair a 255-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Above them, the M350 xDrive combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt technology to produce 437 horsepower, capable of 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, and unlocks a rear-wheel-drive Drift Moment mode through a software update during 2027. The all-electric dual-motor i3 50 xDrive produces 463 horsepower and can do 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, while BMW estimates 446 to 468 miles based on preliminary testing using EPA procedures. Its 800-volt system can accept 400-kW DC charging, adding a claimed 191 to 208 miles in 10 minutes. Bidirectional charging, over-the-air upgrades, and available SAE Level 2 hands-free highway driving at speeds of up to 85 mph further define the technological leap of the new generation 3 Series. One of the key attributes that sets the 3 Series apart from its competitors is its driving dynamics. Underneath, wider tracks, revised suspension geometry, available adaptive dampers, and a Driving Stack all aim to protect the athletic balance that made the badge famous. The electric i3's Heart of Joy computer coordinates its motors, regenerative braking, and steering functions up to ten times faster than earlier control systems. Gas models retain an eight-speed automatic, near-balanced weight distribution, and model-specific chassis tuning. As for pricing, the entry-level 330 starts at $49,900, the 330 xDrive from $51,900, the M350 xDrive from $65,900, and the i3 50 xDrive from $61,500, excluding a $1,350 destination charge. That positions the gasoline-powered 3 Series against the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A5 Sedan, Alfa Romeo Giulia, and Cadillac CT4, while the electric i3 faces the Tesla Model 3, particularly the Performance, in an increasingly competitive electric sport-sedan market. The complete launch lineup is scheduled to reach the U.S. in the first quarter of 2027. View All BMW 3 Series for Sale Images: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 08, 2026

BMW Teases New Combustion-Powered 3 Series Variants

The BMW 3 Series was recently reimagined in the form of the newly revealed i3, which, unlike the former bearer of that nameplate, is a Neue Klasse reimagination of BMW’s legendary 3 Series sedan with a powerful all-electric powertrain. However, that new generation of the 3 Series isn’t going to be exclusively available as a BEV. Combustion-powered variants of the new BMW 3 Series are coming soon, and the manufacturer is showcasing them in their final round of summer testing. That testing has taken place in Miramas, France, and BMW Group’s test tracks in the area were where high-intensity tuning drives for the new combustion-powered models, which will feature four and six-cylinder engines. With 48V mild hybrid technology, the new variants feature similar technology and innovation to the all-electric i3, combining spirited performance with precise handling and comfort on longer drives. Offering elevated performance with combustion power is the upcoming BMW M350 xDrive. It features a chassis tuned for performance, improved stiffness, a six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid power, adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering, and more. With 443 horsepower in total, the new M350 xDrive will get from 0-60 in less than 4.1 seconds. In addition, the Drift Moment feature for the car offers the option of rear-wheel drive and the possibility of making the car more tail-happy. <- Gallery -> Alongside the four-cylinder variants of the new 3 Series, as well as the all-electric BMW i3, the new BMW M350 xDrive is set to begin production at the end of 2026, with a 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower turbo six-cylinder engine powering it, and an eight-speed BMW Steptronic transmission. With the exciting new generation of the BMW 3 Series featuring electric and combustion-powered variants, the exciting design and innovation of the Neue Klasse 3 Series is available to all manner of enthusiasts and drivers. View All BMW 3 Series Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 04, 2026

BMW Builds First Pre-Series New i3 Cars

Roughly a decade ago, BMW launched a model called the i3. It was a small hatchback with an electric powertrain, futuristic design, and an interior that combined luxury, practicality, and technology. While that model was BMW’s inaugural foray into mass-producing EVs, the brand has since seen its electrification effort blossom, with all-electric SUVs, sedans, and even a fully-electric version of its luxury sedan flagship, the 7 Series. However, beyond even that, BMW has been preparing for a new chatper in its lineup, what it’s been calling “Neue Klasse.” The first Neue Klasse model from BMW, the new iX3, has been launched, but a new BMW i3 is also coming, and it’s not the same thing as the hatchback i3 of the past decade. Rather, the new BMW i3 is a new, all-electric, Neue Klasse reimagination of BMW’s legendary 3 Series sedan, and as the launch of the series version quickly approaches, the first near-series test vehicles of the new BMW i3 have officially rolled off the production line in Munich. The milestone marks the first time the i3 has been built entirely at the Munich plant, using highly innovative and digitally-connected manufacturing techniques and processes. <- Gallery -> With a new chapter of BMW’s history on the horizon, the production of the new i3’s near-series test vehicles means that another new Neue Klasse model is close to being launched, showcasing an unprecedented level of technology, innovation, and futuristic design in a new cohort of BMW staple models. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 16, 2025

New 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition Revealed

BMW celebrates half a century of an icon. The BMW 3 Series is not just any executive car, it’s a model that achieved legendary status, and one of the most integral trailblazers that helped write the story of the BMW that we know and love today as enthusiasts. Its performance-oriented variants featured precision and engineering that set standards in the industry, and even the standard 3 Series has stood out for generations as a luxurious, agile executive car that combines creature comforts and bar-setting technology with spirited character and driving joy. It was 50 years ago when the BMW 3 Series was first introduced into the automotive lexicon, specifically at the Olympic Stadium in Munich, Germany, in July 1975. At that moment, a new era began for BMW, one characterized by an incredibly successful sports sedan that would help put BMW on the map across the globe as a manufacturer to beat when it came to its self-proclaimed “Ultimate Driving Machine.” To mark that milestone, BMW has revealed a new special edition of the 3 Series for the 2026 model year: the 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition. This new special edition not only commemorates the half-century anniversary of one of BMW’s most legendary and impactful model series, but it also brings together a unique combination of features and finishes that make the commemorative car noteworthy and memorable as a special edition. With a single equipment profile carrying an MSRP of $75,200 plus $1,175 destination and handling, the new 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition is a unique statement of automotive history, with unique finishes combining historic colors with Extended Merino Leather upholstery, a first for the US-market 3 Series, and either red or blue brake calipers. Each color is inspired by one of the first five generations of the 3 Series: Ruby Red for the first E21 generation, Boston Green for the second, the E30, Avus Blue for the E36, the third generation, Carbon Black for the fourth, the E46, and Sparkling Graphite for the E90, the fifth. An M Performance Exhuast system highlights the sporty character of the special edition, and features like the BMW Curved Display with Head Up Display, as well as a Harman Kardon surround sound system celebrate how far the technology seen in the model has come. Edition-specific badging and door sills highlight the exclusivity of the special edition, and the new 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition is undoubtedly a unique vehicle, celebrating the legacy of a model that is certainly worth the fanfare. View All BMW 3 Series For Sale Image 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 Andrew Nabors – March 27, 2020

2021 BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid Unveiled

Workers in Munich have weathered the worst of the virus to offer something unprecedented. Everyone has a fond memory of a 3 Series, so get ready for a new chapter in the history of the fun sports sedan because the 2021 BMW 330e Plug-in hybrid has been unveiled. Shrouded under a revised body is a powertrain that is shockingly efficient. Instead of the traditional straight-six, a new 2.0L turbo is coupled to a hybrid drive. Although the battery is only rated at 12 kWh, it allows for a combined output of 288 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. Leaving it on charge at night and you will have 22 miles of pure electric cruising. I love the M3, but 75 MPG is appealing to me. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse All BMW 3 Series For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2019

New BMW 3-Series Targets a Younger Audience

Several variables need to be considered when launching a new model. Because the new BMW 3-Series has such a dynamic history, they turned to EDM artist Dennis Lloyd to match the car to his hit song "Nevermind". This car has been in the works longer than usual, in order to make sure it launches with a bang. For the 330i, power comes from a 2.0L turbo. If you opt for the xDrive AWD system, 0-60 arrives in only 5.3 seconds. Stepping up a notch, the M340i is available in rear and AWD, powered by a detuned M3 straight six. It offers 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It only takes 4.2 seconds to reach 60 mph! The new styling hides an all-new suspension. Inside the interior is ergonomic and loaded with all the latest safety tech. If your E46 has seen better days, click the link below and stay with us for all your 3-Series updates. Shop BMW 3-Series " width="680"> Related: Lego BMW M1 Needs Our Support! Wheels & Wardrobe: All Black BMW i8

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2018

2019 BMW M340i Makes Official Debut

The next generation of the BMW 3 Series is here for the 2019 model year. It was in Paris that the new look for the sedan was unveiled. Exterior updates for the next-generation 3 Series include a redesigned front grille, new twin LED headlights, redesigned air intakes, redesigned L-shaped rear lights and longer wheelbase and wider front and rear track. Those last tow updates give the new 3 Series "squattier" appearance through a longer and wider stance. BMW M3: Four Generation Drag Race Coming along with the announcement of a new 3 Series generation are the new M340i and M340i xDrive M Performance models. These new models will be powered by a new version of the straight-six engine and will have 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on tap. As for its acceleration, BMW notes it will have a 0 to 60 mph time of around 4.2 seconds. The new 2019 BMW M340i and M340i xDrive Sedans will start arriving in Spring 2019. Pricing has not been announced as of this articles publishing. View All BMWs For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2018

Next-Gen BMW 3 Series Reveal Date

The next-generation of the BMW 3 Series is about to have its world premiere at Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 show in Paris, October 2, 2018, at 9AM CET. This will be the seventh generation of the sports sedan and will hopefully knock all of our socks off. If you're excited as we are and can't make it to the event, you can view the unveiling on the BMW Group livestream by clicking here. Alongside the new 3 Series, BMW will be showing off the Z4, 8 Series Coupe, X5 and M5 Competition. If you do make it to the event, media representatives of BMW will be giving insight into their latest design highlights, work with the field of connectivity and technological updates. This will be happening at the BMW stand at 4PM CET.Related Video:

By Caitlin Duffy – September 09, 2015

BMW Produces 10 Millionth 3 Series Sedan

BMW is breaking out the champagne today; they have some serious celebrating to do.In a case of fortunate timing and wonderful circumstance, BMW is currently celebrating both the 40th anniversary of the 3 Series Sedan and the production of the 10 millionth 3 Series Sedan. A press release issued by the German luxury car manufacturer today announced the completion of model number 10 million, a 320d in Imperial Blue.The BMW Group Plant Munich had the honor of crafting this special example, and the location could not have been more appropriate. The Munich facility produced the first of the 3 Series cars in 1975, and has been the only BMW production facility to create all six of the 3 Series' generations. As the release tells us, they currently create 1,000 cars a day in Munich, with approximately half being 3 Series models.(See Also: The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R Out in the Desert)The new 3 Series was just released in July of this year, and its official launchfilm was released on YouTube May 24. Check out the video of this new generation above, and find your own 3 Series from our exclusive listings below.3 Series For Sale (Source: BMW, YouTube) See More BMW News

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