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.

The New 2027 BMW 7 Series Is A Neue Klasse Flagship

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 22, 2026

BMW Unveils New 2027 7 Series

BMW’s 7 Series has been an iconic flagship luxury sedan for decades, and each generation represents the pinnacle of German engineering, luxury craftsmanship, automotive technology, and stunning design. The latest generation is no different, as BMW has just unveiled the new 2027 7 Series, which introduces its Neue Klasse technology to the classic luxury sedan. Both combustion and electric powertrains will be offered for the new BMW 7 Series, with rear and all-wheel drive available, and a plug-in hybrid and a V8-powered M Performance model will join the lineup later. Joining its Neue Klasse siblings, the new 2027 BMW 7 Series features a revised design including an updated illuminated grille, optional crystal headlights, a monolithic silhouette, flush-mounted door handles, slim, elongated rear lights, and other elegant touches. The available M Sport Package and M Sport Package Professional also serve to add sporty character to the vehicle’s look. However, the new 2027 BMW 7 Series also features a new available BMW Individual Dual-Finish paintwork, offering customers Rolls-Royce-like two-tone paint, complete with a hand-painted Coach Line. The finish combines matte paint at the lower body with metallic paint on the upper body, requiring over 75 hours of work for each car from 20 specially trained employees working to complete the 12-step painting process. <- Gallery -> BMW Panoramic iDrive is coming to the new 2027 7 Series, with a new BMW Passenger Screen debuting as standard in the luxury flagship. For rear-seat entertainment, the BMW Theater Screen is returning to the 7 Series, but this time with the help of an optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos support to transform the experience into an ultra-luxury oasis. In addition, updated BMW Touch Command control screens make the viewing experience even more effortless than before. Bowers & Wilkins audio comes standard in the car, but the flagship Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System features up to 36 speakers with 1,925 watts of power. Headrest-mounted speakers for both the front and rear passengers makes the sound experience incredibly high-end and personal. The vehicle’s luxury is further enhanced with the use of materials like various wood and carbon fiber trim options, crystal glass control touch points, and Merino leather or Veganza upholstery in various colors. With the Neue Klasse technology, the new 2027 BMW 7 Series benefits from the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enhanced by Amazon’s Alexa+ AI technology, over-the-air software updates, and other intelligent features. Meanwhile, a diverse range of powertrains are available. The all-electric i7, which benefits from battery technology developed with Rimac Technology for greater range and efficiency, is offered as the BMW i7 50 xDrive, with 449 hp and 487 lb/ft of torque, and the BMW i7 60 xDrive, which boasts 536 hp and 549 lb/ft of torque. Powered by an inline six-cylinder engine is the new 2027 BMW 740, which is available with xDrive. The engine has 394 horsepower and 398 lb/ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid BMW 750e is due for early 2027, while a V8 powered M Performance model is said to come after that. Pricing starts at $99,800 for the 2027 BMW 740, with its xDrive variant starting at $102,800, while the i7 50 xDrive starts at $106,200, and the i7 60 xDrive starts at $124,700. With Neue Klasse technology and expertise from Rimac for the electric variant, a new era of BMW flagship luxury has arrived. View All BMW 7 Series For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 09, 2023

The New BMW i7 And 7 Series Protection: Safety Meets Luxury

BMW unveils a new generation of protection vehicles in the luxury sedan segment.

By Gabriel Vega – April 17, 2023

2024 BMW i7 M70 xDrive Debuts As A 650-HP Supersized Luxu...

It offers an EPA-estimated 295 miles of range.

By Gabriel Vega – March 08, 2023

2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 Review: Rolling Like A Rolls

The seventh-generation 7 Series is a BMW luxury sedan with a whiff of Rolls-Royce.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 06, 2022

BMW Announces Itself As The Official Partner Of Paris+ pa...

Rooted in the Caribbean diaspora of Paris, the BMW Art Journey took Julien Creuzet back to his ancestral home Martinique, a place he calls “the heart of my imagination". The rich heritage of BMW spans far outside of performance car production and motorsport, opening doors for the German automotive manufacturer to create a lifestyle around its collection of iconic vehicles. BMW continues to explore the world of modern art as an extension of its past involvement with a series of art cars, which invited world-renowned artists to transform the look of everyday BMW cars. BMW is proud to announce itself as the Official Partner of Paris+ par Art Basel, an inaugural event taking place at the Grande Palais Éphémère in Paris, France. The show will bring together 156 leading French and International galleries to present exceptional artwork across all media. As part of Paris+ par Art Basel, 2021 BMW Art Journey winner Julien Creuzet will be representing High Art, Paris with a piece inspired by the BMW 7 Series production. MUST-READ: BMW x Kith Collaborate With A New BMW i4 M50 Limited To 7 Examples Worldwide Creuzet traveled to Munich in Fall of 2021 to visit the BMW Headquarters, BMW Museum, and BMW Group Plant in Dingolfing for artistic inspiration. After discovering the mechanical beauty behind 7 Series production, Julien began working with engineers and paint specialists to develop his newest piece of artwork titled ‘blue green sea bruise on the horizon'. The sculpture portrays various elements that include 33,000 welding spots, special gradients on the 7 Series, and the original BMW colors “Isle of Man Green” and “Portimao Blue”. On the occasion of Paris+ par Art Basel, the new all-electric BMW i7 will be on display in front of the Grand Palais Éphémère. Julien Creuzet’s ‘blue green sea bruise on the horizon’ sculpture will be on display from October 19th to the 23rd. View all current BMW 7 Series for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL BMW 7 SERIES 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 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 – March 18, 2022

The New i7 Is BMW's Electric Flagship Sedan With A 31-Inc...

With a 31 inch screen and more power than ever, the new 7 Series is BMW’s flagship sedan at its best. Coming in April, the new BMW i7 will be presented as a revolutionarily new, all-electric rendition of BMW’s flagship luxury sedan. With over 300 miles of range, and more power than the 7 Series has ever had before, the BMW i7 will be solid, irrefutable proof that electric powertrains are capable of providing the pinnacle of luxury driving experiences. MUST READ: Watch The Story Of The BMW M3 Touring, Starting With The E46 Concept The i7 transforms the 7 Series into a car that minimizes environmental impact without making any other compromises. The crystal glass in the lighting elements and illuminated grille showcase the level of excellence that the car possesses even before anyone steps inside. And once you do, the latest iDrive system allows driving dynamics and interior ambiance to be customized at a detailed level, and the BMW Curved Display on the instrument panel and doors provides unique, futuristic luxury along with the Sky Lounge panoramic glass roof. However, the best part, as with all luxury sedans like the 7 Series, is in the rear seats. The BMW Theatre Screen gives rear seat passengers the ultimate limousine experience, with a 31-inch screen capable of 8K streaming resolution, allowing a private, luxurious entertainment experience to be enjoyed by the i7’s rear seat occupants. Just when we thought the BMW 7 Series was as good as luxury driving gets, it got better. Source: BMW

By Edward Jones – February 11, 2019

2020 ALPINA B7 xDrive Sedan Revealed

It's been a while but a new ALPINA is finally here. Introducing the 2020 ALPINA B7 xDrive Sedan, the 6th-generation model from ALPINA and the 3rd generation of the famous B7 series. As expected from a B7 model, this performance sedan is packing some power. Under its hood is a 4.4-liter V8 engine with two, twin-scroll turbochargers that delivers 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. ALPINA notes that the new B7 will accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, 0.1 seconds quicker than the previous generation. Top speed of the car is rated at 205 mph, previously 194 mph. Handling the power is a ZF 8-Speed Sport Automatic Transmission that features ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC. ALPINA actually modified the software so it pairs up better with the new twin-turbo V8 engine. Based on the new 7 Series, the 2020 ALPINA B7 is just as sporty as ever before. A few modifications were made to the exterior in an effort to make it stand out among all other 7 Series on the road. This includes the new front bumper, rear spoiler, stainless steel sports exhaust system with elliptical twin tailpipes, and more. For paint, exclusive paint finishes call ALPINA Blue metallic and ALPINA Green metallic are available. Expect the 2020 ALPINA B7 xDrive sedan to launch in Q3 2019 with an MSRP of $141,700 plus the $995 destination fee. view all alpinas for sale

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