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 Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2018

BMW M8: Go For Launch!

Usually Fridays are slim on automotive news, but BMW just confirmed the details of the 2020 M8. This new supercar replaces the 6-Series coupe as their flagship. We reported yesterday about the launch of the 8 Series convertible, and it appears that time is of the essence in Bavaria. The press release earlier this morning sheds light on a ton of M-specific upgrades over the base 8 series coupe. M Division starts with a stronger chassis to handle 600 horsepower and the lates xDrive AWD system. It will be standard equipment on the M8 Coupe, Convertible, and GranCoupe, and it can send 100% of power front or rear, or operate in 2WD for a perfect drift. Engineers had targets for low unsprung weight, a low center of gravity, and a wider track than other European competitors. The twin-turbo V8 is "high revving" so it will be nice to hear a decent soundtrack from inboard-mounted turbines. Performance figures were not mentioned, but it looks to have the AMG GT-R in its crosshairs. Tell us what you think of the M8 in the comments below and stay with us for all your BMW updates. " width="680"> Related: BMW Unveils M4 DTM Turbo BMW X7 Is A Beastly SUV! Four Generations of M3 Drag Race

By Edward Jones – November 08, 2018

First BMW 8 Series Convertible Has Been Produced

BMW has announced that the very first example of their new 8 Series Convertible has rolled off of the production line. The car was produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. Also being built at this plant are the 5 Series and 7 Series variants. BMW Group sees a lot of potential in what's happening at this plant and has invested what they call a "three-digit-million-euro" amount in the new model family being built there. When the 8 Series does go on sale in March 2019, customers will only be able to choose from just one model, the M850i xDrive Convertible. This model comes packing four seats and a 4.4-liter 8-cylinder turbocharged engine. The total output of this engine is rated at 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Its 0 to 60 mph time is currently set at 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Those interested in the new 8 Series Convertible should expect an MSRP of $121,400 plus the $995 destination fee. Related: The New BMW X7 Unveiled as a Gigantic SUV BMW M3: Four Generation Drag Race 2019 BMW M340i Makes Official Debut

By Andrew Nabors – September 05, 2018

BMW is Testing 8-Series Convertible in Death Valley

If you ever want to test your car's cooling system, we suggest Death Valley. Because it is lower than sea-level, the scorching temperatures will push your radiator and water pump harder than any other location. That is why BMW has released a few camouflaged shots of their 8-Series convertible testing out Californee-way.View the Sultan of Brunei's Car Collection!Roughly half-way between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, Death Valley is only 85 miles from the highest mountain outside of Alaska. Mount Whitney is 14,505 feet above sea level, and the drive between them can be torture on any car. The press release mentions other highlights for the Bavarian Engineers included the Hoover Dam, cruising the Vegas Strip, and cruising the Pacific Coast Highway.The trip began by parking the new convertible under the blazing sun while monitoring every system for signs of stress. To test the shielding of the electronics, it was then placed under the step-up transformers at the Hoover Dam. The car was not affected by 2,000 Megawatts buzzing around it, so it was time to see that power to good use.The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas is a perfect place to test an urban setting, with Stop & Go traffic punishing the team. Working with the other engineers in Miramas, France and at the 'Ring, BMW is making sure this new drop-top arrives without compromise. If you can't wait, click the link below to find a 6-Series near you and stay with us for all your BMW news.Browse BMW 6-Series For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 09, 2018

US Pricing for BMW 8 Series Announced

The new 2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe has finally be revealed and it's already gone onto the production stage. For the United States, we'll be seeing the M850i xDrive. This new model will come with a new BMW TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine that's rated at 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. This all sounds good, but up until now, we haven't known how much this new coupe will cost.Thankfully, BMW has announced just how much the M850i xDrive will cost in the U.S.: $111,900 plus $995 Destination and Handling. This price is comparable to the Mercedes-Benz S560 4MATIC, which starts at $102,900 (463 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque). When compared, the M850i xDrive comes out on top in terms of power, but not price. However, this is the first of the 8 Series we've seen, so it would probably be best to see a full lineup before comparisons are set in stone. For instance, an AMG model will be compared against the presumed M8.Those interested in buying a 2019 BMW M850i xDrive will find them hitting showroom floors on December 8, 2018.

By Edward Jones – July 06, 2018

Production on the BMW 8 Series Coupe is Underway!

If you're as excited about the upcoming BMW 8 Series Coupe as we are, then I've got good news for you. BMW has announced that production on the new model is currently underway at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. BMW Group channeled a "low three-digit-million euro range" investment towards the production site for the 8 Series Coupe.“As the plant that builds the BMW 7 Series sedans, BMW Group Plant Dingolfing has outstanding expertise in producing vehicles for the luxury segment," says Dr. Andreas Wendt, head of BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. "We are optimally prepared for production of the new BMW 8 Series Coupé. I am sure our customers around the world will love this luxury sportscar.”Thanks to the investment, the production plant is using some new tech. For example, the training regiment for the assembly staff includes virtual reality glasses. Through these VR specs, the staff will see certain assembly processes, giving them the chance to become familiarized with what they'll be doing.

By Edward Jones – June 15, 2018

All-New 2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe Finally Revealed

The all-new 2019 BMW 8 Series Coupe has finally been debuted after a very long wait. BMW notes that the new 8-Series "opens a further chapter in the brand’s successful sports car history and kicks off the premium manufacturer’s model initiative in the luxury segment."When the 8 Series releases in November 2018, there will be one available model: The M850i xDrive. This luxury sports car will be powered by a new BMW TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. Output of this engine is rated at 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Mated to this engine is an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission that will launch the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. That kind of speed isn't bad considering its curb weight of 4,478 lbs.2018 BMW M5 Top Speed on the Autobahn Here are some highlights from this new car that should definitely be known: Slimmest headlights BMW has ever made, come with Laserlight technology New BMW kidney grille features "new design language" Front spoiler added for better aerodynamics 20-inch M light-alloy wheels (245/35R20 front and 275/30R20 rear) Heavily raked rear window Two sets of exhaust tailpipes M differential lock Remote Software Upgrade keeps the 8 Series software up to date Navigation data can be used to increase the transmission's performance Optimized intake ports for higher flow 50/50 split folding rear seat Pedestrian detection comes standard BMW will be releasing the 2019 M850i xDrive this fall, with prices being announced closer to the release date.

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