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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

By Edward Jones – June 19, 2019

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Revealed: 840i and M850i

The new 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has been unveiled by the German automaker in three different variants: 840i, 840i xDrive and M850i xDrive. As with all BMWs with xDrive in their model names, all-wheel drive is available for both the 840i and M850i. Being a Gran Coupe, these new models are larger when compared to the 8 Series Coupe. To put it specifically, this new model is 9 inches longer, 1.2 inches wider and 2.2 inches taller. The new 8 Series Gran Coupe also has an extra 7.9 inches in its wheelbase. Source: BMW For the two variants, there are two different engines at play. The 840i Gran Coupe will get a TwinPower 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. For the top-of-the-line M850i Gran Coupe, a TwinPower 4.4-liter V8 engine will be the source of power. This engine is capable of producing 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. BMW says that's enough to get the M850i xDrive from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Mated to each of the engines is the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. Source: BMW Pricing was also announced for the models by BMW. The new 2020 840i Gran Coupe starts at $84,900, the 840i xDrive at $87,800 and the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe at $108,900. These prices do not include the $995 destination charge. Expect them to launch in September 2019. See All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Andrew Nabors – June 06, 2019

2020 BMW Z4 Review by Carfection

Florida has always been a hot spot for convertibles, and it seems that everyone has a soft spot for the BMW Z cars. The latest iteration has been co-developed with Toyota , who shares most of the parts in the 2020 Supra. But we like the option of top-down motoring, so here is the 2020 BMW Z4 review by Carfection. Under the hood is a single turbo straight six. It makes use of 3.0 liters to offer 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque to an 8-speed automatic. Unfortunately that is the only transmission offered on the BMW and Toyota versions, and it comes with flappy paddles to play with. Allow Mr. Catchpole to offer a few insights, and then click the link below to find a new Z4 for yourself. Stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW Z4 For Sale Related: 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 05, 2019

BMW M8 Competition Coupe & Convertible Finally Unveiled

This is the one we've been waiting for. When we heard the M6 was being discontinued it put a hole our hearts. It had a good run, but the BMW 8 Series has a host of new technology and engineering saved for something special. Today is the day because the BMW M8 Competition Coupe & Convertible were finally unveiled. Instead of starting with a production car and building it to race, BMW M built the M8 GTE and made it street legal. Thankfully, lessons learned on the track have translated into a highly capable supercar. Starting with the heart of the beast, a revised 4.4L V8 with twin turbos delivers 625 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It can be sent to all wheels by the xDrive system, or you can leave it in 2WD for a traditional experience. The chassis has forged links and control rods, and they attach to a stronger chassis than a normal production 8 Series. On top of that are several braces for the shock towers, subframes, and steering. This allows the Competition models to run more camber for extreme grip in the corners. The grip is provided by 20" wheels wearing 275/35 and 285/35 tires in a perfect staggered setup. Owners can configure their own driving mode by selecting transmission, suspension and stability system specifics. You can completely disable all the electronic helpers if you want to find the limits of this beast. The best new feature is an adjustable brake force. You can choose how responsive the pedal is, offering the best in luxury or feedback depending on the situation. Of course, we've summarized the 20-page press release because our dealers have all the details. So click the link below to find one near you. Browse BMW 8-Series For Sale P.S. Tell us what license plates this car should have: M8 ING, 4MR NM8, GDAY M8, W8 M8, M8 0FTN.... Related: BMW M8 Will Arrive With New M Mode Controls BMW M8: Go For Launch

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2019

BMW Motorrad Unveils Concept R18

It looks like BMW has taken notice of our friends at NMOTO. Retro bikes are hot these days, so it is time to see what a 1960's bike would look like in the 21st century. That is why BMW Motorrad has unveiled the concept R18. The setting was last weekend at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This massive 1.8L boxer engine is an air-cooled two -cylinder is fed by Solex carburetors. Essentially identical to the ones found in the BMW 2002, they are rugged designs from the past. They are bolted to an engine and transmission that were bead-blasted and hand polished. To give it a naked look, the chrome driveshaft has no covers. If you want features, look somewhere else. The R18 has a starter and lights, that's it. Riding on 21" front and 18" wheels, the boxer engine keeps the center of gravity lower than any other big cruiser. It might look like a hardtail, but the cantilever rear suspension is hidden under the seat. Dr. Markus Schramm is the head of BMW Motorrad, and he said " With this dream bike, BMW Motorrad presents its own version of an emotional and authentic offer for the large cruiser segment.” It would be fun to ride a bike with more torque than a car, but it is doubtful such a design would meet emissions laws. That's why NMOTO bases their Nostalgia on the latest R9T, giving you the best of old and new. Tell us what you think of classic BMW bikes and stay with us for all your BMW updates. Configure Your NMOTO Nostalgia Billy Joel Stops by NMOTO to Test Fit His New Bike

By Andrew Nabors – May 28, 2019

2020 BMW X1 to Receive M Performance Parts

Fun begins at number one, at least to BMW fans. The 1 Series is their introductory model, and the third generation is about to arrive in the U.S. Instead of the RWD coupe and convertibles you might be expecting, we are only being offered a FWD compact crossover. Hot hatchbacks are popular as college cars and surprisingly with retirees. That's why the new 2020 BMW X1 will receive M Performance parts. While the X1 xDrive28i does send some power to the rear wheels, it is only on hard acceleration or to prevent a drift. The advantage of the X1 sDrive 28i is a starting price of $34,950 and seating for 5 adults. While we wont see an X1M, their recent press release will allow you to customize your new ride. First up is a carbon fiber body kit, because RACECAR! It includes a new front splitter, rocker panels, mirror caps, kidney grilles, and a rear diffuser. Vinyl graphics in frozen black will let the public know you are ready to race. Also optional are massive 18" brakes and 19" wheels. The press release didn't list prices for the parts, but our dealers are ready to give you all the info. Browse BMW X1 For Sale Related: Ferrari & BMW Win This Year's International Engine Awards Tesla Model 3 vs BMW M2 Competition

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2019

Ferrari & BMW Win This Year's International Engine Awards

Yesterday the winners were announced for the 21st Annual Engine Of The Year. With several categories depending on size and power, Ferrari & BMW won this year's international engine awards. First up was the hybrid award, and after extensive testing the BMW i8 got the trophy. The 1.5L turbo only has three cylinders, but it delivers 220 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. It can power the rear wheels while also charging the hybrid system. Or it can send voltage directly to the front electric motor. One engine took home multiple wins, and we're not surprised. The Ferrari 3.9L V8 won engine of the year for the 4th consecutive year, and also the award for best performance engine. It is found in almost every model, from the Portofino, GTC4LussoT, and the 488 GTB, Spider, Pista, and the new F8 Tributo. It offers 710 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, and 568 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. While it is great that Ferrari offers such performance, we are left wondering why cars like the Koenigsegg Regera, McLaren Senna and the Corvette ZR1 were not given an honorable mention. Tell us about your favorite engine in the comments below and stay with us for all your exotic car news. Browse Exotic Cars For Sale Related: Top Gear Explains McLaren's Mid Engined Supercars Hear the Loud Lamborghini V12 on Jay Leno's Garage

By Andrew Nabors – May 21, 2019

Tesla Model 3 vs BMW M2 Competition

It is safe to say there are two types of electric car owners. The first group drives responsibly to save power and lower their carbon consumption. But the other half embraces the performance of battery power. So what happens when electric hot rods line up against the Ultimate Driving Machine? Get ready to watch a Tesla Model 3 vs a BMW M2 Competition. The German is a turbocharged 3.0L straight-six making 405 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It is a compact RWD coupe with a six-speed stick. The M2 Competition arrived a year after the M2, and completely replaced it. We don't mind, as it has track-ready suspension and a drift-happy personality. Tesla Model 3 Performance: Skidpad Drifting To keep the comparison somewhat fair, the Tesla Model 3 is not the extended range or performance models. It is their standard dual motor with 346 horsepower. No matter who wins, the BMW offers 25 mpg and great performance. The Tesla only has a 60 kWh battery powering both motors. After 208 miles you better find a plug or the game is over. It is fast, but too quiet. The M2 is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, so click the link below to find one near you. Find Your BMW M2 Here Related: AC Schnitzer Unveils 500HP M2 Competition BMW M2 Competition: Record Breaker

By Edward Jones – May 20, 2019

New BMW i8 Art Car by Thomas Scheibitz

BMW has a long history of art cars designed by famous artists. Now, the German automaker is highlighting an art car that is neither part of the BMW Art Car series or one that was commissioned by them. This specific BMW i8 art car was created by the famous painter and sculptor Thomas Scheibitz, who designed the it for his friend Bernd Heusinger. Scheibitz's notes that he believes sports cars as sculptures, blending both creativity and technology. His take on the automotive sculpture resulted in this beautiful i8 that was inspired by one of his small paintings from 2017. To create the imagery on the i8, this painting was scanned and certain parts were enlarged. Certain parts of the painting were chosen for specific parts of the car so the art flows with the lines of the body. It's truly a remarkable piece of art. Browse All BMWs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2019

2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years Unveiled

If you need something new to drive the, fast M5 is 35. Yours truly will be 36 years old in a few months, and like the BMW M5, we are at the top of our game. The most powerful version of the 5-Series has been the ultimate driving machine for a generation of enthusiasts. That's why the M division pulled out all the stops for this anniversary. Get ready for a wild ride, as the 2020 BMW M5 Edition 35 Years has been unveiled. We didn't mix up the title, BMW prefers a German syntax when naming their special editions. This is smart because it makes them stand out from the competition. Only 350 cars will be built for the world, and U.S. models will arrive in November. Three and half decades ago, engineers took the potent straight-six from the M1 and dropped it into a 5-Series, and the rest is history. What Makes It Unique? Starting with a deletion of the trunk badge, the sleek appearance is given by BMW Individual Frozen Dark Grey II Metallic. This special mix gives the appearance of a silk matte body. The Graphite Grey wheels are M Light Alloys, and are also specific to this car. Interior Unlike Any Other Inside, the M Sport seats are covered in BMW Individual Merino Black Leather. To make the interior even more classy, the center console, door panels and dash have gold anodized carbon fiber inserts. The console and sill plates are engraved with "M5 Edition 35 Jahre". Fully Loaded Every M5 option is included. Starting the Executive Package, you will have soft-close doors, powered sun shades 4 heated seats, 4-zone climate control, massaging front seats, wireless charging, and 3D Surround View Park Control. The drivers pack moves the speed limiter from 155 to 189 mph, along with a voucher for M Driver's School. Heart Of The Beast Under the hood is their M TwinPower 4.4L V8. It is rated at 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It makes that torque from 1,800 to 5,860 rpm, which is simply brutal. You could pull a semi trailer if needed, or you could launch to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. In 10.8 ticks you are going 124 mph. New motor mounts were needed to keep it restrained, so solid polyurethane is 55% stronger than rubber used in the normal M5. Feeling Shifty? Because it makes so much power, the Dual Clutch transmission was dropped. A new 8-speed M Steptronic automatic shifts faster when you want it to, or soft when cruising. To ensure long life, it has a double-pass transmission cooler. Behind the gearbox is the Active M Differential. It can send power to any wheel that needs it, or you can disconnect the front wheels for the ultimate drift. Both 4WD modes and RWD were recalibrated to handle the increased power Finishing Touch The car is 7mm lower and rides on a new suspension. Shocks and springs are 10% stiffer, and every moving part has ball joints instead of bushings. Thicker sway bars offer confident cornering, while M Compound composite brakes complete this rare masterpiece. All this can be yours for $128,995, and that includes delivery and gas guzzler tax. Find Your M5 Here

By Andrew Nabors – May 09, 2019

BMW M8 Will Arrive With New M Mode Controls

We have eagerly awaited the new BMW 8 Series ever since production ended on the 6-Series Coupe. They have had plenty of time to develop new technology, and we received a nice preview in a press release this morning. The BMW M8 will arrive with new M mode controls. It will allow for the driver to fine tune five separate systems. A new Setup button opens a menu containing options for engine response, suspension stiffness, steering feedback, brakes, and the M xDrive. You might be wondering how brake response can be altered, and its quite an interesting idea. The brake booster is now an electric with two levels of response. Altering the M xDrive will transform the car from AWD to RWD and anywhere in between. Click the link below to find an 8-Series near you, and stay with us for all your BMW news. BMW 8 Series For Sale

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