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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 Tyler Rampersaud – October 12, 2022

The New 2023 BMW M2 Is Revealed With 453 HP And Manual Tr...

After 50 years, the classic formula of BMW’s M division remains. The BMW M2 has been known to be a classic BMW M car in many ways, and now that BMW has revealed the new generation of the performance car, that status remains, making for the perfect celebration of BMW M’s 50th anniversary. With all the classic trappings of the dream driver’s car and BMW M model and plenty of performance especially for its smaller size, the new BMW M2 is ready to start building another 50 years of reputation for BMW M’s expertise in luxury, performance, style, and great engineering. MUST READ: BMW Announces Itself As The Official Partner Of Paris+ par Art Basel Everything that enthusiasts love about the most iconic BMW M models is present in the new 2023 BMW M2. Under the hood will be a BMW M TwinPower Turbo straight 6-cylinder engine, and also featuring the number 6 is the transmission, with a 6-speed manual coming as standard for the model. If you prefer an automatic, an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission is also available with Drivelogic. All 453 horsepower from the engine, in classic BMW M fashion, goes to the rear wheels. In power output, the engine eclipses its predecessor by 48 horsepower, and with 406 lb/ft of torque, the new M2 is ready to race, with a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds with the manual or 3.9 with the Steptronic transmission, and a top speed of 155 mph, or 177 with the optional M Driver’s Package equipped. With a more muscular, edgy, and sporty design than its 2 Series Coupe counterpart, an exclusive Zandvoort Blue color, as well as an optional carbon fiber roof, onlookers will have an indication of what the car is capable of, and the interior does the same job. The M Sport seats are redesigned, and available as an option for the first time in the M2 are track-focused M Carbon Bucket seats, saving 24 pounds. The M2 might be a smaller car than BMW's other performance offerings, but it’s ready to make big waves in the performance world. The base MSRP of the car is $62,200 and it's set for an April 2023 global launch. View All BMW M2s For Sale Source: BMW

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 – September 30, 2022

BMW x Kith Collaborate With A New BMW i4 M50 Limited To 7...

The second collaboration between BMW and Kith is here. Better yet, it’s electric. As BMW celebrates the 50th anniversary of its M division and looks forward to the future of its luxury and performance, the brand collaborates with famed fashion and lifestyle brand Kith for the second time, this time through an exclusive BMW i4 M50. The car, designed by Kith founder Ronnie Fieg, who himself is a BMW fan, features a color called Kith Vitality Green, with an interior finished in BMW Individual Caramel Merino leather. MUST READ: The New BMW XM Is Revealed As BMW M’s First Electrified High-Performance Car In addition, the car celebrates a car from the beginning of BMW M’s history 50 years ago, the BMW 1602, which during the 1972 Munich Olympics. The car hs been converted into an electric car and finished in the same Kith Vitality Green. Only 7 of these incredible special BMW i4 M50 cars will be available for the public, with just one being auctioned to a global public audience. Along with the special vehicles being created, a 51-piece lifestyle collection has also been created inspired by the colors in the cars, and it’s available in stores and online for sale. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 28, 2022

The New BMW XM Is Revealed As BMW M's First Electrified H...

After 50 years, the harbinger of BMW M’s new era is here. First introduced as an edgy concept that showed off how BMW’s M division planned to enter the future after 50 years of being one of the most important names in motorsport, the BMW XM Concept combined lots of current happenings in the automotive industry. Being a luxury performance SUV, it spoke to the growing popularity of the segment, and also the future of automotive power and performance, as the car promised an innovative hybrid powertrain specifically bred for performance. Now, the XM is a production model, and it makes good on all of the concept vehicle’s promises. MUST READ: Hot Wheels Celebrates Over 50 Years Of BMW M Motorsports It introduces itself to the world as BMW M’s “first high-performance car with an electrified drive system,” and that entails a plug-in hybrid system paired with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which comes together with 653 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. The all-electric driving model of the new BMW XM is capable of 87 mph and a range of up to 55 miles. Like the exterior, the interior is provocatively designed, with a focus on sporty driving pleasure at the front and lounge-like comfort at the back. In addition, the reveal of the new BMW XM brings even more exciting news of an upcoming reveal: that of the new BMW XM LABEL RED, coming later this year and promising an incredible 748 horsepower, as well as 737 lb/ft of torque. Here’s to 50 more years of incredible BMW M performance, and if the XM is just the beginning, who knows what the future will hold? View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 26, 2022

Hot Wheels Celebrates Over 50 Years Of BMW M Motorsports

Starting with its very first BMW model in 1983, Hot Wheels continues to highlight the progression of the automotive manufacturer. Making history on and off the racetrack, BMW’s M Motorsport division continues its legendary heritage with five generations of performance and race cars. The die-cast professionals at Hot Wheels have been celebrating the BMW brand since its first model release in 1983. Hot Wheel’s vast collection of generational icons includes past and present M cars, focusing on models like the M1 and M4. MUST-READ: BMW M Magazine Takes A Look At Ronnie Fieg’s Collection Of Classic And Modern BMWs The most recent addition to the lineup is a brand new Car Culture diorama set that includes the BMW M2, the M3, and the debut brand new casting of the fan-favorite V8-powered E39 M5 sedan. The die-cast set also comes with a commemorative transport truck that sports the signature colors and logos of BMW M Motorsport. View all current BMW inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and automotive news. VIEW ALL BMW FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hot Wheels (@hotwheelsofficial) Source: Hot Wheels

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 23, 2022

The New BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh Race Car Has Been Revealed

BMW’s new LMDh race car is ready to prove itself. A wave of new hybrid race cars is coming, and it will form the new top class of endurance racing and show off the incredible performance potential of hybrid powertrains. For many brands, these new LMDh race cars will help brands bring electrification to their motorsport efforts, and bolster electrification for their roadgoing cars. BMW is one of these brands, and its M Hybrid V8 has now been proudly unveiled at a launch event at the Petersen Museum in Los Angeles in its livery ahead of its 2023 debut at Daytona. The car features a livery sporting the traditional colors of BMW’s M division, and the reveal also serves as part of the brand’s celebrations of the M division’s 50th anniversary. MUST READ: BMW M Magazine Takes A Look At Ronnie Fieg’s Collection Of Classic And Modern BMWs The two M Hybrid V8 cars will be driven by Connor De Phillippi, Philipp Eng, August Farfus, and Nick Yelloly. De Phillippi and Yelloly will be a pair for one car, with Farfus and Eng in the other. They will be the four core drivers at the 2023 IMSA season, with more endurance drivers to be announced later. This new race car is ready to cement even more incredible racing history for BMW’s M division, and drive the brand into an electrified future. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

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By Jordan Aquistapace – September 21, 2022

BMW M Magazine Takes A Look At Ronnie Fieg's Collection O...

All of his cars have been magnificently restored and personalized with unique Kith design details. As a collaboration built on similar passions and values, the BMW x KITH partnership proved to be a dream for New York lifestyle label founder Ronnie Fieg. Along with releasing a limited-edition collection of premium apparel and accessories inspired by BMW’s heritage, Ronnie also worked directly with the manufacturer on an exclusive series of BMW M4 Competition x KITH Edition models. The project recognizes Ronnie’s deep love for the German automotive manufacturer, as it has influenced him since childhood. The team at BMW M Magazine sat down with Ronnie Fieg in a one-on-one interview highlighting his collection of BMWs. Starting at a young age, Ronnie first became infatuated with the brand because his grandfather had owned a BMW M3 E30. Adding an E30 M3, an M3 Convertible, and an E30 M3 Evo to the garage, Ronnie relives his most fond chilhood memories on summer drives in the E30. MUST-READ: 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive Convertible Review: Lone Segment Leader Stepping into another generation and model line of BMW, the collection also features two E24 M6 examples that stand out as “the most classically designed BMW to date” according to Ronnie. The vehicles getting the most road use are the 850CSi and M760Li, epitomizing the best of BMW performance through its iconic V12 engine platform. The newest additions to Ronnie Fieg’s fleet are three newly redesigned BMW M4 Competitions, with one being the coveted limited ‘1 of 150’ KITH Edition. Continuing to source and compile one of the most impressive BMW collections, the streetwear icon is still searching for a BMW M1, BMW E28 M5, and BMW E36 M3. When asked about his most recent BMW purchase, Ronnie responded by saying “I have a very special model being restored as we speak. I don’t want to share what it is until I have it in my hands”. View all of the current BMW models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and celebrity car news. VIEW ALL BMW FOR SALE BMW M Magazine Source: BMW M Magazine

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 20, 2022

The New 2023 Alpina XB7 Adds Increased Power And Other Im...

Alpina’s take on BMW’s flagship SUV gets an incredible update. The Alpina XB7 takes what is already BMW’s largest and most luxurious SUV offering and adds signature Alpina tweaks to the style and performance of the vehicle, making it a beautiful, powerful, and incomparably luxurious SUV to drive or ride in. For the 2023 model year, many of those aspects are improved even further, like power, technology, comfort, and all-round luxury. The unique and beautiful Alpina XB7 manages to become a vehicle with an even more original character for the 2023 model year, not to mention a vehicle that is improved throughout MUST READ: The Best BMW M4s You Can Buy Today With newly-added BMW mild hybrid technology, power from the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine goes up to 630 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. Even as a 7-seater SUV, the XB7 is able to reach 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, and the ¼-mile is done in just 12.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 180 mph. Power is delivered effortlessly and quickly with the 8-speed automatic transmission, and the smooth nature is continued with the Alpina-specific suspension system. The luxury and connectivity of the BMW X7 and craftsmanship of the Alpina treatment combine with the increased performance and technology to result in a vehicle that dreams are made of. View All BMW X7s For Sale Source: Alpina

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 15, 2022

The Best BMW M4s You Can Buy Today

Since its debut into BMW’s performance lineup in 2014, the M4 became the predecessor to the original M3 Coupe. Sporting an aggressive two-door configuration with the design and performance to dominate any road or track, the BMW M4 quickly gained traction within the automotive market. Now, BMW’s M4 fleet solidifies itself in its own shape with a passionate community of owners and enthusiasts that dedicate their garage space to the M Division's most popular coupe. While the BMW M4 comes in an array of colors and variations boasting impressive power outputs, we have compiled a list of the best examples available today through duPont REGISTRY. Click on the links below to view the price and listing on the BMW M4s included in this special. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and supercar news. 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2021 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2020 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2018 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2015 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2017 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 15, 2022

BMW's New "Dune Taxi" Film Shows Off And Previews Off-Roa...

BMW takes its off-road performance to new heights. In a new video called “Dune Taxi,” BMW shows off the capabilities of its off-road motorsport projects, and honors the unique car culture of the Middle East. The film is centered around actress Madelyn Cline getting a ride from and acting as a co-driver to rally driver Abdo Feghali, and their destination is the Tal Moreeb dune in Liwa, Abu Dhabi, a dune with a height and slope that many see as impossible to scale. Their vehicle, the “Dune Taxi” electric prototype, is a new cutting-edge all-electric rally car with over 536 horsepower and 737 lb/ft of torque. The body shell is made of NFRP, or natural fiber reinforced polymer, and over 15 inches of wheel travel allows the car to be incredibly agile on desert terrain. MUST READ: 2022 BMW M5 CS Review: M Performance At Its Best The pair are then joined by the Red Bull Driftbrothers each in a BMW X6 M Competition, an SUV boasting 617 horsepower and M xDrive with Active M Differential, an all-wheel drive system tailored for off-road motorsport. Also joining the fun is the new BMW iX M60, the newest electric performance SUV from BMW that for the first time combines all three of BMW’s important letters: i, X, and M. It boasts 811 lb/ft of torque and rockets to a top speed of 155 mph. The final stunt is one that is well-known in the Middle East, and it involves getting the car on two wheels and driving down the road with the car nearly sideways. As the Dune Taxi passes by a line of BMW X5 SUVs on two wheels, it approaches the dune and clears it with ease despite its 130% slope. Ending the video is the Concept XM SUV, unveiled late last year. The production version of the XM is going to be unveiled soon on September 27, and it will continue to bring BMW’s performance prowess off the beaten path. View All BMWs For Sale Source: YouTube/BMW Middle East

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