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 – 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

By Andrew Nabors – May 06, 2019

BMW M3 GTS by Carfection

Manufacturers are forced to change their recipe when a model needs more attention. BMW doesn't do this in a subtle manner. After introducing the V10 powered M5 in 2005, they decided to drop a V8 into the M3. Known as the E90 sedan and the E92 coupe, they are now collectible among M fans. Henry Catchpole and his team decided to examine the most potent example produced, so here is the BMW M3 GTS by Carfection. It was probably a financial mistake to not offer it in the U.S., but we did receive a potent and limited "Lime Rock Park Edition". The growl of a high-revving V8 is almost American in nature, but this isn't an LS swap. Only offered here between 2008 and 2013, they make a great track car as is. But the aftermarket supplies everything you need to transform an M3 Competition into a GTS. Click the link below to find yours, and stay with us for all your M3 updates. Browse BMW M3 For Sale Related: A Dozen M4 GTS Attack the 'Ring BMW M3: Four Generations Drag Race

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2019

Mercedes-Benz GLS vs BMW X7 vs Audi Q8: SUV Showdown

Everyone like to read about the Lamborghini Urus or the Porsche Cayenne, but there are other contenders in the market for luxury SUVs. Crossovers are dead, and the only remaining few are outcasts at the dealership. Full size SUVs are back with a vengeance, so everyone has been scrambling to go bigger and better. Surely you can appreciate the GM triplets: Escalade, Yukon, and Suburban. In fact, the Chevy Suburban has been in constant production since 1935! But you might not realize that Germany has three new big models for your consideration. We thought it would be a good ieda to compare them so that you can choose the one that fits your needs. Mercedes-Benz GLS The 3rd generation Mercedes-Benz GLS is all new for 2020, and it was released at the New York Auto Show. With three rows and seating for six, the 2nd and 3rd rows fold to offer 94 cubic-feet of cargo room. The Mercedes-Benz GLS engine is either the single turbo straight six in the GLS 450. If you have a need for speed the GLS 580 has a 4.0L twin turbo V8 with EQ Boost. This mild hybrid Mercedes-Benz GLS engine offers 504 horsepwer and 700 lb-ft of torque to all wheels when the system is fully charged. You might be shocked to learn it is built in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and sold around the world. Find Your Mercedes-Benz GLS Here BMW X7 The biggest from Bavaria is the BMW X7. It was unveiled in October of last year, and our dealers have been flooded with orders. The BMW X7 specs include seating for 7, and 90 cubic feet of cargo space with seats folded. Both models of the BMW X7 are AWD, bestowed with BMW's xDrive system. The BMW X7 xDrive 40i engine is a de-tuned version of the M3. It is a twin turbo 3.0L straight six offering 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. That is not enough for an AWD SUV, so the BMW X7 xDrive50i engine is the same as the smaller BMW X5M engine. The 4.4L twin turbo sends 456 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. It is also built exclusively in the U.S. in Greer, South Carolina and sold around the world. Find Your BMW X7 Here Audi Q8 You might have overlooked the Audi Q8 because it has so many siblings. A majority of the same parts are shared with the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne, and the Volkswagen Toureg. It was unveiled in Malaysia in March of 2019 as a competitor for the two above. The Audi Q8 specs don't include a 3rd row, which limits seating to 5. Cargo room is also limited to 60 cubic feet because of the fastback rear hatch. The body is essentially an Urus without the sharp angles. Designed for efficiency, the only Audi Q8 engine offered is a 3.0L turbocharged V6. It sends 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque to the quattro AWD system. This makes it more powerful than the Q7, which makes sense. The confusion is that it is slightly shorter and a few inches wider. Instead of being made in the U.S., it is assembled alongside its siblings in Bratislava, Slovakia. Find Your Audi Q8 Here Tell us which one of these appeals to you, and click the boxes to check the inventory from our dealers. Stay with us for all the latest in luxury and exotic news. Related: Jay Leno's Car Collection Check Out The Cars of the Sultan of Brunei

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2019

BMW Unveils "The Revival Birdcage" at Circuit of the Amer...

If you missed the MotoGP race in Austin this weekend, it proved that Austin, Texas is now a Motorsports Mecca. All the big manufacturers had displays, but one cast shade on all the others. Bavarian engineers have been hard at work on a new engine, so it needed a naked chassis to show it off. That is why BMW unveiled "The Revival Birdcage" at Circuit of the Americas. Details on the new flat-four cylinder are sparse so far, and the press release only mentions that it is much larger and air-cooled. BMW Motorrad looked back to the 1930s and found Ernst Henne's record setting designs. Turning to Revival Cycles, their team decided to build a gorgeous frame out of titanium. Details like the driveshaft and pushrod tubes are clearly evident. Our clients at Nmoto are receiving a ton of attention for their Nostalgia bike, so perhaps BMW has realized they can tap into a new market. It might seem to be a silly time to enter the Cruiser market, but BMW riders are the most brand-loyal in the two-wheel marketplace. We will be following this build closely as the details on the new motor will be impressive. Stay with us for all your BMW news! New BMW 8 Series For Sale " width="680"> Related: Nmoto Unveils the Nostalgia 2020 BMW Z4: Cool & Dangerous by Brooklyn Beckham

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2019

2020 BMW Z4: "Cool & Dangerous" by Brooklyn Beckham

If any automaker deserves respect for great photography, its BMW. Their marketing staff knows the value of the perfect image. That's why they allowed a young artist to shoot their latest roadster in Coachella. If you haven't seen one in person yet, here is the 2020 BMW Z4 in "Cool & Dangerous" by Brooklyn Beckham. The new Z4 is the cousin of the 2020 Toyota Supra and both will be in showrooms soon. Stay with us for all your BMW updates. View All BMW Z4 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 21, 2019

Behold the new BMW Watch Collection

Before cars had accurate clocks, a driver needed a proper watch to monitor the car's performance. If you think a Sport Chrono package is a little ostentatious, behold the new BMW watch collection. A press release this morning outlines 15 new timepieces. Split into two categories, the BMW Collection has 8 examples and the BMW M Motorsport collection has 7 models. Initial prices range from 169 to 439 EUR, or $192 to $499. The formal unveiling will be on March 22 at Fossil Headquarters in Basel. Our dealers have all the info along with great deals on the M3. Click the link below and find a new BMW for you. Shop BMW M3

By Andrew Nabors – March 15, 2019

New BMW 3-Series Targets a Younger Audience

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

By Andrew Nabors – February 14, 2019

2020 BMW X3 M & X4 M Competition Unveiled

SUV sales are booming, and manufacturers are locked in a horsepower war. The American contingent is led by SVE with their 1,000 horsepower Escalades and Suburbans. But there is another pair of Americans that are poised to shake up the market. BMW has unveiled the X3 M and X4 M competition models, which are built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Both the X3 M Competition and the X4 M Competition will arrive soon with 510 horsepower under the hood. Their venerable 3.0L straight six has been completely redesigned. It has a higher redline and 442 lb-ft of torque sent to all wheels. The new M xDrive has two modes, one for rear-wheel drive fun and the other for normal commuting. The Active M Differential is mounted on the rear to instantly react to cornering conditions. These drift-ready SUVs can leap to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds thanks to the new 8-speed automatic. It uses a traditional torque converter, as BMW is slowing discontinuing their dual-clutch gearboxes. Since this is the most powerful inline six BMW has ever offered, it could possibly find its way into the Z4 and its Supra sibling. Click the link below to find a BMW X Series near you and stay with us for all your M Performance updates. Shop BMW X Series For Sale Related: New Land Rover Range Rover Sport HST Unveiled SVE 1,000 Horsepower Suburban Yukon & Escalade Now Available

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

BMW News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe