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 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 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 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 Jordan Aquistapace – August 19, 2022

A Brand New BMW i7 Is The Hole-In-One Prize At The BMW Ch...

With a new BMW i7 on the line, these golfers better get their practice swings in before the big day. Although a hole-in-one for any golfer seems incredibly difficult to accomplish on the course, its not an impossible shot to make. Being the main sponsor for The BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club, the German automotive manufacturer decided to put that thought to the test during the weekend golf event in Delaware. BMW is excited to announce that an all-new i7 xDrive60 will be the prize for the first golfer to hit an ace at the 15th hole. The 15th hole of Wilmington Country Club East Course is a long 234-yard par 3 shot with a man-made water hazard to the left of the green, making this a challenging shot for the long list of professional golfers looking to take home a new BMW i7. MUST-READ: BMW Is Testing A New Four-Motor Electric Drivetrain For Upcoming M Models In the 15-year history of the tournament, the BMW Hole-in-One Car has only been won twice. On behalf of the first player to hit a hole-in-one at the BMW Championship (regardless of the hole), BMW will donate a full four-year scholarship to a caddie through the ESF. This has happened on five occasions in the past at the BMW Championship. All proceeds from the BMW Championship go to the foundation, which provides full tuition and housing scholarships for hardworking young caddies. View the current BMW 7 Series examples 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 Jordan Aquistapace – August 03, 2022

Shop The New PUMA x BMW M Motorsport 50-Year Autumn/Winte...

PUMA is honoring the legacy from the iconic Le Mans winning ‘Shark Nose’ 3.0 CSL race car, to the very latest BMW M4 GT4. Celebrating 50 years of racing domination, innovation, and creativity, BMW M Motorsport takes a look back on its historic timeline dating back to its beginning in 1972. With a focus on building lightweight performance chassis for on-track competition, BMW achieved success behind the wheel of iconic race cars like the Le Mans winning ‘Shark Nose’ 3.0 CSL. BMW M is proud to commemorate its milestone with a special edition collection in collaboration with its performance apparel partners at PUMA Motorsport. The all-new BMW M Motorsport Autumn/Winter ’22 Collection defines the brand and its forward-thinking on engineering faster, lighter, and more agile sports cars. MUST-READ: McLaren x APL Release The Automotive-Inspired HySpeed Sneaker Collection The creative apparel lineup incorporates the historic red, light blue, and dark blue colors of BMW M, along with logos and graphics that showcase motorsport elements. The collection includes a complete line of t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, and jackets sure to rev up interest from all fans of PUMA and BMW M Motorsport. The all-new PUMA x BMW M Motorsport Autumn/Winter ’22 Collection is currently available by clicking on the link below for more information. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle news and releases. SHOP PUMA X BMW M MOTORSPORTS Source: PUMA

By Jordan Aquistapace – June 28, 2022

PUMA Motorsports Releases The New BMW M 50 Years Collection

PUMA together with BMW M is celebrating the historic 50th anniversary; with a special edition apparel and footwear collection. As BMW M celebrates 2022 as its 50th Anniversary, the German automotive manufacturer works with its partners at PUMA Motorsport to create a commemorative apparel and accessories collection. Making its start in 1972, BMW began its iconic M Division with the goal of developing a successful race team. BMW M Motorsports helped to evolve the world of automotive racing, as well as the production of faster, light, and more agile road cars. Highlighting its 18-year partnership, PUMA Motorsport is proud to release the all-new BMW M 50-Years Collection. MUST-READ: The New BMW M3 Touring Is Both Practical And Powerful The main focus behind the collection incorporates the iconic BMW M colors, using vibrant red, light blue, and dark blue finishes to style the perfect head-to-toe fit for any enthusiast. Each piece part of the special collection includes the 50 Jahre badge, which defines the brand’s historic lineage in the road car business and motorsport activities. From the iconic Le Mans-winning ‘shark nose’ 3.0 CSL race car, to the very latest BMW M4 GT4, any BMW M badged car is simply synonymous with performance worldwide. The BMW M 50-Years Collection features a performance jacket, celebration t-shirts for women and men, a unisex hoodie, and a baseball cap. Along with the clothing line, PUMA x BMW M also includes a Blaze of Glory sneaker with patented Trinomic technology and a 3D printed metallic BMW and M logo. Shop the all-new PUMA Motorsports BMW 50-Years Collection and all other PUMA x BMW M collaboration pieces by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury gear releases and BMW M news. SHOP PUMA MOTORSPORT X BMW M Source: PUMA Motorsports

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 26, 2022

BMW Motorrad Debuts Its New Urban Collection

BMW adds fashionable storage accessories for roadtrips on two wheels. BMW Motorrad specializes in applying the same automotive values and performance to motorcycles, creating the ultimate riding experience for those looking to explore on two wheels. With a fleet of performance, off-road, and adventure platforms, BMW Motorrad prides itself on offering an extensive line of motorcycles for any type of riding. Making sure that you are well prepared for your next road trip, BMW Motorrad is happy to announce the launch of its new Urban Collection. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Celebrates 50 Years of M With An M 1000 RR Anniversary Model The Urban Collection features the perfect lifestyle solution when it comes to storing luggage and other travel necessities. The new generation of accessories includes tank bags, a backpack, side bags, and rear bags. All of the products are made of high-quality and easy-to-care-for materials, sporting modern designs that complement any one of BMW Motorrad’s models. The all-white theme is a choice that contrasts against the last Black Collection. View all of the current BMW motorcycles for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and BMW news. View All BMW Motorcycles For Sale Source: BMW Mottorad

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 17, 2022

BMW Announces Its Special Edition M850xi Gran Coupé With ...

BMW brings back the art car with Jeff Koons. The early fascination with art cars helped to bridge the gap between the two creative worlds, with industry-leading brands and world-renowned artists collaborating on reimagining some of the most iconic vehicles. BMW is one manufacturer that caught on to the art car scene with artists like Alexander Calder, Andy Warhol, Ken Done, and many more. BMW is back in the studio with American artist Jeff Koons to release THE 8 X JEFF KOONS, a collection of 99 strictly numbered M850xi Gran Coupés that present a one-of-a-kind design. Re-living the golden age of the original 90’s BMW 8 Series, Jeff Koons expresses his love for the chassis by describing the process with the BMW creative team as a dream build. MUST-READ: BMW M Celebrates 50-Years With The M2 CS Racing As The 2022 MotoGP Saftey Car The exterior styling of the BMW M850xi Gran Coupé combines eleven different exterior colors ranging from blue to silver as well as from yellow to black, with only four cars being painted each week of production. The 200-hour paint job transforms the traditional BMW 8 series using Jeff Koon’s famous comic book designs and patterns. The interior layout is designed in a multi-colored fashion made from premium leather that sports a vibrant red and blue superhero-like look. Each interior configuration features a special badge that includes the signature of Jeff Koons along with the vehicle’s production number. The all-new BMW 8 X JEFF KOONS is set to release at all BMW dealerships on a “first come, first serve” basis with price upon request. View all current BMW 8 Series models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming news on the BMW x Jeff Koons collaboration. View All BMW 8 Series For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 08, 2021

BMW x Joshua Vides Unveil The Artistic X4 M Competition &...

Dynamism emphasized thanks to Joshua Vides’ unmistakable style, the hand-painted BMW X4 M Competition x Joshua Vides. After much anticipation, BMW is proud to announce the newest collaboration project featuring visual artist Joshua Vides. The blank canvas displaying Joshua’s iconic black and white design is the performance-packed BMW X4 M Competition. The BMW X4 M Competition is one of the German auto manufacturer’s super-SUV, featuring a 3.0L Twin-Turbocharged 6-Cylinder that makes an astonishing 503-horsepower. The hand-painted design from Joshua Vides takes on a racing livery-style design that creates an aesthetically pleasing sense of depth to the traditional white paint scheme. The special project between BMW x Joshua Vides is part of the “Drive Slow Homie” series of work surrounding the intimate connection between mankind and machine. The BMW x Joshua Vides X4 M Competition will be on display at The Grove in Los Angeles for all of October opening this Friday at 9 am PST. MUST-READ: BMW Teases A New Upcoming Collaboration With Artist Joshua Vides Alongside the one-of-a-kind BMW X4 M Competition, BMW x Joshua Vides is proud to announce the release of its apparel and accessories collection. The collection includes sweatshirts, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, hats, stickers, and accessories sporting BMW branded logos with the Joshua Vides artistic touch. The collection is set to release tonight at midnight, with the first 50 online and in-person orders receiving a complimentary gift from Joshua Vides himself. The collection is also available in-person at Matte Black Coffee in Los Angles, which will become the official BMW Cafe for the month of October. Shop the new collection release from BMW x Joshua Vides by visiting joshuavides.com at midnight. View all current BMW X4 M for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW X4 M For Sale @joshuavides Media/Info Source: @joshuavides @bmw

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 22, 2021

BMW Art Cars Go Digital With Help From Acute Art

Experience the iconic BMW Art Cars anywhere in the world straight from your phone. To celebrate 50 years of cultural commitment, BMW is joining forces with Acute Art to initiate a unique exhibition: For the first time ever the renowned BMW Art Car Collection is shown in augmented reality (AR). On July 21, the project is launched via the free Acute Art app, marking the first time that the digital rolling sculptures are available for everyone all around the world at any time. MUST-READ: 1979 BMW Art Car by Andy Warhol Heads to India he first BMW Art Cars can be experienced via the App: Alexander Calder (BMW 3.0 CSL, 1975), Michael Jagamara Nelson (BMW M3, 1989), Ken Done (BMW M3, 1989), Matazo Kayama (BMW 535i, 1990), Esther Mahlangu (BMW 525i, 1991), Jeff Koons (BMW M3 GT2, 2010) and John Baldessari (BMW M6 GTLM, 2016). From then on, further BMW Art Cars will be integrated in the Acute Art App every two weeks. On time for the Art Basel in Basel all Art Cars will be included in the App. To fully discover and experience the interactive BMW Art Cars, the Acute Art app is available free of charge on the App Store and Google Play. Media/Info Source: BMW Group

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