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 03, 2021

Watch The 2022 BMW M4 GT3 Scorch The 'Ring

He's going the distance! In order to build the Ultimate Driving Machine, the Bavarians pulled out all the stops. Last Thursday, fans at the Nurburgring Nordschleife were treated to the latest M4. BMW's GT3 cars look and sound ready to take on the world, and these hot laps made sure it was ready to race. The forged S58 3-liter is their latest straight-6, and it can be had with an 8-speed automatic or six-speed stick. Adjustable cams and twin-scroll turbos offer 510 horsepower to the rear wheels, but our dealers can order xDrive for the new M3 and M4 Competition. Are you ready for this year's endurance races? Tell us what you think of the fast BMW in the comments below. Shop BMW M4 Images (C) BMW M GMBH

By Andrew Nabors – April 22, 2021

2022 BMW M4 Competition Meets The M4 GT3

"Who made who" The chicken or the egg, which one was first? That's what Bavarian motoring fans have been asking themselves. If you need a 510 horsepower coupe (or M3 sedan) that can be AWD when needed, the BMW M4 Competition is for you. However, if you need a race car to run at Sebring, Daytona, or LeMans, the M4 GT3 has your name on it. Honestly, it's a tough choice. A quick office poll shows that some of us want a stock M4 with cup holders. Other people asked if the GT3 can be driven on the street...Tell us which BMW is right for you, then click the button to find yours! Browse BMW M4 For Sale Image (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2021

BMW Introduces The Ultimate Self-Driving Machine

Milo Ventimiglia lets the M4 Competition drive itself Crying over a car movie happens, so you need to watch The Art Of Racing In The Rain. In it you will see Milo Ventimiglia putting in some great work behind the wheel. To show us what the new M4 is capable of, BMW allowed him to introduce the Ultimate Self-Driving Machine. A play on their popular tagline might sadden you. The notion of removing the driver from the experience is not something BMW's M Division could have predicted. Their latest M4 offers 503 horsepower from a 3-liter twin-turbo. The straight-six can be had with an 8-speed automatic, but who wants a transmission that shifts itself? Autonomous cars with three pedals are what everyone needs, so this is another epic APRIL FOOLS DAY! The M3 and M4 are offered in manual to preserve the art of driving, so click the button to find yours! Shop BMW M4 Images (C) BMW USA

By Andrew Nabors – March 22, 2021

BMW M Joins Forces With Red Bull Driftbrothers for 2021 S...

Going sideways has never looked this good! Elias and Johannes Hountondji are determined to dominate the Drift Masters European Championship, and that's why BMW M has joined forces with Red Bull Driftbrothers for the 2021 season. Because every M4 Competition is built with motorsports in-mind, the team was able to forego much of the fabrication necessary to achieve a solid starting point. Their new sponsor offered straight-six power from the M4 GT3, with 510 reliable horsepower. Testing revealed it offers consistent oil pressure even past 1.5G, so much of the custom work revolved around keeping it cool for long periods of high rpm. Johannes said: "I have never seen an engine like the one in the BMW M4 Competition, a more or less thoroughbred racing engine in a road-legal vehicle." Back in 2017 they cliched 1st and 2nd place, and they have placed in the top spots since then. If you want to see what gives them such an advantage, the M4 Competition is the ultimate driving machine. Shop BMW M4 Image (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – February 03, 2021

2021 BMW M3 & M4 Competition Powertrains Explained

When six cylinders meet boost, you can have fun with 2-doors or 4. So if you want to know what makes them so potent, here are the 2021 BMW M3 & M4 Competition powertrains explained. Normally their latest engines debut in this pair, but the X3M and X4M are where we first met. Their latest 3-liter has 3 cylinders feeding each turbo. This allows them to spool instantly at the expense of a "unique" exhaust soundtrack. Both cars offer 510 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This is a better power-to-weight ratio than the iconic E46 while also maintaining 23 mpg. The 8-speed automatic is all-new, replacing the dual-clutch gearbox that weighed twice as much. It has 3 driving modes, D1 being a smooth cruise and D3 is straight from the Nurburgring. Perhaps the best feature is "Overtake". In order to leave everyone in the dust, the transmission drops to the lowest possible gear, skipping several if needed. Boost and power are instant, and smiles are genuine. To see how they are so nimble, checkout their weight and handling here. BMW M3 For Sale BMW M4 For Sale Image (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – January 14, 2021

2021 BMW M3 & M4 Cooling System Explained

Here in Florida, staying cool can be hard for high-performance cars. To see how the Ultimate Driving Machines avoid a meltdown, here is the 2021 BMW M3 and M4 cooling system explained. Marcus shows us how the iconic kidney grilles funnel air into the "cooling pack". Engineers use this term to combine the radiators for the engine, transmission, and the A/C condenser. Sharing the incoming air with the brake ducts is perfected in the world's toughest environments in order to give you the best experience. Click the button below to learn more from our dealers. BMW M3 For Sale BMW M4 For Sale Also check out the performance vs. weight of the 2021 M3 and M4 " width="680"> Image (C) BMW

By Andrew Nabors – January 11, 2021

2021 BMW M3 vs 2021 BMW M4: Performance & Weight

The quintessential straight-six supercars have received nice upgrades for this model year. In order to show us what they are cable of, BMW M has uploaded a new 2021 BMW M3 vs. 2021 BMW M4: performance & weight. The M4 Competiton Coupe offers 503 horsepower along with substantial stiffening of the chassis. The F80 chassis M3 and the F82 chassis BMW M4 make use of carbon fiber for the roof, sway bar, strut tower brace, and front seats. Making of the 2021 BMW M4 Competition x Kith Video When ordered with their dual-clutch transmission, it weighs 3,615 lbs with an empty tank. For those who shift their own gears, the 6-speed manual version is only 3,690 lbs with a full tank of fuel. Every new BMW M3 for sale offers rear doors while only adding 200 lbs of weight, preserving their spot as the Ultimate Driving Machine. Browse BMW M3 For Sale Browse BMW M4 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 02, 2020

Making of the 2021 BMW M4 Competition x Kith Video

Ronny Fieg launched his own fashion brand in 2011. Kith is based in New York and it allows him to share the latest trends with the world. Taking inspiration from his grandfather's classic E21, the 2021 BMW M4 Competition x Kith is exclusive & powerful. Since he was 12 years old, his designs for footwear and apparel have been collaborations with Nike, Tommy Hilfiger, Disney, Coca-Cola, and Versace. " width="680"> Unfotunately, the handmade interior and bespoke exterior require hundreds of hours on and off the assembly line. As such, this work of art is limited to 125 examples. Jens Thiemer, Senior Vice President Customer and Brand BMW said “With his unique ideas and Kith label, Ronnie Fieg is one of the outstanding minds and opinion leaders in the worlds of fashion, lifestyle and luxury.” The M Power twin turbo six sends 510 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque to the rear. This allows it to reach 62 mph in 3.9 seconds while looking amazing inside and out. Reservations are being accepted now, so click the link below to find our BMW M dealer near you. Browse BMW M4 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2020

2021 BMW M4 Coupe & M3 Sedan Officially Unveiled

My birthday is just a week away, and now that the M3 is 35 years old I should probably diversify my 401k. Nevertheless, the M Division builds amazing machines that make you feel young again, so we're glad the 2021 BMW M4 Coupe & M3 Sedan have been officially unveiled. While the 6th generation of the M3 will be offered as a sedan and a Touring (wagon), all 3 models will rely on the legendary 3-liter straight-six with two turbos. For those that demand the most from their ultimate driving machine, the Competition models will offer a manual transmission sending 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, with AWD coming next year. The latest version of the S58 engine has a closed deck, forged internals and wire-arc coated cylinders. The first production cars to have 3D-printed cylinder heads offer maximum torque from 2,750 to 5,500 with a redline of 7,200. " width="680"> The turbos are water-cooled by an independent cooling system. An electric water pump runs after the engine is off to allow them to cool at a controlled rate. Both the transmission and engine oil have dedicated cooling systems, ensuring optimal combustion temperatures and reliability. The brakes measure 15" and the M-Sport subframes are stronger than the base model cars. Brake-by-wire and adaptive suspension are also onboard to give you an incredible driving experience. Our dealers have all the info, so click the button below and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2020

2021 BMW M3, M3 Touring, & M4 Teased

Tomorrow we will meet new versions of old friends. After years in development, the 2021 BMW M3, M3 Touring Wagon, and the M4 have been teased on Twitter. Staying true to their heritage, a revised straight-six with dual turbos will be offered with manual or automatic transmissions. While BMW M refers to the engine as "TwinPower" each turbo is fed by 3 cylinders. Not only does this eliminate turbo lag, it adds reliability via redundant systems. The 6th generation of the M3 will be joined by a wagon, we can only hope they allow Americans to buy it. The press release mentions the return of the M4 Convertible for sale next year, so stay with us for the full debrief after the unveiling. Browse BMW M3 For Sale

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