BMW News

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 – March 07, 2022

BMW Teases New M3 Touring And Vindicates Wagon Fans Every...

Wagon fans, your prayers have been answered. BMW’s Touring wagon models have been a favorite for wagon fans for years, but especially stateside, they have been a rare sight. Now, wagon fans get to have something that they have been begging BMW to give them for years: a BMW M3 Wagon. Teased in the new “ICONIC PACK” video that BMW has released as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations for BMW M, the M3 Touring combines the M3’s iconic following and serious performance with the practicality, and the severely and desperately underrated looks of a station wagon. MUST READ: BMW Is Premiering The New 2023 8 Series The video films the M3 and M4 lineup as if it were a pack of wolves and the video were a nature documentary, commenting humorously on the rear-wheel-drive models’ ability to drift as though a wolf were only using its hind legs, and setting the premise of the video up as the M cars answering the “call of the mountain” to perform their “secret ritual.” We see the new Touring model at the end, touted as a “new evolution, combining skills as never seen before.” The skills in question are the ability to haul wagon-sized cargo in an iconic, beautiful, and quick bonafide performance BMW, and we can’t wait for the opportunity to do so. To wagon lovers around the world, the new BMW M3 Touring is nothing short of a dream come true. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 02, 2022

BMW Is Premiering The New 2023 8 Series

The Amelia starts tomorrow, and BMW is bringing a special surprise with them to the weekend. The Amelia is one of the world’s most renowned Concours D’Elegance events, held at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island in sunny northeast Florida. There, viewers can catch a glimpse at some of the rarest, greatest, and most beautiful cars ever made, from the past, present, and future. One of the future cars that will be at The Amelia will be making its global debut there and showing itself for the first time, and that car is the new 2023 BMW 8 Series. In time to celebrate 50 Years of BMW’s M division, the new 8 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe will be on display throughout the weekend at The Amelia. MUST READ: BMW’s New i4 and iX Get A Google Cloud AR Experience Ahead Of US Launch What we can expect to see, as with most of the updated BMW models that have been coming out, starts with an updated kidney grill, as BMW has taken their iconic grill shape and made it larger, edgier, and more modern. Along with that, BMW says that this new grill will be illuminated, and that along with that update will come new colors, new technology, and a fresher exterior throughout. The new 8 Series is joining a few other BMWs at The Amelia, as well. On Saturday, March 5, 50 vehicles, representing the 50 years of BMW M will be on display on the show field. And four very special cars will also be on view: the one-off BMW M8 prototype, derived from the cult-classic 90s 8 Series, with its beloved V12 and pop-up headlights, the 2023 BMW iX M60, BMW’s ultra-fast future electric SUV, capable of a 3.6-second 0-60 time, a BMW Classic restored 1980 M1, BMW’s legendary mid-engined supercar, and the 1999 BMW V12 LMR, which won the Sebring and Le Mans classics in the same year. BMW has an amazing Amelia weekend ahead, celebrating its motorsport past, present, and future. All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 02, 2022

BMW's New i4 and iX Get A Google Cloud AR Experience Ahea...

BMW’s driving full speed ahead into the future, and Google Cloud is along for the ride. The i4 and iX are BMW’s bold new foray into all-electric vehicles. With driving ranges that go up to over 300 miles for both models, and as much as over 500 horsepower for both as well, BMW has quickly proven how exciting, luxurious, and just how BMW an electric car can be. The futurism of electric cars, however, isn’t the only futurism that BMW wants to be a part of. MUST READ: The New BMW X5 xDrive30Li and XDrive40Li Are The Latest Long-Wheelbase China-Exclusive SUVs BMW is showing off the iX and the i4 in the futuristic way possible: with augmented reality. Google Cloud and BMW have teamed up to make an AR experience where you can place virtual models of the i4 and iX in real-world environments, and view them in exceptional detail. You’ll get to walk around the cars, change paint colors, turn the lights off and on, and open and close the doors. The detail level goes all the way down to being able to see the grain of the leathers and the patterns of the carbon fiber. The experience is available now on bmwusa.com, ahead of the launch of the iX and i4 this spring, where you can find a direct link to the experience through the Google app on iOS and Android. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 01, 2022

The New BMW X5 xDrive30Li and XDrive40Li Are The Latest L...

Chinese customers’ love for long-wheelbase cars extends (pun intended) to the BMW X5. In what many of us in the West see as a strange expression of luxury, the Chinese market has a particular affinity for taking luxury and executive cars that would not normally be seen as limousines and stretching them for a longer wheelbase. Whether this is simply for added luxury and comfort, or to hire a chauffeur and be driven in the ultimate luxury of convenience, the Chinese market has an unprecedented demand for longer cars, with models like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, and even the Mercedes-Benz A-Class getting the long-wheelbase treatment and sumptuous rear seating, making them into little limousines. MUST READ: BMW Group Sets Sales Records For 2021, and Electric Cars Helped In a Big Way The newest car to become a part of this strange long-wheelbase phenomenon is the BMW X5. The lengthened X5 retains all of the qualities that make it a global hit, like its xDrive all-wheel-drive system, smart luxury, and sleek looks. However, for the Chinese market, length isn’t the only bonus that the long-wheelbase X5 receives. The second-row seats also get four degrees of extra reclining, and the rear seats also receive ambient lighting, extra controls, and a smartphone tray for the bonafide Chinese market rear seat experience. BMW cites its commitment to the Chinese market as the reason for making the long-wheelbase X5 and has gone as far as building this new X5 at a plant in Shenyang, China, making it the first executive-segment BMW X model to be made in China. The long-wheelbase BMW X5 will be available in China starting in April, and it’s a luxury SUV, “made in China, for China.” Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 24, 2022

BMW Kicks off M's 50th Anniversary Celebrations With A Hu...

BMW rallies their M-enthusiast “team” the way any team would: with a huddle. This year marks the 50th anniversary of BMW’s M division, and while the actual anniversary won’t technically be until May, an entire year’s worth of celebrations have already started. The 50th-anniversary celebrations will be divided into four chapters, each spanning a quarter. The first has already started, “Huddle Speech,” which is exactly that: a scene of BMW M vehicles ranging from the M1 Procar to the XM Concept, to the i4 M50, and even motorcycles, all huddled in a circle, rallying each other to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their shared passion for motorsport. MUST READ: BMW Announces Its Special Edition M850xi Gran Coupé With Artist Jeff Koons In the “Huddle Speech” film, the speakers talk about the fact that M rests on the passion for motorsport and speed that everyone within it has, and that they not only celebrate their past but celebrate “the next race” and their future, beginning and ending with a resounding yet simple statement: We are M. BMW says that the second chapter of celebrations will focus on M’s history, while the third focuses on electric vehicles and the fourth on the M lifestyle. We have quite a year ahead of us, but with a huddle like this, we’re ready to get started. All BMWs For Sale

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 – February 15, 2022

BMW M Celebrates 50-Years With The M2 CS Racing As The 20...

The M2 CS Racing makes its first appearance on the MotoGP track. The M-Division of BMW operates as the heartbeat for the brand, achieving success in the automotive industry through its fleet of motorsport-inspired performance vehicles. BMW is celebrating 50-years of M in 2022 with its participation as the Official Car of MotoGP throughout the season. Leading the pack on the race track is the BMW M2 CS Racing vehicle, the first race car to be used as a lead car in MotoGP. As part of its expanding garage of race cars, the BMW M2 CS Racing features its own one-make race series that takes place on some of the world’s most iconic circuits and includes prizes for teams. MUST-READ: BMW Announces Final V12 Car, And Only 12 Will Be Made The BMW M2 CS Racing chassis is redesigned to meet track specifications using motorsport driving aids that include ABS and DSC, a mechanical limited-slip differential, cooling upgrades, a specially designed driveshaft, and a carbon roof. For its role as an Official Safety Car, the BMW M2 CS Racing only required modifications in a few areas, including the addition of light bars and front lights. The livery of the new BMW M2 CS Racing MotoGP™ Safety Cars is a reference to the 50th anniversary and is based on the anniversary logo of BMW M GmbH. The BMW M2 CS Racing Safety Car will make its debut as the lead car for MotoGP at the opening race on March 6th in Qatar. View all the current BMW M2 CS models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more news on the BMW M-Division. View All BMW M2 For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 18, 2022

BMW Announces Final V12 Car, And Only 12 Will Be Made

All good things must come to an end, and the same goes for BMWs with V12 engines. BMW has been ambitious about announcing their move towards electric cars. With the iX, i4, and other models going electric, things are changing quicker than ever. As exciting as the move to electric cars is, the change also means that its V12 combustion engine will be bowing out, and while we’ll never be ready to see such an incredible powertrain go, it will do so in style. MUST READ: BMW Group Sets Sales Records For 2021, and Electric Cars Helped In a Big Way The final V12 BMW will be limited to 12 M760is, and they are all going to be clearly marked with V12 badges and limited edition plaques. Customers will get to choose any BMW Individual paint color, as well as any BMW Individual Merino leather interior color, and these legendary luxury machines will also come with Sky Lounge LED roofs, remote control parking, and Bowers and Wilkins sound systems. With 601 horsepower, the final V12 BMW will be no joke, and with that kind of performance, BMW makes it even harder to say goodbye to such a powerful, luxurious vehicle. While it won’t be easy to see the V12 BMW go, we wouldn’t want it to happen any other way. Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 14, 2022

Discover The Golden Age Scooter By NMoto

NMoto time travels to the past when creating The Golden Age. Designed as an easy-to-use option for two-wheel transportation, scooters are becoming more common on the road with iconic brands sporting their own variations. The motorcycle manufacturing specialists at NMoto of Miami, FL take pride in reimagining modern-day two-wheel BMW chassis into art deco bikes that feature pre-war motoring designs. NMoto is excited to announce the launch of its newest model, the all-new Gold Age scooter. The new NMoto Golden Age takes shape as a BMW CX400 that channels inspiration from the 1936 Henderson Courtney Prototype. Using a unique 9-piece carbon fiber body kit, the Golden Age includes an array of exterior components to help create an identity for itself as an art deco masterpiece. MUST-READ: NMOTO Unveils 1 of 10 Nostalgia Limited Editions The NMoto Golden Age comes available in four unique colorways that provide head-turning appearances. Powering the new mid-size scooter from NMoto is a 350cc engine that makes 34-horsepower, making it the perfect option for traveling through a city-like environment. While the look and feel of the Golden Age represents a vintage era, its platform features state-of-the-art technology like a connectivity dashboard with a 6.5-inch TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity, heated seat and steering grips, multifunction display, and an on-board computer. Enjoy a pleasurable riding experience with added safety features that include ABS/ASC, full Brembo disc brakes, full LED lights, and a FlexCase storage compartment for two helmets. The all-new Golden Age is currently available through NMoto starting at $12,490 by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury motorcycle news and releases. Discover The NMoto Golden Age Source: NMoto

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 13, 2022

BMW Group Sets Sales Records For 2021, and Electric Cars ...

As a whole, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million vehicles worldwide in 2021. The BMW brand celebrated 2.2 million sales last year, which puts them at the top of the food chain in the global premium segment. This surpassed their previous all-time high by 9.1 percent compared to 2019, and BMW Group cites the introduction of electric vehicles as one of the biggest contributing factors. In Germany, one in every four BMWs sold is electrified, and MINI’s electric model has become their highest volume seller. As BMW announces a continuing move towards electric powertrains, the success of those models indicates that it is a welcome change. BMW plans to sell 10 million electric cars worldwide in the next decade. MUST READ: 3 BMW M4 Competition x KITH Editions Now Available At Sarchione Auto Gallery BMW’s M models also celebrated an all-time sales record, with the M3 and the M4 having a massively successful 2021. Rolls-Royce sold almost 6,000 cars in 2021 as well, which is the most that the brand has sold in one year in it’s entire 117-year history. The Ghost and the Cullinan sold especially well, and with record numbers of bespoke orders, Rolls-Royce plans to make Rolls-Royce Coachbuild a permanent fixture in its offerings. We learned that Rolls-Royce also plans to move to offering electric cars, and the inaugural electric Rolls-Royce, the Spectre, is set to be released at the end of 2023. With a record year on the books for BMW Group, it looks like everyone is ready to welcome the future of the automotive world with open arms. BMW For Sale Source: BMW

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