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 Edward Jones – February 08, 2016

Revealed: 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 BiTurbo

A quick trip to BMW's website under the "M" section will show that the M7 isn't currently listed in their lineup-- unfortunate, we agree. If you're upset about the lack of a more powerful 7-Series, don't worry, because the new 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 Bi-Turbo is here.Powering this supercar-like sedan is a 4.7-liter V8 that utilizes BMW's Bi-Turbo technology. Its power is rated at a remarkable 608 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. This power flowing through an 8-Speed Sport-Automatic transmission gives the new B7 the ability to run 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 193 mph, even with a dry weight of 4,541 lbs.2017 BMW ALPINA B7 BiTurbo Specs Engine: BiTurbo 4.7-liter V8 Horsepower: 608 Torque: 590 lb-ft Dry Weight: 4,541 Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic 0-62 mph: 4.2 seconds Top Speed: 193 mph Being a luxury sedan of its magnitude, the new B7 glides across the pavement as a result of the inclusion of Dynamic Damper Control (DDC) and Active Comfort Drive with Road Preview. With DDC, the car's can be adjusted up or down for a total adjustable range of 40 mm, giviing the driver the ability to ride smooth on any road.Separating the new B7 from the rest of the crowd is the fresh interior and exterior. On the outside are new body components in the form of aero enhancements that give the B7 a new face and rear. More notable are the 20-inch ALPINA CLASSIC alloy wheels, centered around a 20-spoke architecture. Need bigger wheels? They also offer a 21-inch version as an option. Inside the cabin a refined interior laid with Nappa leather and highlighted by the digital instrument panel and media display.Pricing for the 2017 BMW ALPINA B7 BiTurbo is unknown, but we should get more details as we get closer to the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show.ALPINA B7s For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – November 12, 2015

BMW G 310 R Introduced by BMW Motorrad

BMW Motorrad, the division responsible for the marque's motorcycle development and production, has broken into the segment of bikes under 500 ccs while still providing a comfortable, powerful ride.The G 310 R motorcycle has been developed from scratch by BMW Motorrad, and as a press release issued Nov. 11 describes, it embodies everything the division stands for. Its design is athletic and fierce, yet falls in line with the rest of the marque's motorcycles in presenting a clear statement. It is undeniably BMW, and yet it does this with a single-cylinder engine.Power is a bit low at just 34 hp and 20 lb-ft, but its incredibly low weight means that power is quickly utilized; the G 310 R weighs just under 350 pounds. A steel frame helps keep it rigid, yet its low weight means it's incredibly agile."Extremely compact and with a broad spectrum ranging from comfortable to sporty and dynamic, the new G 310 R simply opens up a whole new world of experience in its segment when it comes to ride response," described the release.Check out the photos of this new motorcycle offering from BMW below, then find a BMW with four wheels for yourself from our exclusive listings.BMWs For SaleGallery (via BMW) See More Motorcycle News

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By Caitlin Duffy – November 11, 2015

BMW eRR Electric Supersport Motorcycle Concept Unveiled

Though few details were released, BMW announced that they are embarking in a new direction with their Motorrad division, looking to a new energy source for their high-performance motorcycles.The eRR Supersport is the marque's first electric motorcycle concept, one which takes the lessons learned from the BMW i program and C evolution and applies them further to the world of two wheels. As a press release issued by the marque today announced, it takes the chassis and design of the S 1000 RR, and applies an all-electric drive. As the Head of BMW Motorrad, Stephan Schaller, explained in the release, applying this technology was an easy decision."If acceleration, handling or topspeed – the RR is setting standards," Schaller said of the S 1000 RR. "However, if acceleration on the first metres, up to 50, 60 kph, is the point, the RR’s 199 bhp have to admit defeat by another BMW product: the C evolution with its electric drive."Essentially, because an electric engine provides all of its torque up front, quick acceleration from a standstill is easily possible; the Tesla's crazy 0-60 mph times in various modes prove the point well.No technical details about this concept have been introduced as of yet, but stay with us for updates as they are released. In the meantime, find your own BMW on four wheels from our exclusive listings at the button below.BMWs For SaleGallery (via BMW) See More Motorcycle News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 03, 2015

BMW Bringing M2 Coupe & M4 Coupe to Feature M Performance...

Manufacturers and aftermarket companies from around the world are all en route to, or have already arrived in, Las Vegas for the 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show BMW is there with their best foot forward, guaranteeing their place in the next 12 months of trends spawned and spread throughout the industry.The German manufacturer released a press release today showcasing their two display cars and all of the M Performance parts they've brought with them to the United States, each bearing their name more distinctly than ever before. SEMA kicked off today, and guests in the South Hall will get the first look at the M2 Coupe and M4 Coupe completely decked out in customary M colors. Each features new BMW M Performance parts, and all new M Performance parts have been inscribed with the M name.M4 Coupe owners will be happy to know that they can further the racing look of their car with the addition of new aerodynamic components, including side sill attachments, side gills in high-gloss black, carbon fiber diffuser and a through-flow rear spoiler made of carbon fiber. The front trim grille comes in high-gloss black, as do the side gills, while motor racing stripes on the side create an even more dynamic profile.M Performance updates for the M4 continue throughout the engineering and interior. The exhaust is even more lightweight, crafted from stainless steel and fitted with a rear silencer. The silencer offers two settings for sound characteristics, which both reflect the driving dynamics selected. An M twin-clutch transmission bumps 0-62 mph acceleration down to 4.1 seconds. The M4 Coupe's interior features a new steering wheel in Alcantara Anthracite, an M Performance gear selection lever, new center console trim, carbon fiber door handles and handbrake handle, LED door projectors and M Performance pedal covers.For the M2 Coupe, many of the same upgrades available for the M4 are found, including the black gloss grilles and gill elements, as well as the carbon fiber mirror caps and rear spoiler. Check out the photos of these decked out BMWs in the gallery below, then find your own M2 Coupe or M4 Coupe to upgrade from our exclusive listings.BMWs For SaleGallery (via BMW) See More BMW News

By Edward Jones – October 27, 2015

BMW M1 Design Study Supercar: Could It Happen?

It's been over three decades since production of the BMW M1 ended back in 1981. Since then, fans of the German supercar have been waiting for its successor. The closest taste we've had of a revival was the M1 Homage, a concept created in 2008 to celebrate the car's 30th anniversary.(See Also: Tesla Drone Design Concept)For Giom Mouton, a South African rendering artist, the wait has become unbearable. So, he's taken matters into his own hands and has created a new M1 Design Study.Mouton released images of a GT3-styled M1 concept and a standard version on his Facebook page yesterday, Oct. 26. These images show an incredible car concept, the likes of which we haven't seen since the M1 itself. Its long, sloping lines and wide rear are exactly what you'd want in a supercar. Collaborating with these supercar design cues are various notes of BMW design, including the grill and the GT-3 version's livery. One of the best parts? This concept has a mid-engine setup, just like the original M1.Check out the concept below and let us know if you think BMW should make something similar to this in the comments section.BMWs For SaleGallery (Source: Facebook via BMW Blog) More BMW News

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2015

The First-Ever BMW M2 Revealed

It's been only a couple of years since BMW discontinued the 1M, but we've been craving another smaller M-powered car since. Arriving just in time to save us is the all-new 2016 BMW M2 Coupe.Unleashed to the world in a press release issued today, this new model is essentially a beefed up version of the already popular M235i. It harnesses power from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, which rates at 370 hp and up to 369 lb-ft of torque. This is a 50 hp and 39 lb-ft increase over the M235i.Something to be appreciated about the M2's powertrain is that BMW allows you to choose between the standard six-speed manual transmission, with throttle blipping for easier downshifts, and the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. In a world where we're leaving the manual transmission behind ever so slowly, purists will appreciate this.When fitted with the automatic transmission, BMW states that the M2 Coupe's 0-62 mph time is just 4.3 seconds and 4.5 seconds with the manual transmission, with a governed top speed of 155 mph. However, the optional M Driver's Package can increase the top speed to 168 mph.(See Also: BMW M4 GTS in Action)A quicker 0-62 mph sprint and possibly quicker lap times are not only possible because of the added power, but also because of the Active M Differential. This active differential maximises traction in tight situations. Turn on the Dynamic Stability Control (MDM), which allows wheel slip, and you can enjoy the BMW drifts that you know and love - on a closed course with professional supervision, of course.Aside from the redesigned front and rear ends that include a new diffuser and larger air intakes, BMW has added width and length to the car to make it even more muscular than before. In the front, an additional 2.16 inches have been added to the body, while the rear has an added 3.15 inches. These new dimensions not only help the M2 hug corners a bit more easily, they also allow space for the 19-inch wheels and new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (front: 245/35 ZR 19, rear: 265/35 ZR 19).Unfortunately, pricing for the M2 Coupe has not been revealed yet, but sales are expected to start early next year.Gallery (Source: BMW) BMW News, Videos and Pics

By Caitlin Duffy – October 08, 2015

BMW M4 GTS in Action

On paper, the BMW M4 GTS is one of the most impressive creations to carry the M badge. But when you see it hitting a wet track, you'll know that fact is certain.Capable of finishing the Nürburginring's Nordschleife in just 7 minutes 28 seconds and reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 3.8 seconds, this new M4 is unlike any before it. As we found out yesterday, an innovative water injection system vastly improves the engine's abilities, leading to some insane performance from the turbocharged six-cylinder.(See Also: BMW Concept Stunt G 310 Motorcycle Introduced)BMW shares a look at that performance in a video added to their YouTube page Oct. 6. After seeing how incredibly well the M4 GTS handles a slick track, it cuts back and forth from one to two cars on the track, with the second purportedly showing "yesterday's" track run. The first car finishes a half second before the second, and text flashes onto the screen asking viewers to do one simple thing: "Challenge yourself."Check out the video below, and if you can't quite wait to get your hands on this water-injected monster, find an existing M4 from our exclusive listings.M4s For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More BMW News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 07, 2015

BMW Concept Stunt G 310 Motorcycle Introduced

Another motorcycle design has come rolling out of BMW's doors, but this one is for one specific purpose: stunt riding.With a balance between aggressiveness and control, the Concept Stunt G 310 motorcycle has hit that perfect sweet spot of being compact and agile with enough power to easily strike any pose. As a press release issued today by the German auto manufacturer describes, four-time World and European stunt riding champion Chris Pfeiffer assisted in its development, lending his expertise in the field to their program.“Stunt riding is a demanding and multi-faceted sport. Ideally you need a compact, agile bike which is also stable and robust at the same time," said Pfeiffer in the release.Based on a single-cylinder study, the G 310 concept features quite a few modifications specific to stunt bikes, including a lockable throttle for constant propulsion and two rear wheel brakes. The larger rear brake is activated using a brake lever on the left handlebar, in a location that allows it to be used at the same time as the clutch.(See Also: BMW M4 GTS Production Model Revealed: Specs and Pics)But what stands out most is the bike's bright appearance. Classic white acts as the base color, while the red and blue of BMW's M division play around the exterior with the green and yellow of Brazil's flag, since the bike was unveiled in Brazil at South America's largest motorcycle show. Check out the photos of this agile new motorcycle in the gallery below, and find yourself a four-wheeled BMW from our exclusive listings.BMWs For SaleGallery (Source: BMW) See More BMW News

By Edward Jones – October 07, 2015

BMW M4 GTS Production Model Revealed: Specs and Pics

Back on Aug. 14, BMW unveiled the BMW Concept M4 GTS: a water-injected take on the M4 Coupe. Fast forward to today, and BMW has unveiled the production version of the car and all of its specifications in a press release.Being called, unsurprisingly, the M4 GTS, it's the first high-performance special edition BMW has created for the M3/M4 model range, according to the release. But what makes it high-performance? Well, the new water-injection system is a great place for us to start.At its core, the M4 GTS utilizes the turbocharged six-cylinder engine found in the M3/M4. Unlike the base models, however, the GTS has what BMW is calling "innovative water injection technology." This new injection system raises the power up to 500 hp, a 75 hp increase over the base model, and 442 lb-ft of torque, a 36 lb-ft increase over the base model.(See Also: New Porsche 911 Targa 4 & Carrera 4 Models Introduced)Thanks to the car's lightweight carbon fiber construction and the aforementioned boost of power, the M4 GTS is quick. In fact, it can complete a 0-62 mph run in 3.8 seconds, .3 seconds faster than the base model, and has a limited top speed of 189.5 mph, which is 33.5 mph faster than the base model.To make the car even more capable is the three-way M coilover suspension that can be adjusted depending on conditions or the driver's taste. This suspension combined with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (front: 265/35 R19, rear: 285/30 R20), a light weight and massive power, makes the M4 GTS a monster on the track. So much so that BMW says it can complete Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7 minutes 28 seconds.Only 700 units of the BMW M4 GTS are planned for production, at a currently unknown price.M4s For SaleGallery (Source: BMW) See more BMW News, Photos and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – October 01, 2015

New BMW X4 M40i Introduced

BMW's M division has taken another model and cranked it up to impressive levels, bringing a new entry to the Sports Activity Coupe segment. The BMW X4 M40i is a dynamic drive that's just as beautiful as it is capable, and the new top-of-the-line offering for the X4 series.A full look at this 4-door model shows a sleek design both inside and out, with special color choices adding a new level of distinction. A press release issued today by the marque include quite a few images, and says that he X4 M40i is "setting new standards with even more keenly honed driving dynamics, a high degree of emotionalism and singular exclusivity."The front and side mirrors have been finished in Ferric Grey, and when combined with Chrome Black tailpipes and 20-inch, M light-alloy, double-spoke wheels, they create a striking appearance for the car. The interior shows off its M styling in the form of M leather on the steering wheel and an M gear shift lever, as well as on the sport seats and model-specific door sills.This model sees the world premier of a new M developed engine, a TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder. The power created has been cranked up to 360 hp and 343 lb-ft, meaning the X4 M40i can sprint from 0-62 mph in 4.9 seconds and reach an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.(See Also: BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage R's Booming Engine)Check out the photos of this new release in the gallery below, and find your own X4 from our exclusive listings. Gallery (Source: BMW) See More BMW News

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