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 Jordan Aquistapace – April 21, 2026

Fresh Off Masters Glory, Rory McIlroy Goes Green With a 700HP BMW M5

Coming off what may be considered one of the best weekends of his career, Rory McIlroy has further cemented himself as one of the greatest golfers of all time, joining an ultra-exclusive list of only three names to go back-to-back at The Masters. Naturally, as car enthusiasts, we couldn’t help but wonder: what does a two-time Masters champion drive on a daily basis? With a little help from BMW, we got a closer look at Rory McIlroy’s go-to choice. Given his partnership with BMW, a genuine passion for cars, and the need for room for both family and golf gear, his ideal daily driver naturally lands on the all-new BMW M5 sedan.What makes Rory McIlroy’s BMW M5 even cooler is its eye-catching Isle of Man Green finish, which just so happens to match the second green jacket from his big win at Augusta National Golf Club. BMW even took to its Instagram to showcase the dynamic duo, with a caption that reads, “Rory and green just look right.💚🏆” And while we’ve seen him behind the wheel of practically every BMW, including the M3, X7, 7-Series, I8, and even I3, the M5 Sedan feels right at home as the perfect dad-mobile.The latest BMW M5 keeps its legacy alive as the ultimate do-it-all performance sedan. The new generation takes things a step further with a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 paired with an electric motor, offering a plug-in hybrid setup that pushes out around 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. And with BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, it launches from 0–60 mph in just over 3 seconds and can reach a top speed of up to 190 mph. With all that performance and practicality, there’s no better choice for Rory McIlroy and his drive to become the greatest of all time on the golf course. All BMW M5 Inventory

A man in a gray suit leans against a red E30 BMW M3 with a Florida license plate reading "WTBM3." Trees with string lights add to the scene, evoking the bold style of DJ Khaled.

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 05, 2025

Jay-Z and Lenny S. Gift DJ Khaled a Nostalgic E30 BMW M3 ...

The red , two-door BMW represented the start of friendship, and a musical legacy. When you think of DJ Khaled, the first images that probably come to mind are mansions, private jets, and a garage full of luxury cars. But ask him, and he’d likely tell a different story—one rooted in humble beginnings, relentless work ethic, and a constant grind to hustle and be great. And as he recently celebrated his 50th birthday in Miami, surrounded by friends and family, it's incredible to take a walk down memory lane with DJ Khaled and reminisce on some of the key moments that led to him making his mark on music forever. That nostalgia came to life in the form of a four-wheel icon this year, as DJ Khaled took to Instagram to show fans and followers the moment when longtime friend Lenny S. gifted him an E30 BMW E30 on behalf of himself and Jay-Z. @djkhaled Instagram At first glance, you’re probably wondering where a late 80s M car will sit in a collection of Rolls-Royces and Maybachs, but what you don’t understand is that the E30 M3 represents a pivotal moment in time for Khaled. Along with a small-scale model of the car, framed photos of a young Khaled reveal that at just 15 or 16 years old, the world-renowned music producer and entrepreneur owned that very M3 during his early years and rise to the top of music charts. The two, struck with smiles, continue reminiscing about the now highly collectable M3 and how it ultimately caught fire after Khlaed installed an audio system in it. The real surprise came when Lenny S. walked Khaled outside to his driveway, where a pristine red 1991 BMW E30 M3 sat parked like a blast from the past. @djkhaled Instagram As if things could get any better, the M3 came fitted with a vanity plate that reads “WTB-M3,” which is the original plate that Khaled put on his car. It wasn’t long before he was sitting in the front seat, going on about the days when he was hustling, selling mixtapes and alligator leather shoes out of the trunk. Surrounded by a car collection that spans into the eight-figure mark, the excitement that came from the 34-year-old BMW just shows that nostalgia is what drives our passion for all things automotive, not just price tags. If you’re looking to add an M3 to your own collection, check out all the BMW M3s for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. All BMW M3s For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by DJ KHALED (@djkhaled) Source: @djkhaled Instagram

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 25, 2025

New 1-of-92 BMW M4 CS VR46 Celebrates Valentino Rossi's 4...

This new special edition celebrates a motorsport icon. Valentino Rossi is one of the greatest names in motorcycle racing, with an illustrious career in motorcycle racing and driving race cars. Some of his greatest achievements in the motorsport world include being a nine-time champion, boasting 89 victories and 199 podiums, and being an inductee to the MotoGP Hall of Fame. Today, Rossi is a BMW Motorsport works driver, and the owner and manager of the Racing Team VR46, which competes in MotoGP. As a BMW Motorsport works driver, Rossi competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship behind the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3, which sports his legendary signature number: 46. This year marks Valentino Rossi’s 46th birthday, and in celebration of his age matching the iconic number, BMW has revealed the new 2025 M4 CS Edition VR46, a highly-limited special edition of its iconic performance car meant to honor and celebrate the racing legend. Only 92 examples of the car will be made globally, with 46 examples in each of the two colors being offered: Marina Bay Blue Metallic and Frozen Tanzanite Blue Metallic. A limited number of both colors have been reserved for the United States market, and Valentino Rossi himself, nicknamed “the Doctor,” was involved in the design process. The carbon fiber roof of the car features a prominent VR46 graphic, along with the doors which help set the limited-edition car apart. A unique interior configuration continues the bold, motorsport-inspired color scheme, combining blue and black leather upholstery with yellow Alcantara. However, the new 2025 BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is about much more than just looks, with a 543-horsepower twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and model-specific chassis tuning and tweaks to give it the ability to rocket from 0-60 in just 3.2 seconds towards a top speed of 188 mph. With exclusivity, cherished motorsport legacy, and robust performance, the new BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is a motorsport enthusiast’s collector-grade masterpiece, and a stunning tribute to the 46th birthday of the racing icon that is Valentino Rossi and his signature number 46. View All BMW M4s For Sale Image Source: BMW

A person stands next to a white E36 BMW M3 Lightweight with a racing flag design. A red arrow points to a photo of another person, possibly Supercar Ron, on the wall behind.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 17, 2025

Supercar Ron Shows Off His E36 BMW M3 Lightweight Once Ow...

An already-collectible M3 with an incredible story of ownership. Holding the title of BMW's first and most iconic M car ever made, the BMW M3 tells a story of German automotive excellence with six ongoing generations. And while each one represents a moment in time and the evolution of performance, the E36 generation remains one of the favorites amongst passionate BMW collectors and purists. Even rarer than the regular production E36 M3 is the M3 Lightweight, a limited-production variant that allowed BMW to shed almost 850 lbs of its overall weight. Of the only 126 chassis known, the late Paul Walker once owned five examples in his incredible collection of cars. As part of Supercar Ron's newest YouTube video, he takes a deep dive into his E36 BMW M3 Lightweight, owned by the Fast & Furious movie star. Ron bought the car at a special Barrett-Jackson auction event while on stage for $220,000 ($242,000 after auction fees), as it stood out as the lowest mileage and best condition of the five examples. Referring to Paul Walker as the James Dean of our time, Ron expresses his love for the M3 and the fact that it will always remain in the collection for the rest of his life. Even tying Paul's significance as an automotive icon to the influence it had on him acquiring a 1,200 horsepower MK4 Toyota Supra and an 8,000-mile R34 Nissan GT-R. The M3 Lightweight remains a daily driver in Ron's fleet and features subtle bits and touches that separate it from normal production M3s, including M-color checkered graphics, M parallel wheels, and 90s confetti-style seats. Continuously gaining notoriety as a BMW icon and a cultural piece of automotive history, Supercar Ron's 1996 BMW M3 Lightweight from Paul Walker's collection holds up against hypercars like his $4 million Aston Martin Valkyrie Roadster. View all BMW M3s for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW M3s For Sale " width="680"> Source: Supercar Ron YouTube

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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 – September 08, 2022

Watch A 500+ HP BMW M5 Wagon Race A Professional Golfer O...

Two completely different sports competing using Bridgestones product line of high-performance tires and golf balls. Nowadays, it's easy to pull a vehicle's performance figures using state-of-the-art tuning technology and high-tech dyno systems. The team at DriveTribe find more creative ways to measure the power output using other strategic challenges. On the most recent video uploaded to its YouTube channel, DriveTribe partners with Bridgestone to see if a golf ball can outperform a set of sport tires. Enlisting help from professionals, TopGear host Richard Hammond takes the wheel of DriveTribe's BMW M5 Wagon while renowned golf YouTuber Rick Shields sets up at the tee box. MUST-READ: Jay Leno And Post Malone Drive The New Hennessey Venom F5 On Jay Leno’s Garage The race takes place at the old Aintree F1 track in England, where Richard Hammond needs to try and complete two laps before Rick Shields finishes the par-four hole parallel to the track on foot. The weapons of choice are a set of Bridgestone Potenza Sport tires and the Bridgestone Tour BXS golfball. At the drop of the flag, Shield tees off alongside Hammond's perfect launch start. Without giving away the results, this is a close race that you will need to see for yourself to believe. Click on the video link above to watch Richard Hammond race a pro golfer around an old F1 track. View all current BMW M5 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and celebrity car news. VIEW ALL BMW M5 FOR SALE Source: DriveTribe YouTube

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2020

Tom Cruise Drifts BMW M5 for 'Mission Impossible 7'

Mission Impossible 7 may not be coming out until November 19, 2021, but we are at least are getting a glimpse at what to expect thanks to a sneaky video on YouTube. This video, uploaded by SupercarsNews, shows Tom Cruise drifting a BMW M5 around a corner with subsequent chase cars in pursuit. Oddly enough, all of the doors on his M5 have been taken off. While the M5 being drifted by Tom Cruise is awesome to see, it's what follows behind that caught my eye. After the police cars pass, an all-black Nissan GT-R with camera equipment follows behind. They are using a GT-R as a camera car? Now that's awesome! In another scene, there's also a shot of a Porshe Cayenne being used as a camera car. Check it out for yourself in the video down below. See All BMW M5s For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 14, 2020

BMW M2 by FUTURA 2000 Unveiled at Frieze Los Angeles

Contemporary artist FUTURA 2000 has taken their work to the BMW M2 Competition and turned it into a stunning piece of art. This is the first of three M2 Competitions that FUTURA 2000 is slated to create, which is having its world premiere at Frieze Los Angeles February 13-16. Across the German sports car, FUTURA 2000's signature art style can be found in white paint on the deep black finish. Even its interior trim has been touched by his artistic talent. “The BMW M2 Competition is dynamic, extroverted and, to a certain degree, pleasantly provocative. I consider it a great honour to be able to add a special touch to this vehicle,” says FUTURA 2000. BMW has also announced that FUTURA 2000 is also in the process of designing a limited-edition M2 Competition that will be available for public purchase in June 2020. SEE ALL BMW M2 FOR SALE

By Edward Jones – January 28, 2020

1979 BMW Art Car by Andy Warhol Heads to India

The legendary 1979 BMW Art Car painted by Andy Warhol is making its way over to India for the India Fair in New Delhi. This car is actually a 1979 BMW M1 Group 4 race car that Andy Warhol painted in less than half an hour. He had this to say about the car itself: "“I love this car. It’s more successful than the artwork.” Mr. Rudratej Singh, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMW Group India said, "It is at India Art Fair and I would urge our fans and patrons not to miss seeing it in person! We bring to India yet another timeless interaction between art, artist and the automobile closer to our customers and connoisseurs of art." If you happen to be near New Delhi, it will be on display at the India Art Fair from January 31-February 2. ALL BMW M1 FOR SALE Source: BMW

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