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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 Khris Bharath – May 15, 2026

BMW Vision ALPINA Concept breaks cover at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este

BMW’s relationship with Lake Como has increasingly become about more than elegance and heritage. Over the past several years, the Bavarian automaker has transformed the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este into its preferred launchpad for low-volume halo cars, design studies, and ultra-luxury concepts aimed at the highest end of the collector market. Last year alone, the company revealed the limited-production Concept Speedtop shooting brake, the M2 CS, and the Motorrad Concept RR. The year before that, BMW introduced the Concept Skytop, a 617-horsepower targa-style roadster limited to just 50 examples. The group’s flagship brand, Rolls-Royce, has also done the same over the years, and we saw the one-off Phantom Dentelle last May and the five hand-painted Cullinan Black-Badge SUVs done by Cyril Kongo, which were shown earlier today. Now, this latest reveal may be one of the most significant ones yet. Just days after a teaser dropped earlier this week, BMW officially unveiled the Vision BMW ALPINA at Villa d’Este, confirming many of the details hinted at beforehand, including its long-wheelbase grand touring proportions, dramatically raked roofline, and positioning as the first true Alpina-era concept developed fully under BMW ownership. At 204.7 inches long, the Vision BMW ALPINA immediately separates itself from every current BMW production model. The proportions lean heavily into classic grand touring design themes, combining a low-slung body, stretched hood, slim greenhouse, and coupe silhouette capable of carrying four adults comfortably across continents at high speed. BMW also confirmed that the concept packs a V8 powertrain paired with a specially tuned Alpina exhaust system engineered around deep low-speed tones and richer acoustics at higher revs. More importantly, the Vision BMW ALPINA looks intentionally restrained compared to some of BMW’s increasingly aggressive M models. The illuminated kidney grille avoids oversized vertical proportions, while the warm white daytime running lights appear softer and considerably more elegant than anything currently offered by BMW M, whereas the flush glasshouse and fixed panoramic roof visually stretch the profile even further. BMW has also packed the concept with subtle heritage references that longtime Alpina enthusiasts will immediately recognize. The shark-nose front fascia recalls the original Alpina B7 Coupé, while the signature deco lines first introduced during the mid-1970s have been retained. Even the signature classic multi-spoke Alpina wheels return, now enlarged to massive 22-inch front and 23-inch rear. Inside, BMW deliberately avoided the minimalist approach dominating many modern luxury interiors today. Instead, the cabin focuses heavily on architectural layering, material richness, and long-distance comfort. Sculpted rear seats, crystal switchgear, machined metal accents, and full-grain leather sourced from Alpine-region suppliers reinforce Alpina’s long-standing philosophy that effortless speed and luxury should coexist. Combined with the aforementioned panoramic roof, it makes for a truly airy on-board experience. “Alpina has always represented a very specific idea of performance and refinement, where speed and comfort are complementary ambitions” - Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. <- Gallery -> This reveal also marks a significant moment for the Alpina brand itself. BMW formally assumed control of Alpina in January this year, ending an independent era that began in 1965 when Burkard Bovensiepen started building refined, high-speed BMW grand tourers in Bavaria. Models like the B7 and B5 eventually earned loyal followings among enthusiasts wanting V8 performance without sacrificing on understated luxury. But following BMW’s acquisition announcement in 2022, Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen moved on toward independent projects, most notably the Bovensiepen Zagato revealed almost exactly one year ago during the Fuori Concorso event beside Lake Como. That 611-horsepower carbon-bodied grand tourer, based on the BMW M4 and styled by Zagato. As for Alpina, BMW has confirmed the first production-era model will debut next year, and will be based on the BMW 7 Series, but developed with its own distinct identity. View All BMW Alpinas For Sale Images: BMW Alpina

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 21, 2024

BMW Reveals The New High-Tech Vision Neue Klasse X Concept

BMW shows its vision of the future of luxury SUVs. The moniker “Neue Klasse” has been used to describe the near-future generation of BMW’s lineup: featuring a bold movement towards electrification among myriad other futuristic technologies. For the first time, BMW has envisaged its Neue Klasse in a new SUV concept: The BMW Vision Neue Klasse X. With the upcoming generation of BMWs set to come to fruition as soon as 2025 with a new, fully-electric architecture, the concept shows a detailed look at what BMW’s next SUV will likely look like. Computing power is front and center for the Vision Neue Klasse X, with four “super brains” developed in-house, which will synergize and promise to provide unprecedented levels of control and automated driving capabilities, with the help of new software, also developed in-house by BMW. The new SUV concept’s design uses the signature design language of the Neue Klasse with the typical two-box design of BMW’s other X models. The interior features a whole host of futuristic ideas and technologies, including the full-width HUD seen in other Neue Klasse concepts, as well as a new “Personal Sound Experience,” delivered through a device named the HYPERSONX Wheel, delivering a holistic, real-time generated sound experience for an immersive experience while driving. Showcasing the sixth generation of BMW e-Drive, the Vision Neue Klasse X features cylindrical battery cells that are more efficient than the previous prismatic ones, as well as an 8000-volt fast charging system, and a design that uses aerodynamics, special tires, and special brakes to significantly improve efficiency. A sustainably upholstered interior in the Vision Neue Klasse X deepens BMW’s commitment to environmental consciousness, and on top of that, BMW will produce its Neue Klasse cars at the BMW Group Plant in Debrecen, Hungary, which will be the first BMW Group manufacturing site to run completely on fossil-free energy. With the introduction of the new BMW Vision Neue Klasse X, the future of BMW is on the horizon. View All BMWs For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 05, 2023

The New BMW i Vision Dee Concept Is A Color Changing, VR-...

This quirky BMW concept promises to be both car and companion. It’s called the i Vision Dee, and its fun, easygoing-sounding name is actually an acronym, standing for Digital Emotional Experience. Unveiled today at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the small sedan concept first shows off the versatility of BMW’s iconic design language. Minimalistically shaped and boxy, the simplistic design, featuring a kidney grille that spans the width of the front and blends into the headlights, serves as a sort of canvas for the car’s bright colors. These bright colors use a more advanced version of the E Ink technology introduced on BMW’s earlier iX Flow Concept, which allows the car to change between 32 colors in seemingly limitless patterns, while the iX Flow was able to change between black and white. MUST READ: PUMA Motorsport Honors The BMW M4 With An All-New BMW LGND Sneaker The i Vision Dee’s advanced technology revolves around a head-up display that spans the entire width of the dashboard, using a new Mixed Reality Slider to customize displays of an unprecedented amount of content and information. With dimmable windows, this head-up display even allows for the use of virtual reality. The Advanced Head-Up Display is a technology that BMW promises will be offered on its “Neue Klasse” models from 2025 onwards. Where the car becomes a companion is in its advanced communication systems, with the ability to make “facial expressions” and use voice and avatars to express itself between human and machine. With this new technology, BMW hopes to make driving more fun, more safe, and more personal. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Andrew Nabors – January 22, 2021

2022 BMW i4 Final Testing

Batteries are here to stay, so we're thankful that the 2022 BMW i4 is in final testing. In their latest press release, Project Manager David Camacho explains their focus is on razor-sharp handling and everyday usability. The prototypes are rated at 530 horsepower which allows 62 mph to arrive in 4 seconds flat. Aiming for a range of over 373 miles, another goal is comfort on long road trips. He hints at unique suspension abilities along with a low center of gravity. We'll keep you informed as the launch gets closer, so tell us what you'd like to see in the comments below. Image (C) BMW

By Edward Jones – February 27, 2020

BMW iNEXT is One Step Closer to Production

The BMW iNEXT is currently undergoing some intense testing, pushing it closer to production. Just after the car was in the polar circle for tests, it's now in Southe Africa for testing in extreme heat. In this phase of testing, BMW will be testing the drive and suspension components, as well as making sure the bodywork, interior, assistance system and digitalization technology all function in intense heat. (Side Note:1979 BMW Art Car by Andy Warhol Heads to India) Why the extreme heat? BMW notes that this kind of temperature would drain "any mobile phone battery in no time at all." Well, because the iNEXT runs on a battery, they're given the chance to test the integrated cooling concept for the battery, electric motor and vehicle electronics. To test this, the car is exposed to the heat for hours and then later cooled down. This tests the vehicle's ability to withstand the heat and the efficiency of the aforementioned cooling system. The BMW iNEXT is going to be an incredible model and we can't wait to see the production version. SEE ALL BMWS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2020

BMW Teases i4 Ahead of Geneva

Those who are considering an electric German sedan have been inundated with the Taycan news & reviews. However, if your allegiances are to Bavaria, BMW has teased the i4 ahead of the Geneva motor show. Henceforth, the author will refrain from typing I4, as it is the most dangerous Interstate in the U.S. We await the i4 as a proper competitor to Tesla and Porsche, so stay with us for all your BMW updates. Browse all BMw 4 Series For Sale https://www.facebook.com/BMW/videos/2864232803623191/ Related: BMW M4: Price, Specs & Review

By Edward Jones – June 25, 2019

BMW Vision M Next Revealed: The Future of BMW M Sports Cars

The future is inevitable. It's on its way, bringing new technologies with it. To prepare for what's to come, BMW is showing off where they believe the future will take them. More specifically, where the future will take their M Performance brand. Introducing BMW Vision M Next, the ultimate autonomous sports car. If it looks familiar, that's because its style was inspired by the BMW Turbo, i8 and M1. For the Vision M Next, BMW is going off of two different "experience concepts": "EASE" and "BOOST". The EASE concept revolves around the car being a mobile living space. BOOST, as you probably guessed, is all about the car providing the ultimate driving experience. BMW is essentially aiming for a car that the driver can actively control in a sporty manner and also relax in without worrying about the road. Most concept cars like this one don't have a powertrain attached to it. Thankfully, BMW did indulge us on what would be powering the Vision M Next. Power for the car would be provided by a hybrid powertrain that consists of electric motors and a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. BMW says the total power output would be at 600 horsepower, with a top speed of 186 mph and a 0 to 62 mph time of three seconds. As of now, the BMW Vision M Next is purely a concept car, but technology from it will more than likely find its way into future production cars. See All BMWs For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2019

BMW Motorrad Unveils Concept R18

It looks like BMW has taken notice of our friends at NMOTO. Retro bikes are hot these days, so it is time to see what a 1960's bike would look like in the 21st century. That is why BMW Motorrad has unveiled the concept R18. The setting was last weekend at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. This massive 1.8L boxer engine is an air-cooled two -cylinder is fed by Solex carburetors. Essentially identical to the ones found in the BMW 2002, they are rugged designs from the past. They are bolted to an engine and transmission that were bead-blasted and hand polished. To give it a naked look, the chrome driveshaft has no covers. If you want features, look somewhere else. The R18 has a starter and lights, that's it. Riding on 21" front and 18" wheels, the boxer engine keeps the center of gravity lower than any other big cruiser. It might look like a hardtail, but the cantilever rear suspension is hidden under the seat. Dr. Markus Schramm is the head of BMW Motorrad, and he said " With this dream bike, BMW Motorrad presents its own version of an emotional and authentic offer for the large cruiser segment.” It would be fun to ride a bike with more torque than a car, but it is doubtful such a design would meet emissions laws. That's why NMOTO bases their Nostalgia on the latest R9T, giving you the best of old and new. Tell us what you think of classic BMW bikes and stay with us for all your BMW updates. Configure Your NMOTO Nostalgia Billy Joel Stops by NMOTO to Test Fit His New Bike

By Andrew Nabors – April 15, 2019

BMW Unveils "The Revival Birdcage" at Circuit of the Amer...

If you missed the MotoGP race in Austin this weekend, it proved that Austin, Texas is now a Motorsports Mecca. All the big manufacturers had displays, but one cast shade on all the others. Bavarian engineers have been hard at work on a new engine, so it needed a naked chassis to show it off. That is why BMW unveiled "The Revival Birdcage" at Circuit of the Americas. Details on the new flat-four cylinder are sparse so far, and the press release only mentions that it is much larger and air-cooled. BMW Motorrad looked back to the 1930s and found Ernst Henne's record setting designs. Turning to Revival Cycles, their team decided to build a gorgeous frame out of titanium. Details like the driveshaft and pushrod tubes are clearly evident. Our clients at Nmoto are receiving a ton of attention for their Nostalgia bike, so perhaps BMW has realized they can tap into a new market. It might seem to be a silly time to enter the Cruiser market, but BMW riders are the most brand-loyal in the two-wheel marketplace. We will be following this build closely as the details on the new motor will be impressive. Stay with us for all your BMW news! New BMW 8 Series For Sale " width="680"> Related: Nmoto Unveils the Nostalgia 2020 BMW Z4: Cool & Dangerous by Brooklyn Beckham

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2018

BMW Unveils iX3 Concept In Beijing

China is a big market for automakers, so the Beijing Auto Show is a perfect place for a new BMW. Taking center stage in their display is the new iX3 Concept. It is not an X3 or a plug-in hybrid, it is BMW's first battery-powered automobile.In a press release this morning, we learned that it has a modular design. The electric motor, drivetrain, and associated high-voltage components are built as a single unit. Offering 270 horsepower and a range of 249 miles, it could be a foreshadowing of the iNEXT, a production electric car that is slated to arrive in 2021.New BMW Lifestyle Collections LaunchedNot to be outdone by other luxury brands, the battery is capable of high-voltage charging in only 30 minutes. It has a capacity of 70 kWh, making it very competitive in this segment. While some might call it a small SUV or a crossover, they use the term SAV for Sports Activity Vehicle. It is on display next to the i Vision Dynamics study, which gives us a clear view of BMW's electric future. Tell us what you think of this concept in the comments below, and click the link to find great deals on the latest conventional X3 models. Browse BMW X Series For Sale

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