McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

BMW News

BMW news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, M division launches and electric range developments. Our coverage runs from the 7 Series through the M cars and across BMW's growing electric line-up, alongside the earlier models that still trade strongly. Reporting comes from first-drive access and from the auction results that determine collector values. Many sites carry performance car news, but few carry it beside live inventory. A great many of the BMWs covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so a review and an asking price appear together. For BMW news today, and the luxury car news around it, start below.

By Andrew Nabors – October 13, 2020

2021 BMW M4 Competition Coupe vs. M3 Sedan

Last week, German Auto Journalist @GregKable confirmed that Mercedes-Benz had discontinued their manual transmissions. This comes at a time when Porsche, Cadillac, Hyundai, and Subaru are seeing a resurgence of three-pedal popularity. That is why the Masters in Munchen refuse to build boring cars. Because it can be hard to choose between 2 or 4 doors, here is their 2021 BMW M4 Competition Coupe vs. M3 Sedan. 2021 BMW M4 Coupe & M3 Sedan Officially Unveiled For the new model-year, both cars in competition form offer 502 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The legendary straight-six S58 has been revised with a taller deck height and the core of the cylinder head is 3D printed. Essentially two inline 3-cylinders, the front and rear have their own single-scroll turbos. Manual transmissions are standard equipment, with boring boxes remaining an option. While the M3 is rated to be a tick slower, it is more practical for friends and family. You can't make a wrong decision here, so click the button below to browse the latest from BMW's M Division and stay with us for all your BMW news. BMW M3 For Sale BMW M4 For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – September 30, 2020

2021 BMW X2 M Mesh Edition

Compact utility vehicles are one of the hottest segments of the industry, and that is why the masters in Munich have cooked up something special. The 2021 BMW X2 Mesh Edition is aimed at the daring and bold. Of course it has a mesh grille, and the bright orange vinyl is a great contrast to the Brooklyn Grey paint. If that's not your cup of tea, Arctic White, Phytonic Blue and Sunset Orange can be had with black decals. The M Aerodynamic wheels are available in the same color as the decals, and they are staggered with 19"/20" front to rear. New LED headlights incorporate additional "bad weather lights" which is a chic term for fog lights. The puddle lamps proudly display the X2 logo and the body trim is high-gloss ShadowLine. Inside you are treated to mocha leather and anthracite Alcantara. Rated at 23 mpg city and 30 highway, it offers 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque with room for family and errands. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW X2 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 30, 2020

2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible To Arrive With Soft Top

Folding Hardtops are entertaining and insulating, but their weight and complicated systems are sacrifices. That is why the 2021 BMW 4 Series convertible will arrive with a soft top. Without a dozen synchronized motors, cloth allows the new 4 Series to have a lower center of gravity and lower curb weight. BMW has been building the best new convertibles for 35 years, and the new 4 Series is a departure from the norm. Instead of building a coupe without a roof, the body stands alone in their lineup. While it closely resembles the 4 Series coupe, the chassis and body required more steel to offer the same driving experience. Torsional rigidity and steering response are identical to the coupe thanks to a new "panel bow" soft top. The roof is 40% lighter while having class-leading thermal and acoustic insulation. The six-cylinder models will have mild hybrid assistance, with the base model offering 374 horsepower. Click the button to learn more and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW 4 Series For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – September 23, 2020

2021 BMW M4 Coupe & M3 Sedan Officially Unveiled

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

By Andrew Nabors – September 21, 2020

2021 BMW M3, M3 Touring, & M4 Teased

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

By Edward Jones – August 12, 2020

BMW is Actually Making an M3 Touring Wagon

Hey everyone. I'm just here to let you know that for the first time ever, there will be an BMW M3 Touring. Yes, this model will join the BMW M GmbH's model range for the first time in history. Excited? Me too. This new model will be powered by a six-cylinder M TwinPower turbo engine, have five doors available, and plenty of storage space. BMW says this about new introduction of the new model: "As the fourth model variant, the BMW M3 Touring fulfils the hopes of all those who wish to take the M-specific interplay of racing-oriented performance and everyday suitability to the extreme." I, for one, I'm more than excited and I can't wait to see it in its entirety. Unfortunately, the car is still in the early stages of what BMW is calling a two-year series development process. BMW also says that they will be testing and tuning the M3 Touring on the Nurburgring, so hopefully those eagle-eyed spotters will be capturing some footage of it in action soon.3 See All BMW M3s for Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 28, 2020

BMW Unveils Nice Upgrades for M3, M4, and M5.

Nothing beats the precision of a Bavarian Supercar. That is why BMW has unveiled a few nice upgrades for the 2021 model-year M3, M4, and M5. Starting with the big sedan, the M5 and 5 Series models can be upgraded with M Performance parts. Starting with carbon fiber, the front splitter, dive planes, rocker panels, and wicker bill really add an aggressive flair. The kidney grilles can be surrounded in gloss black or carbon, and a lower rear diffuser will keep you planted at triple-digit speeds. An optional M Performance steering wheel has Alcantara recessed grips and a red hash mark at noon. While your there, swap out the base model shift paddles for carbon fiber to complete the look. Underneath, the M5 Competition can be lowered by 20 mm by adjusting the coil-overs. This will allow you to corner-weight your car without buying expensive parts. M Performance forged 20" wheels allow you to upgrade to their big brake package, and they are offered in Ferric Gray or 2-tone finishes. Browse BMW M For Sale " width="680"> As a tease of the upcoming models, M Development Director Dirk Haecker explains how the M3 and M4 have been greatly improved. Starting with 480 horsepower on the base models, each can be had with a manual transmission. Competition models will make 530 horsepower through the 8-speed automatic. The front suspension and subframe is all new to prevent understeer. Straight-six engines with sequential turbos are heavy, so the front tires are much wider than last year. A new brake-by-wire system allows the driver to program just how aggressive the calipers react, something all cars should offer. Tell us your favorite M car in the comments below and stay with us for all your BMW news.

By Andrew Nabors – July 24, 2020

2021 BMW X7 Dark Shadow Edition Unveiled

Perhaps it is the dismal conditions the virus has caused, but for some reason, buyers are demanding blacked-out details. Yesterday Lexus unveiled the 2021 NX Shadow Line, and today our friends in Spartanburg, South Carolina have unveiled the 2021 BMW X7 Dark Shadow Edition. The X Series has been built in the U.S. since they were launched, and the plant offers BMW Individual paint options on each model. Puma Motorsport Releases New BMW M Motorsport Gear Limited to 500 examples, this new color is Frozen Arctic Grey Metallic. All of the bright exterior trim is now gloss black as part of the Shadow Line package. All options are included, so that means you will have a roof rack, 22" M-Alloy wheels, M Sports Exhaust, and full Merino Leather interior. The contrasting hides are Night Blue and Black, and other interior details are Piano Black. Click the button below for all the details from our dealers and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW X7 For Sale

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2020

Production of the New BMW 4 Series Coupe is Now Underway

It's time to get excited, because the new BMW 4 Series Coupe is now in production at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. This new model is being produced at the plant alongside the updated BMW 5 Series Sedans, like the M5 and 5 Series Touring. In total, the Dingolfing plant is launching the production of five different models at the very same time. For many, the most exciting is the new 4 Series Coupe that dons a whole new design. Sitting at the top of the range is the M440i xDrive Coupe, which is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine that delivers 374 horsepower. We can't wait to see these new BMWs finally hit the road. See All BMW 4 Series for Sale

By Edward Jones – June 24, 2020

BMW Digital Key Coming to the iPhone

iPhone users will soon be able to unlock their BMW through their phones. This news comes after it was announced at the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference that BMW will be the first carmaker to allow customers to turn their iPhone into a key. This new integration will allow customers to unlock their car with a simple tap. They can then place the phone in the smartphone tray, hit the start button and get to driving. Users will also be able to share the digital key with up to five different friends. The installation of the BMW Digital Key will be accomplished through the BMW Smartphone App. BMW also notes that there will be Apple Watch integration and there will be a special power reserve for the iPhone where car keys will function for up to five after hours the phone powers off due to low power. Models that will be compatible include the models in the following ranges: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, X5, X6, X7, X5M, X6M and Z4 if manufactured after July 1st 2020. As for the iPhones that can use the Digital Key, that will be any that's iPhone XR, iPhone XS or newer. A release date for this feature has not been announced as of yet. See All BMWs for Sale

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