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 – December 04, 2019

BMW X5 M & X6 M Competition Comparison

Don't judge a book by its cover. In the battle of Super SUVs, BMW likes to offer familiar styling with unprecedented power. If you are in the market for 4WD and 617 horsepower, here is the BMW X5 M & X6 M Competition comparison. Both the X5 M and the X6 M are available with or without the competition package. It offers 17 additional horsepower along with aggressive calibrations for the transmission and active differentials. Browse BMW X5 FOr Sale BMW X5 M BMW X6 M The xDrive system sends 553 lb-ft of torque to the rear, or instantly to all wheels if needed. Tell us which one you would choose in the comments below and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW X6 For Sale " width="680"> Related: New BMW X6 M and X5 M Competition Models Detailed in Pictures Jay Leno's Car Collection

By Edward Jones – November 18, 2019

All-Electric BMW i4 Details Released: Range, Horsepower a...

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By Edward Jones – November 06, 2019

2020 BMW M2 CS Revealed With 450 Horsepower and Standard...

The new 2020 BMW M2 CS has been revealed by the German automaker and it's quite the potent sports car. It comes packing a turbocharged six-cylinder engine that's based on the one found in the M4 Competition model. BMW says this engine's power output for the M2 CS is rated at 450 horsepower. Making all of this news even greater is the announcement of a standard 6-speed manual transmission, while the 7-speed M dual-clutch gearbox is optional. Long live the manual gearbox. Inside, the 2020 M2 CS borrows the lightweight M racing seats from the M4 CS, replete with Merino and Alcantara covers. BMW is also offering an optional M sports steering wheel with an exclusive Alcantara covering. BMW M2 CS We'll be learning more about the 2020 M2 CS when it debuts at the L.A. Auto Show, starting November 20, 2019. SEE ALL BMW M2'S FOR SALE BMW M2 CS BMW M2 CS

By Edward Jones – October 16, 2019

2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Announced: First of its Kind

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By Edward Jones – October 09, 2019

New BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe Revealed

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By Edward Jones – October 03, 2019

M Performance Parts Announced for BMW X Models

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By Edward Jones – September 12, 2019

Live Look at BMW Concepts and More at Frankfurt Motor Sho...

One of the biggest unveilings at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show is the new BMW Concept 4, a concept that gives us a glimpse into the 4 Series range's future. However, BMW brought more than this concept to the showroom floor. They brought some new production models, as well as some other concepts as well. These concepts include the striking Vision M NEXT and Vision iNEXT. Joining these BMWs were a couple of Alpinas, which are always a crowd-pleaser. Check out our images from the Frankfurt Motor Show down below! SEE ALL BMWS FOR SALE NOW BMW Concept 4 BMW Vision M NEXT BMW Vision iNEXT BMW 8 Series Coupe BMW i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition Alpina B3 Touring Alpina B7 More Frankfurt Coverage: BRABUS at IAA 2019 in Frankfurt Live Look at the Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 at Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 Live Look at the New Porsches at Frankfurt Motor Show 2019 Live Look at the New Land Rover Defender 110 at Frankfurt Motor Show 2019

By Edward Jones – September 03, 2019

BMW M4 ///M Heritage Edition Revealed

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By Andrew Nabors – August 28, 2019

BMW X6 Murdered Out With Carbon Nanotubes

Something wicked is heading to the Frankfurt Auto Show. A flat black BMW X6 would be quite appealing, but the factory took it to the next level. Working with Surrey NanoSystems, this BMW X6 was murdered out with carbon nanotubes. What might be the future of composites, nanotubes are literally tubes made of carbon atoms. Because they are so small, they absorb all light in the visible spectrum. You will only get a reflection out of it with a moderate-sized hydrogen bomb, so in essence, it is a black hole on wheels. The finish is trademarked as Vantablack, and we're not sure it would be legal to drive at night. The technology descends from the Stealth Fighter, which was retired due to an obvious issue. To find them, enemies only needed to look for the dark hole moving across the night sky. Nanotubes are so small that ingesting them can tear your DNA to shreds, promoting several kinds of cancer. We hope the painters wore respirators because this is a job well done. The X6 is all-new for 2020, so click the link below to find our dealer near you, and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW X6 For Sale " width="680"> BMW Unveils X5 Protection Armored SUV BMW M8 Competition & Convertible Finally Unveiled

By Andrew Nabors – August 27, 2019

BMW Unveils X5 Protection Armored SUV

Sun Tzu said to keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. The problem is that today it is hard to tell friend from foe. That's why something tough has just emerged from BMW's plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. If your daily commute encounters small arms fire, BMW has unveiled the X5 Protection armored SUV. After complete disassembly, every component was upgraded to VR6 specifications. This is a standard adopted by NATO for protection of state officials and dignitaries. It comes from the constant fear of assassination or kidnaping in areas like South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. First off, it has to be capable to handle 33 lbs of TNT parked next to it. This lateral blast locks the armored windows in place. Overlaps in the body seams prevent forced entry, and the drivetrain will still be running. Every piece of glass is over an inch thick, and it is rated to stop the 7.62 x 39 round fired by the AK-47. Next up, it was tested against the DM-51 fragmentation grenade developed for the Eastern Bloc nations in 1978. The X5 Protection passed without flinching and quickly evaded the situation. Under the armored hood is a highly modified X5M V8. It uses twin turbos to make 530 horsepower. Torque is what you really need to get moving, so it offers 568 lb-ft at only 1,800 rpm. The suspension, brakes, and drivetrain are all new and built to take a blast. A 30-06 might give it a headache, so if someone is after you with that you should consider your life choices. If you need more security, click the link below to find our BMW dealer near you to request more information. Browse BMW X5 FOr SAle Related: Armored Escalade Office by Lexani Motors Armored Auto Transport by Virginia Transportation

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