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 – July 30, 2019

BMW Celebrates 40 Years of the M1 Art Car by Andy Warhol

It has been four decades since a famous artist met a timeless machine. It took him less than 30 minutes to create this masterpiece, and it lauded by many to be the best combination of art and automobiles. That's why BMW is celebrating 40 years of the M1 Art Car by Andy Warhol. To encourage the next generation of automotive photographers, BMW organized a social media "Shootout 2018" by asking for fan submissions. The winner was Stephan Bauer, a 29-year-old resident of Munich. He was allowed to choose from a wide range of cars from BMW Group Classic, but his mind was made up well in advance. Under the famous exterior is a car every BMW fan would love to drive. This M1 was built to race, with a 470 horsepower straight-six behind the cockpit. The body was designed by Giugiaro (Italdesign) in Turin, and Dallara engineered the tube frame chassis. Ferrucio Lamborghini offered to build them, but there was a falling out after the prototypes were completed. Their goal was to beat up Porsche in Group 5 racing, and one day we will tell the story of how BMW M was given a blank check to build a supercar. We always have a few for sale, so click the link below to own a piece of BMW history. Browse BMW M1 For Sale " width="680"> Related: Browse BMW M6 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 15, 2019

BMW M4 DTM Debuts at Dutch Racetrack

It has been a productive year for BMW. New model introductions and continuous sales growth have allowed them to refine their core products. When it comes to the M cars, lessons learned on the track lead to perfection on the street. Marking the half-way point in the 2019 season, the BMW M4 DTM was debuted at a Dutch racetrack. Not that the car is new, it was just their first outing at the famous TT Circuit Assen. The M4 DTM is a preview of the styling and powertrain for the 7th generation M4. It is slated to be released early next year as a 2021 model. The 4 Series will be a derivative of the G20 chassis that underpins the new 3 Series sedans. Power will come from the meanest straight-six BMW has ever offered. Earlier this year we told you about the X3M and X4M Competition SUVs. They make 503 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque to battle the Mercedes-AMG crossovers and SUVs. The new 3.0L engine is named the S58, and it will allow the M3 and M4 to compete on the World Stage. As for now, our dealers have several offers on the new 3-Series, so click the link below and tell us what you want to see in the new M4. Browse BMW 3 Series For Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 11, 2019

2020 BMW 840i xDrive Unveiled

When it comes to new models, BMW does it right. Instead of starting at the bottom, the first 8 Series we saw was the race-ready M8 GTE. Then came the M850i xDrive coupe and convertible. If you don't need a twin-turbo V8, your car has finally arrived. In a press release this morning, we see the 2020 BMW 840i xDrive unveiled. There is something about a straight-six BMW convertible that is timeless. Their latest 3.0L is 13 lbs lighter and packs TwinPower turbos. Each turbo is fed by 3 cylinders, and this ingenious approach has zero turbo lag. It offers 335 horsepower between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm, along with 368 lb-ft of torque from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. This broad powerband allows the xDrive coupe to reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, with the convertible doing it in 4.6. Unfortunately, they have reverted back to timing belts, so expect an intense service schedule. The xDrive system is optional on the coupe and convertible, and it defaults to Rear Wheel Drive until you need AWD traction. The 2020 BMW 840i xDrive Coupe is priced at $90,800 plus the $995 Destination charge. Our dealers have all the 8-Series info, so click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your BMW news. Find Your 8-Series Here " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 05, 2019

BMW X7 Pickup is 1 of 1

A celebration of BMW motorcycles starts today in Bavaria. Of course, the only thing better than a BMW bike is a matching truck to haul it. That's why the BMW X7 Pickup is 1 of 1. This unique concept started life as a design study, and then made into reality by the fine folks at the BMW USA plant in Greer, South Carolina. It was shipped across the pond and finished at BMW headquarters in Munich. Although the press release maintains it is only a concept, the world needs something like this. To have a full-size SUV with a truck bed is the best of both worlds. I haul my Suzuki around in a Chevy Avalanche, and I would love to upgrade to an all-BMW lineup. The bed is lined with polished wood, with a stand for a new F 850 GS. Loading is made easier thanks to dual-mode air suspension. Carbon fiber body panels allow it to be 441 lbs lighter than a normal X7, a perfect weight offset for a touring motorcycle. If you are tempted to do this conversion yourself, click the link below to find an X7 near you and stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW X7 For Sale Related: BMW Unveils 2020 X6 xLine & M Sport 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Revealed

By Andrew Nabors – July 03, 2019

BMW Unveils 2020 X6 xLine & M Sport

As you prepare to celebrate the 4th, consider your family hauler. We're not here to promote a new German SUV, so if you need something new & American, consider the latest news from Spartanburg, South Carolina. BMW has unveiled the 2020 X6 xLine & M Sport models. This marks the 3rd generation of their "Sports Activity Vehicle" and it is built exclusively here in the U.S. and sold around the world. It measures 1" longer and 1/2" wider, and 1/4" lower. The wheelbase has been stretched by 1.6" to offer better handling. Adaptive shocks are standard equipment, and you can choose between coil springs or air suspension. Other standard goodies include an 8-speed automatic transmission and a new version of xDrive AWD. It is the best AWD system on the market because it defaults to rear wheel drive when not needed. Staying true to their roots, the list of options is several pages long. The most interesting ones are an illuminated grille, Laserlight adaptive LED headlights, and a Bowers & Wilkins Diamond+ 3D surround sound system. Engine choices start with a 340 horsepower straight six. If you need more, the X6 M50i will arrive with a 530 horsepower V8. The 1st and 2nd generations are no-less impressive, and our dealers have great incentives to make room for the new models. So click the link below to find your next ride. Find Your BMW X6 Here! Related: 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Revealed 2020 BMW Z4 Review by Carfection

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 Edward Jones – June 19, 2019

2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe Revealed: 840i and M850i

The new 2020 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has been unveiled by the German automaker in three different variants: 840i, 840i xDrive and M850i xDrive. As with all BMWs with xDrive in their model names, all-wheel drive is available for both the 840i and M850i. Being a Gran Coupe, these new models are larger when compared to the 8 Series Coupe. To put it specifically, this new model is 9 inches longer, 1.2 inches wider and 2.2 inches taller. The new 8 Series Gran Coupe also has an extra 7.9 inches in its wheelbase. Source: BMW For the two variants, there are two different engines at play. The 840i Gran Coupe will get a TwinPower 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 335 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. For the top-of-the-line M850i Gran Coupe, a TwinPower 4.4-liter V8 engine will be the source of power. This engine is capable of producing 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. BMW says that's enough to get the M850i xDrive from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Mated to each of the engines is the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. Source: BMW Pricing was also announced for the models by BMW. The new 2020 840i Gran Coupe starts at $84,900, the 840i xDrive at $87,800 and the M850i xDrive Gran Coupe at $108,900. These prices do not include the $995 destination charge. Expect them to launch in September 2019. See All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Andrew Nabors – June 06, 2019

2020 BMW Z4 Review by Carfection

Florida has always been a hot spot for convertibles, and it seems that everyone has a soft spot for the BMW Z cars. The latest iteration has been co-developed with Toyota , who shares most of the parts in the 2020 Supra. But we like the option of top-down motoring, so here is the 2020 BMW Z4 review by Carfection. Under the hood is a single turbo straight six. It makes use of 3.0 liters to offer 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque to an 8-speed automatic. Unfortunately that is the only transmission offered on the BMW and Toyota versions, and it comes with flappy paddles to play with. Allow Mr. Catchpole to offer a few insights, and then click the link below to find a new Z4 for yourself. Stay with us for all your BMW news. Browse BMW Z4 For Sale Related: 2020 Toyota Supra Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – June 05, 2019

BMW M8 Competition Coupe & Convertible Finally Unveiled

This is the one we've been waiting for. When we heard the M6 was being discontinued it put a hole our hearts. It had a good run, but the BMW 8 Series has a host of new technology and engineering saved for something special. Today is the day because the BMW M8 Competition Coupe & Convertible were finally unveiled. Instead of starting with a production car and building it to race, BMW M built the M8 GTE and made it street legal. Thankfully, lessons learned on the track have translated into a highly capable supercar. Starting with the heart of the beast, a revised 4.4L V8 with twin turbos delivers 625 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It can be sent to all wheels by the xDrive system, or you can leave it in 2WD for a traditional experience. The chassis has forged links and control rods, and they attach to a stronger chassis than a normal production 8 Series. On top of that are several braces for the shock towers, subframes, and steering. This allows the Competition models to run more camber for extreme grip in the corners. The grip is provided by 20" wheels wearing 275/35 and 285/35 tires in a perfect staggered setup. Owners can configure their own driving mode by selecting transmission, suspension and stability system specifics. You can completely disable all the electronic helpers if you want to find the limits of this beast. The best new feature is an adjustable brake force. You can choose how responsive the pedal is, offering the best in luxury or feedback depending on the situation. Of course, we've summarized the 20-page press release because our dealers have all the details. So click the link below to find one near you. Browse BMW 8-Series For Sale P.S. Tell us what license plates this car should have: M8 ING, 4MR NM8, GDAY M8, W8 M8, M8 0FTN.... Related: BMW M8 Will Arrive With New M Mode Controls BMW M8: Go For Launch

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

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