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 Edward Jones – December 07, 2017

BMW Launches 300 Autonomous Drones for Art Basel Miami

BMW teamed up with Studio Drift to introduce "“FRANCHISE FREEDOM – a flying sculpture by Studio Drift in partnership with BMW" at Art Basel Miami. This flying sculpture is actually 300 illuminated drones that were programmed to mimic a flock of birds. BMW says that this is the "first time for this orchestrated movement to be presented by machines working with decentralized algorithms at a very large scale." Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta of Studio Drift equipped with lights and specific algorithms that would define the coordinated flight path for each of the drones, resulting in a beautiful and massive movement.New 2019 BMW i8 Roadster and Coupe Revealed BMW is planning on providing additional showings of the flying sculpture December 7-10, starting at 8 pm (weather permitting). If you're in South Florida, head over to 32nd and 33rd Street off Collins Avenue behind the Faena Hotel Miami Beach to see this beautiful work of art for yourself.

By Andrew Nabors – December 04, 2017

BMW M8 GTE In Final Testing For Daytona

Now that our leftover turkey supply has been depleted, it's time to start mentioning Speed Weeks in Daytona. One of the biggest races of the year is the Rolex 24, and BMW says the new M8 GTE will dominate. In a press release earlier this morning, Director of BMW Motorsport Jens Marquardt said: “The various departments have also worked hand in hand in the area of aerodynamics. We have benefitted greatly from the intense cooperation with central prototype assembly and the BMW Group’s Aero Lab. During development, this allowed us to work even more efficiently on the aero components, which have been designed specifically for long-distance racing. At the same time, our colleagues in production development have received information that is valuable in the field of high-performance automobiles.” BMW M8 Prototype PreviewIt is a bold move to build the race car before the street versions, so the popularity of the new 8 Series coupes seems to be hinged on being a success in its first outing. Growing up not far from Daytona, you learn several truths about the 24-hour race. First is that weather will be a factor. Second is that even the best-prepared team can fall victim to the track. The M8 GTE will be fielded in the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, to compete against the likes of Cadillac and Team Corvette, both of which have several titles under their belt. We have no doubt that engineers in Munich have some potent tricks up their sleeve; so stay with us for complete coverage of the upcoming season.

By Edward Jones – November 29, 2017

New 2019 BMW i8 Roadster and Coupe Revealed

After just a couple of years since the BMW i8's release, the model is getting a refresh and a new convertible variant. Announced by BMW is the new 2019 i8 Coupe and i8 Roadster.The most important announcement is without a doubt the addition of the i8 Roadster. BMW has been teasing this model for quite some time, but we finally get the chance to see it uncovered. Its electronically operated soft-top roof opens and closes in just 16 seconds and can be engaged at speeds of up to 31 mph.How to Drift a BMW For both the Coupe and Roadster, the new engine's total output is increased up to 369 horsepower when compared to the previous i8's powerplant. BMW is putting the 0-60 mph time of the Coupe and Roadster at 4.2/4.4 seconds, respectively. Top speed of both cars is electronically limited to 155 mph.Expect to see the sales of the new 2019 BMW i8 Coupe and Roadster started in Spring 2018.

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2017

Upcoming BMW i8 Roadster Teased

The BMW i8 is a radically designed sports car that is unlike any other car in the German automaker's lineup. It truly is a car that breaks away from the norm that we've seen from BMW over the recent years. The first example of the i8 released is a coupe variant, but we all knew that a convertible i8 would be coming soon enough. And now, here we are, with BMW teasing the upcoming i8 Roadster with a new video. Take a look at the unreleased i8 Roadster in the video below and get ready for a "virtually silent" BMW.Reviewed: 2017 BMW X4 M40i

By Andrew Nabors – October 31, 2017

BMW Unveils Performance Parts for the new 2018 M5

If you are in the market for a sedan with surgical precision, the new 2018 BMW M5 combines brutal power with the latest in technology. Every automaker has been guilty of limiting options on performance cars, but BMW doesn't want to be placed in that category. So they've turned to their M Division for this year's SEMA Show. A host of optional equipment was launched in a press release last night. BMW Unveils Performance Parts for the new 2018 M5German motoring fans generally fall into two categories: Keep it stock or go all-in on upgrades. If you find yourself in the latter group, the M Performance Parts include more carbon fiber for enhanced aerodynamics. Available as a kit or individually, they include new front and rear diffusers, rocker panels, and a snazzy decklid spoiler. To make use of the increased downforce, a new set of coil-over spring & shock assemblies have adjustable spring plates. For US and Canadian buyers, a new titanium exhaust system saves weight and offers an imposing growl."Mhance" Your Holidays With A Trip to BMW Driving SchoolLap times are worthless without knowing the details of each run. That's why the new M Performance Drive Analyzer records throttle position along with lateral acceleration and other data. It can be viewed on a smartphone via a dedicated app, and an optional Trackfix action camera mount. More carbon fiber trim is optional under the hood and inside the cabin. All of these upgrades will be shown on the world stage, as the new M5 has been chosen as the Safety Car for the upcoming Moto GP season. If you would like more info, click on the link below to find your local BMW M Division dealer and stay with us for all your SEMA coverage.View All BMW M Cars For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2017

The New 2018 BMW X2 Finally Breaks Cover

The first-ever BMW X2 is finally here after countless teasers from the German automaker. The new 2018 X2 will sit above the X1, even though it is less of a crossover and even smaller in size (3.2 inches shorter and 2.8 inches lower than the X1).Arriving in the United States come Spring 2018 will be the BMW X2 xDrive28i. Powering the car will be a 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine that develops 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. With a curb weight of 3,662 lbs and the 8-speed Steptronic transmission handling the power, the X2 will run 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds.Reviewed: 2017 BMW i8“The BMW X2 represents an expression of modern and extrovert vehicle dynamics,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design, in describing the first-ever BMW X2. “Its standalone vehicle concept brings a new, fresh and exciting facet of the BMW to the compact segment.”Coming with the X2 is a new Galvanic Gold metallic exterior color, which is showcased in the images included in this article. To join in the new color's striking appearance is the M Sport X package that includes the Sports Automatic Transmission and 20-inch alloy wheels.As of now, pricing for the 2018 BMW X2 has not been revealed, but we will learn that info when we draw closer to its Spring 2018 release date.

By Andrew Nabors – September 20, 2017

BMW Unveils M Bike Limited Carbon Edition

If you like to have fun on two wheels, BMW has something new for you. Inspired by the M5 sedan, the BMW M Bike Limited Carbon Edition combines carbon and aluminum, along with the best components in the bicycle world. Only 500 examples will be produced, all finished in Marina Bay Blue Metallic.Last month, BMW and SPECIALIZED collaborated on an electrically assisted mountain bike to celebrate the new X3. The Limited Carbon Edition bikes are being built in-house to showcase the M5's advanced construction. The frame is hydroformed aluminum. It starts as a piece of aluminum placed into a hollow cavity. Water is forced in at high pressure, expanding it to form the final shape.It is an expensive process for production cars, and especially limited runs like these. Carbon is used for the fork, seat post, and spacers to keep weight to a minimum. Continental CruiseCONTACT tires measure 28" x 2.0 and are stopped by Shimano hydraulic brakes. Each bike is numbered and comes with a build certificate. They will be available from selected dealers, so to find one near you please browse for M5s for sale in the link below. Stay with us for all your BMW news.View BMW M5 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – August 22, 2017

BMW Unleashes the 2018 M5 (Specs and Photos)

Monterey Car Week 2017 is over. All the glitz and glamour of the event included stunning concepts from automakers big and small. Sorting through all the news is a formidable task, so BMW decided to make it easier by launching the new M5 in a press release last night. Bavarian fans the world over have been waiting for the new 5 Series super sedan, and this one doesn't disappoint. Starting with a new chassis, CFRP has been substituted for metal in many places. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic is how the 7 Series is lighter than its competition, and its a preview of how all cars will be in the future. Check Out The BMW M5 Competition EditionThe most important news is under the hood. Digging deep into their 4.4 liter V8, engineers have discovered 40 more horsepower and 53 lb-ft of torque. You will have 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque....And that torque arrives at only 1,800 rpm and lasts to 5,700 rpm. Boost is upped to almost 25 psi, and the fuel injectors are pushed to 5,000 psi. Power like this is brutal, which is why the AWD system is all new. The system is named M Xdrive, and it incorporates the latest in torque vectoring and locking differentials. Are you ready for drifting? Floyd Mayweather's Bugatti Is Ready To FightDrivers can now select RWD only, with the transfer case sending everything rearward. That being said, you will need drag radials if you hope to launch at these power levels.AWD is used to reach 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. We will receive 50 "First Edition" examples in frozen dark red metallic with smoke white leather interiors. Expected to arrive early next year, our dealers will have to make room for them. So check out these great deals on M5 for sale, and stay with us for more BMW updates.Engine: Twin-Turbo 4.4-liter V8Transmission: 8-speed M SteptronicHorsepower: 600 hpTorque: 553 lb-ft0-60: 3.2 secondsTop Speed: 155 mph (limited)

By Andrew Nabors – August 18, 2017

BMW Z4 Concept: Yes, It's Amazing

Earlier this week we told you that BMW was poised to release something new at Pebble Beach. Yesterday, they formally unveiled the Concept Z4 to the world. Serving as the inspiration for the upcoming Z4, it is a foreshadowing of the production model that will arrive next year. The long & low 2-seater was developed with Toyota, who will use the chassis as the basis for the new Supra. Compared to the previous Z4, the front end is shorter to place the seats close to the center of rotation. This means as the car is cornering, it pivots around you so you don't feel tossed about. Two domes in the decklid house internal roll bars and also continue the styling of the front end. BMW Teases New Z4 Inside, the color of the body carries over on several surfaces. Controls are grouped into "function islands" to keep the driver focused on the road ahead. The press release makes no mention of engine or transmission options, but expect to find a dual turbo straight six along with a dual clutch transmission. The best news is that it is being displayed alongside the prototype 8 series. Details of the production model might be less edgy than the concept, so stay with us for updates on the new BMW Z4. If you don't feel like waiting, we have great deals on pre-owned Z4, so check out our listings and have a great weekend.

By Andrew Nabors – August 17, 2017

Street Legal 1979 BMW M1 Procar On Display at Pebble Beach

In the late 70's BMW wanted to get more involved with motorsports, so the Procar series was created. Based on the M1, it featured 40 identical cars along with the best drivers in the world. The M1 is a very capable machine, with a high-revving straight six mounted behind the cockpit. Only 453 cars were built between 1979 and 1981, making them an essential part of any BMW collection. Procar was much like the International Race of Champions. Taking street legal cars down to their chassis and building identical engines, it made the driver the only variable. Naturally, only the world's best driver proved to dominate the first year, and Nikki Lauda took home the trophy for the '79 season. BMW Teases A New Z4 At MontereyNelson Piquet got the win for 1980, but the series was dissolved because BMW had accomplished the goal of homologating the M1 for racing on the world stage. So the M1 Procars went on to success around the world, but car number 31 was retired. Hidden away for years, it found its way to the US, and was taken down to the chassis by our friend Bruce Canepa. His team at Canepa Design specialize in restoring the world's rarest cars, so they set out to make history. Restoring anything older than a decade is hard, especially when less than 500 were built. Scouring the world for vintage parts, the end result is the world's only street legal M1 Procar. It has vintage 17" center lock wheels, dual fuel fillers in the quarter windows, and an all-new interior. The engine is so clean you could eat off of it, and the giant exhaust was coated for heat protection. According to Motor1.com, it will be on display this Sunday on the field at Pebble Beach. If you want to build your own example, we always seem to have a few BMW M1s for sale, so stay with us for more stunning builds from Canepa Design.

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