BMW News

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 Edward Jones – January 16, 2019

2020 BMW 7 Series Makes its Entrance

The new 2020 BMW 7 Series has been unveiled by the German automaker as a redefined take on their flagship luxury-class model. It features a redesigned style that gives it a bold appearance on and off of the road. In the front are new headlights with adaptive LED tech as standard. Customers can also opt for the Laserlight tech if they want to take their lighting game to the next level. Between the two headlights is a new kidney grille that's 40% larger. Underneath the grille is a new front bumper with air inlets on either side and chrome edging. The back of the new 7 Series is where it's at, thanks to the new LED rear lights. These new tail lights are 1.4-inches slimmer than the outgoing model and extend across the entire tailgate thanks to a light strip that's only 0.2-inches wide. Other additions to the new 7 Series include new light-alloy wheels, new paint finishes, extra insulation around the rear wheels arches, 0.2-inches of added thickness in the laminated glass, two-inch height increase in the front of the car and much more. BMW will be offering the following 2020 7 Series models in the United States: 740i, 740i xDrive, 750i xDrive, 745e xDrive, and M760i xDrive. Interestingly enough, the M760i xDrive will be powered by a 6.6-liter V12 engine. This power plant provides the sedan with 600 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. BMW says this power will allow the car to run 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. Long live the BMW V12! Pricing has not been stated yet, but BMW has said that market launch is set for April 2019. Expect pricing closer to the launch date. If you need additional information, be sure to give your local BMW dealership a visit. find your local bmw dealer Also Check Out: BMW Group Sees Best-Ever Sales Figures in 2018 The Last Manual BMW Will Be the M4 BMW Individual Unveils M850i Night Sky Edition

By Edward Jones – January 11, 2019

BMW Group Sees Best-Ever Sales Figures in 2018

BMW Group is on a roll in terms of sales, having achieved eight consecutive years of sales records. In 2018, BMW Group (BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce) sold a total of 2,490,664 cars that were delivered around the world-- that's an increase of 1.1 percent year-over-year. The BMW brand was, by far, the main contributor to the sales record with a total of 2,125,026 cars delivered in 2018-- an increase of 1.8 percent. Sales of the X family increased by 12.1 percent, for a total of 792,590 cars delivered (33.8 percent of total sales). BMW M GmbH increased their sales by 27.2 percent with 102,780 cars sold. This allowed BMW M to reach their goal of 100,000 cars sold in a year two years early. BMW Group also saw an increase in the amount of electrified (hybrid, electric, etc) cars delivered. When you combine electrified models sold by both BMW and MINI, there was a 38.4 percent increase over the previous year. As we reported earlier, Rolls-Royce also had a record-breaking year with 4,107 cars sold. That's a 22.2 percent increase of the previous year and an all-time high for the luxury brand in their 115-year existence. In December 2018 Compared with previous year % In ytd Compared with previous year % Europe 97,568 -5.2 1,097,654 -0.3 - Germany* 29,400 -0.1 319,134 2.5 - UK 21,766 2.8 237,895 -1.4 Asia 84,716 8.8 874,828 3.2 - China (Mainland) 62,895 20.9 639,953 7.7 - Japan 8,664 2.5 78,001 -2 Americas 45,176 -5.9 456,325 1.4 - USA 37,154 -4.4 354,698 0.5 - Latin America 5,107 -6.3 54,858 8.1

By Andrew Nabors – January 03, 2019

BMW Individual Unveils M850i Night Sky Edition

This is the one you have been waiting for. BMW has spent a few years developing the 8 Series to make sure it surpasses everyone's expectations. Two distinct teams were brought together to show the world an astronomical new concept. BMW Individual along with the M Performance division joined forces for this breathtaking build. The M850i Night Sky is a one-off example that captures the imagination. To show the public what BMW Individual can do, the 3D printed center console has illuminated constellations in lieu of traditional lighting. Inspiration from above can also be seen in the seat backrests, exterior trim, and even the brake calipers. Lamborghini Aventador vs 1,000 Horsepower BMW It will be outside starting tonight in order to coincide with the year's first meteor shower. Today and tomorrow we will pass through the trail of Asteroid 2003 EH. The falling stars can also be seen in the center console. It has been machined of meteorites along with the door sills, starter button, and the shifter. They turned to the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics to make sure the materials were cut correctly. Meteorites have a unique Widmanstätten grain when polished. The sparkles of rare elements like iridium form a crystalline pattern. A bath of acid and heat was used to give the iron crystals a look of wet ice. This attention to detail is available to all BMW Individuals, so click the link below to find a new 8-Series near you. BMW 8 Series For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 30, 2018

The Last Manual BMW Will Be the M4

Are you a fan of slamming through gears thanks to a manual transmission? Unfortunately, for those us who enjoy some clutch action, the manual gearbox is a dying a long and slow death thanks to the improvements made on automatic transmissions. Thankfully, there are still a few automakers out there that are committed to bringing manual transmissions to the world, like BMW is doing with their M4. See a Manual M4 in Action Below If you've ever driven a manual BMW M Performance car before, you know that it is a sweet treat, akin to a dessert. That being said, our beloved gearboxes are being replaced with paddle shifters. Bob Sorokanich of Road & Track recently sat down with Klaus Fröhlich, the head of development at BMW and a board member, to talk manual gearboxes. Sorokanich asked if the next M3 and M4 would have a manual option. His response was both sobering and uplifting: "I think, in the overall portfolio, manuals will disappear. But I think M4 should be the fortress of manual. So the last manual transmission which will die, it should die in an M4, as late as possible. That's my view." At least we now know that there are those in BMW that want the manual transmission to live on and the M4 will continue to carry them. But how long can they hold out offering the manual option? Only time will tell. Also Check Out: The New BMW X7 Unveiled as a Gigantic SUV 2019 BMW M340i Makes Official Debut " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – November 09, 2018

BMW M8: Go For Launch!

Usually Fridays are slim on automotive news, but BMW just confirmed the details of the 2020 M8. This new supercar replaces the 6-Series coupe as their flagship. We reported yesterday about the launch of the 8 Series convertible, and it appears that time is of the essence in Bavaria. The press release earlier this morning sheds light on a ton of M-specific upgrades over the base 8 series coupe. M Division starts with a stronger chassis to handle 600 horsepower and the lates xDrive AWD system. It will be standard equipment on the M8 Coupe, Convertible, and GranCoupe, and it can send 100% of power front or rear, or operate in 2WD for a perfect drift. Engineers had targets for low unsprung weight, a low center of gravity, and a wider track than other European competitors. The twin-turbo V8 is "high revving" so it will be nice to hear a decent soundtrack from inboard-mounted turbines. Performance figures were not mentioned, but it looks to have the AMG GT-R in its crosshairs. Tell us what you think of the M8 in the comments below and stay with us for all your BMW updates. " width="680"> Related: BMW Unveils M4 DTM Turbo BMW X7 Is A Beastly SUV! Four Generations of M3 Drag Race

By Edward Jones – November 08, 2018

First BMW 8 Series Convertible Has Been Produced

BMW has announced that the very first example of their new 8 Series Convertible has rolled off of the production line. The car was produced at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing. Also being built at this plant are the 5 Series and 7 Series variants. BMW Group sees a lot of potential in what's happening at this plant and has invested what they call a "three-digit-million-euro" amount in the new model family being built there. When the 8 Series does go on sale in March 2019, customers will only be able to choose from just one model, the M850i xDrive Convertible. This model comes packing four seats and a 4.4-liter 8-cylinder turbocharged engine. The total output of this engine is rated at 523 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Its 0 to 60 mph time is currently set at 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 155 mph. Those interested in the new 8 Series Convertible should expect an MSRP of $121,400 plus the $995 destination fee. Related: The New BMW X7 Unveiled as a Gigantic SUV BMW M3: Four Generation Drag Race 2019 BMW M340i Makes Official Debut

By Andrew Nabors – October 17, 2018

The New BMW X7 Unveiled as a Gigantic SUV

What would happen if you took the grace & composure of the BMW 7 Series and built an SUV with the same attention to detail? That is exactly what has happened, as the X7 was announced in a press release this morning. It has been under development at BMW USA's plant in Spartanburg, SC, and they were forced to upgrade the assembly line to accommodate its unprecedented size.The new "Sport Activity Vehicle" is the largest X Series to-date, with a length of 203" with a 122" wheelbase. Three rows of powered seats allow for 74 cubic feet of storage when folded. Fully-optioned examples will arrive with 5-Zone climate control, ambient fragrance A/C, and a panoramic roof. Air suspension is standard, and active sway bars are a nice option to have. Three engine options were briefly mentioned, but horsepower and torque figures will be released as production nears. Expect to see the X7 at your dealer around March, so stay with us for all of your BMW updates. View All BMW For Sale

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2018

2019 BMW M340i Makes Official Debut

The next generation of the BMW 3 Series is here for the 2019 model year. It was in Paris that the new look for the sedan was unveiled. Exterior updates for the next-generation 3 Series include a redesigned front grille, new twin LED headlights, redesigned air intakes, redesigned L-shaped rear lights and longer wheelbase and wider front and rear track. Those last tow updates give the new 3 Series "squattier" appearance through a longer and wider stance. BMW M3: Four Generation Drag Race Coming along with the announcement of a new 3 Series generation are the new M340i and M340i xDrive M Performance models. These new models will be powered by a new version of the straight-six engine and will have 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on tap. As for its acceleration, BMW notes it will have a 0 to 60 mph time of around 4.2 seconds. The new 2019 BMW M340i and M340i xDrive Sedans will start arriving in Spring 2019. Pricing has not been announced as of this articles publishing. View All BMWs For Sale

By Edward Jones – September 26, 2018

Next-Gen BMW 3 Series Reveal Date

The next-generation of the BMW 3 Series is about to have its world premiere at Mondial de l’Automobile 2018 show in Paris, October 2, 2018, at 9AM CET. This will be the seventh generation of the sports sedan and will hopefully knock all of our socks off. If you're excited as we are and can't make it to the event, you can view the unveiling on the BMW Group livestream by clicking here. Alongside the new 3 Series, BMW will be showing off the Z4, 8 Series Coupe, X5 and M5 Competition. If you do make it to the event, media representatives of BMW will be giving insight into their latest design highlights, work with the field of connectivity and technological updates. This will be happening at the BMW stand at 4PM CET.Related Video:

By Edward Jones – September 07, 2018

New BMW X2 M35i Channels M Power in a Sports Activity Coupe

The new top dog in the BMW X2 Series has been revealed as the new X2 M35i. As the name suggests, this new model has a few M Performance characteristics. For starters, there's its 2-liter four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine. This engine is BMW's most powerful 2-liter TwinPower Turbo engine with 302 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750-4,500 rpm on tap. Power is synonymous with M Performance, so this groundbreaking engine is fitting. Other "M" touches that create a better driving experience include an M Sport Suspension system, M Sport Differential, M Sport braking system, and more. As for its looks, it comes with elements that are based on the X2 M Sport Package, like the rear spoiler, 19-inch light alloy wheels and new air intakes. BMW is also finishing off the M Performance elements in Cerium Grey. BMW will start production on this car in November 2018.Next-Gen 2019 BMW Z4 Roadster is Finally Uncovered

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