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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 30, 2024

BMW Will Reveal The New M5 & M5 Touring At Pebble Beach D...

The 2025 BMW M5 and M5 Touring will be unveiled at Pebble Beach. The all-new, electrified 2025 BMW M5 will be a key highlight during this year's Monterey Car Week, offering a glimpse into the future of BMW's M series. The event will celebrate the rich history and evolution of the M5, featuring displays at Legends of the Autobahn and the BMW M5 Garage at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The North American debut of the 2025 M5 will take place on August 15th, accompanied by a parade of all six previous generations. This event will showcase the latest advancements in BMW's performance lineup, hosted by racing driver Justin Bell and presented by BMW M CEO Frank van Meel. In addition to the sedan, BMW will also introduce the highly-anticipated 2025 M5 Touring, marking its first availability in North America. The new model combines the high-performance characteristics of the M5 with the practical utility of a station wagon, making it a versatile addition to the lineup. Both the sedan and Touring models feature an M Hybrid drivetrain, which integrates an M TwinPower Turbo V8 with an electric motor. The powertrain delivers an impressive 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. The M5 sedan can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 190 mph with the optional M Driver's Package. Moreover, the new M5 offers up to 25 miles of electric-only driving, reflecting BMW's commitment to blending performance with sustainability. Production for the M5 sedan is set to begin shortly, with deliveries expected in late 2024, while the M5 Touring will be available in spring 2025. As a special feature, BMW M and BMW Individual have crafted a unique 2025 BMW M5 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance #1/1 in collaboration with the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. This exclusive model, finished in Frozen Orange metallic paint, includes bespoke interior details and will be auctioned by Gooding & Company on August 16th. The auction proceeds will support the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, benefiting literacy and education programs for disadvantaged youth in Monterey County. View all BMW M5s for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW M5s For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 06, 2022

BMW Announces Itself As The Official Partner Of Paris+ pa...

Rooted in the Caribbean diaspora of Paris, the BMW Art Journey took Julien Creuzet back to his ancestral home Martinique, a place he calls “the heart of my imagination". The rich heritage of BMW spans far outside of performance car production and motorsport, opening doors for the German automotive manufacturer to create a lifestyle around its collection of iconic vehicles. BMW continues to explore the world of modern art as an extension of its past involvement with a series of art cars, which invited world-renowned artists to transform the look of everyday BMW cars. BMW is proud to announce itself as the Official Partner of Paris+ par Art Basel, an inaugural event taking place at the Grande Palais Éphémère in Paris, France. The show will bring together 156 leading French and International galleries to present exceptional artwork across all media. As part of Paris+ par Art Basel, 2021 BMW Art Journey winner Julien Creuzet will be representing High Art, Paris with a piece inspired by the BMW 7 Series production. MUST-READ: BMW x Kith Collaborate With A New BMW i4 M50 Limited To 7 Examples Worldwide Creuzet traveled to Munich in Fall of 2021 to visit the BMW Headquarters, BMW Museum, and BMW Group Plant in Dingolfing for artistic inspiration. After discovering the mechanical beauty behind 7 Series production, Julien began working with engineers and paint specialists to develop his newest piece of artwork titled ‘blue green sea bruise on the horizon'. The sculpture portrays various elements that include 33,000 welding spots, special gradients on the 7 Series, and the original BMW colors “Isle of Man Green” and “Portimao Blue”. On the occasion of Paris+ par Art Basel, the new all-electric BMW i7 will be on display in front of the Grand Palais Éphémère. Julien Creuzet’s ‘blue green sea bruise on the horizon’ sculpture will be on display from October 19th to the 23rd. View all current BMW 7 Series for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL BMW 7 SERIES FOR SALE Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 19, 2022

A Brand New BMW i7 Is The Hole-In-One Prize At The BMW Ch...

With a new BMW i7 on the line, these golfers better get their practice swings in before the big day. Although a hole-in-one for any golfer seems incredibly difficult to accomplish on the course, its not an impossible shot to make. Being the main sponsor for The BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club, the German automotive manufacturer decided to put that thought to the test during the weekend golf event in Delaware. BMW is excited to announce that an all-new i7 xDrive60 will be the prize for the first golfer to hit an ace at the 15th hole. The 15th hole of Wilmington Country Club East Course is a long 234-yard par 3 shot with a man-made water hazard to the left of the green, making this a challenging shot for the long list of professional golfers looking to take home a new BMW i7. MUST-READ: BMW Is Testing A New Four-Motor Electric Drivetrain For Upcoming M Models In the 15-year history of the tournament, the BMW Hole-in-One Car has only been won twice. On behalf of the first player to hit a hole-in-one at the BMW Championship (regardless of the hole), BMW will donate a full four-year scholarship to a caddie through the ESF. This has happened on five occasions in the past at the BMW Championship. All proceeds from the BMW Championship go to the foundation, which provides full tuition and housing scholarships for hardworking young caddies. View the current BMW 7 Series examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL BMW 7 SERIES FOR SALE Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 26, 2022

50 years of BMW M: The BMW Museum Is Marking The 50th Ann...

All of BMW M's iconic brand history underneath one roof. The BMW M division shapes itself as the automotive manufacturer’s motorsport branch, incorporating track-inspired design, performance, and technology into road-legal vehicles for everyday use. BMW M is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a commemorative exhibition at the BMW Museum in Munich, Germany, featuring 26 special vehicles that make up 8 different rooms for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The new BMW M exhibition opened on 24 May 2022, marking the very day that BMW Motorsport GmbH was founded on 24 May 1972. It is dedicated to the hugely successful BMW M brand, which emerged from BMW Motorsport GmbH. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Debuts Its New Urban Collection Visitors can walk through the museum along a specially made BMW M Circuit race track, acting as a physical timeline that tells the story of its beginning more than half a century ago. The exhibit includes a stage set for the iconic BMW 3.0 CSL, the most successful touring race car in the early days of BMW Motorsports. While the past presents a behind-the-scenes look at the humble beginnings, BMW M highlights other successful examples like the BMW M1 and BMW M3 as well as design concepts, prototypes, BMW M classics, and winning racing cars such as the BMW V12 LMR. The BMW M 50th Anniversary also incorporates guided museum tours and workshops for the whole family of automotive enthusiasts, bringing the BMW M’s racing history to life. View all of the current BMW models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and BMW news. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 04, 2022

The Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este Will Celebrate 50 Ye...

Lake Como once again serves as the stunning backdrop for stunning cars, and this time, even more special celebrations coincide. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is one of the world’s most prestigious automotive events, for its beautiful location and dedication to amazing cars and automotive history. For over 20 years, the BMW Group Classic has partnered with the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este as the event’s organizer, and this year, there are 7 categories of competition for this incredible show: Class A - The golden age of elegance: the art deco era of motor car design, Class B - Kompressor! The supercharged Mercedes-Benz, Class C - Celebrating 150 seasons at Villa d’Este: how grand entrances were once made, Class D - The Cavallino at 75: eight decades of Ferrari represented in eight icons, Class E - Born for the racetrack: “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday,” Class F - 50 years of mean machinery: BMW M cars and their ancestors, and Class G - Breaking the speed barrier: pioneers that pursued the magic 300 kph. MUST READ: 9 of BMW’s 19 Art Cars Are Coming Together For An Exhibition In Luxembourg With BMW Group Classic being the organizer of the event, the 50th anniversary of BMW M makes this Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este a very special one for BMW. At the event will be lots of BMW M cars, as well as historic racing BMWs, and two cars that will be making their debut. The anticipated BMW M4 CSL will be making a global debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza, and the new, all-electric BMW i7 will also be making its debut Concorso d’Eleganza appearance. Other special appearances will include the next chapter of the Rolls-Royce Boat Tail and a judging class that honors Ferrari’s 75th anniversary. The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este starts May 20th in Lake Como, Italy, and goes until the 22nd. Source: BMW

P90458156 The new BMW 760i xDrive. European model shown

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 27, 2022

BMW Becomes The Kentucky Derby's First Official Luxury Au...

Roses, mint juleps, and BMWs will be staples of this year’s Kentucky Derby. One of the most iconic luxury events in the United States now has an equally luxurious and iconic brand as a partner this year, and it’s BMW. With this partnership, BMW becomes the first luxury automotive brand to officially partner with the Kentucky Derby, and through this partnership, the brand plans to turn the most exciting 2 minutes in sports into a long-lasting collaboration between two loved icons. MUST READ: The New BMW 7 Series Is More Powerful, Luxurious, And Electric Than Ever BMW features 3 main efforts as part of this partnership, called Club 7, The American Turf presented by BMW, and The Ultimate Macaron Bar. Club 7 is a display that will showcase the new BMW 7 Series, as well as the first-ever all-electric BMW i7 among a flower wall that features over 7,000 roses and lilies. The display will feature walkarounds and a 360-degree photo booth. The American Turf Stakes race will feature extensive BMW branding and sponsorship throughout, along with an advertisement for the new BMW i7 that will be displayed before the race on the world’s largest 4K screen. Finally, the Ultimate Macaron Bar is part of BMW’s status as the Official Luxury Vehicle of Taste of Derby, a prestigious culinary event held before the derby. At the official BMW macaron bar, guests will be able to customize and curate their own macaron flavors and fillings. With BMW by its side, the Kentucky Derby is quite the event, in both the equestrian and automotive worlds. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 22, 2022

The BMW Open by American Express Tennis Champion Will Rec...

BMW celebrates 100-years in Munich with a i4 M50 prize car. Born with a core value of competition both on and off-track, the BMW brand defines itself as a sport-focused manufacturer aiming to deliver a line of performance vehicles that stay ahead of the pack. BMW is proud to embrace the true spirit of competition by acting as the title sponsor for the upcoming BMW Open by American Express tennis tournament in Munich, Germany. This year, BMW is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of its Munich factory by assembling a special i4 M50 to present to the winner of the prestigious tennis event. The innovative BMW i4 M50 presents a one-of-a-kind driving experience that blends EV efficiency with traditional German performance engineering. MUST-READ: Best Luxury Electric Cars You Can Buy Today The four-door Gran Coupé is the first fully-electric BMW that consistently focuses on driving dynamics. Along with the all-new BMW i4 M50, the winner of the BMW Open by American Express will also receive 250 valuable world ranking points and a total prize purse of $579,000. The BMW Open by American Express will kick off on April 23rd, with the championship match taking place at Center Court on Sunday, May 1st. View all of the current BMW models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more upcoming luxury lifestyle releases and supercar news. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW Photos by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

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