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 – 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.

By Edward Jones – August 11, 2017

New BMW X2 Unveiled in Striking Camo

BMW is keeping the new X2 under wraps for the time being, but at least the wrap it's being concealed in is pretty to look at. The newly released images of the new X2 show it in what they say is a yellow,grey and black camouflage that is unlike any other we've seen (sure looks like orange). Typically, we see cars in black and white camo-- this is a great break from the norm.The German automaker says that this camo is perfect for the X2: "...its athletic contours were dressed in a spectacular camouflage design that was absolutely perfect for a jungle excursion."Unfortunately, we'll still have to wait a little while for the full unveiling of the car, as this unveiling was really just a taste.

By Edward Jones – August 08, 2017

Wild "Joker" BMW i8 is Unlike Any Other Car on the Road

Friend of the blog Rene Turrek has created a long list of wild paint jobs for cars, including a Captain America Ford Mustang and an Iron Man Lamborghini Aventador. Now he has taken his paint to a BMW i8 and created a villain out of it.The car features Jared Leto's Joker from "Suicide Squad" right on the hood, surrounded by LED lightning that can be turned on via remote. On the front quarter panels are a bunch of "Ha"s as if the Joker himself graffiti'd the car. The rear quarter panels are spades with skulls in the middle, befitting of the villain gracing the cover.

By Andrew Nabors – July 25, 2017

BMW Celebrates With the 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre

Break out the nice china and some champagne, because BMW's biggest is turning 40. A press release from Munich last night outlined the details of the special anniversary. The new BMW 7 Series Edition 40 Jahre will be formally unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Limited to only 200 cars, each one will be built to order at the Dingolfing factory. Being the birthplace of every 7 Series, the skilled builders have been turning them out since 1977.Although they will be available with six, eight, and twelve cylinder power, who would order a six cylinder anniversary model? To make your decision process even harder, they will be offered in short and long wheelbase versions. Your choice of exterior finish will be limited to two choices from BMW Individual. Frozen Silver Metallic is a brilliant silk-matte appearance that accentuates the curves in the body and the ground effects. Petrol Mica Metallic is a new take on the blue they've used for decades. Many coats of clear mixed with metal flake are applied in a time-intensive process.You will also have two choices for the interior. Smoke white over black is for the traditionalists who see the world in only in greyscale. Smoke white over Cohiba speaks to the cigar aficionado. We are based in the Tampa area, so we approve of the reference to Cuba before Castro. Trim can either be piano black or Eucalyptus wood in smoke brown. Anniversary badging is found on the dash, headrests, b-pillars and even the floor mats. Your local BMW dealer will be able to order the new 7 Series in October. And as-always, if you are looking for a pre-owned BMW we have plenty to choose from. Stay with us for all your BMW news.

By Edward Jones – June 14, 2017

2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo Finally Makes its Debut

Announced today is the brand-new 2018 BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo, which is not to be confused with the Gran Coupe, a four-door.On the outside, this new 6 Series hatchback looks very similar to that of the standard 6 Series, although with notable visual difference. The most notable change is without a doubt the 6 GT's hatchback. With the addition of this bumped-up rear, the rear headroom is 38.5 inches and the wheelbase is now 120.9 inches. That extended wheelbase also give the rear passengers some additional legroom, making this one of the most comfortable 6 Series on the market.In the United States, BMW will be offering this new model as the 640i xDrive Gran Turismo. Under the hood is a TwinPower 3.0-liter inline-six. Output of this engine is rated at a maximum of 335 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque between 1,380 and 5,200 rpm. As far as a 0 to 60 mph time goes, it can complete the sprint in 5.1 seconds.Interested in getting BMW's latest hatchback? You'll be able to choose from two non-metallic and 10 metallic colors. There are also three different wheels available in 19-, 20- and 21-inch (21-inch wheels are included in the Original BMW Accessories range).BMW will be making the 640i xDrive Gran Turismo available in showrooms in Fall 2017. Its price starts at $69,700, plus the $995 Destination and Handling fee.

By Andrew Nabors – May 31, 2017

BMW Art Car #18 Unveiled in Beijing

Art in the digital realm has unlocked new ways for artists to express themselves. And yesterday at the Minsheng Art Museum in Beijing, BMW unveiled their latest Art Car. Taking inspiration from the latest M6 GT3, artist Cao Fei has incorporated virtual and augmented reality for her masterpiece. It is meant to show the rapid changes taking place in Chinese society, with an optimistic look to the future. it consists of three main components. A video introduces a time-traveling spiritualist who connects past with present. The augmented reality demonstration is viewed through a dedicated smartphone app. And finally the carbon black BMW M6 GT3.When combined, these components make for a symphony of light and sound. The time traveling practitioner blesses the car and involves spectators to participate. These work to evoke a higher sensory state, to show what the eyes can't see and the mind can't imagine. This is the 18th BMW art car and by far the most Avant-Garde example of an automotive expression. Working with designers at BMW headquarters, the project took 3 years to complete. It is a fitting tribute to the M6 before it leaves us for a while. The new M8 will undoubtedly evoke a new series of emotions that will be captured in the next art car. So stay with us for all your BMW news.

By Andrew Nabors – May 30, 2017

BMW Unveils Prototype M8

One of the most punishing races of the year took place over the weekend. BMW's show of force resulted in a 2nd place finish for Rowe Racing in their M6 GT3. But next year something more meanacing might be available. With the cancellation of the 6 Series coupe and the M6, BMW has been hard at work on a revival of the 8 Series. Usually, the M Division keeps quiet about their performance cars until after the launch of each series, but a new strategy might work to their advantage.Also Check Out: How To Build An M2 Drift MachineShown alongside other M cars at the 'Ring was a heavily disguised preview of the new M8. Taking a page from the Dodge Demon teasers, a new campaign named "Too Many Secrets" was seen on the doors. The new M8 GTE is being developed alongside the production cars, and their target is the 24 Hours of Daytona in January. Recent BMW victories by privateer teams have spurred development of the new supercar, and the press release mentions that development is working "flat out" on the 8 Series and its M8 flagship. We know you have a ton of questions, so as soon as we have updates you will see them here first. In the meantime, check out these new BMWs for sale and tell us what features should be included on the new cars.

By Andrew Nabors – May 25, 2017

The 2018 BMW M4 GT4 Is Ready To Race

if you are looking to field a new BMW for the 2018 season, BMW Motorsport has something for your consideration. The new M4 GT4 had a very successful debut at 24 Hours of Dubai, so after a few final touches, it is now officially for sale. Using lessons learned on the M6 GT3, the interior is driver-focused, and devoid of many distractions. Built in-house, the welded roll cage not only meets FIA standards, but also the strict DMSB (Germany's Motor Racing Board).Most of the body is carbon fiber, which is easily lifted by onboard air jacks. The hood and trunk are quick-release for speedy pit stops. A "motorsport" exhaust system is hopefully just a straight pipe from the turbos, because mufflers are useless weight. Suspension is based around Öhlins shocks with three spring rates available. Sadly the transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch with shifts calibrated for the track. A locking differential has hardened output shafts, a feature many M owners would love to have on the street. A production engine is controlled by a new computer which has "power sticks". Each stick is set to produce a different horsepower level to meet different balance of performance rules.Also Check Out - 720 Horespower McLaren 570GT Goes for Top Speed Autobahn RunIf your E46 has seen better days, the new M4 GTS can be yours for the equivalent of $190,000 (without the value added tax). Although it is not street legal, how many of you are already looking for an M4 Salvage Title? A new BMW M4 GTS for sale is as close as we will get, so check out the listings from our dealers and watch for the GT4 at the Nürburgring!

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