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.

BMW Of North America Reports Increased Q2 2026 Sales

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2026

BMW Of North America Increases Sales

BMW has recently unveiled a rapidly evolving lineup of Neue Klasse cars, changing its design language and introducing bold new technology across many of its most celebrated nameplates. As BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup continues to be introduced to the market, the brand is already showing success, with increased sales in the United States market for both the second quarter of 2026 and the first half of the year. During the second quarter alone, BMW of North America sold 102,713 vehicles, which represented an increase of 13 percent compared to the 90,884 sold in Q2 2025. For the first half of the year, BMW of North America’s year-to-date sales totaled 186,944 vehicles, which is up 4.7 percent compared to last year’s first half number. BMW says that the number outperformed the overall automotive market in the US, thanks to a desirable product mix, improved availability, and strong demand. Recently, BMW celebrated the premiere of its new X5, the latest generation of its original SUV nameplate. A celebrated staple within the BMW lineup, the latest generation of the X5 introduced revised design, impressive new technology, and a more diverse choice of powertrains than ever before. Along with the new X5, BMW has recently unveiled a new i3, iX3, and 7 Series. The brand did see a slight decline in the sales of electrified vehicles, despite an increase in plug-in hybrids both in the second quarter and in the first half of the year. However, the iX3 and new i7 are set to arrive later this quarter, and as they do, BMW of North America looks forward to building upon the momentum and success seen in the first half of the year with its desirable, stylish, high-tech, and versatile lineup of luxury vehicles. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Khris Bharath – February 12, 2026

BMW ALPINA Enters a New Era with Standalone Status and a New Badge

As of January 2026, BMW holds all rights to the Alpina brand. The process of acquiring the Bavarian tuner began in 2022 and has finally concluded, with the name now living on as BMW ALPINA, a fully integrated marque within the wider BMW Group, which also includes Rolls-Royce Motorcars, Mini, and BMW Motorrad. Since the German brand’s founding in 1965, the company refined BMW platforms with upgraded powertrains, bespoke chassis tuning, and cabins trimmed in rich leather and signature blue and green accents. Models like the B10, B5, and B7 built their reputations on discreet upgrades and effortless pace over headline-chasing performance figures. BMW states that future BMW ALPINA automobiles will continue exactly that approach, produced in select BMW Group plants prepared specifically for this role. View this post on Instagram A post shared by BMW ALPINA (@bmwalpina.official) Marking this change, a newly developed BMW ALPINA wordmark replaces the old standalone script. The typography specifically references the 1970s lettering that long-time enthusiasts will recognize. The badge still features the throttle body and crankshaft, a nod to the mechanical roots that defined Alpina from the onset. A transparent treatment and reduced color palette further sharpen the silhouette and signal a precise shift toward contemporary luxury. Simply put, BMW ALPINA positions itself as the elegant alternative to BMW M. If the M badge feels too aggressive for your taste, and a standard 7 Series or 5 Series just won't cut it, ALPINA sits in that space, delivering sustained high-speed capability, long-range comfort, and expanded personalization options. Superior quality leather now comes standard in every interior, offered in an extensive range of colors. You can specify contrasting stitching, curated trim materials, and subtle detailing that aligns with your taste. Outside, heritage paint finishes return alongside Alpina's signature 20-spoke alloy wheel design, creating visual continuity with past icons while fitting seamlessly into a modern portfolio. While the first model to carry the BMW ALPINA name has not yet been announced, if you value discreet luxury, comfort, and relentless speed in a single package, this evolution of the Alpina brand should already be on your radar. View All BMW Alpinas For Sale Images: BMW Group

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 09, 2026

BMW M Celebrates Record Sales In 2025

Luxury and performance used to be aspects of the automotive industry that didn’t usually mix, but recent years have seen a shift that means more cars than ever combine luxury and performance for a compromise-free driving experience. BMW’s M division is one of the most significant pioneers in that regard, and more than 50 years since M was first established, today’s BMW M lineup is more diverse and innovative than ever before, with hybrid models, SUVs, and more power and daring engineering throughout the lineup than ever before. As 2026 begins, BMW looks back on yet another incredibly successful year for BMW M, its fourteenth consecutive year of record performance. In 2025, sales from BMW M GmbH increased to 213,457 vehicles, which BMW says makes 2025 the seventh consecutive year of it being the most successful brand among its competitors. Throughout the year, nearly every tenth new BMW sold was an M-branded model, and that 10-percent rate highlights incredible demand for BMW’s combination of luxury and performance in its M models. The most popular in 2025 was the X3 M50, while BMW is also citing the M5 Touring and M5 sedan as major growth drivers for the brand. With their V8 hybrid powertrain, the immense amount of power the M5 vanishes makes it a favorite among those who want practicality and performance domination combined. The BMW M3 continues to be a cherished icon among performance enthusiasts, offering purist features like a manual transmission to enthusiasts, as well as the track-focused CS variant and a Touring body style. With a growing presence in the world of motorsport and more sales of its incredibly diverse lineup than ever before, BMW M is dominating the luxury performance automotive landscape. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – April 03, 2025

BMW Reports Strong Q1 2025 Sales With EV Growth Leading T...

BMW of North America reports a 3.7% sales increase in Q1 2025, with EV sales jumping 26.4% and MINI sales growing 9.5% year-over-year. BMW of North America kicked off 2025 with solid sales growth, reporting 87,615 units sold in Q1, a 3.7% increase from the previous year. The brand’s electric lineup played a major role in its success, with battery electric vehicle sales rising by an impressive 26.4%. The BMW i4 led the charge with a 57% jump in sales, while the iX also posted gains with a 23.1% increase. Meanwhile, the i5 and i7 experienced slight declines, but overall, BMW’s EV momentum continues to gain traction in the U.S. market. MINI also had a strong quarter, delivering 6,976 cars, marking a 9.5% increase compared to last year. The launch of the new MINI Countryman and Cooper models contributed to this success, helping drive demand across the brand’s lineup. As BMW and MINI continue expanding their electric lineup, their focus on innovation and customer satisfaction remains at the forefront. With an eye on the future, BMW is balancing strong internal combustion models with its growing EV presence, setting the stage for continued success throughout 2025. Whether it’s performance, efficiency, or cutting-edge technology, both brands are positioning themselves to meet the evolving demands of drivers. View all BMWs for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW of North America

A 2024 BMW M blue sedan cruises on a rural road flanked by fields and trees, with majestic mountains in the background under a clear sky, embodying its record sales success.

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 13, 2025

BMW M Reports Record Sales For 13 Years In A Row In 2024

BMW M continues to show impressive sales growth. For over 50 years, BMW’s M division has demonstrated the gold standard in combining luxury motoring with exciting high-performance thrill. Today, its lineup consists of heroes like the M3 and M4, as well as new creations like the XM and M5 Touring. As a result of its diverse and celebrated lineup, which includes hybrid and fully-electric models, BMW M GmbH has broken its yearly sales record in 2024 for the 13th year in a row. Delivering 206,582 vehicles, BMW M not only continued 13 consecutive years of sales growth, but it also exceeded the threshold of 200,000 vehicles for the second time since first achieving that benchmark in 2023. For the third time in a row, BMW M’s best-selling model globally was the BMW i4 M50, the fully-electric Gran Coupé that combines practicality and luxurious appointments with thrilling performance and cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. However, the i4 M50 is far from the only star in the lineup, with the M2 seeing a 64% increase in sales, the M3 Touring growing by 57%, and the avant-garde XM hybrid SUV growing by 16%. Throughout various global markets, the continued success and growth of BMW M and its expanding lineup shows that it is a favored sports car manufacturer enjoying continued demand for luxurious vehicles with performance-oriented touches or high-performance capabilities. Along with BMW M’s racing pursuits in 2024, its continued sales growth makes 2025 an exciting year for the iconic brand. View All BMWs For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 06, 2024

BMW Group Reports Major Setbacks In Q3 2024 Results

BMW emerges from major setbacks in the third quarter. The third quarter of the year has proved to be challenging for ceratin manufacturers within the automotive industry, and as BMW Group is recapping its third-quarter results for 2024, the report cites a technical issue as the reason for a major challenge when it comes to the group’s delivery numbers and financial results. However, BMW expects deliveries to increase in the fourth quarter, finishing 2024 with adjusted full-year guidance. The technical issue is related to the Integrated Braking System (IBS), and it dampened sales and revenue. While BMW Group’s BEV deliveries increased during the quarter, the issues made the third quarter a tough one for BMW Group. Delivering 1,754,157 cars, the first nine months of this year represents a 4.5-percent decrease compared to last year’s number. In the third quarter itself, 540,881 BMW Group deliveries represented a 13-percent decrease. As the IBS problem forced delivery stops and delays for BMW Group, it has proved a major challenge and a considerable setback for the group’s performance, both in the third quarter and in the first nine months of the year. However, as the manufacturer is working hard to rectify all of the impacts of the issue, the fourth quarter is expected to bring increased deliveries with robust demand. View All BMWs For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 06, 2024

BMW x Toyota Announces New Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle Partn...

BMW partners with Toyota for hydrogen pioneering. While battery electric vehicles have dominated the automotive world’s transition to electrification, which is happening at a breakneck pace, there are some situations in which battery-electric powertrains are not the best solution. A less popular solution that has been championed by a few pioneers, however, is hydrogen fuel. Using hydrogen to power an electric vehicle is something that manufacturers like BMW and Toyota have been exploring, and now, they will do it together. BMW has announced that it plans to launch its first-ever series-production hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle in 2028. Towards this effort, the German manufacturer will join forces with Toyota to collaborate in developing the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle technology. Both companies will use what they have already learned in hydrogen and electric vehicle engineering in order to create a new, better generation. Together, BMW and Toyota will jointly develop a powertrain system for series production vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, launching the first model in 2028. Both passenger and commercial vehicles will rely on the powertrain system, with the BMW and Toyota hydrogen FCEV models retaining the unique characteristics of vehicles from both brands, providing a range of options for customers to choose from. Building on the success of the iX5 Hydrogen, BMW plans to create a hydrogen variant of an existing model. The new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will sit alongside combustion and battery electric powertrains, offering a new option for situations where battery power isn’t the best option. View All BMWs For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 09, 2024

BMW Group Reports BEV Sales Growth In Q1 2024

BMW’s financial performance hits the ground running in Q1 2024. With a luxurious, high-tech lineup that continues to be rapidly transformed by electrification, BMW Group is starting 2024 with financial success. The results for Q1 2024 are in, and BMW is on track with its plan for the year with growing electric vehicle deliveries, and at approximately 83,000 across all three of BWM Group’s brands: BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce, that represents a 28 percent increase. In general, 594,533 vehicles delivered in the quarter represented a 1 percent increase over last year’s first quarter, with highlights including robust growth for the BMW brand itself, and increasing popularity of models like the BMW i7, the all-electric rendition of BMW’s flagship 7 Series luxury sedan. Out of all the first-quarter sales, electric vehicles took a 13.9% portion. Meanwhile, the Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric model is opening new doors for the historic ultra-luxury manufacturer. 579 examples of the EV super coupe were delivered to customers in the first quarter of 2024, with 38% of Rolls-Royce’s 1,525 cars delivered in the quarter being electrified. BMW Group has started 2024 off on a great note, and credits electrification for that success, with both BMW and Rolls-Royce experiencing growth with regards to its electrified models like the i7, i4, iX, and Spectre. With the rest of 2024 ahead, BMW Group looks forward to maintain its success and continue to futurize its offerings. View All BMWs For Sale

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 12, 2024

BMW Group Delivered Its Millionth EV In Q1 2024

BMW Group’s quarterly recap includes a big milestone. BMW is known for its diverse lineup of luxury vehicles, and in recent years, electrification has been at the forefront of its efforts, with more battery-electric and hybrid models being introduced to the lineup than ever before. With the first quarter of 2024 in the books for the BMW Group and its brands: BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce, electrification is the subject of a major milestone that the manufacturer reached. During the quarter, BMW celebrated the delivery of its millionth fully-electric vehicle since the debut of the i3, and that achievement symbolizes BMW’s strong commitment to electrification. In addition, the delivery of 594,671 vehicles during the quarter represents a growth of 1% for the group compared to the same time last year. The BMW brand itself grew in deliveries by 2.5% during the quarter, with its battery-electric vehicle deliveries growing by 40.6%, with 78,691 fully-electric BMWs delivered during the quarter. Meanwhile, BMW’s M lineup is also experiencing success, with deliveries increasing in the quarter by 3.6%. While deliveries of Rolls-Royce vehicles decreased during Q1 2024 by 7%, the historic ultra-luxury brand continues with its plan of retaining exclusivity, with stunning bespoke creations including the coachbuilt 1-of-4 Rolls-Royce Droptail Arcadia commission being delivered during the quarter. With a diverse group of brands, and a lineup of vehicles that showcase innovation, tradition, luxury, and technology, BMW looks forward to a successful remainder of 2024. View All BMWs For Sale

stage one of 200m eur rimac campus to be completed in 2023 6

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 09, 2024

BMW Group & Rimac Technology Announce New EV Tech Partner...

BMW enlists the help of an electrification expert. Rimac is a name known for being at the forefront of electric mobility, with an immense investment in and dedication towards the ambitious, futuristic endeavor, and also the Nevera, an all-electric hypercar that has, since its debut, continuously broken records and showcased game-changing performance with its innovative approach to performance engineering. However, Rimac Technology’s respected innovation, know-how, and resources when it comes to automotive electrification are being tapped into by another auto industry titan: BMW. Today, Rimac Technology and BMW are announcing that the two will collaborate on high-voltage battery units for BMW’s next-generation electrified lineup in a long-term partnership, which marks Rimac Technology’s largest and most ambitious project to date. Meanwhile, BMW brings 15 years of battery and electric drive system expertise to the table, resulting in a partnership that is bound to push the entire automotive industry forward. In fact, Rimac and BMW have been connected for longer than the beginning of this partnership, as Mate Rimac’s very own journey in electric mobility began with the conversion of his 1984 BMW 3 Series into an electric car at age 20, making this new partnership with BMW Group a full-circle moment for Mate Rimac and the Rimac Group. With Rimac’s electric innovation at its side, BMW has teamed up with an electrification powerhouse as it gears up to reveal its next generation of electric vehicles. More details on the new partnership are said to be revealed soon. View All BMWs For Sale

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