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 Tyler Rampersaud – February 25, 2025

New 1-of-92 BMW M4 CS VR46 Celebrates Valentino Rossi's 4...

This new special edition celebrates a motorsport icon. Valentino Rossi is one of the greatest names in motorcycle racing, with an illustrious career in motorcycle racing and driving race cars. Some of his greatest achievements in the motorsport world include being a nine-time champion, boasting 89 victories and 199 podiums, and being an inductee to the MotoGP Hall of Fame. Today, Rossi is a BMW Motorsport works driver, and the owner and manager of the Racing Team VR46, which competes in MotoGP. As a BMW Motorsport works driver, Rossi competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship behind the wheel of a BMW M4 GT3, which sports his legendary signature number: 46. This year marks Valentino Rossi’s 46th birthday, and in celebration of his age matching the iconic number, BMW has revealed the new 2025 M4 CS Edition VR46, a highly-limited special edition of its iconic performance car meant to honor and celebrate the racing legend. Only 92 examples of the car will be made globally, with 46 examples in each of the two colors being offered: Marina Bay Blue Metallic and Frozen Tanzanite Blue Metallic. A limited number of both colors have been reserved for the United States market, and Valentino Rossi himself, nicknamed “the Doctor,” was involved in the design process. The carbon fiber roof of the car features a prominent VR46 graphic, along with the doors which help set the limited-edition car apart. A unique interior configuration continues the bold, motorsport-inspired color scheme, combining blue and black leather upholstery with yellow Alcantara. However, the new 2025 BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is about much more than just looks, with a 543-horsepower twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and model-specific chassis tuning and tweaks to give it the ability to rocket from 0-60 in just 3.2 seconds towards a top speed of 188 mph. With exclusivity, cherished motorsport legacy, and robust performance, the new BMW M4 CS Edition VR46 is a motorsport enthusiast’s collector-grade masterpiece, and a stunning tribute to the 46th birthday of the racing icon that is Valentino Rossi and his signature number 46. View All BMW M4s For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 08, 2024

Unveiling The 2025 BMW M4 CS: Power, Precision, And Perfo...

BMW's newest track monster makes its grand debut! Fusing motorsport heritage and cutting-edge technology, the BMW M4 CS redefines driving dynamics with a turbocharged inline-six engine, carbon fiber construction, and track-tuned handling. Introducing the next generation of track-focused M cars, BMW is proud to debut the new 2025 M4 CS. Powered by a high-revving 3.0-liter M TwinPower Turbo inline-six engine, delivering over 543 horsepower, this special edition M4 CS is built to dominate both the racetrack and the open road. With advanced chassis tuning and targeted weight reduction using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), the M4 CS aims to deliver a driving experience like no other. View All BMW M4s For Sale Drawing inspiration from the world of motorsport, the M4 CS embodies precision engineering and state-of-the-art aerodynamics. From its track-oriented powertrain to its distinctive M exterior styling, every inch of the M4 CS is meticulously designed around performance. Whether tackling hairpin bends or sprinting down the straightaways, the M4 CS offers an adrenaline-fueled ride for those looking to upgrade their daily commute or track weekends. With a maximum output of 543 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, the M4 CS delivers blistering acceleration and unmatched responsiveness. Thanks to targeted revisions to the engine's M TwinPower Turbo technology, the M4 CS achieves a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 188 mph. With its 8-speed M Steptronic transmission, M xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive, and Active M differential, the M4 CS offers exceptional traction and agility in any driving condition. Complementing its performance is the M4 CS's exterior, blending aerodynamic efficiency and aggressive bodywork. From its carbon fiber roof to its distinctive kidney grille and M Carbon bucket seats, every detail of the M4 CS is made to make you feel like a racer. With exclusive paint finishes and carbon fiber accents, the M4 CS showcases athleticism that sets it apart from all others in its category. Inside the cockpit, the M4 CS includes both luxury amenities and race-focused features, with premium materials and cutting-edge technology throughout. From the BMW Curved Display with M-specific graphics to the carbon fiber trim accents with exclusive design cues, every aspect of the interior is designed to sweeten the driving experience. With user-friendly controls and customizable settings, the M4 CS puts the driver in complete control, allowing them to tailor the driving experience to their preferences. The 2025 BMW M4 CS represents the pinnacle of performance and precision engineering. Whether you're a track enthusiast or a weekend warrior, the M4 CS is ready to deliver a truly thrilling driving experience. View all BMW M4 models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW M4s For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 15, 2022

PUMA Motorsport Honors The BMW M4 With An All-New BMW LGN...

Being an active sponsor in the world of automotive racing, PUMA Motorsport prides itself on testing its apparel, footwear, and accessories amongst the best racing drivers on the planet. Working with industry leaders like BMW M Motorsport, the global sports company creates collections inspired by milestone examples from the past, present, and future. PUMA is proud to honor the legacy of BMW M Motorsport with a bold new footwear design. The all-new PUMA BMW LGND sneaker draws inspiration from the BMW M4 Series and the famous Speedcat racing shoe. MUST-READ: The Top 10 Automotive-Inspired Sneakers By Puma Motorsport Available Now The low-cut silhouette incorporates the notorious BMW M colors into its design, subtly hinting at shades of red, blue, and purple. Other noticeable accents on the BMW LGND also point out significant areas of the M4, such as its chrome trim pieces, unique headlight system, and aggressive hood styling. Designed as the perfect everyday sneaker, the PUMA BMW LGND aims to perform on any road or track. The all-new PUMA BMW LGND sneaker will be available online and in select stores soon. Shop all of the BMW M Motorsport collections from PUMA by clicking on the link below. Shop PUMA Motorsport Source: PUMA

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 15, 2022

The Best BMW M4s You Can Buy Today

Since its debut into BMW’s performance lineup in 2014, the M4 became the predecessor to the original M3 Coupe. Sporting an aggressive two-door configuration with the design and performance to dominate any road or track, the BMW M4 quickly gained traction within the automotive market. Now, BMW’s M4 fleet solidifies itself in its own shape with a passionate community of owners and enthusiasts that dedicate their garage space to the M Division's most popular coupe. While the BMW M4 comes in an array of colors and variations boasting impressive power outputs, we have compiled a list of the best examples available today through duPont REGISTRY. Click on the links below to view the price and listing on the BMW M4s included in this special. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and supercar news. 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2021 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2020 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2018 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2015 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2022 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING 2017 BMW M4 VIEW PRICE AND LISTING

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 24, 2022

The New BMW M3 and M4 BMW M 50 Jahre Editions Celebrate 5...

Half a century has gone by since one of the most iconic names in European performance was first established. BMW M started life on May 24, 1972, when the partnership agreement for BMW Motorsport GmbH was first signed. Exactly 50 years later, the brand’s two most iconic models, the M3 and M4, get a “BMW M 50 Jahre Edition” to celebrate the momentous anniversary. Different regions throughout the world will be receiving different limited editions of these models, with Europe and other selected regions getting the BMW M4 Coupe BMW M 50 Jahre Edition in Carbon Black, Macao Blue, Brands Hatch Grey, Imola Red, and San Marino Blue. MUST READ: The New BMW M4 CSL Continues An Incredible Track-Focused Legacy The Chinese market receives the BMW M4 BMW M 50 Jahre Edition in Fire Orange and Stratus Grey to celebrate the Year of the Tiger coinciding with the 50th anniversary of BMW M. In the United States and Canada will receive a BMW M3 Sedan BMW M 50 Jahre Edition, and production will be limited to 500 units, in the colors Cinnebar Red, Techno Violet, Interlagos Blue, Fire Orange, and Limerock Grey. In the interiors of all of the BMW M 50 Jahre Edition models, badging, lettering, and a plaque will designate the limited edition, and with the limited M3 models, the number out of 500 will be displayed as well. If any performance brand knows how to celebrate a 50th anniversary, it’s BMW M. Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 20, 2022

The New BMW M4 CSL Continues An Incredible Track-Focused ...

The track-focused legend of the BMW CSL returns. The CSL designation of BMW’s cars has represented a car for those dedicated to performance. CSLs decrease weight and increase power compared to the cars they are based on, and when you drive one, it’s clear that it is most at home on the track. This couldn’t be more true for the new BMW M4 CSL, which BMW says is more like its BMW M4 GT3 competition-spec counterpart than ever before, and embodies the “Competition, Sport, Lightweight” legacy in the greatest way yet. MUST-READ: BMW Motorrad Celebrates 50 Years of M With An M 1000 RR Anniversary Model With 543 horsepower, the M4 CSL gets an additional 40 horsepower compared to the standard M4, and 240 pounds were shaved off of the total weight of the car, bringing it down to 3,640 pounds. With those improvements, which include the removal of the rear seats, chassis upgrades, the inclusion of carbon fiber throughout, light-alloy wheels, and carbon-ceramic brakes, the BMW M4 CSL takes performance to a whole new level. The 0-60 time is only 3.6 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 191 mph. However, one of the most epic indicators of performance for a track-focused car like the BMW M4 CSL is its lap time on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit, which for the M4 CSL was 7:20.2, which is the fastest time that a series-production BMW has ever posted. If you want to get your hands on a new BMW M4 CSL, production will start in July 2022, and the base MSRP of the car is $139,000 plus a $995 destination charge. However, it isn’t quite that simple, as BMW is limiting the production of the new M4 CSL to 1,000 units worldwide, and they’re sure to sell fast. A car this powerful and iconic is sure to cause quite the stir. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 12, 2022

3 BMW M4 Competition x KITH Editions Now Available At Sar...

The largest amount of limited-edition BMW x KITH M4 chassis for sale at one dealership. Since its initial announcement and release, the 2022 BMW M4 Competition x KITH continues to grow in popularity by bridging the gap between the automotive and streetwear worlds. The new generation BMW M4 Competition features an aggressive re-design that highlights the performance aspects of the brand’s M-division. Inside and out, the special edition BMW M4 Competition includes subtle hints of KITH using upholstery finishes and badging. The supercar specialists at Sarchione Auto Gallery of Canton, Ohio are proud to offer not just one, but three of the limited edition chassis as part of its ever-growing inventory of luxury vehicles. MUST-READ: Making of the 2021 BMW M4 Competition x Kith Video Each BMW M4 Competition x KITH presents itself in a Frozen Black Metallic exterior finish with a custom KITH-inspired interior design. The highly sought-after collaboration BMW is powered by the M-Division’s 3.0-Liter I6 Twin-Turbocharged engine that produces 503-horsepower. With only 150 of the 2022 BMW M4 Competition x KITH examples worldwide, Sarchione Auto Gallery is happy to present its collection of three that are now available for sale through duPont REGISTRY. Click the link below to view all of the current inventory at Sarchione Auto Gallery. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury supercar news and releases. View Inventory View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarchione Auto Gallery (@sarchioneautogallery) Source: @sarchioneautogallery

By Edward Jones – November 17, 2021

2022 BMW M4 Competition x KITH For Sale

1 of 150. Towards the end of 2020, the BMW M4 Competition x KITH was unveiled as a very limited edition sports car that is as stylish as it is quick. Throughout the M4 Competition x KITH, there are special touches courtesy of KITH. These touches include the KITH badging on the exterior and interior, and even the KITCH logo worked into the headrests. Customers who ordered this very special M4 Competition were able to choose from three colors: Frozen Black, Frozen Brilliant White, and Frozen Dark Silver. Up for sale right now through Mall of Georgia MINI is one of the 150 M4 Competition x KITH in the world and 49 in the U.S. Finish in the Frozen Black paint, this is a one-owner car with just 30 miles on its odometer. It also comes with quick a few options like the M Carbon Bucket Seats, Driving Assistance Professional Package, Executive Package M Carbon Exterior Package, and more. You can learn all about this incredibly rare BMW by clicking the button below to view its online listing. View Price and Listing

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 05, 2021

BMW Announces A New Sustainable Individual Paint Process ...

The BMW M4 just got more customizable and eco-friendly with the manufacturer's new paint process. While some of the new performance sports cars for sale are highly exclusive, owners are looking to differentiate specs with one-of-a-kind paint schemes from the factory. While a paint-to-sample code may cost an added premium to the sticker price, BMW is proud to announce a new sustainable small series paint process for the new M4 chassis. Using a state-of-the-art EcoPaintJet Pro application, the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing offers an overspray-free process that will increase the degree of individualization for customers. MUST-READ: 2022 BMW M4 Competition Meets The M4 GT3 Traditionally, custom exterior colors require manual application with dedicated space and personnel, which is now eliminated along with higher costs. At around 7,000 operating hours, this results in energy savings of more than 6,000-megawatt-hours and reduces the carbon footprint by nearly 2,000 tonnes per year. With the paintwork for the M4 small series, the BMW Group is testing the possibilities of the new process. These unique vehicles will initially be used in the company's own fleet. Series introduction of the piloted paint process is scheduled to begin in 2022 in the BMW Group production network. View all current BMW M4 examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW M4 For Sale Media/Information Source: BMW Group

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 26, 2021

BMW Announces The New M4 Competition Convertible M xDrive

The BMW M performance convertible fit for all conditions. Since its anticipated introduction into the automotive industry, the newly redesigned BMW M4 Competition acts as a canvas for the brand's new performance and technology. The German automotive manufacturer is now proud to announce the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive. The most apparent change to its design is that BMW incorporated a retracting soft-top roof, rather than the traditional hardtop option on the previous generation. While the open top allows for a better listening experience from the 510-horsepower twin-turbocharged six-cylinder, the interior has been designed to provide a comfortable and versatile driving experience. The new aggressively styled competition seats feature heating and cooling for any day that the top goes down, making year round drives effortless. The performance of the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible is managed with M xDrive, a configurable all-wheel-drive system that allows for a quick switch between 4WD, 4WD Sport, and 2WD. Technology is further updated with added performance analytics from BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which is home to powertrain and chassis settings as well as an M Drift Analyzer. Along with the BMW M4 Competition redesign, the brand is further expressing the true functionality behind its new performance-focused Convertible M xDrive. View All BMW M4 For Sale Media/Information Source: BMW Group For more BMW news, Check out BMW R 18 First Editions Receive Stylish Upgrades

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