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

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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.

Collage showing a blue BMW coupe with Alpina and Zagato branding, close-up of a Zagato badge, exterior front view, and blue-upholstered dashboard—Bavaria Meets Milan: Coach-Built Bovensiepen Zagato Unveiled At Lake Como.

By Khris Bharath – May 24, 2025

Bavaria Meets Milan: Coach-Built Bovensiepen Zagato Unvei...

We’re witnessing the birth of a new automotive marque this weekend with the introduction of the Bovensiepen Zagato. Unveiled at the Fuori Concorso on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy; this sleek carbon-bodied GT car is based on the BMW M4 convertible and fuses German engineering with Italian style. If the name Bovensiepen doesn’t ring a bell, it is in reference to the late founder of Alpina Bukard Bovensiepen, the once-independent BMW tuning house, now fully absorbed into the Bavarian automaker. Now, sons, Andreas and Florian Bovensiepen, are taking the next big step, and what better way than to do it with Milan-based Atelier Zagato, a company synonymous with coachbuilding and crafting some of the most stunning cars ever made. The Bovensiepen Zagato rides on the bones of the (G83) M4 convertible, but besides the daytime running lights upfront, you’d be hard-pressed to recognize it with the absence of BMW’s oversized kidney grille, now replaced by a black stainless steel mesh, flanked by sculpted air intakes. Details like double-bubble roof and sweeping proportions are unmistakably Zagato. Every panel is bespoke, and the air duct in the front fenders and aggressive diffuser help with aerodynamics. Even the trunk lid has been recontoured to support the subtle ducktail spoiler. Bespoke 20-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels and quad-Akrapoviç exhaust pipes complement the coach-built bodywork. “Our goal is to build cars for connoisseurs and enthusiasts who appreciate the perfect symbiosis of design and technology.” - Andreas Bovensiepen, CEO, Bovensiepen Automobiles. Under the hood, you get familiar firepower from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder mill, now tuned for 602 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That is a significant leap over the standard BMW M4 convertible’s 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet. As a result, the sprint to 60 mph happens in 3.3 seconds, whereas top speed is 186 mph. Despite the big speed, this is no track weapon. While an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard, custom Bilstein Damptronic dampers all help with this car’s grand touring intent. “It was a team effort driven by the excitement of the project, the idea of launching the first car of a new luxurious brand, and the fact that we were bringing together the DNA of two families." - Andrea Zagato, third-generation President of Zagato. Inside, the M4 architecture remains, but with an ambience that has been significantly elevated. Each Bovensiepen Zagato cabin undergoes 130 hours of customization, with full Lavalina leather, Alcantara, and in a near-endless palette of colors. The entire build for each car, with its 400 unique components, takes over 250 hours to put together. Exact pricing and exact production numbers have not been announced yet, but with the Zagato lineage and exclusivity, expect it to cost more than the Alpina B4 GT’s $200k price, sold exclusively as a coupe. Deliveries of the Bovensiepen Zagato will begin in the second quarter of 2026. View All BMWs For Sale Source: Zagato, Bovensiepen

By Khris Bharath – May 19, 2025

Teased: BMW Brewing A Long-Roof Shooting Brake Surprise?

With less than a week to go for the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este (May 24-26), BMW has dropped teaser images of what appears to be a mysterious shooting brake, owing to its profile with a long roofline and a steeply raked hatchback. Those slim LED taillights and the general shape of the tail section in particular appear to draw cues from the BMW Skytop, the stunning coachbuilt Roadster concept that was also revealed at Lake Como last year. With the production version limited to just 50 examples and each rumored at $500,000, the sleek Skytop roadster with a 617-horsepower twin-turbo M8 heart was sold out. BMW Skytop Given the Skytop’s popularity, a limited-run shooting brake follow-up cannot be ruled out. While BMW has recently been making a comeback with its wagons in a big way, the Bavarian automaker's history with the two-door long-roof format can be traced back to the 02-Series Touring from 1971, and who can forget the Z3 ‘Clown Shoe’ of the late 1990s. More recently, we’ve also seen the BMW Touring Coupé. Based on the third-gen Z4, this concept stole the show on the lawns of Villa d’Este back in 2023. BMW Shooting Brakes For 2025, BMW once again returns as the official partner, curating the event with everything from concept cars to vintage and classic automobiles. There will be three world premieres, but what seems to tie it to this mysterious wagon is a press release from April where BMW, specifically revealed that it will “premiere an elegantly sporting one-off designed to provide motoring pleasure for two.” Broad Arrow Auctions joins the lakeside action this year for the first time, with several blue-chip classics set to cross the auction block on Saturday. As for this mysterious shooting brake, all eyes are on the prestigious Lake Como event for now. View All BMWs For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by BMW (@bmw) Source: BMW Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 26, 2023

BMW Motorrad Unveils The M 1000 XR As The World’s Most Po...

The 2024 BMW M 1000 XR sets new benchmarks with exceptional performance and versatility, further solidifying BMW Motorrad's reputation for engineering high-end sports bikes. BMW Motorrad has just pulled the covers off its latest modern motorcycle marvel, the all-new 2024 M 1000 XR. Given the title of the world's most powerful and lightest cross-over motorcycle, this long-distance sports bike is built for those who crave high-performance experiences on the road and track. The M 1000 XR is a show-stopping third entry in BMW Motorrad's M model range, following the M 1000 RR superbike and the dynamic M 1000 R roadster. BMW engineers have fine-tuned the M 1000 XR to meet the unique demands of a long-distance sports bike. Enhanced by optimized suspension technology and a roaring engine that churns out a peak power of 201 horsepower at 12,750 rpm, 31 horsepower more than its sibling, the 2024 S 1000 XR, the new M XR is designed for everyday sporty riding. The bike also features a shorter secondary gear ratio, boosting more rear wheel pulling power in all gears. In terms of aesthetics, the BMW M XR boasts an aggressive look from the front, complete with new M winglets and iconic signature LED lights. Motorsport-style air intakes and a narrower rear section give it a high-performance edge. Meanwhile, the latest generation of Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with a 6-axis sensor ensures maximum safety and performance, offering multiple riding modes including, "Rain," "Road," "Dynamic," and "Race," plus three additional "Race Pro" modes. Celebrating BMW Motorrad's centenary year, the M 1000 XR stands out as the epitome of the brand's dynamic philosophy. It sets a new standard in the realm of high-performance, long-distance sports bikes. And for riders looking for an extra edge, an optional M Competition Package offers even more refined components. The all-new 2024 BMW M 1000 XR is estimated to launch in Q2 of 2024 with an MSRP of $24,295. View all BMW models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW Motorrad

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 10, 2023

BMW Group's Electric Vehicles Sales Surge In Q3 With A 79...

Fully-electric BMW and MINI lead the surge, with BEVs poised to account for 15% of 2023 total sales. BMW Group is steering into a green future, evidenced by its recent spike in electric vehicle sales, registering a remarkable 79.6% surge in their fully-electric BMW and MINI vehicle sales in Q3 compared to last year. The manufacturer's strategic focus on EVs is evident as BMW doubled its fully-electric deliveries in Q3, showcasing a 100.3% growth year-on-year. This momentum extends to its portfolio, with a total of 621,699 vehicles, including BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce, reaching customers in the same quarter, marking a 5.8% year-on-year uptick. Between January and September, the growth of overall sales climbed to 5.1%, translating to 1,836,563 vehicles. Additionally, BMW Group projects BEVs to make up a substantial 15% of its 2023 total vehicle sales. The third quarter featured 549,941 global deliveries under the BMW name, marking a 6.2% increase from the previous year. Its electric BMW i4 and upcoming BMW i5 stand out, proving their worth in the competitive EV market. BMW's high-performance segment, BMW M, also registered a 13.2% sales boost in Q3, driven by new additions like the BMW XM and the fully-electric BMW i7 M70. On the luxury front, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars saw 1,374 vehicles off the dealership floors in Q3, a decrease attributed to discontinuations and gearing up for the highly-anticipated Rolls-Royce Spectre. This electric super coupé has generated immense buzz, with orders sold out until 2025. BMW Group's commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and strategic foresight has been the backbone of its success. With a foundation in electric mobility and a vision for a sustainable future, the brand remains focused on redefining luxury driving experiences. View all BMW models currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All BMW For Sale Source: BMW