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 02, 2018

BMW Builds New V8 for 8 Series

If you have been waiting for something fresh, the new BMW 8 Series is heading our way. In a press release this morning we learned the assembly line is turning our 8 Series coupes around the clock. Everything about the car is new. From revolutionary styling to the interior layout. Our favorite feature is under the hood. BMW fans care more for their engines than their own cholesterol levels, so this handbuilt masterpiece received a press release just for itself.US Pricing for BMW 8 Series AnnouncedDeep inside the Munich headquarters is a clean room dedicated to performance engines. Master engine builders assemble the inline six, and V8 for the M division, along with the V12 for the M760i. Their skilled workforce also has a dedicated line for every Rolls-Royce engine. The torque load on every bearing and bolt is recorded and checked by hand. Pistons meet their cylinder with the same care given to a newborn child.Lamborghini Races Against 1,000 HP Sleeper BMWThe clip below is a peek behind the scenes that most will never see. That is because many engine builders don't like being recorded for fear of being distracted. When you purchase a BMW, you will have peace of mind knowing that nothing is left to chance, and they are built to last. Find yours in the link below and stay with us for 8 Series updates.Become An M Series Master

By Andrew Nabors – July 12, 2018

BMW Unveils M Performance Parts Concept at Goodwood

If you want to push your M2 to new limits, check out what BMW delivered to Goodwood. For this year's Festival of Speed, the M Division pulled out all the stops to build a brutal M2. In a press release this morning, we see a frozen black exterior. All of the optional performance parts are gold to provide to make them stand out. Starting with the front end, new carbon fiber grilles will be available from your local BMW parts department before the Holidays.Other new carbon fiber pieces include fender flares, rocker panels, rear diffuser and a trunk-mounted spoiler. Even the roof is one piece of glossy carbon fiber, and it will be available from your dealer. The M Performance Parts Concept is 132 lbs lighter than a normal M2, even with the wider 19" forged wheels. Behind the new wheels are 18" brakes and a new coil-over suspension. The double-adjustable shocks have 12 settings for compression and 16 for rebound, allowing for easy changes between track and street. Not just for show, the concept will be making a run up the hill later today. Stay with us for all your Goodwood coverage.BMW M2 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – July 02, 2018

BMW Builds 24k Gold i3 and i8 For Charity Auction

When the nice people of the Soviet Union decided to invade Checkloslovakia in 1968, an activist started a political movement for his people to fight back. Václav Havel’s resistance to the Iron Curtain united Czechs and Slovaks together, culminating in the Velvet Revolution in 1989. He was elected President and served until 2003. After his death in 2011, his widow Dagmar decided to devote her life to charity.The latest news from the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation is a pair of gold BMWs. This isn't a cheesy metalflake job, BASF created this unique finish from 24k gold. The i3 and i8 are the Starlight Collection and were built by BMW's Czech division for the foundation. It is to benefit their VIZE 97 Prize, which is award annually to groundbreaking scientific or humanitarian achievements. the i8 is mostly new for the 2019 model year. A new battery increases your electric cruising range from 19 to 33 miles and ups the milage to 76 MPGe. Our dealers are ready to help you, so click the link below to find out more.Browse BMW i8 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 25, 2018

First 18 BMW i8 Roadsters Have Been Delivered in Style

Yesterday in Munich, 18 members of the BMW i8 Club received their i8 Roadsters. Over a year in the waiting, the latest i Series car has been highly anticipated. All 18 cars were built in order, and have sequential VINs. They were lined up inside BMW Welt with numbered car covers for the grand reveal.New 2019 BMW i8 Roadster and Coupe RevealedSay what you want about the i8, I love the car. The lightweight carbon fiber body and massive torque make for a fun daily driver. Plug it in and you will rarely need to use gas. The press release says these cars represent the First Edition i8 Roadsters, which will be limited to 200 examples. Each one has dry-carbon interior trim, Harmon/Kardon audio and i8 logo floorboard lamps and puddle lamps. You can't argue with 76 MPGe, so click the link below to find your i8 and please remember the fallen who gave it all to allow us to enjoy everything we have.Browse BMW i8 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 21, 2018

BMW Unveils 2019 M3 CS

Get ready to be amazed, because BMW has revived a legend as we've officially learned the details of the new 2019 M3 CS. Taking inspiration from the 1988 E30 M3 Evo, this potent machine will hit 62 mph in only 3.9 seconds. A few internal and external revisions allow the 3.0 liter straight six to offer 460 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The latter arrives at 4,000 rpm, and it is harnessed by a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. In keeping with the CS traditions, weight is saved through the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics for the roof, hood, and aerodynamics.Inside we are treated to Harmon/Kardon audio and two-tone leather. The black and Silverstone pattern has Alcantara accents are limited to these 1,200 cars. The Gurney flap on the trunk lid is gorgeous and functional, as the top speed has been raised to 174 mph. Each car will arrive with 19x9" front and 20x10" wheels out back. Wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, these semi-slick rubbers are the latest in street-legal performance tires. Thanks to the increased grip, the Adaptive M Suspension and the active differential have been recalibrated for more fun. If you are interested, click on the link below to contact our dealers and sell your old M3 on the world's greatest exotic car marketplace.Browse BMW M3 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 26, 2018

BMW Dishes Out New 8-Series Specs

Are you still upset about the death of the BMW 6 Series? Dry those tears, because the new 8 Series is almost ready for production. In a press release this morning we have learned a few details of the M850i xDrive Coupe. Final testing is underway on a new V8 engine and the xDrive system. An active rear differential works with active roll control and active steering to make it "The Ultimate Driving Machine".While the new engine might weigh the same as its predecessor, the redesign offers 68 more horsepower for a total of 530 hp. Torque is rated at 553 lb-ft, and it arrives at only 1,800 rpm. With specs like these, this car should outperform any M6 along with any other luxury coupe. BMW has wisely abandoned the dual-clutch transmission, and the new 8-speed Steptronic is a beefy traditional automatic.Woah: The BMW M8 Supercar is Actually HappeningChristian Billig is head of Drive System Integration, and he said: “The new V8 engine offers exactly the right balance between performance and emotion, which is what also sets the new BMW 8 Series Coupe apart. Above all, the eight-cylinder harmonizes perfectly with the further developed Steptronic transmission during dynamic acceleration. At the same time, the sound development of the sports exhaust system authentically reflects the car’s power delivery. And thanks to BMW xDrive and active rear axle locking, the engine always transfers power precisely to where it can be best converted into driving dynamics."The new 8 Series is seen as a successor to the i8 and Z8, and it is probably twice as fast as the V12 powered E31 coupes. Those 8 Series examples have mostly been sidelined by expensive repair costs and single digit mpg. So the resurrection of the 8 Series is one of the most anticipated cars in years, and we can barely wait to get behind the wheel. Stay with us for all your BMW updates and click the link below to find a BMW near you." title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen>

By Andrew Nabors – April 25, 2018

BMW Unveils iX3 Concept In Beijing

China is a big market for automakers, so the Beijing Auto Show is a perfect place for a new BMW. Taking center stage in their display is the new iX3 Concept. It is not an X3 or a plug-in hybrid, it is BMW's first battery-powered automobile.In a press release this morning, we learned that it has a modular design. The electric motor, drivetrain, and associated high-voltage components are built as a single unit. Offering 270 horsepower and a range of 249 miles, it could be a foreshadowing of the iNEXT, a production electric car that is slated to arrive in 2021.New BMW Lifestyle Collections LaunchedNot to be outdone by other luxury brands, the battery is capable of high-voltage charging in only 30 minutes. It has a capacity of 70 kWh, making it very competitive in this segment. While some might call it a small SUV or a crossover, they use the term SAV for Sports Activity Vehicle. It is on display next to the i Vision Dynamics study, which gives us a clear view of BMW's electric future. Tell us what you think of this concept in the comments below, and click the link to find great deals on the latest conventional X3 models. Browse BMW X Series For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 09, 2018

BMW M2 Competition Leaks Online With M4 Power!

In the past, many automakers would not allow internal competition. The big engine in a small car controversy has been played out by Ford, GM, and now BMW. The quick & nimble BMW M2 and its M235i siblings are powered by a turbocharged straight-six engine. That's no surprise because the M3 and M4 also share versions of the same engine.BMW Unveils Limited Edition M240i M Performance EditionUsually, leaks about upcoming German cars come from Europe, but this one caught us off-guard. The Country (and Continent) that is closest to the International Date Line is Australia. Tomorrow officially begins at that line, so BMW from Down Under was first to show this new Bavarian beast to the world. Here's the cached page of the leak.When the M2 was first announced to have a single turbo, we figured it was due to the small engine bay. The M3 and M4 have two, using 3 cylinders to spin each turbine. Another important consideration is making the M3 or M4 buyer able to justify the price when compared to the M2, but why? A buyer looking for an M2 is probably not looking for anything else, so why not give it the most power?How To Build A BMW M2 Drift Machine? LS Swap It This doesn't come down to building a faster flagship because the new M760 is the fastest BMW on the market. They have always built the Ultimate Driving Machine, so get ready for 410 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Only the dual-clutch transmission was mentioned, so we hope BMW USA listens to our six-speed needs. Pricing and availability have yet to be released, so stay with us for all your BMW news.Browse BMW M2 For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 09, 2018

BMW M5 Drifts For 8 Hours, Breaks Two World Records

Yesterday we told you about BMW's ambitious plan to set a new world record. Guinness had recorded a previous record of 89.55 miles of drifting in an 8-hour test. To show off the new drift mode of the new M5, engineers decided to throw down with unprecedented technology.BMW Is Preparing For An 8-Hour M5 DriftUsing the Air Force as inspiration, BMW's M Division developed a car-to-car refueling system. Transferring gas between two moving objects is a recipe for disaster, so care was taken to make sure the hoses and tanks were up to the task. It is not without historical precedent because Mercury Marine used a similar method to refuel boats when endurance testing their outboard engines.In a YouTube video uploaded this morning, BMW has blown away the old record. If you plan on drifting for 8 hours, you will need to go 232.5 miles to beat the M5. Yes we know the track was soaked, but it is still a wild accomplishment. We can't wait to get our hands on one, not that we would ever drift a press car...So congrats to BMW for raising the bar and stay with us for all your M car updates.Browse BMW M5 For Salehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=49&v=obkLDeO58Wo

By Andrew Nabors – December 04, 2017

BMW M8 GTE In Final Testing For Daytona

Now that our leftover turkey supply has been depleted, it's time to start mentioning Speed Weeks in Daytona. One of the biggest races of the year is the Rolex 24, and BMW says the new M8 GTE will dominate. In a press release earlier this morning, Director of BMW Motorsport Jens Marquardt said: “The various departments have also worked hand in hand in the area of aerodynamics. We have benefitted greatly from the intense cooperation with central prototype assembly and the BMW Group’s Aero Lab. During development, this allowed us to work even more efficiently on the aero components, which have been designed specifically for long-distance racing. At the same time, our colleagues in production development have received information that is valuable in the field of high-performance automobiles.” BMW M8 Prototype PreviewIt is a bold move to build the race car before the street versions, so the popularity of the new 8 Series coupes seems to be hinged on being a success in its first outing. Growing up not far from Daytona, you learn several truths about the 24-hour race. First is that weather will be a factor. Second is that even the best-prepared team can fall victim to the track. The M8 GTE will be fielded in the World Endurance Championship and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, to compete against the likes of Cadillac and Team Corvette, both of which have several titles under their belt. We have no doubt that engineers in Munich have some potent tricks up their sleeve; so stay with us for complete coverage of the upcoming season.

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