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 – May 15, 2026

BMW Transforms The XM For DJs

The BMW XM was introduced first as a striking concept with futuristic design, and then to BMW’s production lineup as the first exclusive M model since the legendary BMW M1 supercar. Combining twin-turbo V8 and hybrid power, the XM, especially the flagship XM Label, is an immensely powerful and high-performance luxury SUV, having taken on Pikes Peak, and boasting 748 total horsepower from its M HYBRID powertrain. However, at the Electric Mountain Festival in Sölden, Austria, the BMW XM Label Soundmachine transforms the futuristic hybrid luxury performance SUV into a rolling DJ stage, and it has the approval of none other than Carl Cox, a legendary DJ and a brand ambassador for BMW. The roof of the XM has been modified to house artists and DJ equipment, with enough space for a noteworthy performance to take place. A double-sided LED screen allows for performers to add visual elements to a show, and fog machines are integrated into the wheel arches, which are paired with an underbody lighting system and fixed lights that showcase the vehicle. The sound system in the BMW XM Label Soundmachine comes from dBTechnologies, consisting of VIO C12 active speakers and VIO S118R subwoofers, and a professional Pioneer DJ setup complements it. With the XM Label’s hybrid power, the entire system, including sound, screen, and lighting, can operate for up to an hour without an external power supply. Also, the vehicle can drive at speeds of up to nine miles per hour. <- Gallery -> A team of five apprentices at BMW’s Dingolfing plant designed and created the XM Label Soundmachine, starting in July 2025, and getting through “at least 14 sleepless nights” to create the supporting structure. An engineering marvel and an eye-catching showcase of music and automotive excellence, the new BMW XM Label Soundmachine will be on display at several events following its Electric Mountain Festival debut, like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the MotoGP race in Spielberg. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW Group

A dark blue 2026 XM Label BMW SUV is shown in a studio setting with dramatic lighting, highlighting its large front grille and modern design details.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 11, 2025

BMW Axes XM For 2026 & Unveils New 2026 XM Label

BMW’s M-exclusive Super SUV gets an update. A few years ago, BMW unveiled a striking concept at Art Basel Miami Beach: the XM. Its angular, avant-garde design envisioned an interpretation of a BMW luxury SUV that was purely made for the M lineup. After wowing visitors with its unique looks, a production version was announced, with a design that is incredibly similar to its concept counterpart. The production BMW XM combines a twin-turbo V8 engine with a plug-in hybrid system for immense power, adding elevated luxury to the mix with its M Lounge rear interior concept, as well as unique colors and striking finishes. Importantly, however, the BMW XM is the second M-exclusive model ever, and the first since the legendary BMW M1 supercar. After the BMW XM came the BMW XM Label, a variant of the high-performance luxe SUV with an increased power figure of a massive 738 horsepower that made it the most powerful roadgoing BMW M model ever. The XM Label managed to break a record at Pikes Peak, and since then, the head-turning hybrid super SUV has served as a unique flagship for BMW M, and the 2026 model years brings forth a series of updates for the XM. For 2026, the biggest change coming to the BMW XM lineup is that the standard XM is leaving the lineup in favor of only offering the XM Label in the USA, which was revealed amongst the festivities of this year’s highly anticipated 24 Hours of Le Mans race. With a total system power of 738 horsepower and 738 lb/ft of torque, the XM Label rockets form 0-60 in just 3.6 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, which can be increased to 175 mph with the M Driver’s package. " width="680"> View All BMW XMs For Sale Also new for 2026 are various configuration options, like the newly available BMW Individual Frozen Tanzanite Blue metallic paint color, the 1096 M style 23-inch wheels in Jet Black, and a new Welcome Light animation. Three new interior configurations are available: BMW Individual Night Blue Full Merino Leather with Vintage Coffee accents, BMW Individual Black Full Merino Leather with Vintage Coffee accents, and BMW Individual Silverstone Extended Merino leather with Black accents. Enhancing the convenience of the plug-in hybrid aspect of the new 2026 XM Label, the charging rate has been increased form 7.4 kW to 11 kW. With incredible power and truly striking, avant-garde design, BMW’s M-exclusive super SUV flagship becomes even better for 2026. Image Source: BMW

A dark purple 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept SUV is parked on a concrete surface with a textured wall in the background, partially in shadow.

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 06, 2024

Kith x BMW Reveal New 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept

Kith and BMW continue their captivating collaboration. Those steeped in streetwear culture will know that Kith, founded by Ronnie Feig in 2011, is one of streetwear’s most prominent names. It started as a New York store specializing in sneaker culture and expanded to become a revered lifestyle and apparel brand pushing the boundaries and representing the latest and greatest of streetwear fashion. With global locations and household name status, Kith is at the top of the streetwear world. However, Kith has expanded its reach to the automotive world with its collaboration with BMW, which has included a stunning limited-edition bespoke rendition of the BMW M4 and Ronnie Feig’s own custom BMW M1 supercar. However, at Art Basel Miami Beach amidst the festivities of Miami Art Week, another chapter in BMW and Kith’s collaboration has been unveiled: the 2025 BMW XM Kith Concept. Launching along with a new collection of Kith x BMW apparel, the new BMW XM Kith Concept will have a total of 47 examples made, which is the number of years since the debut of the BMW M1 supercar, the previous M-exclusive BMW. The BMW Individual Frozen Techno Violet metallic paint is a historic color that is specially developed for and only will be used for the exclusive model, and BMW Individual Frozen Black is also available. Other touches that set the new BMW XM Kith Concept apart from the standard version of the hybrid super SUV include Kith logos throughout, an illuminated “1/47” insignia on the door sills, and a Kith twist to the interior M Lounge. Standard with the exclusive vehicle is a Kith duffle bag, which bridges the gap between the fashion and automotive worlds in the new collaboration. With a unique, historically-inspired design, the new BMW XM is the next subject of BMW and Kith’s ongoing and growing collaboration. View All BMW XMs For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 03, 2023

The 738HP BMW XM Label Breaks A Pikes Peak Record

BMW's XM Label sets a new hybrid SUV record at Pikes Peak, with a gripping two-part film documenting the feat. The BMW XM Label has roared into history, clinching a new record for hybrid electric SUVs at the famed Pikes Peak hill climb. This electrifying performance is not just a testament to BMW's engineering prowess but also a statement of intent in the high-performance luxury SUV segment. The air at Pikes Peak was electric on September 21, 2023, as BMW’s most potent production model to date, the XM Label, unleashed its full 738 horsepower to set a new benchmark. The XM, with a colossal 738 lb-ft of torque, recorded an awe-inspiring 10:48:60, eclipsing the previous record and etching its name in the annals of the historic motorsport challenge. But the journey to this triumphant moment wasn’t without its drama. In June, during the 101st Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, BMW and driver Matt Mullins eyed the record. Yet, it was the return last month that saw them shatter expectations. Their secret weapon? A synergy of raw power and seasoned expertise, thanks to a partnership with Rhys Millen Racing. Capturing every heartbeat of this adventure, BMW produced an emotionally charged two-part short film, now available for enthusiasts to stream. Viewers can immerse themselves in the rigors of preparing for Pikes Peak, feeling the wrenching setback of the initial attempt and the adrenaline rush of ultimate victory. Marcus Casey, Chief Marketing Officer for BMW of North America, encapsulated the triumph: “Pikes Peak is the ultimate proving ground...and we are thrilled to be named fastest hybrid SUV thanks to the world class pairing of an epic vehicle with an equally impressive driver.” " width="680"> The Pikes Peak course, renowned for its hairpin turns and dizzying elevations, starts at 9,390 feet and ascends to the summit at 14,115 feet. The XM Label’s record run has added a new chapter to the storied ‘Race to the Clouds,’ further cementing its over a century-long legacy. This achievement is not just about speed. It's a showcase of BMW's commitment to blending performance with cutting-edge technology. The BMW XM Label is powered by a hybrid drivetrain inspired by the BMW M Hybrid V8 racing car. The sophisticated system pairs a forceful turbocharged 8-cylinder engine with an electric motor, ensuring explosive power, improved efficiency, and reduced emissions. Inside the XM Label, opulence meets innovation. Occupants are ensconced in a world of luxury with diamond quilted BMW Individual Vintage Merino leather and a headliner that's a constellation of LED lights, mirroring the night sky. Matt Mullins, behind the wheel, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. As BMW’s Chief Driving Instructor and a seasoned stunt driver, Mullins was instrumental in BMW’s previous Guinness Record-breaking drift. His expertise and finesse with BMW vehicles are unmatched, and his latest feat atop Pikes Peak is a vivid reminder of his skill and BMW’s pursuit of excellence in every aspect of automotive design and performance. The BMW XM Label's record-setting run at Pikes Peak is a bold declaration in the evolution of hybrid technology and performance luxury. It's clear that when it comes to setting records and exceeding expectations, BMW and its team do not just compete—they dominate. View All BMW XMs For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Gabriel Vega – August 04, 2023

2023 BMW XM Review: A Statement Piece

M's 644-hp SUV is striking, but that's the point.

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 28, 2022

The New BMW XM Is Revealed As BMW M's First Electrified H...

After 50 years, the harbinger of BMW M’s new era is here. First introduced as an edgy concept that showed off how BMW’s M division planned to enter the future after 50 years of being one of the most important names in motorsport, the BMW XM Concept combined lots of current happenings in the automotive industry. Being a luxury performance SUV, it spoke to the growing popularity of the segment, and also the future of automotive power and performance, as the car promised an innovative hybrid powertrain specifically bred for performance. Now, the XM is a production model, and it makes good on all of the concept vehicle’s promises. MUST READ: Hot Wheels Celebrates Over 50 Years Of BMW M Motorsports It introduces itself to the world as BMW M’s “first high-performance car with an electrified drive system,” and that entails a plug-in hybrid system paired with a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which comes together with 653 horsepower and 590 lb/ft of torque. The all-electric driving model of the new BMW XM is capable of 87 mph and a range of up to 55 miles. Like the exterior, the interior is provocatively designed, with a focus on sporty driving pleasure at the front and lounge-like comfort at the back. In addition, the reveal of the new BMW XM brings even more exciting news of an upcoming reveal: that of the new BMW XM LABEL RED, coming later this year and promising an incredible 748 horsepower, as well as 737 lb/ft of torque. Here’s to 50 more years of incredible BMW M performance, and if the XM is just the beginning, who knows what the future will hold? View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

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