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

Bugatti News

Bugatti news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Chiron in its many forms, the Mistral roadster and the track-only Bolide. Our reporting also follows the V16 hybrid Tourbillon and the auction results that set values for the earlier cars. Bugatti builds in very small numbers, so a single sale can reset the market for a whole model. That is where our marketplace helps readers most. Bugattis covered here are often listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts the reporting and a real asking price side by side. For Bugatti news today, and the hypercar news and exotic car market news around it, start below.

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 08, 2023

Bugatti Will Debut The New Bolide With A Lap At Le Mans

Bugatti’s racing hypercar is coming to the world’s greatest racing venue.

By Jordan Aquistapace – January 03, 2023

Shop The New LEGO Technic Bugatti Bolide Build Set, Avail...

While the goal of owning a multi-million dollar hypercar proves to be a dream for most car enthusiasts, the creative professionals at LEGO offer small-scale buildable models to hold you over until delivery day. The partnership between Bugatti and LEGO began in 2018 with the release of its Chiron in 2018. LEGO Technic is proud to showcase the incredible track-only Bugatti Bolide as the newest addition to its fleet of automotive build sets. The LEGO Technic Bugatti Bolide features a 905-piece construction that measures 12 inches in length, packed with meticulous details and touches that mimic the $5 million hypercar. MUST-READ: The Top Automotive-Inspired LEGO Sets Available Now The Bolide pays homage to the Bugatti brand by presenting a black and yellow finish, which was the desired color combination of founder Ettore Bugatti. Other impressive details of the LEGO x Bugatti Bolide are scissor-opening doors, aerodynamic rims with low-profile tires, a detailed cockpit with a turnable steering wheel, and a detailed W16 engine with moving pistons. The Bolide is unique in every sense, with exceptional Bugatti performance, power, design, and track-focused drivability. The all-new LEGO Technic Bugatti Bolide is currently available for $49.99 by clicking on the link below. Shop Now Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2021

Bugatti Bolide Voted as the “Most Beautiful Hypercar in t...

A well-deserved award for a truly magnificent automobile. During the 36th Festival Automobile International design awards, the Bugatti Bolide was named the "World's Most Beautiful Hypercar." This award came from a jury comprised of design experts who picked the Bolide by what's being described as a "substantial margin" over the other three finalists. “There is a clear Bugatti identity in the cabin of the Bolide, but one without the flourishes or luxuries of our roadgoing hyper sports cars. The design is focused on creating a place of minimal distraction and maximum visibility, with a curving wraparound glasshouse and critical control functions that are literally at the driver’s fingertips,” explains Frank Heyl, Bugatti Deputy Design Director. The Bugatti Bolide is an incredibly striking hypercar and it's very deserving of the award. When I first saw it, I was honestly surprised that Bugatti would create such an extreme-looking vehicle and was even more surprised when they announced a limited production run of 40 units. There's honestly not one angle of the Bolide that doesn't offer a remarkable visual, especially the front and rear-- just look at those insane lights! What I love most is that the Bolide is a work of art in regards to its design but a truly functional car that's actually Bugatti's most track-focused creation yet. Bugatti has set the price of the Bolide at four million euros, or around $4.6 million USD. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2024. See All Bugatti Chirons For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – August 13, 2021

Bugatti Will Actually Produce the Insane Bolide Concept H...

The concept will become a "few-off" production car. Bugatti has announced that the Bolide hypercar that was unveiled as a concept car in 2020 will be produced as a "few-off" model. Yes, that's right, There will be multiple Bugatti Bolides being produced. For the production example, the Bolide will run on 98 RON gas, as opposed to 110-octane racing fuel. This will drop the power output from 1,825 horsepower to 1,578 hp and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. While that is a dip in power, let's be honest, over 1,500 hp is more than enough. There will also be optimizations made to the exhaust system, intake, turbochargers, transmission, differential, design, aerodynamics, quality and safety. Bugatti notes that when all is said and done, the production version of the BOlide has a curb weight of 3,197 lbs. Here's a breakdown as to why Bugatti came to the decision to produce the Bolide: “The Bolide generated a great deal of enthusiasm and intrigue last year. Following its presentation, a significant number of enthusiasts and collectors asked us to develop the experimental Bolide as a production vehicle. I was absolutely amazed by the reactions and feedback from customers from all over the world. We therefore decided to make the Bolide a few-off in order to give 40 customers the opportunity to experience this incredible vehicle. Our team has now been developing a production model - the ultimate driving machine for the track.” Bugatti is scheduling delivery of the Bolide for 2024, with a production run of 40 examples. The starting price is set at four million euros or about $4.7 million USD. See All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Andrew Nabors – February 02, 2021

Bugatti Bolide Details Explained By Andy Wallace

Winning LeMans is no easy task, but neither is being a Chief Test Driver. With years of pushing supercars to their limit, the Bugatti Bolide details are explained by Andy Wallace. Our friend Stephan Winkelmann is the President of Bugatti, and thanks to the brand's incredible dominance he was also given command of Lamborghini. Because he demands the best from his team, he asked "What if?". What if they were able to cut all non-essential weight while also pushing their W16 engine to higher RPM? The name literally translates to "Racing Car" in French, but this project was led by Bugatti Engineering in Wolfsburg. Giving the team a blank check, this track monster offers 1,825 horsepower and 1,364 lb-ft of torque to all wheels. Since it only weighs 2,733 lbs it will shame anything that challenges it. Rumored to be the last W16-powered Bugatti, it demands to be the centerpiece of your collection. Did you notice it won the Hypercar Award at Festival Automobile International? Bugatti For Sale Image (C) Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.

By Edward Jones – January 27, 2021

Bugatti Bolide Wins "Hypercar" Award at Festival Automobi...

During the 36th Festival Automobile International, the Bugatti Bolide came out as the winner of the "Hypercas" category. This prestigious award was picked by an expert jury who selected the hypercar by a substantial margin over the other three finalists, according to Bugatti. Even if you aren't a judge, you can look at the BOlide from any given angle and understand why it was given the award. “The Bugatti Bolide has been both the greatest joy and the greatest challenge of my 17-year career in Bugatti Design,” says Achim Anscheidt, Design Director at Bugatti. “Combining the extreme aerodynamic and thermodynamic requirements into a complete and integral expression of Bugatti's unique DNA is the clearest demonstration of our motto ‘Form follows performance’." All Bugattis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – January 21, 2021

Bugatti 3D Prints Titanium With 0.1mm Accuracy

To meet the demands of their Bolide concept car, Bugatti 3D prints titanium with 0.1mm accuracy. Their latest press release details how the suspension pushrods weigh 100 grams and easily handles 3.5 tons in tension or compression. Modeled after the hollow bones inside the wings of a bird, the wall thickness is only 0.4mm. The world's first series-production 3D printed metal component is the transmission cooling pump on the Chiron, and it followed the world's largest printed titanium component, a 1-piece brake caliper. This attention to detail is just one way Bugatti builds amazing hypercars. Also, our friends at Wires Only just sold a stunning Veyron to Anuel Browse Bugatti For Sale Images (C) Bugatti Automobiles

By Andrew Nabors – December 11, 2020

Bugatti Patents Dimpled Air Scoop For The Bolide

Feeding four turbochargers is not easy. When engineers began to study the aerodynamics necessary to do so, Bugatti patented a dimpled air scoop for the upcoming Bolide. Placing an intake above the cockpit was a compromise before this innovation. The slipstream along the roof changes as speed increases, its the same reason why semi trucks have spoilers above the cab. In order to keep the air flow stuck to the body, the intake deploys 60 small dimples that act like the surface of a golf ball. Once fully deployed, drag is reduced by 10% and lift is reduced by 17%. This allows the Bolide to save weight by not needing the massive active aero components used on the Veyron and Chiron. The press release hints that there are other secrets yet to be revealed, so stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale Images (C) BUGATTI AUTOMOBILES S.A.S.

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 28, 2020

New Bugatti Bolide Revealed: Track-Only Hypercar With 311...

Bugatti has continuously pushed the limits of design and performance since the EB 110, making the hypercar manufacturer a leader in the automotive industry. Recently, a special project was announced by Bugatti and kept a complete secret until now. The Bugatti Bolide is the newest addition to the high-horsepower fleet, featuring a completely new concept based around its iconic 8.0-liter W16 engine. The Bolide is a 1,850-horsepower track-only hyper sports car designed using the latest technology in weight savings to achieve a dry weight of 2,734 lbs. The body design of the Bolide is described as the most extreme modern Bugatti. Every inch of the new Bugatti is dedicated to achieving maximum downforce with inspiration from Le Mans prototype race cars. The combination of an ultra-light chassis and a quad-turbocharged W16 helps the Bugatti Bolide obtain a 2.17 second 0 to 60 mph time and a top speed of 311+ mph. "All of Bugatti’s expertise has been condensed into the Bugatti Bolide," says Stefan Ellrott, member of the Board of Management of Bugatti and Head of Technical Development. "It is therefore an innovative information source for future technologies. The Bolide is thus more than just an intellectual exercise." We should all expect to be seeing a lot of records coming from the new Bugatti Bolide. In fact, Bugatti notes that it will be able to complete a lap around Le Mans in 3:07.1 minutes and a lap around Nurburgring Nordschleife in 5:23.1 minutes. Both of those lap times would put the Bolide at LMP times.

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