Bugatti News

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

By Andrew Nabors – December 15, 2020

Bugatti Unveils Royale Home Audio

Interior decorators need not worry about your choice for sound. Your new speakers will be made to order now that Bugatti has unveiled Royale home audio. Announced in a press release this morning, Bugatti has joined forces with TIDAL Audio, a leader in German home theater equipment. Their goal is to allow the customer to order the pair to their liking. The two starting themes are "Monocoque" and "Duotone". Bugatti Carbon EB.02 Champagne Autographed By Andy Wallace From there, you are able to specify carbon fiber, stainless, or precious metals on your speakers. Each speaker has a massive amplifier along with four subwoofers, mids, and the same diamond tweeters found in every new Bugatti Chiron for sale. The first pairs will be part of "Edition Noir" and Edition Blanc", and only 15 sets of each will be offered. Click the button below to learn more and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Learn More

By Andrew Nabors – December 14, 2020

Bugatti La Voiture Noire On Display In Molsheim

Holiday shopping in France has been hit by strict social distancing laws. Distraught that their local government canceled the Christmas market, the Bugatti La Voiture Noire is on display in Molsheim. Although they are masters of carbon fiber, the factory workers were able to construct a glass enclosure for this stunning machine. Built to celebrate its 110th anniversary, it will be on display until the end of March. At nearly $19 million dollars it makes us wonder who the lucky customer will be. If you need a more sensible Bugatti click the button below. Browse Bugatti For Sale

05 bugatti bolide dimple airscoop sketch

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.

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By Andrew Nabors – December 09, 2020

New Bugatti Type 35 D Is Classic & Contemporary

A classic racer has returned. To see how the world would respond to a retro-inspired roadster, the new Bugatti Type 35 D is classic & contemporary. Because the factory designers have their hands full with production cars like the Bolide, smaller design studies are often farmed out to custom shops. Such is the case with Uedelhoven Studios. Their Facebook page mentions this project took over 5 years, combining elements of the original Type 35 along with a modern drivetrain. Front and center is Walter de Silva, the head of design for Volkswagen Group who inspired this build. Considering he has been the impetus for the Chiron and its successors, perhaps we are looking at a limited-production runabout. Click the button below to find your new Bugatti and stay with us for all your concept car news. Browse Bugatti For Sale Image Credit: facebook.com/uedelhovenstudios

By Andrew Nabors – December 04, 2020

2021 Bugatti Bolide: A Designer's Perspective

Designers of the world's best cars often never receive the notoriety they deserve. However, when something this substantial comes along, we're glad to see the 2021 Bugatti Bolide from the designer's perspective. New Bugatti Bolide Revealed: Track-Only Hypercar With 311+ MPH Top Speed In their latest press release, the automaker dispensed with colorful prose and esoteric romanticism. Perhaps that is the main reason Bugatti appeals to those of us who enjoy the facts. In it, we learn that their boldest design to-date comes from an intern hired in 2015. Nils Sajonz started as an assistant, tackling small portions of the Divo. From there, his prowess caught the eye of the top brass who gave him larger responsibilities for the La Voiture Noire, and the anniversary models. When asked for his insights into something all-new, he dusted off his design thesis to envision what an autonomous Bugatti would look like. From a team of 5 designers, his was chosen, and he was promoted to head of special projects. @nils.sajonz via Instagram In his own words: "Working to design the Bugatti Bolide was a phenomenal experience. The Bolide is an outpouring of expression from our design team. We recognised that a track-focused hyper sports car represents the best next step for Bugatti, and the Bolide embodies an outstanding example for our design guiding principles. It is extreme, it is radical and it is contemporary, everything that Bugatti stands for. Bugatti never stands still and we are always searching for the next rousing goals." At only 27 years old, Nils is going to have a long career designing more amazing rides. We applaud Bugatti for sharing his insights, and we implore you to find your own by clicking the button below. Stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – November 24, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Sport Les Légendes du Ciel Honors Their Da...

Ettore Bugatti knew full well the power and abilities of his cars. Names like Veyron, Divo, and Benoist were skilled airmen who transitioned into motor racing, so that is why the new Bugatti Chiron Sport Les Légendes du Ciel honors their daredevil drivers. Baby Bugatti II Debuts At Willow Springs As an artist and engineer, Ettore stood at the crossroads of aeronautical and automotive technology. That is why the precision of machined aluminum and attention to detail can be seen on every Bugatti. If Hitler had not destroyed Europe, He was aiming to break the speed record in 1938. It was the drivers who encoraged him to rebuild and build the world's best cars after the war, and it was this renaissance that saved the brand for us to enjoy today. To immortalize the Bugatti team, twenty owners will enjoy "Gris Serpent", or matte grey paint with the tricolour of the French flag. The aeronautical theme is continued inside with Gaucho leather in light brown. These resiliant hides in their natural finish were found in the finest aircraft. You will enjoy a dramatic racing scene hand-stitched in the door panels. A Bugatti Type 13 versus a Nieuport 17 represents the zenith of pre-war France. All this comes with 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Pricing starts at $3,412,000 and production will begin soon. Click the link below to find our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

Golden hour at Willow Springs Raceway. As per the original just 500 Bugatti Baby IIs are being built

By Andrew Nabors – November 23, 2020

Baby Bugatti II Debuts At Willow Springs

Size and capabilities are what define the hypercar marketplace. No matter what the manufacturer offers, journalists and fans will embrace it with loving arms, and that is what happened when when Baby Bugatti II was debuted at Willow Springs. We heard rumors of a new Type 35 earlier this year, and the details were unbelievable. " width="680"> A recreation of their classic, Bugatti engineers used the latest in EV technoology to offer a top speed of 42 mph with a range of 31 miles. Features like regenrative braking, adjustable suspension, and machined aluminum details justify an MSRP equivalent to a domestic luxury sedan. Perhaps the biggest attribute is that every component is scaled down to 3/4 size. In order to appeal to their youngest drivers, the Baby Bugatti II has a slow key and the speed key. Owners will receive memberships in the Bugatti Owner's Club and the Little Car Club, with exclusive events around the world. Prices start at $36,600 and production is limited to 500 cars. Click the button below to reserve yours and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Reserve Yours Here

By Andrew Nabors – November 12, 2020

Bugatti Speedline Is A History Of Breaking Records

Bugatti builds fast cars. While no one can deny the attributes of the Veyron and Chiron, you might not realize that Bugatti's Speedline is a history of breaking records. Their latest press release is a chronology of raising the bar. Forcing everyone else to scramble in an attempt to keep up is the best way to show the world what you are capable of. While it would be impractical to list every Bugatti Speed Record, we would like to share the most significant speeds with you. 100 km/hIn 1903, Ettore Bugatti achieved a speed of over 100 km/h in a vehicle he developed himself, the De Dietrich 60 CV Course Bugatti Type 5. The vehicle was powered by a four-cylinder engine with a 12.86-litre capacity, one ignition coil per combustion chamber, overhead valves and hopper cooling. The 60 PS two-seater was even able to achieve a top speed of 120 km/h. Only two of the racing cars were produced within two years. 200 km/hBugatti showcased a brand new racing car with the Type 35. Its eight-cylinder engine with a capacity of two litres initially delivered 95 PS and powered the vehicle at speeds up to 190 km/h. With the Type 35 B, the capacity increased to 2.3 litres and a compressor helped to deliver even more power. With 140 PS, the racing car achieved speeds of over 215 km/h. Bugatti won around 2,000 races in the Type 35 in the years that followed. This makes the vehicle the most successful racing car of all time. With its Type 57 S, the Bugatti surpassed the 200 km/h mark in 1934 in a car that was intended exclusively for road use. Over 300 km/hEttore Bugatti first came up with some ideas for a roadworthy high-speed car that travels over 300 km/h in 1929. Technical drawings and sketches indicated that the eight-cylinder in-line engine from the Type 41 Royale in combination with a Type 50 gearbox would theoretically have achieved the targeted speed. But he did not pursue the project for economic reasons. Bugatti kept the magic number in mind for decades, before Romano Artioli later took on the mission. The Italian, who purchased the Bugatti trademark in 1987 and built the super sports car of the 1990s in the form of the EB110, broke the 300 km/h mark in 1992 and set a new speed record at 342 km/h. The EB110 featured a 3.5-liter V12 mid-engine with five valves per combustion chamber. Depending on the model and development stage, the output generated was between 560 PS in the GT and 610 PS in the Supersport (SS). Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs & Review Over 400 km/hIn 2005, the Bugatti Veyron became the first hyper sports car of the 2000s to achieve speeds of over 408.47 km/h. This made the Veyron, with the 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine and a power output of 1,001 PS, the fastest series-production sports car in the world. A second key, known as the Speed Key, had to be activated in order to reach the speed of more than 400 km/h. On 26 June 2010, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport broke the world speed record for road-approved super sports cars. Under the supervision of Guinness World Records™ and the German TÜV, the SuperSport reached a top speed of 431.072 km/h, making it the fastest series-production sports car in the world. In 2013, the open-top Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse set yet another record: reaching 408.84 km/h, it became the world’s fastest road-approved roadster. 490 km/h / 304 mphIn summer 2019, the Chiron Super Sport 300+ raised the bar to a level that has yet to be matched. With its 8.0-liter W16 engine and 1,600 PS power output, the hyper sports car from Molsheim became the first-ever series-production car to reach more than 300 mph: it achieved an exactly measured speed of 304.773 mph, which corresponds to 490.484 km/h. “In recent decades, Bugatti has shown that we build the fastest and most exclusive vehicles in the world. We are very proud of our history. However, we don’t just define ourselves by records or maximum speeds,” says Stephan Winkelmann. Hyper sports cars from Bugatti offer more than just top speeds: unimagined dimensions of performance, luxury, exclusivity, design and automotive hand craftsmanship. And Bugatti will continue to focus on this in the future. Browse Bugatti For Sale

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.

By Edward Jones – October 27, 2020

How Much It Costs To Lease a Bugatti Chiron

If there's one car in the world most people know is expensive without even knowing much about the automotive world, it's any car from Bugatti. Flaunted by celebrities, these cars have become synonymous with the ultra-luxury lifestyle thanks to their high price tags and insane capabilities. But how much does it cost to lease a Bugatti Chiron? To answer that, Brooks from DragTimes went to Bugatti Broward to learn for himself. After getting a walkaround of the Chiron Pur Sport, he came back two days later to get the numbers on the 2019 Chiron. After trading in his new Ferrari F8 Tributo for $350,000, he would have monthly payments of $65,950 for a 24-month lease or $52,196 for a 36-month lease. You can see the entire talk and walkaround in the video down below. See All Bugatti Chirons For sale

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