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McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

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By Andrew Nabors – February 25, 2019

Bugatti Teases a Modern 57 SC Atlantic

Amid all the Geneva previews last week, Bugatti offered a Throwback Thursday. A press release highlighted the significance of the Type 57 SC. Initially offered as a 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, and a convertible. Something special was reserved for their best customers, and Jean Bugatti decided to shock the world. The Atlantic is one of the rarest and most beautiful cars ever made, but only 4 were ever built. Bugatti teased a modern 57 SC Atlantic on on Facebook last night, so maybe a 5th example is in the works. https://www.facebook.com/bugatti/photos/a.143572319104994/1860309917431217/?type=3 There are currently rumors that Ferdinand Piech might have ordered the car for $18,000,000. As the head of VW group, he is also Ferdinand Porsche's Grandson. His Porsche cousins keep a controlling interest in every brand VW owns, and they oversaw his purchase of Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti. Tell us what you think of a new 57 SC Atlantic in the comments below, and click the link to browse all Bugatti for sale. Shop All Bugatti For Sale Related: The Story of Two Wild Bugatti EB110 Race Cars Bugatti Chiron Snow Drifting

By Andrew Nabors – February 20, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Snow Drifting is the Ultimate Winter Exper...

The hills are alive, with the sound of a 1,500 hp quad-turbo Alpine assault. To make sure their car can handle winter weather, Bugatti engineers handed the keys to a legendary Austrian skier. Herman Maier has several winter Olympic medals, and he proved the Bugatti Chiron Snow Drifting is the ultimate winter experience. Taking place at Altenmarkt im Pongau, his hot laps were not far from his hometown. The same track Porsche used to revive the ice races was used to show the car's handling abilities. Herman said "The exhilarating feeling of a controlled drift is only comparable to a perfect one performed on skis”, Hermann Maier exclaimed, fascinated by the Chiron’s performance in such slippery conditions. NASA Astronaut Tests Bugatti Chiron at Kennedy Space Center “Despite the raw power of this car I felt safe and in control from the beginning. So, I decided to take it up a notch and switched to the Handling Mode. Incredibly enough, this resulted in even more fun! The Chiron makes the most difficult seem so effortless and suave.” If you think you can handle such a precise machine, click the link below to find a Chiron near you and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Shop Bugatti Chiron For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 15, 2019

NASA Astronaut Tests Bugatti Chiron at Kennedy Space Center

On the East Coast of Florida is a very special place: the Kennedy Space Center. It's here that history has been made and man has connected itself to the outer reaches of space. But it's also where cars can go to test their limits. Yes, you read that correctly. You see, the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) is home to one of the longest runways in the world, measuring in at 15,000-feet long and 300-feet wide. Having visited this location, thanks to the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds, I can say that the runway's size is truly immense and it's the perfect location for testing vehicles. Automakers know of this location's capabilities and that's why Bugatti tested the Chiron hypercar at the Kennedy Space Center. What's more, a NASA astronaut was on hand to witness the car's abilities. Jon McBride, a former NASA astronaut, actually launched from the Kennedy Space Center when he was the pilot of STS-41-G, making this almost like a homecoming for him. For this event, instead of a shuttle, he was inside a French rocket meant for the ground only. “I’ve been on as many craft as you can think of at sea. I’ve flown in space. But the ride in this Bugatti today was one of the highlights of my entire life,” said McBride. “It was a real pleasure.” 2018 Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review After the testing of the car at the SLF, Bugatti says the results "met the engineering team's high expectations." The French automaker has noted before that the Chiron is capable of a 0 to 62 mph time of 2.4 seconds and a top speed of 261 mph. It seems the Chiron also beat out McBride's expectations as well: “I think compared to what I’ve flown the Chiron is probably as good or out-performs them. I mean I’ve felt some good acceleration in my life, but I don’t think anything better than what I experienced today.” see all bugatti chirons for sale Related Video: " width="680">

By Edward Jones – February 07, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Sport "110 ans Bugatti" Celebrates 110th A...

It's hard to believe it, but Bugatti's 110th anniversary is here. That's right, the French automaker that's become a staple of luxurious lives has been around for 11 decades. To celebrate the occasion, the Bugatti Chiron Sport "110 ans Bugatti" (110 years Bugatti) has been created and unveiled. In that model name, you'll notice that this is no ordinary Chiron and it is actually the newer Chiron Sport. While the engine remains the same in the Sport version when compared standard Chiron, its new mechanical underpinnings make it more capable on the track. Making this specific Chiron Sport special is not only its name but its downright beautiful appearance. At first glance, it looks like the entire body of the special edition Bugatti is one color but it is in fact a two-tone design. In the rear is a matte Steel Blue paintwork, while the front is actually exposed carbon fiber in Steel Blue Carbon. Bugatti notes that this two-tone scheme is reminiscent of history models from the 1920's. It's not just the paintwork that Bugatti paid attention to, either. They were even specific enough to pay special attention to the aluminum gas cap that had been sandblasted, hand-polished and adorned with “110 ans Bugatti” emblem. Each alloy wheel is finished in "Nocturne" mate black with bright blue brake calipers resting behind them. The final and most exquisite touch of the exterior has to be the French flag that's been painted on the underside of the rear wing. A Bugatti wouldn't truly be a Bugatti without a lavish, yet sport cabin. For this special edition Chiron Sport, they went all out. Several areas of the interior sport the “110 ans Bugatti” markings to point out its special spot in Bugatti's history. Carbon fiber is abundant, being found across the cabin on the steering wheel, steering column and seat trims. For the upholstery, Bugatti chose soft Deep Blue leather to continue the exterior's color scheme. There's also plenty of Alcantara to be found as trim on the seats, door trims, and sides. Bugatti's 110th Anniversary couldn't have been celebrated in a more elegant and fitting manner.

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By Andrew Nabors – January 29, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Attacks Austrian Ice Races

No matter where you stand on Climate Change, cars need to be capable of cold weather. For every scorching run across the desert, there is also a need to test in thin air. While Porsche has resurrected their winter sports, their corporate cousins showed up for some action. In an Instagram post, we can see a Bugatti Chiron attacking an Austrian Ice Race. The Chiron has 10 radiators to keep cool. Being that it has 3 for just engine cooling, what happens when the grille is clogged with snow? Does the expensive engine oil become too thick? From the Air Conditioning to the intercoolers, each of these systems has its own minimum temperature. In fact, your engine will rust internally if your daily commute isn't long enough. If your oil temperature stays below 212 degrees, moisture can cause major problems. Here's to Bugatti for bringing a machine gun to a knife fight. Click the link below for our dealer near you and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse All Bugatti FOr Sale Related: Porsche Ice Races Return To Austria Porsche Cayman GT4 Rallye Unveiled at Ice Races

By Edward Jones – January 11, 2019

Why You Should Buy a Bugatti Chiron

The Bugatti Chiron hypercar was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2016, and on that day a legend was born. Bugatti needed something big to follow up their wildly popular Veyron, and they exceeded expectations with the Chiron. The car was named after Louis Chiron, a Monégasque (Monaco) racing driver who raced Bugattis back in the 1930's. While the name may come from the company's history, it's performance, style and design are all modern and somewhat futuristic. Since its unveiling, the Chiron has been flaunted at automotive events across the world and it's always the star of any show it attends. Its presence draws crowds of people of both automotive enthusiasts and those who don't know what a Bugatti car looks like. Why? Because its design exudes its status of being one of the most outrageous cars in existence. If you've ever thought about having such a magnificent car in your collection, there really shouldn't be any questioning it. And here's why. Drop-dead Gorgeous Its design is one that follows function. When designing the car, Bugatti ensured that its design features all had a technical background. They not only created one of the most beautiful cars on the road today but were also able to blend design and function seamlessly. For example, the large side vents that create a "C" shape on the sides are not only function but also frame the cockpit of the car beautifully. What's more, that shape is mirrored in the cabin between the passengers, creating an aesthetic that ventures from the exterior to the interior. It's these kind of design cues that allow the Chiron to be both a piece of fine art and a car that can be respected by anyone. The Bugatti Chiron that broke the 0-400-0 km/h record. Fastest and Most Powerful Bugatti During its heyday, the Veyron was known as the world's fastest car by all. Because of that, Bugatti knew they had to one-up themselves. To do that, they tuned the quad-turbocharged 8-liter W16 engine up to 1,500 horsepower. That amount of power trumps the Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse's 1200 hp. Combine the Chiron's power with its extreme aerodynamics and you have the recipe for a true hypercar. There are a few production cars that could hold their own against the might of the Chiron. The Bugatti Chiron's Engine Unmatched Power The amount of production cars that have as much horsepower as the Chiron can be counted on just one hand. These include the Koenigsegg Regera (1,500 hp), Hennessey Venom F5 (1,600 bhp) and the Rimac C_Two (1,914 hp). It should be noted that as of writing this, both the Venom F5 and C_Two are not in production as of yet. This means the only car currently in production that can compare to the Chiron's horsepower is the Regera. That is unless I'm missing something and if I am, be sure to let us know in the comments below! In a Club of a Few If you want a car that only a few own, then the Chiron is for you. Bugatti has a planned total production run of just 500. That means just 500 of the 7.7 billion people in the world will own a Chiron. As far as percentages go, that's 0.000006494%. Talk about a select few. The Bugatti showroom in Düsseldorf. Resale Value When released, the Bugatti Chiron demanded a starting price of around $3 million. Now, we're starting to see them listed for sale well above that, around $4 million and some have even broken into the $4 million range. If you wanted to buy yourself a hypercar that could make you money while it shines in your garage, look on further Bugatti Chirons For Sale View This Chiron's Listing Page view this chiron's listing page view this chiron's listing page View This Chiron's Listing Here View THis Chiron's Listing Here Article Images via Bugatti

By Andrew Nabors – December 21, 2018

Watch Bugatti Test Their 3D Printed Brake Calipers

It seems like 2018 went by quickly. Almost as fast as a new Bugatti Chiron. Going fast is incredibly fun, but stopping fast is just as important. That's why they have developed the best brakes in the automotive industry. The world's first 3D printed looks almost organic. 2018 Bugatti Chiron Specs & Price It has several exposed areas to mitigate heat, so how can it be strong enough to clamp down on the 16.5" carbon ceramic rotors? Each pair of the 8 calipers are a unique size, but the real secret is in their material. The pistons and the monoblock calipers are 3D printed- from TITANIUM! The same element that was forged to build the SR-71 Blackbird is not cheap, and it's not easy to work with. Nevertheless, watch the best brakes ever made being tested to hellish temperatures. If you need to feel them in action click the link below to find a Bugatti near you. View All Bugatti For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 10, 2018

Graffiti Artist Paints Bugatti Chiron

Alec Monopoly is known to take his art to the bodies of cars, but this may be one of his wildest endeavors yet. He was recently tasked with painting a Bugatti Chiron for Art Basel week in Miami. That's right, he spray and hand painted a $4 million hypercar. After the paint was all applied, the car was given the fitting name of the MonopBugatti. The MonopBugatti also features a set of ANRKY Wheels, which complete the red/white/blank color scheme. Check it out in the Instagram photos below from @anrkywheels.

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2018

Bugatti Chiron Top Speed: See It Hit 261 MPH

The Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds are where dreams and top speeds come true. Don't believe me? They just released a new video of the Bugatti Chiron hitting a top speed of 261 mph in a matter of 2.7 miles. That's the electronically limited top speed that Bugatti has set for the car and was done so for safety reasons. The video below, however, makes the top speed run look effortless. And I'm serious when I say dreams come true here. The Proving Grounds is home to the longest strip of road for testing cars in the United States. That's because the stretch of road they use is actually the Space Florida's Shuttle Landing Facility runway, which measures in at 3.2 miles. What's more, it's also 300 feet wide, or 25 freeway lanes wide. Having visited some aerodynamic testing sessions at the Proving Grounds, like the one the Chiron took part it, I can tell you that the experience is massive in general. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 29, 2018

Drag Racing a $3.4M Bugatti Chiron: Not As Easy As It Seems

If you were to drop $3,400,000 on a car, do you think you'd be able to take it to a drag strip and race it? Many owners would be hard-pressed to take their expensive car out for high-speed runs, but the owner of this Bugatti Chiron went all-out at the drag strip. Drag Times was with the owner of the Chiron when he took it to the drag strip and recorded the hypercar laying down some 1/4-mile times. The first run was extremely lackluster, due to the Chiron only allowing the car to run up to around 30 mph for some reason. Then the second launch came, which was a massive improvement over the first, although without launch control. Third time seemed to be the lucky one as the driver took the Chiron to what seems like the first 1/4-mile run in the 9's for the model. Check it out below! " width="680"> Also Check Out: Audi S4 Races Bugatti Chiron, Surprises Everyone Why You Should Buy a Bugatti Chiron Bugatti CEO Says Chiron Could Easily Do 280 MPH

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