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 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

By Andrew Nabors – September 11, 2018

Bugatti CEO Says Chiron Could Easily Do 280 MPH

Taking lessons learned on the Veyron and its World Record speeds, Bugatti's CEO Stefan Winkelmann has hinted at the Chiron's capabilities. CarAdvice had a chance to speak with Winkelmann during Monterey car week regarding the Chiron's top speed. The boss says it could easily surpass 440 or 450 kph, or 273 to 280 mph. This was undoubtedly provoked by Koenigsegg's official speed of 277.9 mph.Bugatti Divo Price, Specs, Photos and ReviewMeanwhile, John Hennessey and Johnny Bohmer are both aiming for 300 mph to bring the record back to the United States. Bugatti limits the top speed of the Chiron to 261 mph because it doesn't have the tires glued on like the Veyron does. This means your Chiron's wheels don't have to be flown back to France for new rubber. Top speed records are comprised of an average of two runs, one in each direction to account for the wind. The Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse is capable of 267.8 mph. If they decide to go for the record, you will see it here on Autofluence.Find Your Bugatti Here!

By Edward Jones – August 30, 2018

Full-Size LEGO Bugatti Chiron That Can Be Driven

Just a few months ago, Bugatti and Lego teamed up to create a Technic kit of the Chiron hypercar. Now, they've gone above and beyond to create a full-size Chiron out of over 1 million LEGO Technic pieces. What's more, this replica Bugatti can actually be driven. Seriously.Powering this LEGO Chiron is a drivetrain that consists of 2,304 LEGO Power Function motors that utilize 4,032 Technic gear wheels. When this powered on, by what I assume is a flick of a switch, it's capable of producing 5.3 horsepower and 67 lb-ft of torque. Combine that kind of power with its weight of 3,300 lbs and you have the recipe for some serious... movement.2018 Bugatti Chiron Specs, Price, Photos & Review Photos by Max Earey

By Edward Jones – July 25, 2018

Bugatti Reveals the Sky View Roof for Chiron

Bugatti is enhancing the new Chiron's cabin thanks to the newly announced Sky View. What is Sky View? Its a set of two fixed glass panels that sit in the roof above the driver and passenger seats in the Chiron. These panels are 25.5 inches long and 17.3 inches wide.Each of the panels is crafted out of what Bugatti is calling a "newly developed laminated structure with thin glass and four intermediate layers." If you're concerned about additional road noise because of glass being used instead of a standard roof, Bugatti said that wind noise is reduced. Bugatti also notes that infrared radiation is reflected away by the panels and ultraviolet radiation is filtered out thanks to the tinting of the glass. How to Do the $21k Bugatti Veyron Oil ChangeAnother little note that should be mentioned is that the Sky View roof adds an additional 1.06 inches of headroom. If you're a tall person looking for some more space, this may help.Bugatti will be presenting the Chiron Sky View at Monterey Car Week 2018.

By Andrew Nabors – May 23, 2018

The 100th Bugatti Chiron Has Been Created

It looks like the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, France is running around the clock. Building these masterpieces is a time-consuming effort, as the master coachbuilders fit each part by hand. While other automakers celebrate thousands of cars, the 100th Chiron is a significant milestone. In a press release, we've learned that a customer on the Arabian Peninsula ordered very unique features for his daily driver.Just How Good Is A Bugatti Veyron?It is the first Bugatti to be constructed of navy blue carbon fiber in a matte finish. The Bugatti sideline is in Italian red, and the wheels are mink black. The grand total amounted to 2.85 Million Euros, or $3.33 Million dollars. Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann had this to say: “I find the 100th Chiron especially pleasing. It is dynamic and elegant in equal measure. This car shows that Bugatti produces highly individualized masterpieces of automobile craftsmanship that are simply unparalleled.” By the time you read this, Chiron #101 should be close to done, so #102 is right for you. Click the link below to find your Chiron and stay with us for all your Bugatti news.Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2018

Bugatti Chiron Can Be Diagnosed Anytime, Anywhere

Have you ever had doubts about your service advisor? When your car is sick, you should always get a second opinion before it goes under the knife. However, if you own a Bugatti Chiron it has the ability to phone home. In a press release earlier this morning, Bugatti says owners can opt-in to have their cars in constant communication with the factory.The telemetry system in the Bugatti Chiron is capable of sending real-time data on everything from transmission temps to air conditioning pressure to the "Bugatti Flying Doctors". Not your ordinary grease monkey, these gentlemen are on 24 notice to fly anywhere outside of Antarctica to get your car back in working order. Unlike many social media services, Bugatti doesn't share your information or target ads to your assumed political affiliations. They do offer the best service in the automotive world, which is just another reason why you need one in your collection.Just How Good Is A Bugatti Veyron?“Our customers have the most demanding requirements for individual support in all areas of their lives. That also applies to their vehicle fleets and automobile collections,” says Malinowski. “In this area too, Bugatti goes one step further than other manufacturers. With our telemetry system, we can provide our customers with assistance in all technical matters related to their Bugatti. At any hour of the day and, if necessary, also of the night.”This service is also retroactive to the Veyron.

By Andrew Nabors – January 10, 2018

Bugatti Chiron: 10 Facts You Need To Know

We've shown you several flavors of the new Bugatti Chiron. If you are reading this, you probably know the major details, but some of the most amazing attributes are often overshadowed. So here are our top 10 facts that will blow your mind.10. Got Boost?Turbo lag is something nobody likes to acknowledge. The Veyron arrived with 4 equally sized turbos that added up to the equivalent of epic size. The only problem with epic turbochargers is that it takes time to spool them up. So taking a page from the past, the Chiron makes use of a sequential design. Two smaller turbos make boost at low speeds and feed two massive ones for high rpm boost. 9. Top SpeedIt took some fine tuning and aerodynamic upgrades to create the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. As the ultimate evolution, it had a blistering top speed of 254.04 mph. Taking the lessons learned in their top speed record attempts, the Chiron arrives with a top speed of 261. Your insurance company might adjust your premiums...The normal key is limited to 236, so don't forget the speed key for your daily commuting.2018 Bugatti Chiron Review 8. Tire TechnologyUnlike the Veyron, you won't be paying $30,000 for tires. Instead of the proprietary design used in the predecessor, the Chiron uses a more traditional wheel & tire mounting. The Veyron's rubber can't be attached with normal methods, and new wheels are required after 3 sets of rubber. For the new car, Michelin worked with the factory to deliver 285/30/20 on the front and 335/25/21 for the rear. This will give you a few options if you don't plan on land speed racing. 7. Power At Any RPMThe first modern Bugatti made maximum torque once the turbos were spooled up. It was a gradual curve like most other supercars, but the Chiron needed something more. The sequential turbos mentioned above allow the new car to make maximum torque of 1,180 lb-ft at only 2,000 rpm! And it stays there all the way to 6,000 rpm. Oh, and it also has 1,500 horsepower at 6,700, can you tame it?6. Limited ProductionGet yours before they're gone. Each Chiron is built by hand in a dedicated factory. Every aspect of the car represents years of engineering, so Bugatti is only building 500 examples. 5. Deep BreathsWith the gas pedal reaches the floor, the Chiron is inhaling 2,118 cubic feet of air per minute. That is 2.5 times more than a 1967 Corvette L88. It also equals 15,843 gallons crammed into 8 liters of space by 16 angry pistons!4. Clean ExhaustEvery car is required to have a catalytic converter in the exhaust. They are filters used to reduce nitrogen-oxides from reaching the tailpipes. Your car probably has one, so the Chiron has 6. The honeycomb of rare metals is used to burn off the harmful oxides, and each car has 2,478,562 square feet of the catalyst material. Combined, the cats have an area equivalent to 24 home improvement stores.3. Tuned TweetersIf you need the ultimate in factory audio, each of the Chiron's four tweeters is capped by a one-carat diamond. Not just for bragging rights, the precious stones offer clean highs without distortion. 2. Cargo SpaceEvery time I leave my Veyron in long-term parking, my only wish is that it had room for my luggage. Bugatti must have heard my cries, so the Chiron arrives with enough room for a small rolling bag. Make sure your dealer opts for the matching luggage. The leather set is designed to optimize the front storage area.1. High In FiberThe factory claims the Chiron's carbon fiber body is more rigid than most race cars. That is because it is formed and baked as one piece in a giant autoclave. So in theory, if you pulled one strand of the fiber it could unravel the car. But the length of this strand is equal to nine trips to the moon. That is why the Chiron is a mic-drop to every other car. The engineering is orders of magnitude ahead of anything else on the road, and that is why you need one.Browse Bugatti Chiron For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – December 11, 2017

Some Bugatti Chiron Owners Greeted With A Recall

Even the world's most expensive cars have quirks, so owners of the new Bugatti Chiron have received visits by the factory's "Flying Doctors". The company learned of a potential defect in the seatbacks, where a weld in the seat's frame could potentially crack. Nothing about the Veyron or the Chiron is ordinary. From the seats to the tires, every component is engineered for weight savings and optimal performance.Bugatti Chiron Shows Why it’s a Multi-Million Dollar HypercarBloomberg has reported that a dozen of the first production Chiron's have been recalled for faulty seat recliner assemblies. Owners are greeted by a technician, who follows the repair process from start to finish. The cars are loaded into an enclosed trailer and transported to one of the dozen Bugatti service departments in the US. A seat might seem inconsequential, but a failure at high speeds has the potential for destruction. Removing the leather and padding can be a nightmare, so Bugatti has opted to replace the entire seat in lieu of attempting repairs. So keep your eyes on the internet for slightly used Chiron leather and stay with us for all your Bugatti updates. Browse Bugattis For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 07, 2017

1st U.S. Bugatti Chiron Sells Well Over MSRP at Auction

The very first Bugatti Chiron that was ordered for the United States has officially sold at RM Sotheby's ICONS auction.After crossing the block, the Bugatti Chiron sold for a wild price of $3,772,500. This price is about $600,000 over its MSRP, making it a very successful sale. As for the specifics of this hypercar, it's currently in immaculate condition. In fact, it has never been registered or driven on the road. The only miles clocked on this Chiron are 250 test miles. Patrick Ernzen ©2017 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

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