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 Jordan Aquistapace – July 24, 2024

Bugatti: The Pinnacle Of Automotive Engineering & Ultra-L...

Discover Bugatti's hypercar-inspired styles. The Bugatti brand stands out as the pinnacle of automotive engineering with its lineup of multi-million dollar hypercars. Beyond the driver's seat, Bugatti epitomizes an ultra-luxury lifestyle, embodying elegance and sophistication in every aspect. From bespoke experiences to exclusive lifestyle-driven products, Bugatti offers more than just exceptional cars—it represents a world of exceptional luxury. Along with taking pride in crafting modern marvels like the all-new $4.1m Tourbillon hypercar, Bugatti surrounds itself with other industry leaders to collaborate on other head-to-toe projects that help to embrace what it means to push the boundaries of design, technology, and performance. Ahead of renowned events like Monterey Car Week 2024 and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Bugatti has taken to its Instagram to remind owners and enthusiasts of its extensive lifestyle collection and updated e-commerce website. From high-tech carbon smartwatches to 24k gold sunglasses and commemorative champagne, each piece represents a moment in time that connects it to the world's fastest production hypercars. Of all the incredible releases, Bugatti featured its Bolide Zip-up Jacket and Hat, Model 44 Sunglasses, and Abstract T-Shirt as just a few of its favorites. Whether you're looking to match the Chiron Pur Sport in your garage or manifest your future hypercar ownership, Bugatti's Lifestyle Collection will surely showcase styles for any car lover. View all Bugatti hypercars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti Hypercars For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by BUGATTI (@bugatti) Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – March 27, 2024

Discover The Limited-Edition Champagne Carbon ƎB.03 For T...

The latest collaboration between Bugatti and Champagne Carbon, the ƎB.03 Edition, is tied to Bolide, the most extreme Bugatti creation ever. Luxury defines itself in an all forms, whether it be a multi-million dollar hypercar or a bottle of the finest champagne that money can buy. It's a lifestyle that prestigious brands like Bugatti cater to with its fleet of exclusive hypercars and collaboration products. Bugatti is proud to introduce its next luxury lifestyle release with Champagne Carbon, continuing its long-time partnership of creating high-end champagne. Commemorating the Bugatti Bolide as the ultimate driving machine, the all-new Bugatti x Carbon ƎB.03 Champagne also arrives as a celebration of Bugatti’s 110th Anniversary. In line with two other exclusive releases, Champagne ƎB.03 incorporates a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. Kept in an exquisite bottle, the exterior features a dual-tone finish that uses blue-tinted carbon fiber as the main material. The Bolide’s striking ‘X’ design motif, which dominates both the front and rear of the car, is hallmarked on both the right and left sides of the ƎB.03 bottle. Making the perfect addition to any wine and champagne collection, the all-new Champagne Carbon ƎB.03 for Bugatti is currently available through Champagne Carbon’s website. View all current Bugatti hypercars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bugatti Hypercars For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – February 06, 2023

Bugatti's First Eyewear Collection Features A Pair Of $15...

Venturing outside of hypercar manufacturing, Bugatti develops luxury sunglasses for those sunny days in your Chiron Super Sport. Surrounding itself with other industry-leading companies and designers, Bugatti continues to evolve into the ultimate luxury lifestyle brand through creative collaborations. Showcasing its talents in the high-end fashion sector, Bugatti is proud to work with legendary optical designer Larry Sands on the launch of its first-ever eyewear collection. The all-new Bugatti Eyewear Collection made its debut at a prestigious event at the hotel Principe di Savoia in Milan. The lineup embodies the trendsetting styles of Larry’s 60-year career in shaping and creating coveted examples, which now includes inspiration from Bugatti hypercars. MUST-READ: Valentines Day Gift Guide For The Car Enthusiast In Your Life Along with nine show-stopping frame styles, 37 pieces are available in unique material combinations that include palladium, 925 sterling silver, carbon fiber, and Macassar ebony. Each piece is meticulously crafted in Japan using cutting-edge processes that intertwine with Bugatti’s vehicle production. The use of carbon fiber is another impeccable design iteration that pays homage to Bugatti’s automobiles. Every premium sunglass example sports the iconic Bugatti logo and emblem to take its look to a whole new level. The Bugatti Eyewear Collection will soon be available online with retail prices ranging from $1,295 to $15,000. View all current Bugatti models for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale Source: Bugatti

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 Jordan Aquistapace – December 08, 2022

Bugatti x Buben&Zorweg Launch The Limited-Edition Hyper S...

Of all models, the ‘Hyper Track’ represents Bugatti’s DNA in its purest form. Established in 2019, the partnership between Bugatti and Buben&Zorweg has introduced astonishing examples of luxury timepiece storage for any home or office. Each creation takes inspiration from many of Bugatti’s multi-million dollar hypercars like the 1,577 horsepower Chiron Super Sport 300+. Bugatti and Buben&Zorweg are proud to reveal their latest line of incomparable products, the all-new Hyper Safe Collection. The limited edition Hyper Safe Collection blends aspects of the hypercar manufacturer with the most high-security safe technology. While the line of luxury safes is constructed using a high-strength steel core and carbon fiber, characteristics from various Bugatti models make their make in subtle manners. MUST-READ: Bugatti Rings In The Holiday Season With Its New 2022 Holiday Gift Guide The signature Bugatti C-line runs down the center of the safe, which features controllable and dimmable ambient lighting seen on either side. Meanwhile, at the top of each safe, a shark-tail line highlights the Type 57 Atlantic. Even the handle itself receives extra detail from the creative engineers, showcasing a design sculpted for style and ease. The Hyper Safe Collection is finished with a Light-Arch-Protection Coating (LAP Coating), making it more resilient to scratches. The lineup presents three configurations that include the Hyper Light, Hyper Dark, and Hyper Track versions, utilizing the same color palette used in vehicle production. The all-new Bugatti x Buben&Zorweg Hyper Safe Collection is limited to only 25 examples of each version and is currently available through Buben&Zorweg’s website. View all current Bugatti hypercars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 03, 2022

Bugatti x Champagne Carbon's New ‘La Bouteille Sur Mesure...

The ultra-exclusive new release from Bugatti x Champagne Carbon allows owners the ability to design each case to mimic the stylings of their Bugatti specs. Bugatti transforms itself into the ultimate luxury lifestyle brand and incorporates an added touch of elegance into each one of its exclusive collaborations. As part of its partnership with Champagne Carbon, the dynamic duo is proud to present its newest and most impressive bottle of bubbly. Bugatti x Champagne Carbon’s new La Bouteille Sur Mesure highlights the craftsmanship and attention to detail that both brands embody. As its name translates to ‘The Custom Bottle’, its case showcases structural representations of iconic models like the Mistral, Bolide, Divo, and Chiron. Distinctive bold lines, extreme curves, striking spoilers; the smallest and most intricate of details can be found in the exterior of each case. MUST-READ: Bugatti Chiron vs Bugatti Veyron: And The Winner Is… While the champagne itself follows an exact recipe and process to ensure the perfect taste, the true beauty lies in the personalized configurator. Each customer will have the chance to sit down and spec out their La Bouteille Sur Mesure as if they were back in the Bugatti studio configuring their hypercar. Innovative technology runs through each build, with the option of installing an automatic solid-state thermodynamic cooling cell (technology found in orbiting satellites). Together with 14 high-end fans circulating cool air within the case, the precious champagne is kept at the perfect temperature. View all current Bugatti examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – January 14, 2022

A Bugatti Scooter is Coming to North America

It's Bugatti's first EV, but not one you would expect. Bugatti has announced that they have teamed up with New York-based Bytech International to create a brand-new scooter. Announced at CES 2022, this new scooter features many touches that are clearly Bugatti-inspired. These touches include the three finishes (Agile Blue, Silver, and Black), Bugatti badging, rear taillight that appears to be inspired by the Chiron, and even an "EB monogram that shines onto the ground below. As for power, this is clearly not a hypercar, but it still zips around quite quickly. This electric scooter has a 700w motor and 36v battery that boasts a range of around 22 miles. In regards to speed, this new Bugatti scooter has three separate modes that control the speed: Economy Mode (9mph), City Mode (12.5mph) and Sport Mode (18.5mph). If you've always wanted a Bugatti but can't afford the seven-figure pricetag, this is one you ought to check out. Sell Your Bugatti: Get a Cash Offer All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

se image 7b2e9917c05e440f17a146ec453261e4

By Jordan Aquistapace – December 08, 2021

Discover The New Bugatti Centodieci Apparel Collection

Bugatti celebrates its commemorative hypercar with a luxury apparel line. Since its beginning, the Bugatti brand continues to strive for ultimate design and performance, whether it's manufacturing hypercars or designing the next fashion collection. Nonetheless, the automotive manufacturer finds ways to incorporate aspects of its historic past into modern-day designs. The Bugatti Centodieci celebrates the 110-years behind the red badge as one of the world’s most luxurious and expensive models to be released from the Atelier Molsheim factory. MUST-READ: Check Out This Bugatti Divo ‘Ying Yang’ Split Interior Design Bugatti is proud to announce the release of its new Centodieci apparel collection featuring three new graphic t-shirts. The collection includes styles straight from the beginnings of the Centodieci's design process, using every angle of the hypercar as an artistic vision. The all-new Bugatti Centodieci Apparel Collection is now available online and in select Bugatti dealerships around the world. View all current Bugatti examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more luxury gear news and releases. View All Bugatti For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 27, 2021

Bugatti Smartwatch Revealed: A Hypercar for Your Wrist

Wear your Bugatti wherever you go. Bugatti is best known for incorporating premium design and performance into its lineup of hypercars, but now the brand is expanding its resources into new areas. The luxury brand is proud to announce the release of the first Bugatti Smartwatch by VIITA. The release includes a collection of three watches, each presented in an all-black design with unique highlights to differentiate the others. The three new Bugatti smartwatch models are named in tribute to some of the luxury French marque’s most iconic hyper sports cars of the 21st Century; the Bugatti Ceramique Edition One Pur Sport, Bugatti Ceramique Edition One Le Noire, and Bugatti Ceramique Edition One Divo. The technology that powers each watch offers almost as many features as the vehicles they commemorate. The Bugatti Smartwatch by VIITA is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop Now Media/Information Source: Bugatti For more Watch news, Check out Corum Celebrates 21st Anniversary With The New Bubble X-Ray Watch

By Jordan Aquistapace – May 04, 2021

Bugatti Reveals Carbon Fiber Pool Table Engineered to Mol...

The Bugatti for your game room The Bugatti brand has made itself known as a household name for being one of the most luxurious hypercar manufacturers in the world. Where we commonly see Bugatti logos on Chiron and Veyron models behind closed garage doors, the brand is now making its way into other areas of the home. Bugatti is proud to present its new carbon fiber Pool Table as part of the Lifestyle Collection. Just like the hyper sports cars made in Molsheim, the Bugatti Pool Table is made of the highest quality materials and even wears the famous Bugatti badge. The carbon fiber finish of the Pool Table represents the sporting nature of the French luxury marque, while the strong frame of the table is underpinned by machined aluminum and titanium. The product meets the standards of a professional tournament pool table. The first official Bugatti Pool Table will be delivered to customers in June and is available to purchase for $300,460 including the accessories. Check out the all-new carbon fiber Bugatti Pool Table by clicking the link below. Discover The Bugatti Pool Table Image Source: Bugatti For more Lifestyle news, Check out The GearBox: Ferrari 812 Superfast Style

Bugatti News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe