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 – March 17, 2021

The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Is An Absolute Hit in the U.S.

Now that the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is taking hold in the United States, everyone is falling in love with the hypercar. Even in the short amount of time that the Chiron Pur Sport has been here, those who drive it swoon over its abilities. “The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is the best car I've ever driven. Period. Full stop. End of story. It just is.” – Motor Trend “Less weight, more grip, and shorter gearing make the Pur Sport an even wilder Bugatti Chiron.” – Car and Driver “The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Is Worth Every Penny. Your $4 million car better be good, and this Bugatti delivers.” – Autoweek “The seamless marriage of agility and brute force give the Pur Sport abilities that are unmatched, not only by any other car, but also by any other Bugatti.” - 24 Hour of Le Mans Class Winner and Bugatti Test Driver Butch Leitzinger The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is the perfect way for those in the U.S. to enjoy the power the Chiron model holds. Why? The U.S. is filled with low speed limits, so the Chiron Pur Sport offers an exciting drive that can be enjoyed at lower speeds thanks to its newfound agility. “The Pur Sport offers U.S. customers a new dimension of the Chiron2 that doesn’t require the Autobahn to fully experience,” said Cedric Davy, Chief Operating Officer of Bugatti of the Americas. “We now have the car for those customers who have been waiting for a Chiron geared more towards agility and dynamic cornering.” To experience the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport for yourself, be sure to click the button below. Experience the Chiron Pur Sport On our March 2021 issue, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport was actually our cover car. Bugatti collaborated with us for the issue in an effort to help bring the new hypercar to the eyes of qualified buyers around the country. You can learn more about this issue by clicking here or buy the issue by clicking the button below. Buy This Issue

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2021

Bugatti Launches Passeport Tranquillité Service Program

Neglect can lead to serious problems for your hypercar, so Bugatti has launched their Passeport Tranquillité service program. Its hard to believe that the Veyron and Chiron are ageing out of their warranties. While a few owners insist on servicing their own cars, the volume of liquids alone is foreboding. Every Bugatti Chiron for sale has almost 10 gallons of coolant and nearly 17 quarts of oil. The transmission and three differentials also have their own cooling loops that must be flushed and filled in unique procedures. A complete Veyron service is akin to refitting a warship after a patrol, necessitating 32 hours of labor every other year. Fourteen hours are required annually, even if the car has not been driven. Therefore, the factory technicians have developed two plans: Active is for owners who routinely exercise their cars and Collector targets cars that don't reach 124 miles annually. The Chiron needs the same 14 hours each year, with 72 hours every four years. Our Bugatti dealers stand ready to check every moving part to keep your car in perfect condition, so click the button below to learn more. Bugatti For Sale Images (C) Bugatti S.A.S.

By Andrew Nabors – March 02, 2021

Bugatti Divo "Lady Bug" Unveiled With Stunning Details

After three years of design and many late nights, the Bugatti Divo "Lady Bug" was unveiled with stunning details. In their most complex build to-date, the artists in Molsheim spent countless hours learning how to adapt a 2D pattern to the complex curves of the Divo. The diamond pattern proved elusive, as hand paint could not match the customer's demand for precision. Therefore, a resin transfer system was used along with graphite dust and several layers of tinted clearcoat. This process took over a year and added a few zeros to the car's price. Only forty examples of the Divo were offered with prices starting at 5,000,000 Euros. This one represents the final customer delivery along with unprecedented talents in paint and trim. Your Bugatti Chiron price and specs could be just as wild, so click the button to begin the adventure. Shop Bugatti For Sale Images (C) Ted7 & Bugatti S.A.S.

By Andrew Nabors – March 01, 2021

Is Bugatti Being Sold to Rimac?

If you can't beat 'em, join em! That is the motto behind Porsche's latest investments, which makes us ask if Bugatti is being sold to Rimac. Reuters reported over the weekend that Mate Rimac is launching a new round of fundraising. Industry journal Automobilwoche mentioned that Mr. Rimac is looking for an injection of around $181 million. Since Porsche already owns 15.5%, they could up their stake to 50%. This would be done by shifting control of Bugatti to Rimac, and it would still remain the flagship of a happy VW family. Not only would Bugatti's electric future receive a jump-start, and Lamborghini could also share in electric development. Are you ready to see a Bugatti with C_Two internals? Tell us your thoughts on this in the comments below. Shop Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 26, 2021

Where Would You Drive Your Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport?

Anywhere is an acceptable answer, because we want to know where you would drive your Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. The Hajar Mountains of Oman sit at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Chief Test Driver and LeMans Champion Andy Wallace is able to push any car to its limits, so we're glad he was able to share his vacation with us. Engineers raised the redline to 6,900 rpm and fitted new turbos. Losing the hydraulics from the spoiler and 3D-printing the exhaust shaved 110 lbs, and the gear ratios are 15% closer. Sure it traded a few mph in top speed for the ability to dominate every corner, so tell us where you would stretch its legs! Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Edward Jones – February 24, 2021

Experience the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport For Yourself

Bugatti's new Chiron Pur Sport is a true driver's car. The French automaker was inspired to create this new model by their customers who were looking for a more compelling driving experience. With the Chiron Pur Sport, the driver is able to enjoy challenging roads with tight turns, corners, and curves. Allowing the Chiron Pur Sport to excel during these types of drives is a slew of upgrades from Bugatti's engineering team. This includes the new and exclusive Michelin Sport Cup 2R tires, lightweight magnesium rims, titanium parts, shorter gearbox and more. Furthering the Chiron Pur Sport's abilities is its exterior. The dynamic flat front end, with its extra-wide air inlets, enlarged horseshoe, and striking splitter, combined with the massive fixed rear wing instantly demonstrate the Chiron Pur Sport’s hunger for curves and bends. And to top it all off, the interior is minimalistic yet as luxurious as you'd expect from Bugatti. Driver's searching for their next obsession need not look any more as the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is truly a pure driver's car. The exhilaration experienced in the driver's seat of this driver's hypercar is unmatched as it provides not only extremes speeds but a driving experience that is addictive. Of course, these words and images cannot do the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport the justice it deserves. In order to truly experience the Chiron Pur Sport, you have to get behind the wheel. If you are in the market for such an outstanding hypercar, click the button below to start your journey towards owning a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport. Start Your Experience

By Andrew Nabors – February 21, 2021

Top 5 Bugatti Sales Of 2020

A rising tide raises all ships, and Bugatti is celebrating a year of records. Auction results from Gooding & Company along with Bonhams have surprised us, as the five most expensive cars have come from a single manufacturer. A press release from Bugatti gives extensive history on each car, so here are the highlights: 1934 Type 59 Sports: Sold at Gooding & Company London for $12,681,000 1937 Type 57S Atalante: Sold at Gooding & Company London for EUR 10,440,000 1932 Bugatti Type 55 Super Sport Roadster Sold at Bonhams Amelia Island for $7,100,000 1928 Bugatti Type 35C Grand Prix Sold at Gooding & Company London for $ 5,230,000 1931 Bugatti Type 55 SuperSport Sold in Paris for $5,070,000 Like all Bugatti for sale, each car has a story that could make an Oscar-winning screenplay. The story of yours starts with a blank page and a French supercar, so click the button to find your Bugatti. If you have been wondering what makes modern examples so coveted by collectors, check out the Bugatti Chiron price and specs. Bugatti For Sale Images (C) Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.

By Andrew Nabors – February 16, 2021

Bugatti Bespoke Builds Begin With Jascha Straub

Ordering a car shouldn't be foreboding. Bridging the gap between the Atelier and the salespeople is one man, and that is why Bugatti bespoke builds begin with Jascha Straub. These are not mass-production cars. Since no two cars are alike, he is the focus of their latest press release. Ettore would be proud to know his legacy lives on. Built on the same historic grounds, Bugatti engineers and stylists are not confined. Because both groups focus on customer satisfaction, Mr. Straub is tasked by communicating each customer's vision to the artist and the craftspeople. Ordering a new Bugatti Chiron for sale is a process of deciding on a sub-model. The manufacturer only allocated enough materials to build 500 examples of the Chiron. The first special edition he was responsible for was the Chiron Sport, which consisted of the ‘110 ans Edition’ and Edition Noire. Those sold out quickly, making room for the Légendes du Ciel series. This pair is limited to 60 cars, split between the Super Sport 300+ and the Pur Sport. Experience Bugatti While not considered part of Chiron production, he was also pivotal in securing all 51 reservations shared between the Divo, Centodieci, and La Voiture Noire. The real question is how unique your Bugatti will be. Click the button above for inspiration and then give us a hint in the comments below. Images (C) Bugatti S.A.S.

By Edward Jones – February 12, 2021

Husband Orders the Bugatti Chiron Sport 'Alice' for Wife ...

Getting a gift for your significant other can be quite the project. What do you get them? Where do you get said item from? How much should I spend? Will they like the gift? For one husband, his gift idea was to get his wife a one-of-a-kind hypercar. Yes, this legend of a husband ordered a custom Bugatti Chiron Sport that has been named 'Alice'. The exterior is graced by a Silk Rosé color with Matt Blanc, giving this rose of a hypercar a truly unique appearance. Inside is a combination of leather and Alcantara in Gris Rafale while "Alice" can be found stitched into the headrests of the Comfort-spec seats. The custom 'Alice' logo is also found on the door sills. This creation is a perfect example of how Bugatti can tailor their creations to the client's wants and needs. It just so happened to be that this client wanted a perfect gift for his wife, and Bugatti delivered. Experience Bugatti

By Andrew Nabors – February 10, 2021

Bugatti Centodieci Prototype Production Begins

What began at The Quail is heading to the world's most discerning collectors. The big news from Molsheim is that the Bugatti Centodieci prototype production has begun. As a concept car, it stunned the world during the Summer of 2019. What we saw during Monterey Car Week was a sneak peak at a limited run of ten cars. Each will be an homage to the EB110, a critical car that allowed a renaissance for the brand. In order to contain 1.600 horsepower, the chassis is being stress-tested to destruction. More power means more heat, so this naked beast shows radiators behind every opening. It is easy to see the dimples that debuted on the Divo. The battle between stylists and engineers is a tale as old as the automotive industry, but all Bugatti team members are focused equally on aesthetics and functionality. Needless to say, all ten cars sold out within minutes, but we have several choices for Chiron and Veyron for sale. In case you are wondering what happened to the show car, here is how to load the Bugatti Centodieci. Bugatti For Sale

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