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 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 Edward Jones – December 18, 2017

Bugatti Veyron Races Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike

There are thousands of racing videos that can be found on the internet, but out of them are a few that are truly interesting. The latest must-watch is from GTBOARD.com. In the video, found below, you'll get to see a Bugatti Veyron racing against a Suzuki GSX-R1000 superbike. The entire race is a treat because you get to see how the insane acceleration of the Suzuki dismantles the Veyron, while the hypercar's top-end kicks in once the bike reaches its top speed. One thing to keep in mind while watching this is that the Suzuki has an MSRP of $14,699 and the Bugatti typically sells for over $1 million. Which would you prefer, top end or acceleration?Kawasaki Ninja H2 Obliterates McLaren and LamborghiniLamborghinis Huracans 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

By Edward Jones – October 02, 2017

Bugatti Chiron Shows Why it's a Multi-Million Dollar Hype...

Knowing that the Chiron is made by Bugatti, you can already assume that it's well worth the money. The French auto manufacturer has been making luxury vehicles since 1909, with the most recent cars being the Veyron and Chiron hypercars.Effspot recently checked out the delivery of a new Bugatti Chiron out in California and was kind enough to record his adventure with the car. The car was delivered to owner @dan_am_i, who already has a serious collection that includes multiple Paganis, a Lamborghini Centenario and many more. Click to Sell Your Luxury CarIn the video found below, we get to see the car's delivery, the metal case that comes with it, and some serious shakedowns on the highway. Also, for our entertainment, the owner gives the car some throttle for a serious response from the exhaust-- I still can't get over just how much better this car sounds when compared to the Veyron.Click Here for the Bugatti Chiron Specs and Details

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2017

Bugatti Chiron Sets New 0-249-0 mph Record Time

In order to build the world's most capable supercars, Bugatti understands the need for balance between brakes and acceleration. Everyone knows they build fast cars, but what good is speed if you can't stop? Working along with the active rear spoiler, the Chiron's massive 16.5" carbon brake rotors are controlled by titanium pistons. To put them to work, Juan-Pablo Montoya was hired for an unprecedented show of force. A new Chiron was equipped with GPS-based telemetry from VBOX Automotive, and JP was given the Top-Speed Key. In a weekend of high-speed testing, he surpassed his personal speed record. As an Indycar champion, his previous record was 252 mph, and the Chiron took him to 260. The event culminated in a run from 0 to 400 km/h (249 mph) and slamming on the brakes. The Chiron uses four turbos like its predecessor, but the system is now sequential.Launch control spins up the smaller ones at 2,800 rpm to enable a smooth holeshot. Above 3,000 rpm, the larger ones come alive to reach 400 km/h (249 mph) in only 32.6 seconds. In less than 10 seconds after, the car was standing still. Bugatti now holds the 0-400 km/h-0 record at 41.96 seconds. The run was just under 2 miles long, and it prompted the driver to say: "The Chiron is so incredibly fast it takes your breath away. And its braking is at least as impressive. And the car is just so stable and consistent. I feel honored to be part of this project.”Bugattis For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 02, 2017

"Panda" Bugatti Chiron Revealed and Delivered

Bugatti Chiron deliveries are being delivered frequently nowadays, and one of the most recent deliveries is unlike any we've seen so far. Granted, almost all Chiron's are really unlike any other.This specific Chiron was delivered and revealed in Saudi Arabia in a remarkable fashion: in a giant box filled with balloons. As the sides dropped on the box, the black and white Chiron appeared among a mess of matching balloons.https://www.facebook.com/ArabCars/videos/10159110153055293/It didn't take long for the car to appear in Cannes, where G-E SUPERCARS captured the car roaming the streets. What do you guys think about this spec for a Bugatti? Would you want more color, or is this greyscale color scheme perfect?

By Andrew Nabors – July 21, 2017

Bugatti Boss: Chiron Successor Will Be Electrifying

When it comes to acceleration and top speed, the law of diminishing returns is easily seen. In order for cars to go faster, something more than gasoline will be needed. Autocar interviewed Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer, who mentioned their Chiron is the state-of-the-art in gas powered supercars. In order to extract every ounce of power from pump gas, it takes sixteen cylinders and four turbochargers. The 8.0 liter W16 makes 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. It can reach 62 mph in 2.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 261 mph. Traction and aerodynamics are optimized to achieve this performance, so in order to go any faster, it would take much more power.Also Check Out: Bugatti Blasts Up The Hill At Goodwood"Electrification will happen. The next car is a long way from being developed, but the way battery and electric motor technology is moving on – as well as regulations – it seems certain that the next car will be electrified in some way," Dürheimer told Jim Holder of Autocar. "It will still be too soon for a fully electric car, I think – but electrification will happen."Bugatti Chiron For SaleHe is touching on the fact that many countries have legislation based on engine size and pollution output. He also says the Chiron's achievements will never be surpassed by a purely mechanical car since hybrid technology is inevitable. The life cycle of a Bugatti model is much longer than most cars, so the Chiron's successor exists only as an idea for now. Considering the car has 10 radiators, it would be nice to see that heat used to charge a battery instead of going to waste. We have a few years to wait so a Bugatti Veyron for sale might hold you over in the meantime. Tell us what you think will power their next car and stay with us for all your Bugatti news.

By Edward Jones – June 26, 2017

Bugatti Chiron Caught Testing at Nurburgring

Each time I hear the Bugatti Chiron, I fall in love just a little bit more. Its quad-turbocharged W16 engine is unlike any other in the world, but is similar to the one found in the Veyron. However, the sound of the Chiron is much deeper and has more of a "throaty" sound to it.Automotive Mike recently captured a Chiron on film while visiting Nurburgring. It seems Bugatti was testing the car during the Industry Pool this month, leaving the videographer to ask the question: "why is Bugatti testing the Chiron?" He suggested that maybe Bugatti is getting ready for a more hardcore version of the Chiron.Unfortunately, there's no word of a new version of the Chiron for sale, so we'll have to wait to find out. In the meantime, enjoy the video below and turn up your speakers!

By Andrew Nabors – June 13, 2017

London's First Customer Bugatti Chiron Caught in Traffic

London's ancient streets predate the Norman Conquest, and the French have returned for another assault. I don't know about you, but I really hate parking my Bugatti on the street. One wealthy Englishman has received his new Bugatti Chiron, and the footage is going viral. Finding a safe parking spot in any urban setting can be a nightmare and this upload by TheTTJJ proves the struggle is real. In the swanky neighborhood of Knightsbridge is the Bulgari hotel. Spotted outside was the third Bugatti Chiron to arrive at HR Owen Bugatti of London, and it is capable of stealing everyone's attention.Also Check Out: Bugatti Chiron's First ReviewFinished in Bugatti Blue with contrasting carbon fiber, it looks identical to the first prototypes we saw a year ago. To punish such a fine creation by driving on cobblestones might make you cringe, but the HD video gives a new perspective to the car's finer details. The one-piece brake light and brakes the size of trashcans are noteworthy, but we didn't expect to be able to see the driver from behind. Zero rear visibility is generally standard in the world of supercars, but the Chiron has a sizable backlight that is split by the spine. Even if its only at idle, the 1,500 horsepower engine has a soundtrack that would make anyone smile. If you can't wait for yours to be delivered, our dealers have great offers on pre-owned Bugatti Veyrons that are just as impressive. So stay with us as the Chiron hits the streets because you will see it here first.

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