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 – July 02, 2018

Bugatti Unveils Chiron Sport in Singapore

If you can afford to live in Singapore, you are probably wealthy. As one of the financial centers of the Far East, the cost of living is among the highest in the world. That's why Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann displayed their latest achievement. The 1,500 horsepower Bugatti Chiron Sport was the centerpiece in the lobby of the Fullerton Hotel.2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport Specs, Prices, & PhotosLast weekend, the Fullerton Concours d'Elegance attracted over 30,000 spectators from around Asia. Over 90 classic and exotic cars were on display from owners in Singapore and Malasia. The Chiron Sport has the same drivetrain as the "normal" Chiron, but the handling and suspension are more focused on performance instead of luxury. The upgraded parts also removed 40 lbs of weight, allowing it to lap Nardo five seconds faster than a stock Chiron. Without options, the US price starts at $3.26 Million, so if you are interested click the link below to contact our Bugatti dealers.Browse Bugatti For Sale

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 – 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 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 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 02, 2016

First Production Bugatti Chiron Lap Around Nurburgring, H...

With a lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleife, the high-speed legacy of the Bugatti Chiron has begun. In a video uploaded on June 1 by Car Throttle is a video of the first production Chiron being taking around the famous stretch of road known as "Green Hell." In the passenger seat is the videographer from Car Throttle, while the driver is none other than Wolfgang Dürheimer, the President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. If you're going to have someone take you for a trip in the Chiron, there's no better than the man behind the brand.Chiron ClassifiedsAs they go through the road, Wolfgang is as stoic as ever, while his passenger is nothing but laughs and giggles. But if you were in his seat, you'd be doing the same exact thing. If you check out the video below, you'll see what I mean. What an incredible experience!Bugattis For Sale

By Nicole Slaughter-Graham – April 12, 2016

Bugatti Reveals Their Home Collection

Known for creating the ultimate sports cars--most recently the Chiron--the Bugatti brand is a staple in the high-end automotive world. Bugatti is known for bringing superior styling and unparalleled performance to the automotive world, and they're looking to take their skills into a new market.At the Salon Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, Italy (the Milan's Design Week) Bugatti unveiled it's new lifestyle line, the Bugatti Home Collection. Partnering with Luxury Living Group, Bugatti has designed a full line of luxury furniture for the home and office. Drawing on the furniture making experience of Carlo Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti's father, Luxury Living Group and Bugatti have created sleek and functional luxury furniture that embody elements of the Bugatti brand like two-tone coloring, continuous lines and aerodynamic styling. According to a Bugatti press release, the collection includes a table, chairs, a bed, and sofa. The line is currently on display at Salon Internazionale del Mobile.Check out photos from the Bugatti Home Collection below.Bugattis For Sale

By Caitlin Duffy – November 09, 2015

Bugatti Showrooms Open in Manhattan & Miami

The introduction of Bugatti's newest model is drawing closer each day, and now customers in Miami and Manhattan will be able to enjoy an entirely redesigned experience when they place their orders. As a Nov. 6 press release from the marque shares, their new showroom design will make its way into each of the 27 Bugatti showrooms world wide, but the locations in New York City and Miami are the first to feature it. A sleek combination of Bugatti blue and bright white, these showrooms aim to bring the same experience of visiting the Molsheim, France headquarters to every corner of the world.“North America is a very important market for Bugatti," explained Dr. Stefan Brungs, Member of the Board of Management of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., in the release. "About a quarter of our Veyron series, which is sold out, is located in North America and customers here are showing phenomenal interest in the next Bugatti super sports car. Its development is running at full speed." Veyrons For Sale The New York location didn't just receive a redesign, however, it also moved to an entirely new location. 711 11th Avenue, just a few blocks from Central Park, is now where you'll be able to learn about Bugatti firsthand. Those hoping to see the new showroom in Miami can still find it at the same 2060 Bicayne Boulevard location.Check out the photos of these new showroom designs and start planning your trip to place an order for their next car, rumored to be called the Chiron. Then, find your own Veyron from our exclusive listings. (via Bugatti) See More Bugatti News

By Caitlin Duffy – November 05, 2015

Bugatti Chiron's Front End Spotted

Slowly but surely, details about the newest supercar from Bugatti are making their way to the public light, the latest of which is what its front end looks like.In a cell phone video shared by AUTO BILD TV to YouTube today, we get a look at the front end of an camouflage-free Chiron as it tries to get around a truck hauling lumber on a narrow road. The iconic horseshoe grille is very visible, as are the same headlights found on the behemoth Bugatti Vision GranTurismo concept car.From an inset on the lower left corner, we can tell that the original video was filmed vertically, showing off a landscape of snow capped mountains and tall pine trees, with buildings indicating an Alpine region. We caught a look at the rear ends of two Chirons testing in Lavis, Italy on Oct. 30. Lavis is a northern region that looks similar to what's seen in this second video, indicating that they were likely captured around the same time, if not on the same day.What do you think of this newest design from Bugatti? Do you think they'll stick with the Chiron name, or that they'll announce something different when it's finally officially unveiled? Let us know in the comments below, and find your own Bugatti from our exclusive listings.Bugattis For Sale (via YouTube) See More Bugatti News

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