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.

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By Caitlin Duffy – July 07, 2015

Bugatti Pop Up Lifestyle Shop in Porto Cervo

A small port city sits on the northeastern tip of Sardegna, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea as Rome sits across the turquoise water.It's been renowned for decades as one of Europe's finest destinations, the crown jewel of the Smeralda Coast; until 2004, it was only accessible by boat or after hours of flying and driving, and today, as Engel & Volkers reported in 2013, its pricing of €300,000 per square meter, or approx. $30,454 USD per square foot, makes it the most expensive location in Europe. It's the ultimate place for Europe's elite to spend long summer days, and Europe's finest marques are there to meet them.Bugatti shared a few photos to their Facebook page of two different Veyrons parked in the illustrious port city, welcoming guests to their pop up Bugatti Lifestyle Boutique in Harrods Village. From July 4 to August 31, the shop will be open for eight hours every day while showcasing the finest pieces from their lifestyle collection. Hours run from 10 am to 12 noon, then from 6 pm to midnight local time.(See Also: Volkswagen Group Confirms New 1,500 hp Hybrid Bugatti)The trademark Bugatti blue is evident throughout the photos, bringing a small taste of what's available in their The Blue of London lifestyle boutique, which opened Nov. 14, 2014. Of course, Porto Cervo is a city steeped in rich blues - the very reason Rolls-Royce's bespoke Porto Cervo Wraith features a color reminiscent of the water.If you have a chance to explore Sardegna's smallest and most exclusive port, be sure to stop by the Bugatti boutique, and find your own Bugatti for when you return home from our exclusive listings.Bugattis For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook, Engel & Volkers) See More Bugatti News

By Caitlin Duffy – June 26, 2015

Bugatti Veyrons in Connecticut: Life in Blue

There are few things that can improve upon the pastoral beauty of New England in the summer, but if anyone can do it, Bugatti can.Two Veyrons spent some time in Lakeville, Connecticut, recently, taking the time to enjoy the winding country roads and the 1.5-mile track at Lime Rock Park. A gallery of photos added to the marque's Facebook page June 25 share some scenes from this bucolic trip, filled with verdant green deciduous trees and classic New England architecture."Life may be a little better in a Bugatti #LaVieEnBleu," describes the gallery's caption. The traditional Bugatti blue perfectly accents the black and white exteriors of the two Veyrons, and fills in their wheels with a tone that matches the summer skies.Check out the photos in the gallery below, and find your own Veyron to make life a little better from our exclusive listings.Veyrons For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook) See More Bugatti News

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By Caitlin Duffy – May 19, 2015

Historic Bugatti Veyrons at 24 Hours Nurburgring

The 45th annual 24 Hours Nürburgring saw the world's finest touring cars tearing around the course's Nordschleife for 24 hours over the weekend of May 16, and at the beginning of it all, Bugatti offered up a rare coupling to celebrate.In their first appearance together on the famed German track were a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport and a Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vittesse as they participated in the Parade Lap prior to the start of the race. Though Bugatti didn't actually have any vehicles among the 30 qualified teams, as the race's website states, such an event could not be complete without the legendary marque's presence.Two photos posted to the marque's Facebook page May 15 and a small gallery May 17 showed these two sporting matching black and orange exteriors on their way through Germany and at the track. Both look immensely comfortable and in their natural habitat - surrounded by asphalt and blurred greens, with other supercars riding just alongside.(See Also: Is This the New Bugatti Chiron on the Road?)Take a moment to browse through the pictures of two of the world's fastest vehicles below, then browse through our exclusive selection of Veyron listings, and find the perfect Bugatti for you.View Veyrons For Sale Gallery (Source: Facebook, 24h-rennen.de) See More Bugatti News

By Edward Jones – May 04, 2015

Black Diamond Bugatti Key by Itay Malkin

As if the Bugatti Veyron wasn't already luxurious enough, Itay Malkin Jewelry have created a bespoke diamond key for the French hypercar.This 18K white gold key fob for the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport Pur Blanc is encrusted with 10ct pave black diamonds that turn it into one of the most luxurious keys ever. It's a fitting key for such an exclusive car. Only 30 Super Sports were ever created and this is the only Pur Blanc in existence. If you scroll down further, you can even see this car his a top speed of 246.6 mph.To take it even further, the key fob is attached to a chain that consists of 150ct of black bead-cut diamonds. While this is a bespoke creation, Itay Malkin can create your very own, customized key.The jeweler offers a wide range of options for custom keys. This includes keys in platinum, rose gold, white gold or yellow gold. Additionally, you can pick from natural diamond of all colors for your new key.To learn more about the key, visit ItayMalkin.com. And to request a price, be sure to contact them by clicking the button below.Request Price or ContactGallery Sponsored by: Related Video:

By Edward Jones – January 26, 2015

Le Diamant Noir Bugatti Veyron For Sale at Bugatti Beverl...

The Bugatti Veyron is often thought of as a kinetic sculpture on four wheels that seamlessly blends the science of speed with the art of automotive design. The ultimate expression of this is Le Diamant Noir, which is one of the last Bugatti Veyron Series cars ever to be built.Le Diamant Noir, or “The Black Diamond,” has an all-black Carbon Fiber exterior, letting the car sparkle in the light of the sun like a black diamond in all its facets. Its elegance in its lines and purity are underlined by the single colored silk interior creating a feast for the eyes of every true Veyron lover. It is equipped with 1,200 horsepower from a 16-cylinder engine and the new Vitesse suspension for increased ease of handling at both low and high speeds.Le Diamant Noir is on display in the world-renowned Bugatti Beverly Hills showroom. Bugatti Beverly Hills, owned by the O’Gara Coach Company, is offering private showings of Le Diamant Noir.“Bugatti Beverly Hills is proud to sell one of the last 2015 Bugatti Grand Sport Vitesse ever built in the world,” says Tim O’Hara, General Manager of Bugatti Beverly Hills, the factory-authorized new and pre-owned Bugatti dealer for Greater Los Angeles.Limited to only 450 models built since the introduction of the Veyron in 2005, this particular Grand Sport Vitesse (French for “at the greatest speed”) is priced at $3.1 million.“With this outstanding car,” O’Hara adds, “we are dedicated to continue delivering the legacy and engineering innovation of Ettore Bugatti to our uniquely discriminating clients. We cordially invite you to join the most exclusive automobile owners club where we create specific events for you to experience your Bugatti automobile in some to the most beautiful and dynamic places in the world!” Bugatti Beverly Hills has been the leading retailer in North America for the past eight years, specializing in new and preowned Veyron models.O’Gara — Bespoke Service for Your BugattiOwning a Grand Sport Vitesse delivers a sheer piloting pleasure. “Only in a Bugatti you can experience the beauty and the beast at the same time,” as Bugatti’s chief pilot and experienced race car driver Pierre Henri Raphanel states. However great that is, it also offers an exclusive automotive lifestyle shared by a very limited group of motoring enthusiasts. After all, 105 years after Ettore Bugatti’s first car sold, fewer than 8,000 vehicles have ever been produced with his name. Of the Veyron, which renowned automotive journalist Eddie Alterman once called not only the fastest car in the world but “the greatest number of engineering challenges ever overcome by one vehicle,” only 117 units have ever been produced in US specification. Le Diamant Noir is one of only 22 Vitesse – the technically most sophisticated in the Veyron family – sold in North America.In addition to having floor models of vehicles offered for sale, Bugatti Beverly Hills has accessories, gifts and apparel and can special-order exclusive pieces from the Bugatti Collection.Bugatti ownership also requires the personal service your extraordinary vehicle deserves. Since opening, Bugatti Beverly Hills has been satisfying some of the world’s greatest car collectors as well as discriminating first-time luxury and supercar owners. Led by its founder Tom O’Gara, the O’Gara Coach Company has established records in luxury and performance sales and service continuously from 2004–2014.“Our specialists can expertly navigate our clients through every option, from quality pre-owned automobiles through the special commissioning program,” says O’Hara, explaining that this allows you to choose color combinations, leathers and other options for personalization.The company also offers vehicle consignment, fair vehicle trade-in values and vehicle locating throughout the dealer network.View Listing NowGallery Article sponsored and text provided by: and

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