McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Bugatti News

Bugatti news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated as each story breaks, covering the Chiron in its many forms, the Mistral roadster and the track-only Bolide. Our reporting also follows the V16 hybrid Tourbillon and the auction results that set values for the earlier cars. Bugatti builds in very small numbers, so a single sale can reset the market for a whole model. That is where our marketplace helps readers most. Bugattis covered here are often listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, which puts the reporting and a real asking price side by side. For Bugatti news today, and the hypercar news and exotic car market news around it, start below.

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 02, 2021

Bugatti Rimac: Bugatti and Rimac Begin Cooperation in a N...

Two leading hypercar manufacturers now under one joint brand. The Bugatti brand continues to prove itself as an industry leader with the help of its President Stephan Winklemann. Since 2018, Winklemann has led the hypercar manufacturers down a road of success with the expansion of the Chiron fleet and the redefined modern-day coachbuilding division. Bugatti is now proud to announce its joint partnership with the electric sports car professionals at Rimac Automobili of Nedelja, Croatia. Bugatti Stephan Winklemann expresses his love for the Bugatti brand and all of its milestone accomplishments during his time acting as President. With the new joint venture, Winklemann will be parting with the brand and focusing his efforts as Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini. During the shift towards its partnership, Bugatti lead team members will receive new roles and take on new challenges to launch the Bugatti Rimac brand into the future of the automotive industry. Bugatti All Bugatti models will continue to be made by hand at the Molsheim Atelier. Therefore, the jobs located there remain secure for the long term. The Bugatti Rimac joint company will start with 435 employees, of whom 300 will work in Zagreb and 135 in Molsheim (France). In addition, there will be 180 employees from the Wolfsburg development site. Bugatti and Rimac will continue to act as independent brands and retain their production sites in Zagreb and Molsheim, as well as their respective sales channels. As independent brands, they will continue growing with separate and extraordinary vehicles. “For more than 110 years, Bugatti has been making the most exclusive and high-quality cars in the world,” says Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti. This goal has not changed and will not change in the future. View all current Bugatti models available for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale on duPont REGISTRY Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – October 25, 2021

The Bugatti Chiron is 40 Build Slots Away From Being Sold...

What will come next? It was in 2016 that the Bugatti Chiron was unveiled to the world. After the unveiling, it took just 18 months for Bugatti to sell 300 build slots for the Chiron, a more than impressive feat. Now, just a couple of years later, Bugatti has announced that just 40 build slots remain. For those remaining slots, the hypercar model will only be available in Chiron Pur Sport and Chiron Super Sport form. Bugatti also notes that the final examples of the Chiron and Chiron Sport are currently being made or are scheduled to be built. What Bugatti has accomplished with the Chiron is astounding. The Chiron's attractiveness comes from not only its beauty but also its groundbreaking capabilities. A perfect moment in time that was truly historic was when the Chiron Super Sport broke the 300 mph barrier and set a new world record top speed for a production car. Simply put, the Chiron's specs are out of this world. While it may be a sad day when the final Chiron rolls out of Bugatti's Molsheim Atelier, it will be exciting to see what's next. Below are a few of the major production milestones for the Bugatti Chiron. March, 2017 First Chiron customer deliveries take place following its global unveiling at Geneva International Motorshow in 2016. May, 2018 100th Chiron is delivered to a customer in the Middle East. February, 2020 250th Chiron produced as limited production run of 500 units enters second half. March, 2021 300th Chiron leaves the Atelier in Molsheim – a Pur Sport as one of just 60 vehicles. November, 2021 Chiron Pur Sport and Super Sport to round off Chiron family production as final 40 units. All Bugatti Chirons For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – October 14, 2021

Bugatti Centodieci Passes Seriously Extreme Hot Weather T...

Welcome to Arizona, Bugatti engineers! A team of engineers from Wolfsburg, Germany is spending three weeks in the USA, putting a convoy of Bugatti hypercars through extreme weather testing. Their latest stop was in Arizona, land of the dry heat, where they would put the convoy through hot weather testing. Leading the convoy through the testing is a prototype of the Centodieci hypercar and it's been easily passing the grueling tests. For the hot weather testing, the engineers really ensured that the hypercar was up to the task. The convoy was taken to Mount Lemon in Tuscon, Arizona where the road reaches an altitude of about 9,186 feet. Temperatures reached during the tests were around 113 degrees Fahrenheit, and I don't have to tell you how uncomfortable that heat can be. Bugatti Chiron Price & Specs :: MUST READ But, these temperatures weren't enough. Other tests included letting the cars sit in the sun with the air conditioning cranked all the way up and also driving them at speed of up to 198 mph (on a closed course). As expected, the Centodieci passed all of the tests and now it's off for high-speed drives and endurance tests that will see it traveling up to 186,000 miles in Europe. When these tests are passed, the Bugatti Centodieci will be signed off by the development team and production will begin. See All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 04, 2021

Bugatti Will Display Two Hypercar Icons At The Concorso d...

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the EB110 this year, this revolutionary piece of automotive design and engineering receives the recognition it deserves. Since its beginning, the Bugatti brand has focused its efforts towards pushing the boundaries of design and performance through its line of highly exclusive hypercars. Establishing itself as one of the most iconic hypercar manufacturers in the automotive industry Bugatti continues to celebrate its past achievements while working towards creating a whole new breed of technologically advanced chassis. One of those futuristic designs is the Bugatti Centodieci, a tribute to the legendary Bugatti EB110 of 1991. MUST-READ: Rolls-Royce Announces The New Boat Tail Display At The Concours d’Eleganza Villa d’Este Bugatti is proud to announce that the Centodieci will be on display at this year's Concorso d’Elganza at Villa d'Este as part of the ‘Concept Cars and Prototypes’ category. Only ten Centodieci examples will be crafted at the Molsheim Atelier, all of which have been accounted for by Bugatti’s most prestigious clientele. With the futuristic example on the scene, Bugatti will also be displaying Romano Artioli’s former personal EB110 Supersport ‘America’ as part of the Class H ‘The Next Generation: Hypercars of the 1990s’ category. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Bugatti EB110 and what better way to celebrate the historic event with its futuristic predecessor? Check back into duPont REGISTRY Daily for more news on the Concorso d’Eleganza at Villa d’Este. View all current Bugatti examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale View this post on Instagram A post shared by BUGATTI (@bugatti) Media/Information Source: @bugatti IG

By Edward Jones – September 30, 2021

Bugatti Bolide Voted as the “Most Beautiful Hypercar in t...

A well-deserved award for a truly magnificent automobile. During the 36th Festival Automobile International design awards, the Bugatti Bolide was named the "World's Most Beautiful Hypercar." This award came from a jury comprised of design experts who picked the Bolide by what's being described as a "substantial margin" over the other three finalists. “There is a clear Bugatti identity in the cabin of the Bolide, but one without the flourishes or luxuries of our roadgoing hyper sports cars. The design is focused on creating a place of minimal distraction and maximum visibility, with a curving wraparound glasshouse and critical control functions that are literally at the driver’s fingertips,” explains Frank Heyl, Bugatti Deputy Design Director. The Bugatti Bolide is an incredibly striking hypercar and it's very deserving of the award. When I first saw it, I was honestly surprised that Bugatti would create such an extreme-looking vehicle and was even more surprised when they announced a limited production run of 40 units. There's honestly not one angle of the Bolide that doesn't offer a remarkable visual, especially the front and rear-- just look at those insane lights! What I love most is that the Bolide is a work of art in regards to its design but a truly functional car that's actually Bugatti's most track-focused creation yet. Bugatti has set the price of the Bolide at four million euros, or around $4.6 million USD. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2024. See All Bugatti Chirons For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – September 23, 2021

1st Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is Ready For Delivery

Actually, the first eight are ready for delivery. Bugatti just has announced that the first eight out of the 30 examples of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ are ready for delivery. This news comes after Bugatti has put the hypercar through two years of testing and development to ensure that it's ready for the high speeds it's capable of. To be more exact, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ is capable of going over 304.773 mph, hence the name. This top speed was recorded back in 2019 and set a new world record. Each example of the Chiron Super Sport 300+ comes packing Bugatti's 8.0-liter W16 that produces an astonishing 1,577 horsepower. Unlike the standard Chiron, this variant comes with a new thermal management system, as well as refinements to the engine, gearbox, powertrain and turbochargers. MUST-READ: Bugatti Chiron Price & Specs If you're interested in picking one up, you're out of luck because all 30 examples are sold out. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ comes with a starting price of 3.5 million euros, or about $4.1 million USD. View All Bugatti Chirons For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – September 20, 2021

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport Proves To Be Very Popular in N...

For good reason: it's amazing. Bugatti has just announced some pretty incredible sales stats regarding the new Chiron Super Sport. While it was just recently unveiled at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, it has already attracted the attention of many new customers in North America. According to Bugatti, 45 percent of the new orders for the Chiron Super Sport have come from new customers. Being an unbelievably gorgeous hypercar with 1,600 horsepower that delivers an unmatched drive, it's no wonder that many are jumping into the world of Bugatti with the Chiron Super Sport. “At the pinnacle of automotive technology and design, Bugatti sells cars to a very small and specific group of customers, most of which are collectors that have more than one Bugatti or ultra-high-end vehicle in their garage,” said Cedric Davy, Chief Operating Officer of Bugatti of the Americas. “As we reach the end of the limited Chiron production, we are seeing more and more new customers approach Bugatti for the opportunity to own the greatest representation of the W16 engine.” The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport has an MSRP of $3,825,000. Expect deliveries to begin in 2022. Discover the Chiron Super Sport " width="680"> Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 17, 2021

Bugatti Preps To Celebrate The 30th Anniversary Of The EB110

An icon to the hypercar world is being celebrated at Bugatti's factory in Campogalliano this weekend. The Bugatti EB110 continues to be a celebrated example for the brand as one of the first hypercars to launch onto the automotive market. The EB110’s debut on September 15th, 1991 shocked the world with its one-of-a-kind design paired with the famous quad-turbocharged 3.5L 12-cylinder engine. The timeless styling and technology will forever inspire the professionals at Bugatti when configuring new models to help continue to push the boundaries of performance. Bugatti is proud to announce that the brand will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the EB110 at the Fabbrica Blu in Campogalliano. Alongside the 90s hypercar, Bugatti will have examples like the Veyron on-site to help highlight the rich timeline of the brand and its dedication to unlocking more power with each new idea. Help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Bugatti EB110 this weekend by tuning into Bugatti’s social media accounts for more information. View all Bugatti hypercar examples for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CT7OEqnqB_m/ Media/Information Source: Bugatti

By Edward Jones – September 02, 2021

Exceptional 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT Prototype For Sale

Presented by Copley Motorcars - Before the Veyron and Chiron, the EB110 was introduced as the brand's first modern supercar. After a hiatus that lasted decades, Bugatti introduced this model to shock the world and they succeeded. Powered by a quad-turbocharged V12 engine, the EB110's power output is rated at 553 horsepower. While that power may be below what you find in supercars today, it was an equal footing with other supercars made during that era like the Lamborghini Diablo and Ferrari F50. For sale right now is a 1994 Bugatti EB110 GT prototype that is in exceptional condition. It's finished in the striking Blu Bugatti paint with a light grey leather interior, both of which are spotless. Its pristine condition makes sense when you learn that it has been driven a mere 680 miles since new. It's not often that you find an EB110 GT for sale, let alone one in as good of condition as this one. This EB110, engine number 0041, was completely refurbished before it was delivered to its first private Swiss owner back in 2000. A few years later, it landed in the United States as it was brought into an imposing collection. Since it has been in private ownership, it has been kept in incredible ciondition, as you can see from the photos. This factory prototype Bugatti EB110 GT would make an incredible star in any collection, especially one featuring Bugatti's latest creations. For more information, be sure to click the button below to view its online listing. View Listing

By Edward Jones – August 31, 2021

See the Bugatti Centodieci Complete Wind Tunnel Testing

Even a Bugatti model limited to just 10 examples still undergoes serious testing. Bugatti takes their aerodynamics very seriously. With models capable of reaching speeds well over 200 mph, they have to ensure that each of their hypercars performs flawlessly at extreme rates of speed. Recently, the Bugatti Centodieci hypercar finished its wind tunnel testing where engineers fine-tuned it to perfection. With wind speeds up to 186 mph, this wind tunnel is capable of pushing air under, over, and to the side of the Centodieci. The different wind positions replicate certain situations and test the aerodynamics of specific components. For example, the wind tunnel will send wind at various angles to simulate how the Centodieci would handle during quick corners. “No matter what speed and what driving situation, the Centodieci is sportily neutral and can be managed at all times in spite of its immense power,” says André Kullig, Technical Project Manager for one and few-off projects at Bugatti. You can check out the video of the Centodieci undergoing wind tunnel tests in the video up above. See all Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

Bugatti News

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe