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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

By Andrew Nabors – September 03, 2019

Bugatti Grand Tour Day 1: Milano to Monte Carlo

Riding high on their 304 mph run, Bugatti's Grand Tour began yesterday in Milano. It was not an arbitrary starting point, as it is the birthplace of Ettore Bugatti. Spectators were amazed to see 23 Veyrons and Chirons driving in formation. President of Bugatti Stephan Winkelmann said: "It is very special to walk on Ettore’s steps, in his hometown. To see all those cars representing our craftsmanship, climbing up the Piemonte hills is an extraordinary sight.” After lunch, they aimed for Monaco, the home of Bugatti driver Louis Chiron. The ability to be comfortable cruisers on these ancient roads makes the modern Bugatti one of the greatest luxury cars for sale. This 110th Anniversary tour will continue tomorrow, so stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse all Bugatti For Sale P.S. If you didn't see this yesterday, hang on to your seat! " width="680"> Related Bugatti Chiron Breaks 300 MPH Barrier 2018 Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – September 02, 2019

See the Bugatti Chiron Break 300 MPH Barrier

They did it. They actually did it. The new Bugatti Chiron has broken the almost mythical 300 mph barrier for a production car. The attempt was made by Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace, who was driving a pre-production version of the Chiron, at the test track at Ehra-Lessien in Lower Saxony. Wallace had to be very precise with his acceleration during the attempt. It started with acceleration up to 124 mph out of the north curve, then a push towards top speed across a 5.46-mile straight before decelerating back down to 124 mph before the south bend. The result was a TÜV-certified top speed of 304.773 mph. For the Chiron used in the attempt, Bugatti ensured Wallace's safety through a variety of modifications made with race specialist Dallara and tire manufacturer Michelin. The Michelin high-speed tires were reinforced so they could handle the world-record attempt. Wallace was kept safe with a six-point belt system and an additional safety cell. “Bugatti has once again shown what it’s capable of. With this new record of the Chiron we enter again uncharted territory. Never before has a series manufacturer reached this high speed,” says Stephan Winkelmann, President of Bugatti. see all bugatti chirons for sale now

By Andrew Nabors – August 16, 2019

Bugatti Centodieci Unveiled as a Modern EB110

A certain French hypercar company has been mentioning the EB110 lately, and now we know why. The Bugatti Centodieci was unveiled as a modern EB110. Taking inspiration from their 90's supercar, they took the wedge design and sharp angles and mated them to the chassis of a Chiron. Starting at the front, new LED headlights are very thin, to allow the EB110 influences to be integrated. Because the modern powertrain makes much more heat, engineers had their hands full mounting the radiators in a unique configuration. The B-Pillar slopes down at a sharp angle, with five circular inlets to feed the intakes. Not only is this aerodynamic, but it would also look right at home on a 90's car. Instead of the twin taillights of the EB110, the Centodieci needed a wider opening to keep things cool. Thankfully they were still able to revive the flying tail with a prominent rear overhang. Simply dropping in the Chiron's quad-turbo W16 would be too easy. So they added another oil cooler, played with the timing and upped the boost. You will have 1,600 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. This offers a 0-62 mph time of 2.4 seconds. If you aren't scared, it will reach 186 mph in 13.1 seconds. Due to the retro styling, the computer limits top speed to 236, and we can live with that! Extensive revisions to the suspension have shaved 44 lbs of unsprung weight. The Chiron was already comfortable, so this car must ride like a dream! Each car has a starting price of around $9,000,000, and only 10 will be built. I am not sure if my allocation will be granted, but maybe they will take a CTS-V in trade. Tell us what you think of the Centodieci in the comments below and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale " width="680"> Related: Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review Bugatti La Voiture Noire Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – August 14, 2019

See the Bugatti EB110 Homage's Revealing

Bugatti is set to premiere a new model this week during The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering. More specifically, the unveiling will happen on Friday, August 16, at 11:20 am Pacific Time. Nothing is really known as to what will be unveiled, but speculations have been running wild. However, in the press release regarding the new car's unveiling, Bugatti included a video. In the video, which you can watch below, the focus is mainly on the EB110. More importantly, the end of the video reads: "An EB110 homage." Yes, it looks like the new Bugatti model will celebrate the iconic EB110. https://player.vimeo.com/video/353542140 Unfortunately, we'll have to wait until Friday to see it in its entirety, so be sure to check back with us for all of the information! We'll also include a livestream link as well when that's released. see all bugattis for sale Also Check Out: Tracy Morgan’s Bugatti Veyron In Accident Right After He Bought It Bugatti La Voiture Noire Price, Specs, Photos, & Review

By Andrew Nabors – August 05, 2019

What it Takes to be a Bugatti Test Driver

Job security is based on how valuable you are to your employer. You might think test drivers are a dime-a-dozen, but not when it comes to hypercars. Loris Bicocchi began his career at Lamborghini, working as an apprentice mechanic in 1974. Learning his trade in the '80s, he worked alongside the likes of Horacio Pagani and Valentino Balboni. Seeking to expand his horizons beyond the Raging Bull, he jumped at a unique opportunity in 1987. Romano Artioli announced the revival of Bugatti in 1987, and Loris decided to follow him. After decades of developing amazing cars, this is what it takes to be a Bugatti Test Driver. To build a new Bugatti, the team recruited the most talented Italian stylists & engineers, and the driver was a crucial member. Paolo Stanzini had already left Lamborghini, and he needed to convince Loris of the project. "Paolo called me one day and invited me to a meeting. He told me about the project and asked me directly if I would like to have an exciting job,” remembers Loris Bicocchi. The task: to develop a new absolute supercar with four-wheel drive, V12 and four turbochargers from the ground up, again as a test driver. Driven by technical innovations, the EB110 GT and EB110 SS were to become the most modern sports cars of the 1990s. "For me, the job was perfect because I wanted to be able to develop myself, drive even faster cars and at no costs let the steering wheel out of my hands". Although the EB110 broke a few world records, the 90's version of Bugatti went bankrupt after buying Lotus from GM. Nevertheless, Loris received a call in 2000 about another wild project. The Veyron proved to be a challenge because it was so far ahead of its time. "Everything was unique on the Veyron, but the Chiron is not just an evolution, it's a new car". After developing the Veyron Grand Sport and Super Sport, the Chiron was begun in secret. "The Chiron is even more dynamic, but also safer and more relaxed. We just made the perfect even better". This level of dedication is what allows Bugatti to continually offer the best build quality in the hypercar world. If you don't belive us, click the link below and experience one for yourself. Stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Find Your Bugatti Here! " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – July 31, 2019

Bugatti Chiron vs. EB 110: Decades of Innovation

Romano Artioli wanted a carbon fiber supercar with four turbochargers. It had to look good, so he entrusted the design to Marcello Gandini. It had to have an amazing name, so he purchased the rights to Bugatti in 1987. The first modern Bugatti was unveiled in 1991, and you might not realize how much it influenced their latest models. In a press release earlier today, we learned how much they have in common. So without further adieu, let's investigate the Bugatti Chiron versus the EB 110 with decades of innovation. Pushing the limits of 80's technology, the one-piece carbon fiber chassis was supplied by aerospace company Aérospatiale. Owned by the government of France, they had a vested interest in building the world's fastest car. Today the company is known as Airbus. For power, engineers developed a new 3.5L V12 with individual throttles for each cylinder. Four turbos allowed the six-speed transmission to receive 560 horsepower and 451 lb-ft of torque. It was sent to all wheels by a permanent AWD system. This allowed it to leap to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds, with all other performance statistics eclipsing every other car from this era. Jay Leno was so impressed that he ordered a spare engine so it could be on display. Only 128 cars were built over the 4-year span, and Artioli found himself bankrupt after purchasing Lotus. Fast forward 25 years and the Chiron seems lightyears ahead of its predecessors. The Chiron arrived in 2016 with the engineering expertise of the Volkswagen Group. It also has four turbochargers, with the addition of four cylinders. This yields 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Like the EB 110, the Chiron has a carbon fiber body and AWD. The goal with each Bugatti is to build a work of art that is not comparable to any other, in any way. Ettore Bugatti summarized it by saying " If it's comparable, it's not a Bugatti." Browse Bugattis For Sale " width="680"> Related: Bugatti Chiron #200 is a 100th Anniversary Edition 2018 Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – July 10, 2019

Bugatti Chiron #200 is a 110th Anniversary Edition

It is hard to comprehend that the Bugatti Chiron is over 2 years old. Time flies when you are building supercars, and the skilled employees have a great reason to celebrate. That's because the Bugatti Chiron #200 is also a 110th Anniversary Edition. Officially known as the "110 ans Bugatti", this car sports the French flag in several prominent locations. President Stephan Winkelmann said: "You can't feel anything but pride when you see this 200th Chiron emerge from the factory". He also reinforced the fact that each car requires several hours to build. How many employee hours are needed? Only 10 months from start to finish. Only 20 Anniversary Editions will be built, and each one will arrive with "Sky View" glass roof panels and a "Steel Blue" painted engine. All of them are based on the Chiron Sport. It is 40 lbs lighter and uses a pair of sequential turbos to offer 1,500 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Production is not limited on the Chiron, and this shows that there is a market for the world's most powerful production car. Once you drive one you will understand. So click the link below to find one near you and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Find Your Bugatti Here

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By Andrew Nabors – May 29, 2019

Bugatti Veyron Legends: Two Decades of Dominance

Twenty years ago I heard a rumor that Chevrolet was working on a 385 horsepower Corvette Z06. Everyone was worried about the Y2K virus, and a majority of our fans used AOL to reach dupontregistry.com. Meanwhile, a secret project was being finalized in Molsheim, France. The resurrection of Bugatti shocked the world, so the brand has decided to look back on their major milestones. In their latest press release we see the Bugatti Veyron Legends in two decades of dominance. Every example of the Bugatti Veyron is powered by an 8.0L sixteen cylinder engine with four turbochargers. The design was finished by 2000, but it took extensive testing to get it production ready. The first cars available for sale were built in 2005. They offered 987 horsepower and 922 lb-ft of torque. Not only is that more torque than most diesel trucks, it is available between 2,200 and 5,000 rpm. Many speculated the car would be a flop, but the Veyron evolved. It spawned Grand Sport, Grand Sport Vitesse, Super Sport, and a host of one-off builds for wealthy clients. Tell us your favorite Veyron in the comments below, and click the link to find one for yourself! Browse Bugatti Veyron For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – May 28, 2019

Bugatti La Voiture Noir Wins Elegance Contest

Over the weekend, European elites gathered in Italy to celebrate their creations. Placed among the grounds of the Villa d'Este, awards were given to several categories of new & classic cars. Bugatti CEO Stephan Winkelmann said " The models that can be seen here every year are iconic and the setting in which they are displayed could not be better". It must be true, because the Bugatti La Voiture Noir won the Elegance Contest. This stunning machine was places in the Concept Cars category and the public was allowed to pick the winner. Of course it won, because it is a modern interpretation of the Type 57SC Atlantic. This one-off Bugatti Chiron was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, and it has already been sold. Although the body is finished, Bugatti has stated the drivetrain will take two years to finalize. We can't wait to see the production version, so stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Find Your Bugatti Here Related: Discover the Cover: May 2019 Bugatti La Voiture Noire Bugatti La Voiture Noire Receives Dazzling Dubai Debut

By Andrew Nabors – May 17, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Sport Attacks the Mille Miglia

Italy's most famous race is a true test of drivers and cars. A thousand miles of gorgeous scenery and ancient roads began in 1927. The modern version is more of a traveling car show, with each brand promoting their latest models along with historic racers. Nevertheless, it is a sporting event that is watched by the world. That is why the Bugatti Chiron Sport has attacked the Mile Miglia. Ettore Bugatti was born in Milan to a skilled artist, and you might have heard of his younger brother, Rembrandt. Because their cars were so dominant in the glory days of the great road races, the company chose to enter a Type 35B to race alongside the new Chiron Sport. This isn't just a "normal" Chiron, it is the 110 Ans edition. Matte finish paint has French flags displayed under the rear spoiler. It goes vertical when braking, to show everyone behind you who is in 1st place. The theme continues inside to the seats, central spine, steering wheel, and even the key. The Type 35B won more races than any other Bugatti, using a supercharged 2.3L straight-8 to make 138 horsepower and a ton of torque. Tell us which one you would drive in the comments below, and stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

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