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 Edward Jones – January 02, 2020

Bugatti Chiron "Hermès Edition" Revealed by Manny Khoshbin

Manny Khoshbin has just received the latest collection to his car collection and it's as beautiful as vehicles come. Introducing his new Bugatti Chiron "Hermès Edition" hypercar. Khoshbin has been waiting for this car since he designed it four years ago. For the color scheme, he went with all-cream for the interior and exterior. The Hermès Courbettes Graphic with horses can be found on the exterior and interior of the hypercar, marking the first time this pattern has been used in a sports car. Both wool and cashmere were used for the pattern in the cabin. Bugatti Chiron Specs: 1/4 Mile, 0-60 & Prices This isn't the first time that Bugatti and Hermès have teamed up. In fact, the first worked together in the 1920s and in 2008 for the Veyron. Now, Manny Khoshbin has the Hermès Chiron and it's just as beautiful as we expected. SEE ALL BUGATTI CHIRONS FOR SALE Image Source: Instagram

By Andrew Nabors – December 17, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Sport Zebra in Detail

Please don't adjust your screens, what you are looking at is a masterpiece. Inspired by a 2-tone African mammal, you can clearly see the likeness when viewing the Bugatti Chiron Sport Zebra in detail. We've been following this unique build since it was spotted in October. An amazing film was uploaded at the beginning of December showing highlights of the assembly process, and now the lucky customer can enjoy this bespoke Bugatti Chiron for sale. Uploaded to their social media accounts today, take a look at the custom touches below. If you want one for yourself, click the button to find our Bugatti dealer near you, and stay with us for all of their updates. Browse All Bugatti For Sale Related: 2020 Bugatti Chiron Sport Zebra is a Masterpiece Bugatti Chiron Sport Specs, Prices, & Photos

By Edward Jones – December 02, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Noire Special Editions Announced

Following the Bugatti La Voiture Noire's direction are two new special edition Chirons that have just been announced. The Bugatti Chiron Noire Sportive and Chiron Noire Elegance are two new versions of the hypercar that continue the dark theme set by the La Voiture Noire. The main difference between these two models is their exterior. Bugatti dressed the Chiron Noire Elegance in a black exposed carbon fiber exterior, while the Chiron Noire Sportive has an exposed carbon fiber body with a matte black finish. There are few other exclusive features to both of these special edition models on top of their elegant body finishes. Upfront on both models is the Bugatti "Macaron" emblem that is made of solid silver but refined with black enamel. The interiors of both models have also been specialized to match their dark themes as well. Bugatti is limiting these special editions to just 20 examples and it's available for both the Chiron and Chiron Sport models. They will cost roughly $3.3 million and be delivered around Q2 2020. SEE ALL BUGATTI CHIRONS FOR SALE

By Andrew Nabors – November 06, 2019

Meet Bugatti Test Driver Andy Wallace

At what speed does a test driver need a Pilot's License? By all measures of power and acceleration, nothing beats a Bugatti Chiron for sale. It can reach 186 mph in 13.1 seconds, which is quicker than an SR-71 Blackbird takeoff. That is why the engineers need a driver willing to tame the beast. One man volunteered, so meet Bugatti test driver Andy Wallace. Related: Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Zebra Spied on the Move

Spotted in Molsnear Bugatti's manufacturing building in Molsheim, France was a very peculiar Bugatti Chiron that's being dubbed "Zebra." One look at this hypercar and you can see the resemblance between it and the Veyron Super Sport "Le Saphir Bleu." YouTube Channel "SO PROD / Vidéos de Rallyes /" caught the unique Chiron on film and uploaded a video of it in action to YouTube. You can see it for yourself up above. As for word from Bugatti regarding this Chiron, we've heard nothing yet from them but we'll let you all know the official news when/if it's released. see all bugatti chirons for sale Video by SO PROD / Vidéos de Rallyes / via Carbuzz

By Andrew Nabors – September 18, 2019

Bugatti Baby II Unveiled at 110th Anniversary

Some prototypes are easier to hide while testing. Camouflage and evasive drivers only go so far, but the target audience has to be on your level. We think smaller drivers who have the means deserve a fast & stylish electric car, and so does Bugatti. The first Baby car was a smash hit, so the Bugatti Baby II was unveiled alongside the Chiron Super Sport 300 at their 110th anniversary. Browse all Bugatti For Sale This 3D printed mico car is a 75% scaled version of the timeless Type 35. Limited to 500 examples, it will be assembled in cooperation with the Little Car Company. It will be offered in three models: Baby II base model with composite (fiberglass) body Baby II Vitesse with carbon fiber body and "Speed Key" Baby II Pur Sang has a handmade aluminum body and "Speed Key" Each one is 110" long and almost 40" wide. Under the body is a 2.8 kWh battery that should provide a range of 18 miles. The pedal box is adjustable for the baby in all of us, although it is Right Hand Drive only. The normal key sends 1kw to the motor for 12 mph. Those with the "Speed Key" can unlock 4kw to reach 28 mph. Without a driver, the curb weight of the lightest model is 500 lbs, so it will be a handful in the corners. Choose from the traditional French Racing Blue, or it can be hand-painted in any moder Chiron livery. Every example has been spoken for, but there is a waiting list for potential adoptions if an order is canceled. Each car comes with a membership to the Little Car Club, where children are allowed to race under supervision on the world's greatest tracks. Prices start at $33,157 before taxes and a tiny license plate. The first person to swap an LS into one will receive a year's subscription to the World's Greatest Car Magazine, so stay with us for all your Bugatti news. " width="680"> Related: Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ Limited to 30 examples Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – September 09, 2019

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ Limited to 30 Examples

Nothing caps an anniversary like an unprecedented announcement. As the icing on the cake for their 110th celebration, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ will be limited to 30 examples. Yes, the car that recently went 304 mph is heading to production. In a press release this morning, we've learned it will share the same body that was developed in collaboration with Dallara. Going for 300 mph is similar to breaking the sound barrier, so the aerodynamics needed to do this have taken years to prove. Much like the Bell X1, the latest Chiron needed more power in addition to the optimized body. Engineers and competitors have cried foul that reaching 300 mph takes much more power, but Bugatti rates the Chiron Super Sport 300+ at 1,600 horsepower, 100 more than a normal Chiron. Our friend CEO Stephan Winkelmann says: After the incredible speed record of more than 300 miles per hour, which we were the first series manufacturer to achieve, we're now offering our customers the Super Sport 300+ – a very special edition model and the fastest Bugatti ever. But the Chiron Super Sport 300+ is more than just the fastest series-production sports car in the world. It is a testimony to Bugatti's technical refinement, masterly workmanship and enormous attention to detail." If you don't need to go quite that fast, click the link below to browse other Bugatti models from our dealers. Browse Bugatti For Sale " width="680"> Related: See the Bugatti Chiron Break 300 MPH Barrier Bugatti Admits Nevada Would've Been Faster

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 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

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