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 – August 27, 2015

Chris Harris Drives Soon-to-be-Auctioned Bugatti EB110 SS

Growing up, I knew the Bugatti EB110 SS as the strange car that always caught my eye. I wasn't sure if it was the sleek body, unique headlights or powerful quad-turbocharged 3.5-liter V12, but I knew that this car was special. And, as made apparent in a YouTube video uploaded Aug. 25 by Chris Harris on Cars, so does Harris. See for yourself in the video found below.There's no question that the EB110 SS was one of the most iconic cars of the 1990s. It had style, power and a storied background. It came into the world after Romano Artioli, an Italian Ferrari dealer, wanted to bring Bugatti back through a new supercar. Now, Bugatti hadn't created a car since 1952, making this quite the task, but that didn't stop Artioli.According to RM Sothebys' lot listing for this very car, after establishing Bugatti Automobili SpA in October 1987, he set off to start a revival. On Sept. 15, 1991, in celebration of Ettore Bugatti's 110th birthday, the new supercar was unveiled. Appropriately named the EB110, in honor of Bugatti's birthday, the car was powered by the aforementioned 3.5-liter V12 engine that boasted four turbochargers.And, just six months after the EB110 was unveiled, Bugatti pulled back the sheets on the EB110 SS, which had larger injectors and an optimized exhaust system. These changes brought the car's power up 53 hp, to a total of 603 hp.Unfortunately, Bugatti had to shut its doors in 1995 due to a worldwide economic recession. Only 139 EB110s were created, and that number includes just 33 examples of the EB110 SS.These numbers make the EB110, especially the Super Sport version, a hot commodity. Up for auction at RM Sotheby's September 7 event in London is a 1995 Bugatti EB110 SS, the very one Harris is driving in the video found above. To see the car's estimated hammer price and more info, click the button below.View Price and InfoGallery (Source: RM Sotheby's, YouTube) (Photos by: Remi Dargegen ©2015 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's) See More Automotive Auction News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 20, 2015

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Vehicle Introduced

Bugatti has confirmed the creation of a new vehicle - but this one is only available through the digital world."This is for our fans," states an Aug. 19 press release from the French manufacturer, which announced the creation of their first vehicle for the video game series "Vision Gran Turismo." The full view won't be released until the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), which is scheduled from Sept. 17-27, but it will give us a look at the marque's new design direction."Bugatti is the world's most exclusive super sports car brand and Bugatti cars are only available to an extremely small group of automobile consumers," said President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. Wolfgang Dürheimer in the release. "At the same time Bugatti is admired and loved by countless people... The 'Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo' will make our brand available to them as well as to gamers... This is a project for our fans."Stay with us for more info on this Vision Gran Turismo creation as it is released, and find a real world Bugatti for yourself from our exclusive listings below.Bugattis For Sale (Source: Bugatti) See More Bugatti News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 18, 2015

Bugatti Chiron Test Mules Spotted at LAX

There's no question about the fact that Bugatti has been developing a successor to the Veyron. Those doubts were put to trest with the August 14 release of a video from the marque, asking its viewers to "#ImaginEBugatti."And it seems the imagining is getting easier to do each day, as more and more photographers catch glimpses of this new model around the world. Most recently, as AutoEvolution shared Aug. 17, Instagram user hungry_penguin spotted what appear to be Bugatti test mules at the Los Angeles airport.https://instagram.com/p/6d7wq4M733/?taken-by=hungry_penguinTwo photos posted to hungry_penguin's account Aug. 16 each show two test mules loaded up and ready for shipping. The caption of one image says there were four in total, "very dirty and wrapped in black.""They were there to be privately shown to some of the wealthiest men in America," describes AutoEvolution's article, "the sort of people who bought the Veyron and were 'in town' for the annual Pebble Beach Concours event."https://instagram.com/p/6d4p7Os7yF/?taken-by=hungry_penguinThough we can't confirm that these are, in fact, the Chiron, or that "Chiron" is even the name that will actually be applied to this model, the outline of Bugatti's legendary horseshoe grille appears on these mules, and the headlight size and shape, or at least what's alluded to by the car cover, seem right on par with every other recent sighting.Stay with us for more updates as they are released about Bugatti's next record breaker, and if you can't wait for their new model to get yourself a Bug, find one from our exclusive listings at the button below.Bugattis For Sale Bugatti Chiron For Sale (Source: AutoEvolution, Instagram) See More Bugatti News

By Caitlin Duffy – August 14, 2015

Bugatti Chiron Teaser Video Released

The French marque responsible for world records has been relatively quiet as of late.Since it was announced they had produced their final Veyron, "La Finale," on March 2, press releases and news about development have been scarce. However, that hasn't stopped the enthusiast community from trying to peel back their secrecy and find out what's next.A test mule has been spotted on streets and in airport bays around the world, with grainy photos and videos surfacing from time to time, purporting to show their next creation.Most have agreed that the Veyron's successor will be named the Chiron, though that name has yet to be confirmed by the marque. But, in a video added to YouTube Aug. 13, they've broken their silence."I chase the day, the night, the new dawn. Imagine the impossible," says the narrator of this quick 35 second clip. A clue to the official name of this new creation might be found in the video's title, "#imaginEBugatti." Every letter in the word "imagine" is purposely lowercase, except for the "E." Could the EB name, the initials for the company's founder, Ettore Bugatti, be returning? Or is it the 2018 Bugatti Chiron that Car and Driver reports will be able to reach 288 mph? Let us know your reaction in the comments below after you watch the video above, and find your own Bugatti from our exclusive listings.Bugattis For Sale(Source: YouTube, Car and Driver) See More Bugatti News

By Edward Jones – July 29, 2015

2014 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse L'Or Style For Sale

Up for grabs is this 2014 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse in a L'Or Style exterior finish. According to the car's description, the exterior is finished in a "Lamborghini White" and "Bugatti Light Blue Sport." Inside the supercar's cabin is a "Tangerine Leather" interior that as exciting as it is unique. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own a one-of-a-kind model. Click the button below for more information and pictures.View Listing

By Caitlin Duffy – July 27, 2015

Bugatti Veyron Hits 235.7 mph at Sun Valley Road Rally 2015

Idaho isn't a state that comes to mind when most people are planning vacations.However, if you're the type of person who has an affinity for watching cars hit their limits, then it might be time to reconsider your destination preferences.Hosted every summer since 2009, the Sun Valley Road Rally is a one day event where a stretch of I-75 loses its speed restrictions. From 8 am to 3 pm, local traffic is diverted another route, and drivers from around the country bring their pride and joy just north of Ketchum, Idaho, for a chance to hurtle down the road as fast as they can.Of course, the car of choice for this event has consistently been the Bugatti Veyron. Last year, on August 4 and August 9, we shared photos of the massive gatherings of Veyrons, all ready to test their speedometer and see how far it can be pushed.This year, James Condon, better known as The Stradman, was on hand to catch a close look at the one of one Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse L'Or Rouge hitting a top speed of 235.7 mph. At that speed, it sounds like an airplane taking off. Literally.A video added to YouTube July 25 and posts to Facebook July 24, 25 and 26 give us a full look at this stunning red and black Veyron, with a license plate bearing its nickname, "Hellbug," on full display.Check out the video from this event above, and find your own Veyron from our exclusive listings below to prepare for the 2016 Sun Valley Road Rally.Bugattis For Sale(Source: Facebook, YouTube, SunValleyRoadRally.com) See More Bugatti News

By Edward Jones – July 20, 2015

Transformers Bugatti Veyron Autobot Edition

It's not just a Transformer, it's an Autobot. And not only is it an Autobot, it's a Bugatti Veyron.Posted on @EricSteelePhoto's Instagram account July 14 is a blue Veyron with a unique blue paint scheme. While the contrasting blues may look like simple shapes, upon closer inspection you'll see the Autobots symbol smack dab on the car's hood. Inside, the robotic theme continues, as does the blue color scheme. In between the seats embroidered with the name "Daniel" is an Autobots symbol.https://instagram.com/p/5GMThCOG7X/?taken-by=ericsteelephotoIn a Drizz.ly article dated the same day, they claim that the car is sitting at the Los Gatos Luxury Cars dealership in Los Gatos, California. They also state that the car is an Asia spec. vehicle and was recently shipped to the United States from Singapore.(Related: The Cars of Transformers 4)This Veyron reminds us of Autobot Drift featured in the movie Transformers: Age of Extinction, who could transform in a Veyron. Found below is a video of Drift and other supercar Transformers starring in the movie.What do you think of this car? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.Bugattis For Sale Related Video: Gallery (Source: Instagram via Drizz.ly) (Photos by: Eric Steele) See More Bugatti Veyron News and Images

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 Edward Jones – June 30, 2015

Volkswagen Group Confirms New 1,500 hp Hybrid Bugatti

The CEO of Volkswagen Group, Martin Winterkorn, confirmed additional information on the Bugatti Veyron's successor to Bild.de in an article published June 27.According to Bild, the new Bugatti will be powered by a hybrid power train, a first for the automaker. Additionally, Winterkorn also confirmed that the new hypercar will create upwards of 1,500 hp, pushing it well over the Veyron's power output.(Related: The Bugatti Atlantean Yacht Concept & Potential Future Steps)We have reportedly seen the Bugatti Chiron, the model name the Veyron successor has been given, on the road in a mule form. Unfortunately, solid information about name, engine or body style is unknown, but we expect this information to come to light in the near future.Stay with us for more information as it is released from Bugatti.(Source: Bild.de) 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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