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 – March 17, 2026

Inside The 2026 Bugatti Grand Tour: South Africa

While most traditional car-buying experiences end once you take delivery and drive off the lot, entering the hypercar realm opens the door to something much bigger and more luxurious. With Bugatti, ownership comes with a calendar full of experiences, including private track time, exclusive unveilings, and, of course, the annual Grand Tour. For 2026, that meant eight days driving through South Africa, starting in Cape Town, with a fleet spanning its production timeline: Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, multiple Bugatti Chiron variants, and the all-new, open-top Mistral. Accompanying the owners were a few familiar names at Bugatti: Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac; Christophe Piochon, President of Bugatti Automobiles; and Hendrik Malinowski, Managing Director of Bugatti.Once the wheels were turning, the route wasted no time delivering scenic views and twisting roads. Departing beneath Table Mountain, the convoy traced the coastline before climbing onto Chapman’s Peak Drive, which is arguably one of the best driving roads on the planet. It’s where you’re constantly torn between focusing on the next corner and just pulling over to get the perfect photo.The drive continued south toward the Cape of Good Hope, then inland through the vineyards of Tulbagh, before eventually reaching Cape Agulhas, a quiet, windswept spot where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. It’s a reminder that no matter how fast the cars are, the landscape still sets the pace, and a casual cruise is just as thrilling.The middle stretch of the trip traded asphalt for a stop at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. Safari drives replaced high-speed runs, and the focus shifted from horsepower to wildlife, with lions, elephants, and everything in between. Back on the road, the hypercar convoy cut through the wide-open scenery of the Klein Karoo and followed Route 62. The final leg looped back toward the coast and into the Cape Winelands, wrapping things up near Franschhoek Motor Museum. By the end, the 2026 Bugatti Grand Tour highlighted the landscape just as much as the incredible hypercars on the journey, brought together with just enough adventure to remind everyone why they signed up in the first place. All Bugatti Inventory

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 17, 2025

Bugatti's Veyron Turns 20: Celebrated at Le Petit Tour Al...

Bugatti honors 20 years of the Veyron with Le Petit Tour Alsace and the Bugatti Festival in Molsheim. This past weekend in Molsheim, Bugatti's hometown, once again became the stage for honoring both the birthday of founder Ettore Bugatti and the 20th anniversary of the car that changed the hypercar world forever, the Bugatti Veyron. Widely considered the world's first true hypercar, the Veyron set a new standard in the automotive world when it launched back in 2005. Two decades later, the legacy still holds strong, and Bugatti celebrated the milestone with Le Petit Tour Alsace, a special gathering of Veyron owners and enthusiasts during the annual Bugatti Festival. The weekend offered owners a chance to celebrate their prized possessions and the shared passion and community that has grown with the brand. With just 450 examples ever produced, each car carries its own history, and in many ways, gathering them together in Bugatti's birthplace highlighted their individuality as a collective legacy. From the Orangerie banquet at Château Saint Jean to private receptions in the region's finest estates, the entire experience showcased Bugatti's love for its creations. Owners set off on a rally through the Alsatian countryside, unleashing their 1,001-horsepower Veyrons through the Vosges mountains and onto winding roads surrounded by forests and villages. Stops included Château de Haut Barr, offering a breathtaking view known as the "Eye of Alsace," and Villa René Lalique, a location with ties to Bugatti's history. It really was the perfect backdrop for the Veyron. The Veyron convoy joined the Bugatti Festival in Molsheim, where the sounds of quad-turbo W16 engines echoed through the historic town streets. Crowds gathered to witness the rare sight of so many Veyrons together, each one a reminder of how Bugatti transformed performance for the modern era. With performances, parades, and a spirit of Bugatti woven into every moment, the weekend honored not just 20 years of the Veyron but also Ettore Bugatti's vision. All Bugattis For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 17, 2024

Bugatti Celebrates 115 Years Of Automotive Excellence At ...

Bugatti revisits history at the Château de Chantilly. Welcoming more than 20,000 attendees to France's Château de Chantilly, the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille celebrates automotive excellence with a weekend filled with fuel-driven festivities. Along with hot air balloon rides and horse-drawn carriages, the event featured a grand display from Bugatti that honored the marque's history with past and present icons. At the event, Bugatti introduced its new Tourbillon timepiece in collaboration with Jacob & Co., incorporating elements from its newest hypercar. Drawing inspiration from classic Bugatti models like the Type 57SC Atlantic and the Type 35, the Tourbillon is a nod to Bugatti’s past while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible today. Attendees also got to see some of Bugatti’s other legendary models, like the Type 35. The lineup highlights Bugatti’s strong racing heritage and its century-long history of engineering performance cars. Mixed in with these early examples was the Bolide 100-year anniversary edition, showing off how the brand continues to evolve its motorsport DNA. Guests enjoyed a scenic drive during the Supercars Rally, featuring the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport, and wrapped up with a vibrant celebration at the Château de Chantilly. The Tourbillon capped off the event, showing how Bugatti is balancing its rich history with a future-forward approach. View all Bugatti hypercars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti Hypercars For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 19, 2024

A Look Back At Bugatti's Presence At Monterey Car Week 2024

A week filled with multi-million dollar Bugatti hypercars! Monterey Car Week 2024 was nothing short of spectacular for all the car lovers in attendance, with Bugatti stealing the spotlight. This year, the hypercar manufacturer closed out the Chiron era and gave us a glimpse into the future with the debut of the Tourbillon at The Quail. Seeing this $4 million masterpiece up close was something special, showcasing a naturally aspirated V16, no digital screens, and a design that screams timeless. The Tourbillon felt like a bridge between Bugatti's historic past and a future that promises performance and speed. Le Domaine Bugatti at Pebble Beach was another highlight, offering a more intimate look at the Tourbillon and other iconic models. From the final Chiron, "L'Ultime," to the Baby Bugatti II, everything on display captured Bugatti's knack for combining luxury and performance. But what really stood out were the car enthusiasts who traveled from all over to admire cars like Type 35 and Bolide as they both shared the stage. The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was another feather in Bugatti's cap. The legendary Bugatti Type 59 Sports turned heads while taking home the Best of Show award, making history as the first unrestored car to do so. Bugatti's presence at the event was strong, with several models earning top honors, including the Type 55 Roadster and Type 57SC Corsica Roadster. The Tourbillon, showcased at the Bugatti stand, was a fitting centerpiece, reminding everyone that while Bugatti has deep roots, it's always looking forward. With Monterey Car Week in the rearview mirror, the Tourbillon is set to continue its journey across the U.S. before heading back to Europe for its next big moment at the Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille. This new chapter for Bugatti feels like the start of something special, honoring the past while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in automotive design. View all Bugatti hypercars for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti Hypercars For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 14, 2023

The Bugatti Grand Tour Europe Kicks Off With 29 Bugatti H...

The famed Bugatti Grand Tour Europe recently commenced its journey in the Basque region, an area steeped in one of Europe's most ancient and vibrant cultures. Starting in Biarritz, a city renowned for its stunning Belle Époque architecture, 29 Bugatti owners and collectors gathered with their exceptional multi-million dollar hypercars. This year's lineup of vehicles paraded an exquisite assortment of Veyron 16.4, Chiron, and Divo examples, each a masterpiece from the historic Molsheim marque. These Bugatti aficionados embarked on a spellbinding expedition, weaving a path from the picturesque French Atlantic coast through the majestic Pyrenees mountains to reach the enchanting Basque Country of Spain. This meticulously planned Bugatti driving experience offers an odyssey that combines cultural exploration with the thrill of piloting some of the world's most powerful and luxurious hypercars. The Bugatti Grand Tour is a tradition that celebrates the marque's exceptional engineering and design but also the passion of its global community of owners. As they journey through landscapes rich with history and natural beauty, the drivers of these automotive icons forge unforgettable memories, highlighted by the power and artistry of their Bugatti hypercars. The tour represents the pinnacle of automotive adventure, combining luxury travel and high-performance driving in an event that's become a highlight on the calendars of car enthusiasts worldwide. View all Bugatti hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 10, 2022

Bugatti Opens Its Doors For An Exclusive 'One Night At Th...

Dinner was carried out with the same precision that Ettore Bugatti applied to the engineering and design of his cars. While Bugatti’s heritage is is built upon iconic hypercars that helped shape the automotive industry, the brand prides itself on delivering its clientele a luxury experience like no other. Founder Ettore Bugatti further enhanced Bugatti ownership with gatherings at the Château Saint Jean, a magnificent property acquired by the Bugatti family in 1928 as a place to welcome welcome guests, customers, racing drivers and family. The château was first built in 1857 by the Wagen de Geroldseck family, where 20th Century elite would come for lavish dinner parties. Although only a privileged few have had the opportunity to visit and stay at the Château Saint Jean over the years, Bugatti is proud to open its doors to specially selected guests for a special ‘One Night at The Château’ event. MUST-READ: Rare Sighting of Bugatti Divo Racing Up Mountain Pass Isolated on 57-acres of land, the Château’s expansive accommodations allow guests to enjoy the luxurious environment created in the spirit of Ettore himself. A large transparent geodesic dome is constructed in the back to give those in attendance a warm and comfortable view of the natural surroundings. During their one-off ‘Night at the Château’ guests rode in a Bugatti Type 51, bearing witness to the cracked leather that results from a lifetime of continued enjoyment. The ride of a lifetime continues with extreme sensations from the Chiron Super Sport, transforming guests into genuine Grand Prix racers. Other areas of the property showcase aspects like Bugatti’s extensive configuration process, as well as its grand portfolio of additional luxury accessories. This very special day ends in the open sky dome, settling in for a night under the stars, surrounded by a forest of oak trees. From pristine landscape to Ettore’s self-engineered pasta machine, guest can expect to be fully immersed into Bugatti’s prestigious lineage. View all current Bugatti inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury lifestyle and automotive news. VIEW ALL BUGATTI FOR SALE Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 15, 2022

Bugatti Teases A New Model

Attendees of the iconic event will get to see Bugatti unveil the next generation of hypercar engineering. As we approach one of the most significant and exclusive automotive events in the world, The Quail motorsport gathering embodies the perfect environment for leading manufacturers to showcase their very best examples. With priceless chassis scattered across the world-renowned Quail Lodge and Golf Club, everyone in attendance looks forward to getting the first look at new models boasting state-of-the-art design and performance. The hypercar developers at Bugatti took to its Instagram page to announce an all-new model that will be joining the display this year during the festivities. MUST-READ: Bugatti Has Made Powerful And Luxurious Roadsters Since the 1920s Although media and performance stats have yet to be released, Bugatti will welcome its next hypercar generation aside from examples like EB110, Veyron, Chiron, and La Voiture Noir. A short video clip highlights a glimpse of the newly designed headlights, posing a re-imagined look to the brand that help build the hypercar industry. Bugatti is set to debut its all-new model on August 19th at 1:20 pm EST at The Quail: A Motorsport Gathering, with more appearances during Car Week at Pebble Beach. View all current Bugatti inventory for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking on the link below. Check back into duPont REGISTRY for more upcoming luxury automotive events and hypercar news. VIEW ALL BUGATTI FOR SALE View this post on Instagram A post shared by BUGATTI (@bugatti) 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

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