Bugatti News

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 Jordan Aquistapace – November 06, 2023

Bugatti Delivers A Bespoke Chiron Super Sport To A Lucky ...

Discover the co-creation journey of BUGATTI and a Belgian client in crafting a unique Chiron Super Sport. In the upper echelons of excellence, the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport stands out as a pinnacle of both performance and bespoke luxury in the automotive world. As part of a recent collaboration between Bugatti and a lucky new Belgian car collector, whose family business shares a centennial legacy alongside the prestigious brand, a jaw-dropping Chiron Super Sport spec has been manufactured to exude the epitome of customized sophistication. The partnership prospered through multiple visits to Bugatti's ancestral home in Molsheim, where the client was intimately involved in the multi-million dollar hypercar journey from conception to completion. This personalized approach to car creation showcases Bugatti's commitment to exceptional customer service, ensuring that the owner's vision for their Chiron Super Sport was flawlessly realized. In a series of memorable moments, the customer and his family witnessed the signature of the monocoque and the pivotal 'marriage' of the engine to the chassis. The final dynamic approval drive with Bugatti's quality team was a statement of the brand's meticulous attention to detail and dedication to excellence. Upon delivery, the client embarked on a maiden voyage, driving the Chiron Super Sport from the Molsheim facility to its new home. There, it takes pride of place in an impressive automotive collection, signifying a storied legacy of luxury, craftsmanship, and the spirit of co-creation that drives Bugatti forward into its next century of automotive excellence. View all Bugatti hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti Hypercars For Sale Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – November 01, 2023

Bugatti and Adidas Unveil Limited Edition Soccer Cleats: ...

Bugatti and Adidas collaborate to create the X Crazyfast Bugatti football boot, blending high-speed engineering and exclusive design in a limited run of 99 pairs. When the hypercar technology pioneers at Bugatti team up with the athletic professionals at Adidas, you know the result is bound to be extraordinary. Meet the X Crazyfast Bugatti football boots, an expert blend of Adidas's athletic craftsmanship and Bugatti’s high-speed engineering. This exclusive line of soccer cleats is a limited run of just 99 pairs, making them a collector's dream and a showcase of Bugatti's first collaboration with Adidas. Built around Adidas's X Crazyfast laced boot, this new collection embodies Bugatti’s 'Form Follows Performance' design philosophy. The boots have been engineered for speed and agility, with Adidas's cutting-edge Speedframe sole plate technology. The innovative design provides a lightweight, rigid platform for rapid acceleration, much like Bugatti’s incomparable W16 engine in the heart of their Chiron model. The Aerocage innovation and Aeropacity Speedskin contribute to speed and stability, making these cleats a pinnacle on the soccer pitch. One of the standout features of these boots is the carbon fiber inlay, mirroring the carbon fiber components found in multi-million dollar Bugatti hypercars. The semi-transparent mono-mesh material on the mid-foot cage incorporates a flash of Bugatti Blue, a subtle nod to Bugatti’s rich motorsport history. On the sides, the phrases “Impossible is Nothing” and “Create the Incomparable”, pay homage to the core values of Adidas and Bugatti, respectively. To ensure global accessibility, these cleats will be auctioned on the Adidas Collect Web 3 platform from November 8th to 11th. Winners will receive both a physical pair and a digital twin of the boots, and the unveiling will be exclusively by football stars Rafael Leao and Karim Benzema later in November. With all this buzz, the X Crazyfast Bugatti football boots are shaping up to be the must-have athletic gear of the year. Shop all of the newest and most popular products from Adidas by clicking the link below. Shop All Adidas Apparel & Footwear Source: Bugatti

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 31, 2023

Bugatti Teases An Upcoming Automotive-Inspired Collaborat...

While we wait until its debut, the Bugatti x Adidas collaboration is sure cause buzz within the car community. Bugatti represents the epitome of automotive luxury and performance, gracing roads and tracks with a collection of multi-million dollar hypercars. Bugatti has recently teased an exciting collaboration with Adidas, the global giant in athletic wear, on its Instagram page. In a move that merges the worlds of supercars and sportswear, both brands are set to elevate lifestyle merchandise to exceptional levels. When you think of Bugatti, what comes to mind are top-tier hypercars, exotic engineering, and ultra-exclusive luxury. On the flip side, Adidas has been a cornerstone in the world of sportswear, celebrated for its quality, innovation, and style. While specific details remain under wraps, the collaboration promises to showcase Bugatti’s commitment to high-performance and intricate design with Adidas's expertise in crafting exceptional athletic gear. Given the reputation of both brands for breaking barriers and setting new standards, fans can likely expect a product line that blends functionality with luxury. Social media is already buzzing with speculation. Will it be a limited-edition sneaker with aesthetics borrowed from Bugatti’s iconic Veyron or Chiron? Or perhaps a line of luxury athleisure wear that incorporates cutting-edge fabric technologies? The possibilities seem endless, and the excitement is real. What we do know is that two industry leaders are joining forces, and the outcome is bound to be nothing short of extraordinary. Stay tuned as we eagerly await more details on what is set to be one of the most highly anticipated automotive collaborations of the year. Shop all apparel, footwear, and accessories from Adidas by clicking the link below. Shop All Adidas Apparel & Footwear View this post on Instagram A post shared by adidas Football (@adidasfootball) Source: Bugatti Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 17, 2023

Bugatti Shows Off Its Newest 1-of-60 Chiron Pur Sport Bui...

With only 60 in existence, the Chiron Pur Sport stands out as a pinnacle for Bugatti. Honoring each magnificent build that rolls off its Molsheim production line, every Bugatti example serves as an addition to its historic lineage as a leading hypercar manufacturer. Today, Bugatti took to its Instagram to showcase one of its most recent creations, an ultra-exclusive Chiron Pur Sport destined for a happy new home. Recognized for its unique combination of raw power, precision control, and dynamic agility, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport features a limited production run of 60 bespoke configurations. This specific Chiron Pur Sport showcases a stealthy Matte Black Carbon finish that perfectly complements the aggressive lines of Bugatti's track-focused hypercar. Vibrant Tangerine exterior accents contrast against its full carbon fiber design, helping draw focus to the Chiron's extreme curvatures. The Pur Sport version of the Chiron includes additional carbon aero enhancements that include a front splitter, side skirts, a rear diffuser, and a massive fixed rear wing. Inside the driver-centric interior of the Chiron Pur Sport, the owner chose to keep the Bugatti's cabin sleek and subtle. Layered in rich black leather with Tangerine contrast stitching and exposed carbon trim, the interior perfectly portrays the Chiron's exterior styling. The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is powered by a quad-turbocharged 8.0L W16 engine that churns out an astonishing 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. Built for both agility and speed, the Chiron Pur Sport can sprint from 0-60mph in a mind-blowing 2.3 seconds and is governed at a top speed of 217 mph. What sets the Pur Sport apart is its reworked gearbox and more aggressive final drive ratio, which provide faster acceleration and more dynamic response. As Bugatti continues production on the Chiron Pur Sport, we can't wait to see more of the amazing specs to come from Molsheim. View all Bugatti hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale Source: Bugatti Instagram

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 29, 2023

Bugatti Collaborates With Designer Larry Sands On Its Sec...

Legendary designer Larry Sands and Bugatti collaborate once more for Collection Two Eyewear. Already establishing leadership in hypercar manufacturing, Bugatti continues to evolve itself as a luxurious lifestyle icon through creative fashion collaborations with renowned designers like Larry Sands. Given the title Collection Two, the all-new eyewear series takes shape as the successor to the Bugatti Collection One, introduced in Milan in February 2023. The newest collection reiterates Bugatti's commitment to exceptional design and performance, featuring 16 meticulously curated styles that reflect the brand's hypercar aesthetics, including the signature red macaron emblem, laser-cut radiator grill patterning, and the unmistakable 'EB' logo. What sets this collection apart? It's all in the details. Think luxurious materials like 925 sterling silver, carbon fiber, Macassar ebony with mother-of-pearl inlays, grade 5 titanium, 18K gold, and black palladium accents. Wiebke Ståhl, Managing Director of Bugatti International, affirms that Collection Two raises the bar in the eyewear industry, boasting designs that are not just unique but truly timeless. Larry Sands, equally thrilled, emphasized the collection as an image of Bugatti’s ongoing values of luxury, elegance, and innovation. With twice as many styles as the first collection, Bugatti Eyewear Collection Two aims to offer something for every Bugatti owner or enthusiast. Available exclusively through Bugatti’s global dealer network, this collection is designed for those who accept nothing less than the pinnacle of luxury and style. Make sure to catch this breathtaking launch at SILMO Paris, taking place from September 29th to October 2nd, where a Bugatti Chiron will also be showcased alongside the all-new eyewear. View all Bugatti hypercars currently for sale on duPont REGISTRY by clicking the link below. View All Bugatti For Sale

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 15, 2023

Asprey x Bugatti Display Hypercar-Inspired Art At An Exhi...

The Asprey x Bugatti Collection is now on display in London. When tradition meets innovation, something extraordinary happens. This is precisely the case with the Asprey Bugatti Collection, a collaboration exhibition that showcases contemporary digital and physical artworks with cutting-edge NFT technology. For years, Bugatti has surrounded itself with a community of brands that share the same values and focus on creating a luxury lifestyle built around multi-million dollar hypercars. Incorporating over 352 years of combined heritage, the luxury-driven partnership demonstrates the mastery of the two industry leaders from France and Great Britain. Nestled in the heart of London's Mayfair district, the upscale Asprey Studio Gallery highlights sculptures from the 261 La Voiture Noire Collection and the Asprey Bugatti Egg Collection. Art aficionados and Asprey Bugatti holders get the unique privilege of showing their coveted pieces in the gallery, an honor usually reserved for big names in the art world. Accessible only by private appointment at 36 Bruton St, Mayfair, the Asprey Bugatti Collection is an experiential playground for luxury enthusiasts, digital art pioneers, and automotive connoisseurs. View all Bugatti hypercars currently 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) Source: Bugatti Instagram