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 Andrew Nabors – October 12, 2020

2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Customer Test Drives

For those among us waiting for their Bugatti to arrive, it looks like deliveries are about to begin. In their latest press release, we learn that the 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport customer test drives have started. Nearly 2 years and 31,000 miles after the project started, the Pur Sport has arrived as the perfect blend of luxury and performance. Their goal was to maximize grip in the corners without sacrificing street civility. Customers eagerly awaited their turn to drive a few laps at the Bilster Berg race track. With less weight and more aggressive transmission gears, it reaches 62 mph in 2.3 seconds, 124 mph in 5.5 seconds, and it can leap from 62 to 75 mph in 3.4 seconds while locked in 6th gear! Nothing else in the world can do this, so click the button below to learn more from our Bugatti dealers.

By Andrew Nabors – August 03, 2020

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Arrives in Manchester

Soccer fans take note: Manchester now has another reason to celebrate. This bustling metropolis is known for technology, art, ancient libraries, and architecture that was spared from the Nazi bombings. That is why the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport was placed in front of the new National Football Museum. The Bugatti dealer is on-target to open early next year, so the brand also had a Chiron Sport and a late-model Veyron on display. The service department is already open, but aside from oil changes a Bugatti is a very reliable investment. Only 60 examples of the Chiron Pur Sport will be built later this year, so click the button to find your Bugatti and stay with us for all your automotive news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 24, 2020

Bugatti Donates Computers to Quarantined Students

When history looks back at this virus, it will make wars look completely useless. Bugatti's factory in Alsace has changed hands a dozen times between France and Germany. It took a lock-down to realize that no matter the nationality, our children need to learn. That is why Bugatti is donating computers to quarantined students. My wife is an 8th-grade teacher and her students can only turn in work that their computer can handle. Therefore, Bugatti has placed an initial order for 120 monitors, CPUs and keyboards in their latest press release. In cooperation with the local library and suppliers throughout France, the Alsatian Regional Councils will choose the students who are most at-need. Imagine if the private sector helped our education system? This unprecedented generosity is what will see us through. Stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 20, 2020

How The World's Biggest Bugatti Collection Returned to Fr...

Alsace is the ancestral home of Bugatti cars, however, it has changed hands between Germany and France a dozen times since medieval times. It was 8 decades ago that Germany invaded, with officers and generals treating themselves to a new Bugatti along the way. After the war, these amazing cars were scattered across the globe, but one wealthy enthusiast sought to bring them home. This is how the world's biggest Bugatti collection returned to France. Bugatti La Voiture Noire Price, Specs, Photos & Review Fritz Schlumpf bought his first Bugatti in 1928 at the age of 22. After the war he and his brother rebuilt the French textile industry and began buying evey Bugatti they could find. He struck gold in 1962, finding 30 rough survivors in Illinois. Including Ettore Bugatti's daily driver. It took years to negotiate the purchase, but he bought the entire collection for $85,000 in 1964. It equates to $720,000 in today's dollars, the best bargain of all time. This labor of love evolved into a collection of over 100 cars, including 2 of the 6 Type 41 Royale models. They can be seen at the “Cité de l’Automobile” National Museum in Alsace, the perfect reason for a French vacation. Stay with us for all your Bugatti news. Browse All Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 16, 2020

Bugatti Looks Back at 15 Years of the Veyron

An automotive engineer was on a business trip in Japan. While riding the bullet train between Tokyo and Nagoya, the performance and refinement of their rail system inspired him to sketch a car unlike any other. While most engineers tend to butt-heads with stylists, this gentleman had a bit more influence than his coworkers. Ferdinand Piech was not only a skilled engineer and designer, he was also the grandson of Ferdinand Porsche. As the head of VW group since 1993, his genius saw Porsche being wrestled from his cousins and brought back under VW control. After transforming Audi into a true competitor to Mercedes-Benz and BMW, he oversaw the purchase of Bentley, Lamborghini, and Ducati. When he returned from the trip, he gathered his most talented workers to discuss the feasibility of an 18-cylinder engine. Several prototypes were made, based on the VR6 engine architecture. Weight and space considerations persuaded them to chop the last two cylinders off, and the W16 engine was born. The problem is that they didn't have a brand capable of such performance. During the mid-90s, millionaire Romano Artioli owned Bugatti and Built the EB110 in Modena, Italy. The cars were amazing but he became too ambitious and bought Lotus from GM. This bankrupted him and Bugatti went into receivership. This allowed VW to purchase the rights and intellectual property for a great price, and resurrect the corporate headquarters in Molsheim. President of Bugatti Stephan Winkelmann said: “The ideas of the outstanding engineer Ferdinand Piëch in 1997 were a testament to a brilliant mind. As well as his incredible concept of a powerful engine, he was also the driving force behind the resurrection of the Bugatti brand at its original site, the French city of Molsheim. Looking back, I would like to pay him and the employees at the time my utmost respect. They demonstrated great courage, energy and passion in reviving this exceptional brand. Some of those first employees are still loyal to us to this day.” After a few concepts by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Veyron was announced in Geneva in 2000. It took 5 years to make sure it was perfect in every way. When production began in 2005, we thought it would be a limited run. A decade later and the Veyron has become a timeless piece of automotive history, and an icon in the pages of our magazine. Although Dr. Piech passed away last year, his visions and leadership will inspire VW long into the future. If you have never experienced a Bugatti, click the button below and stay with us for all your sixteen-cylinder supercars. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – April 10, 2020

1926 Bugatti Royale Was Big & Beautiful

We always love learning about what inspired Ettore Bugatti to build the world's best cars. Europe was enjoying the roaring 20's after rebuilding from the first World War. Affluent motorists had money to spend, so Mr. Bugatti was obligated to show them the future. With no expenses spared, he and his team delivered something that put all other cars to shame. So lets look at the big & beautiful 1926 Bugatti Royale. Starting with the strongest chassis to-date, it was needed to support the largest body and engine the world had seen. The wheelbase is just over 14 feet, and the car is 20' long. Moving 3.5 tons of opulence was made easy by a 12.8 liter straight-8. The tachometer showed an engine redline at only 1,800 rpm. Engines of this size don't need to rev. With pistons the size of coffee cans it offered a top speed of 125 mph. Other notable features include a dry-sump oiling system to spray 6 gallons of oil at all the right places. A dozen gallons of water was circulated to keep the beast cool. A triple-plate clutch sent tons of torque to a fully synchronized 3-speed, both of which were revolutionary. The Royale was a smack in face to all other luxury cars, and it was undoubtedly an inspiration for the power and prestige for all late-model Bugattis. If you haven't experienced one, click the button below and prepare to be amazed. Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – March 27, 2020

Bugatti Unveils 3D Printed Titanium Exhaust

When it comes to building a work of art, no expense is spared. That's why engineers in Alsace have developed a new process to build the lightest, strongest, and gorgeous parts for their cars. Using a quartet of 400-watt lasers, Bugatti has unveiled 3D printed titanium exhaust. To meet their own lofty goals, the exhaust and tailpipe trim for the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport and the Chiron Super Sport 300. With a wall thickness of 0.015" at the thinnest point, they are made of 4,200 layers of titanium powder capable of handling the heat of the 8-liter beast. Rated to run at 1,200 degrees for hours would amaze the builders of the SR-71 Blackbird, so that's why a new Chiron needs to be in your garage. This is just one detail of how Bugatti stays at the top of their game, so click the link below to find yours. Browse All Bugatti For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – February 19, 2020

Bugatti Unveils First Chiron Noire

Inspired by the dark La Voiture Noir, Bugatti has unveiled the first Chiron Noire. It is the 250th Chiron to be produced, and it is being prepped for the Geneva Auto Show. There will be two versions of the car: 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. Click the button below to find your Bugatti, and stay with us for all your Chiron news. “Every Chiron that has left our Atelier in the past three years is a technological masterpiece. This also applies to the 250th specimen. Reaching this mark in such a short amount of time is an amazing accomplishment that fills me with pride. I am looking forward to the second half of the production cycle”, says Stephan Winkelmann. Browse All Bugatti CHiron For Sale Related: Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review

By Andrew Nabors – January 07, 2020

Bugatti Teases Something New

While other manufacturers are posting their 2019 numbers, Bugatti is looking to the future. It is hard to believe that every Bugatti Chiron for sale is based on a design from 2015. That's why Bugatti has teased something new on their Instagram page What emerged as a successor to the Veyron, it spawned the Chiron Sport in 2018, and a hardcore track model named "Divo". It was followed by the La Voiture Noir last year, and a world-record speed attempt. So what might we be looking at? One theory is another flavor of Chiron. How to do the $21k Bugatti Veyron Oil Change Considering the Veyron had over a dozen bespoke versions, it is very plausible. Since we've never seen a Bugatti in the rain, our guess is a Chiron Speedster. Who needs a roof at 250 mph anyway? Tell us what you think it is in the comments below and stay with us for all your Bugatti updates. " width="680"> Related: Bugatti Chiron "Hermes Edition" Revealed by Manny Khosbin

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

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