Chiron

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 Tyler Rampersaud – July 24, 2024

Miller Motorcars Delivers The Final Two Matching Bugatti ...

This pair of Bugatti hypercars is taken to extremes. Bugatti’s lineage of hypercars is known for many amazing attributes: speed, power, trailblazing engineering, luxury, exclusivity, and bespoke craftsmanship. Through Bugatti’s Sur Mesure program, clients can put their personal spin on Bugatti’s stunning hypercars and make them truly their own, which has resulted in some truly amazing creations that will live on for decades as prized collector’s masterpieces. However, this new pair of Bugatti Chiron hypercars, the last two Bugatti Chirons to leave the factory, are some of the most bespoke creations yet, as their ‘Extreme’ moniker suggests. The pair consists of the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport ‘Extreme,’ and the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport ‘Extreme.’ Both cars feature matching liveries, the Super Sport in dark blue carbon fiber with bright blue stripes, and the Pur Sport in black carbon fiber with red stripes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aaron (@the_gtcar) The cars, commissioned and built alongside each other, were commissioned through Bugatti Greenwich and Miller Motorcars for two collectors, and even more captivating than the exterior configuration is the interior, which set itself apart in both cars from any other Bugatti Chiron example, as leather upholstery is used as an accent rather than as the primary surface for the interior. Instead, carbon fiber takes up most of the interior, embodying the cars’ ‘Extreme’ name. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @vtm_theking_4 With stunning bespoke configurations and two of the most unique interiors ever seen on a Bugatti, the final two Chiron examples to leave the factory, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport ‘Extreme’ and the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport ‘Extreme,’ are truly some of the greatest examples of Bugatti’s automotive excellence, thanks to the partnership of Bugatti Greenwich and Miller Motorcars with the stunning visions of the exotic car collectors. As Frank Heyl, Bugatti's Director of Design says, "This is an absolutely outstanding pair for a true connoisseur‘s collection." View All Cars For Sale From Miller Motorcars View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cool Car Pics TRUTH (@sparky18888)

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 03, 2024

Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale Delivers A Bugatti Chiro...

Another Bugatti enters this spectacular car collection. Driving is far from the only enticing aspect of hypercar ownership. Whether it’s the delivery experience, the exclusivity, or the community you become a part of by owning a hypercar, manufacturers strive to make owning their pinnacle vehicles a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience, which means that even for collectors who already own hypercars, each delivery is a new special moment. One of these collectors is known on Instagram as @davcars, and the famous Canadian car collector recently had the privilege of taking delivery of his fourth Bugatti hypercar, and the delivery of the Bugatti Chiron took place at Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale, a renowned purveyor of hypercars, supercars, luxury cars and exotic cars. The stunning Bugatti is finished with a sleek, elegant matte black exterior with an interior upholstered in red leather. With its sleek, aggressive look, any onlooker could imagine its formidable performance with over 1,200 horsepower coming from its 8.0-liter quad-turbocharged W16 engine, an engine that is close to the end of its era, being replaced by a hybrid V16 powertrain for Bugatti’s next generation of hypercars. With a fourth Bugatti hypercar delivered to him at the end of Bugatti’s W16 era, @davcars celebrates being the owner of being yet another historic masterpiece. View All Vehicles For Sale From Holman Motorcars Fort Lauderdale View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mickey Militaru ?? (@mickey.militaru)

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 18, 2024

Pebble Beach-Displayed 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport List...

Any Bugatti Chiron is bound to turn heads, what with a 16-cylinder engine with four turbochargers, artisan craftsmanship, unmistakably iconic design, and the pinnacle of automotive engineering making up its highlights. However, certain examples add a layer of rarity and further exclusivity to the mix, and this 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is certainly one of them. View Listing Being a Pur Sport model, this car is one of only 60 made, however, it has an even greater legacy under its belt than purely being rare, as it was shown at Pebble Beach by Bugatti, being one of the biggest stars of one of the world’s most anticipated automotive events, being one of the most dynamic and agile versions of the Chiron that Bugatti made, combining lightweight construction and advanced, performance-focused aerodynamics with the quad-turbocharged W16 engine that provides the incredible, immense power to Bugatti's hypercars. With the W16 reaching the end of its production lifespan, Bugatti is set to reveal a new hybrid V16-powered hypercar soon. However, especially for their contribution to automotive history and groundbreaking innovation, these W16-powered machines are sure to be appreciated as precious examples of automotive mastery. Being unique among those W16-powered hypercars, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is without a doubt one of the greatest. It’s no wonder this car was shown off at Pebble Beach, because it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s finished in blue with exposed carbon fiber accents and copper-colored accents and wheels. Inside, the interior is finished in black leather and Alcantara, with beautiful detailing on the door panels and contrasting stitching. With a history of being a car that proudly represented Bugatti’s automotive excellence at one of the world’s most prestigious car events, this 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport for sale at Miller Motorcars in Greenwich, Connecticut could be a wonderful addition to any exotic car collection. View the listing by clicking below. Image Source: Miller Motorcars via Instagram

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 07, 2023

Bugatti Celebrates The Iconic Chiron Super Sport '57 One ...

The bespoke spec pays homage to the incredibly rare Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic. Bugatti looked back on one of the greatest examples of its Sur Mesure bespoke program's ability to push the boundaries of automotive excellence with its masterpiece, the Chiron Super Sport ‘57 One of One’. This exceptional creation stands as a heartfelt homage to the iconic Bugatti Type 57 SC Atlantic, a car that has mesmerized car enthusiasts and collectors for nearly a century. The creation of this bespoke model reaffirms Bugatti's dedication to combining historical reverence with cutting-edge design and engineering. The story of the ‘57 One of One’ begins with a passionate Bugatti enthusiast whose first encounter with the Type 57 SC Atlantic at the Mullin Automotive Museum left an indelible mark. Twenty years later, this admiration materialized into a unique opportunity to co-create a personal Bugatti Chiron Super Sport. The journey to Bugatti’s Molsheim headquarters in France would result in realizing a lifelong dream. The collaboration with Jascha Straub, Lead Designer Sur Mesure at Bugatti, was pivotal. Straub's expertise and the customer’s vision converged to reimagine the Type 57 SC Atlantic in a contemporary format. The result is a striking vehicle that respects the original's design ethos while incorporating modern Bugatti aesthetics. One of the most challenging aspects of this project was achieving the perfect color, a vibrant homage to the Atlantic’s distinctive hue. Straub's dedication took him to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao to ensure the color matched the original, capturing the essence of the customer's first encounter with the classic car, resulting in the painstakingly-created 'Atlantic Blue.' The Chiron Super Sport ‘57 One of One’ is both a modern and historic marvel. Every aspect of the car, from the grille to the wheels, was meticulously designed to honor the Type 57 SC Atlantic while adhering to Bugatti’s ‘Form Follows Performance’ philosophy. The integration of polished chrome accents and the recreation of the large horseshoe Bugatti grille showcase the brand's commitment to bespoke craftsmanship and attention to detail. Inside the car, the theme of homage continues. The selection of ‘Gaucho’ leather complements the exterior, and intricate details like the silhouette of the Atlantic stitched in ‘Lightning Blue’ on the door panels add a layer of personalization. The car features not only the legacy of Jean Bugatti but also the artistic vision of the entire Bugatti family, highlighted by the embroidered ‘Dancing Elephant’ sculpture of Rembrandt Bugatti on the headrests. The Bugatti Chiron Super Sport ‘57 One of One’ serves as a moving piece of art, a bridge between the storied past of the Type 57 SC Atlantic and the innovative future of Bugatti. As it takes its rightful place in the pantheon of automotive legends, it not only honors the legacy of the Type 57 SC Atlantic but also paves the way for future connoisseurs to appreciate the fusion of history, art, and engineering in the world of luxury automobiles. View All Bugatti Chirons For Sale Image Source: Bugatti

By Tyler Rampersaud – November 20, 2023

1-of-60 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Hypercar For Sale

Own one of the most desirable driver-focused hypercars. The Bugatti Chiron is one of the greatest examples of automotive excellence, combining performance, luxury, craftsmanship, and personalization in a legendary, exclusive package. The Chiron Pur Sport version of the hypercar takes the power and engineering that makes the Chiron great, and adds a driver’s car focus and agility. Only 60 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sports were allocated, making it one of Bugatti’s rarest and most desirable creations. Available at Pagani of Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California, this 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport for sale features a stunning configuration on top of being an ultra-rare exclusive hypercar masterpiece. The exterior pairs blue paintwork and black exposed carbon, creating a detailed two-tone look. In addition, bronze accents throughout, which includes the wheels and the number 16 displayed on the iconic Bugatti Horseshoe grille provide beautiful contrast. The driver’s car aspect of the Pur Sport is exemplified by the large spoiler in exposed carbon fiber, which features the name “Bugatti” across the top in bronze. Inside, sumptuous black leather upholstery decorates the interior, which is paired with the same bronze accents featured on the exterior. For any enthusiast looking for an exclusive driver focused hypercar, this 2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport for sale is more than perfect. View the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Pagani of Beverly Hills

By Edward Jones – March 30, 2022

Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport "Green Rhapsody" Revealed

We need more green hypercars like this one. If there is one tone or color that I'm looking for more of on supercars and hypercars, it has to be deep greens. A perfect example of why I think this way is the new Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport named "Green Rhapsody." Unveiled on Bugatti's Instagram account, this one-of-a-kind hypercar is an absolute masterpiece. In the Instagram posts, Bugatti notes that the owner was inspired by art and music when personalizing this Chiron Pur Sport. To be a bit more specific, George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" played a major role, hence the name of the green Bugatti being "Green Rhapsody." Also Check Out - Bugatti Veyron Specs, Price, Photos & Review "I like extraordinary colors and I always wanted to add a car in Green Carbon to my collection. The glow of the carbon structure in the sun is just beautiful," says the owner in the Instagram post description. Inside, Green Rhapsody takes inspiration from "Earth Tones," with red highlights being found in the mix. One of the most enticing features of this Bugatti's interior can be found on the door panels. On the left door panel, a F1 car on a keyboard at the Molsheim entrance can be found, while the right door panel shows Bugatti's interlude at Campogalliano. These references are personal to the owner and show his "passions in life." See All Bugatti Chirons For Sale Source: Instagram/@bugatti (1,2)

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 31, 2021

Bugatti Chiron Takes A Spin On The Dyno

Even Hennessey is impressed. Really. Getting to see a multi-million dollar hypercar show its full strength on the dyno is a rare treat, and this has to be one of the rarest treats of them all. This video shows a Bugatti Chiron showing everything its capable of on the dyno, and the publisher of the video, the Hamilton Collection, claims to be the first in the world to put the Chiron through its paces on the dynamometer. What they want to find out is what the Chiron can really do and verify the numbers that Bugatti claims the Chiron can make. However the car performs on the data readings, it’s an incredible machine, and seeing a legendary car like the Chiron yank at the straps and hearing its quadruple-turbocharged W16 engine realize its full potential is nothing short of mind-blowing. Even Hennessey, Bugatti’s top-speed rival thought so, leaving a comment on the video saying: Well, Hennessey, if you think so, then we definitely agree. Check out the amazing video above. See All Bugatti Chirons For Sale

By Edward Jones – December 09, 2021

Bugatti Announces New Official Customization Program, Unv...

Get ready for even more incredibly unique creations from Bugatti. Over the recent years, we've seen quite a few heavily customized Bugattis roll out of Molsheim. Most recently, we've seen examples like the Divo "Lady Bug" and Chiron Sport "Zebra," both of which are anything but standard. After realizing just how popular these bespoke creations are, Bugatti has announced ‘Bugatti Sur Mesure’, the company's official customization program. As part of this new program, customers will have one-to-one meetings with the Bugatti Sur Mesure Team. It's during these meetings that the customer will be guided through the customization progress and be introduced to the almost infinite of options available to them. Each customer will be involved in the creation process from conception to delivery, making the whole process an unforgettable one. Alongside the announcement of Bugatti Sur Mesure, the automaker has also unveiled the new program's first customer project. Featured in this article is a Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport that was inspired by Louis Chiron. This one-of-a-kind Bugatti is full of bespoke features like the handpainted number on the side, newly developed 'EB' painted pattern that was applied by hand, '32' motifs in the interior and plenty more. You can see it all in the gallery below and video up above. See All Chirons For Sale Source: Bugatti

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