Gear

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 – December 03, 2020

Watch BMW Unveil "M-Town" As Part Of A New Merchandise Co...

It is nothing new to say that the BMW M community is derived from passionate individuals that circulated aspects of their lives around the obsession with M performance, whether it be the car used for commuting or the clothes and accessories in the closet. If any BMW enthusiast could live in a town full of M cars with individuals that share the same desire, it would be a perfect world. BMW brought that vision to the screen, with its most recent video of M-Town unveiling the merchandise shop that provides an array of clothing options. The inspiration behind the project is to blend the successful historic past of the BMW M-Division with the future endeavors of chasing the quest for design and performance. Throughout the video, BMW places a few surprising cameos in the form of both people and vehicles. Shmee150 makes an appearance as a fan that is more than excited to take his own trip to M-Town. A very special BMW M3 Wagon also has its 5 seconds of fame as the camera pans across, giving the public an ever so small glimpse at the anticipated release. The collection features graphic t-shirts and sweatshirts sporting the iconic M colors, as well as vehicle timelines back to when the E30 M3 made its first appearance. The BMW M-Town Merchandise is currently available by clicking the link below. Shop M-Town Merchandise " width="680">

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

The KITH x BMW M3 & M4 Unveiled

The KITH for BMW 2020 Collaboration has caused high anticipation for streetwear and BMW enthusiasts of all kind, but the inspiration behind the partnership holds a story of its own. The release of the 2021 BMW M4 is much needed for the M Division, with the last new model being the 2018 version. This inspired Ronnie Fieg using his E30 M3 as the secondary focus point behind the new collection. Naturally, a completely new BMW M4 Competition would call for an E30 that could stand head to head with the completely new design to bridge the past and present. To help showcase the release both vehicles were designed using hints of KITH x BMW aspects. Ronnie’s M3 was shipped to Germany where it was completely rebuilt using original BMW parts to ensure the authenticity of the timeless classic. The idea of mirroring the two vehicles is carried out subtly using the Cinnabar Red, a color code that is no longer offered through BMW. Areas of the vehicles where the nostalgic M are placed such as badging and interior pieces, have been redesigned using the KITH logo. The new collection manifests where BMW started as a motorsports division and where it continues to lead as an automotive powerhouse. The two vehicles have been meticulously redesigned and will not be available for sale. Learn more about Ronnie Fieg’s BMW E30 M3 and the KITH inspired 2021 BMW M4 Competition by clicking the link below. Learn More

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 15, 2020

The KITH For BMW 2020 Collaboration Is Unveiled With A Cl...

Recently, A few Instagram posts from KITH founder Ronnie Fieg have led us to believe that the collaboration with BMW would be surfacing. After much anticipation, the KITH for BMW 2020 partnership announced with a mesmerizing video of classic BMWs traveling as a pack throughout the city and wilderness. The exploration takes the group to a spot where the newly redesigned 2021 BMW M4 is unveiled with KITH inspired options. A highlight of the video is Ronnie’s red E30 M3 with added KITH x BMW features such as a KITH logo leather interior and badging around the car. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGhr85cBf61/ The collection has yet to be fully released, but photos of jackets, sweaters, polos, t-shirts, and accessories are published. The collaboration celebrates the heritage of BMW Motorsports as well as the progression of streetwear in the fashion industry. Check out the KITH for BMW 2020 collection by clicking the link below. View KITH For BMW 2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVPS1rhRyV/

By Jordan Aquistapace – October 08, 2020

KITH x BMW Collaboration Teased On Ronnie Fieg's Instagram

Recently, we have seen more automotive manufacturers collaborating with fashion designers, bridging the gap between the two industries. Virgil Abloh set the groundwork with his latest project with Mercedes-Benz, remastering the design of the new G63 model. Ronnie Feig, owner and lead designer at KITH has taken to Instagram to tease a new collaboration with BMW. The New York City-based streetwear company has yet to release any specific information on what will be created. The photo posted is of a classic BMW emblem with the replaced lettering reading KITH being mounted on a 1971 BMW E21, a vehicle that was said to be owned previously by Ronnie’s grandfather. Although the end goal is unknown, the news has streetwear and automotive enthusiast excited for the up incoming project. Stay up to date with more information on the BMW x KITH collaboration by signing up for our newsletter. View All BMW For Sale https://www.instagram.com/p/CGCzgBKldxY/

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 28, 2020

BMW Lifestyle Teases New Luggage Collection

BMW lifestyle products have made the driving experience more comfortable and stylish as the seasons change. Including outerwear and luggage options to make the travel process more efficient. The most recent sneak peek released on the BMW Instagram page features a luggage set sporting the infamous M-Division logo in two styles. A large BMW M Suitcase was done, in a stealthy gloss black and a satin-finished emblem. The smaller option is the BMW M Trolley. Shown in a glossy gold and satin black finish. Both fitted with smooth-gliding wheels as well as a coded locking system. These two new products from BMW Lifestyle are sure to have anyone traveling in style. Shop the BMW Lifestyle collection by clicking on the link below. Shop BMW Lifestyle Image Source: Instagram/@bmw

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 15, 2020

PUMA Motorsport Releases The BMW M Motorsport Mile Rider ...

Puma Motorsport has released a new casual sneaker with BMW M Motorsport being the design model. The addition to the fleet of race-inspired shoes is the Mile Rider. The low-cut silhouette is made with a mesh upper and synthetic overlays sporting the infamous BMW M colors. The BMW badge placed on the hood of an M8 can now be found on the heel tab of the Puma Mile Rider. The most noticeable aspect of the new sneakers is the midsoles, designed for lightweight cushioning for on and off-track use. The outsoles feature a studded rubber pattern that travels just over the toe and heel tip for maximum grip. The Puma BMW M Motorsport Mile Rider comes in both a stealthy black and sparkling white colorway for the price of $90. Shop the new Puma Mile Rider sneakers by clicking the link below. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – July 01, 2020

Puma Motorsport Releases New BMW M Motorsport Gear

Puma Motorsport is the perfect gear for motorsports fans, especially if you're a fan of BMW M Motorsport, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Ferrari. For fans of BMW M Motorsports, I have good news to break as Puma Motorsport has just released some new gear for you. This includes some new t-shirts and jackets for both men and women. Personally, I'm a fan of the BMW M Motorsport Street Jacket, which carries a $150 price tag. Check out the new items by clicking the button below and also be sure to check out everything else they have for sale. Shop Now

By Edward Jones – May 04, 2020

BMW Launches New 2020 Lifestyle Collections

BMW has just launched their new 2020 Lifestyle Collections, as it's a tradition for the brand to introduced new items in Spring. There are a lot of items dispersed through the multiple collections that were unveiled. First up is the BMW Collection, which includes clothing as well as accessories. Some highlights in this collection include the BMW Chronograph watch, BMW Soft Down Jacket, and Montblanc for BMW Backpack. BMW also unveiled the new items for the BMW M Collection and BMW M Motorsport Collection, both celebrating their M Performance models and motorsports team. There was also the new B3T for MW Gravelikes introduced in the collection, which is available in two different colors. For the kids, there is a collection of BMW ride-on cars for them to cruise around in. These collections are now available in BMW dealerships around the globe, so be sure to check and shop! Visit ShopBMWUSA.com Source: BMW

By Andrew Nabors – March 04, 2019

Lego BMW M1 Needs Our Support!

BMW's M division built the M1 because the world didn't believe they would do it. This normally conservative German luxury automaker would not build a V12 mid-engine supercar. But that is exactly what they did. It was revolutionary by competing directly with Lamborghini and Ferrari for the first time. Because surviving examples are incredibly valuable, the Lego BMW M1 needs our support. One Lego creator has design the ultimate tribute. Master Builder "TOMOELL" has submitted two examples to Lego Ideas. A red version is a street-legal car, and the other is the iconic #6 fielded by Procar and Piquet. The builder needs support for Lego to put these into production, so tell us what you think in the comments below and stay with us for all your BMW news. Shop BMW M Related: McLaren Senna by Lego Speed Champions Full-Size LEGO Bugatti Chiron Than Can Be Driven Great Deals on Hummer H1 For Sale

By Edward Jones – April 24, 2018

New BMW Lifestyle Collections Launched

Whenever you buy a new car, especially from a brand that you love, one of the first things to do is look for some new gear to match the vehicle. For BMW fans and owners, the new BMW Lifestyle collections just launched.The new BMW Collection is styled around a copper shade and graphic-elements that were inspired by the BMW Concept Car Vision Next 100. Items in this collection include a thermal mug, notebook, men's soft down jacket, ladies t-shirt, ladies sweatshirt jacket, and more. BMW CollectionBMW USA Formally Unveils the M2 CompetitionNext up is the BMW M Collection, which is styled around Marina Bay Blue and Black, and incorporates a more sporty design. This collection uses materials like carbon fiber and Makrolon™ polycarbonate. In this collection, you'll find a women's sweatshirt jacked, rollerball pen, boardcase and more. BMW M Collection BoardcaseThe BMW i Collection comes in with an electric feel that the automaker says "embodies the fusion of sustainability, premium quality, innovation and exceptional design, and offers intelligent products for all areas of life." This lineup consists of items like jackets, t-shirts, rucksack, pencil set and more. BMW i CollectionInspired by the BMW 7-Series Individual is the BMW The Collection. This collection of items includes luxurious accessories and travel items. A lot of the items in this collection were developed in part by Montblanc and Horizn Studios. These partnerships put forth a collection of items like a pen pouch, duffle bag, credit card holder, fountain pen, trolley, and boardcase.Visit shop.bmw.com to view it all now. BMW Iconic Montblanc for BMW Fountain Pen

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe