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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 Edward Jones – June 12, 2020

How to Load the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport Into a Trailer

The Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport is undoubtedly an expensive car. If you're looking for a definitive price, it's somewhere well over $3 million. When it comes to transporting such a substantial car, it's not an easy feat because you have to have nerves of steel to get one into a trailer. In the video below, you'll see a Chiron Pur Sport being loaded into a trailer for transport in Hamburg, Germany. YouTube channel 'supercarsofhamburg' captured the process and uploaded it. While it is a tedious and truly interesting process to watch, what's even more exciting is getting such a close look at the hypercar. Check it out for yourself down below! See All Bugatti Chirons for Sale " width="680">

By Andrew Nabors – April 01, 2020

How to Film a Bugatti Chiron at 250 MPH

Two years ago Juan Pablo Montoya was strapped into a 1,500 horsepower beast. His goal was to smash previous records and raise the bar for the automotive industry. After a brilliant start he reached 248 mph (400 kph) in only 42 seconds. This impressive achievement was recorded for posterity, and this is how to film a Bugatti Chiron at 250 mph. Bugatti Chiron Price, Specs, Photos & Review First, you need a driver. JP Montoya has numerous victories in F1, NASCAR, IndyCar, IMSA, just to name a few. Then they needed a stable camera and a fast car to bolt it to. This might sound like ancient wisdom, but the only way to film a Chiron is to be a Chiron. So the team used another Bugatti with a head start. We applaud them for the record and Outrun Films for epic cinematography. If you want to experience this for yourself, click the link below to find a Bugatti for yourself. Browse All Bugatti For Sale " width="680">

By Edward Jones – November 15, 2018

Audi S4 Races Bugatti Chiron, Surprises Everyone

The Bugatti Chiron is, without a doubt, one of the most powerful production cars in existence. It packs a whopping 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque, and the CEO of Bugatti recently said that the Chiron could easily hit 280 mph. That's more than impressive. The Audi S4 (B5, 1997-2002), on the other hand, is just a good car. In fact, one of my coworkers had a 2000 S4 and says it was a "fantastic car" and that they "rip." But can it match the prowess of a hypercar like the Chiron? Not all of them can match a Bugatti, but one at the SCC500 Rolling50 1000 did. In fact, it did more than match the Chiron. Of course, this specific S4 was packing more than a stock engine. Tuned by Hannover Hardcore, this Audi can push out 1,300 hp and 992 lb-ft of torque. That's simply insane. You can watch this Audi take on a Bugatti Chiron in the video below by YouTube Channel cvdzijden. Trust me, you want to watch it. " width="680">

By Edward Jones – October 26, 2018

Bugatti Chiron Destroys McLaren 720S in Rolling Race

If a hypercar like the Bugatti Chiron goes up against a supercar like the McLaren 720S, the result is expected. Here in the car world, the word "hyper" reigns supreme over the word "super," so naturally any hypercar would be any supercar. Well, sometimes that's not the case. Motor1 pointed out that " title="YouTube video" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen> actually lined up really well against a Chiron. It seems now that a Chiron, being driven by someone else, has taken revenge on the 720S model during a rolling race at SCC500 Rolling50 1000. The race was filmed by cvdzijden, who attended the event and managed to capture both the races and the results on the monitor. We appreciate the hustle! Check out the races right down below.

By Andrew Nabors – July 30, 2018

Bugatti Divo: Built For Corners

Going fast in a straight line is fun, and holding your speed through a corner is even more satisfying. That is why Bugatti is taking a page from the past with the new Chiron Divo. Factory driver Albert Divo won the Targa Florio twice in Bugatti Type 35, so the next Chiron will bear his name. The road race was a brutal test of drivers and cars. It took place in the mountains of Sicily above the city of Palermo. What began in 1906, it was one of the world's greatest races, until General Patton's 7th Army surrounded the city on July 22, 1943.Bugatti Divo Confirmed, Costs Over $5 MillionEven though the Chiron is not an old design, serious advances in aerodynamics have been made by Bugatti's Italian cousins at Lamborghini. With the impending launch of the Aventador SVJ, we have been teased again by an upload to Bugatti's Facebook page. To help control the turbulence caused by the massive tires, the Divo will have carbon fiber aero blades behind the fenders. The French flag is a nice touch, so we hope it is standard equipment. If you want a more subdued example, click the link below and stay with us for all your Bugatti updates.Browse Bugattis For Sale

By Andrew Nabors – June 04, 2018

Bugatti Chiron vs Veyron in Multi-Million Dollar Drag Race

There is no greater thrill in drag racing that lining up next to a slow car. But when it comes to Bugatti, their products are anything but slow. So this is the race we've been waiting for. The Veyron was the culmination of years of engineering and design. It captured everyone's attention when it arrived in 2005. A sixteen-cylinder engine with four turbos was tuned to make 1,001 horsepower and 920 lb-ft of torque. After a decade of innovation and continual improvements, Bugatti reached the limits of what the Veyron could handle.So a successor was designed to have even more power and performance. Instead of using four equally-sized turbos, each bank of 8 cylinders fed a sequential setup. Not only does this prevent turbo lag, it also allows for higher sustained boost. All of the updates allow the car to offer 1,479 horsepower and 1,180 lb-ft of torque. So the Chiron would be the obvious winner on paper, but many other variables come into play at these power levels. Events like these are what has made the Driving Force Club a popular venue to watch supercars in action.LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron is a Thing of BeautyBased in the NYV-tristate area, they hold 35-50 events annually, with all proceeds going to Children's hospitals in and around the Big Apple. Membership is by invitation only, so stay with us for more uploads because you might spot a few familiar faces. If you want to experience a Bugatti for yourself click the link below and have a great week!Browse Bugatti For Sale

By Edward Jones – August 23, 2017

Ouch: Bugatti Chiron and Veyron Scratch Their Lips On The...

One of the worst feelings is when you're driving over a speed bump or out onto the street and you hear the awful grinding noise of your car's front lip scratching the pavement. Is that just the piece of plastic scraping against the road, or is it the front bumper itself? Do you keep going or do you back up before it gets worse? This situation is always a bad one. And don't get me starting about driving too far over a parking space bumper...Now, imagine that the car you're scraping up against the pavement is a Bugatti Veyron or Chiron? I can personally tell you my soul would drop out of my body and out of the car.G-E Supercars captured both of Bugatti's latest supercars scraping the concrete at the same exact place. The gasps from the crowd are audible and the cringing is visual. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be any serious damage to either car.

By Andrew Nabors – June 30, 2017

Bugatti Brings 9,404 Horsepower to Goodwood

You didn't read a typo. What happened earlier today in England was an impressive display of sixteen-cylinder power. Bugatti chose eight significant examples of the Veyron to show the evolution of the brand. They provide a brilliant contrast to the new Chiron, as it displayed what 1,500 horsepower is capable of. Many enthusiasts will fail to spot the changes made to the Veyron during its reign. A 2005 prototype was the first to arrive. Following close behind was a 2007 Pur Sang, the World Record Edition Super Sport, and the Grand Sport Vitesse.In a YouTube upload late last night, the Chiron makes a few blistering runs for the audience. Excellent camera work shows the latest Bugatti to have more ground clearance than you might expect. The worst feature of supercars is they are usually super low. Four open wastegates make for a unique exhaust note. They are open because the turbos aren't needed at such a leisurely pace. The big sixteen doesn't sound too stressed on this run. It has 500 lb-ft of torque at 1,000 rpm... it could beat you at an idle. If you need more cylinders in your life, we always have several Bugatti Veyrons for sale. Tell us which one you would drive and stay with us for all your Goodwood coverage.

By Andrew Nabors – May 24, 2017

Bugatti Chiron in Exposed Red Carbon Fiber Spotted in Monaco

Along the Mediterranean coast of France exists a playground for the rich & famous. You won't see many Saturns or Pontiacs in Monaco, but you might catch the latest Bugatti in action. This new Bugatti Chiron is a 1,500 horsepower work of art that is a spectacle in the sun. The first footage we see of the car in the sunlight shows the composite weave peaking through a red clear coat. Destined to attract attention everywhere it goes, a few blips of the throttle sound like nothing else on the road.Also Check Out - Official Video of United States' First Lamborghini Centenario DeliveryA four stroke gas engine is balanced with eight cylinders sharing one crankshaft, so a 16 cylinder engine runs very smooth. It won't spin to Formula1 rpm, but it makes up for high revs with incredible power. Four turbochargers allow it to make 1,180 lb-ft at only 2,000 rpm. A Haldex AWD system is similar to what is used on the Aventador, using electronic differentials to instantly change where power is applied. But all the power and technology will rarely be used to their full potential. Given the substantial price of even the cleanest pre-owned Bugatti Veyrons, most examples will be destined to a life of leisure in the world's most exclusive locations. Stay with us for all the latest Chiron cinematography.

By Edward Jones – May 02, 2017

How it's Made: Bugatti Chiron

The sight of a Bugatti Chiron is enough to draw some sort of awe out of just anyone. Its curves, elegance and gorgeous styling all culminate in bringing forth an exterior that is pretty much unmatched in the automotive world. What's even more beautiful than the look of the car itself is the amount of work, precision, and due diligence that goes into the creation of each of these French hypercars.Related - Chris Harris Explains the Abilities of the Bugatti ChironOn National Geographic's "How it's Made" series, they delved into what it takes to create each of these French rockets. From the engine to the design, and even its torsional rigidity, the video below goes deeper into the car than ever before. If you're a fan of Bugatti, the Chiron or just the fastest supercars in general, it's a must-watch.

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