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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 Tyler Rampersaud – May 16, 2024

BMW x Naomi Campbell Unveil The New One-Off BMW XM Mystiq...

A legendary supermodel showcases bespoke luxury and performance. BMW’s new XM is a milestone moment for the manufacturer, showcasing avant-garde design, immense hybrid power, and luxurious performance in an SUV format that serves as the first M-exclusive BMW model since the legendary BMW M1 supercar. However, a partnership between BMW and legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell has added celebrity allure to the XM, and a new one-off bespoke example of the luxury performance SUV inspired by the supermodel and her career has been unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival. It’s called the new BMW XM Mystique Allure, and its bespoke design and exquisite materials pay homage to the incredible influence and impact Naomi Campbell has had on the high fashion and pop culture world. With BMW being a long-standing partner of the Cannes Film Festival, the XM Mystique Allure was among some of BMW’s latest and greatest electrified luxury vehicles like the i7 and iX, and Naomi Campbell arrived on the red carpet outside the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in the bespoke SUV. Naomi Campbell and her high-fashion career inspired its design. The XM Mystique Allure is the first BMW to use materials from the haute couture industry, including luxurious purple velvet, which envelops the interior. The vivid and deep ultramarine blue textile exterior is also inspired by Naomi Campbell’s favorite color, paired with sequins to showcase a high-fashion inspiration. BMW tapped into the talent of famed film score composer Hans Zimmer to develop an exclusive iteration of BMW IconicSounds Electric, which enhances the driving experience through captivating sound during electric driving. Putting together power, iconoclastic design, bespoke craftsmanship, high fashion, and the storied career of one of the world’s most recognizable and revered supermodels, the BMW XM Mystique Allure is a truly special creation at the intersection of luxury cars and luxury fashion. View All BMW XMs For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – May 08, 2024

BMW x Naomi Campbell Will Reveal New One-Off XM "Mystique...

One of the greatest supermodels joins forces with BMW again. The prestigious and anticipated Cannes Film Festival is set to take place this year from May 14 to May 25, and in its 77th year, the event is known for celebrating artful film and honoring filmmaking excellence, as well as gathering high-profile stars to the gorgeous French Riviera and showcasing high fashion. One of the biggest names set to grace the upcoming Cannes Film Festival is Naomi Campbell, a fashion legend whose illustrious career as a supermodel not only stretches back decades but is integral in defining the supermodel as we know it. Last year, BMW joined forces with Naomi Campbell, with their collaboration centering on the new high-performance hybrid XM SUV. That partnership continues as BMW enters its third consecutive year of being an official automotive partner of the Cannes Film Festival. The partnership includes Cannes Film Festival guests having electrified luxury mobility at their disposal courtesy of BMW, with shuttle services consisting of the BMW i7, iX, and i5 as well as the hybrid XM. However, this year, BMW is upping the ante alongside legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell, with the launch of the new one-off BMW XM Mystique Allure, inspired by her. Both the BMW XM and Campbell through her storied modeling career showcase confidence, strength, and avant-garde design, and the new one-off BMW XM Mystique Allure is sure to showcase a beautiful blend between the histories, impact, and influence of each. With the beginning of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival approaching, the anticipation for the new one-off, and BMW’s continued partnership with Naomi Campbell is building. View All BMW XMs For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 19, 2024

BMW Displays The XM In BMW Individual Colors At Coachella

BMW brings an extra dose of color to Coachella. Coachella is one of the most anticipated events of the year for music and art enthusiasts, with the desert turning into a flourishing hub of creativity, fun, and performances from iconic artists. The festival is also known for bohemian outfits and unique style, full of color and energy, which BMW brought plenty of with its showcasing of its XM hybrid performance luxury SUV in various unique colors. BMW proudly displayed the high-performance XM at Coachella, especially highlighting some of its most unique available paint colors, pulled from the BMW Individual palette. Urban Green, Petrol Mica Metallic, Anglesey Green Metallic, and Sepia Metallic all give the already avant-garde XM an even more unique and head-turning presence, and Coachella served as the perfect venue to showcase a vehicle that pushes the envelope when it comes to performance, luxury, and individuality. 2024 marks the sixth iteration of BMW’s partnership with Coachella, which shows both iconic brands come together based on their shared values of creativity, ingenuity and excellence. Being one of the music and art festival world’s most prominent and high-profile events, Coachella made for a perfect venue for BMW’s flagship luxury performance SUV: the XM, which boasts a 644-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain capable of rocketing the vehicle from 0-60 in just 3.4 seconds. With performance, luxury, avant-garde design and bespoke style, the BMW XM in BMW Individual paint finishes made for a perfect addition to Coachella’s festivities. View All BMW XMs For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 19, 2023

Pikes Peak Record-Breaking 2024 BMW XM Label Listed For Sale

Own BMW’s ultimate performance SUV. The BMW XM sent shockwaves through the automotive world both as a concept car, and especially when it was revealed in its production form, retaining its avant-garde looks and head-turning presence, along with an incredibly powerful twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain. However, the ante was upped even further with the introduction of the new BMW XM Label, with its sights set on dominating the highest echelon of luxury performance SUVs. Recently, after an intense journey towards pursuing the goal, the BMW XM Label achieved an incredible feat: breaking the production SUV record time at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. With an incredible 738 horsepower, its performance is revolutionary, representing both the first BMW M exclusive vehicle since the M1 supercar, and the flagship of BMW’s SUV and performance lineups. If you’re interested in owning BMW’s peak performance-oriented luxury SUV, now is your chance, as this 2024 BMW XM Label is available for sale at Isringhausen Imports in Springfield, Illinois. It’s finished in a sleek and modern Brooklyn Grey Metallic exterior, with red and black upholstery decorating the racing-inspired interior. With looks to turn heads, luxury to make driving a pleasure, and performance that breaks Pikes Peak records, this BMW XM Label is a luxury performance SUV with something to impress any enthusiast. View the price and listing by clicking below. View Price And Listing Image Source: Isringhausen Imports

By Tyler Rampersaud – December 02, 2022

BMW Announces The Start Of Production For The New BMW XM SUV

BMW’s groundbreaking performance SUV is officially on the assembly line. At BMW’s manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, BMW has begun work on producing the new BMW XM, alongside the X5, X6, and X7. The new performance SUV defies convention within BMW’s lineup, as for BMW M’s 50th anniversary, the vehicle is the very first BMW M original since the BMW M1 supercar from decades ago. In addition, it is BMW’s first high-performance model to feature an electrified powertrain, as its V8 engine is paired with a hybrid system to deliver optimized performance. MUST READ: 2023 BMW i7 First Drive Review: Better With Batteries The Spartanburg plant has served as a cornerstone of BMW’s efforts as a manufacturer. This past March, it was announced that a $200 million press shop would be built on-site, which is currently under construction and will be operational in the summer of 2024. The plant celebrated its 30th anniversary this past September, and in the same month, it saw the completion of the six millionth BMW to be made in the U.S., a Java Green Metallic BMW X6 M. The Spartanburg plant will also serve as one of the largest forces working towards BMW’s electrification efforts in the near future, and the BMW XM is the start of that change and growth for the entire BMW brand, as it continues to make great vehicles, and as BMW M celebrates its 50th anniversary, and opens a new chapter of performance excellence. View All BMWs For Sale Source: BMW

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