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

BMW News

BMW news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily with model reveals, first drives, M division launches and electric range developments. Our coverage runs from the 7 Series through the M cars and across BMW's growing electric line-up, alongside the earlier models that still trade strongly. Reporting comes from first-drive access and from the auction results that determine collector values. Many sites carry performance car news, but few carry it beside live inventory. A great many of the BMWs covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so a review and an asking price appear together. For BMW news today, and the luxury car news around it, start below.

A silver BMW E90 M3 sedan, a true collector car, is parked in a studio with a plain gray background, viewed from a front three-quarter angle.

By Jordan Aquistapace – September 10, 2026

Meet the $250K E90 BMW M3 You May Have Never Heard Of

From a $130,000 launch price to quarter-million-dollar listings, the BMW E90 M3 CRT has had one of the quietest yet most dramatic climbs in the collector car market. At first glance, it’s just a four-door BMW M3 with some lightweight parts, but peel back the spec sheet, and the story is far more interesting. Produced in ultra-low numbers, never sold in the U.S., and overshadowed by its orange, winged E92 GTS sibling, the CRT almost flew under the radar. So how exactly did this carbon-clad sedan become one of the rarest, most sought-after M cars ever made? BMW Group What Is the BMW E90 M3 CRT? CRT stands for “Carbon Racing Technology,” and that wasn’t just a marketing line drafted up in a boardroom. Limited to just 67 chassis worldwide, the CRT took the E90 M3 sedan platform and upgraded it with the heart of the GTS, a 450-hp 4.4-liter S65 V8 paired with BMW’s 7-speed DCT. Weight-saving carbon fiber panels (including the hood and front seats), improved cooling, and suspension adjustments made it a sleeper track weapon disguised as a four-door luxury car. A 0-60mph time came in just over four seconds, and thanks to those lightweight carbon upgrades, it came in roughly 220lbs lighter than a standard M3 sedan. BMW Group Why It Was Overlooked When the CRT first launched in 2011, it wasn’t exactly headline news, especially for U.S. enthusiasts who couldn’t get their hands on one. Priced higher than a GTS, offered only in left-hand drive for select markets, and styled conservatively in Frozen Polar Silver, the CRT didn’t scream “collector car” at the time. However, as the E92 M3 era matured, enthusiasts started paying closer attention to its exclusivity and purpose-built design. The CRT’s rarity, motorsport DNA, and early use of carbon tech started making it look less like a quirky limited production model and more like a legitimate halo car. BMW Group The Current Market Over the past few years, the CRT has quietly climbed from cult status to investment grade among purists looking to preserve one of the best eras of motoring. Examples have surfaced at top-tier auctions with upwards of $200K in sales and private listing prices at the $250K mark. It’s now mentioned in the same breath as the E46 CSL and E92 GTS, only with fewer examples and arguably more usability. Collectors love its low-key exterior, daily-drivable layout, and ties to a golden era of naturally aspirated M power. The CRT may have been underappreciated at launch, but today, it’s finally getting the spotlight it deserves. Source: BMW Group All BMW M3 Inventory

BMW Showcases New Combustion 3 Series Prototypes In Testing

By Tyler Rampersaud – September 08, 2026

BMW Teases New Combustion-Powered 3 Series Variants

The BMW 3 Series was recently reimagined in the form of the newly revealed i3, which, unlike the former bearer of that nameplate, is a Neue Klasse reimagination of BMW’s legendary 3 Series sedan with a powerful all-electric powertrain. However, that new generation of the 3 Series isn’t going to be exclusively available as a BEV. Combustion-powered variants of the new BMW 3 Series are coming soon, and the manufacturer is showcasing them in their final round of summer testing. That testing has taken place in Miramas, France, and BMW Group’s test tracks in the area were where high-intensity tuning drives for the new combustion-powered models, which will feature four and six-cylinder engines. With 48V mild hybrid technology, the new variants feature similar technology and innovation to the all-electric i3, combining spirited performance with precise handling and comfort on longer drives. Offering elevated performance with combustion power is the upcoming BMW M350 xDrive. It features a chassis tuned for performance, improved stiffness, a six-cylinder engine with mild hybrid power, adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering, and more. With 443 horsepower in total, the new M350 xDrive will get from 0-60 in less than 4.1 seconds. In addition, the Drift Moment feature for the car offers the option of rear-wheel drive and the possibility of making the car more tail-happy. <- Gallery -> Alongside the four-cylinder variants of the new 3 Series, as well as the all-electric BMW i3, the new BMW M350 xDrive is set to begin production at the end of 2026, with a 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower turbo six-cylinder engine powering it, and an eight-speed BMW Steptronic transmission. With the exciting new generation of the BMW 3 Series featuring electric and combustion-powered variants, the exciting design and innovation of the Neue Klasse 3 Series is available to all manner of enthusiasts and drivers. View All BMW 3 Series Image Source: BMW

By Khris Bharath – August 12, 2026

BMW Brings Two Concept Premieres and 40 Years of M3 to Monterey

BMW has laid out a four-day program for Monterey Car Week 2026 that spans two North American concept premieres, four decades of M3, and the next chapter of its Kith collaboration. The schedule opens Thursday, August 13, at Legends of the Autobahn, where BMW marks 40 years of the M3 with a display running from the E30 to the new 2027 M3 CS Handschalter. It runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Pacific Grove Golf Links, and admission is free. The timing is fitting, since an E30 M3 Sport Evolution set a world auction record at £404,375, or roughly $541,000, last month. <- Gallery -> Following its world debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is headed to the House of M for its North American premiere tomorrow evening. The all-electric concept previews where M performance goes next, with M-specific programming for the Heart of Joy control unit governing a four-electric-motor drive system, which already underpins production cars including the iX3 and the i3. BMW will also show a manual-gearbox M3 and an electric M concept with a motor at each corner. Friday, August 14, belongs to the spectacular Vision BMW ALPINA concept, which makes its North American premiere at The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering after first appearing at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, back in May this year. The design study pairs a coupe roofline and shark nose with an interior of full-grain leather, fine metal surfaces, and crystal controls. The press conference at the ALPINA stand begins at 11:25 a.m. Saturday, August 15, moves to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, where four generations of M3 race cars will run on track, from the 1992 E30 M3 DTM to the 2011 E92 M3 GT. Mike Skeen, Bill Auberlen, and BMW M chief Frank van Meel are among the drivers. Saturday evening turns to fashion, with an invitation-only panel featuring BMW design leadership and Kith founder Ronnie Fieg. The session unveils bespoke automobiles and previews the 2026 "Kith for BMW" collection, the fourth chapter of that automotive-inspired collaboration. Both concepts close the week on the Concept Lawn at the 75th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on Sunday, August 16, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Lodge at Pebble Beach. duPont REGISTRY will be on the ground throughout Monterey Car Week to bring you exclusive coverage. Watch this space. View All BMWs for Sale Images: BMW

By Jordan Aquistapace – July 14, 2026

$542K E30 BMW M3 Sport Evolution Sets New Auction World Record

The M3 has long been recognized as one of the most influential sports cars ever built, not just for BMW but for the automotive world as a whole. Starting with the original E30 BMW M3, introduced in 1985, it helped revolutionize the homologation special, bringing race-bred cars from the track to public roads. Since then, six generations have defined BMW M and the evolution of a true icon, making some of the earliest M3 examples soar in popularity and value among collectors and enthusiasts. Receiving its much-deserved recognition as a timeless, analog icon, RM Sotheby’s recently sold a 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution for a jaw-dropping £404,375 GBP ($541,427), setting a new world auction record for the model.The sale came following a strong bidding between interested buyers at The Woodcote Park Auction, where the seven-figure E30 BMW joined other cult classics like a 1990 Ferrari F40 ‘Jean Sage’ by Michelotto, a 1993 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.8 ‘Strassenversion’, and a 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake by Radford. Limited to just 600 examples in the world, the M3 Sport Evolution holds its own as one of the rarest BMWs ever, allotting production to 100 customer race chassis and 500 road-legal chassis. In comparison to the standard E30 M3, the Sport Evolution proved its track worth with a lightweight body, upgraded aero, and a larger, more powerful engine. This specific example started life as a newly delivered car in Hamburg, Germany, by BMW Niederlassung. Completed on February 20th, 1990, the car was optioned from the factory in Black over Black, with special requests including a sliding roof, electric front windows, and air conditioning. The M3 Sport Evolution later found its way to Asia in the early 2000s, where it was purchased and re-imported into Europe (UK) by the selling owner. Major services and road preparations were performed by the BMW specialist at Munich Legends in 2024, following a later inspection and overhaul completed in July 2025 by Everything M3s, the renowned BMW M Power specialist founded by an ex-Formula 1 engineer.Today, the record-setting E30 BMW M3 Sport Evolution attributes much of its high-dollar sale to its incredible condition, showing just 4,503 kilometers (2,798 miles) on the odometer, one of the lowest-mileage examples offered on the open market. Add in its provenance, detailed documentation, and persistent services and restorations, and it's easy to see why someone, with the funds available, would want to preserve one of the greatest eras of motoring through this example. All BMW M3 Inventory Source: RM Sotheby's/Images by Neil Fraser

BMW Of North America Reports Increased Q2 2026 Sales

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 13, 2026

BMW Of North America Increases Sales

BMW has recently unveiled a rapidly evolving lineup of Neue Klasse cars, changing its design language and introducing bold new technology across many of its most celebrated nameplates. As BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup continues to be introduced to the market, the brand is already showing success, with increased sales in the United States market for both the second quarter of 2026 and the first half of the year. During the second quarter alone, BMW of North America sold 102,713 vehicles, which represented an increase of 13 percent compared to the 90,884 sold in Q2 2025. For the first half of the year, BMW of North America’s year-to-date sales totaled 186,944 vehicles, which is up 4.7 percent compared to last year’s first half number. BMW says that the number outperformed the overall automotive market in the US, thanks to a desirable product mix, improved availability, and strong demand. Recently, BMW celebrated the premiere of its new X5, the latest generation of its original SUV nameplate. A celebrated staple within the BMW lineup, the latest generation of the X5 introduced revised design, impressive new technology, and a more diverse choice of powertrains than ever before. Along with the new X5, BMW has recently unveiled a new i3, iX3, and 7 Series. The brand did see a slight decline in the sales of electrified vehicles, despite an increase in plug-in hybrids both in the second quarter and in the first half of the year. However, the iX3 and new i7 are set to arrive later this quarter, and as they do, BMW of North America looks forward to building upon the momentum and success seen in the first half of the year with its desirable, stylish, high-tech, and versatile lineup of luxury vehicles. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

The BMW M2 Breaks Nürburgring Record With M Performance Track Kit

By Tyler Rampersaud – July 06, 2026

BMW Breaks Nürburgring Record With The M2

The BMW M2 is a favorite among several enthusiasts, thanks to its small footprint and brawny powertrain. Alongside that pairing are sharp design, impressive dynamics, and performance-focused aerodynamics, making for a sports car that embodies BMW’s beloved approach to performance beautifully. After it’s already proved its mettle on one of the world’s most respected and challenging circuits, the Nürburgring, the BMW M2 has earned yet another accolade on the legendary track, thanks to its M Performance Track Kit. With the Track Kit, the BMW M2 managed to lap the Nordschleife circuit in a mere 7:25.068, besting the BMW M2 CS by 0.5 seconds. A new chassis, developed specifically for the M2, as well as the aggressive aerodynamics lent by the Track Kit gave the car what it needed to eclipse the already blisteringly quick lap time. Verified by TÜV Rheinland on May 22, the new lap record is a milestone for BMW’s M Performance portfolio, and the challenge was exacerbated by high temperatures and oil traces on the track. The M Performance Track Kit gives BMW M2 owners the opportunity to make their car even more focused for track days. It includes a front splitter which is adjustable, aero flicks, a swan-neck rear wing with manual adjustability and a dedicated Race Mode, and a coilover suspension, which combines motorsport dampers with road approval. <- Gallery -> The aerodynamics were created with extensive wind tunnel testing, and expert BMW M driver and chassis development test engineer Jörg Weidinger oversaw the setup. Using the powerful and compact BMW M2 as its basis, the M Performance Track Kit makes the M2 an undoubtedly formidable track-ready car, which was proven on one of the world’s most hallowed racing venues, the Nürburgring Nordschleife. View All BMW M2 For Sale Image Source: BMW

BMW Unveils The New Fifth-Generation 2027 X5 & First-Ever iX5

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 30, 2026

New 2027 BMW X5 & iX5 Revealed

Over the past quarter-century, the BMW X5 has been a part of a cohort of luxury SUVs that helped define the genre as we know it today. Combining BMW’s signature engaging driving character, elegant style, luxurious appointments, and SUV practicality in one package, the X5 was an instant hit that opened the door for the rest of the BMW X lineup to come forth. Today, BMW’s X lineup consists of models with various sizes, powertrains, and even the dedicated performance-oriented BMW XM, and it all originated with the X5 in 1999. Now, the X5 is entering a new era, as BMW has just unveiled the new fifth generation of the X5, and with its diverse range of powertrains, it promises to be the most versatile generation of the staple luxury SUV yet. The first-ever battery-electric BMW iX5 offers fully electric power, while combustion mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains are simultaneously available for the vehicle. In addition to those choices, a hydrogen-powered variant of the new X5 will be available in the near future. Premiered at the home of BMW’s X lineup in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the rollout of the 2027 BMW X5 begins with the X5 40 xDrive. In addition to that, the rear-wheel-drive X5 40, the X5 50e xDrive with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the first-ever all-electric BMW iX5 60 xDrive will follow, launching in the first quarter of 2027. Later in 2027, a V8-powered M variant will emerge, and the first series-production BMW iX5 Hydrogen will come after that. <- Gallery -> The rear-wheel drive model carries a base starting MSRP of $69,800, while the xDrive variant starts at $72,100, the plug-in hybrid starts at $77,500, and the all-electric iX5 starts at $79,800. Each vehicle carries a destination and handling charge of $1,450. Across the new generation of the X5, Neue Klasse technology reimagines the driving experience and interior concept, while the exterior design of the new X5 has been revised to match the Neue Klasse cohort of BMWs, including introducing a monolithic silhouette, a new front end, new lighting designs, and more. High-tech luxury features in the new BMW X5 include the optional Ceremonial Light Carpet, which incorporates greeting and goodbye animations to the light carpet, and works alongside the front and rear lights, interior lighting, door handles, and mirrors to enhance the driving experience, as well as the BMW kidney Iconic Glow grille, wheel designs ranging from 21 to 23 inches, and more. Inside, luxury is conveyed through materials and design features, including optional slate as an interior surface, crystal glass elements, integrated ambient lighting, an optional passenger screen for front seat entertainment, a panoramic roof, and optional Bowers & Wilkins Audio and four-zone climate control. Upholstery is available in both Veganza and Merino leather, giving drivers a range of options to choose from between materials and colors, and available automatic doors with standard soft closing enhance the luxury experience of the new BMW X5 even further. Updated technology, revised design, more versatility than ever, and an impressive list of standard and optional luxury features breathe new life into BMW’s longest-standing SUV nameplate. For over 25 years, the BMW X5 has been a celebrated luxury SUV icon, but for the 2027 model year, the introduction of a new generation of the icon promises to make its legacy even more cherished. View All BMW X5 For Sale Image Source: BMW

By Khris Bharath – June 16, 2026

Frankstephenson Design Shapes the New 800-HP Bovensiepen 05 GT

When the Bovensiepen name returned at Villa d'Este last year with the Zagato coupe, many expected the company formerly known for ALPINA to continue pursuing increasingly exclusive grand tourers. Its latest project pushes that strategy even further, this time with the involvement of one of the automotive industry's most influential designers. Handmade in Buchloe, Bavaria, in Southern Germany, the Bovensiepen 05 GT is the second model from the company established by the founding family of ALPINA, who continue to build performance cars under their own name after BMW absorbed the brand effective January 1, 2026. This time, the foundation is BMW's latest M5 Touring, transformed through a combination of extensive engineering upgrades and a carefully considered exterior redesign developed by frankstephenson design. Frank Stephenson's portfolio comprises some true automotive heavyweights, including the likes of the original BMW X5, the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500 revival, the Ferrari F430, McLaren MP4-12C, the McLaren P1, and the Maserati MC12 that we spotlighted recently. Yet the 05 GT takes a notably restrained approach, one that aligns with an argument we made on Petrolicious last month about how German performance has, gradually traded stealth speed for visual dominance over the past two decades. Compared to the standard G99 M5 Touring, frankstephenson design has focused on refining proportion and stance rather than adding visual aggression. At the front, previously separated intake elements unify into a broader, cleaner graphic that visually lowers the car, reinforced by a more pronounced front splitter and wider visual elements that balance the proportions of the underlying platform. <- Gallery -> Along the flanks, a newly integrated air duct ahead of the rear wheel connects the widened rear arches to the sill, while a black visual band runs from the front intakes through the side profile and into the rear, reducing perceived mass throughout. But it is at the rear where things have been drastically simplified over the stock M5 Touring. Four Akrapovič titanium exhaust outlets pushed toward the outer edges emphasize width while saving 17 pounds over the stock system, and parking sensors integrate cleanly into a dark trim strip. Inside, a numbered production plaque identifies the launch vehicle as "Bovensiepen 05 GT 001." The standard cabin features a handcrafted Lavalina steering wheel with milled aluminum shift paddles, with a full Lavalina interior upgrade available for an additional €20,000, approximately $23,000, covering virtually every surface in barrel-dyed cowhide suede sourced exclusively from farms across southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and northern Italy. From Alcantara trunk linings and embossed headrest stamps to custom embroidery and color-matched seatback panels, the personalisation possibilities are endless. "The most successful bespoke automotive projects are rarely about noise; they are about judgement. This car shows how careful, intelligent exterior design can transform the character of a car without losing the integrity of what made it appealing in the first place," said Frank Stephenson, Founder of frankstephenson design. Beyond the visual changes, the 05 GT also receives extensive mechanical upgrades. Engine software was recalibrated following testing at Papenburg and Nardò, with a revised intake funnel and the Akrapovič exhaust creating the conditions for an increase to 800 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque from the hybrid twin-turbocharged V8, up from 727 on the stock M5 Touring. 0-62 mph takes under 3.6 seconds, and top speed is just shy of 190 mph. The suspension receives modified support bearings, Eibach springs, and a strut tower brace, while 21-inch lightweight 10-double-spoke forged wheels wearing custom Pirelli tires stamped with a "BOV" sidewall marking complete the chassis package. Pricing in Germany starts at €198,900, or roughly $231,000, before local taxes and options. Production is capped at 200 units per year, with first deliveries scheduled for Q4 2026. View All Supercars and Exotic Cars For Sale Images: Bovensiepen, frankstephenson design

BMW Announces The New X5 Is In Its Final Testing Phase

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 15, 2026

New BMW X5 In Final Testing Phase

The BMW X5 has been a celebrated nameplate within the German manufacturer’s lineup for over a quarter of a century. Part of a wave of luxury SUVs that redefined the automotive industry at the turn of the millennium, the X5 presented a combination of BMW’s elegant style, sumptuous luxury, and engaging driving character with the practicality of an SUV body style that was unprecedented at the time. Since then, the X5 has become an icon throughout the industry, and within the BMW lineup, one of the most cherished models. Performance-oriented versions of the X5 have become a part of the lineup, as well as models with different powertrains like the hydrogen-powered X5 that is at the forefront of hydrogen innovation. Now, a new generation of the X5 is on the horizon, and it promises to be the most versatile iteration of the luxury SUV favorite yet. The new X5 is in its final testing phase, undergoing its last calibration drives before production begins. This upcoming generation of the BMW X5 will achieve a BMW first by being the first of the manufacturer’s production models to be offered with a choice of five different system technologies: gasoline and diesel variants with mild hybrid technology, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric models, and the first series-production hydrogen-powered BMW. The first fully-electric BMW iX5 will boast BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology, and the series-production BMW iX5 Hydrogen model is set to debut in 2028. <- Gallery -> Using dual-motor all-wheel drive, the upcoming BMW iX5 will feature BMW’s highly innovative battery concept, using cylindrical cells and 800V technology. At 144 kWh in the US, the upcoming BMW iX5 60 xDrive will largest high-voltage battery in a BMW EV yet. Meanwhile, the hydrogen tank system that helps power the iX5 Hydrogen will not only preserve cabin room with its own innovative design; it will also be able to be built on the same production line as other drive systems, unlocking the potential for greater use of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Along with the other vehicles in BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup, the Heart of Joy computer system provides advanced control for the drive systems that aim to enhance the driving experience more than ever. Responses that take place in milliseconds and a wealth of information provided about the vehicle and driving situation mean that the electronic systems help provide traction, confidence, and engagement across electric and combustion powertrains. With Neue Klasse tech and style, and a wider range of available powertrains than ever, the upcoming new BMW X5 is one of the most exciting and anticipated luxury SUVs yet, and its innovation is coming close to changing the luxury SUV landscape as a whole. View All BMW X5 For Sale Image Source: BMW Group

Dries Vanthoor Puts The #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 On Pole At Le Mans

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 12, 2026

BMW M Hybrid V8 Secures Pole At Le Mans

One of the most legendary and historic motorsport events in the world, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is taking place this weekend. Of the many teams competing for success in the revered endurance classic, BMW M Motorsport already has a historic victory to celebrate, as the #15 BMW M Hybrid V8 secured pole position, with driver Dries Vanthoor behind the wheel. The pole position marks the first pole position at Le Mans ever for BMW M Motorsport, and it comes from a 3:22.564 lap. Initially, that lap time was second by just 0.005 seconds to a Cadillac, but that lap time was cancelled, putting BMW M Motorsport at pole. Meanwhile, the #20 Shell BMW M Hybrid V8 finished fourth, with Robin Frijns behind the wheel. The entire BMW M Motorsport team is starting the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans on a high note, as all four cars made it into the top six of the starting grids for the Hypercar and the LMGT3 classes of the race. About the pole victory, Dries Vanthoor said, “I’m super happy to be on pole at Le Mans! This is such a great event, and now being on pole here and giving everyone in the team what they deserve, is awesome. At the same time our goal is to win the race, so we need to keep it clean over 24 hours to be right there on Sunday.” <- Gallery -> The positive result comes on the heels of an impressive success for the team at the 2026 6 Hours of Spa, the previous FIA World Endurance Championship race at the iconic Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. There, the BMW M Hybrid V8 completed the race with a sensational 1-2 finish, with the #20 car finishing in first place, and the #15 car following closely behind in second. Currently, BMW also leads the manufacturers’ standings in the FIA World Endurance Championship with 59 points thus far. Going into the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans with an incredible 1-2 finish at Spa, and a pole position qualification, BMW M Motorsport is riding high for one of the most important and anticipated race weekends of the year. View All BMW For Sale Image Source: BMW

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