RE: Watch The McLaren Launch Live On PH

[Rich_W]

I've watched the whole thing now. Few things jump out at me.

300 Skilled staff? SLR had a lot of "straight from college" types as they are cheaper to employ. Some of the guys doing that were on £12k a year! Proper Automotive BMW/Merc/VAG Technicians cost a bit more to employ! Also "empowerment" was never an option! Do what you're told, you cannot be trusted to do anything else. Some of the faults on those cars were suspect! I hope they've learnt.

Parts supply. I'll be amazed if their dealers can sustain 1 of everything. Even with switches being used in multiple applications. If the aforementioned multi nationals have items go Back order, McLaren have no chance. As for fault codes giving accurate diagnosis. Lofty aspirations. Lets use an easy one "Boost pressure sensor low reading" That could be at least 5 things. None of which is the sensor itself. Fault codes are a guide, not an answer.

I reckon the dealers that get the franchise will be the larger ones too. Maybe not HR Owen in London as they carry Ferrari and Lamboghini already. And horses heads could be involved if they signed the enemey

F1 and Automotive cross over. Doubt it very much All the "fingers" of McLaren group are segregated. The access cards simply won't open any other doors.

For a car launch it's not especially well done. And given McLaren have a history of launching a car every year. You'd think they'd get good at it.

Here's some pics from Goodwood.
http://gallery.me.com/stevomacrocket#101209&bg...

The crash test film was good, and interesting to hear it take 3 hits. Without body panels... at 35mph I wonder how many of those inevitable accidents will have a closing speed of just 35? Even offset accidents on normal roads is 60!

It's just a shame they haven't made something aesthetically pleasing to the majoirty of car enthusiasts. Would it really have been that hard?

[Flat6]

BSC said:

Flat6 said:

and they don't "make" engines, just components afaik

Mahle has produced a first complete engine for formula student 609 ccm 3-cylinder and now has plans to produce complete engines for automotive customers. AFAIK Mahle has produced engines for motorsport applications for some time now. Froim their website: We have our own foundry to make lightweight, precision aluminum castings and production lines for machining and engine assembly.

Ah of course, Mahle purchased Cosworth technology a few years back. Makes sense now...

[vintageracer01]

HeavySoul said:

PhilipAlfa said:

How can they make the launch of something so exciting, so boring

The presentation skills of the management team really need some work!

It's pure McLaren

I guess, presenting is NOT one of McLaren's CORE-competences. They never claimed it.

And it does not diminish any of the achievements.

But what a great new impulse to the motor industry. I like this 'clean-sheet-of-paper' attitude and the purpose-built approach!

Thanks to 'RacingPete' for the clip of the McLaren presentation day!

Now, I do understand the car and McLaren intentions much better. After the striking body design of the McLaren F1 i found the MP4-12C rather disappointing. However, it makes me re-think my opinion. Now, I do warm to the rather conservative body design because it is only a result of technical functions later tidied up a bit to look nice. It is not intended to have Lamborghini's drama.

And the fact NOT just to design a car but an entire production & sales process leading to a production car is rather fascinating. I realy hope they succeed with their high goals.

It would make other established sports car companies look like a bit from the past. And something like a Lexus LFA turns into a bad joke not to mention its price tag.

Very nice to see that there is so much fresh thinking and true pioneers in Britain.

FANTASTIC!

[BSC]

McL should have prepared a cushion for LH to sit on at the Goodwood video session as he was able to look out of the side window ... just.

[paul_k]

Impressed with the accent on UK Design and Manufacture, Innovative engineering and clean sheet approach. Would like to see some hard specs on Cd, Downforce, Lateral G but expect it will be class leading. I bet it is faster round the ring than the GTR!
May have to sell the house to buy one...

[Bombjack]

Flat6 said:

BSC said:

Flat6 said:

and they don't "make" engines, just components afaik

Mahle has produced a first complete engine for formula student 609 ccm 3-cylinder and now has plans to produce complete engines for automotive customers. AFAIK Mahle has produced engines for motorsport applications for some time now. Froim their website: We have our own foundry to make lightweight, precision aluminum castings and production lines for machining and engine assembly.

Ah of course, Mahle purchased Cosworth technology a few years back. Makes sense now...

It's not a Mahle engine. It's a Ricardo/McLaren co-production.

[Flat6]

Bombjack said:

Flat6 said:

BSC said:

Flat6 said:

and they don't "make" engines, just components afaik

Mahle has produced a first complete engine for formula student 609 ccm 3-cylinder and now has plans to produce complete engines for automotive customers. AFAIK Mahle has produced engines for motorsport applications for some time now. Froim their website: We have our own foundry to make lightweight, precision aluminum castings and production lines for machining and engine assembly.

Ah of course, Mahle purchased Cosworth technology a few years back. Makes sense now...

It's not a Mahle engine. It's a Ricardo/McLaren co-production.

I never said it was

[Bombjack]

Flat6 said:

Bombjack said:

It's not a Mahle engine. It's a Ricardo/McLaren co-production.

I never said it was

I stand corrected.

For what it's worth, this article may be of interest.

Edited by Bombjack on Thursday 18th March 22:03

[Liokault]

Adrian W said:

Except that it's jobs in China where a very high percentage of this car is made.

Really? What parts? I know where most bits come from, I know some castings are from India, Germany for the interior and carbon tub (AIRC) but i'm not aware of any large bit comming from China.

[V8Dom]

Iconic drivers like Hunt Lauda Hamilton............................................ oh dear doesnt realise he has a driver called Button .....mmm he does look a bit old maybe his memory is going!!

very very nice car

Dom

[graemel]

vintageracer01 said:

HeavySoul said:

PhilipAlfa said:

How can they make the launch of something so exciting, so boring

The presentation skills of the management team really need some work!

It's pure McLaren

I guess, presenting is NOT one of McLaren's CORE-competences. They never claimed it.

And it does not diminish any of the achievements.

But what a great new impulse to the motor industry. I like this 'clean-sheet-of-paper' attitude and the purpose-built approach!

Thanks to 'RacingPete' for the clip of the McLaren presentation day!

Now, I do understand the car and McLaren intentions much better. After the striking body design of the McLaren F1 i found the MP4-12C rather disappointing. However, it makes me re-think my opinion. Now, I do warm to the rather conservative body design because it is only a result of technical functions later tidied up a bit to look nice. It is not intended to have Lamborghini's drama.

And the fact NOT just to design a car but an entire production & sales process leading to a production car is rather fascinating. I realy hope they succeed with their high goals.

It would make other established sports car companies look like a bit from the past. And something like a Lexus LFA turns into a bad joke not to mention its price tag.

Very nice to see that there is so much fresh thinking and true pioneers in Britain.

FANTASTIC!

Having quickly blipped through all pages I find it depressing how many Jonahs we have on PH. This is only one of a few statements that I agree with. So Ron and the guys are not the most brilliant orators on the face of the planet. If the car lives up to expectations I really could not give a sh*t. The one thing they do stress is focusing on customer satisfaction and offering an exemplary customer service. Now I am not familiar with all manufacturers but from what I see and read customer service is no longer the priority and a thing of the past. I don't give a f*ck that Ron's tie was a little skew whiff because of the microphone. You are missing the point.

[BSC]

Bombjack said:

Flat6 said:

Bombjack said:

It's not a Mahle engine. It's a Ricardo/McLaren co-production.

I never said it was

I stand corrected.

For what it's worth, this article may be of interest.

Edited by Bombjack on Thursday 18th March 22:03

I stand corrected. In the other McL thread was mentioned that Mahle has provided the engine. Sorry for the misinformation.

Thanks for the link to insideline!

[jayfish]

V8Dom said:

Iconic drivers like Hunt Lauda Hamilton............................................ oh dear doesnt realise he has a driver called Button .....mmm he does look a bit old maybe his memory is going!!

very very nice car

Dom

All the others have won races in a macca

[jreddihough]

matt black...yes please.



Mclaren v ferrari 458 v LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP560-4 will indeed be a fun battle to watch

[Bombjack]

BSC said:

In the other McL thread was mentioned that Mahle has provided the engine. Sorry for the misinformation.

Mahle were actually involved for a period after the Mercedes debacle, but McLaren decided to go elsewhere.

[Shape Shifter]

jreddihough said:

matt black...yes please.



Mclaren v ferrari 458 v LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP560-4 will indeed be a fun battle to watch

Gentlemen place your bets. That'll be a fun one.

[Redlake27]

[Mazda Baiter]

jayfish said:

V8Dom said:

Iconic drivers like Hunt Lauda Hamilton............................................ oh dear doesnt realise he has a driver called Button .....mmm he does look a bit old maybe his memory is going!!







very very nice car







Dom

All the others have won races in a macca

Or maybe he meant world champions in a McLaren. Then he wouldn't have to include Button, Alonso, Mansell or Hulme.



Or you could read the whole thread before jumping in with facetious comments.

Edited by Mazda Baiter on Friday 19th March 09:34

[anniesdad]

bertie said:

Bombjack said:

anniesdad said:

You'd expect the F1 cars to have ever increasing numbers as development or the introduction of new F1 cars continues. I'm pretty sure I'm right in saying that the roadcars will fit into this scale...at least that's what I read on the interweb once.

Fair enough. I should say though that my source isn't the interweb, or any journalist.

P11 - what we now know as MP4-12C
P12 - Hypercar
P13 - "911 competitor"

We could have a gentleman's wager if you like

Bombjack is dead right.

My mistake in that case. If you were referring to codenames/numbers I know little or nothing of those. I thought you were abbreviating P13 from MP4-13C or whatever. If the P in the codename refers to project then we should be expecting to see the hypercar next and the 911 competitor after that?

Edited by anniesdad on Friday 19th March 12:47

[Alfie Noakes]

BSC said:

Is it really true as mentioned earlier in this thread that the car is powered by a Mahle engine? Mahle is a German company. I can't imagine that the epitome of British sports car has a German engine. How to be proud of it then?

Info I have is that they manufacture it, but it's not thier design.