Friday 22nd July 2011

Pic Of The Week: McLaren MP4-12C

12C gets all 'emotional' on its rear tyres...

---

Click to preview

The news this week that McLaren is responding to customer, dealer and media feedback by tweaking its MP4-12C to make it more 'involving' coincided (more or less inevitably) with Woking dishing out a whole new load of shiny press images.

Many of these we've already brought you in our original story, but there was one particular photo that we thought deserved a spot of extra-special attention. Because although some have suggested that the MP4-12C lacks a wee bit of 'emotional appeal' it's hard to imagine that doing this in a Mercury Red Macca would leave you feeling cold. In fact it looks like rather considerable fun.

Here's hoping that McLaren's tweaks make the MP4-12C as fun as it looks like it ought to be...

Normal (1280x1024)
WideScreen (1440x900)
SuperSize (2048x1536)

[soad]

That's a lovely colour! Suits it rather nicely

[Mr Sparkle]

Does look nice, a toned down colour suits the car's more subtle design.

[stew-S160]

Wait, a wall paper of an 'ugly boring soulless car'?

Now my current desktop image thank you.

[chunkymonkey71]

I know its just a wee simple thing, but wouldn't giving it a better name; you know, something that doesn't sound so much like a washing machine give it a bit more character and soul?

Just a teeny bit?

[NotNormal]

chunkymonkey71 said:

I know its just a wee simple thing, but wouldn't giving it a better name; you know, something that doesn't sound so much like a washing machine give it a bit more character and soul?

Just a teeny bit?

Because the numbers 458 or 599 have character and soul do they..............



IMO for that reason this whole "name sounds boring" is just irrelevant waffle






Great pic of the week though, love the capture of the heat haze out back.

[clarkmagpie]

Not keen on the car, photo or name.
Looks alright in that colour I suppose though.

[chunkymonkey71]

NotNormal said:

Because the numbers 458 or 599 have character and soul do they..............



IMO for that reason this whole "name sounds boring" is just irrelevant waffle






Great pic of the week though, love the capture of the heat haze out back.

Frankly, you are not normal.

[Walton]

timmartin said:

unless of course its coming in from the left of the picture and turning right....with terminal understeer..

[doublelink]

I don't know why there is so much negativity surrounding this car overtime it appears on your pages? It is British, Beautiful and Beats the 458 Italia in to the middle of next week. For goodness sake fellas, (and ladies, obviously), take a little pride for a job well done and get behind the wheel and the vision, enterprise and engineering excellence that made this car ours! When did any of you ever hear an Italian criticise a Ferrari or a Lambo? Never! Well done Ron & his team, investors et al.

[humpbackmaniac]

doublelink said:

I don't know why there is so much negativity surrounding this car overtime it appears on your pages? It is British, Beautiful and Beats the 458 Italia in to the middle of next week. For goodness sake fellas, (and ladies, obviously), take a little pride for a job well done and get behind the wheel and the vision, enterprise and engineering excellence that made this car ours! When did any of you ever hear an Italian criticise a Ferrari or a Lambo? Never! Well done Ron & his team, investors et al.

Well said. I'll take mine in silver with the middle air intake fin highlighted in MCL Red/Orange, and possibly the mirrors too.
Fabulous car, well priced, and we should all support them in an excellent job.

[TVRWannabee]

doublelink said:

I don't know why there is so much negativity surrounding this car overtime it appears on your pages? It is British, Beautiful and Beats the 458 Italia in to the middle of next week. For goodness sake fellas, (and ladies, obviously), take a little pride for a job well done and get behind the wheel and the vision, enterprise and engineering excellence that made this car ours! When did any of you ever hear an Italian criticise a Ferrari or a Lambo? Never! Well done Ron & his team, investors et al.

Agreed - is it such crime to support your own car industry - especially when they turn out a good product?

Domestic support kept the Italian and American industry going for years - the French too, I think.


As for the name?

Hasn't anyone understood the name 'MP4' connects the car to it's F1 roots? I think that's a nice touch.

[SWoll]

doublelink said:

I don't know why there is so much negativity surrounding this car overtime it appears on your pages? It is British, Beautiful and Beats the 458 Italia in to the middle of next week. For goodness sake fellas, (and ladies, obviously), take a little pride for a job well done and get behind the wheel and the vision, enterprise and engineering excellence that made this car ours! When did any of you ever hear an Italian criticise a Ferrari or a Lambo? Never! Well done Ron & his team, investors et al.

1) British - Yes
2) Beautiful - Subjective
3) Beats the 458 Italia - In what way? TG test track?
4) I think we all appreciate the quality of the engineering etc. but are a little concerned that all of the feedback from the motoring press seems to agree on a lack of "emotion". Surely a key component for a supercar?
5) I think it is good that we are willing to admit to the negatives of the MP4 as in doing so it should hopefully make it an even better machine.

[SWoll]

clarkmagpie said:

Not keen on the car, photo or name.
Looks alright in that colour I suppose though.

Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine.....

[Chris-R]

chunkymonkey71 said:

I know its just a wee simple thing, but wouldn't giving it a better name; you know, something that doesn't sound so much like a washing machine give it a bit more character and soul?

Just a teeny bit?

I saw a similar criticism in the latest Evo - was it Harry M?

Perhaps calling it the MP4 12C Brittannia would help...

(And how does the 911 struggle on?)

[chunkymonkey71]

If it needs more emotion, perhaps they should install a button that makes the headlights cry, or a laughing grille?

(I'm going off in the wrong direction with this, aren't I?)

[UK952]

chunkymonkey71 said:

If it needs more emotion, perhaps they should install a button that makes the headlights cry, or a laughing grille?

(I'm going off in the wrong direction with this, aren't I?)

Brilliant

[toppstuff]

Chris-R said:

I saw a similar criticism in the latest Evo - was it Harry M?

Yes, indeed, but because of EVO's general all-round awesomeness in mechanical engineering and their not inconsiderable clout, they made Mclaren change the car.


"Darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of EVO moved upon the face of the waters.

And EVO Harry said, Let there be noise and lighter gearchange paddles.

And there was noise and lighter gearchange paddles.

And EVO Harry saw the noise, that it was good: and divided the noise from the quiet"

[jimjim150]

Chris-R said:

I saw a similar criticism in the latest Evo - was it Harry M?

Perhaps calling it the MP4 12C Brittannia would help...

(And how does the 911 struggle on?)

I do agree with the name criticism, yes 911 and most Ferraris are numbered. But they are short and memorable. That's where this goes wrong. I saw one recently and was - hmmm oh it's an MP4 12C. Whereas the Bright orange F1 I saw a week later - my reaction was more like - OMFG F1!!!

[otolith]

Would "Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust" be preferable?

Maybe a British metereological phenomenon would be appropriate - Maserati Ghibli, Pagani Zonda, Ford Lightning, McLaren A Bit Overcast? McLaren Spitting A Bit? McLaren That Fine Rain That Soaks You Through?

Letters and numbers are fine, they fit the corporate image.

[TVRWannabee]

chunkymonkey71 said:

If it needs more emotion, perhaps they should install a button that makes the headlights cry, or a laughing grille?

(I'm going off in the wrong direction with this, aren't I?)

No, no, I think you might be on to something!

otolith said:

Would "Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust" be preferable?

Maybe a British metereological phenomenon would be appropriate - Maserati Ghibli, Pagani Zonda, Ford Lightning, McLaren A Bit Overcast? McLaren Spitting A Bit? McLaren That Fine Rain That Soaks You Through?

Letters and numbers are fine, they fit the corporate image.

Like the ideas but maybe McLaren 'Ping On Ferrari's Parade' might be a better one?

Edited by TVRWannabee on Friday 22 July 13:51