RE: McLaren MP4-12C, Now With Added 'Phwoarr'
Discussion
I expect this will just be the start of the McLaren response to the recent press putting the 458 ahead.
I have a copy of the autocar on my desk from last month "Ferrari beats new McLaren" - I bet Ron was fuming when he saw that!
I fully expect F1-team style continual improvement until they have a better car than the itailians, although I am more than a little surprised they didn't do some independent benchmarking with a 458 prior to letting the mags and fifth gear loose on the car..
I have a copy of the autocar on my desk from last month "Ferrari beats new McLaren" - I bet Ron was fuming when he saw that!
I fully expect F1-team style continual improvement until they have a better car than the itailians, although I am more than a little surprised they didn't do some independent benchmarking with a 458 prior to letting the mags and fifth gear loose on the car..
I have to say that EVO are not doing themselves any favours. Frankly, they come across as rather self-important and smug rather than independent champions of the performance car and driver.
And I must say that they singularly fail to "get" McLaren and its ethos. For me, this is the most disappointing thing of all.
There is room in the market ( one hopes ) for a performance car that is the antithesis of Ferrari.
I think McLaren is looking to fill that gap, providing a car with the daily usability of a 911 while setting new standards of performance and safety. In this respect, McLaren seem to have nailed it on the first attempt. It is very disappointing that the motoring press fails to recognise this.
Back to the car - The changes clearly amount to little more than a bit of tweaking. In a more sane world, changes like these may even have been implemented without a fanfare. Instead, EVO and their ilk have driven the narrative of the story for their own ends. In the desire to get a controversial cover headline, they have created a story and appointed themselves as the story teller and the hero.
Top Gear is often berated for its inaccuracy and for Clarkson's nonsense ( quite rightly , his take on the XKR S and GTR was inaccurate, inconsistent and complete rubbish) but it seems to me that EVO and the "proper" motoring journalists are not that different. Under the earnest analysis and supposed journalistic integrity, I think they are just as inconsistent.
Perhaps we should remember that they are journalists first and foremost. But when they make themselves part of the story , then the game is up. EVO has lost credibility in my opinion.
And I must say that they singularly fail to "get" McLaren and its ethos. For me, this is the most disappointing thing of all.
There is room in the market ( one hopes ) for a performance car that is the antithesis of Ferrari.
I think McLaren is looking to fill that gap, providing a car with the daily usability of a 911 while setting new standards of performance and safety. In this respect, McLaren seem to have nailed it on the first attempt. It is very disappointing that the motoring press fails to recognise this.
Back to the car - The changes clearly amount to little more than a bit of tweaking. In a more sane world, changes like these may even have been implemented without a fanfare. Instead, EVO and their ilk have driven the narrative of the story for their own ends. In the desire to get a controversial cover headline, they have created a story and appointed themselves as the story teller and the hero.
Top Gear is often berated for its inaccuracy and for Clarkson's nonsense ( quite rightly , his take on the XKR S and GTR was inaccurate, inconsistent and complete rubbish) but it seems to me that EVO and the "proper" motoring journalists are not that different. Under the earnest analysis and supposed journalistic integrity, I think they are just as inconsistent.
Perhaps we should remember that they are journalists first and foremost. But when they make themselves part of the story , then the game is up. EVO has lost credibility in my opinion.
rob.e said:
I expect this will just be the start of the McLaren response to the recent press putting the 458 ahead.
I have a copy of the autocar on my desk from last month "Ferrari beats new McLaren" - I bet Ron was fuming when he saw that!
I fully expect F1-team style continual improvement until they have a better car than the itailians, although I am more than a little surprised they didn't do some independent benchmarking with a 458 prior to letting the mags and fifth gear loose on the car..
Sorry but Ferrari beats McLaren. What are you on about. the macca is better in everyway, except from so called 'soul' or whatever.I have a copy of the autocar on my desk from last month "Ferrari beats new McLaren" - I bet Ron was fuming when he saw that!
I fully expect F1-team style continual improvement until they have a better car than the itailians, although I am more than a little surprised they didn't do some independent benchmarking with a 458 prior to letting the mags and fifth gear loose on the car..
I think the MP4-12C has a whiff of the Honda NSX about it, that kind of- "I'm F'ing fast, handle like a demon so I why shout about it" thing going on.
The back end of the 458 is nicer perhaps but its rather trouty at the front, I'd suspect the McLaren is alittle more timeless (much like the McLaren F1 still looks fresh 15yrs on)
If my lottery numbers come up I'd rather invest in Wokings finest myself.
The back end of the 458 is nicer perhaps but its rather trouty at the front, I'd suspect the McLaren is alittle more timeless (much like the McLaren F1 still looks fresh 15yrs on)
If my lottery numbers come up I'd rather invest in Wokings finest myself.
I'll likely never be in a position to buy or even drive this car, so although I'm as pleased as everyone else that McLaren have made improvements to their new product based on informed feedback quickly and without fuss, one thing really bugs me about their press car which has now appeared on here, in Evo and on Top Gear...
It's left hand drive.
Now I know most other countries drive on the wrong side of the road and all that tosh but c'mon! It's BRITISH!
It's left hand drive.
Now I know most other countries drive on the wrong side of the road and all that tosh but c'mon! It's BRITISH!
SkintEastwood said:
the_kato said:
Was admiring one of these in the McLaren dealership in Knightsbridge the other day
In the flesh FAR from bland
Maybe so. I will admit that I've not seen one in the wild yet.In the flesh FAR from bland
Bang on Kamox. You'd buy the 458 because you like it more. I don't get this "soul" b
ks
If in my dream world I the money to buy a car like that I'd go with the McLaren, in the same way I'd have chosen an NSX back in the day
Understated, if that's what you can call 6 figure Hypercars ;-)
ksIf in my dream world I the money to buy a car like that I'd go with the McLaren, in the same way I'd have chosen an NSX back in the day
Understated, if that's what you can call 6 figure Hypercars ;-)
Evo has always been a car porno mag, all pictures no content, I don't know anyone who reads that crap, all the mags are mostly full of themselves and full of inaccuracies, I bet they actually think they are part of the automotive industry. 
At least Top gear know they are a bunch of bafoons and don't take themselves seriously, that's just car themed entertainment, although last week was a good car show.
Evo = Nice photography
TG = Funny + nice film work
At least Top gear know they are a bunch of bafoons and don't take themselves seriously, that's just car themed entertainment, although last week was a good car show.
Evo = Nice photography
TG = Funny + nice film work
scubadude said:
I think the MP4-12C has a whiff of the Honda NSX about it, that kind of- "I'm F'ing fast, handle like a demon so I why shout about it" thing going on.
The back end of the 458 is nicer perhaps but its rather trouty at the front, I'd suspect the McLaren is alittle more timeless (much like the McLaren F1 still looks fresh 15yrs on)
If my lottery numbers come up I'd rather invest in Wokings finest myself.
Yep, I agree.The back end of the 458 is nicer perhaps but its rather trouty at the front, I'd suspect the McLaren is alittle more timeless (much like the McLaren F1 still looks fresh 15yrs on)
If my lottery numbers come up I'd rather invest in Wokings finest myself.
The NSX didn't shout about it, but people who knew, knew what it could do.
I just watched a Best Motoring video of a few Lambos/Porsche/Ferrari and the NSX. The NSX was kicking them all over the place, until the straights where the Lambo did catch up, and then back on the twisties the NSX came through again.
I reckon the McLaren will do the same, it won't shout about it, it'll just come out and do its thing.
rob.e said:
I fully expect F1-team style continual improvement until they have a better car than the itailians, although I am more than a little surprised they didn't do some independent benchmarking with a 458 prior to letting the mags and fifth gear loose on the car..
They did though, the internet was full of the images 6 months ago or so. The 458 was late arriving in the McLaren's development so they didn't have much time to change any direction if they had wanted to.If they have decided to take some inspiration from the 458 then that would have happened 6 months ago and is arriving now, not a mere few weeks ago.
I love this....
Why have a small orange outline showing a rough shape of the car to show that a door is open when you can have a fully rendered image taken from a really good angle . It's those little things that show the thought going into this car (not implying that thought does not go into others)
Why have a small orange outline showing a rough shape of the car to show that a door is open when you can have a fully rendered image taken from a really good angle
. It's those little things that show the thought going into this car (not implying that thought does not go into others)Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff