Re: Chris Harris video: McLaren 650S onboard
Thursday 24th April 2014
So we've written about the McLaren 650S. Chris has talked about it, quite a lot in fact. But there comes a time when you just have to crack on and drive and while Chris is off in the States filming his regular Wednesday night video slot is a more straightforward affair. Given that he was so addled with man flu at the time he could barely string a sentence together it's a commendable effort - Ascari is not a track on which to take liberties. And yet here he is, Scandi flicking a 650hp supercar. Fair play.
Chris Harris video: McLaren 650S onboard
Full service to be resumed soon; for now here's Chris lapping Ascari in the 650S
We'll be back at Ascari next week in fact, trying out one of the 650S's key rivals on the same tarmac. More on that soon but at least we'll have some tyre tracks to follow. For now though...
Discussion
Replicating the P1 face on the 12C hasn't worked for me with the original 12C front being much more cohesive. The new nose seems to halt the natural flow of the lines to a conclusion at the front, instead it is awkwardly interrupted by the new headlights.
The rear end treatment on the 650S is less awkward that the front but again I still prefer the original 12C rear. It may simply be a case of familiarity to the older design however.
The new car also seems to be a little colour sensitive. I don't think I've seen a colour that makes an original 12C look bad.
It'd be good news for me if I had the money as I'd get an older car and upgrade to new spec
The rear end treatment on the 650S is less awkward that the front but again I still prefer the original 12C rear. It may simply be a case of familiarity to the older design however.
The new car also seems to be a little colour sensitive. I don't think I've seen a colour that makes an original 12C look bad.
It'd be good news for me if I had the money as I'd get an older car and upgrade to new spec
One of Harris' earlier videos said the 650S was much quicker to kick the back out than the 12C. For me, probably an average driver, that would take away confidence in me making progress on a real road. Add in 'that' face, the price increase and the flat bottomed steering wheel and it's 12C everytime for me. Seems like 1 step forward and 3 steps back.
Why is everyone so obsessed with drifting? Yes it looks cool for about 5 seconds, but it's an expensive, slow way to get around a track, isn't suitable for a public road and cars that are tail happy make a 'normal' driver slower IMO. Which, I'm afraid, 90% of us are. The driving abilities held by the likes of Chris Harris or other professionals are rare on the roads.
Why is everyone so obsessed with drifting? Yes it looks cool for about 5 seconds, but it's an expensive, slow way to get around a track, isn't suitable for a public road and cars that are tail happy make a 'normal' driver slower IMO. Which, I'm afraid, 90% of us are. The driving abilities held by the likes of Chris Harris or other professionals are rare on the roads.
SimonD said:
One of Harris' earlier videos said the 650S was much quicker to kick the back out than the 12C. For me, probably an average driver, that would take away confidence in me making progress on a real road.
Why is everyone so obsessed with drifting? Yes it looks cool for about 5 seconds, but it's an expensive, slow way to get around a track, isn't suitable for a public road and cars that are tail happy make a 'normal' driver slower IMO. Which, I'm afraid, 90% of us are. The driving abilities held by the likes of Chris Harris or other professionals are rare on the roads.
Yes, but that's with the settings on track mode presumably.. If you don't want to drive around as if you're arse is on fire, then leave it in Normal / Sport / Etc. and the car will take car of you.Why is everyone so obsessed with drifting? Yes it looks cool for about 5 seconds, but it's an expensive, slow way to get around a track, isn't suitable for a public road and cars that are tail happy make a 'normal' driver slower IMO. Which, I'm afraid, 90% of us are. The driving abilities held by the likes of Chris Harris or other professionals are rare on the roads.
It's not about drifting per se, the point being shown is that despite being monsterously quick and powerful, the car is still controllable and cohesive up to and beyond the limit, which is handy 'incase' you end up in that situation on the road or track..
Go watch some What car? videos if you want to see cars bumbling along in the manner they will typically be used for on the road.
gofasterrosssco said:
Go watch some What car? videos if you want to see cars bumbling along in the manner they will typically be used for on the road.
No need. Chris has produced enough other videos showing cars making good progress on the road when driving (often very) quickly without having the back hanging out at every opportunity.I appreciate your comment about it being a demonstration of the car's controllability, and perhaps Chris's showmanship, but my point is that for most people I'm guessing a 12C would be easier to handle when going quickly on the road.
It's no different to Peugeots of old. I've driven a 306 GTi-6 on track, flat through Craner Curves, and a reasonable amount on the road, but the cars unpredictable behaviour, in my opinion, made it a hard car to hustle.
I believe that electronics are supposed to be a safety net, not a de-facto tool for going quickly.
gofasterrosssco said:
Yes, but that's with the settings on track mode presumably.. If you don't want to drive around as if you're arse is on fire, then leave it in Normal / Sport / Etc. and the car will take car of you.
It's not about drifting per se, the point being shown is that despite being monsterously quick and powerful, the car is still controllable and cohesive up to and beyond the limit, which is handy 'incase' you end up in that situation on the road or track..
Go watch some What car? videos if you want to see cars bumbling along in the manner they will typically be used for on the road.
This - watch the Autocar video of it on the road with all the electronic aids switched on.It's not about drifting per se, the point being shown is that despite being monsterously quick and powerful, the car is still controllable and cohesive up to and beyond the limit, which is handy 'incase' you end up in that situation on the road or track..
Go watch some What car? videos if you want to see cars bumbling along in the manner they will typically be used for on the road.
What a bland interior. It's just so...dull. Like an Audi or BMW - it's grey, with a bit of black with a bit more grey and most redeeming features have been removed by a couple of buttons and a few silvery vents.
Where's the flair?! The outside is like 'wow' and inside it's so dreary!
Where's the flair?! The outside is like 'wow' and inside it's so dreary!
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