RE: McLaren Sports Series - not long now!
Friday 6th March 2015
"You won't find that McLaren Sport Series at the Geneva motor show but there's less than a month to go." So begins the description of McLaren's latest Sports Series video, the latest very small hint at its new car. It also sounds like an admission this has been drawn out for a very long time...
McLaren Sports Series - not long now!
New snippet of video the latest in McLaren's piece-by-piece Sports Series reveal
Anyway, there is some info to be learned from this new 20-second clip. We can see the rear of the Sports Series for the first time, which is clearly influenced by the P1 and no bad thing in our book. The front resembles the 650S more closely.
This winter testing video is the first time the Sports Series has been heard too. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 is likely to remain, and the flat-plane sound is evident from the clip.
Alright, so there's not a lot to learn from this latest Sports Series update. At least McLaren isn't the pushing the #BlackSwanMoment thing so strongly. Did you know Impressionism and mapping the human genome are black swan moments? However, there are some positives to finish. Not only is there the actual debut at New York to antcipate, PH also grabbed a chat with McLaren boss Mike Flewitt at Geneva, which promises more detail on the car. More from that soon.
Watch the video here.
Discussion
chelme said:
Marchionne said about the Ferrari brand: "We never want to get to a point where we do the same car in four different shapes"
I think this was a snipe at Mclaren. Mclaren REALLY need to diversify their range. I just hope the 675LT is as good as it seems.
TBF given that Mclaren Automotive as we know it now, started in 2009, i dont think they are doing that bad of a job. They do need to diversify the range but given the relatively short period they have been trading, it bodes well when its making Ferrari look over there shoulder.I think this was a snipe at Mclaren. Mclaren REALLY need to diversify their range. I just hope the 675LT is as good as it seems.
It feels like their Marketing department is being run by engineers reading a marketing book.
If nothing else it should move on from the 650 design of using the front of the P1 and the rear of the MP12C438 two by four to a more integrated design.
Fortunately they seem to have sorted the naming convention out at least.
But really, how different will it be from the two current cars. Not alot, then again all Porsche's sports cars look much more like each other than a few years ago and unlike Porsche the McLaren design is at least pleasing on the eye and more so if they integrate the front and rear properly.
it looks like the P1 shape of the nose has been replaced.
If nothing else it should move on from the 650 design of using the front of the P1 and the rear of the MP12C438 two by four to a more integrated design.
Fortunately they seem to have sorted the naming convention out at least.
But really, how different will it be from the two current cars. Not alot, then again all Porsche's sports cars look much more like each other than a few years ago and unlike Porsche the McLaren design is at least pleasing on the eye and more so if they integrate the front and rear properly.
it looks like the P1 shape of the nose has been replaced.
Edited by smilo996 on Friday 6th March 18:04
chelme said:
Marchionne said about the Ferrari brand: "We never want to get to a point where we do the same car in four different shapes"
I think this was a snipe at Mclaren. Mclaren REALLY need to diversify their range. I just hope the 675LT is as good as it seems.
I can't even keep up, I'm not even sure what cars can be bought new from Mclaren. At a guess I'd say the 650s and the P1 I think this was a snipe at Mclaren. Mclaren REALLY need to diversify their range. I just hope the 675LT is as good as it seems.
they really do need to simplify things. McClaren must stop using the same jelly mould each model will have .2 seconds to sixty differance in performance and charge 100 grand extra just to do it , could they not have made a two plus two ? In ther range Ferrari have for years so why keep churning out too similar models it's getting like Russian dolls.
sinbad666 said:
TBF given that Mclaren Automotive as we know it now, started in 2009,
I never really understand that line. McLaren Cars started in 88
Then afterwards they did more random stuff. The F1 2 seater and the Goodwood soap box
Cool as!
Then they rebranded 03ish and mass produced (relatively) The SLR
Then obviously last few years (08 maybe) Mp4/12C/650s/675lt/sport series
Clearly they've expanded over the years and fair play to them but it's not really like a small start up to where they are now in 5-6 years IMO
sinbad666 said:
They do need to diversify the range but given the relatively short period they have been trading, it bodes well when its making Ferrari look over there shoulder.
They get that right to make Ferrari/Porsche nervous because the F1 was, and is the best hypercar ever. Talking of diversification. Imagine a 4 door saloon/coupe to rival Panamera TurboS or S65AMG. I don't think a SUV fits their image
I personally find this car pointless. It's the same engine, detuned, the same everything really but less power. And who is going to say, I want a Mclaren but I can't afford $300k so I'm going to buy the $200k version. If you want a budget supercar you're going to get a GTR, a z06 And not a mediocre Mclaren (Cuz you couldn't afford the real thing)
saxy said:
I personally find this car pointless. It's the same engine, detuned, the same everything really but less power. And who is going to say, I want a Mclaren but I can't afford $300k so I'm going to buy the $200k version. If you want a budget supercar you're going to get a GTR, a z06 And not a mediocre Mclaren (Cuz you couldn't afford the real thing)
It's another 911 fighter. Since Porsche has some of the best margins in the automotive industry, other manufacturers are elbowing in.It also gives McLaren more volume, which allows them to reduce the cost of their components on a per-part basis. More margin.
And I actually think there are a fair amount of people who will pop for a 150K car, but not a 250K-300K car.
saxy said:
I personally find this car pointless. It's the same engine, detuned, the same everything really but less power. And who is going to say, I want a Mclaren but I can't afford $300k so I'm going to buy the $200k version. If you want a budget supercar you're going to get a GTR, a z06 And not a mediocre Mclaren (Cuz you couldn't afford the real thing)
In the same way people who want a Porsche won't buy a Cayman because it isn't a 911?Wait... that's not right is it?
If it's a good car in it's own right and makes the competition at it's price point look silly then it will appear on people's radar.
I think PH is blighted by assuming that the entire buying public worries about value for money in quite the same way as people seem to on here.
articulatedj said:
It's another 911 fighter. Since Porsche has some of the best margins in the automotive industry, other manufacturers are elbowing in.
It also gives McLaren more volume, which allows them to reduce the cost of their components on a per-part basis. More margin.
And I actually think there are a fair amount of people who will pop for a 150K car, but not a 250K-300K car.
IIRC Its the Cayenne (SUV) that has helped Porsche balance it's books a bit better. As for £150K. Well you are already beyond the average 911 Turbo S price. And alternatives like GTR or R8 V10. If McLaren want this to sell in the numbers Audi/Nissan or Porsche get they need to price nearer £100K. But then you run the alternative risk of making too many cars and devaluing the brand.It also gives McLaren more volume, which allows them to reduce the cost of their components on a per-part basis. More margin.
And I actually think there are a fair amount of people who will pop for a 150K car, but not a 250K-300K car.
zeppelin101 said:
In the same way people who want a Porsche won't buy a Cayman because it isn't a 911?
I see your point. But Cayman/Boxster are more different to 911. Than this car will be to 650s. I think that's what poster above meant.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff