RE: McLaren 650S Can-Am launched
Friday 9th October 2015
Mention 'McLaren' and 'motorsport' in the same sentence in 2015 and it's likely people will think of the current F1 debacle. Rather a shame given the success not only of days gone by but also the current 650S GT3 in global sportscar racing.
Cynicism fading slowly away...It's often forgotten in fact how successful McLaren was in Can-Am, that fantastically wild and thrilling series of the 60s and 70s that we still can't get enough of. It won five consecutive Canadian-American Challenge Cups between 1967 and 1971, with sub-tonne cars producing anything up to 900hp.
Yay or nay?The extras include some carbon fibre. A lot of carbon fibre, in fact. It's used for the new hard top, the bonnet, the rear grille, the airbrake, the front splitter and the Can-Am branded sill cover. Nice. As well as the exhaust and new forged alloy wheels, the exterior is noticeable by the addition of louvred front wings, reducing pressure over the front wheels and increasing downforce.
McLaren 650S Can-Am launched
McLaren marks 50 years since the first Can-Am race with stunning 650S tribute
Cynicism fading slowly away...
So to mark 50 years since Can-Am first terrorised North American race tracks, McLaren has created the 650S Can-Am. There will only be 50 - natch - and they will cost £255,850. Alongside the Mars Red seen here, it will also be offered in Papaya Spark (orange) or Onyx Black.
The colours and graphics are about where the similarities with the racing car end though. Unless you count the four exhausts, intended to 'echo the aggressive and purposeful throttle trumpets of the historic models'. It's essentially a standard 650S Spider - a coupe isn't offered - with a few very desirable MSO options. Certainly no bad thing.
Yay or nay?
Inside you'll notice more carbon, more Can-Am badging and the standard seats. Certainly it looks a more comfortable place to travel very fast than an actual Can-Am car...
As mentioned, there are just 50 available globally so the 650S Can-Am surely won't be available for long. See here for more details via McLaren's microsite and best of luck in the EuroMillions tonight!
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Discussion
mackay45 said:
It would be a more newsworthy event if a week went by when there WASN'T a special edition McLaren launched...
vz-r_dave said:
It's another lame special edition, why does it have a windscreen and a roof? Only Pathetic attempt
Another pair of trolls knocking a successful British company who are creating fantastic products, creating employment, creating revenue for our country. I say - Well done McLaren !
I'd love a 650S. Genuinely would love one. And that is a particularly handsome version.
That being said, I am not sure I could drive down the street with a number on my car...orange paintwork? Yes. Noisy exhaust? Yes. Numbers on a road car? No.
The only thing I will allow (as ruler of the world) are roundels - think period Cobra replica. Ooo and I think the world needs more white text on black tyres....
(Slightly off topic, but it's a friday afternoon...)
That being said, I am not sure I could drive down the street with a number on my car...orange paintwork? Yes. Noisy exhaust? Yes. Numbers on a road car? No.
The only thing I will allow (as ruler of the world) are roundels - think period Cobra replica. Ooo and I think the world needs more white text on black tyres....
(Slightly off topic, but it's a friday afternoon...)
Personally - Just because you can sell it, doesn't mean you should build it.
The specials bandwagon is at full speed ahead, and this looks cheap and nasty.
That said, there are enough myopic billionaires out there ready to line Aston's pockets for the next willy waving unicorn special, so at least the shareholders will be happy.
The specials bandwagon is at full speed ahead, and this looks cheap and nasty.
That said, there are enough myopic billionaires out there ready to line Aston's pockets for the next willy waving unicorn special, so at least the shareholders will be happy.
threespires said:
Another pair of trolls knocking a successful British company who are creating fantastic products, creating employment, creating revenue for our country.
I say - Well done McLaren !
It was a tongue in cheek comment. I'm not a fan of the looks though - for me the nicest road car design McLaren have come out with (since the F1) was the original MP4-12C. I prefer them to the 650S/675LT etc.I say - Well done McLaren !
markoc said:
Personally - Just because you can sell it, doesn't mean you should build it.
The specials bandwagon is at full speed ahead, and this looks cheap and nasty.
That said, there are enough myopic billionaires out there ready to line Aston's pockets for the next willy waving unicorn special, so at least the shareholders will be happy.
Aston's?? Is this part of a deal I'm not aware of where I actually have to pay the money to Aston and not Mclaren? The specials bandwagon is at full speed ahead, and this looks cheap and nasty.
That said, there are enough myopic billionaires out there ready to line Aston's pockets for the next willy waving unicorn special, so at least the shareholders will be happy.
(your post hums of sour grapes, btw)
PhantomPH said:
Aston's?? Is this part of a deal I'm not aware of where I actually have to pay the money to Aston and not Mclaren?
(your post hums of sour grapes, btw)
Not sour grapes, just a horrific day at the office, so much so that I've confused Aston and McLaren. Accepted, it's no turd rolled in glitter, but I just think its pushing the limits of a "can-am special" - apart from the 5 and the can-am badges it's just a trim package and some go faster CF bits. Compared to McLaren's can-am heritage there is no link.(your post hums of sour grapes, btw)
I need a beer.
markoc said:
PhantomPH said:
Aston's?? Is this part of a deal I'm not aware of where I actually have to pay the money to Aston and not Mclaren?
(your post hums of sour grapes, btw)
Not sour grapes, just a horrific day at the office, so much so that I've confused Aston and McLaren. Accepted, it's no turd rolled in glitter, but I just think its pushing the limits of a "can-am special" - apart from the 5 and the can-am badges it's just a trim package and some go faster CF bits. Compared to McLaren's can-am heritage there is no link.(your post hums of sour grapes, btw)
I need a beer.
threespires said:
knocking a successful British company who are creating fantastic products
Or as Fernando Alonso put it - "this is embarrassing".It's interesting to see how difficult it is for makers of expensive sportscars to maintain interest in their products. The market seems to demand a constant stream of new or special editions so that wealthy customers can impress their mates. Yes, Porsche do it too!
Ozzie Osmond said:
threespires said:
knocking a successful British company who are creating fantastic products
Or as Fernando Alonso put it - "this is embarrassing".It's interesting to see how difficult it is for makers of expensive sportscars to maintain interest in their products. The market seems to demand a constant stream of new or special editions so that wealthy customers can impress their mates. Yes, Porsche do it too!
I think my mindset must be different to that of other people. People I see posting here seem to think that anyone who buys anything mildly expensive or ostentatious, must have no taste or be a show off or be doing it to impress people. My experience of wealthy people (and by 'wealthy', I mean multi-millions) is that they are generally quite conservative guys. They can afford the toys that you and I wish we could and it just so happens that those toys come with an element of 'poster posing' styling.
Yes there are exceptions to the rule, but I find that people with a lot of money tend to have a lot of money because they have earned it. And in earning it, they appreciate the value of it.
Not sure where I was going with this in the context of this thread....
...Oh yeah! Not everyone buys things to impress their mates. Some people buy things that they like the look of. Crazy, I know!
mackay45 said:
It would be a more newsworthy event if a week went by when there WASN'T a special edition McLaren launched...
It seems to me that the ruling British exotica manufacturers find it a necessity to stay in the public/consumer spot light, which is an obvious action IMO; i.e. Lotus, McLaren. By releasing what seems to be quarterly editions of specialty they can continue to function within their restricted financial parameters all the while always reminding the interested public that they continue to exist. Moving further into this explanation, I would imagine that given the financial constraints that come from being a much smaller and more 'unique' brand and manufacturer (and being British), such as for a perfect example, Lotus Cars; offering a 'Special Edition' version, which as we know is often nothing more than a tweaking and hopefully refining of their mainstream offering(s), gives all those involved in the R&D, design, sales etc, the ability to try new things, a bit of engineering and artistic 'free-will'. This IMO cannot be a bad thing. It is also a good indicator I am sure of near future market reactions of the interested and capable prospective buyer. A sort of automotive 'testing of the waters' if you will. Let's face it, manufacturers such as Lotus Cars, and yes, even McLaren, do not have the majority of the publics brand recognition, which in the case of Ferrari and Lamborghini for example, the mere mention of the brand sends virtually all those into a state of momentary disillusioned day-dreaming. FFS, we are nearly in the year 2016 and I still have the majority of those I mention Lotus to asking me, 'what or whom is a Lotus?'. To which, depending on their age I rebuttal with a quick, 'The Pretty Woman car', or 'Basic Instinct', or 'The Spy Who Loved Me', or in some cases even, 'License to Kill'.
Ferrari and Lamborghini are such that one may ponder if their very essence is found to be innate in new-born children. Somehow, even the smallest/youngest comprehending child knows in one way or another Ferrari and Lamborghini. Porsche, most people know because they are as common and plentiful as BMW's! (Atleast here in NYS any way).
EDITED TO ADD... Lotus Cars however are now well known to the people in my town because at the age of 13 when I fell into obsession with Lotus I made damn sure every kid in school below and above my grade, teachers and parents alike, knew at the very least what a Lotus was and what country it came from. I am 34 now and I still have plenty of people from the past who I havent spoke to in well over a decade but crossed paths with via Facebook or bumping into them somewhere in town, etc; still mention to me they have never forgotten Lotus Cars and therefore always remember me when they happen to come across a Lotus on the road. They are always excited to tell me they were able to identify it as a Lotus and then educate their significant other and children who were in the car with them. Call me silly, but I feel like I made a small contribution in the time-line of Lotus Cars here in the USA. If it weren't for me and my persistent obsession and daily reminders by means of sketching a HUGE Lotus Emblem on the classroom blackboard before the teacher got in to start class, there would literally be a large amount of people who continued to move forward in their lives, completely oblivious to the fact that there are other exotic car companies out their beyond Ferrari/Lambo/Porsche. Unique exotica, made by the best (British IMHO), and rival and/or in some cases even out-do the 'Top-3'.
Sometimes I simply put it this way; Lotus Esprit.... think British Ferrari.
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