Is the Mclaren P1 flawed?
Discussion
After driving this car at Dunsfold yesterday I have to take back any previous negative comments I've made on PH about this car. Its no more a 12C on steroids than a 911 GT3RS is a hotrod Cayman. Its just incredible. So far more advanced, quicker and more involving than any modern (Enzo generation) hypercar I've driven. Its speed is simply outrageous, and although Chris Goodwin and Frank Stephenson wouldn't be drawn on any lap times I take their attitude to be one of quiet confidence that they have the fastest of the relevant cars rather than concern that LaF or 918 would beat it. Its eventual Dunsfold-Stig lap will be fascinating.
Its on days like these you remember what a crap driver you really are, granted Dunsfold is a circuit I've always found hard to master given how few points of interest there are to use as braking points, but when you throw it around as fast as you dare, and then watch in astonishment as Tim Mullen shows you how its really done, you feel like a 17 year old in their first driving lesson again. I've never been in a car that feels as stuck to the road as this one. The DRS and IPAS buttons on the steering wheel add to the sense of fun (don't think I'll be using them for their intended purpose any time soon), and the E mode is quite disconcerting as others have noted elsewhere - just odd driving a hypercar imagining anything other than lots of combustion going on. So technologically this car seems to be as cutting edge as can be, but that won't last in my memory like the driving will.
24 hours later I have no idea how it didn't fall off the track at the speeds it carried through the corners, nor can I quite comprehend how much faster it seemed than anything I've driven before (my Enzo seems pedestrian by comparison, which I know sounds ridiculous but I genuinely mean it). Steering feels very tactile, ok so its not F40 but what else is, but I certainly prefer it to any other modern day hypercar for feel and response, and brakes are incredible. Chris Goodwin was talking about how he likes the brakes because they spent so much time getting the progressiveness right, which to be honest I can't comment on as I spent most of my time stamping on the damned things for fear it wouldn't go round the upcoming corner otherwise, but every time I seemed to get the speed off in time. Tim's laps were probably twice as fast as mine, but I loved every moment behind the wheel, and was blown away by every aspect of it, including how exploitable it was for a first time driver.
What. A. Car.
Its on days like these you remember what a crap driver you really are, granted Dunsfold is a circuit I've always found hard to master given how few points of interest there are to use as braking points, but when you throw it around as fast as you dare, and then watch in astonishment as Tim Mullen shows you how its really done, you feel like a 17 year old in their first driving lesson again. I've never been in a car that feels as stuck to the road as this one. The DRS and IPAS buttons on the steering wheel add to the sense of fun (don't think I'll be using them for their intended purpose any time soon), and the E mode is quite disconcerting as others have noted elsewhere - just odd driving a hypercar imagining anything other than lots of combustion going on. So technologically this car seems to be as cutting edge as can be, but that won't last in my memory like the driving will.
24 hours later I have no idea how it didn't fall off the track at the speeds it carried through the corners, nor can I quite comprehend how much faster it seemed than anything I've driven before (my Enzo seems pedestrian by comparison, which I know sounds ridiculous but I genuinely mean it). Steering feels very tactile, ok so its not F40 but what else is, but I certainly prefer it to any other modern day hypercar for feel and response, and brakes are incredible. Chris Goodwin was talking about how he likes the brakes because they spent so much time getting the progressiveness right, which to be honest I can't comment on as I spent most of my time stamping on the damned things for fear it wouldn't go round the upcoming corner otherwise, but every time I seemed to get the speed off in time. Tim's laps were probably twice as fast as mine, but I loved every moment behind the wheel, and was blown away by every aspect of it, including how exploitable it was for a first time driver.
What. A. Car.
TobyLaRohne said:
Hi Delta, out of curiousity, have you sampled the 918?
I think the P1, 918 and LAF would/should all draw the same response as you've posted above as they are "new gen" hypercars, what has my real interest is how they compare against each other.
No, decided against the 918 previously and not planning to tempt myself. I don't doubt that Porsche have done an incredible job at what they set out to do, and clearly its a tour de force for them in many ways - rather like the 959 was all that time ago. I prefer the styling of the P1 and LaF, not a fan of weighty cars, and am not convinced that they won't have a problem given planned production numbers.I think the P1, 918 and LAF would/should all draw the same response as you've posted above as they are "new gen" hypercars, what has my real interest is how they compare against each other.
DeltaOne said:
After driving this car at Dunsfold yesterday I have to take back any previous negative comments I've made on PH about this car. Its no more a 12C on steroids than a 911 GT3RS is a hotrod Cayman. Its just incredible. So far more advanced, quicker and more involving than any modern (Enzo generation) hypercar I've driven. Its speed is simply outrageous, and although Chris Goodwin and Frank Stephenson wouldn't be drawn on any lap times I take their attitude to be one of quiet confidence that they have the fastest of the relevant cars rather than concern that LaF or 918 would beat it. Its eventual Dunsfold-Stig lap will be fascinating.
Its on days like these you remember what a crap driver you really are, granted Dunsfold is a circuit I've always found hard to master given how few points of interest there are to use as braking points, but when you throw it around as fast as you dare, and then watch in astonishment as Tim Mullen shows you how its really done, you feel like a 17 year old in their first driving lesson again. I've never been in a car that feels as stuck to the road as this one. The DRS and IPAS buttons on the steering wheel add to the sense of fun (don't think I'll be using them for their intended purpose any time soon), and the E mode is quite disconcerting as others have noted elsewhere - just odd driving a hypercar imagining anything other than lots of combustion going on. So technologically this car seems to be as cutting edge as can be, but that won't last in my memory like the driving will.
24 hours later I have no idea how it didn't fall off the track at the speeds it carried through the corners, nor can I quite comprehend how much faster it seemed than anything I've driven before (my Enzo seems pedestrian by comparison, which I know sounds ridiculous but I genuinely mean it). Steering feels very tactile, ok so its not F40 but what else is, but I certainly prefer it to any other modern day hypercar for feel and response, and brakes are incredible. Chris Goodwin was talking about how he likes the brakes because they spent so much time getting the progressiveness right, which to be honest I can't comment on as I spent most of my time stamping on the damned things for fear it wouldn't go round the upcoming corner otherwise, but every time I seemed to get the speed off in time. Tim's laps were probably twice as fast as mine, but I loved every moment behind the wheel, and was blown away by every aspect of it, including how exploitable it was for a first time driver.
What. A. Car.
Interesting & great reading, thanks. Would love to be in your position when it comes to getting your hands on this car (assume you have an order in already).Its on days like these you remember what a crap driver you really are, granted Dunsfold is a circuit I've always found hard to master given how few points of interest there are to use as braking points, but when you throw it around as fast as you dare, and then watch in astonishment as Tim Mullen shows you how its really done, you feel like a 17 year old in their first driving lesson again. I've never been in a car that feels as stuck to the road as this one. The DRS and IPAS buttons on the steering wheel add to the sense of fun (don't think I'll be using them for their intended purpose any time soon), and the E mode is quite disconcerting as others have noted elsewhere - just odd driving a hypercar imagining anything other than lots of combustion going on. So technologically this car seems to be as cutting edge as can be, but that won't last in my memory like the driving will.
24 hours later I have no idea how it didn't fall off the track at the speeds it carried through the corners, nor can I quite comprehend how much faster it seemed than anything I've driven before (my Enzo seems pedestrian by comparison, which I know sounds ridiculous but I genuinely mean it). Steering feels very tactile, ok so its not F40 but what else is, but I certainly prefer it to any other modern day hypercar for feel and response, and brakes are incredible. Chris Goodwin was talking about how he likes the brakes because they spent so much time getting the progressiveness right, which to be honest I can't comment on as I spent most of my time stamping on the damned things for fear it wouldn't go round the upcoming corner otherwise, but every time I seemed to get the speed off in time. Tim's laps were probably twice as fast as mine, but I loved every moment behind the wheel, and was blown away by every aspect of it, including how exploitable it was for a first time driver.
What. A. Car.
Interesting stuff from DeltaOne, sounds almost exactly the same as the experience a friend had when he was test driving the car last week at Dunsfold. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it sounds not dissimilar to what someone else I know of said driving the 918 was like - outrageously quick like you would not believe.
The hybrid tech of this generation of car has gotten quite a bad reputation due to the added weight and all of the systems but I wonder whether they are not in large part responsible for some of the huge increase in perceived speed due to the instant and very large amounts of torque available.
The hybrid tech of this generation of car has gotten quite a bad reputation due to the added weight and all of the systems but I wonder whether they are not in large part responsible for some of the huge increase in perceived speed due to the instant and very large amounts of torque available.
DeltaOne said:
After driving this car at Dunsfold yesterday I have to take back any previous negative comments I've made on PH about this car. Its no more a 12C on steroids than a 911 GT3RS is a hotrod Cayman. Its just incredible. So far more advanced, quicker and more involving than any modern (Enzo generation) hypercar I've driven. Its speed is simply outrageous, and although Chris Goodwin and Frank Stephenson wouldn't be drawn on any lap times I take their attitude to be one of quiet confidence that they have the fastest of the relevant cars rather than concern that LaF or 918 would beat it. Its eventual Dunsfold-Stig lap will be fascinating.
Its on days like these you remember what a crap driver you really are, granted Dunsfold is a circuit I've always found hard to master given how few points of interest there are to use as braking points, but when you throw it around as fast as you dare, and then watch in astonishment as Tim Mullen shows you how its really done, you feel like a 17 year old in their first driving lesson again. I've never been in a car that feels as stuck to the road as this one. The DRS and IPAS buttons on the steering wheel add to the sense of fun (don't think I'll be using them for their intended purpose any time soon), and the E mode is quite disconcerting as others have noted elsewhere - just odd driving a hypercar imagining anything other than lots of combustion going on. So technologically this car seems to be as cutting edge as can be, but that won't last in my memory like the driving will.
24 hours later I have no idea how it didn't fall off the track at the speeds it carried through the corners, nor can I quite comprehend how much faster it seemed than anything I've driven before (my Enzo seems pedestrian by comparison, which I know sounds ridiculous but I genuinely mean it). Steering feels very tactile, ok so its not F40 but what else is, but I certainly prefer it to any other modern day hypercar for feel and response, and brakes are incredible. Chris Goodwin was talking about how he likes the brakes because they spent so much time getting the progressiveness right, which to be honest I can't comment on as I spent most of my time stamping on the damned things for fear it wouldn't go round the upcoming corner otherwise, but every time I seemed to get the speed off in time. Tim's laps were probably twice as fast as mine, but I loved every moment behind the wheel, and was blown away by every aspect of it, including how exploitable it was for a first time driver.
What. A. Car.
Awesome review Delta!! Its on days like these you remember what a crap driver you really are, granted Dunsfold is a circuit I've always found hard to master given how few points of interest there are to use as braking points, but when you throw it around as fast as you dare, and then watch in astonishment as Tim Mullen shows you how its really done, you feel like a 17 year old in their first driving lesson again. I've never been in a car that feels as stuck to the road as this one. The DRS and IPAS buttons on the steering wheel add to the sense of fun (don't think I'll be using them for their intended purpose any time soon), and the E mode is quite disconcerting as others have noted elsewhere - just odd driving a hypercar imagining anything other than lots of combustion going on. So technologically this car seems to be as cutting edge as can be, but that won't last in my memory like the driving will.
24 hours later I have no idea how it didn't fall off the track at the speeds it carried through the corners, nor can I quite comprehend how much faster it seemed than anything I've driven before (my Enzo seems pedestrian by comparison, which I know sounds ridiculous but I genuinely mean it). Steering feels very tactile, ok so its not F40 but what else is, but I certainly prefer it to any other modern day hypercar for feel and response, and brakes are incredible. Chris Goodwin was talking about how he likes the brakes because they spent so much time getting the progressiveness right, which to be honest I can't comment on as I spent most of my time stamping on the damned things for fear it wouldn't go round the upcoming corner otherwise, but every time I seemed to get the speed off in time. Tim's laps were probably twice as fast as mine, but I loved every moment behind the wheel, and was blown away by every aspect of it, including how exploitable it was for a first time driver.
What. A. Car.
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