Speciale's big brother has arrived

[Maff]

Still at the dealers at the moment, but will be interesting to run back to back with the Speciale and GTO to see where the differences lie....

Looking forward to driving it though Will report in due course!!

However, not overly sure about the black alloys, will see how they look in person, I thought they were gun metal when specing, but apparently not.

Matt.

[Maff]

Going down to Carrs on Thursday to do the handover and take her for a spin before I go away on hols.
Will take my GoPro and strap it on the back :-)

The car has four onboard cameras so will see if I can stick a memory card in that system as well, if it works in that way!

[Maff]

Just completed 350 miles in her, and what a machine! Some ramblings below:

Much lower than 458 Speciale, photo below to give you an idea of how small the car is, your line of sight is actually the same height as the door handles on my CLS.


Steering is very responsive, I thought the Speciale was as good as it gets but this is quicker, and unlike the F12 which feels too quick, this just works and is weighted perfectly.

Brakes take a bit of getting used to, the first part of the travel provides a lot of stop, bit too much really but you get used to it.

Balance of the car is just perfect, you can balance the rear end on the throttle without fuss, and no fear of it being uncontrollable, very drivable in most conditions. Talking of which I drove it in some heavy rain today and in 'wet' mode it just works, its easier to drive than the F12, mainly due to better visibility and being able to place it on the road better.

The cabin is very quiet on the motorway, I would say not far of a high end Merc quiet, and very comfortable, it would be easy to do a long journey in this car.

The engine note is much different to the F12, more like the GTO but not quite as boomy, drop the windows a tad and you never want to drop below 2000rpm

The electronics on the car are mind blowing, the way it delivers the power you never notice the electrical motor providing assistance unless you boot it in 7th on the motorway, then you notice the instant torque. The dash is quite complicated, you can see how much electrical power is being put into the drivetrain at any time, and it tells you if its torque fill, boost or preload electrical assistance being given to the car at that time. It also tells you how it is re-charging itself, if its from the brakes, or from the generator attached to the engine, or from downshifts. The system is very flexible too, it can re-charge when you are power sliding by using the wasted power from the slipping wheel to charge the batteries.
I never managed to get more than 15% battery usage today from some pretty flat out driving, including some power sapping runs from 30mph+. And when I looked back at the dash it had already recharged itself somehow as I was slowing down.

And the speed?! Quickest thing I have ever driven, it would leave an F12 for dead no doubt, I accelerated from 40mph to a speed that is almost unbelievable this evening. In the 'higher' speed range I don't even see how a Veyron SS would keep up with its acceleration. I cant actually understand how it got to the speed thats showing on my trip computer :-/

You could easily use the car everyday for trips to the shop, being so small and with great visibility being left hand drive is no issue, but when you want to go balls out it does it in such a controllable way you still have massive amounts of fun, not in an F40 or F50 kind of way, but in a new way that re-writes what your brain can process which makes you want to wring its neck again and again, just to see if you can fathom it all out whilst laughing out loud.

Cant wait for more sunshine )

Edited by Maff on Friday 15th August 00:20

[Maff]

Quick blast on way out this evening, I don't think I'll ever get tired of that V12...

http://youtu.be/jkc5MHOqvv4

[Maff]

red_duke said:

Great first impressions. You could probably fill a book describing how this car has moved the game on.

Presumably the custom fitted seat didn't cause ant comfort issues?

No issues at all, and that's probably why its so comfortable, as its made to measure! Its great being able to move the peddle box to suit too.

[Maff]

kith said:

Brilliant!

Is it true that you have to plug in a trolley-case-sized battery conditioner every few days to maintain the warranty? This would compromise Euro trips somewhat.

There is a charger that looks like a 1980s hoover which you do need to plug in if you are not using the car for more than a few days. Bizarrely this actually de-charges the batteries to 50% and then also controls the air con to keep them at a constant temperature. If you are using the car every other day you don't need to plug it in. Looking at how aggressively the batteries charge when driving there must be some serious heat generated.

[Maff]

okgo said:

I see, this will be why I saw you near Hampton then Maff. I wondered why I saw you in this, then about 10 brand new Bentleys on way way towards Hampton Court!

Lovely in the flesh.

Thanks for the comments!

I wasn't about for Hampton Court, but apparently it was a great event. You would have seen forum member 'NMJ' driving it, he looks a LOT older than me

[Maff]

Thanks for the comments! Will post some videos next weekend once it's been to VMAX event where I can get some proper speed!

Unfortunately they had to cordon the car off today as two people sat on the bonnet for a photo, seems some people really do not know how to behave or have little respect.

[Maff]

Going to VMAX on Saturday if dry, so will take plenty of video's then

[Maff]

iainstirling said:

Matt,

Had a great drive yesterday evening on my way home from work.....
Wasn't a fair fight though - trying to keep up with your LF in my black Audi A8!

Thanks for the entertainment!

Iain

I wondered who that was following me, well done for keeping up!! Was a good blast! :-)

[Maff]

Had a great day today at VMAX. Left the USB stick with videos at work but will upload them in Monday.

Highlight of the day was two standing start runs against a Veyron, LaFerrari pulling away both times and a higher trap speed. What an epic car :-))

[Maff]

One of the videos

http://youtu.be/LG7zWFfdl9g

[Maff]

Just uploading a few videos now, here is the first one, LaFerrari v Veyron, 1.3 mile drag race.

http://youtu.be/YDXiB7oTzrU?list=UUG4RoomCnhZy9xGG...

Edited by Maff on Saturday 27th September 14:32

[Maff]

Two more, all without launch control:

950bhp, GTR
http://youtu.be/rGdgmFGRHuE?list=UUG4RoomCnhZy9xGG...

F12 (my father driving my F12)
http://youtu.be/OYPGTyn1T5c?list=UUG4RoomCnhZy9xGG...

[Maff]

Janosh said:

Is it likely that I saw this car in Hartley Wintney recently?

Very similar spec if not and fabulous to see one on the road

Possibly as I have been using it a bit recently and don't live that far away from there.

[Maff]

Davey S2 said:

Any updates on the Spider?

Shouldn't be too long now, it's 3/4 of the way through the production line.

[Maff]

bertie said:

Nice, enjoy.

Did you divulge colour scheme?

Sticking with the standard, red, but with FXXK coach lines but can't remember what colour! FXXK alloys, and carbon wings similar to F12 TdF

Edited by Maff on Monday 15th August 20:45

[Maff]

WCZ said:

are you going to keep them both?

Yes, will be keeping both.