Wednesday 7th July 2010

Video: McLaren 12C In Action At Goodwood FoS

Jenson and Lewis give the new Macca stick up the classic hillclimb

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In case you didn't make it to the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend, McLaren has today released a video of its stunning new 12C in action on the famous hillclimb. (Scroll down to see it.)

Both Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton were in attendance for the 12C's 'dynamic debut' and as the footage shows they didn't disappoint, putting on a spirited display on the hill in the new British supercar, as well as chatting to the many fans who gathered to see them and the car.

Judging by his comment on the video, we wonder if Jenson and Lewis still haven't managed to get a concrete commitment out of canny McLaren Automotive boss Ron Dennis as to when they're going to get their hands on one of the new machines for keeps. "This one's mine, hopefully,' quips Jenson as he slides behind the wheel of the Volcano Orange car prior to a run up the hill - although as McLaren describes the car as a Validation Prototype in its official blurb we're not so sure.

So Ron, if you're still teasing the poor guys, be a sport and hand over the keys. We don't want either of them being distracted at the British GP next weekend.

In addition to another 12C VP car, finished in Volcano Orange and fitted with stunning Lightweight Forged alloy wheels, many of the 176,000 visitors to Goodwood Festival of Speed over the course of the event were drawn to a 12C rolling chassis displayed on the McLaren stand where they could view firsthand the car's hydraulic suspension arrangement, its carbon Monocell chassis, compact 3.8-litre twin-turbo engine and unique transmission.

[Swifty Stig]

one word - stunning. what a noise!!

[GingerWizard]

You just get the feeling that its going to be a automotive hammer blow.... breathtaking

[Danny S]

Was that video ripped from a VHS ? Lol

Awesome sound, why is it LHD ?

[gumsie]

Jeez, that Lewis is just so not cool, but don't they both look funny with those footballers wives sunglasses on? Anyway, car isn't bad at all. Prefer a Gallardo though.

[GingerWizard]

Danny S said:

Was that video ripped from a VHS ? Lol

Awesome sound, why is it LHD ?

This it pisses me off. Its an English car, at least do the 1st one RHD and run it... grrrr.

[Bullett]

Want one!

[alolympic]

Blimey Lewis Hamilton really is small isn't he, he looked like a kid in that car.

[Davi]

Danny S said:

Was that video ripped from a VHS ? Lol

Awesome sound, why is it LHD ?

Dunno why it was, but talking to one of the Mclaren chaps about the construction - the effort to convert from LHD to RHD is ridiculously little. A couple of bolt in bits is about it! The tubs are made to be "both hand drive" and the components simply bolt on one side or the other, with the exception of the dash support structure and dash itself which are handed.

[HeMightBeBanned]

Still not convinced by the looks. It's a bit generic. And the sound, based on that video, isn't anything much to write home about.

[Andy T]

Looks nice, bit bland though. Transmission sounds like a slow automatic rather than an instant change?

[vetteheadracer]

I video'd it arriving on Thursday afternoon......

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... MP4-12C actually moving

[soad]

HeMightBeBanned said:

Still not convinced by the looks. It's a bit generic.

Agree with you on that one. But I'm sure it looks better in flesh, sure generated a lot of attention.

[hermes]

Was it faster than the Fezza?

[TobesH]

Having a pint, sitting in the garden of the Greyhound Pub just outside Midhurst on Sunday evening, watching the cars go by on their way home and this Macca crept by in the traffic. Looked great, but as first I thought it was a Lotus Evora!

[TobesH]

Does anyone agree???

[Fire99]

No doubt technically brilliant but to me it looks a bit like a modern day Honda NSX. Rather 'Jap' and clinical.

[Wills2]

[quote=gumsie]Jeez, that Lewis is just so not cool, {/quote]


LOL! I wish I could be that "so not cool" 2008 F1 world champ,Nicole on his arm and millions in the bank...poor uncool sod that he is!

Edited by Wills2 on Wednesday 7th July 11:57

[[AJ]]

soad said:

HeMightBeBanned said:

Still not convinced by the looks. It's a bit generic.

Agree with you on that one. But I'm sure it looks better in flesh, sure generated a lot of attention.

It really does look so much better in the flesh. Road presence is certainly up there with it's competition. I agree in some respects however, it's a shame that it's not as visually awe inspiring as it is technically.

Edit - I don't care though, I like subtle. I really want one!

Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 7th July 11:58

[leon9191]

Looks fantastic in that orange, looks like it bloody shifts as well.

I want one, infact i want two.

[clorenzen]

I thought it looked very bland in comparison to the F458. It has been 5 years in development but unfortunately the design also looks dated by 5 years.