Drove the range.... wow
Discussion
I was very lucky to be invited to a McLaren Media event on Tue/Wed this week in the midlands. Got to drive the 570GT, followed by the 570S for about 2hrs each, then nice dinner and night in a fancy spa hotel, followed by breakfast and then a couple of hours in a 650S.
I've driven a lot of supercars in my time, and have driven a 650S before briefly, but it was the 570's that really stood out for me.
Going from the GT to the S was a good choice, the GT is very relaxing to drive, the steering fluid, the glass roof makes the interior so airy, then into the S and it feels like an Elise with an extra 400hp, so alive, fidgety, exciting. I was most impressed by the way that the two cars, despite having 99% the same body and mechanical packages are so completely different in execution. Of course, they were both mind-bendingly quick. Certainly feels like 570hp is a conservative estimate, in my experience at least.
If I had to have the car as a daily driver, it would undoubtedly be the GT, but with the S exhaust, it was too muted without. If it was more a weekend toy then the extra excitement of the S would be essential and more rewarding.
The 650S is well documented already in here - it defies the laws of physics how that thing eats a ribbon of tarmac so easily. The ride in Normal is better than in an Audi A8, it's staggering, then you have the sheer speed of the thing (maybe even too quick) and of course the looks.
Spending time with McLaren's PR team made me even more positive about the company now too. Good chat about how they're trying to distance themselves from the Ron Dennis association with his OCD nature and lack of fun. They're pushing the life, soul and passion within the company and it really showed through.
Some gratuitous pics:
I've driven a lot of supercars in my time, and have driven a 650S before briefly, but it was the 570's that really stood out for me.
Going from the GT to the S was a good choice, the GT is very relaxing to drive, the steering fluid, the glass roof makes the interior so airy, then into the S and it feels like an Elise with an extra 400hp, so alive, fidgety, exciting. I was most impressed by the way that the two cars, despite having 99% the same body and mechanical packages are so completely different in execution. Of course, they were both mind-bendingly quick. Certainly feels like 570hp is a conservative estimate, in my experience at least.
If I had to have the car as a daily driver, it would undoubtedly be the GT, but with the S exhaust, it was too muted without. If it was more a weekend toy then the extra excitement of the S would be essential and more rewarding.
The 650S is well documented already in here - it defies the laws of physics how that thing eats a ribbon of tarmac so easily. The ride in Normal is better than in an Audi A8, it's staggering, then you have the sheer speed of the thing (maybe even too quick) and of course the looks.
Spending time with McLaren's PR team made me even more positive about the company now too. Good chat about how they're trying to distance themselves from the Ron Dennis association with his OCD nature and lack of fun. They're pushing the life, soul and passion within the company and it really showed through.
Some gratuitous pics:
Edited by Beefmeister on Thursday 13th October 10:59
Edited by Beefmeister on Thursday 13th October 10:59
BelfastBoy said:
What colour is GT57 MCL? Looks like a lovely deep purple in the photos.
I think that one is Cobalt Violet.NOTE: It had a beige interior that included the rear luggage area - if anyone is speccing a GT, DON'T have a light colour in that luggage area as it reflects in the hatch and kills your rear visibility.
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