RE: Driven: McLaren MP4-12C

RE: Driven: McLaren MP4-12C

Author
Discussion

Stu R

21,410 posts

215 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Doesn't JB spend quite a bit of his time in Monaco? Might go some way to explaining the LHD.

Monty Zoomer

1,459 posts

157 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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GFWilliams said:
There's a video on the autocar website smile

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-video/muscle-car-drag...
laugh She says 'Pistonheads' in that video

Chris-R said:
Calliper paint 850
Wheels 2,980
They can't even spell 'caliper' so how can they be trusted to paint them properly?

What happens if you buy the car but don't want to pay extra for the wheels? Do they lend you a set of axle stands or are they a £2,980 option as well? laugh

MrQuick

130 posts

160 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Chris-R said:
CF engine covers 2,130
CF mirror casings 2,130
CF engine bay panels 2,980
CF diffuser 2,980
CF splitter 2,130
CF turning vanes 2,130

CF interior upgrade 2,980
CF seat backs 2,980
That's 20,440 in non-structural CF, are you fking kidding me?

You can literally manufacture that stuff with perfect finish for less than a fifth of the cost.

Everyone who is going to buy a macca is going to option that stuff too, god they're going to make an absolute killing.

ESOG

1,705 posts

158 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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I've read this article twice now and I have had my cursor hovering over the empty space in my reply here waiting for the right words to put down that would express my utter excitement/awe/butterflies/ etc etc that I get over this magnificently sculpted/engineered super car. I can't help but think that this is truly a proper super car, and one that has been overdue IMO. I personally believe it has been a while since an all around proper super car has been introduced to enthusiasts/dreamers/lucky would-be owners.

Okay, one could argue that in the mainstream exotica arena we have been introduced to plenty new proper super cars; like the R8. like the 458 Italia. -INSERT YOUR CHOICE HERE-

But IMHO this McLaren has something those others lack, and please excuse me for my lack of ability to put down exactly what it is they lack in comparison to the Mac, but I can't help to think I am on to something...

It's looks, TO ME, are stunning although I can see that some people may find that very subjective as I am sure there are a fair share of those who probably feel the Mac loses its elegance in the rear. I love the design of it, very elegant yet with a stance and style that says 'dont F with me!' The interior looks to be very well set up and put together, of course the absence of interior photos in the article is a bit disheartening (and strange if you ask me not to include them) you can look it up via google images. The interior is an important aspect of the overall design IMO, and I have seen far too many exotics lose all appeal when it comes to viewing the inside. The Macs is well done, dare I say fittingly perfect?!? Okay, I will admit however I am not a fan of the advent of the era of digital clusters (in fact I am against it, I suppose because I grew up in the 80's and am considered 'old school' in that aspect). Nevertheless, it is 100% IMO the nicest and most balanced digital cluster I have seen on ANY car let alone a super car. I really mean that too, its just, perfect.

And of course there is the price and exclusivity. To go from a company selling a million dollar super car that is out of reach to 99% of the population (and I suppose will be condemned to be a bedroom wall poster dream of those 99% of people) to creating what I believe is a world class super car at the price of a Ferrari/Lamborghini, and thereby opening itself up to ownership of 15% of the worlds population hehe is no small feat and I feel has been executed damn near perfectly.

0-100mph IN 6.1 SECONDS!!!! When I read that my jaw dropped!! We aren't in the 90's anymore Dorothy; that is SERIOUS speed!! I used to be flabbergasted when I read the 911 turbo's 0-100 speed, but the MAC just puts it to shame.

I can only hope I one day sooner than later get the opportunity to see one in the flesh. I for one will be checking next Springs New York City's auto show with fingers crossed in the hope the Mac makes its way there.

The Pits

4,289 posts

240 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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It's called milking your wealthy customers for all their worth. Ferrari and Porsche are masters of it and that's where all the margins are it would seem.

It's a shame for me that mclaren didn't go down a different route. As with the 458 the £170k basic price is absolutely meaningless and mis-leading.

Personally I'd take the mclaren over the 458 but I think £170k is already an obscene amount of money for any car. At £220k? I'll pass thanks.

Edited by The Pits on Saturday 20th August 10:00

10 Pence Short

32,880 posts

217 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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MrQuick said:
That's 20,440 in non-structural CF, are you fking kidding me?

You can literally manufacture that stuff with perfect finish for less than a fifth of the cost.

Everyone who is going to buy a macca is going to option that stuff too, god they're going to make an absolute killing.
You've got design costs. Mould and tooling costs. Low production numbers. And the need for all the stakeholders to make a profit.

It's a commercial enterprise designed to make money, not a charity providing toys to petrolheads.

suffolk009

5,373 posts

165 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Chris-R said:
anniesdad said:
Sorry? £500k, to what does that relate? The RRP of Button's specced 12C?
'Ours' came out at (deep breath) £220,840.

RRP £168,500

+

Volcano paint 3,820
CF engine covers 2,130
CF mirror casings 2,130
CF engine bay panels 2,980
CF diffuser 2,980
CF splitter 2,130
CF turning vanes 2,130
Sports exhaust 4,040
Stealth pack 770

Carbon ceramic brakes 9,770
Calliper paint 850
Wheels 2,980

Leccy memory seats 2,550
CF interior upgrade 2,980
Leather sport interior 3,400
CF seat backs 2,980
Contrast stitching on dash 260

Tyre pressure monitor 640
Parking sensors 1,530
Tracking system 600
Alarm upgrade 260

Car cover 430

If you have to ask...
Fortunately I don't want any of those extras, straight forward poverty spec for me. So only £168k plus a little change to find then...

MrQuick

130 posts

160 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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10 Pence Short said:
MrQuick said:
That's 20,440 in non-structural CF, are you fking kidding me?

You can literally manufacture that stuff with perfect finish for less than a fifth of the cost.

Everyone who is going to buy a macca is going to option that stuff too, god they're going to make an absolute killing.
You've got design costs. Mould and tooling costs. Low production numbers. And the need for all the stakeholders to make a profit.

It's a commercial enterprise designed to make money, not a charity providing toys to petrolheads.
Design costs are non-existent, they're simply replacing parts. Moulds aren't very costly and the chassis is structural CF so they have the tools to make non-structural CF very easily.

I'm not arguing that it should be a charity, but just pointing out the massive disparity between the costs for the McLaren to make the CF, and the cost to the buyer.
Frankly if I were running the business, I'd do no different and if I were buying the car, I'd probably option the CF stuff even though I know the cost because its a bit nerdy and looks nice.

sunsurfer

305 posts

181 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Those are great photographs, your photographer should be congratulated.
Were they taken with a yellow filter? It gives it a kind of Autumny glow which works well for the metallic orange paint.

GFWilliams

4,941 posts

207 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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sunsurfer said:
Those are great photographs, your photographer should be congratulated.
Were they taken with a yellow filter? It gives it a kind of Autumny glow which works well for the metallic orange paint.
Thank you, I took the photos smile

The yellowy effect was put on in photoshop after shooting. I spent quite a long time editing them to have the feel I wanted.

Here are two photos which weren't included in the article. I'm still working through the final few, keep an eye on my site (through my profile) as I'll post the full set with some of my thoughts on the car soon smile





ETA third shot...




Edited by GFWilliams on Saturday 20th August 11:57

SonnyM

3,472 posts

193 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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10 Pence Short said:
MrQuick said:
That's 20,440 in non-structural CF, are you fking kidding me?

You can literally manufacture that stuff with perfect finish for less than a fifth of the cost.

Everyone who is going to buy a macca is going to option that stuff too, god they're going to make an absolute killing.
You've got design costs. Mould and tooling costs. Low production numbers. And the need for all the stakeholders to make a profit.

It's a commercial enterprise designed to make money, not a charity providing toys to petrolheads.
Plus staff and marketing costs.

Carl_Docklands

12,162 posts

262 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Was this car fitted with the "EVO Magazine" tweaks? e.g noise, gear leavers and steering feel?


Frik

13,542 posts

243 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Monty Zoomer said:
They can't even spell 'caliper' so how can they be trusted to paint them properly?
Being a British company they use the British spelling.

Monty Zoomer

1,459 posts

157 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Frik said:
Being a British company they use the British spelling.
Ooops, I stand corrected, I didn't know it had two spellings, I don't think I've ever seen it with the British spelling before.

It's still a lot of money for an option that doesn't actually do anything though.

anonymous-user

54 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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GFWilliams said:
Thank you, I took the photos smile
fantastic

ESOG said:
0-100mph IN 6.1 SECONDS!!!!
also fantastic

MrQuick said:
That's 20,440 in non-structural CF, are you fking kidding me?
agreed. 20k on stick on tat. wtf?

dlist

23 posts

205 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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[url]|http://thumbsnap.com/9
RgdncHa[/url]
I got mine in fire back with black everything and red seat inserts that look like Batmans suit. I think it looks a lot meaner in this spec. This is the only pic I have for now as it's still with the dealer, will post more soon.
Great article although of course I'm biased, loved the pics too!

I think us Brits should be really proud that we've designed, engineered and built a truly world class mid engined super car that can take on the best in the world and win. This is indeed a great moment for Great Britain.

Edited by dlist on Saturday 20th August 22:10


Edited by dlist on Saturday 20th August 22:25

Stuart

11,635 posts

251 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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dlist][url said:
|http://thumbsnap.com/9
RgdncHa[/url]
I got mine in fire back with black everything and red seat inserts that look like Batmans suit. I think it looks a lot meaner in this spec. This is the only pic I have for now as it's still with the dealer, will post more soon.
Great article although of course I'm biased, loved the pics too!

I think us Brits should be really proud that we've designed, engineered and built a truly world class mid engined super car that can take on the best in the world and win. This is indeed a great moment for Great Britain.

Edited by dlist on Saturday 20th August 22:10


Edited by dlist on Saturday 20th August 22:25
Good stuff. Has yours arrived?

zippycar

73 posts

204 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Snoggledog said:
Er. Someone's been feeding you a big bowl of marketing soup. That's complete and utter b*%£*&ks and you well know it.
I was fortunate enough to have a tour around the MTC a couple of months ago when specking my 12C and can say that it is far from hype.

When you see the evolution of the logo over the years and on different cars, you can see exactly how the current logo has evolved.

It’s like comparing fish to men, no obvious link, but when Darwin shows you the evolution, it all makes sense.

I hate marketing and hype, but trust me, the current logo is a true evolution and a great one at that.

dlist

23 posts

205 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Stuart said:
Good stuff. Has yours arrived?
Yes, it's at the dealership, unfortunately I'm on holiday right now so I'm getting the dealer to send me photos, it's like some reverse hostage situation biggrin

Edited by dlist on Saturday 20th August 23:15

The Pits

4,289 posts

240 months

Saturday 20th August 2011
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Congratulations to those with an MP4 12C on order.

With sufficient means I'd have one too.

The 458 may have more 'emotion' (read hystrionics), but the McLaren has more class.

Aside from being influenced by being a big fan of the McLaren F1 team, understated will always be cooler than trying too hard.

From my point of view there's no way a car as fast as the MP4 12C could ever 'lack excitement.' That does not compute.