RE: McLaren 540C Coupe revealed

RE: McLaren 540C Coupe revealed

Author
Discussion

gigglebug

2,611 posts

123 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
I'm liking the design of sport series more compared to it's bigger brother, the front especially works better for me. I'm not sure that a modest difference in output and a slightly revised suspension set up is enough to merit a completely separate model within it's range though but I suppose the proof will be in the driving. Maybe a non turbo, non active aero parred back model with minimal weight an unapologetic focus on driver involvement with no consent to compromise would have given a wider range for customers to play with but maybe that's still to come

Mark ANTAR

36 posts

140 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
is1 said:
They also seem to have nicked the Cayman GT4's wheel design!
I would describe this model as "taking aim and hitting the bullseye". Very good.
Heh, funny because the 991 GT3 wheels look similar to (one of) McLaren's 12C wheels which was released before it. Cayman GT4 wheels are an iteration of the GT3 ones, same as the 540C and 12C wheels.

Here's a spyshot showing the wheels before the GT4 was unveiled.
http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/galler...

is1

188 posts

149 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Mark ANTAR said:
Heh, funny because the 991 GT3 wheels look similar to (one of) McLaren's 12C wheels which was released before it. Cayman GT4 wheels are an iteration of the GT3 ones, same as the 540C and 12C wheels.

Here's a spyshot showing the wheels before the GT4 was unveiled.
http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/news/galler...
Either way (I don't know which came first), I like the wheels whether McLaren or Porsche.
This is the McLaren to have in my view. It gets you into a McLaren and offers a performance level beyond its peers. You'd have to be pretty dedicated to Honda or Audi to take an NSX or R8 over this.

Streetrod

6,468 posts

207 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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br d said:
Maldini35 said:
If you want a car to drive for a few weekends a year and don't mind putting up with the gremlins and odd recall then the Macca will do just fine. If you want more then you might be wary of risking your money on one.
Sorry Maldini but this is risible nonsense, a few weekends a year!

The 650s has handling modes to suit any conditions, has every available luxury and driving aid (should you want them) and provides excellent visual and tactile feedback of its surroundings. It is eminently drivable and cries out to be used daily. It also has insane levels of performance when required.

All the latest iterations of Supercars are light years ahead of the old school stuff that required rafts of special skills just to get them off the driveway.

You certainly don't have to use them everyday and many won't but if you want to it'll be a pleasure every time.
I am no major fan of Shmee150 but if you want to see how practical a McLaren can be you may want to subscibe to his youtube channel. He is currently on a month long 4000 mile trek around Europe in his green 650s. He documents its useability in full and so far he does not appear to have sustained any issues apart from the fact his number plate fell off

RTH

1,057 posts

213 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
How ever many models have McLaren made in such a short time.
£120,000 for an entry level model before options is still vast money.Sales are proportionate to price and comparison with the competition. Anyone have annual authorised sales figures (deliveries to customers) since they started ? Their start up costs must have been colosal they way they do things....And their plain livery message free F1 is self evidently not going well just now.

GTEYE

2,100 posts

211 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Too many models too quickly, in my opinion. It was only 2011 (I think) when the MP4-12C arrived), I'm now losing track and to be honest losing interest, as they all seem to be rather similar.


z4RRSchris

11,348 posts

180 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
the 12c, 650s, LT etc all the same

P1 sits above

540 sits below

easy

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
z4RRSchris said:
the 12c, 650s, LT etc all the same

P1 sits above

540 sits below

easy
Those of us who are interested, get it.

Those who are not, either:

a) Don't get it
b) Don't want to get it
c) Are lying.

It's the easiest line up there could ever be.... and if you are in the market for one of these cars, you will absolutely know which one is for you; either before or after a test-drive.

Boydie88

3,283 posts

150 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
garyhun said:
Those of us who are interested, get it.

Those who are not, either:

a) Don't get it
b) Don't want to get it
c) Are lying.

It's the easiest line up there could ever be.... and if you are in the market for one of these cars, you will absolutely know which one is for you; either before or after a test-drive.
This. E numbers and Porsche, not a clue nor will I ever care but I don't feel the need to comment on stories I'm not interested in like quite a few seem to.

chrisironside

672 posts

163 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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julian64 said:
Porsche don't have a school of design. Its a bug ugly car by any standard, and hasn't changed for millennia.

It is good to have a standard design to identify your brand and make initial purchasers feel like they haven't been deserted, but to compare the classic racing car shape of the mclaren to the beetle design disaster is a stretch too far for me.
Outrageous! redcard

I think the 991 Targa is gorgeous, same for the 997 Sport Classic. In my opinion Porsche have some really beautiful and well designed models, and do tasteful better than most (with a few exceptions).

Over the past few years they've also done the Boxster (another pretty car, especially the Spyder) and 918 (very well designed I would say)... and the Cayman, Panamera, Cayenne, and Macan, all getting better as the revisions come.

They've kept the 911 going with evolution not revolution, which certainly seems like a good approach to me! I think there would be a lot of complaints headed there way if they deviated from such a successful and popular formula.

Anyway, just my opinion. Cars and design are very much open to opinion so it's wrong to say something is bad or hideous like that's the verdict passed.
As sales of the Fiat Multipla go to show, one man's optical violation may be another man's eye candy.


anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
The only question I have about the 540/570 is luggage space.

If I get one of these, I would want to be able to do a week or two travelling to and around the South of France or around the UK.

The Porsche 911 has the front boot and the rear seats which adds a ton of practicality.

z4RRSchris

11,348 posts

180 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
garyhun said:
The only question I have about the 540/570 is luggage space.

If I get one of these, I would want to be able to do a week or two travelling to and around the South of France or around the UK.

The Porsche 911 has the front boot and the rear seats which adds a ton of practicality.
i would get one, but going to go for a 12c instead at around the same money.

unpc

2,837 posts

214 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
garyhun said:
The only question I have about the 540/570 is luggage space.

If I get one of these, I would want to be able to do a week or two travelling to and around the South of France or around the UK.

The Porsche 911 has the front boot and the rear seats which adds a ton of practicality.
There's a good amount of space in the front boot and space behind the seats. The 12C had a good size boot and I don't think the 570 is worse.

br d

8,403 posts

227 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
garyhun said:
The only question I have about the 540/570 is luggage space.

If I get one of these, I would want to be able to do a week or two travelling to and around the South of France or around the UK.

The Porsche 911 has the front boot and the rear seats which adds a ton of practicality.
The 650 is frankly cavernous compared to my 2 previous cars (430, 560), it's to do with the trick suspension I think so not sure if the 570/540 will carry that across.

br d

8,403 posts

227 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Streetrod said:
I am no major fan of Shmee150 but if you want to see how practical a McLaren can be you may want to subscibe to his youtube channel. He is currently on a month long 4000 mile trek around Europe in his green 650s. He documents its useability in full and so far he does not appear to have sustained any issues apart from the fact his number plate fell off
Got a nice Euro hoon lined up in mine in 6 weeks time Street!

Streetrod

6,468 posts

207 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
RTH said:
How ever many models have McLaren made in such a short time.
£120,000 for an entry level model before options is still vast money.Sales are proportionate to price and comparison with the competition. Anyone have annual authorised sales figures (deliveries to customers) since they started ? Their start up costs must have been colosal they way they do things....And their plain livery message free F1 is self evidently not going well just now.
McLaren automotive went into profit only three years after releasing the MC12. Their accounts are public record if you care to check

mb1

579 posts

257 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
br d said:
Got a nice Euro hoon lined up in mine in 6 weeks time Street!
Le Mans ?

threespires

4,297 posts

212 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
MrTappets said:
Sports Series is one model coming in two states of tune,
Super Series is one model coming in two states of tune (in the UK),
Ultimate Series is one model coming in two states of tune (if you count the GTR).
I can't see anything confusing about this.

The three models all look different from each other and have substantially different tech underneath, even if they do share basic configurations. For a company (division?) that got on its feet a grand total of five years ago and is pursuing a policy of rapid expansion, they'd have been mad to try making completely different cars.
Frankly, I'm very impressed by how well they're doing.
I agree, well said Mr T.

anonymous-user

55 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
unpc said:
garyhun said:
The only question I have about the 540/570 is luggage space.

If I get one of these, I would want to be able to do a week or two travelling to and around the South of France or around the UK.

The Porsche 911 has the front boot and the rear seats which adds a ton of practicality.
There's a good amount of space in the front boot and space behind the seats. The 12C had a good size boot and I don't think the 570 is worse.
That's a pretty mighty front boot for such a car.

I'm IN!!!

br d

8,403 posts

227 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
mb1 said:
br d said:
Got a nice Euro hoon lined up in mine in 6 weeks time Street!
Le Mans ?
No mb1, come back the week before. Heading a bit further down the Loire and then a few days coming back along the North coast.
(Then got another, much longer one lined up through France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany for July!)