RE: 'Extreme' McLaren Elva revealed with 815hp

[Vee12V]

Doesn't look half too bad I'd say, but then how could it. I just don't see the appeal though. The only reason why you'd get one of these if you've been refused to buy an SP1/SP2.

[Maldini35]

Vee12V said:

Doesn't look half too bad I'd say, but then how could it. I just don't see the appeal though. The only reason why you'd get one of these if you've been refused to buy an SP1/SP2.

There might be some truth in that!

That said, Ferrari & McLaren do go about things in quite different ways.
If you want a more characterful engine then Ferrari have the upper hand.
If you want a more connected driving experience in terms of steering & ride and handling then McLaren seem to have the edge.
Then there’s the two very different style languages - which are obviously very subjective as evidenced on many PH threads!

It also depends on where in the world the customers are from.
In Europe & USA you tend to find more diehard Ferrari fans.
Where as in less developed markets like China, all the brands have a more level playing field.
Then it comes down to market allocation and what cars are available for them to buy.
Here you may well get somebody who had been refused a SP1 or SP2 going straight to McLaren for an Elva.

I would love to know how they both compare from a driving perspective.
I’m sure both manufacturers will do everything in their powers to prevent it but it would make a fascinating duel test.

[Baddie]

Wammer said:

Erm the F355, 360, 430, 458 and 488 have all been mid engined V8's so im not sure what your point is?

Variations of the Columbo V12 served Ferrari from 1947 to 1989. However, it was massively charismatic, and they built a few other engines along the way, in different formats and chassis layouts.

The Ricardo V8 is effective but charisma-free by comparison - it is a device. Every time there’s an F1 comparison it’s the BMW V12 that wins hands down. McLaren have been clever in making the mid-engined carbon tub, turbo V8, flappy paddles stretch from £140k to over £1mill, but it’s a bit one trick and, to me at least, is beginning to feel stale and cynical. Could McLaren build and sell a Roma, or GTC Lusso?

[S1KRR]

Baddie said:

... Could McLaren build and sell a Roma, or GTC Lusso?

Almost certainly. They have the technical ability, they have the talent.

Just like they could make a luxury high speed 4 door saloon/coupe or a high performance SUV.


My guess is that they don't have the money to invest into R&D'ing other model ranges. So are waiting to break even on the Carbon tubbed mid engine cars before investing into their future. How long that will take is anybodies guess. 10 years?


Given that the Cayenne seriously helped Porsche financially. (Since whatever you think of SUVs they sell REALLY well, worldwide!) I'm amazed McLaren aren't seriously looking at even a platform share arrangement with a dedicated SUV producer. Imagine if McLaren built a Coupe style SUV (Like the Urus/GLE 63 Coupe/X6M) on a RRS chassis with their 3.8TT V8 in it.

I know they have publicly said they'll never build one. But then the group also said they'd never be a customer engine team in F1. And they are about to return to Mercedes, a company they once derided as not as dedicated as Honda. So things can change in an instant

[TheOrangePeril]

Gorgeous!

[redchina]

I just saw one of these today at the Targa West in Perth, WA.


bloody hell, there is a car that draws a crowd, but can realistically only be driven about 300k's a year.


There was an old, custom made jag there as well - based on a Mk 7 chassis and weighted about 650kg.
probably similar (ish) power to weight ratios and i bet a hell of a lot more, care free fun.


I admit, there were a lot less girls around the Jag though!